In the face of global biodiversity loss, protected areas have emerged as a crucial conservation strategy. These regions are set aside to limit human interference and provide wildlife with a safe space. 



Conservationists often focus on species counts when measuring success. But are these protected zones doing enough to preserve the entire structure of ecosystems?



This question is at the heart of a new study from <a href="https://www.swansea.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swansea University</a>. Instead of focusing only on species richness, the researchers examined how protected areas affect the complex interactions between species. 



These species interactions - especially predator-prey relationships - build the food webs that make <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extinction-by-design-should-we-genetically-erase-harmful-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> stable and functional.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-species-count-is-not-enough-nbsp">Species count is not enough&nbsp;</h2>



Species richness is important. However, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-millions-of-fungal-species-still-remain-unknown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> are more than a list of species. The relationships between organisms play a key role in ecological balance. A hawk hunting smaller birds or a songbird feeding on insects reflects interactions that keep ecosystems working.



The Swansea team wanted to understand if protected areas help maintain this ecological balance. They examined the structure of food webs rather than just counting how many species lived in each location. 



A food web includes all the feeding relationships between animals in a region. It shows who eats whom and how energy flows through the environment.



To conduct this study, the researchers turned to citizen science. They used data from platforms like eBird, where volunteers record bird sightings. This allowed the experts to track 509 bird species across 45 ecological networks from Spain to Finland.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-webs-inside-and-outside-reserves">Food webs inside and outside reserves</h2>



Using this large database, the team combined observational bird records with known predator-prey links. For example, if a particular raptor feeds on smaller birds, that relationship was mapped. Each network captured the structure of a local bird community and its food web.



The team compared food webs inside protected areas to those in surrounding, non-protected <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-lynx-day-2025-protecting-the-silent-hunters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">landscapes</a>. These comparisons were not simple. 



The researchers controlled for many variables. They looked at habitat diversity, the percentage of forest and agricultural land, and levels of human pressure.



The experts also considered the designation status of the protected areas. Some zones were part of the European Bird Directives, which provide stronger conservation measures. Others had more general protections. 



These different conservation levels allowed the team to ask whether clearer goals led to better ecological outcomes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protected-areas-help-in-some-places">Protected areas help in some places</h2>



So, what did the researchers find? In some cases, protected areas improved the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-day-for-biological-diversity-2025-bonding-with-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">structure</a> of food webs. The networks inside protected zones tended to have more species overall. Intermediate-level species - those neither top predators nor at the bottom - were more common. 



Also, predators inside protected areas tended to be larger in body size, both at the top and middle levels of the food web.



However, not all of the results were encouraging. The length of food chains and the connectivity of species within the web did not show consistent improvement. In other words, simply having more species did not guarantee a healthier or more connected ecosystem.



The effects varied across Europe. Food webs in Spain responded differently from those in Finland or central Europe. This suggests that local conditions still matter greatly. Protection alone cannot guarantee the same results everywhere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-factors-behind-food-web-differences">Factors behind food web differences</h2>



What caused the variation in results? Several environmental factors played a role. Areas that were more remote generally had healthier food webs. Places with higher habitat diversity also performed better. Human pressure and the amount of nearby farmland had a strong influence too.



Interestingly, areas under the European Bird Directives showed stronger positive trends. This suggests that clearer conservation planning makes a real difference. Just designating a region as "protected" is not enough. What matters is how that protection is implemented.



Study co-author Dr. Miguel Lurgi, who leads the Computational Ecology Lab, emphasized the significance of the research. 



“Studies like ours highlight the complexity of conservation action and the importance of considering key aspects of biodiversity beyond species richness, such as ecological interactions and the tangled networks that they form, into biodiversity assessments,” noted Dr. Lurgi.



“These networks not only structure communities and enable their persistence, but they also play important roles in the functions that ecosystems fulfil in nature.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-must-protect-species-and-their-roles-nbsp">We must protect species and their roles&nbsp;</h2>



This study challenges a common assumption in conservation planning. Many projects measure success by the number of species saved. The research shows that relationships between species are equally vital. 



Protecting one bird species is good. Ensuring that it still plays its ecological role - as predator, prey, or pollinator - is better.



Protected areas clearly help in some ways. They offer space for species to live and grow. But without active planning, their impact on food webs may fall short. Conservation needs to think about networks, not just numbers.



