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...

Drones are transforming our understanding of biodiversity by exploring the treetops of rainforests, where much life has remained hidden. 



These high, dense canopies are home to countless organisms, yet they have been difficult to study due to their inaccessibility. 



For years, researchers have known that the branches and leaves are teeming with life, but uncovering it has posed a significant challenge.



Now, drones equipped with innovative technology offer a non-invasive way to collect environmental DNA (eDNA) from the treetops, providing crucial insights into the species that live there. 



This breakthrough marks a pivotal moment in rainforest research, allowing scientists to decode the biodiversity of these towering ecosystems without disturbing them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eavesdroppers-at-high-elevations">Eavesdroppers at high elevations</h2>



In the past, these tiny organisms were virtually invisible to the human eye, their existence revealed only through the minute traces they left behind - DNA on the leaves and branches of the rainforest.



Today, however, a team of pioneers has unlocked a groundbreaking approach to uncovering this life. The experts have developed a unique adaptation to familiar technology: a drone equipped with a specialized fabric probe.



The drone soars above the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amazon-animals-will-suffer-as-the-rainforest-turns-into-savanna/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainforest</a>, gently brushing leaves and branches to collect DNA, revealing uncharted life in the canopy.



"If we want people to protect nature, we need to tell them what we are actually protecting - with our solution, we hope to better understand the life in the canopy," explained study lead author Steffen Kirchgeorg.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-research-and-drone-technology">Biodiversity research and drone technology</h2>



The introduction of drone-based DNA collection is not just a technological breakthrough - it is reshaping the way scientists conduct <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-are-the-biggest-drivers-of-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> research.



Traditionally, studying life in the rainforest canopies required invasive and labor-intensive methods, such as physically climbing trees or setting up elaborate sampling systems. 



With drones, this process becomes more efficient and less disruptive, allowing for repeated sampling over vast areas in a fraction of the time. This innovation opens up new possibilities for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/effective-conservation-efforts-key-to-saving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation efforts</a>. 



By gathering more comprehensive data on species diversity in these remote <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/koalas-face-critical-threats-from-disease-and-habitat-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitats</a>, researchers can better understand how ecosystems function and respond to environmental changes. The technology also helps identify species that may be at risk, guiding targeted conservation actions before it's too late.



Drones also allow for global collaboration, with scientists worldwide able to adopt this technology to explore previously inaccessible ecosystems, creating a unified strategy for biodiversity preservation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-drone-process-works">How the drone process works</h2>



The researchers designed a highly specialized drone system to collect eDNA without disturbing the environment. 



The process begins with the drone flying high above the canopy, remotely guided to position itself over the targeted tree branches. Once in place, the drone lowers a fleece-like fabric probe via a pulley system. 



The probe, reinforced with strips of fiberglass for added structure, brushes gently against the branches and leaves. This allows it to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-can-now-collect-human-dna-from-water-air-and-basically-everywhere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">collect DNA</a> left behind by organisms in the form of mucus, feces, or dead skin cells.



To ensure smooth operation, the drone is equipped with a sensor that detects any impact with branches. If the probe gets too close to obstacles, the drone adjusts its position to avoid entanglement. 



After the collection is complete, the probe is retrieved by the drone and brought back to the research team for analysis. 



In a successful field test conducted in a Southeast Asian rainforest, the collected samples revealed a variety of species, including spiders, ants, long-tailed macaques, and a species of fly known as the gall midge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-frontier-for-conservation">A new frontier for conservation</h2>



This pioneering study not only demonstrates the remarkable potential of drones in biodiversity research but also highlights the critical importance of understanding these remote and often overlooked ecosystems.



The ability to gather crucial data with minimal disturbance ensures that these fragile environments can be better protected, preserved, and restored for future generations.



As conservationists and researchers continue to explore innovative ways of monitoring and safeguarding biodiversity, drone technology will undoubtedly play a central and transformative role in unlocking the hidden secrets of the natural world, starting with the uncharted life thriving in the rainforest canopies.



The research is published in the ACS journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/journal/esthag" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Science &amp; Technology</a>.



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Drones reveal hidden biodiversity in rainforest canopies

Drones are transforming our understanding of biodiversity by exploring the...

Forests are at the forefront of climate change research, where new discoveries continually challenge established views. 



As vital ecosystems that regulate carbon levels, water cycles, and biodiversity, forests have long been considered highly vulnerable to the effects of rising global temperatures and pollution.



However, recent scientific findings have brought a new perspective to this issue. Researchers have uncovered data suggesting that the risks posed to forests by climate change and human pollution may not be as dire as previously thought. 



These results offer hope that forests, with their complex plant-soil interactions, may possess greater resilience in the face of environmental stressors than initially anticipated.



This breakthrough comes from an innovative study led by researchers from the <a href="https://www.unh.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of New Hampshire</a> (UNH).



The research marks the first time the combined impact of rising temperatures and increased nitrogen levels - driven by climate change and fossil fuel emissions - has been thoroughly examined.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-fighting-back">Forests fighting back?</h2>



Study lead author Melissa Knorr is a lab research supervisor in the UNH College of Life Sciences and Agriculture.



"What is most exciting about this study is that it's one of the longest-running experiments to look at two global change pressures instead of just focusing on one. This is particularly important to study in the Northeast, where the region has experienced greater nitrogen deposition historically, and now faster <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/single-degree-temperature-warming-boreal-forests-wreak-havoc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming</a> than in other parts of the country," explained Knorr.



The study was focused on data gathered over 16 years at the Harvard Forest Long-Term Ecological Research site in Massachusetts. At this site, researchers continuously exposed the soil to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-temperatures-alter-photosynthesis-and-plant-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">higher temperatures</a> and nitrogen fertilization.



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



The previously existing belief about the impact of climate change on forests was that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/warming-soils-release-more-carbon-than-plants-can-replace/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming soil</a> led to significant carbon loss over time, while increased nitrogen levels caused carbon buildup in the soil. 



However, the new research directly challenges this long-standing belief, offering a more nuanced understanding of how these factors interact.



"Plants, particularly through root turnover – the natural process where plant roots grow, die and decompose - and increased plant growth and activity, add new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-pool-of-global-soil-carbon-alters-climate-change-models/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon to the soil</a>," said study co-author Professor Serita Frey.



"And while microbial activity breaks down organic matter, releasing CO₂, we observed that enhanced plant carbon inputs belowground - caused by warmer temperatures and increased nitrogen - help maintain soil carbon levels, counteracting what would otherwise have been a significant net loss of carbon from the soil."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-changing-climate-and-ecosystem">A changing climate and ecosystem</h2>



Over the last century, New England’s average temperature has risen by 1.7°F, and while nitrogen deposition rates are on the decline, they remain five to six times higher than pre-industrial levels. 



