For many years, scientists believed that plants sensed heat using proteins active mostly at night. But recent findings reveal something far more complex. 



A new study led by Professor Meng Chen from the <a href="https://www.ucr.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Riverside</a>, shows that during the day, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-roots-could-be-key-to-fighting-climate-change/">plants</a> rely on sugar and a combination of thermal signals to detect warmth and adjust their growth.



The research reshapes long-standing views. The results uncover how plants integrate sunlight, sugar, and internal signals to regulate daytime thermomorphogenesis, the growth response triggered by warmth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-sense-heat-differently-by-day">Plants sense heat differently by day</h2>



“Our textbooks say that proteins like phytochrome B and early flowering 3 (ELF3) are the main thermosensors in plants,” Chen said. “But those models are based on nighttime data." 



"We wanted to know what’s happening during the day, when light and temperature are both high because these are the conditions most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-pressure-has-a-hidden-impact-on-plant-diversity/">plants</a> actually experience.”



Previous models focused on phytochrome B (phyB) and ELF3, both of which are responsive at night. But in strong sunlight, phyB becomes constantly activated, shutting down its heat-sensing role. 



The research team tested Arabidopsis plants under a range of temperatures and red-light intensities, including conditions mimicking midday sun.



The paper shows two clear heat responses. One operates between 12 and 21 °C and depends on phyB. The other, active between 21 and 27 °C, does not rely on phyB. This second, sugar-driven response remains active even under intense light.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sugar-helps-plants-detect-daytime-heat">Sugar helps plants detect daytime heat</h2>



The study reveals that sugar is more than just a fuel. It is a heat signal during daylight. “That’s when we realized sugar wasn’t just fueling growth,” Chen said. “It was acting like a signal, telling the plant that it’s warm.”



Under high temperatures, chloroplasts break down stored starch into sucrose. This sugar then stabilizes PIF4, a protein that drives growth. 



Without sugar, PIF4 degrades. With sugar, PIF4 sticks around, so long as another protein, ELF3, also lifts its repressive control.



The&nbsp;study&nbsp;confirms that adding sucrose to mutant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-finally-learn-what-makes-plants-roots-grow-faster-and-stronger-autophagy/">plants</a> restores growth, even in darkness. This shows sugar acts independently from light and provides a thermal cue during the day.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-growth-needs-both-sugar-and-heat">Plant growth needs both sugar and heat</h2>



“PIF4 needs two things,” Chen explained. “Sugar to stick around, and freedom from repression. Temperature helps provide both.”



This dual system operates like an "AND" gate in electronics. Both sucrose and the release from ELF3 inhibition are required for full thermoresponsive growth. Sucrose promotes PIF4 stability, while high temperature relieves ELF3's suppression.



When either cue is missing, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-day-for-biological-diversity-2025-bonding-with-nature/">plants</a> fail to elongate properly. But when both are present, like sugar and warmth, PIF4 can trigger auxin-related genes that stretch the plant upwards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protein-blocks-growth-until-it-s-warm">Protein blocks growth until it’s warm</h2>



Interestingly, ELF3 inhibits PIF4 in two ways. It blocks its production and its activity. High temperatures disable ELF3, freeing PIF4 to act. This insight flips older beliefs that ELF3 only worked at night.



The&nbsp;microscopy images and data on page 8&nbsp;reveal that even without ELF3, plants can respond to sugar and still grow taller. But only with both sugar and heat do PIF4 targets like IAA19 and YUC9 become active.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-engineering-stronger-crops">Engineering stronger crops</h2>



“This changes how we think about thermosensing in plants,” Chen said. “It’s not just about proteins flipping on or off. It’s about energy, light, sugar, as well.”



Understanding these systems has practical value. As global temperatures rise, crops need to grow reliably. Knowing that starch breakdown and sugar signaling help regulate growth can help scientists design better, more heat-resilient plants.



Researchers also&nbsp;illustrate how the three thermosensors, phyB, ELF3, and chloroplast-sucrose, work together. This multisensor setup allows plants to fine-tune growth, even under extreme conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-use-sugar-smartly-to-grow">Plants use sugar smartly to grow </h2>



Plants live silent lives, but their internal machinery buzzes with complex decisions. In the heat of the day, they don't just react, they calculate. 



