Can farms produce enough food to feed us while still leaving space for wildlife? A new proposal says they can.



By setting aside one-fifth of farmland for nature, and tweaking everyday practices on the rest, we can help wildlife recover without sacrificing the food on our tables.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farming-with-wildlife-in-mind">Farming with wildlife in mind</h2>



The plan comes from ecologists at the <a href="https://www.ceh.ac.uk/">UK Centre for Ecology &amp; Hydrology</a> and the University of Alcalá in Spain. Study co-author Professor James Bullock elaborated on the importance of the research.



“Reversing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/un-report-calls-for-global-change-to-stop-biodiversity-loss/">biodiversity loss</a> and degradation of ecosystems is essential both for nature as well as long-term global food security. But there is no single silver bullet for nature recovery and so far it has been unclear how to integrate rewilding into agricultural landscapes," said Professor Bullock. 



“Our proposed approach moves beyond land sparing versus land sharing. We believe rewilding can be interwoven into agricultural landscapes and could be key to maintaining <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/increasing-plant-based-food-production-would-have-extremely-positive-impact/">food production</a> in a way that is sustainable in the long term for people and the planet.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dedicating-land-to-nature-recovery">Dedicating land to nature recovery</h2>



According to the study, fostering rewilding approaches alongside farming could create agroecological landscapes that accommodate biodiversity while remaining resilient and functionally connected. Certain incentives would encourage farmers to adopt this approach.



“While setting aside land for nature recovery could potentially be made a legal requirement for farmers and landowners, there is more likely to be acceptance and success of rewilding if there are incentives in the form of payments for ecosystem services and tax deductions,” noted Professor José María Rey Benayas, lead author on the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-farming-needs-wildlife">Why farming needs wildlife</h2>



Modern farming has greatly increased food production since the 1940s. But this has often come at the expense of nature. 



Clearing land, using heavy fertilizers and pesticides, and removing natural features like hedgerows have pushed many plant and animal species to the edge.



This loss doesn’t just affect wildlife - it disrupts vital services that farms depend on, such as healthy soil, natural pest control, and water retention. As these services decline, the long-term productivity and resilience of farming systems are put at risk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cost-of-declining-wildlife">The cost of declining wildlife</h2>



Across Europe and beyond, once-common species are disappearing from farmland. For example, the U.K. has lost over 40 million birds since 1970, and wild bee populations have declined in more than half of European countries, according to multiple long-term surveys.



These animals aren’t just part of the scenery - they’re key to food production. Birds eat crop pests. Bees and other insects pollinate the flowers that develop into fruits and vegetables. Their loss means greater reliance on artificial fertilisers, pesticides, and expensive manual labour.



Bringing wildlife back isn’t just a conservation goal - it’s a practical step toward more affordable and reliable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-cover-crops-may-be-the-future-of-sustainable-farming/">farming</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-steps-to-farming-alongside-wildlife">Steps to farming alongside wildlife </h2>



The researchers suggest a four-part plan that links nature conservation with everyday farming. 



First, they recommend reserving at least 20% of farmland for nature. This space would include large patches of woodland, wetlands, and species-rich grassland to form strong core habitats. 



Second, these patches should be connected by green corridors - such as hedgerows, ponds, and strips of scrubland - that allow wildlife to move, feed, and reproduce.



Third, they propose protecting small hotspots within working fields. This would involve setting aside about 10% of cropped land for flower strips, beetle banks, and bird perches, bringing the total to the 30% global restoration goal. 



Finally, they call for small changes in daily farming practices, like reducing chemical use, planting flowers for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollinators-face-extinction-risk-due-to-climate-change/">pollinators</a>, and letting livestock graze more freely to help spread seeds and support healthy soil.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rewilding-has-benefits-for-farmers">Rewilding has benefits for farmers</h2>



Many European regions cannot host bears or bison. However, smaller species such as lynx, wildcat, or European hare can still boost ecosystem health. Choosing the right mix depends on local conditions.



Helping wildlife can pay off in more ways than one. When farms support natural habitats, they often see practical benefits in return. 



Better soil retains more water and nutrients, which supports stronger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farmers-can-help-make-crops-more-resilient/">crops</a>. Pollinators and natural predators of pests can help increase yields in nearby fields. 



