Seagrass meadows are more than just coastal greenery. Beneath the waves, they capture carbon and bury it in the seafloor, storing it safely for decades or centuries. This makes seagrass a powerful ally in the fight against climate change



But there’s a catch. When humans flood coastlines with too much nutrient pollution - especially from wastewater - it doesn’t just mess with the water. It messes with the seagrass, too.



Scientists wanted to find out exactly how this works, and they didn’t take shortcuts. Over nine years, researchers observed what happened when they added extra nutrients to seagrass beds. What they found was a balancing act between helping and hurting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-balance-of-seagrass-and-nutrients">The balance of seagrass and nutrients</h2>



In the warm, shallow waters of tropical bays, seagrass grows in sandy beds. Such places are usually poor in nutrients. That may sound bad, but it is one of the reasons why seagrass is good at capturing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-plays-a-major-role-in-global-carbon-storage/">carbon</a>. 



The plants grow slowly and consistently, extending their roots deep into the sediment where carbon is stored and trapped.



But when researchers added <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lack-of-phosphorus-will-limit-growth-of-the-amazon-rainforest/">phosphorus</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kelp-farms-could-help-clean-up-coastal-nitrogen-pollution/">nitrogen</a> to these beds, something interesting happened. The seagrass responded with a burst of growth. 



First, it strengthened its root systems. Then, it put more energy into its blades - the flat, grass-like leaves. As the roots grew quickly, they also died more quickly, sending extra carbon into the sediment. That should be good news, right? 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-shadow-of-too-much-nitrogen">The shadow of too much nitrogen</h2>



Here’s where things got complicated. When nitrogen levels went too high, the team saw a surge in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invisible-forest-of-phytoplankton-thrives-in-a-warming-climate/">phytoplankton</a> - tiny algae that float in the water. These blooms blocked sunlight, putting the seagrass at risk.



“People thought excess nutrients were killing seagrass,” said Jacob Allgeier, associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the <a href="https://umich.edu/">University of Michigan</a>. 



“But we show that as long as there are not too many nutrients, which would also increase phytoplankton, the seagrass will just increase growth with excess nutrients.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-experiment-worked">How the experiment worked</h2>



To figure out what was really going on, a team led by recent doctoral graduate Bridget Shayka went hands-on - literally. The team collected seagrass samples from test plots in the Bahamas. 



Shayka and 17 undergraduate students separated each plant into parts: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-meadows-still-thrive-on-floridas-nature-coast/">blades</a>, sheaths, roots, and rhizomes (the stems that grow underground). Next, the parts were freeze-dried, crushed, and tested for nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon.



The researchers found that nutrients from human sources had a bigger effect than those from fish.



“The systems we study are pretty low-nutrient systems, so adding nutrients can increase seagrass production,” said Shayka, now a program officer at Ocean Visions. 



“But we also know that when you go too far and add too many nutrients, it really destroys these systems. It's one of the leading causes of their destruction around the world and in coastal systems.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nitrogen-isn-t-the-only-problem">Nitrogen isn’t the only problem</h2>



In another experiment, the researchers tried 21 varied nutrient ratios in bottles of seawater and phytoplankton. They were curious to know if the ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus mattered more than just the amount of each nutrient. The results surprised them.



In this system, phosphorus had a stronger positive effect on seagrass growth. Nitrogen, on the other hand, caused phytoplankton levels to spike. That meant more light-blocking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-algae-play-an-unexpected-role-in-cooling-the-earth/">algae</a> in the water and more stress for the seagrass beds.



“When you grow tomatoes, you don't just add nitrogen. You add a perfect ratio of nitrogen and phosphorus. That idea is replete in our society,” said Allgeier. “But because we tested the water column and because we tested the seagrass, we're able to say that model doesn't work in our system.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seagrass-and-carbon-storage">Seagrass and carbon storage</h2>



It’s unlikely that we’ll stop nutrient pollution altogether. But these findings suggest we don’t need to. Instead, we need to manage it better.



“We're not stopping nutrient enrichment. It's just not going to stop,” said Allgeier. “But we can manage it. And how do you best manage it? We scrub it for nitrogen.”



If local communities can control nitrogen runoff - especially from sewage and agriculture - they might give seagrass a better chance to grow, store carbon, and stay alive. This matters, not just for marine ecosystems, but for climate action too.



Seagrass may not get the attention coral reefs or rainforests do, but when it comes to carbon storage, it’s one of the most powerful tools in nature.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.70401">Global Change Biology</a>.



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Seagrass is a powerful climate weapon - unless we drown it in nutrients

Seagrass meadows are more than just coastal greenery. Beneath the waves, they capture carbon and bury it in the seafloor, storing it safely for decades or centuries. This makes seagrass a powerful ally in the fight against climate change But there’s a catch. When humans flood coastlines with too much nutrient pollution - especially from wastewater - it doesn’t just mess with the water. It messes with the seagrass, too. Scientists wanted to find out exactly how this works, and they didn’t take shortcuts. Over nine years,...

Diseño sin título - 1

Many adults worry about preserving muscle and bone as they grow older. Nutrient-packed foods can make a difference, and one fruit has been getting a lot of attention in this regard.



One of the researchers investigating this fruit’s benefits is <a href="https://hhd.psu.edu/contact/mary-jane-de-souza" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Mary Jane De Souza</a> from <a href="https://hhd.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State</a>. Her work focuses on how it contributes to muscle mass and bone structure, especially in people over 45 who are facing the natural changes that come with menopause.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-muscles-and-bones-need-extra-attention">Why muscles and bones need extra attention</h2>



A gradual loss of lean tissue can affect physical performance. Reduced bone density can also leave a person more prone to fractures. Individuals who want a balanced and enjoyable life after 45 often look for reliable dietary strategies that fit into a simple routine. Some studies have begun to explore how particular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-gold-the-vitamin-packed-fruit-that-regulates-blood-sugar-and-blood-pressure/">fruits</a> might fill that need.



Prunes contain a significant amount of nutrients, including vitamins and polyphenols. <a href="https://www.chhs.colostate.edu/krnc/monthly-blog/what-are-polyphenols-another-great-reason-to-eat-fruits-and-veggies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Polyphenols</a> are chemical compounds linked with antioxidant properties that may support healthy cells. Researchers have suggested that prunes might not only aid digestion but also help keep muscles and bones in decent shape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-elements-in-prunes">Unique elements in prunes</h2>



The discussion around prunes often highlights fiber, but that’s not the only draw. Experts have pointed out that prunes carry components that are important for muscle support. Some references have also shown they can increase levels of <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9526830/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IGF-1</a>, which plays a role in normal bone development and muscle growth.



There is also a natural compound known as sorbitol, and certain acids that can influence blood sugar management. Prunes appear to slow sugar absorption while helping the body handle glucose. Some studies connect these qualities to better energy balance throughout the day.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-latest-research-found">What the latest research found</h2>



“This is the first randomized controlled trial to look at three-dimensional bone outcomes with respect to bone structure, geometry, and estimated strength,” said Dr. De Souza. Scientists at Penn State tested how prunes affect bone structure in postmenopausal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-diet-improves-health-in-women-with-breast-cancer/">women</a>. Their data suggests that a daily serving of prunes seems to slow typical bone changes seen in women after they stop having menstrual cycles.



In that investigation, people who ate at least four to six prunes per day saw noticeable stability in bone density measurements. The study showed that many participants who consumed prunes preserved bone quality over the course of a year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-for-women-after-menopause">Benefits for women after menopause</h2>



For women past 45, menopause means shifting hormone levels and a greater chance of bone mineral density loss. One <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38349471/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trial</a> revealed that routine prune intake kept certain bone markers stable in this group. One portion of research also highlighted how prunes help support cholesterol and antioxidant capacity.



Further data has shown that prunes are tied to a better gut environment. Some participants appeared to experience fewer changes associated with inflammation when adding prunes into their diets. Scientists theorize that healthy gut microbes and reduced inflammatory markers might have an important link to bone strength.



Researchers found that not everyone responds to prunes the same way. In one study, women with more diverse <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4290017/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gut microbiomes</a> were more likely to benefit from the fruit’s bone-supporting effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-many-prunes-may-be-helpful">How many prunes may be helpful</h2>



Some experts encourage daily consumption of around 50 grams of prunes, which equals five or six pieces. This moderate serving size seems enough to deliver benefits without too many extra calories or sugars. People can easily add prunes to salads, cereals, or just enjoy them on their own.



Many individuals in research studies were also advised to take in enough calcium and vitamin D. That suggests a broader approach to diet and daily habits is still essential. Yet, prunes have a particular identity as an easy snack that adds fiber, minerals, and certain vitamins.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-weight-gain-isn-t-always-the-answer">Why weight gain isn't always the answer</h2>



Some participants in the control group, who didn’t eat prunes, still improved their bone density. These women tended to have a higher <a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/calculate-your-bmi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">body mass index (BMI)</a> and more body fat overall, which may have played a role in protecting their bones through increased weight-bearing pressure.