By looking at predator-prey relationships, this research opens a path to more holistic conservation strategies. It also highlights the value of citizen science. 



Platforms like eBird make this kind of large-scale ecological work possible. Every birdwatcher’s observation helps build a clearer picture of how our ecosystems function.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protected-areas-need-better-plans">Protected areas need better plans</h2>



Europe's protected areas are not failing, but they are not universally succeeding either. They need tailored strategies, grounded in ecological data. Simple protection does not always support complex ecosystems.



This study gives policymakers a reason to refine their approaches. If the goal is to protect ecosystems, not just individual species, then conservation must shift. It must include ecological interactions, food web structures, and the subtle forces that hold nature together.



As this research shows, conservation cannot afford to stay simple. Nature is complex. Our strategies must match that complexity.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2025.0614" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences</a>.



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Protected areas don't always protect food webs

In the face of global biodiversity loss, protected areas have emerged as a crucial conservation strategy. These regions are set aside to limit human interference and provide wildlife with a safe space. Conservationists often focus on species counts when measuring success. But are these protected zones doing enough to preserve the entire structure of ecosystems? This question is at the heart of a new study from Swansea University. Instead of focusing only on species richness, the researchers examined how protected areas affect the complex interactions between species....

The regrowth of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/deforestation-amazon-beef-consumption/">Amazon</a> rainforests is stunted by gold mining, according to a new study from the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/">University of Leeds</a>. The researchers found that the effects of mining are long-lasting and greatly reduce the ability for the forests to store carbon. 

In recent years, gold mining has rapidly expanded across the Amazon. Mining is responsible for as much as 90 percent of total deforestation along the Guiana Shield, where forests store roughly twenty billion tons of carbon.

The researchers estimate that mining-related deforestation results in the annual release of over two million tons of carbon throughout the Amazon. The lack of recovery observed in the study suggests that the carbon cannot be recaptured through natural means. 

The team found that forest recovery rates on abandoned mining pits are some of the lowest ever recorded for tropical forests. Even three to four years after mining had ceased, some sites showed little to no evidence of tree regeneration.

"This study shows that tropical forests are strongly impacted by mining activities, and have very little capacity to re-establish themselves following mining," said study lead author Dr. Michelle Kalamandeen.

"Our results clearly show the extraction process has stripped nitrogen from the soil, a critical component to forest recovery, and in many cases directly contributed to the presence of mercury within neighboring forests and rivers. Active mining sites had on average 250 times more mercury concentrations than abandoned sites."

"Not only does this have serious consequences for our battle against global warming by limiting Amazonian forests' ability to capture and store carbon, but there is also a larger implication of contaminating food sources especially for indigenous and local communities who rely on rivers."

"A positive finding from this study shows that overburden sites, areas where topsoil is deposited during the mining process, recorded similar recovery rates as other Central and South American secondary tropical forests abandoned after agriculture or pasture."

Dr. Kalamandeen emphasized that active management and law enforcement is needed to guarantee recovery and to safeguard communities. There are methods available, she said, but there is an urgent need for large-scale recovery management to be tested and implemented.

"We could be facing a race against the clock. The current crisis is significantly increasing the demand for gold, given its perceived role as an economic stabilizer." 

"With current gold price more than US$1700 per ounce and estimated to reach US$2000-3000 in the coming months, many artisanal and small-scale miners are already rapidly responding to this increase in pricing, and the weakening of environmental laws and policies as we've seen in Brazil, leading to further deforestation in the Amazon."

The analysis of soil samples from recently abandoned mines revealed that forest recovery is even more limited by severe depletion of soil nutrients like nitrogen than it is by mercury contamination. 

"Currently approximately 1.3 million square kilometers of the Amazon is under prospecting for mining activities," said study co-author Dr. David Galbraith.

"This research provides support to local and national governance structures to critically approach policy implementation and development for land management, including how and where mining occurs, and more stringent monitoring and action for forest recovery. It shows that carefully planned active restoration projects will be critical in this regard."

"But responsibility lies beyond remediation efforts to mitigate the damage done. Investors and consumers alike need increased awareness and accountability of the environmental footprints of gold mining."

The study is published in the <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/13652664">Journal of Applied Ecology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Gold mining limits the recovery of Amazon forests

The regrowth of Amazon rainforests is stunted by gold mining,...