Farmers may also spend less on fertilizers and pesticides, lowering overall input costs. In some places, governments might provide payments or tax breaks to reward efforts that support biodiversity and ecosystem services.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-room-for-wildlife">Making room for wildlife</h2>



Reaching the 20% target may be challenging for small farms, but collective action can make it achievable. At the same time, each region will need to adapt the plan to fit its local conditions. 



Areas with heavily degraded farmland have the most to gain, while places with traditional, low-impact farming may require fewer changes. 



The researchers emphasize that this is just a starting point - but the message is clear: making room for wildlife alongside farming can help secure both indigenous species and food for the future.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fee.2860">Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment</a>.



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Farming for wildlife: How traditional practices can protect nature

Can farms produce enough food to feed us while still leaving space for wildlife? A new proposal says they can. By setting aside one-fifth of farmland for nature, and tweaking everyday practices on the rest, we can help wildlife recover without sacrificing the food on our tables. Farming with wildlife in mind The plan comes from ecologists at the UK Centre for Ecology &amp; Hydrology and the University of Alcalá in Spain. Study co-author Professor James Bullock elaborated on the importance of the research. “Reversing biodiversity loss...

According to the UK <a href="https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/">Met Office</a>, the Northern Lights will be particularly strong around the North Pole on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/holiday-stress-can-take-away-the-magic-of-the-season/">Christmas</a> Eve. This phenomenon is linked to a solar storm that erupted from the Sun on Monday, December 20, due to a coronal mass ejection (CME) – a powerful eruption of magnetically charged particles and plasma from the Sun’s corona.



The Northern Lights, or Auroras (Aurora borealis at the North Pole, and Aurora australis at the South Pole), have fascinated scientists and stargazers for centuries. They are usually caused by charged particles from solar winds that are colliding with the Earth’s magnetic field and redirected above the poles.&nbsp;



The Earth has an invisible forcefield, the magnetosphere, which protects us from dangerous particles emanating from the Sun. “Whilst it shelters us, it also creates one of the most impressive phenomena on Earth – the Northern Lights,” explained science reporter Marty Jopson.



“When the deadly solar winds meet Earth's magnetosphere, some of the charged particles get trapped, and are propelled down the Earth's magnetic field lines straight towards the poles. And when they reach Earth, they strike atoms and molecules in our atmosphere, releasing energy in the form of light.”&nbsp;



The solar storm that started on Monday is not strong enough to disrupt satellite services and knock out power grids, as some solar storms do. However, it will make the Northern Lights appear much brighter on Christmas Eve.&nbsp;



“The auroral oval is likely to be slightly enhanced at high latitudes from the 22nd to 24th due to coronal hole geomagnetic activity enhancement, and the chance of a weak coronal mass ejection arriving on the 23rd,” the Met Office said.&nbsp;



In Europe, the Northern Lights will be visible from Iceland, Finland and Norway, while in North America they will be best seen in Alaska, and Alberta, Canada.



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

Northern Lights will shine brighter on Christmas Eve

According to the UK Met Office, the Northern Lights will...

A recent study published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-021-01616-8">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a> has found that diverse plant traits, including characteristics such as plant size, structure, and life span, are determined to a large extent by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/">climate</a> and soil properties.



The diversity of plant form and function can be described in terms of morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics. According to scientists, traits across plant species fall into two main categories: size and economy of metabolism.&nbsp;



By analyzing a global dataset for 17 different plant traits, researchers from <a href="https://www.uzh.ch/en.html">University of Zurich</a>, the <a href="https://www.bgc-jena.mpg.de/">Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry</a> in Jena and the <a href="https://www.uni-leipzig.de/en/">University of Leipzig</a>, have confirmed for the first time that these two main categories apply to all plants studied worldwide.



In the size category, plants continuously balance height, leaf size, seed size and similar traits, which are influenced by hydraulic components of water transport. The economics of metabolism category describes how rapidly and effectively plants gain energy and biomass through photosynthesis, in correlation with how long the plants survive. Metabolism can be determined by features such as the structure and composition of leaves, including the concentrations of chemical compounds like nitrogen, phosphorous, or carbon.



