For decades, space engineers have imagined shipping steel, glass, and concrete to other worlds so that future explorers can build homes on Mars and even further from Earth.



A new study led by Robin Wordsworth at <a href="https://seas.harvard.edu/">Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences</a> turns that idea on its head. Rather than launching heavy construction kits, the team shows that habitats can, quite literally, grow themselves.



“If you have a habitat that is composed of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-inspired-solutions-new-bioplastic-dissolves-rapidly-in-water/">bioplastic</a>, and it grows algae within it, that algae could produce more bioplastic,” Wordsworth said. “So you start to have a closed-loop system that can sustain itself and even grow through time.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turning-algae-into-architecture"><a></a>Turning algae into architecture</h2>



At the heart of the concept is Dunaliella tertiolecta, a type of hardy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-algae-in-lake-erie-may-be-hiding-toxic-deadly-compounds/">green algae</a> already used on Earth for aquaculture and biofuel research.



The researchers conducted a series of lab tests where they 3-D printed dome-shaped chambers using polylactic acid (PLA), a common bioplastic fermented from plant sugars.



The walls were only a millimeter thick, but strong enough to hold liquid water even when the outside pressure fell to Mars-like levels of about 600 pascals - more than a hundred times lower than on Earth.



Inside these tiny “greenhouses,” the algae were bathed in carbon-dioxide-rich air, fed with artificial sunlight, and left to do what algae do best: photosynthesize, grow, and multiply.



After ten days, cell counts in low-pressure chambers nearly matched those in cultures grown at normal Earth pressure. This confirmed that life could flourish despite the thin atmosphere.



Light management was another hurdle. Mars receives plenty of visible sunlight, but its surface is bombarded by harmful ultraviolet rays. 



Tests showed that a single millimeter of PLA blocks all UV-C radiation and much of UV-A and UV-B while still letting through the red and blue wavelengths that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/revealing-the-secrets-of-photosynthesis-through-pep/">photosynthesis</a> requires. In short, the plastic skin both protects and nourishes its green tenants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-self-growing-habitats-on-mars">Self-growing habitats on Mars</h2>



If the algae thrive, the cycle becomes self-amplifying. Researchers can convert extra biomass into fresh PLA, then print or mold it into new habitat walls.



A simple mass-balance analysis in the study suggests that with realistic conversion efficiencies, a foot-deep algae cultivation pond beneath each habitat could produce more than enough bioplastic to meet repair needs. 



This includes material to address routine weathering. Surplus production could even allow the living area to double every couple of years.



In theory, a single lander packed with starter cultures, nutrients, and a modest 3-D printer might seed an entire settlement that grows like coral over time. Operating at low pressure, the domes place far less stress on their walls than habitats built for full Earth pressure.



The team calculated that a one-millimeter PLA shell can comfortably withstand the loads. Reinforcement could come from additional biological materials, such as bacterial cellulose aerogels, which also provide insulation and help maintain plant-friendly temperatures between 10-30 °C (50-86 °F).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-algae-domes-for-deep-space">Algae domes for deep space</h2>



Although the experiments targeted Mars, similar biomaterial bubbles could help researchers design life-support systems for the Moon, free-floating space stations, or even harsh environments on Earth.



Wordsworth notes that a later phase of the project will test whether the same strategy can function in a complete vacuum. This is essential for lunar use and will test whether the algae-PLA loop can run without outside resources after kickoff.



“The concept of biomaterial habitats is fundamentally interesting and can support humans living in space,” he said. The progress in off-world <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-urgent-plea-sustainable-climate-solutions-save-earth-humanity/">sustainability</a> almost invariably “has spinoff benefits for sustainability technology here on Earth as well.”



One immediate benefit is the potential use of the domes as low-energy bioreactors. Unlike conventional indoor farms that rely on electric lamps, algae inside translucent shells harvest natural sunlight. That eliminates a major power drain - a critical advantage on distant worlds where every watt matters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surviving-mars-extremes">Surviving Mars’ extremes</h2>



Of course, challenges remain. Mars swings through dramatic temperature cycles, and liquid water will freeze solid without extra heating or insulation. 



Perchlorate salts in Martian dust are toxic to many organisms, so engineers will need robust filtration or genetically tuned microbes.



Gas exchange will also need to be balanced. PLA walls allow carbon dioxide to seep in and oxygen to seep out, but water vapor escapes the same way, risking desiccation unless clever humidity controls are included.



Shielding human occupants from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-space-cosmic-rays-from-supernova-sparked-rapid-earth-evolution/">cosmic radiation</a> also demands thicker or layered shells, perhaps combining PLA with locally mined regolith.



Finally, the team is keen to move from flask-scale proofs to pilot-scale structures that people can walk into. The future domes could pair the algae chambers with silica-aerogel skylights. This technology, developed by Wordsworth’s group, captures sunlight while trapping heat to create temperate oases on an otherwise frigid plain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bioplastic-homes-grown-by-algae">Bioplastic homes grown by algae</h2>



The broader message of the study is that biology can be both passenger and partner in humanity’s push beyond Earth.



If algae build walls and microbes recycle plastic, habitats could grow and repair themselves instead of being shipped from Earth. Instead, they become living, self-healing ecosystems.



That vision aligns with <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a>’s growing interest in in-situ resource utilization and with wider efforts to craft sustainable, circular economies at home.



