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...

Between 635 to 541 million years ago, during the Ediacaran Period, Earth witnessed a remarkable emergence of early life in the form of multicellular organisms. These weren't just tiny microbes; some were over three feet long and could move around. 



What could have triggered this sudden burst of life?



John Tarduno, a professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the <a href="http://www.rochester.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Rochester</a>, thinks he might have an answer. His team studied Earth's ancient magnetic field and found something intriguing.



Tarduno and his colleagues discovered that Earth's <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/earths-magnetic-field-origin-structure-and-impact-on-humanity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnetic field</a> during the Ediacaran Period was up to 30 times weaker than it is today. 



This ultra-weak field lasted for at least 26 million years -- the weakest it's ever been, according to their data.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-earth-s-magnetic-field">Importance of Earth's magnetic field</h2>



But why does this matter? Earth's magnetic field basically serves as our planet's invisible shield against all of the nasty stuff in the universe that would immediately kill all life on the planet.



It deflects harmful solar radiation and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cosmic-rays-help-archaeologists-determine-age-discoveries-prehistoric-settlements/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmic rays</a> that would otherwise strip away our atmosphere and expose us to levels of radiation that would be devastating.



Without this magnetic protection, not only could we get fried by cosmic rays, but we might also lose our water and essential gases to space -- making Earth a far less hospitable place to live.



Without it, life as we know it wouldn't be possible. So, if the field was so weak back then, how did <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ecosystem-behavior-earth-first-sea-creatures-stirring-water-drove-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life manage to flourish</a>?



Well, the timing caught the researchers' attention. The appearance of these large, mobile creatures coincided with the weakest magnetic field on record. 



Tarduno explains, “They were notable for their resemblance to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-of-earths-earliest-animals-found-in-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early animals</a> -- some even reached more than a meter in size and were mobile, indicating they probably needed more oxygen compared to earlier life forms.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weak-magnetism-linked-to-oxygen-levels">Weak magnetism linked to oxygen levels</h2>



This led them to think about how environmental factors, especially oxygen levels in the atmosphere and oceans, might have played a role. 



If the magnetic field was weak, more charged particles from the sun could strip away hydrogen from our atmosphere. With less hydrogen to react with, oxygen levels could rise.



Imagine that: a weaker shield leading to more oxygen, which in turn supports larger and more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-first-animals-were-very-picky-about-where-they-lived/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex life forms</a>. It's a bit counterintuitive, isn't it?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-answers-in-ancient-rocks">Finding answers in ancient rocks</h2>



To dig deeper, Tarduno's team used some high-tech tools. They examined ancient crystals called feldspar and pyroxene from a type of rock known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-origins-of-earths-largest-igneous-rocks-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anorthosite</a>. 



By studying the magnetism locked inside these crystals, they pieced together a timeline of Earth's magnetic field.



Using a CO₂ laser and a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer, they measured the magnetic signals with great precision. 



Their findings painted a picture of an Earth with a very weak magnetic field during a critical time in life's history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-earth-s-atmosphere-and-life">Implications for Earth's atmosphere and life</h2>



A weaker magnetic field means more solar particles hitting the atmosphere, which can strip away light <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hydrothermal-vents-earths-first-living-beings-hydrogen-gas-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">elements like hydrogen</a>. 



Over tens of millions of years, this loss of hydrogen could lead to more oxygen hanging around. And more oxygen means more fuel for complex organisms.



Tarduno and his team suggest that this increase in oxygen may have been just what these early creatures needed to thrive. 



“If the extraordinarily weak field had remained after the Ediacaran, Earth might look very different from the water-rich planet it is today: water loss might have gradually dried Earth,” he notes.



Luckily for us, Earth's magnetic field bounced back during the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-did-the-first-animals-appear-on-earth-we-are-now-one-step-closer-to-knowing-the-answer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cambrian Period</a>, which followed the Ediacaran. This stronger field provided better protection, allowing life to continue evolving.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-earth">Looking beyond Earth</h2>



So, what does all this mean? For one, it highlights how interconnected our planet's systems are. 



Processes deep within <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-inner-core-rotation-has-begun-moving-backwards/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's core</a> can have a big impact on life on the surface. It's also a reminder that when we think about the possibility of life on other planets, we need to consider not just the surface conditions but what's happening deep inside.



“It’s fascinating to think that processes in Earth’s core could be linked ultimately to evolution,” Tarduno explained. “As we think about the possibility of life elsewhere, we also need to consider how the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/europa-clipper-will-search-for-signs-of-life-on-jupiters-icy-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interiors of planets</a> form and develop.”



This research opens up new questions. Could other planets with weak magnetic fields have seen similar bursts of life? Or does Earth's unique history make it one of a kind?



As we explore these ideas, it's clear there's still so much to learn about our own planet's past. The Ediacaran Period might have been a time when Earth's defenses were down, but life found a way to take advantage of it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-magnetic-fields-and-life">Earth, magnetic fields, and life</h2>



To sum it all up, understanding the interplay between Earth's magnetic field and the rise of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/complex-life-emerged-1-5-billion-years-earlier-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex life</a> gives us a whole new appreciation for our planet's history. 



It's wild to think that a weaker magnetic shield, which is supposed to protect life on Earth, might have actually helped life flourish by boosting oxygen levels.



This unexpected connection highlights just how intertwined Earth's systems are -- from deep within its core all the way to the organisms roaming its surface.



As we keep digging (sometimes literally) into these ancient mysteries, we're reminded that there's still so much to learn about how life evolves. 



One thing's for sure: studies like John Tarduno's help us piece together our own story and get us thinking about life's possibilities elsewhere in the universe. 



After all, if something as subtle as a magnetic field can tip the scales, the potential for life beyond Earth might be greater than we ever imagined.



The full study was published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01360-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Earth &amp; Environment</a>.



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Earth had an issue 600 million years ago that may have kickstarted complex life

Between 635 to 541 million years ago, during the Ediacaran...

A recent observational study suggests that lifetime cannabis use is linked to various changes in brain structure and function in later life.&nbsp;



However, when researchers conducted a genetic analysis on the same data, they found that these associations might not be causal, indicating that other unidentified factors could be at play.&nbsp;



The experts highlight the need for further investigation to fully understand how the frequency and potency of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-and-hallucinogen-use-are-at-historically-high-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis use</a> may impact the brain, particularly given the global increase in cannabis use following its legalization in many areas for medical and recreational purposes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-concerns-over-long-term-brain-health">Concerns over long-term brain health</h2>



The scientists underscore the importance of a deeper understanding of cannabis’s long-term effects, especially since its use has been linked to deleterious effects on neurocognitive performance, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-diet-positively-influences-the-brains-structure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain structure</a>, and function. 