Plant traits are influenced by a variety of external factors. By analyzing the characteristics of over 20,000 species of plants, the researchers found that the most decisive factors in shaping these traits are climate and oil conditions.



"Our study clearly demonstrates that plant traits worldwide can be explained by joint effects of climate and soil," said study lead autor Julia Joswig, a doctoral student in Geography and Spatial Genetics at the University of Zurich. “This suggests that aspects of climate change and soil erosion, both of which occur as a result of land use change, for example, should be researched together."



For example, the height of plant species changes along latitudes, due to differences in climate, and both morphological and metabolic processes are strongly influenced by soil-forming factors including organisms living in the soil, geography, and topography.&nbsp;



According to study co-author Miguel Mahecha, a professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Leipzig, "studies of this kind can guide global Earth system models to represent the complex interaction of climate, soil, and biodiversity, which is an important prerequisite for future predictions."



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

Plant traits are shaped by climate and soil conditions

A recent study published in the journal Nature Ecology &amp;...

In a new study from the <a href="https://www.ucsc.edu/">University of California Santa Cruz</a>, the researchers found that mother elephant seals can recognize their pup's voice at just two days old. The experts said this helps mothers and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/babies-develop-preferences-based-on-random-choices/">babies</a> survive during a precarious time.&nbsp;



An international team of scientists led by Dr. Juliette Linossier recorded calls of elephant pups using a microphone on the end of a long pole. The recordings were played to mother elephant seals as their responses were monitored. The moms were played calls from their own babies, as well as calls from a pup of a similar age.



The study revealed that the mothers were much more interested in the speaker and moved toward it when it was playing calls from their own pup.



"This is a rare demonstration of individual recognition among phocid mothers and their offspring, and suggests that consistency in maternal responsiveness may be an important social factor influencing the pup's growth and survival," wrote the study authors.



While feeding newborn elephant seals, the mothers lose about half of their body mass. Meanwhile, the pups gain about seven times their initial weight. This substantial weight gain can be attributed to the "exceptional fat content" of the mother's milk.



While the early recognition is necessary for survival, the researchers could not explain why female seals are often observed feeding each other's pups.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"Females fast for the entire month they are nursing," study co-author Dr Caroline Casey told BBC. "So it makes no (evolutionary) sense for them to use their resources on another mother's pup."



"But at this site (a colony in California) that we study, there have been a lot of observations of females feeding pups not related to them."



According to Dr. Casey, it is possible that humans are to blame. She noted that elephant seals were hunted to near extinction during the late 1800s. As a result, the tens of thousands of elephant seals that are alive today can be traced back to just a couple dozen seals that historically survived. 



This phenomenon would make the elephant seals genetically similar, which may explain why mothers would feed other pups if the their moms are closely-related females. 



Going forward, the researchers want to investigate whether the seals are more likely to feed the pups of their sisters or cousins.&nbsp;



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/journal/rsbl">Royal Society journal Biology Letters</a>.



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

Elephants seals recognize pup's voice at two days old

In a new study from the University of California Santa...

A new study published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195667121003712?via%3Dihub">Cretaceous Research</a> has recently identified and described a previously unknown <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sauropod-dinosaurs-lived-only-in-earths-warmer-regions/">dinosaur</a> species, Velociraptor greeni. The newly discovered animal is an ancient relative of fierce Velociraptors, which roamed the earth 75 million years ago. 



The fossils that the scientists analyzed have been found on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/two-new-predatory-dinosaurs-found-on-the-isle-of-wight/">Isle of Wight</a>, and appeared to belong to a ten feet long creature with huge slashing talons and finely serrated teeth. This discovery marks the first time a large raptor has ever been found in England.



According to a research team led by the <a href="https://www.bath.ac.uk/">University of Bath</a>, this dinosaur lived 125 million years ago, during the Early Cretaceous, when the Isle of Wight was covered by forests.



“This was a large, and very heavily constructed animal,” said study lead author Dr. Nicholas&nbsp;Longrich. “The bones are thick-walled and massive. It clearly didn't hunt small prey, but animals as large or larger than itself.”