In other words, the green slime that clings to your fish tank might one day help roof the first Martian village - and teach us a few lessons about building lighter, cleaner, and smarter back on the pale blue dot.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adp4985">Science Advances</a>.



-----



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Bioplastic bubbles made with algae could sustain life on Mars

For decades, space engineers have imagined shipping steel, glass, and concrete to other worlds so that future explorers can build homes on Mars and even further from Earth. A new study led by Robin Wordsworth at Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences turns that idea on its head. Rather than launching heavy construction kits, the team shows that habitats can, quite literally, grow themselves. “If you have a habitat that is composed of bioplastic, and it grows algae within it, that algae could produce more bioplastic,”...

A new study has found that many diverse tropical species now found in Latin America originated in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amazon-rainforest-back-deforestation/">Amazonian rainforests</a>.

The American tropics are one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, with many unique species found nowhere else in the world. 

An international team of researchers led by <a href="https://www.harvard.edu/">Harvard</a> Visiting Scholar Alexandre Antonelli identified the processes by which many species first colonized and evolved in Latin America, leading to a thriving ecosystem with unrivaled species diversity. 

The study is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 

“We were astonished to detect so much movement across such different environments and over such large distances,” said Antonelli, the study's lead author. “Up until now, these natural dispersal events were assumed to be quite rare. Our results show how crucial these events have been in the formation of tropical America's unique and outstandingly rich biodiversity.”

Species have naturally come to colonize different regions and it’s a process that has taken tens of millions of years. 

The plants and animals that migrated away from their original area had to learn to adapt to different conditions and over time, these species evolved into completely different species in their new environment. 

This process is exactly why the American Tropics are so diverse compared to other regions around the world and the researchers wanted to better understand what mechanisms drive species distribution.

“Most evolutionary research focuses on how new species form,” said Antonelli. “But we want to understand how whole ecosystems evolve, and what makes some regions much more species-rich than others. This is important because it shows us how plants and animals deal with new environments and what factors determine biodiversity.”

The researchers collected an expansive amount of data on evolutionary relationships, distribution, and timing of the origin of thousands of tropical species in order to calculate the frequency that species were distributed to a different region.  

Birds, frogs mammals, snakes, lizards, and plants were all considered for the study. 

Among all the regions in the American tropics that have distributed species, Amazonia was the main source of many of the species in the area. 

“Two main factors seem to explain the key role of Amazonia in exporting so much diversity: its huge area, and the large amount of time that species have existed there,” said Antonelli. “Together, these have increased the chances of species dispersing into new habitats and regions.” 

Besides proving the key role that Amazonia played in the biodiversity of the American Tropics, the study shows the danger that many tropical ecosystems face due to human activities. 

“Biodiversity is the dark matter of our planet: we know there must be millions of species that we haven't found yet,” said Antonelli. “Finding, understanding, and protecting this diversity is probably humanity's toughest but most important challenge”

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Many diverse tropical species can find their roots in the Amazon

A new study has found that many diverse tropical species...

When it comes to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/conservation-displaces-native-peoples/">conservation</a> efforts, location is just as important as management and protection of the species and habitats themselves. 

However, for countries like Canada where conservation and wildlife management are high priorities, there aren’t any existing scientific parameters to inform which regions should be protected to ensure the best results.

A new study, conducted by conservation scientists and researchers from the <a href="https://www.ubc.ca/">University of British Columbia </a>(UBC), seeks to address this gap in wildlife conservation practices. 

The research will be published in the journal Facets and the results show just how critical location is when considering which wildlife spaces to protect. 

Canada has 194 unique ecoregions and is home to a majority of the world’s intact wilderness. Many of the most at-risk species, though, live in areas that are highly populated and not optimal for restoration or preservation. 

“Where Canada protects land is a significant decision,” said UBC Okanagan campus researcher Laura Coristine, the study's lead author.  “We wouldn't build a school in the highest traffic density area in a city--especially if few children live there. Selecting a site for a protected area similarly needs to guard against current threats to species and safeguard biodiversity into the future.”

The researchers created a framework, the first of its kind, that would allow wildlife managers to identify geographical hotspots with the most ecological potential for reducing biodiversity loss. 

The researchers picked five ecological principles for their framework and created maps of potential sites for protection and conservation. 

These principles were preserving habits to for species at risk, making sure new protected areas were representative of the biodiversity of Canada, conserving Canada’s remaining wilderness, landscape connectivity and paying special attention to areas that can adapt to climate change.

Even though the framework and principles are specific to Canada, the study could help inform wildlife management on a global scale. 

With species decline steadily increasing, finding ways to protect and manage wildlife areas and habitats is a large part of reducing species loss. 

In Canada, for example, more than 735 species are at the risk of extinction, and climate change is only exacerbating this issue. 

“Now is a critical time for the country to decide what is it that we most want to protect,” said Coristine. “What we choose not to protect, we risk losing; what we protect remains a legacy for the future.”

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Evan Richardson

Location is crucial to wildlife management and conservation

When it comes to conservation efforts, location is just as...

More residents of Hawaii’s Big Island were urged to evacuate after two more fissures opened up over the weekend, bumping up the total number of fissures from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kilauea-volcano-could-explode/">Kilauea volcano</a> to 18.