However, higher BMI can also lead to health issues like <a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/prediabetes-insulin-resistance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insulin resistance</a>, which were seen in these participants. The prune group, on the other hand, gained bone support without relying on excess weight or related metabolic risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-promise-of-further-exploration">The promise of further exploration</h2>



While prunes are no substitute for medication or a doctor’s advice, some researchers see real potential in this fruit. They also emphasize getting a healthy mix of exercise, which might help maintain lean mass and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-molecules-collagen-discovered-in-66-million-year-old-dinosaur-bones/">bone</a> density as people age.



Continued research points to a strong connection between natural compounds in prunes and measurable differences in skeletal support. More studies may clarify how prunes influence healthy gut bacteria or whether certain individuals benefit more than others.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1389638/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Nutrition</a>.



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High-protein fruit strengthens muscles and bones in those over 45

Many adults worry about preserving muscle and bone as they...

It started with a single clay device found at an old settlement in northwestern Saudi Arabia that contained a small residue - hinting at a plant that might reveal medical or sensory secrets.



Scientists soon identified a psychoactive herb that people apparently burned and inhaled over two millennia ago. Peganum harmala is a desert shrub locally known as harmal.



The study, led by Dr. Barbara Huber and Professor Marta Luciani of the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology and the <a href="https://www.univie.ac.at/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vienna</a>, was based on careful chemical analysis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-harmal-was-burned">Where harmal was burned</h2>



<a href="https://whitelevy.fas.harvard.edu/unearthing-qurayyah-i-report-2015-2019-excavation-seasons" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Qurayyah</a> was a major oasis settlement during the Bronze and Iron Ages, located in what is now northwestern Saudi Arabia. It’s known for its distinctive pottery style called Qurayyah Painted Ware and for its long-term human occupation.



The discovery of multiple fumigation devices within homes - not temples or tombs - suggests that burning <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/peganum-harmala" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peganum harmala</a> was a routine part of domestic life. 



The plant is a perennial herbaceous species with a woody underground rootstock. It is known for its antibacterial, psychoactive, and therapeutic properties, and not just reserved for ceremonial use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harmal-in-daily-life">Harmal in daily life</h2>



The researchers focused on residue inside pottery from the site known as Qurayyah and used advanced techniques to see what ancient people might have been inhaling.



“Our findings represent chemical evidence for the earliest known burning of harmal, not just in Arabia, but globally,” said Barbara Huber. 



Another team member highlighted the plant’s possible antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and mood-altering <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fruits-and-plants-are-powerful-allies-for-disease-prevention/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">effects</a>. The settlement context suggests people chose harmal for both practical and personal reasons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harmal-burning-was-deliberate">Harmal burning was deliberate</h2>



To identify the burned substance, the team used high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2359828/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HPLC-MS/MS</a>). This method allowed them to detect specific chemical markers left behind, even in tiny, degraded samples.



The technique zeroed in on two key compounds (<a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Harmine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">harmine</a> and <a href="https://www.acslab.com/research-development/harmane-guide-effects-benefits-risks-and-legality" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">harmane</a>) that are known hallmarks of Peganum harmala. Their presence confirmed that the plant was intentionally used, not just accidentally present.



The researchers believe that harmal seeds were probably collected, dried, and stored before being burned. The high oil content in the seeds made them ideal for slow, consistent combustion.



The presence of specialized burners in domestic spaces suggests that harmal use was organized and intentional, not a random act. These devices were likely handled with care to avoid overexposure or waste.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harmal-is-still-used-today">Harmal is still used today</h2>



The seeds of this shrub contain active <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18523842/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alkaloids</a> that can affect serotonin and other chemicals in the brain. This can bring on mild to strong reactions, depending on the amount and the method of use.



Modern users in some regions burn harmal in homes. The harmal smoke is known for its pungent scent and is said to clear out negative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/herbal-remedies-are-raising-new-concerns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">influences</a> and pests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-healing-role">Ancient healing role</h2>



Traditionally, harmal has been used in folk remedies for toothaches, headaches, and other types of pain. It has been brewed as tea or burned for direct inhalation.



Because of its antibacterial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-identify-medicinal-fungi-with-potential-to-slow-down-nervous-system-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">qualities</a>, this plant might have served as a rudimentary disinfectant. That approach makes sense in a busy oasis settlement that needed consistent hygiene.



Unlike drinking or eating harmal, inhaling the smoke delivers its active compounds through the lungs. This can change how quickly and how strongly people feel the effects.



Fumigation may have offered a milder, controlled experience, useful for treating symptoms without the risks tied to higher oral doses or hallucinations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dosage-effect-on-mood-pain">Dosage effect on mood, pain</h2>



Harmal smoke can trigger sensations that border on hallucinogenic. Experts say heavy doses may produce a unique mental state, while mild inhalation often brings relief from minor aches.



Some ancient communities may have used this practice for emotional wellness. The environment at Qurayyah probably fostered a need for both spiritual comfort and everyday health support.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-burning-plants-in-ancient-rituals">Burning plants in ancient rituals</h2>



Across many ancient cultures, fumigation wasn’t just about scent or sanitation. Burning certain plants played a role in rituals, healing, and warding off misfortune.



The use of harmal smoke at Qurayyah may have mirrored practices seen elsewhere, where plant-burning served both spiritual and protective functions in daily life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tools-unlock-ancient-practices">Tools unlock ancient practices</h2>



Archaeologists see these findings as a reminder that local communities often identify and develop complex plant uses. Everyday objects, such as simple burners, can hold chemical data that bring hidden practices to light.



“We’re preserving not only objects, but the intangible cultural heritage of ancient knowledge that still holds relevance in local communities today,” said Ahmed M. Abualhassan, co-director of the Qurayyah project.



The possibilities stretch beyond archaeology, resonating with ethnobotany, anthropology, and heritage studies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-into-natural-medicine">Insights into natural medicine </h2>



Traditional healing methods using plants like harmal are still practiced in parts of the Middle East. But with modernization and urbanization, much of this knowledge is fading fast.



By tracing the deep history of these practices, researchers are helping preserve cultural memory and open doors for new insights in natural medicine.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-025-08096-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Biology</a>.



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Ancient Arabians used psychoactive herbs to heal and protect

It started with a single clay device found at an...

A seed with a firm reputation has sparked fresh interest among nutrition enthusiasts. It contains high amounts of minerals and protein that seem to benefit many areas of human health.



Amaranth is considered a pseudocereal, which means it is used like a cereal grain, yet it belongs to a different botanical group. <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&amp;user=7Q1FcckAAAAJ&amp;" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Julieta M. Lopez-Martinez</a> notes that this seed’s calcium and iron content is significant enough to get people talking about its potential to keep bones strong and reduce the chances of unhealthy cell changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amaranth-seeds-nutritional-makeup">Amaranth seeds' nutritional makeup</h2>



Amaranth <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hemp-seeds-could-be-a-game-changer-as-an-alternative-protein-source/">seeds</a> contain amino acids that help the body in different ways. They offer a good balance of essential nutrients that are often missing in standard wheat-based foods.



Their level of vitamins, including vitamin A, helps the body maintain healthy tissue. They also have magnesium and potassium, minerals important for well-rounded nutrition. 



One <a href="https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/public-health-reviews/articles/10.3389/phrs.2024.1607597/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> shows that amaranth seeds are a nutritious gluten-free food that has long been part of diets in South and Central America. 



This same source highlights that amaranth supports individuals who prefer or require diets without wheat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-bone-health-matters">Why bone health matters</h2>



Maintaining strong bones can lower the chance of issues like osteoporosis. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/calcium-zinc-are-keys-to-healthier-pregnancy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Calcium is a key mineral</a> for keeping bones dense and sturdy.



Low bone density tends to appear as we age, but a balanced diet can help reduce the likelihood of fractures or osteopenia, which is the stage before full bone density loss.



 Amaranth brings a notable amount of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/calcium-zinc-are-keys-to-healthier-pregnancy/">calcium</a> to a meal, which can encourage better skeletal strength.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amaranth-seeds-vs-other-grains">Amaranth seeds vs. other grains</h2>



When compared to wheat or corn, amaranth stands out for its higher levels of <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10651908/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lysine</a>, an essential amino acid that supports tissue repair and calcium absorption. 



Most common grains are low in lysine, making amaranth a more complete protein source, especially for people who avoid animal products.



It also has more iron and magnesium than rice or oats, according to <a href="https://www.usda.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USDA</a> data. 



These added nutrients help fill common dietary gaps and may reduce the need for supplements in some cases, particularly for people with increased nutrient demands.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-cells-from-harm">Protecting cells from harm</h2>



Scientists have explored amaranth’s role in keeping certain cells healthier by limiting damage. The seed contains squalene, a plant-based oil that acts as part of the body’s line of defense against free radicals.



Free radicals are unstable molecules that can harm cells when present in excess amounts, so having <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shrimp-proven-to-be-a-nutritional-treasure-packed-with-antioxidants/">antioxidants</a> around is thought to reduce the burden on tissues. 



The reduced damage may translate to fewer abnormal growths. Some researchers suggest that this seed may also help reinforce the immune system’s regular defenses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-it-part-of-daily-meals">Making it part of daily meals</h2>



Amaranth seeds work well in dishes like soups or cereals. Their mild taste blends nicely with many recipes.



People with <a href="https://celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/what-is-celiac-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">celiac disease</a>, a condition marked by sensitivity to gluten, sometimes struggle to find grain alternatives. 