The excess nitrogen, deposited through rain and snowfall, can damage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ozone-pollution-threatens-the-health-of-plants-and-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant health</a> and acidify waterways.



Despite these sobering statistics, the findings from this new study highlight the resilience of forest ecosystems and emphasize the critical role that plant-soil interactions can play in managing them.



"By challenging previous predictions from studies that looked at only one factor alone, this research offers a fuller picture of how ecosystems respond to multiple stressors and forests' role in combating climate change," said Knorr. 



"The study offers insights that could inform conservation strategies to enhance carbon sequestration and preserve forest health across the Northeast."



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



The findings from this research hold significant implications for forest management and conservation strategies in the face of climate change. 



Traditionally, conservation efforts have focused on mitigating single stressors like rising temperatures or nutrient pollution. 



However, this study highlights the importance of addressing the complex interactions between multiple factors, such as soil warming and nitrogen levels, to enhance forest resilience.



By focusing on both plant and soil dynamics, future conservation strategies can better promote long-term carbon sequestration and ecosystem stability. 



The research opens new avenues for developing targeted approaches that prioritize the management of soil health and plant diversity, helping to preserve forests as critical carbon sinks and robust habitats capable of adapting to environmental stressors.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-024-02546-x.epdf?sharing_token=ma_taxabDQEVCjQSG1TIm9RgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0Px_tHV62exclbuiVTX40re5xBS1vdxMLIfu_0X0TFnB8gqPIZo6N_E386c6_afs33pk03UrnBEs2_WLVONN5J77xM4rBG0G9ROs3jnyEfCjHUgd3wDMSFLKXc-x5dQTVc%3D" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>.



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Forests are more resilient to change than we thought

Forests are at the forefront of climate change research, where...

Bacteria that reside in soil and help plant roots fix nitrogen can significantly boost the reproductive capacity of certain plants by making the flowers more attractive, according to new research.



The study focuses on Chamaecrista latistipula, a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-legumes-solve-environmental-issues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">legume</a> in the Fabaceae family, which includes beans and peas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-soil-bacteria-and-plant-flowers">Soil bacteria and plant flowers</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-soil-bacteria-contribute-to-atmospheric-co2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Soil bacteria</a> enhance the attractiveness of the plant's flowers to pollinators through a type of mutualistic relationship. In mutualism, both organisms benefit - plants receive more nutrients, and microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi thrive.



Chamaecrista latistipula is a shrub native to regions of Bolivia, Brazil, and northeast Argentina, where it grows in nutrient-poor soils. It relies on a specific pollinator to reproduce successfully.&nbsp;



“Its mutualistic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria increases the supply of the nutrient to its roots in exchange for the sugar on which they feed,” explained Anselmo Nogueira, a professor at the <a href="https://www.ufabc.edu.br/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Federal University of the ABC</a> (UFABC), in São Paulo, Brazil.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mutualistic-relationship-with-pollinators">Mutualistic relationship with pollinators</h2>



In addition to its relationship with bacteria, C. latistipula has a mutualistic relationship with specific <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollinators-are-not-just-attracted-to-plants-by-scent-but-also-by-humidity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinators</a>. 



“The pollen stored in its flowers’ anthers is only released when they are made to vibrate, mainly by being shaken by females of some species of bumblebee in the genus Bombus,” Nogueira said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bacteria-make-the-flowers-appealing-nbsp">Bacteria make the flowers appealing&nbsp;</h2>



In a greenhouse experiment conducted at the Plant-Animal Interaction Laboratory, led by Nogueira, it was revealed that these bacteria play a significant role in making the flowers more appealing to bumblebees, especially in nutrient-poor soils.&nbsp;



Unexpectedly, the researchers also found that nutrient-rich soil did not lead to healthy plants with attractive flowers.&nbsp;



“Because the association with bacteria is very costly for the plant, we assumed that in nitrogen-rich soil the plants would simply take <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-has-too-much-and-too-little-nitrogen-at-the-same-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nitrogen</a> directly from the soil, but in our experiments, nutrient-rich soil didn’t produce healthy plants with attractive flowers,” explained Caroline Souza, the first author of the article.



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



The experiment was part of a broader project examining how bacteria, ants, and bees contribute to the evolution of legumes.&nbsp;



The team monitored 60 C. latistipula plants over 16 months, from seed germination. Half were grown in nutrient-poor sandy soil, while the other half were in soil rich in organic matter, supplemented with potassium nitrate.&nbsp;



Both soil types were sterilized to remove any existing microorganisms, and the seeds were sterilized before sowing to prevent external bacterial influence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-nitrogen-fixing-bacteria-nbsp">The role of nitrogen-fixing bacteria&nbsp;</h2>



The experiment revealed that plants grown in sandy soil with added rhizobia (nitrogen-fixing bacteria) developed much better than those without bacteria or those grown in nutrient-rich soil.&nbsp;



“In the nitrogen-poor sandy soil with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, the plants were almost twice as tall and three times larger than those grown in nitrogen-rich soil with organic matter and rhizobia,” Nogueira said.&nbsp;



In contrast, plants grown without rhizobia, regardless of soil type, were smaller and less healthy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colors-that-attract-bumblebees-nbsp">Colors that attract bumblebees&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers analyzed the flowers of these plants using a surface spectrophotometer to measure how light was reflected, testing for color contrasts perceptible to bumblebees.&nbsp;



Significant differences were observed only in the plants grown in sandy soil with rhizobia, whose anthers displayed a pattern particularly attractive to bumblebees.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bumblebees-showcase-smart-logical-reasoning-abilities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bumblebees</a> perceive the color spectrum differently than humans, and the unique flower characteristics likely contributed to their attraction.



“The anthers contain the pollen and can be accessed only by insects capable of making them vibrate, which can’t be done by exotic species such as the European honeybee Apis mellifera,” Souza explained.&nbsp;



Pollen is a vital protein source for bee larvae, influencing their growth and development.



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



After the flower analysis, the researchers examined the roots of the plants and found that the plants grown in nutrient-poor sandy soil with rhizobia had the most root nodules.&nbsp;



These nodules are knob-like structures where nitrogen-fixing bacteria live in a symbiotic relationship with the plant. The bacteria help the plant produce amino acids needed for growth, while the plant supplies the bacteria with sugars for energy and reproduction.