Lava from the new fissures spewed high into the air along with toxic gas, and the area continues to be impacted by earthquakes, including a 3.5 magnitude quake that struck the island on Saturday.

“Over the past 24 hours, the earthquakes have started rumbling again. ... When I go out and check on some of the fissures, you can start to see where some of the sulphur deposits are building up, and where the lava rocks are starting to turn yellow,” Big Island resident Scott Wiggers told <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/05/13/610798189/scientists-warn-of-more-eruptions-from-hawaiis-big-island-volcano">NPR</a>.  

<a href="https://www.usgs.gov/">The United States Geological Survey</a> (USGS) has been keeping a close eye on the fissure system and volcano, issuing warnings to residents in the area. 

“Activity was dominated by lava fountaining, explosion of spatter bombs hundreds of feet into the air, and several advancing lava flow lobes moving generally northeast from fissure 17,” the<a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/status.html"> USGS</a> said in their latest report.

Before fissure number 17, the 16th fissure had spilled lava into a field inching towards homes. The fissure was also close to the Puna Geothermal Venture plant where last week, plant workers removed gallons of flammable liquid after the plant was shut down. 

According to <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/13/us/hawaii-kilauea-volcano/index.html">CNN</a>, 2,000 people have been evacuated so far, and community centers are being made available to serve shelters for families and their pets. 

On Friday May 11th, President Trump declared a major disaster in Hawaii, opening up federal assistance to help with evacuation and recovery efforts.

With all the activity on near the volcano, concerns are still growing that Kilauea could soon explode, sending ash, steam, and giant boulders high into the air. 

--

By<a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com"> Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: <a href="https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/kilauea_multimedia_15.html">US Geological Survey</a>

Giant new fissures open up on Kilauea prompting more evacuations

More residents of Hawaii’s Big Island were urged to evacuate...

A new study by the <a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/">Pew Research Center</a> has found that most Americans believe that the federal government is not doing enough to protect air and water quality or to address <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-driving-climate-change/">climate change</a>.

Out of 2,541 survey respondents, 69 percent agree that the United States government could do more to protect the quality of water in lakes, rivers, and streams. In addition, 64 percent feel that stronger measures could be taken to safeguard air quality. 

Six out of ten Americans report that climate change is having at least some effect on their local community, with 45 percent pointing to extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, wildfires, and more frequent severe storms.

According to 67 percent of the study participants, the government is doing too little to reduce the effects of climate change.

Regarding whether or not it is possible to cut back on environmental regulations while still effectively protecting air and water quality, Americans are nearly split down the middle. There is also a political divide on this issue, with around 74 percent of Republicans claiming this is possible while 64 percent of Democrats claim that it is not.

In addition, there are wide political differences over whether policies aimed at reducing the effects of climate change have a positive impact on the environment and the economy. Republicans are skeptical, while Democrats are primarily optimistic.

Political parties are also at odds on the subject of global warming and the influence of human activities. Seventy-five percent of Democrats believe the Earth is warming primarily due to human causes, but only 26 percent of Republicans agree.

"While majorities of Americans believe the government isn't doing enough to protect the environment and reduce the effects of climate change, about half of conservative Republicans see the government as doing about the right amount to protect air and water quality,” said study lead author Cary Funk.

“Republicans and Democrats are largely at odds over how much regulation is needed to safeguard the environment and reduce the effects of climate change.”
--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Most think the govt should do more to protect the environment

A new study by the Pew Research Center has found...

Researchers at the <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/">University of East Anglia</a> (UEA) are reporting that major changes in the international trade industry could sabotage plans to reduce global carbon emissions. 

As energy-intensive sectors in countries like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/economic-benefits-climate-china/">China</a> relocate manufacturing plants to regions such as Thailand and Vietnam, CO2 emissions are declining in China yet are drastically rising in these developing countries.

International trade grew by more than 50 percent from 2005 to 2015, and around 60 percent of this increase resulted from rising exports in developing countries. Trade among developing countries, which is referred to as South-South trade, more than tripled in the same time frame - totaling $9.3 trillion in 2014 alone.

The study authors are warning that this growing trend may seriously undermine international efforts to reduce harmful global greenhouse emissions.

“The rapid growth in South-South trade reflects a fragmenting of global supply chains whereby early-production stages of many industries have relocated from countries like China and India to lower-wage economies, a trend that has accelerated since the global financial crisis in 2008,” explained study co-author Dabo Guan.

“In addition to their important implications for global economic development, these trends will affect the magnitude and regional distribution of future global CO2 emissions.”


Despite the sense of urgency for countries to help lower their carbon footprints after the Paris Agreement, the economic boom across South-South trade has been relatively ignored. The team found that the emissions embodied in South-South trade increased from 0.47 gigatons in 2004 to 1.1 gigatons in 2011.

“The carbon intensity of the next phase of global economic development will determine whether ambitious climate targets such as stabilizing at 2 °C will be met, and our findings depict the nascent rise of energy-intensive and emissions-intensive production activities in other Asian countries such as Vietnam and Pakistan,” said Professor Guan.

“The success of international climate mitigation efforts may therefore depend on curtailing growth of coal-based energy and emissions in now-industrializing and urbanizing countries.” 

“Otherwise, countries like China and India may meet their nationally determined contribution under the Paris Agreement by hollowing out low-value, energy-intensive manufacturing, and offshoring those activities to emerging markets elsewhere in Asia with less stringent climate policy measures.”

