Imagine Earth has a giant set of underground “storage lockers” where we can tuck away carbon dioxide (CO₂) for centuries so it doesn’t heat the planet. Scientists call this geologic carbon storage. 



It sounds simple: capture CO₂ from factories, power plants, or even the air, pipe it deep underground into the tiny spaces inside certain rocks, and lock it there.



For years, underground storage of carbon dioxide looked and felt like a clever climate trick. Capture the gas, lock it in rock layers, and keep burning fossil fuels while claiming progress. 



The idea seemed safe because early estimates suggested nearly limitless space.



That illusion has collapsed. New research shows the planet’s usable underground storage capacity is far smaller than imagined. Instead of centuries of security, this cushion could run out within 200 years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-storage-drops-sharply">Carbon storage drops sharply</h2>



Industry once placed global capacity at around 14,000 gigatons. A closer look, however, strips away risky regions - earthquake zones, fragile <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/construction-materials-could-store-carbon-in-homes-and-buildings-helping-the-climate/">ecosystems</a>, and crowded cities. What remains is only about 1,460 gigatonnes.



This tenfold drop changes everything. What once seemed endless is now a resource with strict boundaries, one that must be managed carefully. Every choice about how it is used carries long-term consequences. 



If reserved for short-term fixes, the world risks burning through it quickly. If protected for carbon removal, it could become a critical lifeline for stabilizing temperatures far into the future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risks-hidden-beneath-the-surface">Risks hidden beneath the surface</h2>



Underground storage carries hazards. Injecting carbon can stir up seismic activity, reactivate faults, or open escape paths. Leaks into aquifers could acidify water and release toxic metals. 



Offshore storage avoids some human risks but adds cost and geopolitical disputes. Public pushback also limits expansion, with some governments blocking projects altogether.



Opposition often stems from fears of leaks, distrust of industry promises, and concerns that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-storage-mystery-emerges-in-the-southern-ocean/">storage</a> will be used to justify continued fossil fuel use. 



These challenges mean underground storage cannot expand smoothly or universally; every project faces technical, political, and social barriers that slow progress and shrink real-world potential.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-storage-s-uncertain-future">Carbon storage’s uncertain future</h2>



Climate plans already assume storage will be vital to reach net zero. But if it mainly serves fossil fuel plants, reserves could vanish by 2200 - and every decade of delay accelerates that timeline. 



Deep emission cuts now ease future pressure, while procrastination forces heavier reliance on shrinking storage space. 



One promising strategy is to prioritize underground capacity for carbon removal rather than fossil fuel capture.



Direct air capture and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/abandoned-farmland-can-be-used-for-climate-change-mitigation/">bioenergy</a> with carbon storage could actively draw carbon out of the atmosphere, offering a cooling effect. 



If the full capacity were dedicated to this role, global temperatures could fall by as much as 0.7 °C (1.3 °F), though in practice the impact may be closer to 0.4 °C (0.7 °F) because the climate system doesn’t respond perfectly symmetrically to removal and emission.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reserves-unevenly-spread-worldwide">Reserves unevenly spread worldwide</h2>



Storage is not shared fairly across the globe. The United States, Russia, and Australia hold large, stable reserves. Europe and India lose far more under stricter risk rules.



Meanwhile, some nations in Africa and South America have vast potential but little historic responsibility for emissions. That imbalance raises thorny questions of justice - who gets to use the storage, and on what terms. 



Should wealthy nations pay for access to reserves in countries that contributed less to the crisis? Or should those with the largest reserves prioritize their own development needs first? 



These questions highlight deep inequalities that will shape future climate negotiations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-storage-can-only-buy-time">Storage can only buy time</h2>



Some experts argue the true potential is larger, pointing to decades of safe use in oil and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-largest-natural-hydrogen-deposit-discovery-is-worth-a-staggering-184-billion/">gas reservoirs</a>. 



They note that many depleted fields have held fluids securely for millions of years and could continue to hold injected carbon just as reliably.



Supporters of this view see existing infrastructure and technical expertise as proof that storage can operate at much greater scale than the conservative estimates suggest.



Even so, most researchers caution against treating underground storage as a limitless solution. It was never designed to be the final answer to climate change. 



At best, it should function as a bridge - a temporary measure that buys time while renewables expand, low-carbon industries mature, and societies shift away from fossil fuels.



In that sense, storage is less a cure and more a stabilizer, easing the transition without promising permanence. Its real value lies in supporting broader change, not replacing it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-future-depends-on-choices">Carbon future depends on choices</h2>



The message is clear: underground storage is limited, risky, and unevenly distributed. It can help, but only if used strategically. 



That means prioritizing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/states-taking-action-on-their-own-can-cut-half-of-u-s-emissions/">emission cuts</a>, expanding clean energy, and reserving storage for removing carbon already in the air.



Treating it as infinite would squander one of the few tools that could still reverse warming, leaving future generations with fewer options, higher risks, and a far narrower path to a stable climate.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09423-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Earth has 10x less space for underground carbon storage than we thought - any other ideas?

Imagine Earth has a giant set of underground “storage lockers” where we can tuck away carbon dioxide (CO₂) for centuries so it doesn’t heat the planet. Scientists call this geologic carbon storage. It sounds simple: capture CO₂ from factories, power plants, or even the air, pipe it deep underground into the tiny spaces inside certain rocks, and lock it there. For years, underground storage of carbon dioxide looked and felt like a clever climate trick. Capture the gas, lock it in rock layers, and keep burning fossil...

In the quiet stillness of the ocean, when the sun dips below the horizon, marine creatures on coral reefs experience a significant shift.



As daytime creatures retreat into the safety of corals, nocturnal predators begin their evening hunt.



This fascinating cycle is as routine as the setting sun – until the intrusion of artificial light disrupts the natural order.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-study-on-coral-reef-nightlife">A study on coral reef nightlife</h2>



A recent press release revealed the details of an insightful study on the effects of light pollution on coral reef communities.



The research is recognized as the first, large-scale experiment addressing the influence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-light-pollution-disrupts-entire-ecological-networks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">light pollution</a> on coral reef nightlife. 



The study was conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>, the Centre de Recherches Insulaires et Observatoire de l’Environnement (CRIOBE) in French Polynesia, and Chile's Pontificia Universidad Católica.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-artificial-light-a-silent-intruder">Artificial light: A silent intruder</h2>



"When the sun sets, coral reefs undergo a dramatic transformation," noted Dr. Emma Weschke, the study's lead author from the University of Bristol’s School of Biological Sciences.



The vibrant fish that command our attention during the day retreat to rest among the corals, and elusive nocturnal species emerge from caves and crevices in pursuit of prey.



"The night usually brings a veil of darkness that allows <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-ever-ocean-dna-study-uncovers-mysteries-of-marine-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine life</a> to hide from nocturnal predators. But artificial light generated by human activities exposes coral reef inhabitants to unexpected danger," explained Professor Andy Radford, the study's senior author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-night-vision-experiment">The night vision experiment</h2>



The team utilized specially designed underwater infrared cameras to observe a coral reef at night.



These cameras allowed the researchers to film the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-and-habitat-degradation-have-devastated-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine ecosystem</a> without altering fish behavior since fish cannot see in the infrared spectrum.



What they discovered was quite alarming. Compared to control sites that lacked artificial light, a larger number of different fish species were present on artificially illuminated reefs at night.



Further investigation revealed these species to be predatory fish feeding on zooplankton, small fish, and invertebrates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dangers-of-light-pollution">Dangers of light pollution</h2>



Dr. Weschke explained that many species detected on artificially lit reefs were not nocturnal. Instead, these fish are usually active during the day.



"Finding that light pollution can cause fish to stay awake later than usual is concerning because sleep - like for us - is likely essential for regenerating energy and maintaining fitness," said Dr. Weschke.



"<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-clownfish-are-struggling-to-survive-under-artificial-lights/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Artificial light</a> makes it much easier for predators to locate and capture prey, reducing their foraging effort. Which is why we think that greater numbers are being attracted to artificially illuminated coral reefs at night," noted Professor Radford.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-the-impacts-of-artificial-light">Reducing the impacts of artificial light</h2>



However, the situation isn’t completely bleak. The researchers observed changes in the reef's nightlife after an average of 25 consecutive nights of being exposed to artificial light.



Brief periods of exposure didn't cause noticeable changes in fish communities. This suggests that implementing low-cost solutions rapidly could have a positive impact.