Moreover, the precise threshold of safe cannabis consumption, if any exists, is currently unknown.&nbsp;



While past observational studies have suggested changes in brain structure among regular users, these studies could not confirm causation, and few have focused on older populations, where the effects of lifelong cannabis use are especially relevant.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-links-to-risk-factors">Genetic links to risk factors</h2>



To strengthen the evidence base, the researchers used Mendelian randomization, a genetic method that employs genetic variants as stand-ins for particular risk factors.&nbsp;



In this study, the method was used to identify any potential causal links between cannabis use or dependence and changes in brain structure.&nbsp;



Data was drawn from a large group of <a href="https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UK Biobank</a> participants (15,896 people), which included both genetic profiles collected from 2012-13 and MRI brain imaging data collected from 2014-19.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-structure-and-frequent-cannabis-use-nbsp">Brain structure and frequent cannabis use&nbsp;</h2>



Participants were asked if they had “ever taken cannabis,” with response options ranging from occasional use to over 100 times.&nbsp;



Based on responses, 3,641 participants who answered “yes” were categorized as lifetime cannabis users, averaging 61 years in age, while the 12,225 “no” responders formed a comparison group, with an average age of 64.&nbsp;



Cannabis users were further categorized into low-frequency users (lifetime use of up to 10 times) and high-frequency users (lifetime use of 11 to 100+ times). The participants also reported the age at which they last used cannabis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-and-brain-structure-changes">Cannabis and brain structure changes</h2>



The research team accounted for multiple influential factors, including age at first scan, sex, socioeconomic status, mental health, BMI, blood pressure, and various lifestyle factors, ensuring a more accurate assessment of cannabis-related brain differences.&nbsp;



After adjusting for these factors, the results showed that cannabis use was associated with changes in multiple brain structures and functions.



Participants who had used cannabis at any point in their life displayed lower integrity in their white matter - a part of the brain critical to cognitive function. This was especially prominent in the corpus callosum, the major pathway connecting the left and right sides of the brain.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gender-differences-in-brain-changes">Gender differences in brain changes </h2>



Additionally, cannabis users had weaker neuronal connectivity in the default mode network, which is generally active during periods of mind-wandering and self-reflection. The researchers noted that these areas are densely packed with cannabinoid receptors, suggesting a possible direct impact of cannabis.



Despite these associations, the study found no significant link between either the length of time since last cannabis use or the frequency of use and changes in brain structure and function.&nbsp;



However, they observed gender differences: significant associations were found across six specific brain regions in men, while associations in women spanned 24 brain structures and regions, primarily affecting white matter integrity in women and functional connectivity in men.&nbsp;



According to the researchers, these results indicate that cannabis may impact male and female brains differently.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lifelong-cannabis-use-and-brain-structure-nbsp">Lifelong cannabis use and brain structure&nbsp;</h2>



Applying Mendelian randomization to the findings, the researchers found no significant associations between genetically predicted cannabis dependence or lifetime use and changes in brain structure.&nbsp;



“To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest observational study of relationships between cannabis use and brain structure and function to date, and the first Mendelian randomisation investigation,” the authors wrote.&nbsp;



“Cannabis users had significant differences in brain structure and function, most markedly for markers of lower white matter microstructure integrity. Genetic analyses found no support for causal relationships underlying these observed associations."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limitations-of-the-study">Limitations of the study</h2>



There are several possible reasons for the disparity between the observational and Mendelian randomization findings. The researchers propose that other variables, such as family history, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-healthy-diet-can-reduce-brain-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diet</a>, or specific medications, may have influenced the observational findings. 



Additionally, they note that the Mendelian randomization analyses may have had limited statistical power to detect subtle effects.



Further, Mendelian randomization looks at the lifelong impact of cannabis use, while the changes in brain structure noted in observational studies may be due to factors arising at various points in an individual’s life, rather than a cumulative lifelong effect. 



The researchers also point to the limitations of the UK Biobank data, which includes predominantly healthy white participants with few reporting cannabis use disorders. Due to this demographic limitation, the findings may not fully represent the diversity of cannabis users worldwide.



Furthermore, the study faced limitations in assessing critical time points during life that could reveal when cannabis use most impacts brain structure.&nbsp;



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



“Our results need to be interpreted with careful consideration. Additional research is needed to understand the effects of heavy cannabis use in this population, including considerations of potency and related information to inform public policy,” the authors wrote.



Further research may be crucial in clarifying the long-term impacts of heavy and frequent cannabis use on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walking-is-a-powerful-tool-to-boost-brain-health-and-overall-well-being/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain health</a>, with implications for both public health policy and individual health awareness.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjment-2024-301065" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMJ Mental Health</a>.



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How does cannabis use affect brain structure?

A recent observational study suggests that lifetime cannabis use is...

Plants are known to engage in fierce competition for essential growth elements - light, water, and nutrients. And one of the most fascinating phenomena observed in the green world is the "shade avoidance" response.



This is an instinctive survival mechanism where plants do everything possible to intercept light in high-density environments. The concept has been studied extensively, and yet, the world of science never ceases to surprise us.



A team in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology at <a href="https://www.wur.nl/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_campaign=google-my-business" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wageningen University</a> has recently unveiled a brand new shade avoidance mechanism revolving around the crucial role of the hormone cytokinin.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-fight-for-the-light">Plants fight for the light</h2>



So how do plants even realize that they're getting crowded? The answer lies in the minute details of light absorption.



"In densely planted crops, red light is absorbed faster than far-red light, which is instead reflected. The red-to-far-red ratio therefore decreases with greater density. Plants 'see' this through the light-sensitive pigment <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-plants-response-to-light-can-be-manipulated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phytochrome</a>," explained Professor Ronald Pierik.



Just think of this pigment as a light switch operated by the red-to-far-red light ratio. As the far-red light increases, likely in densely planted crops, responses such as elongating stems or leaves shifting from horizontal to vertical positions are triggered. 



The objective is simple: the plants must rise above their neighbors to intercept more light.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-competition-beyond-light">Plant competition beyond light</h2>



While light competition among plants has been well-documented, Professor Pierik and postdoctoral researcher Pierre Gautrat studied these interactions from another angle.



They considered how plants compete for nutrients like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-adjust-roots-to-reach-their-preferred-form-of-nitrogen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nitrogen</a>, and whether the plant's response to far-red light is affected if it does not receive sufficient nutrition.



The fine details of plant communication are mind-boggling. But a simplified version is that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-plants-know-where-to-find-the-light/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant tissues</a> need to know the nitrogen availability in soil. They receive this information through a "message" passed from the roots.



The message carrier is cytokinin, a hormone produced in the roots that travels to the above-ground part of the plant. More nitrogen equals more cytokinin.



The Wageningen University team found that the shade avoidance response reduced when nitrogen was low. However, by adding extra cytokinin, even with low nitrogen, the length growth was significantly triggered by the far-red light.



This was a breakthrough discovery, indicating that cytokinin has a crucial role in shade avoidance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-cytokinin">The role of cytokinin </h2>



Even more intriguing is that previous research labeled cytokinin as a growth inhibitor. 



"Looking back, all the trials on which that conclusion was based involved seedlings raised in the dark," noted Professor Pierik. "You only get that response when you grow them in the light. And not with ordinary white light, but only with an excess of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunflowers-use-multiple-light-response-systems-to-track-the-sun/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">far-red light</a>."



The research also shed light on the genetic level of this mechanism. Certain proteins inhibit plant sensitivity to cytokinin, and these proteins are inhibited when exposed to far-red light.



It's a fascinating game of inhibition which ultimately stimulates sensitivity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-on-crop-cultivation">Impact on crop cultivation</h2>



The architecture of crops has a significant bearing on their productivity. For example, dwarf wheat and rice varieties of the Green Revolution proved to be highly productive as they put less energy into length growth and more into grains. 



These novel findings could help agronomists and growers improve yields in barley, wheat, maize, and rice.



