High in the Dolomites of northern Italy, a quiet forest of spruce trees witnessed a cosmic event. As the moon began its slow passage across the face of the sun, these trees did something extraordinary. They didn’t just react to the solar eclipse - they prepared for it. 



Hours before the eclipse unfolded, the inner signals of the trees began to shift in synchrony, echoing across the forest like an invisible wave.



What if <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-are-losing-the-battle-against-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a> could think? What if they didn’t just survive but sensed, remembered, and collectively adapted? These questions are no longer the domain of poetic speculation. A new international study has brought scientific weight to these ideas, revealing a forest’s capacity for anticipation and communication.



Led by Professor Alessandro Chiolerio of the Italian Institute of Technology (<a href="https://www.iit.it" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IIT</a>) and the University of the West of England (<a href="https://www.uwe.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UWE</a>), and Professor Monica Gagliano of <a href="https://www.scu.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southern Cross University</a>, the research shows how spruce trees behave not just as individuals but as members of a responsive, interconnected ecosystem.



The trees began altering their bioelectrical rhythms well before the eclipse. This wasn’t passive reaction - it was a coordinated prelude.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-older-trees-sense-eclipse-first">Older trees sense eclipse first</h2>



The researchers placed specialized sensors on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-new-trees-brings-hope-for-healthier-babies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a> ranging from decades-old elders to young saplings. The trees’ bioelectrical signals - minute voltage changes across their tissues - began shifting as early as 14 hours before the solar eclipse occurred.



Remarkably, older trees were the first to display these changes. They exhibited increased entropy and bioelectrical complexity long before the event, suggesting deep memory rooted in past experiences. 



These ancient trees acted as environmental archives, holding clues from previous eclipses and perhaps other rare events that have repeated over their long lives.



“The fact that older trees respond first - potentially guiding the collective response of the forest - speaks volumes about their role as memory banks of past environmental events,” said Professor Gagliano.



This age-based hierarchy of response shows that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-trees-are-reaching-new-heights-in-the-mountains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a> are not just passive organisms. Instead, they may actively use memory to shape real-time responses to future events. The old trees don’t simply endure - they teach.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tree-signals-sync-before-an-eclipse">Tree signals sync before an eclipse</h2>



Custom-built CyberTree sensors recorded data from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/slow-and-steady-tree-growth-wins-the-race-for-carbon-capture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a> at four distinct forest sites. Trees of different ages and light exposure were included. Some trees were healthy and tall, others young and shaded, and several were even stumps from felled trees.



In one 20-year-old tree, researchers noticed sharp, square-wave-like bioelectrical spikes hours before the eclipse. These signals vanished immediately after the event, creating a clear boundary in the data. 



Older trees showed broader but more persistent fluctuations. During the eclipse itself, bioelectrical activity became less chaotic and more ordered.



“This study illustrates the anticipatory and synchronized responses we observed are key to understanding how forests communicate and adapt, revealing a new layer of complexity in plant behavior,” explained Professor Gagliano.



This coordination wasn’t superficial. It ran deep through the trees’ vascular systems - through xylem and phloem - recorded using electrodes both within trunks and around their circumference. The result was a living, electrical map of the forest’s inner state.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whole-forest-acts-as-one-system">Whole forest acts as one system</h2>



The synchrony wasn’t limited to isolated trees. Researchers applied cross-correlation analysis to examine relationships among signals from different trees. What they found was striking. As the eclipse approached, trees didn’t just change individually. They aligned with each other.



Compared to normal days, during the eclipse the trees exhibited larger deviations in signal symmetry. This meant the forest wasn’t operating randomly. Each tree’s electrical behavior influenced - and was influenced by - others. These shifts showed signs of communication and responsiveness beyond traditional ecological models.



“We now see the forest not as a mere collection of individuals, but as an orchestra of phase correlated plants,” said Professor Chiolerio.



Especially strong synchrony occurred between the oldest trees, suggesting that longevity also brings a central role in networked behaviors. Their signals moved together like synchronized swimmers, responding as one to the cosmic shift overhead.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-trees-align-their-behavior">How trees align their behavior</h2>



To make sense of this synchrony, the team turned to an unlikely ally - quantum field theory (QFT). Trees, they argued, are open, dissipative systems. They constantly exchange energy with their environment, and classical physics falls short in describing their complex coordination.



By using thermal QFT models, the researchers could describe the trees' behavior at both molecular and systemic levels. They showed how microscopic structures like ion channels and water molecules aligned their activity, giving rise to coherent macroscopic behavior.



In this framework, the forest’s response becomes a form of spontaneous symmetry breaking. That is, a small environmental trigger - in this case, the eclipse - produces a large-scale shift in system organization.



During the eclipse, the system’s entropy dropped, coherence increased, and the forest appeared to enter a new state - like an orchestra locking into tempo after tuning their instruments. The forest was not only alive. It was aware.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gravity-may-cue-the-response">Gravity may cue the response</h2>



A mystery remained: how could trees begin responding before the eclipse even started? The usual suspects - light, temperature, and humidity - couldn’t explain it. Trees began shifting their signals when it was still daylight and warm, and the Moon was far from their sky.



The authors propose another trigger: gravimetric tides. These are subtle shifts in Earth’s gravitational field caused by the alignment of the Moon and Sun. During a solar eclipse, especially one aligned with a Saros cycle, these tides peak.



Such gravimetric cues are hard for humans to detect, but not for trees. Their deep-rooted structure and fluid dynamics make them excellent sensors. Older trees, which have lived through several Saros cycles, may recognize this pattern and respond early.



“This discovery underscores the critical importance of protecting older forests, which serve as pillars of ecosystem resilience by preserving and transmitting invaluable ecological knowledge,” said Professor Gagliano.



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



This research expands our understanding of what a forest is. No longer can we see it as a collection of competing individuals. The trees synchronize their internal processes, align responses to stimuli, and likely share information across time and space.



This makes old-growth forests irreplaceable. Logging them erases not just biomass, but knowledge - decades or centuries of stored information that newer trees have not yet acquired.



From the lens of ecological stability, these forests act like community elders. They modulate, anticipate, and respond, ensuring the forest survives sudden changes. Protecting them becomes not only an act of conservation, but an act of safeguarding planetary memory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hidden-intelligence-of-forests">The hidden intelligence of forests</h2>



To share this finding with a wider audience, the research team collaborated on a documentary. Il Codice del Bosco (The Forest Code) is scheduled for release in Italy in May 2025. It brings the forest’s hidden world to life, showing trees as responsive and intelligent beings.



“Basically, we are watching the famous ‘wood wide web’ in action!” said Professor Gagliano.



The documentary will visualize the forest’s electrical signals, offering viewers a glimpse into a world usually invisible. It represents a step toward redefining how we relate to nature - not as masters, but as fellow participants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-remember-eclipses-and-adapt">Trees remember eclipses and adapt</h2>



The study of spruce trees during a solar eclipse has revealed something profound. Trees do not simply endure. They anticipate, adapt, and align with each other through non-verbal, bioelectrical communication. They exhibit behaviors long thought reserved for animals - coordination, memory, and possibly a form of decision-making.



As we understand this hidden intelligence, our approach to ecology must evolve. Forests are not just lungs of the planet. They are its silent minds - thinking slowly, speaking in signals, and remembering events we cannot see.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.241786" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Society Open Science</a>.



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Trees sync up their communication signals before a solar eclipse

High in the Dolomites of northern Italy, a quiet forest of spruce trees witnessed a cosmic event. As the moon began its slow passage across the face of the sun, these trees did something extraordinary. They didn’t just react to the solar eclipse - they prepared for it. Hours before the eclipse unfolded, the inner signals of the trees began to shift in synchrony, echoing across the forest like an invisible wave. What if forests could think? What if they didn’t just survive but sensed, remembered, and...

Hot days, cool salads, and refreshing tomato slices - sounds like summer, doesn't it? But have you ever wondered - how do tomatoes survive intense heat?



