When naturalists tally the frogs in a farm pond or the orchids in a mountain meadow they always encounter the same rule of thumb: when you survey a larger range, the more species you find. The relationship seems simple, yet ecologists have puzzled over an odd signature hidden in species distribution data for nearly a century.



As one zooms out from local plots to regional landscapes. the tally of new species first soars. Then, it plateaus, taking off again at continental and global scales. That curious “S-shaped” curve is technically, the three-phase species–area relationship. 



It has appeared in everything from beetles to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-wings-have-a-surprising-effect-on-island-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> and from coral reefs to desert shrubs. Until now, no single mathematical framework explained why the curve changes its slope where it does.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-species-distributions">Predicting species distributions </h2>



A collaboration of researchers spanning Portugal, Germany, the United States and South Africa has now filled that theoretical gap. 



The experts combined basic geometry with giant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-are-the-biggest-drivers-of-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> datasets to show that the three phases arise inevitably from the way individual species spread their geographic ranges across Earth’s surface.



The team's model not only reproduces the classic patterns, it also generates equations that predict how many species should occur at the precise break points between phases - a feat with direct relevance for conservation planners who must estimate extinctions as habitats are lost.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-range-size-affects-species-distributions">Range size affects species distributions</h2>



Ecologists formalized the species-area relationship (SAR) in the early twentieth century, discovering that a log-log plot of cumulative species versus area usually forms a straight line. Yet when studies started to cover larger domains, investigators found the line was actually composed of three segments.



In the first segment, from local quadrants to perhaps a few hundred square kilometers, adding more land brings a flood of new species because each little patch contains slightly different microhabitats. In the middle segment, spanning thousands of square kilometers, the pace slackens; the same bird species, for instance, occupy most forests inside a biogeographic region. 



Beyond that, when continents are added, evolutionary history enters the picture and the slope shoots up again as entirely different faunas come into view. Empirically describing those bends was straightforward; explaining them from first principles proved harder. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-individual-ranges-of-species">Individual ranges of species</h2>



“We demonstrated that the individual geographical ranges of all species within the studied areas shape the typical species distribution patterns we observe across the globe,” said lead author Luís Borda-de-Água of <a href="https://www.cibio.up.pt/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CIBIO</a> in Portugal.



By mathematically stacking these ranges like overlapping tiles on a floor plan, the team showed that the SAR’s inflection points fall where the average range size of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-temperature-extremes-change-the-distribution-of-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resident species</a> equals the sampling area. At small scales most ranges eclipse the plot, so each extra hectare introduces new species.



At intermediate scales the plot begins to rival range size, so fewer novelties appear. At the largest scales even the widest-ranging species occupy only one continent, restoring the steep climb.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-patterns-and-crunching-records">Testing patterns and crunching records</h2>



To test the idea the researchers turned to the <a href="https://www.gbif.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Biodiversity Information Facility</a>, a compendium of citizen-science sightings and museum records. They extracted roughly 700 million geo-referenced observations spanning birds, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/over-40-of-amphibians-face-extinction-due-to-escalating-climate-threats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amphibians</a>, mammals and vascular plants.



For each taxonomic group they generated empirical SARs and compared them with the theoretical predictions. The correspondence was striking: predicted transition points - where the slope of the SAR changes - matched the observed curves within confidence bounds for all groups.



Borda-de-Água noted that this is a major step forward in ecology because it links a macroecological pattern to a simple, measurable property - range size - without invoking mysterious external factors. 



Senior author Henrique Pereira is a research professor at the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research <a href="https://www.idiv.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(iDiv</a>) and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. 



Pereira emphasized the significance of the research. “Discovering fundamental principles in ecology is just as thrilling as breakthroughs in physics.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-stakes-for-a-shrinking-planet"><a></a>Practical stakes for a shrinking planet</h2>



Beyond intellectual satisfaction the model carries weighty consequences for biodiversity assessments. International panels such as IPBES rely on SARs to translate lost habitat into predicted extinctions. 



If analysts know where a landscape sits on the three-phase curve they can apply the correct slope and avoid over- or under-estimating risk. The new equations provide exactly that guidance. 



Suppose a logged forest fragment still covers more area than the average range of its endemic beetles; species losses may be modest. But once destruction pushes the fragment below the first transition threshold, disappearing hectares cause a much steeper decline in species count.



Because the theory is scale-free it can also help conservationists decide whether sampling has been adequate. If observed species richness does not yet reach the slowdown phase, additional survey work is warranted before managers proclaim an inventory complete.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-species-distributions">Shifting species distributions </h2>



The authors acknowledge that species’ ranges are not static. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-action-and-biodiversity-striking-the-right-balance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Climate change</a>, invasive species, and land-use shifts continually redraw distribution maps. 



Incorporating dynamic range models into the three-phase framework will be a priority, as will extending tests to marine organisms and microbes, whose ranges are harder to delineate.



Still, the study offers a rare optimism amid grim extinction headlines. By revealing the geometry behind one of ecology’s most robust laws, scientists gain a clearer lens through which to view and perhaps mitigate humanity’s impact on life’s diversity.



As Pereira puts it, advances like these “unveil hidden patterns that have been shaping life on Earth for millions of years,” providing the knowledge base needed to steer those patterns, responsibly, into the future.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59239-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Saving biodiversity: Scientists discover hidden pattern guiding species distributions

When naturalists tally the frogs in a farm pond or the orchids in a mountain meadow they always encounter the same rule of thumb: when you survey a larger range, the more species you find. The relationship seems simple, yet ecologists have puzzled over an odd signature hidden in species distribution data for nearly a century. As one zooms out from local plots to regional landscapes. the tally of new species first soars. Then, it plateaus, taking off again at continental and global scales. That curious “S-shaped”...

From Jurassic Park to school textbooks, dinosaurs have always been a hot topic. But how often do we hear about the unseen impact of their extinction, such as the spread of a universally loved <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grapes-have-astonishing-health-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fruit</a> – the grape? Fascinating new research gives us insight into this unexpected connection.



Study lead author Fabiany Herrera is an assistant curator of paleobotany at the <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Field Museum</a> in Chicago’s Negaunee Integrative Research Center.



Herrera and his team have stumbled upon a discovery that shifts our understanding of how the humble grape became a global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grapes-lower-bad-cholesterol-and-protect-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">superstar</a> in the fruit world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nine-new-fossil-grape-species">Nine new fossil grape species</h2>



The researchers have identified nine new species of fossil grapes, some aging up to 60 million years.



The seeds were unearthed in Colombia, Panama, and Peru. One of these ancient seeds represents the oldest known plant from the grape family on our side of the planet.



“These are the oldest grapes ever found in this part of the world, and they’re a few million years younger than the oldest ones ever found on the other side of the planet,” said Herrera.



“This discovery is important because it shows that after the extinction of the dinosaurs, grapes really started to spread across the world.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dinosaurs-and-their-botanical-impact">Dinosaurs and their botanical impact</h2>



While we often think of T-rex and his brethren when discussing the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/violent-volcanic-eruptions-likely-caused-dinosaur-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaur extinction</a>, we overlook the colossal botanical changes that were set in motion.&nbsp;



“The forest reset itself, in a way that changed the composition of the plants,” explained Herrera.



This means that the dinosaur's departure may have reshaped the forest, thus creating a more favorable environment for grapes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-denser-forests-after-dinosaur-departure-nbsp">Denser forests after dinosaur departure&nbsp;</h2>



Study co-author Mónica Carvalho, an assistant curator at the University of Michigan’s Museum of Paleontology, shed light on this relationship.&nbsp;



“Large animals, such as dinosaurs, are known to alter their surrounding ecosystems. They likely maintained forests more open by knocking down trees.”&nbsp;



Once these “lumberjacks” disappeared, some forests, especially in South America, became denser - a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grapevines-first-domesticated-in-israel-11000-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">grapevine</a> dream come true.



