Researchers at the <a href="https://illinois.edu/">University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign</a> have recently reported that both public parks and private backyards play a vital role in supporting bird diversity in urban environments. 



"Greenspaces are increasingly valued for supporting biodiversity in urbanized landscapes. Previous research efforts have emphasized the importance of public land such as parks and nature preserves for biodiversity, yet private yards in residential neighborhoods also have great potential for species conservation," wrote the researchers. 



By studying two closely situated cities in Illinois with contrasting development histories and green space management, the experts discovered that these spaces are crucial for different bird species during varying seasons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-bird-populations">Urban bird populations</h2>



The researchers monitored <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-populations-are-declining-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird populations</a> across 39 public parks and 41 private yards in Urbana and Champaign - cities with distinct urban characteristics and historical development. 



Urbana, with a history dating back to 1822, boasts extensive green spaces nurtured within an ancient hardwood forest. By contrast, Champaign was developed in the mid-1800s along a railway - with a focus on human recreation in its smaller parks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seasonal-variations-in-urban-bird-diversity">Seasonal variations in urban bird diversity </h2>



The analysis revealed significant seasonal shifts in bird <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/u-s-bird-diversity-puzzling-geographical-differences-identified/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diversity</a> between the two cities. During summer, Urbana's richer vegetation and cooler green spaces attracted a broader variety of birds, including species like the belted kingfisher and scarlet tanager. 



Conversely, in winter, Urbana's parks and yards continued to support diverse communities, including the winter wren and yellow-bellied sapsucker.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-urban-management-on-bird-diversity">Impact of urban management on bird diversity</h2>



Pollock pointed out the significant effects of active management in urban green spaces. "In places where there’s been active management to try to increase plant diversity and get some native plant cover back, it has had a big impact on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/as-urban-heat-continues-to-rise-birds-are-moving-away/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird</a> communities," he explained. 



Urbana's parks, with their focus on conservation and habitat restoration, were especially beneficial for rare and specialist bird species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-actions-for-residents">Practical actions for residents</h2>



The study also suggests practical ways for residents to enhance bird diversity in their own backyards. Carena Van Riper, a collaborator on the project, encouraged simple yet effective actions. 



"Perhaps this will allow people to see that there are small but important behaviors that will influence birds and increase bird diversity," noted Van Riper. 



Among the recommendations were installing bird feeders (especially during winter), planting native vegetation, and setting up bird baths.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-greenery-a-blueprint-for-biodiversity">Urban greenery: A blueprint for biodiversity </h2>



This comprehensive study underscores the interconnectedness of urban management and biodiversity. It offers a fresh perspective on how both public and private green spaces play integral roles in supporting urban wildlife. 



As cities continue to grow, understanding and implementing strategies that facilitate coexistence with nature becomes even more crucial. 



The insights from Urbana and Champaign can serve as a guide for other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-spaces-shape-bird-characteristics-in-urban-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urban areas</a> aiming to enhance biodiversity and sustainability within their confines.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What influences urban bird diversity?</h2>



Urban bird diversity is influenced by a variety of factors, each playing a role in how well birds can adapt and thrive in city environments. Key factors include:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Green spaces</h3>



The presence and quality of green spaces such as parks, gardens, and green roofs are crucial. These areas provide essential resources like food, nesting sites, and safe havens from urban threats.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Water bodies</h3>



Rivers, lakes, and ponds in urban settings attract waterfowl and other species that rely on aquatic habitats for feeding and breeding.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Food availability</h3>



The accessibility of natural food sources, supplemented by bird feeders, significantly impacts which species are able to sustain populations in urban areas.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Building designs</h3>



The architecture of a city influences bird diversity. Features like reflective glass can cause bird collisions, whereas features like ledges and nooks might offer nesting spots.



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



Air and noise pollution can deter birds from settling in urban areas. Pollution can also affect the health of the habitats birds rely on.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Human interaction</h3>



The level and nature of human activity and disturbance - ranging from benign presence to active conservation efforts - play a big role. Quieter, less disturbed areas tend to support more diverse bird populations.



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



Urban microclimates, influenced by the heat island effect where cities are warmer than surrounding areas, can affect which species are likely to thrive or decline in urban settings.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204624000598?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Landscape and Urban Planning</a>.



-----



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.&nbsp;



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.



-----

How urban spaces support bird diversity

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have recently reported that both public parks and private backyards play a vital role in supporting bird diversity in urban environments. "Greenspaces are increasingly valued for supporting biodiversity in urbanized landscapes. Previous research efforts have emphasized the importance of public land such as parks and nature preserves for biodiversity, yet private yards in residential neighborhoods also have great potential for species conservation," wrote the researchers. By studying two closely situated cities in Illinois with contrasting development histories and green space...

Beautiful,Iceberg,,Antarctica

A disturbing study in Antarctica has brought to light the dramatic and swift reduction of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet at the conclusion of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/clues-from-the-last-ice-age-help-predict-oceans-response-to-continued-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Last Ice Age</a>, approximately 8,000 years ago. 



The discovery, encapsulated in an ice core, reveals an astonishing reduction of 1500 feet (450 meters) in ice thickness in less than two centuries, a scale surpassing the height of the Empire State Building. 



This unprecedented finding, uncovered by researchers from the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a> and the <a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Antarctic Survey</a>, marks the first evidence of such rapid ice loss in Antarctica.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vulnerability-of-the-west-antarctic-ice-sheet">Vulnerability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet</h2>



Their research has ignited concerns over the potential instability of Antarctica ice, particularly of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, in response to today's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctica-experienced-the-most-intense-heat-wave-ever-recorded/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">escalating temperatures</a>.



The implications of this study are profound, especially considering the Antarctic ice sheets' capacity to elevate global sea levels by about 187 feet (57 meters). 



The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is under particular scrutiny due to its position on bedrock below sea level, rendering it especially susceptible to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctica-in-distress-the-escalating-consequences-of-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate-induced changes</a>.



“We now have direct evidence that this ice sheet suffered rapid ice loss in the past,” said Professor Eric Wolff, senior author of the new study from Cambridge’s Department of Earth Sciences. 



“This scenario isn’t something that exists only in our model predictions and it could happen again if parts of this ice sheet becomes unstable.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-cores-time-capsules-of-antarctic-ice-history">Ice cores: Time capsules of Antarctic ice history</h2>



The study utilized ice cores, which are essentially archives of past climates and environmental conditions, to understand the historical dynamics of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctica-has-lost-3000-billion-tons-of-ice-in-25-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice sheet</a>. 



By drilling a 651-meter-long ice core from Skytrain Ice Rise in 2019, the researchers were able to analyze indicators such as stable water isotopes and air bubble pressure to deduce past temperatures and ice thickness.



“We wanted to know what happened to the West Antarctic Ice Sheet at the end of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-last-ice-age-shows-how-rising-sea-levels-will-transform-coastal-habitats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Last Ice Age</a>, when temperatures on Earth were rising, albeit at a slower rate than current anthropogenic warming,” said Dr Isobel Rowell, study co-author from the British Antarctic Survey. “Using ice cores we can go back to that time and estimate the ice sheet’s thickness and extent.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tipping-points-mechanisms-of-ice-loss-in-antarctica">Tipping points: Mechanisms of ice loss in Antarctica</h2>



The study suggests that the rapid thinning 8,000 years ago was likely initiated by warm water infiltrating beneath the ice sheet's edge, leading to a dramatic detachment and the formation of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-largest-iceberg-a23a-undergoing-major-erosion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ronne Ice Shelf</a>. 



