Wildfires in the western U.S. have become a growing crisis. They’re lasting longer, burning hotter, and spreading into areas that rarely burned in the past. 



But another danger is rising, beyond heatwaves and droughts. Lightning - sudden, fierce, and incredibly powerful - is becoming one of the biggest wildfire risks.



In the coming decades, scientists warn that lightning will become an increasingly dominant spark for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-making-wildfire-smoke-more-deadly/">wildfires</a>, adding to the already mounting risks across the West.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lightning-is-fueling-more-wildfires">Lightning is fueling more wildfires</h2>



Wildfires need a few things to get going: dry fuel, hot temperatures, low humidity, and a spark. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lightning-is-changing-the-atmosphere-in-surprising-ways/">Lightning</a> is one of the most powerful natural igniters.



In the western U.S., lightning already causes more than two-thirds of the area burned by wildfires. And now, new research shows that number is going to rise sharply due to climate change. 



Warmer air holds more moisture, which means more unstable weather patterns. Those patterns, in turn, set the stage for more lightning.



A recent study has revealed that virtually all of the western U.S. - 98 percent of the region - will have more days with a greater likelihood of lightning-ignited wildfires starting as early as the 2030s. 



For regions already accustomed to such fires, such as Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, the risk is even greater. As early as 2060, those states may have as many as 12 additional lightning-filled days per summer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-model-to-forecast-lightning">A model to forecast lightning</h2>



Traditional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-models-underestimate-sea-ice-melt-and-global-warming/">climate models</a> don’t really track lightning. That’s why a team of researchers led by Dmitri Kalashnikov built their own system to fill in the gaps.



“The first step was to project lightning,” said Kalashnikov, a research scientist at the <a href="https://www.ucmerced.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California Merced</a>. “The typical climate models don’t directly simulate lightning. It’s too small a process.”



The researchers applied machine learning to forecast where lightning would hit based on variables that we can quantify - such as temperature, humidity, and the level of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moisture-in-the-atmosphere-causes-extreme-weather-to-last-longer/">moisture in the air</a>. 



The team merged those results with the Fire Weather Index (FWI), a mechanism that was developed back in 1968 to monitor how probable wildfire initiation and spread is from local weather.



The result is a forecast model tailored to the western U.S., designed to project conditions from 2030 to 2060 - decades earlier than most studies, which typically look only to the end of the century.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-lightning-in-the-northwest">More lightning in the Northwest</h2>



The northwestern states of Idaho, Oregon, and Montana are projected to experience the greatest growth in lightning days. But strangely, they may not experience the most rapid expansion in wildfires. 



Although lightning will grow, the conditions favoring fires (such as extreme heat or dryness) are not expected to worsen as quickly in the Northwest compared to other regions.



That doesn’t mean northwestern states are off the hook. Cloud-to-ground lightning, the kind that hits trees or grass directly, is still expected to rise significantly in those areas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-less-lightning-greater-wildfire-risk">Less lightning, greater wildfire risk</h2>



In contrast, the Southwest - including Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, and New Mexico - won’t see as much of a jump in lightning strikes. But the fire risk will still climb. 



This is because even a small spark becomes a big threat when the land is extra dry, the heat is intense, and there’s little rain to cool things off.



The researchers found that these southern states are likely to experience the biggest increases in wildfires caused by lightning, despite the smaller bump in lightning activity. That’s because climate change is pushing up the number of fire-prone days overall.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dry-and-wet-lightning">Dry and wet lightning</h2>



Kalashnikov said the next steps could involve separating the kinds of lightning events. “You can’t help but wonder what the future will look like, especially if you dig in and you realize that there’s actually a lot that we don’t understand,” he said.



One key factor will be figuring out how to distinguish between "dry lightning" and "wet lightning." Dry lightning happens without much rain, making it a fire hazard. 



Wet lightning brings <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heavy-rainfall-poses-extreme-risks-in-the-western-us/">heavy rain</a>, which can reduce fire risk but increase flood danger. Understanding that difference could help emergency services respond more precisely to fire threats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfire-risks-are-rising-fast">Wildfire risks are rising fast</h2>



As climate patterns shift, the West isn’t just getting warmer and drier - it’s getting stormier in a dangerous way. Lightning is expected to spark more fires, and fires are expected to find more dry fuel waiting. It’s a feedback loop that could reshape fire seasons in the U.S.



This isn’t about something that might happen a hundred years from now. The changes are coming within the next few decades - some may already be happening. 



And for the people living in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/double-hazard-wildfire-zones-identified-in-the-american-west/">high-risk areas</a>, that means more heat, more smoke, and a greater need for preparation.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2025EF006108" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's Future</a>.



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-----

Lightning will ignite even more wildfires as the climate heats up

Wildfires in the western U.S. have become a growing crisis. They’re lasting longer, burning hotter, and spreading into areas that rarely burned in the past. But another danger is rising, beyond heatwaves and droughts. Lightning - sudden, fierce, and incredibly powerful - is becoming one of the biggest wildfire risks. In the coming decades, scientists warn that lightning will become an increasingly dominant spark for wildfires, adding to the already mounting risks across the West. Lightning is fueling more wildfires Wildfires need a few things to get...

When fungi are mentioned, most people's minds jump to images of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/edible-mushrooms-boost-nerve-growth-and-enhance-memory/">mushrooms</a> they gather in autumn or the yeast used for baking and winemaking.&nbsp;



For centuries, mycologists have been studying fungi for their applications in food and fermentation, as well as their roles in decay and disease. However, recent research has begun to challenge our traditional understanding of fungi and their behaviors.



Typically, we think of fungi as organisms that form physical structures, such as fruiting bodies, or yeast-like life forms that can be cultivated in our kitchens or laboratories. However, DNA sequencing studies conducted on environmental substrates like soil have revealed large groups of fungi that don't appear to form fruiting bodies and can't be grown in labs – yet they still exist.&nbsp;



These elusive groups of fungi are often referred to as "dark fungi," drawing a parallel with the concept of "dark matter" in astronomy. Both dark fungi and dark matter are known to be present but remain mostly unobservable.



A new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.96.102669">MycoKeys</a> has compared the accumulation of fungal species recovered using traditional mycological methods to those recovered using environmental DNA sequencing over time.&nbsp;



The researchers found that species discovery through environmental sequencing has been growing at an increasingly rapid pace over the past five years. This study concludes that dark fungi are a defining feature of the fungal kingdom.



Lead author Henrik Nilsson of the <a href="https://www.gu.se/en">University of Gothenburg</a>, Sweden, explained the implications of these findings:&nbsp;



"Under the current rules of nomenclature, these fungi cannot be given scientific names – they cannot be described formally. And species and groups that cannot be named formally, well, they tend to fall between the cracks. They're typically not considered in nature conservation initiatives. They are often left out from efforts to estimate the evolutionary history of fungi, and their ecological roles and associations are largely overlooked when we try to figure out how mass and energy flow in ecosystems. They're essentially treated as if they didn't exist."



Study second author Martin Ryberg from the University of Uppsala added to this sentiment:&nbsp;



"And it's not like we're adding the few missing pieces to an otherwise nearly complete jigsaw puzzle. It seems to be the other way around. We're talking about tens of large groups of fungi – and thousands upon thousands of species, some of which seem to be so common that we have yet to find a soil sample from which they're absent. Indeed, we're talking about what could well prove to be the dominant lifestyle in the fungal kingdom."



<h2 id="h-debating-the-fungal-rules">Debating the fungal rules</h2>



The mycological community is currently engaged in a debate over whether the rules of fungal nomenclature should be modified to allow for the formal description of "dark fungi," a group of elusive organisms that have remained mostly unobservable. The issue has yet to be resolved, and scientists are pushing for change in this area.&nbsp;



"I think our study shows that it's time to stop that debate, like, right away," said Nilsson. "What we should be debating is how we should describe them. What criteria must be fulfilled for a dark fungus to be given a formal scientific name? Clearly, formation of a fruiting body or growth in the laboratory can't be part of those criteria."



Study co-author Alice Retter of the University of Vienna explainex the team's approach to addressing this issue: "We figured we'd kickstart the how debate by listing criteria that we think make sense – criteria that would be stringent enough to allow for only particularly well-vetted dark fungi to be described, upholding a high level of scientific rigor and reproducibility in the process."



"We blended our own observations with suggestions from the mycological community, culled from depositing a preprint of the manuscript at bioRxiv. We're certainly not claiming that our suggestions form the final word in the debate. It's more like they're the first. We're thinking that the mycological community will jointly be able to come up with a set of sound guiding principles on the matter – and here comes an initial set of well-meaning observations for nucleation."



<h2>How researchers name fungi</h2>



The researchers propose making gentle modifications to the nomenclatural rules governing the naming of fungi, allowing for the formal naming of the most well-documented species and groups of dark fungi. However, these suggested changes would still exclude many rare or less well-documented dark fungi from formal description.



Senior author Kessy Abarenkov of the Tartu Natural History Museum commented on the importance of establishing rules for describing dark fungi.&nbsp;



"By establishing rules for what's needed to describe dark fungi, and specifying when we'll have to refrain from describing such species at present, mycologists can do what they do best: doggedly gather enough research data to warrant naming of the dark fungi, group by group, and species by species," said Abarenkov. "It's what mycology has excelled at for hundreds of years. It's just the setting that's a bit new."



Sten Anslan from the University of Tartu elaborated on the potential consequences of not updating the current rules:



"Much is at stake, obviously. The current rules governing the naming of fungi have served mycology well for a long time. We don't want to upend or overthrow them. But we fear that if they're not updated in this particular regard, there's a risk that they grow increasingly obsolete over time. Having a book of rules that govern maybe only some few percent of the organisms it was originally conceived to govern – the fungal kingdom – would seem untenable in the long run."



Marisol Sanchez-Garcia of the Swedish Agricultural University expressed hope for the future. "The nomenclatural aspects of dark fungi will presumably be discussed at some length at next year's international mycological congress in Maastricht, the Netherlands," said Sanchez-Garcia.



"We're hopeful that the mycological community will reach meaningful agreement on integration of the dark fungi into the rules of nomenclature. After all, mycologists are used to negotiating and solving non-trivial questions on a day-to-day basis, and this one is hardly any different. Being part of tackling a huge, more or less unknown group of organisms where precious little is set in stone and where the rules will have to be adapted over time for the endeavor to stay attuned to recent developments, well, that’s what makes being a mycologist so interesting and rewarding in my eyes.”



This research highlights the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the vast and diverse world of fungi. Uncovering the mysteries of dark fungi could potentially lead to breakthroughs in various scientific fields, from ecology and evolution to nature conservation and ecosystem analysis. As we continue to explore this enigmatic domain, the full extent of fungi's influence on our world may soon be brought to light.



<h2 id="h-the-importance-of-fungi-to-earth-s-ecosystems">The importance of fungi to Earth’s ecosystems</h2>



Fungi play a critical role in Earth's ecosystems, contributing to various processes that maintain the health and balance of these environments. Some of the key functions of fungi in ecosystems include:



<ol>
<li>Decomposition: Fungi are essential decomposers in ecosystems, breaking down dead organic matter such as leaves, wood, and other plant materials. By decomposing organic matter, fungi release nutrients back into the soil, making them available for uptake by plants and other organisms. This process helps recycle essential nutrients and maintain soil fertility.</li>



<li>Mutualistic relationships: Fungi form symbiotic relationships with plants and other organisms, providing benefits to both parties. One example of this is the association between fungi and plant roots, known as mycorrhizae. In this relationship, fungi help plants absorb nutrients and water from the soil more efficiently, while the plants provide the fungi with carbohydrates produced through photosynthesis.</li>



<li>Carbon cycling: Fungi play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle. They decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. This process contributes to the regulation of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and, subsequently, global climate patterns.</li>



<li>Food source: Fungi serve as a food source for various organisms, including insects, mammals, and other fungi. Their role in the food chain contributes to overall ecosystem stability and biodiversity.</li>



<li>Bioremediation: Some fungi possess the ability to break down environmental pollutants, such as heavy metals and chemicals. These fungi can help clean up contaminated environments through a process called bioremediation.</li>



<li>Production of bioactive compounds: Fungi produce a wide range of bioactive compounds, such as antibiotics, enzymes, and other molecules, which have potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry.</li>
</ol>



Overall, fungi play a critical role in maintaining the health and balance of Earth's ecosystems. Their diverse functions contribute to nutrient cycling, soil fertility, symbiotic relationships, carbon cycling, and biodiversity, underscoring their importance in sustaining life on our planet.



