Hot summers have made bark beetles a familiar menace in northern Europe, but a new twist is now clear. When these insects kill spruce, they also change the air within the forest, raising daytime temperatures close to the ground by as much as 2 degrees Celsius (about 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit).



That <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-forests-which-tree-species-can-survive-climate-change/">shift</a> matters because many organisms depend on steady conditions near the forest floor. It also affects how new trees take root after a disturbance, and how people feel when they walk these trails on a scorching day.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increasing-bark-beetle-outbreaks">Increasing bark beetle outbreaks </h2>



The research was led by Caroline Greiser of Stockholm University and the <a href="https://www.su.se/bolin-centre-for-climate-research/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bolin Centre for Climate Research</a>. 



The team measured temperatures both beneath and above the trees at 31 spruce-dominated sites in southern Sweden between July and September 2021.



Sensors mounted at 6.5 feet recorded air in the understory, the shaded space below the canopy. A drone flight added a thermal map of treetops over one reserve to compare living crowns with dead ones.



The focus was the European spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus. “We’ve known for a long time that hot, dry summers increase bark beetle <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-lagging-centuries-behind-in-climate-adaptation/">outbreaks</a>,” said Greiser.



The goal of the study was to see how attack severity plays out in the micro-scale temperatures that plants and animals actually experience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temperatures-of-dead-trees">Temperatures of dead trees</h2>



Daytime maximums beneath attacked stands ran up to 2 degrees Celsius warmer along a gradient from healthy to heavily damaged. 



Nights did not drop below the temperatures seen in healthy stands, which suggests a surprising kind of thermal stability after mortality.



Dead trees were not neutral at the top of the forest either. On a sunny day their crowns averaged 2.6 degrees Celsius warmer than living crowns, and on an overcast day the gap shrank to 0.7 degrees.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-deciduous-trees-matter">Why deciduous trees matter</h2>



Where birch and aspen were mixed in with spruce, the warming was smaller. Broad leaves restore shade, keep moisture cycling, and help hold down the daily highs under the trees after an outbreak.



“Our study adds a new reason to diversify forests,” said Greiser. Mixed stands also spread risk across species, so a single pest cannot topple everything at once. 



Restoring deciduous trees to conifer heavy stands has been a policy discussion in Scandinavia for years. These results add temperature control to the list of reasons to bring them back.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temperature-effects-of-bark-beetles">Temperature effects of bark beetles</h2>



Forests tend to be cooler by day and warmer by night than open areas because of shading, wind reduction, and moisture fluxes. That buffering is documented in a global <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/gcb.15569" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">review</a> that links canopy structure to steadier conditions below.



Living trees also move water from soils to air through <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/water-science-school/science/evapotranspiration-and-water-cycle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evapotranspiration</a>, which absorbs heat on hot afternoons. When many trees die, that cooling pathway weakens, so the daytime highs under the canopy can tick upward.



Despite the warmer days, attacked stands did not show colder nights in this work. Crowns and stems, even when dead, still slow the loss of heat to the sky, and that can keep minimums steady.



Earlier field <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037811270100754X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> in shelterwood systems found higher night minimums under partial cover than in clear cuts. That helps explain why leaving some structure standing can still protect frost sensitive seedlings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-dead-trees-run-hotter">Why dead trees run hotter</h2>



The thermal drone maps showed dead crowns run warmer than living crowns, especially on clear days. That pattern lines up with reduced water flow from dead wood and the loss of evaporative cooling at the top of the stand.



Independent remote sensing work in Poland reported roughly a 2.5 degrees Celsius (about 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit) difference between dead and healthy tree canopies on a hot day. Weather conditions and tree species can change the exact number, but the direction is consistent.



Clear skies strengthen these differences because sunlight drives heating while living leaves are busy cooling. Clouds narrow the gap by cutting incoming <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protecting-forests-helps-birds-and-humans-in-many-ways/">energy</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preparing-for-bark-beetles">Preparing for bark beetles</h2>



Once again, diversity proves valuable. Adding birch and aspen to spruce stands softens the heat surge that follows beetle die-offs and reduces the risk of a single insect wiping out the entire stand.



Decisions about salvage logging are not one size fits all. Where standing dead trees help hold night minimums steady and support insects and fungi that need dead wood, managers can leave structure to maintain that buffering.



Fire risk is often raised after beetle outbreaks, yet large scale <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1424037112" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyses</a> show area burned in the western United States did not increase directly because of beetles, with fire weather playing a larger role. 



That does not remove local hazards, but it does suggest careful, site specific planning rather than blanket assumptions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-bark-beetle-outbreaks">Future bark beetle outbreaks </h2>



Better maps of fine scale temperature will help link microclimate to seedling survival and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-not-adapting-fast-enough-to-climate-change/">wildlife</a> activity. 



Repeated drone flights across seasons and weather types could sharpen guidance on when and where structure matters most.



Microclimate is part of the climate feedback too. As bark beetles change how heat moves through forests, they shape the very environment that affects future outbreaks and regeneration.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168192325004150" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Agricultural and Forest Meteorology</a>.



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Bark beetle attacks increase daytime forest temperatures

Hot summers have made bark beetles a familiar menace in northern Europe, but a new twist is now clear. When these insects kill spruce, they also change the air within the forest, raising daytime temperatures close to the ground by as much as 2 degrees Celsius (about 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). That shift matters because many organisms depend on steady conditions near the forest floor. It also affects how new trees take root after a disturbance, and how people feel when they walk these trails on a scorching...

One chilly day, a family in Sri Lanka came upon a bright red mushroom emerging from the wet earth in their home garden. It carried a strange shape and a bulbous base, so they snapped a quick photo and began asking around.



They soon connected with <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bhathiya-Gopallawa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bhathiya Gopallawa</a>, a doctoral researcher from the University of Peradeniya, who recognized something unusual in that image. 



When he and his colleagues checked historic records, they identified it as <a href="https://www.mushroomexpert.com/mutinus_bambusinus.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mutinus bambusinus</a>, a fungus recorded just once, in 1919, and then never reported again.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stinkhorn-mushrooms-reappearance">Stinkhorn mushrooms reappearance</h2>



This fungus has a vivid red look that can catch anyone off guard. It is known for producing a strong odor in its spore mass, which attracts insects.



Scientists believe insects help carry away the spores, which can spread the fungus to other areas. The recent finding hints that this mushroom could be more widespread than once assumed.



Many <a href="https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/stinkhorns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stinkhorn</a> mushrooms rely on insects rather than wind for spore movement. Mutinus bambusinus emits a slimy layer that smells unpleasant to humans.



Flies are especially drawn to foul scents, so they flock to these mushrooms. Once they land, they accumulate spores on their legs and then carry them to other locations without even knowing it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-lack-of-bamboo">Surprising lack of bamboo</h2>



A century ago, the fungus was first noted in bamboo debris. This time, it sprouted in a spot with no bamboo in sight.



This unexpected setting has sparked questions about its ecological needs. Perhaps it can exist in a broad range of habitats but was overlooked for generations.



“We expect more reports in the coming months,” said Gopallawa.The image sent by the family opened the door for more mushroom sightings.&nbsp;



Such local discoveries help experts keep track of rare species. Home gardeners are often the first to notice unfamiliar organisms in yards or flowerbeds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-stinkhorn-mushrooms-matter">Why stinkhorn mushrooms matter</h2>



Experts say it is encouraging to find species thought missing. Some plants, fungi, and animals can pop up again, as highlighted by the <a href="https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/06/rediscovered-species-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Economic Forum</a>.



Yet it does not erase the reality that many living things are truly extinct. Conservation remains essential for all, despite these happy surprises.



Biodiversity is known to help stabilize ecosystems, per the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/biodiversity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Nations</a>. When we lose it, we threaten our food supply and water quality.



Each species plays a part in balancing the web of life. A single organism can be a valuable puzzle piece in a fragile and interconnected system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-importance-of-fungi">Global importance of fungi</h2>



“This is a great example of how citizen science can contribute to formal research,” said <a href="https://sci.pdn.ac.lk/botany/staff/Deepthi-Yakandawala" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deepthi Yakandawala</a>, a botanist at the <a href="https://www.pdn.ac.lk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Peradeniya</a>. 



Finding this fungus serves as a reminder that big discoveries can arise from simple outdoor observations. 



Ordinary people who keep an eye out for odd growths or strange insects can become an informal research team. Sharing photos and talking with experts can lead to remarkable breakthroughs.