The study suggests that the mutualistic relationship between plants and bacteria enhances the quality of the pollen, potentially increasing its protein and amino acid content, making the flowers more attractive to native bees.&nbsp;



“The heightened attractiveness of the flowers may be associated with larger amounts of high-quality resources, influenced by the roots’ high nitrogen fixation rate,” Nogueira concluded.



The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajb2.16363" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Journal of Botany</a>. 



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Soil bacteria makes flowers more attractive to pollinators

Bacteria that reside in soil and help plant roots fix...

With climate change and limited resources creating tough challenges, researchers are trying out different methods to improve agricultural productivity and crop yields. You might be surprised by one of the answers they've come up with: electric soil.



This technique involves applying electrical currents to the soil, which has been found to stimulate plant growth, enhance nutrient uptake, and improve overall crop health. 



By tapping into the power of electricity in farming, scientists hope to develop more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-footprint-a-new-frontier-in-sustainable-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainable practices</a> that can lead to better yields and greater food security for everyone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-electricity-soil-tremendous-plant-growth">Electricity + soil = tremendous plant growth</h2>



Leading this study was Eleni Stavrinidou, an esteemed associate professor at <a href="https://liu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Linköping University</a> in Sweden. 



Together with her team, she discovered that barley seedlings grew up to 50% more in just 15 days -- all thanks to some electric jolts to the soil in which their roots were growing.



Stavrinidou emphasizes how desperately we need to evolve our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-farming-practices-boost-soil-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cultivation strategies</a>. 



She asks, "With the population explosion and climate change, can we keep up with the food demands of the planet with only the existing agricultural methods?" 



The answer, she believes, lies in urban hydroponics, a form of controlled farming that doesn't rely on soil.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hydroponics-and-urban-farming">Hydroponics and urban farming</h2>



Before we dig into the electrifying soil revelation, let's get our hands dirty with hydroponics. Hydroponics is a revolutionary farming method that's been gaining momentum, particularly in urban landscapes where space is scarce.



In hydroponic systems, plants don't need soil to grow. Instead, they are nurtured in nutrient-rich water, with substrates providing the much-needed support.



But what's really eye-catching about hydroponics is its efficiency. 



Hydroponic systems consume significantly less water than traditional farming because the water is reused, and each plant gets exactly what it needs -- not an ounce more, not an ounce less.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-electric-soil-esoil-is-a-real-game-changer">Electric soil (eSoil) is a real game-changer</h2>



Now let's talk about eSoil, the secret sauce in Stavrinidou's study. 



The pivotal element that sets eSoil apart is its blend of cellulose (the material that constitutes plant cell walls) and a conductive polymer known as PEDOT. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Electronic-soil-with-growing-plant_credit-Thor-Balkhed_1medium.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/electronic-soil_esoil_barley-growth_boosts-yield_scientists-lab_credit-Thor-Balkhed_1s.webp" alt="Eleni Stavrinidou, associate professor, and supervisor of the study and Alexandra Sandéhn, Ph.D. student, one of the lead authors, connect the electric soil (eSoil) to a low power source for stimulating plant growth. Credit: Thor Balkhed" class="wp-image-1945663"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Eleni Stavrinidou, associate professor, and supervisor of the study and Alexandra Sandéhn, Ph.D. student, one of the lead authors, connect the electric soil (eSoil) to a low power source for stimulating plant growth. Credit: Thor Balkhed</figcaption></figure>



The resulting concoction paves the way for the root stimulation that fosters unprecedented growth.



Not just that, eSoil is also a far greener alternative to the mineral wool substrates widely used in hydroponic setups today. 



It's biodegradable, consumes less energy during production, and did I mention the growth-boosting electrical conductivity?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stunning-results">Stunning results</h2>



The electric buzz didn't stop at the breakthrough. When Stavrinidou and her team put eSoil to the test, the results were, quite literally, shocking. 



Barley seedlings on eSoil outgrew their non-electrified counterparts by 50% in a mere fortnight.



"In this way, we can get seedlings to grow faster with less resources. We don't yet know how it actually works, which biological mechanisms that are involved," Sarvrinidou explains. 



"What we have found is that seedlings process nitrogen more effectively, but it's not clear yet how the&nbsp;<a href="https://phys.org/tags/electrical+stimulation/">electrical stimulation</a>&nbsp;impacts this process."



Looking ahead, Stavrinidou acknowledges that hydroponics won't entirely address global food security concerns. "But it can certainly be a lifeline, particularly in areas with limited arable land and harsh environmental conditions," she adds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-security-and-sustainable-agriculture">Food security and sustainable agriculture</h2>



eSoil and hydroponics are both such important tools because food security has become an increasingly pressing concern as the world's population expands. 



Challenges such as climate change disrupt weather patterns and impact crop yields, while resource limitations like water scarcity and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-pollution-is-harming-worms-and-bugs-to-an-unknown-degree/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">soil degradation</a> further complicate food production. 



These issues lead to higher prices and heighten the risk of hunger and malnutrition in vulnerable communities.



How can we effectively tackle these challenges? Embracing sustainable agriculture practices is essential for boosting food production while safeguarding the environment. 



Techniques such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farmers-adopt-regenerative-agriculture-better-soil-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crop rotation</a>, organic farming, and efficient water management can enhance soil health, conserve precious resources, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 



Combining all of these methodologies with electric soil and hydroponics will help us reach global food security goals much faster.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-electric-soil-and-the-future-of-farming">Electric soil and the future of farming</h2>



Envision vertical farms housed in urban skyscrapers, producing fresh produce right in the heart of the city. Or hydroponic systems in desert regions, cultivating crops with minimal water. 



And let's not forget about long-term space missions -- efficient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sustainable-food-systems-are-gaining-momentum/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food production strategies</a>, such as eSoil, would indeed be invaluable.



With much still to uncover about how electrical stimulation impacts plant growth, the journey doesn't stop here. Could this technique work for other plant types? How are other nutrients influenced by electric stimulation? 



As Stavrinidou said, this study is just the tip of the iceberg, and the pursuit of answers will undoubtedly "open the pathway for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smart-soil-can-absorb-water-from-the-air-and-feed-itself/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new research areas</a> to develop further hydroponic cultivation."



There's no question about it -- as we grapple with food production challenges on a global scale, innovative solutions like eSoil could be a shot in the arm for agriculture. 



A future where robust plants grow faster using fewer resources, where fresh produce is accessible within bustling cities, could be on the horizon. And it all starts with a jolt of electric soil.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2304135120" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PNAS</a>.