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Scientists: All fungi matter, not just mushrooms

When fungi are mentioned, most people's minds jump to images...

On a fateful journey to the island of Dominica, researchers from <a href="https://www.clemson.edu/">Clemson</a> and Harvard witnessed a landscape that seemed to have been ravaged by the merciless forces of nature. As they descended toward the airport, they gazed upon miles of forests filled with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-trees-are-vital-to-forest-survival/">trees</a> that resembled broken matchsticks. This was a mere nine months after Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 storm, had struck the West Indies island with devastating consequences.



However, upon closer inspection, the researchers discovered that while an overwhelming 89% of the trees had sustained damage, with 76% suffering major damage, a mere 10% were killed outright. Remarkably, many of the trees had already begun to resprout.&nbsp;



Benton Taylor, a former graduate student in the Clemson Department of Biological Sciences who is now an assistant professor in the Harvard University Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, commented on this extraordinary finding: “These hurricane-prone forests are, in many regards, incredibly resistant to even extremely powerful hurricanes. I don’t want to minimize the scale of damage that these forests received - it was immense - but the fact that 90% of the trees survived shows an impressive level of resistance.”



As the global climate continues to change, hurricanes have become more frequent and severe. This has serious implications for regions around the world that experience regular hurricane disturbances, as these areas often play crucial roles in carbon, water, and nutrient cycling and are considered global biodiversity “hotspots”.&nbsp;



Hurricane Maria made landfall on Dominica on September 18, 2017, with winds reaching an astonishing 160 mph, making it the strongest hurricane on record to strike the island. Only days later, Maria laid waste to the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.



Supported by funding from the Clemson Caribbean Initiative, Saara DeWalt, the Department of Biological Sciences Chair, Benton Taylor, and Dominican researcher Elvis Stedman embarked on a mission to remeasure and assess the damage inflicted on trees in nine forest stands across Dominica. These plots were originally established in 2006 by DeWalt and former Clemson researcher Kalan Ickes.&nbsp;



In addition to taking measurements, the team also analyzed the wood density and carbon content of the 44 most common tree species, which they paired with tree measurements to estimate biomass and determine how much carbon had been relocated from living to dead matter by the hurricane.



The researchers identified stem snapping (40% of trees) and major branch damage (26% of trees) as the most common types of damage. However, the types of damage that resulted in the highest mortality rates were uprooting and being crushed by neighboring trees, with 33% of uprooted trees and 47% of crushed trees perishing.&nbsp;



Surprisingly, as DeWalt pointed out, "snapping wasn’t as lethal as you might think."



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



The study also revealed that larger individual trees and species with lower wood density were more susceptible to snapping, uprooting, and mortality, while trees on steeper slopes were more prone to being crushed by neighboring trees.



DeWalt explained the potential implications of more frequent storms for forest composition in hurricane-prone regions: “Forests are adapted to this kind of disturbance, but we may see a shift in the types of species that are most common in these forests with increasing frequency of strong hurricanes. You might get more of the ‘live fast, die young’ species because you’re constantly resetting the forest.”&nbsp;



This shift towards smaller, high wood-density species could have significant consequences for wildlife, particularly those that rely on larger trees for habitat and nesting.



Benton Taylor, another researcher involved in the study, underscored the importance of understanding the impact of hurricanes on tree populations: “Larger trees tended to suffer more damage and mortality. These large trees store immense amounts of carbon, and in Dominica, many of these large trees create unique habitats for animals, such as the parrots. The data we obtained on how different species and sizes of trees experience damage from hurricanes can help us predict the future of these forests and the many services they provide.”



While the study sheds light on how hurricanes can affect forest ecosystems, Taylor cautions against drawing direct comparisons between the forests of small, mountainous tropical islands like Dominica and those in the coastal plains and piedmont regions of the southern United States.&nbsp;



“In a field where opportunities to study a phenomenon are rare - hurricanes themselves are rare events and it’s even rarer that one hits a forest plot that was measured before the hurricane hit - any additional data are useful,” he said. “That said, our study highlights that the effects of hurricanes can be very different based on the local topography and tree species that make up a forest. So comparing a small mountainous island populated by tropical rainforest trees to the forests of the coastal plains and piedmont regions of the southern United States should be approached with caution.”



The findings of this groundbreaking study were published in the March 2023 issue of the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2023.120833">Forest Ecology and Management</a> in a paper titled “Widespread stem snapping but limited mortality caused by a category 5 hurricane on the Caribbean Island of Dominica.”&nbsp;



Alongside DeWalt, Taylor, and Dominican researcher Elvis Stedman, the study was co-authored by Professor Skip Van Bloem of the Clemson Department of Forestry and Environment Conservation and Assistant Professor Stefanie Whitmire of the Clemson Department of Agricultural Sciences.



<h2 id="h-why-some-trees-are-stronger-than-others">Why some trees are stronger than others</h2>



Trees are a crucial part of the Earth's ecosystem, providing us with oxygen, stabilizing the soil, and serving as habitats for various wildlife. However, not all trees are created equal when it comes to their strength and resilience. Some trees are better suited to withstand adverse weather conditions and other environmental stressors than others. In this short-form article, we will explore what makes some trees stronger than others.



One of the key factors that determine a tree's strength is its wood density. Trees with higher wood density tend to be stronger and more resistant to environmental stressors such as wind, snow, and pests. For example, oak trees have a high wood density and are renowned for their strength and durability. In contrast, trees with lower wood density, such as pine, are more vulnerable to damage.



Another factor that contributes to a tree's strength is its root system. Trees with deep and extensive root systems are better able to withstand adverse weather conditions such as high winds and floods. Additionally, trees with a robust root system are better able to absorb nutrients and water from the soil, allowing them to grow strong and healthy.



The species of the tree also plays a significant role in determining its strength. Some tree species are naturally more resilient than others. For example, redwoods and sequoias are famous for their ability to withstand high winds and earthquakes. These trees have evolved to survive in their specific environments and are adapted to the challenges they face.



Finally, a tree's overall health is crucial in determining its strength. Trees that are stressed or unhealthy are more vulnerable to damage from environmental stressors. Factors such as water availability, nutrient availability, and disease can all affect a tree's overall health and strength.



In conclusion, a tree's strength is determined by a combination of factors, including wood density, root system, species, and overall health. By understanding these factors, we can better appreciate the resilience and importance of trees in our environment.



—-



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Trees are stronger and tougher in hurricane-prone areas

On a fateful journey to the island of Dominica, researchers...

In the realm of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/conservation-efforts-are-not-enough-to-save-antarctic-wildlife/">conservation</a>, actions are generally taken once a species is already considered threatened, often through measures such as establishing protected areas. However, a groundbreaking study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.02.063">Current Biology</a> suggests a new approach: using existing conservation data to predict which species could be at risk in the future and implementing proactive measures to prevent their decline before it becomes a crisis.



Study lead author Dr. Marcel Cardillo of Australian National University noted the limitations that conservationists face. “Conservation funding is really limited. Ideally, what we need is some way of anticipating species that may not be threatened at the moment but have a high chance of becoming threatened in the future. Prevention is better than cure.”



To identify "over-the-horizon" extinction risks, Dr. Cardillo and his team examined three aspects of global change - climate change, human population growth, and the rate of change in land use - alongside intrinsic biological features that could render certain species more vulnerable. Through their analysis, the researchers predict that by the year 2100, up to 20% of land mammals will face a combination of two or more of these risk factors.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CURBIO19179-Figure-1-CREDIT-Current-Biology-Cardillo-et-al-1-1024x458.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1916639"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Concentrations of terrestrial mammal species with multiple future risk factors</figcaption></figure>



The researchers elaborated on the global implications of their findings: “Globally, the percentage of terrestrial mammal species that our models predict will have at least one of the four future risk factors by 2100 ranges from 40% under a middle-of-the-road emissions scenario with broad species dispersal to 58% under a fossil-fueled development scenario with no dispersal.”



Regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and southeastern Australia are particularly susceptible to the convergence of multiple future risk factors, including climate change (expected to be especially severe in Africa), human population growth, and changes in land use. “And there are a lot of large mammal species that are likely to be more sensitive to these things. It’s pretty much the perfect storm," said Dr. Cardillo.



<h2 id="h-balancing-conservation-and-cultural-sensitivity">Balancing conservation and cultural sensitivity</h2>



This study has also shed light on the challenges of conserving larger mammal species and the need to incorporate cultural considerations into conservation efforts. The researchers found that large mammals, such as elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and kangaroos, are more susceptible to population decline due to their reproductive patterns. These animals have long gestational periods and produce fewer offspring at a time, unlike smaller mammals like rodents, which reproduce quickly and in larger numbers.



Dr. Cardillo explained that the traditional approach to conservation has been to establish protected areas where human activities are limited or controlled. "Traditionally, conservation has relied heavily on declaring protected areas. The basic idea is that you remove or mitigate what is causing the species to become threatened."



However, Cardillo also points out that this approach may not always be the most effective or culturally sensitive. "But increasingly, it's being recognized that that's very much a Western view of conservation because it dictates separating people from nature. It's a sort of view of nature where humans don't play a role, and that's something that doesn't sit well with a lot of cultures in many parts of the world."



<h3>Establishing Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs)</h3>



The researchers emphasize the importance of considering the impact of conservation efforts on Indigenous communities. In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, many Indigenous populations coexist with large mammal species. Imposing Western ideas of conservation on these communities, although well-intended, could have unintended negative consequences.



One potential solution is the establishment of Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs), as seen in Australia. These areas are owned by Indigenous peoples and managed with the assistance of local rangers. Through collaboration between governments and private landowners, it becomes possible for humans and animals to coexist in these regions.



“There’s an important part to play for broad-scale modeling studies because they can provide a broad framework and context for planning," explained Dr. Cardillo. "But science is only a very small part of the mix. We hope our model acts as a catalyst for bringing about some kind of change in the outlook for conservation."



As the world continues to grapple with the challenge of protecting vulnerable large mammal populations, it is essential to develop a more inclusive and culturally sensitive approach to conservation. Balancing scientific knowledge with the insights and perspectives of local communities will be crucial to ensuring the long-term survival of these magnificent species.



By focusing on predicting future risks and adopting preventive strategies, this innovative study aims to change the way conservation efforts are approached. With a more proactive stance, it may be possible to protect vulnerable species before they reach the brink of extinction, ultimately leading to a more sustainable future for the planet's diverse array of life.



<h2>Present state of mammalian extinction risk</h2>



According to the IUCN, there are over 1,300 mammal species classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered, putting them at risk of extinction. It's important to note that the total number and the status of individual species may change over time as new data becomes available or as conservation efforts impact populations.



