Cloud,Dust,Of,Tree

Spring is a time for blossoms and hay we often associate pollen with allergic reactions -- a cause of sniffles and sneezes. But who would've guessed that tiny pollen spores wield such power over clouds and the overall weather?



It turns out pollen plays a vital role in facilitating the freezing of water in clouds, inciting more precipitation and cloud ice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollen-more-than-meets-the-eye">Pollen: More than meets the eye</h2>



Dr. Jan Kretzschmar, meteorologist and lead author of the study from Leipzig University, alongside co-author Professor Johannes Quaas, Professor of Theoretical Meteorology at Leipzig, decided to take a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollen-can-actually-change-the-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">closer look</a> at how pollen impacts the weather.



Apparently, pollen enhances ice formation in clouds, even at temperatures between minus 15 and minus 25 degrees Celsius (5°F to -13°F). 



Without these ice-nucleating particles (INPs), water in clouds only freezes at temperatures below minus 38 degrees Celsius (-36°F).



“This is supported by laboratory results showing that pollen acts as an ice nucleus, influencing the freezing temperature of water in clouds and promoting precipitation,” says Dr. Kretzschmar.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollen-clouds-and-weather-patterns">Pollen, clouds and weather patterns</h2>



Globally, pollen's effect on ice formation might not seem substantial compared to other substances like dust. However, on a regional and seasonal level, pollen's power <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crops-worldwide-are-insufficiently-pollinated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">becomes evident</a>. 



We usually experience the pollen onslaught in the spring. Not only do these particles trigger our allergies, but they also rise into the atmosphere, entering cold air layers and stimulating ice formation.



Our tiny hero, pollen, doesn't stay up there for long. Its size restricts it to a short atmospheric tenure. But here's the plot twist: when pollen comes in contact with humid conditions, it ruptures into smaller fragments.&nbsp;



These minute particles stick around longer in the air and in large quantities, can penetrate cold atmospheric layers, triggering ice formation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollen-s-influence-on-clouds">Pollen's influence on clouds</h2>



Understanding how pollen impacts weather requires delving into its unique properties and interaction with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-records-shatter-2024-set-to-be-hottest-year-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric conditions</a>.&nbsp;



Pollen grains possess a rough surface and can absorb moisture, making them remarkably effective as ice-nucleating particles, particularly in certain environmental conditions. 



This quality is essential in the phase transition of water from liquid to solid, as the presence of such particles lowers the energy barrier for freezing. 



Through this process, pollen effectively accelerates the formation of ice crystals within clouds, an initiation crucial for precipitation development.&nbsp;



Consequently, pollen's interaction with existing cloud constituents helps propagate more extensive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-changing-rainfall-patterns-impact-plants-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">precipitation patterns</a>, making it a pivotal factor in local meteorology during peak pollen periods.



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



The revelation that pollen contributes significantly to cloud microphysics presents challenges and opportunities for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rainfall-is-increasingly-unpredictable-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric science</a>. 



Current climate models predominantly factor in major ice-nucleating agents like dust or soot, often overlooking the transient yet potent influence of pollen. 



Integrating pollen dynamics into these models can enhance predictive accuracy, especially in regions with prolific plant life. 



Future research is expected to focus on quantifying pollen's variability in different ecosystems, investigating its contribution to cloud dynamics, and exploring how changes in vegetation and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-is-expected-to-exceed-the-1-5c-warming-limit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> might alter its role.&nbsp;



By refining our understanding of pollen's multifaceted impact on the atmosphere, scientists can develop more comprehensive climate models that better capture the intricate interplay between terrestrial biosystems and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-rainfall-gets-an-unpredictable-boost-from-air-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric processes</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollen-s-role-in-a-changing-weather">Pollen's role in a changing weather</h2>



Now, let's take a dip into the pool of climate change. With the onset of the pollen season shifting, extending, and the volumes of pollen in the air increasing, we might be looking at heightened <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cities-experience-more-rainfall-than-surrounding-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">local precipitation</a>.



Biodiversity is another piece of the puzzle. In spring, numerous plant species let loose volumes of pollen simultaneously. This natural event impacts cloud formation and the amount of ice particles in the atmosphere.&nbsp;



How vast is this impact? That's what scientists are keen to figure out. Understanding pollen's role could help generate more accurate climate models.&nbsp;



If we can correctly simulate the effect of pollen and how it interacts with the climate, we will be able to make more accurate predictions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollen-an-important-factor-in-cloud-formation-nbsp">Pollen, an important factor in cloud formation&nbsp;</h2>



So, can we consider pollen as an unsuspecting player in our planet's weather system? Perhaps. The upcoming research results are eagerly awaited. 



You might have started reading this article thinking pollen was just a trivial plant byproduct. But now, doesn't it feel like there is more to the story?



Remember, every time you sneeze this spring season, there's more going on than just a minor allergy. You might just be witnessing a phenomenon that could change our understanding of the weather.



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This research was carried out by researchers from <a href="https://www.uni-leipzig.de" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leipzig University</a>, the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (<a href="https://www.tropos.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TROPOS</a>), the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (<a href="https://www.idiv.de/en/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iDiv</a>) Halle-Jena-Leipzig and the <a href="https://www.bgc-jena.mpg.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry</a>. It's astounding what everyday things can teach us.



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ad747a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Research Letters</a>.&nbsp;



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Pollen alters cloud formation and changes weather patterns

Spring is a time for blossoms and hay we often associate pollen with allergic reactions -- a cause of sniffles and sneezes. But who would've guessed that tiny pollen spores wield such power over clouds and the overall weather? It turns out pollen plays a vital role in facilitating the freezing of water in clouds, inciting more precipitation and cloud ice. Pollen: More than meets the eye Dr. Jan Kretzschmar, meteorologist and lead author of the study from Leipzig University, alongside co-author Professor Johannes Quaas, Professor of...

Europe's fascinating history is no stranger to tales of exotic indulgences, and the latest findings add an unexpected layer to this narrative - cocaine use that dates back as far as the 17th century.



This revelation is not just a footnote in history but provides significant insights into the lifestyles and cultures of ancient Europe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-fully-immersive-exploration">A fully immersive exploration </h2>



In the heart of Italy, researchers at the <a href="https://www.unimi.it/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Milan</a> are expanding our understanding of Europe's past substance use.



Together with colleagues from Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, the research team embarked on a journey to uncover the hidden stories of those who walked the streets of Europe centuries ago.



The study was not merely an attempt at investigating history, but a fully immersive exploration of preserved brains found in a crypt in Milan.



This crypt, lying in the shadows of the historical Ospedale Maggiore, served as the final resting place of many who took their last breath in the famed hospital.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-the-origins-of-cocaine">Tracing the origins of cocaine</h2>



Before we dig in further into the findings, it's important to understand the history of cocaine use itself.



For thousands of years, inhabitants of South America's western regions relied on the coca plant for its stimulating effects. 



Fast forward to the 19th century, scientists discovered that processing the leaves produced cocaine hydrochloride salts, thus making the euphoric and mind-altering impacts more potent. 



This led to the drug's rise in popularity throughout Europe as a recreational substance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-cocaine-use">Early cocaine use</h2>



The Milan team discovered that Europe's rendezvous with the coca plant started much earlier than previously assumed.