Amaranth’s natural gluten-free profile allows them to enjoy baked goods without risking inflammation in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-humans-have-shockingly-different-digestive-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digestive system</a>. It can also help regulate overall calorie intake because it has protein and fiber that lead to more satiety.



Including amaranth in easy dishes like salads or morning porridge is a handy way to build variety. 



Experts also encourage soaking or lightly heating the seeds to boost mineral absorption by reducing <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/food-science/phytate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phytate</a>, a substance that binds certain nutrients.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-boosting-fitness-controlling-weight">Boosting fitness, controlling weight</h2>



Protein plays an essential part in muscle growth and repair. Athletes and gym enthusiasts often search for nutritious foods that fit well with their routines.



Many of them try protein-rich snacks that maintain energy and curb hunger. Amaranth’s protein can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/klotho-s-kl-protein-discovered-boosts-lifespan-muscle-brain-power-with-one-dose/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">encourage muscle upkeep</a>, which is vital for regular exercise sessions. Its mixture of protein, fiber, and moderate carbs helps the body refuel.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-eat-amaranth-seeds-daily">How to eat amaranth seeds daily</h2>



When the immune system weakens, everything from seasonal illnesses to more serious ailments can arise. Amaranth’s vitamins and minerals are valuable for keeping these natural defenses on track.



Amaranth <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunflower-seeds-toxic-carcinogen/">seeds</a> supply vitamin C, vitamin E, and other micronutrients to support the body’s response to daily stressors. 



Some references also indicate that consistent consumption may help individuals meet their nutritional quotas for the day.



Amaranth can be popped in a hot pan. It can be boiled for about 20 minutes in a pot of water. It works well as a thickener in soups, adding both texture and extra minerals.



Grinding it into flour allows bakers to experiment with gluten-free breads or pancakes. Some people try it in smoothies for a simple morning meal. Moderation is still wise, but the overall nutritional package can support a healthy eating plan.



The study is published in <a href="https://researcherslinks.com/current-issues/Amaranth-Seeds-A-Promising/14/8/7110/html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sarhad Journal of Agriculture</a>.



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This seed, rich in calcium and iron, prevents tumors and keeps bones strong

A seed with a firm reputation has sparked fresh interest...

A recent study has found that efforts to restore forests in the Peruvian Amazon after gold mining are failing - not only because of toxic soil, but because the land has lost its water.



A popular method called suction mining reshapes the landscape so dramatically that it strips away moisture and traps heat, creating extreme conditions that young trees cannot survive.



The study was led by Abra Atwood of the <a href="https://www.woodwellclimate.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Woodwell Climate Research Center</a>, alongside collaborators from <a href="https://www.columbia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Columbia University</a>, <a href="https://www.asu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arizona State University</a>, and Peru’s <a href="https://www.unsaac.edu.pe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-dry-and-damaged-landscape"><a></a>A dry and damaged landscape</h2>



These findings help explain why reforestation in Peru’s Madre de Dios region has seen little success.



One of the co-authors, Josh West, a professor of earth sciences and environmental studies at <a href="https://dornsife.usc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USC Dornsife College</a>, has spent years examining the effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lithium-brine-discovery-has-vast-implications-for-future-mining-operations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mining</a> on ecosystems.



“We’ve known that soil degradation slows forest recovery,” he said. “But this is different. The mining process dries out the land, making it inhospitable for new trees.”



The researchers studied two abandoned Amazon mining sites in Madre de Dios, near the borders of Brazil and Bolivia.



Using drones, underground imaging, and soil sensors, they tracked the effects of suction mining - a technique often used by small-scale or family-run miners. In this method, water cannons blast soil apart, and the resulting slurry is filtered to extract <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-learn-how-gold-and-other-precious-metals-get-to-earths-surface/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gold</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-topsoil-no-forest">No topsoil, no forest</h2>



The powerful streams also carry off the nutrient-rich topsoil. What’s left behind are still ponds and massive sand piles, sometimes up to 30 feet tall.



Unlike excavation mining, which can leave parts of the topsoil intact, suction mining strips the land bare. This not only removes vital <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-nutrient-loss-due-to-heavy-rainfall-threatens-agriculture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nutrients</a> but also changes how water behaves in the soil.



To investigate this, the team used electrical resistivity imaging, a technique that measures how moisture travels underground.



The researchers discovered that water drains through the sand piles as much as 100 times faster than in untouched forest soil. These piles also lose water about five times faster after rainfall.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amazon-heat-stops-forest-recovery">Amazon heat stops forest recovery</h2>



To better understand the conditions in deforested areas, the scientists placed sensors across various environments - sand and clay zones, pond edges, and natural forests.



The results were consistent: areas in the Amazon impacted by suction mining were hotter and drier. On exposed sand piles, ground temperatures reached up to 145°F (60°C), far higher than in shaded forest areas.



“It’s like trying to grow a tree in an oven,” West said. Thermal imaging from drones showed how barren areas absorb and radiate heat, while nearby forests and pond edges remained cooler. Without moisture or shade, young trees have little chance to survive.



“When roots can’t find water and surface temperatures are scorching, even replanted seedlings just die,” Atwood said. “It’s a big part of why regeneration is so slow.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gold-rush-worsens-deforestation">Gold rush worsens deforestation</h2>



Despite some regrowth near ponds and in low-lying areas, the team found that much of the land - especially where sand piles dominate - remains barren.



These spots are far from the water table and lose moisture quickly, making <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-trees-is-important-but-reforestation-can-help-too/">refores</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-trees-is-important-but-reforestation-can-help-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">t</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-trees-is-important-but-reforestation-can-help-too/">ation</a> extremely difficult.



From 1980 to 2017, small-scale gold mining wiped out over 95,000 hectares of rainforest in Madre de Dios - an area more than seven times the size of San Francisco.



Even today, operations are expanding around the Tambopata National Reserve, posing serious risks to biodiversity and nearby Indigenous communities. Across the wider Amazon basin, gold mining now contributes to nearly ten percent of deforestation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-alone-can-t-heal-the-amazon">Trees alone can't heal the Amazon</h2>



To improve recovery efforts, the scientists suggest going beyond planting trees. One proposed solution is reshaping the land itself - flattening sand piles and filling in ponds to bring new roots closer to underground water sources.



This could help retain moisture and improve survival rates for new vegetation. Though natural erosion could eventually help, the researchers stress that it’s happening far too slowly to match the urgency of the crisis.



“There’s only one <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-amazon-rainforest-is-approaching-widespread-collapse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon rainforest</a>,” West said. “It’s a living system unlike anything else on Earth. If we lose it, we lose something irreplaceable.”



The experts hope their findings will guide new strategies to restore life to damaged parts of the Amazon. Without dramatic changes to current practices - and a commitment to reshape the land, not just replant it - millions of acres may remain lost to gold and drought.



 The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-025-02332-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications Earth &amp; Environment</a>.



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Gold mining causes long-lasting damage in the Amazon rainforest

A recent study has found that efforts to restore forests...

Marijuana is not just for the young anymore. In the United States, older adults are picking it up in record numbers. Some want relief from pain or better sleep, while others are simply curious. Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: cannabis use among seniors is growing fast.



A new study from the Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research (<a href="https://www.cduhr.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CDUHR</a>) and the <a href="https://publichealth.nyu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NYU School of Global Public Health</a> shows just how big the shift in cannabis use has become. 



The researchers found that 7 percent of Americans aged 65 and older used marijuana in the past month. Just two years ago, that number was 4.8 percent.



“Our study shows that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-reveal-the-most-complete-cannabis-genome-yet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a> use among older adults continues to increase, although there have been major shifts in use according to demographic and socioeconomic factors,” said Dr. Joseph Palamar, the study’s senior author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-use-now-tracked-in-older-adults">Cannabis use now tracked in older adults</h2>



This isn’t just about yearly habits. The study used recent national data, collected between 2021 and 2023, to look at who had used cannabis in the last 30 days. That kind of snapshot hadn’t been possible before.



“This is the first time we were able to examine ‘current’ use of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-use-in-any-form-directly-linked-to-significant-risk-of-heart-damage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a> in this age group. Before, we were only able to look at past-year use because the numbers for current use were too small,” said Dr. Benjamin Han, the study’s first author and associate professor at the <a href="https://health.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California San Diego</a>.



The increase looks even bigger over time. Back in 2006 and 2007, fewer than 1 percent of seniors said they’d used cannabis in the past year. Fast forward to 2023, and 7 percent had used it in just the past month.



“If we look even further back to 2006 and 2007, less than 1 percent of older adults used cannabis in the past year. Now, we’re seeing that 7 percent have used it in the past month alone,” Han said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-s-using-cannabis-now">Who’s using cannabis now?</h2>



Older cannabis users today don’t look like they did 10 or 15 years ago. The typical user is now more likely to be married, college-educated, and earning a higher income. White older adults showed the biggest jump. So did women, though men still use <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dopamine-changes-from-cannabis-last-at-least-one-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a> more overall.



Money matters too. Those making over $75,000 were once the least likely to use marijuana. That flipped by 2023. They became the most likely group to report recent use.



