Fungi,Aspergillus,,Black,Mold,,Which,Produce,Aflatoxins,And,Cause,Pulmonary

Imagine inhaling hundreds of invisible spores every day. Most float in and out without leaving a trace. Yet some belong molds that don't respect boundaries.



Some fungus species will infect lungs, spoil crops, and disrupt ecosystems all at the same time. In short, they can wreak massive havoc and leave death in their wake.



Most molds and fungi are helpful, but some fungus and mold will jump from hospital wards to honeybee hives, and the line between helpful recycler and harmful invader grows blurrier each year.



Most of the time, healthy immune systems swat away dangerous spores and fight off infection. Trouble arises when weakened defenses, rising temperatures, and heavy fungicide use tip the scales. 



Suddenly, the same fungus that quietly decomposes the fallen leaves in your yard can trigger relentless coughs, damage corn silos, and shrug off medicines that once kept it in check.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aspergillus-fungus-easily-adapts">Aspergillus fungus easily adapts</h2>



After studying fungal threats for years, Dr. Norman van Rhijn and colleagues at <a href="https://www.manchester.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Manchester</a> mapped how three notorious Aspergillus species - A. flavus, A. fumigatus, and A. niger - might spread through the end of the century. 



They fed climate change scenarios into global models and watched the virtual spores drift. One scenario (SSP585), which assumes a fossil-fuel-dependent future, paints an unsettling picture: habitats across Europe become markedly friendlier to these pathogens.



Aspergillus fungus thrives because its genome bends easily to new pressures. It lives on soil, grains, animal feathers, even coral skeletons. Out in the wild, it recycles nutrients, but on farms and in clinics, the story shifts. 



Farmers spray <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/super-fungus-is-among-us-drug-resistant-fungi-is-thriving-in-every-corner-of-the-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">azole fungicides</a> to protect wheat and peanuts; doctors use nearly identical azole drugs to save patients with lung infections. That overlap nudges Aspergillus toward drug resistance - similar to bacteria evolving against <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-rivers-are-highly-saturated-with-human-antibiotics-helping-bacteria-develop-resistance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antibiotics</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-reshapes-global-mold-map">Climate reshapes global mold map</h2>



Temperature, humidity, and extreme weather events dictate where spores settle. 



“Changes in environmental factors, such as humidity and extreme weather events, will change habitats and drive fungal adaptation and spread,” said Dr. van Rhijn. 



“We’ve already seen the emergence of the fungus <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toxic-microbes-aerosols-can-travel-thousands-of-miles-through-the-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Candida auris</a> due to rising temperatures, but, until now, we had little information on how other fungi might respond to this change in the environment.” 



He added that fungi remain “relatively under-researched compared to viruses and parasites,” yet the new maps show they will likely reach “most areas of the world in the future.”



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Aspergillus_global-distributions_map_credit-MaxENT_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Aspergillus_global-distributions_map_credit-MaxENT_1s.webp" alt="MaxENT model accurate described Aspergillus global distributions. Credit: University of Manchester" class="wp-image-1973600"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">MaxENT model accurate described Aspergillus global distributions. Click image to enlarge. Credit: University of Manchester</figcaption></figure>



Those maps point to striking numbers. Under the high-emissions pathway, the range of A. flavus in Europe could jump about 16 percent, potentially putting another one million people at risk of infection. 



A. fumigatus - the chief culprit behind invasive aspergillosis - could expand its European footprint by 77.5 percent, threatening up to nine million more residents. 



In Africa, paradoxically, parts of the continent may become too hot for some fungi to survive, hinting at complex regional trade-offs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forecasting-aspergillus-fungus-spread">Forecasting Aspergillus fungus spread</h2>



Forecasting pathogens decades ahead may sound speculative, but it builds on earlier warnings. Hospitals already grapple with Aspergillus fungus outbreaks after building renovations or severe dust storms. 



Meanwhile, intensive-care units report stubborn cases in patients recovering from influenza or COVID-19. 



Rising outdoor spore loads could translate to more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-deadly-molds-attack-the-immune-system-of-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hospital admissions</a> and costlier treatments, especially because diagnostics for fungal infections lag far behind those for bacteria or viruses.



Mycotoxin contamination adds another layer. A single year of heavy Aspergillus growth can saddle the U.S. corn industry with losses topping $1 billion. 



Increased heat and humidity extend the window for mold growth in silos and fields, forcing farmers to discard grain or blend batches to dilute toxins - strategies that still carry economic and health risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-current-drugs-don-t-work">Current drugs don't work</h2>



Azole resistance has climbed steadily in Europe and Asia. Patients with resistant Aspergillus fungus infections face mortality rates exceeding 50 percent, partly because alternative drugs can damage the kidneys or liver. 



Each hectare treated with agricultural azoles raises the odds that environmental spores will carry resistance genes into hospitals. 



Public-health agencies now track these genes in soil and compost piles, hoping to spot trouble before it reaches intensive care.



Fungicide demand is also changing. As some African regions exceed the thermal limits for certain molds, farmers elsewhere may spray more to protect lengthening growing seasons.



That feedback loop - more fungicide, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-plays-an-overlooked-role-in-antibiotic-resistance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stronger resistance</a> - complicates food security and patient care alike.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farms-food-and-rising-bills">Farms, food, and rising bills</h2>



Aspergillus isn’t the lone shapeshifter. Fusarium, which devastates wheat and oat fields, and Cryptococcus, an opportunistic pathogen in AIDS patients, also respond to warming climates. 



“Fungal pathogens pose a serious threat to human health by causing infections and disrupting food systems. Climate change will make these risks worse," explains Viv Goosens of <a href="https://wellcome.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wellcome</a>.



"To address these challenges, we must fill important research gaps. By using models and maps to track the spread of fungi, we can better direct resources and prepare for the future.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aspergillus-fungus-and-human-health">Aspergillus fungus and human health</h2>



Fungi account for an estimated 1.5 to 3.8 million species, yet fewer than 10 percent carry official descriptions, and only a sliver have sequenced genomes. 



The scarcity of basic data hinders vaccine development and slows the hunt for safer drug targets. 



Recognizing this blind spot, the <a href="https://www.who.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Health Organization</a> added Aspergillus fungus and Candida species to its priority list for emerging threats in 2022.



Researchers now call for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-of-food-safety-ai-can-detect-contamination-early/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coordinated monitoring</a> - combining air quality sensors, agricultural sampling, and hospital surveillance - to trace spore movement in near-real time. 



Such efforts could flag hotspots, guide fungicide regulations, and spark investment in rapid diagnostics. Without them, today’s manageable mold may evolve into tomorrow’s silent pandemic.



No single fix will erase the risk. Cutting greenhouse gas emissions limits the environmental changes that favor Aspergillus fungus. 



Smarter fungicide policies slow resistance on farms. Better ventilation in buildings reduces indoor spore counts, while new antifungal classes extend doctors’ toolkits. 



Piece by piece, these steps can keep an ancient decomposer from becoming an outsized menace in a warming world.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-6545782/v1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Research Square</a>.



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Deadly fungus that can 'eat you from the inside out' is now in the U.S. and quickly spreading around the world

Imagine inhaling hundreds of invisible spores every day. Most float in and out without leaving a trace. Yet some belong molds that don't respect boundaries. Some fungus species will infect lungs, spoil crops, and disrupt ecosystems all at the same time. In short, they can wreak massive havoc and leave death in their wake. Most molds and fungi are helpful, but some fungus and mold will jump from hospital wards to honeybee hives, and the line between helpful recycler and harmful invader grows blurrier each year. Most...

Yeast may seem unremarkable at first glance. Most of us know it as the stuff behind bread and beverages, yet there is more to these tiny organisms than meets the eye.



A new study reveals that genetic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yeast-in-forests-reveals-a-story-of-ancient-human-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diversity</a> and temperature tolerance are closely linked, offering fascinating insights into how certain species might endure in a rapidly changing world. 



The findings come from work led by <a href="https://www.su.se/english/profiles/jemo1068-1.650245" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jennifer Molinet</a> and <a href="https://www.su.se/english/profiles/rstel-1.321100" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rike Stelkens</a>, both researchers in the Department of Zoology at Stockholm University.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yeast-helps-us-study-evolution">Yeast helps us study evolution</h2>



Yeast is actually a <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/microorganism" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microorganism</a> that belongs to the kingdom of fungi. It has been essential to humankind’s cooking and fermentation processes for centuries. 



Scientists also use it in the lab to investigate big questions in ecology and evolution because it reproduces quickly and is easy to grow under controlled <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-and-bakers-yeast-have-similar-dna/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conditions</a>.