This event resulted in significant geographic changes, evidenced by an increase in sodium content in the ice, indicative of the sea advancing closer to the drilling site following the ice shelf's retreat.



The precision of the data obtained from the ice cores provides a more accurate timeline for these events, refining previous models that estimated the retreat to have occurred between 12,000 and 5,000 years ago. This specificity is a critical advancement for future modeling efforts.



“We already knew from models that the ice thinned at around this time, but the date of this was uncertain,” said Rowell. “We now have a very precisely dated observation of that retreat which can be built into improved models.”



Despite the historical instability, the ice sheet stabilized once it receded to its present extent. However, the study underscores the urgent need to determine whether <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctica-is-experiencing-rapid-plant-growth-concerning-scientists/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contemporary warming</a> could trigger a similar or even more drastic response.



As Professor Wolff succinctly put it, understanding whether additional warmth could destabilize the ice and induce a new phase of retreat is now of paramount importance. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-path-forward-learning-from-the-past">The path forward: Learning from the past</h2>



In summary, this distressing study revealed a critical historical moment when the West Antarctic Ice Sheet underwent a dramatic and swift reduction at the end of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/consequences-of-climate-changes-after-the-last-ice-age/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Last Ice Age</a>, highlighting the extreme vulnerability of Antarctica ice sheets to climate change. 



By utilizing ice cores as natural archives, researchers have provided direct evidence of rapid ice loss, emphasizing the potential for current global warming to trigger similar destabilizing effects in the future. 



The findings underscore the urgent need for precise climate models and further research to assess the risks of ice sheet collapse, aiming to mitigate the impacts of rising sea levels on global communities. 



The work by this dedicated team of scientists deepens our understanding of ice sheet dynamics and serves as a stark reminder of the pressing challenges posed by climate change, urging immediate action to safeguard our planet's future.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01375-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>.



-----



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.



-----



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 <a href="https://www.earth.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth.com</a>. 



-----

Antarctica suffered extremely rapid ice loss after the Last Ice Age, alarming scientists

A disturbing study in Antarctica has brought to light the...

Visualization,Of,A,Black,Hole,In,Space,,3d,Illustration

In a remarkable new analysis of data from the James Webb Space Telescope, researchers have found evidence that black holes played a central role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/primordial-black-holes-may-be-shifting-earths-orbit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shaping the universe</a> as we know it -- and much earlier than previously believed.



The experts propose that black holes not only existed at the dawn of the universe but also catalyzed the birth of new stars, acting as colossal accelerators for galaxy formation. 



This research contradicts the long-held belief that black holes emerged after the formation of the first stars and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shapes-of-one-million-galaxies-hint-at-the-universes-origins/">galaxies</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amplifiers-of-star-formation-nbsp">Amplifiers of star formation&nbsp;</h2>



"We know these monster black holes exist at the center of galaxies near our Milky Way, but the big surprise now is that they were present at the beginning of the universe as well and were almost like building blocks or seeds for early galaxies," said study lead author Joseph Silk, a professor of physics and astronomy at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins University</a>.&nbsp;



"They really boosted everything, like gigantic amplifiers of star formation, which is a whole turnaround of what we thought possible before - so much so that this could completely shake up our understanding of how galaxies form."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observations-of-distant-galaxies">Observations of distant galaxies</h2>



This novel perspective is backed by observations of distant galaxies from the universe's earliest epochs, which appear significantly brighter than anticipated, boasting high numbers of young stars and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/18-black-holes-captured-devouring-nearby-stars-in-dramatic-tidal-disruption-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supermassive black holes</a>. 



These observations challenge the prevailing model of cosmic evolution, suggesting instead a symbiotic existence of black holes and galaxies that influenced each other's development during the universe's first 100 million years. 



This time period, in the grand timeline of the cosmos, equates to the initial days of January on a calendar that represents the universe's 13.8 billion-year history.



"We're arguing that black hole outflows crushed gas clouds, turning them into stars and greatly accelerating the rate of star formation," explained Professor Silk.&nbsp;



"Otherwise, it's very hard to understand where these bright galaxies came from because they're typically smaller in the early universe. Why on earth should they be making stars so rapidly?"



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-black-holes-and-bright-galaxies">Black holes and bright galaxies</h2>



Black holes are regions in space where gravity's pull is so intense that not even light can escape. 



Because of this force, they generate powerful magnetic fields that make violent storms, ejecting turbulent plasma and ultimately acting like enormous particle accelerators, noted Professor Silk. 



He explained that this process is likely why <a href="https://webb.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Webb</a>'s detectors have spotted more of these black holes and bright galaxies than scientists anticipated.



"We can't quite see these violent winds or jets far, far away, but we know they must be present because we see many black holes early on in the universe," said Silk. 



"These enormous winds coming from the black holes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-hole-jets-are-like-million-light-year-long-jedi-lightsabers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crush nearby gas clouds</a> and turn them into stars. That's the missing link that explains why these first galaxies are so much brighter than we expected."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-phase-early-universe">Two-phase early universe</h2>



The analysis suggests a two-phase early universe: an initial period where black hole outflows spurred rapid star formation followed by a slowdown as these outflows transitioned to a more energy-conservative state.&nbsp;



A few hundred million years after the big bang, gas clouds collapsed because of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supermassive-black-holes-are-very-messy-eaters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supermassive black hole</a> magnetic storms, and new stars were born at a rate far exceeding that observed billions of years later in normal galaxies, explained Professor Silk. 



The creation of stars slowed down because these powerful outflows transitioned into a state of energy conservation, he said, reducing the gas available to form stars in galaxies.



"We thought that in the beginning, galaxies formed when a giant gas cloud collapsed. The big surprise is that there was a seed in the middle of that cloud - a big black hole - and that helped rapidly turn the inner part of that cloud into stars at a rate much greater than we ever expected. And so the first galaxies are incredibly bright."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-many-questions-remain-about-black-holes">Many questions remain about black holes </h2>



The researchers are optimistic that future observations from the Webb telescope will further substantiate their findings and contribute to a deeper understanding of the universe's evolution. 



They anticipate that forthcoming data will offer more precise counts of stars and supermassive black holes in the early universe, aiding in the elucidation of the relationship between black holes and galaxy formation. 



"The big question is, what were our beginnings? The sun is one star in 100 billion in the Milky Way galaxy, and there's a massive black hole sitting in the middle, too. What's the connection between the two?" said Professor Silk. "Within a year we'll have so much better data, and a lot of our questions will begin to get answers."



The study is published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ad1bf0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal Letters</a>.



-----



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.



-----



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>.



-----

Did black holes exist before galaxies formed in the universe?

In a remarkable new analysis of data from the James...

In recent years, psilocybin -- the psychoactive compound found in certain mushrooms -- has seen a remarkable uptick in both interest, scrutiny, and now law enforcement seizures. 



