Rainforest,Destruction.,Gold,Mining,Place,In,Guyana,,South,America.,Amazon

Gold mining in Peru has moved into sensitive wetland areas and is releasing a lot of stored carbon. These wetlands are peatlands, waterlogged soils built from partly decayed plants that lock away carbon for centuries.



Peat loss turns a slow natural carbon vault into a fast source of emissions. That is why scientists are sounding the alarm about new mining scars in remote corners of the Amazon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-peatlands-carbon-and-mining">Peatlands, carbon, and mining</h2>



<a href="https://www.unep.org/resources/global-peatlands-assessment-2022" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peatlands</a> hold an outsized share of the world’s soil carbon and help stabilize climate over long timescales. They cover a small slice of land area yet store a huge fraction of carbon underground.



Lead researcher <a href="https://www.ifgg.kit.edu/english/staff_householder.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">J Ethan Householder</a> is with the Wetland Department, Institute of Geography and Geoecology at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany (<a href="https://www.ifgg.kit.edu/english/index.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IFGG</a>). 



His team’s field work and satellite analyses focus on peat swamps in southeastern Peru.



The term carbon stocks refers to the amount of carbon stored in plants and soils. In peat, most of that carbon sits below the surface in thick, oxygen poor layers that decompose very slowly.



These peat swamps also support biodiversity, the variety of living species in an ecosystem. When mining drains or digs up peat, both the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-storage-mystery-emerges-in-the-southern-ocean/">carbon</a> bank and the living communities take a hit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-satellites-saw">What the satellites saw</h2>



The study analyzed more than three decades of images from <a href="https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/satellites/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Landsat</a>, a U.S. satellite program that produces consistent pictures of Earth’s surface each year. 



That time series lets researchers pinpoint when forests were cleared and when bare mine pits appeared.



They mapped mining scars along rivers in <a href="https://7wonders.org/south-america/peru/madre-de-dios/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Madre de Dios</a>, a region in Peru that has seen a rapid spread of small operations. The scars are easy to spot because forest gives way to sand and water filled pits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-massive-carbon-release-from-mining">Massive carbon release from mining</h2>



In a new paper, the team reports that mining has removed more than 550 hectares of peatland, with over half of that loss happening in just the last two years. 



They estimate that 0.2 to 0.7 million tons of carbon have already been released, and they identify 63 of 219 peatlands showing evidence of mining at their edges.



They also find that mining inside peat now accounts for 9 percent of all mining in the area and could reach 25 percent by 2027 if current trends hold. 



The analysis flags more than 10,000 hectares of peat at immediate risk, with a potential release of 3.5 to 14.5 million tons of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-ocean-holds-carbon-hidden-mechanisms-revealed/">carbon</a> if those areas are disturbed.



“The rapid proliferation of gold mining inside peatlands appears to be of such scope as to be an existential threat to the entire peatland complex,” wrote Householder. The numbers and the geographic pattern point in the same direction.



The team also tracked where mining is advancing. An outward front has been pushing into the alluvial plain at about 330 feet per year, and that front is reaching the peat rich margins where swamps are most common.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-mining-is-pushing-into-peatlands">Why mining is pushing into peatlands</h2>



Rivers are the main highways in this part of the Amazon, so early mines hugged the banks. 



As miners followed gold bearing sediments inland, access paths, machinery, and makeshift camps increased, lowering the barrier to work in wetter ground.



Peatlands sit on the outer edges of the river plain where water pools for most of the year. 



Once miners arrive with pumps and hoses, it gets easier for others to follow, especially where law enforcement relies on boats and cannot easily reach new clearings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-driven-destruction">Human-driven destruction</h2>



A long term remote sensing <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/10/12/1903" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> record shows that mining has been a major driver of deforestation in southeastern Peru. 



Many operations are small and informal, and the work is a source of income for thousands of families.



Processing often uses mercury, a toxic metal that binds to fine gold particles. 



One river focused <a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2015/em/c4em00567h" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> documented elevated mercury in sediments and fish downstream of mining hubs and found that a large share of carnivorous fish exceeded health guidelines for mercury in tissue.



Communities that rely on river fish face real exposure risks. This adds a public health layer to the climate and ecosystem costs of tearing up peat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-mining-made-this-carbon-bomb">How mining made this carbon bomb</h2>



The researchers combined annual vegetation change with a classifier that separates mining from other forest losses. That approach reduced false alarms from seasonal flooding or quick regrowth after storms.



They then overlaid those mine maps with peat maps to see where pits and ponds overlap organic soils. That allowed them to calculate both the area lost and the likely carbon released.



Peat stores carbon more densely than nearby upland forests. When miners dig pits, drain water, or burn cleared vegetation, oxygen speeds up decay and carbon escapes into the air.



Even small patches can have outsized impacts because a few feet of peat can hold as much <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-atoms-in-your-body-took-a-400000-light-year-journey-through-space/">carbon</a> as a much larger area of non peat forest. That is why a few hundred hectares of loss matter.



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



The results point to three priorities that do not require new technology. 



Map the edges of active peatlands at high resolution, monitor hot spots in near real time, and keep heavy equipment out of places where peat depth is greatest.



Local voices and science can work together to steer enforcement and restoration budgets to the areas of highest risk. 



Peat that stays wet and shaded keeps its carbon, and that is the simplest way to avoid adding more heat trapping gases to the air.



The study is published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/adb868" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Research Letters</a>.



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Ticking 'carbon time bomb' has been unleashed in the Amazon rainforest by gold miners

Gold mining in Peru has moved into sensitive wetland areas and is releasing a lot of stored carbon. These wetlands are peatlands, waterlogged soils built from partly decayed plants that lock away carbon for centuries. Peat loss turns a slow natural carbon vault into a fast source of emissions. That is why scientists are sounding the alarm about new mining scars in remote corners of the Amazon. Peatlands, carbon, and mining Peatlands hold an outsized share of the world’s soil carbon and help stabilize climate over long...

What if the solution to cancer lay hidden in a parasitic fungus? Scientists from the University of Nottingham have been studying a chemical that is produced by a fungus that grows on caterpillars. 



In previous studies, the chemical has shown promise as a possible cancer treatment. The researchers set out to further investigate its potential.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caterpillar-fungus-in-cancer">Caterpillar fungus in cancer</h2>



The research is based on Cordyceps militaris, an orange fungus with a slightly creepy parasitic lifestyle. In Asia, it's not only a popular health food but also a powerful traditional medicine.



The magic ingredient in this fungus is cordycepin, a mighty chemical that has shown promise as a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-the-next-frontier-in-cancer-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer medicine</a> in many studies. But how does it work?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungus-compound-to-treat-cancer">Fungus compound to treat cancer</h2>



The researchers analyzed the activities of thousands of genes in multiple cell lines to unearth the secrets of cordycepin.



They used high-throughput techniques, which made it possible to examine huge amounts of data at the same time.



And what did they find? Cordycepin interrupts the cell growth signals overactive in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/simple-lifestyle-changes-could-prevent-half-of-all-cancer-deaths/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer</a>. It does this by acting on the growth promoting pathways of the cell. 



This could be less damaging to healthy tissue than most currently available treatments. Now, doesn't that sound promising?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inner-workings-of-the-chemical">Inner workings of the chemical </h2>



The experts dug deeper into what happens to cordycepin inside the cell. They found that it is converted into cordycepin triphosphate, which looks a lot like the cell's energy carrier ATP.



This doppelganger molecule seems to be the likely culprit behind cordycepin's effects on cell growth, making it the direct assailant of cancer cells.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caterpillar-fungus-as-a-cancer-medicine">Caterpillar fungus as a cancer medicine</h2>



"We have been researching the effects of cordycepin on a range of diseases for a number of years and with each step we get closer to understanding how it could be used as an effective treatment," said lead author Dr. Cornelia de Moor from the <a href="https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pharmacy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Pharmacy</a>.