Due to its strong limbs and talons, it is possible that&nbsp;this dinosaur was able to climb trees. As Longrich and its colleagues noted, its heavy bones certainly suggest an animal that relied on strength and surprise rather than speed, in order to capture its prey.



Other top predators of the Early Cretaceous which lived in the area that is today’s Britain included the&nbsp;allosaur Neovenator, spinosaurs such as Baryonyx, and an early tyrannosaur named Eotyrannus.



“There's an extraordinary diversity of dinosaurs known in England in the Cretaceous, and even after more than a century of study, we continue to find new species,” explained Dr Longrich.&nbsp;



“Although palaeontologists have been studying these dinosaurs for a long time, it's hard going. We have to wait for the sea cliffs to fall and expose bits of bone, or for the waves to wash them out of the rocks. We've spent two centuries on the Isle of Wight piecing together our picture of English dinosaurs.”&nbsp;



The recent discovery of Velociraptor greeni helps build a bigger picture of the Early Cretaceous world, and provides, according to Dr. Longrich, “a tantalizing hint at the diversity of dinosaurs in England at that time.”



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

A new dinosaur species related to Velociraptors has been found

A new study published in the journal Cretaceous Research has...

Tsunamis create magnetic fields as they move conductive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meltwater-influences-carbon-storage-in-the-arctic/">water</a> through the Earth's ’s own magnetic fields. A new study from the <a href="https://www.agu.org/">American Geophysical Union</a> shows that these changes in magnetic fields can be detected minutes before changes in sea level. 



The researchers hope these magnetic field changes will improve early detection of tsunamis.&nbsp;



"The motion of conductive seawater by tsunamis can generate magnetic fields in the presence of the background geomagnetic main field," explained the study authors.



"Previous studies found that, using the tsunami-generated seafloor magnetic field, it is possible to predict the propagation direction and wave height prior to the actual arrivals of tsunamis."



The scientists used data from magnetic fields to predict the height of waves from two tsunamis.&nbsp;



The predictive power of the magnetic field was tested on a 2009 tsunami in Samoa and a 2010 tsunami in Chile. The research found that in both cases, magnetic fields were detected before water level changes.&nbsp;



The study also showed that water depths affect how much earlier the magnetic fields are detectable.



“It is very exciting because in previous studies we didn't have the observation [of] sea level change," said study senior author Zhiheng Lin, a geophysicist at Kyoto University.



"We have observations [of] sea level change, and we find that the observation agrees with our magnetic data as well as theoretical simulation.”



Neesha Schnepf, a geomagnetics scientist at University of Colorado Boulder who wasn’t involved in the study, explained the importance of the research.



“They did something that basically needed to be done," said Schnepf. "We’ve needed a study that compared the magnetic field data with the sea level change from the pressure data, and I’m pretty sure they’re the first to really compare how well the sea level from magnetic field matches the sea level from pressure, so that’s definitely very useful."



:I think the practical goal would be if your ability to model tsunamis is so improved, you could come up with much better predictions of what areas might need to be warned [and] how badly it might hit certain places."



The study is published in the <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/21699356">Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Tsunamis are preceded by changes in magnetic fields

Tsunamis create magnetic fields as they move conductive water through...

Over the last century, scientists have discovered many fossilized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-dinosaur-species-discovered-in-brazil/">dinosaur</a> eggs and nests all over the world, but finding one with a well-preserved embryo is an extremely rare event. Now, a research team led by the <a href="https://en.cug.edu.cn/">China University of Geosciences</a> described an oviraptosaur embryo perfectly preserved inside a fossilized egg.&nbsp;



The analysis of the embryo suggests that oviraptorids (a group of theropod dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous that were closely related to birds) took on a distinctive tucking posture before hatching – a behavior previously thought to be unique to birds.



The fossilized dinosaur embryo comes from Ganzhou, a city in the Jiangxi Province of Southern China, and had been acquired in 2000 by Liang Liu, the director of the company <a href="https://www.yingliangstone.com/">Yingliang Group</a>, a leading mining and stone sales company. The egg ended up in storage until it was rediscovered ten years later, when the fossils were unearthed during the construction of the Yingliang Stone Nature History Museum.



