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...

Scientists have uncovered one of the earliest examples of a winged seed, shedding light on the origins and early evolution of wind dispersal strategies in plants.&nbsp;



The study, published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.92962.3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eLife</a>, details the second-oldest known winged seed -- Alasemenia - from the Late Devonian epoch, which occurred roughly 360 to 385 million years ago. 



Through a solid mathematical analysis, the authors demonstrate that the three-winged seeds of Alasemenia were better adapted to wind dispersal compared to seeds with one, two, or four wings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wind-dispersal-of-plant-seeds">Wind dispersal of plant seeds</h2>



Wind dispersal is a natural mechanism by which plants spread their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-increase-forest-recovery-by-dispersing-seeds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seeds</a> to new areas using the air, helping to reduce competition for resources and improve survival chances.&nbsp;



Some common wind dispersal strategies include parachutes, like those used by dandelions and milkweeds, as well as winged seeds, such as the “helicopter” seeds from maple trees.



The earliest plant seeds date back to the Late Devonian epoch, a time marking a significant evolutionary shift.&nbsp;



“This period marks a significant evolutionary milestone in plant history, as they transitioned from spore-based reproduction, as with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-sheds-light-on-the-evolution-of-ferns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ferns</a> and mosses, to seed-based reproduction,” said lead author Deming Wang, a professor at <a href="https://english.pku.edu.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peking University</a>'s Department of Geology.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seed-wind-dispersal-mechanisms-nbsp">Seed wind dispersal mechanisms&nbsp;</h2>



However, little is known about wind dispersal mechanisms in seeds from this era, as many fossils are encased in a cupule, a protective cup-shaped structure that may suggest different dispersal methods, such as water transport.



To better understand how early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-plants-disperse-their-seeds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> used wind to disperse their seeds, Wang and colleagues examined seed fossils from the Late Devonian, sourced from the Jianchuan mine in China’s Anhui Province. Among these, they identified a new fossil species, Alasemenia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-helping-seeds-catch-the-wind">Helping seeds catch the wind</h2>



The team carefully analyzed the Alasemenia fossils, slicing them to study their internal structure.&nbsp;



The experts found that these seeds are about 25 to 33 millimeters long and lacked the cupule that was common in most seeds of the period, making Alasemenia one of the earliest known examples of a seed without such a structure -- 40 million years earlier than previously thought. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Alasemenia_winged-seed_plant-pollination_credit-elife-sciences_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Alasemenia_winged-seed_plant-pollination_credit-elife-sciences_1s.webp" alt="A fossil of the winged-seed, Alasemenia, sourced from the Jianchuan mine in Xinhang Town, China. Credit: Deming Wang" class="wp-image-1946919"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A fossil of the winged-seed, Alasemenia, sourced from the Jianchuan mine in Xinhang Town, China. Credit: Deming Wang</figcaption></figure>



Instead, Alasemenia had a seed coat, or integument, that extended outward to form three wing-like lobes. These wings, with their outward-curving, broad, flattened structures, would have helped the seeds catch the wind.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-wing-design-for-wind-dispersal-nbsp">Best wing design for wind dispersal&nbsp;</h2>



Next, the researchers compared Alasemenia to two other known winged seeds from the Late Devonian: Warstenia and Guazia, both of which had four wings. While Guazia's wings were broad and flat, Warstenia's were short and straight.&nbsp;



To determine which design was best suited for wind dispersal, the team conducted a quantitative mathematical analysis. Their results showed that Alasemenia’s odd number of wings provided a more stable and faster spin rate as the seed fell, allowing it to catch the wind more effectively and disperse farther from the parent plant.



“Our discovery of Alasemenia adds to our knowledge of the origins of wind dispersal strategies in early land plants,” said senior author Pu Huang, an assistant research fellow at the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology.&nbsp;



“Combined with our previous knowledge of Guazia and Warsteinia, we conclude that winged seeds as a result of integument outgrowth emerged as the first form of wind dispersal strategy during the Late Devonian, before other methods such as parachutes or plumes.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-progression-of-seeds-nbsp">Evolutionary progression of seeds&nbsp;</h2>



According to Wang, the evolutionary progression of winged seeds didn’t stop there.&nbsp;



“The three-winged seeds seen in Alasemenia during the Late Devonian would have subsequently been followed by two-winged seeds during the Carboniferous period, and then single-winged seeds during the Permian.”



This research offers key insights into the evolutionary timeline of wind dispersal strategies in plants, marking Alasemenia as a critical piece in understanding how plants first took advantage of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/understanding-how-wind-farms-interact-with-wind-can-optimize-their-power/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wind</a> to spread their seeds.



“These findings suggest that during the Famennian [belonging to the late Devonian] the outer layer of some seeds that lacked cupules evolved wings to help the seeds disperse in the wind,” noted the study authors.



“It also indicates that seeds with four or three wings evolved first, followed by other groups of seed plants with fewer seed wings.”



According to the researchers, future studies may find more winged seeds and further our understanding of their evolutionary roles in the early history of seed plants.



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Fossil reveals how plants use winged seeds to expand their habitats

Scientists have uncovered one of the earliest examples of a...

Picture this -- a common Brazilian shrub, unassuming, often looked upon as merely a weed, has suddenly become the center of attention for scientists near and far. Why? Because the plant is hiding cannabidiol (CBD), a compound typically associated with cannabis, inside its humble fruits and flowers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trema-micrantha-humble-cbd-plant">Trema micrantha: Humble CBD plant</h2>



The CBD-laden plant in question is Trema micrantha blume, a shrub that grows widespread across Brazil. 



The notable discoverer of this phenomenon is none other than molecular biologist Rodrigo Moura Neto, attached to the <a href="https://ufrj.br/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Federal University</a> of Rio de Janeiro.



According to Neto, he and his team stumbled upon this significant find last year.



CBD is no stranger to spotlight, thanks to its therapeutic properties that some people use to manage conditions like epilepsy, chronic pain, and anxiety. 



Together with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it forms the main <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-production-may-soon-get-a-major-boost/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">active compounds</a> in cannabis. However, while THC is responsible for the 'high' in cannabis use, CBD is non-psychoactive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-legal-cbd-production">Legal CBD production</h2>



The crux of Neto's discovery lies in the analysis that Trema contains CBD but not THC. This sparks the potential of a new, ample source of CBD that bypasses the legal and regulatory challenges often posed to cannabis. 



And seeing that cannabis remains illegal in many jurisdictions, including Brazil, this is significant. "It's a legal alternative to using cannabis," Neto said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weed-to-wonder">Weed to wonder</h2>



Imagine a plant that grows profusely all over Brazil, easily dismissed as a weed, suddenly becoming a potent, cost-effective source of CBD. 