Buried beneath the grounds of the Ca’ Granda crypt, a revelation awaited the research team: Europeans were using this drug to experience its mind-altering effects almost 200 years prior to the 19th-century boom.



During their excavation, the researchers came across the remains of two individuals whose bodies had undergone natural mummification. This presented the team with an unprecedented chance to probe deeper into Europe's past.



Remarkably, active components of the coca plant were found in the preserved brains of both mummies - a clear indication that these individuals were partaking in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rosemary-compound-offers-hope-in-combating-cocaine-addiction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habit</a> of chewing coca leaves.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-pharmacological-past">The pharmacological past</h2>



Exploring the historical medical records of Ospedale Maggiore, the researchers found no evidence of medical use of cocaine or the coca plant, dismissing the possibility that the two individuals were using these leaves for medicinal purposes. 



Instead, it suggests that the reason behind their consumption was purely <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recreational-cannabis-use-protects-against-cognitive-decline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recreational</a>. Evidence also suggested that these two individuals were of modest means, as their burial site and method indicated poverty.



This leads us to imagine a time when coca leaves were not only cheap and abundant, but also served as a readily available recreational outlet for the less fortunate.



The study not only uncovers an intriguing aspect of Europe's past but also poses fascinating questions about the socio-cultural nuances of the time.



It’s an eye-opening reminder that the roots of today's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/child-maltreatment-triples-the-risk-of-substance-use/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">substance use</a> issues trace back much further than we might imagine.



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



The discovery of early cocaine use in Europe invites us to reconsider the cultural exchanges between continents during the 17th century. 



It highlights the profound impact of trade routes that were not just conduits for goods but also for ideas, customs, and substances that shaped societies. 



The research prompts a re-evaluation of the socio-cultural dynamics of the time, revealing how global interactions influenced personal habits and leisure activities across different classes.



Furthermore, the study raises questions about the perception and regulation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychoactive-drug-relieves-symptoms-of-traumatic-brain-injury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psychoactive</a> substances throughout history. It challenges the notion that modern society's struggles with drug use are solely a contemporary issue, instead suggesting a longstanding human curiosity and relationship with mind-altering substances.



As researchers continue to unearth the layers of Europe’s past, this fascinating glimpse into early cocaine use serves as a witness to the complexity and interconnectedness of human history. The findings highlight the importance of interdisciplinary research in unveiling hidden chapters that challenge our understanding of historical narratives.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0305440324001080" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Archaeological Science</a>.



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Cocaine use detected in the brains of 17th century mummies

Europe's fascinating history is no stranger to tales of exotic...

Here on Earth, tomatoes grow best in fertile soil that is rich in nutrients like potassium and phosphorus. But can we grow tomatoes in the weightless environment of space? 



Thanks to a dedicated team of scientists, space-grown tomatoes will soon become a reality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tomato-plants-are-ready-for-launch">Tomato plants are ready for launch</h2>



Imagine biting into a fresh, juicy tomato cultivated on an extraterrestrial station orbiting 260 miles above our planet. 



This isn’t a distant futuristic vision but an emerging reality, with specially engineered tomato plants set to embark on a journey to the International Space Station (ISS).



These are no ordinary tomatoes. Compact, engineered to thrive in minimal space, and painstakingly developed for astronomic growth, these plants are setting a course for the International Space Station (ISS). 



The tomatoes are currently under observation at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with a payload flight scheduled within the next year or so.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growing-tomatoes-in-space">Growing tomatoes in space</h2>



The journey will initiate an unprecedented event – these tomato seeds will germinate and bear fruit on the ISS, within its Advanced Plant Habitat laboratory.



The seeds from this first-generation space fruit will then plant the roots for a second generation of tomatoes in the stars.



"So, it’s going to be a seed-to-a-seed-to-a-seed, which has never been done before in space," noted Robert Jinkerson, a professor in the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering at <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Riverside</a>.



But why tomatoes, you ask? Designed to bear fruit in compact spaces, these plants are potential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/watermeal-may-become-an-essential-food-for-astronauts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food sources for astronauts</a> – a development years in the making.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-space-technology">SPACE technology</h2>



The remarkable research was led by Martha Orozco-Cárdenas of UCR's Plant Transformation Research Center. Using CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology, Orozco-Cárdenas downsized ordinary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tomato-plants-talk-to-one-another-to-signal-danger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tomato plants</a>, reducing the leaf to fruit ratio.



Backed by an $800,000 grant from the NASA-funded Translational Research Institute for Space Health, further engineering led to the creation of the space-ready tomatoes.



Known as Small Plants for Space Expeditions (SPACE), this technology could extend to other crops on the ISS and future space colonies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-space-grown-foods">Exploring space-grown foods</h2>



Tomatoes may have company soon. The UCR team is exploring options to grow edible yeast, green algae, and mushrooms in space. Their efforts were recognized when they won $250,000 in NASA’s Deep Space Food Challenge.



The unprecedented research relies on innovative techniques. Eschewing sunlight, a key element for most agricultural cultivation, the team grows mushrooms using acetate, a carbon-based compound. The result - an estimated production of about 4,000 calories per day, surpassing the productivity of biological photosynthesis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environment-adaptive-agriculture">Environment-adaptive agriculture</h2>



The research bears significant implications for earthly agriculture too. Compact, indoor-growing crops could be the future of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-crops-have-higher-yields-in-an-urban-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urban agriculture</a>. Vertical farming, with multilayered hydroponically-fed crops, may also play a role in the forthcoming agricultural revolution.



The SPACE tomato, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-find-genes-that-help-fruit-adapt-to-droughts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adapted</a> to thrive in confined spaces, could soon become available for urban farming. This innovation becomes crucial in regions experiencing climate changes that make outdoor cultivation untenable.



The research team is working towards cultivating food-producing organisms in the dark using acetate as their sole source of carbon and energy, sidestepping the need for photosynthesis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gearing-up-for-the-green-revolution">Gearing up for the green revolution </h2>



Despite being able to grow yeast, mushrooms, and green algae in the dark feeding on acetate, growing tomatoes and other crops under these conditions remains a hurdle due to the toxicity of acetate to adult plants.



The researchers are exploring solutions, aiming to engineer metabolic processes found in germinating seeds that can utilize acetate. Such dark cultivation could revolutionize agriculture by enabling more widespread indoor cultivation wherever electricity is available.



This would increase the efficiency of food production, reduce agricultural land use, and mitigate its environmental impact. For space agriculture, this increased energy efficiency could help feed more crew members with fewer resources.



Ultimately, the next technological breakthrough in agriculture might well come from a humble tomato plant, grown in the controlled environment of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-space-radiation-affect-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space station</a>.



As we grapple with the challenges of climate change and a rapidly expanding global population, the cosmic tomato could be a critical ingredient in the recipe for a sustainable future.



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Space tomatoes are ready for an unprecedented mission

Here on Earth, tomatoes grow best in fertile soil that...

By analyzing crop yields of over 1,500 fields on six continents, a team of scientists led by Rutgers University-New Brunswick has recently found that global production of important, nutritious foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes is limited by a significant lack of pollinators.