The brain responds to a perceived threat differently when it is close compared to when it is far away, according to a study from <a href="https://duke.edu/">Duke University</a>. Problem-solving areas of the brain get involved when a threat is far away, but when it is too close, a primitive type of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/great-danes-provide-new-clues-about-fear-and-anxiety/">fear</a> takes over.

The researchers used virtual reality and MRI imaging to investigate the neural networks involved when the brain perceives a distant threat versus a threat that is up close and personal. 

The reaction to a faraway threat engages regions of the brain used for processing information and planning. Because this type of logic is absent in response to close-up threats, the fear associated with them is harder to extinguish and can lead to long-term stress.

"Clinically, people who develop PTSD are more likely to have experienced threats that invaded their personal space, assaults or rapes or witnessing a crime at a close distance. They're the people that tend to develop this long-lasting threat memory," said study senior author Professor Kevin LaBar. "We've never been able to study that in the lab because you have a fixed distance to the computer screen."

Duke graduate student Leonard Faul and postdoc Daniel Stjepanovic developed a new technique for the study using a 3D television, a mirror, and MRI-safe 3D glasses.

"It's like an IMAX experience," said Professor LaBar. "The threatening characters popped out of the screen and would either invade your personal space as you're navigating this virtual world, or they were farther away."

The participants were placed in the MRI machine as they virtually explored one of two settings: a dark alley or a brighter, tree-lined street.

The appearance of a "threat avatar" two to ten feet away induced fear and activated midbrain "survival circuitry." The closer threats engaged the cerebellum, and the persistence of this signal predicted how much fear was reinstated on the second day of the trial. 

The more distant shocks triggered greater connectivity between the amygdala, hippocampus, and brain regions of the prefrontal cortex related to complex planning and visual processing. The researchers pointed out that these areas of the brain are involved in thinking one's way out of a situation and coping.

The nearby threats proved harder to eliminate after they were no longer present, while the farther threats were found to be much easier to forget. 

According to Professor LaBar, understanding the brain's response to trauma at this level could point to new therapies for PTSD.

"We think that the cerebellum might be an interesting place to intervene. Clinically, it's a new interventional target. If you can somehow get rid of that persistent threat representation in the cerebellum, you might be less likely to reinstate (the fear) later on."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Primal instincts kick in when a threat appears too close

The brain responds to a perceived threat differently when it...

Researchers have identified the source of a damaging immune reaction to acute psychological <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/work-stress-linked-to-depression-and-death/">stress</a>. The study revealed that proteins secreted in brown fat cells are responsible for triggering an inflammatory response to severe stress.

Cortisol is the primary hormone that is released during the body's "fight or flight" stress response. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory hormone that reduces inflammation and regulates sugar and metabolism for the effective management of stress.

Since stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline are designed to suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation, experts have struggled to understand why stress tends to escalate inflammatory issues like autoimmune diseases and rheumatoid arthritis.

"In the clinic, we have all seen super-stressful events that make inflammatory disease worse, and that never made sense to us," said study co-author Dr. Andrew Wang of <a href="https://www.yale.edu/">Yale University</a>.

The scientists pinpointed an immune system cell, the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), that triggers inflammation when the body is faced with psychological stress. Previous research has shown that IL-6, which is typically secreted in response to infections, plays a role in autoimmune diseases, cancer, obesity, diabetes, depression, and anxiety.

The researchers turned their attention to the relationship between IL-6 and stress after they observed elevated levels of the proteins in mice during a stressful procedure. 

In a series of experiments with mice, the researchers found that IL-6 was induced by stress and worsened inflammatory responses. They were surprised to discover that IL-6 was secreted in brown fat cells, which are most notably involved in regulating metabolism and body temperature. 

The team demonstrated that when signals from the brain to brown fat cells were blocked, stressful conditions had no effect on inflammatory responses.

The researchers identified an additional role of IL-6 in the body's reaction to stress - it helps prepare the body to increase glucose production in anticipation of threats.

Even after the metabolic production of glucose and the release of cortisol and adrenaline, IL-6 levels secreted by brown fat cells are at their peak. The researchers said this may explain why stress can trigger inflammation despite the presence of immune-suppressing hormones.

When IL-6 production was blocked in mice, they were less agitated when placed in a stressful environment. The experts suspect IL-6 may play a role in mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. 