These qualities helped researchers watch adaptation unfold over 600 generations. A temperature increase from 77°F to 104°F provided a model of future warming.



This setup allowed them to see how eight different yeast species, each with unique histories, handled steamy conditions without stepping outside the lab.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-yeast-handles-heat">How yeast handles heat</h2>



The team monitored the growth and development of these yeast populations and took note of shifts in temperature tolerance. They gathered data about how each species performed at various points along the heat spectrum. 



This continuous observation offered a window into <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169534712001425" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">experimental evolution</a>, where small changes can accumulate into noticeable differences.



“We found that different species use different evolutionary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brewing-beer-in-space-the-future-of-fermentation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strategies</a> to adapt to heat: some species, already warm-tolerant, did not improve their performance, but rather expanded their temperature range," said Molinet.



"Other species, more adapted to the cold, were able to withstand higher temperatures, but this came at the cost of reduced overall fitness," she added. No single adaptation path appeared across all species. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yeast-s-changing-abilities">Yeast's changing abilities</h2>



Certain yeast species excelled at handling the heat but lost out in other areas. Those with cooler preferences had room to push their upper limit, though they sacrificed maximum growth in the process. 



This pattern hints that there might be trade-offs for any population facing an environmental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-new-window-into-the-early-evolution-of-flowering-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shift</a>. Some species broadened their tolerance without boosting their ability to thrive at hot temperatures. 



Others raised their limit for warmth but ended up less efficient when it came to peak growth. That distinction may be critical when predicting how biodiversity fares in changing environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warming-threatens-biodiversity">Warming threatens biodiversity</h2>



<a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/biodiversity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biodiversity</a> is the variety of life that enriches ecosystems around the world. Studies like this one show how organisms can adapt under stressful conditions. 



The research also hints that species already equipped for warmer climates might keep improving, while those that like cooler spots could struggle to keep up. Small genetic changes can make a big difference in how a species responds to environmental stress. 



Over time, genetic adaptations could alter entire ecosystems if certain microbes become more common. This raises a puzzle about who wins and who loses when heat becomes the norm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-lessons-from-yeast">Climate change lessons from yeast</h2>



The same group has looked at other organisms too. In a separate <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40379980/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">publication</a>, they studied temperature adaptation in seed beetles. 



This sort of comparative approach shows how different species, from insects to fungi, adjust to new extremes.



It all comes down to how well an organism’s <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037810979900292X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary potential</a> can keep pace. <a href="https://imet.usmd.edu/activities/what-genetic-diversity" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Genetic diversity</a> forms the bedrock that allows populations to respond to new pressures. With more variation comes a higher chance that some individuals carry traits well-suited for a hot future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yeast-shows-how-microbes-may-shift">Yeast shows how microbes may shift</h2>



One of the most interesting points of the study is that it highlights the unique paths organisms including yeast take in response to climate change. This could guide us in anticipating how microbes, and possibly pathogens, might shift their ranges or behaviors. 



Early insight can help researchers stay a step ahead in tracking which strains pose threats or benefits under higher temperatures.



Adaptation isn’t uniform. We cannot assume that every organism will simply become more heat-tolerant. Some will expand their temperature ranges, while others will change their optimal growth zone.



If entire populations head in different directions, future ecosystems could look very different.



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



“If temperatures change in the future, it is still the history in our genes that determines if and how we can adapt,” said Dr. Stelkens. The past leaves a stamp on the present. 



The findings underline how the unique background of a species can limit or boost its path forward. That sense of individuality is a reminder that no two species are alike. Each carries genetic memories of ancient environments.



Some are better equipped for certain extremes, while others are at a disadvantage when conditions shift too far from what their ancestors experienced.



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



Experiments with yeast and other microbes allow researchers to explore how life’s building blocks respond to new challenges including climate change.



There is still much to learn about specific genetic mechanisms behind heat tolerance and how trade-offs affect survival. Future work may reveal ways to preserve vulnerable species as conditions change.



Adaptation studies can also help scientists predict whether new strains might develop harmful traits. This can be pivotal for fields like medicine and agriculture, where a small genetic tweak in a microbe can affect disease spread or crop production. 



Ultimately, staying informed on such developments might protect our well-being.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2423262122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Yeast evolution reveals limits to surviving climate change

Yeast may seem unremarkable at first glance. Most of us...

Beneath the sandstone cliffs of Wollemi National Park, an unassuming evergreen has stirred curiosity among plant lovers and conservationists alike. It looks like any other conifer from a distance, but it carries a backstory that stretches to the age of dinosaurs.



Scientists only realized its significance in 1994, when a group trekking along a narrow canyon stumbled upon it. Among them was <a href="https://monumentaustralia.org.au/themes/people/government---state/display/121366-david-noble" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David Noble</a>, a field officer from the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forgotten-past-of-the-wollemi-pine">Forgotten past of the Wollemi pine</h2>



The <a href="https://www.conifers.org/ar/Araucariaceae.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Araucariaceae family</a>, which includes the Wollemi pine, traces its lineage to roughly 200 million years ago. The tree’s thick, textured bark and distinctive foliage link directly to fossils from the Jurassic era.



Botanists were surprised to see this tree thriving in a sheltered gorge after so many centuries. A then-Director of the <a href="https://www.kew.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Botanic Gardens</a> remarked that the Wollemi pine was the “botanical equivalent of finding a small dinosaur still alive on Earth.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-securing-a-living-fossil">Securing a living fossil</h2>



This species remains <a href="https://apistaging.iucnredlist.org/species/34926/150329250#:~:text=Wollemi%20Pine%20Wollemia%20nobilis%20has,(i%2Cii)%3B%20D" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">critically endangered</a> according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (<a href="https://iucn.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN</a>). 



Fewer than 100 mature individuals exist in the wild, and they are at high risk from events like wildfires and invasive pathogens.



Strict biosecurity steps are in place to keep these precious trees safe. 



Any person granted access is required to undergo decontamination to guard against <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/invasive-species/publications/management-phytophthora-cinnamomi-biodiversity-conservation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Phytophthora cinnamomi</a>, a soil-borne menace known for devastating vulnerable plant populations.



Conservation organizations recognized early on that establishing the Wollemi <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-trees-are-reaching-new-heights-in-the-mountains/">pine</a> outside its habitat was essential. 



These efforts spurred research on growing seedlings in botanic gardens and even in private homes, reducing the urge for poaching and building global awareness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fight-against-poaching-and-plant-crime">Fight against poaching and plant crime</h2>



The Wollemi pine’s rarity has made it a target for illegal collectors. Authorities have reported attempted thefts and unauthorized visits, prompting tighter surveillance and enforcement in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-earths-most-endangered-plants-from-extinction-proving-difficult-botanic-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protected area</a>.



To reduce black-market demand, officials expanded legal propagation through licensed nurseries in the early 2000s. 



This strategy gave collectors a legal way to obtain the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/slow-and-steady-tree-growth-wins-the-race-for-carbon-capture/">tree</a> while protecting the wild population from being raided.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-guarding-a-timeless-treasure">Guarding a timeless treasure</h2>



Its wild population remains under tight surveillance. Rangers keep watch for any sign of shifting climate patterns that might harm these old-growth survivors, with particular attention to droughts and fires. 



In January 2020, a heroic firefighting effort spared a cluster of Wollemi pines from an intense blaze, underscoring the dedication of those who safeguard it.



Despite the challenges, young trees continue to be distributed to botanical institutions worldwide. Some <a href="https://www.botanicgardens.org.au/discover-and-learn/plant-conservation-and-discoveries/genetic-diversity-discovered-wollemi-pine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">specialists</a> estimate that a few could live for nearly 1,000 years, adding another layer of fascination to this enduring story.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wollemi-pines-and-climate-resilience">Wollemi pines and climate resilience</h2>



The Wollemi pine’s survival strategy may offer clues for climate change adaptation in other species. Its ability to persist through massive shifts in Earth’s environment makes it a valuable subject for studying long-term ecological resilience.



Researchers are exploring how the pine’s physiology handles temperature extremes and water stress. Insights from its ancient genome could guide future efforts to protect modern forests facing worsening climate instability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-science-is-preserving-its-future">How science is preserving its future</h2>



Scientists at <a href="https://www.kew.org/wakehurst/whats-at-wakehurst/millennium-seed-bank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank</a> are storing seeds from mature Wollemi pines to secure a genetic backup. These seeds are preserved under carefully controlled conditions to ensure they remain viable for decades.