”In the fossil record, we start to see more plants that use vines to climb up trees, like grapes, around this time,” said Herrera.



The study throws in a side note: the diversification of birds and mammals after the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nuclear-winter-dinosaurs-were-likely-killed-by-dust/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extinction</a> of dinosaurs could have also aided grapes by spreading their seeds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-elusive-south-american-grape-fossil">The elusive South American grape fossil</h2>



Back in 2013, Herrera's PhD advisor, Steven Manchester, had published a paper describing the oldest known grape seed fossil from India.&nbsp;



Herrera, driven by his insatiable curiosity, went on a quest for the elusive South American grape fossil. In 2022, he and Carvalho stumbled upon a 60-million-year-old grape fossil in the Colombian Andes.



Their discovery of the fossil seed is as enchanting as the seed itself. "She looked at me and said, 'Fabiany, a grape!' And then I looked at it, I was like, 'Oh my God.' It was so exciting,” said Herrera.



It turns out this tiny fossil was not just the first South American grape fossil, but also one of the world's oldest. This was confirmed with the help of CT scans.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lithouva-susmanii-nbsp">Lithouva susmanii&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers named the fossil Lithouva susmanii, "Susman's stone grape," paying tribute to Arthur T. Susman - a supporter of South American paleobotany at the Field Museum.



“This new species is also important because it supports a South American origin of the group in which the common grape vine Vitis evolved,” said study co-author Gregory Stull of the National Museum of Natural History.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-journey-back-in-time">A journey back in time</h2>



The team's relentless fieldwork in South and Central America led them to a discovery of nine new species of fossil grapes.&nbsp;



These age-old seeds chronicle the story of the grape family's migration across the Western Hemisphere amid a series of extinctions and dispersals.



“The fossil record tells us that grapes are a very resilient order. They're a group that has suffered a lot of extinction in the Central and South American region, but they also managed to adapt and survive in other parts of the world,” said Herrera.



In an era of ongoing and impending mass extinctions, discoveries like this provide invaluable insights into the patterns of biodiversity crises.&nbsp;



“But the other thing I like about these fossils is that these little tiny, humble seeds can tell us so much about the evolution of the forest,” concluded Herrera.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-024-01717-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Plants</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Death of the dinosaurs helped grapes conquer the world

From Jurassic Park to school textbooks, dinosaurs have always been...

Every now and then, something ordinary reveals extraordinary potential. At first glance, a robust desert moss known as Syntrichia caninervis might not strike you as particularly impressive. However, new research suggests it might just be the key to opening up the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-may-have-once-been-a-cradle-for-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">possibility of life</a> on Mars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-syntrichia-caninervis">Syntrichia caninervis</h2>



The exceptional resilience of this moss, brought to light by ecologists Yuanming Zhang and Daoyuan Zhang, along with botanist Tingyun Kuang, has set the scientific world abuzz. All three are affiliated with the esteemed Chinese Academy of Sciences and have dedicated extensive time and effort to their research.



In the wild, Syntrichia caninervis is found in extreme desert environments from Tibet to Antarctica and the circumpolar regions. This moss forms the biological soil crust, a resilient, widespread ground cover often found in arid lands.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moss-under-mars-extreme-conditions">Moss under Mars' extreme conditions</h2>



The researchers put Syntrichia caninervis through a series of rigorous tests in their lab, pushing the plant to its limits. The results are nothing short of staggering.



The team tested the cold tolerance of the moss by storing it in below-freezing temperatures. Remarkably, the plants sprung back to life after being thawed, especially those that had been dehydrated before they were frozen.



&nbsp;Syntrichia caninervis showed remarkable resilience to gamma radiation, with doses of 500 Gy even seeming to boost the plant's growth. For perspective, exposure to around 50 Gy would cause severe damage, even death, in humans. 



In fact, gamma radiation at such high levels is known to break down the DNA structure in most organisms, leading to catastrophic cell damage. 



However, this resilient plant not only survives but thrives, demonstrating an incredible natural adaptation that could have significant implications for understanding radiation resistance and potentially aiding in biotechnological advancements.



“Our study shows that the environmental resilience of S. caninervis is superior to that of some of highly stress-tolerant microorganisms and tardigrades,” noted the researchers.



“S. caninervis&nbsp;is a promising candidate pioneer plant for colonizing extraterrestrial environments, laying the foundation for building biologically sustainable human habitats beyond Earth.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surviving-on-mars-piece-of-cake-or-moss">Surviving on Mars? Piece of cake (or moss)</h2>



The true test of the moss was its ability to survive simulated Martian conditions within the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Planetary Atmospheres Simulation Facility. 



This simulator mimicked Mars’ harsh environment, complete with fluctuating temperatures, high levels of UV radiation, low atmospheric pressure, and a CO2-heavy atmosphere.



Astoundingly, the moss demonstrated a 100% regeneration rate, even after enduring these conditions for up to a week. The hydrated plants, though regenerating more slowly than their dried counterparts, also <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-holes-on-mars-might-harbor-alien-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">survived</a> the Martian simulation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-giant-leap-for-moss">A giant leap for moss</h2>



Clearly, Syntrichia caninervis is no ordinary moss but an extraordinary potential pioneer for extraterrestrial colonization. The researchers see a bright future where this moss might find a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/manganese-discovery-ancient-mars-earth-like-water-lake-habitable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">home</a> on Mars or the Moon.



“Although there is still a long way to go to create self-sufficient habitats on other planets, we demonstrated the great potential of S. caninervis as a pioneer plant for growth on Mars,” said the researchers.



“Looking to the future, we expect that this promising moss could be brought to Mars or the Moon to further test the possibility of plant colonization and growth in outer space.”



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



The resilience of Syntrichia caninervis is a promising leap toward a future where we might see sustainable human habitats in outer space. So, the next time you come across a patch of moss, take a moment to marvel at the potential it might hold.



Are we ready to move to Mars? Will this small plant be the key to colonizing the Red Planet? Only time will tell. Scientists around the world are working tirelessly to unlock the secrets of Mars' environment and its potential to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lake-sediments-found-in-jezero-crater-hint-at-past-life-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">support human life</a>. 



Until then, keep your eyes peeled for the next big revelation in the world of science. Advances in technology and space exploration are happening at an unprecedented rate, promising exciting discoveries just around the corner.



The extensive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/searching-for-life-on-mars-quest-continues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> on Syntrichia caninervis is supported by the <a href="https://english.cas.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese Academy of Sciences</a>, the Leading Talents in Technological Innovation Program, and The Third Xinjiang Scientific Expedition Program.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/the-innovation/fulltext/S2666-6758(24)00095-X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Innovation</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

This desert moss might help humans live on Mars

Every now and then, something ordinary reveals extraordinary potential. At...

In a world grappling with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/obesity-now-affects-more-than-a-billion-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rising obesity rates</a> and the related diabetes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-deprivation-linked-type-2-diabetes-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crisis</a>, enter stage left – elenolic acid, a natural compound found in olives. This humble constituent of your favorite <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/japanese-diet-puts-the-brakes-on-brain-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mediterranean</a> salad is now stealing the limelight with its impressive potential to combat weight gain and regulate blood sugar levels.



The credit goes to Professor Dongmin Liu and his research team from the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise at <a href="https://www.vt.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Tech</a>. Their ongoing investigation is centered around identifying bioactive compounds in natural products that could contribute to managing diabetes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-does-elenolic-acid-work">How does elenolic acid work?</h2>



In the microscopic universe of our bodies, the gut plays host to L-cells. They release two pivotal metabolic hormones, GLP-1 and PYY, during meals. These hormones are our body's natural soldiers, fighting off overeating and striving to keep our blood sugar levels in check.