According to Dr. Wang, many symptoms of depression - such as loss of appetite and sex drive - mimic those caused by infections like the flu. These so-called "sickness behaviors" can be triggered by IL-6.

Drugs that are designed to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis block the activity of IL-6. Preliminary findings suggest these drugs may help alleviate symptoms of depression, noted the researchers. 

"There is an ever-growing literature on the role of IL-6 outside of immunity," said study co-author Reina Desrouleaux. "Our work is exciting because it contributes to shortening that gap of knowledge."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/">Cell</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Inflammatory response to stress linked to brown fat cells

Researchers have identified the source of a damaging immune reaction...

<a href="http://www.earth.com/news/exercise-boosts-blood-flow-to-the-brain-and-improves-memory/">Exercise</a> during pregnancy greatly increases the benefits of breast milk. Researchers have found that even moderate levels of exercise can lead to incredible long-term health effects for babies. 

According to the study, expectant mothers who exercise produce more of a compound in breast milk that reduces a child's lifelong risk of serious health issues such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.

Study lead author Kristin Stanford is a researcher at <a href="https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/">The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center</a> and an associate professor of Physiology and Cell Biology at the Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute.

"We've done studies in the past that have shown that maternal exercise improves the health of offspring, but in this study, we wanted to begin to answer the question of why," said Professor Stanford. "Because there is evidence that breast milk plays a major role, we wanted to isolate the effects of breast milk on offspring health."

The team also included experts from UC San Diego, Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, and the Joslin Diabetes Center. 

For the investigation, the researchers examined mice born from sedentary mothers and fed them milk from mothers who were active throughout pregnancy. 

The study revealed that the health benefits of exercise during pregnancy were transferred to the offspring. This shows that the positive effects were passed through breast milk and not simply through traits that were inherited genetically.

In a separate trial, the researchers followed 150 pregnant and postpartum women using activity trackers and found that those who got more steps each day had increased levels of a compound in their breast milk known as 3SL, which appears to be responsible for the remarkable health benefits.

"The increase in 3SL was not necessarily related to exercise intensity, so even moderate exercise like a daily walk is enough to reap the benefits," said Professor Stanford. "Exercise is also great for your overall health during and after pregnancy, so anything you can do to get moving is going to benefit both you and your baby."

Many women are unable to breastfeed, while others experience complications that limit their activity during pregnancy. The researchers are investigating the potential to isolate 3SLin breast milk and add it to infant formula.

"This human milk oligosaccharide had a significant impact on offspring health," said Professor Stanford. "Being able to add this into formula could provide benefits for babies when women aren't able to breastfeed."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/natmetab/">Nature Metabolism</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Health benefits of breast milk improved through exercise

Exercise during pregnancy greatly increases the benefits of breast milk....

Study reveals how underwater volcanoes become explosive. Most of the world's active volcanoes are located underwater, where they are constantly reshaping the ocean. Recently, scientists discovered that submarine volcanic activity is not limited to the release of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/driving-force-yellowstone-supervolcano/">magma</a> from vents and fissures, but is also capable of ejecting large amounts of volcanic ash.

An international team of experts theorized that there must be some underlying mechanisms that drive explosive eruptions in underwater volcanoes. 

"So even under layers of water kilometers thick, which exert great pressure and thus prevent effective degassing, there must be mechanisms that lead to an 'explosive' disintegration of magma," said study co-author Professor Bernd Zimanowski of JMU Würzburg.

After analyzing the site of an underwater eruption that occurred in 2012, the researchers have produced the first report on what underlies explosive submarine volcanic activity.

The research was focused on the Havre Seamount volcano located northwest of New Zealand at a depth of about 1,000 meters below the sea surface. Here, an eruption in 2012 created a floating carpet of volcanic rock particles that expanded to about 400 square kilometers.

Observational data from a diving robot showed that more than 100 million cubic meters of volcanic ash was released during the eruption. The diving robot collected samples from the seafloor, which were then used in experimental studies. 

"We melted the material and brought it into contact with water under various conditions. Under certain conditions, explosive reactions occurred which led to the formation of artificial volcanic ash," said Zimanowski. 

The team compared the artificial ash with real samples, and the results showed that processes in the lab must have been similar to natural reactions that took place on the seafloor.

"In the process, the molten material was placed under a layer of water in a crucible with a diameter of ten centimeters and then deformed with an intensity that can also be expected when magma emerges from the sea floor," explained Zimanowski.