A study spearheaded by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, alongside the National Drug Early Warning System, highlights a significant increase in law enforcement seizures of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-psilocybin-mushrooms-got-their-magic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psilocybin</a> mushrooms, suggesting a rise in its availability and use. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growing-presence-of-psilocybin-mushrooms">Growing presence of psilocybin mushrooms</h2>



From 2017 to 2022, seizures surged by 369%, jumping from 402 to 1,393 instances, while the quantity of psilocybin confiscated quadrupled from 226 to 844 kilograms.



Joseph Palamar, PhD, MPH, the lead author of the study and an associate professor in the <a href="https://med.nyu.edu/departments-institutes/population-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department of Population Health</a> at <a href="https://nyulangone.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NYU Langone Health</a>, emphasized the implications of their findings. 



“Our findings, which uncover an increase in confiscations of psilocybin mushrooms, suggest that popularity and availability of this psychedelic may be increasing,” said Palamar. 



He further highlighted the necessity for enhanced prevention and harm-reduction education, acknowledging the potential adverse effects of unsupervised <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-learn-why-psilocybin-mushrooms-make-you-hallucinate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psilocybin</a> use.



“Although psilocybin is by no means the most dangerous drug, adverse effects do happen, so heightened prevention efforts and harm-reduction education may be necessary,” he added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Psilocybin mushrooms: A therapeutic enigma</h2>



The resurgence of interest in psilocybin mushrooms can be attributed to its potential therapeutic benefits. 



Recent research trials have delved into its efficacy in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-offers-new-explanation-for-how-psychedelic-drugs-work/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">treating conditions</a> such as alcohol use disorder, post-traumatic stress, and depression related to cancer, within controlled clinical settings. 



These studies are crucial for understanding psilocybin's broader impacts, particularly as societal and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/australia-is-the-first-country-to-legalize-psychedelics-for-mental-health-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">legal attitudes</a> towards it begin to shift.



Palamar points out that several American cities, especially in the Midwest and West, have started to relax restrictions on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/genetic-diversity-of-magic-mushrooms-leaves-room-for-new-cultivars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psilocybin</a> mushrooms, reflecting a changing landscape of drug policy and public perception. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-legal-landscape-and-availability">Shifting legal landscape and availability</h2>



Despite this, the recreational use of psilocybin and its implications remain underexplored areas that warrant further investigation.



The study is pioneering in its examination of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hallucinogen-use-is-on-the-rise-among-young-adults/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psilocybin</a> mushroom seizure trends across the United States. 



Utilizing data from the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (<a href="https://www.dea.gov/operations/hidta" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HIDTA</a>) program, the research team analyzed over 4,500 psilocybin seizure reports spanning from January 2017 through December 2022. 



This comprehensive analysis not only quantified the seizures but also categorized them by state and main census regions, offering a detailed overview of psilocybin's presence across the country.



Interestingly, the Midwest and West emerged as hotspots for psilocybin seizures, with the environmental conditions in the West potentially facilitating the cultivation of psilocybin-producing mushrooms. 



This geographic distribution underscores the varied landscape of psilocybin use and enforcement across regions, highlighting the complexity of addressing its rise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-and-responding-to-psilocybin-s-rise">Understanding and responding to psilocybin's rise</h2>



Palamar's research emphasizes the importance of understanding the dynamics behind the growing availability and use of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psilocybin-microdosing-may-improve-mental-health-by-boosting-stress-resilience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psilocybin</a>. 



"These results highlight the need to better understand not only how the availability and popularity of psilocybin is changing and why, but also how the drug affects those who use it recreationally," he remarked.



The study also raises questions about the impact of decriminalization efforts on psilocybin use and seizures, suggesting a need for more targeted research in this area. 



Moreover, Palamar cautions against over-relying on law enforcement seizures as a sole indicator of drug availability or use, noting the limitations of such data in reflecting the nuances of drug trafficking and consumption patterns.



In summary, the rise in psilocybin seizures signals a pivotal moment in the discourse surrounding psychedelic substances. 



As society grapples with changing perceptions and the potential therapeutic uses of psilocybin, these findings offer a crucial foundation for future discussions, policies, and research aimed at navigating the complexities of psychedelic drug use in a rapidly evolving landscape.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871624000073?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Drug and Alcohol Dependence</a>.



-----



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.



-----



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 <a href="https://www.earth.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth.com</a>. 



-----

Police seizures of psilocybin ‘magic’ mushrooms have increased dramatically

In recent years, psilocybin -- the psychoactive compound found in...

In recent years, the conversation around cannabis use has shifted dramatically, with an increasing number of countries and states re-evaluating its legal status. 



Amidst this evolving landscape, a study led by Natasha E. Wade, an assistant professor at the <a href="https://ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California at San Diego</a> and head of the Neuro D-Tox Lab, sheds new light on the potential impacts of cannabis use on adolescents. 



Based on data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, the research presents compelling evidence that even light to moderate cannabis use during early adolescence can lead to cognitive deficits, especially in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-learning-how-the-brain-stores-new-information/">memory</a> and attention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-developing-brain">The developing brain</h2>



Cannabis contains the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which has led to its widespread use both medicinally and recreationally. However, there are growing concerns about its use among adolescents - whose brains are still undergoing critical developmental phases.&nbsp;



The potency of cannabis and the methods of its use have changed significantly over the years, prompting a deeper investigation into its effects on the developing brain. The research team aimed to address the challenges in accurately identifying adolescent cannabis users.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accurate-group-categorization-nbsp">Accurate group categorization&nbsp;</h2>



"Cannabis use in adolescents is not uncommon, though it is unclear if younger teens are comfortable disclosing their use," said Professor Wade. “We wanted to improve our methods for identifying those who have used cannabis by both asking teens if they had use and by using objective, toxicological testing through hair samples."



"Having more accurate group categorization may improve our ability to determine cognitive correlates of cannabis use - which we also assessed here.”



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



The researchers focused on a subset of participants in the ABCD study. They analyzed 2,971 hair samples from the fourth-year follow-up when the participants were around 13-14 years old.&nbsp;



The experts looked for THC, THCCOOH (an inactive metabolite indicating personal use), and cannabidiol (CBD), aiming to objectively measure cannabis exposure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-new-insights">Critical new insights</h2>



The researchers found significant cognitive differences between adolescents who used cannabis and those who did not. Specifically, cannabis users exhibited poorer performance in episodic memory tasks, which involve recalling specific events or experiences, and showed marginal deficits in receptive language skills, crucial for understanding words and sentences.&nbsp;



Furthermore, higher concentrations of THCCOOH were associated with lower scores in receptive language and attention tasks, underscoring the potential for cannabis to impact key cognitive functions during a critical period of brain development.



The findings emphasize the importance of using objective measures in research to uncover more accurate relationships between brain behavior and substance use.&nbsp;



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



“When we carefully determine cannabis use group status in teens 13-14 years-old and match those with cannabis use to socio-demographically matched controls, we do see that there are group differences in memory, and that more cannabis use was associated with poor verbal abilities, inhibition, working memory, and episodic memory,” Professor Wade told PsyPost.



“We also found that combining hair toxicology with self-report data shows more brain-behavior relationships than self-report data alone. This indicates that within substance use research and in other domains, too, we need to use more objective measurement to improve our ability to accurately investigate important research questions.”