The research ultimately highlights the ongoing enigma of plant biology and its potential to enhance our food production systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-era-in-sustainable-agriculture">New era in sustainable agriculture</h2>



The implications of these findings extend far beyond the lab, hinting at a future where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-nitrogen-oxide-pollution-could-boost-crop-yields/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crop yields</a> could be optimized by leveraging our understanding of shade avoidance and cytokinin. 



For farmers, this research offers the possibility of tailoring crop growth under high-density planting conditions, especially as the demand for efficient food production continues to rise. 



With the right balance of cytokinin, crops can potentially be coaxed into maximizing growth even in nutrient-poor soils or densely populated fields. 



This breakthrough could inspire a new era in sustainable agriculture, where crop architecture is finely tuned for resilience and productivity, reducing the need for excessive fertilizer and supporting global food security efforts.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-52828-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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The quest for light: How plants compete to survive

Plants are known to engage in fierce competition for essential...

If you're not a tree hugger now, you might want to become one soon. A recent report has revealed that more than one in three tree species are at risk of extinction.



The Global Tree Assessment is part of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (<a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN</a>) Red List of Threatened Species update. The report was issued to coincide with the UN's COP16 summit on biodiversity.



The numbers paint an alarming picture. Out of an estimated 58,000 species thought to exist globally, over 16,000 tree species are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-majority-of-urban-trees-are-threatened-by-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">threatened</a> with extinction. In other words, more than one third of all tree species are endangered.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-worldwide-extinction-threat-to-trees">Worldwide extinction threat to trees</h2>



We're not talking about a handful of species in some remote part of the world. The experts looked at over 47,000 tree species and found that this extinction threat is worldwide.



Now, you're probably wondering, what's causing such a massive threat to our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-trees-is-important-but-reforestation-can-help-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green friends</a>? Well, we are largely to blame. 



In previous studies, experts have estimated that since the onset of human civilization, the global number of trees has dropped by roughly 46 percent.



The <a href="https://www.bgci.org/our-work/networks/gta/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Tree Assessment</a> notes that trees are being cut down for logging and to clear lands for farming and human expansion. Climate change, drought, and wildfires are also playing a destructive role.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-trees">Importance of trees</h2>



"People rely on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-trees-protect-their-genetic-diversity-for-millions-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree species</a> for food, timber, fuels (and) medicines," said Emily Beech, an expert who was part of the study. 



Trees also produce the oxygen we breathe and absorb heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere.



"Trees are essential to support life on Earth through their vital role in ecosystems, and millions of people depend upon them for their lives and livelihoods," said IUCN director general Grethel Aguilar.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-with-the-highest-extinction-risk">Trees with the highest extinction risk</h2>



Now, let's turn to the species that are at the highest risk. These include horse chestnut and ginkgo, both known for their medical applications.



The big leaf mahogany, used in furniture making, and several ash, magnolia, and eucalypt species are also severely threatened.



Over 5,000 of the tree species on the IUCN Red List are used for construction timber, and more than 2,000 are used for medicines, food, and fuels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-areas-of-greatest-concern">Areas of greatest concern</h2>



The threat transcends national borders, sparing none of the 192 countries where tree species are at risk of extinction.



However, it's the islands that are taking the hardest hit due to rapid urban development, expanding agriculture, and the introduction of invasive species, pests, and diseases.



South America, a continent that boasts the greatest diversity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/resilient-trees-can-help-safeguard-cities-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a> in the world, is facing a particularly severe threat, with 3,356 out of 13,668 assessed species at risk.



What's even more alarming is that many species on this continent, home to the Amazon jungle, have likely not even been discovered yet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-we-save-trees-from-extinction">Can we save trees from extinction?</h2>



All hope is not lost. The IUCN report outlines various measures that can be taken to save our trees, such as tree planting, conservation of species through seed banks, and botanic garden collections.



Protecting trees requires both collective action and individual effort. Here are some impactful ways each of us can help:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-choose-sustainable-products">Choose sustainable products</h3>



Select goods like paper, furniture, and food from companies that follow sustainable practices. Look for certifications like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) to ensure the products come from responsibly managed forests.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reduce-paper-and-wood-waste">Reduce paper and wood waste</h3>



Use digital alternatives, recycle paper products, and buy recycled wood furniture. These small choices lower demand for tree-derived materials, helping reduce unnecessary deforestation.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advocate-for-tree-protection-laws">Advocate for tree protection laws</h3>



Support policies that protect forests and regulate industries responsible for deforestation. Contacting local representatives and voting for environmentally-conscious leaders can help push these initiatives.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adopt-a-tree-or-green-space">Adopt a tree or green space</h3>



Many cities offer programs to adopt local trees or green areas. Caring for a tree or green space not only supports its health but also increases public awareness of its importance.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-avoid-products-that-harm-forests">Avoid products that harm forests</h3>



Minimize or eliminate purchases of products linked to deforestation, like palm oil and non-sustainable soy. Choosing eco-friendly options helps curb the destructive agricultural practices that harm forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-overview-of-tree-extinction-risk">Global overview of tree extinction risk</h2>



Dr Malin Rivers is the Global Tree Assessment lead at Botanic Gardens Conservation International.



“This comprehensive assessment presents the first global picture of the conservation status of trees, which enables us to make better informed conservation decisions and take action to protect trees where it is urgently needed,” said&nbsp;Dr. Rivers. 



“The work is a global effort, with over 1,000 tree experts involved. We need to continue to work together to scale up local, national and international tree conservation action to support people and the planet.”



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More than one-third of the world’s trees face extinction

If you're not a tree hugger now, you might want...

A humble yet remarkable tiny water fern has emerged as a surprising yet powerful potential solution in the global fight against food insecurity.



This unassuming plant, known as Azolla, floats on the surface of freshwater bodies. It is gaining attention in the scientific community for its rapid growth and nutrient-rich profile.



Researchers have identified Carolina azolla, a specific freshwater variant, as a particularly promising candidate to help address food insecurity, offering hope for regions struggling with hunger and malnutrition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-tiny-fern-with-huge-potential">A tiny fern with huge potential </h2>



Known for its unique properties, including its ability to double in biomass within days, this floating fern has recently been the subject of intensive scientific research to confirm its safety and viability as a food source. 



A comprehensive study from Penn State has thoroughly examined its potential, paving the way for new possibilities in sustainable agriculture and food production.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-concerns-about-toxin-content">Concerns about toxin content </h2>



Initial concerns about the toxin content of Azolla prompted experts at <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State</a>, in collaboration with an international team of researchers, to embark on an extensive mission.



The team set out to test the plant for the presence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/algae-blooms-can-release-neurotoxins-into-the-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cyanotoxins</a>. These potent byproducts of cyanobacteria or blue-green algae are often associated with harmful effects and were suspected to be related to the fern.



The researchers discovered that Azolla is completely free of cyanotoxins, thus confirming its safety for consumption.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-azolla-could-feed-millions-of-people">Azolla could feed millions of people</h2>



Daniel Winstead, the leading research technologist at Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, emphasized the significance of the discovery.



“That finding suggests that azolla is food safe and has the potential to safely feed millions of people due to its rapid growth while free-floating on shallow fresh water without the need for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-plants-produce-their-own-nitrogen-fertilizer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nitrogen fertilizers</a>," said Winstead. 