In addition to seed banking, tissue culture and cloning efforts are underway to maintain genetic diversity. 



By using multiple propagation techniques, researchers aim to prevent a genetic bottleneck that could leave the species vulnerable to future disease or environmental change.



The Wollemi pine’s unexpected reappearance has challenged long-held beliefs about extinction. Scientists now recognize that some species thought lost may still survive in remote or unexplored regions.



This discovery has encouraged new exploration strategies in biodiversity hotspots. Conservationists are investing in advanced surveying tools like <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-remote-sensing-and-what-it-used" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">remote sensing</a> and <a href="https://iucn.org/resources/issues-brief/environmental-dna" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental DNA</a> to uncover other hidden survivors.



Photo credits: Grzegorz Grzejszczak.



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The Wollemi pine, a 200-million-year-old survivor from the Jurassic period, is now the most protected tree on Earth

Beneath the sandstone cliffs of Wollemi National Park, an unassuming...

Across the globe, the fight against climate change has sparked a movement. One of the most common strategies is tree planting. Rows of trees lining empty fields have become a symbol of hope. While this practice does help trap carbon, a new study urges us to look deeper - into the forests themselves.



The research highlights the potential of forest-based agroforestry (FAF), which nurtures existing forests and supports climate stability, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-undisturbed-forests-support-greater-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>, traditions, and local economies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tree-planting-vs-forest-management">Tree planting vs. forest management</h2>



Tree planting is straightforward. You plant new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-provide-different-health-benefits-based-on-their-structure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a> where there were none before. This approach works best on treeless lands like empty farms. These new trees absorb carbon and cool the environment. But forests already serve as massive carbon reservoirs. The key lies in how we manage them.



Forest-based agroforestry offers a different path. Instead of planting trees in bare spaces, it introduces crops into living forests. This method encourages sustainable interaction. It enhances both forest health and productivity. Unlike industrial agriculture, it does not remove existing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/many-forests-that-benefit-people-also-shelter-endangered-birds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a> or disrupt ecosystems. It adds to them.



“We want to make sure that we clarify that forest-based agroforestry (FAF) can achieve similar climate benefits as tree planting in fields,” said Karam Sheban, the study's lead author at <a href="https://www.yale.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yale University</a>.



“The big takeaway is that human management of forests can result in better outcomes for forests, for people, and for the climate. It is not a zero-sum game.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-forest-farming-works">How forest farming works</h2>



Agroforestry is not a new idea. For generations, communities have grown food alongside trees. However, most modern programs focus on combining trees with open farmlands or pastures. FAF flips that model. It introduces agricultural activities within standing forests, not at their edges or in cleared sections.



This forest farming practice draws heavily from Indigenous and traditional knowledge systems. It doesn’t separate people from nature. Instead, it respects forests as living systems. 



People grow crops beneath forest canopies, harvest fruits or medicinal plants, and maintain biodiversity. The forest stays alive, and so does the human connection to it.



The study revealed that FAF promotes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-forests-are-struggling-to-keep-pace-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon storage</a>, soil health, and wildlife diversity. It also creates economic opportunities. Forest dwellers can earn by collecting forest products like berries, herbs, or nuts. Unlike clear-cutting or monoculture farming, this model does not exhaust the land.



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



Despite its promise, FAF does not receive the attention it deserves. Most agroforestry investments go toward tree-planting campaigns. These are often easier to fund, measure, and promote. A sapling in a field is a visible success. A managed forest, full of life and complexity, is harder to capture in a report.



The authors identified two major misconceptions holding FAF back. First, people often mistake it for industrial agroforestry. These systems focus on mass production of cash crops like coffee or cacao. 



In contrast, FAF supports ecological balance. Second, they wrongly apply lessons from tropical forests to temperate or boreal forests. This leads to flawed assumptions and missed opportunities.



“There’s a narrative that human activity in forests causes degradation, and that we really should leave forests untouched to maximize climate benefits. But humans living in and around forests have been supporting forest health for thousands of years and continue to do so now,” Sheban said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-the-climate-narrative">Changing the climate narrative</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-too-many-trees-could-spoil-the-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tree planting</a> and forest preservation are not mutually exclusive. We can maintain forests and still use them wisely. The idea that humans and forests must be kept apart is outdated. Forest farming offers a middle ground - neither full exploitation nor untouched isolation.



The researchers argue for thoughtful policies. They want FAF recognized in agroforestry discussions and separated from harmful industrial practices. They urge more research in cooler forest regions. 



Currently, most data comes from tropical zones. But boreal and temperate forests also have potential. Understanding how FAF works in these regions could reshape land-use policies.



“For natural climate solutions involving trees, everyone is currently focused on removal of carbon from the atmosphere through tree planting. In the right place, this can be an effective strategy and the idea that removing a tree through forest management might be beneficial seems counter-intuitive to people, especially given how people develop attachments to individual trees,” said study co-author Mark Bradford. 



“Yet, forest management often necessitates removing some trees for the collective benefit of the forest. As people start to become aware of forest-based agriculture, we need to get that message out that effective forest management can achieve multiple services.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forest-farming-a-path-to-resilience">Forest farming: A path to resilience </h2>



The future of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-still-fighting-climate-change-against-all-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> action lies not just in creating new landscapes but in renewing old ones. Forest-based agroforestry can reduce emissions, sustain livelihoods, and honor long-standing human relationships with nature. It deserves a stronger place in our conversations, budgets, and policies.



By shifting how we think about forests - from untouched reserves to living, working ecosystems - we can unlock new paths toward resilience. This means empowering local communities, respecting traditional knowledge, and investing in management systems that do more than just look good on paper.



The climate conversation is changing. And as this study shows, forests are not just part of the background. They may be central to our solutions - if we choose to manage them with care and purpose.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-025-02344-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Climate Change</a>.



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Traditional forest farming is an overlooked climate solution

Across the globe, the fight against climate change has sparked...

Kelp forests, once a towering and life-filled part of many temperate coastlines, are vanishing fast. In their place, low-growing mats of turf algae are taking over. 



This shift isn't just cosmetic. It’s causing steep losses in biodiversity, disrupting how energy and nutrients flow through reefs, and changing the chemistry of coastal waters in ways scientists are just beginning to understand.



Researchers from Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Maine and the <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Riverside</a> have now uncovered a surprising reason why kelp forests struggle to bounce back. 



The study shows that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-stress-causes-undetected-changes-in-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">turf algae</a> aren't just crowding out kelp - they’re also releasing chemicals that can kill young kelp sporelings before they have a chance to grow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-kelp-forests-aren-t-bouncing-back">Why kelp forests aren’t bouncing back</h2>



“That’s why this study is so powerful,” said Doug Rasher, Bigelow Laboratory senior research scientist and the study’s senior author. 



“It moves logically from describing a pattern in nature - the lack of recovery of kelp forests - to revealing that the chemical landscapes of kelp forests and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bleached-coral-reefs-recover-quickly-in-the-absence-of-human-influences/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">turf</a> reefs are fundamentally different, and to demonstrating that turf algae and the chemicals they exude prevent kelp recruitment.”



For years, scientists have documented the transition from kelp to turf in many temperate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-and-habitat-degradation-have-devastated-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine ecosystems</a>. But understanding what prevents kelp from returning has remained elusive.



“This shift from kelp to turf is analogous to a terrestrial forest transitioning into a grassland,” explained Shane Farrell, a UMaine doctoral student based in Rasher’s research group. “With the loss of kelp forests, we see decreases in biodiversity, productivity, and the ecosystem services they provide to humans.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-chemical-clues-in-the-ocean">Tracking chemical clues in the ocean</h2>



Earlier studies pointed out that turf algae crowd out space and often shelter small grazers that nibble on baby kelp. 



But in tropical rainforests and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reefs-could-vanish-if-temperatures-continue-to-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral reefs</a>, chemical signals in the environment have also been shown to lock ecosystems in degraded states. No one had tested if something similar might be happening in cold-water kelp forests.



To explore this, the researchers surveyed sites across the Gulf of Maine for three years. In southern Maine, where kelp forests had collapsed, new kelp was struggling to survive. The researchers gathered seaweed and water samples for chemical analysis.



Instead of targeting known compounds, the team worked with biochemistry experts to use a technique called non-targeted metabolomics. This method looks at every small molecule in a sample - even ones that have never been catalogued - to capture the full chemical picture of a site.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-chemistry-of-turf-takeover">Surprising chemistry of turf takeover</h2>



Waterborne chemicals were isolated and analyzed by breaking them into fragments and matching them to reference libraries. But that revealed only a fraction of the story. 