“Interestingly, with respect to income, those with the highest incomes had the lowest prevalence of cannabis use in 2021, but by 2023 this group had the highest prevalence, which may indicate who has access to medical cannabis given its costs,” said Palamar.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-older-adults-use-more-legal-cannabis">Older adults use more legal cannabis </h2>



Not all states treat <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cbd-reduces-the-unwanted-side-effects-of-thc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a> the same. The study found that older adults living in places where medical marijuana is legal were more likely to use it.



“It shouldn't be surprising that use is becoming increasingly more common among people who live in states that allow medical cannabis, which could be due to increased availability or social acceptability,” Palamar said.



Where access goes up, use often follows. That makes sense, especially if people see others around them using cannabis without stigma or fear.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-and-chronic-illness">Cannabis and chronic illness</h2>



One more trend stood out. Seniors dealing with chronic diseases were also using cannabis more. People with diabetes, heart conditions, cancer, high blood pressure, or lung issues like COPD showed higher usage.



Many of these users are likely looking for relief. Living with pain or sleep problems can wear people down. For some, cannabis seems like a gentler option than more pills. But doctors warn: cannabis isn't risk-free, especially for older bodies.



“As a geriatrician, I see more and more people interested in using cannabis for treating chronic health symptoms. But cannabis can complicate the management of chronic diseases and be potentially harmful if patients are not educated on its use and potential risks,” said Han.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-doctors-must-talk-about-cannabis-risks">Doctors must talk about cannabis risks</h2>



As more seniors turn to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/medicinal-cannabis-helped-patients-feel-better-for-a-full-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marijuana</a>, doctors need to catch up. Most older adults weren’t raised in a world where cannabis was legal or accepted. Now, they’re using it - and some are not telling their healthcare providers.



That’s a problem. Aging bodies process substances differently. Even small doses can cause big effects. Cannabis might interact with medications or affect balance, sleep, or memory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-is-normal-for-older-adults">Cannabis is normal for older adults</h2>



Seniors using cannabis is no longer a fringe story. It’s becoming mainstream. As more states legalize marijuana and social attitudes shift, older Americans are embracing this option more openly.



Some want relief. Others want control. A few may just want to try something new.



Whatever the reason, the message is clear. Cannabis is no longer a taboo topic at the doctor’s office or the dinner table. It’s time healthcare providers and families talk about it - clearly, calmly, and with facts.



The research team included Kevin H. Yang of UC San Diego and Charles Cleland of the <a href="https://med.nyu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NYU Grossman School of Medicine</a>. Funding came from the <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Institute on Drug Abuse</a> and the UC San Diego Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2834781" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Internal Medicine</a>.



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More older adults in the U.S. are now using cannabis

Marijuana is not just for the young anymore. In the...

Replanting the world’s forests could significantly reduce global warming, particularly in tropical regions, according to a new modeling study.



But even if every tree lost since the 19th century were replaced, the cooling impact would still fall short of reversing the full effects of human-caused <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-foundation-of-life-is-at-risk-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>. Emissions cuts, the authors stress, remain essential.



The study, led by researchers at the <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Riverside</a>, shows that restoring global forests to their preindustrial extent could lower average global temperatures by 0.34 degrees Celsius. That’s about one-quarter of the warming the planet has already experienced.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-climate-strategy-with-limits"><a></a>A climate strategy with limits</h2>



The modeling is based on a hypothetical increase in forest cover of 12 million square kilometers&nbsp;- about 135% the size of the United States. That estimate is roughly equivalent to the widely discussed goal of planting one trillion trees.



Scientists estimate that the Earth has lost nearly half of its trees - about three trillion - since the dawn of industrial society.



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reforestation-cannot-offset-carbon-emissions-from-harvesting-wood/">Refores</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reforestation-cannot-offset-carbon-emissions-from-harvesting-wood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">t</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reforestation-cannot-offset-carbon-emissions-from-harvesting-wood/">ation</a> is not a silver bullet,” said Robert Allen, a climate scientist at UC Riverside and the study’s lead author. “It’s a powerful strategy, but it has to be paired with serious emissions reductions.”



While earlier studies have focused mostly on how trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, this research broadens the lens.



It accounts for chemical processes triggered by trees. These include the release of naturally occurring compounds called biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) that can enhance cooling in other ways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-help-cool-the-atmosphere">Forests help cool the atmosphere</h2>



Trees, especially those in tropical regions, release BVOCs that interact with atmospheric gases to create particles that reflect sunlight and promote <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fire-and-ice-volcanic-ash-plays-a-surprising-role-in-cloud-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cloud formation</a>. Both effects have a net cooling influence on the planet’s climate. However, most climate models do not factor in these chemical interactions.



“When you include these chemical effects, the net cooling impact becomes more significant,” Allen said. “It’s a crucial part of the picture.”



The researchers found that tropical forests in particular offer a stronger cooling effect than those in other regions.



In the tropics, trees absorb more carbon, emit more BVOCs, and contribute less to the surface-darkening effect. When dark tree canopies replace snow-covered ground in high-latitude forests, this darkening effect actually increases warming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-close-to-home">Climate change close to home</h2>



In addition to influencing global temperatures, planting trees has implications for local <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfires-are-changing-the-quality-of-our-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air quality</a> and regional climates.



The team found that their restoration scenario led to a 2.5% reduction in atmospheric dust across the Northern Hemisphere. In tropical areas, BVOC emissions produced mixed air quality results - contributing to an increase in fine particles associated with poor health outcomes, while also reducing harmful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-ozone-layer-took-more-than-two-billion-years-to-stabilize/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ozone</a> levels.



These findings suggest that smaller-scale, localized reforestation efforts can still yield meaningful environmental benefits.



Antony Thomas is a graduate student in UC Riverside’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and co-author of the study.



“Smaller efforts can still have a real impact on regional climates,” he said. “Restoration doesn’t have to happen everywhere at once to make a difference.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-forests-and-farmland"><a></a>Balancing forests and farmland</h2>



Despite the model’s optimistic numbers, the researchers acknowledge that reforesting all previously wooded areas is highly unlikely. Much of that land is now used for farming, ranching, or urban development, raising difficult questions about land use and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vaccinating-plants-could-boost-global-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food security</a>.



“There are eight billion people to feed,” Allen said. “We have to make careful decisions about where trees are planted. The best opportunities are in the tropics, but these are also the areas where deforestation continues today.”



The team cites Rwanda as a case study for how conservation can coexist with development. In Rwanda, tourism revenues tied to forest protection are reinvested in local communities, giving people a financial incentive to preserve forests instead of cutting them down.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-classroom-to-climate-research"><a></a>From classroom to climate research</h2>



The idea for the study began in a graduate-level climate modeling course at UC Riverside and eventually grew into a full-scale research project.



Using Earth system models and global land-use data, the team set out to evaluate just how much planting trees could move the needle on climate change.



The findings are cautiously hopeful: forest restoration is a valuable part of the climate solution, but it can’t do the job alone.



“Climate change is real,” Thomas said. “And every step toward restoration, no matter the scale, helps.”



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Trees are part of the climate solution - but not the whole answer

Replanting the world’s forests could significantly reduce global warming, particularly...

In coastal waters, hidden beneath the surface, seagrasses quietly play a vital role. They trap carbon dioxide more efficiently than tropical rainforests, acre for acre. 



Professor Ken Dunton, a marine biologist at <a href="https://www.utexas.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UT Austin</a>, has spent decades studying these coastal meadows. He noted that most of the biomass of a seagrass plant is below ground. "That’s where all the tissues store carbon."



The carbon is stored in roots and rhizomes buried in sediment. This makes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-plays-a-major-role-in-global-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seagrasses</a> natural carbon banks, especially useful in a world heating up from excess atmospheric carbon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-seagrass-carbon">Measuring seagrass carbon </h2>



To harness the carbon storage power of seagrass, we need accurate ways to measure it. Right now, measuring how much carbon seagrasses trap takes time and labor. 



Researchers must dig up sediment, haul it to a lab, and analyze it. It is expensive and cannot scale easily.



But there's good reason to want that data. Knowing how much carbon each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-meadows-still-thrive-on-floridas-nature-coast/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seagrass</a> bed stores could influence how governments and businesses manage these ecosystems. In the future, they might even earn carbon credits for maintaining or restoring seagrass meadows.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-simpler-method-emerges">A simpler method emerges</h2>



With help from ARPA-E, Dunton and engineering professor Preston Wilson are trying something novel. They’re listening to bubbles. As seagrasses photosynthesize, they release oxygen, some of which forms bubbles. More bubbles mean more photosynthesis and more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natural-climate-solutions-enhancing-the-role-of-seagrass-meadows/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a> storage.



“So just like us in air, if I breathe out… you can hear me. Well when the seagrass breathes out under water, it makes bubbles, and the bubbles make noise,” Wilson explained.



This noise offers a clue. With underwater microphones, called hydrophones, scientists can record these tiny bubble sounds. Then, they use sound levels to estimate how much carbon the seagrasses are locking away.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collecting-mud-to-test-a-new-idea">Collecting mud to test a new idea</h2>



At East Flats near Port Aransas, Texas, the research team works waist-deep in water. They collect sediment cores using a tool called a vibracore. It takes several people to push a long plastic tube into the mud and pull it back up.