The study not only provides valuable insights into the cognitive effects of adolescent cannabis use but also sets the stage for future research. Professor Wade and her team plan to leverage the ABCD study's longitudinal data to explore cognitive changes over time in relation to cannabis use, as well as to investigate patterns of substance use initiation and escalation in teens.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306460323003258?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Addictive Behaviors</a>. 



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.



—-&nbsp;



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>.

Cannabis use in adolescence linked to cognitive deficits

In recent years, the conversation around cannabis use has shifted...

In Africa, pangolins are equipped with a distinctive armor of overlapping scales, made of keratin - the same material as human fingernails - providing them with protection against predators such as lions, hyenas, snakes, and wild dogs. This natural defense mechanism allows them to curl into a ball, shielding their soft underbellies.&nbsp;



However, these very scales make pangolins a target for illegal wildlife traffickers, driving a lucrative and unlawful trade that poses a significant threat to wildlife and human communities globally.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-forensics-laboratory-nbsp">Wildlife forensics laboratory&nbsp;</h2>



To address the pressing issue of wildlife <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/internet-global-wildlife-trafficking/">trafficking</a>, the College of Natural Resources and Environment at <a href="https://www.vt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Tech</a> has been granted $2.6 million by the <a href="https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-civilian-security-democracy-and-human-rights/bureau-of-international-narcotics-and-law-enforcement-affairs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs</a>. 



This funding is allocated for the establishment of a cutting-edge wildlife forensics laboratory in Kasane, Botswana, which will operate in partnership with the Botswana government.&nbsp;



Professor Kathleen Alexander of Virginia Tech’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation will lead this initiative, significantly enhancing the institution's research capabilities in Botswana.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaborative-effort">Collaborative effort</h2>



The lab aims to facilitate swift DNA evidence processing to aid the investigation and prosecution of wildlife trafficking cases in the region, and it will also support the launch of Botswana's multiagency wildlife crime training and response units, dubbed the Elite Team.



The project is a collaborative effort between Virginia Tech, the Republic of Botswana, and the <a href="https://www.caracal.info/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Center for African Resources: Animals, Communities, and Land Use</a> (CARACAL), a nongovernmental organization founded by Alexander in 2001. Additionally, the <a href="https://witatrain.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wildlife Investigation Training Alliance</a>, a nonprofit conservation organization, will oversee the educational aspects of the initiative.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increasing-global-threat">Increasing global threat</h2>



Alexander, the project's principal investigator, emphasized the increasing global threat of wildlife trafficking, highlighting its implications not only for conservation but also for national and global security.&nbsp;



“Wildlife trafficking is escalating across the globe and is increasingly seen as a threat to conservation and local livelihoods. But more significantly, we’re seeing that wildlife trafficking is part of an integrated system that allows criminal syndicates to operate and grow. Tackling wildlife crime is not just about conservation related impacts, it’s about national and global security,” she said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-combating-wildlife-crime">Combating wildlife crime</h2>



The establishment of the wildlife forensic center builds upon Virginia Tech's ongoing collaboration with the Botswana government. This partnership was underscored by the visits of Botswana President Eric Mokgweetsi Keabetswe Masisi to Virginia Tech and Virginia Tech President Tim Sands to Botswana, marking significant milestones in the relationship between the two entities.



President Masisi acknowledged Botswana's leadership in conservation but pointed out the need to bridge gaps in the country's capacity to combat wildlife crime. He believes the forensic center will serve as a crucial resource in protecting Botswana's natural heritage.



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



Illegal wildlife trade, encompassing products ranging from pangolin scales to elephant ivory, poses one of the largest threats to global biodiversity and public health, facilitating zoonotic disease spread and funding criminal networks. Botswana, with its rich biodiversity including the world's largest elephant population, is strategically positioned in the fight against this illicit trade.



Alexander's work in Botswana takes a One Health approach, addressing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. The new forensic center represents a significant step forward in combating wildlife trafficking and its broader implications for security and conservation in southern Africa.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-innovative-technologies-nbsp">Innovative technologies&nbsp;</h2>



The forensic center will employ innovative technologies to trace the origins of trafficked animal products and develop strategies to combat wildlife smuggling. This initiative underscores a collective effort to tackle wildlife trafficking within and beyond Botswana's borders, leveraging advanced DNA sequencing technologies to analyze complex samples.



The collaboration between Virginia Tech and the Botswana government exemplifies a model for how academic institutions and governments can unite to address global challenges, reflecting Virginia Tech's commitment to service and providing a blueprint for future partnerships aimed at securing peace, democracy, and equity worldwide.



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.



—-&nbsp;



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>.

Experts are using forensic science to fight wildlife trafficking

In Africa, pangolins are equipped with a distinctive armor of...

A recent study in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316623726783#abs0010" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Nutrition</a> reveals that consuming salmon as part of a diet can introduce at least 30 metabolites into the body. These metabolites, which are substances produced through digestion and other biochemical processes, include four that are associated with significant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/poor-sleep-linked-to-earlier-onset-of-cardiovascular-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular health</a> benefits.



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



The research - led by the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado</a> - involved 41 participants aged between 30 and 69, who were instructed to follow a Mediterranean diet. This diet included a variety of fish, low-fat meats, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.&nbsp;



The health of their cardiovascular system was evaluated through blood analysis and other diagnostic tests before and after adhering to the diet. Specifically, the diet incorporated two servings of salmon per week over two five-week intervals, separated by a month-long break.&nbsp;



The participants were selected based on being overweight or obese, yet none had any active metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salmon-food-specific-compounds">Salmon food-specific compounds</h2>



Additionally, the study involved laboratory analysis of the food provided to participants to identify the metabolites present. Of the 1,518 compounds detected in the food, 508 were unique to salmon. The researchers designated compounds found exclusively in salmon as salmon food-specific compounds.



The findings highlighted an increase in two salmon-specific compounds and two metabolites known for their cholesterol-reducing properties and links to improved cardiovascular health.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-remarkable-results">Remarkable results</h2>



Many of these beneficial substances were identified as fats, underscoring the health advantages of omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon. Remarkably, participants with higher levels of these substances in their bloodstream exhibited more significant reductions in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B, a marker of heart disease risk.



"We are the first to identify salmon-specific bioactive compounds that increase in plasma after consuming [a Mediterranean diet] with ~4-8oz (one to two filets) of salmon per week. Further, several of these food-specific compounds were associated with short-term improvement in cardiometabolic health indicators," the authors wrote.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salmon-varieties-nbsp">Salmon varieties&nbsp;</h2>



Salmon varieties include five types of Pacific salmon and two types of Atlantic salmon, with wild-caught Pacific salmon often regarded as the most beneficial for health. The nutritional value, particularly the omega-3 content in wild salmon, depends on their natural diet, whereas in farmed salmon, it varies with the feed they are given.



The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and olive oil, has been extensively studied and hailed as the optimal eating plan for health. Research indicates that transitioning to a Mediterranean diet from a typical Western diet can extend life expectancy, with greater benefits the earlier it is adopted.