"Reducing the impacts of artificial light could help build resilience on valuable coral reefs," noted study co-author Professor Steve Simpson.



"Unlike greenhouse gases and plastics, artificial light is a pollutant that doesn’t leave a residue when switched off. Limiting artificial light in both its intensity and duration, prioritizing it for essential needs and reducing aesthetic use, will help re-establish naturally dark nights that marine ecosystems evolved with."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-coral-reefs-in-a-brightening-world">Preserving coral reefs in a brightening world</h2>



Coral reefs, often referred to as the "rainforests of the sea," are among the most diverse and vital ecosystems on the planet. 



They support nearly 25% of all marine species, provide coastal protection, and serve as critical sources of food and income for millions of people globally. 



However, the increasing intrusion of artificial light adds another stressor to already vulnerable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reef-food-webs-threatened-by-the-loss-of-picky-eaters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral reef systems</a>, which are struggling against threats such as climate change, overfishing, and pollution. 



Mitigating light pollution is one of the easiest ways to support coral reef health. By prioritizing low-impact lighting technologies and implementing targeted lighting practices near reef habitats, significant strides can be made in preserving these ecosystems.



Reinstating natural light-dark cycles by limiting artificial light exposure provides reefs a better chance to recover and thrive. 



As urban expansion and tourism increase near coastal regions, innovative solutions to minimize light pollution are becoming essential to ensure the survival of these ecological treasures.



The full study was published in the journal Global Change Biology.



Image Credit: Emma Weschke



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Light pollution is transforming nightlife on coral reefs

In the quiet stillness of the ocean, when the sun...

Cow,At,A,Meadow,In,Austria

We've all heard it before -- to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and curb fossil fuel dependency, we should consider reducing the energy and resources we use to make meat and animal products.



The entire lifecycle of raising animals for beef production -- from planting and harvesting feed crops to transportation, processing, and refrigeration -- consumes a very substantial amount of energy, mostly coming from fossil fuels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-a-baby-calf-to-one-single-hamburger">From a baby calf to one single hamburger</h2>



Raising a cow from calf to hamburger really puts a strain on our planet's resources. For starters, producing a single quarter-pound hamburger can use up to 1,600 gallons of water. 



This water goes into growing the feed the cow eats, irrigating crops, and managing waste. Plus, producing beef from animals is very energy-intensive, requiring around 2 to 3 kilowatt-hours of energy for each burger -- and that energy comes from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cop28-agreement-marks-the-beginning-of-the-end-of-fossil-fuels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil fuels</a>.



On top of that, each cow needs about 4.5 acres of land for grazing and feed production -- that's 4.5 acres for every cow in the world that is being raised to ultimately become hamburger. That's an incredible amount of land, to say the least.



Next, beef farming is a major source of greenhouse gases, releasing roughly 44 to 55 pounds of CO₂ equivalent per hamburger. Think about how many hamburgers are eaten around the world every day, and you'll start to get the idea.



But the impact doesn't stop there. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cattle-farming-expansion-could-expose-more-than-a-billion-cows-to-heat-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cattle farming</a> often leads to deforestation and habitat loss, especially in sensitive areas like the Amazon rainforest, which harms biodiversity and disrupts ecosystems while adding to carbon emissions. 



Cows are also not very efficient at turning feed into meat, needing about 15 pounds of feed to produce just 5 pounds of beef. To make beef production more sustainable, we can adopt several strategies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-raising-animals-takes-lots-of-energy">Raising animals takes lots of energy</h2>



A new study recently attempted to put a quantifiable number on this entire process, proving that it's not just about reducing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/u-s-greenhouse-emissions-rebounded-in-2021/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse emissions</a>.



Scientists from Norway, Austria, and Switzerland, based at the <a href="https://www.ntnu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norwegian University of Science and Technology</a>'s (NTNU) Industrial Ecology Programme, have put a microscope to the energy requirements of our global food system. 



The study reveals that our consumption of animal products has a more significant impact than we might have imagined.



Crunching the numbers from 2015-2019, they found that a whopping 60% of the energy footprint of agriculture worldwide is attributed to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-products-linked-to-double-the-emissions-of-plant-based-foods/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal-based products</a>.



"That energy is predominately from fossil fuels," said Edgar Hertwich, a professor at NTNU’s Industrial Ecology Programme and the senior author of the paper.



As we have seen, societies are increasingly looking at electricity as a cleaner energy option. However, this does not readily apply to agriculture.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eating-animals-an-energy-hungry-industry">Eating animals: An energy hungry industry</h2>



One of the key challenges highlighted in the study is the inefficiency of animal husbandry. 



In simple terms, we grow food to feed animals, and then we consume the animals -- but the energy return on this "investment" is disappointingly low.



The research found that whilst livestock accounted for the majority of agriculture's energy footprint during the study period, it only provided a minor 18% of the calories consumed worldwide.



Led by Kajwan Rasul, the team sought to calculate the energy return on the energy investment, essentially benchmarking the efficiency of our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-meat-and-dairy-alternatives-will-dramatically-transform-the-global-food-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food system</a>.



It's a simple equation. If the figure is less than 1, it signifies that it takes more energy to produce the food than we get back from consuming it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-out-the-energy-footprint">Mapping out the energy footprint</h2>



To conduct this study, Rasul employed two models, EXIOBASE and FABIO, that respectively allowed him to estimate energy use across various sectors and track the production, trade, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-food-consumption-doubled-in-the-last-decade/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumption of food</a>. 



Integrating these two models using innovative methodologies enabled the team to examine the energy footprint of our food system on a much deeper level than previously possible.



Their study covered ten food categories, broken down from 123 different commodities, across a global spread of 20 regions. 



They also investigated the food system's energy footprint over two, five-year phases, namely 1995-1999 and 2015-2019, which enabled them to identify trends.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bright-side-positive-trends-over-time">The bright side: Positive trends over time</h2>



There is some good news to share. 



Rasul and the team of scientists found a noticeable improvement in the energy efficiency of global food systems over the two decades.



The energy return on energy investment shifted from 0.68 in 1995 to 0.91 in 2019. Yet, this still meant that, in 2019, it cost 10% more energy to produce every calorie provided to society than was returned in consumption.



Regions with less industrialized food systems, like parts of Africa and Asia, consistently had energy returns on investments higher than one. 



This is encouraging as these regions are home to 68% of the world's population.



Rasul noticed that this trend was also reflected in four of the world's five high-income regions. However, he expressed caution over whether this trend was genuinely due to efficiency improvements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-security-and-the-fossil-fuel-energy-equation">Food security and the fossil fuel energy equation</h2>



The findings of this study raise broader implications beyond greenhouse gas emissions.



If energy for food production was boundless and environmentally neutral, we wouldn't need to worry about inefficiencies in agriculture. But that's not our reality.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seed-systems-will-play-a-key-role-in-future-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food security</a> is a significant concern. If our agriculture continues to depend heavily on fossil fuels, we may face a significant crisis. 



This isn't just a theoretical proposition: historical incidents, like the 1970s energy crisis or the more recent ripple effects from conflicts, highlight the potential risk.



As the authors of the study succinctly put it, agricultural systems heavily reliant on fossil fuels "turn the question of food security into a question of energy security." 



It's time for us all to take note and reconsider what's on our dinner plate.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/3/12/pgae524/7919164" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PNAS Nexus</a>.



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The amount of energy it takes to make one hamburger is hard to believe

We've all heard it before -- to reduce greenhouse gas...

In an increasingly industrialized world, the effects of air pollution on our health are undeniable. 



However, while many studies have focused on death rates, less attention has been paid to hospital admissions - especially those related to mental health. Scottish researchers are trying to change that.



Based at a renowned university in Scotland, the scientists have examined the effect of long-term air pollution exposure on mental, behavioral, and physical health.



The findings, published in the journal BMJ Open, reveal a glaring correlation - prolonged exposure to ambient air pollution increases the risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-linked-to-hospital-visits-among-autistic-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hospital admission</a> for a plethora of illnesses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-scottish-longitudinal-study">The Scottish longitudinal study</h2>



The research was based on the Scottish Longitudinal Study, an extensive dataset representing 5% of the Scottish population. The researchers traced the health and hospital admission records of 202,237 individuals aged 17 and above.