Enter elenolic acid. The researchers discovered that this compound, found in mature olives and extra virgin olive oil, nudges these hormones into action in the gut. The process involved converting oleuropein, a precursor of elenolic acid, into the compound, which is cheaper than direct extraction from olives.



“Overall, the study showed that elenolic acid from olives has promising effects on hormone release and metabolic health, particularly in obese and diabetic conditions,” said Liu.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elenolic-acid-for-obesity">Elenolic acid for obesity</h2>



In obese diabetic mice, the team administered oral elenolic acid, and the results were astounding. Within a week, these mice shed significant weight and displayed improved glucose regulation as compared to the control group of obese mice that were not given elenolic acid. 



Over a span of four to five weeks, the mice experienced a 10.7% reduction in obesity. Their blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity put them on par with those of healthy lean mice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-weight-and-blood-sugar">Beyond weight and blood sugar</h2>



Professor Liu and his team discovered that elenolic acid had additional tricks up its sleeve. It slashed food intake, promoting further weight loss. 



On the flip side, it gave a boost to circulating PYY and GLP-1 levels, while nipping in the bud the overexpression of agouti-related peptide, known to increase eating and weight gain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-olive-fountain-of-health">Olive fountain of health</h2>



It's worth noting that the concentration of elenolic acid in olive oil or olives is quite low. So, the impressive benefits from the study might not be achieved just by munching on olives or drizzling olive oil on your salad. 



While the study shines a light on the potential health perks of elenolic acid, don't count on olive products alone to replicate those results. Additional sources or supplements might be necessary to achieve similar effects.



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



“Lifestyle modifications and public health measures have had limited impact on the rising prevalence of obesity, one of the top risk factors for type 2 diabetes,” said Liu.



“Available obesity drugs are ineffective in weight loss maintenance, expensive and/or carry potential long-term safety risks. Our goal was to develop safer, cheaper and more convenient multi-targeting agents that can prevent the occurrence of metabolic disorders and type 2 diabetes.”



The Virginia Tech team now embarks on the next phase of their investigation: understanding how this compound creates metabolic benefits, unraveling its journey through the body, its absorption, distribution, and excretion. 



This crucial exploration will lay the groundwork for future clinical trials, offering vital insights into the safety of using elenolic acid.



Who knows? The answer to offsetting obesity and diabetes could lie in an olive grove, where the humble olive may hold the key to better health. This promising area of study is gaining attention from scientists and health experts alike. 



We'll have our eyes peeled on the fascinating evolution of this research, eagerly anticipating discoveries and potential new treatments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preventive-health">Preventive health</h2>



Incorporating elenolic acid into your diet or supplements could be a game-changer for preventive health. While traditional medicine has long valued the power of certain foods, modern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/obesity-is-linked-to-32-cancer-types-that-could-drive-40-of-cases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">medicine</a> often emphasizes treatment over prevention.



But, with compounds like elenolic acid showing real promise, we could be entering a new era of nutritional science. 



Imagine food-based interventions becoming the norm for preventing conditions like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/severe-childhood-obesity-can-cut-life-expectancy-in-half/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">obesity</a> and diabetes. This shift could reduce our dependence on medications and ease the burden on healthcare systems worldwide. 



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Olives may be a powerful weapon in the fight against obesity

In a world grappling with rising obesity rates and the...

Americans are increasingly curious about microdosing, a practice involving the minimal consumption of psychedelics or cannabis over extended periods. 



This escalating interest is unveiled in a comprehensive study conducted by scientists at the <a href="https://www.ucsd.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California San Diego</a>, published in JAMA Health Forum. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-curiosity-spawns-microdosing-boom">Curiosity spawns microdosing boom</h2>



The researchers noted a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psilocybin-microdosing-may-improve-mental-health-by-boosting-stress-resilience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tremendous 1250% surge</a> in Google searches concerning microdosing from 2015 to 2023, recording a substantial margin of over three million searches in 2023 alone.



Responsible for unmasking this complex web of intrigue is Kevin Yang, M.D., a psychiatry resident at UC San Diego School of Medicine, and the primary author of the research. 



Yang and his team's fascinating study has served to enlighten us on how legislative shifts on substance use are influencing people's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microdosing-mushrooms-solving-creativity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inclinations and behaviors</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-legalization-and-relaxation">Legalization and relaxation</h2>



The study reflects a direct correlation between the uptick in curiosity around microdosing and the relaxation of local, federal, and state laws sanctioning recreational cannabis usage and the deployment of psychedelic substances in therapy. 



Advocates of microdosing argue that it can enhance mood, cognition, and overall health without triggering the profound <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-than-5-5-million-american-adults-have-used-hallucinogens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hallucinogenic effects</a> that larger doses might instigate.



Despite the absence of concrete clinical evidence validating these health assertions, the last decade has seen an undeniable escalation in the popularity of microdosing. 



The researchers utilized Google search behaviors to gauge public interest and comprehend how policy amendments have impacted this curiosity. This approach was deemed necessary given the shortcomings of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microdosing-lsd-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">current survey data</a> on microdosing.



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



The eight-year study period bore witness to substantial policy reforms concerning substance use. Colorado paved the way in 2012 by becoming the maiden U.S. state to authorize <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recreational-cannabis-use-protects-against-cognitive-decline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recreational cannabis use</a>. 



By 2023, half of the U.S. adult population was living in states that had followed Colorado’s lead. Concurrently, eight states had decriminalized the use of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-psilocybin-mushrooms-got-their-magic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psychedelic substances</a> in certain cities or counties, and two states sanctioned psychedelic-assisted therapy.



The researchers skillfully deployed a dynamic event-time difference-in-difference model to weigh the causal effects of these policy amendments on the interest in microdosing. 



The results of their meticulous analysis illuminated the fact that policies mitigating punitive measures for psychedelic and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chemical-found-in-cannabis-plants-can-actually-reduce-cannabis-induced-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis use</a> were linked to a spike in curiosity about microdosing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-in-a-keyword">What's in a keyword?</h2>



Interestingly, the study revealed shifting preferences in the substances of choice for microdosing. Between 2015 and 2018, LSD dominated the search terms linked to microdosing. 



However, from 2019 to 2023, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/magic-mushrooms-are-the-most-popular-psychedelic-drug/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mushrooms took the crown</a>, with Adderall, cannabis, CBD, DMT, ketamine, and MDMA also featuring in the search terms.



These findings mirror the growing societal shift towards psychedelics and psychotropic substances as potential alternative therapies. 



The headway on the legislative front, along with President Biden's proposition to reclassify marijuana as less dangerous, has perhaps opened the doors for more extensive scientific investigation. 



However, as Yang aptly points out, "As public interest in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-magic-mushrooms-evolve-to-contain-psilocybin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">using psychedelics</a> and cannabis for health grows, it’s crucial that the medical community conducts studies to establish a strong evidence base for their safety and efficacy."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caution-in-the-mushroom-fields">Caution in the mushroom fields</h2>



While microdosing is trending, there are still critical concerns about the market for microdosed products. 



As emphasized by Eric Leas, Ph.D., M.P.H., assistant professor in the UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and a senior author of the paper, these substances, like psilocybin, are Schedule 1 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/measuring-psilocybin-mushroom-potency-just-got-easier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">controlled substances</a>. 



This legality poses risks for consumers and raises apprehensions about product quality due to the lack of manufacturing standards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microdosing-and-american-mental-health">Microdosing and American mental health</h2>



Indeed, curiosity about microdosing has spiked, likely driven by changes in policy and cultural attitude. However, the potential hazards concealed beneath the intrigue remind us of the critical role of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/synthetic-psilocybin-less-effective-therapy-than-natural-mushroom-extract/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research and clinical studies</a>. 