The experts discovered that across various crops and locations, one-third to two-thirds of farms have fields which are not producing at the levels they should be due to a lack of pollinators, a phenomenon known as “pollinator limitation.” These findings are particularly timely considering recent concerns about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollinators-face-extinction-risk-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global declines</a> in insect abundance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-concern-and-optimism">Concern and optimism</h2>



“Our findings are a cause for concern and optimism,” said Katie Turo, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources in the <a href="https://sebs.rutgers.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences</a>. 



“We did detect widespread yield deficits. However, we also estimate that, through continued investment in pollinator management and research, it is likely that we can improve the efficiency of our existing crop fields to meet the nutritional needs of our global population.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comprehensive-database-of-crop-pollination">Comprehensive database of crop pollination</h2>



The researchers conducted a statistical analysis of over 200,000 bee visitations to crop flowers, by using one of the world’s most comprehensive databases on pollinated crops. 



Senior author Rachael Winfree, a professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, collaborated with various colleagues from South America and Europe to compile the most comprehensive database of crop pollination studies on the globe. This open-source database includes three decades of field observations of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bees-face-a-multitude-of-complex-stressors-in-the-field/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a> and other pollinators.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crops-pollinated-by-insects">Crops pollinated by insects</h2>



The findings do not apply to major food crops like rice and wheat, which do not require pollinators for reproduction.&nbsp;



Nevertheless, pollination by bees and other animals is critical to the proliferation of “nutrient-dense and interesting foods that we like and are culturally relevant,” such as fruits, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-learned-why-so-many-kids-dislike-vegetables/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vegetables</a>, nuts, and legumes, as Turo noted.



“If you look through a list of crops and think about which fruits and vegetables you’re most excited to eat - like summer berries or apples and pumpkins in the fall - those are the crops that typically need to be pollinated by insects,” she said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollinators-and-flowering-plants">Pollinators and flowering plants</h2>



Pollination refers to the process of transferring pollen from the male to the female part of a flower, allowing plants to be fertilized and reproduced. Pollen can be moved around by wind, water or, most frequently, pollinators like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bees-are-very-loyal-to-their-flower-patches/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">honey bees</a> and other other animals, including bats.



According to previous studies, pollinators contribute to the reproduction of nearly 88 percent of the flowering plants and 76 percent of the main global food crops, and bees appear to be the most effective pollinators because they visit more flowers and carry more pollen than other insects.&nbsp;



The analysis revealed that blueberry, coffee and apple crops were most frequently impacted by pollinator limitation, while yield deficits were found for 25 crops in 85 percent of the countries evaluated.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paying-more-attention-to-pollinators-nbsp">Paying more attention to pollinators&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers remain optimistic that current yield deficits could be remediated with increases in pollinator visitation across individual crop fields. Fortunately, in some cases a sufficient number of bees were already visiting some fields.



“Our findings show variations in sensitivity to pollinator limitation across diverse crop systems and indicate that realistic increases in pollinator visitation could mitigate crop yield shortfalls attributable to pollinator limitation,” noted the study authors.&nbsp;



According to Turo, if field managers manage to improve consistency across both high- and low-yield fields, much of the identified yield problems could be fixed.



Winfree said the findings are significant because <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/floral-interventions-on-farms-boost-pollinators-and-crop-yields/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crop yields</a>, which measure the amount of crops grown per unit area of land, are relevant to assessing the adequacy of the world’s food supply relative to its population. 



“Our findings show that by paying more attention to pollinators, growers could make agricultural fields more productive,” Winfree concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-024-02460-2">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>.



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Crops worldwide are insufficiently pollinated

By analyzing crop yields of over 1,500 fields on six...

When you stroll through a northern forest, you might not realize that you're meandering through a precious carbon vault. Its soils lock away carbon dioxide that trees absorb and use for photosynthesis, helping our planet breath a little easier. But what happens when the climate becomes too hot to handle?



This was the focus of an intriguing study led by Peter Reich from the University of Michigan. With decades of dedication to understanding our natural world, Reich is the director of the Institute for Global Change Biology at U-M.



The results of the study may change what we know about global warming and the role of our faithful forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-so-cool-side-of-global-warming">Not-so-cool side of global warming</h2>



Global warming is known to turn up the heat on our planet, but it may be turning up the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-forests-can-store-the-most-soil-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pressure on our soils too</a>. 



Reich's team discovered that as temperatures rise, soils lose more carbon than plants can replace. The carbon escapes back into the atmosphere, contributing to an ominous cycle of increasing temperatures and mounting carbon emissions.



"This is not good news because it suggests that, as the world warms, soils are going to give back some of their carbon to the atmosphere," said Reich.&nbsp;



Study lead author Dr. Guopeng Liang was a postdoc researcher at the University of Minnesota during the study. He is currently a postdoc researcher at <a href="https://www.yale.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yale University</a> and an exchange fellow at the Institute for Global Change Biology.



"The big picture story is that losing more carbon is always going to be a bad thing for climate," said Dr. Liang.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-varying-carbon-cycle-in-soils">Varying carbon cycle in soils</h2>



Understanding how temperature fluctuations affect the carbon cycle within soils is crucial for forecasting future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-pool-of-global-soil-carbon-alters-climate-change-models/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate changes</a>. Our forests are not just picturesque havens for wildlife; they hold approximately 40% of the Earth's soil carbon.



Several studies have been conducted to ascertain how climate change may alter the carbon flux from forest soils. However, most of these studies are relatively short, lasting no more than three years, and they tend to examine warming in the soil or the air above it, but not both.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-experiments">Unique experiments</h2>



Reich and his team broke away from the traditional methodologies, conducting what is believed to be the first experiment of its kind. 



The experts meticulously controlled not just the soil temperatures, but also the above-ground temperatures in open air- all without the use of any enclosures and, they kept this study running for over a dozen years.



"Our experiment is unique. It's far and away the most realistic experiment like this in the world," Reich asserts.



The project received financial support from the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the <a href="https://twin-cities.umn.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Minnesota</a>. 



Collaborators from these institutions, along with the <a href="https://illinois.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Illinois</a> and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, joined forces with Reich and Liang for this study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-soil-respiration-and-carbon-cycle">Soil respiration and carbon cycle</h2>



The team explored two warming scenarios at two sites in northern Minnesota, each consisting of 36 plots. They found that soil respiration - the process that releases carbon dioxide - increased by 7% under a modest warming scenario and by a whopping 17% under the more extreme case.



Interestingly, they also found that soil moisture, which decreases at warmer temperatures due to faster water loss from plants and soils, can restrict this carbon release. Microbes, essential for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-rooted-crops-can-significantly-improve-soil-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">soil respiration</a>, prefer wetter soils, thus the drier soils limit their activity.



"The take-home message here is that forests are going to lose more carbon than we would like. But maybe not as much as they would if this drying wasn’t happening," said Reich.



So, next time you walk through a northern forest, take a moment to appreciate the complex and vital role it plays in our planet's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-soil-bacteria-contribute-to-atmospheric-co2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon cycle</a>. Like an unsung hero, the soil beneath our feet strives to trap carbon, despite the escalating global temperatures.



As we continue to unravel the secrets of our natural world, remember to do your part in preserving it. After all, our future depends on the choices we make today.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01512-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>.