"One of the exciting things to have been happening is that it has become easier and less expensive to do these very large experiments, so we were able to examine thousands of genes at the same time." 



According to Dr. de Moor, the data confirms that cordycepin is a good starting point for novel cancer medicines and explains its beneficial effects. 



"For instance, derivatives of cordycepin could aim to produce the triphosphate form of the drug to have the same effect," she noted. 



"In addition, the data will help with monitoring the effects of cordycepin in patients, as our data indicate particular genes whose activity reliably responds to cordycepin, which could for instance be measured in blood cells."



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



Exploring the potential of Cordyceps militaris goes well beyond its current applications. Future research could explore the synthesis of cordycepin derivatives that may enhance its efficacy and specificity in targeting cancer cells.



With increasing understanding of genomics and targeted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/men-could-face-an-84-increase-in-cancer-cases-by-2050/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">therapies</a>, researchers are optimistic about crafting personalized treatment regimens that could be less toxic and more effective. 



Collaborative efforts across disciplines, including biotechnology and pharmacology, are likely to illuminate new pathways for leveraging the natural benefits of this fungal powerhouse.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-integrative-medicine-fungus-and-cancer">Integrative medicine: Fungus and cancer</h2>



Integrative medicine, emphasizing a holistic approach to healthcare, benefits greatly from the potential inclusion of cordycepin-based therapies. 



By harmonizing conventional cancer treatments with natural compounds like those derived from Cordyceps militaris, healthcare providers can offer more balanced and comprehensive care. 



This could result in less invasive treatment plans that focus not only on eradicating cancer but also on preserving quality of life and minimizing side effects. 



Continued clinical studies will be crucial in validating these integrative approaches, potentially solidifying the role of natural compounds as complements to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-anti-aging-drug-interleukin-11-boosts-lifespan-prevents-cancer-gray-hair/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modern medicine</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-developing-new-cancer-drugs">Developing new cancer drugs </h2>



This research is not just a significant step towards understanding potential of a fungus but also creates a pathway for developing new drugs for cancer treatment. 



It's a journey we're all invested in as we strive for a world without cancer. And who knew that a small caterpillar fungus could become such an important ally in this fight?



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/1873-3468.15046" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FEBS Letters</a>.



Image Credit: Daniel Winkler - Mushroaming



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Caterpillar fungus slows down growth of cancer cells

What if the solution to cancer lay hidden in a...

Ever wondered how colors come into existence? How do they influence the lives of beings around us? This isn't just about how we humans perceive different colors, but also how they shape the world of animals and plants. 



From peacocks flaunting their magnificent tail feathers to poison-dart frogs donning their bold hues, colors serve a purpose. Similarly, the brilliant hues of flowers and fruits aren't just for our aesthetic pleasure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-color-vision-in-animals">Color vision in animals</h2>



Researchers from the University of Arizona embarked on a journey to understand the evolution of color vision in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-wild-cats-got-their-striking-eye-colors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> and the functionality of colors in our environment.



The research revolved around the concept of "conspicuous colors." These are the colors that instantly snag our attention - the bold reds, striking yellows, vivid blues, and intense purples. But their role extends far beyond just being eye-catching.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colors-in-the-animal-world">Colors in the animal world</h2>



Color plays a crucial role in the animal kingdom. It isn't merely about looking attractive. Instead, it's an effective way for animals to communicate. 



The researchers identified two significant types of color signals exploited by animals - warning and sexual.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warning-and-sexual-signals">Warning and sexual signals </h2>



Warning color signals are perhaps the most striking element of color communication among species. These signals act as a universal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insects-are-changing-color-to-adapt-to-human-destruction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">caution sign</a>, telling potential predators to "back off."



Interestingly, these warning signals are far more common than sexual signals. They span across the animal kingdom, while sexual signals are limited to arthropods and vertebrates.



On the other hand, sexual color signals form an integral part of mating rituals. They attract and select the best possible mate. However, these signals necessitate highly developed vision.



Plants, too, have been assigning crucial roles to colors for millions of years. Bright colors in plants primarily serve two functions - to distribute pollen (flowers) and disperse seeds (fruits).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-findings-from-the-past">Findings from the past</h2>



According to the team's findings, color vision in animals evolved around 500 million years ago - about 150 million years before the arrival of colorful fruits. In addition, colorful flowers emerged around 200 million years ago.



The study was led by John J. Wiens, a professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Ecology at the <a href="https://www.arizona.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Arizona</a>. He was assisted by Zachary Emberts, an assistant professor of integrative biology at <a href="https://go.okstate.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oklahoma State University</a> and a former postdoctoral scholar at the University of Arizona. 



A remarkable finding from their work is that warning color signals manifested before sexual color signals - around 150 million years ago, with the latter emerging about 100 million years later. 



"Warning signals are at least five times more widespread. That's the overall pattern," Wiens said.&nbsp;"There has been a dramatic explosion of both warning and sexual color signals in the last 100 million years."&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colors-and-animal-dynamics">Colors and animal dynamics</h2>



Predator-prey relationships are profoundly influenced by the visual cues provided by colors within the environment. 



For prey species, possessing colors that allow them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings can mean the difference between survival and predation. 



Camouflage serves as a quintessential example of how colors are utilized to create a visual cloak, enabling prey to evade detection. Conversely, predators, such as the tiger with its stripes, use their coloration strategically to ambush unsuspecting prey. 



The careful balance of coloration within predator-prey dynamics underscores the evolutionary arms race where subtle changes in hue and pattern can significantly affect ecological interactions and survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-impacts-and-adaptive-signals">Human impacts and adaptive signals</h2>



As humankind continues to alter the biosphere, the natural manifestations of color in the animal and plant kingdoms are not immune to these influences. 



Deforestation, pollution, and climate change are leading to habitat destruction and fragmentation, which in turn affect how species utilize and manifest colors for survival. 



The adaptive signals once finely tuned to specific environments are now facing unprecedented challenges. Researchers emphasize the importance of preserving natural habitats to maintain the ecological functions of colors. 



Looking to the future, continued study of these vibrant natural phenomena not only enriches our understanding of ecology but also strengthens conservation strategies aimed at safeguarding the myriad species that rely on the tapestry of colors for their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/survival-of-the-friendliest-social-animals-live-longer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">survival</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unsolved-mystery-of-colors-in-animals">Unsolved mystery of colors in animals</h2>



The reasons behind the sudden escalation of these color signals remain a mystery. However, the team managed to identify three critical groups that likely contributed to this surge - marine ray-finned fishes and terrestrial birds and lizards.



"In the future, it would be even more interesting to study what drives the ability of animals to see specific colors like red or blue," Emberts said.



So, what do you think might be the next revelation in this vibrant journey of color evolution?



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/brv.13141" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biological Reviews.</a>



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Animals got their colors 150 million years before plants

Ever wondered how colors come into existence? How do they...

A team of biologists has recently revealed the origins of a unique DNA duplication mechanism that grants plants additional ways to control genetic instructions.&nbsp;



This discovery, led by Xuehua Zhong from the <a href="https://washu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington University in St. Louis</a> (WashU), holds promise for innovations in agriculture, particularly in enhancing crop resilience to environmental challenges like heat and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-extreme-weather-events-are-escalating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drought</a>. 



The research, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adr2222" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>, delves into DNA methylation - a biological process that plays a key role in gene regulation, directly impacting how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-plants-make-life-and-death-decisions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> respond to environmental stressors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complexity-of-plant-dna-methylation">Complexity of plant DNA methylation</h2>



DNA methylation involves adding small chemical groups called methyl groups to DNA. This modification determines which genes are turned on or off, shaping various plant traits.&nbsp;



A crucial part of this process involves silencing “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-fungus-has-become-more-deadly-thanks-to-jumping-genes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">jumping genes</a>” or transposons, which are mobile DNA sequences that can disrupt normal genetic function if not controlled. In plants, this regulatory role is handled by specialized enzymes, distinct from those found in mammals.