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"Electric soil" boosts crop production and plant growth by 50% in just 15 days

With climate change and limited resources creating tough challenges, researchers...

Imagine walking through a forest where every rustle of leaves and every sway of branches is part of a complex dialogue. This isn't a scene from a fantasy novel -- it's the reality uncovered by a team of Japanese researchers exploring the hidden world of plant communication.



Dr. Masatsugu Toyota and his team have achieved something remarkable: capturing real-time footage of plants communicating with their neighbors by sending defense signals. 



This breakthrough offers a fresh perspective on how plants interact with their environment and each other.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-communication-how-does-it-work">Plant communication: How does it work?</h2>



At the core of this discovery is the concept of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These are chemicals released by plants when they face threats like mechanical damage or insect attacks. 



Dr. Toyota and his team from <a href="https://en.saitama-u.ac.jp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saitama University</a> observed how undamaged plants respond to these VOCs, initiating their own defense mechanisms in response.



The research team included Yuri Aratani, a dedicated Ph.D. student, and Takuya Uemura, a skilled postdoctoral researcher. 



Their collaborative efforts have shed light on the sophisticated ways plants protect themselves and support their neighbors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-capturing-plant-communication-on-video">Capturing plant communication on video</h2>



To study this phenomenon, the team designed an intricate experimental setup. They used an air pump connected to a container housing leaves and caterpillars, simulating a plant under attack. 



Nearby, another chamber contained Arabidopsis thaliana, a common weed from the mustard family. 



These plants were genetically modified to glow green when they detected calcium ions -- key messengers indicating stress.



Using a fluorescence microscope, the researchers could watch in real-time as the undamaged plants picked up the VOC signals and responded accordingly. 



This setup allowed them to visualize the immediate reactions of plants to their environment.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="y3jCxgUSpz-3322206-12187" type="single"]</div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-road-of-discovery">Long road of discovery</h2>



This study builds on observations first made in 1983, which sparked debates and further research into plant communication. 



Over the years, scientists have uncovered various ways plants interact, from chemical signals to underground networks formed by fungi.



“We have finally unveiled the intricate story of when, where, and how plants respond to airborne ‘warning messages’ from their threatened neighbors," Dr. Toyota emphasized.



This statement highlights the importance of understanding these subtle interactions that play a crucial role in plant survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-plant-communication-channels">Different plant communication channels</h2>



While VOCs are a primary means of communication, plants employ several other methods to convey messages. 



For instance, electrical signals within plants can trigger physiological changes like closing stomata to conserve water during droughts. 



Additionally, the "Wood Wide Web," a network of mycorrhizal fungi connecting plant roots, allows for the sharing of nutrients and information underground.



These diverse communication channels ensure that plants can respond swiftly to environmental challenges, whether it's warding off pests or adapting to changing climates. 



Understanding these interactions not only fascinates botanists but also has practical applications in agriculture and conservation.



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



Grasping how plants communicate enhances our appreciation of ecosystems' complexity. It explains how plant communities can be resilient, responding collectively to threats and supporting each other’s growth. 



This knowledge is invaluable for developing sustainable agricultural practices. Farmers can leverage these natural communication methods to enhance crop protection and reduce reliance on chemical pesticides.



Moreover, conservation efforts benefit from this understanding by promoting practices that maintain healthy plant networks, ensuring ecosystems remain robust against disturbances like pests and climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-and-their-communication-networks">Plants and their communication networks</h2>



The study of plant communication reveals a world of interconnectedness that rivals any human-made network. 



Plants, often perceived as passive organisms, exhibit a level of responsiveness and cooperation that is both intricate and essential for their survival.



For example, when one plant is attacked by herbivores, it releases VOCs that not only alert neighboring plants to strengthen their defenses but also attract predators of the herbivores. 



This creates a natural defense system where plants essentially "call for help," recruiting allies in their battle against pests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technological-advances-paving-the-way">Technological advances paving the way</h2>



The ability to visualize plant responses in real-time was made possible by advancements in genetic engineering and microscopy. 



By engineering Arabidopsis thaliana to fluoresce upon detecting calcium ions, researchers could directly observe the plant’s stress responses. 



This technological leap opens doors for further studies, allowing scientists to explore the nuances of plant signaling in greater detail.



Such innovations underscore the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in modern science, where biology, chemistry, and technology converge to unravel nature’s mysteries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-engaging-with-nature-s-language">Engaging with nature's language</h2>



Understanding plant communication invites us to rethink our relationship with the natural world. It challenges the notion that plants are mere background players in ecosystems, highlighting their active roles in maintaining ecological balance. 



This perspective fosters a deeper respect for plant life and encourages more thoughtful interactions with our environment.



Have you ever wondered how your garden responds to pests or how forests recover from storms? 



The answers lie in the silent conversations of plants, orchestrated through chemical and electrical signals and supported by underground networks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-directions-what-comes-next">Future directions: What comes next?</h2>



Dr. Toyota’s research is just the beginning. Future studies could explore how different plant species communicate and how these interactions vary across ecosystems. 



Additionally, there’s potential to harness plant communication mechanisms to develop innovative solutions for agriculture, such as creating crops that can better resist pests naturally.



Finally, understanding plant networks could lead to breakthroughs in ecological restoration, helping degraded environments recover more efficiently by leveraging the inherent communication systems of plants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-from-the-silent-symphony-of-plants">Learning from the silent symphony of plants</h2>



To sum it all up, plants engage in a sophisticated dialogue that is both subtle and vital for their survival. 



Through the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), generation of electrical signals, and formation of underground networks, they communicate threats and support each other in maintaining the delicate balance of ecosystems.



Dr. Masatsugu Toyota and his team from Saitama University have illuminated this hidden world, offering insights that advance scientific knowledge while inspiring a greater appreciation for the intricate lives of plants.



As we continue to explore and understand these silent conversations, we gain a deeper connection to the natural world and uncover new ways to coexist sustainably with the life around us.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-41589-9#Sec1">Nature Communications</a>.



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Plants captured on video communicating with each other for the first time ever

Imagine walking through a forest where every rustle of leaves...

When it comes to the world of flowering plants, one family dominates when it comes to diversity -- the Asteraceae family.



Boasting around 34,000 species under its umbrella, this family of flowering plants wins the spot for the most varied group of its kind worldwide. 