Some of the well-known mammals at risk of extinction include:



<ol>
<li>Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) – Critically Endangered</li>



<li>Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) – Critically Endangered</li>



<li>Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) – Critically Endangered</li>



<li>Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii) – Critically Endangered</li>



<li>Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) – Endangered</li>



<li>African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) – Endangered</li>



<li>Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) – Endangered</li>



<li>Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) – Vulnerable</li>



<li>Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) – Endangered</li>



<li>Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) – Vulnerable</li>
</ol>



These species are at risk due to various factors, including habitat loss, poaching, illegal wildlife trade, and climate change. It is crucial to continue conservation efforts to protect these species and their habitats to prevent their extinction.



—-



Image Credit: Current Biology/Cardillo et al.



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Anticipating a species extinction is much better than reacting to it

In the realm of conservation, actions are generally taken once...

As the United States grapples with an aging nuclear power infrastructure, policymakers face the tough decision of whether to retire or retrofit the reactors that currently generate nearly 20% of the nation's electricity. With 92 reactors in operation, the US boasts the largest nuclear fleet worldwide, but many of these facilities have been running for over 50 years and are nearing the end of their expected lifetimes. While nuclear energy is considered a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, a new study by <a href="https://www.mit.edu/">MIT</a> researchers adds another dimension to this debate: the impact on air quality.



The study, published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/nenergy/">Nature Energy</a>, examines a hypothetical scenario in which all nuclear power plants in the US are shut down and replaced by other energy sources, such as coal, natural gas, and renewables, for an entire year. The results suggest that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-linked-to-a-higher-risk-of-stroke/">air pollution</a> would indeed increase as fossil fuel usage ramps up to compensate for the loss of nuclear power. The team quantified this impact, estimating that an additional 5,200 pollution-related deaths could occur over a single year as a direct consequence of the increased air pollution.



If more renewable energy sources were to become available to the grid, as anticipated by 2030, air pollution would be mitigated, but not entirely eliminated. Even under a scenario with significantly more renewable energy, the researchers found a slight increase in air pollution in some regions, resulting in 260 pollution-related deaths over one year. The study also highlights that Black or African American communities, who disproportionately reside near fossil-fuel plants, would be most exposed to the increased pollution levels.



Lead author Lyssa Freese, a graduate student in MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS), emphasized that this research adds another layer to the ongoing debate about the environmental health and social impacts of nuclear power plant shutdowns. The conversation surrounding these shutdowns has primarily revolved around local risks due to accidents, mining, and long-term climate impacts.&nbsp;



"In the debate over keeping nuclear power plants open, air quality has not been a focus of that discussion," added study author Noelle Selin, a professor in MIT's Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS) and EAPS. She further explained that the air pollution caused by fossil fuel plants is so harmful that any increase, such as that resulting from a nuclear shutdown, will have significant impacts on some populations more than others.



<h2 id="h-fallout-of-future-nuclear-power-phase-outs">Fallout of future nuclear power phase-outs</h2>



As nuclear power plants have closed in the past, fossil fuel use has increased to compensate for the loss of electricity generation. This phenomenon can be observed in historical instances such as the 1985 closure of reactors in the Tennessee Valley which prompted a spike in coal use and the 2012 shutdown of a plant in California leading to an increase in natural gas consumption. Similarly, in Germany, where nuclear power has almost completely been phased out, coal-fired power initially increased to fill the gap.



Observing these trends, a team of researchers from MIT set out to investigate how the U.S. energy grid would respond if nuclear power were entirely phased out. “We wanted to think about what future changes were expected in the energy grid," said Freese. "We knew that coal use was declining, and there was a lot of work already looking at the impact of what that would have on air quality. But no one had looked at air quality and nuclear power, which we also noticed was on the decline.”



To analyze the impact of a nuclear power phase-out on air quality and public health, the team utilized an energy grid dispatch model developed by their colleague Jenn. The model simulates the production of every power plant in the country, running continuously to estimate the hourly energy demands in 64 regions across the nation. Functioning similarly to the actual energy market, the model prioritizes plants producing the cheapest energy at any given time, adjusting their production levels up or down accordingly.



The researchers fed the model available data on each plant's changing emissions and energy costs throughout an entire year. They then ran the model under different scenarios: an energy grid with no nuclear power, a baseline grid similar to today's grid that includes nuclear power, and a grid with no nuclear power that also incorporates additional renewable sources expected to be added by 2030.



Each simulation was combined with an atmospheric chemistry model to simulate how each plant's various emissions travel around the country. The research team overlaid these tracks onto maps of population density to examine the impact on populations exposed to pollution. The risk of premature death was calculated for individuals in the path of pollution based on their degree of exposure.



<h2>System response shows unintended consequences</h2>



The experts analyzed the effects of shutting down nuclear power plants in the United States and discovered that this action could potentially lead to thousands of pollution-related deaths, as well as hundreds of thousands of premature deaths due to climate change impacts in the coming century.



The research team found a strong correlation between the absence of nuclear power and a decline in air quality. This is particularly evident in the East Coast region, where the majority of the country's nuclear power plants are located.&nbsp;



With these plants out of operation, the study revealed an increased reliance on coal and gas-fired power plants. Consequently, this shift in power production led to a significant increase in air pollution, resulting in an estimated 5,200 pollution-related deaths across the nation in comparison to the baseline scenario.



The study also highlighted the long-term consequences of such actions on climate change. As the power grid attempts to compensate for the absence of nuclear power, carbon dioxide emissions are likely to rise. The researchers calculated that this increase in emissions could lead to an additional 160,000 premature deaths over the next 100 years due to the exacerbated effects of climate change.



“We need to be thoughtful about how we’re retiring nuclear power plants if we are trying to think about them as part of an energy system," said Freese. "Shutting down something that doesn’t have direct emissions itself can still lead to increases in emissions, because the grid system will respond.”



Selin emphasized the need for a greater focus on renewable energy sources. “This might mean that we need to deploy even more renewables, in order to fill the hole left by nuclear, which is essentially a zero-emissions energy source. Otherwise, we will have a reduction in air quality that we weren’t necessarily counting on.”



This in-depth analysis sheds light on the potential consequences of phasing out nuclear power in the United States, taking into account the impact on air quality, public health, and the nation's energy infrastructure. By examining the interplay between different energy sources and their emissions, the study helps policymakers and energy industry stakeholders make informed decisions about the future of nuclear power and its role in the energy mix.



The research was partially supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which further emphasizes the gravity of these findings and their implications for both environmental and public health policy.



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Reducing nuclear power will increase air pollution

As the United States grapples with an aging nuclear power...

A recent study spearheaded by researchers from <a href="https://tulane.edu/">Tulane University</a> has revealed that sea levels along the United States' Southeast and Gulf <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-coastal-salt-marshes-are-keeping-pace-with-sea-level-rise/">coasts</a> have experienced rapid acceleration, breaking records over the past 12 years.&nbsp;



The study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-37649-9">Nature Communications</a>, highlights an alarming increase in the rate of sea-level rise, with researchers detecting a half-inch per year increase since 2010. The scientists attribute this acceleration to the combined impact of man-made climate change and natural climate variability.



Study lead author Professor Sönke Dangendorf emphasized the seriousness of these findings: “These rapid rates are unprecedented over at least the 20th century and they have been three times higher than the global average over the same period.”



To better understand the factors contributing to this acceleration, the researchers analyzed a combination of field and satellite measurements dating back to 1900. Study o-author Noah Hendricks, an undergraduate student in Dangendorf's team at Old Dominion University, explains that they "systematically investigated the different causes, such as vertical land motion, ice-mass loss, and air pressure, but none of them could sufficiently explain the recent rate."&nbsp;



Instead, the researchers discovered that the acceleration is a widespread signal spanning from the Gulf of Mexico's coasts to Cape Hatteras in North Carolina, the North Atlantic Ocean, and the Caribbean Seas. This pattern indicates changes in the ocean's density and circulation.



According to the scientists, the primary factors driving the expansion of this area, known as the Subtropical Gyre, are shifting wind patterns and ongoing warming. Warmer water masses require more space, contributing to the rise in sea levels.&nbsp;



The study suggests that the recent acceleration is an unfortunate combination of man-made climate change signals and a peak in weather-related variability that persisted for several years. The researchers expect that the rates will likely return to more moderate values as predicted by climate models in the coming decades.



However, study co-author Professor Torbjörn Törnqvist warns that this should not be mistaken for an all-clear signal: “These high rates of sea-level rise have put even more stress on these vulnerable coastlines, particularly in Louisiana and Texas where the land is also sinking rapidly.”&nbsp;



Dangendorf adds that the "results, once again, demonstrate the urgency of the climate crisis for the Gulf region. We need interdisciplinary and collaborative efforts to sustainably face these challenges.”



The study was conducted with the collaboration of several experts from various institutions, including Qiang Sun from Tulane, John Klinck and Tal Ezer from Old Dominion University, Thomas Frederikse from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, Francisco M. Calafat from the National Oceanography Centre in Liverpool, UK, and Thomas Wahl from the University of Central Florida in Orlando.



Future sea-level rise



Predictions for future sea-level rise vary depending on the emission scenarios, climate models, and timeframes considered. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (2021), global mean sea level is projected to continue rising over the 21st century, with different rates depending on the greenhouse gas emission scenarios.



Under a low-emission scenario (SSP1-1.9), the report estimates a global mean sea-level rise of 0.28 to 0.55 meters (11 to 22 inches) by 2100 compared to the 1995-2014 average.&nbsp;



In a moderate-emission scenario (SSP2-4.5), the projected rise ranges from 0.34 to 0.65 meters (13 to 26 inches). However, under a high-emission scenario (SSP5-8.5), sea levels could rise between 0.63 and 1.02 meters (25 to 40 inches).



These estimates account for multiple factors contributing to sea-level rise, including thermal expansion of ocean waters, melting glaciers, and the loss of ice from Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets. It is important to note that regional variations in sea-level rise will occur due to factors such as ocean currents, land subsidence, and changes in Earth's gravitational field.



Predictions beyond 2100 remain uncertain, but under most scenarios, sea-level rise is expected to continue for centuries. The magnitude of long-term sea-level rise will depend on future greenhouse gas emissions and the Earth's climate system's response. Reducing emissions and implementing adaptation measures are critical to mitigating the impacts of sea-level rise on coastal communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems.



Worst-case scenario for sea-level rise



Under the worst-case scenario, where sea levels rise by 40 inches (1.02 meters) by the year 2100, the consequences would be profound and widespread, particularly for coastal regions and low-lying areas. Some of the potential impacts include:



<ol>
<li>Coastal flooding: The frequency and severity of coastal flooding would significantly increase, affecting millions of people living in coastal areas. Some regions would experience more frequent and devastating storm surges and extreme weather events, potentially resulting in loss of life and property.</li>



<li>Loss of land and property: As sea levels rise, low-lying coastal areas would be permanently submerged, leading to the loss of valuable land and property. Many major coastal cities and communities would be at risk, forcing people to relocate.</li>



<li>Displacement of populations: The loss of habitable land would lead to the displacement of millions of people worldwide, creating a massive wave of climate refugees. This could result in social, economic, and political challenges as nations struggle to accommodate the influx of displaced populations.</li>



<li>Infrastructure damage: Vital infrastructure such as roads, bridges, ports, airports, power plants, and sewage treatment facilities in low-lying coastal areas would be at risk of flooding and permanent inundation. The costs of repairing or relocating this infrastructure would be immense.</li>



<li>Economic impacts: The loss of land, infrastructure, and property would have significant economic consequences. Tourism, agriculture, and fisheries in coastal areas would be severely affected. In addition, the costs of adaptation measures and disaster response would place a heavy burden on governments and taxpayers.</li>



<li>Ecosystem disruption: Rising sea levels would lead to the loss of coastal ecosystems, including wetlands, mangroves, and coral reefs, which provide essential habitats for numerous species and act as natural barriers against coastal erosion and flooding. The loss of these ecosystems would have cascading effects on biodiversity, fisheries, and the overall health of the oceans.</li>



<li>Saltwater intrusion: As sea levels rise, saltwater would infiltrate into coastal freshwater resources, contaminating drinking water supplies and agricultural lands. This would exacerbate water scarcity issues and negatively impact agriculture and food security in affected regions.</li>



<li>Cultural heritage loss: Many historically and culturally significant sites located in coastal areas would be at risk of being lost or damaged due to rising sea levels and increased coastal erosion.</li>
</ol>



To mitigate these potential consequences, it is crucial to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, implement effective adaptation measures, and improve the resilience of coastal communities and infrastructure to the impacts of sea-level rise.