“Mammals only have two major enzymes that add methyl groups in one DNA context, but plants actually have multiple enzymes that do that in three DNA contexts,” Zhong explained, highlighting the unique complexity of plant DNA methylation.&nbsp;



“The question is - why do plants need extra methylation enzymes?” This research could pave the way for advancements in agriculture by helping scientists to tap into plant systems that naturally regulate resilience-related traits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-enzymes-in-plant-dna">The role of enzymes in plant DNA</h2>



Zhong’s study focuses on two enzymes unique to plants: CMT3 and CMT2. Both enzymes are part of the chromomethylase (CMT) family, responsible for adding methyl groups to specific DNA sequences.&nbsp;



CMT3 specializes in methylating so-called CHG sequences, while CMT2 targets CHH sequences. Despite their differences, these enzymes share a common ancestry, having evolved through duplication events that provided plants with extra copies of genetic information.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-history-of-the-enzymes-nbsp">Evolutionary history of the enzymes&nbsp;</h2>



Using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, also known as thale cress, Zhong’s team traced the evolutionary history of these enzymes.&nbsp;



The experts discovered that CMT2 lost its ability to methylate CHG sequences due to the absence of an amino acid called arginine, a change that occurred during the enzyme’s evolution.&nbsp;



“Arginine is special because it has charge. In a cell, it’s positively charged and thus can form hydrogen bonds or other chemical interactions with, for example, the negatively charged DNA,” explained co-author Jia Gwee, a graduate student at WashU.



CMT2, however, contains valine instead of arginine. Valine lacks the necessary charge to interact with CHG sequences, explaining why CMT2 no longer recognizes these DNA contexts as CMT3 does.&nbsp;



To test this theory, the research team introduced arginine back into CMT2, restoring its ability to methylate both CHG and CHH sequences.&nbsp;



This mutation suggests that CMT2 originally functioned as a duplicate of CMT3 - a backup enzyme with the potential to diversify its function as plant DNA complexity grew.&nbsp;



“But instead of simply copying the original function, it developed something new,” Zhong noted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapting-to-environmental-stress">Adapting to environmental stress</h2>



The study also uncovered structural features that set CMT2 apart. Notably, the enzyme has a flexible N-terminal region that influences its protein stability, a characteristic that may have helped plants adapt to various environmental conditions.&nbsp;



“This is one of the ways plants evolved for genome stability and to fight environmental stresses,” Zhong explained. This structural adaptation has likely allowed plants equipped with CMT2 to thrive in diverse climates across the globe.



A significant portion of the data for this study came from the <a href="https://1001genomes.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1001 Genomes Project</a>, which maps the genetic diversity of A. thaliana strains worldwide. 



By exploring samples from plants in the wild rather than just laboratory specimens, the researchers gained insights into how DNA methylation contributes to plants’ natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-ecosystem-stability-threatened-by-declining-plant-resilience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resilience</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jumping-genes-and-plant-adaptation">Jumping genes and plant adaptation</h2>



The study also highlights the adaptive potential of transposons, or “jumping genes,” in plant DNA. These mobile sequences are often silenced by methylation to maintain genomic stability, but their occasional movement can aid in environmental adaptation.&nbsp;



“One jump might help species deal with harsh environmental conditions,” Zhong said, explaining how these genetic shifts could help plants survive in challenging environments.



As plants navigate unpredictable climates, the diversification enabled by DNA methylation - particularly through enzymes like CMT3 and CMT2 - can provide the flexibility needed to withstand stressors like extreme temperatures and limited water availability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-implications-for-crop-resilience">Future implications for crop resilience</h2>



Understanding how CMT enzymes contribute to plant resilience opens exciting possibilities for agriculture.&nbsp;



By precisely targeting the genes and methylation processes responsible for drought tolerance, heat resistance, or other resilience traits, scientists could enhance crops’ ability to thrive under changing climate conditions.&nbsp;



“If we find precisely how they are regulated, then we can find a way to innovate our technology for crop improvement,” Zhong explained.



As the world faces growing agricultural challenges, insights into the DNA methylation processes that strengthen plants can provide a foundation for developing crops capable of withstanding increasingly severe environmental pressures.&nbsp;



This research marks a step forward in harnessing plants’ genetic systems to create resilient agricultural ecosystems, offering a promising path to sustainable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungal-infections-are-threatening-global-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food security</a> in the face of climate change.



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Plants use DNA duplication to increase their resilience 

A team of biologists has recently revealed the origins of...

The day that Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980 is forever seared into the collective memory of the world. An unstoppable surge of lava effectively reduced surrounding life forms to ash within a matter of miles. 



In an unlikely twist of fate, an experiment involving some resilient gophers triggered a chain of events that initiated the recovery of the mountain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gophers-on-mount-st-helens">Gophers on Mount St. Helens</h2>



Despair had hung in the air after the eruption of Mount St. Helens. A once vibrant ecosystem was reduced to nothing in an instant, reminding us of nature’s fearsome power. However, in the aftermath, a bold theory emerged from the minds of scientists.



The experts speculated that gophers, small burrowing rodents, could play an essential role in the revival of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountain-building-triggered-a-mass-extinction-event/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">barren landscape</a>.



Quite simply, by digging up and redepositing beneficial bacteria and fungi from deeper soil layers, gophers could aid in the resurrection of the mountain's plant and animal life.



“They’re often considered pests, but we thought they would take old soil, move it to the surface, and that would be where recovery would occur,” said Michael Allen, a professor of plant pathology at <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Riverside</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transformative-and-persistent-changes">Transformative and persistent changes</h2>



Two years following the eruption, the scientists decided it was time to put their theory into action. 



Gophers were dropped onto parts of the scorched <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountains-both-carbon-sinks-and-carbon-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mountain</a> for a mere 24 hours, and the effects of this short intervention continue to be seen today, 40 years later.



New research published this week in the journal Frontiers in Microbiomes illuminates the enduring impact of this experiment - a persistent change in the communities of fungi and bacteria in areas where gophers had briefly resided. 



This effect was not observed on land surrounding Mount St. Helens where gophers were not introduced.



“In the 1980s, we were just testing the short-term reaction,” said Professor Allen. “Who would have predicted you could toss a gopher in for a day and see a residual effect 40 years later?”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gophers-and-mountain-soil">Gophers and mountain soil</h2>



The interaction between gophers and the mountain soil is just one part of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loss-of-mountain-forests-accelerating-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">revitalization</a> puzzle. Another vital aspect is the role of mycorrhizal fungi. 



These tiny organisms have a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, exchanging nutrients and resources. They shield plants against pathogens and crucially, in such barren environments as that of Mount St. Helens post-eruption, they aid plants in becoming established and surviving.



“The fungi transport these things to the plant and get carbon they need for their own growth in exchange,” explained Professor Allen.



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



The real-world implications of these findings are vast. Take, for instance, two different sides of the mountain. 



One side was covered by an old-growth forest when the eruption blanketed everything with ash. Scientists feared that the forest would collapse due to the loss of needles from the pine, spruce, and Douglas fir trees. However, much to their surprise, the trees rebounded almost immediately in some places.



“These trees have their own mycorrhizal fungi that picked up nutrients from the dropped needles and helped fuel rapid tree regrowth,” said UCR environmental microbiologist and study co-author Emma Aronson.



In stark contrast, the other side of the mountain had been clear-cut prior to the eruption. With no trees or dropped needles to feed the soil fungi, this area remains barren to this day.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recovery-of-mount-st-helens">Recovery of Mount St. Helens</h2>



The results of this study highlight the importance of understanding and respecting the intricate connections within nature, particularly among elements like microbes and fungi which we can't see.



“We cannot ignore the interdependence of all things in nature, especially the things we cannot see like microbes and fungi,” said Mia Maltz, study lead author and <a href="https://uconn.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Connecticut</a> mycologist.



In conclusion, in the searing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-research-enhances-predictions-on-volcanic-eruptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aftermath of an eruption</a>, the recovery of Mount St. Helens provides an unforgettable lesson on the resilience of nature, the power of scientific curiosity, and the value of cooperation between species.