As Leas puts it, "We need to better translate clinical evidence for consumers and policymakers to understand the benefits and risks of microdosing and how policy changes drive interest in substance use." 



So, as interest in this phenomenon continues to expand, let's remember the importance of knowledge, safety, and informed decision-making in this complex and enthralling world of microdosing.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

Millions of Americans are microdosing, but what does that mean?

Americans are increasingly curious about microdosing, a practice involving the...

In a new study from the <a href="https://www.oist.jp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology</a> (OIST), scientists have discovered that Mycena mushrooms have surprisingly large genomes. This revelation contradicts long-held assumptions about the species. 



Mycena mushrooms were previously believed to be sabrobes, which depend solely on the degradation of dead organic material for nutrients. But the recent findings suggest that these mushrooms harbor richer gene varieties, enabling them to adapt to varying lifestyles based on existing circumstances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mycena-mushrooms-in-the-harsh-arctic-nbsp">Mycena mushrooms in the harsh Arctic&nbsp;</h2>



The specific strains of Mycena mushrooms spotted in the harsh ecosystem of the Arctic possess some of the largest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-psilocybin-mushrooms-got-their-magic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mushroom</a> genomes ever recorded. 



Their DNA shows evidence of rampant growth across their genetic makeup, inclusive not only of invasion and plant interaction genes but also elements with unknown functions and genes acquired from unrelated fungi through horizontal gene transfer.



Delving into the heart of the discovery, the research team collected Mycena samples across Northern Europe, including the Arctic region.&nbsp;



"Three of these were successfully sequenced, and we found that these Arctic species contained significantly larger genomes compared to ordinary Mycena species," explained Dr. Shingo Miyauchi, co-lead author of the study.  



Their initial astonishment led them to double-check the genome assembly's correctness and conclude that these significantly enlarged genomes were exclusive to certain Arctic Mycena mushroom species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-evolutionary-advantage">An evolutionary advantage</h2>



"Evolution tells us that non-advantageous traits tend to disappear over time, so an obvious implication is that adaptability and generalism in those large genome structures must be an advantage for these fungi,” said study co-author Francis Martin.



“This is despite the costs of having a large genome with lots of possibly unnecessary features that must be replicated in each cell division. This may be particularly true in an extreme environment like the Arctic, as also seen in plants.”&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-mycena-mushrooms-nbsp">Significance of Mycena mushrooms&nbsp;</h2>



The research initiative was primarily driven by Mycena's crucial role as a significant mushroom decomposer of litter and leaves in forest ecosystems. Despite having minuscule bodies, their contributions to the global carbon cycle are substantial.&nbsp;



The researchers were also intrigued by the species' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bioluminescence-emerged-in-animals-540-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bioluminescent</a> features (they glow in the dark). Given these fascinating characteristics, they sought to expand their understanding of the gene structure in these fungi to learn more about their lifestyle habits.



In the course of the study, the team produced new genome sequences for 24 additional Mycena species, including three Arctic species.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-research-nbsp">Focus of the research&nbsp;</h2>



The goal of the research was to comprehend how the genomes evolved over time, what triggered their expansion, and how different species might vary in plant cell wall-degrading enzymes based on their lifestyle habits.



Amidst their findings, the researchers discovered that the genome expansion was a common feature across all Mycena species, affecting all gene families regardless of their expected habits. Two Arctic-collected species exhibited the largest genomes, up to eight times bigger than those found in temperate zones.



The researchers came across another surprising discovery: the Arctic species' genomes expanded far beyond the general Mycena expansion. The research team also found that Mycena fungi had acquired genes from Ascomycetes through horizontal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parasites-steal-genes-to-control-their-hosts-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gene transfer</a>.



"The evolutionary transition from decomposer to symbiotic fungi is generally believed to have happened in parallel in several fungal groups throughout the course of evolution millions of years ago," said Håvard Kauserud of the University of Oslo. "However, with Mycena, we appear to be seeing this gradual process in action happening right in front of our eyes."



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



The findings suggest that multiple possible lifestyles are reflected in their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/butterfly-genome-has-barely-changed-after-250-million-years-of-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genome</a> structures, a conclusion that has significant implications for understanding an organism's habits from their genome sequences alone.



As the research progresses, the team continues to delve deeper into forest fungi's genomic intricacies.&nbsp;



"Our goal is genome mining to uncover unusual genes, enzymes, and metabolites,” said Dr. Miyauchi. “Ultimately, we aim to isolate unique genomic materials for biotechnological applications. It’s my hope that funding bodies recognize the huge future potential of petite mushrooms."



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.xgen.2024.100586" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell Genomics</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Mycena mushrooms are evolving right before our eyes

In a new study from the Okinawa Institute of Science...

Magic mushrooms have become the most popular psychedelic substance in the United States, surpassing others like ecstasy, according to a new report by the <a href="https://www.rand.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RAND Corporation</a>. 



A national survey revealed that approximately 12% of respondents have used <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-magic-mushrooms-evolve-to-contain-psilocybin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psilocybin</a> at some point, with 3.1% using it in the past year, equating to about eight million American adults in 2023. 



The study highlights the growing interest in psychedelics for mental health treatments and the evolving policy landscape surrounding their use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-policies-and-the-future-of-psychedelics-nbsp">Shifting policies and the future of psychedelics&nbsp;</h2>



Psychedelics have shown promise in treating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insightful-psychedelic-experiences-may-improve-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a> conditions, sparking increased enthusiasm over the past decade. However, there has been less focus on the shifting policies concerning these substances. 



The report suggests that as state and local regulations ease, federal policymakers must decide whether to follow a for-profit cannabis model or explore alternative paths.



“The current situation with psychedelics reminds me of where we were with cannabis policy 12 years ago. Now is the time for federal policymakers to decide if they want to shape these policy changes or stay on the sidelines,” said study lead author Beau Kilmer, a senior policy researcher at RAND.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-data-from-thousands-of-americans-nbsp">Data from thousands of Americans&nbsp;</h2>



The RAND report draws from a survey of 3,791 American adults, as well as data from the <a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/data/data-we-collect/nsduh-national-survey-drug-use-and-health" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Survey on Drug Use and Health</a> and the <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/ucr/nibrs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Incident-Based Reporting System</a>. It also includes interviews with legal experts, policy advocates, researchers, and Indigenous community members regarding their traditional spiritual medicines.



Co-author Michelle Priest, an assistant policy researcher at RAND, emphasized the importance of engaging with Indigenous communities.&nbsp;



“Policy changes may affect Indigenous people who have longstanding traditions with certain spiritual medicines that are commonly referred to as psychedelics. Engaging respectfully with Indigenous community members who are authorized to speak on these topics can help craft policies that benefit from generations of wisdom while protecting Indigenous rights.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lenient-approaches-to-psychedelics-nbsp">Lenient approaches to psychedelics&nbsp;</h2>



Despite federal prohibitions, some state and local governments are adopting more lenient approaches to psychedelics.&nbsp;



The report highlights alternative models to the for-profit <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-plants-could-help-in-the-fight-against-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a> approach, such as allowing personal cultivation, non-profit collectives, or supervised use models like those in Oregon and soon in Colorado.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-versus-psychedelics-nbsp">Cannabis versus psychedelics&nbsp;</h2>



One key difference between cannabis and psychedelics policy debates is the role of supervision. Even in areas not adopting the supervision model, policymakers will need to address regulation of facilitators and supervision settings.



Unlike frequent cannabis users, psychedelic users tend to use these substances infrequently. The survey found that only 0.9% of respondents used <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-psilocybin-mushrooms-got-their-magic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psilocybin</a> in the past month, compared to 20% for cannabis. 