“Most known non-avian dinosaur embryos are incomplete with skeletons disarticulated,” said study co-author Waisum Ma, a paleontologist at the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/index.aspx">University of Birmingham</a>. “We were surprised to see this embryo beautifully preserved inside a dinosaur egg, lying in a bird-like posture. This posture had not been recognized in non-avian dinosaurs before.”



In their analyses, the scientists reported that the embryo’s head lied ventral to the body, with the feet on either side, while the back curled along the blunt pole of the egg, in a posture previously not found in a non-avian dinosaur.&nbsp;



The comparison of this specimen to other late-stage oviraptosaur embryos suggests that, before hatching, oviraptorids developed bird-like postures in a late stage of their incubation. In modern birds, such coordinated embryonic movements are associated with tucking, a behavior known to be critical for hatching success.



Further research is needed to understand whether pre-hacking behavior may have originated among non-avian theropods. According to the study authors, future discoveries of embryo fossils will be essential for clarifying this issue.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(21)01487-5?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2589004221014875%3Fshowall%3Dtrue#secsectitle0055">iScience</a>.



Image Credit Lida Xing



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

Dinosaur embryo suggests bird-like pre-hatching posture

Over the last century, scientists have discovered many fossilized dinosaur...

When predicting how deadly a meteorite impact on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-atmosphere-is-expanding-due-to-climate-change/">Earth</a> could be, it makes sense that this estimate would be based on the size of the debris itself. This is not the case, however, according to a new study from the <a href="https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/">University of Liverpool</a>. Instead, the researchers found that the deadliness of a meteorite can be determined by the composition of the rocks that it has struck along its way.



The key reason for this is the production of atmospheric dust. It is commonly known that ancient meteorite impacts have triggered mass extinctions throughout Earth’s history, and one of the contributing factors was the dust that covered the planet’s surface and atmosphere.



However, not all meteorites have caused such extinctions, and some of the smaller ones have been more lethal than larger ones. In order to understand this, a team of paleontologists, asteroid specialists, mineralogists, cloud microphysicists, and climate modelers set out to analyze 44 meteorite impacts over the last 600 million years. The experts examined the mineral content of the dust clouds that were created upon impact.



“For decades scientists have puzzled over why some meteorites cause mass extinctions, and others, even really big ones, don’t," explained study co-author Dr. Chris Stevenson. “It’s surprising when we put together the data: life carried on as normal during the fourth largest impact with a crater diameter of ~48 km, whereas an impact half the size was associated with a mass extinction only 5 million years ago."



Ultimately, it was discovered that all meteorites that resulted in widespread extinction had collided with rocks rich in potassium feldspar. While this mineral is common and benign, it is a powerful ice-nucleating mineral aerosol that has a dramatic effect on the dynamics of clouds, reducing their ability to protect the Earth from solar radiation. This ultimately heated the planet, changed the climate, and increased atmospheric sensitivity to emissions such as those tied to volcanic eruptions.&nbsp;



“Using this new method for assessing the mineral content of the meteorite ejecta blankets, we show that every time a meteorite, big or small, hits rocks rich in potassium feldspar it correlates with a mass extinction event," explained Stevenson. This means that meteorites impacting with potassium feldspar can be lethal to the planet Earth, regardless of the size of the meteorite.



The research findings have been published in the <a href="https://jgs.lyellcollection.org/">Journal of the Geological Society of London</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:calumvaughan05@gmail.com">Calum Vaughan</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer&nbsp;

The composition of a meteorite can make it more deadly

When predicting how deadly a meteorite impact on Earth could...

New research led by the <a href="https://illinois.edu/">University of Illinois</a> has found that a microorganism causing bacterial leaf spot disease in tomato <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-are-not-keeping-pace-with-climate-change/">plants</a> - Xanthomonas euvesicatoria&nbsp;(Xe) - has recently evolved, managing to acquire features that makes it less detectable by the plants’ immune systems. This capacity to defeat host defenses through rapid evolution makes breeding for disease resistance significantly difficult in tomatoes.



“It’s part of the evolutionary warfare between plants and pathogens, where the plant has some defense trait and then some portion of the pathogen population evolves to escape it,” said study co-author Sarah Hind, an assistant professor of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois.



