A walk in the forest often brings peace, calm, and a deep sense of renewal. From ancient times to modern therapy practices, forests have stood as symbols of balance and healing. But not all forests heal equally. 



As cities grow and public health concerns rise, scientists are uncovering how the design and structure of forests matter. The health benefits we get from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cities-in-the-global-south-have-far-less-green-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green spaces</a>, especially forests, depend not just on their presence, but on what they are made of.



A new study from the University of Surrey and the <a href="https://www.ugent.be/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Ghent</a> sheds light on this. Working with partners across Europe, the research team explored how specific features of forests influence human health. 



The findings mark a major step in understanding the complex links between ecological structure and wellbeing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forest-traits-and-human-health-benefits">Forest traits and human health benefits </h2>



The study, which is part of the larger Dr. Forest research project, included 164 forests across five European countries. The researchers focused on seven ecological characteristics and their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-green-spaces-are-urgently-needed-across-the-global-south/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">influence</a> on various health outcomes.



The forests were not selected at random. They varied in structure, species mix, and density, allowing researchers to draw comparisons. This wide range of forest types provided a rare opportunity to explore how real-world differences affect human experiences and health.



The goal was not to judge forests as good or bad, but to understand how their differences shaped people’s health responses. What emerged was a nuanced view. Forests benefit health, but their structure can amplify or limit those effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-tree-diversity">The power of tree diversity</h2>



One of the key traits studied was tree species diversity. The findings showed that more diverse forests offered modest but positive health <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-tree-layout-influences-human-health-and-mortality-rates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outcomes</a>. These effects were not dramatic, but they were consistent enough to support the idea that diversity is beneficial.



Tree diversity does not just matter for human health. It also supports broader biodiversity, helping insects, birds, and mammals thrive. This makes it a safe, low-risk strategy for forest managers aiming to enhance public health while improving ecosystem resilience.



More tree species create different textures, shapes, and colors, making forests more visually stimulating and ecologically stable. These aspects can subtly influence how people feel and behave when they visit such areas. 



While the direct health impacts may be limited, the indirect ones, through enhanced engagement and ecosystem strength, are valuable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-canopy-structure-a-major-influence">Canopy structure: A major influence</h2>



Among the ecological features studied, canopy structure had the strongest impact. Dense canopies reduce heat by offering shade and help regulate the forest's internal climate. They also provide larger leaf surfaces, which trap fine particulate matter and improve air quality.



These benefits are especially important in urban settings, where heatwaves and pollution are on the rise. In such contexts, a well-structured canopy becomes more than a luxury. It is a necessity. The cooling effect alone can reduce heat stress and the risk of heat-related illnesses.



Yet, there are trade-offs. Denser canopies create more humid conditions. While that is good for moisture-loving plants, it also creates ideal habitats for ticks, which carry Lyme disease. 



In addition, less sunlight reaches the forest floor. This limits the growth of medicinal plants, reducing some of the forest's potential healing properties.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-health-gains-beyond-structure">Mental health gains beyond structure</h2>



Perhaps the most consistent finding across the study was the benefit of simply being in a forest. Regardless of structure or biodiversity, spending time in a forest improved mental wellbeing. People reported lower anxiety and stress, along with more positive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/surprising-mental-health-benefits-of-living-near-green-spaces/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotions</a>.



What enhanced these effects was how natural and biodiverse the forest felt to the visitor. Forests that looked wild, vibrant, and untamed tended to offer more psychological relief. This suggests that human perception plays a key role in shaping forest-based experiences.



“Our study shows that forests generally provide a mental health benefit, reducing anxiety and stress, regardless of their biodiversity or structure. As one in six people in England experience anxiety and depression each week, this research suggests that simply being in a forest can improve mental health,” noted Dr. Melissa Marselle, a lecturer in environmental psychology at the <a href="https://www.surrey.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Surrey</a>.



“For the UK, this means preserving urban forests so people can easily access forests where they live, work and play for their mental wellbeing. Contact with forests could be prescribed by the NHS, as research shows that NHS nature prescriptions are effective at improving mental health.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-designing-healthier-cities-with-forests">Designing healthier cities with forests </h2>



The study points to a pressing need in urban planning. It is not enough to plant trees and call it a forest. The structure, layout, and biodiversity of these spaces must be considered. Urban forests should reduce heat, absorb pollution, and offer mental rest.



This involves difficult trade-offs. Canopy density must balance between cooling the environment and letting in enough light. Species choices should consider both ecological function and visual appeal. Forests must feel natural to the human eye while also being safe and accessible.



Planners and health professionals can now use this evidence to shape better public spaces. Health services could integrate forest access into mental health treatments. Parks could be designed not just for recreation but also for healing. In a time when stress-related disorders are rising, these changes could make a meaningful difference.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-are-essential-tools-for-public-health">Forests are essential tools for public health</h2>



This research redefines the role of forests. No longer just natural assets or scenic spots, they emerge as powerful contributors to public health. But their power lies in their details. Forests must be built, preserved, and managed with intention.