The total number of use days in the past month was significantly lower for psychedelics (around seven million) compared to cannabis (about 650 million).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-infrequent-use-of-magic-mushrooms">Infrequent use of magic mushrooms</h2>



A notable finding is that infrequent users dominate the psychedelics market. For cannabis, infrequent users account for about 5% of total use days, while for psychedelics, they represent closer to 60%.



“While price is a major policy lever when we think about regulating cannabis and alcohol, it will likely play a much smaller role for psychedelics since infrequent users currently drive the market and they tend to spend relatively little on these substances,” said co-author Rajeev Ramchand, a senior behavioral scientist at RAND.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-research-is-needed-nbsp">Further research is needed&nbsp;</h2>



The report indicates a significant gap in published research on psychedelic markets and usage patterns, especially for psilocybin. The authors recommend improving existing surveys and conducting qualitative, longitudinal research with users and producers of psychedelics.



The RAND report underscores the need for informed policymaking as the landscape for psychedelic substances evolves, highlighting the importance of protecting both public health and the rights of Indigenous communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-have-magic-mushrooms-become-so-popular">Why have magic mushrooms become so popular?</h2>



Magic mushrooms have become popular due to their perceived therapeutic benefits and the growing acceptance of psychedelic substances in mental health treatment.&nbsp;



Studies suggest that compounds like psilocybin can help alleviate symptoms of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/compound-in-magic-mushrooms-effectively-treats-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">depression</a>, anxiety, and PTSD, leading to increased interest from both the medical community and the public. 



Additionally, cultural shifts towards holistic and alternative therapies, along with the destigmatization of drug use, have contributed to their popularity.&nbsp;



Personal testimonials and media coverage highlighting positive experiences have further fueled curiosity and acceptance. As research continues to support their potential benefits, the interest in magic mushrooms is likely to grow.



The report can be found <a href="https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA2825-1.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Magic mushrooms are the most popular psychedelic drug

Magic mushrooms have become the most popular psychedelic substance in...

A recent study has revealed that the global carbon stored by plants is shorter-lived and more susceptible to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/survey-mother-nature-is-more-likely-to-solve-climate-change-than-geoengineering/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> than previously believed. 



The results indicate that current climate models underestimate the annual global uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) by vegetation and overestimate the amount of time that this carbon remains stored.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-cycling-in-plants">Carbon cycling in plants</h2>



The research, led by Dr. Heather Graven at <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imperial College London</a>, has significant implications for understanding nature's role in mitigating climate change, particularly concerning nature-based carbon removal projects like mass tree planting.



“Plants across the world are actually more productive than we thought they were,” noted Dr. Graven. However, while plants absorb carbon faster than expected, they also release it faster.&nbsp;



This means that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turning-plants-into-carbon-capture-machines-with-cyanobacteria/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a> from human activities will be released back into the atmosphere sooner than previously predicted, noted the researchers.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-removal-strategies-nbsp">Carbon removal strategies&nbsp;</h2>



“Many of the strategies being developed by governments and corporations to address climate change rely on plants and forests to draw down planet-warming CO2 and lock it away in the ecosystem,” said Dr. Graven.&nbsp;



“But our study suggests that carbon stored in living plants does not stay there as long as we thought. It emphasizes that the potential for such nature-based carbon removal projects is limited, and fossil fuel emissions need to be ramped down quickly to minimize the impact of climate change.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-net-primary-productivity-nbsp">Net primary productivity&nbsp;</h2>



Until now, the global measure of net primary productivity (NPP) - which represents the rate at which plants use <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-air-pollution-could-greatly-boost-carbon-sequestration-by-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CO2</a> to create new tissues - has been approximated from limited site-specific data. 



The lack of comprehensive measurements has made it challenging to accurately calculate net primary productivity on a global scale. 



Since the early 1900s, plant productivity has increased, with more CO2 being absorbed by plants than released back into the atmosphere.&nbsp;



Approximately 30% of human CO2 emissions are stored in plants and soils each year, helping to mitigate climate change. However, the stability and future of this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-plants-continue-offsetting-our-carbon-emissions-in-a-warming-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon storage</a> remain poorly understood.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-plant-carbon-usage-nbsp">Global plant carbon usage&nbsp;</h2>



In this study, radiocarbon (14C), a radioactive isotope of carbon, was used alongside model simulations to study global plant CO2 usage. This approach produced valuable insights into the interaction between the atmosphere and the biosphere. 



Radiocarbon levels increased due to nuclear bomb testing in the 1950s and 1960s, offering researchers a tool to measure plant uptake rates.&nbsp;



By analyzing 14C accumulation in plants from 1963 to 1967, the experts assessed the carbon transfer from the atmosphere to vegetation and its subsequent fate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-models-overestimate-plant-carbon-storage">Models overestimate plant carbon storage</h2>



The findings reveal that current models underestimate global plant productivity and overestimate carbon storage duration in plants.&nbsp;



“These observations are from a unique moment in history, just after the peak of atomic weapons testing in the atmosphere in the 1960s,” noted Dr. Charles Koven from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. 



“The observations show that the growth of plants at the time was faster than current climate models estimate that it was.” 



“The significance is that it implies that carbon cycles more rapidly between the atmosphere and biosphere than we have thought, and that we need to better understand and account for this more rapid cycling in climate models.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-insights-into-carbon-cycle-dynamics-nbsp">New insights into carbon cycle dynamics&nbsp;</h2>



The research underscores the need to improve theories about plant growth and ecosystem interactions and adjust global climate models for better understanding of the biosphere's role in mitigating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-forests-which-tree-species-can-survive-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>.&nbsp;



“Scientists and policymakers need improved estimates of historical land carbon uptake to inform projections of this critical ecosystem service in future decades,” said Dr. Will Wieder from the National Center for Atmospheric Research.&nbsp;



“Our study provides critical insights into terrestrial carbon cycle dynamics, which can inform models that are used for climate change projections.”



According to the researchers, their work highlights the usefulness of radiocarbon measurements in helping to unravel the complexities of the biosphere.



The study authors included German physicist Ingeborg Levin, a pioneer in radiocarbon and atmospheric research, who passed away in February.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adl4443" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Plants release carbon faster than we expected

A recent study has revealed that the global carbon stored...

As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-made-covid-19-patients-sicker-for-longer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID-19</a> began its global spread in late 2019, scientists raced to identify who was most at risk. Cannabis use and its potential effects on Covid infection remained unclear. 



Factors such as age, smoking history, high body mass index (BMI), and pre-existing conditions like diabetes were quickly recognized as increasing the likelihood of severe illness and death. However, evidence on cannabis's protective or harmful effects was conflicting.



Recent research has now provided more definitive answers. A study published by researchers at <a href="https://medicine.wustl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis</a> has established that cannabis use is associated with a higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-use-and-covid-19">Cannabis use and COVID-19</h2>



The experts analyzed the health records of 72,501 individuals treated for COVID-19 at health centers in a major Midwestern health-care system during the first two years of the pandemic.



The researchers discovered that individuals who reported using cannabis at least once in the year before contracting COVID-19 were significantly more likely to require hospitalization and intensive care compared to non-users. This elevated risk was comparable to that posed by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-people-who-smoke-or-vape-have-a-higher-risk-of-severe-covid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tobacco smoking</a>.



“There’s this sense among the public that cannabis is safe to use, that it’s not as bad for your health as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smoking-cannabis-significantly-increases-the-risk-of-heart-attack/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smoking</a> or drinking, that it may even be good for you,” said Dr. Li-Shiun Chen, a professor of psychiatry and the senior author of the study. 



“Our research shows that cannabis use is not harmless in the context of COVID-19. People who reported any cannabis use were more likely to require hospitalization and intensive care than those who did not use cannabis.”