By using sugars to sense their environment, they respond with a quiet precision that helps them grow exactly when conditions are right. This study doesn't just add to our knowledge. It rewrites it.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-60498-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Plants use sugar in ways we never imagined

For many years, scientists believed that plants sensed heat using proteins active mostly at night. But recent findings reveal something far more complex. A new study led by Professor Meng Chen from the University of California, Riverside, shows that during the day, plants rely on sugar and a combination of thermal signals to detect warmth and adjust their growth. The research reshapes long-standing views. The results uncover how plants integrate sunlight, sugar, and internal signals to regulate daytime thermomorphogenesis, the growth response triggered by warmth. Plants sense...

Since carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere far longer than other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenhouse-gases-threaten-arctic-ozone-layer/">greenhouse gases</a>, driving climate change, efforts to reduce it are critical. On a global scale, plants sequester almost one-third of CO2 emissions through photosynthesis, according to new research led by the <a href="https://www.lbl.gov/">Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory</a> (Berkeley Lab). Thus, forests and other similar ecosystems are some of the world’s most important <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-sinks-are-a-powerful-weapon-against-climate-change/">carbon sinks</a>.&nbsp;



By using a novel methodology combining remote sensing, machine learning, and terrestrial biosphere models, the research team has found that in recent decades, plants are photosynthesizing more in order to keep up with the increased pace of global warming. From 1982 to 2020, photosynthesis increased by 12 percent worldwide. During the same time frame, CO2 emissions rose by 17 percent.



This 12 percent increase in photosynthesis translates to 14 pentagrams of additional carbon taken out of the atmosphere by plants every year, which is the equivalent of CO2 emitted worldwide from burning fossil fuels in 2020.&nbsp;



Not all of the carbon which is taken out of the atmosphere through photosynthesis remains stored in ecosystems - much of it being released back to the atmosphere through respiration. Despite this, the scientists are confident that a direct link between increased photosynthesis and increased global carbon storage exists. However, this may not be enough to curb climate change, especially in the long term.



“This is a very large increase in photosynthesis, but it’s nowhere close to removing the amount of carbon dioxide we’re putting into the atmosphere,” said study lead author Trevor Keenan, an assistant professor of Environmental Science and Policy at Berkeley Lab. “It’s not stopping climate change by any means, but it is helping us slow it down.”



While this study highlights the importance of protecting ecosystems that currently help us slow down global warming, it is not yet clear for how long and to what extent forests will continue to provide these services.



“We don’t know what the future will hold as far as how plants will continue to respond to increasing carbon dioxide,” said Professor Keenan. “We expect it will saturate at some point, but we don’t know when or to what degree. At that point land sinks will have a much lower capacity to offset our emissions. And land sinks are currently the only nature-based solution that we have in our toolkit to combat climate change.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-021-04096-9">Nature</a>.



---



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

Plants can slow global warming, but they cannot stop it

Since carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere far longer than...

In the early 1900s, Chestnut Blight was accidentally introduced to the United States. Over four decades, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-confirms-plastics-contribute-to-heart-disease/">disease</a> wiped out billions of chestnut trees in forests across the eastern part of the country.



A new study by researchers at the <a href="https://uconn.edu/">University of Connecticut</a> Global Environmental Remote Sensing (GERS) Laboratory is focused on finding new ways to detect forest infestations as early as possible. The experts are investigating the use of remote sensing technology to detect subtle changes in the landscape.



According to GERS director Professor Zhe Zhu, the factors that result in landscape changes are not always as stark as land conversion, but can still be dramatic owing to the interconnectedness of food webs and ecosystems. Remote sensing technology, like satellites, can help alert scientists to these processes.



Postdoctoral researcher Su Ye was the lead author on a recent study focused on mountain pine beetle and spruce beetle infestations of pine trees in Colorado. He collected data on the ground in affected forests.



Ye said that by the time the signs are visible and it is clear that land change is imminent, it is too late to intervene.



“The signal happens mostly in short-infrared bands, therefore we have to rely on remote sensing measurements like Landsat to detect the signal,” explained Ye. “If we can detect these subtle signals at an early stage and have early warnings for these potentially forest change in future, then maybe we can apply some forest management in a timely manner. For instance, infected trees can be removed to stop the expansion of beetles to some degree.”



“I make a metaphor to describe this subtle change detection,” said Professor Zhu. “It’s like you’re in a very noisy restaurant and someone’s calling your name, you want to hear it, but other voices are at about the similar volume. How can we detect anything when everything is similar as this change signal?”