“The plant has to develop or acquire a new defense trait, but the process is much slower in plants compared to microbes. This study is a great example of that ongoing battle in progress. It tells us we can’t completely rely on this trait to combat bacterial spot disease caused by Xe.”



These bacteria have long whip-like tail structures called flagella which allows them to move through soil and plant tissue. Over time, tomatoes learned to detect flagella through their immune receptors. However, Professor Hind and her colleagues have discovered that one of the tomato’s receptors, FLS3, no longer works to detect flagellin proteins in Xe. This immune evasion is caused by a single amino acid change in these proteins.



&nbsp;“It was surprising to see that only one amino acid change was making all the difference. It made us wonder how binding between flagellin and FLS3 could be so dramatically altered,” said study co-author Maria Malvino, a graduate student at the University of Illinois. Scientists expect that other bacteria affecting tomatoes could soon develop similar immune-evading mutations.



The fact that these bacteria can now sneak past tomato’s defense systems means farmers can rely less on inherent disease resistance and will need to use artificial methods of protection, such as spraying with copper-based pesticides.



“It’s like whack-a-mole for breeders. It takes a long time to release a resistant variety. Often, by the time they go to release a new one, the pathogen population shifts,” Hind said. “And when you add to that the difficulty of maintaining all the desirable traits of a tomato, it’s a tough situation. Again, that leaves us relying on fungicides and copper treatments to keep tomato production profitable here in Illinois.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/10.1094/MPMI-08-21-0211-R">International Society for Molecular Plant-Microbe Interaction.</a>



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

Bacteria sneak past tomato’s defense mechanisms

New research led by the University of Illinois has found...

Botox, or botulinum toxin, is a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-use-may-cause-dangerous-drug-interactions/">medication</a> derived from a bacterial toxin that is commonly used to treat wrinkles, migraines, muscle spasms, excessive sweating, or even incontinence. New research led by the <a href="https://pharmacy.ucsd.edu/">Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences</a> at UC San Diego has found that people receiving Botox injections reported significantly less <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-alleviates-the-symptoms-of-anxiety/">anxiety</a> than patients treating these conditions with other types of medicine.



The researchers looked through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s <a href="https://open.fda.gov/data/faers/">Adverse Effect Reporting System</a> (FAERS) database, in which almost 40,000 people reported what happened to them after Botox treatment, in order to test whether such treatments might have an impact on anxiety levels.



“A large number of diverse adverse effects are being reported to the FDA and the main objective usually is to find those harmful side effects that had not been identified during clinical trials,” said study lead author Ruben Abagyan, a professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Skaggs School. “However, our idea was different. Why don’t we do the opposite? Why don’t we find beneficial effects?”



By using a mathematical algorithm to look for statistically significant differences between Botox users and patients who received different treatments for the same conditions, Professor Abagyan and his colleagues have found that the reported anxiety risk was between 22 and 72 percent lower in people treated with Botox for four conditions and injections sites: cosmetic use (facial muscles), migraine (facial and head muscles), spasms and spasticity (upper and lower limbs), and torticollis (neck muscles).



In 2020, Professor Abagyan and his team published another <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-69773-7">study</a> showing that Botox has antidepressant effects too. However, the specific molecular mechanisms by which Botox reduces depression and anxiety may be different. “They may be related, but there are different pathways responsible for anxiety attacks versus depression,” said Abagyan.



Although these precise mechanisms are not yet clearly understood, the scientists believe that botulin toxins could be transported to regions in the central nervous system involved with moods or emotions, or that the Botox-affected neuromuscular junctions may communicate directly with the brain. However, since Botox is generally used to treat chronic, unpleasant conditions that may contribute to anxiety and depression, its success in relieving these psychological symptoms could be indirect, by improving the underlying physical conditions.&nbsp;



The researchers aim to begin clinical trials to identify the best sites and doses to administer in order to use this medication specifically for the treatment of mental issues such as anxiety and depression.



The study in published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/srep/">Scientific Reports</a>.&nbsp;



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

Botox injections may reduce anxiety and depression

Botox, or botulinum toxin, is a medication derived from a...