The team cross-referenced this data with levels of four key pollutants - nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breast-cancer-incidence-linked-to-high-particulate-air-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particulate matter</a> with diameter of at least 10 μm (PM10), and small particulate matter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5) - between 2002 and 2017.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-pollution-the-invisible-culprit">Air pollution: The invisible culprit?</h2>



The trend emerged clearly: higher cumulative exposure to NO2, PM10, and PM2.5 was proportionally related to increases in hospital admissions for a variety of diseases.



Specifically, each 1 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and NO2 pollutants propelled the incidence rate for respiratory disease hospital admissions by just over 4% and 1%, respectively.



Moreover, NO2 was particularly associated with a greater number of hospital admissions for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-exposure-linked-to-mental-health-issues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental illness</a> and behavioral disorders.



The researchers controlled for demographics such as age, gender, ethnicity, and education level. However, other potentially influential factors - like lifestyle, weight (BMI), noise pollution or lack of green spaces - weren't taken into account. 



Despite the inherent limitations, the findings resonate with previously published research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prevention-is-better-than-cure">Prevention is better than cure</h2>



The researchers caution that the study is observational and thus causal relationships cannot be definitively identified. They also emphasized the need for robust measures and monitoring.



“Policies and interventions on air pollution through stricter environmental regulations, long term planning, and the shifting towards renewable energy could eventually help ease the hospital care burden in Scotland, in the long term," noted the study authors. 



They propose an increased number of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/residual-emissions-must-be-addressed-to-reach-net-zero/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">zero-emission</a> zones, particularly in pollution-heavy cities, to improve air quality and reduce hospital admissions.



The research urges us to rethink our environmental policies, and reinforces the adage, "prevention is better than cure."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-residential-exposure-and-health-outcomes">Residential exposure and health outcomes</h2>



A significant feature of the study was its focus on residential exposure to air pollution. 



By linking yearly air pollution data to individuals’ residential postcodes, the researchers could examine the long-term impact of localized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/u-s-air-pollution-levels-have-dropped-but-not-for-everyone/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution levels</a> on health outcomes. 



The findings revealed that individuals living in urban areas, particularly in cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh, faced higher concentrations of pollutants due to increased traffic and industrial activity.



This urban-rural divide highlights the critical need for localized strategies to mitigate the health effects of air pollution.



Interestingly, the cumulative impact of exposure across the study period had a stronger association with mental and behavioral health admissions than the yearly fluctuations.



This suggests that the prolonged effects of pollution may exacerbate conditions that develop over time, such as anxiety and depression, adding another layer of urgency to address air quality issues in densely populated areas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-air-pollution-impacts-health">How air pollution impacts health</h2>



The researchers also explored the potential biological mechanisms by which air pollution affects health.



Gaseous pollutants, like NO₂ and SO₂, irritate the respiratory system, leading to inflammation and a cascade of effects on the cardiovascular and immune systems.



Fine particulate matter (PM2.5), due to its microscopic size, penetrates deep into the lungs and bloodstream, triggering oxidative stress and exacerbating chronic diseases.



Notably, the research highlighted that mental and behavioral disorders might be influenced by pollution through neurological pathways. 



Prolonged exposure to pollutants could increase the production of free radicals, which may impair brain health and heighten the risk of mental illnesses. 



These findings highlight the multifaceted nature of air pollution's impact, extending beyond physical ailments to mental health.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/12/e084032" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMJ Open</a>.



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Air pollution linked to rising hospital admissions

In an increasingly industrialized world, the effects of air pollution...

The deepest parts of Earth's oceans have mostly remained a mystery, mainly because current technology on sea vessels cannot easily map every trough and chasm scattered around the planet.



Traditional methods tend to rely on slow and expensive ship-based surveys and, even after decades of effort, vast expanses of the ocean floor remain unknown. These blind spots have limited our understanding of underwater landscapes, the growth of tectonic structures, and the habitat ranges of strange marine creatures that lurk far below.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-satellites-to-map-the-ocean-floor">Using satellites to map the ocean floor</h2>



<a href="https://www.nist.gov/how-do-you-measure-it/our-world/how-do-you-measure-depth-ocean" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shipborne sonar</a>, while effective, is far too time-consuming when considering the scale of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/north-atlantic-ocean-has-a-memory-that-lasts-up-to-20-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth’s oceans</a>. Over a century would pass before the entire seabed could be charted this way. Sensors placed on satellites represent a much faster approach, relying on tiny variations in sea surface height to infer submarine features. 



For the past several decades, this <a href="https://topex.ucsd.edu/marine_grav/explore_grav.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">radar-altimeter</a>-based approach has allowed scientists to produce seafloor maps at moderate resolution. A collaboration between <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a> and <a href="https://swot.cnes.fr/en/SWOT/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNES</a> launched the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (<a href="https://swot.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SWOT</a>) mission, a new satellite tool capable of measuring ocean surface heights in unprecedented detail. One year later, the first robust results began to roll in, and were <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39666787/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyzed</a> by <a href="https://yaoyu9404.github.io/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yao Yu</a> at the <a href="https://scripps.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scripps Institution of Oceanography</a>, University of California, San Diego (UCSD).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-previously-hidden-details">Previously hidden details</h2>



Improved data uncovered thousands of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-oceans-are-rapidly-changing-colors-matching-climate-predictions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">undersea</a> peaks that were previously unrecorded. Some are only a few miles across, but these features influence currents, nutrient flow, and the movements of certain aquatic populations. “So, one year of SWOT data beat the past 30 years of traditional radar-altimeter [data] in constructing marine gravity,” said Yao Yu, a Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellow at <a href="https://ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCSD</a>. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SWOT-satellite_seafloor_mapping_major-advance_credit-EOS_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SWOT-satellite_seafloor_mapping_major-advance_credit-EOS_1s.webp" alt="Using satellite altimetry data from SWOT, scientists have created a global map of marine gravity, uncovering thousands of new seamounts. (Eötvös is a unit that measures the ocean’s vertical gravity gradient.) Credit: Yao Yu, Yu et al., 2024" class="wp-image-1954024"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Using satellite altimetry data from SWOT, scientists have created a global map of marine gravity, uncovering thousands of new seamounts. (Eötvös is a unit that measures the ocean’s vertical gravity gradient.) Credit: Yao Yu, Yu et al., 2024</figcaption></figure>



The more finely tuned view reveals intricate ridges and valleys that traditional methods missed. These fresh insights help scientists understand how underwater landforms might affect tsunami speed and direction, and whether they attract clusters of unique organisms preferring specific conditions found around submerged peaks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-this-matter">Why does this matter?</h2>



Each submarine hill, canyon, or volcanic mount has its own story. Researchers can piece together histories of plate movements and infer where tectonic changes might happen next. This sharper perspective matters for navigators who need safe passages, and marine planners who keep an eye on resource extraction. 



Detailed underwater maps allow for better simulation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/collapse-of-main-atlantic-ocean-circulaton-current-amoc-is-already-happening/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a> circulation models, ensuring that climate forecasts gain subtle accuracy. “I am mostly impressed with the ability to [map] abyssal hills and seamounts so much [more clearly] than ever before,” said <a href="https://orbit.dtu.dk/en/persons/ole-baltazar-andersen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ole Baltazar Andersen</a>, senior research scientist at the Technical University of Denmark.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giant-leap-for-ocean-maps">Giant leap for ocean maps</h2>



Before satellites and sonar, sailors dropped <a href="https://seahistory.org/sea-history-for-kids/leadline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weighted lines</a> overboard and counted fathoms as the rope slipped through their hands. Today, radar and altimetry techniques provide scientists with more versatile options. Specialized altimeters aboard satellites, like SWOT, measure the time taken for radio pulses to bounce back from the surface.



This gives a rough sketch of the seafloor’s gravitational pull, revealing dips and bumps that mirror what lies beneath. In combination with ship-based measurements, <a href="https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/socd/lsa/AltBathy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">satellite altimetry</a> grants a global perspective. It is not as direct as a ship’s sonar, but it covers enormous swaths of ocean in a fraction of the time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-real-world-benefits-of-ocean-mapping">Real world benefits of ocean mapping</h2>



Fresh ocean floor maps do not only quench our scientific curiosity. Improved <a href="https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/socd/lsa/AltBathy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bathymetry</a> can aid climate research. 



Ocean circulation involves currents moving cold, deep water upward, influencing carbon storage and heat distribution. If certain underwater hills guide these flows, slight improvements in understanding those features can refine models that predict future climate trends. 