"Cracks are formed and water shoots abruptly into the vacuum created. The water then expands explosively. Finally, particles and water are ejected explosively. We lead them through an U-shaped tube into a water basin to simulate the cooling situation under water."

The experimental particles corresponded in shape, size, and composition with natural ash particles.

"With these results, we now have a much better understanding of how explosive volcanic eruptions are possible under water," said Zimanowski.

"With submarine lava eruptions, it takes a quite long time for the heat of the lava to be transferred to the water. In explosive eruptions, however, the magma is broken up into tiny particles. This may create heat pulses so strong that the thermal equilibrium currents in the oceans are disrupted locally or even globally." 

Further research is needed to investigate whether underwater volcanic explosions have an effect on the climate.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/ngeo/">Nature Geoscience</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Study reveals how underwater volcanoes become explosive

Study reveals how underwater volcanoes become explosive. Most of the...

Beavers are plowing their way through the <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/ocean-acidification-will-be-worse-than-expected-in-the-arctic/">Arctic</a> and rapidly transforming landscapes, and a new study suggests that the changes could have major consequences. 

In Alaska, climate change has greatly expanded the range of suitable habitat for beavers, and they are now appearing in regions where they have never been seen before. The beavers are building more and more dams and subsequently creating new ponds and lakes.

According to the researchers, the rapidly emerging water bodies will accelerate the rate of thawing permafrost, which will release more greenhouse gases and intensify climate change in a reinforcing feedback loop. 

The beavers build their dams at precise locations where they can achieve maximum benefits with minimal effort. Study co-author Dr. Ingmar Nitze has witnessed this strategy firsthand, and said the methods used by the animals are extremely effective.

Dr. Nitze is an expert in remote sensing at the <a href="https://www.awi.de/en.html">Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research</a> (AWI). In 2018, he was involved in research focused on beavers in northwest Alaska. The study revealed that beavers had created 56 new lakes in just five years. For the current investigation, the team has taken a closer look by tracking beaver activity with satellite data in two other regions of Alaska.

"Of course, we knew that the beavers there had spread substantially over the last few decades," said Dr. Nitze. "But we never would have dreamed they would seize the opportunity so intensively."

Across roughly 100 square kilometers near the town of Kotzebue, the number of dams had jumped from just two in 2002 to 98 by 2019. "We're seeing exponential growth there. The number of these structures doubles roughly every four years."

The researchers found that beavers intentionally build in areas that they can most easily flood by damming up small streams or the outlets of existing lakes. 

"But they especially prefer drained lake basins," noted study lead author Benjamin Jones."The animals have intuitively found that damming the outlet drainage channels at the sites of former lakes is an efficient way to create habitat. So a new lake is formed which degrades ice-rich permafrost in the basin, adding to the effect of increasing the depth of the engineered waterbody." 

In 17 years, water in the Kotzebue region grew by 8.3 percent - roughly two-thirds of which was driven by the expansion of dams.

The researchers believe that there have been similar spikes in dams throughout other regions of the Arctic, like Canada, and they will continue to investigate. 

Each additional lake thaws the surrounding permafrost. Even though the soil could potentially refreeze in the future, the climate is still warming, and for now the beavers will continue to expand.

"Anyone who wants to predict the future of the permafrost should be sure to keep the beaver in mind," said Dr. Nitze.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/1748-9326">Environmental Research Letters</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Beavers are exposing the Arctic to harsher climate changes 

Beavers are plowing their way through the Arctic and rapidly...

Recently, salt marshes are gaining more recognition as important natural <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/urgent-action-preparing-climate-change/">resources</a> for coastal protection, but a new study shows that their value has been evident for centuries.  

Scientists led by the <a href="https://www.nioz.nl/en">Royal Netherland Institute for Sea Research</a> investigated the performance of salt marshes during two flooding disasters of the past. They found that these wetlands provide more critical coastline defense during major storms than what was previously realized. 

Coastal wetlands like marshes can be engineered to help buffer the effects of climate change, but it has remained unclear whether they contribute a significant level of protection during real-world storms. 

"Evidence from two notorious flood disasters that killed thousands of people after dike breaching: 1717 Christmas flood and 1953 North Sea flood, however, show that salt marshes have already displayed their role of 'flood fighter' for hundreds of years," said study lead author Zhenchang Zhu.