Tree diversity adds depth and life. Canopy structure shapes the microclimate and air. Visitor perceptions tie it all together. Forests that feel alive and balanced bring calm and strength to those who enter them.



Nature has always played a quiet role in healing. Now, with evidence in hand, we have the chance to shape that role more deliberately. Managed well, forests can support both ecosystems and the people who rely on them for peace and mental clarity.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-025-01547-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Sustainability</a>.



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Forests provide different health benefits based on their structure

A walk in the forest often brings peace, calm, and a deep sense of renewal. From ancient times to modern therapy practices, forests have stood as symbols of balance and healing. But not all forests heal equally. As cities grow and public health concerns rise, scientists are uncovering how the design and structure of forests matter. The health benefits we get from green spaces, especially forests, depend not just on their presence, but on what they are made of. A new study from the University of Surrey...

Humans control how much the future economy will suffer from climate change. Humans can control the magnitude of the future economic impacts associated with <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-remote-regions/">climate change</a>, according to a multidisciplinary research collaboration led by the <a href="http://www.nies.go.jp/index-e.html">National Institute for Environmental Studies</a>. 

The nature of economic forecasting involves significant degrees of uncertainty. When it comes to predicting how the economy will be affected by a drastically changing climate, the study authors found that the future is uncertain mainly because of how humans will behave, rather than because of how the climate will behave.

When an outcome is uncertain, people are much less motivated to take action. The unpredictability of the climate's response to rising greenhouse gas concentrations, for example, is likely the reason that urgently needed actions are not yet happening. 

The new research suggests that mankind's decisions and actions can overwhelm the uncertainty in climate response, a revelation that should inspire motivation. 

It is important to estimate the economic impacts of climate change, but doing so is extremely challenging because it involves many different types of effects on society. Humans control how much the future economy will suffer from climate change

Representing a diverse range of fields, the experts conducted a global-scale assessment covering the economic impacts associated with climate change for nine impact sectors: changes in agricultural productivity, undernourishment, heat-related excess mortality, cooling and heating demand, occupational health costs, capacity of hydroelectric power generation, capacity of thermal power generation, fluvial flooding, and coastal inundation.

The estimated value of collective impacts from the various sectors was found to be very different depending on the assumption of socioeconomic conditions, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, and climate responses to increased greenhouse gas concentration. 

Under the most optimistic combination of assumptions, the estimated economic impact will be equivalent to less than one percent of the global GDP at the end of the 21st century, while the most pessimistic assumptions caused this figure to shoot up to 8.6 percent.

Most significantly, the analysis indicates that the contribution of the uncertainty in climate response was minor compared to the contribution of the uncertainty of human actions.

"This means that mankind has the potential to determine the scale of the economic impacts of climate change," said study co-author Dr. Junya Takakura. "In other words, we can choose the future by taking or not taking actions, and have responsibility for the outcome."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/nclimate/">Nature Climate Change</a>

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Paid for by Earth.com

Image Credit: Shutterstock/AMFPhotography

Humans control how much the future economy will suffer from climate change

Humans control how much the future economy will suffer from...

Following in the footsteps of California, Minnesota has announced plans to adopt new emissions standards in an effort to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel efficiency. 

Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz announced the move on Wednesday, according to the <a href="http://www.startribune.com/walz-says-minnesota-will-adopt-higher-fuel-efficiency-standards-for-cars-and-trucks/561349092/">Star Tribune</a>, and it will take 18 months for the standards to take effect. 

“It just makes sense,” Governor Waltz said. “It saves money on gas, it increases options and choices, reduces Minnesota’s carbon emissions, and improves health.” 

Emissions from cars would have to decrease by five percent a year through 2025 under the new standards. SUV and truck emissions would be reduced by 3.5 percent a year for two years and increase to five percent after that. 

Similar to California’s policies, more electric and hybrid cars will be made available to consumers from automotive manufacturers.

Stricter emission standards could cut Minnesota’s total greenhouse gas emissions by almost five percent, putting the state closer to meeting the emission reduction goals outlined in the <a href="https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air/state-and-regional-initiatives">Next Generation Energy Act</a>, which was signed into law in 2007. 

The Next Generation Energy Act states that emissions in Minnesota will be reduced by 80 percent between 2005 and 2050, a goal that the state has failed to meet. 

Minnesota has made considerable progress in switching to renewable energy sources and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. 

Nearly half of the state’s electricity comes from solar, wind, nuclear, and hydropower. <a href="https://www.xcelenergy.com/carbon_free_2050">Xcel Energy</a> is working to meet its energy and emission goals, vowing to be carbon-free by 2050. Vehicle emissions, on the other hand, have remained the same since 2009. 

Not everyone has welcomed the new emissions announcement with open arms. Republican leaders in Minnesota like House Majority Leader Paul Gazelka have sharply criticized the governor's decision. 

It is not known how California’s legal battle with the current Administration <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/california-car-emissions-standards/">over state’s rights</a> and separate state-regulated tailpipe emissions standards will affect Minnesota’s new proposed emissions restrictions.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Paid for by <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a>

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Nick Lundgren

Minnesota to become the next state to adopt stricter emissions standards

Following in the footsteps of California, Minnesota has announced plans...