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Warming soils release more carbon than plants can replace

When you stroll through a northern forest, you might not...

When we think of forests, several incredible benefits may spring to mind. Forests offset greenhouse gas emissions through their natural carbon storage capacity. They provide habitats for wildlife, increase biodiversity, and offer unparalleled recreational opportunities. 



In Michigan, forests serve as a vital economic engine that contributed over $26 billion to the state's economy in 2022. 



And now, researchers at Michigan State University are highlighting an invisible standout benefit: these woodlands play an instrumental role in supplying and sanitizing our drinking water.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unearthing-the-forest-water-nexus">Unearthing the forest-water nexus</h2>



The study was led by Emily Huff, an associate professor in the <a href="https://seas.umich.edu/academics/courses/forest-ecology-and-management" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U-M Department of Forestry</a>, and colleagues Asia Dowtin, Emily Huizenga, and Jo Latimore.



"Billions of people around the world rely on forests to filter and provide clean drinking water," noted the researchers.



"The immense value of drinking water can be a strong rationale for conserving and sustainably managing forests, however, people are often unaware of this forest ecosystem service of providing clean drinking water which can lead to the service’s degradation."



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



The team set out to investigate how stakeholders perceive woodlands' ability to provide <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/over-4-4-billion-people-lack-access-to-safe-drinking-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clean drinking water</a>.



Stakeholders in this study were categorized into seven groups: water consumers, water utility providers, forest landowners, industry partners, policymakers, local governments, and nonprofit organizations. 



“Generally speaking, most people understood that where there are forests, there’s cleaner and more abundant water. However, they didn’t make the functional link that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-day-of-forests-2024-new-solutions-for-a-better-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conserving forests</a> results in cleaner drinking water," explained Huff.



This oversight arises due to a lack of awareness about the origin of household drinking water and the significant contribution of woodlands to its cleanliness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-link-between-forests-and-clean-water">Ecological link between forests and clean water</h2>



“The conclusion we came to for why this is, is partly because Michigan is varied when it relates to where water comes from and flows to throughout different watersheds. There’s a huge focus on overall Great Lakes water quality, but maybe less so specifically on drinking water,” said Huff.



Despite the fact that over 150 million people in the U.S. depend on woodlands to filter their drinking water, many remain oblivious to this ecological connection.



In Michigan specifically, 56% of residents rely on surface water for drinking, while the remaining 44% use <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/groundwater-has-a-vital-role-in-ecosystem-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">groundwater</a>, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.



The state's vast woodland coverage, therefore, plays an integral role in ensuring the availability and purity of its water supply.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-nature-s-water-filtration-system">Forests: Nature’s water filtration system</h2>



Forests act as a natural filtration system, safeguarding our water in several ways. Their leafy canopies buffer the impact of heavy rain on the forest floor, reducing erosion and thereby limiting the pollution of nearby bodies of water.



As rainwater permeates the soil and becomes groundwater, the forest roots absorb nutrients and filter it further.



“In 2016, we were only a couple years removed from the beginning of the Flint <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tackling-the-worlds-climate-driven-water-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water crisis</a> when drinking water was a crisis in Michigan and something we needed to pay more attention to," said Mike Smalligan, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) forest stewardship coordinator.



Smalligan said he wanted forests and the Michigan DNR to be more relevant to a conversation about drinking water. An initiative called “Forest to Mi Faucet” was created to explain how forests in Michigan protect drinking water.



Forest to Mi Faucet also helps find ways to lower water treatment costs for communities through forest filtration, teaches landowners how to responsibly manage woodlands, and promotes strategic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-too-many-trees-could-spoil-the-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree planting</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-awareness-action-and-conservation">Awareness, action, and conservation</h2>



"Healthy forests protect clean drinking water, and healthy forests are sometimes actively managed for forest products," said Huff. 



"There are ways to log forests that are sensitive to water quality and quantity, and at the end of the day, having forests where they are far surpasses any other land use when it comes to water quality and quantity.”



Looking forward, Huff and her team see an opportunity to create a market compensating landowners and forest managers for the water-based ecosystem services their woodlands provide. 



“That would essentially mean that money moves from the consumer or utility provider upstream to the forest landowner or manager so that forests are protected via a system where the beneficiaries - the consumers of water - pay forest landowners or managers to keep their lands as forests,” Huff explained.



The study is published in the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1752-1688.13002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of American Water Resources Association</a>.



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Forests play a crucial role in clean drinking water

When we think of forests, several incredible benefits may spring...

As the world of today puts on its thinking cap, a new appreciation for unconventional methods is on the rise. A peculiar one among these is the use of psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, in treating depressive symptoms.



Psilocybin is popularly known as the active ingredient in magic mushrooms. An intriguing study recently published in The BMJ tells us that high dose psilocybin could be as effective as popular SSRI drug escitalopram in managing depressive symptoms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psilocybin-and-depression-trials">Psilocybin and depression trials</h2>



The study authors report that patient responses were better in high dose psilocybin treatments than those on placebo in antidepressant trials. But, what's the catch? The extent of the effect was not massive, but the potential is there.



The diligent researchers behind the review and meta-analysis are affiliated with the BMJ Group, a globally respected player in the medical research landscape. Through their careful evaluation of numerous trials, these scientists have shed new light on psilocybin’s potential role.



To get a clearer picture, the researchers painstakingly searched scientific databases, identifying randomized controlled trials that assessed the effects of psychedelics or escitalopram on adults with acute depressive symptoms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psilocybin-and-psychedelic-perspective">Psilocybin and psychedelic perspective</h2>



Psychedelics have been gaining attention in the realm of psychiatric treatment. Some might even call it a paradigm shift. 



However, it's important to note that there are significant challenges. The subjective nature of psychedelic experiences can distort results, and the psychological support that usually accompanies psychedelic treatment can make it hard to isolate the effects of the drugs themselves.



That being said, the researchers found a glimmer of hope. The research included 811 people participating in 15 psychedelic trials and 1,968 people participating in five escitalopram trials.



The participants' average age was 42 and 39 respectively, with women making up more than half of both groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-in-the-psychedelic-sky">Star in the psychedelic sky</h2>



The study's most exciting find? High dose psilocybin was the only psychedelic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/measuring-psilocybin-mushroom-potency-just-got-easier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">treatment</a> that performed better than a placebo in escitalopram trials. Its effect size was small, but comparable to that of current antidepressant drugs.



If you have concerns about the safety of using psychedelics like psilocybin, a recent study offers some reassuring insights. The research focused on the effects of psilocybin and other similar interventions, assessing their safety profile in comparison to a placebo. 



Importantly, the findings revealed that none of the interventions were linked to a higher rate of severe adverse events. This includes serious issues such as death, hospitalization, or suicide attempts, as well as the rate of discontinuation of treatment. 



This suggests that, when used responsibly and under appropriate conditions, psychedelics may not pose the heightened risks some fear, providing a promising avenue for exploration in mental health treatment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psilocybin-and-depression-treatment">Psilocybin and depression treatment </h2>



The exploration of psilocybin as a potential treatment for depression is just getting started. As researchers delve into how psychedelics <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-before-psilocybin-mushrooms-brain-on-psilocybin-mushrooms-any-questions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interact with our brains</a>, it's important to balance excitement with caution. 