Fungi are more than just mushrooms on pizza or molds that spoil food. They drive nutrient cycling, help decompose organic matter, and form critical symbiotic ties with plants.



Many are valuable for medicine and agriculture. Yet, they often remain ignored in biodiversity studies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-stinkhorn-mushrooms">What's next for stinkhorn mushrooms?</h2>



Experts say hope and vigilance must go hand in hand. Many species are still at risk, even if a few pop up again.



Keeping habitats intact and curbing pollution are ways to help the organisms we rarely see. It takes broad support to protect hidden life forms, from local gardens to global policy changes.



The family who spotted the fungus could have brushed it aside as a random growth. Instead, they chose to investigate.



That small action set off a scientific investigation and gave researchers fresh insight into an old record. It also reminds us that valuable nature sightings can happen anywhere.



Mycologists believe there may be more overlooked fungi in various regions. Using social media or identification apps like <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earthsnap</a> can bridge the gap between citizens and scientists.



Strong cooperation between everyday observers and institutions can speed up new findings. With that kind of teamwork, many lost organisms might get a second chance.



The study is published in the <a href="https://cjs.sljol.info/articles/10.4038/cjs.v54i2.8383" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ceylon Journal of Science</a>. Image courtesy of <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sajeewa-wijeweera-0749003a/?originalSubdomain=lk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sajeewa Wijeweera</a>.



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Family photographs a rare 'red cane' and scientists confirm it's a fungus thought to be extinct

One chilly day, a family in Sri Lanka came upon...

Climate scientists say rising temperatures can reduce the availability and nutritional quality of dairy grass. Producers then turn to alternative feeds, including corn-based silage, to maintain production.



In a recent investigation, Dr. Matthieu Bouchon, an expert at <a href="https://www.inrae.fr/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">INRAE</a> - National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, studied how these changes in feeding practices influence both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-heat-makes-dairy-cows-produce-less-milk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">milk</a> yield and the resulting cheese.



Dr. Bouchon was part of a team that analyzed nutritional profiles and taste notes across different feeding setups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-climate-change-affects-cow-feed">How climate change affects cow feed</h2>



Drought is bad news for many pasture-reliant farms. When rains fade, grass doesn’t grow as usual, so farmers scramble to bolster cow diets with stored feeds or more concentrated rations.



Climate impacts force them to get inventive. That often means adding more corn silage to keep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grazing-animals-have-an-unexpected-role-in-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cows</a> in good shape, but it can lead to a drop in grass-based components that affect milk’s natural composition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grass-intake-and-dairy-nutrients">Grass intake and dairy nutrients</h2>



Farmers are keen on maximizing nutrients in milk. The study team discovered a strong tie between higher grass intake and better fatty acid content.



“The results showed that the more grass the cows ate, the richer the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-paves-the-way-for-climate-conscious-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">milk</a> and cheese were in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial to human health,” stated Dr. Bouchon.



Switching to corn-based rations can still yield a decent amount of milk. Yet the subtle nutritional goodies in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16960079/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">grass</a> may slip away if it becomes a minor part of the diet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cow-feed-changes-cheese">Cow feed changes cheese </h2>



Consumers often favor the special shade and softness of artisanal cheese. Grass helps deliver that yellowish tinge and a smoother, melt-in-the-mouth feel.



“Cows fed on grazed grass produced smoother, yellower, more aromatic cheeses, while cows fed little to no grass produce whiter, firmer cheeses with milder flavors,” said Dr. Bouchon.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-flavors-of-cheese">Distinct flavors of cheese</h2>



Minimizing fresh grass in a herd’s diet can make the final dairy product less appealing. This outcome matters not just for foodies but also for farmers marketing distinctive <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5867552/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cheeses</a>.



Many shoppers pick grass-fed labels expecting distinct flavors. When producers reduce fresh grass in favor of silage or hay, the cheese may lose that familiar aroma.



A cheese that once tasted bold or slightly grassy can end up with a blander profile. Texture often changes too, as the fats and proteins shift under modified feeding patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-worries-for-farmers">Practical worries for farmers</h2>



Dairy farms run on slim profit margins. Any slip in milk yield or cheese appeal can hurt business, but ignoring drought conditions isn’t an option either.



Balancing feed mixes becomes a juggling act. More grass means tastier cheese, but a parched field can’t always supply what's needed, so producers face a hard call.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feed-changes-affect-cow-digestion">Feed changes affect cow digestion</h2>



Each feed ingredient, whether hay or silage, can affect <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-022-00974-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbiota</a> inside a cow’s rumen. This intricate environment helps break down cellulose and produce nutrients for the cow.



If farmers switch abruptly to corn-based rations, the cow’s digestive system may take time to adjust. Subtle changes in the rumen can ripple through to the milk in surprising ways.



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



Nobody wants a rubbery or flavorless cheese on their plate. Folks who appreciate artisanal dairy should keep an eye on how climate issues and diet adjustments shape their favorite products.



While these shifts might not stand out in mass-produced cheese, small-scale operations often rely on the tastes derived from high-grass diets. Flavor can be a big selling point.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feeding-strategies-influence-dairy-yield-nbsp">Feeding strategies influence dairy yield&nbsp;</h2>



Herd nutrition is more complicated than many realize. Different cows have varying needs depending on genetics, lactation stage, and climate conditions.



Producers factor in how each feed ingredient influences both milk quantity and milk quality. These trade-offs can make or break the end product’s sensory profile.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapting-cow-feed-to-drought-conditions">Adapting cow feed to drought conditions</h2>



Some farmers are testing new grass varieties said to handle hot spells better. Others look at advanced grazing strategies or water conservation tactics to maintain fields during dry months.



At the same time, research teams share data to guide farmers on how best to tweak feed ingredients. The aim is to protect both milk output and that prized cheese taste.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-dairy-grass">Preserving dairy grass </h2>



Shoppers see words like omega-3 on labels but don’t always know how production methods affect those nutrients. Many prefer products that combine solid nutrition with a pleasing taste, color, and aroma.



Farmers who manage to preserve grass can maintain that balance. Even modest amounts of fresh forage appear helpful to keep cheese palatable and nutritionally robust.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-the-pasture">Beyond the pasture</h2>



Climate concerns won’t vanish overnight. Researchers are tracking how these feeding adjustments ripple across entire food chains, from soil microbes to final cheese properties.



While not every farm can rely on grass alone, preserving its presence seems vital for those aiming for standout cheese. This is especially true for dairy regions with a cultural heritage tied to lush fields.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dairy-production-amid-climate-change">Dairy production amid climate change</h2>



With each passing year, dryness threatens more farmland. Creative solutions and careful ration decisions may hold the key to maintaining the hallmark traits that grass-based cheeses are known for.



Ongoing research may soon offer farmers new strategies to keep cows healthy while reducing their environmental impact. Whether large or small, dairy producers must continue to adapt to meet these evolving challenges.



The study is published in the <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S002203022500092X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Dairy Science</a>.



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Popular types of cheese are beginning to taste different due to what cows are eating

Climate scientists say rising temperatures can reduce the availability and...

Hummingbirds normally patrol the scarlet blooms of the western United States, sipping nectar and carrying pollen from one monkeyflower to the next.



Yet along the outer edges of that crimson range botanists once noticed something odd: scattered stands of Mimulus cardinalis and Mimulus verbenaceus (two monkeyflower species) had traded their fiery petals for butter-yellow ones.



Earlier fieldwork hinted that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bumblebees-show-surprising-adept-teamwork-skills/">bumblebees</a>, not hummingbirds, seemed drawn to these rare morphs, but decades ago researchers lacked the genomic and biochemical tools to learn why.



A team led by Kelsey Byers at the <a href="https://www.jic.ac.uk/">John Innes Center</a> has now reopened the case. In a recent study, the group combined controlled pollinator trials, floral chemistry, and comparative genetics. 



The findings reveal how color, scent, and shape interact when a plant begins shifting from one pollination strategy to another. Researchers documented an adaptive walk - evolution’s slow path from ancestral traits to new ecological niches.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bees-prefer-a-yellow-color">Bees prefer a yellow color</h2>



Inside climate-regulated glasshouses, the researchers offered captive bumblebees paired arrays of yellow and red flowers from both species.



The insects showed a clear preference, visiting yellow twice as often as red. 



Chemical analysis then uncovered a clue: the yellow morphs emitted higher volumes of volatile compounds, a likely adaptation because bees, unlike <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hummingbirds-have-an-incredible-strategy-to-survive-food-shortages/">hummingbirds</a>, rely heavily on scent when foraging.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bees-struggle-despite-color">Bees struggle despite color</h2>



Color and fragrance alone do not guarantee reproductive success. High-speed video revealed that bees wrestled awkwardly with the tubular corollas, structures sculpted through millennia of hummingbird visitation.