California continues to battle it out over environmental policies with the Trump administration, and the feud recently took an unexpected turn when the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/">Environmental Protection Agency</a> (EPA) accused the state of failing to properly address the issue of air pollution. 

“California has failed to carry out its most basic responsibilities under the Clean Air Act, and as a result, millions of Californians live in areas that do not meet our nation’s air quality standards,” said EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler. “EPA stands ready to work with California to meet the Trump Administration’s goal of clean, healthy air for all Americans, and we hope the state will work with us in good faith.”

Wheeler claims the state is “failing to meet its obligations” to protect the environment, and even threatened to withdraw billions of dollars in transportation funding if satisfactory plans are not made to address air quality.

The criticism is perplexing, to say the least, given that it comes just after the federal government <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/california-car-emissions-standards/">officially blocked California</a> from setting tougher vehicle emissions standards. The state, however, surprised the EPA by forming a deal with four automakers to produce more fuel-efficient cars.

Air-polluted states are required by federal law to develop plans for improving air quality, but these plans must be approved by the EPA. The agency has accumulated hundreds of such proposals that are waiting for clearance, and around one-third of them were submitted by the state of California.

A letter sent to the California Air Resources Board claimed the state has failed to carry out its "most basic tasks under the Clean Air Act," recommending that California completely withdraw its backlogged pollution plans. 

According to <a href="https://time.com/">Time Magazine</a>, state regulators and even former EPA officials were puzzled - considering that the backlog only exists because the federal government has not approved the plans.

“It makes no sense,” said Gay MacGregor, a former senior policy adviser for the EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality. “What they are doing today is basically punishing California for EPA’s own inaction.”

Governor Gavin Newsom referred to Wheeler’s letter a brazen political stunt."The White House has no interest in helping California comply with the Clean Air Act to improve the health and well-being of Californians. This letter is a threat of pure retaliation," said Newsom, who joined forces with 22 other states to sue the Trump administration over vehicle emissions standards.

California has 35 million registered cars and trucks that make a major contribution to the state's air quality issues. In addition, two of the world’s largest ports are located in Southern California. Richard Corey, the executive officer of the California Air Resources Board, pointed out that only the federal government can regulate the emissions from the trains, planes, ships, and heavy-duty trucks that frequent these ports.

"I just think it's so ironic that the EPA is chastising California, which has been so progressive in working towards cleaner air, more than any other place in the country," former EPA official Janet McCabe told <a href="https://www.npr.org/">NPR</a>. She added that it is unusual for the EPA to publicly criticize a state in this way instead of cooperating in private. 

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Paid for by <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a>

Image Credit: Shutterstock/superjoseph

EPA slams California air quality after blocking the state’s emissions standards

California continues to battle it out over environmental policies with...

An estimated 7 million people die every year due to breathing in toxic air, according to the <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/02-05-2018-9-out-of-10-people-worldwide-breathe-polluted-air-but-more-countries-are-taking-action">World Health Organization</a>. Young children and older adults are the most vulnerable, and a new study has identified three air pollutants that increase the risk of infant deaths. 

Past studies have found that air pollution increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-early-death/">early death</a>. But what was not well understood was which pollutants were attributable to death in young children. 

Researchers from the <a href="https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/medicine">Cardiff University School of Medicine</a> analyzed data from 7,984,366 live births and deaths that happened between 2001 and 2012 in England and Wales.

To see how air pollution exposure impacted mortality rates around the UK, the researchers divided the country into 35,000 areas that had similar populations of 1,500 residents or 650 households. 

Annual pollution records were collected from the<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs"> UK Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs</a>, and the researchers were able to calculate yearly pollution exposure for each area. 

The pollutants that carried the biggest risks were particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulfur dioxide. Exposure to these pollutants, either separate or combined, increased the risk of infant death by 20 to 50 percent in the areas with the highest levels of pollution exposure. 

“We found that NO2, PM10, and SO2 are each linked in varying degrees to infant deaths from any cause, and to neonatal and post-neonatal deaths,” said Dr. Sarah Kotecha, a member of the research team. “This is an important finding as the pollutants are produced and derived from different sources.”

A second study conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://le.ac.uk/">University of Leicester</a> found that exposure to air pollution from traffic during the first trimester can cause reduced lung function in children by age eight. 

Between 1990 and 2008, the researchers calculated the exposure to particulate matter (PM10) in 13,963 children from the first trimester to age 15. 

On average, the children were exposed to one microgram of PM10 per cubic meter of air, and every cubic meter increase during the first trimester correlated with a 0.8 percent decline in lung function by the time a child turned eight.

“We found that exposure to road traffic PM10 in very early life showed harmful associations with lung function in eight-year-olds,” said Anna Hansell, an author of the study. “Associations were stronger among boys, children whose mother had a lower education level or smoked during pregnancy.

Both of the studies will be presented at the <a href="https://erscongress.org/">European Respiratory Society International Congress</a>. 