And let's not forget the humble gophers, forever to be remembered as the tiny heroes of a scorched and desolate mountain.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiomes/articles/10.3389/frmbi.2024.1399416/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Microbiomes</a>.



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How gophers revived Mount St. Helens after its eruption

The day that Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980 is...

A wilting flower is not always a sign of poor health or inadequate care. It could actually be a strategic play, millions of years in the making, created by Mother Nature herself.



Researchers from Macquarie University, along with international collaborators, have discovered a simple strategy that has been overlooked: plants recycle resources from wilting flowers for future reproduction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recycling-resources-from-wilting-flowers">Recycling resources from wilting flowers </h2>



"Our research delivers the first direct demonstration that plants can salvage resources from wilting flowers and reuse these resources to promote future reproduction," said lead author Honorary Professor Graham Pyke from <a href="https://www.mq.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Macquarie University</a>.



Why bother with this recycling effort? Well, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flowers-blooming-92-days-earlier-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flowers</a> aren't just pretty faces. They are rich in energy and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. When they wilt, it isn't necessarily the end but rather the beginning of another chapter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wilting-flowers-of-christmas-bells">Wilting flowers of Christmas bells </h2>



The focus of the three-year study was a native of Eastern Australia, the stunning Blandfordia grandiflora. Known commonly as Christmas bells, it casts a striking image with its vibrant red and yellow flowers, especially around December.



"Our research takes place on a plantation containing several hectares of native wet heath where Christmas bells flower quite profusely, along with a commercial shadehouse," noted Professor Pyke.



To assess the abilities of the plant, the team used an array of techniques. They modulated pollination and flower wilting and then gauged the effect on seed production and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bees-prefer-flowers-with-large-bullseyes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reflowering</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-storing-up-chemical-energy">Storing up chemical energy </h2>



The researchers soon realized things weren’t exactly as they had predicted. They found that plants did not use resources from wilted flowers to bolster short-term reproduction.



"These plants salvage resources invested in reproduction during one flowering season and reuse these resources during the next flowering season," explained Professor Pyke.



Blandfordia grandiflora was found to transfer resources from its wilting flowers to its underground corms and roots, effectively storing this "chemical energy" to produce new flowering stems in the subsequent season, often a year later.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-resource-management-in-wilting-flowers">Resource management in wilting flowers</h2>



Professor Pyke noted that plants work on principles similar to economics. "Plants must make decisions about where to allocate their limited resources; investing in one area means they can't invest as much in another."



This concept of resource allocation prompted Professor Pyke to investigate flower wilting, which he anticipated to be a plant's mechanism of diverting resources to other processes.



The results, however, were not quite what he expected. The plants were storing their reclaimed resources for the next flowering season - not using them right away.



According to Professor Pyke, plants have different ways of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flowers-are-picky-when-choosing-their-mate-for-fertilization/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">managing their flowers</a> post reproduction, with wilting being just one of many strategies. Some plants, such as the jacaranda and the frangipani, even shed their flowers before they wilt.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seed-production-and-wilting-in-flowers">Seed production and wilting in flowers</h2>



The study findings were confirmed through various experiments. One such experiment compared seed production between plants with flowers that were allowed to wilt and those with petals removed to prevent wilting.



Another experiment stopped seed production in all flowers but allowed wilting in one group of plants. Results showed that plants with wilting flowers were more likely to reflower the next season than those where wilting was prevented.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-factors-that-influence-seed-production">Factors that influence seed production </h2>



The study also took into consideration other factors that might influence seed production, such as stem height, the number of flowers per stem, and flower position.



"Taller flowering stems, for example, produced more seeds and heavier seeds, as did stems with more flowers. But flowers positioned lower down on the plant tended to have fewer seeds, and seeds that weighed less," said Professor Pyke.



"Our findings pave the way for further research into other plant species, and how they recover and reuse the resources from wilting flowers."



An exciting road lies ahead, with a lot to discover. Future research will explore what these salvaged resources are composed of, how plants move and change them, and whether saving these resources outweighs the costs of making <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-farming-and-flower-strips-improve-honey-bee-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flowers</a> in the first place.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/plb.13720" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plant Biology</a>.



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Plants with wilting flowers aren't dying - they are saving energy

A wilting flower is not always a sign of poor...

There is a trend sweeping through the Netherlands, and it's centered around a spiritual ritual that involves burning "magic" herbs. This trend, which seems to be a thing of the present, actually has its roots deeply embedded in the past.



Isabela Pombo Geertsma and her team from Utrecht University and the Naturalis Biodiversity Center have taken a closer look at this thriving ritual.



Their findings? The imported plants used in the ceremonies might not be as "magical" as they seem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spirituality-and-ritual-burning">Spirituality and ritual burning</h2>



Religious ceremonies worldwide often involve burning or smoldering dried <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mushroom-magic-new-species-discovered-in-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a> material. The smoke that fills the air is considered sacred - a means to connect with ancestors and spirits.



In North America, Indigenous groups use bundles of dried plants, known as smudge sticks, in their traditional ceremonies. 



The smoke released by burning these sticks is used to purify spaces and promote success. Different groups use various plants, including sweetgrass and white sage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-witches-and-the-new-age">Modern witches and the New Age</h2>



But here's the twist; the tradition of using smudge sticks isn’t just limited to Indigenous communities. It has found a place in the practices of modern witches and followers of the New Age movement. 



Geertsma, who is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in studying the plant use of witches, discovered this through her work.



Let's break it down. What's the New Age movement? In simple terms, it is a Western spiritual movement that believes in individual spirituality and metaphysical beliefs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-white-sage-in-ritual-burning">White sage in ritual burning </h2>



Many commercially available smudge sticks are made from a North American plant called white sage. Sadly, there is increasing evidence this plant is being harvested unsustainably to meet the burgeoning demand.



It's not just the magnificence of nature that's being affected. It's also impacting the Native North American communities who hold these plants sacred in their ceremonies.



So, why is this happening? Why are people buying these smudge sticks made from white sage? The reasons are twofold. 



One, the plant is traditionally used by certain cultures. Two, the commercialization of the New Age and modern witchcraft movements has made smudge sticks readily available in retail stores.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conflict-of-connection">Conflict of connection</h2>



Isn't it ironic? People, who want to connect with nature, are buying items imported from thousands of miles away instead of using what's available locally. 



Some even seemed to believe that the American plants "worked better" or had a more pleasant scent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-appropriation-and-ritual-burning">Cultural appropriation and ritual burning</h2>



The popularity of smudge sticks, particularly those made from white sage, brings to the forefront issues of cultural appropriation. 



Indigenous communities, who have nurtured these sacred traditions for centuries, now face the challenge of seeing their cultural rituals commodified and performed without proper understanding or respect for their origins. 



This raises ethical concerns, as the commercialization of these practices often bypasses the voices of the very communities that hold these traditions dear. 



It is crucial for those who partake in such rituals to engage with them respectfully and to consider the impacts of their actions on Indigenous cultures. The sustainability of the plants used for the ceremonies should also be taken into consideration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustainable-alternatives-to-ritual-burning">Sustainable alternatives to ritual burning</h2>



Fortunately, there are more sustainable and locally mindful alternatives available for those interested in incorporating ritual burning into their spiritual practices. 



Many regions have their own <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/15-healing-herbs-you-can-grow-at-home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">traditional plants</a> that can be used for similar purposes, such as juniper, lavender, or rosemary. 



By choosing locally sourced or sustainably harvested plants, practitioners can support environmentally friendly practices and reduce the impact of overharvesting endangered species like white sage. 



Embracing local traditions can also promote a deeper connection with one's own culture and landscape, leading to more authentic and ethical engagement with spiritual rituals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seeking-out-local-plants">Seeking out local plants</h2>



According to <a href="https://www.uu.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utrecht University</a> researchers, most people in the Netherlands have limited knowledge about native plants and their traditional uses. As a result, they're embracing these exotic burning rituals. But the researchers argue that it doesn't have to be this way.



