Most people worry about the gradual loss of stamina, strength, and mental sharpness that comes with aging. Scientists have been exploring new ideas to tackle these concerns and increase not just our years but also our quality of life. 



An international team has been testing a special approach that raises levels of a natural protein in the body.



Their research was led by Professor Miguel Chillón at the Institute of Neurosciences of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (<a href="https://web.ub.edu/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UB</a>), and it shines a light on what might someday help people stay healthier for a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organ-aging-can-predict-diseases-decades-in-advance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">longer period</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protein-s-kl-and-its-role-in-aging">Protein s-KL and its role in aging</h2>



The protein at the center of this work is <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41581-018-0078-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Klotho</a>, and the form used in the experiments is the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26599613/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">secreted version</a> known as s-KL. 



Some studies suggest that Klotho may influence a wide range of biological processes by managing signals that affect inflammation and cell aging.



The name Klotho first appeared in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/36285" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scientific journals</a> in the late 1990s, when experiments showed that a deficiency of this protein made mice look older and more frail at younger ages.



"We have been working with the Klotho protein for some time, due to its therapeutic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-old-are-you-really-new-tool-measures-aging-from-the-inside-out/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">potential</a> for treating neurodegenerative diseases. 



In this study, we wanted to see whether s-KL could also be beneficial for healthy aging by examining a broad range of factors," explained Professor Chillón.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-differences-between-males-and-females">Differences between males and females</h2>



The effects of s-KL weren’t the same for male and female mice. Males showed clearer gains in lifespan and muscle strength, while females responded more strongly in measures of bone structure, especially when treated earlier in life.



These sex-based differences might be tied to how male and female bodies process viral vectors or express the s-KL protein. 



Hormonal factors could also play a role, suggesting future human trials may need sex-specific <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/curiosity-might-help-you-stay-sharp-as-you-age/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strategies</a> to get the best results.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aging-improvements-with-s-kl-protein">Aging improvements with s-KL protein</h2>



Researchers noticed that mice given s-KL retained better muscle tissue composition, with less of the scarring often linked to older age. They also had stronger performance in tasks that tested endurance and coordination.



Weakened bones can be a big danger in older adults, so it was intriguing that s-KL seemed to keep the inner bone structure more intact. 



This finding aligns with earlier <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16436465/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">observations</a> that Klotho influences mineral balance in bone and may reduce the chances of fractures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-timing-may-matter">Why timing may matter</h2>



Mice treated at 12 months old showed more pronounced improvements in longevity and physical health than those treated at 6 months. One reason could be that the aging mice produced higher levels of the s-KL protein after treatment, which may have amplified its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-bodies-begin-breaking-down-two-very-precise-ages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">effects</a>.



This finding raises an important question: Could middle age be a better window for intervention than early adulthood? If so, the timing of s-KL therapy in humans could be just as critical as the treatment itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signs-of-brain-support">Signs of brain support</h2>



Aside from the physical improvements, the investigators measured changes in the hippocampus, a region crucial for memory and cognitive ability. 



They detected heightened markers of <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4563705/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adult neurogenesis</a>, which is the process by which new neurons form in mature brains.



There was also evidence that key immune cells in the brain might be working in a more balanced way. This could help remove cellular waste and reduce the chronic inflammation tied to age-related brain diseases.



The researchers used gene therapy vectors that prompted cells to produce s-KL over an extended period. These vectors included genetic instructions, and once inside the mice, the cells took over production of the protein.



The approach was designed to boost s-KL levels in both the brain and other areas of the body. This helped ensure that many of the organs linked to muscle, bone, and memory got the extra support.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-s-kl-protein-and-human-aging">s-KL protein and human aging?</h2>



Although this study was done in mice, the results open the door to potential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/defying-time-three-ways-to-slow-biological-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">therapies</a> for humans. 



Age-related decline in mobility, memory, and bone strength all contribute to lower independence and quality of life in older adults. A treatment that addresses these together could shift how we think about aging.



Many current drugs only target one issue at a time, like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/outdoor-exercise-amplifies-physical-and-mental-health-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">osteoporosis</a> or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-sleep-may-predict-memory-loss-years-in-advance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory loss</a>. But the effects of s-KL span across systems. 



This points toward the possibility of a more unified strategy to aging - one that works with the body’s existing repair mechanisms rather than replacing them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-s-kl-protein-research">What’s next for s-KL protein research?</h2>



If we can find a viable delivery method, s-KL could make a significant contribution to improving people’s quality of life and helping to build the healthiest society possible.



Scientists continue to explore whether direct protein administration or refined gene-based aging options might work best for humans. They plan to keep studying how s-KL weaves into different biological pathways.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/molecular-therapy-family/molecular-therapy/fulltext/S1525-0016(25)00120-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Molecular Therapy</a>.



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Protein discovered that boosts lifespan, muscle, and brain power with just one dose

Most people worry about the gradual loss of stamina, strength, and mental sharpness that comes with aging. Scientists have been exploring new ideas to tackle these concerns and increase not just our years but also our quality of life. An international team has been testing a special approach that raises levels of a natural protein in the body. Their research was led by Professor Miguel Chillón at the Institute of Neurosciences of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UB), and it shines a light on what might someday...

Kelp forests off the coast of Northern California have declined by 95 percent, and this collapse will be hard to reverse, according to researchers at <a href="https://www.ucsc.edu/">UC Santa Cruz</a>. The experts report that the kelp has been replaced by widespread "urchin barrens" that may persist long into the future.