"Successfully mitigating climate change therefore urgently depends on decarbonizing not only energy systems in developed countries but also the entire process of industrialization."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/ncomms/">Nature Communications</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Global trade boom could stifle efforts to reduce CO2 emissions

Researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) are reporting...

According to a new study, the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream (NEGIS) has been smaller than it is today for around half of the past 45,000 years. The findings suggest that NEGIS is exceptionally vulnerable to environmental changes, which may worsen the impact of man-made <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-driving-climate-change/">climate change</a>.

Study co-author Anders Carlson is a geologist at <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/">Oregon State University</a>.

“There are some parts of the ice sheet that are relatively stable and others that show evidence of very rapid retreating - a pattern we're seeing today as well as thousands of years ago,” said Carlson. “Some of it relates to bed topography - when the bed is below sea level, it stabilizes that part of the ice sheet. In low spots, it is unstable.”

NEGIS is more than 372 miles long and drains about 12 percent of the Greenland Ice Sheet, the second largest body of ice in the world. As Greenland's ice retreats, NEGIS is thinning as well.

The researchers were able to reconstruct periods of ice mass loss in NEGIS over thousands of years by analyzing rocks to determine when they were exposed to cosmic rays.

The historical view of NEGIS revealed that the river lost ice not only during the warm Holocene period, but also during a time that was very cold before the Last Glacial Maximum.


Carlson explained that different factors may have triggered the ice mass loss. For example, NEGIS showed significant ice loss when the path of the Earth's orbit shifted closer to the sun and ended the glacial maximum around 9,000 years ago.


NEGIS also showed significant ice loss preceding the glacial maximum from around 41,000 to 26,000 years ago when the air temperature was much colder than average. Summers were found to be warm during this time frame, which could have caused the ice to retreat.

Study lead author Nicolaj Larsen of <a href="http://www.au.dk/en/">Aarhus University</a> collaborated with the researchers at Oregon State. He said that the team's observations have shown the NEGIS is very susceptible to changes in both air and ocean temperatures and is presently in a phase of rapid ice retreat.

“The anthropogenic forcing we are seeing today is having a significant impact on the ice sheet and it already has retreated to levels that weren't predicted to occur until the end of the century,” said Carlson.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/ncomms/">Nature Communications</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Nicolaj Krog Larsen

Greenland Ice Stream is extra sensitive to environmental changes

According to a new study, the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream...

Exposure to air pollution during the third trimester among pregnant women has been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure in their children.

Direct exposure to fine air pollution (PM2.5) was associated with high blood pressure in both children and adults in previous studies, and is a serious cause of illness and premature death worldwide.

Dr. Noel T. Mueller is an assistant professor of Epidemiology at the <a href="https://www.jhsph.edu/">Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health</a>.

“Ours is one of the first studies to show breathing polluted air during pregnancy may have a direct negative influence on the cardiovascular health of the offspring during childhood,” said Dr. Mueller. 

“High blood pressure during childhood often leads to high blood pressure in adulthood and hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease.”


The study was focused on data from the Boston Birth Cohort study for 1,293 mothers and their children. The children's blood pressure had been recorded at all of their physical examinations from age three to age nine.

After accounting for other contributors to high blood pressure in childhood, the team found that children who were exposed to higher levels of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/half-americans-air-pollution/">fine particle pollution</a> were 61 percent more likely to have elevated systolic blood pressure during childhood compared to those exposed to the lowest level of PM2.5.

“These results reinforce the importance of reducing emissions of PM2.5 in the environment,” said Dr. Mueller. 

“Not only does exposure increase the risk of illness and death in those directly exposed, but it may also cross the placental barrier in pregnancy and effect fetal growth and increase future risks for high blood pressure.”

Air pollution levels were calculated for the residential addresses of the mothers using data from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) air quality monitor for each trimester.

The highest category of PM2.5 concentrations observed in this study were actually lower than the EPA's National Air Quality Standard, which is 12 micrograms per cubic meter.

“The science on the health effects of air pollution is under review by the EPA. The findings of our study provide additional support for maintaining, if not lowering, the standard of 12 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic meter set in 2012 by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards under the Clean Air Act,” said Dr. Mueller. 

“We need regulations to keep our air clean, not only for the health of our planet but also for the health of our children.”

The study is published in the American Heart Association's journal <a href="http://hyper.ahajournals.org/">Hypertension</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Air pollution exposure linked to high blood pressure in kids

Exposure to air pollution during the third trimester among pregnant...

Scientists exploring the Mariana Trench found something entirely unexpected: a plastic bag, 36,000 feet under the Pacific Ocean.

The bag isn’t alone. Researchers launched a database to collect 30 years of evidence of deep-sea trash last year. They found that plastic trash swirls even at nearly 20,000 feet below the ocean’s surface. More than 90 percent of that detritus is single-use plastics like shopping bags.

In the deep North Pacific, researchers found anywhere from 17 to 335 pieces of plastic trash per square kilometer.

The debris was recorded through bottom-sampling, along with photos and video collected by deep-sea submersibles and remotely operated vehicles.

“Although pollution in the deep sea was often perceived as being less dependent on land-based human activities, those studies reported that plastic debris were frequently observed in the deep sea, particularly in areas close to highly populated regions,” researchers wrote in a new study, published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X17305195#!">Marine Policy</a>.