"This is a plant that grows all over Brazil. It would be a simpler and cheaper source of cannabidiol," Neto explains. 



This isn't the first time CBD has been found outside cannabis, with scientists previously finding it in a related plant in Thailand.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-cbd-from-trema-micrantha">Future of CBD from Trema micrantha</h2>



Neto's next steps involve scaling up his research to uncover the most effective ways of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/synthetic-cannabis-reduces-agitation-in-alzheimers-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extracting</a> CBD from Trema. 



They also plan to analyze its potential benefits for patients currently being treated with medical cannabis. 



To boost these efforts, his team was granted a 500,000-real (US$104,000) fund by the Brazilian government -- an endeavor estimated to span at least five years.



Vantage Market Research, a market analysis firm, has forecasted a bright future for CBD. 



The firm estimates the global market for CBD to be nearly US$5 billion, with projections noting a rise to more than US$47 billion by 2028, driven predominantly by health and wellness use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultivating-trema-micrantha">Cultivating Trema micrantha</h2>



The cultivation of Trema micrantha as a source of CBD presents intriguing environmental considerations. 



With its robust growth across Brazil and adaptability to various ecosystems, Trema could potentially be cultivated with minimal environmental disruption.



This stands in contrast to traditional cannabis farming, which often involves intensive resource inputs. 



Sustainable cultivation practices for Trema could pave the way for eco-friendly CBD production, prompting further inquiry into its impact on biodiversity and land use efficiency.



Such research could illuminate pathways to producing therapeutic compounds while preserving environmental integrity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-role-in-the-cbd-discourse">Plants role in the CBD discourse</h2>



In the broader context of the global CBD discourse, Trema micrantha's emergence as a novel source synchronizes with shifting perceptions around non-cannabis-derived CBDs.



This shift broadens the narrative of CBD production beyond traditional confines, potentially democratizing access and reducing the socio-political barriers surrounding cannabis. 



As international interest in CBD's health benefits continues to rise, the potential inclusion of Trema in global supply chains could influence market dynamics and regulatory frameworks. 



This development might not only stabilize supply but might also enhance cross-cultural research collaborations, enriching the global understanding of CBD's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-and-hallucinogen-use-are-at-historically-high-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">applications</a> and implications.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turning-point-for-cbd">Turning point for CBD</h2>



Neto's Trema micrantha discovery signifies a critical turning point in the CBD production narrative. 



It not only opens up exciting new routes for scientific exploration but also brings a fresh perspective to our understanding of plant biology.



Who knows what other surprises nature has up her sleeve? Only time, and more research, will tell.



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Brazilian plant found to contain cannabis CBD compound

Picture this -- a common Brazilian shrub, unassuming, often looked...

Plants have the ability to absorb micro- and nanoplastics in their roots and stems, raising concerns about how ecosystems will manage when these plastic particles infiltrate natural environments.&nbsp;



However, a Danish-Chinese research team offers a novel solution: why not use plants as a natural and eco-friendly tool to gather and degrade these plastic particles?



Experts the Hubei Key Laboratory of Wetland Evolution &amp; Ecological Restoration in China and the <a href="https://www.sdu.dk/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southern Denmark</a> have set out to investigate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-and-animals-ingest-nanoplastics-nbsp">Plants and animals ingest nanoplastics&nbsp;</h2>



The study comes in the context of an alarming global issue. Since the advent of large-scale plastic production, 9 billion tons of plastic have been manufactured, yet only 9 percent of it has been recycled.&nbsp;



This leaves a huge amount of plastic waste unaccounted for in nature, where it has been breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces.&nbsp;



Micro- and nanoplastics have become a pervasive environmental problem, as these tiny particles can be ingested or absorbed by animals, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-plants-can-absorb-and-neutralize-plastic-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a>, and even humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-ability-to-absorb-nanoplastics-nbsp">Plants’ ability to absorb nanoplastics&nbsp;</h2>



“We believe plants can effectively supplement existing methods for removing plastic from nature. Many plants absorb or adsorb micro- and nanoparticles, but we need to identify the most effective ones to achieve the best results,” explained co-author Elvis Genbo Xu, a biologist at the University of Southern Denmark.



The researchers have examined various plants' ability to take up micro- and nanoplastics. The results show that fava beans (Vicia faba) can adsorb 100-nanometer nanoplastic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-solution-removes-over-98-percent-of-nanoplastics-from-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particles</a> via their roots within just two days. 



Adsorption is a process where particles adhere to the roots, whereas absorption refers to the uptake of particles into the plant itself.



Other plants, such as wheat and lettuce, were also shown to bind or even absorb plastic particles, with the latter incorporating them into their leaves and stems in some cases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aquatic-plants-as-natural-water-filters-nbsp">Aquatic plants as natural water filters&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers found aquatic plants to be of particular interest because they can potentially filter plastic particles from bodies of water, where plastic concentrations are often higher.&nbsp;



The common water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), for example, has demonstrated an ability to adsorb plastic particles. Other aquatic plants, such as duckweed (Lemna minor), have similar potential and could be employed as natural filters to capture micro- and nanoplastics in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wetlands-are-powerful-weapons-in-the-fight-against-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wetlands</a>.



“It would make sense to establish belts of plastic-absorbing plants in areas where nano- and microplastics are known to accumulate, such as along highways where large amounts of microplastics wear off from car tires,” said Xu.



“The belts could function as a filter, capturing plastic particles before they spread to the wider landscape or are washed into streams by rain.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-plastic-pollution-crisis">Global plastic pollution crisis</h2>



Xu emphasizes, however, that using plants alone is not enough to solve the global plastic pollution crisis.&nbsp;



Micro- and nanoplastics are found everywhere - in the air, in water, and in soil. Since no one can escape them (they are present in the air we breathe and the water we drink), multiple solutions are required to address the problem.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hungry-bacteria-will-devour-plastic-waste/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bacteria</a>, fungi, and microalgae could all play a role in reducing plastic pollution. Plants, while helpful, are just one piece of the puzzle.



Despite the complexity of the issue, Xu remains optimistic, especially about aquatic environments.&nbsp;



“Our lab experiments have been successful. I am optimistic that we can scale this up to remove particles from the environment - at least from aquatic environments, where aquatic plants have proven very effective.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-jellyfish-to-remove-plastic-particles-nbsp">Using jellyfish to remove plastic particles&nbsp;</h2>



Other researchers are exploring similarly innovative approaches. At the University of Southern Denmark’s Department of Biology, marine biologist and jellyfish researcher Jamileh Javidpour has investigated the possibility of using jellyfish to remove micro- and nanoplastics from aquatic environments.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jellyfish-more-than-just-a-snack-for-predatory-fish/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jellyfish</a> produce slime, and laboratory experiments have shown that this slime can remove up to 90 percent of nanoplastic particles from water in treatment plants.