Many bees tore the delicate petals while probing for nectar and often failed to brush against the floral reproductive organs, a prerequisite for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-transforming-pollen-science-and-health-planning/">pollen</a> transfer. As a result, the bees’ frequent visits did not translate into efficient pollination.



The researchers interpret this mismatch as evidence that the yellow monkeyflowers represent an early stage in the switch from bird to bee service: color mutation and heightened scent have arisen first, but corolla architecture has yet to catch up.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-genes-same-traits">Different genes, same traits</h2>



A long-standing question was whether the yellow trait in the two Mimulus species emerged through the same molecular pathway. The team’s genomic scans show the answer is partly yes and partly no.



Both species boosted yellow and orange carotenoid pigments by changes to the same suite of genes, a textbook example of convergent evolution. Yet other alterations - loss of red anthocyanin pigments and shifts in scent chemistry - arose through different genetic tweaks in each lineage.



“Even though these species are closely related, they have followed different paths to the same endpoint for many of their traits,” Byers said.



“We have identified ways that flowers can change and affect pollinator visitation, as well as some genetic pathways that can underlie these changes and how they have evolved in different but closely related species.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-timeline-for-trait-evolution">A timeline for trait evolution</h2>



Because floral color strongly influences pollinator choice, mutations in pigment genes may surface first during a pollinator shift. Secondary adjustments, such as boosted scent emission or re-shaped petals, could then fine-tune the interaction.



The Mimulus data support that sequence. Large-effect color mutations preceded subtler changes in odor bouquet, while corolla morphology still lags behind, leaving the bee–flower fit imperfect. 



The researchers argue that this hierarchy of changes - big steps followed by smaller refinements - may be typical whenever plants embark on new mutualisms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bee-friendly-color-affects-farming">Bee-friendly color affects farming</h2>



Pollinator partnerships underpin terrestrial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/effective-conservation-efforts-key-to-saving-biodiversity/">biodiversity</a> and sustain many food crops. By dissecting how wild species recalibrate those relationships, scientists gain conceptual tools for conservation and agriculture.



“By understanding how traits evolve in the wild, we understand biodiversity better, and by understanding how these traits can be affected by plant genetics, we have the foundation of the ability to engineer traits to impact pollinator preference and thus crop yield,” Byers said.



Tuning color and scent may let breeders align crops with local pollinators, improving output without extra chemicals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-on-the-research-agenda">Next on the research agenda</h2>



The team plans gene-editing and transgenic experiments to verify the precise functions of the carotenoid biosynthesis genes that acted convergently and the anthocyanin regulators that diverged.



They are also surveying another yellow population of Mimulus cardinalis to see whether it repeated the same genetic tricks or invented new ones. Such comparative work will refine our picture of how predictable - or idiosyncratic - evolutionary innovation can be.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-floral-traits-still-changing">Floral traits still changing</h2>



For now the yellow monkeyflowers stand as living waypoints on an evolutionary journey not yet complete. Bumblebees like their color and perfume, but the floral entrance still suits a hovering hummingbird more than a burrowing bee.



With time and mutations, petal tubes may evolve to guide bees directly to stamens and stigmas. Should that happen, future botanists might find a fully bee-adapted Mimulus lineage where once only hummingbirds ruled - and they will have these early studies to trace how the transformation began.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57639-3">Nature Communications</a>.



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These wildflowers changed color to attract bees

Hummingbirds normally patrol the scarlet blooms of the western United...

Crops with genetically enhanced root systems could potentially help remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The idea seems simple: grow crops with bigger roots that can store more carbon dioxide under the soil. 



But can this actually help with the fight against climate change? A new study says yes - but with some caveats.



In a new report from researchers at the <a href="https://ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California San Diego</a>, scientists explain how genetically enhanced crops with larger root systems could become a practical way to remove large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. 



The researchers, based at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the School of Global Policy and Strategy, also explored how this method compares to other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-based-carbon-dioxide-removal-may-not-be-effective/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon removal</a> strategies. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-we-need-rapid-carbon-removal">Why we need rapid carbon removal</h2>



According to estimates from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world must remove between five and 16 billion tons of <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> every year to have a shot at keeping the climate stable. That’s in addition to reducing how much we emit in the first place. 



If we don’t act fast, the world could see widespread disasters, including severe storms, failing crops, worsening disease outbreaks and flooding due to rising sea levels. 



So far, however, there hasn’t been much research on how fast carbon removal methods could realistically scale up in the real world and help to bring the climate back into balance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-closer-look-at-carbon-enhanced-crops">A closer look at carbon-enhanced crops</h2>



That’s where carbon-enhanced crops come in. These genetically modified plants have larger root systems designed to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-rises-wetlands-store-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">store more carbon in the soil</a>. 



The researchers ran a detailed analysis of how much carbon these crops could help remove if widely adopted. They found that, within a period of 13 years of rollout, these crops could remove between 0.9 and 1.2 gigatons of CO2 annually.



That’s about seven times the total amount of carbon offsets that are currently supplied to the global market.



“There is a consensus in the scientific community that we will have to scale CDR [carbon dioxide removal] substantially to reach net zero - on top of drastically reducing our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenhouse-gas-emissions-reach-another-all-time-high/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gas emissions</a>,” said lead author Daniela Faggiani-Dias.



“Yet, research on how CDR can realistically scale - considering not only technical limits, but also scale-up speed and feasible pathways - is very thin. And this is what is new about our study."



“We provide a detailed analysis of the CDR scaling challenge and propose a framework to estimate how quickly and to what extent emerging, highly uncertain technologies might scale. 



According to Faggiani-Dias, even though the analysis focuses on carbon-enhanced crops, the framework is generalizable across CDR approaches and helps to surface key uncertainties in scale-up potential.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-from-past-technological-advances">Learning from past technological advances</h2>



The team looked to the past to understand how fast new technologies typically spread. They studied how other agricultural advances - like hybrids, pesticides, fertilizers, and crop rotation - caught on over time.



One of the most relevant comparisons was with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gene-modification-can-create-better-tomatoes-eggplants-but-should-we-do-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic modification</a>. Like carbon-enhanced crops, genetically modified crops promised benefits to farmers and the agricultural supply chain. But the rollout wasn’t smooth.



In countries that allowed genetically modified crops, it took about 11 years to go from early adoption to widespread use. Even then, only 13% of the world’s farmland currently grows these types of crops. Regulations and public concerns have slowed wider acceptance. 



The researchers say carbon-enhanced crops could face the same hurdles unless there are strong incentives, such as carbon credits, for countries that use them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-crops-may-be-the-fastest-fix">Why crops may be the fastest fix</h2>



Compared to other carbon removal strategies - such as storing carbon in rock or filtering it from air or oceans - enhanced crops have a head start. They can be adopted using existing farm infrastructure and technologies.



Farmers are already familiar with trying new crop techniques, and there's a built-in industry ready to support new seed technologies. Plus, the soil is often depleted of carbon, making it a good place to store more.



Other strategies would potentially require the establishment of entirely new industries before they could be successfully implemented at scale. This could take years to test and verify, considering that some of these strategies are still in their infancy.



That’s why crops with enhanced roots are seen as one of the fastest and most realistic tools for carbon removal - although they would still not be effective enough on their own.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crops-are-only-part-of-the-solution">Crops are only part of the solution</h2>



Faggiani-Dias emphasized that this approach is just one piece of the climate solution puzzle. She noted that the benefit of carbon-enhanced crops could be significant, but not enough on its own. 



According to Faggiani-Dias, these efforts should be seen as just one component of a broader strategy to decarbonize the global economy.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/adc31b" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Research Letters</a>.



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Genetically enhanced crops could help fight climate change

Crops with genetically enhanced root systems could potentially help remove...

Food allergies have become increasingly common, affecting roughly one in 13 children, as reported by Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE). With such a rise, scientists continue to explore how maternal diets might influence allergy risk in infants. 



Recent research in Finland sheds light on a surprising connection between avocado consumption during pregnancy and reduced food allergy risk in infants.



A study involving 2,272 mother-child pairs, conducted over nearly a decade, uncovered a striking finding. Infants whose mothers consumed avocados during pregnancy had a 43.6% lower chance of developing food allergies by 12 months. 