Under the scorching sun, as the mercury rises, some tomato varieties keep on thriving. A team of biologists based at <a href="https://www.brown.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brown University</a> decided to investigate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tomatoes-surviving-the-heat">Tomatoes surviving the heat</h2>



The experts wanted to identify the specific growth cycle phase when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/space-tomatoes-are-ready-for-an-unprecedented-mission/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tomatoes</a> buckle under heat, as well as the molecular mechanisms that shield them.



The findings could be a crucial key to protecting our food supply in the age of climate change. Indeed, agricultural productivity is already dancing on thin ice.



Our rising temperatures could slash crop yields by up to 16% with every additional degree Celsius of seasonal warming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-from-evolution">Lessons from evolution</h2>



Study co-author Sorel V. Yimga Ouonkap is a research associate in molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry at Brown.



Ouonkap noted that the scientists took some lessons from evolution to experiment with how best to speed up the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tomatoes-acylsugars-parallel-universe-plant-kingdom-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adaptation process</a> for varieties of tomato plants.



According to the researchers, it would take a long time to wait for evolution to weed out the vulnerable tomato varieties like Heinz in favor of those that can handle extreme heat - a process that might also jeopardize the qualities that make vulnerable crops commercially desirable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-tomatoes-more-tolerant-of-heat">Making tomatoes more tolerant of heat</h2>



“We’re trying to figure out thermoregulation at a molecular and cellular level, and identify what and where we need to improve so that we can target those in commercial plant cultivars and conserve everything about them except for this one aspect that makes them vulnerable to extreme heat,” explained Ouonkap.



“Over time, you can start accumulating different resistance mechanisms as the growing conditions continue to change.”



Thermotolerance, or the ability of a plant to withstand extreme temperatures, could be a promising way to confront climate change, noted study author Mark Johnson, a professor of biology at Brown.



"Imagine if you could just make a Heinz <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tomato-plants-talk-to-one-another-to-signal-danger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tomato</a> more resilient to temperature stress without affecting the flavor profile or the way people experience the tomato," Johnson said. "That would be a great advantage."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-stress-and-plant-reproduction">Heat stress and plant reproduction</h2>



Johnson's lab has studied plant reproduction for years. Yet, a gap remained: no studies examined what happens after pollen lands on the stigma during this crucial phase - a key to understanding how tomatoes survive extreme conditions.



Undeterred, Ouonkap dived into this unexplored area for his thesis project. He focused on the pollen tube growth phase of the plant reproductive cycle, studying different tomato varieties known for thriving in extra-hot growing seasons. 



Collaborating with scientists from the <a href="https://www.arizona.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Arizona</a>, the experts learned that heat stress during just this phase limits fruit and seed production more in heat-sensitive than heat-tolerant tomato varieties.



It’s not all bad news. Ouonkap discovered that the heat-tolerant Tamaulipas tomato variety showed exceptional growth under high temperatures. His molecular analysis helped the team uncover the mechanisms that let this tomato survive intense heat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-creating-tomatoes-to-beat-the-heat">Creating tomatoes to beat the heat </h2>



The researchers focused on tomatoes because different varieties can adapt to a range of extreme climates - providing clues to how species respond differently to environmental conditions.



Tomatoes are a valuable commercial crop all over the world, including some regions that are among the most vulnerable to extreme heat conditions.&nbsp;



Having identified the beneficial molecular mechanisms, the next step is to determine specific techniques to enable tomatoes to grow in diverse climates. 



One possible avenue? Creating a molecule that could prepare the pollen in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-use-dna-duplication-to-increase-their-resilience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> to withstand a heat wave, as Johnson explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-more-tomatoes-survive">Can more tomatoes survive?</h2>



"When the weather forecast showed two weeks of high temperatures during the pollen tube growth phase, the farmer would apply a product to plants that would change the gene expression so that the pollen would be resilient to heat," said Johnson.



While this level of manipulation is still a vision and not yet a reality, the experts said this area of research is ripe for exploration.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(24)01379-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Tomatoes have a molecular trick to survive in extreme heat

Hot days, cool salads, and refreshing tomato slices - sounds...

Tree planting has often been seen as an affordable, effective way to combat global warming due to trees' ability to capture large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere. 



Yet, a new study warns that large-scale tree planting at high latitudes may actually worsen global warming rather than mitigate it.&nbsp;



 As climate change enables the planting of trees further north, initiatives to establish forests in Arctic regions have gained support. 



But according to a team of international scientists, led by assistant professor Jeppe Kristensen from <a href="https://international.au.dk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aarhus University</a>, this approach could have unintended climate consequences in sensitive northern ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-storage-in-arctic-soils">Carbon storage in Arctic soils </h2>



The Arctic and sub-Arctic regions are unique in their ecological characteristics, and Kristensen emphasizes that these areas are unsuited to afforestation as a climate mitigation strategy.&nbsp;



“Soils in the Arctic store more carbon than all vegetation on Earth,” said Kristensen. “These soils are vulnerable to disturbances, such as cultivation for forestry or agriculture, but also the penetration of tree roots."&nbsp;



"The semi-continuous daylight during the spring and early summer, when snow is still on the ground, also makes the energy balance in this region extremely sensitive to surface darkening, since green and brown trees will soak up more heat from the sun than white snow.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-natural-disturbances-are-intensifying-nbsp">Natural disturbances are intensifying&nbsp;</h2>



Regions around the North Pole, including parts of North America, Asia, and Scandinavia, are already prone to natural disturbances, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fast-wildfires-are-gaining-even-more-speed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfires</a> and droughts, which can kill vegetation. Climate change has only intensified these threats. 



Kristensen warns that northern forests are at particular risk: “This is a risky place to be a tree, particularly as part of a homogeneous plantation that is more vulnerable to such disturbances.”&nbsp;



If these trees burn, the stored carbon is likely to be released into the atmosphere within decades, reversing any intended climate benefits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-solar-reflection-and-carbon-storage">Balancing solar reflection and carbon storage</h2>



While <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-forests-with-many-tree-species-are-more-effective-at-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon storage</a> is a common focus in climate solutions, the researchers argue that at high latitudes, managing solar reflection (albedo) is even more crucial. 



“Climate change results from the balance between solar energy entering the atmosphere and how much leaves again,” Kristensen said.&nbsp;



The albedo effect is essential in polar and subpolar regions because light-colored snow and ice naturally reflect solar energy. Dark tree canopies, however, absorb it, converting sunlight into heat, which impacts the energy balance more than carbon storage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-holistic-approach-to-climate-solutions">A holistic approach to climate solutions</h2>



Rather than solely emphasizing carbon storage, the study calls for a more comprehensive understanding of ecosystem dynamics.&nbsp;



“A holistic approach is imperative if we’re going to make a difference in the real world,” said co-author Marc Macias-Fauria, a researcher at the University of Cambridge’s Scott Polar Research Institute.&nbsp;



Macias-Fauria adds that while <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-too-many-trees-could-spoil-the-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree planting</a> may be valuable for timber production or self-sufficiency, it should not be marketed as a climate mitigation strategy without accounting for its environmental impact.



“Forestry in the far North should be viewed like any other production system and compensate for its negative impact on climate and biodiversity,” he said. “By selling northern afforestation as a climate solution, we’re only fooling ourselves.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustainable-populations-of-large-herbivores">Sustainable populations of large herbivores</h2>



If tree planting is not ideal for high latitudes like the Arctic, what nature-based strategies could help mitigate climate change in these areas? 



The researchers suggest an alternative: supporting sustainable populations of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forest-biodiversity-benefits-from-large-herbivores-like-elephants-and-moose/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">large herbivores</a>, like caribou, which could offer a more viable climate solution. 



“There is ample evidence that large herbivores affect plant communities and snow conditions in ways that result in net cooling,” Macias-Fauria said.&nbsp;



Large herbivores keep tundra landscapes open and prevent excess snow buildup, which insulates the soil and accelerates permafrost thaw.&nbsp;



Their activity, including winter grazing, helps lower soil temperatures and preserve the permafrost layer, which plays a crucial role in regulating global temperatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prioritizing-biodiversity-and-local-communities">Prioritizing biodiversity and local communities</h2>



Finally, the study underscores the importance of considering <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-tracking-is-crucial-for-preserving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> and the needs of local communities when developing climate solutions. 