What truly sets Azolla apart, however, is its remarkable ability to double its biomass in just two days. Additionally, it possesses the unique capability to capture nitrogen directly from the air, enriching its surrounding environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-investigating-the-presence-of-cyanotoxins">Investigating the presence of cyanotoxins </h2>



Cyanotoxins are known for their association with severe neurodegenerative disorders such as ALS and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pesticide-exposure-increases-the-risk-of-parkinsons-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parkinson's disease</a>, alongside liver and kidney failure, muscle paralysis, and a myriad of other serious health complications. 



Upon the revelation that cyanotoxins are absent in Azolla, Winstead expressed his relief and satisfaction.



"I didn't want to be promoting the consumption of a potentially harmful plant. As I was preparing an experimental design, I was contacted by the Azolla Foundation about that organization's interest in our research," said Winstead. 



"I reached out to them and asked if they knew anyone who was looking into azolla's toxicity from cyanotoxins."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eliminating-the-cyanotoxin-concerns">Eliminating the cyanotoxin concerns</h2>



A few weeks later, he received an email from a group of researchers who were investigating the presence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cyanobacteria-may-shed-new-light-on-the-history-of-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cyanobacteria</a> and cyanotoxins in the azolla species in question, inviting Winstead to join their study.



“Together, we analyzed the results and concluded that Azolla, and more specifically a cyanobacterium that lives in cavities in the leaves of Azolla, do not produce any of the main cyanotoxins," explained Winstead.



He also explained that the cyanobacterium found in Azolla is Nostoc azollae, an endosymbiont that lives within or on the surface of the plant in a mutually beneficial relationship.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viable-and-sustainable-food-source">Viable and sustainable food source</h2>



Nostoc azollae coexists with Azolla in a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/symbiotic-relationship-plant-roots-underground-mycorrhizal-fungi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">symbiotic relationship</a>, thriving alongside the plant without producing any harmful toxins.



“More importantly, the known genes required to make these toxins are not even present within the genome of Nostoc azollae,” said Winstead.



With each successive study, the evidence supporting Azolla as a viable and sustainable food source grows. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-potential-of-azolla">Broader potential of Azolla</h2>



Beyond its potential to nourish populations worldwide, Azolla also holds promise as a new source of biofertilizer and biodiesel. It may pave the way for revolutionary advances in sustainable agriculture and energy.



As humanity continues to explore innovative solutions to global challenges, the diminutive Azolla might just hold the key to a greener and more nourished future for all. 



Its potential contribution to a sustainable world makes it an exciting subject for further exploration and investment.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/19/2707" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plants</a>.



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Azolla: The tiny fern that could feed the world

A humble yet remarkable tiny water fern has emerged as...

Photosynthesis forms the foundation of life on Earth, yet climate change increasingly threatens this essential process. With advanced tools, scientists can now study how shifts in temperature, humidity, and light impact photosynthesis and, by extension, the future of ecosystems.&nbsp;



For Rakesh Tiwari, a postdoctoral researcher at <a href="https://www.uu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uppsala University</a>'s Department of Ecology and Genetics, uncovering how plants adapt - or fail to adapt - to climate shifts is critical.



“I want to understand how species and ecosystems can function in the future,” said Tiwari, whose research spans tropical forests in Puerto Rico, the Amazon, and even the controlled climate of Uppsala’s Tropical Greenhouse.&nbsp;



Using cutting-edge tools to simulate environmental extremes, Tiwari seeks to understand plants' adaptability to climate challenges and their potential limits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observing-photosynthesis-under-pressure">Observing photosynthesis under pressure</h2>



In the humid atmosphere of Uppsala’s greenhouse, surrounded by towering palms and dense foliage, Tiwari demonstrates his process using a portable greenhouse gas analyzer, designed to simulate various environmental conditions on leaves.&nbsp;



He places a hibiscus leaf into the instrument’s chamber, exposing it to intensified light and heat. The leaf’s reaction offers clues about how plants process sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to create glucose and oxygen under different stresses.



“Since it's a portable instrument, I can take it to different places and analyze photosynthetic responses to different environmental conditions for plants,” Tiwari explained.&nbsp;



“For example, I can change the temperature and light levels, and measure how this affects the photosynthesis rate.” 



This on-site work parallels studies he’s conducted in natural tropical environments, where he’s observed distinct patterns in how photosynthesis responds to extreme heat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-s-foundation-in-the-rainforest">Life's foundation in the rainforest</h2>



In 2017, Tiwari participated in a research project in the Amazon, where he and his colleagues used similar tools to monitor the health of the rainforest’s photosynthesis system.&nbsp;



“We used a similar fluorometer to monitor when the photosystems started to break down. What we saw was a clear pattern. Trees in one of the Amazon's hottest sites are already experiencing air temperature conditions that can affect their photosynthesis machinery.”&nbsp;



The researchers discovered that plants in particularly hot and dry areas of the Amazon were already nearing their heat tolerance, with photosynthesis rates dropping during especially high temperatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-limits-of-photosynthetic-efficiency">The limits of photosynthetic efficiency</h2>



Global photosynthetic efficiency is strikingly low, typically at most 5%, due in part to a process called photorespiration.&nbsp;



During photorespiration, an enzyme called rubisco mistakenly binds oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, a problem exacerbated by high temperatures. This reduces the plant’s ability to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/key-to-life-on-earth-photosynthesis-begins-on-the-quantum-level-with-a-single-photon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">produce energy</a> efficiently.



“Another factor is the small openings, or stomata, in the plant's leaves that regulate carbon dioxide absorption and water exchange,” Tiwari said.&nbsp;



“In <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-countries-most-at-risk-from-extreme-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme heat</a>, they can close to save water. This is a survival strategy, but it also reduces their photosynthesis rate. While in some trees, stomata open at higher temperatures to make use of evaporative cooling as a leaf cooling mechanism.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-carbon-storage-nbsp">Implications for carbon storage&nbsp;</h2>



Tiwari’s research at Uppsala, conducted with Bob Muscarella’s team, focuses on understanding temperature-related adaptations in tropical and temperate forests.&nbsp;



His recent findings suggest that temperature sensitivity to photorespiration varies significantly among species, which could inform reforestation strategies aimed at selecting species most resilient to climate change.



“The consequences of such understanding can better inform <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reforestation-cannot-offset-carbon-emissions-from-harvesting-wood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reforestation</a> projects. For example, we can understand how vegetation could function in warmer futures and how we can adapt our future conservation and afforestation strategies,” Tiwari noted.



However, Tiwari emphasizes that planting trees alone isn’t sufficient to protect the climate. Preserving mature forests offers unparalleled ecological benefits.&nbsp;



“We cannot recreate the complexity of a mature forest. It does more than just capture carbon; it supports biodiversity, regulates water flows, and provides habitats for countless species,” he said.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-the-foundation-of-life">Preserving the foundation of life</h2>



From October 21 to November 1, the UN biodiversity conference COP16 will be held in Cali, Colombia, where leaders will address global conservation challenges.&nbsp;



Tiwari hopes that conference discussions will focus on preserving natural ecosystems, especially forests, as they are irreplaceable in regulating carbon and supporting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>.