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



Salmon is widely recognized for its impressive health benefits, largely due to its rich content of nutrients and omega-3 fatty acids.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heart-health">Heart health</h3>



One of the most notable benefits of consuming salmon is its contribution to heart health. The omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon can help reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, decrease triglycerides, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Additionally, it is a great source of high-quality protein, which is essential for muscle maintenance and repair.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-health">Brain health</h3>



Another significant benefit is its role in brain health. The omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, are vital for maintaining brain function and are linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline as we age. These fatty acids can also be beneficial for mental health, helping to manage depression and anxiety.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vitamins-and-minerals">Vitamins and minerals</h3>



Salmon also provides a good amount of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, vitamin D, selenium, and potassium. Vitamin D is essential for bone health and immune function, while selenium helps protect bone health, decreases thyroid antibodies in people with autoimmune thyroid disease, and may reduce the risk of certain cancers.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antioxidants">Antioxidants</h3>



Furthermore, the astaxanthin antioxidant in salmon, which gives it its red color, has been linked to several health benefits. It may help protect against heart disease, reduce the risk of brain damage from strokes, and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that may protect against aging and help with skin elasticity.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weight-management-nbsp">Weight management&nbsp;</h3>



Incorporating salmon into your diet can support weight management as well. Its high protein content can promote feelings of fullness, which may lead to reduced calorie intake throughout the day. This, combined with the metabolic boost from omega-3 fatty acids, makes salmon a beneficial food for weight control.



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.



—-&nbsp;



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>.

Eating salmon can help lower your cholesterol

A recent study in the Journal of Nutrition reveals that...

1826989610

A new study led by the <a href="https://www.bu.edu/sph/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boston University School of Public Health</a> (BUSPH) challenges prevailing narratives about the causes of excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;



The research has produced compelling evidence that many deaths previously attributed to natural causes were, in fact, uncounted fatalities from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-associated-with-lower-covid-19-vaccine-responses/">COVID-19</a>.&nbsp;



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



"Official COVID-19 mortality statistics have not fully captured deaths attributable to SARS-CoV-2 infection in the United States," wrote the researchers.



"While some excess deaths were likely related to pandemic health care interruptions and socioeconomic disruptions, temporal correlations between reported COVID-19 deaths and excess deaths reported to non-COVID-19 natural causes suggest that many of those excess deaths were unrecognized COVID-19 deaths."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-true-toll">Understanding the true toll</h2>



The investigation represents a significant stride in understanding the true toll of the pandemic.&nbsp;



Kristin Urquiza co-founded Marked By COVID, a justice and remembrance movement, after losing her father to COVID. “This study documents the deadliness of COVID-19 and the effectiveness of public health interventions,” said Urquiza. “The least we can do to honor those who died is to accurately account for what happened.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-excess-mortality-nbsp">Excess mortality&nbsp;</h2>



The official count of COVID-19 deaths in the United States stands at nearly 1.17 million, according to federal data. However, this figure is believed to be an underestimation, as suggested by multiple excess mortality studies.&nbsp;



Excess mortality refers to the number of deaths during a given time period that surpasses the number expected under normal circumstances.&nbsp;



Until now, the challenge has been to determine whether these additional deaths were directly due to COVID-19 or resulted from indirect consequences of the pandemic, such as healthcare disruptions or socioeconomic factors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unrecognized-covid-19-fatalities">Unrecognized COVID-19 fatalities</h2>



In collaboration with researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, the BUSPH team provides the first definitive evidence linking a significant portion of excess deaths during the pandemic directly to COVID-19, rather than to non-COVID natural causes like chronic illnesses.&nbsp;



By analyzing monthly data on natural-cause deaths and reported COVID-19 fatalities across 3,127 U.S. counties from March 2020 to August 2022, the team discovered that spikes in non-COVID natural cause deaths coincided with or preceded surges in COVID-19 deaths in most regions. This pattern suggests that many deaths were misclassified and should have been attributed to COVID-19.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-many-deaths-went-uncounted">Many deaths went uncounted</h2>



“Our findings show that many COVID-19 deaths went uncounted during the pandemic. Surprisingly, these undercounts persisted well beyond the initial phase of the pandemic,” said study co-author Dr. Andrew Stokes, who has led numerous studies analyzing excess mortality patterns and drivers during the pandemic.



According to Dr. Stokes, the temporal correlation between reported COVID-19 deaths and excess deaths reported to non-COVID-19 natural causes offers insight into the causes of these deaths.



“We observed peaks in non-COVID-19 excess deaths in the same or prior month as COVID-19 deaths, a pattern consistent with these being unrecognized COVID-19 deaths that were missed due to low community awareness and a lack of COVID-19 testing.”



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



Study lead author Eugenio Paglino, a PhD student at UPenn, noted that if the primary explanation for these deaths were healthcare interruptions and delays in care, the non-COVID excess deaths would likely occur after a peak in reported COVID-19 deaths and subsequent interruptions in care. “However, this pattern was not observed nationally or in any of the geographic subregions we assessed,” said Paglino.



The study also disproves any claims that mortality during the pandemic can be attributed to COVID-19 vaccinations or shelter-in-place policies.&nbsp;



Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, founding director of the Boston University Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Policy and Research, said that the research is important because our ability to detect and correctly assign deaths during an epidemic goes to the heart of our understanding of the disease and how we organize our response.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2313661121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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.



—-&nbsp;



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>.

Hidden death toll of COVID-19 pandemic revealed

A new study led by the Boston University School of...

Volcano,And,Lightning,3d,Illustration,-,Lightning,And,Thunder,Crack

A new study challenges the extraterrestrial origins of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/origin-of-life-on-earth-may-have-been-found-in-ancient-hot-springs/">life</a>, positing that life began on Earth itself. This research, led by the <a href="https://www.sorbonne-universite.fr/en/university" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sorbonne University</a> in Paris, has uncovered that lightning strikes hitting volcanic eruptions across what is now known as Turkey, Peru, and Italy played a crucial role in producing extreme levels of nitrogen, thereby facilitating the birth of the earliest life forms. 



Nitrogen, a fundamental element for life on Earth, when combined with lightning, reacts with oxygen to form nitrogen oxide, which then gets released into the soil, creating a fertile ground for life to emerge and thrive.



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



"Nitrogen (N) fixation is an essential process for life as it converts atmospheric dinitrogen into biologically assimilable forms," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"Experimental and theoretical studies have proposed that volcanic lightning could have contributed to N-fixation in early prebiotic environments on Earth but geological evidence are still lacking."&nbsp;



"For the first time, significant amounts of nitrate have been discovered in volcanic deposits from very large explosive eruptions."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-atmospheric-nitrate">Atmospheric nitrate</h2>



The researchers analyzed samples from three ancient volcanic sites, which revealed that the substantial amounts of nitrates found were of atmospheric origin, suggesting that these essential life-giving elements were delivered by lightning, not derived from the volcanic eruptions themselves.



"When you look at the different possibilities, the most likely was volcanic lightning," said study lead author Slimane Bekki, an expert in atmospheric sciences at the Sorbonne. “We know that you get a lot of lightning when you have a massive volcanic eruption.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-volcanic-lightning-nbsp">Volcanic lightning&nbsp;</h2>



The phenomenon of volcanic lightning, which typically occurs at the eruption's onset, was observed in two key areas: near the ground within ash clouds and higher up in the plume of volcanic smoke that reaches the stratosphere.