Large herbivores not only aid in reducing climate-driven biodiversity loss in Arctic ecosystems but are also a key food source for Indigenous and local communities.&nbsp;



“Biodiversity and local communities are not an added benefit to nature-based solutions: they are fundamental,” said Macias-Fauria, emphasizing that these efforts must be community-led, particularly by those directly affected by climate change.



In sum, while tree planting remains valuable in many contexts, implementing it in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions could inadvertently increase warming.&nbsp;



Instead, focusing on nature-based solutions that respect and work with local ecosystems and communities offers a more balanced and effective path to mitigating climate impacts.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41561-024-01573-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>.



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Why planting trees in the Arctic is not a good climate solution

Tree planting has often been seen as an affordable, effective...

What if the solution to cancer lay hidden in a parasitic fungus? Scientists from the University of Nottingham have been studying a chemical that is produced by a fungus that grows on caterpillars. 



In previous studies, the chemical has shown promise as a possible cancer treatment. The researchers set out to further investigate its potential.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caterpillar-fungus-in-cancer">Caterpillar fungus in cancer</h2>



The research is based on Cordyceps militaris, an orange fungus with a slightly creepy parasitic lifestyle. In Asia, it's not only a popular health food but also a powerful traditional medicine.



The magic ingredient in this fungus is cordycepin, a mighty chemical that has shown promise as a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-the-next-frontier-in-cancer-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer medicine</a> in many studies. But how does it work?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungus-compound-to-treat-cancer">Fungus compound to treat cancer</h2>



The researchers analyzed the activities of thousands of genes in multiple cell lines to unearth the secrets of cordycepin.



They used high-throughput techniques, which made it possible to examine huge amounts of data at the same time.



And what did they find? Cordycepin interrupts the cell growth signals overactive in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/simple-lifestyle-changes-could-prevent-half-of-all-cancer-deaths/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer</a>. It does this by acting on the growth promoting pathways of the cell. 



This could be less damaging to healthy tissue than most currently available treatments. Now, doesn't that sound promising?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inner-workings-of-the-chemical">Inner workings of the chemical </h2>



The experts dug deeper into what happens to cordycepin inside the cell. They found that it is converted into cordycepin triphosphate, which looks a lot like the cell's energy carrier ATP.



This doppelganger molecule seems to be the likely culprit behind cordycepin's effects on cell growth, making it the direct assailant of cancer cells.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caterpillar-fungus-as-a-cancer-medicine">Caterpillar fungus as a cancer medicine</h2>



"We have been researching the effects of cordycepin on a range of diseases for a number of years and with each step we get closer to understanding how it could be used as an effective treatment," said lead author Dr. Cornelia de Moor from the <a href="https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pharmacy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Pharmacy</a>.



"One of the exciting things to have been happening is that it has become easier and less expensive to do these very large experiments, so we were able to examine thousands of genes at the same time." 



According to Dr. de Moor, the data confirms that cordycepin is a good starting point for novel cancer medicines and explains its beneficial effects. 



"For instance, derivatives of cordycepin could aim to produce the triphosphate form of the drug to have the same effect," she noted. 



"In addition, the data will help with monitoring the effects of cordycepin in patients, as our data indicate particular genes whose activity reliably responds to cordycepin, which could for instance be measured in blood cells."



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



Exploring the potential of Cordyceps militaris goes well beyond its current applications. Future research could explore the synthesis of cordycepin derivatives that may enhance its efficacy and specificity in targeting cancer cells.



With increasing understanding of genomics and targeted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/men-could-face-an-84-increase-in-cancer-cases-by-2050/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">therapies</a>, researchers are optimistic about crafting personalized treatment regimens that could be less toxic and more effective. 



Collaborative efforts across disciplines, including biotechnology and pharmacology, are likely to illuminate new pathways for leveraging the natural benefits of this fungal powerhouse.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-integrative-medicine-fungus-and-cancer">Integrative medicine: Fungus and cancer</h2>



Integrative medicine, emphasizing a holistic approach to healthcare, benefits greatly from the potential inclusion of cordycepin-based therapies. 



By harmonizing conventional cancer treatments with natural compounds like those derived from Cordyceps militaris, healthcare providers can offer more balanced and comprehensive care. 



This could result in less invasive treatment plans that focus not only on eradicating cancer but also on preserving quality of life and minimizing side effects. 



Continued clinical studies will be crucial in validating these integrative approaches, potentially solidifying the role of natural compounds as complements to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-anti-aging-drug-interleukin-11-boosts-lifespan-prevents-cancer-gray-hair/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modern medicine</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-developing-new-cancer-drugs">Developing new cancer drugs </h2>



This research is not just a significant step towards understanding potential of a fungus but also creates a pathway for developing new drugs for cancer treatment. 



It's a journey we're all invested in as we strive for a world without cancer. And who knew that a small caterpillar fungus could become such an important ally in this fight?



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/1873-3468.15046" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FEBS Letters</a>.



Image Credit: Daniel Winkler - Mushroaming



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Caterpillar fungus slows down growth of cancer cells

What if the solution to cancer lay hidden in a...

Ever wondered how colors come into existence? How do they influence the lives of beings around us? This isn't just about how we humans perceive different colors, but also how they shape the world of animals and plants. 



From peacocks flaunting their magnificent tail feathers to poison-dart frogs donning their bold hues, colors serve a purpose. Similarly, the brilliant hues of flowers and fruits aren't just for our aesthetic pleasure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-color-vision-in-animals">Color vision in animals</h2>



Researchers from the University of Arizona embarked on a journey to understand the evolution of color vision in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-wild-cats-got-their-striking-eye-colors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> and the functionality of colors in our environment.



The research revolved around the concept of "conspicuous colors." These are the colors that instantly snag our attention - the bold reds, striking yellows, vivid blues, and intense purples. But their role extends far beyond just being eye-catching.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colors-in-the-animal-world">Colors in the animal world</h2>



Color plays a crucial role in the animal kingdom. It isn't merely about looking attractive. Instead, it's an effective way for animals to communicate. 



The researchers identified two significant types of color signals exploited by animals - warning and sexual.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warning-and-sexual-signals">Warning and sexual signals </h2>



Warning color signals are perhaps the most striking element of color communication among species. These signals act as a universal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insects-are-changing-color-to-adapt-to-human-destruction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">caution sign</a>, telling potential predators to "back off."



Interestingly, these warning signals are far more common than sexual signals. They span across the animal kingdom, while sexual signals are limited to arthropods and vertebrates.



On the other hand, sexual color signals form an integral part of mating rituals. They attract and select the best possible mate. However, these signals necessitate highly developed vision.



Plants, too, have been assigning crucial roles to colors for millions of years. Bright colors in plants primarily serve two functions - to distribute pollen (flowers) and disperse seeds (fruits).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-findings-from-the-past">Findings from the past</h2>



According to the team's findings, color vision in animals evolved around 500 million years ago - about 150 million years before the arrival of colorful fruits. In addition, colorful flowers emerged around 200 million years ago.



The study was led by John J. Wiens, a professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Ecology at the <a href="https://www.arizona.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Arizona</a>. He was assisted by Zachary Emberts, an assistant professor of integrative biology at <a href="https://go.okstate.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oklahoma State University</a> and a former postdoctoral scholar at the University of Arizona. 



A remarkable finding from their work is that warning color signals manifested before sexual color signals - around 150 million years ago, with the latter emerging about 100 million years later. 



"Warning signals are at least five times more widespread. That's the overall pattern," Wiens said.&nbsp;"There has been a dramatic explosion of both warning and sexual color signals in the last 100 million years."&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colors-and-animal-dynamics">Colors and animal dynamics</h2>



Predator-prey relationships are profoundly influenced by the visual cues provided by colors within the environment. 