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Record-breaking sea-level rise found along U.S. coasts

A recent study spearheaded by researchers from Tulane University has...

A massive bloom of Sargassum seaweed, estimated to be the largest ever recorded, is currently circling around the Gulf of Mexico and could soon wash up on the US east coast near Florida. This floating mat of algae is so large that it is visible from space. 



Sargassum is a rootless and buoyant algae that forms large floating mats on the ocean surface. It is an important habitat for marine species, providing food, refuge, and breeding grounds.



<h2>What is Sargassum?</h2>



First written about by Christopher Columbus in 1492, Sargassum is found in the Sargasso Sea and other parts of the Atlantic Ocean. Like other floating marine vegetation, Sargassum absorbs atmospheric carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and converts it into organic carbon, which makes it an important tool in mitigating the effects of greenhouse gases.



However, when Sargassum collects along coastlines, it can emit toxins like hydrogen sulphide, which produces a pungent smell. These toxins can cause headaches, eye irritation, and upset stomachs, depending on the quantity. Mounds of algae on beaches can harm marine ecosystems and disrupt recreation and fishing, costing communities millions.



<h3>History of Sargassum Blooms</h3>



Scientists have been tracking Sargassum blooms since 2011, but this year's bloom is estimated to be the largest ever, collectively spanning more than 8800 km from the shores of Africa to the Gulf of Mexico and weighing 10 million tonnes.&nbsp;



According to Chuanmin Hu, a professor of oceanography at the <a href="https://www.usf.edu/">University of South Florida</a>, the size of this bloom is due to the convergence of multiple factors, including changes in ocean currents, the amount of nutrients in the water, and the winds.



In an interview with CNN, Professor Hu said: "It's a combination of things we've never seen before." He went on to explain that the Gulf of Mexico is the final destination for many of the world's rivers, which carry nutrients that can fuel the growth of Sargassum. The increase in ocean temperature due to climate change is also a factor, as Sargassum thrives in warm water.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Sargassum_spotted_by_Sentinel-2_medium.jpg" alt="Sargassum seaweed extent seen from space" class="wp-image-1916516"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sargassum seaweed extent seen from space</figcaption></figure>



While Sargassum plays an important role in marine ecosystems, the massive amount currently floating in the Gulf of Mexico poses a potential threat to coastal communities. As the bloom moves closer to the US coast of Florida, officials are monitoring the situation and preparing to respond if necessary. 



According to <a href="https://myfwc.com/">Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission</a>: "The severity of the impacts of the Sargassum landing events on Florida's coastline depends on many factors, including the timing, location, quantity, and duration of the event."



"We need to prepare for the worst-case scenario," said Professor Hu. While it's impossible to predict exactly when or where the Sargassum will make landfall, experts are keeping a close eye on the situation and working to better understand this unique phenomenon.



<h2>Sargassum&nbsp;Seaweed Belt Seen from Space</h2>



The <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> (ESA) is collaborating with CLS-NovaBlue Environment to monitor floating Sargassum using data from Earth observation satellites as part of ESA’s Earth Observation Science for Society initiative. Sargassum is a type of seaweed that is found in the Sargasso Sea, which is located in the western North Atlantic Ocean.



To better understand the extent and evolution of the Sargassum belt stretching across the Atlantic Ocean, multispectral satellite measurements from Sentinel-2 at 10m resolution have been used to capture the density and size of Sargassum levels since 2011. This is complemented by radar altimeter measurements from Sentinel-3 and Sentinel-6 satellites that provide access to geostrophic ocean currents.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/great-sargussum-belt_nasa_1medium.jpg" alt="Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt" class="wp-image-1916583"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt</figcaption></figure>



“These Copernicus Sentinel-2 images show the Sargassum around 45 km off the west coast of Guadeloupe. The image on the left is a true-color image while the one on the right has been processed using the near-infrared channel to highlight the Sargassum in bright red,” says ESA.



The Ocean Virtual Laboratory, which allows oceanographers to discover the world’s oceans, has also been monitoring the Sargassum. The virtual lab uses more than 350 datasets, Copernicus Sentinel data, in situ measurements, and numerical model outputs to provide an unprecedented view of our oceans and improve scientific understanding of ocean and coastal processes leading to the Sargassum.



<h3>How Sargassum is Monitored</h3>



The Sargassum mats, which are being monitored, could soon threaten beaches along the Florida Keys, Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, and the eastern Caribbean. The trajectory of ocean currents that are leading the Sargassum westward can be monitored using satellite data, providing valuable insight into the extent of the threat.



“Since 2011, a change in the density and in size of Sargassum levels has been seen which can be monitored from space in different ways,” says ESA. With the help of satellite data, oceanographers are gaining a better understanding of ocean and coastal processes leading to the Sargassum and are able to provide an unprecedented view of our oceans.



As our planet continues to change, it is important to monitor and understand the impacts on our oceans. The collaboration between ESA and CLS-NovaBlue Environment is a great example of how satellite data can be used to monitor our planet and improve our understanding of the natural world.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Overview_map_of_the_Sargassum_extent_medium.jpg" alt="Map showing the sargassum seaweed extent" class="wp-image-1916515"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Map showing the sargassum seaweed extent</figcaption></figure>



<h2 id="h-more-about-sargassum-seaweed">More about Sargassum seaweed</h2>



Sargassum seaweed is a type of brown algae that has been causing concerns in recent years due to its increased occurrence in the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean. The seaweed forms large mats that can cover the surface of the water, affecting marine ecosystems, tourism, and fishing industries.



Sargassum is a naturally occurring seaweed that has been present in the Atlantic Ocean for thousands of years, forming the Sargasso Sea in the middle of the North Atlantic. However, in recent years, the seaweed has been growing excessively and drifting towards the Caribbean, causing problems for coastal communities and marine life.



<h3>Where is this Sargassum coming from?</h3>



The growth of Sargassum is thought to be linked to climate change, as warmer sea temperatures and changes in ocean currents have created the perfect conditions for its proliferation. The seaweed can also thrive in nutrient-rich waters, such as those polluted by agricultural runoff.



The excessive growth of Sargassum can have serious consequences for marine life, as it can smother coral reefs and seagrass beds, and affect the distribution and abundance of fish and other marine organisms. The seaweed can also cause beach closures and harm the tourism industry, as the smell and appearance of the seaweed can deter visitors.



Efforts are being made to address the Sargassum problem, including the use of specialized boats to collect the seaweed and its conversion into fertilizer and other products. However, these solutions are still in their early stages and face challenges such as cost-effectiveness and the scale of the problem.



Overall, Sargassum seaweed is a complex issue that requires a multi-disciplinary approach to address. Continued research into the causes and effects of Sargassum growth, as well as innovative solutions for its management and utilization, will be crucial for ensuring the health and sustainability of marine ecosystems and coastal communities.



image Credit: ESA



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Stunning photos show Sargassum seaweed bloom nearing Florida beaches

A massive bloom of Sargassum seaweed, estimated to be the...

In a bid to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Biden administration is reportedly planning to implement some of the most stringent auto pollution limits in the world.&nbsp;



According to anonymous sources speaking to the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/">New York Times</a>, these new regulations aim to ensure that all-electric vehicles account for as much as 67 percent of new passenger cars sold in the United States by 2032. This ambitious target would far surpass President Biden's previous goal of having all-electric cars make up half of those sold by 2030.



The move would represent a significant leap for the United States, where only 5.8 percent of vehicles sold in the previous year were all-electric. The proposed regulations would place the US at the forefront of global efforts to reduce greenhouse gases generated by cars, a major contributor to climate change. The European Union, Canada, and Britain have already enacted or proposed vehicle emissions standards expected to phase out the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035.



However, the proposed regulation presents a considerable challenge for automakers. Most major car companies have already invested heavily in electric vehicles, but few have committed to the levels envisioned by the Biden administration.&nbsp;



Manufacturers have encountered supply chain issues that have delayed production, and there is uncertainty as to whether consumers will purchase enough electric vehicles to make up the majority of new car sales within a decade.



Michael S. Regan, the administrator of the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/">Environmental Protection Agency</a> (EPA), is expected to announce the proposed limits on tailpipe emissions in Detroit on Wednesday. The requirements are intended to ensure that electric cars represent between 54 and 60 percent of all new cars sold in the US by 2030, with that figure rising to 64 to 67 percent by 2032. These figures were shared by sources familiar with the matter who requested anonymity.



To significantly increase the adoption of electric vehicles in the US, other changes would be necessary, including constructing millions of new charging stations, overhauling electric grids to accommodate the power needs of these chargers, and securing supplies of minerals and other materials needed for batteries.



The proposed regulation, which will go through a public comment period and may be altered before becoming final, is likely to face legal challenges and could become an issue in the 2024 presidential campaign. A future administration could undo or weaken the regulation.



John Bozzella, president of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, commented on the scale of the undertaking, stating: “It is nothing short of a complete transformation of the automotive industrial base and the automotive market.”



Maria Michalos, an EPA spokeswoman, did not confirm the new targets but stated that the agency was working on new standards as directed by the president to “accelerate the transition to a zero-emissions transportation future, protecting people and the planet.”



The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act has already helped stimulate demand for electric vehicles by providing up to $7,500 in tax incentives for car buyers, as well as billions in incentives for battery manufacturing and critical mineral processing and mining.



The US is the second biggest polluter on the planet, and transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gases generated by the country. Rapidly phasing out gasoline-powered cars in favor of electric models would help President Biden achieve his pledge to cut the country's emissions in half by 2030 and effectively eliminate them by the middle of the century.



This proposed auto emissions rule is even more demanding than the target laid out by President Biden in a 2021 White House speech, where he called for federal policies to ensure that half of new cars sold would be all-electric by 2030.



More about auto pollution



Auto pollution refers to the harmful emissions generated by vehicles powered by internal combustion engines (ICEs), which run primarily on fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel. These emissions contribute significantly to air pollution and have a detrimental impact on both the environment and human health.



There are several types of pollutants released by vehicles, which can be broadly categorized into the following:



<ol>
<li>Greenhouse gases (GHGs): These gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, causing global temperatures to rise and leading to climate change. The primary greenhouse gas emitted by automobiles is carbon dioxide (CO2), but other GHGs like methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are also released in smaller quantities. Vehicles with ICEs are responsible for a significant portion of global GHG emissions.</li>



<li>Particulate matter (PM): These are tiny particles of solid or liquid matter suspended in the air. PM emissions from vehicles, particularly diesel engines, can cause respiratory and cardiovascular issues when inhaled. The smallest particles (PM2.5) can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, leading to severe health problems and even premature death.</li>



<li>Nitrogen oxides (NOx): NOx emissions result from the high-temperature combustion of fossil fuels in ICEs. These gases contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, which is a key component of smog. NOx emissions can cause respiratory problems, exacerbate asthma, and contribute to the formation of acid rain.</li>



<li>Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): These are carbon-containing compounds that evaporate easily at room temperature. VOCs are emitted during the combustion and evaporation of fossil fuels. They react with NOx in the presence of sunlight to form ground-level ozone, contributing to smog formation. Some VOCs are also hazardous to human health, causing symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and eye, nose, and throat irritation.</li>



<li>Carbon monoxide (CO): CO is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas produced by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels in ICEs. When inhaled, CO interferes with the blood's ability to transport oxygen, leading to headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even death in high concentrations.</li>



<li>Sulfur dioxide (SO2): SO2 is released during the combustion of fossil fuels containing sulfur, particularly diesel. It reacts with other substances in the atmosphere to form fine particles, contributing to PM pollution. SO2 can also cause respiratory issues and contribute to the formation of acid rain.</li>
</ol>



Auto pollution not only has direct effects on human health and the environment but also contributes to secondary problems. For example, ground-level ozone and smog can reduce visibility, acid rain can damage forests and aquatic ecosystems, and climate change can lead to extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and loss of biodiversity.