“Our findings show that although progress has been made, the challenge remains to reduce air pollution in order to reduce the numbers of infant deaths,” said Dr. Sarah Kotecha. “In the meantime, by understanding how pollution affects babies, either directly or via the mother, we may be able to target appropriate therapies or other interventions, depending on the amount of exposure to the different types of pollutants.”

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By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette,</a> <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Tatiana Grozetskaya

Exposure to air pollution increases the risk of infant death

An estimated 7 million people die every year due to...

If you’re worried about your fluid intake and need to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-brain-determine-hydrated/">stay hydrated</a>, skip the water fountain and grab a glass of milk instead. 

While water can help quench your thirst, a <a href="https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/103/3/717/4564598">study</a> conducted by researchers from <a href="https://www.lboro.ac.uk/">Loughborough University</a>, <a href="https://www.bangor.ac.uk/">Bangor University</a>, and the<a href="https://www.stir.ac.uk/"> University of Stirling</a> in the UK found that some beverages were better than others at keeping the body hydrated for longer.  

The researchers focused on fluid retention and fluid balance. Imagine downing a sugary soda at the movies or a hot cup of coffee at work. It won’t be long before nature calls, and your bladder reaches maximum capacity. 

For this study, the researchers wanted to find better beverage alternatives. 

“Knowledge of beverages that can maintain hydration status over a longer period may be of interest to those who wish to stay hydrated in situations in which free access to fluid is limited or when frequent breaks for urination are not desirable,” the researchers wrote.  

The three universities collaborated together and conducted a randomized test trial assessing the effects of 13 common beverages on urine output after consumption. 72 male participants were given a glass of still water first and then three more drinks in random order. 

Sparkling water, soda, juice, beer, coffee, and milk were all included in the assessment, and urine samples were then collected and analyzed. 

The full-fat milk, skimmed milk, and orange juice had the highest hydration potential and urine output was smaller after four hours for these drinks.  

Why was milk more hydrating than water? The answer has to do with how much you drink over a period of time and the nutrients in the beverage you consume. 

Drinks with a little sugar or protein take longer to pass through our systems and help keep us hydrated for longer. 

According to Lisa Drayer, a nutritionist and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/25/health/best-drinks-for-hydration-wellness/index.html">CNN</a> contributor, milk has sodium which holds onto the water in the body.  

Downing a glass of milk after a long workout might seem unsavory to say the least, but the study shows that in instances where access to water is limited, and hydration is critical, look to the beverages that keep the bladder empty for longer. 

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By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette,</a> <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Shutterstock/FabrikaSimf

Milk is more hydrating than water, study shows

If you’re worried about your fluid intake and need to...

In a new study from <a href="https://msu.edu/">Michigan State University</a> (MSU), researchers have found that inland fisheries and freshwater fish have been greatly underestimated in their contribution to feeding the global population, particularly those in poor rural areas. 

Compared to ocean fisheries, fish harvests from lakes, rivers, streams, and other inland water sources are largely overlooked. 

In collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the MSU team has compiled the most recent data on freshwater catch. The experts also looked for innovative approaches to measure the impact that inland fisheries have on food security, sustainability, and economies. 

Based on their review of various assessments and case studies, the researchers estimate that inland <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/marine-fisheries-one-network/">fisheries</a> catch is greater than what has been documented, possibly by 21 to 51 percent. 

In terms of first landing price, the economic value of reported global inland catch is estimated at $24 billion, which is about 24 percent of the overall value for marine fisheries. Since inland catch accounts for only about 13 percent of the world's marine catch, the findings suggest that freshwater fish have a first landing price that is higher than average. 

"Inland fisheries are providing crucial micronutrients and animal-source protein to sustain some 159 million people - sometimes the only protein accessible and affordable to them," said study co-author Professor Abigail Bennett. 

"At the same time, as we're worried food production systems are threatened by climate change, agricultural runoff, habitat alteration from hydropower development and other alternative uses of freshwater. We need to be looking more closely at the efficiency of inland fisheries in respect to land, water and energy use."

According to the researchers, 95 percent of inland fisheries catch comes from developing countries, while 43 percent comes from low-income food-insecure countries.

"Even though inland fisheries catch equals 12% of global fish production (not accounting for underreporting), in particular places these catches are absolutely crucial to survival," explained study co-author Simon Funge-Smith. "Improving assessment methods is key toward ending the vicious cycle in which data gaps lead to inland fisheries being undervalued in policy discussions, and lack of policy support undermines important data tracking systems."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14672979">Fish and Fisheries</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Maxim Gor

The nutritional and economic value of freshwater fish have been underestimated

In a new study from Michigan State University (MSU), researchers...

A study from <a href="https://www.flinders.edu.au/">Flinders University</a> is revealing new details about prehistoric life in the Denisova Cave complex in southern Siberia. The researchers have meticulously analyzed evidence which shows that, for more than 300,000 years, <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/carnivores-healthy-ecosystem/">large carnivores</a> competed with ancient humans for shelter at this site.

Using modern geoarchaeological techniques, a team of Russian and Australian scientists found that non-human predators, such as wolves and hyenas, predominantly inhabited the Denisova Cave.