For prey species, possessing colors that allow them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings can mean the difference between survival and predation. 



Camouflage serves as a quintessential example of how colors are utilized to create a visual cloak, enabling prey to evade detection. Conversely, predators, such as the tiger with its stripes, use their coloration strategically to ambush unsuspecting prey. 



The careful balance of coloration within predator-prey dynamics underscores the evolutionary arms race where subtle changes in hue and pattern can significantly affect ecological interactions and survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-impacts-and-adaptive-signals">Human impacts and adaptive signals</h2>



As humankind continues to alter the biosphere, the natural manifestations of color in the animal and plant kingdoms are not immune to these influences. 



Deforestation, pollution, and climate change are leading to habitat destruction and fragmentation, which in turn affect how species utilize and manifest colors for survival. 



The adaptive signals once finely tuned to specific environments are now facing unprecedented challenges. Researchers emphasize the importance of preserving natural habitats to maintain the ecological functions of colors. 



Looking to the future, continued study of these vibrant natural phenomena not only enriches our understanding of ecology but also strengthens conservation strategies aimed at safeguarding the myriad species that rely on the tapestry of colors for their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/survival-of-the-friendliest-social-animals-live-longer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">survival</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unsolved-mystery-of-colors-in-animals">Unsolved mystery of colors in animals</h2>



The reasons behind the sudden escalation of these color signals remain a mystery. However, the team managed to identify three critical groups that likely contributed to this surge - marine ray-finned fishes and terrestrial birds and lizards.



"In the future, it would be even more interesting to study what drives the ability of animals to see specific colors like red or blue," Emberts said.



So, what do you think might be the next revelation in this vibrant journey of color evolution?



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/brv.13141" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biological Reviews.</a>



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Animals got their colors 150 million years before plants

Ever wondered how colors come into existence? How do they...

A team of biologists has recently revealed the origins of a unique DNA duplication mechanism that grants plants additional ways to control genetic instructions.&nbsp;



This discovery, led by Xuehua Zhong from the <a href="https://washu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington University in St. Louis</a> (WashU), holds promise for innovations in agriculture, particularly in enhancing crop resilience to environmental challenges like heat and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-extreme-weather-events-are-escalating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drought</a>. 



The research, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adr2222" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>, delves into DNA methylation - a biological process that plays a key role in gene regulation, directly impacting how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-plants-make-life-and-death-decisions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> respond to environmental stressors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complexity-of-plant-dna-methylation">Complexity of plant DNA methylation</h2>



DNA methylation involves adding small chemical groups called methyl groups to DNA. This modification determines which genes are turned on or off, shaping various plant traits.&nbsp;



A crucial part of this process involves silencing “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-fungus-has-become-more-deadly-thanks-to-jumping-genes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">jumping genes</a>” or transposons, which are mobile DNA sequences that can disrupt normal genetic function if not controlled. In plants, this regulatory role is handled by specialized enzymes, distinct from those found in mammals.



“Mammals only have two major enzymes that add methyl groups in one DNA context, but plants actually have multiple enzymes that do that in three DNA contexts,” Zhong explained, highlighting the unique complexity of plant DNA methylation.&nbsp;



“The question is - why do plants need extra methylation enzymes?” This research could pave the way for advancements in agriculture by helping scientists to tap into plant systems that naturally regulate resilience-related traits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-enzymes-in-plant-dna">The role of enzymes in plant DNA</h2>



Zhong’s study focuses on two enzymes unique to plants: CMT3 and CMT2. Both enzymes are part of the chromomethylase (CMT) family, responsible for adding methyl groups to specific DNA sequences.&nbsp;



CMT3 specializes in methylating so-called CHG sequences, while CMT2 targets CHH sequences. Despite their differences, these enzymes share a common ancestry, having evolved through duplication events that provided plants with extra copies of genetic information.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-history-of-the-enzymes-nbsp">Evolutionary history of the enzymes&nbsp;</h2>



Using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, also known as thale cress, Zhong’s team traced the evolutionary history of these enzymes.&nbsp;



The experts discovered that CMT2 lost its ability to methylate CHG sequences due to the absence of an amino acid called arginine, a change that occurred during the enzyme’s evolution.&nbsp;



“Arginine is special because it has charge. In a cell, it’s positively charged and thus can form hydrogen bonds or other chemical interactions with, for example, the negatively charged DNA,” explained co-author Jia Gwee, a graduate student at WashU.



CMT2, however, contains valine instead of arginine. Valine lacks the necessary charge to interact with CHG sequences, explaining why CMT2 no longer recognizes these DNA contexts as CMT3 does.&nbsp;



To test this theory, the research team introduced arginine back into CMT2, restoring its ability to methylate both CHG and CHH sequences.&nbsp;



This mutation suggests that CMT2 originally functioned as a duplicate of CMT3 - a backup enzyme with the potential to diversify its function as plant DNA complexity grew.&nbsp;



“But instead of simply copying the original function, it developed something new,” Zhong noted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapting-to-environmental-stress">Adapting to environmental stress</h2>



The study also uncovered structural features that set CMT2 apart. Notably, the enzyme has a flexible N-terminal region that influences its protein stability, a characteristic that may have helped plants adapt to various environmental conditions.&nbsp;



“This is one of the ways plants evolved for genome stability and to fight environmental stresses,” Zhong explained. This structural adaptation has likely allowed plants equipped with CMT2 to thrive in diverse climates across the globe.



A significant portion of the data for this study came from the <a href="https://1001genomes.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1001 Genomes Project</a>, which maps the genetic diversity of A. thaliana strains worldwide. 



By exploring samples from plants in the wild rather than just laboratory specimens, the researchers gained insights into how DNA methylation contributes to plants’ natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-ecosystem-stability-threatened-by-declining-plant-resilience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resilience</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jumping-genes-and-plant-adaptation">Jumping genes and plant adaptation</h2>



The study also highlights the adaptive potential of transposons, or “jumping genes,” in plant DNA. These mobile sequences are often silenced by methylation to maintain genomic stability, but their occasional movement can aid in environmental adaptation.&nbsp;



“One jump might help species deal with harsh environmental conditions,” Zhong said, explaining how these genetic shifts could help plants survive in challenging environments.



As plants navigate unpredictable climates, the diversification enabled by DNA methylation - particularly through enzymes like CMT3 and CMT2 - can provide the flexibility needed to withstand stressors like extreme temperatures and limited water availability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-implications-for-crop-resilience">Future implications for crop resilience</h2>



Understanding how CMT enzymes contribute to plant resilience opens exciting possibilities for agriculture.&nbsp;



By precisely targeting the genes and methylation processes responsible for drought tolerance, heat resistance, or other resilience traits, scientists could enhance crops’ ability to thrive under changing climate conditions.&nbsp;



“If we find precisely how they are regulated, then we can find a way to innovate our technology for crop improvement,” Zhong explained.



As the world faces growing agricultural challenges, insights into the DNA methylation processes that strengthen plants can provide a foundation for developing crops capable of withstanding increasingly severe environmental pressures.&nbsp;



This research marks a step forward in harnessing plants’ genetic systems to create resilient agricultural ecosystems, offering a promising path to sustainable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungal-infections-are-threatening-global-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food security</a> in the face of climate change.



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Plants use DNA duplication to increase their resilience 

A team of biologists has recently revealed the origins of...

The day that Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980 is forever seared into the collective memory of the world. An unstoppable surge of lava effectively reduced surrounding life forms to ash within a matter of miles. In an unlikely twist of fate, an experiment involving some resilient gophers triggered a chain of events that initiated the recovery of the mountain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gophers-on-mount-st-helens">Gophers on Mount St. Helens</h2>



Despair had hung in the air after the eruption of Mount St. Helens. A once vibrant ecosystem was reduced to nothing in an instant, reminding us of nature’s fearsome power. However, in the aftermath, a bold theory emerged from the minds of scientists.



The experts speculated that gophers, small burrowing rodents, could play an essential role in the revival of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountain-building-triggered-a-mass-extinction-event/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">barren landscape</a>.