The study accounted for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-omega-3-deficiency-is-rising-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">variables</a> such as maternal age, smoking status, and education - yet the link remained consistent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-avocados-lower-allergy-risk">Avocados lower allergy risk</h2>



For years, researchers have explored how specific dietary patterns during pregnancy might influence infant allergy risk. However, individual foods like avocados have not received the same level of scrutiny. 



The Finnish study aimed to fill that gap. The team utilized an online food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess maternal avocado intake during the first and third trimesters. 



Participants who reported any avocado <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-production-more-difficult-climate-change-plant-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumption</a> were classified as consumers, while those who did not became non-consumers.



The analysis revealed a significant contrast. Among non-consumers, 4.2% of infants developed food allergies. In comparison, only 2.4% of infants whose mothers consumed avocados experienced the same outcome.



The reduction in allergy risk remained significant even after adjusting for various maternal health factors .



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-avocado-research-offers-hope">Avocado research offers hope</h2>



“As a caregiver, the growing prevalence of food allergy feels very scary and out of my control,” said Sari Hantunen, senior lecturer at the <a href="https://www.uef.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Eastern Finland</a>.



“There is no cure for food allergy, but promising prevention and therapeutic strategies are in development as well as emerging research such as this."



”Based on these findings, it’s encouraging to know that eating avocados may provide even more value to maternal and children’s health, beyond the benefits that have already been established through scientific research.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-avocado-and-allergy">Tracking avocado and allergy</h2>



The Kuopio Birth Cohort (KuBiCo) provided a rich dataset for analysis. Researchers recruited pregnant women during routine first-trimester appointments at <a href="https://pshyvinvointialue.fi/web/en/kuopio-university-hospital" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kuopio University Hospital</a>. Data collection continued until November 2022, capturing dietary intake throughout the first and third trimesters.



Mothers completed FFQs that detailed food consumption over the past three months. The FFQ specifically assessed avocado intake, classifying participants as consumers or non-consumers.



After birth, researchers tracked infants to assess allergic outcomes, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-therapy-may-help-reduce-peanut-allergies-in-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food</a> allergies, eczema, rhinitis, and wheezing. Even after adjusting for variables like maternal age, smoking, and breastfeeding duration, the data maintained its significance. 



Infants of non-consumers showed a 4.2% allergy rate, while those of avocado consumers showed a 2.4% rate .



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-choose-avocados">Who choose avocados?</h2>



Avocado consumers shared common traits that distinguished them from non-consumers. They tended to be older and more educated. They also reported longer breastfeeding durations and higher diet quality scores.



These women generally had lower BMI levels in the first trimester and were less likely to undergo caesarean deliveries. Researchers noted that these trends might reflect broader health-conscious behaviors rather than avocado <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-transforming-pollen-science-and-health-planning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumption</a> alone .



Avocados pack essential nutrients that may benefit both maternal and infant health. Each serving provides 9.25 grams of dietary fiber, supporting gut health and potentially influencing immune responses.



Additionally, avocados contain 2.6 mg of vitamin E, an antioxidant linked to immune function, and 0.93 mg of zinc, which plays a role in immune development. Lutein, a carotenoid crucial for eye health, also features prominently in avocados.



The nutrient profile aligns well with dietary patterns like the Mediterranean diet, previously associated with lower allergy risks in offspring. While the study focused solely on avocados, researchers suggest that other nutrient-dense foods may offer similar protective effects .



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consuming-avocados-for-allergy-prevention">Consuming avocados for allergy prevention</h2>



The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that pregnant women consume 2 ½ to 3 ½ cups of vegetables daily. Avocados, with their nutrient density, count as a full cup per serving.



For toddlers aged 12-23 months, the guidelines suggest 2/3 to 1 cup of vegetables each day. With its rich nutrient profile, a single avocado serves as a practical choice to meet these recommendations without the need for supplements.



Despite the promising findings, the study did not identify any significant links between avocado consumption and other allergic conditions like rhinitis, eczema, or wheezing. 



The focus on food allergies yielded notable results, but the other conditions showed no significant differences between consumers and non-consumers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-the-research">Expanding the research</h2>



The researchers caution against overgeneralizing the findings. While avocados may contribute to reduced food allergy risk, the mechanisms remain unclear. 



Further studies could clarify whether specific nutrients within avocados influence immune development and whether similar effects extend to other foods .



The study opens doors for future research that could extend beyond infancy. Tracking infants beyond the first year of life may provide insights into how early dietary exposures shape allergy risk throughout childhood.



Additionally, examining other nutrient-dense foods with similar profiles, such as nuts, seeds, or leafy greens, could help determine whether the observed effects result from specific nutrients or broader dietary patterns. 



Understanding these connections could refine dietary recommendations for pregnant women, offering clearer guidance on foods that may reduce allergy risk in infants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-nutritional-choice-with-potential">A nutritional choice with potential</h2>



As food allergies continue to rise, identifying preventive strategies during pregnancy remains a critical focus. This Finnish study suggests that avocados, with their nutrient-rich profile, may play a role in reducing food allergy risk in infants.



While the study does not establish causality, it highlights the potential impact of nutrient-dense foods during pregnancy - a time when maternal diet can leave lasting imprints on infant health. 



Further research will clarify whether these findings hold across diverse populations and whether other foods offer similar benefits.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41390-025-03968-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pediatric Research</a>.



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Eating avocados during pregnancy reduces baby's allergy risk

Food allergies have become increasingly common, affecting roughly one in...

Termites are often overlooked in rainforest restoration, where the focus is usually on planting trees. But what if the key to a thriving forest lies not in the canopy above, but in the soil below - and in the insects that crawl through it?



A new study reveals that termites, often seen as pests, might actually be essential allies in helping young rainforests flourish. 



Scientists from the <a href="https://www.caryinstitute.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies</a> and the University of Queensland in Australia have found that these tiny decomposers are missing - or at least lagging behind - in forests that have been replanted, even more than a decade after restoration began.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-need-more-than-trees">Forests need more than trees</h2>



“People tend to think that by just planting a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-species-diversity-makes-forests-more-productive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diversity of trees</a>, these rainforests will regenerate,” said Baptiste Wijas, a postdoctoral fellow at Cary Institute and visiting academic at the University of Queensland. 



“But it's worth thinking about, should we actually be putting in other organisms as well, to restore other ecosystem processes that help the forest function? In the context of rainforest regeneration, no one really thinks about it at all.”



That question matters more than ever. As more land is reforested in efforts to combat climate change and restore ecosystems, it’s crucial to understand what makes a forest actually function. 



Decomposers like termites and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungi-can-think-and-make-smart-decisions-without-a-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungi</a> play a critical role in cycling nutrients and carbon. Without them, the soil might lack the resources young trees need to grow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-the-forest-floor">Testing the forest floor</h2>



To understand how well decomposers were rebounding, the research team set up a simple but telling experiment. They placed wooden blocks in three different forest settings in Australia’s Daintree Rainforest. One was a pristine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forest-microclimates-impact-bird-species-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">old-growth forest</a>. 



The other two were replanted sites - one restored in 2010, the other in 2014 - on land that had been cleared for agriculture decades ago and later abandoned. The replanting was carried out by a nonprofit organization called Rainforest Rescue.



For four years, the team checked on the wooden blocks every six months. They looked for signs of fungi, termites, or both, and tracked how fast the wood was breaking down.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-wet-and-wild-challenge">A wet and wild challenge</h2>



The fieldwork was anything but easy. “You’re sweating all the time, and there are plants that want to attack you everywhere,” said Wijas. 



In one year alone, the team faced a series of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-extreme-weather-events-are-escalating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme weather events</a> - drought, floods, fires, and “a zombie cyclone that caught us twice,” said Cary Institute senior scientist Amy Zanne. “It was an epic, biblical year.”



Despite these challenges, the team made a surprising discovery. They expected that termites would be thriving in all the rainforests and that fungi would struggle more in the younger sites. But the results were the opposite.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungi-thrive-while-termites-struggle">Fungi thrive while termites struggle</h2>



Fungi were resilient. They performed almost as well in the replanted forests as in the old-growth site, though they were a bit slower in the youngest forest. 



Termites, however, were another story. While they were present at all three sites, they decomposed wood at a much slower rate in the replanted forests. Even 12 years after <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/success-story-reforestation-has-helped-keep-the-eastern-us-relatively-cool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reforestation</a> began, the termite-driven decay lagged behind.



The researchers suggest several possible reasons: termite colonies in the replanted areas may be fewer, smaller, less diverse, or less mature.