Once back at the lab, the team slices these cores into hockey puck-sized disks. Each disk undergoes detailed analysis, acoustic scanning, drying, grinding, burning, and chemical testing. These methods reveal how much carbon each layer holds.



“What we want to learn out of these cores is: ‘What are the relationships between organic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-meadows-and-climate-change-an-uncertain-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a> in the sediment and the acoustic properties of the sediment?’” said Kevin Lee, from UT’s Applied Research Laboratories.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bubble-sounds-and-seagrass-carbon">Bubble sounds and seagrass carbon</h2>



The lab work helps link bubble sound levels to carbon content. The sound profile of each core becomes a blueprint. Over time, scientists will calibrate models that predict carbon levels from sound alone.



It is like tuning a sensor. If a certain sound intensity equals a known amount of carbon, then future recordings can be read like a meter, with no digging needed.



“And to make a market, you need a meter. We would be the meter in a future global carbon market," noted Professor Wilson.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-global-carbon-storage">Tracking global carbon storage</h2>



The ultimate goal of the research is to create low-cost hydrophone systems. These can stay underwater and record data continuously. The recordings could then be sent to computers onshore.



Study co-author Megan Ballard envisions a time when no one will need to visit the site just to check data.



“The whole goal of the project is to develop a low-cost network of sensors. We imagine something that can telemeter data back to shore,” said Ballard.



This would save time, reduce costs, and open the door to tracking carbon storage on a global scale.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seagrass-and-the-future-of-carbon-markets">Seagrass and the future of carbon markets</h2>



Imagine a future where a company restores a seagrass bed and gets credit for every ton of carbon stored. That future needs tools. Dunton, Wilson, and their team are building one, quietly listening to nature’s own signals.



The research might soon turn seagrasses into verifiable, scalable allies in the fight against climate change. Hidden under the waves, a bubbling meadow might someday power a carbon market.



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Seagrass bubble sounds can be used to measure carbon storage

In coastal waters, hidden beneath the surface, seagrasses quietly play...

Rising heat, relentless drought, violent downpours and a steadily thickening blanket of carbon dioxide are reshaping the planet on which agriculture depends.



In a recent review, <a href="https://illinois.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign</a> plant biologist Stephen Long has surveyed that changing landscape and the research aimed at ensuring <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/critical-food-crops-are-threatened-by-rising-temperatures-globally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food crops</a> can still thrive.



The picture he paints is sobering, yet not without hope, pointing to genetic discoveries that could keep crops productive even as the climate veers into unfamiliar territory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-agriculture-is-strained-by-climate-shifts">Agriculture is strained by climate shifts </h2>



Long pointed out how quickly the air around us is changing. “By 2050-60, crops will experience a significantly different environment from today,” he said.



A key driver is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-carbon-dioxide-makes-crops-grow-bigger-but-less-nutritious/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide</a>, whose concentration has climbed far beyond the levels in which modern agriculture evolved. From a pre-industrial baseline near 280 parts per million, “atmospheric CO2 reached 427 ppm in 2024 and is projected to be about 600 ppm by 2050.”



That shift alone would alter plant metabolism, but it arrives alongside <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-weather-is-pushing-nature-toward-a-breaking-point/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme weather</a>. Intensifying heat waves can sterilize pollen or wither seedlings, while droughts cut yields outright. Swollen rivers drown fields, and storms topple grain at harvest.



Long noted that those converging stresses will reduce harvests across much of the world unless crops themselves change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seeds-hold-key-to-resilience">Seeds hold key to resilience</h2>



Plant breeders have responded by scouring global seed vaults and wild relatives for crop varieties already carrying some climate resilience. 



For instance, the experts identified <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-quietly-making-rice-more-dangerous/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rice</a> lines that survive two weeks of total submergence, an asset in flood-prone deltas. They also found wheat strains that set grain under heat spikes that would devastate ordinary cultivars.



The underlying genes, once identified, can be bred into elite varieties or added directly with genome-editing tools.



Such work is painstaking. Researchers must link each trait to its genetic signature, cross or engineer it into agronomic lines, then test performance across years and regions. Even so, Long argued that tapping this standing diversity is one of the surest ways to buffer global harvests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taming-the-plants-thirst"><a></a>Taming the plants’ thirst</h2>



As temperatures climb, the atmosphere’s capacity to pull water from foliage rises too, forcing plants to close tiny pores called stomata to conserve moisture. That tactic, however, also limits the intake of CO2 for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/revealing-the-secrets-of-photosynthesis-through-pep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a>.



Several laboratories have engineered climate-resilient crops to finesse the trade-off. By boosting a sensor protein that tunes stomatal opening, field-grown tobacco cut water loss but maintained growth.



Separate experiments in rice and wheat reduced stomatal density, improving water-use efficiency by up to one-fifth without penalty to yield.



Although these demonstrations involve genetic engineering, Long noted that parallel gains might be possible through conventional breeding once the relevant genes are flagged.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-co2-fuels-growth-and-pests">CO2 fuels growth - and pests</h2>



Higher carbon dioxide, the very gas driving the crisis, can stimulate photosynthesis - up to a point. Yet it also upsets the balance of enzymes, sometimes depressing protein content or encouraging <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pests-are-moving-to-cooler-regions-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pest</a> outbreaks.



Scientists have begun tweaking the regulators of rubisco, the key enzyme that captures CO2, so photosynthesis keeps pace with future atmospheres without unintended side effects.



Such molecular fine-tuning illustrates how adaptation must occur on several fronts at once: shielding plants from heat and drought, refining how they handle surplus CO2, and safeguarding nutritional quality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-funding-gaps-threaten-agriculture-gains">Funding gaps threaten agriculture gains</h2>



Long cites U.S. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/maize-plant-genetics-shape-root-health-and-growth/">mai</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/maize-plant-genetics-shape-root-health-and-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">z</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/maize-plant-genetics-shape-root-health-and-growth/">e</a> as proof that breeding investments pay off. “Between 1980 and 2024, U.S. maize yields doubled while sorghum improved just 12%,” he said.



Maize benefited from vast private-sector spending on hybrid development, biotechnology, and agronomy. Sorghum, largely a public-sector crop in lower-income countries, lacked equivalent support.



That disparity, Long warns, could repeat across other staples - rice, wheat, cassava, legumes - unless governments and philanthropies step in. 



Private companies may not devote the required resources to crops grown mainly by smallholders or in poor regions, yet those crops undergird food security for billions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crop-innovation-vs-climate-clock">Crop innovation vs. climate clock</h2>



Even with ample funding, adapting crops is slow. A promising gene identified today may take a decade to reach farmers’ seed bags after regulatory review, field trials, and scale-up. 



That timeline collides with climate models showing sharp crop stress intensification in the 2030s and 2040s.



Long’s review thus serves as both roadmap and alarm, underscoring the urgency of accelerating research pathways and streamlining approval processes without compromising safety.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hope-inside-the-genome"><a></a>Hope inside the genome</h2>



Despite the formidable challenge, Long’s synthesis is not fatalistic. It catalogs concrete advances - heat-tolerant rice, drought-savvy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-bread-wheat-gave-rise-to-civilization/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wheat</a>, water-frugal tobacco prototypes - that could be transferred across crop species.



With sufficient investment and international collaboration, the same engineering mindset that transformed maize could be deployed where it is now most needed.



The task, Long concluded, is to harness biology faster than climate pressures dismantle current production systems. His review makes clear that the science exists to do so. 



The remaining question is whether society will commit the resources and political resolve to bring those discoveries to scale before the planet’s pantries feel the full heat of global change.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2024.0229">Philosophical Transactions </a><a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2024.0229" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">o</a><a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2024.0229">f the Royal Society B</a>.



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Genetic fixes may save crops from climate stress

Rising heat, relentless drought, violent downpours and a steadily thickening...

South Florida’s sprawling mangrove forests, famed for their tangled roots, play a critical role in buffering storm surge. However, they have long been viewed as vulnerable to the growing punch of hurricanes intensified by climate change.



Yet new research from the <a href="https://environment.yale.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yale School of the Environment</a> paints a far more optimistic picture, showing that Everglades mangroves can replace all the carbon they lose to powerful storms in just a handful of years.



The findings come from an unprecedented long-term analysis of carbon dynamics before and after Hurricane Wilma in 2005 and Hurricane Irma in 2017.



By combining ground-based sensors with satellite imagery and years of ecological field data, the research team calculated each forest’s “recovery debt.” This represents the sum of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mangroves-and-saltmarshes-are-much-better-at-storing-carbon-than-previously-believed/">car</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mangroves-and-saltmarshes-are-much-better-at-storing-carbon-than-previously-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">b</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mangroves-and-saltmarshes-are-much-better-at-storing-carbon-than-previously-believed/">on</a> lost during a storm and the time the ecosystem needs to rebuild that stock.



The study revealed that four years after both storms, the mangroves’ carbon balance was back as it was before.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-mangrove-climate-resilience">Measuring mangrove climate resilience</h2>



“Many people frame disturbance research in terms of how much initial loss there was,” said lead author David Reed, an associate research scientist at Yale. “That’s part of the story, but it’s really about how long it takes to recover from that loss.”



The concept of recovery debt, he explained, offers a clearer gauge of resilience than raw damage totals alone. If forests regain their carbon quickly, they can keep functioning as long-term carbon sinks despite periodic hits.