More precise knowledge of the seabed’s shape might also help researchers anticipate where essential fisheries could flourish or fail.



“Improved seafloor mapping at such level of details opens new frontiers,” said <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/people/nadya-vinogradova-shiffer-physical-oceanography-program/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer</a>, Ocean Physics Program Director at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC.



At a time when climate adaptation plans often depend on robust environmental data, these clearer images contribute to more informed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/surprise-study-some-scientists-call-for-halting-ocean-plastic-cleanup-efforts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">decision-making</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-push-to-chart-everything">Global push to chart everything</h2>



A range of groups and organizations worldwide have pursued projects like <a href="https://seabed2030.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seabed 2030</a>, aiming to map Earth’s entire underwater landscape by the end of the decade. 



Crowdsourced data, philanthropic funding, and cutting-edge technology promise richer, more accessible marine charts. Some researchers rely on <a href="https://www.saildrone.com/news/seabed-2030-partnership-to-map-the-ocean" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">small autonomous vessels</a>, armed with multibeam sonar, to scan sections of the ocean that remain unexplored. Others use advanced machine learning tools to process existing data and enhance resolution. This collective pursuit is essential for narrowing knowledge gaps that still puzzle those trying to map the shifting ocean conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolving-strategies-new-capabilities">Evolving strategies, new capabilities</h2>



Modern technology continues to advance. Older satellites captured <a href="https://eos.org/articles/new-seafloor-map-only-25-done-with-6-years-to-go" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">less detail</a>, but updated radar altimeters are more sensitive. 



The slight gravitational field changes caused by undersea mountains produce minuscule tilts in the ocean’s surface, and newer instruments register those subtle differences. These improved measurements help scientists see features that previously blended into the noise of raw data. 



More precise measurements transform the way experts look at ocean floor contours, enabling them to find patterns connected to everything from energy resources to hidden ecological hotspots.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next?</h2>



Better ocean maps redefine what scientists consider ordinary. Areas once thought to be empty seascapes are now known to hold small peaks and ridges that matter to ocean life. With sharper detail, previously unknown zones might turn out to be critical habitats or hold clues to past geological events that affected climate and biodiversity. 



Each newly revealed feature expands what is known about oceanic processes.



The aim is not just to tally ridges or canyons. Clearer images allow more thorough interpretations that factor into navigation, resource management, environmental protection, and scientific exploration.



The next few years will likely bring even more refined altimetry missions, advanced sonar methods, and creative approaches that combine all types of datasets. 



Over time, these efforts will build towards an era when the planet’s underwater domain is no longer as cryptic.



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NASA maps Earth's ocean floors from space in stunning detail

The deepest parts of Earth's oceans have mostly remained a...

A recent study highlights a critical challenge for coral reproduction in the face of climate change. Led by Professor Peter Mumby from The University of Queensland, the research found that corals must be within a few meters of each other to reproduce successfully.



This surprising discovery has significant implications for coral survival, as warming oceans and other climate impacts continue to decimate reefs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-factors-in-coral-reproduction">Factors in coral reproduction</h2>



The research team measured the success of a natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-illuminates-fish-interactions-in-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral spawning</a> event in March this year. 



“In what came as a surprise, we saw that corals needed to be within 10 metres (32.8 feet) of one another, and preferably closer than that for fertilization to take place,” explained Professor Mumby.



The team’s findings revealed a stark reality. Fertilization rates averaged 30% when corals were very close to each other. However, this figure dropped to less than 10% at a separation of 10 meters (32.8 feet) and was virtually zero at distances beyond 20 meters (65.6 feet).



“We knew corals couldn’t be too far apart, but we found they need to be closer than we’d expected,” noted Professor Mumby.



“Climate change impacts like bleaching are killing and reducing the density of corals, so we’re concerned that individuals may end up too far apart to reproduce successfully.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-proximity-in-coral-reproduction">Importance of proximity in coral reproduction</h2>



The research team set up their experiment on a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-seeding-increases-resistance-to-extreme-heatwaves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reef</a> in Palau, Micronesia. They placed containers above 26 coral colonies during a spawning event, capturing eggs and allowing sperm from nearby corals to enter the containers.



“The containers captured some of each corals’ eggs and drifted to the surface where they followed the tide,” said Professor Mumby.



“Although the eggs could not escape, sperm could enter the container and fertilize the eggs. After an hour of drifting, the proportion of fertilized eggs was noted for each type of coral, along with the distance to similar established corals.”



The results demonstrated the importance of proximity among <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reefs-in-some-parts-of-the-world-actually-benefit-from-warming-el-nino-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">corals</a> for successful reproduction.



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



The findings from <a href="https://www.uq.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Queensland</a> highlight how climate change exacerbates challenges for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/multivitamins-could-save-coral-reefs-from-climate-destruction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral populations</a>. Bleaching events and other stressors not only kill corals but also reduce their density, making reproduction increasingly difficult.



Dr. Christopher Doropoulos from <a href="https://www.csiro.au/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CSIRO</a>, a co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of coral reproduction for population resilience and evolution.



“In the future, we may need to help corals continue this key part of their lives,” said Dr. Doropoulos. “Understanding the importance of local neighbourhoods provides tangible targets for interventions like coral restoration.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-restoration-efforts-and-future-directions">Restoration efforts and future directions</h2>



Coral restoration emerges as a vital strategy to combat this reproductive challenge. 



“Ideally, the density of corals would be monitored at important locations and restoration carried out to return the density back to the levels required for successful reproduction,” Dr. Doropoulos added.



Professor Mumby highlighted the significance of ongoing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reefs-could-vanish-if-temperatures-continue-to-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">restoration</a> efforts. 



“Our work over the past 5 years on the Great Barrier Reef through the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program is also helping to define these critical thresholds to help restoration practitioners set targets for density to help maintain coral populations,” said Professor Mumby.



The study, funded by the McCusker Foundation and the Australian Government’s Reef Restoration &amp; Adaptation Program, provides actionable insights for coral conservation. 



By identifying critical density thresholds, researchers hope to guide interventions that can enhance coral reproduction and resilience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hope-amidst-challenges">Hope amidst challenges</h2>



This research highlights how vulnerable coral populations are, and emphasizes the critical need for focused <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/60-percent-global-coral-reefs-face-bleaching-rising-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation</a> efforts.



Climate change, through factors like ocean warming and bleaching, is making coral survival increasingly difficult. However, studies like this provide essential insights for scientists and conservationists to better protect coral reefs. 



The key finding - that corals need to be close to each other for reproduction - can guide efforts to ensure they remain healthy and viable. If corals are not able to reproduce due to greater distances between them, it could lead to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-worlds-largest-coral-bleaching-event-is-now-underway/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">decline of these vital ecosystems</a>.



Ensuring corals are sufficiently close for successful reproduction is therefore crucial in maintaining and preserving coral reefs for the future.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2418314121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Corals count on nearby neighbors for successful reproduction

A recent study highlights a critical challenge for coral reproduction...

On February 2, 1887, residents of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania turned to a large rodent to predict the arrival of spring, marking the first official Groundhog Day.&nbsp;



Over 130 years later, according to Rob Guralnick, curator of biodiversity informatics at the <a href="https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Museum of Natural History</a>, we haven’t made much progress in predicting seasonal changes.



“We can’t generate good forecasts for whether spring will arrive early or late next year nearly as well as we can make predictions about the weather,” Guralnick said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-the-climate-response-of-plants">Predicting the climate response of plants</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-the-oceans-hidden-influence-on-global-weather-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weather patterns</a> undoubtedly influence the seasons, but how plants and animals respond to those changes - a field called phenology - is equally important.&nbsp;



While meteorologists can reliably forecast temperatures months ahead, predicting when plants will sprout leaves or flowers remains a challenge. Add climate change into the mix, and the puzzle becomes even harder to solve.



However, a new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01807-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Earth &amp; Environment</a> offers promising advancements.&nbsp;



By improving existing methods and incorporating the rate at which springtime temperatures rise, the study accurately predicts how seasonal cycles have shifted over the past 150 years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-bloom-earlier-in-a-warmer-climate">Plants bloom earlier in a warmer climate </h2>



The breakthrough came after researchers rediscovered a forgotten 19th-century report containing thousands of phenological observations across the eastern United States.&nbsp;



This report - the earliest citizen science project organized by the <a href="https://www.si.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smithsonian Institution</a> - documented when plants and animals became active across regions stretching from Michigan to Florida.