To mitigate auto pollution, governments and industries are implementing stricter emissions standards, promoting cleaner fuel technologies, and investing in the development and adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and other zero-emission transportation alternatives. These measures aim to reduce the environmental and health impacts of vehicle emissions and contribute to a more sustainable future.



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EPA set to implement unprecedented auto pollution limits

In a bid to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse...

An intergalactic "monster" is hurtling through space, leaving behind a never-before-seen "contrail" of newborn stars. The supermassive black hole weighs as much as 20 million suns and travels so quickly that if it were in our solar system, it could travel from Earth to the Moon in just 14 minutes.&nbsp;



The trail it has left behind is almost 200,000 light-years long, twice the diameter of our Milky Way galaxy, and is the result of a rare game of galactic billiards among three massive black holes.



Instead of gobbling up stars ahead of it, as a cosmic Pac-Man would, this supermassive black hole is plowing into gas in front of it to trigger new star formation along a narrow corridor. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/STScI-01GX655HMGYA3XH8EJ54Y26B0K-1-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1916525" width="379" height="213"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image Credit: ARTWORK: NASA, ESA, Leah Hustak (STScI)</figcaption></figure>



"We think we're seeing a wake behind the black hole where the gas cools and is able to form stars. So, we're looking at star formation trailing the black hole," explained Pieter van Dokkum of <a href="https://www.yale.edu/">Yale University</a>.



The black hole is traveling so fast that it is unable to stop for a snack, so it triggers new star formation as it moves through gas. This phenomenon has never been seen before, but it was captured by accident using <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/hubble/main/index.html">NASA's Hubble Space Telescope</a>. The trail must have lots of new stars, given that it is almost half as bright as the host galaxy it is linked to.



The black hole lies at one end of the column, which stretches back to its parent galaxy. There is a remarkably bright knot of ionized oxygen at the outermost tip of the column. Researchers believe gas is probably being shocked and heated from the motion of the black hole hitting the gas, or it could be radiation from an accretion disk around the black hole.



"This is pure serendipity that we stumbled across it," said van Dokkum. He was initially looking for globular star clusters in a nearby dwarf galaxy when he stumbled upon the trail. "I was just scanning through the Hubble image, and then I noticed that we have a little streak. I immediately thought, 'oh, a cosmic ray hitting the camera detector and causing a linear imaging artifact.' When we eliminated cosmic rays, we realized it was still there. It didn't look like anything we've seen before."



Van Dokkum and his team did follow-up spectroscopy with the W. M. Keck Observatories in Hawaii because the phenomenon was so unusual. He describes the star trail as "quite astonishing, very, very bright and very unusual." This led to the conclusion that he was looking at the aftermath of a black hole flying through a halo of gas surrounding the host galaxy.



This intergalactic phenomenon is likely the result of multiple collisions of supermassive black holes. According to astronomers, the first two galaxies merged, perhaps 50 million years ago. This brought together two supermassive black holes at their centers. They whirled around each other as a binary black hole.



Then another galaxy came along with its own supermassive black hole. This led to a chaotic and unstable configuration, with the three black holes mixing it up.&nbsp;



One of the black holes robbed momentum from the other two and was thrown out of the host galaxy. The original binary may have remained intact, or the new interloper black hole may have replaced one of the two that were in the original binary and kicked out the previous companion.



The binary black holes and the single black hole displayed opposite directions when the latter departed. Researchers have spotted a feature on the opposite end of the host galaxy, which they suspect to be the runaway binary black hole.&nbsp;



Supporting this notion is the absence of any active black hole at the center of the galaxy. To confirm the presence of the black hole, NASA plans to conduct additional observations with the James Webb Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray Observatory.



NASA's upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope boasts a wide-angle view of the universe with Hubble's superior resolution. The telescope is designed for surveying, and scientists anticipate that it may detect more rare and unlikely "star streaks" in other parts of the universe.&nbsp;



According to van Dokkum, machine learning algorithms will likely be necessary to identify these peculiar shapes among the vast amounts of astronomical data collected.



More about black holes



Black holes are some of the most fascinating objects in the universe. They are formed when massive stars collapse under their own gravity, creating a region of space where the gravitational pull is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape. This phenomenon is called the event horizon, which is the boundary of the black hole from which no information can be retrieved.



Black holes come in different sizes, ranging from a few times the mass of our Sun to billions of times its mass. The smaller ones are called stellar black holes, while the larger ones are known as supermassive black holes, which are found at the centers of most galaxies, including our Milky Way.



One of the most interesting properties of black holes is that they warp space and time around them. This effect is known as gravitational lensing, which causes light to bend as it passes near a black hole. This phenomenon has been observed by astronomers, and it has been used to study the properties of black holes and the galaxies in which they reside.



Another remarkable property of black holes is that they emit radiation, called Hawking radiation, named after the physicist Stephen Hawking, who first predicted its existence. This radiation is emitted from the vicinity of the event horizon and causes the black hole to lose mass over time.



Despite their fascinating nature, black holes are still not fully understood, and there is much that remains unknown about them. However, their study has been a significant field of research in astrophysics, and new discoveries are continually being made.



In summary, black holes are one of the most intriguing objects in the universe, and their study has provided us with insights into the workings of the cosmos. However, there is still much to learn about them, and they continue to be a source of fascination for astronomers and the general public alike.



The research is published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/acba86">The Astrophysical Journal Letters</a>.



More about the Hubble Space Telescope



The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a giant orbiting observatory that has transformed our understanding of the universe. Launched in 1990, the HST is a joint project of NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) and is named after the famous astronomer Edwin Hubble.



The telescope orbits the Earth at an altitude of about 340 miles (547 kilometers) and has a diameter of 94.5 inches (2.4 meters). It is equipped with a suite of scientific instruments that allow it to observe the universe in visible, ultraviolet, and infrared light.



One of the most significant contributions of the HST is its role in determining the age of the universe. Using its powerful instruments, the HST has observed distant galaxies and measured their distances and velocities. This information has allowed astronomers to calculate the expansion rate of the universe and estimate its age.



The HST has also provided stunning images of distant galaxies, nebulae, and other celestial objects. Its images have not only been scientifically significant but also captivating to the public, raising awareness and interest in astronomy.



The HST has undergone several upgrades and repairs since its launch, including the installation of new instruments and the replacement of aging parts. These upgrades have extended the life of the telescope and allowed it to continue making groundbreaking discoveries.



In summary, the Hubble Space Telescope has revolutionized our understanding of the universe and continues to provide us with invaluable information about the cosmos. Its observations have inspired scientists and the public alike, reminding us of the wonder and beauty of our universe.



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Runaway black hole creates a trail of stars

An intergalactic "monster" is hurtling through space, leaving behind a...

A recent study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41558-022-01592-2">Nature Climate Change</a> has found that humanity is not on track to avoid the deadliest effects of climate change.&nbsp;



Study lead author Holly Jean Buck is an assistant professor of Environment and Sustainability at the University at Buffalo. "Our plans are not adequate to meet the goal of limiting the earth’s temperature increase to no more than 1.5℃ by 2050," said Buck.



The researchers argue that a better understanding of "residual emissions" is essential to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.



Residual emissions are those that remain after efforts to eliminate such emissions have been implemented. For example, industries such as agriculture and shipping are likely to continue releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere even with a concerted effort to eliminate all emissions.&nbsp;



The United Nations' panel of scientific advisors says that the world must reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions this century to limit the Earth's temperature increase, and residual emissions would need to be balanced by techniques that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.



The researchers analyzed long-term low-emission strategies submitted by 50 countries and found that only 28 quantified the amount of residual emissions expected by 2050. Buck and her colleagues argue that managing residual emissions is critical to achieving the net-zero goal, and have identified several steps they say are necessary to tackle the problem.&nbsp;



The first step is to develop clear projections for the amount of residual emissions. The amount, the source, and the type of gas - whether it be carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases - need to be identified so that appropriate offsetting strategies can be developed.&nbsp;



Such strategies include enhancing existing carbon sinks, which are reservoirs that absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than they release. Naturally occurring carbon sinks include the ocean, forests, and soil.



"We can enhance carbon sinks," Buck said. "We can plant trees, we can conserve land, we can engineer carbon removal, but it’s not enough to bring us to net-zero by 2050 with these projections of residual emissions."



The study highlights the importance of residual emissions and the need for greater action to address the issue. According to countries’ long-term strategies, the average level of residual emissions by 2050 will be 18 percent of current emissions, an amount that cannot easily be offset by removing carbon. Buck and her collaborators stress the need for urgent action to address the problem of residual emissions if we are to limit the deadly effects of climate change.



Residual emissions present another challenge that needs to be addressed, specifically in terms of the approach to achieving net-zero emissions. The question is whether it is a provisional target that will be revised with further emission cuts or a permanent solution that requires ongoing offsetting.&nbsp;



While some carbon-emitting activities, like aviation and shipping, are recognized as being extremely difficult to reduce, others may be technically achievable but present economic and political hurdles. By clarifying these issues, a solid foundation is established for incorporating residual emissions into plans to attain net-zero emissions by 2050.



What exactly is the net-zero emissions goal?



The net-zero emissions goal is an ambitious and critical target for combating climate change. It involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible and offsetting any remaining emissions by removing an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This will lead to a balance between the amount of greenhouse gases emitted and removed, resulting in a net-zero emissions scenario.



The net-zero emissions goal is crucial because greenhouse gas emissions are the primary cause of climate change. The Earth's temperature has already risen by approximately 1.1 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times, and the impact of this warming is already being felt in the form of more frequent and severe weather events, rising sea levels, and changing ecosystems.



To achieve the net-zero emissions goal, countries and companies will need to implement a range of strategies, including reducing energy consumption, transitioning to clean energy sources such as wind and solar power, investing in energy efficiency, and increasing the use of electric vehicles. They will also need to explore and implement innovative solutions, such as carbon capture and storage, to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.



While achieving net-zero emissions will require significant effort and investment, the benefits are enormous. By limiting global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius, we can protect vulnerable ecosystems, reduce the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, and safeguard the health and well-being of people and wildlife.



The net-zero emissions goal is not just an environmental issue but also an economic one. Countries and companies that embrace the transition to clean energy and low-carbon practices will benefit from reduced energy costs, increased energy security, and job creation in the renewable energy sector.



What happens if the "net-zero" goal isn't met?



“More frequent floods,” said Buck. “Devastating heat waves. Extreme economic damage from extreme weather. Agricultural production will be affected.”



While the article identifies significant challenges to reducing residual emissions, it identifies those challenges as opportunities for research and cooperation. “We hope to affect policy makers and non-government organizations that are working to achieve net zero,” said Buck. “We can achieve it. I’m hopeful we will.”



In summary, the net-zero emissions goal is an essential and achievable target that will require collective action and innovative solutions to combat climate change effectively. By working together, we can ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come.



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Residual emissions must be addressed to reach net zero

A recent study published in the journal Nature Climate Change...