Quite simply, by digging up and redepositing beneficial bacteria and fungi from deeper soil layers, gophers could aid in the resurrection of the mountain's plant and animal life.



“They’re often considered pests, but we thought they would take old soil, move it to the surface, and that would be where recovery would occur,” said Michael Allen, a professor of plant pathology at <a href="https://search.app?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ucr.edu%2F&amp;utm_campaign=aga&amp;utm_source=agsadl2%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Riverside</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transformative-and-persistent-changes">Transformative and persistent changes</h2>



Two years following the eruption, the scientists decided it was time to put their theory into action. 



Gophers were dropped onto parts of the scorched <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountains-both-carbon-sinks-and-carbon-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mountain</a> for a mere 24 hours, and the effects of this short intervention continue to be seen today, 40 years later.



New research published this week in the journal Frontiers in Microbiomes illuminates the enduring impact of this experiment - a persistent change in the communities of fungi and bacteria in areas where gophers had briefly resided. 



This effect was not observed on land surrounding Mount St. Helens where gophers were not introduced.



“In the 1980s, we were just testing the short-term reaction,” said Professor Allen. “Who would have predicted you could toss a gopher in for a day and see a residual effect 40 years later?”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gophers-and-mountain-soil">Gophers and mountain soil</h2>



The interaction between gophers and the mountain soil is just one part of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loss-of-mountain-forests-accelerating-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">revitalization</a> puzzle. Another vital aspect is the role of mycorrhizal fungi. 



These tiny organisms have a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, exchanging nutrients and resources. They shield plants against pathogens and crucially, in such barren environments as that of Mount St. Helens post-eruption, they aid plants in becoming established and surviving.



“The fungi transport these things to the plant and get carbon they need for their own growth in exchange,” explained Professor Allen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-research">Broader implications of the research </h2>



The real-world implications of these findings are vast. Take, for instance, two different sides of the mountain. 



One side was covered by an old-growth forest when the eruption blanketed everything with ash. Scientists feared that the forest would collapse due to the loss of needles from the pine, spruce, and Douglas fir trees. However, much to their surprise, the trees rebounded almost immediately in some places.



“These trees have their own mycorrhizal fungi that picked up nutrients from the dropped needles and helped fuel rapid tree regrowth,” said UCR environmental microbiologist and study co-author Emma Aronson.



In stark contrast, the other side of the mountain had been clear-cut prior to the eruption. With no trees or dropped needles to feed the soil fungi, this area remains barren to this day.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recovery-of-mount-st-helens">Recovery of Mount St. Helens</h2>



The results of this study highlight the importance of understanding and respecting the intricate connections within nature, particularly among elements like microbes and fungi which we can't see.



“We cannot ignore the interdependence of all things in nature, especially the things we cannot see like microbes and fungi,” said Mia Maltz, study lead author and <a href="https://uconn.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Connecticut</a> mycologist.



In conclusion, in the searing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-research-enhances-predictions-on-volcanic-eruptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aftermath of an eruption</a>, the recovery of Mount St. Helens provides an unforgettable lesson on the resilience of nature, the power of scientific curiosity, and the value of cooperation between species.



And let's not forget the humble gophers, forever to be remembered as the tiny heroes of a scorched and desolate mountain.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiomes/articles/10.3389/frmbi.2024.1399416/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Microbiomes</a>.



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How gophers revived Mount St. Helens after its eruption

The day that Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980 is...

Dna,Spiral,,Life,Blueprint.,Double,Helix,Structure,,Genetic,Science,Symbol,

Evolution has always been seen as a complex, random, and unpredictable process, shaping life on Earth in ways we could hardly anticipate. 



But what if there's more order to it than chaos? That's exactly what a team of scientists is suggesting in a new study.



This research, led by Professor James McInerney and Dr. Alan Beavan from the School of Life Sciences at the <a href="https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Nottingham</a>, hints that evolution might not be as random as we've long thought.



Their research could have big implications for tackling issues like antibiotic resistance, diseases, and even climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-genes-and-the-pangenome">Evolution, genes, and the pangenome</h2>



So, what's this all about? The team analyzed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meet-the-pangenome-the-clearest-snapshot-ever-taken-of-human-genomic-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the pangenome</a> -- the complete set of genes within a species -- to see if evolution follows any predictable paths. 



They wanted to know: Is evolution just a series of accidents, or is there a pattern influenced by a genome's history?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-the-pangenome">What is the pangenome?</h2>



In simple terms, the pangenome is the complete set of all genes found within a species. 



It includes every gene present in all the different strains or individuals, covering both the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-dna-secrets-revealed-by-genomic-time-machine-and-transposable-elements/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">common genes</a> shared by everyone (the core genome) and the unique ones found only in some (the accessory genome). 



So even though individual members might have different genetic makeups, the pangenome represents the full genetic diversity that the species has.



Analyzing the pangenome allows researchers to identify which genes are essential for survival and which ones offer specific advantages, opening up possibilities for new medical and environmental applications.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-computing-power-required">Big computing power required</h2>



The team used a machine learning approach called <a href="https://www.ibm.com/topics/random-forest" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Random Forest</a> to sift through a massive dataset of 2,500 complete genomes from a single bacterial species. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-machine-learning-can-help-us-protect-chimpanzees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Machine learning</a> algorithms like this are great at finding patterns that might be too complex or subtle for humans to detect on their own. 



This wasn't a quick job -- it took several hundred thousand hours of computer processing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-and-gene-families">Evolution and "gene families"</h2>



First up, they created "gene families" from each gene in every genome. "In this way, we could compare like-with-like across the genomes," explained Dr. Maria Rosa Domingo-Sananes from <a href="https://www.ntu.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nottingham Trent University</a>.



Once they had these families sorted out, they focused on the genes and gene families inside the genomes.



"We found that some gene families never turned up in a genome when a particular other gene family was already there," said Dr. Domingo-Sananes. 



"And on other occasions, some genes were very much dependent on a different gene family being present."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-gene-ecosystem-driving-evolution">Hidden gene ecosystem driving evolution</h2>



In other words, they discovered an invisible ecosystem where genes either get along or clash with each other, making <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-evolution-may-be-the-biggest-roadblock-to-solving-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution predictable</a>.



"These interactions between genes make aspects of evolution somewhat predictable and furthermore, we now have a tool that allows us to make those predictions," added Dr. Domingo-Sananes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-paradigm-shift">A paradigm shift</h2>



Professor McInerney, the lead author of the study, is excited about the possibilities, to say the least. 



"The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/missing-law-of-nature-explains-the-evolution-of-everything-that-exists-in-the-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">implications of this research</a> are nothing short of revolutionary," he said. 



"By demonstrating that evolution is not as random as we once thought, we've opened the door to an array of possibilities in synthetic biology, medicine, and environmental science."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-real-world-applications">Real-world applications</h2>



This research isn't just about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snails-defy-death-and-revive-through-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">understanding evolution</a> for curiosity's sake. It has real-world implications that could affect our lives in significant ways.



But how could this affect us in practical terms? 



"From this work, we can begin to explore which genes 'support' an antibiotic resistance gene, for example," Dr. Beaven explained.



"Therefore, if we are trying to eliminate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/umbrella-toxin-discovery-may-help-human-antibiotic-resistance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antibiotic resistance</a>, we can target not just the focal gene, but we can also target its supporting genes."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fighting-antibiotic-resistance">Fighting antibiotic resistance</h2>



This approach could be a game-changer in the fight against <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antibiotic-resistance-increasing-enterococci-looming-global-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antibiotic-resistant bacteria</a>. 



By understanding the network of genes that work together, scientists could develop more effective treatments.



"We can use this approach to synthesize new kinds of genetic constructs that could be used to develop new drugs or vaccines," Dr. Beavan continued. 



"Knowing what we now know has opened the door to a whole host of other discoveries."



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



The study's insights might also help in the fight against climate change. 