“We’ve found that jellyfish slime is super effective at removing nano-sized plastic particles. It could be part of the solution - I can imagine using dried jellyfish slime to create filters for washing machines, for example,” Javidpour said.



These efforts represent a growing body of research into how natural organisms can be harnessed to address the widespread and persistent issue of plastic pollution.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eehl.2024.04.001" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eco-Environment and Health</a>.



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Plants could help remove nanoplastics from the environment

Plants have the ability to absorb micro- and nanoplastics in...

It's commonly acknowledged that Mother Nature has her own rules, proving time and again that she plays by her own playbook. And today, we're diving into one such fascinating realm, which presents an opportunity to revise long-held scientific viewpoints on plants and fungi.



We often think of plants as stationary fixtures, hinged to the ground by their roots, twirling their leaves in sync to the rhythm of the wind. But plants, it seems, are silent movers and shakers, involved in a vast annual movement of carbon. 



Remarkably, each year, they shift a whopping 3.58 gigatons of carbon to mycorrhizal fungi - their partners in the underground realms. For visualization's sake, were this carbon a solid mass like ice, it would suffice to lay a slick sheet over 112 million NHL hockey rinks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-market-perspective">The market perspective</h2>



Previously, scientists, akin to economists, have viewed this hefty carbon transfer as a kind of marketplace transaction. The understanding was fairly straightforward - in this unique marketplace, carbon was traded for essential nutrients delivered by those fungi residing underground.



It seemed like an equitable exchange, neatly governed by market principles of trade. But, as it happens in the world of science, not everything is as it seems. 



A team of researchers, including Professor Justine Karst of the University of Alberta, suggest we need to reassess how these eco-critical systems function.



The experts argue that market principles are not universally applicable, particularly not in the case of this unique plant-fungi relationship. "We found no evidence of trade," said Professor Karst.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-link-between-plants-and-fungi">Link between plants and fungi</h2>



Mycorrhizas are essentially symbiotic relationships between plants and fungi that operate underground. The constant shuttling of resources between plants and fungi, seen as a hallmark in biological market models, is well established. 



Herein, mycorrhizal fungi happily accept carbon in the form of lipids and sugars from their botanical partners, reciprocating with a supply of essential nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen.



However, this economic analogy has shrouded our understanding of mycorrhizas, according to the researchers. They argue that it might have made us blind to other possible functions of mycorrhizas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-alternative-perspective">An alternative perspective</h2>



An alternative theory titled the "Surplus C" hypothesis recently surfaced, proposing that plants often manufacture more sugars than they require for growth. 



As per this theory, the excess carbon simply finds a home in the mycorrhizal fungi. This implies the volume of carbon handed over to a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungi-fusion-turning-food-waste-into-culinary-delights/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungus</a> isn't dependent on the delivery of nutrients to the plant.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leaning-toward-the-new-theory">Leaning toward the new theory</h2>



The team's comprehensive review of multiple scientific studies failed to produce convincing support for the biological market models.



The experts found no empirical evidence of a direct regulatory function and hence dissed the idea of "prices" - the ratio of carbon units to nutrient units - controlling the carbon handover to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-fungi-diversity-can-be-pulled-out-of-thin-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungi</a>.



Delving further into the mycorrhizal link, they discovered that plant growth was associated with nutrient uptake, not carbon transfer. Interestingly, what curtails plant growth is not the quantum of carbon sent to mycorrhizal fungi but the volume of nutrients delivered by the fungi.



It appears that the carbon handed over to mycorrhizal fungi is not costly for the plant. The research findings leaned more towards backing the Surplus C theory rather than the market models.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-relationships-between-plants-and-fungi">Rethinking relationships between plants and fungi</h2>



The researchers' observations encourage us to set aside narrow economic models and explore the essential interactions between plants and mycorrhizal fungi. 



According to Professor Karst, the key is in understanding the carbon flow from plants to fungi, given its potential in benefiting the environment - especially with respect to carbon sequestration.



The review also highlights the need for more targeted research to get to the heart of what determines the carbon transfer from plants to mycorrhizal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/symbiotic-relationship-plant-roots-underground-mycorrhizal-fungi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungi</a>.



Finally, while a direct link between carbon and nutrient transfer may still be waiting in the wings to be discovered, the researchers caution against over-reliance on economic models to make sense of it all.



"The idea of markets is familiar to us, but the inner workings of mycorrhizas are not, so we need to stay open to other ways of understanding how these systems work," said Professor Karst.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.20145" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Phytologist</a>.



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Plants transfer massive amounts of carbon to fungi

It's commonly acknowledged that Mother Nature has her own rules,...

In a revolutionary breakthrough for the banana industry, scientists have successfully engineered Yelloway One, a banana plant resistant to two of the most destructive diseases: fusarium tropical race 4 (TR4) and black sigatoka.



This monumental development comes at a time when these diseases have caused global losses worth hundreds of millions of dollars.



The new hybrid banana is the result of a collaboration between Chiquita, KeyGene, MusaRadix, and a group of dedicated scientists from <a href="https://www.wur.nl/en.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wageningen University &amp; Research</a>.



The prototype plant is the product of meticulously combined conventional breeding techniques, aided by modern DNA analysis technology. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-major-breakthrough-in-banana-cultivation">Major breakthrough in banana cultivation </h2>



Gert Kema, a professor of phytopathology at Wageningen, views the development of Yelloway One as a major breakthrough in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungal-disease-threatens-banana-production-in-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">banana</a> cultivation.



"We've known for some time that conventional breeding can help us develop <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-breakthrough-will-promote-disease-resistance-in-bananas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants resistant to these diseases</a>," said Professor Kema.



"Now we've proven it, and more importantly, we've demonstrated that by using the latest genetic tools, we can do it much faster than others. This is of great importance for the future of banana farming."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-banana-disease-crisis">Banana disease crisis</h2>



The recent advancements have come in the nick of time, as the global banana industry has been grappling with widespread damage caused by TR4 and black sigatoka.



Until the advent of Yelloway One, banana farmers had no resistant variety at their disposal, creating a crisis situation in the industry.



Yelloway One is a game-changer, exhibiting resistance to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/banana-apocalypse-can-science-save-our-favorite-fruit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TR4</a>, a fungus capable of wiping out entire <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deadly-banana-disease-has-arrived-in-southeast-asia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">banana plantations</a>, and black sigatoka, a leaf disease that massively reduces yields. 



These diseases have long posed major challenges to the banana industry, especially when it comes to the widely exported Cavendish banana.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-providing-access-to-the-technology">Providing access to the technology </h2>



The development of this prototype doesn't solely benefit one corporation or a select group of growers. Professor Kema emphasized the broader implications of this achievement.