That’s a problem, because slow decomposition can mean nutrients and carbon aren’t returning to the soil quickly enough. And that could stunt forest growth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-radical-idea-importing-insects">A radical idea: Importing insects</h2>



To fix the problem, the scientists have a bold proposal. They suggest bringing logs from old-growth forests into younger forests to introduce decomposers and give existing ones more to eat.



“A young, regenerating forest doesn’t have a lot of deadwood in it,” Zanne explained. “So if you bring in these logs, you’re giving them some food to tide them over while they wait for parts of trees to start falling down.”



They’re also thinking even bigger: what about transplanting entire termite mounds? “That’s something that no one's really thought about either,” said Wijas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-termites-in-forests">Rethinking termites in forests</h2>



Convincing forest managers to welcome termites into their restoration plans won’t be easy.



“Many people - forest managers included - don’t really like termites,” said Wijas. “But they play an important role in having a healthy forest.”



Zanne pointed out that most termites get a bad rap for no reason. "Only about 3% of termites are known to damage human homes. Very little is known about the other 97%.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-than-just-decomposers">More than just decomposers</h2>



In fact, termites might be doing even more good than we think. 



“We think termites might be locking up carbon in their nests,” said Wijas. “When they eat wood, they’re not able to digest all of it, and so the feces they use to build their nests could be quite carbon-rich. They may even lock up more carbon than they emit, but we just don’t know yet.”



Termites may also help trees grow by partnering with nitrogen-fixing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-pass-down-memories-to-future-generations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria</a>, which convert nitrogen into a form plants can use.



“Termites and fungi are absolutely critical to forest function,” said Zanne. “It would be interesting to see who else returns to the regenerating forests if the termites are there - perhaps ants, lizards, and gliders that eat termites. Right now we just don't have any idea whether these organisms are coming back in these systems.”



As the search continues for ways to speed up rainforest recovery, termites may prove to be unlikely but vital allies. The next time we think about rebuilding a forest, we might want to think beyond trees—and start thinking about termites too.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://ecoevorxiv.org/repository/view/7974/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Applied Ecology</a>.



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Termites play an unexpected role in rainforest revival

Termites are often overlooked in rainforest restoration, where the focus...

A new investigation at a high‑Andean temple reveals that the distant ancestors of the Inca wielded psychoactive plants as a political tool. 



Archaeologists have uncovered bone tubes still coated with traces of mind‑altering snuff, showing that Chavín lords used controlled visions to cement their rule almost three millennia ago.



The discovery comes from a project led by researchers at the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/">University of Florida</a>, <a href="https://www.stanford.edu/">Stanford University</a>, and partner institutions across South America. 



The experts analyzed artifacts from Chavín de Huántar, a vast ceremonial center that sits 10,000 feet above sea level in the Peruvian Andes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-use-of-psychoactive-plants">Ancient use of psychoactive plants</h2>



Inside narrow passageways and hidden rooms, the team found small hollow bones carved into elegant inhalation tubes. 



Chemical testing detected nicotine from wild tobacco relatives and residue from vilca beans, whose potent compounds are related to DMT.



Microscopic work confirmed plant particles embedded in the ancient surfaces. The date of the deposits makes this the oldest direct evidence for psychoactive plant use yet known in the high Andes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rituals-shaped-social-order">Rituals shaped social order</h2>



The placement of the tubes mattered. They were sealed within private chambers that could hold only a handful of people. That setting implies exclusive ceremonies, not widespread communal feasts.



The evidence matches a broader pattern of Chavín architecture, which funnels visitors through labyrinths toward dimly lit sanctuaries where sights, sounds, and fragrances overwhelm the senses.



“Taking psychoactives was not just about seeing visions. It was part of a tightly controlled ritual, likely reserved for a select few, reinforcing the social hierarchy,” said Daniel Contreras, an anthropological archaeologist at the University of Florida and a co‑author of the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chavin-rituals-meant-to-stun">Chavín rituals meant to stun</h2>



Stone corridors at Chavín already distort light and echo footsteps. Researchers have also recovered giant trumpets fashioned from imported conch shells. 



The deep blasts of those horns, amplified by the tunnels, would have rattled bone. Add intense <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/understanding-presence-hallucinations-impact-on-social-perception/">hallucinations</a>, and followers might have felt a raw presence of gods or spirits.



“The supernatural world isn’t necessarily friendly, but it’s powerful,” Contreras said. “These rituals, often enhanced by psychoactives, were compelling, transformative experiences that reinforced belief systems and social structures.”



By staging such events, leaders wrapped their authority in cosmic mystery. Participants emerged convinced that rank and building labor served a higher design. 



Craftspeople who carved the monumental granite slabs and farmers who fed the workforce likely saw themselves as part of a living myth, not as servants under duress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-belief-used-for-power">Belief used for power</h2>



“One of the ways that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wealth-inequality-began-shaping-human-societies-10000-years-ago/">inequality</a> was justified or naturalized was through ideology - through the creation of impressive ceremonial experiences that made people believe this whole project was a good idea,” Contreras said.



The snuff tubes thus fit a larger strategy. Earlier Andean settlements show few signs of strict hierarchy. By Chavín times, around 800 BCE, society had acquired priests, skilled artisans, and regional trade routes. 



Control over sacred knowledge, including plant lore, helped elites turn soft power into hard architecture and coordinated labor.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychoactive-plant-mixture">Psychoactive plant mixture</h2>



Vilca beans grow in lowland forests far from Chavín’s icy heights. Their presence points to long‑distance exchange networks and to careful botanical skill.



When roasted, mixed with lime, and inhaled, the powder produces vivid visions, rapid heartbeat, and disorientation. 



Wild tobaccos add <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nicotine-pouches-are-a-new-dangerous-trend-among-teens/">nicotine</a>’s stimulant rush and sharp aroma. Combined, these plants could propel users into what seemed another realm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bringing-invisible-details-to-light">Bringing invisible details to light</h2>



Contreras has worked at the site for nearly 30 years in a project directed by Stanford archaeologist John Rick.



Their excavations have mapped hidden galleries, sculpted stone icons, and water channels that once gurgled beneath temple floors. The new chemical analyses bring invisible details to light, showing not only what people did but also what they felt.



“It’s exciting that ongoing excavations can be combined with cutting‑edge archaeological science techniques to get us closer to understanding what it was like to live at this site,” Contreras said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-vision-to-empire">From vision to empire</h2>



The Chavín phenomenon spread a shared artistic style and worldview up and down the Peruvian coast and sierra. Later Andean states inherited its taste for grand plazas, stone imagery, and elite ritual.



By demonstrating the intentional use of psychoactive plants in tightly managed settings, the study bridges the gap between small egalitarian hamlets and the vast empires that eventually ruled the Cordillera.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-modern-glimpse-of-ancient-minds">A modern glimpse of ancient minds</h2>



Today, visitors to Chavín de Huántar walk through restored corridors where carved fangs and staring eyes still pierce the dim light. 



Knowing that select priests once knelt here, inhaled potent smoke, and proclaimed cosmic truths changes how we read those walls.



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/archaeologists-find-hallucinogenic-seeds-in-ancient-bones-black-henbane/">bone</a> tubes, simple yet sophisticated, remind us that chemistry, belief, and social order have long been intertwined. In the high Andes, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meditation-reveals-common-altered-states-of-consciousness/">altered consciousness</a> was more than a personal journey - it was statecraft written in breath and stone.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2425125122">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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How psychoactive plants helped build an ancient empire

A new investigation at a high‑Andean temple reveals that the...

Marijuana has intrigued people for decades, especially as more places allow it for medical or recreational use. Many see it as a natural product with relaxing properties, yet scientists have been eager to uncover how it might alter the body in subtle ways.



Researchers tracked the cannabis habits of more than 1,000 U.S. adults over roughly two decades. The team included epidemiologist Lifang Hou from <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northwestern University</a>, who analyzed blood samples at two points to search for signs that cannabis use may shift genetic markers.



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



The epigenome includes chemical modifications on DNA that can affect how genes work. These modifications, such as <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/npp2012112" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA methylation</a>, do not alter the underlying genetic code but can change how active certain sections of DNA are.



Studies have suggested that environmental factors like diet or toxins can impact these epigenetic markers. New findings now propose that cannabis use may leave an imprint, too.



“We observed associations between cumulative marijuana use and multiple epigenetic markers across time,” explained Hou. The markers appeared in people who reported using cannabis in the short term as well as across many years.