There are Dutch alternatives available. Geertsma and her team identified plants native to the Netherlands, such as common mugwort, common sage, and chamomile, used in some of the bundles examined. 



"You can use all sorts of wild and garden plants for burning. Just think of lavender, rosemary, tansy, and rose. These plants have recognizable scents and evoke specific associations for many people," said Geertsma.



So, while we're on the lookout for spiritual experiences, let's remember that we are part of a larger ecosystem and our choices have an impact.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/13/21/3003" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plants</a>.



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The real impact of burning 'magic' herbs in spiritual rituals

There is a trend sweeping through the Netherlands, and it's...

The world is gripped by relentless heat as global warming accelerates at an alarming pace. In the midst of this crisis, coral reefs are severely suffering from widespread bleaching. 



Scientists, governments, and the UN itself, have collectively sounded an urgent plea for increased funding to protect the world's coral reefs, which are teetering on the brink of extinction.



Alarming research has revealed that a staggering 77 percent of global coral reefs are notably affected by bleaching, primarily due to warming ocean waters.



The culprit? Human-induced climate change. According to the UN Capital Development Fund, this year's global bleaching event is the largest on record, significantly impacting both hemispheres.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coral-reefs-in-a-state-of-emergency">Coral reefs in a state of emergency</h2>



The findings on the state of coral reefs prompted a UN special emergency session, which is typically called to address escalating conflicts or natural disasters. The session was convened on the sidelines of COP16, the UN biodiversity summit, in Colombia.



Coral reefs are much more than just beautiful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-illuminates-fish-interactions-in-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">underwater structures</a>. They are crucial ecosystems, acting as a support system for over 25 percent of marine life.



Almost a billion people depend on these reefs for food security, coastal protection, or for maintaining their livelihoods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-desperate-call-for-coral-reef-protection">A desperate call for coral reef protection </h2>



The emergency session led to new commitments from the governments of New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. 



Together, they pledged around $30 million to the UN fund for coral reefs, established in 2020. By 2030, the fund seeks to leverage up to $3 billion in public and private finance to support coral reef <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protecting-coral-reefs-is-a-matter-of-humans-rights/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation efforts</a>. Thus far, around $225 million has been raised.



“Protecting our ocean and its precious habitats is fundamental to life on earth,” said U.K. Minister for Nature Mary Creagh. “But without urgent action, the world’s coral reefs face extinction from global heating, acidification, disease, and pollution; a vital ecosystem lost within our lifetime.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technology-and-coral-conservation">Technology and coral conservation </h2>



As coral conservation evolves, new approaches and technology are becoming key in combating reef degradation. 



Scientists are looking into coral gardening and assisted evolution, where strong coral species are grown in nurseries and then moved to reefs. 



Advances in marine biotechnology are helping to develop stress-resistant coral strains that can survive rising sea temperatures and acidification.



These innovative methods, which are still being researched, show the diverse efforts needed for long-term reef restoration and sustainability.



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



Successful coral reef <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-coral-reef-fish-survive-in-the-worlds-warmest-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation</a> depends on the active involvement and education of local communities. 



Educational programs that raise awareness about coral reefs and the effects of human activities can encourage communities to adopt practices like sustainable fishing and reducing pollution. 



By creating a global community of informed citizens, we can work together to protect these vital marine habitats for future generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-coral-reefs-from-extinction">Saving coral reefs from extinction </h2>



“In 2024, climate change and other human impacts triggered the fourth mass coral reef bleaching event, the most extensive and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-barrier-reef-is-on-the-brink-of-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">devastating</a> on record,” said Peter Thomson, the U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean. “With the window to protect these ecosystems closing rapidly, world leaders must act now.”



“We must secure a sustainable future for coral reefs and the countless lives that rely on them - before it’s too late."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-running-out-of-time-to-save-corals">Running out of time to save corals</h2>



A change in water temperature can cause coral to drive out the nutrition-giving algae, lose color, and become stressed. Coral might bleach for other reasons, such as extremely low tides, pollution, or overexposure to sunlight. 



Ecosystems like the Australia's Great Barrier Reef and the Florida Coral Reef have already experienced significant bleaching.



During the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.N.</a> emergency session at COP16, Kenyan marine ecologist David Obura noted that coral bleaching events are lasting more than one year at a time, which is very concerning. 



So what does all this mean? Well, it’s simple. It means we’re running out of time. 



"We're approaching this point where the planet may lose its first planetary ecosystem," said Thomson. "Coral is the first to go if we continue down the track that we're on at the present."



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Extreme coral bleaching event prompts emergency UN session

The world is gripped by relentless heat as global warming...

October 2024 will be remembered by the locals around Pyramid Lake, Nevada, for a rather unusual display of nature's colors and patterns. 



The usually serene waters of the lake unleashed a stunning exhibition of blue-green algae, dancing and swirling across the surface. 



For the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=944807254356712&amp;set=pb.100064823373179.-2207520000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Water Quality Program</a>, this bloom was arguably the most active in recent times.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-pyramid-lake-from-space">Studying Pyramid Lake from space</h2>



The bloom, which added a touch of mystery to the lake, was so expansive that it was visible from space. The locals, bemused by this phenomenon, couldn't help but talk about it. 



Luckily, providing a better look at this spectacle was the <a href="https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/satellites/landsat-9/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Landsat 9 satellite</a>, which snapped astonishing natural-color images on October 8, 2024. 



Looking at the images captured by Operational Land Imager-2 (<a href="https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/satellites/landsat-9/landsat-9-instruments/oli-2-design/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OLI-2</a>), you could see the mesmerizing swirling, whirlpool patterns created by the algae.



Nodularia spumigena, a type of cyanobacteria, is the culprit that is responsible for the bloom. 



This particular species thrives in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-from-africa-sparked-a-massive-phytoplankton-bloom/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warm, saline waters</a> and can pull nitrogen right out of the atmosphere -- handy skills that ensured its survival in Pyramid Lake over the years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-beautiful-but-stay-away">It's beautiful, but stay away</h2>



What's fascinating about Nodularia spumigena, aside from its beauty, is its ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere. This means it can create its own nutrients and outcompete other organisms when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nitrogen-overlooked-component-eutrophication-lake-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nitrogen levels in the water</a> are low.



But there's a flip side. Nodularia spumigena can produce a toxin called nodularin, which is harmful to both animals and humans. If you come into contact with water contaminated by this toxin, it can lead to serious health issues, especially affecting the liver. 



That's why when blooms of this cyanobacterium occur, health authorities often warn people to steer clear of the water until things return to normal.



Respectively, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe raised a safety flag on October 15, 2024, advising people to avoid contact with the water until it returned to its normal state.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-cyanobacteria-and-phytoplankton">Understanding cyanobacteria and phytoplankton</h2>



Phytoplankton and cyanobacteria are both tiny organisms that live in water, but there's a key difference between them. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turning-plants-into-carbon-capture-machines-with-cyanobacteria/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cyanobacteria</a>, also called blue-green algae, are actually bacteria that can photosynthesize -- they use sunlight to make food, much like plants do. Despite their name, they're not true algae.



These little guys have been around for billions of years, and you can find them almost everywhere: in oceans, lakes, soil, and even in extreme environments like hot springs. Cyanobacteria are actually responsible for producing a lot of the oxygen that made life possible on Earth.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-heatwaves-have-complex-effects-on-phytoplankton-food-web/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Phytoplankton</a>, on the other hand, is a broader term that includes any microscopic organisms in the water that can photosynthesize. This group encompasses a variety of species, including algae and, interestingly enough, cyanobacteria. 



So, in a way, cyanobacteria are a type of phytoplankton, but not all phytoplankton are cyanobacteria.