Scientists sifting through deep-sea photos for the <a href="http://www.godac.jamstec.go.jp/catalog/dsdebris/e/index.html">Deep-sea Debris Database</a> uncovered the deepest known piece of plastic trash – the bag at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. 

Large pieces of plastic trash like bags can be dangerous to sea life. Sea turtles can get <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-turtles-killed-ocean/">tangled in plastic</a> or <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/plastic-pollution-bigger-threat-sea-turtles-oil-spills-752585">mistake bags for jellyfish</a>. In April, a sperm whale was found dead off the coast of Spain, with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-sperm-whale-dead-trash/">64 pounds of plastic garbage</a> in its digestive system.

But even plastic that deteriorates into small particles can be dangerous.

“Micro-plastic ingested by zooplankton can be transferred to higher trophic level animals, including commercially important fish species, through the food web, with potential effects on human health,” the researchers wrote.

In other words, plankton eat tiny plastic particles, then fish eat the plankton. The plastic particles can kill the fish – or sea birds that eat the fish. Other predators can be harmed as plastic builds in their systems.

While most of the deep-sea trash is plastic, rubber, wood, metal, cloth and other discarded items have been discovered in the deep.

—

By Kyla Cathey,<a href="http://www.earth.com"> Earth.com</a> staff writer

Not even the Mariana Trench is free of plastic trash

Scientists exploring the Mariana Trench found something entirely unexpected: a...

If you think your seasonal allergies are worse than usual this year, you may be right – and climate change seems to be behind it.

Climate scientists have been recording earlier starts to spring, warm winters with more rain and snow, and longer growing seasons, which leads to more pollen in the air longer, they said. For the <a href="https://acaai.org/news/facts-statistics/allergies">more than 50 million Americans</a> who struggle with seasonal allergies, that’s bad news.

“Some research has suggested that the warming trend that we have in our environment is causing the pollen seasons to start a little bit earlier, and extend a little bit longer," said Dr. Stanley Fineman, a Georgia allergist and immunologist, told <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/">NBC News</a>. 

That longer pollen exposure means allergy sufferers are battling symptoms longer, said Fineman, is is a past president of the <a href="https://acaai.org/">American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology</a>.

The claims are backed by research into seasonal changes in the United States over the past few years. 

Between 1995 and 2011, the pollen season around the U.S. grew longer by 11 to 27 days, according to a report released by the <a href="http://www.aafa.org/page/extreme-allergies-and-climate-change.aspx">Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America</a>. Increased atmospheric carbon encourages plants like ragweed to grow faster and larger, the report noted. Higher carbon levels can actually make pollen that produces a stronger allergic reaction among people who suffer seasonal allergies, the researchers found.

Warming temperatures can affect the protein composition of pollen and fungal spores, the <a href="https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/climate-change">American Academy of Allergy Asthma &amp; Immunology</a> writes on its website. Changes in weather patterns can also affect how pollen spreads.

Tree pollen is also exploding. A video that captured the massive pollen release of a pine tree in Cumberland County, New Jersey <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/massive-pollen-cloud-released-tree-caught-video/story?id=55040001">went viral this week</a> after it was posted on Facebook.

In 2014, a team of climate experts around the country recorded observations about changing climate conditions all over the country. They found that the rise of average global surface temperatures were having an effect inside the U.S. 

“Summers are longer and hotter, and extended periods of unusual heat last longer than any living American has ever experienced. Winters are generally shorter and warmer. Rain comes in heavier downpours,” the team wrote in their peer-reviewed <a href="https://nca2014.globalchange.gov/highlights">National Climate Assessment</a>. “People are seeing changes in the length and severity of seasonal allergies, the plant varieties that thrive in their gardens, and the kinds of birds they see in any particular month in their neighborhoods.”

And while much of the focus this time of year is on seasonal allergies caused by pollen, warmer and wetter winters can also lead to more fungal growth. Fungal spores are another irritant. 

“Flooding and severe storms can result in damp buildings and resultant mold exposure,” the AAAAI website said. “In addition to triggering allergic reactions, increased mold spore exposures have been linked to other lung diseases.”

This spring, there has been a huge jump in the number of people who are suffering seasonal allergies for the first time, the organization told NBC.

Symptoms of seasonal allergies – also called hay fever or allergic rhinitis – include itchy, burning or watery eyes; itchy, stuffy or runny nose; sneezing; and itching of the roof of the mouth. In some cases, seasonal allergies can lead to allergic asthma, which can cause coughing, wheezing and inflamed airways. Seasonal allergies can also raise the risk of sinus infections, bronchitis and other respiratory illnesses.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of allergies or allergic asthma should consult their doctor about relief strategies, from home treatment to over-the-counter or prescription medications. 

Allergy sufferers should avoid pollen during the growing season, by exercising indoors, closing windows and using an air conditioner as needed.

—

By Kyla Cathey,<a href="http://www.earth.com"> Earth.com</a> staff writer

Seasonal allergies intense? Climate change may be to blame

If you think your seasonal allergies are worse than usual...

A new survey reveals a recent jump in the number of Republicans who agree that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-driving-climate-change/">climate change</a> is caused by an increase in carbon emissions from human activities.