An algorithm called CCDC is becoming a standard for analyzing a series of Landsat images. The UConn team set out to address the limitations of CCDC by developing a more tailored approach.



"CCDC is the acronym for Continuous Landcover Classification and Change Detection and has been used by a number of agencies," said Professor Zhu. "For one location - a single pixel - we can get dense time series observations with thousands of observations. We do a lot of preprocessing to remove cloud clouds, shadow, and snow and ice, we try to get a free, clear surface."



By combining the data he collected on the ground with Landsat data from the same location, Ye developed a method called PIDS, or Parameter optimization, Index selection, Dynamic stratified monitoring, and Spatial consideration. He included specific details about the infestation stage and how the color of the pine and spruce needles changes over time after infection. 



“PIDS is a framework to adapt CCDC to detect very user-targeted specific change,” explained Ye. "The framework lets the user specify their training samples for turning model parameters, as if we focus on the subtle change, we need to adjust our model parameters to capture the weak signals.”



Using PIDS, Ye said the researchers were able to detect signals of beetle infestation in the transition between two very subtle stages of infection where needles begin to change color, roughly one year after the beetle start to attack the trees. This is a significant improvement in sensitivity compared to using CCDC.&nbsp;



“PIDS is so good,” said Professor Zhu. “If you see the differences between PIDS and CCDC, PIDS is much better for those subtle change detections.”



“Remote sensing cannot directly do the decision making about the landscape and conversation, but as we are able to do it more near real-time, and at large-scale, this information can help with decisions and options," said study co-author Kexin Song.



"Forest management policy has shifted from the replacement or harvest of forest to maintaining good, healthy trees in their current condition. Now that we can apply detailed information about subtle change in the forest degradation with this information, we can try to reach out to see how this information can change people’s minds about management. It is important, and we’ll keep doing this work.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.journals.elsevier.com/remote-sensing-of-environment">Remote Sensing of Environment</a>.



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

Remote sensing can help detect forest infestations

In the early 1900s, Chestnut Blight was accidentally introduced to...

According to a team of researchers at <a href="https://english.tau.ac.il/">Tel Aviv University</a> (TAU), a substance extracted from edible marine algae could stop the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/omicron-high-transmissibility-and-chance-for-reinfection/">coronavirus</a> from infecting human cells. Due to its antiviral properties, a water-soluble polysaccharide extracted from the cell wall of green seaweed called ulvan could prove to be an essential weapon in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.



“The lack of access to vaccines takes the lives of many victims and even accelerates the creation of new variants,” said&nbsp;study lead author Alexander Golberg, a professor of Environmental Studies at TAU. “The study is still in its early stages, but we hope that the discovery will be used in the future to develop an accessible and effective drug, preventing infection with the coronavirus.”



Golberg and his colleagues have been working with seaweed for the past eight years, looking for different compounds, particularly for the food industry. During the first lockdown, they also started to investigate whether some seaweed components could be used as a treatment for COVID-19. Since previous research has already shown that seaweed compounds had antiviral properties, the scientists decided to evaluate them against COVID.



“Ulvan is extracted from marine algae called Ulva, which is also called ‘sea lettuce,’ and is food in places like Japan, New Zealand and Hawaii,” Golberg explained. “It has previously been reported that ulvan is effective against viruses in agriculture and also against some of the human viruses − and when coronavirus arrived, we asked to test its activity.”



The Israeli scientists grew ulvan and sent it to the <a href="https://southernresearch.org/">Southern Research Institute</a> in Alabama, US, where a cellular model was built and exposed to both ulvan and the coronavirus. The researchers discovered that, in the presence of ulvan, the coronavirus did not infect the cells that they modelled.&nbsp;



However, since ulvan is actually a mixture of many natural substances, more research is needed to find out which is the one that actually prevents infection. Moreover, clinical tests on animals and, ultimately, humans are necessary before such a treatment can be commercialized.



“As long as billions in the low-income world do not have access to the vaccine, the virus is expected to develop more and more variants, which may be resistant to vaccines – and the war against the coronavirus will continue. For this reason, it is very important, for the sake of all mankind, to find a cheap and accessible solution that will suit even economically weak populations in developing countries,” Professor Golberg concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://peerj.com/articles/12398/">PeerJ</a>.