On Monday, December 21, 2021, the US <a href="https://www.epa.gov/">Environmental Protection Agency</a> (E.P.A) announced the tightest-ever auto emission standards in order to reduce one of the major sources of carbon dioxide emissions that are warming our planet. This new, more stringent rule will require passenger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reduced-vehicle-emissions-have-saved-thousands-of-lives/">vehicles</a> to travel an average of 55 miles per gallon of gasoline by 2026, from under 38 miles per gallon today.



Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, representing 29 percent of the country’s total emissions. Implementing the new rule announced by E.P.A. would prevent the release of 3.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide through 2050, and would save roughly 360 billion gallons of gasoline from being burned. This would lead to a 15 percent yearly reduction in the country’s gasoline consumption, and drivers could save up to $1,080 in fuel costs over the lifetime of more efficient vehicles.



“The final rule for light duty vehicles reflects core principles of this administration: We followed the science, we listened to stakeholders, and we are setting robust and rigorous standards that will aggressively reduce the pollution that is harming people and our planet - and save families money at the same time,” said Michael S. Regan, the administrator of the E.P.A.



This rule will also help shift the US car market towards electric vehicles, which currently make up only a very small percentage of the cars Americans use (approximately two percent in 2020, and rising only slightly this year).



“E.P.A.’s final rule for greenhouse gas emissions is even more aggressive than originally proposed, requiring a substantial increase in electric vehicle sales, well above the four percent of all light-duty sales today,” said John Bozzella, the president and CEO of the <a href="https://www.autosinnovate.org/">Alliance for Automotive Innovation</a>, a lobbying group representing the world’s largest auto companies.



&nbsp;“Achieving the goals of this final rule will undoubtedly require enactment of supportive governmental policies - including consumer incentives, substantial infrastructure growth, fleet requirements, and support for U.S. manufacturing and supply chain development.”



However, Biden administration’s promises to halt transportation-related emissions by largely replacing traditional cars with electric vehicles was met with skepticism by people like Dan Becker, the director of the <a href="https://safeclimatecampaign.org/sample-page-2/who-are-we/">Safe Climate Transport Campaign</a>.



"Before this presidential term ends, the administration must issue long-term standards strong enough to usher in the age of electric vehicles," he said. "They must close the loopholes and force automakers to actually deliver electric vehicles, rather than just churning out promises to make them."



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

EPA tightens emission standards for the auto industry

On Monday, December 21, 2021, the US Environmental Protection Agency...

Although <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invasive-plants-cause-a-global-loss-of-floristic-uniqueness/">plants</a> such as thyme and oregano are known to possess an anti-cancer compound that can suppress tumor development, the amount that can be found in these plants is not sufficient to cure disease. A team of researchers led by <a href="https://www.purdue.edu/">Purdue University</a> argue that the key to unlocking the therapeutic potential of these plants is amplifying the amount of the compound they create, or synthesizing the compound in the laboratory.



“These plants contain important compounds, but the amount is very low and extraction won’t be enough,” said study co-leader Natalia Dudareva, a distinguished professor of Biochemistry at Purdue University. “By understanding how these compounds are formed, we open a path to engineering plants with higher levels of them or to synthesizing the compounds in microorganisms for medical use.”



Thymol, carvacrol, and thymohydroquinone are flavor compounds in thyme, oregano, and other herbs from the Lamiaceae family that have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that are highly beneficial for human health. Among these, thymohydroquinone has been found to have significant anti-cancer properties.



Together with colleagues from <a href="https://www.uni-halle.de/?lang=en">Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg</a> in Germany and <a href="https://msu.edu/">Michigan State University</a> in the US, Professor Dudareva uncovered the biosynthetic pathway to the formation of thymohydroquinone. By using RNA sequencing and correlation analysis, the scientists screened over 80,000 genes from plant tissue samples and identified those necessary for the formation of this extraordinary compound.&nbsp;



“These findings provide new targets for engineering high-value compounds in plants and other organisms,” said study co-first author Pan Liao, a postdoctoral researcher in Professor Dudareva’s lab at Purdue University. “Not only do many plants contain medicinal properties, but the compounds within them are used as food additives and for perfumes, cosmetics and other products.”