Unlike tobacco smokers, who had a significantly higher mortality rate from COVID-19, cannabis users did not exhibit a similarly increased risk of death.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elevated-covid-19-risks-for-cannabis-users">Elevated COVID-19 risks for cannabis users</h2>



The study utilized deidentified electronic health records from BJC HealthCare hospitals and clinics in Missouri and Illinois, covering the period from February 1, 2020, to January 31, 2022. 



These records included data on demographics, medical conditions, substance use, and COVID-19 outcomes such as hospitalization, ICU admission, and survival.



The findings revealed that COVID-19 patients who used cannabis in the previous year were 80% more likely to be hospitalized and 27% more likely to be admitted to the ICU compared to non-users. 



In contrast, tobacco smokers were 72% more likely to be hospitalized and 22% more likely to require intensive care than non-smokers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-many-questions-remain-unanswered">Many questions remain unanswered </h2>



“These results challenge some research suggesting that cannabis may help the body fight off viral diseases like COVID-19,” noted Dr. Chen. 



“Most of the evidence supporting the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chemical-found-in-cannabis-plants-can-actually-reduce-cannabis-induced-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">benefits of cannabis</a> comes from studies in cells or animals. Our study's strength lies in its use of real-world health-care data over an extended period, allowing us to verify outcomes like hospitalization and ICU stay.”



The study did not determine why cannabis use might exacerbate COVID-19. One theory is that inhaling <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marijuana-smokers-have-high-levels-of-toxic-metals-in-their-blood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marijuana smoke</a> damages lung tissue, making it more susceptible to infection, similar to tobacco smoke. 



Another possibility is that cannabis, known to suppress the immune system, hinders the body’s ability to combat viral infections, regardless of consumption method.



“We don’t know whether edibles are safer,” added Dr. Nicholas Griffith, the study's first author and a medical resident at Washington University. 



“Our data showed that any cannabis use in the past year affected health outcomes, but we couldn’t determine the impact of different consumption methods or amounts. We hope this study encourages further research on cannabis's health effects.”



While public perception may deem cannabis as relatively safe, this study highlights its potential risks in the context of COVID-19, underscoring the need for more comprehensive research on its health implications.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-implications-of-cannabis-use">Health implications of cannabis use</h2>



Cannabis use can have various health implications, both positive and negative, depending on the frequency, method of consumption, and individual factors.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-therapeutic-benefits-nbsp">Therapeutic benefits&nbsp;</h3>



Some studies suggest that cannabis can provide therapeutic benefits, such as pain relief, reduction of nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients, and improved appetite in individuals with HIV/AIDS.&nbsp;



Additionally, certain compounds in cannabis, like CBD, are being researched for their potential to reduce anxiety and seizures.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-health">Mental health</h3>



However, cannabis use also carries risks. Frequent use, especially from a young age, has been linked to cognitive impairments, including problems with memory, attention, and learning.&nbsp;



There is evidence suggesting that heavy use can increase the risk of developing mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis, particularly in individuals with a predisposition to these conditions.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-respiratory-risks-nbsp">Respiratory risks&nbsp;</h3>



Smoking cannabis can also have respiratory effects similar to those of tobacco, including chronic bronchitis and lung irritation.&nbsp;



While vaping or ingesting cannabis can mitigate some respiratory risks, these methods are not without their own potential health concerns.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2820235" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Network Open</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates. 



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



-----

Cannabis use linked to elevated risk of severe COVID-19

As COVID-19 began its global spread in late 2019, scientists...

A recent study has revealed a potential grid system in Earth's plants, shedding new light on renewable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/renewable-energy-is-the-latest-threat-to-bird-populations/">energy</a> sources and their connection to plant circadian rhythms.



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.iitkgp.ac.in/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur</a> have explored how the natural 24-hour cycles of plants could be harnessed to generate electricity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-renewable-energy">Renewable energy</h2>



Renewable energy comes from natural sources that can replenish themselves over short periods, unlike fossil fuels, which take millions of years to form. 



Major renewable energy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bamboo-plants-shows-great-potential-to-become-the-next-big-renewable-energy-source/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sources</a> include solar power, wind power, hydropower, geothermal energy, and biomass. Solar power harnesses energy from the sun using photovoltaic cells, while wind power captures the kinetic energy of wind using turbines. Hydropower generates electricity from flowing water in rivers or dams. 



Geothermal energy taps into the Earth's internal heat, often from hot springs or volcanic activity. Biomass energy derives from organic materials, such as plant and animal waste, which can be converted into electricity or fuel. 



Renewable energy is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating climate change, and providing sustainable power for the future. It offers a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, contributing to energy security and environmental preservation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-discovery-process">The discovery process</h2>



The research team investigated the effects of attaching electrodes to water hyacinths and lucky bamboo.



"Our eureka moment was when our first experiments showed it is possible to produce electricity in a cyclic rhythm and the precise linkage between this and the plant's inherent daily rhythm," explained study co-author Suman Chakraborty.



The experts linked this relationship to water transpiration and the ions carried through the plant's sap ascent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhancing-renewable-energy-with-plant-power">Enhancing renewable energy with plant power</h2>



By examining the plants' electrical rhythms and measuring the power output in sustainable ways, the researchers found an all-natural power grid right beneath our feet. 



Although the scale of the output remains uncertain, this discovery could enhance our renewable energy capacity. 



In 2023, renewable energy expanded by 510 gigawatts globally, and adding plants to the mix could reduce costs and reliance on fossil fuels. Furthermore, plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, offering dual benefits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-previous-inspirations-and-technological-advances">Previous inspirations and technological advances</h2>



Plants have long inspired researchers to explore <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bioelectric-future-harnessing-the-natural-energy-of-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural energy</a> potentials. Previously, a team created "power plants" using leaf-shaped generators to harness energy from wind and rain. 



Another company, Plant-e, developed technology that captures electrons released into the soil during photosynthesis to power small sensors and lighting.



In 2013, researchers at the University of Georgia's Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center studied plants' energy storage capabilities, aiming to improve <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solar-power-has-won-the-prize-to-become-earths-main-source-of-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar power technology</a>.



"Plants are the undisputed champions of solar power," the <a href="https://www.uga.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Georgia</a> article stated. "After billions of years of evolution, most of them operate at nearly 100 percent quantum efficiency."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-opportunities-in-agrivoltaic-farming">Future opportunities in agrivoltaic farming </h2>



The integration of plants and solar power extends beyond energy generation. Agrivoltaic farming, where farmland is shared with solar panels, offers mutual benefits.



Plants and animals benefit from the shade provided by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/floating-solar-panels-could-power-entire-countries/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar panels</a>, while plants cool their environment through transpiration, enhancing panel efficiency.



Battery manufacturers have also turned to plants for solutions, using extracts to potentially extend the lifespan of zinc-based power cells.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-as-renewable-energy-sources">Plants as renewable energy sources</h2>



The discovery of plants as a renewable energy source is a promising step towards a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-inspires-solutions-for-a-sustainable-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainable future</a>.



By understanding and harnessing the natural rhythms of plants, we can develop innovative solutions to meet our energy needs while protecting the environment. 



The journey to fully realize this potential is ongoing, but the possibilities are vast and exciting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-applications-of-renewable-energy-from-plants">Applications of renewable energy from plants</h2>



The integration of plant-based renewable energy systems could revolutionize urban planning and architecture. Imagine city buildings designed with green roofs and walls, where plants not only provide insulation and aesthetic value but also generate electricity. 



This approach could transform skyscrapers into self-sustaining ecosystems, reducing energy costs and enhancing air quality. Additionally, advancements in biotechnology might enable the genetic modification of plants to optimize their energy production capabilities, further increasing their efficiency as natural power sources. 