The study focused on two Everglades towers measuring mangrove-atmosphere gas exchanges related to climate for nearly two decades.



Those records are “a good sign that mangroves in the Everglades are and will continue to be relatively resilient to the types of disturbances we know they’re going to experience in the future,” said co-author Sparkle Malone, an assistant professor at the <a href="https://naturalcarboncapture.yale.edu/">Yale Center for N</a><a href="https://naturalcarboncapture.yale.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a</a><a href="https://naturalcarboncapture.yale.edu/">tural Carbon Capture</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hurricanes-carbon-and-timing"><a></a>Hurricanes, carbon, and timing</h2>



Mangroves draw CO2 from the air and store it in trunks, roots, and underlying soil. When hurricanes hit, branches break, trees topple, and carbon washes back into the atmosphere.



If another intense storm arrives before the forest has recovered, the ecosystem can slip progressively further behind.



Reed likens the cycle to a sudden financial shock. A household facing an unexpected bill might use savings but recover if its income stays stable.



Stretch that bill across multiple emergencies, however, and the family’s finances spiral. By tallying carbon in the same way, the researchers concluded Everglades mangroves need roughly four storm-free years to “earn back” the carbon they lose.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mangrove-data-and-satellite-images">Mangrove data and satellite images</h2>



Such precise accounting required long, continuous records seldom available in coastal wetlands.



In collaboration with <a href="https://www.fiu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida International University</a>, the team tapped the <a href="https://fcelter.fiu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Coastal Everglades Long Term Ecological Research program</a> (FCE LTER). This program has monitored forest structure, soil chemistry, and gas fluxes in the region since 2004.



“There have been a lot of resources and instrumentation put in this area, and so you can study processes that you can't do on the landscape scale anywhere else in the world,” Malone said.



Tower data were paired with high-resolution satellite images, allowing researchers to scale their measurements across vast swaths of shoreline.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-policy-lessons-from-mangroves">Policy lessons from mangroves</h2>



The Everglades are the focus of one of the largest wetland recovery efforts on the planet, and Malone believes the new findings validate that investment.



“We know that it's in the millions, maybe even billions, of dollars of resource protection that mangrove forests provide, and so this confirms with all of the funding and effort put into Everglades restoration, that it's worth it,” she said.



Mangroves limit flooding and protect infrastructure, so their quick rebound could save public funds from storm damage. Meanwhile, the mangrove forests’ carbon storage capacity makes them a natural ally in climate mitigation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-storm-risk-looms-ahead">Storm risk looms ahead</h2>



While the results bode well for Everglades mangroves, Reed cautions that the four-year recovery window is a threshold, not a guarantee. 



Should future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-hurricanes-help-oceans-fight-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hurricanes</a> strike more frequently than that, the recovery debt could start compounding.



That prospect underscores the importance of climate action, since warmer oceans can supercharge hurricanes and alter their recurrence patterns. Even resilient mangroves may falter if storm intervals shrink below their recovery debt time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-blueprint-for-other-coastlines">A blueprint for other coastlines</h2>



Although this study centered on southern Florida, the methods can be applied worldwide. With mangroves buffering coasts from Florida to Fiji, the authors hope recovery debt will become a common metric for gauging ecosystem health under climate stress.



Because it measures recovery, it could help conservationists prioritize areas for the fastest carbon payback.



For Malone, the take-home message is clear: “Mangroves have the capacity to capture carbon lost due to hurricanes relatively quickly,” she said.



Given the twin threats of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-heat-of-2024-triggered-a-surge-in-sea-level-rise/">sea lev</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-heat-of-2024-triggered-a-surge-in-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">e</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-heat-of-2024-triggered-a-surge-in-sea-level-rise/">l rise</a> and stronger storms, that resilience is highly important. It could be a linchpin in global strategies to protect coastlines and curb greenhouse gases - provided society gives these forests the breathing room they need between climatic shocks.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.70124" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Change Biology</a>.



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Mangroves can quickly recover carbon lost to climate extremes

South Florida’s sprawling mangrove forests, famed for their tangled roots,...

Inside every plant cell, an ancient struggle plays out. It is not dramatic like a predator-prey chase, but it is essential for life. DNA from chloroplasts - once free-living bacteria - still tries to sneak into the plant’s nuclear genome. Sometimes this sneaking helps evolution, but often it is dangerous.



Plants need ways to stop this intrusion. A new study from the <a href="https://www.mpimp-golm.mpg.de/2168/mpi-molecular-plant-physiology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology</a> explores this battle. It shows how rapid DNA repair guards the plant’s genome from being overwhelmed by foreign sequences. 



Led by Dr. Enrique Gonzalez-Duran and Professor Dr. Ralph Bock, the research shines a light on a quiet but powerful line of defense.



The team studied tobacco plants. They wanted to understand how breaks in nuclear DNA might open the door for unwanted genetic visitors. The results go far beyond botany, suggesting universal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-use-dna-duplication-to-increase-their-resilience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mechanisms</a> that may apply to animals and humans too.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-dna-invades-plants">How DNA invades plants</h2>



Plants evolved from ancestors that once swallowed bacteria. Over time, those bacteria became chloroplasts and mitochondria. Some of their genes jumped to the host’s nuclear DNA. This process, called endosymbiotic gene transfer (EGT), has shaped eukaryotic evolution for billions of years.



Even today, EGT continues. Most organellar DNA transfers fail or get degraded, but sometimes they succeed. A piece of chloroplast DNA slips into the nucleus, settles in, and even becomes active. 



This can help the plant adapt, but it can also damage the host’s genome. If the insertion disrupts a vital gene or rearranges chromosomes, it can cause long-lasting harm. The researchers wanted to know how plants prevent this from happening too often.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breaks-in-dna-invite-invasion">Breaks in DNA invite invasion</h2>



The key lies in DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). These are serious injuries in the genome. If not repaired quickly, they become open doors for foreign DNA. 



Normally, the cell repairs the breaks using fast-acting pathways like non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) and polymerase-theta-mediated end joining (TMEJ).



To explore their role, the team disabled these two repair systems in tobacco <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-of-life-created-for-flowering-plants-using-400-million-specimens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a>. The plants still grew, though some developed slowly. But under the surface, big changes were unfolding.



Without these repair pathways, DSBs lingered longer. That gave chloroplast DNA more time to enter and integrate into the nuclear genome. When the researchers tracked more than 650,000 seedlings, they saw a dramatic increase in EGT events, up to 20 times more in some cases.



"The magnitude of the effect suggests that rapid DNA repair is essential for plants to maintain long-term genome stability," said Dr. Enrique Gonzalez-Duran.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-repairs-stop-gene-invasion">Repairs stop gene invasion</h2>



The researchers developed a clever screening system. They inserted a gene into chloroplasts that only conferred resistance to kanamycin when transferred to the nucleus. Using this setup, they could detect when EGT had occurred by seeing which <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/genetically-enhanced-crops-could-help-fight-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> survived the antibiotic.



The team found that EGT does not just happen during plant regeneration. It occurs in real time, over weeks and months. Tobacco leaves continued to produce new gene transfer events throughout a 120-day experiment. The longer the DSBs remained unrepaired, the more EGT happened.



Unrepaired breaks give chloroplast DNA a chance to settle in. In normal cells, fast repair seals the break before foreign DNA can sneak in. In mutant cells, delays allow invasion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-foreign-dna-changes-future-generations">Foreign DNA changes future generations</h2>



To see whether these gene transfers affected offspring, the team bred the mutant plants. They looked at how kanamycin resistance was passed down. In many cases, it followed expected patterns. But some lines showed fewer resistant seedlings than expected.



This mismatch pointed to instability. Some of the inserted genes did not last into the next generation. In a surprising twist, the researchers found that mutations in one repair pathway, NHEJ, actually made the transferred DNA more stable once it entered the nucleus.



Even more striking was what happened in the male <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/germ-cells-play-a-crucial-role-in-aging-and-lifespan/">reproductive cells</a>. When mutant plants served as pollen donors, the number of EGT events in offspring exploded. Certain mutants, like polqΔHel-4, showed a 20-fold increase in gene transfers during pollen formation.



"These DNA repair pathways are conserved in animals and fungi," noted Professor Dr. Ralph Bock. "Our findings could explain similar genome instability mechanisms in other organisms, including humans."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mutant-plants-for-genetic-research">Mutant plants for genetic research</h2>



The researchers also built a set of genetically modified tobacco plants with defects in NHEJ, TMEJ, or both. 



The mutants help study DNA integration, editing, and stress response. Some showed surprising results - unlike in Arabidopsis, POLQ loss in tobacco didn’t stop regeneration.



This reveals how repair systems may differ across species. Bleomycin tests confirmed the mutants had weaker DNA repair.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fast-repair-helps-keeps-dna-safe">Fast repair helps keeps DNA safe</h2>



Plants with faulty repair systems allowed foreign DNA to integrate at high rates. If left unchecked, these insertions could interrupt genes and cause chaos. Over time, this would reshape the genome in ways that could harm the plant’s survival.



"Our discovery provides fundamental insights into genome protection and the risks of gene transfer," said Gonzalez-Duran. "It reveals how crucial fast DNA repair is, not just to fix damage, but also to defend the integrity of the genome itself."