Theresa Crimmins, director of the <a href="https://www.usanpn.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USA National Phenology Network</a> and co-author of the study, stumbled upon the report while researching for a book chapter.&nbsp;



“I dug up this old document and realized there was actual data in it. Most of the other reports that had been referenced were just summaries,” said Crimmins.



The team used these historical records as a baseline. By comparing them with modern observations, they uncovered striking shifts.



“All 18 species advanced their leaf growth and flowering phenology,” Crimmins explained. “On average, it’s occurring more than three weeks earlier than it did in the past. There are some species that are flowering more than a month earlier.”



The findings confirm what scientists suspected: global warming has led to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-spring-follows-the-hottest-february-on-record/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">earlier springs</a> and longer summers. Yet the study’s use of historical data over such an extensive time period is rare, making the results particularly compelling.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-regions-are-changing-faster-than-others">Some regions are changing faster than others</h2>



Interestingly, not all areas of the U.S. have experienced the same shifts. Phenology in the Northeast has advanced far more than in the Southeast, highlighting variations in the rate of change across latitudes.&nbsp;



Traditional models used to predict <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-plants-actively-shaped-earths-climate-cycle-throughout-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant activity</a> focus on two main variables: a plant’s location and the amount of warm weather needed for it to grow. While these models work for specific species in localized areas, they struggle to explain broader trends across diverse ecosystems.



“Not only is there variation across species, there’s variation across latitudes in the rate of global warming. Climate is warming faster at higher latitudes,” said co-author Lindsay Campbell, an assistant professor at the University of Florida’s <a href="https://fmel.ifas.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory</a>.



These complexities can result in unexpected patterns. For example, red maples, which typically bloom early in spring, may be outpaced by pink azaleas - traditionally later bloomers - if they grow in an area where temperatures rise quickly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-missing-factor-warming-velocity">A missing factor: Warming velocity</h2>



To solve these mysteries, Guralnick suspected an overlooked factor: the rate at which temperatures increase in spring, also called “warming velocity.”&nbsp;



Areas near large bodies of water, for example, warm more slowly because water retains heat longer than air. Such regions tend to experience gradual warming and milder winters.



To test this idea, Michaela Keys and Carolyn Davis, two museum interns, digitized the Smithsonian’s historical data. Co-author Erin Grady, a graduate student at the University of Florida, compiled modern observations from citizen science platforms like <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iNaturalist</a> and the National Phenology Network.



Once the team ran the numbers, the results were clear: adding warming velocity dramatically improved the accuracy of their predictions. It also provided explanations for anomalies like late-blooming plants flowering ahead of early bloomers under certain conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-dance-between-plants-and-climate-change-nbsp">Complex dance between plants and climate change&nbsp;</h2>



These findings have important implications for conservation. As global temperatures continue to rise, species are not only shifting their seasonal cycles but also changing where they live. For conservationists, being able to predict these changes is vital for protecting ecosystems.



“I’ve always been skeptical about whether we’ll be able to predict what the world will look like in the near future, but I think we’re getting better at it as we take a more holistic view and as we get the underlying processes nailed down,” Guralnick said. “Doing so helps us manage the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-rich-tree-diversity-adapt-better-changing-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diversity</a> we have left.”



By combining historical observations with modern data and improved models, scientists are inching closer to understanding the complex dance between plants, temperature, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-defy-climate-change-through-acclimation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>.&nbsp;



As the planet warms, tools like these will be crucial for anticipating and mitigating the impacts of a shifting world.



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Predicting how climate change will alter plant growth cycles

On February 2, 1887, residents of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania turned to...

In the abandoned lands surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site, something unexpected is happening. Amid decaying buildings and lingering radiation, Chernobyl dogs are not just surviving -- they're thriving. 



These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chernobyl-wolves-have-evolved-resistance-to-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">canine communities</a> are offering scientists a unique glimpse into how life adapts in one of the most hostile environments on Earth.



"Somehow, two small populations of dogs managed to survive in that highly toxic environment," head researcher <a href="https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/profile/norman-kleiman-phd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Norman J. Kleiman</a> remarked.



Dr. Kleiman's team discovered significant genetic differences between two groups of dogs. 



One group roams near the former Chernobyl reactors, while the other lives about 10 miles away in Chernobyl City. This finding suggests that these are two distinct populations that rarely interbreed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-is-chernobyl-and-what-happened">Where is Chernobyl and what happened?</h2>



The Chernobyl disaster happened on April 26, 1986, when a nuclear reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine exploded during a late-night safety test. 



The test was supposed to simulate a power outage to see if the reactor could operate safely without electricity. But things went horribly wrong due to a mix of poor design, operator errors, and miscommunication. 



A sudden power surge caused an uncontrollable reaction in Reactor 4, leading to a massive explosion that blew the reactor’s lid off and released tons of radioactive material into the atmosphere.



The immediate aftermath was chaotic. Fires raged, and radioactive smoke spread across Europe, making it one of the worst nuclear disasters in history. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-go-zone-becomes-a-dog-and-nature-haven">"No-go zone" becomes a dog and nature haven</h2>



In the months and years that followed, the Chernobyl region became a no-go zone, with widespread environmental damage, health problems for people, dogs, and other animals exposed to radiation, and lingering fears of contamination.



In the first few days, radiation levels were so high that plants turned brown and died, and forests close to the reactor were devastated. 



The "Red Forest," just a mile from the plant, got its name because the radiation killed the pine trees, turning them a reddish-brown before they withered away.



Wildlife suffered initially, with high radiation levels causing genetic mutations, reproductive problems, and a sharp decline in populations. 



Birds and small mammals in the area were particularly affected, and aquatic life in nearby rivers and lakes also faced significant harm. 



However, over time, the absence of humans in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone allowed nature to rebound in surprising ways. 



Without people, many species, including wolves, bears, rare animals like the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-przewalskis-horse-the-last-surviving-species-of-wild-horse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Przewalski’s horse</a>, and the Chernobyl dogs discussed in this article have made the area home. 



While radiation hotspots remain, wildlife has thrived in the absence of hunting, farming, and urban development, turning Chernobyl into an accidental refuge for nature.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chernobyl-dogs-the-basics">Chernobyl dogs -- the basics</h2>



The Chernobyl dogs are a heart-wrenching part of the disaster's legacy. After the 1986 nuclear meltdown explosion, many residents evacuated and were forced to leave their pets behind. 



Among them were countless dogs, now descendants of those left behind, roaming the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chernobyls-exclusion-zone-wildlife-refuge/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chernobyl Exclusion Zone</a>. 



These dogs adapted to life in a harsh, radioactive environment, surviving extreme winters, limited food, and lingering radiation. 



They live around abandoned villages and near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, often relying on scraps from workers and visitors.



Many of them form packs for protection and companionship, while some have surprisingly bonded with humans, especially the workers and scientists who still operate in the zone. 



Efforts to help these dogs have increased over the years, with organizations stepping in to provide vaccinations, medical care, and even adoption programs to give some of them a chance at a new life outside the zone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-clues-in-a-toxic-landscape">Genetic clues in a toxic landscape</h2>



This study marks the first time scientists have delved into the genetic makeup of stray dogs living near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. 



"In addition to classifying the population dynamics within these dogs at both locations, we took the first steps towards understanding how chronic exposure to multiple environmental hazards may have impacted these populations," Dr. Kleiman explained.



According to Dr. Matthew Breen from <a href="https://www.ncsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NC State</a>, "The overarching question here is: does an environmental disaster of this magnitude have a genetic impact on life in the region?" 



By analyzing the dogs' DNA, the team identified 391 outlier regions in their genomes that differed between the two groups.



"Think of these regions as markers, or signposts, on a highway. They identify areas within the genome where we should look more closely at nearby genes," Dr. Breen explained.



Moreover, some of these markers are pointing to genes associated with genetic repair; specifically, with genetic repair after exposures similar to those experienced by the dogs in Chernobyl.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-much-still-unknown-about-the-chernobyl-dogs">Much still unknown about the Chernobyl dogs</h2>



Despite these intriguing findings, the researchers caution that there's still much to learn. 



"At this stage we cannot say for sure that any <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-labrador-retrievers-genetic-mutation-pomc-causes-hunger-obesity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic alterations</a> are in response to the multigenerational and complex exposures; we have a lot more work to do to determine if that is the case," Dr. Breen added.