The dramatic shift in the coastal ecosystem of Northern California occurred after a series of extreme events, including unusual ocean warming along the West Coast beginning in 2014. By analyzing satellite images, the researchers found that there are just a few isolated patches of bull kelp remaining.

There is some hope that the kelp forests could start to bounce back. Study co-author Professor Raphael Kudela said that ocean temperatures are beginning to cool down along the coast, after remaining above normal since 2014. 

"This year we are finally seeing ocean temperatures starting to cool off, so we're hoping that it reverses naturally and the kelp is able to take off again," said Professor Kudela. "There's really not much we can do except to keep monitoring it. Of course, the long-term solution is to reduce our carbon emissions so we don't have these extreme events."

The analysis showed that kelp forests north of San Francisco were resilient to extreme warming events in the past, including strong marine heatwaves and El Niño events. However, the widespread loss of the sunflower sea star to a deadly disease has left the kelp forests more vulnerable than they once were. 

Sea stars are key predators of sea urchins. When they are not controlled by predators,  urchins become larger and more abundant, and feed on kelp until little remains. 

"There were a lot of disruptions at one time that led to this collapse, and the system now persists in this altered state," said study first author Meredith McPherson.

"It's a naturally dynamic system that has been really resilient to extreme events in the past, but the die-off of sunflower stars caused the resilience of the ecosystem to plummet. As a result, the kelp forests were not able to withstand the effects of the marine heatwave and El Niño event combined with an insurgence of sea urchins."

Marine heatwaves and El Niño events inhibit coastal upwelling, which leads to poor conditions for kelp including warmer water and low nutrient availability.

"There have been big changes before, when a strong El Niño has reduced the kelp canopy dramatically, but in the past it's always come back," said Professor Kudela. "The loss of resiliency is what made this time different - the combination of ocean warming and the loss of the sea stars allowed the urchins to take over."

The sunflower sea star was among the hardest hit species by the deadly sea star wasting disease, and was recently listed as critically endangered by the IUCN.

Kelp forests have declined all along the California coastline, but not to the same extent as in Northern California. In Southern regions, such as Monterey Bay, urchin predators like sea otters are present.

"Sea otters haven't been seen on the North Coast since the 1800s," said McPherson. "From what we observed in the satellite data from the last 35 years, the kelp had been doing well without sea otters as long as we still had sunflower stars. Once they were gone, there were no urchin predators left in the system."

Unless sunflower sea stars or some other urchin predator returns to Northern California, the chances for kelp forest recovery are poor, said McPherson. Even if other conditions promote kelp growth, it will be difficult for the new plants to become established in the midst of the urchin barrens.

"There's a lot of research and discussion now about the best management strategies for the future," said McPherson. "It's important to understand and monitor the whole system. If we're going to undertake restoration efforts, we need to make sure to do it when the temperature and nutrient conditions are right for the kelp."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/commsbio/">Communications Biology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Kelp forests may be gone for good in Northern California

Kelp forests off the coast of Northern California have declined...

Daydreaming can be a powerful way to reshape our emotions, but first we must learn how to do it, according to new research from the <a href="http://www.ufl.edu/">University of Florida</a>. Study lead author Dr. Erin Westgate wants to help people recapture their daydream state, which can boost mental and physical health and even <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/virus-that-causes-covid-19-silences-pain-in-the-body/">pain</a> tolerance. 

"When left to their own devices, people could choose to enjoy their own thoughts. But recent work suggests they do not," wrote the researchers. "When given the freedom, people do not spontaneously choose to think for pleasure, and when directed to do so, struggle to concentrate successfully."

Dr. Westgate said that the ability to think for pleasure is important, and you can get better at it. "This is part of our cognitive toolkit that's underdeveloped, and it's kind of sad."

As you build your ability to daydream, you will have a source of enjoyable thoughts at your disposal during stressful times, explained Dr. Westgate. The first step in becoming a better daydreamer is to recognize that while it may seem easy, daydreaming is surprisingly demanding.

"You have to be the actor, director, screenwriter and audience of a mental performance. Even though it looks like you're doing nothing, it's cognitively taxing."

Through her research, Dr. Westgate found that people do not intuitively understand how to think enjoyable thoughts. "We're fairly clueless. We don't seem to know what to think about to have a positive experience."

In collaboration with experts at the University of Virginia and Harvard University, Dr. Westgate analyzed participants who were instructed to think meaningful thoughts. It was assumed that this task would lead to a rewarding experience, but the volunteers reported that they actually found it less enjoyable than their unguided thoughts.

The study participants shared what they had been thinking about, and it came as a surprise to the researchers. "It was heavy stuff. It didn't seem to occur to them that they could use the time to enjoy their own thoughts," said Dr. Westgate.

When the volunteers were provided with a list of things to think about that were both pleasant and meaningful, they enjoyed the task 50 percent more than when they were instructed to think about whatever they wanted. 

According to Dr. Westgate, you can use this activity in everyday life by prompting yourself with topics you would find rewarding to daydream about, like an event you are looking forward to, a pleasant memory, or a future accomplishment.

Thinking for pleasure can help to fight boredom, but it can also be its own reward. "It's something that sets us apart. It defines our humanity. It allows us to imagine new realities. But that kind of thinking requires practice."

Previous research shows that we are most likely to daydream when our minds are minimally occupied with something else, like when we are showering or brushing our teeth. 