While these associations are intriguing, the study does not confirm that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-use-during-pregnancy-rewires-the-fetal-brain/">cannabis</a> is the direct cause. The researchers emphasize that other behaviors or factors could be partly responsible for the patterns seen in those genetic switches.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-response-to-cannabis-and-tobacco">Genetic response to cannabis and tobacco</h2>



One of the most striking findings was a consistent methylation marker that has already been linked to tobacco use. The same signal appeared in cannabis users, hinting that the body may respond to both substances in a similar way at the genetic level.



This overlap raises questions about whether cannabis and tobacco trigger the same biological pathways or if the presence of smoke itself is responsible for the epigenetic shift. 



More studies could help clarify whether these changes stem from the substances themselves or the act of inhalation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-could-these-markers-predict-health-risks">Could these markers predict health risks?</h2>



Some of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/common-plant-can-cause-severe-burns-and-dna-damage/">DNA</a> changes tied to cannabis use were previously linked to conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. While this doesn’t prove a cause-and-effect relationship, it shows a pattern worth paying attention to.



If future research confirms these links, doctors might someday use these markers as early warning signs. They could help flag individuals who may be more vulnerable to certain mental health issues based on their cannabis use history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marijuana-and-dna-methylation">Marijuana and DNA methylation</h2>



DNA methylation patterns have been linked to a variety of health conditions. Shifting these patterns might change how the body manages cell growth, hormones, and even how it responds to infections.



Scientists have hinted that these modifications could affect neurological processes, too. 



Cannabis has long been studied for its possible connections to mental health, so these DNA changes may be relevant to conditions that involve the brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cautious-interpretation">Cautious interpretation</h2>



“This research has provided novel insights into the association between marijuana use and epigenetic factors,” said epidemiologist Drew Nannini from Northwestern University. 



Future research may pinpoint which specific traits or disorders, if any, are most influenced by cannabis-linked epigenetic shifts.



Experts also note that the study relied on self-reported cannabis use. Some participants might have been reluctant to share full details, although confidentiality was maintained to encourage honest responses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marijuana-use-and-dna-changes">Marijuana use and DNA changes</h2>



A substantial segment of U.S. adults, <a href="https://library.samhsa.gov/product/results-2019-national-survey-drug-use-and-health-nsduh-key-substance-use-and-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">around 49 percent</a>, try marijuana at least once. For frequent or daily users, scientists are interested in whether these epigenetic signs might grow more pronounced over time.



Observing blood samples taken years apart gave the team a way to compare recent users and those who had used cannabis longer. By tracking the same people, they could see how DNA methylation changed along with reported usage levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-effects-over-time">Different effects over time</h2>



The number of methylation markers linked to cannabis changed between the two sample points. At year 15, the team found 53 associated markers, while at year 20, that number jumped to 148.



This suggests that some of the epigenetic effects may accumulate with continued use or become more detectable with age. It also opens the possibility that long-term cannabis exposure may affect the body differently than short-term use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-directions">Future research directions </h2>



Some experts suggest that more research in different groups is needed to see if these associations appear consistently. 



Larger investigations could help determine whether these epigenetic changes are reversible if someone reduces or stops using marijuana.



Many scientists want to see if these markers correlate with specific outcomes, such as mental health shifts or immune function. It may take time to unravel whether the observed epigenetic changes translate into noticeable health effects.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-023-02106-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Molecular Psychiatry</a>.



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20-year study of 1,000 adults reveals how marijuana alters DNA

Marijuana has intrigued people for decades, especially as more places...

The icy fringe of our planet is sprouting new growth. Fast warming in the Arctic - now running at roughly four times the global average - is reshaping tundra landscapes and affecting shrubs and meadows that have looked the same since the last ice age.



A vast forty‑year experiment, spread across more than 2,000 research plots, shows that almost every facet of Arctic plant life is in flux. Scientists say the changes are an early sign that the wider <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-fjords-show-signs-of-struggle-in-a-warming-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic</a> system, from wildlife to water supplies, will also shift.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-summers-lengthen-arctic-shrubs-thrive">Summers lengthen, Arctic shrubs thrive</h2>



Researchers have spent decades tracking the low carpets of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-moss-helps-restore-land-damaged-by-oil-and-gas-exploration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mosses</a>, grasses, and dwarf shrubs that dominate mountains and polar plains. They found that almost six in ten plots have already lost some long‑standing species or gained new arrivals.



No single winner or loser stands out everywhere. Local soil moisture, shelter from wind, and the number of frost‑free days all tip the balance in different directions. Yet the pattern is unmistakable: taller, woodier <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shrubs-play-a-dual-role-in-forest-recovery-following-wildfires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shrubs</a> thrive when summers lengthen, shading out species that hug the ground.



“Changes in vegetation are an early warning signal that the entire ecosystem will change, with consequential effects on wildlife, humanity, and Earth's natural ability to store <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-storage-mystery-emerges-in-the-southern-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a>,” said co-author Anne Bjorkman, a researcher in plant ecology at the <a href="https://www.gu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Gothenburg</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shrubs-stretch-higher-meadows-shrink"><a></a>Shrubs stretch higher, meadows shrink</h2>



Investigators see the biggest gains among evergreen stragglers such as lingonberry and crowberry, along with fast‑growing willow bushes that keep their leaves only for the warm season. These plants once clung to the Arctic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/warming-climate-turns-tundra-from-carbon-sink-to-source/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tundra</a> only where snow melted early.



Now they push onto windswept ridges because snow lies for fewer days each year. Where they thicken, their leaves intercept sunlight that formerly bounced off pale lichens or was absorbed by low moss mats. Tall stems also sling snow into drifts that insulate soils, letting roots stay active later in autumn.



“The change in what grows on a site is extensive, with new species appearing and/or existing species disappearing on almost 60% of the experimental plots. There are many factors that determine how plant life changes at a particular Arctic site, such as how wet the soil is, or how windy it is. This affects the microclimate that plants experience,” said Robert Bjork, a researcher at the University of Gothenburg.



“In general, we see that shrubs benefit from a longer growing season, they simply steal the sunlight from species with a low growth habit.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-of-arctic-shrubs">Impacts of Arctic shrubs </h2>



On open ridges where dwarf birch and willow take hold, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-plant-diversity-can-help-combat-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant diversity</a> often drops. The low‑lying herbs and sedges that fuel summer pollinators can no longer compete.



South of the tree line, mountain birch saplings work upslope, nibbling away at alpine meadows soaked in brief bursts of meltwater. Once those meadows vanish, the displaced flora has no colder niche to retreat to.



“But where the shrubs take over, biodiversity will decrease, and then the question is where the outcompeted species will go. There are no colder regions than the Arctic, and some species may disappear completely from large areas,” Bjorkman said.



Shrub lines affect more than flowers. Dark leaves absorb solar energy, warming surface layers and melting permafrost ice that holds ancient carbon. 



When that carbon leaks as methane or carbon dioxide, regional warming accelerates. Taller plants also trap snow that would otherwise reflect sunlight and delay spring thaw, another feedback that adds heat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ripples-through-animals-people-and-water"><a></a>Ripples through animals, people, and water</h2>



“Changes in vegetation obviously also affect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forest-biodiversity-benefits-from-large-herbivores-like-elephants-and-moose/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">herbivorous animals</a>. Reindeer husbandry cannot have the same grazing areas in the valleys as today, perhaps they can find new ones on the bare mountains,” Bjork explained.



“Then tourism will be affected when mountain birches and shrubs take over on the mountains and the alpine meadows with beautiful wildflowers disappear. And it will be difficult to get hold of drinkable water when the glaciers and the late snowfields melt away.”



Reindeer and caribou herds already follow thinner green waves in sprinting summers. The loss of valley forage may force animals higher, straining age‑old herding routes. 



Visitors who come for wide carpets of summer color may find thickets instead. Local communities could face water stress as shrinking glaciers feed fewer melt streams during late summer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-radical-changes-ahead">Radical changes ahead</h2>



Scientists at the Latnjajaure field camp near Abisko, Sweden, witness these shifts in real time. Birches creep onto formerly barren slopes. 



Moss mats turn patchy under rising shrubs. Streams surge earlier in spring and dwindle sooner in August. Yet no one can plot the exact timetable for the next leap.



“We are in the midst of climate change and will reach certain thresholds where the flora will change radically, but we don't know when it will happen. Or how it will happen,”  Bjorkman warned.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-arctic-shrubs">The future of Arctic shrubs</h2>



More data will refine forecasts, but the direction is set. Open alpine meadows will contract as shrub lands will expand. Carbon and energy flows between ground and sky will alter, pushing feedback loops that amplify <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frequent-heatwaves-have-become-the-norm-in-the-arctic-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic heat</a>.