“If we lose biodiversity and forest ecosystems, we lose the planet's best natural carbon capture system,” he said.&nbsp;



“One day there may be technologies that can remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but the more we rely on artificial solutions, the more damage we risk causing the planet. These are risks we cannot afford to take.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-innovation-with-natural-solutions">Balancing innovation with natural solutions</h2>



In the face of climate challenges, Tiwari’s research highlights the need for both conservation and innovation. While advanced tools are improving our understanding of photosynthesis, preserving existing ecosystems remains essential for achieving true sustainability. 



“The best way to protect the environment is to preserve the natural systems that already exist,” Tiwari said. His work highlights a balanced approach: technological advances in plant science coupled with committed efforts to maintain natural habitats.



By investigating the intricate ways plants respond to climate shifts, Tiwari’s research emphasizes the importance of biodiversity conservation in climate action. 



Through both preservation and innovation, the scientific community can work towards sustaining the ecosystems that serve as the foundation of life on Earth.



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The foundation of life is at risk from climate change

Photosynthesis forms the foundation of life on Earth, yet climate...

We might want to start considering a diversity makeover for the simulation game 'Farmville,' making it more environmentally conscious and modeling it to promote biodiverse farming practices.



Why, you ask? Because research has found that adding a dash of plant diversity to agricultural systems can effectively accelerate the carbon consignment potential of the soils.



This is a significant discovery, and is particularly relevant as the agriculture industry strives to decrease its carbon footprint.



Plant diversity could be our very own secret ingredient to sustainable, eco-friendly agriculture and food production.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-diversity-and-sustainable-agriculture">Plant diversity and sustainable agriculture</h2>



It is no secret that the progress and intensification of farming have taken a toll on our soils - depleting their health and releasing carbon into the atmosphere.



Since a vast portion of our planet is dedicated to farming, it is pertinent that agricultural systems take a leading role in climate change mitigation strategies.



However, there has been a roadblock in these efforts due to our limited knowledge about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-plants-distinguish-between-good-and-bad-microbes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant-microbe</a> interactions. A team of researchers at the <a href="https://www.uzh.ch/de.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Zurich</a> set out to investigate.



The study, led by Luiz Domeignoz-Horta, shows that the key to augmenting soil carbon storage lies within our reach by simply increasing plant diversity in agricultural fields.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-benefits-of-plant-diversity">Potential benefits of plant diversity </h2>



The researchers took their study to Finland, where they launched the TwinWin experiment.



The goal of the research was to explore how varying levels of plant diversity could influence soil's microbial processes, especially when integrated with a staple crop like barley.



Over the course of the study, the experiment tested barley grown alone and alongside eight different plant species - each carefully selected for their prospective benefits to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-soils-produce-a-symphony-of-sounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">soil health</a> and resilience.



These species included nitrogen-fixing and deep-rooting varieties. The plants were chosen to enhance nutrient cycling, improve soil structure, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-diversity-for-better-carbon-storage">Plant diversity for better carbon storage</h2>



The focus of the experiment was on microbial carbon use efficiency - a measure of how effectively microbes transform carbon inputs into fresh biomass without releasing it as carbon dioxide.



The scientists gauged microbial growth, soil respiration, and community dynamics through molecular sequencing and stable isotope tracking. The team kept a keen eye on the movement of carbon within the soil microbial communities.



"We found that higher plant diversity fostered stronger positive interactions between microbes in the rhizosphere - the area around <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/autophagy-what-makes-plant-roots-grow-faster-stronger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant roots</a> - which ultimately improved the community carbon use efficiency," said Domeignoz-Horta.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-green-avalanche">The green avalanche</h2>



Moreover, a higher variety of plants positively impacted overall plant biomass production without causing a drop in barley yields, demonstrating that this practice can maintain crop output while enhancing soil carbon retention. 



It is clear that plant diversity plays a crucial role in influencing microbial physiology, promoting healthier ecosystems and offering an eco-friendly solution to agricultural carbon sequestration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-green-light-for-carbon-farming">Green light for "carbon farming"</h2>



While implementing plant diversity in farming systems could be labor-intensive for small-scale farmers, they remain key stakeholders in sustainable farming.



"Nevertheless, our results suggest that with the right policy support, encouraging diverse crop mixtures could become a key component of ‘carbon farming,’ helping to sequester more carbon in soils while maintaining agricultural productivity," said Domeignoz-Horta.



"This could pave the way for new climate-resilient farming practices that benefit both the environment and farmers."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-path-forward-for-sustainable-agriculture">A path forward for sustainable agriculture</h2>



The findings from the TwinWin experiment highlight the untapped potential of plant diversity in agriculture. 



By enhancing microbial interactions and improving soil carbon storage, diverse crop mixtures can play a crucial role in mitigating climate change. 



However, realizing this potential requires a shift in farming practices and broader policy support to encourage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-footprint-a-new-frontier-in-sustainable-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainable</a>, biodiversity-focused approaches. 



With increased awareness and commitment from stakeholders, plant diversity could redefine the future of agriculture, offering a resilient, eco-friendly solution that benefits both farmers and the planet. 



The research suggests that the path to a more sustainable future starts with embracing the natural synergy between plants and soil and harnessing the power of biodiversity to build healthier ecosystems.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-52449-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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How plant diversity can help combat climate change

We might want to start considering a diversity makeover for...

Ever wonder why some farmers keep planting different crops or allowing wildflowers to flourish on the periphery of their field? It's not just to create a pretty scene. 



Planting diverse crops involves something as intricate and invisible as bacteria and as immense and palpable as carbon storage and climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-agriculture-has-a-carbon-issue">Agriculture has a carbon issue</h2>



A large portion of the carbon dioxide in our atmosphere originates from the soil. Plowing, tilling, and harvesting release carbon from the ground and send it skywards. 



Despite the well-intentioned green thumb, agriculture finds itself in the red. About 40% of the world's land is used for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-diversity-darkspots-need-urgent-attention/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">farming</a>, making these practices a not-so-small matter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-biodiversity-and-carbon-storage">Plant biodiversity and carbon storage</h2>



A new study suggests that letting many different plants grow in one field can help keep carbon in the ground.



Isn't that something? The answer could be as simple as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-in-dry-landscapes-have-surprising-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planting a variety of crops</a> or even letting those lovely wildflowers stay.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-roots-of-the-matter">Roots of the matter</h2>



Leading the charge on this novel idea is Luiz Domeignoz-Horta and a team of researchers from the <a href="https://www.uzh.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Zurich</a>. They conducted a brilliant experiment in Finland called the TwinWin experiment.



Here's the setup: barren fields were sowed with barley. Alongside the barley, different fields had up to a total of eight <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/islands-are-home-to-one-third-of-all-known-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">different plant species</a>.



Why these additional plants? The answer lies in the roots. Some of these plants are nitrogen-fixing, and some have deep roots. Both of these qualities help improve soil health, leading to more carbon storage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-footprint-of-diverse-plants">Carbon footprint of diverse plants</h2>



The researchers had a specific measure in mind to gauge the effectiveness of microbial action – carbon use efficiency. They kept tabs on this by monitoring microbial growth, soil respiration, and community dynamics.



So what did it all mean? It turns out that a greater variety of plants lead to healthier microbe interaction in the soil around the roots. This not only means more efficient carbon use but also better soil health overall.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bigger-plants-reduced-carbon">Bigger plants, reduced carbon</h2>



Plant diversity also increased the overall plant biomass production. This means that even as carbon was reduced, crop yields were not. So, farmers can potentially keep this practice going without losing income.