"The fact that banana producer Chiquita is one of the partners doesn’t mean that other banana growers won't have access to these new varieties," said Kema.



"We are collaborating with several organizations to ensure that this technology is available to other programs as well. Moreover, we are using the technology to develop or improve varieties for local markets."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disease-resistant-banana-varieties">Disease-resistant banana varieties </h2>



Yelloway One is the first of many hopeful steps towards achieving the larger goal of the Yelloway initiative. 



The ambition is to consistently develop exceptional and resistant banana varieties that exhibit genetic diversity, enhancing both the resilience of banana cultivation and the sustainability of the industry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-the-impact-of-banana-diseases">Reducing the impact of banana diseases </h2>



"This development means a great deal to millions of smallholder farmers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America," said Professor Kema.



"By introducing resistant and genetically diverse varieties, we can contribute to a more sustainable banana industry and reduce the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vietnams-banana-industry-is-threatened-by-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impact of diseases</a>."



With Yelloway One currently undergoing growth in a greenhouse in the Netherlands, the future of banana cultivation seems promising. 



Trials are set to be conducted in severely affected regions in the Philippines and Indonesia. Only time will tell if this prototype can offer a viable solution to farmers, but the outlook is optimistic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-era-in-banana-farming">A new era in banana farming </h2>



As promising as the greenhouse trials have been, the true test of Yelloway One’s potential lies in real-world field trials. 



Set to begin in heavily affected regions, these trials will determine how well the resistant variety performs under actual growing conditions, where TR4 and black sigatoka have devastated banana crops.



The success of the trials could mark the start of a new era in banana farming, offering smallholder farmers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America a sustainable solution to combat these devastating diseases.



Additionally, the broader adoption of disease-resistant varieties could reduce the need for chemical fungicides, making banana production more eco-friendly.



With each step forward, the Yelloway initiative aims not only to protect banana cultivation but to ensure the future viability of a staple crop that feeds millions worldwide. 



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Disease-resistant banana may change the future of farming

In a revolutionary breakthrough for the banana industry, scientists have...

As global temperatures rise, scientists are increasingly studying how plants adapt to these changing conditions, paying particular attention to tiny structures known as stomata.



These micro-pores, located on leaf surfaces, play a vital role in regulating water loss, facilitating gas exchange, and managing carbon dioxide intake for photosynthesis and growth.



Stomata serve as the plant’s natural cooling system. During heatwaves, these pores respond by widening, allowing the plant to release water vapor and cool down, ensuring it survives the elevated temperatures and continues functioning effectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cracking-the-code-of-plant-heat-response">Cracking the code of plant heat response </h2>



However, for more than a century, researchers have been stumped by the intricate processes behind this stomatal "breathing" and have struggled to understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms behind transpiration processes in response to heat. 



In a new study from the <a href="https://biology.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California San Diego School of Biological Sciences</a>, led by PhD student Nattiwong Pankasem and Professor Julian Schroeder, scientists have uncovered new details about these plant mechanisms.



The findings, published in the journal New Phytologist, highlight two genetic pathways plants use to handle increasing temperatures.



“With <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-temperatures-increase-scientists-plan-slow-down-rising-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">increasing global temperatures</a>, there’s obviously a threat to agriculture with the impact of heat waves,” said Schroeder. 



“This research describes the discovery that rising temperatures cause stomatal opening by one genetic pathway, but if the heat steps up even further, then there’s another mechanism that kicks in to increase stomatal opening.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-pathways-to-stomatal-opening">Two pathways to stomatal opening</h2>



The researchers discovered that as temperatures rise, one genetic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-sheds-light-on-the-pathways-of-plant-regeneration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pathway</a> primarily controls stomatal opening to regulate water loss and gas exchange. 



But as the heat intensifies beyond a certain threshold, a second, more robust pathway steps in to further increase stomatal opening, enhancing the plant's ability to cool itself under extreme conditions.



This discovery provides insights into how plants manage their internal temperatures, enabling them to survive even in the face of escalating global warming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complexity-of-plant-heat-responses">Complexity of plant heat responses</h2>



Deciphering these mechanisms has long been a challenge due to the complexity of separating temperature and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humidity-increases-urban-heat-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">humidity</a> responses. 



Pankasem solved this problem by developing a novel method for clamping the vapor pressure difference (VPD) of leaves to fixed values as temperatures rise. 



This allowed the research team to tease out the genetic mechanisms of stomatal temperature responses, including the role of blue-light sensors, drought hormones, carbon dioxide sensors, and temperature-sensitive proteins.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stomatal-responses-in-action">Stomatal responses in action</h2>



Pankasem and his colleagues examined the genetic responses in two <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-plant-species-remain-unphotographed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant species</a>: Arabidopsis thaliana, a weed species, and Brachypodium distachyon, a flowering plant related to key grain crops such as wheat, maize, and rice. 



The team discovered that carbon dioxide sensors play a pivotal role in the stomatal response to heat. 



As leaves warm, these sensors trigger an increase in <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>, reducing carbon dioxide levels and causing stomatal pores to open. This allows the plant to take in more carbon dioxide and benefit from enhanced photosynthesis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-second-heat-response-in-plants">A second heat response in plants</h2>



Under extreme heat, however, photosynthesis slows and the stomatal heat response bypasses the carbon dioxide sensor system. This triggers the secondary heat response pathway to open the stomata and cool the plant.



“The impact of the second mechanism, in which plants open their stomata without gaining benefits from photosynthesis would result in a reduction in water use efficiency of crop plants,” said Pankasem. 



“Based on our study, plants are likely to demand more water per unit of CO2 taken in, which could directly affect irrigation planning and hydrological cycles in response to global warming.”



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



“This work shows the importance of curiosity-driven, fundamental research in helping to address societal challenges, build resiliency in key areas like agriculture, and, potentially, advance the bioeconomy,” noted Richard Cyr, a program director at the U.S. National Science Foundation.



With these findings in hand, Pankasem and Schroeder are now turning their focus toward understanding the molecular and genetic mechanisms behind the secondary heat response system. This could lead to new strategies for reducing water consumption in agriculture amidst rising global temperatures.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.20121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Phytologist</a>.



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Plants have a secret 'breathing' strategy in response to heat

As global temperatures rise, scientists are increasingly studying how plants...

An FDA-approved synthetic version of THC (the main ingredient in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recreational-cannabis-use-protects-against-cognitive-decline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a>) reduces agitation in patients with Alzheimer's disease by an average of 30 percent, according to the results of an eight-year clinical trial. 



Compared to current treatments like antipsychotics, the synthetic drug dronabinol produced similar calming effects without adverse results such as delirium or seizures.