Now, here's where it gets a bit tricky. While cyanobacteria are crucial for ecosystems and the oxygen we breathe, some species can produce toxins that are harmful to animals and humans. If you've ever heard about beaches closing because of harmful algal blooms, cyanobacteria are often the culprits. 



So, they play a double role: they're essential for life, but under certain conditions, such as this toxic bloom in Pyramid Lake, they can pose some serious health risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pyramid-lake-past-present-and-future">Pyramid Lake: Past, present and future</h2>



Pyramid Lake is a piece of history. It's a remnant of the ancient Lake Lahontan, created during the last ice age. 



Scientists speculate that the cyanobacteria Nodularia spumigena has been a part of this ecosystem since that era.



This lake isn’t just about the water or the spectacular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-ocean-turning-green-thanks-to-climate-change-algae-blooms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algae blooms</a>. It's home to the endangered cui-ui fish (Chasmistes cuius) -- a species held in high regard by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. 



Anglers will also recognize it as the site where a world-record Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi) weighing a whopping 41 pounds was caught in 1925.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monitoring-the-bloom">Monitoring the bloom</h2>



To keep a pulse on these blooms and their implications, scientists and environmental organizations utilize various tools. 



For instance, the <a href="https://www.sfei.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">San Francisco Estuary Institute</a>'s water quality analysis tool indicated a surge in levels of chlorophyll-a between late September and mid-October. 



This invaluable data helps researchers understand the occurrence and potential impacts of such blooms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-pyramid-lake-for-the-future">Preserving Pyramid Lake for the future</h2>



This beautiful, toxic bloom underscores the importance of monitoring and conserving our aquatic ecosystems. 



Factors like temperature shifts, nutrient levels, and changes in water conditions can spark cyanobacteria growth almost anywhere on Earth.



The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe is keeping residents and visitors up-to-date on the lake's condition. 



By heeding safety recommendations and staying informed, we can all play a part in safeguarding ourselves and this delicate ecosystem.



-----



NASA Earth Observatory image by <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/about/wanmei-liang" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wanmei Liang</a>, using Landsat data from the <a href="http://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Geological Survey</a>. Photo by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lukegordon/3377729218/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luke H. Gordon</a>. Story by <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/about/lindsey-doermann" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lindsey Doermann</a>.



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Pyramid Lake water turns dark green with beautiful swirling whirlpool currents

October 2024 will be remembered by the locals around Pyramid...

Ever wondered how much water it takes for humans to cultivate the world's primary crops? A recent study illuminates some startling numbers. 



Our demand for water keeps increasing, despite our improved ability to grow more food with less water. This escalating demand could lead to a cluster of environmental and socio-economic problems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-footprint-of-crops">Water footprint of crops</h2>



The research, led by experts from <a href="http://www.utwente.nl/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Twente</a>, scrutinized the water footprints of 175 crops spanning from 1990 to 2019. What's a water footprint? Simply put, it's the amount of water used in the production process.



This study separated water into two types - green and blue. The green kind comes from rainfall, while the blue kind is derived from irrigation and groundwater. 



"We need to differentiate between these two <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-drought-has-caused-crisis-levels-of-food-and-water-scarcity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a> types as they play different roles in ecosystems and society," said Oleksandr Mialyk, a postdoctoral researcher at the Multidisciplinary Water Management group.



On a brighter note, the study revealed that around 80% of the scrutinized crops in 2019 required less water per ton than they did in 1990. So, we have become better at using less <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-water-day-a-focus-on-prosperity-and-peace/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a> to produce more food.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surge-in-water-usage-for-crops">Surge in water usage for crops</h2>



Sadly, the productivity rise hasn't stopped the overall water footprint of crop production from inching higher. Since 1990, it surged by nearly 30%, or 1.55 trillion m3 (That's roughly 410,132 billion gallons). 



"Our estimate for 2019 stands at 6.8 trillion m3&nbsp;of mainly green water, which is around 2,400 liters per person per day," said Mialyk.



The most surprising part? A whopping 90% of the total increase happened between 2000 and 2019.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-crops-more-water">More crops, more water</h2>



So, what sparked this rise? The researchers highlight three significant socio-economic factors. First, our fast-paced globalization and economic growth have notably amplified our consumption of a variety of imported crops and crop products.



In addition, there has been a shift in our global diets towards more water-guzzling products like animal produce, sweetened beverages and junk food. 



Finally, many government efforts to secure energy and promote <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-environment-day-2024-a-call-for-land-restoration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green initiatives</a> have increased the production of crop-based biofuels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-versatility-in-water-consumption-of-crops">Versatility in water consumption of crops</h2>



Interestingly, these socio-economic shifts have mainly boosted the cultivation of "flex crops." These crops can be transformed into a myriad of products such as food, animal feed, and biofuels.



This flexibility gives farmers, investors, and insurers a safety net, reducing financial risks linked to crop production.



Over the last few decades, largely thanks to aggressive agricultural lobbyism, the production of these flex crops has rapidly shot up. 



The three biggest ones - oil palm fruit, soya beans, and maize (corn for many of us) - account for half the total water footprint increase of crop production from 1990–2019.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-guzzling-nations">Water-guzzling nations</h2>



India, China, and the United States are the biggest water consumers. But, the total water footprint increase has primarily happened in the tropics, often coupled with other environmental impacts like deforestation and biodiversity loss.



"This region offers optimal geographical conditions for crop production while favorable agricultural policies attract investments from large agrifood corporations," explained the researchers.&nbsp;



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



The intricate relationship between water usage and agriculture bears considerable environmental consequences. Extensive water consumption, primarily of green water, often results in diminished natural resources, ecosystem disruptions, and heightened groundwater depletion. 



These effects lead to losses in biodiversity and degradation of local habitats, which are often difficult to reverse. Furthermore, increased reliance on irrigation can exacerbate soil salinity and reduce soil fertility, posing severe long-term challenges to sustainable agriculture. 



An understanding of these environmental implications is crucial for developing effective water management strategies to ensure future agricultural sustainability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increasing-water-use-for-crops">Increasing water use for crops</h2>



"Our data suggests that humanity will keep increasing&nbsp;water consumption&nbsp;for crop production in the following decades," said Mialyk.&nbsp;



However, all hope isn’t lost. The researchers believe that there remains a lot of untapped potential in improving crop water productivity and shifting production to less <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smart-soil-can-absorb-water-from-the-air-and-feed-itself/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water-scarce areas</a>.



Moreover, a broader adoption of less water-intensive diets and minimizing the reliance on first-generation biofuels could also help. 



""Our research shows that we have many problems and now it is time to work on the solutions for a more water-sustainable future of crop production," concluded Mialyk.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ad78e9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Research Letters</a>.



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Trillions of cubic meters of water is used to grow crops each year

Ever wondered how much water it takes for humans to...

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



What could have triggered this sudden burst of life?



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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How does cannabis use affect brain structure?

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

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



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



A team in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology at <a href="https://www.wur.nl/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wageningen University</a> has recently unveiled a brand new shade avoidance mechanism revolving around the crucial role of the hormone cytokinin.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The quest for light: How plants compete to survive

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE
</div></figure>



On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop and sunlight barely penetrates through the polar winter. It was here, however, that an international team of scientists found <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predatory-worms-were-terror-beasts-half-a-billion-years-ago/#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence of sea monsters</a> that would change our understanding of ocean life in the past.



This video captures the discovery of Timorebestia fossils that had been hidden for more than 500 million years in the Sirius Passet formation. The "terror beasts," as they are called, are a hidden chapter in the evolutionary history of <a href="https://www.earth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>, showing that sophisticated predator-prey interactions occurred much earlier than previously envisioned.



Dr. Jakob Vinther and his research team at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>, in collaboration with researchers at the <a href="https://eng.kopri.re.kr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Korean Polar Research Institute</a>, braved extreme weather conditions at 82.5 north latitude to locate these giant creatures. Using sophisticated electron microprobe analysis, they revealed the detailed anatomy of the animals, including their muscle and nerve tissues.