By engineering microorganisms that can capture carbon or break down pollutants, we could develop new tools to reduce our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-changes-in-diet-can-greatly-reduce-your-carbon-footprint/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental footprint</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advancing-personalized-medicine">Advancing personalized medicine</h2>



The predictability of gene interactions could also revolutionize <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-microbiome-trillions-of-bacteria-unique-like-your-fingerprint/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">personalized medicine</a>. 



Imagine doctors being able to predict how a disease might progress in your body based on your genetic makeup, or which treatments would be most effective for you. 



This research could bring us one step closer to that reality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-gene-manipulation-and-the-future">Evolution, gene manipulation, and the future</h2>



To sum it all up, this new research is shaking up how we think about evolution. Instead of seeing it as a series of random events, the study suggests there's a level of predictability influenced by gene families and genetic history. 



This is obviously a very big deal for many other reasons besides the fact that it upends everything we thought we knew about evolution since Charles Darwin burst onto the scene. 



This discovery means that we might be able to anticipate and even guide <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/finch-beaks-and-bird-songs-a-new-story-of-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary changes</a> in ways we never thought possible.



The practical applications are vast. From developing new strategies to combat antibiotic resistance to engineering organisms that can help fight climate change, the possibilities are exciting. 



The idea that we can target not just harmful genes but also their "supporting cast" opens up new avenues in medicine and environmental science.



Overall, this study invites us to rethink some fundamental assumptions about life and evolution. It's not just about chance anymore; there's a pattern and order we can tap into. 



As we learn more, who knows what other doors might open? It's an exciting time to be alive, and an exciting time to be a scientist.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2304934120" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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New evolution discovery is being called "nothing short of revolutionary"

Evolution has always been seen as a complex, random, and...

A wilting flower is not always a sign of poor health or inadequate care. It could actually be a strategic play, millions of years in the making, created by Mother Nature herself.



Researchers from Macquarie University, along with international collaborators, have discovered a simple strategy that has been overlooked: plants recycle resources from wilting flowers for future reproduction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recycling-resources-from-wilting-flowers">Recycling resources from wilting flowers </h2>



"Our research delivers the first direct demonstration that plants can salvage resources from wilting flowers and reuse these resources to promote future reproduction," said lead author Honorary Professor Graham Pyke from <a href="https://www.mq.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Macquarie University</a>.



Why bother with this recycling effort? Well, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flowers-blooming-92-days-earlier-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flowers</a> aren't just pretty faces. They are rich in energy and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. When they wilt, it isn't necessarily the end but rather the beginning of another chapter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wilting-flowers-of-christmas-bells">Wilting flowers of Christmas bells </h2>



The focus of the three-year study was a native of Eastern Australia, the stunning Blandfordia grandiflora. Known commonly as Christmas bells, it casts a striking image with its vibrant red and yellow flowers, especially around December.



"Our research takes place on a plantation containing several hectares of native wet heath where Christmas bells flower quite profusely, along with a commercial shadehouse," noted Professor Pyke.



To assess the abilities of the plant, the team used an array of techniques. They modulated pollination and flower wilting and then gauged the effect on seed production and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bees-prefer-flowers-with-large-bullseyes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reflowering</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-storing-up-chemical-energy">Storing up chemical energy </h2>



The researchers soon realized things weren’t exactly as they had predicted. They found that plants did not use resources from wilted flowers to bolster short-term reproduction.



"These plants salvage resources invested in reproduction during one flowering season and reuse these resources during the next flowering season," explained Professor Pyke.



Blandfordia grandiflora was found to transfer resources from its wilting flowers to its underground corms and roots, effectively storing this "chemical energy" to produce new flowering stems in the subsequent season, often a year later.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-resource-management-in-wilting-flowers">Resource management in wilting flowers</h2>



Professor Pyke noted that plants work on principles similar to economics. "Plants must make decisions about where to allocate their limited resources; investing in one area means they can't invest as much in another."



This concept of resource allocation prompted Professor Pyke to investigate flower wilting, which he anticipated to be a plant's mechanism of diverting resources to other processes.



The results, however, were not quite what he expected. The plants were storing their reclaimed resources for the next flowering season - not using them right away.



According to Professor Pyke, plants have different ways of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flowers-are-picky-when-choosing-their-mate-for-fertilization/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">managing their flowers</a> post reproduction, with wilting being just one of many strategies. Some plants, such as the jacaranda and the frangipani, even shed their flowers before they wilt.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seed-production-and-wilting-in-flowers">Seed production and wilting in flowers</h2>



The study findings were confirmed through various experiments. One such experiment compared seed production between plants with flowers that were allowed to wilt and those with petals removed to prevent wilting.



Another experiment stopped seed production in all flowers but allowed wilting in one group of plants. Results showed that plants with wilting flowers were more likely to reflower the next season than those where wilting was prevented.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-factors-that-influence-seed-production">Factors that influence seed production </h2>



The study also took into consideration other factors that might influence seed production, such as stem height, the number of flowers per stem, and flower position.



"Taller flowering stems, for example, produced more seeds and heavier seeds, as did stems with more flowers. But flowers positioned lower down on the plant tended to have fewer seeds, and seeds that weighed less," said Professor Pyke.



"Our findings pave the way for further research into other plant species, and how they recover and reuse the resources from wilting flowers."



An exciting road lies ahead, with a lot to discover. Future research will explore what these salvaged resources are composed of, how plants move and change them, and whether saving these resources outweighs the costs of making <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-farming-and-flower-strips-improve-honey-bee-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flowers</a> in the first place.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/plb.13720" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plant Biology</a>.



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Plants with wilting flowers aren't dying - they are saving energy

A wilting flower is not always a sign of poor...

There is a trend sweeping through the Netherlands, and it's centered around a spiritual ritual that involves burning "magic" herbs. This trend, which seems to be a thing of the present, actually has its roots deeply embedded in the past.



Isabela Pombo Geertsma and her team from Utrecht University and the Naturalis Biodiversity Center have taken a closer look at this thriving ritual.



Their findings? The imported plants used in the ceremonies might not be as "magical" as they seem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spirituality-and-ritual-burning">Spirituality and ritual burning</h2>



Religious ceremonies worldwide often involve burning or smoldering dried <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mushroom-magic-new-species-discovered-in-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a> material. The smoke that fills the air is considered sacred - a means to connect with ancestors and spirits.



In North America, Indigenous groups use bundles of dried plants, known as smudge sticks, in their traditional ceremonies. 



The smoke released by burning these sticks is used to purify spaces and promote success. Different groups use various plants, including sweetgrass and white sage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-witches-and-the-new-age">Modern witches and the New Age</h2>



But here's the twist; the tradition of using smudge sticks isn’t just limited to Indigenous communities. It has found a place in the practices of modern witches and followers of the New Age movement. 



Geertsma, who is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in studying the plant use of witches, discovered this through her work.



Let's break it down. What's the New Age movement? In simple terms, it is a Western spiritual movement that believes in individual spirituality and metaphysical beliefs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-white-sage-in-ritual-burning">White sage in ritual burning </h2>



Many commercially available smudge sticks are made from a North American plant called white sage. Sadly, there is increasing evidence this plant is being harvested unsustainably to meet the burgeoning demand.



It's not just the magnificence of nature that's being affected. It's also impacting the Native North American communities who hold these plants sacred in their ceremonies.



So, why is this happening? Why are people buying these smudge sticks made from white sage? The reasons are twofold. 



One, the plant is traditionally used by certain cultures. Two, the commercialization of the New Age and modern witchcraft movements has made smudge sticks readily available in retail stores.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conflict-of-connection">Conflict of connection</h2>



Isn't it ironic? People, who want to connect with nature, are buying items imported from thousands of miles away instead of using what's available locally. 



Some even seemed to believe that the American plants "worked better" or had a more pleasant scent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-appropriation-and-ritual-burning">Cultural appropriation and ritual burning</h2>



The popularity of smudge sticks, particularly those made from white sage, brings to the forefront issues of cultural appropriation. 