The early results are encouraging, but they raise many questions about how psilocybin actually works. Psychopharmacology plays a crucial role in uncovering these mysteries, helping us understand how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-psilocybin-mushrooms-got-their-magic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">these substances</a> affect our neurotransmitters and thinking. 



By encouraging open conversations between doctors, researchers, and those who have experienced these therapies, we can learn to integrate psychedelics into future treatment approaches in a responsible way.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-fine-print">The fine print</h2>



But, like any study, it's critical to acknowledge its limitations. The researchers admitted the sample size was small, and they only assessed the acute effects of interventions. Long term effects of psychedelics and escitalopram remain uncertain.



“Serotonergic psychedelics, especially high dose psilocybin, appeared to have the potential to treat depressive symptoms. Our analysis suggested that the standardised mean difference of high dose psilocybin was similar to that of current antidepressant drugs, showing a small effect size,” the researchers conclude.



“Improved blinding methods and standardised psychotherapies can help researchers to better estimate the efficacy of psychedelics for depressive symptoms and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mushroom-magic-new-species-discovered-in-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psychiatric conditions</a>.”



They suggest improved blinding methods and standardized psychotherapies can help provide a better estimate of psychedelics' efficacy for depressive symptoms and other psychiatric conditions.



As the scientific community strives to explore further, this study sparks a thought-provoking conversation, doesn't it? Dare we open the door to psychedelics as a potential tool to combat depression? It's a question worth asking.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/386/bmj-2023-078607" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The BMJ</a>.



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Confirmed: Magic mushrooms can effectively treat depression

As the world of today puts on its thinking cap,...

A remarkable study reveals a promising new avenue for combating cocaine addiction. The research points towards a compound present in the rosemary plant as a potential therapy for addiction - but not in the way you might expect.



The scientists focused their attention on a part of the brain known as the globus pallidus externus (GPe), a sort of gatekeeper that affects individual reactions to cocaine. 



The research revealed that specific neurons within the GPe, known as parvalbumin-positive neurons, play an essential role in regulating our responses to cocaine by altering dopamine, the brain's pleasure molecule.



Study co-author Kevin Beier is an associate professor of physiology and biophysics at <a href="https://uci.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Irvine</a>. 



"Our study deepens our understanding of the basic brain mechanisms that increase vulnerability to substance use disorder-related outcomes and provides a foundation for the development of new interventions," said Beier.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moderating-the-brain-s-cocaine-reward-response">Moderating the brain's cocaine reward response</h2>



Beier noted that there are currently no effective therapeutics for dependence on psychostimulants such as cocaine, which, along with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-discovery-offers-hope-for-tackling-opioid-addiction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">opioids</a>, represent a substantial health burden.



The research has far-reaching implications not just for cocaine addiction, but for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/child-maltreatment-triples-the-risk-of-substance-use/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">substance use</a> disorders in general, and it could become a vital tool for developing more effective interventions across a broad spectrum of addictive behaviors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rosemary-to-the-rescue">Rosemary to the rescue</h2>



The most striking revelation came as the team observed the behavior and neural responses of mice who were repeatedly exposed to cocaine.



This chronic cocaine exposure significantly heightened the excitability of the GPe parvalbumin-positive cells, which in turn caused a substantial reduction in the expression of specific proteins that are crucial for maintaining the normal activity of these GPe cells.



The experts discovered that carnosic acid, a potent antioxidant isolate from rosemary extract, selectively binds to the affected ion channels within these neurons.



This binding provides a targeted and precise mechanism to dampen the heightened response to cocaine, offering a promising avenue for reducing the drug’s impact in a relatively specific and controlled fashion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-substance-use-disorder-vulnerability">Substance use disorder vulnerability</h2>



"Only a subset of individuals are vulnerable to developing a substance use disorder, but we cannot yet identify who they are. If GPe cell activity can effectively predict response to cocaine, it could be used to measure likely responses and thus serve as a biomarker for the most vulnerable," said Beier. 



"Furthermore, it's possible that carnosic acid could be given to those at high risk to reduce the response to cocaine."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-safely-battling-cocaine-addiction">Safely battling cocaine addiction </h2>



As hopeful as these findings are, further research is required to thoroughly assess any potential side effects of carnosic acid, ensuring its safety and efficacy for long-term use. 



Additionally, scientists need to determine the optimal dosage and timing to maximize its therapeutic benefits while minimizing risks. 



Beyond just cocaine, the research team is also eager to explore carnosic acid's potential in reducing the craving and dependency associated with other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-use-is-up-by-20-percent-in-states-where-its-legal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">addictive substances</a>.



The team is particularly keen on developing more potent and focused variants of the compound, aiming to enhance its specificity and effectiveness in targeting the neural pathways involved in addiction. 



These advanced versions of carnosic acid could pave the way for a new class of treatments, offering hope for those struggling with various forms of substance use disorders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-cocaine-addiction">Beyond cocaine addiction </h2>



While the current study highlights the significant potential of rosemary's carnosic acid in addressing cocaine dependence, the broader implications of the research could extend far beyond just one substance.



The mechanisms uncovered by the researchers, particularly the critical role of the GPe and parvalbumin-positive neurons in moderating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dopamine-helps-us-understand-ourselves-and-others/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dopamine</a> responses, may be highly relevant to a wide array of substance use disorders.



By strategically targeting these specific neural pathways, researchers believe that new, more effective therapeutic approaches could be developed. The ultimate goal is to treat addiction to a range of drugs, including opioids, methamphetamines, and other psychostimulants.



The research paves the way for innovative treatments that could revolutionize the way <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-addiction-may-qualify-as-substance-use-disorder/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">substance use disorders</a> are managed, offering hope to millions struggling with addiction.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(24)00540-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neuron</a>.



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Rosemary compound offers hope in combating cocaine addiction

A remarkable study reveals a promising new avenue for combating...

Organic farming and flower strips are extremely beneficial for honey bee health, helping colonies that live in their vicinity grow stronger and more resilient. This happens most likely because the honey bees have a continuous and diverse food supply there, while being less exposed to pesticides.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farming-styles-impact-honey-bee-health">Farming styles impact honey bee health</h2>



To reach this conclusion, a team of scientists from <a href="https://www.uni-halle.de/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg</a> (MLU) and the <a href="https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/1.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Göttingen</a> analyzed data from 32 bee colonies at 16 locations in Germany with various proportions of organic fields, flower strips and semi-natural habitats.



About half of Germany’s land is used for agriculture, according to the <a href="https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">German Environment Agency</a> (UBA). “The way that farmers cultivate their land has a major impact on nature. Intensively farmed fields, pesticides and monocultures pose a threat to many animal and plant species. This is particularly true for pollinators, which include honey bees,” said Robert Paxton, a bee researcher at MLU. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mitigating-the-effects-of-intensive-farming-nbsp">Mitigating the effects of intensive farming&nbsp;</h2>



Some important measures counteracting this trend include increasing the proportion of organic farming, planting more flower strips, and devising perennial semi-natural areas near crop fields.&nbsp;



“In theory, these measures all make sense. However, we know little about how each of these affect insects, especially honey bees,” Paxton said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-organic-farming-and-honey-bee-health">Organic farming and honey bee health</h2>



To clarify these issues, the scientists carried out research at 16 locations in Lower Saxony, Germany. Each of these locations were different in the proportion of organic fields, flower strips and perennial semi-natural habitats surrounding them.&nbsp;



The experts placed honey bee colonies at each of these sites and observed them for a year. They took into consideration colony growth and parasite infestation, paying special attention to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/varroa-mites-honey-bees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">varroa mite</a>, an extremely dangerous pest of honey bees that can transmit lethal viruses. 