According to Farrell, over 98% of the chemical signals had never been described before. So the team used computational tools to predict what those molecules might be, grouping them into chemical families.



“It is awesome to see how our non-targeted metabolomics tools can shed new light on the fascinating chemical complexity caused by shifting environments, such as invasive algae,” said Daniel Petras, assistant professor of biochemistry at UC Riverside. 



“This becomes especially powerful when we combine our chemical data with functional information, such as kelp survival.”



The result? Kelp forests and turf reefs had completely different chemical fingerprints. And the chemicals found around turf algae looked suspiciously toxic to baby kelp.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kelp-forests-cannot-survive-turf-toxins">Kelp forests cannot survive turf toxins </h2>



To test this, researchers ran a series of lab experiments. They exposed kelp gametophytes - the early life stage of kelp - to two things: water from turf-dominated reefs, and chemicals isolated from the five most common turf algae species.



The outcome was dramatic. In some cases, the survival of the young kelp dropped by 500%. The chemicals being released by turf algae weren’t just unhelpful - they were deadly.



“Our study is the first to reveal that chemical warfare can underpin the rebound potential of cold-water kelp forests. And surprisingly, some of the same types of molecules we identified on turf reefs are involved in the recovery dynamics of tropical coral reefs too,” Rasher said. 



“It shows we have a lot to learn about chemical warfare on temperate reefs, the organisms and molecules involved, and how this process varies globally.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reversing-ocean-warming-is-not-enough">Reversing ocean warming is not enough </h2>



The Rasher group’s earlier work showed that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/warming-oceans-intensify-viruses-that-kill-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming oceans</a> were the main driver of kelp forest collapse in the Gulf of Maine. But this new study explains why reversing warming alone won’t be enough to bring kelp back.



“Once turf algae are established, just curbing global carbon emissions and reversing ocean warming is not going to bring Maine’s kelp forests back,” Farrell said. “Because of these feedback mechanisms, we need local interventions to remove the turf algae before kelp will actually recover.”



In other words, it’s not just about temperature anymore. To restore kelp forests, we’ll need to tackle the chemical battles happening underwater - battles that are invisible, but no less real.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adt6788" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Kelp forests in crisis: How toxic turf algae are taking over

Kelp forests, once a towering and life-filled part of many...

Trees, shrubs, and other greenery lining city streets are essential for creating healthier, more climate-resilient urban environments. They cool neighborhoods during heatwaves, absorb air pollution, support mental health, and even reduce carbon in the atmosphere.



But while these benefits are widely acknowledged, scientists have struggled to consistently monitor how street-level vegetation is changing - especially in fast-growing cities across the world.



A new study led by Giacomo Falchetta of the <a href="https://iiasa.ac.at/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis</a> (IIASA) introduces a breakthrough method for keeping tabs on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-green-spaces-are-urgently-needed-across-the-global-south/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urban green spaces</a>. 



The researchers used satellite imagery and machine learning to monitor how much vegetation exists along city streets and how that is shifting over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-global-view-of-green">A global view of green</h2>



“Our aim was to develop a method to monitor how much green infrastructure exists along streets and how it changes over time,” said Falchetta.



“Street greenery has well-documented benefits - it reduces <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cool-roofs-on-city-buildings-secret-to-beating-urban-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urban heat</a>, improves mental health, and can also absorb carbon. But until now, it’s been difficult to track it globally in a consistent and timely way.”



To tackle this issue, the team built a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-machine-learning-can-help-us-protect-chimpanzees/">machine learning</a> model to estimate what’s known as the Green View Index (GVI), a measure of how much greenery is visible from a pedestrian’s point of view.



The model was trained on labeled street-level images from cities around the world and then applied to satellite data collected between 2014 and 2022. In total, the researchers assessed 190 large urban areas across 20 global regions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-subtle-but-significant-decline"><a></a>A subtle but significant decline</h2>



The findings show that, on average, cities around the world are losing street-level greenery at a rate of 0.3 to 0.5% per year. Although these numbers may sound small, over time they add up. This is especially true in areas where temperatures are rising and green spaces are already limited.



Some regions are seeing even steeper declines. Urban areas in Asia and Oceania showed the most rapid losses, with median drops in street greenery of 1.7% and 2.6% per year, respectively.



By contrast, cities in Europe and North America showed modest gains of around 1% annually. Cities in Africa and Latin America exhibited smaller and more inconsistent changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-aren-t-shared-equally">Trees aren't shared equally</h2>



“Not only is greenery decreasing in many places, but it’s also distributed unequally," said senior author Ahmed Hammad, a scientist at <a href="https://decatab.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Decatab PTE LTD</a> in Singapore. "In many cities, green space is sparse where people live." 



"This disparity raises serious questions of fairness and access, especially as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-made-heatwaves-more-deadly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heatwaves</a> and other climate stressors intensify.” 



Urban greenery is not just a luxury - it’s a form of public infrastructure with life-saving potential. Yet in many cities, wealthier neighborhoods are noticeably greener. Climate impacts hit lower-income communities harder, leaving them with fewer trees and less shade.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-tool-for-every-city">A tool for every city</h2>



The strength of the new monitoring method lies in its scalability and accessibility. Anyone - from local governments to international agencies - can use the model and update it in real time using free Sentinel-2 satellite data and climate records.



City planners can combine GVI data with indicators like energy use, health outcomes, and temperature trends to target greening efforts more effectively.



The model provides real-time updates and is open-source. Moreover, it supports smart, data-driven decisions for greening cities in ways that are both effective and equitable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planning-for-a-greener-future">Planning for a greener future</h2>



The research aligns closely with the <a href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Nations Sustainable Development Goals</a> - particularly Goal 11, which focuses on building sustainable cities and communities.



As climate impacts grow, authors say cities must prioritize protecting and expanding green infrastructure in urban planning.



“Our results can support targeted greening policies,” Falchetta explained. “With <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-extremes-alter-how-sunlight-travels-through-clear-lakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate extremes</a> on the rise, ensuring equitable access to green space is more urgent than ever. Our work can be a valuable resource for cities to make more informed, just, and targeted greening decisions.”



In a time of rapid urbanization and climate uncertainty, cities need tools to help them grow sustainably. This new approach to monitoring street greenery offers not only a snapshot of where we stand today - but also a roadmap for a more resilient, equitable, and green urban future.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2634-4505/add9c4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability</a>.



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Alarming loss of urban greenery revealed in new models

Trees, shrubs, and other greenery lining city streets are essential...

Proteins are central to life because they shift shape in response to molecules they encounter. Some transform in milliseconds, triggering everything from muscle movement to signals in the nervous system.



Scientists have tried for decades to engineer these biological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-find-new-forms-of-life-inside-humans-rna-carriers-obelisks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">building blocks</a> to do specific tasks. 



Now there is a fresh example of synthetic proteins that adjust just like those found in cells, described by Tanja Kortemme, PhD, a professor of bioengineering at the <a href="https://www.ucsf.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, San Francisco</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proteins-that-change-shape">Proteins that change shape</h2>



Natural proteins shift into new configurations when they meet triggers such as ions or small molecules. This motion can set off downstream effects, including the release of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/neurotoxin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurotoxins</a>, the contraction of heart muscles, or the breakdown of complex nutrients.



Until recently, most engineering methods focused on building rigid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-life-begins-egg-sperm-and-a-covert-team-of-proteins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shapes</a>. That approach has powered household cleaning solutions and lifesaving drugs like insulin, but it fell short when trying to capture the graceful movements found in biological systems.



Many teams have used advanced computational tools, including <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03819-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alphaFold2</a>, to predict how proteins fold. A few years ago, these tools took a leap forward, solving perplexing puzzles that once consumed research labs for months.



The latest research adds movement to these predictions. By adjusting a protein so it can switch between two shapes, the scientists hope to open possibilities in medicine, agriculture, and even <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-algorithms-can-increase-ocean-plastic-cleanup-efficiency/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental cleanup</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-synthetic-proteins-stayed-rigid">Early synthetic proteins stayed rigid</h2>



Earlier synthetic proteins were usually static. They stayed locked in one form, which was enough for some tasks but limiting for signals that rely on on-off mechanisms.



Medications that control metabolism or cell division often target proteins that move between active and inactive states. The ability to design synthetic versions with similar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-covid-persistent-spike-proteins-accumulate-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dynamics</a> could transform drug development.