Indigenous communities, who have nurtured these sacred traditions for centuries, now face the challenge of seeing their cultural rituals commodified and performed without proper understanding or respect for their origins. 



This raises ethical concerns, as the commercialization of these practices often bypasses the voices of the very communities that hold these traditions dear. 



It is crucial for those who partake in such rituals to engage with them respectfully and to consider the impacts of their actions on Indigenous cultures. The sustainability of the plants used for the ceremonies should also be taken into consideration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustainable-alternatives-to-ritual-burning">Sustainable alternatives to ritual burning</h2>



Fortunately, there are more sustainable and locally mindful alternatives available for those interested in incorporating ritual burning into their spiritual practices. 



Many regions have their own <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/15-healing-herbs-you-can-grow-at-home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">traditional plants</a> that can be used for similar purposes, such as juniper, lavender, or rosemary. 



By choosing locally sourced or sustainably harvested plants, practitioners can support environmentally friendly practices and reduce the impact of overharvesting endangered species like white sage. 



Embracing local traditions can also promote a deeper connection with one's own culture and landscape, leading to more authentic and ethical engagement with spiritual rituals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seeking-out-local-plants">Seeking out local plants</h2>



According to <a href="https://www.uu.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utrecht University</a> researchers, most people in the Netherlands have limited knowledge about native plants and their traditional uses. As a result, they're embracing these exotic burning rituals. But the researchers argue that it doesn't have to be this way.



There are Dutch alternatives available. Geertsma and her team identified plants native to the Netherlands, such as common mugwort, common sage, and chamomile, used in some of the bundles examined. 



"You can use all sorts of wild and garden plants for burning. Just think of lavender, rosemary, tansy, and rose. These plants have recognizable scents and evoke specific associations for many people," said Geertsma.



So, while we're on the lookout for spiritual experiences, let's remember that we are part of a larger ecosystem and our choices have an impact.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/21/3003" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plants</a>.



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The real impact of burning 'magic' herbs in spiritual rituals

There is a trend sweeping through the Netherlands, and it's...

The world is gripped by relentless heat as global warming accelerates at an alarming pace. In the midst of this crisis, coral reefs are severely suffering from widespread bleaching. 



Scientists, governments, and the UN itself, have collectively sounded an urgent plea for increased funding to protect the world's coral reefs, which are teetering on the brink of extinction.



Alarming research has revealed that a staggering 77 percent of global coral reefs are notably affected by bleaching, primarily due to warming ocean waters.



The culprit? Human-induced climate change. According to the UN Capital Development Fund, this year's global bleaching event is the largest on record, significantly impacting both hemispheres.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coral-reefs-in-a-state-of-emergency">Coral reefs in a state of emergency</h2>



The findings on the state of coral reefs prompted a UN special emergency session, which is typically called to address escalating conflicts or natural disasters. The session was convened on the sidelines of COP16, the UN biodiversity summit, in Colombia.



Coral reefs are much more than just beautiful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-illuminates-fish-interactions-in-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">underwater structures</a>. They are crucial ecosystems, acting as a support system for over 25 percent of marine life.



Almost a billion people depend on these reefs for food security, coastal protection, or for maintaining their livelihoods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-desperate-call-for-coral-reef-protection">A desperate call for coral reef protection </h2>



The emergency session led to new commitments from the governments of New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. 



Together, they pledged around $30 million to the UN fund for coral reefs, established in 2020. By 2030, the fund seeks to leverage up to $3 billion in public and private finance to support coral reef <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protecting-coral-reefs-is-a-matter-of-humans-rights/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation efforts</a>. Thus far, around $225 million has been raised.



“Protecting our ocean and its precious habitats is fundamental to life on earth,” said U.K. Minister for Nature Mary Creagh. “But without urgent action, the world’s coral reefs face extinction from global heating, acidification, disease, and pollution; a vital ecosystem lost within our lifetime.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technology-and-coral-conservation">Technology and coral conservation </h2>



As coral conservation evolves, new approaches and technology are becoming key in combating reef degradation. 



Scientists are looking into coral gardening and assisted evolution, where strong coral species are grown in nurseries and then moved to reefs. 



Advances in marine biotechnology are helping to develop stress-resistant coral strains that can survive rising sea temperatures and acidification.



These innovative methods, which are still being researched, show the diverse efforts needed for long-term reef restoration and sustainability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-power-of-community-engagement">Power of community engagement</h2>



Successful coral reef <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-coral-reef-fish-survive-in-the-worlds-warmest-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation</a> depends on the active involvement and education of local communities. 



Educational programs that raise awareness about coral reefs and the effects of human activities can encourage communities to adopt practices like sustainable fishing and reducing pollution. 



By creating a global community of informed citizens, we can work together to protect these vital marine habitats for future generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-coral-reefs-from-extinction">Saving coral reefs from extinction </h2>



“In 2024, climate change and other human impacts triggered the fourth mass coral reef bleaching event, the most extensive and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-barrier-reef-is-on-the-brink-of-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">devastating</a> on record,” said Peter Thomson, the U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean. “With the window to protect these ecosystems closing rapidly, world leaders must act now.”



“We must secure a sustainable future for coral reefs and the countless lives that rely on them - before it’s too late."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-running-out-of-time-to-save-corals">Running out of time to save corals</h2>



A change in water temperature can cause coral to drive out the nutrition-giving algae, lose color, and become stressed. Coral might bleach for other reasons, such as extremely low tides, pollution, or overexposure to sunlight. 



Ecosystems like the Australia's Great Barrier Reef and the Florida Coral Reef have already experienced significant bleaching.



During the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.N.</a> emergency session at COP16, Kenyan marine ecologist David Obura noted that coral bleaching events are lasting more than one year at a time, which is very concerning. 



So what does all this mean? Well, it’s simple. It means we’re running out of time. 



"We're approaching this point where the planet may lose its first planetary ecosystem," said Thomson. "Coral is the first to go if we continue down the track that we're on at the present."



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Extreme coral bleaching event prompts emergency UN session

The world is gripped by relentless heat as global warming...

October 2024 will be remembered by the locals around Pyramid Lake, Nevada, for a rather unusual display of nature's colors and patterns. 



The usually serene waters of the lake unleashed a stunning exhibition of blue-green algae, dancing and swirling across the surface. 



For the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=944807254356712&amp;set=pb.100064823373179.-2207520000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Water Quality Program</a>, this bloom was arguably the most active in recent times.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-pyramid-lake-from-space">Studying Pyramid Lake from space</h2>



The bloom, which added a touch of mystery to the lake, was so expansive that it was visible from space. The locals, bemused by this phenomenon, couldn't help but talk about it. 



Luckily, providing a better look at this spectacle was the <a href="https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/satellites/landsat-9/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Landsat 9 satellite</a>, which snapped astonishing natural-color images on October 8, 2024. 



Looking at the images captured by Operational Land Imager-2 (<a href="https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/satellites/landsat-9/landsat-9-instruments/oli-2-design/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OLI-2</a>), you could see the mesmerizing swirling, whirlpool patterns created by the algae.



Nodularia spumigena, a type of cyanobacteria, is the culprit that is responsible for the bloom. 



This particular species thrives in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-from-africa-sparked-a-massive-phytoplankton-bloom/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warm, saline waters</a> and can pull nitrogen right out of the atmosphere -- handy skills that ensured its survival in Pyramid Lake over the years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-beautiful-but-stay-away">It's beautiful, but stay away</h2>



What's fascinating about Nodularia spumigena, aside from its beauty, is its ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere. This means it can create its own nutrients and outcompete other organisms when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nitrogen-overlooked-component-eutrophication-lake-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nitrogen levels in the water</a> are low.



But there's a flip side. Nodularia spumigena can produce a toxin called nodularin, which is harmful to both animals and humans. If you come into contact with water contaminated by this toxin, it can lead to serious health issues, especially affecting the liver. 



That's why when blooms of this cyanobacterium occur, health authorities often warn people to steer clear of the water until things return to normal.