"The next time you're walking, instead of pulling out your phone, try it," said Dr. Westgate. "What we feel is a function of what we think. Thinking for pleasure can be a powerful tool to shape our emotions."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/emo">Emotion</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Adults are not good at daydreaming, but we should be

Daydreaming can be a powerful way to reshape our emotions,...

Antarctic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bearded-seals-may-not-be-loud-enough-to-survive-ocean-noise-pollution/">seals</a> are providing new insight into why glaciers are disappearing. A study from the <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/">University of East Anglia</a> reveals that an unexpectedly large amount of meltwater is modifying the climate and preventing sea ice from forming.

For the investigation, the researchers attached instruments to the heads of seals living near Pine Island Glacier in the remote Amundsen Sea west of Antarctica. This allowed the scientists to capture full-depth glacial meltwater observations in winter for the first time. 

The data collected by the tagged seals was used to measure water temperature and salinity. The experts found that meltwater distribution was highly variable with two primary layers - one in the upper 250 meters and another at around 450 meters deep. These two layers were connected by meltwater-rich columns. 

The meltwater provides near-surface heat that promotes areas of open water that are close to glaciers. The warmer water accelerates the melting rate of the ice shelves. 

"The temperature and salinity of water change everywhere glacial meltwater exists. Just like looking for a 'fingerprint' of glacial meltwater, we use temperature and salinity data to track the glacial meltwater," said study lead author Yixi Zheng.

"The glacial meltwater distribution is very patchy. It doesn't mix well with the ambient water, instead flowing along two meltwater-rich layers in the upper 250 meters and at around 450 meters, connected by meltwater-rich columns."

"As the glacial meltwater is warmer and fresher than the ambient water, it is lighter than the ambient water and more likely to rise up. It brings heat and nutrients such as iron to the near surface, which may melt the sea ice near glaciers and increase the nutrient level near the surface. This enhances the air-sea interactions, and the meltwater-related nutrients may boost the growth of marine planktons like algae."

The wintertime ocean processes described in the study are likely responsible for bringing nutrients to the near-surface layer prior to the spring bloom, and for bringing heat to the surface that prevents sea ice from forming. As a result, open areas of water near glaciers expand and persist.

Many glaciers around Antarctica are rapidly shrinking, and this is primarily due to melting that occurs at the interface between the ocean and the ice shelf glacier, or basal melting. The strongest melt has been reported in glaciers in west Antarctica.

According to the experts, further research is needed considering that the study was based on one year of seal-tag data from Pine Island Glacier, and it can't be used to calculate trends over time.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/subjects/earth-and-environmental-sciences/ncomms">Communications Earth and Environment</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Meltwater is a driving force behind disappearing glaciers

Antarctic seals are providing new insight into why glaciers are...

The expanding wildfire season in the western United States is causing severe threats to public <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-health-may-protect-you-from-severe-covid-19/">health</a>, according to a study from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at <a href="https://ucsd.edu/">UC San Diego</a>. The researchers have found that the fine particles in wildfire smoke are several times more harmful to human respiratory health than particulate matter from other sources of air pollution.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the main component of wildfire smoke. These particles are so small that they can penetrate the human respiratory tract, enter the bloodstream, and cause damage to major organs.

The analysis was focused on 14 years of hospital admissions data. The experts determined that an increase in PM2.5 by 10 micrograms per cubic meter is up to 10 times more likely to cause a respiratory-related hospital admission when it is attributed to wildfire smoke compared to other sources.

The research suggests that assuming all particles of a certain size are equally toxic may be inaccurate and that the effects of wildfires - even at a distance - represent a pressing human health concern, explained study co-author Rosana Aguilera.

"There is a daily threshold for the amount of PM2.5 in the air that is considered acceptable by the county and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)," said Aguilera. "The problem with this standard is that it doesn't account for different sources of emission of PM2.5."

It is not yet known why wildfire PM2.5 is more harmful to human lungs than other sources of particulate pollution. Since it is more harmful, the threshold for "safe" levels of PM2.5 should be based on the source of the particles. This is particularly important in California and other areas frequently impacted by wildfires.

Santa Ana winds intensify the air quality issue in Southern California by blowing wildfire smoke toward populated coastal regions. With climate change delaying the start of winter in this region, wildfire season is getting pushed closer to the peak of the Santa Ana winds.

"As conditions in Southern California become hotter and drier, we expect to see increased wildfire activity," said postdoctoral researcher Dr. Tom Corringham. "This study demonstrates that the harm due to wildfire smoke may be greater than previously thought, bolstering the argument for early wildfire detection systems and efforts to mitigate climate change."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/ncomms/">Nature Communications</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Wildfire smoke is more toxic than other sources of pollution

The expanding wildfire season in the western United States is...

A prehistoric "killing machine" that was previously thought to have been heavy and sluggish was actually much faster than its prey, according to a new study from the <a href="https://www.wits.ac.za/">University of the Witwatersrand</a>. Anteosaurus was a premammalian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-accelerates-aging-in-fish-amphibians-and-reptiles/">reptile</a> that lived in Africa during the middle Permian between 265 to 260 million years ago. 

Despite being just about the size of an adult rhinoceros, the ancient animal was a ferocious carnivore with powerful jaws and massive, bone-crushing teeth. However, experts have theorized that Anteosaurus was too slow and heavy on its feet to be an effective hunter. 

The surprising new study reveals that these creatures were built to outrun, track down, and kill their prey with ease.