Exploring the synergy between plant biology and renewable energy technology could open up new frontiers in sustainable development, offering innovative solutions to global energy challenges and environmental conservation efforts.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Tapping into the natural power of plants for renewable energy

A recent study has revealed a potential grid system in...

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-germinate-seeds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plants</a> are extremely adaptable organisms that have evolved remarkable strategies to survive in various environments. One such strategy is seed dormancy, which prevents seeds from germinating even under optimal conditions, reducing the risk to seedlings during adverse periods.



In Mediterranean climates like Cyprus, summers can be extremely hot and dry, posing a significant threat to young seedlings.&nbsp;



A subspecies of Aethionema arabicum in Cyprus has evolved a unique <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seed-germination-is-controlled-by-an-internal-thermometer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adaptation</a> to avoid germination during these harsh months. In a recent study, experts investigated the molecular basis of this adaptation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-suppression-of-germination-nbsp">Long-term suppression of germination&nbsp;</h2>



Previously, researchers discovered that direct light exposure inhibits the germination of Aethionema arabicum seeds.&nbsp;



The new study explored whether light exposure could also induce long-term suppression of germination, known as secondary dormancy. The investigation revealed that the length of daily light exposure was crucial in establishing secondary dormancy.&nbsp;



“This mechanism makes a lot of sense: day length is a much more stable condition than temperature or humidity, which may vary significantly from one day to the next,” said lead author Zsuzsanna Mérai, a postdoctoral fellow at the <a href="https://www.oeaw.ac.at/gmi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gregor Mendel Institute</a>.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-the-seedlings">Protecting the seedlings</h2>



As days lengthen in summer, seeds exposed to longer light periods avoid germinating, thereby preventing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orchid-parents-nurture-seedlings-through-fungal-networks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seedlings</a> from facing lethal conditions.



The researchers demonstrated that exposing seeds to 16 hours of light per day resulted in long-term suppression of germination, even when the seeds were later placed in darkness.&nbsp;



“Even if we put the seeds back to dark conditions, they will not germinate because they will remember that the conditions were not good for sprouting,” Mérai explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-triggers-nbsp-of-seed-dormancy">Triggers&nbsp;of seed dormancy </h2>



While secondary dormancy has been observed before, its molecular triggers were not well understood. By screening a library of mutated seeds unable to establish secondary dormancy, the researchers identified RGL2 as the primary regulator.&nbsp;



“Seeds with mutations in the RGL2 gene are still inhibited by light, but only short term. Lacking RGL2, secondary dormancy induction fails,” Mérai said.&nbsp;



Moreover, the analyses revealed that RGL2 regulates over 3,300 genes associated with secondary dormancy, affecting both pro-dormancy and dormancy-repressing genes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-molecular-basis-of-secondary-dormancy-nbsp">Molecular basis of secondary dormancy&nbsp;</h2>



Previous research has shown that seed dormancy results from the balance between abscisic acid (ABA), a dormancy-promoting hormone, and gibberellin (GA), a dormancy-repressing hormone.&nbsp;



The study showed that RGL2 suppresses GA production and enhances ABA synthesis in seeds exposed to light.&nbsp;



However, the scientists discovered that only the reduction of GA levels, not the increase of ABA levels, was essential for inducing secondary dormancy.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapting-germination-patterns">Adapting germination patterns </h2>



These findings reveal how some plants adapt their germination patterns to avoid harsh summer conditions, differing from the traditional view that light induces germination.&nbsp;



“Some plants seem to have tweaked germination to adapt to specific climates,” Mérai said.&nbsp;



The study also showed that summer heat and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-drought-crisis-un-warns-of-unprecedented-emergency/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drought</a> trigger the end of dormancy, preparing seeds for favorable conditions.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-research">Ongoing research</h2>



The researchers plan to investigate if similar mechanisms exist in other plants, which could have significant implications for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farmers-can-help-make-crops-more-resilient/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crop resilience</a> in warming climates.&nbsp;



“Our findings could be applied to make new crops that are better adapted to warmer climates and the continuously rising temperatures,” Mérai concluded.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-which-plants-use-seed-dormancy">Which plants use seed dormancy?</h2>



Seed dormancy is a survival strategy that is used across a wide range of plant species, each adapted to their unique ecological niches.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees">Trees</h3>



Trees such as oak, pine, and maple exhibit seed dormancy to ensure germination at the optimal time for growth.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grasses">Grasses</h3>



Several grass species, including wild grasses and some cultivated varieties like wheat and barley, also use seed dormancy to avoid germination under unfavorable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-have-a-way-of-telling-us-what-climate-they-can-survive-in/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conditions</a>.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-legumes-nbsp">Legumes&nbsp;</h3>



Plants in the legume family, such as peas, beans, and clovers, often have hard seed coats that contribute to dormancy.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildflowers">Wildflowers</h3>



Many wildflower species, like lupines and poppies, exhibit seed dormancy to ensure they germinate when conditions are ideal for survival.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shrubs-nbsp">Shrubs&nbsp;</h3>



Various shrubs, including those in the genus Rosa (roses) and Rubus (blackberries and raspberries), also use seed dormancy to synchronize germination with favorable environmental conditions.&nbsp;



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2024.05.043" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Plant seeds go dormant to avoid harsh conditions

Plants are extremely adaptable organisms that have evolved remarkable strategies...

Research focused on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-virus-that-attacks-black-eyed-peas-also-kills-cancer-tumors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> native to Ethiopia is showing promise in the fight against cervical cancer cells. A collaboration is adding valuable insights into these compounds' potential.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ethiopian-plants-and-cancer">Ethiopian plants and cancer</h2>



Ethiopia's diverse flora, comprising over 6,000 species, boasts numerous plants with significant medicinal properties. Traditional Ethiopian medicine utilizes various indigenous plants to treat ailments ranging from infections to digestive issues. 



Notable examples include&nbsp;Moringa stenopetala, known for its nutritional and medicinal benefits, and&nbsp;Thymus schimperi, commonly used for respiratory issues and as an antimicrobial agent.&nbsp;Echinops kebericho, another indigenous plant, is traditionally used to combat infections and inflammation.



Research into these plants reveals their potential beyond traditional uses. For instance, studies show that&nbsp;Moringa stenopetala&nbsp;possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties. 



Additionally,&nbsp;Thymus schimperi&nbsp;and other aromatic herbs from Ethiopia demonstrate strong antimicrobial activities, offering natural alternatives to synthetic antibiotics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaboration-across-borders">Collaboration across borders</h2>



A research team from <a href="https://www.gsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Georgia State University</a>, <a href="https://perimeter.gsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Georgia State’s Perimeter College</a>, <a href="https://www.aau.edu.et/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia</a>, and the <a href="https://winshipcancer.emory.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winship Cancer Center at Emory University</a> is spearheading this initiative.



This project, part of the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (CADFP), involves collecting and testing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/increasing-plant-extinction-threatens-the-future-of-medicine-and-human-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> known for their medicinal properties.



Paulos Yohannes, a chemistry professor and associate dean for STEM/research at Georgia State University’s Perimeter College, is leading this work. 



Yohannes explains that natural products have been used by African practitioners for centuries, but a lack of access to advanced instruments has hindered their ability to publish research. 



The Carnegie Fellowship aims to bridge this gap by matching African-born professors with African universities to enhance research and teaching efforts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cancer-fighting-potential-of-plant-compounds">Cancer-fighting potential of plant compounds</h2>



Following early success with the fellowship, Yohannes has returned to Ethiopia to continue the work. 



Many modern medicines originate from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chemical-found-in-cannabis-plants-can-actually-reduce-cannabis-induced-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant chemicals</a>, which are significant in oncology. The bioactive chemicals in these plants, such as flavonoids, tannins, curcumin, and resveratrol, have known antitumor properties.