The find upsets the traditional timeline of sea predators. Although we've long appreciated that Cambrian oceans were at one time ruled by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWI3-UgA3_o&amp;list=PL1QLQMW9MWDwpkFOnvgAmu7wT6rZmYqdJ&amp;index=19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arthropods</a>, these discoveries indicate that relatives of arrow worms were first to dominate the seas. These worms were building sophisticated food webs several million years before other predator groups arose.



Each fossil is a story of ancient hunger, with fossil stomach contents revealing these meter-long beasts dined on heavily armored arthropods regularly, cementing their place as the ocean's first apex predators.



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">New York is the site of the world's oldest forest.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-385-million-year-old-trees-discovered">385-million-year-old trees discovered</h2>



Scientists have uncovered something extraordinary just two hours north of New York City. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-forest-discovered-close-to-new-york-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">world's oldest forest</a>, dating back 385 million years, offers a window into how Earth's first complex forests shaped our planet's atmosphere.



Located near <a href="https://townofcairo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cairo, New York</a>, in Greene County, these weren't merely primitive plants struggling to survive. These were sophisticated trees with root systems remarkably similar to modern forests. This ancient woodland predates dinosaurs by 140 million years.



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



385 million years ago, upstate New York was a tropical paradise near the equator. Thanks to continental drift, this ancient forest has traveled thousands of miles to its current location.



The fossil forest sits in an abandoned quarry, roughly half the size of a football field. This represents just a slice of what was likely a massive forest system stretching from New York into Pennsylvania.



Charles Ver Straeten, curator of sedimentary rocks at the <a href="https://www.nysm.nysed.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York State Museum</a>, made the discovery in 2009. While scouting the former highway department property, his trained eye spotted wandering patterns in the stone that looked like marine features.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-age-and-preservation">Revolutionary age and preservation</h2>



The site contains 385-million-year-old rocks with fossilized woody roots forming horizontal patterns up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) wide. As Christopher Berry, a paleobotanist at Cardiff University, explains: "You are walking through the roots of ancient trees."



This discovery pushes back advanced tree evolution by millions of years. The research, published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a> in December 2019, fundamentally changes our understanding of when complex forests first emerged.



Researchers believe a massive flood buried the forest floor, creating perfect fossilization conditions. Over millions of years, sediment hardened into rock, preserving these root patterns like nature's time capsule.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-archaeopteris-the-first-modern-tree">Meet Archaeopteris: the first modern tree</h2>



The star of this ancient forest is Archaeopteris – not to be confused with the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx. This tree was far older and more revolutionary.



William Stein from <a href="https://www.binghamton.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Binghamton University</a> describes the roots as "strikingly modern, essentially what you'd see outside in my yard right now." These weren't simple root systems you'd expect from ancient plants.



Some fossilized roots are six inches (15 centimeters) in diameter, forming 36-foot-wide (11-meter) patterns. These giants grew up to 65 feet (20 meters) tall with five-foot-diameter (1.5-meter) trunks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-changing-impact">Climate-changing impact</h2>



These trees fundamentally changed Earth's environment. Kevin Boyce, a Stanford University geoscientist, explains how their deep roots triggered "weathering," chemical reactions that pulled carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.



This process dropped atmospheric CO2 levels from 10-15 times higher than today to roughly modern concentrations. These ancient trees helped create atmospheric conditions that made complex life possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-forest-ecosystem">Ancient forest ecosystem</h2>



The forest was remarkably diverse. Scientists identified Eospermatopteris, palm tree-like plants with short roots that reached 30 feet (9 meters) tall but lacked woody structure. The forest also housed cladoxylopsids and a mysterious third species still being studied.



All reproduced through spores rather than seeds – millions of years before seeds evolved. This tropical environment had no grass, flowers, or flying insects, just towering trees creating Earth's first complex forest canopy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientific-significance">Scientific significance</h2>



Before this finding, the Gilboa forest, located 25 miles (40 kilometers) away, held the "oldest forest" title. Cairo's trees are 2-3 million years older, showing that complex forest ecosystems developed much faster than scientists believed possible.



Patricia Gensel, a <a href="https://www.unc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina</a> paleobotanist, notes: "The size of those root systems is really changing the picture. Even 20 years ago, researchers assumed trees with such complex root systems didn't evolve so early."



The Cairo site presents three unique root systems, suggesting Devonian period forests were diverse ecosystems with different trees occupying different environmental niches, much like today's forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-preservation-efforts">Modern preservation efforts</h2>



In 2022, New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey secured a $170,000 grant for the town of Cairo to construct specialized fencing around the fossil forest site. The town plans to conduct a feasibility study exploring the possibility of creating an educational center and working lab on-site.



Joe Hasenkopf, chair of the Cairo Planning Board, hopes to partner with educational institutions to create a research facility serving scientists, students, and the public.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-today-s-climate">Lessons for today's climate</h2>



Why does a 385-million-year-old forest matter today? It shows how dramatically forests can change Earth's climate. These ancient woodlands created the atmospheric conditions supporting complex life.



Understanding how prehistoric forests transformed the planet helps us appreciate modern forests' critical role in addressing climate change. Forests remain Earth's most effective carbon capture systems.



These prehistoric trees changed Earth's atmosphere by pulling massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the air. As we face modern climate challenges, this ancient forest reminds us of trees' incredible power to transform our planet's environment.



The next time you walk through a forest, remember you're experiencing an ecosystem whose blueprint was established 385 million years ago in upstate New York. These ancient pioneers didn't just survive – they thrived and changed the world forever.



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ New York is the site of the world's oldest...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-don-t-we-ever-hear-about-acid-rain-anymore-the-environmental-crisis-that-was-solved">Why don't we ever hear about "acid rain" anymore? The environmental crisis that was solved</h2>



Remember the 1980s when acid rain dominated headlines? Dire warnings about rain eating buildings, killing fish, and destroying forests filled every news cycle. Then, almost like magic, acid rain vanished from public discourse. What happened? Did we actually solve one of the late 20th century's most pressing environmental challenges?



The answer might surprise you. Unlike many environmental issues that drag on indefinitely, acid rain represents one of modern history's most successful ecological recovery stories. It's a tale of science, politics, and technology working together to tackle what seemed impossible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What was acid rain?</h2>



Acid rain isn't regular rain having a bad day – it's precipitation that became significantly more acidic due to air pollution. When power plants, factories, and vehicles burn fossil fuels, they release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The science behind it</h2>



Think of acid rain as nature's chemistry experiment gone wrong. These compounds react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. When mixed with water vapor in clouds, they create precipitation with dangerously low pH levels.



While clean rain has a pH of about 5.6, acid rain could drop as low as 4.2 to 4.4 – roughly as acidic as tomato juice or coffee. According to US Geological Survey documentation, Scottish chemist Angus Smith first coined "acid rain" in 1872, but it didn't become a household phrase until the 1960s and 1970s when Swedish scientist Svante Odén documented its devastating effects on Scandinavian lakes and European forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The crisis at its peak</h2>



During the height of public concern, environmental damage was both widespread and visible. This wasn't some abstract future threat – people could see destruction happening in real-time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Environmental devastation</h2>



The most dramatic impacts were impossible to ignore. Research documented by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shows that in the Adirondack Mountains, more than 200 lakes became so acidic they couldn't support fish life. The Adirondack Council reports that 409 lakes once supported brook trout, but many lost their fish populations due to acid rain.



By 1976, when scientists cataloged all acidified lakes in the Adirondack Park, researchers found that half of the lakes over 2,000 feet above sea level had no fish, according to studies published in environmental journals. The acidification process worked like a slow-motion disaster. As acid rain fell into watersheds, it gradually lowered pH levels. Fish couldn't survive in acidic water, and their food sources died off too.