Ph.D. candidate Megan Dillion, a lead author of the study at NC State, is eager to dig deeper. 



"The question we must answer now is why are there striking genetic differences between the two dog populations?" she said. 



"Are the differences just due to genetic drift, or are they due to the unique environmental stressors at each location?"



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



The research has broader implications beyond <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-are-evolving-to-fit-the-modern-lives-of-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the canine world</a>, because dogs are a sentinel species with much to teach us about human health.



"By teasing out whether or not the genetic changes we detected in these dogs are the canine genome's response to the exposures the populations have faced, we may be able to understand how the dogs survived in such a hostile environment and what that might mean for any population -- animal or human -- that experiences similar exposures," Breen concluded.



With 37 years having passed since the Chernobyl disaster, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chernobyl-is-teeming-with-worms-resistant-to-radiation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dangers of radiation</a> haven't faded. 



The approximately 30-year-long half-lives of lingering radioisotopes mean the danger posed by radiation exposure is still very much real.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-environmental-challenge">Complex environmental challenge</h2>



Radiation isn't the only concern in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frogs-exposed-to-radiation-show-no-signs-of-accelerated-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chernobyl Exclusion Zone</a>. The area is contaminated with chemicals, toxic metals, pesticides, and organic compounds left behind from years of cleanup efforts and decaying infrastructure. 



"When radiation exposure is combined with a complex toxic chemical mixture of uncertain composition, there are very real human health concerns raised for the thousands of people who continue to work within the Exclusion Zone," Dr. Kleiman warned.



"Understanding the genetic and health impacts of these chronic exposures in the dogs will strengthen our broader understanding of how these types of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/car-tires-shed-pollutants-that-are-especially-toxic-for-humans-and-wildlife/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental hazards</a> can impact humans and how best to mitigate health risks."



The research team plans to continue their work, hoping to unravel more of the genetic mysteries held by these resilient dogs. Their findings could pave the way for new insights into genetic adaptation in extreme environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-from-chernobyl-and-its-dogs">Learning from Chernobyl and its dogs</h2>



To sum it all up, the story of Chernobyl's dogs is a testament to life's resilience. These animals have carved out an existence in a place deemed uninhabitable. 



Their journey raises thought-provoking questions: How do organisms adapt to such hostile conditions? What can we learn from their survival?



As scientists continue to explore these questions, one thing is clear: the dogs of Chernobyl have much to teach us. 



Their survival offers a unique opportunity to understand the genetic impacts of environmental disasters, potentially informing how we protect both wildlife and ourselves in the face of similar challenges.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://cgejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40575-023-00124-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canine Medicine and Genetics</a>.



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Chernobyl dogs are responding to the toxic radiation with rapid genetic evolution

In the abandoned lands surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site,...

Titanium has emerged as a key player in a recent carbon capture breakthrough that has been unveiled by scientists at Oregon State University.



This innovative research offers new hope in the battle against climate change, and showcases the power of out-of-the-box thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration.



By leveraging titanium’s affordability and abundance, the team has developed a promising method to capture carbon dioxide more efficiently. 



Their discovery could pave the way for scalable, cost-effective solutions to reduce greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transition-metals-and-carbon-capture">Transition metals and carbon capture</h2>



The novel study, led by Professor May Nyman and Karlie Bach from Oregon State University College of Science, revolves around a vital mission: the reduction of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-carbon-dioxide-travels-in-the-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere</a>.



The research is shedding new light on how carbon capture can be significantly improved - all the way down to the molecular level.



In 2021, Professor Nyman was chosen as the leader of one of nine direct air capture projects funded by the Department of Energy, according to a press <a href="https://news.oregonstate.edu/news/new-chemical-structures-developed-oregon-state-show-vastly-improved-carbon-capture-ability">release</a> from OSU.



Her team is studying how specific transition metal complexes can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-tech-can-capture-carbon-dioxide-from-the-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">capture carbon dioxide</a> from the air and transform it into metal carbonate, a compound often found in natural minerals.



What are these mysterious "transition metals"? They are a group of elements found near the center of the periodic table. Transition metals derive their name from the "transition" of their electrons between low and high energy states.



This electron movement results in the emission of distinctive colors, which adds a little splash of dazzle to the complex world of chemistry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taking-a-closer-look-at-titanium">Taking a closer look at titanium</h2>



While carbon capture is an existing technology that allows for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-struggling-to-breathe-store-co2-hotter-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CO2</a> to be filtered from the air, current implementations are cost-prohibitive and energy-intensive. 



This is precisely where the OSU team's work comes into play. The researchers decided to focus their attention on the element titanium.



"We opted to look into titanium as it's 100 times cheaper than vanadium, more abundant, more environmentally friendly and already well established in industrial uses," noted Bach. 



"It also is right next to vanadium on the periodic table, so we hypothesized that the carbon capture behavior could be similar enough to vanadium to be effective."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-capture-capacity-of-titanium">Carbon capture capacity of titanium</h2>



In the course of their research, the team synthesized several new tetraperoxo titanate structures - compounds containing a titanium atom associated with four peroxide groups. These new compounds showed varying degrees of effectiveness in capturing CO2.



"Our favorite carbon capture structure we discovered is potassium tetraperoxo titanate, which is extra unique because it turns out it is also a peroxosolvate," said Bach. 



"That means that in addition to having the peroxide bonds to titanium, it also has hydrogen peroxide in the structure, which is what we believe makes it so reactive."



The research indicates that the carbon capture capacity of potassium tetraperoxo titanate is roughly double that of vanadium peroxide - a result which gives the team significant grounds for optimism.



"Titanium is a cheaper, safer material with a significantly higher capacity," said Bach.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ongoing-fight-against-climate-change">The ongoing fight against climate change</h2>



While the fight against <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> is ongoing, this research sheds new light on the potential of using an abundant and cost-effective element like titanium to capture CO2 directly from the air.



The study highlights the critical importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge science for addressing the complexities of climate challenges.



By focusing on scalable and affordable solutions, such advances bring us closer to a future where technological innovation can help restore the balance of our atmosphere.



It is yet another reminder that, with innovative thinking, steadfast commitment, and a good dose of scientific curiosity, we can make strides towards a more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-inspires-solutions-for-a-sustainable-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainable future</a>.



The <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OSU</a> team included Professor Tim Zuehlsdorff, Professor Konstantinos Goulas, postdoctoral researcher Eduard Garrido Ribó, and crystallographer Lev Zakharov. The team also included graduate students Jacob Hirschi, Zhiwei Mao and Makenzie Nord.



Details of the research are found in this <a href="https://news.oregonstate.edu/news/new-chemical-structures-developed-oregon-state-show-vastly-improved-carbon-capture-ability">press release</a> from OSU.



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Titanium is a promising and abundant resource for carbon capture

Titanium has emerged as a key player in a recent...

For the first time, scientists have observed a massive glacial lake outburst in real-time in East Greenland. 



This rare event, captured by researchers from the University of Copenhagen, involved the release of over 3,000 billion liters of meltwater - equivalent to three times Denmark's annual water consumption - over just a few weeks.



The outburst provides critical insights into the immense power of meltwater and its potential hazards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-a-glacial-outburst">What is a glacial outburst?</h2>



A&nbsp;glacial outburst&nbsp;(also known as a&nbsp;glacial lake outburst flood, or GLOF) is a sudden and rapid release of water from a glacial lake.



These lakes form when meltwater from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-ice-sheet-discovery-transforms-sea-level-predictions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glaciers</a> collects behind natural dams of ice or debris. Over time, the pressure of the trapped water can cause the dam to break, allowing the water to rush out in large volumes. 



This can lead to flooding, erosion, and sometimes destruction of infrastructure or communities downstream. Glacial outbursts are becoming more frequent due to climate change, as rising temperatures increase glacier melt.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greenland-s-glacial-outburst">Greenland's glacial outburst</h2>



The glacial outburst occurred when Catalina Lake, located in East Greenland, suddenly unleashed its vast water reserves into the Scoresby Sound fjord. This staggering release of 3.4 cubic kilometers (about 0.8 cubic miles) of water places the event among the top three largest ever recorded.



Between September 23 and October 11, the lake's water level plummeted by 154 meters. For the first time, scientists used satellite imagery to monitor and measure the event in real time.