The results of the research were presented at the <a href="https://www.ipa-online.org/events/2024-international-congress" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Psychogeriatric Association</a> conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-agitation-in-alzheimer-s-patients-nbsp">Agitation in Alzheimer’s patients&nbsp;</h2>



Dr. Paul Rosenberg is a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/som" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine</a> and co-principal investigator for this study. 



“These new findings represent eight years of work dedicated to people who have Alzheimer’s as well as their caregivers,” said Dr. Rosenberg.&nbsp;



“Agitation is one of the most distressing symptoms of Alzheimer’s dementia, and we are pleased to make positive strides forward in treatment of these patients.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-severe-agitation-with-alzheimer-s">Severe agitation with Alzheimer’s </h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-why-some-brains-resist-alzheimers-disease-symptoms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer’s disease</a> is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States, affecting an estimated 6.7 million Americans aged 65 and older. This number is predicted to grow to 13.8 million by 2060. 



Agitation, characterized by excessive motor activity (like pacing or repetitive movements), verbal aggression, and physical aggression, affects approximately 40% of people with Alzheimer’s and is difficult to manage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-providing-relief-to-caregivers-nbsp">Providing relief to caregivers&nbsp;</h2>



Although mild agitation can sometimes be moderated by behavioral interventions, moderate to severe cases typically require medication to manage symptoms and provide relief for caregivers.&nbsp;



Dr. Brent Forester is the chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at <a href="https://www.tuftsmedicine.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tufts Medical Center</a> and co-principal investigator on the study. 



“It is the agitation, not the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lack-of-sexual-satisfaction-linked-to-rapid-memory-decline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory loss</a>, that often drives individuals with dementia to the emergency department and long-term-care facilities,” said Dr. Forester.



“Dronabinol has the potential to both reduce health care costs and make an important, positive impact on caregivers’ mental and physical health.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-clinical-studies">Focus of the clinical studies</h2>



For the clinical trials, the researchers recruited 75 patients with severe Alzheimer’s agitation across five sites, including 35 patients admitted to the Johns Hopkins Hospital between March 2017 and May 2024.&nbsp;



To qualify, patients had to have a formal clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and exhibit at least one major symptom of agitation for at least two weeks. Prior to treatment, patients were tested for agitation using the Pittsburgh Agitation Scale (PAS) and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Agitation/Aggression subscale (NPI-C).



Participants were randomly assigned to receive either five milligrams of dronabinol in pill form or a placebo twice daily for three weeks.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-synthetic-cannabis-and-alzheimer-s">Synthetic cannabis and Alzheimer's</h2>



After the treatment period, patients were retested using the PAS and NPI-C. The results from the dronabinol group showed an average PAS starting value of 9.68 and an end value of 7.26 after three weeks - a 30% decrease - compared to the placebo group, which did not change.&nbsp;



Additionally, the synthetic cannabis was well tolerated by Alzheimer's patients compared to current treatments for agitation.



“Results like this are encouraging. We are thrilled that FDA-approved dronabinol was robustly effective and appeared safe for treatment of agitation,” Rosenberg said. “This adds another tool in our efforts to improve the care of our loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease.”



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



The researchers plan to conduct longer-term studies of dronabinol for Alzheimer’s disease with larger sample sizes. They also hope to explore other ways medical cannabis can benefit both patients and caregivers.



Dronabinol is a synthetic form of THC, the psychoactive main ingredient in cannabis (marijuana). The drug was approved by the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Food and Drug Administration</a> in 1985 to treat loss of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/disadvantaged-stimulate-appetite/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">appetite</a> in patients with HIV/AIDS and is currently prescribed to treat nausea and vomiting in those undergoing cancer chemotherapy.



The investigators caution that the results of their current study are not intended to encourage or inform the use of other forms of medical marijuana, which are available in 38 states and the District of Columbia.



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Synthetic cannabis reduces agitation in Alzheimer’s patients

An FDA-approved synthetic version of THC (the main ingredient in...

No one enjoys a rude awakening, especially if it's a jarring climate change alarm clock. Plants, like humans, need time to adjust to new conditions. But what happens when climate change hits the snooze button on the slow pace of evolution?&nbsp;



We're about to unravel the story of the Arctic Siberian primrose, a hardy plant whose existence is threatened by rapid global warming and its struggle to adapt.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arctic-siberian-primrose">Arctic Siberian Primrose</h2>



Perched on the frosty edges of the Bothnian Bay and Arctic Ocean, the Siberian primrose has been battling the odds for centuries, ever resilient.&nbsp;



However, climate change is a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sloths-are-struggling-to-survive-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">formidable enemy</a>. How can plants adapt if they're nailed to the ground, unable to shift to more favorable environments, and evolution seems to be moving in slow motion?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threatened-by-rapid-climate-change">Threatened by rapid climate change </h2>



Researchers from the Finnish Museum of Natural History and the <a href="https://www.helsinki.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Helsinki</a> set out to investigate. 



"The Siberian primrose is a good example of a species threatened by rapidly advancing climate change. It cannot migrate to more favorable conditions due to geographic constraints, leaving adaptation in its current habitat as its only survival option," said study co-author Professor Marko Hyvärinen.



The team found out that the survival of the Siberian primrose hinges on one crucial condition - we must slow down climate change fast enough to give the flowers the time they need to evolve.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-lifeline-for-wild-species">A lifeline for wild species</h2>



Now, you might be wondering, how do we put the brakes on climate change? Enter the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-experts-predict-global-warming-will-far-exceed-paris-goals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paris Agreement</a>. Our prime suspect, climate change, can only be contained if we can stick to the targets established in this global climate accord. But that's no easy feat.



"Our research suggests that the evolutionary potential of wild species is seriously limited in the face of rapidly advancing climate change. This means that the future of many species is at stake, unless climate change is effectively curbed," said study lead author Anniina Mattila.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geographical-constraints-and-climate-change">Geographical constraints and climate change</h2>



Species limited to specific geographical regions, like the Siberian primrose, have particularly high stakes in this game of climate change roulette. They're boxed in by unsuitable habitats, often with no option but to adapt or perish.



Proactive conservation measures, such as targeted translocations and adaptive capacity studies, can offer a lifeline, but they can only go so far. Ultimately, the battlefront is climate change mitigation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adaptive-management-strategies">Adaptive management strategies </h2>



As the clock ticks on climate change, adaptive management offers hope for species confined by geographical limits. 