The findings put in perspective the importance of identity, or rather diversity. By increasing diversity, we can have healthier ecosystems that are more resilient to changes.



But it's not just about the environments. This practice is a sustainable way for the agricultural sector to do its part in tackling climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-diversity-in-modern-farming">Plant diversity in modern farming</h2>



Adopting diverse planting strategies on a practical level entails planning, understanding soil conditions, and selecting compatible plant species. 



Farmers face challenges like learning which crops complement each other, how to fit this into crop rotation systems, and the initial costs of changing traditional methodologies. 



However, extension services and agricultural advisories are increasingly offering support to ease this transition, providing guidance on species selection suited to local conditions and tips for managing these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteraceae-is-the-worlds-most-diverse-flowering-plant-family/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diverse systems</a>. 



As more practitioners adopt these biodiverse systems, collective knowledge grows, and best practices circulate more widely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustainable-agricultural-future">Sustainable agricultural future</h2>



With the growing body of research backing plant biodiversity's role in carbon sequestration, the potential policy implications are profound. 



Governments and international organizations might consider incentivizing these practices through subsidies or grants, encouraging farmers to incorporate diverse planting more widely. 



Such measures not only help reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also promote biodiversity, leading to more resilient ecosystems. 



Policymakers face the task of balancing immediate economic concerns with long-term environmental goals, yet the evidence suggests that these approaches could yield both financial and ecological dividends, supporting a sustainable agricultural future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implementation-of-plant-diversity">Implementation of plant diversity</h2>



Plant diversity might sound good on paper and look great in the lab, but applying it on the field (especially for small-scale farmers) can be quite an endeavor. The additional work and cost could present significant challenges.



“The implementation of plant diversity in farming systems is labor-intensive, particularly for small-scale farmers who are the key to sustainability,” noted Domeignoz-Horta.



“Nevertheless, our results suggest that with the right policy support, encouraging diverse crop mixtures could become a key component of ‘carbon farming,’ helping to sequester more carbon in soils while maintaining agricultural productivity."



According to Domeignoz-Horta, this could pave the way for new climate-resilient farming practices that benefit both the environment and farmers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-study">Significance of the study</h2>



As we face the challenges of excess carbon and climate change, solutions like diverse plants offer hope. They offer a path to sustainable, resilient agricultural practices that benefit our environment and farmers alike. 



These are solutions that do not demand radical technological interventions or substantial policy upheavals. Instead, they ask us to return to our roots and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-some-plants-genus-spread-farther-grow-faster-than-others/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">embrace diversity</a>. Not just for the sake of a colorful landscape but for a healthier, more sustainable world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-52449-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Planting diverse crops traps carbon and boosts soil health

Ever wonder why some farmers keep planting different crops or...

Salt marshes are nature’s coastal defenders, and are gaining recognition as an essential line of protection against rising seas and increasingly intense storms.



As images of coastal homes being swept away become a more familiar sight, the impacts of climate change are undeniable. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salt-marshes-as-a-sustainable-solution">Salt marshes as a sustainable solution </h2>



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> (MIT) investigated the role that salt marshes play in protecting coastlines. 



The study, led by graduate student Ernie I. H. Lee and Professor Heidi Nepf, reveals that salt marshes are a cost-effective and sustainable solution for coastal defense.



"Each year, coastal storms threaten hundreds of millions of people, disrupt transportation networks, and produce billions of dollars in damage. In 2022, in the United States alone, coastal storms have resulted in economic losses over $165 billion," noted the study authors.



"These costs are projected to increase with sea level rise and with more frequent and more severe storms promoted by climate change."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cost-effective-coastal-protection">Cost-effective coastal protection </h2>



The research indicates that implementing measures to protect and enhance salt marshes in front of protective seawalls can protect some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/self-repairing-oyster-reefs-will-help-protect-coastlines/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastlines</a>, and the cost is surprisingly reasonable.



According to Professor Nepf, protecting coastal marshes is not just something that would be nice to do, but is actually economically justifiable.



The researchers discovered that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fighting-coastal-erosion-electricity-turns-sand-into-a-sea-wall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seawall</a> behind the salt marsh can be significantly lower due to the marshes' wave dampening effects. This saves on construction costs while offering the same protection from storms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-marshes-big-impact">Small marshes, big impact</h2>



The study highlights that even a small marsh can make a difference. This is encouraging news for places where it was thought preserving smaller marshes wasn't worth the cost.



“One of the other exciting things that the study really brings to light is that you don’t need a huge marsh to get a good effect. It could be a relatively short marsh, just tens of meters wide, that can give you benefit," said Professor Nepf. “We show that it can make enough of a difference to be financially viable."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-marshes-to-the-rescue">Urban marshes to the rescue</h2>



While the benefits of natural marshes in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marshes-protect-shorelines-against-inclement-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mitigating storm damage</a> are well-known, this study differs in its focus. 



According to Lee, the study emphasizes the solution's viability in urban settings, where space for marshland is constrained and seawalls are prevalent.



The MIT researchers developed a model that factored in the morphology of various <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-coastal-salt-marshes-are-keeping-pace-with-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salt marsh</a> plants rather than relying on an empirical drag coefficient. 



They assessed the plant species' influence and changes in morphology across seasons without requiring field measurements for each condition.



The team based the cost-benefit analysis on a simple premise: how much of the seawall height could be reduced if a given amount of marsh accompanied it? This practical metric provided a concrete value to quantify the benefits of salt marshes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-real-world-example">A real-world example</h2>



Nepf and Lee validated their simulations using real-world examples. They studied local salt marshes in Salem, Massachusetts, where restoration projects are underway.



Their model showed a healthy salt marsh could replace an additional 1.7 meters of seawall height, maintaining the safety of pedestrians from wave overtopping.



Collating data for modeling a marsh is a labor-intensive process. To mitigate this, Lee developed a method using drone imaging and machine learning to enhance mapping.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantifying-the-value-of-ecosystem-services">Quantifying the value of ecosystem services</h2>



The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs released guidelines for assessing the value of ecosystem services in federal project planning. Professor Nepf said they lack specific methods for quantifying value.



The study addressed this gap by providing practical tools to translate the wave attenuation capabilities of marshes into economic value.



The study also complements the Federal Emergency Management Agency's toolkit for benefit-cost analysis of environmental services.



As Lee notes, this is one of the applications policymakers can consider to quantify the environmental service values of marshes.



To facilitate this process, the software that environmental engineers apply to specific sites is available online for free on GitHub. "It’s a one-dimensional model accessible by a standard consulting firm,” said Professor Nepf.



Salt marshes represent a win-win situation for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-based-solutions-improve-coastal-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastal defense</a>. They provide an environmental benefit and a cost-effective solution.



"This paper presents a practical tool for translating the wave attenuation capabilities of marshes into economic values, which could assist decision-makers in the adaptation of marshes for nature-based coastal defense, " said Xiaxia Zhang, a professor at Shenzen University in China.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01753-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Earth &amp; Environment</a>.



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Salt marshes are enormously valuable for coastal protection

Salt marshes are nature’s coastal defenders, and are gaining recognition...