<a href="https://kortemmelab.ucsf.edu/current---amy-guo.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amy Guo</a>, a graduate student at UCSF, focused on adding a small swinging segment to a simple protein so it could bind a calcium ion. The new segment switched positions based on the presence or absence of that ion.



Upon success, she tapped advanced modeling techniques to verify that the structure would remain stable in both configurations. These techniques relied on a library of possible shapes before converging on the final two.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-small-loop-to-change-protein-shape">One small loop to change protein shape</h2>



One crucial test involved nuclear magnetic resonance simulations performed by <a href="https://pharm.ucsf.edu/nmr/people/kelly" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mark Kelly</a>, a pharmaceutical chemist at UCSF. 



Those simulations confirmed the synthetic protein could capture calcium, then return to its original shape.



Research teams have been fascinated by how small modifications open the door to more sophisticated reactions. A short movable loop can reconfigure a protein’s entire structure, paving the way for sensors that pick up subtle signals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



Scientists see applications in <a href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2017/07/biosensors-your-health" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biosensors</a> that monitor conditions in living organisms and trigger alerts for early disease signs. Others imagine proteins that break down plastics or adapt crops to temperature extremes.



“This study is the first step on a path that will lead far beyond biomedicine, into agriculture and the environment,” said Tanja Kortemme. Her team’s achievements underline the importance of shape-shifting proteins in diverse applications.



“We wanted to devise a design method that could be applied in lots of situations,” said Guo. She observed that small tweaks in a protein’s design could lock or unlock its active state.&nbsp;



These efforts may help shape new therapeutics that sense chemical signals in the body, respond to them, then revert to a resting form. Such changes enable more targeted interventions, possibly reducing side effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shape-shifting-proteins-use-energy-wisely">Shape-shifting proteins use energy wisely</h2>



Researchers note that engines of metabolism, immune responses, and other essential systems function through shifting proteins. A well-tuned synthetic protein might repair micro-fractures in metals or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-plants-rewire-themselves-to-battle-the-cold/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">boost crop resilience</a>.



“That really gives me confidence that this was for real, that we really did it,” said Guo. The finding was confirmed through multiple analytical steps.



“The possibilities are truly endless,” said Guo. Experimental validations continue, indicating that shape-changing proteins could transform a range of scientific fields.



<a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adr7094" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dynamic proteins</a> mirror nature’s preference for efficient processes, as their conformational shifts often hinge on specific environmental cues. Their shapes adapt only when needed, minimizing energy waste while enhancing reactivity.



Engineered molecules with these qualities can address urgent issues in healthcare and ecological management. 



A shape-altering protein could detect a pollutant, neutralize it, then reset itself for another encounter, giving it an edge over conventional static systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-artificial-proteins-that-react">Building artificial proteins that react</h2>



Some researchers envision <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-model-esm3-creates-new-protein-that-simulates-500-million-years-of-biological-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial proteins</a> that function like finely tuned switches in the body’s immune system. These switches could identify a virus or tumor marker, change shape to deliver a therapeutic agent, and revert once the threat is resolved.



Others point to potential uses in synthetic biology for producing fuels or sustainable materials. Such proteins might adapt their structure based on temperature shifts, ensuring optimal performance in diverse industrial processes.



Additional exploration could involve harnessing shape-shifting proteins to stabilize vaccines. By flexibly responding to temperature fluctuations, these molecules might reduce cold-chain requirements in resource-limited areas.



Researchers are also examining whether dynamic proteins can handle tasks that require rapid structural changes under mechanical stress. This could shape the future of engineering fields that rely on adaptive materials.



The study is published in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40403060/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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New shape-shifting proteins open doors in medicine and farming

Proteins are central to life because they shift shape in...

If you’ve ever noticed how squirrels vastly outnumber foxes in your neighborhood - or seen the same car brands dominate parking lots - you’re observing a pattern that governs not just human-made environments, but the natural world at every scale.



This pattern, where a few species are extremely common while most remain rare, is called the “hollow curve” species-abundance distribution.



For nearly a century, ecologists have sought a unified model to explain it. Now, researchers from the <a href="https://www.virginia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Virginia</a> (UVA) believe they’ve found that model.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-universal-pattern-in-nature">Universal pattern in nature</h2>



In a recent study, the team analyzed an enormous array of 30,000 datasets covering ecosystems from U.S. forests to the microbial colonies in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-methane-producing-microbe-discovered-in-the-human-gut/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human gut</a>. 



The researchers discovered that a mathematical model known as the “powerbend distribution” consistently describes how species are spread out. This applies to birds, trees, bacteria, and other organisms in communities across the planet.



“This is the first study to comprehensively examine all types of organisms, large and small,” said Martin Wu, professor of biology at UVA and co-author of the study. “We found that the powerbend distribution consistently fits communities of all life forms, habitats, and abundance scales.”



The powerbend model shows most species are rare, while a few are extremely common - a core pattern in ecology.



Wu explains this through an everyday example: “If you walk around UVA, you might see a lot of squirrels and, only once in a while, a raccoon or fox. If you look at cars on city streets, you’ll see a lot of Hondas, Toyotas, or Fords, but there are many other brands you only see every once in a while.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-estimating-life-we-can-t-see">Estimating life we can't see</h2>



The breakthrough isn’t just about better understanding nature - it also has practical implications for conservation and environmental monitoring. The powerbend model allows scientists to estimate the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-light-sustains-biodiversity-over-millions-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> of a region without needing to count every individual organism.



“Previously, if I collected one gram of soil, I had no way of knowing how many bacterial species it contained,” Wu said. “Now that we have the model, I don’t need to enumerate every single cell in the soil and I can have a pretty good estimate.”



This is particularly important when dealing with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-laid-the-foundation-for-early-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbes</a>, which are notoriously difficult to grow and study using traditional lab techniques. Prior to the development of DNA sequencing tools around 2008, scientists struggled to survey microbial communities effectively.



Since then, technological advances have given microbiologists access to vast genetic data, transforming our understanding of microbes.



“You can go to a forest to survey trees or use binoculars to look at birds, but until recent DNA sequencing technologies became available, we couldn’t easily survey microbes,” Wu said. “Since 2008, there’s been an explosion of microbial survey data, and we’re learning a lot.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecology-meets-math">Ecology meets math</h2>



Though Wu is a microbiologist by training, the turning point in the research came when two math-savvy graduate students - Yingnan Gao and Ahmed Abdullah - joined his lab. Their expertise allowed the team to rigorously test the powerbend distribution against real-world datasets across ecosystems, organisms, and regions.



The model even made its way into the classroom. “Using a thumb drive-sized DNA sequencer and a laptop, we did a real-time demonstration in the class when we surveyed the gut microbiome of a beloved professor known to students,” Wu said. “It was a great way to show the students what kind of microbes live in the gut.”



The exercise gave students the chance to become “microbe detectives” in a hands-on lab course focused on sequencing-based ecological surveys.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pattern-stretches-across-life">Pattern stretches across life</h2>



One dataset in the study looked at the pattern of tree species across the United States. In Virginia, for instance, five species - red maple, loblolly pine, yellow poplar, sweetgum, and American holly - make up about 45% of the state’s 10.6 billion trees. The remaining 55% is spread across over 120 other species.



“Generally, you’ll find that 20% of tree species account for 80% of the total abundance,” Wu said. “This follows the Pareto Principle, a term coined by Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who found that 20% of the population controlled 80% of the wealth.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-formula-for-nature">A formula for nature</h2>



The discovery of the powerbend distribution as a consistent and predictive model offers scientists a new tool for tackling ecological questions. 



More than that, it reaffirms that despite the dizzying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microfossils-reveal-a-leap-in-lifes-complexity-2-4-billion-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complexity of life</a> on Earth, there are underlying patterns that unify everything from backyard birds to invisible bacteria.



As ecologists confront biodiversity loss and work to restore ecosystems, understanding natural species distribution patterns could be a crucial step forward. Thanks to the UVA team’s work, that understanding just got a lot clearer.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59253-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Life's hidden pattern: Why most species are rare but a few rule the world

If you’ve ever noticed how squirrels vastly outnumber foxes in...

The arrival of flowering <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollen-records-reveal-winters-role-in-plant-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> reshaped the living world. They filled it with color, scent, and new ways to thrive. But when did it all begin?



For centuries, scientists have chased that answer. They studied fossils, analyzed leaves, and dug deep into Earth's layers. And now, with the help of something as small as dust, a research team from Germany may have brought us closer to the truth.