Anteosaurus was a Dinocephalian, a mammal-like reptile that predated the dinosaurs. Dinocephalians dominated the planet in their time, but died out about 30 million years before dinosaurs emerged.

Dinocephalians bones, which are found in many places throughout the world, stand out as being extremely large and heavy. Anteosaurus, in particular, had a skull covered with large bumps and lumps above the eyes and a long crest on top of the snout. 

The heavy nature of the creature's bones led scientists to believe that it was a slow animal that had to scavenge or ambush its prey. "Some scientists even suggested that Anteosaurus was so heavy that it could only have lived in water," said study co-author Dr.  Julien Benoit.

Using X-ray imaging and 3D technology, the researchers created a digital reconstruction of the Anteosaurus skull and analyzed its internal structures. The study revealed that specific characteristics of the brain and balance organs were developed in such a way that would have made the reptile the opposite of slow-moving.

"Agile predators such as cheetahs or the infamous Velociraptor have always had a very specialized nervous systems and fine-tuned sensory organs that enable them to track and hunt down prey effectively," said Dr. Benoit. "We wanted to find out whether the Anteosaurus possessed similar adaptations."

The experts report that the organ of balance in Anteosaurus, which is located within the inner ear, was relatively larger than that of its closest relatives and other predators. This indicates that Anteosaurus was capable of moving much faster than its prey and competitors. 

"Even though Anteosaurus lived 200-million years before the famous dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex, Anteosaurus was definitely not a 'primitive' creature, and was nothing short of a mighty prehistoric killing machine," said Dr. Benoit.

The researchers also found that the brain region responsible for coordinating eye movements in Anteosaurus was exceptionally large, which would have given the reptiles remarkable tracking abilities.

"In creating the most complete reconstruction of an Anteosaurus skull to date, we found that overall, the nervous system of Anteosaurus was optimised and specialized for hunting swiftly and striking fast, unlike what was previously believed," said study co-author Dr.  Ashley Kruger.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.app.pan.pl/">Acta Palaeontologica Polonica</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Anteosaurus was a killing machine millions of years before the dinosaurs

A prehistoric "killing machine" that was previously thought to have...

Declining butterfly populations have been linked to fall <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/livestock-production-could-be-hit-hard-by-global-warming/">warming</a> and drier conditions in the western United States, according to a new study from the <a href="https://www.arizona.edu/">University of Arizona</a>. The experts found that Western butterfly populations have been steadily declining at an estimated rate of 1.6 percent per year over the past four decades. 

The research involved data on more than 450 butterfly species across 72 sites. In particular, the latest population count of the western monarch indicates a 99.9 percent decline over the 42-year study period from 1977 to 2018.

"The monarch population that winters along the West Coast plummeted from several hundred thousand just a few years ago to fewer than 2,000 this past year," said study co-author Professor Katy Prudic. 

"Essentially, the western monarch is on the brink of extinction, but what's most unsettling is they are situated in the middle of the pack, so to speak, in our list of declining butterfly species."

Professor Prudic said the takeaway is that western U.S. butterflies are declining quickly, and autumn warming - not spring warming or land use change - is an important contributor to the decline.

While spring tends to get most of the attention when it comes to climate change, fall warming trends have been observed in 230 cities across the United States. The largest fall temperature increases have been found in much of the Southwest.

"In Arizona, for example, the period between September and November has warmed about 0.2 degrees Fahrenheit per decade since 1895," said study co-author Professor Michael Crimmins. "Fall temperatures have warmed especially fast since the late 1980s and it's not clear why."

The study noted that declining butterfly populations have been observed in areas experiencing these fall warming trends across the West. The researchers suggest fall temperature increases may not only induce physiological stress on butterflies, but may influence development and hibernation preparation. Warmer fall temperatures can also reduce the availability of food or host plants, and extend the length of time that predators are a threat to butterflies.

Study lead author Matt Forister is a professor of Biology at the <a href="https://www.unr.edu/">University of Nevada, Reno</a>.

"The widespread butterfly declines highlight the importance of careful management of the lands that we do have control over, including our own backyards where we should use fewer pesticides and choose plants for landscapes that benefit local insects," said Professor Forister.

"Our report is unique in covering a wide area of relatively undeveloped land as compared to, for example, studies from heavily populated areas of western Europe."

"The fact that declines are observed across the undeveloped spaces of the western U.S. means that we cannot assume that insects are okay out there far from direct human influence. And that's because the influence of climate change is, of course, not geographically restricted."

The findings are shedding new light on the impacts of climate change on Western butterfly populations, and suggest that a new approach is needed for butterfly conservation that is focused on groups of species with similar habitats and needs rather than on individual species. 

"Western butterfly declines are associated with increasing fall temperatures across the U.S. wildlands," said study co-author Katy Prudic. "Conservation, management and restoration on public lands, especially along cooler riparian areas, will be critical for preventing butterfly declines and extinction."

According to the researchers, management of developed areas can have immediate benefits for insect populations but the impacts of climate change across all landscapes cannot be ignored. They noted that society should not assume that the legal protection of open spaces is sufficient without action to limit the advance of human-caused climate change.

"We relied heavily on data from citizen or "community" scientists," said Professor Forister. "Volunteers are generating amazing data these days, and we wouldn't have been able to study as many locations without decades of hard work from hundreds or maybe thousands of people."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/">Science</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Western butterfly populations are steadily vanishing

Declining butterfly populations have been linked to fall warming and...