When you walk past a garden, it is easy to appreciate the burst of colors and fragrant aroma of blooming flowers.



Beyond their visual appeal, gardens offer a peaceful retreat for people seeking a connection with nature. 



Gardens do more than please our senses. According to a recent study, they serve as lifelines for vital pollinators, especially when farmland nectar is scarce.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-gardens-in-nature">The role of gardens in nature</h2>



Researchers at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a> uncovered an interesting phenomenon. They discovered that gardens aren’t just decorative spaces. They are essential sources of nourishment for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollinators-are-not-just-attracted-to-plants-by-scent-but-also-by-humidity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinators</a>.



These natural patches provide an abundance of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honeybees-carrying-nectar-avoid-overheating-rising-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nectar</a> - a vital pollinator lifeline during early spring and late summer when there is less farmland nectar.



During these crucial times, gardens meet 50% to 95% of a pollinator’s nectar needs. This highlights the importance of gardens in rural and urban areas. They help maintain healthy populations of bees, flies, butterflies, and other pollinators.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-are-gardens-good-for-pollinators">Why are gardens good for pollinators?</h2>



Study lead author Dr. Thomas Timberlake is a senior research associate in Bristol’s&nbsp;School of Biological Sciences.



"It’s well known that gardens and urban areas can be great places for pollinators like bees, flies, and butterflies. In fact, past research shows that cities often have more types and numbers of pollinators than farming areas," said Dr. Timberlake. 



"There's also evidence that pollinator populations are healthier in rural areas when they're close to small towns or villages, so we know gardens are good for pollinators, but we don't fully understand why."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gardens-a-steady-source-of-nectar">Gardens: A steady source of nectar</h2>



The team set out to explore what makes gardens vital havens for pollinators. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-majority-of-global-farmland-is-at-risk-of-pesticide-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Farmland</a> offers high quantities of nectar but lacks stability and continuity. 



Gardens contribute less than 15 percent of the total nectar in rural areas, but their constant supply makes them invaluable pollinator food sources.



In the UK, more than 90 percent of farmland lies within one kilometer of a garden, which greatly extends the reach of the benefits that gardens have to offer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-individuals-can-make-a-difference">Individuals can make a difference </h2>



The study drives home a message of responsibility and hope. 



"Many people feel powerless when it comes to fighting biodiversity loss, thinking it's too big of a problem to tackle on their own. But our study shows that individual citizens can make a big difference," said Dr. Timberlake.



By maintaining a pollinator-friendly garden with flowers blooming throughout the year, especially in early spring and late summer, anyone can support pollinators.



This individual effort resonates beyond the gardens' fences and benefits ecosystems at large.



“People can support pollinators in their gardens and surrounding farmland by simply making sure their garden has pollinator-friendly flowers blooming throughout the year - especially in early spring and late summer, when pollinators are hungriest,” noted Dr. Timberlake.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-pollinator-conservation">The future of pollinator conservation</h2>



The team aims to explore specific plants that fill the nectar void during seasonal hunger gaps, and if gardens should be incorporated into future environmental stewardship programs.



If scientists find that gardens benefit pollinators more than just in farmland habitats, it paves the way for more pollinator-friendly gardens in rural areas. With millions of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gardeners-can-make-small-changes-to-benefit-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gardeners</a> in the UK, the potential for individual action is massive.



"For the 27 million gardeners in the UK, this study highlights just how important their gardens can be in helping to reverse the decline of pollinators," said Dr. Timberlake.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-gardens-and-pollinator-conservation">Urban gardens and pollinator conservation</h2>



With urban areas expanding, gardens are essential for pollinator conservation. In cities with scarce natural habitats, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-gardens-provide-a-reliable-food-supply-for-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urban gardens</a> provide green spaces that support biodiversity.



Research indicates that pollinators thrive in urban environments with gardens filled with flowering plants that offer nectar throughout the year.



These green pockets are stepping stones for pollinators, helping species like bees and butterflies traverse the concrete landscape.



By promoting the creation of pollinator-friendly gardens, urban residents contribute to building a network of habitats that enhance the beauty of their surroundings while ensuring the survival of pollinators.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.1523" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences</a>.



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Gardens help pollinators survive seasonal food shortages

When you walk past a garden, it is easy to...

Delicious,Pistachios,In,Bowl,On,Wooden,Table

The pistachio is often a snack mindlessly munched on while watching TV. The nut has a new trick up its shell causing scientists to see it in a new light. A recent study revealed an impressive new feature of this petite powerhouse. Pistachios may support and enhance vision and overall eye health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pistachios-and-eyes">Pistachios and eyes</h2>



Researchers from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at <a href="https://nutrition.tufts.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tufts University</a> discovered these tasty nuts contain lutein, a plant pigment that benefits the eyes.



The study pinpointed that a daily helping of pistachios significantly impacts macular pigment optical density (MPOD), a key factor in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-ai-could-protect-millions-of-people-from-vision-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eye health</a>.



Do eyes need lutein? The short answer is, yes. Eyes are exposed to harsh visible light and need lutein to guard against potential damage, particularly during aging. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crunchy-findings">Crunchy findings</h2>



The Tufts' study took healthy middle-aged to older adults and added 2 ounces (about 56.7 grams) of pistachios to their daily diet. 



After 12 weeks, the pistachios significantly bumped up MPOD. This is a positive sign of healthy eyes and could reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 



AMD is a common ailment for many older adults and leads to significant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blinking-plays-crucial-role-vision-human-perception/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vision</a> loss.



Many people grapple with numerous health concerns as they age. A national poll by the <a href="https://www.afb.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Foundation for the Blind</a> showed Americans dread vision loss. These results might provide a new ray of hope.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pistachios-improve-eye-health">Pistachios improve eye health</h2>



Once a person cracks open a pistachio, they unlock numerous benefits. Study participants saw a noticeable rise in MPOD levels in just 6 weeks of pistachio consumption. 



These benefits stayed throughout the 12-week study.



“Our findings indicate that pistachios are not only a nutritious snack, but they may also provide significant benefits for eye health,” said Dr. Tammy Scott, a research and clinical neuropsychologist and lead author of the study. 



“This is especially important as people age and face higher risks of vision impairment.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lutein-eye-s-best-friend">Lutein: Eye’s best friend</h2>



Lutein in pistachios defends eyes. It wards off harmful blue light and doubles as an antioxidant. 



Researchers found that eating pistachios nearly doubled the daily intake of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grapes-provide-a-dietary-shield-to-protect-eye-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lutein</a>, which is generally low in most American diets.



Scott explained the participants who had low lutein saw a quick enhancement in their blood lutein levels in six weeks by adding 2 ounces of pistachios to their diet daily.



“By simply incorporating a handful of pistachios into your diet, you can improve your <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-carrots-and-colorful-veggies-really-can-improve-your-eyesight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intake of lutein</a>, which is crucial for protecting your eyes,” Scott said.



This dietary adjustment provided a crucial boost to eye health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brilliance-of-pistachios">Brilliance of pistachios</h2>



Pistachios are good for the eyes and packed with nutrients that support overall health.



They are rich in protein, healthy fats, and vitamins like Vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium, making them a great snack for vegetarians and vegans. 