To investigate these phenomena, Bekki and his team conducted fieldwork in southern Peru, central Turkey, and off the coast of Naples, Italy, focusing on regions known for their ancient volcanic activities. Their research confirmed that the large quantities of nitrates detected in the soil were indeed atmospheric, brought about by lightning, rather than being directly emitted by the volcanoes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-blocks-of-life">Building blocks of life</h2>



“Indeed, nitrate produced by storm lightning all around the world are spread out on the Earth's surface, while volcanic deposits are formed locally in a very short period of time and, according to our results, can contain large amounts of fixed N [nitrogen], a prerequisite for the development of life,” the authors wrote.



This groundbreaking research not only provides insight into the atmospheric processes that could have supported the emergence of life on Earth but also emphasizes the unique contributions of volcanic lightning to this complex puzzle.



"These findings provide geological support for a unique role played by subaerial explosive eruptions in high energy–demanding processes, which were essential in supplying building blocks for life during its emergence on Earth," wrote the researchers.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2309131121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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.



—-&nbsp;



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>.

Life on Earth may have been created by volcanic lightning

A new study challenges the extraterrestrial origins of life, positing...

Researchers from the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a> have unveiled new insights into the locomotive versatility of dinosaurs, attributing their adaptability as a key factor to their dominance on Earth for 160 million years. 



This study, published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.231495" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Society Open Science</a>, demonstrates that the earliest dinosaurs possessed superior speed and dynamism compared to their contemporaries, which significantly contributed to their evolutionary success.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-locomotion-styles-nbsp">Locomotion styles&nbsp;</h2>



By analyzing limb proportions of various reptiles from the Triassic period (252 to 201 million years ago) - the era marking the emergence and ascendancy of dinosaurs - the team was able to discern the locomotion styles of these ancient creatures.&nbsp;



They distinguished between quadrupedal (four-footed) and bipedal (two-footed) species, additionally evaluating their cursoriality index, indicative of their running capabilities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-advantage-nbsp">Evolutionary advantage&nbsp;</h2>



The findings revealed that dinosaurs and their close relatives were inherently bipedal and cursorial, meaning their limbs were evolutionarily fashioned for running. This adaptability allowed them a broader spectrum of running styles than their rivals, the Pseudosuchia, which included the progenitors of today's crocodiles.



“When the crunch came, 233 million years ago, dinosaurs won out,” said lead author Amy Shipley, an MSc Palaeobiology student at Bristol. “At that time, climates shifted from wet to dry, intensifying the competition for food. Despite being relatively few in number for 20 million years, dinosaurs managed to flourish while the pseudosuchians faltered.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-survival-and-expansion">Survival and expansion</h2>



The study suggests that dinosaurs' capability for water conservation, akin to many of today's reptiles and birds, alongside their versatile mobility, were crucial to their survival and expansion, especially following the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-may-be-enduring-its-seventh-mass-extinction-not-sixth/">mass extinction</a> at the Triassic's close.&nbsp;



“After the end of the Triassic, when there was a mass extinction, the dinosaurs expanded again,” said study senior author Mike Benton, a professor of Paleontology at the same university.&nbsp;



“Most of the pseudosuchians were wiped out by the mass extinction, except for the ancestors of crocodiles, and we found that these surviving dinosaurs expanded their range of locomotion again, taking over many of the empty niches.”



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



Contrary to expectations, the research, co-authored by Dr Armin Elsler, found that dinosaurs did not evolve at exceptionally rapid rates.&nbsp;



“This was a surprise because we expected to see fast evolution in avemetatarsalians and slower evolution in pseudosuchians. What this means is that the locomotion style of dinosaurs was advantageous to them, but it was not an engine of intense evolutionary selection. In other words, when crises happened, they were well placed to take advantage of opportunities after the crisis,” Elsler explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-immensely-adaptable-nbsp">Immensely adaptable&nbsp;</h2>



Dr Tom Stubbs, another collaborator, highlighted the misconception of dinosaurs as solely massive, slow-moving creatures, pointing out their origins as agile, bipedal insect-eaters. This agility and varied leg posture enabled their ancestors to swiftly navigate their environments, capturing prey while evading larger predators.



“And of course, their diversity of posture and focus on fast running meant that dinosaurs could diversify when they had the chance. After the end-Triassic mass extinction, we get truly huge dinosaurs, over ten meters long, some with armor, many quadrupedal, but many still bipedal like their ancestors,” said co-author Suresh Singh. “The diversity of their posture and gait meant they were immensely adaptable, and this ensured strong success on Earth for so long.”&nbsp;



The study not only sheds light on the evolutionary prowess of dinosaurs but also underscores the significance of adaptability in the face of changing environmental conditions and crises.



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.



—-&nbsp;



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>.

Locomotive versatility helped dinosaurs adapt and survive

Researchers from the University of Bristol have unveiled new insights...

Olfactory,System,,Sensory,System,Used,For,Smelling,,Olfaction,Senses.,Components

In an exciting development, researchers have made a significant discovery that sheds light on the intricate process of decision-making by brain cells triggered by odors. 



The study from the University of Colorado <a href="https://www.cuanschutz.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anschutz Medical Campus</a> reveals how specific brain cells, stimulated by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-sense-of-smell-can-change-the-colors-we-see/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">odors</a>, may be crucial in the rapid decision-making processes we often take for granted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-the-hippocampus-in-decision-making">Role of the hippocampus in decision-making</h2>



The focus of this research is the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hunger-hormones-in-the-gut-can-change-our-eating-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hippocampus</a>, a vital part of the brain known for its roles in memory and learning. 



While it has been established that "time cells" within the hippocampus are key to its functioning, their exact contribution to associative learning was previously unclear. 



"These are cells that would remind you to make a decision -- do this or do that," explains Diego Restrepo, PhD, the study's senior author and a renowned neuroscientist and professor at the <a href="https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado School of Medicine</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-associative-learning">Understanding associative learning</h2>



In their experiments, researchers observed mice faced with a choice: respond to a fruity odor by licking a spout to receive sweet water or do nothing when presented with the scent of mineral oil. 



The mice's brains quickly learned to associate the fruit <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-can-a-smell-transport-us-to-another-place/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">odor</a> with the reward, demonstrating the fundamental process of decision-making based on sensory cues. 



“They have to associate the odor with the outcome of what they are doing so that’s why they learn decision making,” said Ming Ma, PhD, a first author of the study and a senior instructor in cell and developmental biology at the CU School of Medicine. “When it’s a fruit odor, they lick and get a reward. When it’s mineral oil they stop licking.”



The study further revealed that as the mice's learning progressed, the stimulated brain cells allowed for faster decoding of odors, enabling the mice to proficiently choose the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/simple-treatment-restores-sense-of-smell-in-long-covid-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fruity smell</a>. 



“The more they learned, the more the cells were stimulated leading to more rapid decoding of the odors and allowing the mice to quickly become proficient at choosing the fruity smell,” said Fabio Simoes de Souza, DSc, another first author of the study and an assistant research professor in cell and developmental biology at the CU School of Medicine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neural-pathway-from-an-odor-to-the-brain-s-decision">Neural pathway: From an odor to the brain's decision</h2>



This process begins with the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/do-we-bond-more-with-people-that-smell-like-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">odor</a> traveling through the nose, sending neural signals to the olfactory bulb and then to the hippocampus, highlighting the close connection between these two organs. 