Respectively, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe raised a safety flag on October 15, 2024, advising people to avoid contact with the water until it returned to its normal state.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-cyanobacteria-and-phytoplankton">Understanding cyanobacteria and phytoplankton</h2>



Phytoplankton and cyanobacteria are both tiny organisms that live in water, but there's a key difference between them. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turning-plants-into-carbon-capture-machines-with-cyanobacteria/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cyanobacteria</a>, also called blue-green algae, are actually bacteria that can photosynthesize -- they use sunlight to make food, much like plants do. Despite their name, they're not true algae.



These little guys have been around for billions of years, and you can find them almost everywhere: in oceans, lakes, soil, and even in extreme environments like hot springs. Cyanobacteria are actually responsible for producing a lot of the oxygen that made life possible on Earth.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-heatwaves-have-complex-effects-on-phytoplankton-food-web/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Phytoplankton</a>, on the other hand, is a broader term that includes any microscopic organisms in the water that can photosynthesize. This group encompasses a variety of species, including algae and, interestingly enough, cyanobacteria. 



So, in a way, cyanobacteria are a type of phytoplankton, but not all phytoplankton are cyanobacteria.



Now, here's where it gets a bit tricky. While cyanobacteria are crucial for ecosystems and the oxygen we breathe, some species can produce toxins that are harmful to animals and humans. If you've ever heard about beaches closing because of harmful algal blooms, cyanobacteria are often the culprits. 



So, they play a double role: they're essential for life, but under certain conditions, such as this toxic bloom in Pyramid Lake, they can pose some serious health risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pyramid-lake-past-present-and-future">Pyramid Lake: Past, present and future</h2>



Pyramid Lake is a piece of history. It's a remnant of the ancient Lake Lahontan, created during the last ice age. 



Scientists speculate that the cyanobacteria Nodularia spumigena has been a part of this ecosystem since that era.



This lake isn’t just about the water or the spectacular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-ocean-turning-green-thanks-to-climate-change-algae-blooms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algae blooms</a>. It's home to the endangered cui-ui fish (Chasmistes cuius) -- a species held in high regard by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. 



Anglers will also recognize it as the site where a world-record Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) weighing a whopping 41 pounds was caught in 1925.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monitoring-the-bloom">Monitoring the bloom</h2>



To keep a pulse on these blooms and their implications, scientists and environmental organizations utilize various tools. 



For instance, the <a href="https://www.sfei.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">San Francisco Estuary Institute</a>'s water quality analysis tool indicated a surge in levels of chlorophyll-a between late September and mid-October. 



This invaluable data helps researchers understand the occurrence and potential impacts of such blooms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-pyramid-lake-for-the-future">Preserving Pyramid Lake for the future</h2>



This beautiful, toxic bloom underscores the importance of monitoring and conserving our aquatic ecosystems. 



Factors like temperature shifts, nutrient levels, and changes in water conditions can spark cyanobacteria growth almost anywhere on Earth.



The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe is keeping residents and visitors up-to-date on the lake's condition. 



By heeding safety recommendations and staying informed, we can all play a part in safeguarding ourselves and this delicate ecosystem.



-----



NASA Earth Observatory image by <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/about/wanmei-liang" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wanmei Liang</a>, using Landsat data from the <a href="http://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Geological Survey</a>. Photo by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lukegordon/3377729218/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luke H. Gordon</a>. Story by <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/about/lindsey-doermann" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lindsey Doermann</a>.



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Pyramid Lake water turns dark green with beautiful swirling whirlpool currents

October 2024 will be remembered by the locals around Pyramid...

Ever wondered how much water it takes for humans to cultivate the world's primary crops? A recent study illuminates some startling numbers. 



Our demand for water keeps increasing, despite our improved ability to grow more food with less water. This escalating demand could lead to a cluster of environmental and socio-economic problems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-footprint-of-crops">Water footprint of crops</h2>



The research, led by experts from <a href="http://www.utwente.nl/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Twente</a>, scrutinized the water footprints of 175 crops spanning from 1990 to 2019. What's a water footprint? Simply put, it's the amount of water used in the production process.



This study separated water into two types - green and blue. The green kind comes from rainfall, while the blue kind is derived from irrigation and groundwater. 



"We need to differentiate between these two <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-drought-has-caused-crisis-levels-of-food-and-water-scarcity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a> types as they play different roles in ecosystems and society," said Oleksandr Mialyk, a postdoctoral researcher at the Multidisciplinary Water Management group.



On a brighter note, the study revealed that around 80% of the scrutinized crops in 2019 required less water per ton than they did in 1990. So, we have become better at using less <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-water-day-a-focus-on-prosperity-and-peace/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a> to produce more food.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surge-in-water-usage-for-crops">Surge in water usage for crops</h2>



Sadly, the productivity rise hasn't stopped the overall water footprint of crop production from inching higher. Since 1990, it surged by nearly 30%, or 1.55 trillion m3 (That's roughly 410,132 billion gallons). 



"Our estimate for 2019 stands at 6.8 trillion m3&nbsp;of mainly green water, which is around 2,400 liters per person per day," said Mialyk.



The most surprising part? A whopping 90% of the total increase happened between 2000 and 2019.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-crops-more-water">More crops, more water</h2>



So, what sparked this rise? The researchers highlight three significant socio-economic factors. First, our fast-paced globalization and economic growth have notably amplified our consumption of a variety of imported crops and crop products.



In addition, there has been a shift in our global diets towards more water-guzzling products like animal produce, sweetened beverages and junk food. 



Finally, many government efforts to secure energy and promote <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-environment-day-2024-a-call-for-land-restoration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green initiatives</a> have increased the production of crop-based biofuels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-versatility-in-water-consumption-of-crops">Versatility in water consumption of crops</h2>



Interestingly, these socio-economic shifts have mainly boosted the cultivation of "flex crops." These crops can be transformed into a myriad of products such as food, animal feed, and biofuels.



This flexibility gives farmers, investors, and insurers a safety net, reducing financial risks linked to crop production.



Over the last few decades, largely thanks to aggressive agricultural lobbyism, the production of these flex crops has rapidly shot up. 



The three biggest ones - oil palm fruit, soya beans, and maize (corn for many of us) - account for half the total water footprint increase of crop production from 1990–2019.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-guzzling-nations">Water-guzzling nations</h2>



India, China, and the United States are the biggest water consumers. But, the total water footprint increase has primarily happened in the tropics, often coupled with other environmental impacts like deforestation and biodiversity loss.



"This region offers optimal geographical conditions for crop production while favorable agricultural policies attract investments from large agrifood corporations," explained the researchers.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-implications-of-the-study">Environmental implications of the study </h2>



The intricate relationship between water usage and agriculture bears considerable environmental consequences. Extensive water consumption, primarily of green water, often results in diminished natural resources, ecosystem disruptions, and heightened groundwater depletion. 



These effects lead to losses in biodiversity and degradation of local habitats, which are often difficult to reverse. Furthermore, increased reliance on irrigation can exacerbate soil salinity and reduce soil fertility, posing severe long-term challenges to sustainable agriculture. 



An understanding of these environmental implications is crucial for developing effective water management strategies to ensure future agricultural sustainability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increasing-water-use-for-crops">Increasing water use for crops</h2>



"Our data suggests that humanity will keep increasing&nbsp;water consumption&nbsp;for crop production in the following decades," said Mialyk.&nbsp;



However, all hope isn’t lost. The researchers believe that there remains a lot of untapped potential in improving crop water productivity and shifting production to less <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smart-soil-can-absorb-water-from-the-air-and-feed-itself/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water-scarce areas</a>.



Moreover, a broader adoption of less water-intensive diets and minimizing the reliance on first-generation biofuels could also help. 



""Our research shows that we have many problems and now it is time to work on the solutions for a more water-sustainable future of crop production," concluded Mialyk.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ad78e9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Research Letters</a>.



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Trillions of cubic meters of water is used to grow crops each year

Ever wondered how much water it takes for humans to...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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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

[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

[sendtonews key="MHyhtebibJ-2200368-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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