The analysis of fossilized animal droppings, charcoal from ancient fires, and bone fragments suggests that nomadic human groups occupied the cave for short time periods, while the fierce animals were present at all other times. 

"Using microscopic analyses, our latest study shows sporadic hominin visits, illustrated by traces of the use of fire such as miniscule fragments, but with continuous use of the site by cave-dwelling carnivores such as hyenas and wolves," explained study co-author Professor Roberts.

"Fossil droppings (coprolites) indicate the persistent presence of non-human cave dwellers, which are very unlikely to have cohabited with humans using the cave for shelter."

Located in the Altai Mountains, the Denisova cave is one of the most important human evolution sites in the world. Around ten years ago, the cave became famous when experts discovered the fossil remains of a previously unknown group of humans, who are now known as Denisovans. 

[caption id="attachment_1878235" align="aligncenter" width="650"]<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/denisova.jpeg"><img class="wp-image-1878235" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/denisova.jpeg" alt="" width="650" height="479" /></a> Denisova fossil gallery, Image Credit: Dr. Mike Morley, Flinders University[/caption]

Dirt deposited in the cave over thousands of years contains evidence that at least two additional human groups - Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens - have also used the cave for shelter.

"These hominin groups and large carnivores such as hyenas and wolves left a wealth of microscopic traces that illuminate the use of the cave over the last three glacial-interglacial cycles," explained study lead author Dr. Mike Morley.

"Our results complement previous work by some of our colleagues at the site that has identified ancient DNA in the same dirt, belonging to Neanderthals and a previously unknown human group, the Denisovans, as well as a wide range of other animals."

The team found critical new clues about the use of the cave and other information in the sediment that had not yet been described. According to Professor Roberts, the research is very significant because it shows how much can be achieved by sifting through sedimentary material using advanced microscopy and other archaeological science methods.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/srep/">Scientific Reports</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Main Image Credit: Dr Mike Morley, Flinders University

Large carnivores dominated the Denisova Cave for 300,000 years

A study from Flinders University is revealing new details about...

Recently, there’s been a lot of talk about the role that tropical deforestation plays in climate change. The discussion has been framed largely in the light of the recent fires in the <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/amazon-fires-devastating-impacts/">Brazilian Amazon</a> as well as Bolivian forest fires. Not only the fires have been the subject of conversation but as have the human, political, and economic forces behind those fires. 

Some have looked at trading partnerships between Brazil and other countries, pointing out the leverage these countries could use in promoting forest conservation. The particular commodities of beef and soy that cause most of the deforestation are also a part of the discussion. Now, the state of California is looking to take concrete action against South American deforestation while the federal government seems to be going in the opposite direction.

The California ‘Tropical Forest Standard’ involves using corporate money to slow tropical forest destruction. It’s already <a href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/california/story/2019-09-19/sd-me-california-forest-offsets">controversial</a>, even among environmental groups, partially because it uses a carbon offset model to incentivize leaving forests standing. Some see the carbon market model as having little enforcement and giving polluting corporate interests too much leeway. Some feel that the system infringes on the rights of indigenous communities, while others feel it bolsters them. Environmental groups and indigenous leaders spoke on both sides of the issue during public testimony before California’s Air Resources Board. 

According to the <a href="https://www.edf.org/climate/californias-climate-leadership-can-help-save-tropical-forests">Environmental Defense Fund</a>, California can play a role in protecting tropical forests. The fund claims that the forest standard “will value tropical forests for the essential climate benefits they provide — not just as timber or cropland. The Standard ensures that potential forest credits in California's carbon market will have high environmental integrity.”

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) also lists out some potential positive points to the California standard. EDF points out that any good plan to combat climate change includes conserving and sustainably managing forests and notes that the California standard helps with that. EDF also points out the connection between the Amazon rainforest and precipitation in California and highlights how the state is sometimes a leader in environmental regulations and could be setting an example on reducing emissions with forest credits. 

EDF also claims that the standard promotes indigenous rights by allowing funds to go to jurisdictions that partner with traditional people living in tropical forests. A video on their website highlights indigenous leaders in Latin America that support the California standard as part of an international environmental alliance, securing life not just for indigenous people but for everyone. 

Leaders of the environmental organizations <a href="https://amazonwatch.org/news/2019/0916-california-must-not-fall-for-marketing-scheme-that-falsely-claims-to-protect-tropical-forests">Amazon Watch</a> and <a href="https://caleja.org/2019/06/tropical-forest-offsets-deserve-legislative-climate-committee-discussion/">California Environmental Justice Alliance</a> (CEJA) are less enthusiastic about the California tropical forest standard. Amazon Watch points out that Norway recently used $1 billion in a similar plan with uncertain or unsatisfactory results. They also note that carbon trade programs like this allow businesses to continue to pollute while greenwashing their operations. Further, Amazon Watch, an organization that partners with indigenous people, brings up the possibility of human rights violations. Sometimes, governments violate indigenous rights to land in an effort to obtain more forest for profit on the carbon market. CEJA quoted Chief Ninawa Huni Kui of Acre Brazil who addressed the California Air Resource Board by saying,

“Nature is not a commodity. Nature is sacred. We must defend the sacred and protect the sacred. The Tropical Forest Standard will not reduce global warming. It will violate our rights to life.”