The researchers found that salt marshes reduced the extent of dike breaches during the 1717 flood. In 1953, marshes served not only as "wave absorbers" to ease the strain on the dikes, but also as "flood fighters" that actually lowered the flood depth. 

"Salt marshes not only reduced the number and total width of dike breaches during the 1717 Christmas flood, but also confined the breach depth during the 1953 North Sea flood. Especially the latter, previously unknown function of natural defenses, can greatly reduce flood damage by lowering inundation depth," said Zhu.

"Flood defenses combining green and gray features are actually more beneficial than considered earlier. Beyond wave attenuation, salt marshes can lower flood impacts simply by limiting the size of dike breach, and continues to do so under sea level rise."

The findings suggest that the protective value of salt marshes is not limited to wave-exposed locations. Even where they are not needed for wave reduction, salt marshes will be helpful for flood protection and sea-level rise mitigation.

"Overall this research enables novel designs of nature-based coastal defenses by smartly harnessing different natural flood defense functions," said Zhu.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/natsustain/">Nature Sustainability</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Salt marshes have reduced coastal flooding for centuries

Recently, salt marshes are gaining more recognition as important natural...

A new study from <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/">UC Davis</a> has revealed that raw milk found in U.S. stores may be a source of antimicrobial resistance. The experts report that unpasteurized milk left at room temperature can harbor a shockingly high number of antimicrobial-resistant genes. 

Furthermore, the research showed that bacteria containing antimicrobial-resistant genes can transfer them to other bacteria, potentially spreading resistance.

"We don't want to scare people, we want to educate them. If you want to keep drinking raw milk, keep it in your refrigerator to minimize the risk of it developing bacteria with antibiotic-resistant genes," said study lead author Jinxin Liu.

Unpasteurized milk is often endorsed as having an abundance of probiotics, or healthy bacteria, compared to pasteurized milk. However, the researchers discovered that this is not the case. 

"Two things surprised us. We didn't find large quantities of beneficial bacteria in the raw milk samples, and if you leave raw milk at room temperature, it creates dramatically more antimicrobial-resistant genes than pasteurized milk," explained Liu.

When antimicrobial-resistant genes are passed to pathogens, they have the potential to become "superbugs" that resist treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly three million people get an antibiotic-resistant infection each year, resulting in more than 35,000 deaths. 

The UC Davis team analyzed over 2,000 pasteurized and raw milk samples from retail stores in five states. Raw milk was found to contain the highest prevalence of antibiotic-resistant microbes when left at room temperature.

"Our study shows that with any temperature abuse in raw milk, whether intentional or not, it can grow these bacteria with antimicrobial resistance genes," said study co-author Michele Jay-Russell. "It's not just going to spoil. It's really high risk if not handled correctly."

Some people are using clabbered milk, which has been left out at room temperature to ferment, for various recipes. Study co-author David Mills said that when consumers eat raw milk clabber, they are likely adding a high number of antimicrobial-resistant genes to their gut.

"You could just be flooding your gastrointestinal tract with these genes," said Mills. "We don't live in an antibiotic-free world anymore. These genes are everywhere, and we need to do everything we can to stop that flow into our bodies."

Mills recommends that consumers use a starter culture if they want to ferment raw milk, which carries specific strains of bacteria to inoculate the milk. Further research is needed to fully understand the health risks for humans associated with antibiotic-resistant genes in raw milk. 

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/">Microbiome</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Raw milk may be harmful to human health       

A new study from UC Davis has revealed that raw...

During the Chinese Lunar New Year of 2020, China was in a state of lockdown in an effort to contain the <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/bacteriophages-could-reduce-covid-19-deaths/">COVID-19</a> outbreak. Human activities slowed, and China's emissions dropped dramatically. Meanwhile, however, a severe haze with high concentrations of fine particulate matter appeared over Eastern China. 

A new study published by <a href="https://www.wiley.com/en-us">Wiley</a> suggests that the mysterious pollution is linked to the interactions of secondary aerosols with long-range transport. 

On January 23, 2020, the government in central China imposed a lockdown across Hubei province including Wuhan, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak. One week later, the World Health Organization declared that the new coronavirus was a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). 

Unfortunately, the travel restrictions came a little too late in Hubei province. The coronavirus outbreak coincided with the country's Spring Festival, and it is estimated that about 5 million people left Wuhan - a major transportation hub - during the travel rush just before the shutdown.