In recent times, an international team of scientists, which includes experts from the University of Göttingen, set out to explore the rich world of Asteraceae.&nbsp;



By compiling and analyzing a novel and comprehensive global database, these researchers were able to trace the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-of-life-created-for-flowering-plants-using-400-million-specimens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancestral paths</a> and current distribution of all Asteraceae species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-asteraceae-speciation-on-island-shores">Asteraceae speciation on island shores</h2>



One would naturally expect to find a unique blend of flora and fauna on remote islands. In this vein, Asteraceae has a remarkable presence on several far-flung islands, such as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galapagos-penguins-at-risk-in-polluted-food-web/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Galápagos</a>, Mauritius, and Polynesia.



The family brings together a fascinating range of flowering plant species, from the diversified genus Bidens that adorn the Pacific islands to the rare and enchanting silverswords of Hawai'i.&nbsp;



Not to forget the giant Scalesia trees that hold court on the Galápagos Islands. The biodiversity they bring to these islands makes Asteraceae a shining beacon of natural variety.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-asteraceae-biodiversity-puzzle">Asteraceae biodiversity puzzle</h2>



While the Asteraceae family is known for its island <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flowers-are-picky-when-choosing-their-mate-for-fertilization/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diversity</a>, until recently, it wasn't entirely clear where these plants fit into the broader context of planet Earth. 



That's where the global database painstakingly put together by botany and evolutionary biology researchers comes in.



Their efforts have illuminated the existence of over 6,000 Asteraceae species that are native to islands, with an astounding 60% exclusive to these landmasses.&nbsp;



This astonishing discovery confirms long-held ecology and evolution theories about larger, isolated islands being home to a wealth of unique species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-survival-of-flowering-plants">Survival of flowering plants</h2>



While the diversity of the Asteraceae family on islands is a marvel in itself, there's a more poignant aspect to this tale.&nbsp;



Many of these unique species are often teetering on the brink of extinction, their existence hanging by a thread -- making the need to study and protect them ever more critical.



"Asteraceae provides a treasure trove of information to help researchers understand why and how new species evolve in the most remote environments in the world," says Professor Holger Kreft, head of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bees-prefer-flowers-with-large-bullseyes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>, macroecology and biogeography at the <a href="https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/1.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Göttingen</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoding-speciation">Decoding speciation</h2>



The researchers' deep dive into the world of Asteraceae didn't just stop at identifying the unique species found on islands. 



They also came across dozens of possible <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tobacco-and-zinnia-can-thrive-in-polluted-land/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">speciation events</a> -- instances where new species evolve from a common ancestor -- that could have occurred on islands in the recent past.



The sheer number of these likely speciation events struck the research team.&nbsp;



"Botanists have long suspected that Asteraceae has evolved in remarkable ways on islands, but our study shows that the extent of evolutionary innovation in this family may be much greater than previously thought," says first author Lizzie Roeble of <a href="https://www.naturalis.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Naturalis Biodiversity Center</a> in Leiden, the Netherlands.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-the-flowering-plants">Preserving the flowering plants</h2>



It's clear from these findings that the Asteraceae family is not only a treasure trove of botanical diversity and knowledge but also a glaring warning sign about the precarious balance of nature.&nbsp;



These plants play a pivotal role in their respective ecosystems, serving as a source of food for a myriad of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and birds.



These findings underline the importance of preserving this group of plants for the future of our world. This way, they can continue to bloom, grow and evolve in the most strikingly remote areas on our beautiful planet.



In conclusion, isn't it remarkable how much we can learn from the world of flowers? It's evident that the dynamic Asteraceae family, with its bevvy of species that have evolved, adapted, and thrived over time, and across islands, offers us priceless insights into the intricate and awe-inspiring dance of evolution.&nbsp;



So, next time you come across a humble flowering plant, remember -- there's much more to it than what meets the eye.



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51556-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Asteraceae is the world's most diverse flowering plant family

When it comes to the world of flowering plants, one...

The unique light environment of the Earth's polar regions creates conditions that foster the formation of circumpolar hybrid zones around both the North and South Poles, according to a new study.&nbsp;



These extreme conditions synchronize the reproductive phenology of various species, forcing them into a shorter window for reproduction, which may sustain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-biodiversity-will-get-a-boost-from-rising-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> in the long term.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-polar-light-influences-biodiversity">Polar light influences biodiversity</h2>



In a recent research article, Professor Kari Saikkonen from the <a href="https://www.utu.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Turku</a>, Finland, and his colleagues presented a new theory on how the polar light environment influences biodiversity over millions of years. 



The research, published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2024.08.002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">One Earth</a>, explores the role of the unique light cycles near the poles in shaping long-term biodiversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-cycles-of-polar-light">Extreme cycles of polar light</h2>



Daylight patterns on Earth vary significantly depending on latitude. At the Equator, day and night are nearly equal year-round, with only minor seasonal variation in day length as one moves away from the Equator.&nbsp;



However, closer to the poles, there is substantial seasonality, resulting in phenomena like the “midnight sun,” where there is 24-hour daylight in the summer, and the “polar night,” where the sun does not rise for months during the winter in regions within the Arctic and Antarctic circles.



“At the center of our theory is the hypothesis that the extreme light environment of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-polar-regions-changing-fundamental-alarming-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polar regions</a> creates hybrid zones in both polar regions,” Saikkonen said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seasonal-changes-in-day-length-nbsp">Seasonal changes in day length&nbsp;</h2>



Unlike temperature, which can vary unpredictably with local and global climate, day length is a stable environmental factor that changes consistently with latitude.&nbsp;



Many organisms, especially photosynthetic ones like plants and some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-seabed-bacteria-play-a-crucial-role-in-sustaining-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbes</a>, have adapted to using seasonal changes in day length as signals to time their reproduction.



Since many organisms rely on light as a cue, the polar light environment increases the likelihood that closely related plant species will flower simultaneously. 



This creates opportunities for hybridization, where organisms reproduce with individuals from a different species or variety.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-polar-light-and-hybridization">Polar light and hybridization </h2>



Saikkonen noted that although <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hybridization-reduces-vulnerability-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hybridization</a> is common in almost all groups of organisms, its role as a force for sustaining biodiversity has not been fully understood. 



“Hybridization may also involve backcrossing, where hybrid individuals mate with members of the original species. This allows genes to be transferred between species, creating new adaptive gene combinations suited to different environmental conditions,” explained Saikkonen.



At lower latitudes, where day length changes only slightly between seasons, the timing of reproduction among distinct populations or subspecies is less likely to overlap, and thus hybridization is less common.&nbsp;



However, in polar regions, the unique light cycles may promote more frequent hybridization, leading to new biodiversity over long geological periods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-biodiversity-nbsp">Evolution of biodiversity&nbsp;</h2>



“Species' range shifts across latitudes during the Earth's cooler and warmer cycles cause recurrent isolation and contact among species. This results in mixing and differentiation of species, leading to new biodiversity over long periods of time,” said Saikkonen.