For conservationists, the lesson is urgent: protect refuges where cold‑loving plants might survive and plan for landscapes that will not stay as they were such as the Arctic. For everyone else, the message is simpler.



The quiet creep of shrubs in the far north is one more sign that climate change is coming. It is here, and it is rewriting the map from the top downward.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08946-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Arctic plant alert: Rising shrubs and vanishing meadows

The icy fringe of our planet is sprouting new growth....

Close-up,Of,A,Young,Woman,Blowing,Nose,With,Tissue,Paper

A new artificial intelligence (AI) system can now separately identify fir, spruce, and pine pollen in seconds. The achievement promises cleaner city design, sharper allergy alerts, and deeper insight into ecological change.



The project was led by experts at the <a href="https://www.uta.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Texas at Arlington</a>, the University of Nevada, and Virginia Tech. Working together, the scientists trained nine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/machine-learning-could-revolutionize-drug-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">machine learning</a> models on microscope images held at the University of Nevada’s <a href="https://www.unr.edu/natural-history" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Museum of Natural History</a>. 



The best algorithm outpaced human specialists in both speed and precision. It did so while still relying on expert‑prepared slides and careful ecological context.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-provides-sharp-data-on-pollen">AI provides sharp data on pollen</h2>



“With more detailed data on which tree species are most allergenic and when they release <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollen-alters-cloud-formation-and-changes-weather-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollen</a>, urban planners can make smarter decisions about what to plant and where,” said study co‑author Behnaz Balmaki, an assistant professor of research in biology at UTA.



Better planting choices can lower the pollen burden near schoolyards, hospital entrances, playgrounds, and high‑density housing. The same data can feed real‑time dashboards that warn residents ahead of high‑pollen days.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-offers-timely-pollen-health-alerts">AI offers timely pollen health alerts</h2>



“This is especially important in high‑traffic areas like schools, hospitals, parks and neighborhoods. Health services could also use this information to better time <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-making-allergy-season-worse-and-longer-lasting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">allergy</a> alerts, public health messaging, and treatment recommendations during peak pollen seasons,” Balmaki said.



Many current forecasts lump all tree pollen together. The new model can flag which species spike on which day. That detail lets doctors adjust advice and lets patients fine‑tune medication schedules.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-windows-into-past-climates"><a></a>Windows into past climates</h2>



Pollen grains preserved in lake mud and peat bogs provide a time‑stamped record of earlier landscapes. By identifying each grain, researchers track how forests moved as rainfall and temperature shifted. Until now, the work was often slow and limited to broad plant families. AI can cut that bottleneck and it begins with pollen.



“Even with high‑resolution microscopes, the differences between pollens are very subtle,” Balmaki noted. That subtlety forced specialists to spend hours at the eyepiece. In large sediment cores, millions of grains wait for classification.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deep-learning-speeds-the-count"><a></a>Deep learning speeds the count</h2>



“Our study shows deep‑learning tools can significantly enhance the speed and accuracy of pollen classification,” Balmaki said.



“That opens the door to large‑scale environmental monitoring and more detailed reconstructions of ecological change. It also holds promise for improving allergen tracking by identifying exactly which species are releasing pollen and when.”



Automated pipelines could soon scan thousands of slides and upload results to open databases. That will give climatologists a sharper map of past <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-extreme-weather-events-are-escalating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">droughts</a>, heat waves, and recovery phases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-for-farm-and-field"><a></a>Benefits for farm and field</h2>



“Pollen is a strong indicator of ecosystem health,” Balmaki said. Plants that drop less pollen than normal may signal water stress or soil decline. Farmers who watch those shifts gain an early warning about crop risk years before yields drop.



“Shifts in pollen composition can signal changes in vegetation, moisture levels, and even past fire activity. Farmers could use this information to track long‑term environmental trends that affect crop viability, soil conditions, or regional climate patterns.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-pollinators-with-technology">Protecting pollinators with technology </h2>



Healthy meadows rely on bees, butterflies, and other insects that depend on exact bloom times. As Balmaki put it, “many animals, including insects like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bees-do-not-learn-to-be-cooperative-it-is-in-their-genes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a> and butterflies, rely on specific plants for food and habitat.” 



If certain pollen types disappear, conservation teams know which wildflower patches need rescue due to the latest AI technology.



“By identifying which plant species are present or declining in an area, we can better understand how these changes impact the entire food web and take steps to protect critical relationships between plants and pollinators.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-pollen-with-ai-models">Testing pollen with AI models</h2>



The researchers scanned vintage fir, spruce, and pine grains dating back decades. Each algorithm learned minute ridge patterns and pore counts that mark one conifer from another. The top model flagged correct IDs at rates that rival seasoned palynologists.



“This shows that deep learning can successfully support and even exceed traditional identification methods in both speed and accuracy,” Balmaki said.



Still, glass slides must be spotless, and labels must remain clear. The team stresses that people and machines work best together.



“But it also confirms how essential human expertise still is. You need well‑prepared samples and a strong understanding of ecological context. This isn’t just about machines - it’s a collaboration between technology and science,” he added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-resilient-cities-and-landscapes">More resilient cities and landscapes</h2>



The group will now feed images from oaks, maples, grasses, and weeds into the network. With AI, a national atlas of species‑specific pollen bursts could emerge within a few years. Scientists could chart vegetation shifts after <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-hurricanes-help-oceans-fight-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hurricanes</a>, track drought damage, or study warming trends that push southern trees northward.



The fusion of AI and classical botany offers more than scientific speed. It equips city planners with plant lists that cut respiratory distress. It hands growers a living gauge of soil and climate change. It gives ecologists a microscope that never tires.



As pollen seasons lengthen in a warming world, such precision tools will matter. The research marks a step toward a future where every grain of pollen tells its story quickly and clearly, helping people breathe easier and guiding smarter stewardship of plants and the land.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/big-data/articles/10.3389/fdata.2025.1507036/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Big Data</a>.



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AI is transforming pollen science and health planning

A new artificial intelligence (AI) system can now separately identify...

Roses have long been treasured for their elegance and symbolic meaning. Rose petals, admired in gardens worldwide, have fascinated people with their striking formation patterns.



Recent findings suggest that geometric frustration in tissue growth and cell orientation contributes to the formation of sharp tips in rose petals.



According to new research led by Yafei Zhang from the University of Central Florida, the flower’s pointed edges arise through a mechanism different from commonly known <a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2015JMP....56h2202H/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gauss incompatibility</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-pointed-petals-of-roses">The pointed petals of roses</h2>



Botanists have often assumed that most curling leaves and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flowers-get-their-shape-and-scent-from-a-single-gene/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">petals</a> share the same principles of shape formation. Those principles involve internal growth stresses that produce wavelike edges in many plants.



Roses, however, do not follow that broad trend. They showcase crisp margins that hint at a different structural phenomenon.



Researchers discovered that these pointed rims result from Mainardi-Codazzi-Peterson (<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002250962100226X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MCP</a>) incompatibility, which focuses stress into narrow zones. This focus leads to the petal’s signature pointed form without the soft ripples found in other blossoms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-internal-stress-directs-growth">How internal stress directs growth</h2>



Stress in plant tissue often emerges when natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-the-gene-that-gives-a-flower-its-scent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expansion</a> meets physical limits. Instead of spreading the strain throughout the entire petal, roses concentrate it into small pockets along the rim.



That high-pressure concentration brings about clearly defined tips. Over time, this process creates a feedback loop in which the tissue continues to shape itself around those focused areas of stress.



Once those pointed regions appear, the petal’s growth follows a new path. This pattern sets roses apart from leaves or flowers that display wave-like edges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rose-petals-and-pressure-zones">Rose petals and pressure zones</h2>



In typical leaf development, Gauss incompatibility describes how mismatched growth rates cause edges to bend or ripple. Many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-tracks-changes-in-seasonal-flower-cycles-and-migration-patterns-from-the-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> rely on that effect, ending up with gentle curves that flutter in the breeze.



Roses tap into an alternative method for shaping themselves. Their petals emphasize localized pressure zones, almost like a carefully placed fold that defines the final outline.



Scientists have long used geometry to explain how thin sheets buckle and curl. Roses provide a vivid example of how nature experiments with more than one geometric strategy to achieve a unique aesthetic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-petals-that-are-sharply-sculpted">Petals that are sharply sculpted </h2>



Zhang’s group took a practical approach to confirm that MCP incompatibility drives rose petal formation. They created synthetic petals that mimicked rose tissue growth and tested how those models behaved.