---



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

Seaweed could stop coronavirus from infecting human cells

According to a team of researchers at Tel Aviv University...

New research led by the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/index.aspx">University of Birmingham</a> has found that most of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/methane-emissions-are-higher-than-previously-estimated/">methane</a> gas emitted from Amazon wetlands regions is vented into the atmosphere through tree root systems, with significant emissions taking place even when the ground is not flooded.



After carbon dioxide, methane is the second most important greenhouse gas, contributing significantly to global warming. According to an increasing number of studies, it appears that much of our atmospheric methane emerges from wetlands. However, most of these studies assume that methane is only produced when the ground is completely flooded or underwater.



Surprisingly though, recent findings suggest that far more methane is emitted by trees growing on floodplains in the Amazon basin than by soil or surface water, in both wet and dry conditions. While in wetland areas without trees, methane would usually be consumed by the soil on its way towards the surface, in forested wetland areas, tree roots could be acting as a methane transport system, venting it into the atmosphere via the tree trunks.



In such conditions, methane appears to be able to escape into the air even when it is produced in soil and water that is several meters below ground level. Thus, existing models could massively underestimate the extent of methane emissions in wetland areas such as the Amazon basin.



In order to test this hypothesis, the scientists measured methane emissions across three plots on the floodplains of three major Amazonian rivers. The same trees were monitored a few times in a year to asses their response to changing water levels associated with annual floods.



The researchers estimate that almost half of the global tropical wetland methane emissions are funneled out by trees, even during periods when the floodplain water lies below the surface of the ground.



“Our results show that current global emissions estimates are missing a crucial piece of the picture,” said study lead author Vincent Gauci, a professor in the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/gees/index.aspx">School of Geography, Earth, and Environmental Sciences</a> at the University of Birmingham. “We now need to develop models and methods that take into account the significant role played by trees in wetland methane emission.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2020.0446">Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London A.</a>



---



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

Amazon trees are contributing to methane emissions

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

Oregon is United States’ major Christmas trees producer, being responsible for 31 percent of the US harvest in 2020. This $100 million-worth industry involves over 400 Christmas tree growers that produce and sell their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snow-monkeys-go-fishing-to-survive-during-the-winter/">winter</a> holidays merchandise all over the country.&nbsp;



However, 2021 was an extremely challenging year for growers, due to several factors including the presence of a heat dome in late June that trapped ocean air and raised temperatures to 117 degrees Fahrenheit, scorching mature trees and killing seedlings; a series of weeks without any rain in the summer; rising fuel costs; supply chain disruptions, and understaffing.



These factors will likely contribute to shortages and slightly higher prices for Christmas trees during these holidays. According to Tom Norby, the president of the <a href="https://www.oregonchristmastreegrowers.com/">Oregon Christmas Tree Growers Association</a>, consumers should expect a five to ten percent reduction in Christmas tree inventory, as well as higher prices.



“Everything has gone up this year. Inflation is a real thing,” he said. “Christmas tree farmers have to buy fuel. Prices will be up, just like everything else. Are people going to be able to have a real tree this year? Yes. Are they going to have a tree that’s 100 percent perfect? Maybe. Maybe not. There was damage to trees. That’s global warming.”



The severe heat dome from the summer was an unprecedented event. “We’ve had events where the south side of the trees turned red, but nothing like this year,” said Chal Landgren, a Christmas tree specialist from <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/">Ohio State University</a>. “It’s the first year we’ve had such a hard time getting trees to grow. Growers have been watering trees, setting up drip systems, but irrigating trees is an expensive venture.”



The damage to the trees varied by species and location, with Fraser firs, noble firs, and grand firs being the most affected species. Luckily, species such as Nordmann, Turkish and Douglas fir appeared to be much more resilient to these conditions. “More growers will have to rethink their species mix and will grow Nordmann, Turkish and Douglas fir, which do better in heat,” Professor Landgren said.



According to Tom Norby, the worst effects of this year’s heatwaves may be yet to come and cause even more significant problems in the following years, particularly if global warming will remain unmitigated and continue to wreak damage. “One year is not a catastrophe. Two years becomes a big problem. Three years, it’s a catastrophe,” he concluded.



---



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

Christmas trees are more expensive due to climate change

Oregon is United States’ major Christmas trees producer, being responsible...

Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) is a species of large brown algae that is vital to legions of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-hunting-for-food-fulmars-follow-the-fishing-vessels/">fish</a>, invertebrates, mammals, and birds which rely on it for food and shelter in the temperate, shallow, nearshore waters where it grows. So far, giant kelp has proven very resilient to stressors brought on by climate change, such as severe storms and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/95-percent-of-ocean-could-become-inhospitable-this-century/">ocean heatwaves</a>.



However, new research led by the <a href="https://www.ucsb.edu/">University of California, Santa Barbara</a>, has found that giant kelp’s ability to withstand rises in temperatures may come at the cost of its nutritional value.&nbsp;



“Giant kelp&nbsp;Macrocystis pyrifera&nbsp;forms extensive forests on temperate reefs, providing habitat and food for a diversity of marine life. Kelp biomass varies in response to changing ocean temperatures, but physiological responses as reflected in the nutritional quality of kelp tissue are poorly understood,” wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



According to study co-author Kyle Emery, a graduate student at UC Santa Barbara, “one of the most hidden effects of ocean warming” seems to be giant kelp’s increasing loss in nutrient content. By analyzing data collected over two decades about several kelp forests from the Santa Barbara Chanell, Emery and his colleagues have managed to identify significant trends in patterns of nutrient content charactering giant kelp populations.



“The temperature of the seawater and nutrient availability are really closely coupled in the Santa Barbara Channel, and we’ve known that for some time,” said study lead author Heili Lowman, a biogeochemist at the <a href="https://www.unr.edu/">University of Nevada</a>, Reno. 



While lower temperatures bring nutrient-rich waters from the deep, in warmer seasons nutrients in the upper layers of the ocean – particularly nitrogen – become scarcer.



“Physiologically, kelp plants can’t store nitrogen for longer than a couple weeks, so whatever’s happening around them in the water they’re going to respond to very quickly because they need a constant supply of nitrogen to grow, and to continue to reproduce,” Lowman explained.



Since ocean temperatures have continued to rise due to global warming, nitrogen content of the giant kelp declined by 18 percent, with a proportional increase in carbon content. This decline in kelp’s nutritional content is negatively affecting a vast array of marine animals that consume these algae, such as sea urchins, abalone, intertidal beach hoppers, or other invertebrates. 



Moreover, the effects could ripple out to the rest of the food web, affecting also those that fed upon kelp’s primary consumers, including, ultimately, humans.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/oik.08619">Oikos</a>.



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

Rising ocean temperatures lower giant kelp’s nutritional value

Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) is a species of large brown...

Previous studies on humans and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soft-food-diet-weakens-skull-strength-in-captive-animals/">animals</a> have shown that exposure to cannabis&nbsp;can impede male reproductive function. Most of those studies have, however, involved the administration of cannabis in the form of injections of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active component of the drug. This is not the form of cannabis that most humans consume, making the findings less applicable to humans in general.&nbsp;



In a study by Washington State University scientists, mice were exposed to vaporized, whole cannabis, which is the form more commonly used by humans. The mice were kept in highly controlled conditions, with 15 of them being exposed to cannabis vapor three times a day for ten days. This represents an intense exposure, but one that mimics the cannabis intake of frequent users. The sperm counts and sperm motility of the exposed mice were then compared to those of the unexposed control group.&nbsp;



The study revealed that, immediately after exposure to cannabis, the mice’s sperm motility decreased. After one month, their sperm counts were lower. These unexpected results confirm the findings of previous studies.



When the researchers bred several of the exposed male mice to unexposed female mice, they found that the male offspring also exhibited lower sperm counts and reduced sperm motility. The cannabis-exposed sons also showed evidence of DNA damage and disruption related to sperm cell development.



“We were not expecting that the sperm would be completely gone or that motility would be completely offset, but the reduction in sperm count and motility of the offspring, the sons, is probably a direct effect of the cannabis exposure to father,” said Kanako Hayashi, an associate professor in WSU’s School of Molecular Biosciences, and the paper’s corresponding author.



Human sperm counts have&nbsp;<a href="https://academic.oup.com/humupd/article/23/6/646/4035689">declined by as much as 59%</a>&nbsp;in recent decades, according to some estimates. There are certainly many reasons for this decline, Hayashi said, but this study adds to the evidence that cannabis use may be detrimental to male reproductive function.