Microbes have played a crucial role in the evolution of biodiversity since the origin of life, and they continue to have a significant impact on maintaining and promoting global biodiversity.



“Microbes are ubiquitous, and mounting evidence reveals their high adaptive potential due to their short life cycle. Many microbes are light-sensitive and affect the well-being of virtually all plants and animals. Since all plants and animals have diverse microbiota, they should be treated as a whole,” Saikkonen said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-polar-regions-are-warming-rapidly">Polar regions are warming rapidly</h2>



In their study, the experts hypothesize that photosensitive microbes may play a role in helping plants adapt to the extreme light conditions of polar regions.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tracking-arctic-climate-change-is-much-more-difficult-since-russia-invaded-ukraine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Climate change</a> and biodiversity loss are among the greatest global threats to ecosystems today. The polar regions, in particular, are warming at a much faster rate than the global average - up to 2–4 times faster.



“Climate models predict that Arctic sea ice will melt by the end of this century. Over the same period, Antarctica's ice-free area will increase from approximately 2% today to almost 25%,” said Saikkonen.



The melting of the western Antarctic glaciers alone could cause sea levels to rise by five meters, threatening 10% of the world's population and many of the world's coastal ecosystems over the next decades or centuries.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-driven-biodiversity-loss">Climate-driven biodiversity loss</h2>



The researchers argue that the conventional species-focused approach to biodiversity must expand to include the genetic diversity of organisms and the importance of microbial associates in plants and animals.



“We propose that biodiversity can, in the long term, recover after disturbances and mass extinctions, but ecosystems will restructure as novel species assemblages,” said Saikkonen.



“This calls for increased attention to the importance of ensuring sufficient genetic diversity, species diversity, and species interaction potential to support future diversification and ecosystem functions and services. Tackling climate change-driven biodiversity loss is crucial.”



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Polar light sustains biodiversity over millions of years 

The unique light environment of the Earth's polar regions creates...

Plants, just like humans, interact in complex and dynamic ways, forming relationships that can shape entire ecosystems.



Sometimes, plants work in harmony, supporting each other for mutual benefit. Other times, one species helps another while remaining unaffected.



In some cases, a plant may even utilize resources that another plant has produced for its own benefit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-interactions-of-plants">Complex interactions of plants</h2>



Plant interactions are classified into three distinct types: symbiotic facilitation, where both plants benefit each other; commensalistic facilitation, where the nurtured plant neither impacts the benefactor positively nor negatively; and antagonistic facilitation, where the bestowed partner benefits at the expense of its benefactor.



The existence of antagonistic facilitation has been disputed for a long time. However, a new study provides compelling evidence that this type of interaction between plant species is indeed possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pioneer-plants-the-unsung-heroes">Pioneer plants: The unsung heroes</h2>



The research was conducted by Dr. Ricardo Martínez-García, CASUS Young Investigator, along with lead authors Ciro Cabal from the <a href="https://www.urjc.es/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">King Juan Carlos University</a> and Gabriel A. Maciel from the South American Institute for Fundamental Research.



The study shines a light on a particular phenomenon that has intrigued ecologists for years - the pioneering role of certain plant species in cultivating wastelands.



The pioneer plants, in their quest for survival, start colonizing uninhabited ground. They produce resources like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-plants-produce-their-own-nitrogen-fertilizer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nitrogen</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lack-of-phosphorus-will-limit-growth-of-the-amazon-rainforest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phosphorus</a> that are scarce in the soil. This not only aids their growth but also paves the way for other species to thrive in these desolate lands.



Opportunistic plants help themselves to the smorgasbord of resources provided by the pioneers. Yet, the pioneer plants remain unbothered because they still benefit from their hard work.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evidence-of-antagonistic-facilitation">Evidence of antagonistic facilitation </h2>



The findings strongly suggest the presence of antagonistic facilitation in these pioneer areas.



The findings extend beyond just proving the existence of antagonistic facilitation. According to Cabal, the team's model also shows that plant interactions are an emergent property of resource availability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-dynamics-over-time">Shifting dynamics over time</h2>



The model indicates that antagonistic facilitation is the dominant strategy in environments with low and intermediate resource availability.



However, as the soil changes over time and more plant species begin to flourish, the interaction between the species also changes. 



The pioneer species continue to increase the availability of resources, but due to the overall abundance of resources now, the other plants are no longer impacted.



At this stage, the pioneers' mining ability starts to become a burden, putting them at a disadvantage. Ultimately, other plant species outcompete the pioneers to claim the territory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fascinating-world-of-plant-interactions">Fascinating world of plant interactions </h2>



Ecological research often leans on modeling as a tool for testing hypotheses and exploring ideas that are challenging to investigate in field or laboratory experiments. 



In this case, a mathematical model was developed to predict the density and spatial distribution of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/autophagy-what-makes-plant-roots-grow-faster-stronger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">roots</a> of interacting plants. The results proved to have a significant overlap with greenhouse experiments.



The model was further refined to depict the interaction of pioneer plants with their environment, taking into account the dynamics of an in-demand soil resource, the size and shape of root systems, and the costs of growing and maintaining roots.



Ultimately, the study illustrates the fascinating world of plant interactions, and the role of such relationships in shaping our natural environments.



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



In addition to their fascinating interactions, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-capture-plant-communication-on-video/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants communicate</a> in surprising ways. Through their root systems, plants exchange chemical signals to coordinate growth, warn others of potential threats, and even compete for resources.



Recent studies have shown that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released when under stress, signaling nearby species to activate their own defense mechanisms.



This underground network of chemical exchanges plays a critical role in shaping communities and influencing which species thrive in various ecosystems.



Understanding this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-have-complex-biochemical-communication-networks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">communication network</a> adds another layer to how plants interact, not just through resource sharing or competition but through a hidden language that helps them navigate their environment.



This phenomenon further supports the idea that plant interactions are far more complex than previously understood, encompassing both cooperation and competition.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.20053" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Phytologist</a>.



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Secret lives of plants: Exploring complex interactions

Plants, just like humans, interact in complex and dynamic ways,...

Cloud,Dust,Of,Tree

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Pollen alters cloud formation and changes weather patterns

Spring is a time for blossoms and hay we often...

Psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in "magic mushrooms," is rapidly capturing the attention of healthcare experts and policymakers as a potential treatment for chronic depression.