By adjusting parameters in the laboratory, they witnessed the same kind of stress concentration that nature uses. When the tension peaked along certain zones, the synthetic petals sprouted the same crisp tips seen on real <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-bees-choose-the-same-flowers-again-and-again/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">roses</a>.



The team combined theoretical analyses, computer simulations, and hands-on fabrication. Each part of their work reinforced the idea that focusing stress can sculpt petals more sharply than traditional wavy patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rose-petal-mechanics-inspire-engineers">Rose petal mechanics inspire engineers</h2>



Insights from plant development often inspire new products. Engineers are intrigued by the way delicate biological structures can fold themselves into complex shapes without external force.



Rose petals might serve as a model for materials that need precise curves. By copying the stress-targeting method, researchers could craft surfaces that transform shape when stimulated.



“Identifying Mainardi-Codazzi-Peterson incompatibility as a shaping mechanism is not only an important milestone in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/morphogenesis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">morphogenesis</a> research but also an inspiration for new designs of shape-morphing materials and structures,” wrote Lishuai Jin from the <a href="https://www.cityu.edu.hk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">City University of Hong Kong</a>, who authored a related perspective.



Devices that curl or crease on demand could lead to innovations in soft robotics or smart textiles. Observing how roses manage tension might help inventors design structures that cleverly change their form.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-broader-view-of-nature-s-tricks">A broader view of nature’s tricks</h2>



Gauss-based effects remain familiar territory for botanists studying rippled leaves or wavy petals. Those undulating edges show how differential growth alone can create attractive curvatures in plant organs.



Roses prove there is more than one path to sculpting a petal. Their localized tips reveal that living organisms have multiple strategies for shaping themselves over time.



Scientists suspect that other species might also depend on lesser-known mechanical processes for leaf or petal design. Exploring such adaptations could shed light on previously overlooked nuances in plant development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-directions">Future research directions </h2>



Zhang and colleagues have opened fresh perspectives on how pointed petals form in nature. Their focus on stress localization offers a direct explanation for the neat edges that give roses their distinct charm.



Biologists now wonder if combining Gauss and MCP effects might generate exotic forms yet to be documented in plants or artificial models. This approach could allow horticulturists to encourage new petal varieties and shapes by tuning growth conditions.



Unraveling these geometric strategies not only expands our understanding of plant morphology but might also influence fields that rely on thin-sheet mechanics. From flexible electronics to architectural design, such phenomena hold potential for creative solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-subtle-physics-of-rose-petals">Subtle physics of rose petals</h2>



Roses stand out in a garden for their elegant appearance and alluring fragrance. Yet behind that pleasant exterior lies a fine-tuned interplay of expansion and stress that channels shape in unusual ways.



Scientists see this as a reminder that nature’s aesthetics often result from subtle physics. Roses simply turn these principles into an iconic display admired around the world.



Petals shaped by MCP incompatibility demonstrate just how varied growth processes can be. They signal that nature, in its variety, sometimes uses a different blueprint to craft recognizable forms.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adt0672" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Scientists finally understand why rose petals have pointed tips

Roses have long been treasured for their elegance and symbolic...

Plants perched high on mountain slopes often seem untouchable. Many people picture these hardy survivors persisting no matter what the world throws at them.



Jill Anderson from the University of Georgia (<a href="https://www.uga.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UGA</a>) led a nine-year study that tracked more than 100,000 <a href="https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/plants-trees/flowering-plants/drummonds-rock-cress" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Drummond’s rockcress</a> plants (also known as Boechera stricta), which are short-lived and grow in the mountains of North America. 



The <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adr1010" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">findings</a> show that climate change is accelerating so quickly that natural processes struggle to keep up, putting even these widely distributed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-future-climate-conditions-will-transform-plant-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> at risk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mountain-plants-face-unexpected-threats">Mountain plants face unexpected threats</h2>



Some assume that cool alpine air insulates species in higher elevations. Yet these peaks are not immune to changing weather patterns, which shift temperatures and snowpack conditions.



Scientists use the term <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">montane</a> to describe mountainous regions where cold temperatures shape <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-our-power-our-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a> and animal communities. In these settings, species must cope with short growing seasons and sudden weather swings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-adaptation-under-threat">Local adaptation under threat</h2>



Many species across large geographic ranges show <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982222001105" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">local adaptation</a>, meaning each population is especially fit for its specific climate. A <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-could-soon-talk-to-farmers-and-listen-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a> growing at one elevation may thrive in cooler settings, while relatives at lower altitudes prefer warmer days.



When warming speeds up faster than these populations can adjust, their specialized genetic traits can become a burden. 



Scientists have <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31061126/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warned</a> that climate change may shrink viable habitats before plant populations can produce new traits or spread existing genes to more favorable locations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gene-flow-in-the-wrong-direction">Gene flow in the wrong direction </h2>



Natural <a href="https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/natural-selection-genetic-drift-and-gene-flow-15186648/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gene flow</a> is the mixing of genetic material between populations when seeds or pollen move across different areas. In mountain landscapes, genes often travel downslope, which can be a problem when populations uphill need genes adapted to warmer conditions.



Once temperatures ramp up, plants at higher elevations may lag behind in acquiring the beneficial traits found at lower sites. Many experts believe that if gene flow continues to flow in the wrong direction, certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-what-were-really-fighting-for/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">populations</a> will lose out.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-mountain-plants-are-not-safe">Local mountain plants are not safe</h2>



Many mountain plants live in narrow climate zones. Even small temperature changes can force them to move if suitable conditions shift uphill.



Furthermore, relocation can be slow. Limited seed dispersal and competition for newly available terrain make uphill migration a difficult gamble.



In the Colorado Rockies, researchers tested how these plants fare when the snowpack is manipulated to reflect varying future scenarios. Conditions mimicked both historical climates and predicted warmer settings.



Their data showed that populations already adapted to local sites were not safe just because they fell within the broader species range. As the weather changed, those local advantages vanished.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-gene-flow-alone-is-not-enough">Why gene flow alone is not enough</h2>



If some high-altitude plants cannot access the genetic diversity they need, their survival chances drop. Rising temperatures also move faster than seeds can scatter uphill.



It is possible that downhill gene exchange will leave upper populations stuck with less-suitable traits. Over time, that mismatch poses a real problem for any species in a fast-warming world.



Researchers suggest <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/new-research-shows-first-successful-demonstration-assisted-gene-flow-corals" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">assisted gene flow</a>, which involves moving seeds or plants from warmer-adapted locations to cooler zones. The aim is to insert heat-tolerant genes into colder populations before it is too late.



Such action requires careful planning to avoid harming the resident community. It can help maintain enough genetic variation for future climate scenarios.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mountain-plants-may-not-adapt-in-time">Mountain plants may not adapt in time</h2>



Sally Aitken, a professor at the <a href="https://www.ubc.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of British Columbia</a>, elaborated on the research in a related perspective.



"The lessons from Anderson et al. are sobering with respect to the ability of natural populations to adapt to, and persist under, rapid global warming,” she wrote. 



This warning echoes broader concerns that standard models often miss how real populations respond. Simple range maps do not reveal the underlying genetic limits that influence whether plants can hang on.



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



Some protected areas might not serve as reliable safe havens if warming outpaces adaptation. That’s especially worrisome for species already confined to mountaintops, where there is nowhere higher to go.



Those who manage conservation efforts might include assisted gene flow when other approaches are too slow. But balancing interventions with natural processes is tricky business.



Plants form the backbone of many mountain ecosystems. If they fade away, pollinators and seed-eating animals lose vital resources.



Such ripple effects can spread downhill, affecting everyone relying on mountain watersheds for irrigation and drinking water. Decreased plant cover can alter soil stability, which influences runoff and erosion patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-species-will-need-a-helping-hand">Some species will need a helping hand</h2>



There is no universal fix. Solutions must address local challenges and take into account how quickly climates are shifting uphill.



Short-lived species can adapt quickly under the right conditions, but only if gene flow and the environment align. That makes thoughtful conservation choices even more urgent.



Some plants will persist if we reduce greenhouse gas emissions and give them time to adjust. Others may need a helping hand when relocation or genetic mixing becomes their best option.



Experts believe that mountain environments could lose more species if assistance does not arrive. Adaptive capacity has its limits when conditions change too fast.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adr1010" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Mountain plants are not safe from rapid climate change

Plants perched high on mountain slopes often seem untouchable. Many...

<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



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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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