“This is a warning flag. You may take cannabis for some kind of momentary stress, but it could affect your offspring,” said Hayashi.



Hayashi and her colleagues are currently testing the theory that cannabis exposure to mice while in utero would have even more profound generational effects, as the drug would affect the formation of the mice’s reproductive systems, and that could be passed down to future generations.



This research represents the first known reproductive study to use vaporized whole cannabis in mice,&nbsp;and the results are published today in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/toxsci">Toxicological Sciences</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Cannabis use may reduce male fertility across generations

Previous studies on humans and animals have shown that exposure...

Avocado,Sandwich,On,Dark,Rye,Bread,Made,With,Fresh,Sliced

Green foods are usually associated with healthy and nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, so it’s no surprise that avocado has been linked to multiple health benefits. But now, a new study from UC San Diego has revealed that, in addition to its vast nutritional portfolio, avocado has many secondary health benefits.



In collaboration with experts at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, the researchers compared the health effects of low avocado consumption (three per week) to high consumption (14+ per week) among 72 Mexican families.



One of the key findings was that families who ate a lot of avocados reported lower calorie intake. Due to the variety of nutrients, vitamins, and healthy fats found within avocados, these families were naturally able to reduce their consumption of meat, dairy, and grains, and thus their intake of unhealthy nutrients such as sodium and saturated fat.



The researchers believe that the unique findings of this study could be helpful in addressing issues of obesity-related diseases in high-risk communities. Mexican families were chosen due to the prevalence of obesity and low intake of key nutrients among Hispanic immigrants within the United States.&nbsp;



The experts wanted to investigate whether such a singular dietary change could help in solving the obesity pandemic.



The caloric reduction found in the high consumption group ultimately resulted from the nutritionally dense makeup of the avocado. The fruit contains high quantities of vitamins C, B6, K, E, and omega-3 fatty acids, in addition to fiber, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, potassium, riboflavin, and beta carotene.



No correlation was established between avocado consumption and weight loss, but it was concluded that the fats and dietary fibers found in avocados increase the feeling of "fullness" after eating.



On the other hand, the researchers found that regular avocado eaters showed a decrease in some key vitamins and nutrients, an effect that is assumed to be the result of eating a lower range of food products.&nbsp;



“Our results show that the nutrition education and high avocado intake intervention group significantly reduced their family total energy intake, as well as carbohydrate, protein, fat (including saturated), calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, potassium and vitamin D,” explained first author Lorena Pacheco.



“In secondary energy-adjusted analyses, the nutrition education and high avocado allotment group significantly increased their intake of dietary fiber, monounsaturated fatty acids, potassium, vitamin E and folate."



While the study presented a range of positive and negative effects from high levels of avocado consumption, the researchers believe that the simplicity of the single-food strategy could be very useful in supporting public health efforts regarding obesity.



The research has been published in the online journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients">Nutrients</a>.



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

Avocado linked to overall healthier diets

Green foods are usually associated with healthy and nutrient-rich fruits...

Kid,Daughter,Feeding,Mother,Vegetables,In,Kitchen

Exposure to an adult’s positive facial expression while eating raw <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-who-eat-fruit-and-vegetables-have-greater-well-being/">vegetables</a> can increase children’s acceptance and consumption of the vegetables that they generally dislike, according to new research by a team of psychologists from <a href="https://www.aston.ac.uk/">Aston University</a>, Birmingham, UK.



The researchers recruited 111 British kids aged four to six and asked them to watch a video of an unfamiliar adult model eating raw broccoli with either a positive or neutral face expression. Afterward, parents were asked to assess each child’s willingness to try raw broccoli, while the scientists measured the number of grams of broccoli consumed.&nbsp;



“Raw broccoli was used due to its bitter taste, since bitterness is innately less preferred. Broccoli is&nbsp;also likely to be unfamiliar to children in its raw form,” explained the study authors.&nbsp;



The findings were remarkable: children who were exposed to videos of adults enjoying broccoli ate, on average, more than twice the amount of the vegetable compared to kids in the other group (11 grams compared to five).



“One explanation for the beneficial effect of positive facial expressions whilst eating&nbsp;could be that conveying food enjoyment gives the observer information&nbsp;about the safety and palatability of food,” wrote the researchers. “Thus children may have eaten more broccoli after watching adults enjoy&nbsp;eating it, because they believed it was enjoyable to eat.”