According to Professor Dudareva, the results of this study could be applied to understand the biochemical composition of other plant species, and to assess their potential therapeutic use.



“We, as scientists, are always comparing pathways in different systems and plants,” she explained. “We are always in pursuit of new possibilities. The more we learn, the more we are able to recognize the similarities and differences that could be key to the next breakthrough.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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

Unlocking anti-cancer compounds in thyme and oregano

Although plants such as thyme and oregano are known to...

According to new research from experts at <a href="https://wsu.edu/">Washington State University</a>, using <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-absorbs-heavy-metals-that-may-harm-human-health/">cannabis</a> together with other medicines may increase the likelihood of dangerous drug interactions.



Cannabinoids - a type of compounds found in cannabis plants - and their primary metabolites found in cannabis users' blood were studied. The researchers discovered that these compounds interact with two enzyme families that assist to metabolize a wide range of medications prescribed for a variety of illnesses. The unfavorable effects might increase with too much building up in the body, resulting in unanticipated side effects such as toxicity or unintentional overdose.



While further research is needed, the study authors claim one initial insight from these trials is that cannabis should be used with caution when combined with other prescription medications.



“Physicians need to be aware of the possibility of toxicity or lack of response when patients are using cannabinoids. It’s one thing if you’re young and healthy and smoke cannabis once in a while, but for older people who are using medications, taking CBD or medicinal marijuana may negatively impact their treatment.” said study senior author Philip Lazarus, a distinguished professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences.



The findings from a pair of research works were published in the journal <a href="https://dmd.aspetjournals.org/">Drug Metabolism and Disposition</a>. One study examined the cytochrome P450s (CYPs) enzyme family, while the other analyzed the UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) enzyme family. These two enzyme families work together to help the body digest and remove more than 70 percent of the most widely used medicines.



While previous research on cannabinoids' potential drug interactions has been limited, this new study is the first to look at the interaction between three of the most abundant cannabinoids - tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN) - and their metabolites, as well as all of the major CYP enzymes. The study is also the first to examine explicitly for drug interactions between these cannabinoids and UGT enzymes.



“Cannabinoids stay in your body only for about 30 minutes before they are rapidly broken down. The metabolites that result from that process stay in your body for much longer - up to 14 days - and at higher concentrations than cannabinoids and have been overlooked in previous studies, which is why we thought we should focus on those as well.” explained first author Shamema Nasrin, a graduate student in the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.&nbsp;



The researchers tested their findings in human liver and kidney tissues that contained many of these enzymes, using modified human kidney cells that enabled them to look at a single enzyme at a time. Several CYP enzymes were shown to be substantially inhibited by cannabis and the primary THC metabolites.&nbsp;



One important finding was that THC-COO-Gluc, one of the most abundant THC metabolites, appeared to have a large role in blocking numerous essential enzymes in the liver, which had never been studied before. 



When the researchers looked at the UGT enzyme family, they discovered that all three cannabinoids, but notably CBD, blocked two of the liver's key UGT enzymes. Cannabidiol was also discovered to suppress three enzymes that account for nearly 95 percent of kidney UGT metabolism, which aids in the elimination of toxins and some medications.



“If you have a kidney disease, or you are taking one, or more drugs that are metabolized primarily through the kidney, and you’re also smoking marijuana, you could be inhibiting normal kidney function, and it may have long-term effects for you," said Professor Lazarus.



“Taking CBD or marijuana might help your pain but could be making the other drug you’re taking more toxic, and that increase in toxicity may mean that you can’t continue taking that drug," said Nasrin. "So, there could be serious ramifications for anti-cancer drugs, and that’s only one example of the many drugs that could potentially be affected by the cannabinoid-enzyme interactions we’re seeing."



The Health Sciences and Services Authority of Spokane County and the State of Washington's Initiative Measure No. 502, which funds the university's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Program, provided funding for these studies.



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By <a href="http://mailto:ashikha92@gmail.com">Ashikha Raoof</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Cannabis use may cause dangerous drug interactions

According to new research from experts at Washington State University,...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

[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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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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;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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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



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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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



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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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;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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