The swift processing of this odor information leads to immediate decision-making. This discovery is a leap forward in understanding the hippocampus's multifaceted role in decision-making, a function previously unrecognized.



Restrepo speculates that these decision-making cells are not always active to prevent sensory overload. 



This insight opens new avenues in our comprehension of the brain's decision-making capabilities, especially in the context of quick, instinctive choices that both mice and humans constantly make.



Restrepo elucidates the significance of this discovery, stating, "The hippocampus turns on decision-predicting time cells which would give you a hint of what to remember." 



This challenges the traditional view of time cells as mere markers of events and time, revealing their critical role in memory encoding and retrieval during decision-making.



In summary, this research expands our understanding of the brain's decision-making mechanisms and paves the way for future studies that could explore how these processes are altered in neurological conditions, offering hope for new therapeutic strategies. 



The University of Colorado's study is a testament to the ever-evolving nature of neuroscience, promising exciting developments in our understanding of the human brain.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960982224000216?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



-----



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.



-----



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 <a href="https://www.earth.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth.com</a>. 



-----

Odors prompt brain cells to make decisions before ‘you’ know what’s happening

In an exciting development, researchers have made a significant discovery...

A recent publication in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45001-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a> unveils groundbreaking insights into the integral role <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-role-will-forests-play-in-future-climate-change/">forests</a> play within the climate system and the water cycle, underscoring the need for a deeper understanding of their full impact. 



Conducted by researchers from <a href="https://www.su.se/cmlink/stockholm-university" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stockholm University</a> alongside international collaborators from 11 institutions across five countries, including Sweden, the UK, Finland, Germany, and Brazil, the study sheds light on the complex interactions between forests and their contribution to cloud formation, which in turn could significantly affect global temperatures.



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



Forests, covering a third of the planet's land surface, are crucial for carbon storage and regulating the water cycle. The research uniquely focuses on both boreal and tropical forests, which account for 27% and 45% of the world's forested areas, respectively.&nbsp;



These ecosystems exhibit distinct differences in their emissions and the processes of cloud formation, influencing the feedback loop between forests, clouds, and the climate differently.



"This study, utilizing long-term data from diverse forest environments in Finland and Brazil, marks the first time observational evidence has been presented for these interactions in tropical rainforests," said Sara Blichner, a postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Environmental Sciences at Stockholm University.



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



One of the critical findings of the study is the underrepresentation of forests in current climate models, particularly regarding their role in cloud formation.



"Our findings suggest that current models may underestimate the impact of forests on cloud formation and climate, especially in tropical regions, which are crucial due to the high amount of solar radiation these areas receive at these latitudes," Blichner explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-refining-climate-models">Refining climate models</h2>



Despite identifying areas for improvement, Blichner emphasizes the reliability of climate models in capturing the core dynamics of climate change.&nbsp;



"Climate models are highly trustworthy in representing the main processes of climate change. Our research aims to refine these models, reducing uncertainties in future climate projections," she said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-natural-emissions">Natural emissions</h2>



Furthermore, the study highlights the growing significance of natural particles from forests in the climate system, especially as man-made particle emissions decrease due to stringent air quality policies. These natural emissions could increasingly influence cloud reflectivity and, consequently, global warming.



"Natural aerosol feedbacks are expected to become more important in the future, as anthropogenic aerosol emissions decrease due to air quality policy," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"One such feedback is initiated by the increase in biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions with higher temperatures, leading to higher secondary organic aerosol (SOA) production and a cooling of the surface via impacts on cloud radiative properties."



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



The collaborative effort underscores the necessity for ongoing research and enhancements in climate modeling to more accurately predict future climate scenarios.&nbsp;



The study also stresses the importance of considering forest conservation as a pivotal strategy in climate change mitigation, given the role of forests in emitting organic gasses that contribute to particle formation, cloud reflectivity, and potentially cooler surface temperatures.&nbsp;



As global temperatures rise, the expectation is that forests will emit more gasses, leading to an increase in particle formation and more reflective clouds, a critical factor in climate regulation.



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.



—-&nbsp;



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>.

Forests play an overlooked role in Earth's climate system

A recent publication in Nature Communications unveils groundbreaking insights into...

Researchers at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a> have solved the mystery behind the blue color of blueberries. The study reveals fascinating insights into the natural world and potentially paves the way for innovative color technologies. 



The study was led by Rox Middleton, a research fellow at Bristol's School of Biological Sciences.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wax-coating-nbsp">Wax coating&nbsp;</h2>



The team has discovered that the blue hue of blueberries, along with several other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-harness-fruit-waste-to-extract-energy/">fruits</a> such as damsons, sloes, and juniper berries, is not due to the pigmentation within the fruit itself but rather the result of tiny structures within the wax coating that covers the fruit.



The research delves into the specifics of how blueberries exhibit their characteristic blue despite the dark red color of the pigments in the fruit skin. The experts found that the blue appearance is created by a layer of wax enveloping the fruit.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blue-uv-coloration-nbsp">Blue-UV coloration&nbsp;</h2>



The wax layer contains miniature structures that scatter blue and ultraviolet (UV) light, producing the blue-UV coloration visible to both humans and birds.&nbsp;



This chromatic blue-UV reflectance stems from the interaction between the randomly arranged crystal structures of the epicuticular wax and light, a mechanism previously unknown.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-the-blue-of-blueberries-nbsp">Finding the blue of blueberries&nbsp;</h2>



“The blue of blueberries can’t be ‘extracted’ by squishing - because it isn’t located in the pigmented juice that can be squeezed from the fruit. That was why we knew that there must be something strange about the color," explained Middleton.



“So we removed the wax and re-crystallized it on card and in doing so we were able to create a brand new blue-UV coating.”



This ultra-thin colorant, which is about two microns thick, is visibly blue and reflects UV light - hinting at the possibility of new colorant methods inspired by nature's design.



“It shows that nature has evolved to use a really neat trick, an ultrathin layer for an important colorant," said Middleton.



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



The research adds to our understanding of the functional complexity of the wax coatings found on most plants. These coatings are known to serve various purposes, including acting as a hydrophobic, self-cleaning layer, but the study highlights their critical role in visible coloration as well.



Looking forward, the research team aims to explore simpler methods of recreating and applying this coating, which could lead to the development of sustainable, biocompatible, and even edible UV and blue-reflective paints. Such coatings could emulate the multifunctional capabilities of natural biological coatings that protect plants, offering promising applications in various fields.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exciting-results">Exciting results</h2>



“It was really interesting to find that there was an unknown coloration mechanism right under our noses, on popular fruits that we grow and eat all the time," said Middleton.