Opinions on the California Tropical Forest Standard are clearly divided, even among environmentalists and indigenous peoples who spoke both for and against the proposal. The official California Air Resources Board <a href="https://ww3.arb.ca.gov/cc/ghgsectors/tropicalforests.htm">website</a> itself notes that tropical deforestation accounts for 11 to 14% of all global CO2 emissions. 

Interestingly, the approach of the California standard is to partner with sub national governments (which California is as well), an approach that critics say won’t work. Supporters feel that the California standard sets a high bar for forest management and pollution control. The Environmental Defense Fund notes that the Brazilian State of Acre created a program from 2003 to 2017 that reduced the levels of deforestation by 76% while increasing GDP. Part of that program was through incentivizing forests. The Environmental Defense Fund was joined by <a href="https://earthinnovation.org/">Earth Innovation Institute</a> and others supporting the proposal. Detractors included <a href="https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/">GreenPeace</a> and the <a href="https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/">Center for Biological Diversity</a>. In the end, the proposal passed.

A 7 to 4 vote approved the California Tropical Forests Standard. The <a href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/california/story/2019-09-19/sd-me-california-forest-offsets">San Diego Union-Tribune</a> reports that Mary Nichols, the chair of the California Air Resource Board, was in favor of the new standard which passed. At the same time, it’s not certain that California will use the new standard at all. The state already has a surplus of carbon offset credits available under their cap and trade program. 

Others worry about California’s ability to enforce the standard. Another related issue is that a government may collect payment for a long time only to change course and remove the forest they’ve been paid to protect under a different administration. A mistake like that could be costly. With other carbon trade programs, falsification of documents have made actual impacts unreliable. The plan itself is fairly simple.

Under the Tropical Forest Standard, a yearly audit determines the amount of credits that can be purchased for a particular piece of forest. What is considered is the average rate of deforestation over a ten year period and the related amount of carbon emitted. Additionally, 20 percent or more is subtracted to ensure that carbon sink reductions match up. The carbon purchases are supposed to represent a piece of forest for one hundred years. At the heart of this idea is a philosophical problem.

One of the biggest problems with California’s Tropical Forest Standard is the same problem with all cap and trade programs. A standing forest is necessarily reduced to its financial value to use as leverage. It’s impossible to accurately calculate the financial value of a forest and even if it could be done, it would be far less than the actual value of the forest. 

For some forests are special, sacred, wondrous. To put tropical forest carbon on a market in this way means there’s an amount you can pay to justify cutting down the Amazon. This undercuts the rainforests, their people, other animals and plants as beings with intrinsic value. What is the worth of a forest?                              

--

By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

Paid for by <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a>

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Rich Carey

California’s proposed Tropical Forest Standard passes amidst controversy

Recently, there’s been a lot of talk about the role...

Climate change has become a top-level priority among Democratic candidates, who have recently come together to promote their visions for addressing the <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-climate-change/">climate crisis</a>. This is the first time that climate issues have been treated with such importance at this stage in a presidential election. 

Several candidates have focused much of their attention on Iowa, where climate change is severely threatening the future of agriculture. Some ideas include new climate-insurance programs for farmers and the development of agencies for agricultural research.

California Senator Kamala Harris is a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate who is currently fourth in the polls. Harris’s communications director Lily Adams said on a press call that the campaign is now aimed at putting Iowa first, and the candidate is expected to spend roughly half the month of October in Iowa.

"On the issue of climate change: There’s no question that we have got to confront and deal with it. We need national policy that prioritizes it and understands the fact of it, which, frankly, the sad part of it is that there’s actually denial of it, much less what we need to do around the immediacy," Harris told the <a href="https://www.desmoinesregister.com/">Des Moines Register</a>. 

"There is the point about what we need to do in a way that is about investment in infrastructure and growing the economy as a way to help combat the effects of climate change."

In 2008, the issue of climate change was only ranked by one percent of Americans as the nation’s most important problem, according to a Pew Research poll. In 2016, three different debates between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump ended without a single mention of climate change. 

Over the last few years, however, the country has faced more intense weather events like devastating spring flooding across Iowa. In downtown Davenport alone, the economic impact of the flooding was estimated at $30 million. Meanwhile, the extreme rainfall submerged 100,000 acres of farmland, resulting in tens of millions of dollars in crop losses.

National attention has turned to this and other climate-related catastrophes, such as wildfires in California, and the country's leaders are finally forced to acknowledge that we are in the midst of an environmental crisis.

A report in <a href="https://time.com/">Time Magazine</a> states that the question now is whether the politics can change radically enough before the climate does. According to the National Climate Assessment, climate change threatens to wipe out all of the gains made in agricultural productivity over the last four decades across the Midwest by the year 2050.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Paid for by <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a>

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Larry Lindell

Climate-related agricultural threats in Iowa are demanding political attention

Climate change has become a top-level priority among Democratic candidates,...