"We have previously found traces of similar outburst floods, but due to polar night and clouds obstructing the potential for satellite observations, this is the first time that researchers have been able to monitor an event and measure the water volumes in real time," explained Aslak Grinsted, a climate researcher from the <a href="https://nbi.ku.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Niels Bohr Institute</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mechanics-of-the-glacial-lake-outburst">Mechanics of the glacial lake outburst</h2>



Catalina Lake had been accumulating meltwater for over 20 years. The lake's water was trapped behind the massive Edward Bailey Glacier, which blocked its natural outflow. 



Over time, the water lifted the glacier, carving a 25-kilometer (15.5 miles) tunnel beneath the ice. This channel became the escape route for the lake’s water, unleashing it into Scoresby Sound, the world's largest fjord.



This type of event has been occurring with increasing frequency due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-models-underestimate-sea-ice-melt-and-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rising global temperatures</a>.



"The danger from glacier-dammed lakes is increasing due to global warming. It's vital to improve our understanding of this phenomenon to issue timely warnings should there be an imminent risk," emphasized Grinsted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-threat-of-glacial-floods">Global threat of glacial floods</h2>



Although Greenland’s sparse population meant this event caused no harm, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/speed-of-greenland-ice-melt-confirmed-to-be-rapidly-increasing-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">potential risks</a> are enormous in more densely populated areas. 



In regions like the Himalayas, GLOFs have destroyed villages and claimed lives. A 2023 study revealed that 15 million people worldwide live under the threat of deadly glacial floods.



"I expect that we will witness outbursts from even larger ice-dammed lakes as Greenland's ice sheet retreats in coming centuries," noted Grinsted.



"At the end of the last Ice Age, Lake Missoula had an outburst that was 2,500 times larger than the recent Catalina event. To understand these massive forces, we must study the largest outbursts when they occur."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enormous-power-and-energy-potential">Enormous power and energy potential </h2>



The energy released during such outbursts is truly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/collapse-of-main-atlantic-ocean-circulaton-current-amoc-is-already-happening/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">immense</a>. "In this case, the energy released by the glacier flood was equivalent to the output of the world's largest nuclear power plant running at full capacity for 22 days," explained Grinsted.



The amount of energy from Greenland's glacial outburst could theoretically power a small town, providing 50 megawatts of electricity continuously. 



However, the logistical challenges of harnessing this energy remain significant. The nearest settlement to the Catalina Lake event is 180 kilometers away, with only 350 inhabitants.



"As with many other natural resources in Greenland, infrastructure is a problem. But if a brilliant engineer could figure out how to harness these meltwater <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-sheet-melting-new-tipping-point-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outbursts</a>, there's enormous power and energy potential in them," concluded Grinsted.



The Greenland outburst highlights the growing risks posed by climate change and the need for continued research into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-will-the-antarctic-ice-sheet-collapse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glacial dynamics</a>. 



By understanding these massive forces, scientists hope to develop strategies for early warnings and, potentially, ways to harness their energy for sustainable purposes.



Image Credit: University of Copenhagen



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Massive glacial outburst observed in Greenland for the first time

For the first time, scientists have observed a massive glacial...

Among the many effects of global warming this century, the melting of permafrost stands out. Permafrost, found beneath 15% of the northern hemisphere, is composed of frozen organic material that has stored carbon for millennia. 



Rising global temperatures prompt questions about how much permafrost will thaw and how much carbon it will release.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-permafrost-in-the-carbon-cycle">The role of permafrost in the carbon cycle</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/permafrost-is-becoming-a-source-of-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Permafrost</a> is soil, rock, or sediment that has been frozen for two or more consecutive years. It is typically found in polar regions, such as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-warming-permafrost-melt-devastating-role-accelerating-global-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic</a>, and at high altitudes. In regions where temperatures dip below -5°C, it remains frozen permanently.



During the Last Glacial Maximum, permafrost covered vast areas, but today’s warming - especially in polar regions - threatens its stability.



The Arctic has been warming almost four times faster than the global average since 1979, raising concerns about thawing permafrost releasing carbon dioxide and methane, which would worsen global warming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modeling-thawing-permafrost">Modeling thawing permafrost</h2>



Understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rapid-permafrost-thaw-in-alaska-threatens-global-climate-balance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">permafrost's</a> future involves complex modeling. A recent study published in the journal Earth’s Future combines observational data with a biogeochemical model to predict how much carbon thawing permafrost might release.



Study lead author Lei Liu from <a href="https://english.zzu.edu.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zhengzhou University</a> and colleagues incorporated processes such as deep-soil carbon decomposition up to six meters below the surface, doubling the depth of previous studies.



The model also used detailed profiles of soil organic carbon derived from observational datasets. It estimates that the Northern Hemisphere’s permafrost contained 563 gigatons (Gt) of carbon between 2010 and 2015, spread over an area of 14.4 million square kilometers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scenarios-of-permafrost-thaw">Scenarios of permafrost thaw</h2>



The study considered two scenarios based on Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs):



<ol start="1" class="wp-block-list">
<li>SSP126: An optimistic scenario limiting global warming to 2.0°C.</li>



<li>SSP585: A pessimistic scenario assuming continued fossil fuel reliance.</li>
</ol>



Under SSP126, 119 Gt of carbon would thaw by 2100, reducing permafrost ecosystem carbon by 3.4 Gt. In contrast, SSP585 would see 252 Gt of carbon thawed, with a 15 Gt reduction in ecosystem carbon.



The study projects that only 4% to 8% of this thawed carbon will release into the atmosphere by 2100. This translates to a maximum of 10 Gt of carbon under SSP126 and 20 Gt under SSP585. For context, human activities in 2023 emitted 11.3 Gt of carbon. 



While significant, the projected emissions from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-regions-are-rapidly-warming-with-global-consequences/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">permafrost</a> thawing remain smaller than annual human emissions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-release-due-to-permafrost-thaw">Carbon release due to permafrost thaw</h2>



Thawing permafrost contributes to the carbon cycle in multiple ways. Decomposing organic matter releases nitrogen, which plants can absorb, stimulating growth. 



The team’s model showed that nitrogen availability could increase vegetation nitrogen stocks by 10 to 26 million tons and carbon stocks in plants by 0.4 to 1.6 Gt under the two scenarios.



However, this increased plant growth does not fully offset carbon losses from thawed permafrost. Furthermore, thawing alters plant species composition and ecosystem dynamics, with broader implications for the carbon and nitrogen cycles. 



The study highlights deeper complications, such as abrupt thaw events, root deepening, and microbial activity - which could accelerate carbon release.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mitigation-challenges-and-uncertainties">Mitigation challenges and uncertainties</h2>



The study highlights the need for decisive action. For warming to cease, human emissions must drop to zero. 



As long as warming persists, more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-will-changing-tundra-landscapes-affect-earths-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">permafrost</a> will thaw, creating additional challenges for climate change mitigation. High-latitude and high-altitude regions remain areas of significant uncertainty, where warming impacts and feedback mechanisms are more difficult to predict.



While models like this one improve our understanding, they remain projections that are dependent on socioeconomic choices made by humanity. Will we pursue aggressive climate action or continue with business as usual? The fate of permafrost - and its carbon - rests largely in human hands.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limiting-permafrost-thaw">Limiting permafrost thaw</h2>



The thawing of permafrost presents a dual challenge: it is both a consequence and contributor to global warming.



While current models suggest limited carbon release this century, the potential for long-term impacts remains significant. Mitigation efforts must intensify to reduce warming, limit permafrost thaw, and minimize its feedback on the climate system. 



As Lei Liu’s study highlights, understanding permafrost dynamics is crucial in preparing for a warming world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024EF004996" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's Future</a>.



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Thawing permafrost may release billions of tons of carbon by 2100

Among the many effects of global warming this century, the...

When we munch on tropical fruits like bananas or dab some shea butter cream onto our skin, we rarely think about how these products traveled thousands of miles to reach our hands. The journey of these agricultural goods comes with a heavier price for our planet’s biodiversity than we ever thought.



A new study published in the journal Nature Sustainability&nbsp;reveals that exporting agricultural products from tropical regions to major global markets is three times more harmful to biodiversity than previously estimated.



Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and ETH Zurich analyzed agricultural exports from 1995 to 2022 and linked these activities to significant biodiversity loss in producing countries like Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, and Madagascar.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-agricultural-trade-and-biodiversity-loss">Agricultural trade and biodiversity loss</h2>



While it is well understood that intensive land use in tropical regions adversely affects biodiversity, the study highlights how international trade exacerbates this issue. Past assumptions attributed 20-30% of biodiversity loss in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-altering-the-temperature-in-66-of-tropical-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tropical regions</a> to agricultural exports.