The healthy fats improve cholesterol levels and support heart health. Pistachios have a low glycemic index and are a smart choice for those watching their sugar intake.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustainability-and-pistachios">Sustainability and pistachios</h2>



Pistachios are not only nutritious but also environmentally friendly. They need less water than other nuts and thrive in dry climates, reducing the need for irrigation. 



Pistachio orchards also support biodiversity by promoting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-rich-tree-diversity-adapt-better-changing-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diverse ecosystems</a>. Pistachios are a great superfood choice for consumers who want to make sustainable dietary decisions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pistachios-beyond-the-eyes">Pistachios beyond the eyes</h2>



While researchers celebrate the vision-enhancing capacities of lutein in the study from Tufts University, it also has broader health benefits.



“Lutein crosses the blood-brain barrier, where it may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation,” said Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, a co-investigator in the study.



Studies suggest higher lutein levels could be linked to better cognitive abilities including memory and processing speed.



Next time someone reaches out for a snack, they should give that bag of pistachios a second glance. These nuts could do more for overall health than people realize. 



This includes bolstering vision and supporting brain health and makes pistachios a valuable addition to a healthy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toxic-blue-light-from-smartphones-may-accelerate-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lifestyle</a>.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002231662401099X?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Nutrition</a>. 



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Eating pistachios daily proven to boost eyesight and overall health

The pistachio is often a snack mindlessly munched on while...

A,Cutting-edge,Robotic,Arm,Operates,In,A,Vertical,Hydroponic,Indoor

Photosynthesis is the foundation of all life on Earth, and the reason that we exist. However, because its efficiency rate of converting light energy into chemical energy is only 1%, there's room for improvement. That's where a brilliant new invention called "electro-agriculture" comes in.



Some talented bioengineers suggest an alternative to photosynthesis which promises much improved energy conversion through electro-agriculture.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-electro-agriculture-for-food-production">Electro-agriculture for food production</h2>



What if plants could be genetically modified to "consume" an organic molecule produced by a solar-powered chemical reaction that converts CO2 more efficiently than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-microalgae-show-photosynthesis-is-possible-in-near-darkness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a>?



The idea is that with electro-agriculture, our reliance on land will decrease drastically. Imagine this: a 94% reduction in land needed for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-and-agriculture-are-locked-in-a-destructive-feedback-loop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agriculture</a> if all food in the US were produced using this method.



This could even solve the tricky problem of food production in space. With less dependence on sunlight and traditional agricultural fields, we’re looking at a future of multi-story buildings growing our food using electro-agriculture principles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harvesting-sunshine-via-electro-agriculture">Harvesting sunshine via electro-agriculture</h2>



The soul and stature of this head-turning proposal are scientists Robert Jinkerson from <a href="https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California</a>, Riverside and Feng Jiao from <a href="https://washu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington University</a> in St. Louis.



Jinkerson, a biological engineer, talks about moving agriculture to the next phase of technology, one that steps away from nature and takes advantage of controlled indoor environments through electro-agriculture.



Solar panels would be placed on or close to these multi-story buildings. These panels would absorb the sun's radiation, powering a chemical reaction between CO2 and water, and producing acetate which is central in electro-agriculture.



Acetate, a molecule similar to the main component in vinegar, would then be used as food for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-carbon-footprint-urban-farms-and-agriculture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hydroponically grown plants</a>. 



And, why just plants? Acetate is also consumed naturally by food-producing organisms like mushrooms, yeast, and algae.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vinegar-for-plants">Vinegar for plants</h2>



Jiao, an electrochemist, tells us that this new process already has an efficiency of about 4%. That's a four-fold increase compared to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/key-to-life-on-earth-photosynthesis-begins-on-the-quantum-level-with-a-single-photon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a>. 



And the smaller CO2 footprint associated with electro-agriculture <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-food-day-fighting-global-hunger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food production</a>? How would the plants eat the acetate? 



The scientists are exploiting a metabolic pathway that sprouting plants use to break down food, turning it back on for full-grown plants to consume acetate as a source of energy, which is the gist of electro-agriculture.



“We're trying to turn this pathway back on in adult plants and reawaken their native ability to utilize acetate,” says Jinkerson. 



“It's analogous to lactose intolerance in humans -- as babies we can digest lactose in milk, but for many people that pathway is turned off when they grow up. It's kind of the same idea, only for plants.”



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



The transformation from traditional agricultural practices to electro-agriculture is not just about feeding more people efficiently; it carries profound potential benefits for the environment. 



Conventional farming methods often lead to significant deforestation, which is a major contributor to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity loss and climate change</a>.



By drastically reducing the amount of land required for crop production, electro-agriculture presents an opportunity to reverse some of the ecological damage caused by clearing land for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-footprint-a-new-frontier-in-sustainable-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agriculture</a>. 



Moreover, with its reduced reliance on fertilizers and pesticides, which can contaminate waterways and impact aquatic ecosystems, this innovative approach offers a promising alternative towards more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sustainable-food-systems-are-gaining-momentum/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainable food</a> production methods.



Embracing electro-agriculture could facilitate the gradual restoration of natural habitats, enhancing biodiversity and contributing to a more resilient planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-electro-agriculture">Future of electro-agriculture</h2>



Despite the huge potential of electro-agriculture, significant challenges remain. One key issue is the initial setup cost and maintenance of solar-powered chemical reactors, as well as the infrastructure needed to support large-scale indoor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farmers-adopt-regenerative-agriculture-better-soil-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">farming facilities</a>.



Additionally, there is a need for further research to understand the long-term impacts on plant physiology when relying on acetate as a primary energy source. 



The genetic modification of plants to reinstate certain metabolic pathways could also face regulatory and public acceptance hurdles.



Furthermore, while current efficiency outpaces traditional photosynthesis, there is always room for improvement as technology advances. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glimpse-into-the-future">Glimpse into the future</h2>



While the research is still in initial stages focusing on tomatoes and lettuce, there are plans of expanding it to staple high-calorie crops like sweet potatoes, cassava, and grains. 



The scientists have already succeeded in engineering plants that can use acetate in addition to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/details-photosynthesis-water-viewed-atomic-level-cryo-microscope/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a>.



“For plants, we're still in the research-and-development phase of trying to get them to utilize acetate as their carbon source, because plants have not evolved to grow this way, but we’re making progress,” says Jinkerson. 



“Mushrooms and yeast and algae, however, can be grown like this today, so I think that those applications could be commercialized first, and plants will come later down the line.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-significance">Study significance</h2>



The scientists, undoubtedly, are keen on refining the acetate production method to make the carbon-fixation system even more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-farming-practices-boost-soil-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">efficient</a>. 



“This is just the first step for this research, and I think there's a hope that its efficiency and cost will be significantly improved in the near future,” says Jiao.



To sum it all up, electro-agriculture is an exciting frontier in food production technology. If successful, it promises to be an environmentally friendly and space-efficient method that could revolutionize the concept of food production itself.



Jinkerson and Jiao remain optimistic, positioned at the forefront of electro-agriculture, and stress the importance of continued interdisciplinary collaboration.



As their research progresses, they envision not only overcoming these challenges but also refining electro-agriculture into a universally sustainable, accessible, and adaptable method of food production.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/joule/fulltext/S2542-4351(24)00429-X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Joule</a>.



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'Electro-agriculture' grows food in the dark with 94% less land required

Photosynthesis is the foundation of all life on Earth, and...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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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



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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

[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> 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

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