Air pollution, a major consequence of human activity, has long been a pressing environmental issue. The presence of hydroxide (OH) in the atmosphere plays a crucial role in the breakdown and elimination of pollutants.&nbsp;



While the process of OH formation has been studied extensively, recent research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that our understanding of OH generation might have been incomplete all along.



A research team, including Sergey Nizkorodov, a professor of chemistry at the <a href="https://uci.edu/">University of California, Irvine</a>, has discovered a previously unknown mechanism for the creation of OH. This groundbreaking finding could lead to a better understanding of how the air clears itself of pollutants and greenhouse gases, which are known to react with and be eliminated by OH molecules.



“You need OH to oxidize hydrocarbons, otherwise they would build up in the atmosphere indefinitely,” explained Nizkorodov. It has long been known that OH is an essential component in atmospheric chemistry, initiating reactions that break down airborne pollutants and removing toxic chemicals like sulfur dioxide and nitric oxide from the air.&nbsp;



“Thus, having a full understanding of its sources and sinks is key to understanding and mitigating air pollution," said study lead author Christian George, an atmospheric chemist at the <a href="https://www.universite-lyon.fr/version-anglaise/universite-de-lyon-en-6709.kjsp">University of Lyon</a>.



Previously, researchers believed that sunlight played a major role in the formation of OH. “The conventional wisdom is that you have to make OH by photochemistry or redox chemistry. You have to have sunlight or metals acting as catalysts,” said Nizkorodov.&nbsp;



However, the new study reveals that OH can also be created spontaneously in the unique conditions on the surface of airborne water droplets, without the need for sunlight or metal catalysts.



The experts found that the strong electric field that exists at the interface between airborne water droplets and the surrounding air can generate OH through an entirely new mechanism. This discovery challenges long-held assumptions and opens up new avenues of research in the field of atmospheric chemistry.



The team built on research from Stanford University scientists led by Richard Zare, who had reported spontaneous formation of hydrogen peroxide on the surfaces of water droplets.



To study OH concentrations, the UCI scientists measured OH levels in different vials containing either an air-water surface or only water without air. They then tracked OH production in darkness by including a "probe" molecule that fluoresces when it reacts with OH.



The results showed that OH production rates in darkness were equivalent to or even exceeded those from sunlight exposure. "Enough of OH will be created to compete with other known OH sources," said Nizkorodov. "At night, when there is no photochemistry, OH is still produced and it is produced at a higher rate than would otherwise happen."



Nizkorodov explained that the findings could significantly change our understanding of the sources of OH and would, therefore, alter how other researchers build computer models that forecast air pollution. "OH is an important oxidant inside water droplets and the main assumption in the models is that OH comes from the air, it's not produced in the droplet directly," he said.



To determine whether this new OH production mechanism plays a role in air pollution, Nizkorodov suggested performing carefully designed experiments in the real atmosphere in different parts of the world. He added that UCI was a prime place for such research to continue happening because other labs at UCI, such as that of Ann Marie Carlton, professor of chemistry, focused their efforts on the role water droplets play in the atmosphere.



The project was funded by the European Research Council and involved researchers from France's University Claude Bernard, China's Guangdong University of Technology, and Israel's Weizmann Institute.



Nizkorodov expects the new findings to create a ripple in the atmospheric research community. "A lot of people will read this but will not initially believe it and will either try to reproduce it or try to do experiments to prove it wrong," he said. "There will be many lab experiments following up on this for sure."



As scientists continue to investigate this newfound OH generation process, it may lead to improved strategies for mitigating air pollution, and a deeper understanding of how the Earth's atmosphere naturally clears itself of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases. This breakthrough discovery could have far-reaching implications not only for the scientific community but also for the future health of our planet. The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



More details about OH



Hydroxyl radicals (OH) are highly reactive molecules made up of one hydrogen atom and one oxygen atom. OH is a critical component in the chemistry of the Earth's atmosphere, and it plays a crucial role in the removal of pollutants such as methane and other greenhouse gases. OH is often referred to as the "detergent" of the atmosphere because it cleanses the air of pollutants.



OH is produced through a variety of mechanisms, including sunlight and chemical reactions between organic compounds and ozone. OH also has a short lifetime, typically on the order of seconds, meaning that it reacts quickly with other molecules in the atmosphere.



OH is not only important in the atmosphere, but it is also involved in a wide range of chemical processes in biological systems. For example, OH is a critical component in the body's natural defense against pathogens, and it is also involved in the breakdown of drugs in the liver.



Despite its importance, OH is challenging to study because of its short lifetime and high reactivity. However, recent research at the University of California, Irvine, has shed new light on the formation of OH in water droplets, opening up new avenues for understanding its role in the atmosphere.



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Scientists uncover new way that Earth cleans its atmosphere

Air pollution, a major consequence of human activity, has long...

NASA’s <a href="https://webb.nasa.gov/">James Webb Space Telescope</a> has captured a stunning mid-infrared image of the Cassiopeia A (Cas A) supernova remnant, created by a stellar explosion that occurred 340 years ago. The remnant is the youngest known from an exploding, massive star in our galaxy, making it a unique opportunity to learn more about how such supernovae occur.



Danny Milisavljevic of <a href="https://www.purdue.edu/">Purdue University</a> is the principal investigator of the Webb program that captured these observations. “Cas A represents our best opportunity to look at the debris field of an exploded star and run a kind of stellar autopsy to understand what type of star was there beforehand and how that star exploded," said Milisavljevic.



The new mid-infrared image provides incredible detail, revealing features that were previously unobservable. “Compared to previous infrared images, we see incredible detail that we haven't been able to access before," said Tea Temim of Princeton University, a co-investigator on the program.



Cassiopeia A is a well-studied prototypical supernova remnant that has been observed by a number of ground-based and space-based observatories, including NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. Combining multi-wavelength observations provides scientists with a more comprehensive understanding of the remnant.



This new image provides valuable insights into the explosion and its aftermath. Scientists can use it to analyze the composition and distribution of the various elements present in the remnant, shedding light on the processes that occur during a supernova explosion.



“This new image is a remarkable achievement, and we are excited to see what further insights it will provide,” said Milisavljevic.



Examining the details



The image is a composite of infrared and visible-light wavelengths, and its striking colors reveal different components of the supernova remnant.



At the outer shell of the bubble, there are curtains of material appearing orange and red, which emit from warm dust. These curtains represent the area where ejected material from the exploded star is colliding with surrounding circumstellar gas and dust. Meanwhile, the inner part of the outer shell consists of mottled filaments of bright pink that contain clumps and knots. This material comes from the star itself and shines due to a mix of various heavy elements such as oxygen, argon, and neon, as well as dust emission.



"We're still trying to disentangle all these sources of emission," said Ilse De Looze of Ghent University in Belgium, one of the co-investigators on the program.



The image also shows the fainter wisps of stellar material near the cavity's interior. However, the most prominent feature is the loop represented in green, which extends across the right side of the central cavity. "We've nicknamed it the Green Monster in honor of Fenway Park in Boston. If you look closely, you'll notice that it's pockmarked with what look like mini-bubbles," said Milisavljevic. "The shape and complexity are unexpected and challenging to understand."



This new image provides scientists with more information about the Cas A supernova remnant, and they will continue to analyze it to better understand the various components of the explosion.



The origins of cosmic dust and humanity



Astronomers hope that by studying the Cas A remnant, they may gain a better understanding of where cosmic dust comes from. This is an important question to answer, as even very young galaxies in the early universe are found to be suffused with massive quantities of dust. It has been difficult to explain the origins of this dust without invoking supernovae, which are known to spew large quantities of heavy elements across space.



However, existing observations of supernovae have not yet been able to fully explain the amount of dust seen in those early galaxies. By studying Cas A with the James Webb Space Telescope, astronomers hope to gain a better understanding of its dust content. This will in turn inform our understanding of where the building blocks of planets and life itself come from.



“In Cas A, we can spatially resolve regions that have different gas compositions and look at what types of dust were formed in those regions,” explained Remy Indebetouw, an astrophysicist at the University of Virginia.



The Cas A remnant is a result of a supernova explosion that occurred around 350 years ago. This explosion was crucial for life as we know it, as it spread elements such as calcium and iron across interstellar space. These elements then went on to seed new generations of stars and planets, including our own.



“By understanding the process of exploding stars, we’re reading our own origin story,” said Milisavljevic. “I’m going to spend the rest of my career trying to understand what’s in this data set.”



The Cas A remnant spans about 10 light-years and is located 11,000 light-years away in the constellation Cassiopeia. Observations of this remnant may help answer a number of science questions, including the origin of cosmic dust and the process of supernova explosions. As we continue to unravel the mysteries of the universe, studying the Cas A remnant will undoubtedly play an important role.



About the James Webb Telescope



The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is set to be the largest, most powerful, and most complex space telescope ever built. Named after James E. Webb, a prominent NASA administrator during the 1960s, the telescope is a joint project between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).



The JWST is designed to answer some of the most fundamental questions about the universe, including the formation of galaxies, the evolution of stars and planetary systems, and the origins of life. It will have a range of scientific instruments that will allow it to observe in both the visible and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.



One of the key features of the JWST is its large mirror, which is 6.5 meters in diameter, more than three times the size of the Hubble Space Telescope's mirror. The mirror is made up of 18 hexagonal segments, each measuring 1.32 meters across, that can be individually adjusted to ensure that the telescope's images are sharp and clear.



The JWST will be positioned at the second Lagrange point (L2), which is located about 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. This location is ideal because it is outside Earth's atmosphere, which can distort and absorb light, and because it provides a stable environment for the telescope to operate in.



The launch of the JWST has been delayed several times, with the most recent launch date set for October 31, 2021. Once it is in orbit, the telescope is expected to operate for at least 10 years.



The James Webb Space Telescope is a groundbreaking project that has the potential to transform our understanding of the universe. Its advanced technology and large mirror will allow scientists to observe some of the earliest galaxies and stars, and to study the atmospheres of exoplanets in unprecedented detail. The launch of the JWST is eagerly anticipated by the scientific community and promises to be one of the most significant achievements in space exploration in recent years.



Image Credit: Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, D. D. Milisavljevic (Purdue), T. Temim (Princeton), I. De Looze (Ghent University). Image Processing: J. DePasquale (STScI).



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Stunning image of Cassiopeia A supernova reveals new details

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has captured a stunning mid-infrared...

NASA’s <a href="https://webb.nasa.gov/">James Webb Space Telescope</a> has captured a stunning image of the solar system’s seventh planet, Uranus, which showcases its dramatic rings and bright features in the planet’s atmosphere.&nbsp;



The image, which was taken by Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam), combines data from two filters at 1.4 and 3.0 microns, shown in blue and orange, respectively. The planet appears to have a blue hue in the resulting representative-color image.



The sensitivity of Webb’s NIRCam has allowed scientists to observe the faintest dusty rings around Uranus, which have only been previously imaged by two other facilities: the Voyager 2 spacecraft as it flew past the planet in 1986, and the Keck Observatory with advanced adaptive optics.



“With the infrared wavelengths and extra sensitivity of Webb, we see more detail, showing how dynamic the atmosphere of Uranus really is,” said Heidi Hammel, executive vice president of the <a href="https://www.aura-astronomy.org/">Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy</a>.



Uranus is unique in that it rotates on its side, at roughly a 90-degree angle from the plane of its orbit, causing extreme seasons as the planet’s poles experience many years of constant sunlight followed by an equal number of years of complete darkness.&nbsp;



Currently, it is late spring for the northern pole, which is visible in the image; Uranus’ northern summer will be in 2028. When Voyager 2 visited Uranus, it was summer at the south pole, which is now on the ‘dark side’ of the planet, out of view and facing the darkness of space.