With the virus spreading, all local governments responded and enforced restrictions. Studies estimate that during lockdowns, energy production was reduced by a third and transportation decreased by more than 70 percent. As CO2 emissions dropped drastically, experts were puzzled by the appearance of a thick haze over Eastern China. The concentrations of fine particle pollution more than doubled in this region during the New Year Holiday (NYH-20) and the COVID‐19 outbreak.

To investigate, a team of researchers including Professor Yunhua Chang and Professor Ru-Jin Huang analyzed the presence of aerosols at an urban site in Shanghai before, during, and after the New Year Holiday in 2019 and 2020.

"We compared the chemical composition and formation processes of the aerosols, as well as meteorological conditions, between the two periods in order to gain clues on the haze event puzzle in NYH‐20," wrote the study authors. 

The analysis revealed that the persistent haze during the COVID-19 pandemic was likely caused by secondary aerosol formation that interacts with long-range transport.

"We show that particulate nitrate formation can be largely enhanced during lasting regional transport, suggesting that differential transport patterns, rather than local emissions, may be responsible for fluctuations in aerosol concentrations," wrote the researchers. 

"The results of this study highlight that regional joint management efforts and control strategies are required to effectively clear China's air."

Professor Chang said the team hopes the findings will inform future regulatory policies to mitigate China's haze-associated problems.

"Additional studies are needed to pinpoint the role of atmospheric oxidation capacity - which is affected by emission reductions of air pollutants - in the formation of secondary aerosols," said Dr. Huang.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/19448007">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.

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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

&nbsp;

Cause of mysterious air pollution in Eastern China identified 

During the Chinese Lunar New Year of 2020, China was...

The results of a decade-long investigation suggest that methane emissions from natural resources will be higher than predicted. According to the study, global warming is shifting the balance of the microbial communities that regulate methane within <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/artificial-skyglow-poses-major-threat-to-coastal-ecosystems/">ecosystems</a>.

Two types of microorganisms are responsible for the production and removal of methane. Methanogens naturally produce methane, while methanotrophs convert it into carbon dioxide. 

Past studies have found evidence that these processes will respond to global warming differently. 

For the current study, researchers conducted experiments in artificial ponds for 11 years to examine how freshwater microbial communities respond to rising temperatures.

The team found that global warming increased methane production, but not methane removal. The disproportionate effects led to higher methane emissions that have not been identified in previous studies that focused on temperatures alone.

Study co-author Mark Trimmer is a professor of Biogeochemistry at <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/">Queen Mary University of London</a>.

"Our observations show that the increase in methane emissions we see is beyond what you could predict based on a simple physiological response to the temperature increase," said Professor Trimmer. 

"Long-term warming also changes the balance in the methane-related microbial community within freshwater ecosystems so they produce more methane while proportionately less is oxidized to carbon dioxide." 

"As methane is a far more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, together these effects increase the global warming potential of the carbon gases released from these ecosystems."

The research team also conducted a meta-analysis of published data on methane emissions from wetlands, forests, and grasslands worldwide. The analysis confirmed that ecosystems produce a disproportionate amount of methane in response to warming, resulting in a higher rate of emissions.

"Our findings fit with what we see in the real world for a wider variety of ecosystems," said Professor Trimmer. "Together these results suggest that as Earth temperatures increase through global warming, natural ecosystems will continually release more methane into the atmosphere."

Over a 100-year period, methane has about 28 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. At least 40 percent of methane is released from freshwaters such as wetlands, lakes, and rivers.

Study co-author Dr. Kevin Purdy is an associate professor of Microbial Ecology at the University of Warwick. 

"Our studies have led to a better understanding of how global warming can affect methane emissions from freshwaters," said Dr. Purdy. "This means that future predictions of methane emissions need to take into account how ecosystems and their resident microbial communities will change as the planet warms."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/nclimate/">Nature Climate Change</a>.

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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

&nbsp;

Natural methane emissions rise in warmer temperatures

The results of a decade-long investigation suggest that methane emissions...