Nepeta,Faassenii,(catmint,,Faassen's,Catnip),In,Full,Bloom

Catnip is a perennial herb in the mint family that is best known for its calming effect on cats. This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammal-diversity-in-rainforests-linked-to-plant-productivity/">plant</a> has also been established as a powerful mosquito repellent, and a new study from <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/">Northwestern University</a> confirms that natural compounds found in catnip are more effective than those found in synthetic insect repellents like DEET. 

Prior to this study, it was unknown exactly why catnip works as a deterrent to mosquitoes and other insects. The researchers have now had a breakthrough, identifying protein receptors in insects that cause an adverse reaction.

"Catnip and its active ingredient, Nepetalactone, have been used for millennia to ward off insect pests, at least since the time of Pliny the Elder," said study co-author Professor Marcus C. Stensmyr of Lund University. "But why catnip is so potent on such a broad range of insect species has remained unknown."

When used for mosquito control, traditional insecticides cause harm to other insect species. Modern insect repellents such as DEET are formulated to target mosquito odor and taste receptors so that the insect cannot pick up on the chemical signals that trigger an attack on humans. 

"We discovered that catnip and its active ingredient Nepetalactone activate the irritant receptor TRPA1, an ancient pain receptor found in animals as diverse as flatworms, fruit flies and humans," said study co-author Professor Marco Gallio. "We now think catnip is so aversive to so many insect species because it activates this widespread irritant receptor."

Previous work conducted in Professor Gallio's lab revealed that insects and many other animal species, including humans, possess a version of the transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) ion channel. This protein is best known as the "wasabi receptor" that senses environmental irritants like pain and itch.

"What is particularly interesting is that, unlike wasabi or garlic compounds that also activate these receptors in humans, catnip appears to selectively activate the insect receptor," said Professor Gallio. "This explains why humans are indifferent to it, and provides a serious advantage for its use as a repellent."

"Mosquitos, in particular those that act as vector for disease, are becoming a bigger problem as climate change creates attractive conditions for them farther north and south of the equator," said Professor Stensmyr. "Plant-derived compounds represent a new emerging approach to developing insect repellents, as plants have long known how to protect themselves from insect pests."

Professor Gallio noted that plant-derived repellants are often available at much lower costs and are easier to obtain. The accessibility of catnip could have major implications in developing countries where mosquito-borne diseases like malaria kill hundreds of thousands of people every year.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/home">Current Biology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Scientists discover why catnip is a powerful mosquito repellent

Catnip is a perennial herb in the mint family that...

Vocal signals are key to reproductive success among frogs, but how do females hear the mating calls produced by males against a noisy background? In a new study published by <a href="https://www.cell.com/">Cell Press</a>, experts have discovered that frogs have lungs that act like noise-canceling headphones.

When the lungs are inflated, the eardrum's sensitivity to environmental noise in a specific frequency range is reduced. According to the researchers, this makes it easier for female frogs to hear the calls of males from their own species.

"In essence, the lungs cancel the eardrum's response to noise, particularly some of the noise encountered in a cacophonous breeding 'chorus,' where the males of multiple other species also call simultaneously," said lead author Professor Norman Lee of St. Olaf College.

The specialized function of the lungs produces an effect known as "spectral contrast enhancement." The effect makes the frequencies in the spectrum of a male's call stand out against noise at adjacent frequencies.

"This is analogous to signal-processing algorithms for spectral contrast enhancement implemented in some hearing aids and cochlear implants," said study senior author Mark Bee. 

"In humans, these algorithms are designed to amplify or 'boost' the frequencies present in speech sounds, attenuate or 'filter out' frequencies present between those in speech sounds, or both. In frogs, the lungs appear to attenuate frequencies occurring between those present in male mating calls." 

"We believe the physical mechanism by which this occurs is similar in principle to how noise-canceling headphones work."

The researchers explained that frogs possess a unique sound pathway that can transmit sounds from their air-filled lungs to their air-filled middle ears through the glottis, mouth cavity, and Eustachian tubes. While this sound transmission pathway has been previously described, its function has remained a mystery. 

Some studies have suggested that the lungs may increase the degree to which eardrum vibrations are direction dependent, which would improve a frog's ability to hear mating calls. 

However, the current study has produced a different explanation. The experts found that while the state of the lungs' inflation appeared to have no effect on directional hearing, there was a substantial impact on the sensitivity of the eardrum. 

When a frog's lungs were inflated, the eardrum vibrated less in response to sounds in a specific frequency range. This led the researchers to speculate that the lungs were dampening vibrations, and canceling out noise as a result. 

The study ultimately confirmed that inflated lungs in green treefrogs make it harder to hear the calls of other species, but do not affect their ability to hear their own species.

"Needless to say, we think this result - a frog's lungs canceling the eardrum's response to noise created by other species of frogs - is pretty cool!" said Bee.

According to the researchers, the findings demonstrate the power of evolution to co-opt pre-existing adaptations for new functions. Going forward, they plan to further investigate the physical interaction between the various sources of sound that influence the eardrum's sensitivity. The experts also want to explore how widespread noise cancellation is among frogs.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/home">Current Biology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Frogs have lungs that cancel out background noise

Vocal signals are key to reproductive success among frogs, but...

An alarming amount of seagrass has vanished from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oyster-parasites-have-arrived-in-european-waters/">waters</a> surrounding the UK, and the extent of this loss is much greater than what was previously estimated. In a new study published by <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/">Frontiers</a>, scientists have found that at least 44 percent of seagrass has been lost from this region since 1936.