Then, they compared data regarding the colonies. “Organic farming had the greatest impact - the larger the proportion of these areas, the lower the parasite infestation of a colony. This improved colony growth,” explained lead author Patrycja Pluta from MLU.&nbsp;



Most likely, this occurred since organic farming uses fewer pesticides, employing alternative plant protection measures.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flower-strips-and-honey-bee-health">Flower strips and honey bee health</h2>



Flower strips appeared particularly advantageous to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-honey-bee-day-protecting-our-vital-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">honey bees</a>. For instance, the number of Varroa mites was found to be lower in areas with many flower strips. “This could be due to the fact that a diverse and rich food supply strengthens the honey bees’ immune system,” Pluta said. 



However, perennial semi-natural habitats turned out to be disadvantageous for honey bees, since  larger areas usually meant a greater infestation of varroa mites. In addition, unlike flower strips, such areas are not designed to offer abundant supplies of food for honey bees and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollinators-face-extinction-risk-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinators</a>. 



“Perennial semi-natural landscapes are an important tool for promoting biodiversity and they serve as a habitat for many animals. Honey bees, that are managed by humans, are the exception,” Paxton said.&nbsp;



This study, published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14723" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Applied Ecology</a>, is an important step forward in improving agricultural landscape management for bees and other pollinators.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threats-to-the-survival-of-honey-bees">Threats to the survival of honey bees</h2>



The research is particularly important, as honey bees face a combination of threats that create a challenging environment which makes it difficult for them to thrive and sustain the essential pollination services they provide to agriculture and natural ecosystems.&nbsp;



One of the most well-known threats is the widespread use of pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids, which can impair bees' ability to navigate, forage, and reproduce. Exposure to these chemicals can weaken bees and make them more susceptible to diseases and parasites.&nbsp;



Speaking of parasites, the Varroa destructor mite is another significant threat to honeybees. This tiny parasite feeds on the blood of bees and can transmit deadly viruses, weakening the colony over time.



In addition to these direct threats, honeybees are also affected by habitat loss due to urbanization, agriculture, and climate change. The loss of wildflowers and other foraging resources reduces the availability of nectar and pollen, which bees need to survive.&nbsp;



Climate change further exacerbates these issues by altering flowering times and creating mismatches between when bees are active and when flowers are available. This can lead to poor nutrition for bees, which makes them less resilient to other stresses.



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Organic farming and flower strips improve honey bee health

Organic farming and flower strips are extremely beneficial for honey...

Who doesn't love a good fruit smoothie? It's a delightful way to pack in your daily dose of fruits and vegetables. But could the banana-blueberry smoothie you're sipping on be robbing you of some vital nutrients?



This is what a new study from the University of California, Davis, seems to point at. The research explores how blending certain fruits together can affect your body’s nutritional intake.



The key figure guiding this fascinating exploration is Javier Ottaviani, who holds the dual position of director of the Core Laboratory of Mars Edge (part of the confectionery powerhouse, Mars, Inc.) and being an adjunct researcher with the <a href="https://nutrition.ucdavis.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Davis Department of Nutrition</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science-behind-your-favorite-smoothie">The science behind your favorite smoothie</h2>



The research, featured in the Royal Society of Chemistry's journal <a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2023/fo/d3fo01599h" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food &amp; Function</a>, sets its sight on how the enzyme found in many fruits and vegetables - polyphenol oxidase (PPO) - influences the quantity of flavanols our bodies can squish out from food.



Flavanols are bioactive compounds that do wonders for your heart health and cognition, and are naturally present in fruits like apples, pears, blueberries, blackberries, and even cocoa - the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-science-behind-a-smoothie-the-fruit-you-choose-makes-a-difference/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">usual suspects</a> in your smoothie mix.



"Through the study, we were interested in understanding how the seemingly benign process of making a banana-based smoothie could impact flavanol absorption," said Ottaviani.



Remember how apples or bananas tend to brown when you slice them or even peel them? That's our enzyme, PPO, kicking into action. The team sought out to investigate whether drinking smoothies made from fruits with varying degrees of PPO content would affect flavanol intake.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bananas-vs-berries-smoothie-showdown">Bananas vs. berries: Smoothie showdown</h2>



For the study, participants were asked to drink a banana smoothie (a fruit with high PPO activity) and a mixed berries smoothie (with low PPO activity). The team then examined blood and urine samples to see how much flavanols were absorbed after each smoothie.



The findings? The banana smoothie drinkers had an 84% lower flavanol level in their bodies compared to the control group. 



"It was surprising to see how adding just one banana could dramatically decrease the flavanol level in the smoothie and, in turn, the flavanol absorbed by the body," said Ottaviani.



The finding is a potent reminder of how food combinations and preparation methods can impact the absorption of dietary compounds from our food.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smoothie-hacks-for-optimal-health">Smoothie hacks for optimal health</h2>



Now before you start eyeing bananas with suspicion, let's make a couple of things clear. Bananas are still fantastic for you. In fact, last year, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advised people to consume 400 to 600 milligrams of flavanols daily for cardiometabolic health.



What the study suggests is, if you're keen on getting those flavanols, consider making smoothies with fruits rich in flavanols like berries, and blend them with other low PPO ingredients like pineapple, oranges, mango, or even yogurt.



If you love adding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/banana-apocalypse-can-science-save-our-favorite-fruit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bananas</a> to your smoothies or enjoy other high PPO fruits and vegetables like beet greens, it's best to avoid mixing them with flavanol-rich options such as berries, grapes, and cocoa. 



This combination can affect the health benefits you’re aiming for, so consider keeping them separate for optimal results in your nutrition.



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



"The study gives us a roadmap for future research into how we prepare other foods and how it affects flavanol absorption," noted Ottaviani. For instance, tea is a significant source of flavanols, and how it's prepared could alter the availability of flavanols for absorption.



So the next time you reach for that blender, remember, it's not just about what goes into your smoothie - it's also about how those <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-fruits-and-vegetables-improve-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ingredients</a> interact with each other.



"As the interest in the health benefits of dietary flavan-3-ols and polyphenols grows, this study highlights that consideration needs to be given not only to the types of fruits and vegetables and plant-based products to recommend to increase intake, but also how they are prepared, stored, and consumed as part of a regular meal in order to maximize their potential to support health," concluded the study authors. 



The research involved contributors from the UC Davis Department of Nutrition, the UC Davis Department of Internal Medicine, University of Reading, King Saud University, and Mars, Inc. 



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Bananas are not the best choice for a healthy smoothie

Who doesn't love a good fruit smoothie? It's a delightful...

What once stood as a shield against the harsh impacts of climate change, Africa's montane forests, are under threat. The latest danger to these forests involves a largely unknown consequence of deforestation: cloud level rise.