“Our findings suggest that observing others enjoy a commonly disliked vegetable can increase children's appreciation and intake of raw broccoli,” explained study lead author Katie Edwards, a professor of Psychology at Aston University. “Modeling the enjoyment of vegetables could encourage healthier eating in children.”



According to Professor Edwards and her colleagues, further work is needed to determine&nbsp;whether a single exposure (to adults enjoying broccoli) is sufficient and whether these effects are sustained over time.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195666321006863?via%3Dihub#!">Appetite</a>.&nbsp;



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

Children will eat more vegetables if they see adults enjoy them

Exposure to an adult’s positive facial expression while eating raw...

Man,Eating,Grilled,Meats

According to a new study led by the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/">University of Leeds</a>, healthier diets are linked to lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions. The scientists discovered that men’s diets, which usually consist of a larger amount of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-meat-paradox-people-care-about-animals-but-still-eat-meat/">meat</a>, are linked to 41 percent higher greenhouse gas emissions than women’s, and that non-vegetarian diets in general produce 59 percent more emissions than vegetarian ones.



Food production is a major source of greenhouse gases, accounting for over 30 percent of the total emissions. Less environmentally sustainable diets are usually more processed, energy-dense, and nutrient-poor. After identifying the amounts of emissions caused by 3,233 types of foods, the researchers evaluated the nutritional benefits and emission footprints of the diets of 212 UK adults over three days.



The scientists found that healthier diets were correlated with lesser amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. Non-vegetarian diets were associated with a 59 percent increase in emissions compared to vegetarian ones, and diets with greater amounts of meat, which were predominantly consumed by men, were linked to a 41 percent increase in emissions. 



Moreover, the scientists discovered that diets containing more carbohydrates, saturated fats, and sodium tended to produce higher greenhouse gas emissions.&nbsp;



“There are broad-brush concepts like reducing our meat intake, particularly red meat,” the study authors wrote. “But our work also shows that big gains can be made from small changes, like cutting out sweets, or potentially just by switching brands.”&nbsp;



“Our work is not showing you need to give up meat entirely, but that diets with less meat are more sustainable,” explained study co-author Darren Greenwood, a biostatistician at the University of Leeds. 



“Eat less meat. When you do eat meat, eat better quality meat. That's the message. Cutting down on sweets, cakes and biscuits can also help reduce our impact on the environment, as well as being healthier.”



“Healthier diets had lower greenhouse gas emissions, demonstrating consistency between planetary and personal health,” the scientists concluded.&nbsp;



Further research is needed to take into consideration more factors, such as food brands, countries of origin, and other environmental impacts besides those related to greenhouse gas emissions.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0259418">PLoS One</a>. &nbsp;



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

Non-vegetarian diets produce 59 percent more emissions

According to a new study led by the University of...

A study from <a href="https://en.nagoya-u.ac.jp/">Nagoya University</a> may ultimately lay the groundwork for preventing black rot disease in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-who-eat-fruit-and-vegetables-have-greater-well-being/">vegetables</a>. Black rot is a deadly disease that destroys plants in the crucifer family, including broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower.



The research was focused on phytochromes, which are proteins found in plants, bacteria and fungi. Their molecular structure involves the existence of units, or modules, that can change position within the overall protein, thus changing the shape of the phytochrome molecule and altering it from an active to an inactive form. This happens in response to the molecule’s exposure to red light. Phytochromes are thus photosensitive and use light as a source of information to regulate the physiological processes of the organism (plant, bacteria or fungus).



The way in which phytochromes function to switch from active to inactive form has not been fully understood. One of the problems has been that scientists had not mapped out the complete structure of phytochrome molecules and so they did not understand how the structural changes could lead to different signals from the phytochrome molecule. Unfortunately, the fact that phytochrome molecules change shape when they are exposed to light makes detailed study even more complicated.