Furthermore, the study suggests that nearly 40 percent of the total seagrass loss in the UK has occurred in recent decades. The research was a collaborative effort by experts at University College London, Kings College London, and Swansea University.

"Our paper establishes the best estimate of current seagrass extent in the UK, confirming at least 8,493 hectares, and documents a loss of at least 39% of aerial cover in the last 30 years," said study lead author Dr. Alix Green

"Historically, we show that this loss could be as much as 92%, and that these meadows could have stored 11.4 Mt of carbon and supported approximately 400 million fish." 

Despite the fact that they cover only 0.1 percent of the ocean floor worldwide, seagrass meadows are one of Earth's largest global carbon sinks. Seagrass stores carbon exponentially faster than terrestrial forests, which means it is a very valuable weapon against climate change. As a result of human activities such as coastal development, seagrass is rapidly declining.

While the current status of many seagrass meadows is unknown, previous studies have estimated that almost 30 percent of seagrass has been lost worldwide. 

There are two native species of seagrass in the UK - Zostera marina and Zostera noltii - which are both protected by law. For their investigation, the researchers analyzed several datasets to estimate the aerial extent of seagrasses. 

The findings highlight the urgent need to protect seagrass meadows and restore those that have been degraded or lost. 

"The next decade is a crucial window of opportunity to address the inter-related crises of biodiversity loss and climate change - the restoration of seagrass meadows would be an important contribution to this," explained study co-author Dr. Peter Jones.

"This will involve restrictions such as reduced boat anchor damage, restricting damaging fishing methods and reducing coastal pollution, including through marine protected areas."

The study revealed that not all seagrass meadows in the UK have suffered equally, with some sites showing signs of recovery. "The catastrophic losses documented in this research are alarming but offer a snapshot of the potential of this habitat if efforts are made to protect and restore seagrass meadows across the UK. We hope that this work will spur continued, systematic mapping and monitoring of seagrass meadows across the UK and encourage restoration and rehabilitation projects," said Dr. Green.

"These meadows have the potential to support our bountiful fisheries and help us win the fight against climate change and environmental degradation. The UK is lucky to have such a resource in our waters, and we should fight to protect it!"

"Now is the time to create financial mechanisms that reduce the flow of nutrients into our coastal seas, and offsetting mechanisms to allow a pathway of carbon finance into the conservation and restoration of these systems," noted study co-author Dr. Richard Unsworth. He said that by reversing seagrass loss, we can improve our fisheries, reduce coastal erosion and fight climate change.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science">Frontiers in Plant Science</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Seagrass loss is much worse than expected in the UK

An alarming amount of seagrass has vanished from the waters...

A new study of tropical rainforests has revealed a previously unknown link between mammal diversity and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-pigs-help-build-and-maintain-tree-diversity-in-rainforests/">forest</a> production. Researchers at <a href="https://www.rice.edu/">Rice University</a> analyzed camera-trap data from 15 wildlife preserves located within tropical rainforests. 

"In general, rainforest ecosystems are extremely diverse, and our study shows that mammal communities in rainforests can be predictably different, and these differences may be controlled, in part, by differences in plant productivity in forests," said study co-author Daniel Gorczynski.

Even in protected areas, it is difficult to keep track of the health of wildlife and ecosystems. The Rice team turned to camera-trap photos from the Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network (TEAM), which uses motion-activated cameras to monitor species trends in tropical forests in Asia, Africa, and South America.

According to study co-author Professor Lydia Beaudrot, the study's scientific contributions demonstrate the importance of having the same data collection replicated on the ground in forests all around the world.

"The TEAM data are an incredible resource for basic and applied ecology and conservation," said Professor Beaudrot. "Given the pace of tropical forest loss, it is more important now than ever to use standardized camera-trap data to understand environmental and anthropogenic effects on wildlife."

For each site, the researchers collected data on all species of terrestrial mammals with an average body mass greater than one kilogram. All mammals at the same site were treated as a single community, and data was compiled for communities with as many as 31 species and as few as five. 

By compiling the functional traits for the species in each community - like diet and reproductive habits - the experts calculated the community's "functional diversity." 

"We found that species with unique characteristics - for example, species that are very large or eat unique foods - are relatively more common in forests with high productivity," said Gorczynski. The research also showed that species with unique characteristics were less common at sites with low productivity.

"Higher productivity is thought to make rare resources, like certain food types that unique species often eat, more readily available, which unique species can capitalize on. And because they are unique, they don't have to compete as much with other species for rare resources, and they can persist at higher abundances."

Gorczynski explained that the species that are considered unique varied by site. These included elephants, tapirs, and ground-dwelling monkeys. He noted that this relationship between mammal diversity and productivity had not been previously recognized.

"Most studies of rainforest mammals rely on range maps, which don't give you an idea of how common different species are," said Gorczynski. "We were able to find this relationship because we used camera trap observations. The observational data gives us an idea of how common different species are, which allows us to compare the relative abundances of species with different traits."

According to study co-author Jorge Ahumada, the research also shows that destructive human activities, like deforestation, decrease the diversity of species' traits in protected areas. He said that simply counting the number of species in a tropical forest does not provide a full picture of mammal diversity or ecosystem health. 

"We found that in areas where local species extinctions have been documented due to significant deforestation or poaching, such as in Korup National Park in Cameroon, large carnivores like leopards and golden cats are the first to go," said Ahumada. 