They didn’t find a forest. They didn’t find flowers. What they found was four tiny grains of pollen - and those grains may change what we know about evolution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-pollen-changes-flower-timeline">Ancient pollen changes flower timeline</h2>



At just 20 micrometers wide, pollen <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-honey-bee-day-protecting-our-vital-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">grains</a> are smaller than a human hair. You can’t see them floating past you on a breeze. But preserved in ancient rock, they act like time capsules. 



Pollen grains hold stories about the plants that made them, the landscapes that held them, and the creatures that may have brushed past them.



Scientists from <a href="https://www.uni-hannover.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leibniz University Hannover</a> and the <a href="https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bonn</a> took a closer look at sedimentary layers in Portugal’s Lusitanian Basin. That region was once covered by a shallow sea. Over 100 million years ago, rivers flowed into it, carrying pollen and plant material from nearby land.



Buried beneath layers of sediment, the pollen fossilized. And when scientists scanned those layers using high-resolution laser microscopy, something rare flickered back at them - a type of pollen called tricolpate.



Tricolpate grains have three furrows on their surface. It’s not just a decorative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollen-can-actually-change-the-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feature</a>. It’s a marker, a signal that these grains came from a particular group of plants: the eudicots.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-emergence-of-flowering-plants">The emergence of flowering plants </h2>



Eudicots make up the largest group of flowering <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-transforming-pollen-science-and-health-planning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> today. They include roses, tomatoes, sunflowers, and more. Nearly three-quarters of all angiosperms fall into this category. 



Finding tricolpate pollen in ancient marine sediment was exciting on its own. But what made the discovery groundbreaking was the age of the sediment.



Until now, most scientists believed that eudicots first appeared around 121 million years ago. These new grains? They were 123 million years old.



That might not seem like a big difference, but in evolutionary terms, two million years is enough time for significant changes to take root. Enough time for new traits to evolve, for ecosystems to shift, and for plant life to expand into new territories.



Professor Heimhofer noted that the emergence of flowering plants altered the biological diversity considerably. "But exactly where and when this development began has been an enigma that Darwin already called an 'abominable mystery,'" said Dr. Gravendyck.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flowering-plants-appeared-much-later">Flowering plants appeared much later</h2>



The planet has been green for a long time, but it didn’t always look the way it does now. The earliest land plants, like mosses, started appearing around 485 million years ago during the Ordovician period. 



Later came ferns, ginkgos, and towering conifers. They dominated forests for hundreds of millions of years.



Flowering plants - angiosperms - arrived much later. Their sudden diversity puzzled Charles Darwin, who referred to their rapid appearance in the fossil record as a mystery that needed solving.



The team’s discovery of eudicot pollen helps chip away at that mystery. It not only pushes back the earliest known appearance of this plant group but also offers stronger, more reliable evidence of when and where it happened.



But finding pollen in the dirt isn’t enough. To make sure they had the date right, the researchers needed another kind of fossil - one that could speak for the ocean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-record-in-seashell-fossils">A record in seashell fossils</h2>



Alongside the pollen, the researchers found fossilized seashells made of calcium carbonate. These shells, shaped in ancient seawater, captured the chemical signature of the environment around them. One element in particular, strontium, proved useful.



Strontium isotopes shift over time in known patterns. By analyzing the isotope ratio in the shells, scientists matched them to reference curves that span millions of years. Think of it like geological carbon dating, but with shells instead of bones.



This method confirmed that the sediment layer dated to about 123 million years ago - exactly when the tricolpate pollen would have settled and fossilized.



This combination of pollen structure and strontium isotope dating gave the researchers something rare: a double-checked moment in time. The flowers had arrived earlier than expected. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-flowers-grew-in-cooler-regions">Early flowers grew in cooler regions</h2>



There’s something else this discovery hints at - where these early flowers might have grown. For a long time, scientists assumed angiosperms started in warm, tropical environments. But the Lusitanian Basin, 123 million years ago, sat in the mid-latitudes. Not hot, not tropical.



That means early flowering plants may have been tougher and more widespread than expected. They weren’t just jungle plants. They may have thrived in places with seasons, cooler temperatures, or unpredictable climates.



This shift in location challenges old ideas. If flowers could bloom outside the tropics that early, they might have spread more quickly across the globe, adapting to a wide range of ecosystems as they moved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-way-to-study-ancient-life">A new way to study ancient life</h2>



The techniques used in this study are as important as the findings themselves. By combining high-resolution imaging with chemical dating, the team created a new way to approach plant evolution. 



They didn’t rely on guesswork or single fossils. They used two independent systems to cross-check the age and origin of their samples.



The research could help scientists better understand other mysterious fossils - especially in places where traditional fossil records are patchy or unclear. Pollen, it turns out, may be one of our best tools for mapping the rise of plants.



The study, published in the <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2421470122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>, may lead to more discoveries like this - tiny clues in forgotten sediments that rewrite big chapters in Earth’s story.



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Flowering plants appeared two million years earlier than we thought

The arrival of flowering plants reshaped the living world. They...

Many spice enthusiasts have experienced the rush of biting into a spicy dish, only to realize it is far more intense than expected. Everyone has their own threshold for heat, and chili peppers tend to push those boundaries.



Lately, scientists have been looking for ways to dial down that tongue-tingling burn without compromising flavor. 



Devin Peterson, professor of food science and technology, is part of a team at <a href="https://www.osu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ohio State University</a> behind a project exploring new chili pepper <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-sweetener-erythritol-sugar-substitute-linked-to-blood-clots-heart-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">compounds</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-natural-molecules-reduce-pepper-heat">Natural molecules reduce pepper heat</h2>



The researchers measured how different peppers stack up on the <a href="https://www.alimentarium.org/en/story/scoville-scale" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scoville scale</a>, which compares spice levels across varieties. They tested 10 pepper cultivars and then ran multiple evaluations to see if certain molecules were interfering with the typical burn.



Additional chemical analysis singled out compounds that seemed to reduce perceived pungency, even when each pepper was expected to produce similar heat. Subsequent taste tests highlighted three specific molecules: <a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Capsianoside-I" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Capsianoside I</a>, <a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Roseoside" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roseoside</a>, and <a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Gingerglycolipid-A" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gingerglycolipid A</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-compounds-could-help-control-spice-in-food">Compounds could help control spice in food</h2>



“If you’re at home and you’ve ordered <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/potatoes-are-an-unexpected-ally-for-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cuisine</a> that has spice to it that’s a little too hot for some tastes, you can just sprinkle on a form of chili pepper that has got these suppressant agents in them that will dial it down,” said Peterson.&nbsp;



One compound was capable of tempering the sensation of chili peppers without masking their overall taste. Researchers believe this could lead to an anti-spice product that people can store at home.&nbsp;



“I think the idea of using a natural material as an anti-spice, especially for somebody with kids, would have value as a household ingredient,” noted Peterson.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mild-chili-peppers-with-less-burn">Mild chili peppers with less burn</h2>



Food can bring joy, but intense chili pepper heat can overwhelm some diners. With newly identified molecules, it may be possible to produce peppers that cater to diverse preferences.



Another angle is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK5260/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TRPV1 receptor</a> activation, which triggers pain signals after exposure to <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263570067_Peppers_Vegetable_and_Spice_Capsicums_2nd_edition_by_Paul_W_Bosland_and_Eric_J_Votava" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Capsaicin</a>. Researchers see potential in the heat-suppressing agents to manage discomfort without causing that sharp burning feeling.



Farmers might benefit from peppers designed for moderate spice while retaining the peppers’ signature flavors. Tailoring certain traits can broaden the range of peppers on the market.



Hybrid approaches may also enrich the pepper profile with heat-reducing components. This could help chefs who want that iconic flavor with a milder punch.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-blockers-may-also-ease-pain">Heat blockers may also ease pain</h2>



The results shine a light on how complex pungency can be. Beyond two famous compounds, the subtle interplay among other agents holds fresh opportunities for product innovation.



Scientists plan to expand their work to see how these suppressors behave in other foods. The initial evidence indicates that they could apply to broader contexts.



<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3169333/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Studies</a> show that capsaicin-based creams can ease aches. The presence of less irritating molecules might open paths for pain relief without intense irritation.



Some people avoid strong treatments because of side effects, so a gentler compound could be good news. Supporters see this as a pathway to more comfortable solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mild-chili-peppers-retain-old-traits">Mild chili peppers retain old traits</h2>



Peppers supply more than just heat. They are packed with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-coffee-is-missing-these-five-brain-boosting-spices/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">taste</a>, aroma, and color that enhance many recipes.



Investigations into these hidden molecules show that it is possible to keep the appealing aspects of peppers while limiting the discomfort. Cooks may gain a wider range of meal options.