Researchers from the<a href="http://climatecommunication.yale.edu/"> Yale Program on Climate Change Communications</a> conducted the research, which included survey responses from 1,067 registered voters.

The goal of the project was to better understand how registered voters from all parties view global warming and climate policies.

The results were reported by <a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2018-05-10/political-winds-not-science-sway-conservative-republicans-on-climate-change">U.S. News &amp; World Report</a> and showed a sudden 9-point uptick in registered GOP voters who said they believed climate change was fueled by emissions.

There was a 14-point leap in the liberal and moderate Republican voters who agreed with climate change studies, and there was even a 5-point rise among conservative Republican voters who  feel more must be done to mitigate climate change.

This now means that over <a href="http://climatecommunication.yale.edu/visualizations-data/a-majority-of-registered-voters-think-global-warming-is-caused-mostly-by-human-activities/">59 percent of registered voters</a> in the United States believe climate change is driven by humans.

For the Yale researchers, the switch in Republican voters was surprising and the reason, according to U.S. News, is tribal politics. 

It could be argued that with the rise of the Tea Party after Obama’s inauguration, tribal politics drove many Republicans to completely denounce climate change even though a few short years before more than half of conservative Republicans agreed that climate change was a reality.

“The entire Republican Party takes this hard right turn. And on the issue climate change, they go from 'Climate change is real and an official part of our platform' to going all the way out on the last twig of the limb and saying climate change is a hoax,” Anthony Leiserowitz, the director of the Yale climate project, told U.S. News. 

During Obama’s and now Trump’s presidencies, the number of GOP voters who agree with climate change science has varied several times. When President Trump announced he was withdrawing the United States from the Paris Accord, that number dropped.

“Trump and his administration clearly and loudly said that climate change is either a hoax or it's not a serious problem or we're going to pull out of Paris,” said Leiserowitz. “He put [Scott] Pruitt in charge of the EPA, who's going to rescind the Clean Power Plan. So you saw Republican voters in particular falling in line with what their leadership told them.” 

However, the recent survey shows that more and more GOP voters believe in climate change and the president’s standing on climate change haven’t shifted. What is causing the decrease in deniers?

According to Leiserowitz, it’s because focus has shifted to other policies and issues and fewer Republican leaders are discussing climate change as part of their platform.

“When Republican leaders aren't talking about climate change much ... Republican views start to rebound,” said Leiserowitz says. “When they stop talking about it, people forget. They go on with their lives.”

The Yale Program on Climate Change Communications is dedicated to understanding how climate change information “flow[s] between individuals and through societies” and what influences perceptions of climate change.

The recent survey shows that climate change perceptions are not set in stone and that more GOP voters now agree climate change is a man-made problem.

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By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Survey: Recent jump in Republicans who say climate change is real

A new survey reveals a recent jump in the number...

If you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to accidentally step on a patch of ice, you’re probably well aware of what happens next. The fact that ice is slippery – much to the chagrin of unassuming pedestrians – has been known for years. It’s why we use ice as a surface for sports such as speed skating, curling, and hockey. But while the slipperiness of ice is common knowledge, it’s not entirely understood from a science perspective.

In 1886, an Irish physicist by the name of John Joly presented the first scientific explanation for low friction on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-glacial-meltwater-sea-level/">ice</a>. He posited that when an object touches the surface of the ice, the local contact pressure is so high that the ice melts, creating a liquid water layer that lubricates the sliding. Currently, the consensus is that although liquid water at the ice surface does reduce sliding friction on ice, it is not melted by pressure. Rather, the ice is melted by frictional heat produced during sliding.

Researchers Daniel Bonn, a professor at the <a href="http://www.uva.nl/en/home">University of Amsterdam</a>, and Mischa Bonn, from the <a href="http://www.mpip-mainz.mpg.de/home/en">Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research</a>, have now demonstrated that friction on ice is more complicated than previously thought. Using macroscopic friction experiments at temperatures ranging from 0 °C to -100 °C, they showed that the ice surface transforms from an extremely slippery surface at typical winter sports temperatures, to a surface with high friction at -100 °C.

In determining this, the research team performed spectroscopic measurements of the state of water molecules at the surface, and compared these with molecular dynamics simulations. This combination of theory and experiment determined that two types of water molecules exist at the ice surface: water molecules that are stuck to the underlying ice, bound by three hydrogen bonds, and mobile water molecules that are bound by only two hydrogen bonds. The mobile water molecules continuously roll over the ice, powered by thermal vibrations.

When the temperature is increased, the two types of surface molecules are interconverted: the quantity of mobile molecules is increased at the expense of molecules that are stuck to the surface of the ice. Interestingly, this change in mobility of the topmost water molecules at the ice surface – caused by increases in temperature – perfectly matches the temperature-dependence of the measured friction force. In other words, the larger the mobility at the ice surface, the lower the friction, and vice versa.

Ultimately, the researchers conclude that the high mobility of the surface water molecules is responsible for the slipperiness of ice. They also determined that, while the surface mobility continues to increase all the way up to 0°C, this is not an ideal temperature for sliding on ice. Experiments showed that the friction is minimal at a temperature of -7°C, which is the exact same temperature used at speed skating rinks. So although this study – published in the <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/journal/jpclcd">Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters</a> – is the first to uncover the hidden complexities of ice’s slippery nature, it seems like the sports world has known the ideal ice temperature all along.