The researchers conclude that plants rely on rapid repair not because it is perfect, but because it limits the damage foreign DNA can cause. Even if the repair introduces small errors, it is still better than letting organellar DNA flood the nucleus.



Though done in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tobacco-and-zinnia-can-thrive-in-polluted-land/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tobacco</a>, the findings apply broadly. Animals and fungi share similar DNA repair systems. In humans, faulty repair can let mitochondrial DNA disrupt the genome, even triggering cancer. Studying plants shows how fast repair helps maintain stability across life.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-025-02005-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Plants</a>.



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Rapid DNA repair prevents harmful genetic intrusion in plants

Inside every plant cell, an ancient struggle plays out. It...

Climate change research often paints a grim picture. Rising temperatures, vanishing forests, and escalating carbon dioxide (CO2) levels dominate headlines. But new research published in the journal Science offers a reason for cautious optimism. 



An international team of scientists has uncovered findings that could change how we understand tree responses to warming temperatures.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-trees-decide-between-growing-and-breathing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trees</a> play a huge role in managing Earth's CO2 levels. They absorb carbon during photosynthesis and release some of it back through respiration. 



It has long been assumed that as the climate warms, tree respiration and the resulting CO2 emissions would sharply increase. That increase would then add more carbon to the atmosphere and fuel more warming.



This cycle, known as a positive climate feedback, has been a key concern for climate scientists. But according to a global study led by experts at <a href="https://www.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tsinghua University</a>, trees may not release as much carbon as we once feared.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-trees-release-carbon">How trees release carbon</h2>



The study focuses on a specific type of carbon release: the respiration from tree stems. When trees grow, they use energy, and this process emits carbon dioxide. While photosynthesis captures CO2, respiration does the opposite. 



Understanding this balance is essential to predicting how ecosystems respond to climate change.



Scientists have believed that warmer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-are-losing-the-battle-against-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climates</a> would naturally speed up respiration. That belief was based on short-term experiments, where researchers exposed plants to heat and recorded quick increases in CO2 emissions. These tests, though useful, do not reveal how trees behave over years or decades of warming.



"This is likely true, but this latest research reveals that carbon fluxes under warmer future climates will not increase as much as currently thought," said Professor Ian Wright of <a href="https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Western Sydney University</a>, co-author of the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-trees-adapt-to-warming">How trees adapt to warming</h2>



To dig deeper, the team built a dataset of thousands of stem respiration measurements from hundreds of tree species. The trees came from all major climate zones: tropical, temperate, arid, and boreal. 



The data included samples from Australian savannas, woodlands, and rainforests collected over the past decade by Professor Wright’s team.



This vast dataset allowed the researchers to test how tree respiration changes not just during sudden heat but over long periods. The results suggest that trees adapt to higher temperatures in ways that slow down CO2 release.



"Short-term, temperature-driven <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-have-unique-fungi-partnerships-that-help-them-survive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changes</a> in plant respiration rates are measured in seconds, minutes and hours. Due to the quick-acting enzymatic processes in plant tissues, the changes in plant respiration are very fast, and predictable," explained Professor Wright.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-release-carbon-differently">Trees release carbon differently</h2>



Professor Wright pointed out that long-term changes behave differently. Plants may quickly ramp up CO2 release in hot weather, but this response does not last forever.



"This contrasts with the long-term, temperature-driven changes in respiration rates that are measured in months, years and decades. Most global ecosystem models in the past have assumed that the same short-term behavior in plants also applies over a longer time period, but this is not the case,” said Professor Wright.



"We now know that thermal acclimation over long timescales will dampen the positive feedbacks between climate warming and carbon emissions from plants."



Thermal acclimation refers to the process where plants adjust their internal systems to handle rising temperatures. This ability could be a hidden strength in forests worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-climate-models-for-better">Changing climate models for better</h2>



The research could ultimately reshape climate modeling. Existing global models often assume that tree respiration continues to rise sharply with temperature. That assumption might now be too simplistic. With better data on long-term plant responses, climate scientists can update their predictions.



The study’s lead authors, Dr. Han Wang and Han Zhang from Tsinghua University, noted that only recently has the global scientific community had enough consistent data to challenge the old assumptions.



The team's research has caught the attention of top vegetation modelers. Professor Sandy Harrison from the <a href="https://www.reading.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Reading</a> believes the implications are broad.



"These findings give scientists a new approach for assessing the degree to which ecosystems around the globe can slow the rate of warming," said Professor Harrison.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-may-naturally-limit-carbon-emissions">Trees may naturally limit carbon emissions</h2>



The potential for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-new-trees-brings-hope-for-healthier-babies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a> to adjust and regulate their CO2 release adds a layer of resilience to Earth’s systems. Although humans continue to emit carbon at alarming rates, nature may not always respond in a way that intensifies the damage.



Professor Wright highlighted the practical importance of these results, especially in a world already experiencing frequent climate disruptions.



"We're already seeing that play out both here in Australia and around the world. However, these new findings suggest that, to some extent, ecosystems globally will slow the trends in one key driver of these changes, elevated atmospheric CO2," he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-data-reshapes-carbon-forecasts">New data reshapes carbon forecasts</h2>



The research on trees and carbon brings cautious hope. It does not cancel out climate risks. However, it shows that ecosystems might absorb some shocks more gently than expected. 



With new data, improved models, and a clearer picture of plant behavior, scientists can build better forecasts and solutions.



Nature’s processes are complex. Trees do not simply react, they adjust. This long-term adjustment could be one of the quiet forces helping the planet endure in the face of climate change.



Other institutions involved in the study include <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imperial College London</a> and <a href="https://www.berkeley.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Berkeley</a>. For background on climate-carbon feedbacks, visit the <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IPCC Working Group I</a> report.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adr9978" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Climate models may overestimate how much carbon trees release

Climate change research often paints a grim picture. Rising temperatures,...

Africa’s farmland often faces unwelcome visitors that gnaw through crops and leave misery behind. Many people have blamed all snakes for causing trouble, but new findings paint a different picture. 



A recent study highlights how puff adders play a major part in controlling rodents that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insecticides-may-be-helping-weeds-thrive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">damage crops</a>. The research was led by Professor Graham Alexander of the <a href="https://www.wits.ac.za" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of the Witwatersrand</a> in Johannesburg.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-puff-adders-are-useful-not-harmful">Puff adders are useful, not harmful</h2>



Puff adders (<a href="https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Bitis_arietans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bitis arietans</a>) are found across large parts of sub-Saharan Africa. They move slowly, stay well-hidden, and have long been overlooked by farmers who worry about venomous bites.



They often wait motionless for prey to wander close. This approach has gained attention among scientists who see it as a strategic advantage in tackling <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eco-friendly-pest-control-this-simple-cinnamon-trick-keeps-mice-away/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rodents</a>.



“Puff adders are essentially nature’s perfect rodent control system,” said Professor Alexander. He examined how these snakes help farmers reduce crop losses by limiting rodent outbreaks.



Many rodent populations skyrocket after rainfall. These small mammals then devour anything in sight. Professor Alexander’s study documents how puff adders adjust <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pest-control-product-nemaslug-could-harm-beneficial-snails/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feeding</a> in response.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-puff-adders-reduce-rodent-plagues">Puff adders reduce rodent plagues</h2>



Rodent infestations can destroy large portions of harvests. Farmers often invest in traps or chemical deterrents, which can be costly. Puff adders present a way to manage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/beneficial-insects-are-severely-impacted-by-air-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pests</a> without expensive inputs.



Professor Alexander found that a single puff adder can down several rodents in a single meal. This provides continuous protection at no financial burden to the farmer.



“They can consume multiple animals when outbreaks occur,” said Alexander. He discovered that each snake has the capacity to eat up to ten small rodents in one sitting.



A week later, they might be ready to eat again. This natural routine keeps rodent numbers in check, which reduces the chance of plagues that can harm entire regions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-snakes-vs-mammals-who-eats-more">Snakes vs. mammals: Who eats more?</h2>



While a puff adder can increase its food intake up to 12 times its normal level, mammalian predators don’t come close. For instance, least weasels and <a href="https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/species/A073?" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lynx</a> only manage to raise <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1890/0012-9658%281998%29079%5B1193%3AFROCAL%5D2.0.CO%3B2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumption</a> by about threefold during prey surges.



This difference isn’t just academic. When rodents boom, predators that can eat more make a much bigger dent in the problem. Puff adders’ ability to eat frequently makes them more effective than mammals during critical windows.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-endurance-of-puff-adders">Extreme endurance of puff adders </h2>



“What’s particularly valuable about puff adders is their natural abundance in many African habitats,” said Professor Alexander. These snakes exist in higher densities than most mammalian predators, which magnifies their impact on rodent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rats-are-spreading-a-deadly-disease-across-cities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">populations</a>.



They hide among grass and scrub, and they stick around as long as they find food. Even if rodents temporarily vanish, the snakes survive on very little for long stretches.



Puff adders can survive for astonishing lengths of time without eating. After a period of heavy feeding, some individuals in the study were estimated to fast for nearly two years before their weight returned to normal levels.