“It was even more exciting to be able to reproduce that color by harvesting the wax to make a new blue coating that no-one’s seen before. Building all that functionality of this natural wax into artificially engineered materials is the dream!”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-blueberries-nbsp">More about blueberries&nbsp;</h2>



Blueberries are small, round fruits that are known for their sweet and slightly tart flavor, making them a popular choice for use in a variety of culinary dishes like pies, muffins, and jams.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-benefits">Health benefits</h3>



Blueberries are also celebrated for their health benefits; they are rich in vitamins C and K, dietary fiber, and particularly high in antioxidants, which are compounds that protect your body from free radicals, molecules that can damage cells and contribute to aging and diseases like cancer.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultivation">Cultivation</h3>



These berries are native to North America but are now grown in many parts of the world, including Europe, South America, and Asia.&nbsp;



The cultivation of blueberries involves two main types: highbush blueberries, which are the most commonly cultivated variety and stand about 4-7 feet tall, and lowbush or "wild" blueberries, which are smaller, more intensely flavored, and grow closer to the ground.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harvesting">Harvesting</h3>



The harvesting season for blueberries varies by geographical location, but generally, in the Northern Hemisphere, it runs from April to September. Blueberries can be enjoyed fresh, frozen, or dried and have become a staple ingredient in health-conscious diets due to their nutrient-rich profile.&nbsp;



In addition to their dietary benefits, blueberries play a role in cultural traditions and festivals in some regions, celebrating the harvest and heritage of blueberry cultivation. Whether enjoyed as a snack or used as a key ingredient in recipes, blueberries continue to be a beloved fruit around the world.



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.



—-&nbsp;



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>.

Study reveals why blueberries are blue

Researchers at the University of Bristol have solved the mystery...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



---



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



---



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



---



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



---



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



---



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



---



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



---



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



---



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



---



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



---



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



---



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



---



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/">University of Miami</a> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science explores how changes in water temperatures have affected tiger shark habitats and movements in the North Atlantic Ocean. The study reveals that rising temperatures have caused the sharks to shift toward the poles over the past 40 years.



“Tiger shark annual migrations have expanded poleward, paralleling rising water temperatures,” explained study lead author Neil Hammerschlag. “These results have consequences for tiger shark conservation, since shifts in their movements outside of marine protected areas may leave them more vulnerable to commercial fishing.”



The researchers analyzed nine years of tracking data from satellite-tagged tiger sharks, combined with four decades of conventional tag and recapture data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Shark Tagging Program.



The experts found that during the last decade of record heat, for every one-degree Celsius increase in water temperatures, tiger sharks migrated further poleward by over 400 kilometers. They also migrated two weeks earlier than usual to waters off the northeastern coast of the United States.



“Given their role as apex predators, these changes to tiger shark movements may alter predator-prey interactions, leading to ecological imbalances, and more frequent encounters with humans,” concluded Professor Hammerschlag.



Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science



---



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

Today’s Video of the Day from the University of Miami...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> is focused on the melt ponds that emerge during the spring and summer on the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the largest ice mass in the northern hemisphere.



"Melt ponds are vast pools of open water that form on both sea ice and ice sheets and are visible as turquoise-blue pools of water in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image," says ESA.



"When snow and ice melts atop glaciers, water flows in channels and streams and collects in depressions on the surface. These melt ponds can speed up the melting of the surrounding ice since they greatly reduce the ice’s ability to reflect sunlight."



"This can create a positive feedback where an increasing number of melt ponds absorb more heat which causes ice cover to melt even faster."



According to ESA, Greenland has been hit with a late-season heatwave that began in early September. This caused the type of melt event that usually occurs in the middle of summer.



"In a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change, scientists found that major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now ‘inevitable’ even if the burning of fossil fuels were to halt overnight," says ESA. "Using satellite observations of Greenland ice loss and ice cap from 2000 to 2019, the team found the losses will lead to a minimum rise of 27 cm regardless of climate change."



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes a new map of Mars that is providing insight into the planet’s watery past. The map also reveals where future missions could safely land on Mars.&nbsp;



The map has been created over the last decade using observations of water-rich rocks and mineral deposits. The images were captured by ESA’s Mars Express and NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.



"A big surprise is the prevalence of these minerals, with the map revealing hundreds of thousands of water-affected locations in the oldest parts of the planet," says ESA. "The new data will help answer exciting questions about Mars’ climate history, whether water was globally persistent or confined to short, intense episodes, and whether the conditions were ever suitable for life."



"Specifically, the map shows the locations and abundances of aqueous minerals. These are from rocks that have been chemically altered by the action of water in the past, and have typically been transformed into clays and salts."



According to John Carter of the Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale (IAS), our collective understanding of Mars has been oversimplified. He explained that planetary scientists have tended to think that only a few types of clay minerals on Mars were created during its wet period, then as the water gradually dried up, salts were produced across the planet.



The new map shows that the composition of Mars is much more complicated than what we thought. For example, while many salts formed after Martian clays, there are some salts that are presumed to be older than some of the clays.&nbsp;



“The evolution from lots of water to no water is not as clear cut as we thought, the water didn’t just stop overnight. We see a huge diversity of geological contexts, so that no one process or simple timeline can explain the evolution of the mineralogy of Mars. That’s the first result of our study. The second is that if you exclude life processes on Earth, Mars exhibits a diversity of mineralogy in geological settings just as Earth does,” said Carter.



Video Credit: ESA



---



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.stowers.org/">Stowers Institute for Medical Research</a> describes how cavefish adapted to a sedentary lifestyle over tens of thousands of years. 



The experts found that the muscle metabolism of cavefish has been genetically reprogrammed over time. As a result, the animals have experienced major changes in their morphology and behavior. Despite these changes, however, the cavefish remain healthy and fit.



The research may provide new clues about the evolutionary consequences of prolonged physical inactivity in humans.&nbsp;



“It’s no surprise that people are moving less and less as technology has advanced,” said Rohner. “With cavefish, we have a unique system where we can study what might happen if people remained couch potatoes over very, very long periods of time.”



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



---



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="MHyhtebibJ-2200368-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> some of the most incredible waves in the world, as seen by Landsat satellites.



"With more than 370,000 miles of coastline on Earth, there are plenty of places where epic waves build up, curl over, and hurtle toward the shore.- much to the thrill of surfers," says NASA. "There are some places where these waves are so magnificent that they can be seen from space."



"With the broad perspective of satellites, we can see how these iconic waves develop into the world’s tallest, longest, fastest, and heaviest."



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



---



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

[sendtonews key="MHyhtebibJ-2200368-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="761m2QQvR1-2035772-12187" type="single"]</div>



Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes why satellite images and measurements of our planet have become "essential to our survival, offering a new outlook of our world."&nbsp;



Rising sea levels pose one of the biggest societal threats associated with climate change. According to ESA, satellite altimeter missions such as Copernicus Sentinel-6 are essential in monitoring global and regional changes in sea level.



"Unbeknown to many, the island of Crete, Greece, plays an important role in the Copernicus satellite altimetry constellation and on an international stage," reports ESA.



"Satellite altimetry data have to be continuously monitored at the ESA’s Permanent Facility for Altimetry Calibration where different techniques have pioneered the use of transponders to provide the best measurements to validate satellite altimeters in space soon after launch."



Dr. Craig Donlon explains that, by understanding planet Earth through satellite measurements, we are able to find evidence of change.&nbsp;



Video Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



---



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

Satellites have become essential to our survival

[sendtonews key="761m2QQvR1-2035772-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...