Trees at high elevations showed stress directly linked to acid rain. It weakened them by leaching nutrients and making them susceptible to disease. Historical records show Germany's Black Forest saw nearly half its trees damaged by the mid-1980s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Economic impact</h2>



Acid rain wasn't just environmental – it was expensive. Acidic precipitation corroded infrastructure, buildings, and monuments. Historic stone structures deteriorated at accelerated rates. Tourism suffered as lakes became fishless and forests declined. EPA economic analyses from the period documented repair costs mounting into billions annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The solution: government action and technology</h2>



Transformation from crisis to success required unprecedented cooperation between governments, industries, and environmental groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Clean Air Act of 1990</h2>



The turning point came with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, signed by President George H.W. Bush. This represented a fundamentally new approach to environmental regulation, as documented in EPA historical records.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cap-and-trade success</h2>



Instead of mandating specific technologies, the 1990 amendments introduced something revolutionary: a cap-and-trade system for sulfur dioxide emissions. EPA program documentation shows this market-based approach set overall limits but allowed companies to trade emission allowances.



The genius was harnessing market forces to find cost-effective pollution reduction. Companies reducing emissions cheaply could sell excess allowances to those facing higher costs. Research published in environmental economics journals and EPA progress reports shows this resulted in dramatic SO2 reduction at a fraction of projected costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Technology advances</h2>



Policy provided the framework, but technology made reductions possible. Studies in atmospheric science journals document the widespread adoption of flue gas desulfurization systems ("scrubbers") that removed sulfur dioxide before it reached the atmosphere. By the 2000s, new installations could remove over 95% of SO2 emissions, according to EPA technical reports.



The push coincided with cleaner energy development. Natural gas produces fewer sulfur compounds than coal. Wind and solar, emerging in the 1990s, captured growing market share, reducing reliance on high-sulfur coal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-we-don-t-hear-about-it-today">Why we don't hear about it today</h2>



Why did acid rain disappear from headlines? Simple: the problem was largely solved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Success doesn't make news</h2>



There's an old journalism saying: "If it bleeds, it leads." Environmental success stories don't generate urgency like crisis reporting. Media attention shifted to other challenges: climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss. There's only so much environmental anxiety the public can absorb, and newer concerns replaced acid rain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mission accomplished</h2>



The primary reason is beautifully simple: interventions worked. EPA monitoring data shows sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990. Academic research published in environmental science journals confirms pH levels in formerly affected areas returned closer to normal. This represents one of history's most dramatic environmental recoveries. Studies by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation show fishless lakes now support healthy populations. Forests recovered, and building damage slowed dramatically.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-it-really-gone">Is it really gone?</h2>



The crisis is largely resolved, but monitoring data shows the problem isn't completely eliminated – it's managed to acceptable levels. Some areas still experience occasional events during high pollution periods. International environmental research indicates that rapidly industrializing Asian countries face similar problems to what we experienced decades ago, though they're implementing successful strategies.



EPA research shows nitrogen oxide emissions proved more challenging than sulfur dioxide, coming from vehicles and mobile sources. Climate science studies suggest changing weather patterns add complexity to how acid rain forms and falls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What this teaches us</h2>



The acid rain experience proves that seemingly intractable environmental problems can be solved with scientific understanding, political will, and technological innovation. Environmental monitoring data shows recovery speed was remarkable – within a decade, measurable improvements appeared in air quality and ecosystem health.



Success came from bipartisan support across party lines. Policy analysis studies show the market-based approach appealed to those preferring economic incentives while achieving environmental goals. This support created lasting policy surviving political changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2>



Acid rain's disappearance from public consciousness represents environmental science's greatest success stories. Through effective regulation, technological innovation, and international cooperation, we transformed an overwhelming crisis into a manageable challenge.



Today's silence isn't because we forgot – it's because we solved it. The 1990 Clean Air Act, combined with technology and energy market changes, reduced acid rain emissions over 90%, according to comprehensive EPA data analysis.



This success offers hope for current challenges. It proves complex problems can be solved when science, policy, and technology work together. As we face climate change and plastic pollution, acid rain reminds us that dramatic positive change is possible.



Next time someone asks whether environmental regulations work, remember acid rain. It's proof that sometimes, we get it right.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Sources: This article draws from EPA official documentation and progress reports, peer-reviewed research published in environmental and atmospheric science journals, historical data from the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation records, US Geological Survey publications, policy analysis studies, and environmental monitoring data collected over three decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



1. Is acid rain completely gone? No, but EPA monitoring shows it's reduced to manageable levels. US sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990, making acid rain much less severe than the 1980s crisis.



2. How long did solving take? Environmental monitoring data shows significant improvements began within 5-10 years of 1990s emission controls. Full ecosystem recovery took longer – some areas need 20-30 years for complete recovery.



3. What made the solution successful? Clear scientific understanding, visible damage motivating action, bipartisan support, available technology, and innovative market-based policies like cap-and-trade.



4. Do other countries have acid rain problems? Yes, particularly rapidly industrializing Asian countries. However, international environmental research shows many implement similar successful control strategies.



5. Could acid rain return? Potentially, if regulations weaken or we return to high-sulfur coal without controls, though effects would take years to become severe according to environmental projections.



6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"? The United States Environmental Protection Agency produced a wonderful teacher's guide for ages 14 and under that you can find on the EPA website here: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf</a>



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The environmental problem we actually solved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk Acid rain and a crisis solved. Why don't we...

Fresh,Radish,Harvest,On,Soil,In,Garden.

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https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex
</div></figure>







Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving fall garden, and this guide lays out the best vegetables and herbs to plant now for a fruitful autumn harvest. 



Fast-growing leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, kale, and arugula perform especially well in the waning summer heat, with harvests beginning as soon as 30 days. 



These cool-season crops relish the transition into fall, offering repeated yields with cut-and-come-again methods.



Root vegetables like radishes, carrots, and beets also excel during this period. Radishes deliver satisfaction in under a month, while carrots and beets mature in about two months. Employing succession planting ensures a continuous stream of produce deep into the cooler months. 



For a boost of fresh flavor, herbs like cilantro, basil, dill, and chervil are excellent picks. These heat-loving varieties flourish in July’s warmth and are harvest-ready in about 30 days, especially when sown continuously.



Gardeners in zones 6 through 9 can benefit from planting bush beans and snap peas, which don’t require trellising and are ideal for compact plots. 



Maturing in 50–60 days, they’re a smart choice for quick, protein-rich harvests. For those in hotter regions, heat-tolerant crops such as okra and southern peas provide reliable yields and thrive in scorching conditions.



This guide emphasizes more than crop selection—it highlights the importance of timing, soil preparation, and ongoing sowing techniques. 



With thoughtful planning and attention to regional climate needs, even late-summer gardeners can enjoy fresh salads, hearty stews, and the satisfaction of a robust, homegrown harvest well into fall.



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving...

Green,Ecoduct,Over,An,Empty,Highway,During,Sunset.

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https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that wildlife tunnels significantly reduce amphibian road mortality during seasonal migrations. 



Frogs and salamanders often cross roads to reach breeding ponds each spring, but many are killed by vehicles. 



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a>, in collaboration with local citizens and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, installed two underpass tunnels in 2015. 



Over a 12-year monitoring period, they observed an 80.2% reduction in amphibian deaths, and up to 94% for non-climbing species like salamanders. 



The study used a before-after-control-impact design and documented more than 5,200 amphibians, highlighting the tunnels’ effectiveness even in nearby buffer zones.



Funded at $342,397 - far cheaper than wildlife crossings for large mammals - the project showcased the power of community-led conservation.



Local groups initiated the effort after observing mass amphibian deaths. Wildlife cameras later captured over 2,200 amphibians using a tunnel in just one spring, along with other species like raccoons and bobcats, indicating wider ecosystem benefits.



This marks the first peer-reviewed, long-term data set in the northeastern U.S. confirming amphibian-specific underpasses work. 



The study urges transportation departments to incorporate these designs into road planning and highlights how community action, thoughtful infrastructure, and persistence can make a real difference for biodiversity.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1617138125000780" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal for Nature Conservation</a>.



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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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

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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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

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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