This extreme endurance is due to their <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/ectotherm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ectothermic</a> biology and low energy needs. It means puff adders remain in the ecosystem as a kind of “standby” predator, ready to jump back into action when rodent numbers rise again.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecosystem-health-and-crop-productivity">Ecosystem health and crop productivity</h2>



Agricultural communities often face tight budgets. They juggle soil management, irrigation, and day-to-day operations. Puff adders require no special feed or care to keep them around.



This snake-based solution saves money and promotes ecological balance. It spares many farmers from spraying chemicals that can harm other wildlife in the area.



“By protecting these natural controllers, we can harness their remarkable abilities to support both ecosystem health and agricultural productivity across Africa. This also highlights the need to have snakes included in conservation management plans,” said Professor Alexander.



Yet many people remain wary because these vipers are ectothermic, meaning they depend on external heat sources to regulate body temperature.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-treating-puff-adders-as-allies">Treating puff adders as allies</h2>



Puff adders still pose some risk to humans and livestock if cornered, so awareness campaigns are key. Educational outreach helps locals see these snakes as an ally, not a threat.



A small change in attitude could lead to improved yields. More farmland owners are starting to see that puff adders provide a steady rodent management system. They do not roam widely or chase rodents across great distances.



They wait quietly, blending into the background. As rodents come too close, the snakes strike and remove the danger before it spreads.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-99550-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Nature's rodent control system: How puff adders protect crops

Africa’s farmland often faces unwelcome visitors that gnaw through crops...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE
</div></figure>



On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop and sunlight barely penetrates through the polar winter. It was here, however, that an international team of scientists found <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predatory-worms-were-terror-beasts-half-a-billion-years-ago/#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence of sea monsters</a> that would change our understanding of ocean life in the past.



This video captures the discovery of Timorebestia fossils that had been hidden for more than 500 million years in the Sirius Passet formation. The "terror beasts," as they are called, are a hidden chapter in the evolutionary history of <a href="https://www.earth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>, showing that sophisticated predator-prey interactions occurred much earlier than previously envisioned.



Dr. Jakob Vinther and his research team at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>, in collaboration with researchers at the <a href="https://eng.kopri.re.kr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Korean Polar Research Institute</a>, braved extreme weather conditions at 82.5 north latitude to locate these giant creatures. Using sophisticated electron microprobe analysis, they revealed the detailed anatomy of the animals, including their muscle and nerve tissues.



The find upsets the traditional timeline of sea predators. Although we've long appreciated that Cambrian oceans were at one time ruled by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWI3-UgA3_o&amp;list=PL1QLQMW9MWDwpkFOnvgAmu7wT6rZmYqdJ&amp;index=19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arthropods</a>, these discoveries indicate that relatives of arrow worms were first to dominate the seas. These worms were building sophisticated food webs several million years before other predator groups arose.



Each fossil is a story of ancient hunger, with fossil stomach contents revealing these meter-long beasts dined on heavily armored arthropods regularly, cementing their place as the ocean's first apex predators.



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">New York is the site of the world's oldest forest.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-385-million-year-old-trees-discovered">385-million-year-old trees discovered</h2>



Scientists have uncovered something extraordinary just two hours north of New York City. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-forest-discovered-close-to-new-york-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">world's oldest forest</a>, dating back 385 million years, offers a window into how Earth's first complex forests shaped our planet's atmosphere.



Located near <a href="https://townofcairo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cairo, New York</a>, in Greene County, these weren't merely primitive plants struggling to survive. These were sophisticated trees with root systems remarkably similar to modern forests. This ancient woodland predates dinosaurs by 140 million years.



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



385 million years ago, upstate New York was a tropical paradise near the equator. Thanks to continental drift, this ancient forest has traveled thousands of miles to its current location.



The fossil forest sits in an abandoned quarry, roughly half the size of a football field. This represents just a slice of what was likely a massive forest system stretching from New York into Pennsylvania.



Charles Ver Straeten, curator of sedimentary rocks at the <a href="https://www.nysm.nysed.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York State Museum</a>, made the discovery in 2009. While scouting the former highway department property, his trained eye spotted wandering patterns in the stone that looked like marine features.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-age-and-preservation">Revolutionary age and preservation</h2>



The site contains 385-million-year-old rocks with fossilized woody roots forming horizontal patterns up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) wide. As Christopher Berry, a paleobotanist at Cardiff University, explains: "You are walking through the roots of ancient trees."



This discovery pushes back advanced tree evolution by millions of years. The research, published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a> in December 2019, fundamentally changes our understanding of when complex forests first emerged.



Researchers believe a massive flood buried the forest floor, creating perfect fossilization conditions. Over millions of years, sediment hardened into rock, preserving these root patterns like nature's time capsule.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-archaeopteris-the-first-modern-tree">Meet Archaeopteris: the first modern tree</h2>



The star of this ancient forest is Archaeopteris – not to be confused with the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx. This tree was far older and more revolutionary.



William Stein from <a href="https://www.binghamton.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Binghamton University</a> describes the roots as "strikingly modern, essentially what you'd see outside in my yard right now." These weren't simple root systems you'd expect from ancient plants.



Some fossilized roots are six inches (15 centimeters) in diameter, forming 36-foot-wide (11-meter) patterns. These giants grew up to 65 feet (20 meters) tall with five-foot-diameter (1.5-meter) trunks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-changing-impact">Climate-changing impact</h2>



These trees fundamentally changed Earth's environment. Kevin Boyce, a Stanford University geoscientist, explains how their deep roots triggered "weathering," chemical reactions that pulled carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.



This process dropped atmospheric CO2 levels from 10-15 times higher than today to roughly modern concentrations. These ancient trees helped create atmospheric conditions that made complex life possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-forest-ecosystem">Ancient forest ecosystem</h2>



The forest was remarkably diverse. Scientists identified Eospermatopteris, palm tree-like plants with short roots that reached 30 feet (9 meters) tall but lacked woody structure. The forest also housed cladoxylopsids and a mysterious third species still being studied.



All reproduced through spores rather than seeds – millions of years before seeds evolved. This tropical environment had no grass, flowers, or flying insects, just towering trees creating Earth's first complex forest canopy.



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



Before this finding, the Gilboa forest, located 25 miles (40 kilometers) away, held the "oldest forest" title. Cairo's trees are 2-3 million years older, showing that complex forest ecosystems developed much faster than scientists believed possible.



Patricia Gensel, a <a href="https://www.unc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina</a> paleobotanist, notes: "The size of those root systems is really changing the picture. Even 20 years ago, researchers assumed trees with such complex root systems didn't evolve so early."



The Cairo site presents three unique root systems, suggesting Devonian period forests were diverse ecosystems with different trees occupying different environmental niches, much like today's forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-preservation-efforts">Modern preservation efforts</h2>



In 2022, New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey secured a $170,000 grant for the town of Cairo to construct specialized fencing around the fossil forest site. The town plans to conduct a feasibility study exploring the possibility of creating an educational center and working lab on-site.



Joe Hasenkopf, chair of the Cairo Planning Board, hopes to partner with educational institutions to create a research facility serving scientists, students, and the public.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-today-s-climate">Lessons for today's climate</h2>



Why does a 385-million-year-old forest matter today? It shows how dramatically forests can change Earth's climate. These ancient woodlands created the atmospheric conditions supporting complex life.



Understanding how prehistoric forests transformed the planet helps us appreciate modern forests' critical role in addressing climate change. Forests remain Earth's most effective carbon capture systems.



These prehistoric trees changed Earth's atmosphere by pulling massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the air. As we face modern climate challenges, this ancient forest reminds us of trees' incredible power to transform our planet's environment.



The next time you walk through a forest, remember you're experiencing an ecosystem whose blueprint was established 385 million years ago in upstate New York. These ancient pioneers didn't just survive – they thrived and changed the world forever.



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ New York is the site of the world's oldest...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

Fresh,Radish,Harvest,On,Soil,In,Garden.

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex
</div></figure>







Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving fall garden, and this guide lays out the best vegetables and herbs to plant now for a fruitful autumn harvest. 



Fast-growing leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, kale, and arugula perform especially well in the waning summer heat, with harvests beginning as soon as 30 days. 



These cool-season crops relish the transition into fall, offering repeated yields with cut-and-come-again methods.



Root vegetables like radishes, carrots, and beets also excel during this period. Radishes deliver satisfaction in under a month, while carrots and beets mature in about two months. Employing succession planting ensures a continuous stream of produce deep into the cooler months. 



For a boost of fresh flavor, herbs like cilantro, basil, dill, and chervil are excellent picks. These heat-loving varieties flourish in July’s warmth and are harvest-ready in about 30 days, especially when sown continuously.



Gardeners in zones 6 through 9 can benefit from planting bush beans and snap peas, which don’t require trellising and are ideal for compact plots. 



Maturing in 50–60 days, they’re a smart choice for quick, protein-rich harvests. For those in hotter regions, heat-tolerant crops such as okra and southern peas provide reliable yields and thrive in scorching conditions.



This guide emphasizes more than crop selection—it highlights the importance of timing, soil preparation, and ongoing sowing techniques. 



With thoughtful planning and attention to regional climate needs, even late-summer gardeners can enjoy fresh salads, hearty stews, and the satisfaction of a robust, homegrown harvest well into fall.



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving...

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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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

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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?

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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

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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"

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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

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