“There are many medicinal plants that have been used by traditional healers for centuries,” Yohannes said. “Preliminary studies have shown that we are working with plant extracts exhibiting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kencur-ginger-discovery-could-revolutionize-cancer-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anticancer</a> activities.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-analyzing-plant-extracts-for-cancer-treatment">Analyzing plant extracts for cancer treatment</h2>



Yohannes is collaborating with Binghe Wang, Georgia State Regents’ Professor and Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar. 



The team has analyzed over 30 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-plant-extracts-can-block-covid-19-infection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant extracts</a> from Ethiopia, finding several active against cervical cancer cells. The research has yielded significant results, including the discovery of a new compound not found in existing databases.



Materials from these plants are extracted by an Ethiopian team led by Professor Ermias Dagne, who has over 45 years of experience in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/narrowing-the-search-for-new-medicinal-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">medicinal plant</a> chemistry.



These extracts are sent to Georgia State as crude extracts or isolated compounds for testing their disease-fighting effectiveness.



Cytotoxicity tests are performed on HeLa cells (cervical cancer) to determine the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC-50), a key measure of a drug's efficacy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identifying-and-analyzing-anticancer-compounds">Identifying and analyzing anticancer compounds</h2>



“There are two important aspects to such a research project,” Wang explained. 



“First, we assess these extracts or purified compounds for biological activity, starting with cell culture experiments. In searching for anticancer compounds, we look for those that exhibit potent cytotoxicity against <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/holy-grail-molecule-can-kill-all-types-of-solid-cancer-tumors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer cells</a>. Once activity is confirmed, we conduct spectroscopic experiments to confirm the compounds' structures.”



The team is working with compounds from a plant identified as Commiphora sp. nov., endemic to Ethiopia.



Several compounds isolated from these extracts were analyzed spectroscopically by Siming Wang, Director of the Mass Spectrometry Facility, and Zhenming Du, Senior Scientist and Director of the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Facility at Georgia State. 



Additionally, anticancer activity analysis is conducted by experts at the Winship Cancer Center at Emory University under the leadership of Wei Zhou, who heads the Cell and Molecular Research Program.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-plants-and-cancer-research">Future of plants and cancer research</h2>



So far, four plant extracts have shown higher activity not only against cervical cancer cells but also other cell lines. The researchers have observed “interesting cell death pathways,” and more samples are on the way for further analysis.



“Eighty percent of the Ethiopian population uses traditional medicine to treat their illnesses. We know these plants have medicinal value,” Yohannes said. “I am encouraged that this research will yield extraordinary findings and inspire more extensive study.”



This collaboration highlights the potential of traditional knowledge combined with modern scientific techniques to discover new cancer-fighting compounds, offering hope for new treatments and a deeper understanding of natural medicine's role in healthcare.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Many plant species show great promise in fight against cancer

Research focused on plants native to Ethiopia is showing promise...

We know the importance of pollinators like bees and butterflies for plant reproduction.&nbsp;But did you know that insects,&nbsp;both as pollinators and as pests,&nbsp;play a much bigger role in shaping the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-some-plants-genus-spread-farther-grow-faster-than-others/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant kingdom</a> and its evolution?&nbsp;



A remarkable study from the <a href="https://www.uzh.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Zurich</a> has uncovered how the complex interplay between plants and insects can turbocharge plant evolution,&nbsp;with far-reaching implications for agriculture and biodiversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-insect-interactions">Plant-insect interactions</h2>



Plants,&nbsp;like all living organisms,&nbsp;need to adapt to their environment to survive and thrive.&nbsp;One of the most fundamental aspects of a plant's environment is the soil it grows in.&nbsp;



Different soils vary in their nutrient content,&nbsp;water availability,&nbsp;and texture,&nbsp;requiring plants to evolve specialized traits to make the most of their specific soil conditions.&nbsp;This adaptation process can lead to the formation of distinct plant varieties,&nbsp;or ecotypes,&nbsp;each finely tuned to a particular soil type.



While scientists have long understood the importance of soil adaptation for plants,&nbsp;the University of Zurich study sheds new light on how interactions with insects can dramatically accelerate this process.&nbsp;



The research focused on two key types of insect interactions:&nbsp;pollination by bumblebees and herbivory by aphids.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bumblebees-and-aphids-in-plant-evolution">Bumblebees and aphids in plant evolution</h2>



The study involved a multi-generational experiment with swede plants grown in a greenhouse under different pollination and herbivory conditions. Some plants were pollinated by bumblebees, while others were hand-pollinated. In addition, some plants were exposed to aphids, while others were kept aphid-free.



After ten generations,&nbsp;the researchers examined the plants to see how they had changed.&nbsp;The results were striking.&nbsp;Only the plants pollinated by bumblebees showed significant differences in their physical traits depending on the soil type they were grown in.&nbsp;This suggests that bumblebee pollination somehow helped the plants adapt more effectively to their specific soil conditions.



But the most surprising finding came when the researchers looked at the plants that had been both bumblebee-pollinated and exposed to aphids.&nbsp;



These plants showed the most remarkable adaptation to their soil types,&nbsp;far surpassing the other groups.&nbsp;This suggests that the combination of pollination and herbivory creates a powerful evolutionary cocktail,&nbsp;driving plants to evolve more rapidly and efficiently.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-bumblebees-and-aphids-make-a-difference">Why bumblebees and aphids make a difference</h2>



"The results show that biotic interactions can have a strong influence on plants' ability to adapt to abiotic factors and that adaptation is most efficient when plants are exposed to a variety of interactions," said Florian Schiestl,&nbsp;the lead researcher of the study.



But why do bumblebees and aphids have such a profound impact on plant evolution?&nbsp;The answer likely lies in the complex interplay between these insects and the plants they interact with.



Bumblebees,&nbsp;as pollinators,&nbsp;play a crucial role in plant reproduction.&nbsp;By transferring pollen between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-of-life-created-for-flowering-plants-using-400-million-specimens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flowers</a>,&nbsp;they help plants produce seeds and ensure genetic diversity.&nbsp;This diversity is essential for adaptation,&nbsp;as it provides the raw material for natural selection to act upon.



Aphids,&nbsp;on the other hand,&nbsp;are herbivores that feed on plant sap.&nbsp;While this may seem harmful,&nbsp;it can actually stimulate plant defenses and promote genetic changes that help plants better withstand environmental stresses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balance-in-plant-evolution-and-insects">Balance in plant evolution and insects</h2>



The intricate relationship between plants and insects is a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-twist-in-the-evolution-of-plant-pollinator-relationships/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dynamic interplay</a> where each organism significantly influences the evolutionary path of the other.&nbsp;



This co-evolutionary process is highlighted by the University of Zurich study,&nbsp;which demonstrates how interactions with both pollinators like bumblebees and herbivores like aphids can drive plant adaptation to varying soil conditions.



The intricate dance between plants and insects is not merely a fascinating biological phenomenon but also holds critical implications for the broader ecosystem. 



Understanding the nuances of this relationship is essential for addressing the challenges posed by changing environmental conditions.&nbsp;By deciphering the mechanisms through which insects shape plant evolution,&nbsp;scientists can develop strategies to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/all-plants-on-earth-could-be-saved-from-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">safeguard biodiversity</a> and enhance the resilience of agricultural systems.



The study's findings underscore the importance of considering the entire ecological network rather than focusing solely on individual species.&nbsp;



The complex <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-have-complex-biochemical-communication-networks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interactions</a> between plants and insects are a microcosm of the larger interconnectedness of life on Earth,&nbsp;and appreciating this interconnectedness is crucial for sustainable environmental management and food production.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-49383-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Insects boost plant evolution in surprising ways

We know the importance of pollinators like bees and butterflies...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"] Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"]</div>



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)



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="MHyhtebibJ-2200368-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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

News coming your way