This proactive approach is a dynamic strategy that involves continuously revisiting and adjusting conservation practices based on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-climate-change-affect-deer-its-complicated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">latest data and developments</a>.&nbsp;



For the Siberian primrose, this could involve habitat restoration, managing genetic diversity, or even assisted migration to new locales where they can thrive. By doing so, conservationists aim to bolster the plant's resilience against the looming threat of environmental shifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advocacy-and-climate-change-awareness">Advocacy and climate change awareness</h2>



In the global climate crisis, public engagement is key to driving change. Raising awareness about endangered species like the Siberian primrose isn't just for scientists and policymakers; everyone can help.&nbsp;



By sharing knowledge and fostering a sense of urgency, people worldwide can contribute to conservation.&nbsp;



This can include supporting eco-friendly policies, joining citizen science projects, or sharing information in their communities. Together, our collective actions can create significant momentum for a more sustainable planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-a-global-call-to-action">Climate change: A global call to action</h2>



Here's the ultimate reality check. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that the global temperature has already risen by 1.1 degrees Celsius (2.0 degrees Fahrenheit) since the pre-industrial era, with the Arctic warming up to four times faster. 



Turning down the heat on climate change isn't just about saving our human homes. It's also about giving the silent flora and fauna - the Arctic Siberian primroses of the world - a fighting chance to adapt and thrive as nature intended.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-from-the-research">Learning from the research</h2>



So, what active steps can we take today? It's not just about recycling and using less plastic. It's a much broader viewpoint. Eating less meat, conserving water, reducing air travel, and switching to renewable energy sources are all powerful ways to fight climate change.



Every little action counts. Every degree we can dial down on global warming could be the lifeline species like the Arctic Siberian primrose need to survive and continue their evolutionary journey. And that could be the most significant legacy we leave behind.



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.1351" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences</a>.



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Climate change is happening too fast for some species to adapt

No one enjoys a rude awakening, especially if it's a...

Picture this: astronauts landing on Mars or the Moon, growing their own homes using mycelium bricks made from fungi. Straight out of a science fiction novel, right? Wrong. 



This concept is currently being investigated by NASA, and it might not be as far-fetched as it initially seems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nasa-s-fungi-frontier">NASA's fungi frontier</h2>



Steering this unique research is Lynn Rothschild, a senior scientist at NASA's <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/ames/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ames Research Center</a>, found in the heart of California's Silicon Valley. 



Rothschild and her team have been pushing the envelope on space habitat construction with their project, lovingly dubbed "<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/ames/could-future-homes-on-the-moon-and-mars-be-made-of-fungi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mycotecture Off Planet</a>." 



The project has recently been given a financial fillip through the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/stmd-the-nasa-innovative-advanced-concepts-niac/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NIAC</a>) program.



As Walt Engelund, associate administrator for Programs in the NASA's <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/space-technology-mission-directorate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Space Technology Mission Directorate</a>, puts it, "We are committed to advancing technologies to transport our astronauts, house our explorers, and facilitate valuable research." 



This commitment is reflected in the $2 million Phase III NIAC award that Rothschild's team has garnered, which will support their research for the next couple of years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growing-not-building-moon-homes">Growing, not building, Moon homes</h2>



Interested in how this concept works? It's quite simple really. Instead of lugging hefty building materials from Earth, astronauts would bring along lightweight structures imbued with dormant fungi. 



Upon reaching their final destination, a touch of water is all it takes to wake up the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungi-engage-in-more-conversations-after-rainfall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungi</a> and stimulate it to grow, forming a robust habitat around the framework. 



This ingenious method could potentially save a ton of resources and lighten the load for space missions.



The mycelia, the thread-like structures that form the bulk of fungi, are the MVPs here. They can grow into robust, intricate shapes that are just <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mycocrete-new-material-made-of-fungi-hopes-to-replace-concrete-in-construction-projects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">perfect for constructing habitats</a>. 



They can also be safely contained to avoid any contamination of the alien environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungi-will-keep-the-moon-green">Fungi will keep the Moon "green"</h2>



NASA Administrator Bill Nelson sums it up, "As NASA prepares to explore farther into the cosmos than ever before, it will require new science and technology that doesn't yet exist." 



The Mycotecture Off Planet project imbibes this forward-thinking approach. How do you live sustainably off-Earth? Grow your habitats!



But it's not just about building homes; it's about developing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mushroom-leather-mycelium-latest-eco-friendly-fashion-trend/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">multi-purpose materials</a> that can perform various functions in space. 



For example, mycelia could be utilized for water filtration and even for extracting minerals from waste water, vital for supporting astronauts' life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next?</h2>



So, where are we now? The team has already made massive leaps. 



Through previous NIAC funding, they've demonstrated the feasibility of the concept, creating <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/a-beginners-guide-to-mycology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungal-based biocomposites</a>, testing prototypes, and even contemplating enhancements like radiation protection.



NASA's commitment to innovative thinking shines through in this project. 



"NASA's space technology team and the NIAC program unlock visionary ideas -- ideas that make the impossible, possible," Bill Nelson says.



With the recently secured funding, Rothschild and her team can focus on improving the material properties of their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-distribute-enormous-amounts-of-co2-to-mycorrhizal-fungi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungal habitats</a> and move onto testing in low Earth orbit, a vital step before potential application in Moon or Mars missions.



John Nelson, NIAC Program Executive, highlights the value of these projects, "Mycotecture Off Planet exemplifies how advanced concepts can change how we envision future exploration missions." 



As NASA preps for Artemis, aiming for the moon and beyond to Mars, projects like these could have an instrumental role.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungi-homes-aren-t-just-for-astronauts">Fungi homes aren't just for astronauts</h2>



Why should you care about growing fungi in space? Beyond<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mushroom-is-given-a-robot-body-and-runs-wild-in-fascinating-video/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> the "wow" factor</a>, this research can impact us right here on Earth. 



With our eyes set on sustainable building materials, the technology being developed for space could trigger eco-friendly practices at home.



Moreover, the success of such projects fuels inspiration and ignites scientific interest in the next generation. It's about pushing boundaries, reimagining possibilities, and finding solutions that profit all.



Could mycelia-based construction be our future, in space and on Earth? These are intriguing times for space exploration, and what once seemed outrageous is now within reach.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungi-and-the-future-of-growing-homes-0">Fungi and the future of growing homes</h2>



To sum it all up, NASA's investment in this unprecedented research into the use of <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/understanding-fungi-characteristics-and-function/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungi and mycelium</a> to build bricks for space homes underscores the agency's commitment to developing technologies that could make long-term space living a reality. 



By "growing the box," scientists like Lynn Rothschild are morphing visionary ideas into tangible solutions.



So the next time you spot a mushroom popping up in your backyard, think about its distant cousin possibly helping humans live on the Moon or Mars.



 The fusion of biology and technology is unlocking doors we never thought possible, and the journey is only just beginning.