This is particularly relevant in the example of Xanthomonas campestris, a bacterium that causes black rot in may important vegetable crops. This bacterium is a significant pest, particularly of crops from the brassica family, which include cabbage, broccoli, kale and Brussels sprouts. Xanthomonas causes the most important disease of vegetable brassica crops worldwide and is therefore an economically important pathogen.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Phytochrome molecules in Xanthomonas bacteria function as virulence regulators, by modulating key physiological processes when exposed to light, including xanthan production, biofilm formation, and infection capacity. Vegetable farmers and scientists would like to know how the phytochrome molecules function in these bacteria, so that they could potentially switch them to inactive form and, thereby, render the pathogen less destructive.&nbsp;



A research team led by Professor&nbsp;Hernán Bonomi from the Fundación Instituto Leloir, Argentina, has now shed light on how light signals sensed by phytochromes are created and propagated. The team is a large international collaboration that includes researchers from Argentina, France, and Japan. Professor&nbsp;Leonard Chavas from Nagoya University provided expertise in synchrotron radiation and structural analysis. The work was published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.science.org/journal/sciadv">Science Advances</a>.



The researchers worked on understanding how light signals, detected by the light-sensing module of a phytochrome molecule, are transmitted to an output (or “effector”) module that converts the light stimulus into a specific physiological signal.&nbsp; This process involves changes in the structure of the phytochrome molecule that cause it to twist, bend and turn. Up until this study, no full-length phytochrome structure had been reported at&nbsp;atomic&nbsp;scale resolution for both the activated and the non-activated states.&nbsp;



In their paper, the research team presents a complete characterization of the light-sensing module in phytochrome molecules of the&nbsp;Xanthomonas&nbsp;bacterium, both in its activated and inactivated state. Also, the light-induced shape changes of the modules making up the protein are described down to atomic scale resolution, highlighting for the first time in this family of photoreceptors, the remarkable structural rearrangements that take place.&nbsp;



By combining these results with biochemical and computational studies, the scientists propose a new photoactivation model that explains the signaling mechanism, from the changes in chemical structure of the light-sensing module (that receives stimuli from red and “far red” light), to the complex ways in which the entire photochrome molecule is remodeled and takes on a new structure and shape.



The research results have implications in photobiology, as well as for understanding the mechanisms whereby bacterial pathogens cause disease in plants, particularly the disease of black rot in important crop vegetables.



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By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

New hope for preventing black rot disease in vegetables

A study from Nagoya University may ultimately lay the groundwork...

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of plant-based burgers and other meat alternatives available on the market, and many of these products claim to provide the same amount of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-protein-plays-a-big-role-in-flower-formation/">protein</a>. However, little is known about the quantities of essential amino acids in meat alternatives, making it difficult to determine the usefulness of the protein they provide.



To investigate, researchers at the <a href="https://illinois.edu/">University of Illinois</a> compared the protein qualities of meat and plant-based burgers. The study used the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) to investigate the digestibility and concentration of amino acids in each of the protein sources.



The burgers used in the study consisted of the soy-based Impossible Burger, the pea-based Beyond Burger, as well as pork and lean beef burgers. Each burger was fed to a pig, with the researchers measuring the digestibility of essential amino acids in each case. These "digestibility scores" were then used to produce values from the DIAAS.



The beef and pork burgers both scored DIAAS scores of 100+, giving them excellent status as protein providers for people of all ages. The Impossible Burger also scored excellent status, except for children under the age of three years old. The Beyond Burger only scored “good” status for ages three and up.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“We have previously observed that animal proteins have greater DIAAS values than plant-based proteins and that is also what we observed in this experiment,” stated study co-author Hans H. Stein.



All of the burgers studied would generally be eaten with buns, and the nature of these grain products would reduce the overall DIAAS scores. The Impossible Burger dropped to good status. Although pork and beef patties still saw a reduction, they maintained their excellent status.



“There was a greater DIAAS value of mixing either the pork or beef burger with the bun – values of 107 and 105 respectively, for the over-3 age group – than there was for the Impossible Burger, which had a DIAAS value of 86 if consumed with the bun. That means you need to eat 15% more of the Impossible Burger- bun combination to get the same amount of digestible amino acids as if you eat the pork-based or the beef-based burgers," explained study co-author Mahesh Narayanan Nair.



Age was an important factor in the study. Stein noted that children and pregnant women are two demographics most at risk of not getting enough amino acids. He also highlighted the importance of the matter in developing countries, where many cannot access animal-based proteins. “That’s extremely serious because, if children don't get enough amino acids, their brain development can suffer.”



The research is published in the <a href="https://www.springer.com/journal/394">European Journal of Nutrition</a>.



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

Study reveals the protein quality of plant-based burgers

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[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



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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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

[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"] Astronomers at Johns Hopkins University have created...

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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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