As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers approving psilocybin for depression treatment in the near future, we are inching closer to what could be a transformative milestone in modern medicine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-would-benefit-from-psilocybin-therapy">Who would benefit from psilocybin therapy?</h2>



The possibility of legalizing psilocybin therapy brings a compelling question to the forefront: how many individuals could truly benefit?



A peer-reviewed study led by researchers at <a href="https://www.emory.edu/home/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emory University</a>, the <a href="https://www.wisc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Wisconsin-Madison</a>, and <a href="https://www.berkeley.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Berkeley</a>, offers unprecedented insight.



The findings suggest that psilocybin-assisted therapy for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-with-a-history-of-depression-tend-to-process-more-negative-information/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">depression</a> could have a substantial impact in the United States.



The study estimates that between 56 and 62 percent of patients currently receiving treatment for depression - about 5.1 to 5.6 million individuals - could qualify for this therapy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-potential-of-psilocybin-therapy">The potential of psilocybin therapy</h2>



“Our findings suggest that if the FDA gives the green light, psilocybin-assisted therapy has the potential to help millions of Americans who suffer from depression,” said Syed Fayzan Rab, an Emory MD candidate and lead author of the study.



The researchers analyzed national data, revealing that nearly 15 million adults in the U.S. are affected by depression, with about 9 million currently receiving treatment each year.



Using recent clinical trial criteria, the experts assessed this population to determine eligibility for psilocybin therapy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eligibility-for-psilocybin-treatment">Eligibility for psilocybin treatment </h2>



The findings present a range of possibilities. A conservative estimate indicates that 24% of patients will be eligible if strict trial criteria is applied, while a more moderate scenario estimates that 56% of patients will be eligible under real-world medical conditions.



At the higher end, 62% of patients could qualify for psilocybin treatment, factoring in additional considerations such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/korean-red-ginseng-may-alleviate-alcohol-addiction-study-reveals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alcohol</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/child-maltreatment-triples-the-risk-of-substance-use/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">substance use</a> disorders.



Notably, the inclusion of these co-occurring conditions, which evidence suggests psilocybin may treat effectively, accounted for nearly a third of the increased eligibility. 



Even so, the 62% figure might still be an understatement, as it only includes individuals who are already receiving treatment and does not consider the potential influx of new patients.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-in-real-world-implementation">Challenges in real-world implementation</h2>



While the potential impact of psilocybin therapy is promising, the researchers caution that several real-world factors could limit its widespread adoption. 



“While our analysis is a crucial first step, we've only scratched the surface in understanding the true public health impact psilocybin therapy may have,” said study co-author Dr. Charles Raison.



Insurance coverage, regional access to care, and availability of trained practitioners could significantly affect its uptake.



Moreover, if the FDA approval includes off-label use for conditions beyond depression, the demand for psilocybin therapy could surge unpredictably.



As the psychedelic renaissance continues to gain momentum, further research will be critical in refining our understanding and ensuring equitable access to this potentially transformative treatment.



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



Psilocybin, the naturally occurring compound found in certain species of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-psilocybin-mushrooms-got-their-magic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mushrooms</a>, has long fascinated scientists for its profound effects on the human brain. 



When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin and interacts with serotonin receptors - particularly the 5-HT2A receptor, which is known to play a role in mood regulation. This unique interaction is believed to produce the intense sensory and emotional experiences that are characteristic of psychedelic trips.



Recent research has suggested that psilocybin could offer more than just temporary changes in perception. 



Scientific evidence indicates that psilocybin might facilitate deeper, long-lasting shifts in the brain’s neural connectivity, potentially "rewiring" pathways associated with depression, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lsd-can-treat-crippling-anxiety-with-a-single-dose/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anxiety</a>, and addiction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-psilocybin-treatment">The future of psilocybin treatment </h2>



According to previous research, a single guided session with psilocybin can lead to significant reductions in depressive symptoms, with some patients reporting relief lasting several months.



However, while the therapeutic potential is exciting, psilocybin therapy requires careful supervision in controlled settings, ensuring that patients receive proper guidance before, during, and after treatment. 



The success of psilocybin-assisted therapy hinges not just on the chemical effects but also on the therapeutic environment, often referred to as the "set and setting," which significantly influences the patient's experience and outcomes.



As research into psychedelics continues to evolve, psilocybin remains at the forefront, holding promise as a potentially transformative treatment for a range of mental health disorders. Yet, questions about the scalability, accessibility, and long-term effects of such therapies remain. 



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Psilocybin mushrooms could help millions who suffer from depression

Psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in "magic mushrooms," is rapidly...

Stem cells in humans and animals have garnered significant attention for their ability to repair and regenerate damaged tissues. 



From treating degenerative diseases to enabling advanced therapies, these cells have revolutionized medical research. However, stem cells are not exclusive to the animal kingdom.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-stem-cells">Plant stem cells</h2>



Plants, too, possess their own remarkable stem cells, quietly driving growth and regeneration beneath their roots and shoots. 



While plant stem cells have not received the same spotlight, they hold immense potential for advancing agriculture and food sustainability.



According to Huanzhong Wang, professor of plant molecular biology at the <a href="https://cahnr.uconn.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources</a> (CAHNR), plant stem cells have significant potential to support human development - especially through enhancing food supply resilience.



“It’s not just humans and animals,” said Professor Wang. “Plants have stem cells too, and we should be paying attention to them.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stem-cells-and-plant-development">Stem cells and plant development </h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-capture-plant-communication-on-video/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plants</a> owe their growth and longevity to a variety of stem cells that govern cell division and differentiation. These cells, embedded deep within the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/autophagy-what-makes-plant-roots-grow-faster-stronger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">roots</a>, shoots, and the vascular system of plants, are critical to the plant's ability to develop.



Professor Wang noted that this intricate network of stem cells ensures that plants can grow both upwards and downwards, forming thicker stems or trunks when necessary.



“Plants can grow for many, many years because different types of stem cells basically ensure they can grow up in the air and deep into the ground,” said Wang. “To grow a thicker stem or trunk, they need another type of stem cell.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-role-of-the-hva-gene">Critical role of the HVA gene</h2>



While plant stem cells haven’t attracted as much attention as their biomedical counterparts, they hold incredible potential for bolstering our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-breaking-heat-is-threatening-wheat-and-the-global-food-supply/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food supply</a>. 



Professor Wang's research highlights how understanding these cells can lead to stronger, more resilient crops. His lab recently published a study in New Phytologist that describes the role of a transcription factor gene called HVA.