Consumers vary in their spice tolerance. Some crave the challenge, while others stick to mild flavors.



Developers can cater to both ends of the spectrum by blending different peppers. This idea could transform mealtimes for families with mixed preferences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-spice-with-choice">Balancing spice with choice</h2>



Though the science is still growing, these findings have stirred up talk about possible commercial goods. Adaptations might appear in grocery aisles, letting individuals adjust heat levels to suit their mood.



The group behind this work sees it as part of a broader shift toward customizable food experiences. They believe comfort and taste can co-exist.



Restaurants could eventually adopt the idea, offering optional add-ons that reduce spice after a dish is served. It would mean more flexibility when trying bold flavors.



Staying open to these innovative uses of mild chili peppers may change the way people approach spicy foods. Differences in taste should never limit anyone’s enjoyment of a shared meal.



The study is published in the <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c01448" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry</a>.



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Mild chili peppers may be the 'anti-spice' we've been looking for

Many spice enthusiasts have experienced the rush of biting into...

Living organisms have always been a source of fascination. Recent work has suggested that all living things give off a subtle glow during life and that this disappears with death.



These findings come from a team of researchers led by Dr. Daniel Oblak at the <a href="https://www.ucalgary.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Calgary</a>. The experts investigated a phenomenon known as ultraweak photon emission.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-living-organisms-emit-a-faint-glow">Living organisms emit a faint glow</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-what-were-really-fighting-for/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Life</a> involves constant chemical activity inside each cell. Sometimes, these <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10634501/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metabolic processes</a> release extremely low-intensity light in the spectral range of 200 to 1,000 nm. 



This is too faint for the naked eye to see, but many animals, plants, and even bacteria give off this gentle energy.



Experts studying this glow see potential in measuring it for non-invasive tests. By tracking light changes, they can learn how organisms respond to challenges such as heat or chemicals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-light-emission-reveals-cellular-health">Light emission reveals cellular health</h2>



The researchers discovered that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/luca-last-universal-common-ancestor-progenitor-all-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">living</a> animals show higher emissions than animals that have recently died. They used specialized imaging setups to capture the photons in a pitch-black space. 



These setups included electronic sensors that detect light at the single-photon level.



A rise or drop in glow intensity might hint at shifts in cellular health. Scientists believe <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/reactive-oxygen-species" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reactive oxygen species</a> are a key factor in generating the light. These molecules form naturally in cells as they process oxygen, but they can build up under stress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-respond-to-stress-with-light">Plants respond to stress with light</h2>



In botanical studies, experts have observed that plants alter their glow after temperature changes or physical injury. 



Burns or cuts induce a measurable spike in the faint light. Research has also indicated that certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exoplanet-k2-18b-strongest-evidence-yet-of-extraterrestrial-life-discovered-webb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemicals</a> cause the injured spots to intensify their emissions.



<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11035250/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oxidative stress</a> seems to accompany these brightening effects. Under normal conditions, cells keep a balanced environment. 



When that balance is lost, however, the glow appears to increase, offering a handy way to gauge how a plant is coping.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-disease-through-living-glow">Detecting disease through living glow</h2>



Scientists have been exploring whether this emission can serve as a biological gauge. Some suspect it could help detect early signs of disease. 



A surge in low-intensity light might pinpoint internal damage before more serious outcomes develop.



Researchers have also looked at plant-based healing or protective strategies. If the glow diminishes after a treatment, that may suggest a recovery in the tissues. This opens new avenues for studying plant physiology without inflicting harm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-it-matters-for-medicine">Why it matters for medicine</h2>



The potential for non-invasive testing is of great interest to clinical science. Experts foresee scenarios where measuring these emissions could aid in monitoring tissue recovery or spotting damage.



The method offers a gentle approach. No extra dyes or radioactive substances are needed. If perfected, it could simplify certain diagnostic tasks by highlighting subtle changes in cells.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-glow-to-find-life-beyond-earth">Using glow to find life beyond Earth</h2>



Some scientists are asking whether ultraweak photon emission could help in the search for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/detecting-life-on-mars-a-breakthrough-in-space-research/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extraterrestrial life</a>. 



If all living systems emit faint light, then detecting these emissions on other planets, or in enclosed ecosystems like Mars habitats, might serve as a low-risk method for life detection.



It also sparks new ideas in science fiction and future tech. If bodies truly glow when alive and stop glowing when dead, visual tools might someday be built to “see” vitality itself, offering a new way to tell whether something is alive, under stress, or dying.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-applications-of-the-living-glow">Applications of the living glow</h2>



Scholars have been investigating ways to enhance sensitivity to this weak light. Some advanced cameras can capture more detail by lowering background noise. 



Other experts are testing portable systems that might track changes in real time, allowing for field studies that document plant health or monitor animals in outdoor settings.



Though still in early stages, the technology points toward a future where farmers, veterinarians, or wildlife experts might benefit from such tools. They could respond quickly to unseen stresses and intervene before problems get out of hand.



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



Future directions include mapping each type of organism’s signature light pattern. Different species may have distinct behaviors under stress. 



By collecting more data, experts aim to understand how quickly these emissions change and whether they can predict outcomes for sick or damaged tissue.



Researchers also plan to study a broader range of organisms to see if there are exceptions or special cases. These efforts might reveal unique biological adaptations in creatures that live in extreme habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-questions-about-glow-in-living-organisms">Questions about glow in living organisms</h2>



Researchers still don’t fully understand the biological purpose of this faint light. Is it just a byproduct of stress and metabolism, or does it serve a deeper function in communication or defense within cells?



There’s also uncertainty about how consistent the glow is across different species or life stages. Do younger or older organisms emit more light? Can emotions or circadian rhythms influence emission levels in humans?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-faint-light-and-health-diagnostics">Faint light and health diagnostics</h2>



The science behind this faint glow is still growing. The discovery of its link to life signals an intriguing frontier that blends physics, biochemistry, and environmental research. As sensors become more refined, further breakthroughs seem likely.



Although the light is faint, it might hold an abundance of clues. This once-overlooked signal could help diagnose diseases or track how organisms cope under challenging conditions.



The study is published in <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c03546" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters</a>.



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All living things emit a subtle glow that ceases at the time of death

Living organisms have always been a source of fascination. Recent...

What if saving a forest helped both birds and humans? What if the same landscape that shields towns from floods also offered refuge to songbirds? For decades, conservationists and policy makers have argued that nature's benefits reach far beyond wildlife. 



But measuring where and how those benefits align has remained elusive. Now, a new study provides some answers.



Scientists from <a href="https://www.cornell.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cornell University</a> and the Wildlife Conservation Society (<a href="https://www.wcs.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WCS</a>) explored where areas valued by humans for things like clean water, flood control, and carbon storage also help conserve bird populations.



Their work is rooted in data - over 1.5 billion bird observations from eBird and high-resolution mapping of eleven <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-day-of-forests-2024-new-solutions-for-a-better-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystem</a> services. It’s an approach that seeks win-wins, or even win-win-wins: for biodiversity, climate, and people.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-helping-birds-people-and-climate">Helping birds, people, and climate </h2>



"We all know that nature provides us with many benefits - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-still-fighting-climate-change-against-all-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>, climate regulation, recreation, and many others - but until now, we haven't been able to demonstrate where those benefits coincide in space," noted Dr. Rachel Neugarten, formerly of Cornell and now at WCS.



"Given the limited resources for conservation, this information is critical for helping decision-makers protect our natural heritage. The paper shows that win-win-wins for biodiversity, climate, and people are possible but not guaranteed."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-birds-and-human-needs-overlap">Where birds and human needs overlap</h2>



To find these overlaps, the researchers examined maps that captured where ten ecosystem services - such as food provisioning, flood control, and recreation - are most concentrated.



The team also used separate maps for carbon storage, a priority in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-orangutan-day-2024-protecting-the-people-of-the-forest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> mitigation. These ecosystem service (ES) and carbon priority areas covered 37% and 44% of the U.S. land area, respectively.



Next, they overlaid these areas with population estimates for 479 bird species. These estimates came from eBird’s Status and Trends project, which uses a sophisticated modeling system to handle observer bias and detectability differences. 



The experts assessed how much of each species’ population lived within these ES or carbon priority zones. The results were surprising and hopeful. More than half of all species - 257 of 479 - had populations better represented in ES priority areas than random chance would predict. 