"Without these apex predators, entire food chains can be thrown out of balance. Eventually, populations of smaller herbivores will skyrocket, forcing more competition for the same limited resources."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/journal/rspb">Proceedings of the Royal Society B</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Mammal diversity in rainforests linked to plant productivity

A new study of tropical rainforests has revealed a previously...

Dynamic,Jump,Of,Killer,Whale,Hunting,Fish

A new study has investigated the diversity of fish species that support the diets of Southern Resident killer whales. The researchers found that killer whales rely on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-poop-stores-1-65-billion-tons-of-carbon-annually/">fish</a> from across a massive geographic range that reaches as far north as Alaska and as far south as California's Central Valley.

The diverse salmon stocks each have their own migration patterns and timing. The various species supply food for the killer whales across the entire year. The problem is that, like the killer whales, many of the salmon species they depend on are also endangered.

"If returns to the Fraser River are in trouble, and Columbia River returns are strong, then prey availability to the whales potentially balances out as the whales have evolved to move rapidly throughout their range. But if most of the stocks throughout their range are reduced then this could spell trouble for the whales," explained study lead author and <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/">NOAA Fisheries</a> wildlife biologist Brad Hanson.

The experts analyzed more than 150 prey and fecal samples collected from killer whales from 2004 to 2017. The research has produced the most comprehensive picture yet of Southern Resident prey over the course of the year.

"When so many prey species are endangered, then they lose some of that diversity," said Hanson. "The question for managers is how do you support and improve this diverse portfolio of species and stocks."

The analysis revealed that the killer whales prey almost exclusively on Chinook salmon when they are available in the summer. Over the rest of the year, they diversify their diet to include other species such as steelhead, chum, and coho salmon. 

Most of the salmon consumed by the whales during the winter and spring months come from three large river systems: the Columbia, Sacramento, and rivers entering Puget Sound.

The researchers pointed out that increased production of hatchery fish could help support the 75 remaining whales, but that this strategy is not without risks. Study co-author Robin Baird explained that many hatchery fish are already available for killer whales at certain times of the year. Increasing the diversity of hatchery fish in the wintertime, when the whales appear to have less food, may be most helpful.

"We don't need more cookie-cutter fish that all come back during the time when Chinook are most abundant; we need to diversify and increase availability at other times of the year," said Baird.

NOAA Fisheries has designated the Southern Residents one of nine national species in the spotlight. These species are highly endangered and can benefit from focused recovery efforts, including conservation of their prey. 

Lynne Barre is a marine biologist who is the recovery coordinator for the Southern Residents at NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region.

"Knowing what these whales eat throughout the year and across their various habitats helps us focus recovery efforts for both the Southern Residents and the salmon they rely on," explained Barre.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/">PLOS One</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Killer whales may need to further diversify their diets

A new study has investigated the diversity of fish species...

A new study from <a href="https://www.brown.edu/">Brown University</a> reveals the enormous impact that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-can-overcome-climate-change-by-being-flexible/">humans</a> have on the global water cycle. The researchers found that even though human-managed reservoirs make up only a small percentage of Earth's water bodies, these reservoirs account for 57 percent of the seasonal variability in water levels.

"We tend to think of the water cycle as a purely natural system: Rain and snowmelt run into rivers, which run to the ocean where evaporation starts the whole cycle again," said study lead author Sarah Cooley. "But humans are actually intervening substantially in that cycle. Our work demonstrates that humans are responsible for a majority of the seasonal surface water storage variability on Earth."

The study was focused on data from NASA's Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite (ICESat-2). The primary goal of the ICESat-2 mission is to track changes in the thickness and elevation of ice sheets around the world. The measurements are obtained using a laser altimeter, and elevation is calculated to an accuracy of 25 millimeters. 

Cooley has been using satellite data to study water levels in Arctic lakes. With this new study, she wanted to use ICESat-2 data to examine lake levels across the planet. 

Cooley said that ICESat-2's laser altimeter has far greater resolution than instruments used to measure water levels in the past, which made it possible to gather a large, precise dataset that included small ponds and reservoirs.

"With older satellites, you have to average results over a large area, which limits observations to only the world's largest lakes," explained Cooley. "ICESat has a small footprint, so we can get levels for small lakes that we couldn't get close to before. That was important for understanding global water dynamics, since most lakes and reservoirs are pretty small."

The satellite measured seasonal water levels in more than 227,000 lakes, ponds, and reservoirs from October 2018 to July 2020. The water bodies ranged in size from the Great Lakes to ponds with areas less than one tenth of a square mile. 

The study revealed that while natural lakes and ponds varied seasonally by an average of .22 meters, human-managed reservoirs varied by .86 meters. This means that, when compared to natural lakes, reservoirs account for 57 percent of the total variation in water levels. 

Human influence on water storage was even stronger in arid regions like the Middle East, American West, India, and Southern Africa, where seasonal variability attributed to human activity exceeds 90 percent.

"Of all the volume changes in freshwater bodies around the planet - all the floods, droughts and snowmelt that push lake levels up and down   humans have commandeered almost 60% of that variability," said study co-author Professor Laurence Smith. "That's a tremendous influence on the water cycle. In terms of human impact on the planet, this is right up there with impacts on land cover and atmospheric chemistry."

According to the researchers, their study provides a critical baseline for tracking the global water cycle as climate change and population growth put new stresses on freshwater resources.