However, the research team, led by Livia Cabernard, Stephan Pfister, and Stefanie Hellweg, discovered that over 90% of the biodiversity loss during the study period was linked to international trade.



“This is an alarming finding, as the threat to global biodiversity per square meter in tropical regions is a hundred times higher than in the importing countries,” said Cabernard, a professor of Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agricultural Systems at <a href="https://www.tum.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TUM</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advanced-modeling-brings-new-insights">Advanced modeling brings new insights</h2>



The researchers used a novel model that integrates satellite data to track land-use changes and their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-biodiversity-is-not-a-luxury-it-is-attainable-for-everyone/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecological impacts</a> over time.



Unlike older models, which often ignored fallow areas, this approach considered long-term species loss and ecosystem recovery time. The model also mapped trade flows, showing the direct connection between agricultural exports and land-use changes.



The findings are stark: over 80% of land-use changes in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific region during the study period were due to agricultural exports, driving significant biodiversity loss.



Leading importers of these products include China (26%), the U.S. (21%), the Middle East (13%), and Europe (8%).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hotspots-of-biodiversity-loss">Hotspots of biodiversity loss</h2>



The study identified Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, and Madagascar as hotspots of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-are-the-biggest-drivers-of-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species loss</a>. In these regions, the conversion of natural habitats into agricultural land has been particularly destructive.



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Brazil and Madagascar: Land conversion predominantly supports livestock grazing.</li>



<li>Indonesia: Rice and oilseed cultivation, particularly palm oil, drives habitat loss.</li>



<li>Mexico: The main exports are vegetables, nuts, and fruits, all contributing to biodiversity decline.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consequences-of-outsourcing-agriculture">Consequences of outsourcing agriculture</h2>



For importing countries, outsourcing agricultural production has reduced local biodiversity <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/we-know-far-less-about-four-footed-animals-than-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impacts</a>. Countries like Spain, Italy, Greece, and the U.S. have seen gains in conservation and restoration due to decreased domestic land use for agriculture. However, this comes at a global cost.



While biodiversity losses tied to domestic consumption have decreased in exporting countries like Brazil and Mexico, overall biodiversity loss has surged due to increased agricultural exports. 



“The connections between global trade and biodiversity loss are highly complex but of great importance. We need to think about environmental impacts on a global scale and combine various measures to develop effective levers,” said Cabernard.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-biodiversity-and-the-agricultural-trade">Balancing biodiversity and the agricultural trade</h2>



The researchers emphasize that mitigating biodiversity loss requires a multi-faceted approach.



“Supporting domestic agriculture in countries like Germany and Switzerland, ensuring transparent supply chains, and pricing that reflects ecological damage would be important steps to avoid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-are-the-biggest-drivers-of-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species loss</a> in these hotspots,” noted Cabernard.



Transparent supply chains and ecological pricing could incentivize sustainable practices in agriculture. Importing countries must also adopt policies that reduce reliance on tropical regions for agricultural imports, prioritizing biodiversity conservation globally.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supporting-sustainable-agricultural-practices">Supporting sustainable agricultural practices</h2>



The study’s findings highlight the need for global cooperation in addressing biodiversity loss. By reevaluating trade policies and supporting sustainable agricultural practices, countries can minimize the ecological toll of their consumption.



The intricate connections between agricultural trade and biodiversity demand innovative solutions to safeguard ecosystems in tropical regions.



This research from TUM and <a href="https://ethz.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ETH Zurich</a> serves as a critical reminder of the global responsibility to protect biodiversity and promote sustainable trade practices. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-024-01433-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Sustainability</a>.



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Biodiversity loss linked to agricultural trade is alarmingly high

When we munch on tropical fruits like bananas or dab...

A new study led by researchers at Dartmouth College proposes a method to enlist the help of immense populations of zooplankton in reducing atmospheric carbon. 



The plan is to convert CO2 into food that these creatures will consume and send deep into the ocean through their carbon-rich waste. 



This approach aims to enhance the ocean’s natural carbon removal process - known as the biological pump - by stimulating the zooplankton’s appetite.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-clay-dust-to-capture-carbon">Using clay dust to capture carbon</h2>



The key innovation involves spreading clay dust across the ocean’s surface after massive algae blooms, which can cover hundreds of square miles.&nbsp;



As these blooms die, marine bacteria normally consume the resulting particulate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-alkalinity-may-safely-boost-the-carbon-storage-capacity-of-seawater/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a>, sending it back into the atmosphere.&nbsp;



Instead, clay dust attaches to the carbon particulates, transforming them into tiny, sticky pellets.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/zooplankton-are-rapidly-escalating-the-threat-of-nanoplastics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zooplankton</a>, unable to differentiate between these clay-carbon pellets and their natural food, consume them and later excrete them far below the surface , effectively storing the carbon in the deep ocean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-zooplankton-poop-in-carbon-capture">The role of zooplankton poop in carbon capture</h2>



“The novelty of our method is using clay to make the biological pump more efficient - the zooplankton generate clay-laden poops that sink faster,” said Mukul Sharma, the study’s corresponding author and a professor of earth sciences at <a href="https://home.dartmouth.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dartmouth College</a>.&nbsp;



Once digested, the clay-enriched carbon is deposited at lower depths, where it may remain for millennia.&nbsp;



By accelerating the ocean’s capacity to trap carbon, this technique could offer a strategic intervention for mitigating climate change.&nbsp;



The approach also takes advantage of “marine snow” - a continuous shower of organic matter, minerals, and dead organisms - which serves as a conduit for transferring nutrients and carbon to deeper waters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-zooplankton-poop-and-carbon-storage">Zooplankton poop and carbon storage</h2>



“This particulate material is what these little guys are designed to eat. Our experiments showed they cannot tell if it's clay and phytoplankton or only phytoplankton , they just eat it,” Sharma said.&nbsp;



“And when they poop it out, they are hundreds of meters below the surface and the carbon is, too.”&nbsp;



In laboratory experiments, the team tested water collected from the Gulf of Maine during a 2023 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-have-caused-toxic-algae-blooms-since-the-bronze-age/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algae bloom</a>.&nbsp;



The results confirmed that when clay dust binds to organic carbon left behind by dying algae, marine bacteria produce a sticky substance that causes the clay and organic carbon to form flocs - small, cohesive clusters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-field-testing-and-future-research-directions">Field testing and future research directions</h2>



The experiments revealed that the introduction of clay dust captured as much as half of the carbon released by dead phytoplankton, preventing it from re-entering the atmosphere.&nbsp;



The presence of clay also increased the concentration of sticky organic particles, boosting their capacity to trap additional carbon on the journey downward.&nbsp;



Adding clay reduced the numbers of bacteria that drive carbon back into the atmosphere, reinforcing the carbon’s downward path.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-deployment-on-a-larger-scale">Exploring deployment on a larger scale</h2>



Earlier studies by co-authors Manasi Desai and David Fields from the <a href="https://www.bigelow.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences</a> showed that clay flocs consumed and excreted by zooplankton do indeed sink more quickly.&nbsp;



The team’s next goal is to test the approach by releasing clay onto <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invisible-forest-of-phytoplankton-thrives-in-a-warming-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phytoplankton</a> blooms off Southern California’s coast.&nbsp;



By placing sensors at various depths, researchers hope to identify the best deployment conditions and measure the carbon moved into the deep ocean, optimizing both timing and location.



“It is very important to find the right oceanographic setting to do this work. You cannot go around willy-nilly dumping clay everywhere,” Sharma noted.&nbsp;



“We need to understand the efficiency first at different depths so we can understand the best places to initiate this process before we put it to work. We are not there yet - we are at the beginning.”



If successful, this novel method could present a proactive solution to climate change, leveraging natural marine processes to store carbon away from the atmosphere and guiding future policy and environmental strategies.



The findings were presented at the <a href="https://www.agu.org/annual-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Geophysical Union annual conference</a> in Washington, D.C.



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Zooplankton poop can be used to store carbon in the deep ocean

A new study led by researchers at Dartmouth College proposes...

<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.

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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



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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"

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

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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



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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



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

[sendtonews key="3UUsNkFOuS-2487333-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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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

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

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