Known for their spectacular biodiversity and water-trapping properties, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loss-of-mountain-forests-accelerating-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">montane forests</a> are lifelines for millions of people in Africa.



In an era where climate change is a reality, these forests are sadly diminishing at an alarming rate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disappearing-forests-and-cloud-level-rise">Disappearing forests and cloud level rise</h2>



In the span of just two decades, a staggering 18% of these "water towers" have disappeared due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-deforestation-crisis-how-can-we-stop-massive-forest-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deforestation</a>.



The impact? A two-fold increase in warming and cloud-level rise compared to that caused by climate change.



The air temperature has spiked by 1.4 centigrade, and the cloud level has ascended by a startling 230 meters in the past 20 years.



Professor Dirk Zeuss of the <a href="https://www.uni-marburg.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Marburg</a> noted that these changes have strong consequences for water resources and biodiversity. But what exactly does this mean?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consequences-of-cloud-level-rise">Consequences of cloud level rise</h2>



As the cloud level ascends, water harvesting takes a significant hit. Clouds, when they touch the forest canopy, deposit fog (water) onto the plant and land surfaces. This natural phenomenon, however, becomes obsolete if the cloud base is higher than the forest canopy.



It is crucial for mountaintops to have ample forest cover - not only to augment the surface area of the land cover - but also to increase water storage in trees and soil.



The study sites were located in the highlands of Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Africa, including the Taita Hills of Kenya. 



According to Professor Petri Pellikka, director of Taita Research Station, the team found that 20% more water was landing on the ground in forested mountain tops compared to open areas. 



"This is due to fog deposited on the trees, which drips on the ground as droplets. This is additional to the rainfall. If the clouds remain higher and do not touch the forests, this phenomenon does not take place anymore," said Pellikka.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-the-forests-fade-so-does-life">When the forests fade, so does life</h2>



It’s not just the Taita Hills where deforestation has wreaked havoc. Kenya's most critical water towers - Mt. Kenya, the Mau Forest, the Aberdare Mountains, Mt. Elgon, the Cherangani Hills, and even Mt. Kilimanjaro - are all bearing the brunt of deforestation.



Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain located in Tanzania, is a prime example. This mountain has seen a striking loss of 50% of its forest since 1880, according to Dr. Andreas Hemp from the University of Bayreuth, who has spent three decades researching in Kilimanjaro.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temperature-and-elevation">Temperature and elevation</h2>



Deforestation has far-reaching impacts. As the study reveals, the negative relationship between temperature and elevation means the impacts of warming due to deforestation can decrease with increasing elevation.



However, mass deforestation can counteract this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-measures-the-cooling-effect-of-shade-in-urban-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cooling effect</a>, causing comparable warming at higher elevations in African montane forests. This adds another layer of complexity to the crisis.



Temesgen Abera is a visiting scholar from the <a href="https://www.helsinki.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Helsinki</a> and a postdoctoral researcher at Philipps University of Marburg, 



"In Africa, montane deforestation induced by cropland expansion and logging poses serious threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services, such as water supply," said Abera.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-our-life-supporting-forests">Preserving our life-supporting forests</h2>



These findings highlight the urgent need for preserving the forests that play such a pivotal role in maintaining <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-biodiversity-crisis-is-actually-worse-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global biodiversity</a> and the climate.



The research offers critical lessons for all regions globally facing similar challenges. It's time to take action against deforestation, for our own survival and that of our planet.



The study represents a significant step towards understanding the environmental risks of deforestation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-socio-economic-impact-of-montane-forest-loss">The socio-economic impact of montane forest loss</h2>



The disappearance of montane forests doesn't only affect the environment but also has significant socio-economic repercussions for the communities that depend on them. 



Many Indigenous and rural populations rely on these forests for their livelihoods, deriving resources such as fuelwood, medicinal plants, and food. As a result of deforestation, these resources become scarce, pushing communities towards poverty and forcing them to seek unsustainable alternatives.



Moreover, these forests play a crucial role in supporting local agriculture. They regulate microclimates and provide essential ecosystem services like pollination and pest control. As forests dwindle, agricultural productivity can suffer, threatening food security in already vulnerable regions.



Community-based forest management has emerged as a potential solution, empowering local populations to take part in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/effective-conservation-efforts-key-to-saving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation efforts</a>. 



By involving community members in sustainable forest practices, these initiatives not only help preserve forests but also ensure economic benefits are returned to the local people. This approach shows a sense of ownership and responsibility, leading to more sustainable use and protection of forest resources.



As we strive to safeguard Africa's montane forests, integrating socio-economic considerations into conservation strategies is essential. Ensuring that local communities benefit from forest preservation is key to creating lasting solutions that protect these vital ecosystems while supporting human well-being.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51324-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Cloud level rise: The hidden threat of deforestation

What once stood as a shield against the harsh impacts...

Beautiful,Blue,Sky,Close-up,Of,Several,Sunflowers

Unless you're a plant whisperer, you probably think of plants as quite docile, silently swaying to the rhythm of the wind and the light. They seem to exist in a tranquil state, absorbing sunlight and transforming carbon dioxide into oxygen without a care in the world.



However, science sometimes serves a reality check that sparks our curiosity and reveals the hidden complexities of plant life.



For instance, did you know that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-capture-plant-communication-on-video/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants can communicate with each other</a> through intricate root networks or even release chemicals to warn nearby plants of potential threats? These fascinating behaviors remind us that there’s much more to plants than meets the eye.



A recent study spearheaded by Prof. Yasmine Meroz from Tel Aviv University's <a href="https://en-lifesci.tau.ac.il/plants_food" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Plant Sciences and Food Security</a>, in partnership with Prof. Orit Peleg from the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado, Boulder</a>, does just that.



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



This fascinating research unfolds the hidden dance of sunflowers, revealing the intricate behaviors that occur when they grow in close proximity.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunflower-family-tree-explains-evolution-of-flower-symmetry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sunflowers</a> and other plants, when densely packed in a field, engage in a synchronized ballet that optimizes their growth and maximizes their exposure to sunlight.



But how do they achieve this remarkable coordination, you ask? It’s all about thriving amidst the competition for resources, not merely surviving.



By adjusting their angles and orientations in response to the light and each other, sunflowers ensure that they all receive an adequate share of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunflower-extracts-shield-blueberries-from-fruit-rot/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sunlight, nutrients, and water</a>.



This fascinating interplay allows them to flourish together rather than compete harshly against one another.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inspired-by-charles-darwin">Inspired by Charles Darwin</h2>



Sunflowers, in their quest for sunlight, display a behavior called "circumnutation". This fancy word essentially describes the cyclical movement of sunflowers, a clever tactic to avoid casting shadows on their comrades.



The result? A coordinated dance ensuring every sunflower enjoys its fair share of sunlight, even in a densely populated field.



Interestingly, this intriguing phenomenon isn't a new discovery. The scientific maestro, Charles Darwin, had observed this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orchid-parents-nurture-seedlings-through-fungal-networks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behavior in plants</a>. But what he couldn't figure out was the functional role of these movements.



Our research team, including Dr. Chantal Nguyen from Boulder and Roni Kempinski and Imri Dromi from Tel Aviv University, took on this mystery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-plants-move-it-s-not-random">When plants move, it's not random</h2>



"Why would a plant expend energy to move in seemingly random directions?" This thought-provoking question sparked Prof. Meroz's team to undertake a rigorous physical analysis of sunflower growth.