"I think within the next three years we are going to see an explosion of high-quality satellite hydrology data, and we're going to have a much better idea of what's going on with water all over the planet," said Professor Smith. "That will have implications for security, trans-boundary water agreements, forecasting crop futures and more. We're right on the edge of a new understanding of our planet's hydrology."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/">Nature</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Humans have a major influence on the global water cycle

A new study from Brown University reveals the enormous impact...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



---



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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Kainji Lake, a reservoir on the Niger River.



In 1968, Kainji Lake was created by the construction of the Kainji Dam. The Niger River, the third longest in Africa, enters the lake in the north.&nbsp;



According to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rivers-in-the-american-west-are-a-lifesaving-resource-for-birds/">ESA</a>, the creation of the lake submerged Foge Island and the town of Bussa and permanently flooded other riverine settlements, leaving around 50,000 people displaced.&nbsp;



Large parts of Foge Island are temporarily exposed during low water tides, and the land is often used by migrating fishermen. Kainji Dam is a dam across the Niger River in Niger State of Central Nigeria. 



Wild mammals occur at relatively low densities due to illegal hunting. Lake Kainji has suffered a dramatic decline as a fishery due to the high numbers of artisanal and subsistence fisherfolk using the lake. It has been suggested that a period of closure, together with controlled fishing rights may help improve fish stocks.



Kainji Lake National Park is the oldest of its kind in Nigeria. The park contains three distinct areas: a part of the Kainji Lake, the Borgu Game Reserve to the west of the lake, and the Zugurma Game Reserve to the southeast. The park is home to around 65 mammal species, 350 bird species, and 30 species of reptiles and amphibians. 



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



---



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a> reveals how scientists can modify common crops like soybean, rice, and wheat to protect them from heat stress.



“We need to double crop production by 2050 to feed a growing global population, and not only are we not on track to do that, but climate change is further complicating things,” said Amanda Cavanagh, a lecturer at the University of Essex. 



The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.



“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;



“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”



The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;



The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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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.

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes the first comprehensive estimate of carbon density in the Saharan, Sahel, and Sudanian zones of Africa. In an effort to measure the amount of carbon stored across these drylands, a team of scientists used high-resolution satellite images and artificial intelligence to map nearly 10 billion individual trees. 



"The high spatial resolution (50 cm) combined with AI and field measurements used in this study is key to improving tree inventories in drylands," said Pierre Hiernaux, a French researcher working for NASA. "The ever-increasing availability of very high-resolution satellite imagery will make it possible to assess carbon pools and their dynamics at the individual tree level on a global scale."



"This study is exceptional because it is pioneering a type of approach that will revolutionize the monitoring of trees and forests on a global scale: in the short term, it will be possible to map the world's trees from the centre of the Amazon to our schoolyards," said <a href="https://www.inrae.fr/en">INRAE</a> researcher Jean-Pierre Wigneron.



"Many fields of application will become much more efficient and accurate, such as tracking carbon stocks, biodiversity, monitoring logging and protection against illegal forest degradation, in near real time.”



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.

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> features a visual dataset of.methane emissions from wetlands across the globe. Atmospheric methane levels have reached record highs in recent years, and wetlands are a major source of these emissions.&nbsp;



"Methane is an important greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming. On a molecule by molecule basis, methane is much more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, the main driver of warming," says NASA.



"Though human activities, including agriculture, oil and natural gas production and use, and waste disposal, collectively contribute the majority of methane to the atmosphere, about a third of total methane emissions comes from wetlands."&nbsp;



According to NASA, understanding methane emissions from wetlands and other natural sources is critically important for scientists and policymakers who are working to combat climate change by reducing emissions from human activities.



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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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.

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

[sendtonews key="f8fukm28Vz-2491833-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.stowers.org/">Stowers Institute for Medical Research</a> describes why experts are studying zebrafish to gain a better understanding of how the immune system responds to injury. Zebrafish have the ability to repair and regenerate organs.



“Organ regeneration offers an exciting opportunity for studying the immune system and to inquire why some species can regenerate organs like the heart or missing limbs while others like humans cannot,” explained Dr. Tatjana Piotrowski.



Zebrafish sensory organ hair cells are an ideal system to investigate the pathways and cell types involved in regeneration since they are easily destroyed with antibiotics and begin regenerating within five hours. This enabled the researchers to identify the exact timing and genetic programs for each anti-inflammatory macrophage activation state.&nbsp;



“Our hypothesis is that human macrophages do not receive the proper chemical activation 'cocktail' to instruct pro-regenerative processes,” said Dr. Nicolas Denans. “Identifying the molecular recipe of macrophage activation in zebrafish may one day enable us to design regenerative immunotherapies in humans.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



“The new evidence is a valuable resource for comparative studies on the genetic programs involved in macrophage-mediated repair and regeneration. In other words, different types of injuries may induce different kinds of inflammatory responses. We want to decipher whether this 'language' is universal or if there are a variety of dialects."



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&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.

How the immune system responds to injury

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes how record-breaking heat expressed itself around the world in 2022.



Scientists have determined that 2022 was the 5th warmest year since 1880. Furthermore, the last nine consecutive years have been the warmest on record.



From devastating floods and wildfires to natural disasters like Hurricane Ian, 2022 showed us yet again how a warming climate affects people across the globe.&nbsp;



"As we look back at 20:22 and years past, we see that each year we better understand the challenges we face and how important it is to meet them," says NASA.



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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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.

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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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

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

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