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NASA will use mushrooms to ‘grow homes’ on Mars and the Moon

Picture this: astronauts landing on Mars or the Moon, growing...

Our world is becoming increasingly familiar with massive wildfires, aptly termed "megafires," which ravage landscapes and ecosystems with unprecedented force.



These destructive forces of nature are known for their immediate devastation, but recent studies reveal that their impacts stretch far beyond the scorched earth, ash-filled air, and charred forests they leave in their wake.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smoke-drains-the-energy-reserves-of-trees">Smoke drains the energy reserves of trees</h2>



One of the less-observable effects of megafires is the long-lasting damage they impose on orchard trees. According to researchers, these effects can significantly disrupt future yields and agricultural stability.



In a game-changing study conducted at the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Davis</a>, scientists discovered that the thick smoke produced by megafires can adversely affect the energy reserves of trees and result in a staggering 50% reduction of their nut harvest.



This startling fact places new importance on understanding the role of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/twenty-years-of-air-quality-improvement-erased-by-wildfires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfires</a> and their smoke in both agricultural and natural ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-megafire-smoke-and-orchard-trees">Megafire smoke and orchard trees </h2>



The team at UC Davis had initially embarked on an assessment of how trees, specifically almond, pistachio and walnut varieties, handle heat and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drought-kills-trees-faster-than-previously-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drought</a> by storing energy in the form of carbohydrates. 



While their research was ongoing between 2018 to 2022, megafires in 2020 swept over 4.2 million acres across California. The fires produced a dense cover of smoke, ash, and particulate matter that lingered for weeks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-effects-of-prolonged-smoke">Effects of prolonged smoke</h2>



This unexpected development presented a unique opportunity to observe how the prolonged and pervasive smoky conditions might influence <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oak-trees-use-carbohydrate-reserves-to-survive-insect-invasions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbohydrate levels in trees</a> and ultimately affect their growth and productivity.



Study lead author Jessica Orozco from the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences elaborated on the potential impacts of megafire smoke on orchard trees. 



"<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> produces carbohydrates, which are critical elements for tree survival," Orozco explained. "Trees need carbohydrates not just to grow but to store energy for when they’re under stress or when photosynthesis isn’t happening."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lingering-impacts-of-megafire-smoke">Lingering impacts of megafire smoke</h2>



The thick smoke altered light conditions, occluding some direct sunlight and casting a shadow over the orchards, while simultaneously creating a diffuse light effect that filtered through the smoke.



This diffusion could potentially aid trees in generating more carbohydrates. However, Orozco explained that the smoke was so dense that its increase probably didn't offset the loss of direct sunlight.



The researchers observed that megafire smoke didn't just diminish the carbohydrate reserves in trees but instigated lasting losses, which pressed on even after the fires had been extinguished. 



Notably, the most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-wildfires-have-doubled-in-the-last-20-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">severe wildfire</a> activity often aligns with the period when trees begin to store carbohydrates to get through winter dormancy and fuel spring growth. The impact of smoke was far greater than anticipated. 



"We were expecting to see some impact especially in the months when the smoke was really dense, but we weren’t expecting the smoke to have such a lingering effect and result in a significant drop in yield,” said Orozco.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complexity-of-megafire-smoke">Complexity of megafire smoke</h2>



The scientists are not yet sure which components of megafire smoke caused this drastic drop in tree carbohydrate levels, but the complexity of the smoke's composition presents several possibilities.



It's plausible that one or a combination of factors, such as reduced light availability, elevated ozone concentrations, and increased particulate matter levels - all known to interfere with photosynthesis - are to blame for the significant decline in energy storage within the trees.



The findings underline one thing very clearly; the risks posed by wildfires are not just immediate and visible - they have far-reaching and enduring consequences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growing-threat-to-agriculture">Growing threat to agriculture</h2>



The impact of megafires extends beyond the immediate damage to crops and soil. As climate change accelerates, scientists warn that the frequency and intensity of megafires will continue to rise, posing a growing threat to agricultural production.



Hotter temperatures and prolonged drought conditions create the perfect environment for these large-scale fires to ignite and spread. 



The increasing prevalence of megafires highlights the urgent need for solutions that can mitigate the long-term impacts of smoke on crops. 



Early-warning systems, innovative farming techniques, and fire-resistant plant varieties could become essential tools in preserving agriculture in fire-prone regions. 



As megafires become more frequent, understanding their effects will be crucial for developing effective adaptation strategies.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-024-01819-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Plants</a>.



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Megafire smoke has long-lasting impacts on orchard trees

Our world is becoming increasingly familiar with massive wildfires, aptly...

Playing a monotonous sound can stimulate the activity of a fungus that promotes plant growth, according to a recent study led by Flinders University. This finding raises the possibility that playing sounds or music could benefit crops and gardens.



The idea that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-that-listen-to-music-grow-faster-and-healthier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music</a> might help plants grow has been debated for years. The popular U.S. TV show MythBusters even conducted an experiment on the topic, playing both death metal and classical music for plants. 



While the plants exposed to music grew slightly better than those left in silence, the results were deemed inconclusive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-and-plants-exploring-the-possibilities-nbsp">Music and plants: Exploring the possibilities&nbsp;</h2>



However, with mounting challenges to the plant world such as erosion, deforestation, pollution, and an extinction crisis, scientists are increasingly concerned about the future of global biodiversity and crop production.&nbsp;



According to a new study published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2024.0295" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biology Letters</a>, the potential role of acoustic stimulation in aiding ecosystem recovery and sustainable food systems is still largely unexplored.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exposing-a-fungus-to-sound">Exposing a fungus to sound</h2>



Building on earlier research that exposed E. coli bacteria to sound waves, a team of Australian researchers aimed to assess the effect of sound on the growth and spore production of the fungus Trichoderma harzianum.&nbsp;



This fungus is commonly used in organic farming due to its ability to protect plants from pathogens, improve nutrient content in soil, and promote overall <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-plants-grow-more-branches-and-become-bushy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant growth</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-white-noise-vs-silence-nbsp">White noise vs. silence&nbsp;</h2>



For the study, the researchers created small sound booths containing petri dishes full of the fungi. Instead of playing pop music, they chose a white noise sound known as “Tinnitus Flosser Masker at 8 kHz,” which is commonly used in YouTube videos intended to relieve tinnitus or help babies sleep.&nbsp;



The noise, described as resembling “the sound of an old-school radio in between channels,” was selected for experimental reasons, according to lead author Jake Robinson, a microbial ecologist at <a href="https://www.flinders.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flinders University</a>.



“We chose this monotone for controlled, experimental reasons, but it might be that a more diverse or natural soundscape is better,” Robinson said, adding that more research would be needed to explore this.