Pineapple and papaya are often included in marinades. It’s clear that these fruits add delicious flavor and sweetness to your meat, but there’s far more going on here. These fruits hold secret powers that help make meats more scrumptious, and there’s more science in these sauces than you might expect.

There are many marinade recipes to choose from. However, some ingredients do more than just impart a delicious flavor. Pineapple and papaya contain flesh-dissolving enzymes! These specialized proteins help break down tough meat, creating a delicious and tender meal. 
<h2>How Fruit Tenderizes Meat</h2>
The power of these fruits to create succulent meats comes from specialized proteins. <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/what-is-proteomics/">Proteins are the molecular machines of life</a>. They are responsible for everything from vision to digestion. One group of proteins, called enzymes, are responsible for assembling and disassembling other molecules. 

Enzymes called proteases even disassemble other proteins. Papaya and pineapple contain large amounts of these enzymes. When added to <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/americans-eating-processed-meat/">meat</a>, they break down the structural protein that makes the meat tough. 

Tough meat gets its texture from the <a href="https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1945-fruit-enzymes-tenderise-meat">muscle and connective tissue that makes it up</a>. These are made of long chains of amino acids (the building blocks of protein.) Proteases work by breaking these chains. 

Acidic marinades containing vinegar or lemon juice work in a similar way. They unwind proteins by changing the pH. However, enzymes generally work faster than acids.

These two fruits contain different types of this enzyme with very similar effects. When the meat is marinated in either juice, it quickly becomes tender. It is important to marinate the meat for no more than 30 minutes to keep it from getting too soft.
<h3>Pineapple (<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia/plant/en/ananas-comosus/">Ananas comosus</a>)</h3>
Pineapples contain bromelain, a group of meat-eating proteins. They are concentrated in the stems of the plant but can be found throughout. Therefore, <a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/44263865#section=Methods-of-Manufacturing">pineapple extracts are often made from the stems of the plant</a>. These extracts can be used to tenderize meat or as a folk-medicine. 

This protein is named for the plant family, <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia/plant/en/bromeliaceae-">Bromeliaceae</a>. This family includes pineapples as well as <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia/plant/en/tillandsia-usneoides/">Spanish moss</a> (which is not a true moss.) 

This protein is also found in the fruit. This means pineapple juice makes a great ingredient for marinades. This sweet fruit also gives marinades a delicious flavor. It can be added to a Hawaiian style meal or a <a href="https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/20484/fruit-bbq-marinade/">classic BBQ sauce</a> to make the meal tender and sweet.
<h4>Other Uses</h4>
The enzymes in pineapple have been used medicinally for a number of purposes. Pineapple has long been used as a folk medicine. It is sold as an anti-inflammatory as well as a digestive supplement. It has also been approved in Europe to <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jbcr/article/39/3/413/4980659">treat severe burns</a>. 

Bromelain is also being investigated to treat a number of other medical conditions. It is important to consult a medical professional before trying to use bromelain as a medicine. Its effectiveness and safety have not been well established.

Some potential uses for <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3529416/">bromelain</a> include:
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">Chest pain due to heart disease</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">Bronchitis</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">Sinus infections</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">Surgical trauma</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">Thrombosis</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">Osteoarthritis</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">Diarrhea</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">Heart disease</li>
</ul>
<h3>Papaya (<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia/plant/en/carica-papaya/">Carica papaya</a>)</h3>
Papayas contain an enzyme with similar effects to pineapple. This compound is called <a href="https://enzyme.expasy.org/EC/3.4.22.2">papain</a>. It is mostly found in <a href="https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/papaya_ars.html">young, green papayas</a>. Commercial meat tenderizers are usually made of papaya enzymes.

Some people <a href="https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-69/papain">are allergic to papain</a>. It is important to consult a doctor if you have concerns, or before using it to treat a medical condition.

Closely related species like <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia/plant/en/vasconcellea-pubescens/">mountain papaya</a> also contain similar enzymes.
<h4>Other Uses</h4>
Papain can also be used for a number of other purposes. It has been used in a number of <a href="https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/papaya_ars.html">industrial and food processes</a>. These include:
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">Clarifying beer</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">Treating silk and wool for dying</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">Removing hair from leather</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">Manufacturing rubber</li>
</ul>
Papain also shows promise for <a href="https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/papaya_ars.html">a number of medical uses</a> including:
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">Aiding digestion</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">Treating ulcers</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">Reducing swelling</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">Treating parasites</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;">As an antibiotic</li>
</ul>
The meat dissolving enzymes of papaya and pineapple make a great marinade! It is important to remember not to marinate your meat too long. These enzymes can easily go too far, making the meat into mush. Do not marinate in these fruit for longer than 30 minutes. Keeping the marinade cold may slow its effects. Therefore, if you need extra time before cooking your meat, make sure to put it in the back of the fridge!

--

By <a href="mailto:casey.hofford@gmail.com">Casey Hofford</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Navistock

Why pineapple and papaya make a great marinade

Pineapple and papaya are often included in marinades. It’s clear...