Carbon storage areas fared slightly worse, with 204 species seeing better-than-random coverage. However, the benefits weren’t evenly spread across species or habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-benefit-birds-and-ecosystems">Forests benefit birds and ecosystems</h2>



Forest-dwelling species saw the most gains from ES and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-are-relocating-in-a-race-against-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon</a> conservation priorities. Of the 202 forest species analyzed, 151 were well represented in ES zones and 159 in carbon-rich zones. This is likely because forests provide many overlapping services: timber, flood control, water purification, and carbon sequestration.



Species like the Cerulean Warbler thrived in these protected forests. Ninety percent of this species' U.S. population lives in ES priority areas. Even more - 93% - overlaps with carbon storage zones.



Other forest birds, such as the Prairie Warbler, Hooded Warbler, and Eastern Whip-poor-will, also saw high representation. These findings support the idea that forests are ecosystem service powerhouses. Protecting them meets multiple goals at once.



Some of the country’s richest landscapes for both birds and ecosystem benefits include the Appalachian Mountains, the southeastern U.S., New England, the Ozarks, and the Cascade and Sierra ranges. 



In these regions, forest protection is not just a biodiversity issue - it's a climate and public health matter too.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birds-at-the-margins">Birds at the margins</h2>



However, not all habitats shared in the success. Birds living in wetlands and aridlands were poorly represented within ES and carbon zones. 



Only 34% of wetland species and 42% of aridland species were well represented in ES priority areas. The numbers were worse for carbon zones: 23% for wetland birds and a mere 10% for those in aridlands.



Tipping Point species - those that have lost more than 50% of their populations in the past 50 years - also faced mixed outcomes. Of the 57 such species examined, fewer than half were well supported by either ES or carbon zones. This suggests that many vulnerable birds occupy habitats outside human-prioritized landscapes.



Some species, like the Yellow-billed Loon and Bendire’s Thrasher, had less than 10% of their populations within conservation priority zones. Others, like the King Eider, had virtually no overlap with carbon-focused areas. 



These gaps show the limits of relying solely on ecosystem services as a guide for biodiversity protection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forest-birds-benefit-from-carbon-zones">Forest birds benefit from carbon zones</h2>



Carbon priority areas - identified for their role in holding vulnerable carbon stocks - overlapped best with forest species.



For example, the Black-backed Woodpecker, Red-faced Warbler, and Mountain Quail had over 90% of their populations in carbon-rich zones. These findings support policies that link biodiversity protection with climate action.



But the overlap breaks down outside forests. Aridland and wetland species showed little representation in carbon zones. This mismatch suggests that climate-focused conservation, if not paired with broader ecological goals, may overlook entire communities of at-risk birds.



"This study is especially timely, given recent reports of continued, if not worsening, population declines in North American birds," said Amanda Rodewald, co-author and faculty director at the Cornell Lab.



"Now more than ever, we must find ways to conserve birds as part of broader efforts to protect the environment - in this case, safeguarding the ecosystem services that support human health and well-being."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smart-maps-can-guide-better-plans">Smart maps can guide better plans</h2>



The study's most important takeaway is this: co-benefits exist, but they cannot be assumed. High-quality spatial data allows for smarter, more inclusive planning. 



The areas where bird conservation aligns with ecosystem services can be prioritized first. But other areas - particularly wetlands, deserts, and grasslands - need additional, targeted protection.



The researchers urge caution in generalizing the co-benefit narrative. "While win-win situations do exist, we should be careful not to generalize about biodiversity and ecosystem service benefits," noted Neugarten.



"With limited resources and competing demands for land, we need data-driven approaches to achieve multiple conservation goals simultaneously."



Future work should refine ecosystem service models with local data, include cultural values of nature, and consider the needs of vulnerable human communities. Only then can conservation support both people and the full richness of life on Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-forests-to-save-birds">Looking beyond forests to save birds</h2>



This study, supported by the National Science Foundation and Cornell’s environmental institutes, provides more than insight. It offers a framework. By mapping where people’s needs and wildlife conservation meet, decision-makers can act with greater precision.



Forests shine as clear examples of mutual benefit. But wetlands, deserts, and many bird species still wait for their moment in the spotlight. 



Protecting these regions will require more than ambition. It will demand targeted action, guided by science and shaped by shared values. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212041625000373?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecosystem Services</a>.



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Protecting forests helps birds and humans in many ways

What if saving a forest helped both birds and humans?...

Flowers often appear to grow with perfect precision. Each stem, leaf, and petal follows a pattern that repeats with astonishing consistency. But a closer look inside plant cells tells a different story. 



A recent study has uncovered that while flowers may look orderly on the outside, the genetic activity within each cell is anything but predictable.



This surprising discovery could change how scientists design plants or even how we understand cell behavior in fields like cancer research or synthetic biology. The research was led by a team of experts at <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cornell University</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-secret-disorder-powering-flowers">The secret disorder powering flowers</h2>



The researchers examined a small flowering plant called thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), often used in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-plants-build-their-cell-walls-is-seen-by-scientists-for-the-first-time-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant biology</a>. 



The goal was to investigate what’s known as “stochastic gene expression.” In simpler terms, this means that genes can turn on or off randomly - even if they’re getting the same signals.



To test this, the team looked at how cells responded to auxin, a hormone that tells flowers when and how to grow. 



The experts found something unexpected: even when cells received the same hormone instructions, their genetic reactions were wildly different from one another. 



Some genes turned on in some cells, while others stayed quiet, all without any obvious reason. This wasn’t just background noise. The randomness was significant.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-flower-genes-with-fluorescence">Tracking flower genes with fluorescence </h2>



To see what was happening, the scientists used fluorescent markers - glowing molecules that light up when a gene turns on. They tracked three specific auxin-responsive genes in the flowers, including one known as DR5.



The result? DR5 showed major variation from cell to cell. It wasn’t the hormone levels that changed - those remained constant. The difference came from within the cells themselves, driven by internal fluctuations.



The team observed this activity in the sepals of the plant. Sepals are the small green leaf-like parts at the base of a flower that protect the budding bloom. Despite the noisy internal behavior of each cell, the plant still formed four perfectly placed sepals every time.



“I really thought by the time we got to these four [sepal forming] regions, there would be a lot less randomness - but there’s not,” said Adrienne Roeder, one of the study’s authors. “Somehow, despite the noise, you still get these very clear patches where sepal organs initiate.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-plants-manage-unpredictability">How plants manage unpredictability</h2>



What’s going on here? How do plants produce such predictable results when the internal signals are so chaotic?



The answer lies in how groups of cells behave together. While one cell might act randomly, clusters of cells “average out” the noise. This process, known as spatial averaging, helps the plant form stable and consistent patterns even when individual parts are unpredictable.



“Ultimately, the research challenges the idea that biological precision requires perfect control,” Roeder explained. “Instead, it shows that nature doesn’t eliminate randomness - it builds reliable systems and processes that work despite it.”



The study also showed that not all genes respond with the same level of randomness. Two other auxin-responsive genes, AHP6 and DOF5.8, behaved more consistently than DR5. This suggests that plants may have evolved ways to control randomness when it matters most.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-gene-expression-in-flowers">Beyond gene expression in flowers</h2>



This discovery is more than just a fun fact about flowers. It has real implications for plant engineering, synthetic biology, and even <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cancer-research-ai-will-change-the-way-we-see-tumors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer research</a>, where gene expression noise can drive tumor growth.



“The organism can use this randomness when it wants to and ignore it when it doesn’t,” Roeder said. “That’s super powerful.”



“Spatial averaging is one way that plants manage gene expression noise, but how exactly does that buffering happen, and under what conditions does it fail? How can we incorporate that when we’re trying to engineer our favorite gene to express in interesting places?”



As scientists continue to uncover the hidden mechanics of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-life-cycles-predicting-the-impacts-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant life</a>, one thing is clear: nature doesn’t need perfect order to create beautiful results.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flowers-as-teachers-of-resilience">Flowers as teachers of resilience</h2>



The next time you look at a blooming flower, consider the hidden struggle behind its perfect form. Beneath its calm surface, a world of cellular unpredictability is constantly being managed. This study reminds us that flowers don’t require perfection to flourish - they rely on balance, cooperation, and adaptability.



Understanding how plants like flowers manage genetic noise could inspire new strategies in genetic engineering and beyond. It shows that resilience isn’t about eliminating chaos, but learning how to live with it.



Flowers aren’t just symbols of beauty - they're examples of nature's clever design choices, proving that order can emerge even when everything underneath is uncertain.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59943-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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How flowers grow perfectly despite chaotic gene activity

Flowers often appear to grow with perfect precision. Each stem,...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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