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By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Why is ice so slippery? It’s more complicated than you may think

If you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to accidentally step on...

Research has <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hurricane-harvey-global-warming/">proven</a> that 2017’s record-breaking and devastating hurricane season was made worse by the effects of climate climate. The big four storms, Harvey, Irma, Jose, and Maria, did untold amounts of damage with strong winds, flooding, and major storm surges. 

Now, a new study found that rapid intensification, the process by which major hurricanes quickly increase their wind speed by 25 knots (28.8 miles per hour) within a 24-hour period, is happening at a stronger and faster rate compared to 30 years ago. 

The major influencing factors behind rapid intensification are the temperature of the ocean’s surface, the heat content in the ocean, wind directions, and humidity. 

Researchers from the <a href="https://www.pnnl.gov/">US Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory </a>and the <a href="http://www.noaa.gov/">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association</a> (NOAA) examined hurricane rapid intensification to see what was driving the changes in speed and force of this process. 

The results were published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. 

For the study, the researchers analyzed 30 years of satellite hurricane data starting in 1986 through 2016, collected from the <a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/">NOAA's National Hurricane Center</a> and the <a href="http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/jtwc.html">U.S. Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center.</a>

16 separate climate models were also used in the study so that the researchers could isolate any impacts on hurricanes from global warming. 

The researchers found that storms are growing more powerful in a 24 hour period quicker than they used to. 

In fact, the results showed that rapid intensification is boosting wind speed 13 mph more than 30 years ago, with an average 4.3 mph added each decade. 

Warmer upper ocean layers and less vertical wind shear can both affect hurricane force and speed, but the researchers found that biggest impact on recent changes in rapid intensification is the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) climate cycle. 

The AMO can cause changes in ocean temperature and wind patterns that can, in turn, create optimal conditions for strong hurricanes.

“This was a surprise, that the AMO seems to be a bigger influence in rapid intensification than other factors, including overall warming,”  said Karthik Balaguru, the first author of the study. 

Increasing rapid intensification has been occurring more in the central and eastern Atlantic which, as the researchers note, is where the AMO increased ocean heat content and where Irma, Jose, and Maria all underwent rapid intensification. 

The study explains the many factors behind strong hurricanes and shows how much climate oscillations and ocean temperature can influence the strength and speed of storms.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Report: Hurricanes are now getting stronger faster

Research has proven that 2017’s record-breaking and devastating hurricane season...

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



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.

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 



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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Today's Video of the Day from <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



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.

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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Today's Video of the Day from <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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes 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

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Closeup,Of,Fresh,Green,The,Napier,Bush,Grass,As,Animal

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="http://www.ntu.edu.sg/">NTU Singapore</a> reveals that some plants can remove toxic heavy metals from soil.&nbsp;



The researchers analyzed samples of various tropical plant species to test for levels of heavy metals and metalloids. The study showed that there are existing plants with high levels of these contaminants, which means that these species are great candidates for drawing pollutants out of the soil.&nbsp;



Among the plants examined in the study, 12 species had accumulated several types of heavy metals and metalloids. These plants are widely available, including species that are native to Singapore.



“In a small nation like Singapore, land may be repurposed to support new development plans, so it is important that we have a green and sustainable way to remediate land that is contaminated," said Professor Lam Yeng Ming.



"We set out to uncover how to better make use of tropical plants to do phytoremediation and through advanced characterization techniques, we showed how some of these tropical plant species can be an environmentally friendly and literally a 'green' way to remove contaminants in soil."&nbsp;



"Phytoremediation also has benefits of cost effectiveness, simplicity of management, aesthetic advantages, and long-term applicability and sustainability. The strategy prevents erosion and metal leaching by stabilizing or accumulating heavy metals, so that helps reduce the risk of contaminant spread.”



Video Credit: NTU Singapore



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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.

Plants help remove heavy metals from contaminated soil

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes why herbicides are not as effective in killing weeds anymore. In the 20th century, chemical companies developed thousands of herbicides. The most commonly used herbicide was glyphosate, which was introduced in 1974.



Over the past few decades, dozens of species of weeds have evolved resistance to glyphosate. Depending on the site of action, the part of the plant that an herbicide interacts with, weeds may even be resistant to herbicides that have not been developed yet.&nbsp;



With increasing resistance to glyphosate and other herbicides, weeds are - once again - becoming a major concern for farmers.&nbsp;



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/">NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> (JPL) describes a dust storm on Mars that was nearly twice the size of the United States. As the storm covered the southern hemisphere of the planet, some of NASA’s explorers had to delay their normal activities.



NASA’s Insight lander put itself in a "safe mode" for 11 days to conserve battery power because solar power was disrupted by the dust. The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter postponed flights until conditions improved.



"A fleet of NASA orbiters monitor Martian dust storms like this one and serve as lifelines to Earth by relaying data from the rovers and lander on the ground back to the team. This includes the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, MAVEN, and Odyssey," reports JPL.



"Dust storms like this recent one start close to the ground and are spread by wind as they rise – warming the cold Martian atmosphere."



The images in the video were captured by NASA’s Curiosity as the dust rolled in. A fleet of orbiters monitored the dust storm from above, relaying data from Mars’ explorers back to scientists on Earth.



Video &amp; Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS



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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.