Webb’s image also reveals a unique polar cap at the right side of the planet, which appears when the pole enters direct sunlight in the summer and disappears in the fall. The polar cap is a mystery to scientists, and the Webb data may help explain its mechanism.&nbsp;



The image also shows a subtle enhanced brightening at the center of the polar cap, which has not been seen as clearly with other powerful telescopes like the Hubble Space Telescope and Keck Observatory.



At the edge of the polar cap lies a bright cloud, as well as a few fainter extended features just beyond the cap’s edge. A second very bright cloud is seen at the planet’s left limb. These clouds are typical for Uranus in infrared wavelengths and are likely connected to storm activity.



Uranus is characterized as an ice giant due to the chemical makeup of its interior. Most of its mass is thought to be a hot, dense fluid of "icy" materials, such as water, methane, and ammonia, above a small rocky core.&nbsp;



Uranus has 13 known rings, and 11 of them are visible in the Webb image. Nine of the rings are classified as the main rings of the planet, and two are the fainter dusty rings that were discovered during the Voyager 2 flyby in 1986. Scientists expect that future Webb images of Uranus will reveal the two faint outer rings that were discovered with Hubble during the 2007 ring-plane crossing.



Webb also captured many of Uranus’ 27 known moons, with the six brightest identified in the wide-view image. This was only a short, 12-minute exposure image of Uranus with just two filters. However, scientists believe that this is just the beginning of what Webb can do when observing this mysterious planet.



The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine identified Uranus science as a priority in its 2023-2033 Planetary Science and Astrobiology decadal survey, and additional studies of Uranus are happening now. Scientists are excited to continue exploring this intriguing and unique planet with the James Webb Space Telescope.



More about Uranus



Uranus is the seventh planet from the Sun in our solar system and the third largest planet by size. It is unique among the planets in our solar system because it rotates on its side, with its poles pointing towards and away from the Sun. This unusual axial tilt is thought to have been caused by a collision with a planet-sized object early in the history of the solar system.



Uranus is often referred to as an "ice giant" because it is composed mainly of ices such as water, methane, and ammonia, as well as rock and metal. Its atmosphere is primarily made up of hydrogen and helium, with trace amounts of methane that give the planet its distinctive blue-green color.



Uranus has a system of 27 known moons, the largest of which is called Titania. The moons of Uranus are named after characters from the works of William Shakespeare and Alexander Pope.



Uranus was first observed by William Herschel in 1781, making it the first planet to be discovered in modern times. Because it is so far from the Sun, Uranus takes about 84 Earth years to complete one orbit, and its year is nearly 30 Earth years longer than its day.



Although Uranus has been visited by only one spacecraft, Voyager 2, in 1986, astronomers continue to study the planet using ground-based telescopes and space-based observatories such as the Hubble Space Telescope. Scientists hope to learn more about Uranus and its unique features, such as its tilted magnetic field and the strange behavior of its atmosphere, in the years to come.



What is the James Webb Space Telescope?



The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a large, space-based observatory designed to observe the universe in infrared light. It is named after James E. Webb, who served as the second administrator of NASA from 1961 to 1968 and played a significant role in the Apollo program.



JWST is a collaborative project between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). It is scheduled to be launched in late 2021 (as of my knowledge cutoff), and will be positioned at the second Lagrange point (L2), which is located about 1.5 million kilometers (about 930,000 miles) from Earth.



The telescope has a large primary mirror, 6.5 meters (about 21 feet) in diameter, which is made of 18 hexagonal segments. It also has four scientific instruments that will allow it to observe the universe in unprecedented detail. These instruments include a near-infrared camera, a near-infrared spectrograph, a mid-infrared instrument, and a fine guidance sensor/near-infrared imager and slitless spectrograph.



JWST's observations will help us to better understand the early universe, the formation of galaxies and stars, and the properties of exoplanets, among other things. It is expected to be a major tool for astrophysics and cosmology research for many years to come.



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James Webb captures incredible new image of Uranus 

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has captured a stunning image...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHHxOej4QfE
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic pollution.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invisible-threat-in-urban-air">Invisible threat in urban air</h2>



City dwellers face an unseen danger with every breath. New findings from Emory University researchers suggest that fine particulate matter from <a href="http://earth.com/news/traffic-related-air-pollution-might-increase-alzheimers-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vehicle emissions may significantly elevate the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease</a>. The study examined brain tissue samples from 224 individuals who had confirmed diagnoses and volunteered their brains for scientific research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disturbing-connections-emerge">Disturbing connections emerge</h2>



Scientists analyzed neuritic plaques — protein clusters that characterize Alzheimer's — while mapping each participant's exposure to PM2.5 particles based on residential location and surrounding traffic density. The correlation proved more alarming than anticipated. Individuals experiencing higher pollution exposure showed nearly double the likelihood of elevated plaque accumulation in brain tissue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timing-matters">Timing matters</h2>



The research team discovered that pollution exposure during the final year before death demonstrated the strongest association with brain changes. This timeline suggests relatively rapid impacts from environmental toxins on neural health. The connection remained robust even after accounting for various demographic and health factors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-vulnerability-patterns">Genetic vulnerability patterns</h2>



Perhaps most concerning, people lacking the APOE gene—which naturally predisposes individuals to Alzheimer's — exhibited more than twice the susceptibility to pollution-related brain damage. Study author Dr. Anke Huels noted this indicates environmental elements like air contamination could trigger the disease in cases where hereditary factors don't explain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-health-implications">Public health implications</h2>



These findings, published in <a href="https://www.neurology.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neurology</a>, underscore the critical importance of air quality regulations in urban planning. The research suggests that implementing stricter emission controls and promoting alternative transportation could serve as powerful tools in Alzheimer's prevention.



As cities worldwide grapple with growing traffic congestion and aging populations, this study highlights an urgent need for comprehensive approaches to environmental health that protect both our lungs and our minds.



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Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHHxOej4QfE Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that scientists never expected.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-waters-beneath-ancient-craters">Hidden waters beneath ancient craters</h2>



Scientists have made a startling discovery that challenges everything we thought we knew about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturn-moon-mimas-has-remarkably-young-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saturn's moon Mimas</a>. Beneath the heavily cratered surface that earned it the nickname "Death Star" lies a global ocean that formed just 5 to 15 million years ago—a remarkably young age by cosmic standards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cassini-data-reveals-orbital-secrets">Cassini data reveals orbital secrets</h2>



The discovery, led by Dr. Valéry Lainey of the <a href="https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Observatoire de Paris</a>, emerged from careful analysis of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>'s Cassini spacecraft data. By studying subtle irregularities in Mimas's orbit around Saturn, researchers detected the gravitational signature of liquid water hidden 20 to 30 kilometers beneath the moon's icy shell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unlikely-ocean-world">An unlikely ocean world</h2>



At only 400 kilometers in diameter, Mimas seemed like the least likely candidate to harbor a subsurface ocean. Unlike other ocean moons such as Europa and Enceladus, which show clear surface signs of internal activity, Mimas displays no obvious hints of the liquid water beneath its ancient, crater-scarred exterior.



"Mimas is a small moon, and its heavily cratered surface gave no hint of the hidden ocean beneath," explained Dr. Nick Cooper from <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University of London</a>, a study co-author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-astrobiology">Implications for astrobiology</h2>



The ocean's recent formation makes Mimas a prime target for studying how oceans develop and potentially support life. This discovery adds another member to the exclusive club of ocean worlds in our solar system, each offering unique insights into the conditions necessary for habitability.



The research, published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a> journal, demonstrates how advanced orbital analysis can reveal hidden features of celestial bodies, opening new possibilities for understanding ocean formation throughout the cosmos.



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Scientists discover unexpected young ocean on Saturn's cratered moon Mimas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ 'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DuSr87SHY
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-earth-became-a-frozen-wasteland">When Earth became a frozen wasteland</h2>



Imagine Earth as a giant snowball, frozen solid from the North Pole to the equator. This wasn't the plot of a science fiction movie – it was our planet's reality 700 million years ago during an extreme ice age that has puzzled scientists for decades.



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



Australian researchers from the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sydney</a> have finally cracked one of geology's greatest mysteries: what caused the Sturtian glaciation and why it persisted for an unprecedented 57 million years. This period occurred long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth, when no complex plants or multicellular animals existed.



Dr. Adriana Dutkiewicz, the study's lead author, describes a world completely unlike today's climate. "Imagine the Earth almost completely frozen over," she explained. "The planet was blanketed in ice from poles to equator, and temperatures plunged."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-combination-of-climate-factors">The combination of climate factors</h2>



The research team discovered that this massive freeze resulted from a "double whammy" of geological events. First, plate tectonic activity reduced volcanic carbon dioxide emissions to historically low levels. Volcanic activity typically releases CO2 into the atmosphere, creating a greenhouse effect that keeps Earth warm.



Simultaneously, weathering of volcanic rocks in what is now Canada actively absorbed atmospheric CO2, further reducing greenhouse gas concentrations. When atmospheric carbon dioxide levels dropped below 200 parts per million – less than half of today's levels – glaciation engulfed the entire planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-climate-implications">Modern climate implications</h2>



Published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/geology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geology</a>, this research provides crucial insights into Earth's climate system. While geological climate changes occur over millions of years, the study emphasizes that human-induced climate change is happening at a pace ten times faster than previously observed natural changes, highlighting the urgent need to understand our planet's delicate climate balance.



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What caused the planet's longest ice age

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DuSr87SHY 57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists....

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the opposite.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-contrasting-climate-response">A contrasting climate response</h2>



Most coastal towns are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-land-will-intensify-the-effects-of-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preparing for higher sea levels</a>, but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-no-longer-has-to-worry-about-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland presents</a> a different scenario during climate change. The ground there is rising at a remarkable rate. Over the past decade, some areas have lifted about 20 centimeters, which translates to roughly 2 meters per century. This rate significantly exceeds current projections for sea level rise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geological-rebound-process-through-climate-change">Geological rebound process through climate change</h2>



The mechanism behind this phenomenon is straightforward. As the ice sheet melts, the immense weight is removed from the bedrock, causing the land to rebound upward. This process resembles the way compressed material springs back when pressure is released.



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



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.dtu.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Denmark</a> are documenting this uplift using the GNET network, consisting of 61 GPS stations positioned around Greenland's coast. These sensors can detect movement with millimeter precision, providing detailed measurements of the ongoing changes.



The data reveal that current uplift rates exceed the gradual rebound occurring since the last ice age ended approximately 12,000 years ago. This acceleration corresponds directly with increased ice sheet melting rates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coastal-transformation">Coastal Transformation</h2>



This uplift is actively reshaping Greenland's coastline. New islands and rocky formations, called "skerries," are emerging as previously submerged land surfaces rise above the water level. This represents a notable contrast to global concerns about rising seas.



The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, demonstrates the varied regional impacts of climate change. While many locations face rising water levels, Greenland's bedrock is literally rising above the surrounding seas.



The full study was recently published in <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2023GL104851" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to implement the latest AI Agent building platform.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-agent-training-transforms-the-workplace-fear-factor-into-a-competitive-advantage">AI agent training transforms the workplace 'fear factor' into a competitive advantage</h2>



Organizations that offer comprehensive artificial intelligence training to their workers find remarkable value that extends well beyond basic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-wandering-might-be-more-productive-than-you-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">productivity improvements</a>. Emerging research demonstrates that carefully crafted AI training programs <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-does-not-replace-human-creativity-but-enhances-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enhance</a> corporate performance, lower operational costs, and dramatically improve employee psychological well-being by turning workplace uncertainty into professional empowerment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-widespread-ai-anxiety-crisis-among-us">Addressing the widespread 'AI anxiety' crisis among us</h2>



A staggering 53% of employees expressed concern that the use of AI tools to automate work tasks could make them appear disposable to their employers, according to <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft</a>'s 2024 workplace survey. Such pervasive worry about being substituted by machines has caused what researchers have termed "AI technostress" – a psychological state that can result in occupational burnout and poorer mental well-being.