A new report from the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/">United Nations</a> warns that the world has fallen badly behind in the race to avert climate disaster. The five-year period ending in 2019 is set to be the <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/july-2019-hottest-month/">hottest</a> on record, and carbon emissions have risen by 20 percent within this time frame, reaching a record high of 37 billion tons.

The research, which was conducted by the <a href="https://public.wmo.int/en">World Meteorological Organization</a> (WMO), reveals that climate change is accelerating, with sea levels rising and ice sheets melting faster than ever before.

The authors of the report say that it "highlights the urgent need for the development of concrete actions that halt global warming and the worst effects of climate change."

The past four years were already established as being the hottest in recorded history. The five-year period ending in 2019 is estimated to be 1.1 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times and 0.2 degrees Celsius warmer than 2011-2015, according to the researchers.

During the 2015 Paris Agreement, countries set national targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in an international effort to limit warming to 1.5 or 2 degrees Celsius. 

However, the WMO team found that even if all countries were to meet the goals they set, the planet would still warm by 2.9 to 3.4 degrees Celsius. To achieve the target of 2 degrees Celsius, the current goals would have to be tripled, while five times the current efforts would be needed to achieve the target of 1.5 degrees Celsius.

As carbon dioxide levels continue to rise, there is still no sign of reaching "peak emissions," which is when atmospheric CO2 levels will begin to fall. In 2018, global carbon dioxide reached 407.8 parts per million and will likely exceed 410 ppm by the end of this year.

"The last time Earth's atmosphere contained 400 parts per million CO 2 was about 3-5 million years ago," the UN report states. At that time, ice sheets had vanished from the poles and the oceans were 10 to 20 meters higher than they are today. 

The researchers also found that heat waves were the deadliest weather hazard in the last five years. July of 2019 was the hottest month ever recorded. 

As the report was released on Sunday, 250 people dressed in black climbed the Pizol mountain in northeastern Switzerland to hold a wake to mark the disappearance of an Alpine glacier. Eric Petrini, the chaplain of the Mels municipality where Pizol is located, called on "God's help to tackle the enormous challenge of climate change."

Earlier this year, researchers at <a href="https://ethz.ch/en.html">ETH Zurich</a> announced that, at the current rate of emissions, more than 90 percent of Alpine glaciers will disappear by the end of this century. 

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Paid for by <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a>

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Tom Wang

The past 5 years have been the hottest on record, UN report finds

A new report from the United Nations warns that the...

Flavored vaping liquids found to destroy the cells that line the airway. Flavored vapor used in <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/e-cigarettes-potential-carcinogen/">e-cigarettes</a> can completely destroy bronchial epithelial cells that line the airways, according to a new study from the <a href="https://www.adelaide.edu.au/">University of Adelaide</a>. The researchers have identified three types of apple-flavored vaping liquid that is particularly dangerous. 

The study also revealed that vaping substances can interfere with the immune system by disrupting macrophages, which are specialized cells that detect and wipe out harmful organisms such as bacteria. These white blood cells can also engulf and store unhealthy cells and foreign debris.

In the United States, eight people have died and another 530 have fallen extremely ill as mysterious, vaping-related lung illnesses have emerged. The majority of the patients are young men between the ages of 18 and 34.

<a href="https://www.nbc.com/">NBC</a> reports that the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/home">Food and Drug Administration</a> recently launched a criminal investigation into the products that may be causing the illnesses, but has yet to find a single device or ingredient that links all of the cases.

The University of Adelaide researchers said their findings show that tougher government regulation of vaping is now required. The team also emphasized that e-cigarettes can no longer be considered a healthier alternative to traditional tobacco cigarettes. 

“There are no regulations on the manufacturing of e-liquids. There are also no requirements to list the ingredients or their quantities,” said study co-author Miranda Ween.

"As such, no two ’apple,' ‘chocolate,’ or ‘cotton candy’ e-liquids will be made with the same flavoring ingredients, or even concentrations. These are the things that we know can affect how unsafe a particular e-liquid is."

The <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a> (CDC) found that many of the victims in the U.S. had pockets of oil clogging up cells that are responsible for removing impurities from the lungs. In some of the cases examined by the CDC, patients had obtained unlicensed vaping products which contained THC, the active ingredient in cannabis. Flavored vaping liquids found to destroy the cells that line the airway

The FDA has proposed a rule that would permit companies to sell e-cigarettes only after the products have been demonstrated as being safe. Michigan and New York have completely banned the fruity and minty e-cigarette flavors, and Walmart announced last week that it will no longer sell e-cigarettes in its American stores.

The American Medical Association has called for vapers to discontinue use of e-cigarettes until the cause of the lung disease outbreak has been identified.

The study is published in the medical journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14401843">Respirology</a>. 

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Ostancov Vladislav

Flavored vaping liquids found to destroy the cells that line the airway

Flavored vaping liquids found to destroy the cells that line...

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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https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
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Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" 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.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



---



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" 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.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



---



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



---



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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