NASA monitors giant dust storms on Mars

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="http://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. This strait provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.



Qeshm is separated from the Iranian coast by the Clarence Strait, also known as Khuran.&nbsp;The Hara Forest Protected Area is a network of shallow waterways and forest located between the island and the mainland. This protected region is home to sea turtles, snakes, and more than 150 species of migrating birds.



Qeshm is famous for its wide range of&nbsp;ecotourist&nbsp;attractions, such as the&nbsp;Hara marine forests. According to environmentalists, about 1.5 percent of the world birds and 25 percent of Iran's native <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/female-hummingbirds-avoid-sexual-harassment-by-looking-like-males/">birds</a> annually migrate to the forests, which are the first national geo park in Iran.



Tourists are also drawn to the island to see an age-old Portuguese&nbsp;fort, historic mosques, the&nbsp;Seyyed Mozaffar&nbsp;and&nbsp;Bibi Maryam&nbsp;shrines, and the "Valley of Stars."



The average temperature on the island is 81 degress and the region is often hot and humid. From June to August, the island is described as being oppressively hot. The ideal time to visit is during the winter season. 



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.

Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique.&nbsp;



"Inhambane Bay is a deep inlet into which the small Mutamba River flows," says ESA. "On one side of the bay lies the historical city of Inhambane, capital of the Inhambane Province, while the sister city of Maxixe, the economic capital of Inhambane, sits across from it. The province is the second largest grower of cashews, after Nampula, and it also produces coconut and citrus fruits."



The beaches of Barra and Tofo are popular with tourists. There are also coral reefs along the long coastline of Inhambane, making it an ideal destination for scuba diving and snorkeling.



"Mozambique’s extensive coastline heightens the country’s vulnerability to tropical cyclones that develop in the Indian Ocean as well as storm surge flooding," says ESA.



"More than half of the population lives in low lying coastal areas, putting communities at risk. Inhambane Bay was dangerously close to where Cyclone Idai made landfall in 2019 causing widespread destruction to the country."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Inhambane Bay in southeast Mozambique

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency </a>&nbsp;features the Kangerlussuaq Glacier, one of the largest tidewater outlet glaciers in Greenland. The glacier is located on the east coast of the Greenland ice sheet.



As human-induced climate change continues to drive up temperatures, global ice loss is accelerating at an alarming rate. ESA reports that, over the past decade alone, 3.5 trillion tons of ice have melted from the Greenland ice sheet. This is enough to cover the UK with meltwater 15 meters deep.



Based on satellite imagery, researchers determined that Kangerlussuaq entered a new phase of rapid retreat and acceleration in 2017. In their study, published in <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2019.00123/full">Frontiers in Earth Science</a>,&nbsp; the experts report that the glacier's ice front is now at its most retreated position since the early 20th century.



"Given Kangerlussuaq’s previous impacts on both the magnitude and pattern of ice sheet wide mass loss, we predict that its new phase of retreat, acceleration and thinning will markedly enhance the south-east region’s contribution to increasing discharge from the ice sheet," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"More broadly, accurate forecasting of the ice sheet’s contribution to sea level rise will require a deeper understanding of, and responses to, these non-linear ice dynamic processes."



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.

Kangerlussuaq Glacier 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 the complex relationship between ocean and climate. ESA's Climate Change Initiative will help us understand how oceans influence the climate and how climate change is impacting the oceans.&nbsp;



"Earth’s oceans are huge heat stores, soaking up 93% of the excess heat from human activity over the past 70 years. Ocean currents redistribute heat around the planet, from the Equator to the poles. Where this ocean heat goes influences weather patterns and regional climate," explains ESA.



"As well as absorbing heat, oceans are a natural carbon sink, absorbing a quarter of carbon dioxide emissions from human activity. This has led to the acidification of ocean water, threating marine life."



The amount of heat and carbon dioxide soaked up by the ocean depends on specific variables, including phytoplankton, temperatures, waves, salinity, and ice cover. Satellites can be used to measure these variables from space.



"From their unique vantage point, satellites provide key information for understanding the complexities of our planet and monitoring environmental issues," says 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.

Ocean heat influences regional climate

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes the importance of monitoring the shape of the sea surface, which is constantly changing. These observations have many applications, such as ship routing, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-modem-ocean-is-a-tough-place-for-whales-to-survive/">ocean</a> current forecasting, and debris tracking.



"A project supported by the Discovery element of ESA’s Basic Activities recently investigated a new technique to measure sea surface topography very precisely," reports ESA.



"The technique involves looking at satellite navigation (GNSS) signals that have been reflected off of the sea surface at very low angles. At these so-called grazing angles, waves and surface roughness have very little impact on the reflection process; the sea surface acts as a very smooth mirror."



Estel Cardellach is the principal investigator at the Institute for Space Studies of Catalonia, who first submitted the idea for the project.



“In a mirror-like reflection the phase of the signal can be tracked – it is continuous," said Cardellach. "Different surface heights result in different phase measurements. It gives a very precise measurement of the surface altitude at a few centimetres’ precision.”



The researchers developed a GNSS receiver and set up an experiment in the Balaeric Islands to collect signals from the receiver that were reflected off the sea surface. Ultimately, these signals will provide improved measurements of the shape of the sea surface.



Image/ Video Credit: ESA



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

Monitoring the dynamic shape of the sea surface

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