The HVA gene controls cell division in vascular stem cells, which are responsible for producing the vascular bundles that transport water and nutrients throughout the plant.



Overexpressing this gene dramatically increases the number of vascular bundles, boosting the plant's structural resilience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhancing-agricultural-resilience">Enhancing agricultural resilience</h2>



“In plants without HVA gene overexpression, we observed around five to eight vascular bundles,” said Professor Wang. “In contrast, plants with one copy of the overexpressed gene had over 20, and those with two copies had more than 50 bundles.”



The implications for agriculture are clear. Taller, slender crops like corn could benefit from enhanced wind resistance with the aid of additional vascular bundles.



“When plants grow taller, there is a risk that they could topple over,” said Wang. “Having more vascular bundles ensures the plant can stand still and resist those conditions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-research-beyond-mustard-plants">Expanding research beyond mustard plants</h2>



Though the research was conducted using a mustard family model organism, the HVA gene is present in various <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-plant-species-remain-unphotographed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant species</a>, suggesting broad applicability. 



Wang’s team plans to investigate other transcription factors in the same gene family to further unravel the mysteries of plant vascular development.



“We are interested in studying other closely related genes to find out their function,” noted Wang. “It will be interesting to study further how this gene family affects vascular development.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-stem-cells-and-sustainable-agriculture">Plant stem cells and sustainable agriculture</h2>



As the global population continues to rise, the demand for sustainable and resilient food sources becomes increasingly urgent. 



Plant stem cells, with their unique ability to drive growth and regeneration, could play a pivotal role in this effort. 



By harnessing the regenerative power of these cells, scientists can develop crops that not only grow faster but also exhibit greater resilience to environmental stressors like drought, pests, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-how-plants-adapt-to-changing-climates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changing climate</a> conditions.



Research into plant stem cells also opens up the possibility of reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. 



With more robust crops, farmers could see increased yields while minimizing environmental damage. This aligns with the broader movement toward sustainable farming and reducing the carbon footprint of agriculture.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.19970" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Phytologist</a>.



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How plant stem cells could support human growth

Stem cells in humans and animals have garnered significant attention...

Pile,Of,Freshly,Cut,Wood,Logs,And,Empty,Field,With

Forests are the Earth's lungs, forever sucking up carbon dioxide and throwing out fresh oxygen. But that's only half the story.



Here's the twist -- forests also exhale CO2. In short, they inhale carbon dioxide for growth, but they also exhale it back out, usually in smaller amounts. A bit of an unexpected plot twist.



Now, the University of Leicester's new study has a cheeky bit more to add to this story. 



Tree stems in tropical forests that are bouncing back from logging are found to produce carbon dioxide at a greater rate than those in untouched forests.



So, bouncing back from logging, and yet they're sending out more carbon dioxide?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-and-carbon-dioxide">Trees and carbon dioxide</h2>



When we talk about fewer surrounding trees to compete with, the tree stems in logged forests are seen to have a growth spurt and take in carbon dioxide at a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-farming-practices-boost-soil-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">faster rate</a> than stems in untouched forests. 



However, this rapid growth also comes with a side effect -- a faster release of carbon dioxide. So, chopped down, left with fewer competitors, and now, they're growing at a quick pace and just as quickly giving out carbon dioxide.



This research was led by Maria Mills, a PhD student from the University of Leicester's School of Geography, Geology and the Environment (<a href="https://le.ac.uk/gge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GGE</a>). 



Their conclusion calls for a spotlight to be thrown on logged landscapes that are currently understudied despite being more prominent than old-growth forests across the tropics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heart-of-a-forest-s-carbon-cycle">Heart of a forest's carbon cycle</h2>



What is 'carbon flux'? Think of it as the forest's way of balancing its books. It measures the net carbon balance. 



But this doesn't tell us much about where the fluctuations are coming from -- it's like knowing your bank balance without any information on the transactions.



If we don't know where the fluctuations are coming from, we also don't know why we're getting certain fluxes and what's driving those fluxes.



The researchers gathered data from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-still-fighting-climate-change-against-all-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a> in Malaysian Borneo as part of a long-term ecological monitoring program. 



By measuring the individual components of the forest carbon cycle and carbon fluxes, they were able to observe certain patterns and fluxes. 



Understanding these is crucial for predicting future climate change and land use change scenarios.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-carbon-dioxide-in-forests">Studying carbon dioxide in forests</h2>



Did you know that most of a forest’s biomass is stored in the stems or woody trunk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-trees-is-important-but-reforestation-can-help-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trees</a>? Well, these scientists did, and they used this information to their advantage. 



The team studied stem respiration of a tree sample, and then extrapolated the values for all the trees in the one-hectare study plots.



Shockingly, tree-level results showed higher carbon release levels per unit of stem surface area in logged versus old-growth plots. 



Specifically, 37 grams of carbon per meter squared of woody stem every month in a logged plot versus only 26 grams in an old-growth plot.



Also, it is important to note that when scaled across the entire one-hectare plots, there was no difference between logged and old-growth results.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncharted-territory-of-carbon-dynamics">Uncharted territory of carbon dynamics</h2>



This study was about considering individual trees versus the whole ecosystem, and what drives carbon emissions at both levels. 



"There are differences between individual trees, and between individual ecosystems, for example logged versus unlogged forests," Mills explained.



“We see higher respiration per square meter in logged plots because the trees in those plots are growing faster. Growth has a metabolic cost, so we get respiration following growth." 



The trees in logged plots grow faster because they have access to more light -- as there are more gaps in logged plots from when timber trees have been extracted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-logging-and-carbon-emissions">Forests, logging, and carbon emissions</h2>



There are other reasons for these differences which link back to the trees’ functional traits and soil nutrients, but ultimately it comes down to the priority for trees in logged <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-fires-diminish-forests-carbon-storage-ability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forests</a> to invest in growth. 



In old-growth plots, alternatively, there is a lot more investment and priority for tree maintenance.



"Given how expansive logged forests are, they could be considered as the ‘new normal’ for contemporary tropical forests.  We need to put more research efforts into understanding what goes on in logged forests, both in terms of their carbon fluxes and their wider ecological functioning," Mills concluded.



To sum it all up, Mills and her team uncovered very important information on how climate change is impacted by forest carbon dynamics. 



Let's remember, understanding how forests drive environmental conditions is not just about satisfying our curiosity, it's also crucial in our fight against climate change. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.20043" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Phytologist</a>.



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Trees in forests recovering from logging release much more carbon dioxide

Forests are the Earth's lungs, forever sucking up carbon dioxide...

<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...

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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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</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...

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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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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