To explore this phenomenon in depth, they utilized time-lapse photography in a meticulously controlled, high-density environment, allowing them to closely observe the sunflowers' performance over time.



Their detailed observations revealed that the sunflowers' movements are not random at all; rather, they are a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tomato-plants-talk-to-one-another-to-signal-danger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vital growth strategy</a>.



By adjusting their positions, the plants minimize mutual shading, ensuring that each sunflower receives optimal sunlight for photosynthesis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-searching-for-the-light">Searching for the light</h2>



All plants are known to grow towards light sources, a phenomenon <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-plants-know-where-to-find-the-light/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">known as phototropism</a>. That's nothing new. However, this research offered a twist to this tale.



They found that sunflowers engage in random movements, not triggered by external stimuli like light. Surprisingly, these random steps varied significantly in size and frequency but played a vital role in optimizing sunflower growth.



"The sunflower plant takes advantage of the fact that it can use both small and slow steps as well as large and fast ones to find the optimum arrangement for the collective," Professor Moroz explained.



"If the range of steps was smaller or larger, the arrangement would result in more mutual shading and less photosynthesis."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-light-and-purposeful-movement">Plants, light, and purposeful movement</h2>



The team's discovery showcases the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-have-complex-biochemical-communication-networks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">advanced adaptive strategies</a> that plants employ, using both random and responsive movements to ensure survival.



It also opens up new possibilities to explore this behavior in other plants and understand the importance of collective dynamics in nature. As animals do, plants too can significantly benefit from group strategies.



As we widen our exploration into the secret lives of plants, we are amazed by the intricate ways nature operates.



This research could lead to new planting techniques, potentially enhancing crop yields while reducing usage of resources like water and fertilizers.



So next time you cross a field of sunflowers, remember, they aren't just standing there; they are performing a riveting ballet in the play of light and shadow.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prx/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevX.14.031027" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physical Review X</a>.



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Plants purposefully move and alter growth direction to help their neighbors

Unless you're a plant whisperer, you probably think of plants...

Wildfires often evoke powerful images of destruction and chaos, but not all wildfires are created equal. While the immediate thought of a wildfire might bring to mind the devastation of homes, landscapes, and lives, there exists a lesser-known narrative about the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfires-ultimately-benefit-plant-and-animal-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">positive impacts</a> of certain types of wildfires. According to research from the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Davis</a>, low-severity wildfires play a crucial role in protecting our forests.



These milder fires, unlike their more destructive counterparts, can act as nature's own defense mechanism, reducing the intensity and spread of future wildfires.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-protective-power-of-low-severity-wildfires">The protective power of low-severity wildfires</h2>



The study has revealed that low-severity wildfires have the potential to reduce the intensity of future wildfires for up to two decades, provided the right climatic conditions prevail.



By burning under controlled or less extreme conditions, these fires remove accumulated fuel loads such as dead wood and dense underbrush, which are often the culprits in more severe wildfires.



Study lead author Claire Tortorelli is an ecologist at the U.S. Forest Service who conducted the research while a postdoctoral scholar at UC Davis. 



Tortorelli emphasized the importance of understanding these dynamics: "Some previous fires can have moderating effects on future fire behavior. It’s important to understand how past wildfires are going to affect what happens in the future."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-of-low-severity-wildfires">Benefits of low-severity wildfires</h2>



The researchers examined more than 700 reburn fires over the past 50 years across the western United States. By taking a long-term view and leveraging modern technology, they aimed to quantify the protective effects that less severe fires can provide over time.



Using satellite remote sensing, the research team found that the extent of reduced severity of these "reburns" and the duration of their moderating effect varies depending on factors like climate and forest type. 



The study not only highlights the immediate benefits of these fires but also emphasizes how their effects can persist, continuing to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-an-unexpected-ally-in-forest-regeneration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protect forests</a> even as environmental conditions evolve.



Climate change is leading to more frequent and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-wildfires-have-doubled-in-the-last-20-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intense wildfires</a>, making the findings of this research particularly relevant for future forest management strategies.



"We’re living in a time with increasing wildfire, which poses challenges for our communities and landscapes," noted Tortorelli.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-climate-and-forest-type">The role of climate and forest type</h2>



The findings reveal that forests along the California coast and Southwest exhibit longer-lasting resilience than those in the Sierra and Cascades. 



This geographical variability is key to understanding how different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-and-boreal-ecosystems-are-becoming-increasingly-unstable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> respond to fire and what management practices can be most effective in each region. 



The study shows that the benefits of these low-severity fires are not uniform but are instead shaped by the unique characteristics of each forest. "It’s all about the vegetation and fuels that are coming back after fire," said Tortorelli.



The research highlights the importance of local conditions in determining how effective initial fires are in reducing the severity of future fires.



The reduced severity could last up to 20 years in some systems, but the effect diminishes over time, requiring follow-up treatments such as prescribed burns or mechanical thinning to prolong the benefits.



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



The findings could play a key role in helping land managers decide where to focus risk reduction efforts while adapting to a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-people-attribute-extreme-heat-and-wildfires-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changing climate</a>.



The researchers also found that even in areas experiencing high-severity wildfires, there are often zones that burn with low to moderate severity.



Study co-author Andrew Latimer is a professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at UC Davis.



"It opens this window of opportunity to keep forests in good shape," said Latimer, emphasizing the widespread impact of low-severity fires as a significant form of fuel reduction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfires-and-future-strategies">Wildfires and future strategies</h2>



As our understanding of wildfires evolves, so too must the strategies we employ to manage them. The research suggests that low-severity fires should be integrated into long-term forest management plans.



By recognizing the role these fires play in reducing future fire intensities, land managers can develop proactive strategies that harness their beneficial impacts. This includes implementing controlled burns and mechanical thinning to maintain reduced fuel loads and support forest resilience.



As wildfires become increasingly frequent and intense, leveraging these insights is crucial in adapting to a changing climate and safeguarding our communities and ecosystems.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eap.3023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecological Applications</a>.



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Low-severity wildfires help protect future forests

Wildfires often evoke powerful images of destruction and chaos, but...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" 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 Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"] Astronomers at Johns Hopkins University have created...

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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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes why satellite images and measurements of our planet have become "essential to our survival, offering a new outlook of our world."&nbsp;



Rising sea levels pose one of the biggest societal threats associated with climate change. According to ESA, satellite altimeter missions such as Copernicus Sentinel-6 are essential in monitoring global and regional changes in sea level.



"Unbeknown to many, the island of Crete, Greece, plays an important role in the Copernicus satellite altimetry constellation and on an international stage," reports ESA.



"Satellite altimetry data have to be continuously monitored at the ESA’s Permanent Facility for Altimetry Calibration where different techniques have pioneered the use of transponders to provide the best measurements to validate satellite altimeters in space soon after launch."



Dr. Craig Donlon explains that, by understanding planet Earth through satellite measurements, we are able to find evidence of change.&nbsp;



Video Credit: European Space Agency&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

Satellites have become essential to our survival

[sendtonews key="761m2QQvR1-2035772-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...