Data published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a> showed that belief in AI learning ability was a moderator in the link between technology adoption and work pressure, and higher confidence significantly lowered negative psychological responses. Workers provided ample training to become competent with AI software have significantly lower stress.



Companies like <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a> have platforms for building what are known as "AI Agents". In essence, AI Agents are simply tools that employees can build for themselves or their teams quickly and inexpensively. MindStudio will even train entire companies, from the CEO on down, at no cost. By letting MindStudio empower employees, companies avoid hiring more IT staff, buying more software, and implementing solutions to problems that do not exist.



MindStudio even has partners locally for companies, like <a href="http://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dominnus</a> with offices in the Carolinas, California, and Denver, to help build AI Agents and support employees as they become resident AI experts for their organization. The training provided by MindStudio is applicable across other AI Agent building platforms as well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-productivity-through-focused-learning">Revolutionary productivity through focused learning</h2>



Organizations that implement large-scale AI training programs achieve dramatic outcomes. Employees performed tasks significantly better when they utilized AI support compared to when they didn't, according to <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nielsen Norman Group</a> research findings. Their study documented productivity increases of 66% for a variety of professional tasks.



Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis research finds workers record 33% higher productivity in time working with generative AI tools. The benefit is equivalent to 5.4% of work time savings for AI users – around 2.2 hours per week for full-time workers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychological-well-being-benefits-through-ai-competence">Psychological well-being benefits through AI competence</h2>



The emotional transformation when employees are provided with proper technology training is a fundamental transformation from fear to professional confidence. A survey of 600 employees across industries, carried out by ScienceDirect, proved that AI capabilities strengthen work environment commitment and improve job satisfaction.



A <a href="https://www.lut.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LUT University</a> study discovered that AI adoption has no direct effect on workers' well-being but does so indirectly through working conditions like task optimization and safety protocols. Strategically deployed AI that involves correct training can actually increase workplace mental well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-replacement-anxiety-to-partnership-confidence">From 'replacement anxiety' to 'partnership confidence'</h2>



Although 35% of those interviewed in recent McKinsey studies were concerned about workforce displacement, firms with large-scale training initiatives witness such fears dissipate quickly. The World Economic Forum found that two out of three respondents believe AI competencies will enhance their career prospects and job marketability.



This shift from fear to trust has measurable implications for job satisfaction. Applied Sciences research indicates AI can create tailored wellness programs based on individual employee requirements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-financial-benefits-of-increased-retention">Financial benefits of increased retention</h2>



The mental health advantages of AI learning have a direct impact on organizational bottom lines in the form of a positive feedback cycle with high retention of employees. Recent ROI research validates that artificial intelligence learning has a beneficial impact on employee turnover and satisfaction levels.



PriceWaterhouseCoopers' research documents 20% to 30% improvements in productivity, market speed, and revenue in organizations that attempt systematic AI adoption through comprehensive training.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-advantages-of-ai-enabled-teams">Environmental advantages of AI-enabled teams</h2>



AI training has unforeseen environmental benefits as it makes the work environment more efficient. According to a study in Scientific Reports, the carbon footprint in writing and illustrating work is significantly lower when AI performs it compared to humans. AI software produces 130 to 1,500 times less CO2 equivalent per page of text created than human authors.



In addition, AI-driven remote work functionality significantly reduces environmental impact. Research by Cornell University and Microsoft indicates that remote workers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 54% by not commuting daily to offices. Hybrid workers working remotely two to four days a week can reduce their carbon footprint by 11% to 29%.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cumulative-organizational-advantages">Cumulative organizational advantages</h2>



The compounding gains of better mental well-being, reduced turnover, increased productivity, and environmental benefits flow to enterprises from the pairing. McKinsey analysis estimates the long-term AI potential at $4.4 trillion in incremental productivity growth opportunity from business use cases.



As of now, 75% of knowledge workers globally utilize generative AI, mirroring widespread adoption patterns. Organizations that provide organized training and assistance see the most favorable results in productivity, worker satisfaction, and ecological sustainability.



The research overwhelmingly indicates that companies that invest in proper AI education, like that offered through <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a>, establish win-win scenarios where employees are both more empowered and less stressed, and companies enjoy the gains of increased productivity, reduced turnover, and improved mental health outcomes throughout their workforce.



For more on MindStudio's free AI training for companies, visit the website's of MindStudio and Dominnus from the links below.



The research was published across a variety of peer-reviewed journals, including <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a>, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence</a>, and <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci">Applied Sciences</a>.



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MindStudio.AI: <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.mindstudio.ai</a>



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-natural-solution-to-disease-through-crop-modification">A natural solution to disease through crop modification.</h2>



The agricultural industry stands at a crossroads between productivity and environmental responsibility, and crop modification often carries a negative connotation. While chemical pesticides have long been the go-to solution for crop protection, their harmful effects on ecosystems and human health have prompted scientists to seek alternatives. The recent breakthrough by <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a> researchers offers a promising path forward through the precise manipulation of plant-associated microbial communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science-behind-microbial-partnerships">The science behind microbial partnerships</h2>



Plants naturally harbor diverse ecosystems of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that function as biological allies. These microscopic partners contribute to disease resistance, nutrient absorption, and stress tolerance. However, until now, scientists lacked the tools to deliberately reshape these communities to enhance crop protection.



The Southampton team's approach centered on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/engineered-plant-microbiomes-the-future-of-crop-protection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modifying lignin biosynthesis genes in rice plants</a>. This strategic intervention altered the plant's metabolic output, creating conditions that favored beneficial bacterial populations while suppressing harmful ones. The result was a living defense system embedded within the plant itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-global-food-security">Implications for global food security</h2>



The successful demonstration against Xanthomonas oryzae, the pathogen responsible for bacterial blight in rice, represents more than a laboratory achievement. Rice feeds nearly half the world's population, and bacterial blight causes devastating crop losses annually. Traditional control methods rely heavily on pesticides that contaminate soil and water systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-disease-resistance">Looking Beyond Disease Resistance</h2>



While disease protection represents the immediate application, the research framework opens doors to broader agricultural improvements. Future developments could engineer microbiomes to enhance nutrient uptake, reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. This dual benefit addresses both crop productivity and environmental sustainability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-path-forward">The path forward</h2>



As this technology advances from laboratory to field applications, it promises to reshape sustainable agriculture. The ability to program plants with their own biological defense systems could herald a new era where crops protect themselves naturally, reducing chemical inputs while maintaining yields necessary for global food security.



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44335-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4 Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease A natural...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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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 <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a> reveals how scientists can modify common crops like soybean, rice, and wheat to protect them from heat stress.



“We need to double crop production by 2050 to feed a growing global population, and not only are we not on track to do that, but climate change is further complicating things,” said Amanda Cavanagh, a lecturer at the University of Essex. 



The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.



“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;



“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”



The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;



The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes the first comprehensive estimate of carbon density in the Saharan, Sahel, and Sudanian zones of Africa. In an effort to measure the amount of carbon stored across these drylands, a team of scientists used high-resolution satellite images and artificial intelligence to map nearly 10 billion individual trees. 



"The high spatial resolution (50 cm) combined with AI and field measurements used in this study is key to improving tree inventories in drylands," said Pierre Hiernaux, a French researcher working for NASA. "The ever-increasing availability of very high-resolution satellite imagery will make it possible to assess carbon pools and their dynamics at the individual tree level on a global scale."



"This study is exceptional because it is pioneering a type of approach that will revolutionize the monitoring of trees and forests on a global scale: in the short term, it will be possible to map the world's trees from the centre of the Amazon to our schoolyards," said <a href="https://www.inrae.fr/en">INRAE</a> researcher Jean-Pierre Wigneron.



"Many fields of application will become much more efficient and accurate, such as tracking carbon stocks, biodiversity, monitoring logging and protection against illegal forest degradation, in near real time.”



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.

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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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 



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> features a visual dataset of.methane emissions from wetlands across the globe. Atmospheric methane levels have reached record highs in recent years, and wetlands are a major source of these emissions.&nbsp;



"Methane is an important greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming. On a molecule by molecule basis, methane is much more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, the main driver of warming," says NASA.



"Though human activities, including agriculture, oil and natural gas production and use, and waste disposal, collectively contribute the majority of methane to the atmosphere, about a third of total methane emissions comes from wetlands."&nbsp;



According to NASA, understanding methane emissions from wetlands and other natural sources is critically important for scientists and policymakers who are working to combat climate change by reducing emissions from human activities.



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

[sendtonews key="f8fukm28Vz-2491833-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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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

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

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes how record-breaking heat expressed itself around the world in 2022.



Scientists have determined that 2022 was the 5th warmest year since 1880. Furthermore, the last nine consecutive years have been the warmest on record.



From devastating floods and wildfires to natural disasters like Hurricane Ian, 2022 showed us yet again how a warming climate affects people across the globe.&nbsp;



"As we look back at 20:22 and years past, we see that each year we better understand the challenges we face and how important it is to meet them," says NASA.



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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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.

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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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



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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 how Earth is unique in our solar system for its ability to sustain liquid water on its surface. But now, the water cycle is shifting as the climate warms, and scientists must find ways to predict how these changes will affect water availability.



Overall, 96 percent of Earth's water is saltwater, and nearly all of freshwater is found in ice and groundwater. These sources of water are linked as it passes through solid, liquid and gas phases.



In a warmer climate, the water cycle will be transformed. It will be easier for water to evaporate and form clouds, and storms will become more frequent and intense. Some regions will get too much water, while others will be left without enough water. In addition, soil moisture will be lost - which threatens food security.



Scientists are using satellite data from over the last 40 years to track changes that are happening in the water cycle. This will ultimately help us prepare for extreme events and better manage our water resources, according to ESA.



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.

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

[sendtonews key="fxH3eJHEkQ-2010196-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Saturn,-,High,Resolution,3d,Images,Presents,Planets,Of,The

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a> features images of Saturn from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. The photographs capture the start of the mysterious "spoke season" on Saturn - when unexplained features appear on its rings. 



According to NASA, both the cause of the spokes and their seasonal variability have yet to be fully explained by planetary scientists.



"Like Earth, Saturn is tilted on its axis and therefore has four seasons, though because of Saturn's much larger orbit, each season lasts approximately seven Earth years. Equinox occurs when the rings are tilted edge-on to the Sun," explains NASA.



"The spokes disappear when it is near summer or winter solstice on Saturn. (When the Sun appears to reach either its highest or lowest latitude in the northern or southern hemisphere of a planet.) As the autumnal equinox of Saturn's northern hemisphere on May 6, 2025, draws near, the spokes are expected to become increasingly prominent and observable."



Experts believe that the spokes may be a product of the planet's variable magnetic field. When magnetic fields interact with solar wind, an electrically charged environment is created. This phenomenon is visible on Earth as the northern lights.&nbsp;



"Scientists think that the smallest, dust-sized icy ring particles can become charged as well, which temporarily levitates those particles above the rest of the larger icy particles and boulders in the rings," says NASA.



The spokes were first observed in the early 1980s by NASA's Voyager mission. Depending on the angle of the rings, the spokes can appear dark or light.



"Thanks to Hubble's OPAL program, which is building an archive of data on the outer solar system planets, we will have longer dedicated time to study Saturn’s spokes this season than ever before," said NASA senior planetary scientist Amy Simon, head of the Hubble Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy (OPAL) program.



"Despite years of excellent observations by the Cassini mission, the precise beginning and duration of the spoke season is still unpredictable, rather like predicting the first storm during hurricane season."



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.

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

[sendtonews key="Ccjk8KEMzv-2550719-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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