In the experiment, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-all-fungi-matter-not-just-mushrooms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungi</a> were exposed to the sound at a level of 80 decibels for 30 minutes a day. After five days, the researchers observed that the fungi exposed to the sound had higher growth and spore production compared to those left in silence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-might-music-stimulate-plant-growth">How might music stimulate plant growth?</h2>



While the study’s results are not definitive, the researchers proposed several potential explanations.&nbsp;



One theory is that the acoustic waves might trigger the piezoelectric effect, which converts sound into an electrical charge that could stimulate fungal growth.&nbsp;



Another possibility involves tiny receptors on the fungi's membranes, known as mechanoreceptors. These receptors, similar to those in human skin that help with touch, might react to the sound waves, leading to a cascade of biochemical events that activate growth-related genes.



“It might be that sound waves stimulate these mechanoreceptors in the fungi, which then trigger a cascade of biochemical events that lead to genes being switched on or off - for instance, the kind of genes responsible for growth,” Robinson explained.



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



Robinson emphasized that while their preliminary research suggests fungi respond to sound, it is still unclear if this benefits plants.&nbsp;



The next step, he said, would be to explore whether playing sound could influence entire <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbial-life-soil-planet-warming-global-carbon-cycle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbial communities</a> in the soil or even accelerate soil restoration processes.



“Can we influence soil or plant microbial communities as a whole? Can we speed up the soil restoration process by stimulating the earth with natural soundscapes? What impact might this have on the soil fauna? There are many important questions to keep us busy,” Robinson said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-acoustic-stimulation-and-plant-growth">Acoustic stimulation and plant growth</h2>



According to the researchers, the results indicate that acoustic stimulation influences plant growth-promoting fungal growth and potentially facilitates their functioning.&nbsp;



“The mechanism responsible for this phenomenon may be fungal mechanoreceptor stimulation and/or potentially a piezoelectric effect; however, further research is required to confirm this hypothesis,” the experts noted.&nbsp;



“Our novel study highlights the potential of acoustic stimulation to alter important fungal attributes, which could, with further development, be harnessed to aid ecosystem restoration and sustainable agriculture.”



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Can music help plants grow? 

Playing a monotonous sound can stimulate the activity of a...

They've cropped up in food, infiltrated our drinking water, find their way into our bodies and now, they've staked a claim in the world's most extensive rainforest. We're talking about PFAS, known as "forever chemicals," infiltrating the previously pristine Amazon rainforest. 



PFAS stands for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and they are notoriously known as "forever chemicals" because they last forever. 



But why should we be worried? And what exactly are these PFAS forever chemicals, anyway?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-pfas-forever-chemicals">What are PFAS forever chemicals?</h2>



PFAS are a class of human-made <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-can-now-trace-forever-chemicals-back-to-their-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemicals</a> used in a vast array of consumer products -- from non-stick pans to firefighting foam -- thanks to their potent oil and water repelling abilities. But this convenience comes at a hefty price.



PFAS have been linked to a host of health problems including infertility, behavioral disorders, and an assortment of cancers.



They're dubbed 'forever chemicals' -- and it's not because they're a symbol of eternal love -- they're designed to resist decomposition, sticking around indefinitely in our bodies and the environment at large.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pfas-forever-chemicals-in-the-amazon">PFAS forever chemicals in the Amazon</h2>



The study spearheaded by Dr. Ivan Kourtchev from <a href="https://www.coventry.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coventry University</a>'s research center for agroecology, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-filtration-system-removes-forever-chemicals-from-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water and resilience</a>, unearthed the presence of PFAS in the atmosphere surrounding the Amazonian trees.



The find was not only surprising but also deeply alarming. According to Dr. Kourtchev, the appearance of these 'forever chemicals' in the air above the seemingly untouched <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nearly-40-of-climate-critical-amazon-rainforest-is-unprotected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon rainforest</a> was nothing short of 'shocking'.



"Precisely what you don’t want to hear when talking about one of Earth's most precious and diverse ecosystems, right? But here we are," he commented.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amazon-under-threat">Amazon under threat</h2>



Dr. Kourtchev and his team are now on a mission to understand the potential risk these chemicals pose to Amazon's flora. 



"The Amazon is a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-amazon-rainforest-is-approaching-widespread-collapse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unique ecosystem</a> teeming with rare, exotic species. Any imbalance caused by these PFAS can spell disaster for biodiversity and species survival," he warned.



With over 30 million people calling the Amazon home, the risk is not limited to the ecosystem alone. These residents could be inhaling PFAS, exposing their bodies to the toxic effects of these chemicals. 



"Our bodies can mistake these chemicals for hormones, leading to infertility. This hormonal mimicry could disrupt the reproduction of unique animals and vegetation in the region as well," Dr. Kourtchev explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-following-the-forever-chemicals-trail">Following the forever chemicals trail</h2>



In an extensive study, the research team collected air samples from the top of the Amazon Tall Tower Observatory, standing tall at a whopping 1,066-foot (approximately 325 meters), mirroring the stature of the renowned Eiffel Tower.



The sample analysis, conducted back at Coventry University, was steered by Dr. Kourtchev employing a sensitive technique he previously pioneered.



What the team found was stirring -- PFAS were not locally sourced. They were transported long-range, making their way from afar. 



This puzzle prompted Dr. Kourtchev and his team to examine how these forever chemicals were being trafficked.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-call-for-awareness-and-action">Call for awareness and action</h2>



According to the team's paper, published in Science of The Total Environment, this research marked the first measurement of forever chemicals in the atmosphere of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-mortality-is-pushing-the-amazon-to-a-tipping-point/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon rainforest</a>.



The prevalence of PFAS in various day-to-day products and their ability to contaminate drinking water turn them into a serious health menace.



Remember, PFAS don't just vanish. They linger inside our bodies, leading to severe health issues including fertility problems and developmental complications, especially in pregnant women and their newborns. 



It's high time we raised awareness about their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-microbes-discovered-destroys-pfas-forever-chemicals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">possible environmental implications</a>, pushing for informed choices and safer practices.



The Amazon is the green lung of our planet, a dynamic and vibrant ecosystem that deserves our protection. 



As we continue to study and understand the impact of forever chemicals in this region, it's crucial for all of us to realize that the wellbeing of the Amazon is interlinked with our own.



So, what's our role in this story? Well, it begins with awareness, carries on with responsible product choices and ends with spreading the word. After all, these 'forever chemicals' should not dictate our future or that of the Amazon.



The study is published in the journal <a class="" href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S004896972404066X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science of The Total Environment</a>.&nbsp;



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Dangerous PFAS 'forever chemicals' found in the Amazon rainforest

They've cropped up in food, infiltrated our drinking water, find...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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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



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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



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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 



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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



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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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" 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> 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



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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



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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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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



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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