Patients with weakened immune systems have a higher risk of developing the most severe and life-threatening complications of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/nanosponges-inhibit-covid-19-by-protecting-healthy-cells/">COVID-19</a>. One recent <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30566-3/fulltext?luicode=10000011&amp;lfid=231522type%3D1%26t%3D10%26q%3D%23%E6%8A%97%E5%87%BB%E6%96%B0%E5%9E%8B%E8%82%BA%E7%82%8E%E7%AC%AC%E4%B8%80%E7%BA%BF%23&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thelancet.com%2Flancet%2Farticle%2FS0140-6736%2820%2930566-3">study</a> showed that about half of COVID-19 deaths are caused by secondary infections such as bacterial pneumonia and sepsis. 

Dr. Marcin Wojewodzic, a researcher at the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/">University of Birmingham</a>, reports that viruses known as bacteriophages have the potential to control dangerous bacterial infections.

Bacteriophages can infect and kill pathogens without harming human cells or beneficial bacteria. The viruses may ultimately be used as a safer alternative to antibiotic treatments.

Dr. Wojewodzic proposes two strategies for using bacteriophages to treat bacterial infections in COVID-19 patients. First, bacteriophages could target secondary bacterial infections in the patients' respiratory systems. The viruses would reduce the spread of harmful bacteria, allowing the immune system to focus on producing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.

"By introducing bacteriophages, it may be possible to buy precious time for the patients' immune systems and it also offers a different, or complementary strategy to the standard antibiotic therapies," said Dr. Wojewodzic.

"If this strategy works, it will hopefully buy time to enable a patient to produce their own specific antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus and thus reduce the damage caused by an excessive immunological reaction."

Professor Martha R.J. Clokie is the Editor-in-Chief of the journal which published the systematic review. 

"In the same way that we are used to the concept of 'friendly bacteria' we can harness 'friendly viruses' or 'phages' to help us target and kill secondary bacterial infections caused by a weakened immune system following viral attack from viruses such as COVID-19," said Professor Clokie.

In the second treatment strategy, Dr. Wojewodzic suggests that synthetically altered bacteriophages could be used to manufacture antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These antibodies could be produced rapidly and inexpensively in the form of nasal or oral spray. Dr. Wojewodzic is calling for clinical trials to test the proposed treatment methods.

"This pandemic has shown us the power viruses have to cause harm. However, by using beneficial viruses as an indirect weapon against the SARS-CoV-2 virus and other pathogens, we can harness that power for a positive purpose and use it to save lives. The beauty of nature is that while it can kill us, it can also come to our rescue," said Dr. Wojewodzic.

"It's clear that no single intervention will eliminate COVID-19. In order to make progress we need to approach the problem from as many different angles and disciplines as possible."

Dr. Antal Martinecz is an expert in computational pharmacology at the Arctic University of Norway, who finds the new research extremely hopeful. 

"This is not only a different strategy to the standard antibiotic therapies but, more importantly, it is exciting news relating to the problem of bacterial resistance itself."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://home.liebertpub.com/publications/phage/652">PHAGE: Therapy, Applications, and Research</a>.

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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

&nbsp;

Bacteriophages could reduce COVID-19 deaths 

Patients with weakened immune systems have a higher risk of...

In a new study led by <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/">Imperial College London</a>, scientists have developed a five-minute urine test that measures the health of a person's <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-diets-promote-healthier-weight/">diet</a>. The technology can be used to identify the best possible diet for an individual based on his or her unique genetic makeup. 

According to the researchers, the test produces an individual's urine "fingerprint" that includes specific details on diet quality. 

Study co-author Dr. Joram Posma is a researcher in Imperial's Department of Metabolism, Digestion, and Reproduction.

"Diet is a key contributor to human health and disease, though it is notoriously difficult to measure accurately because it relies on an individual's ability to recall what and how much they ate," said Dr. Posma."For instance, asking people to track their diets through apps or diaries can often lead to inaccurate reports about what they really eat." 

"This research reveals this technology can help provide in-depth information on the quality of a person's diet, and whether it is the right type of diet for their individual biological make-up."

Prior to developing the new testing system, the experts analyzed levels of 46 different metabolites in the urine of 1,848 people in the United States. Metabolites are considered to be an objective indicator of diet quality - and are produced as different foods are digested by the body, explained the researchers.

The analysis revealed an association between the metabolites in urine and specific types of foods or nutrients in the diet. Some metabolites correlated with alcohol intake, for example, while others were linked to fructose, glucose and vitamin C. The dietary intake of red meats, chicken, and nutrients such as calcium were also related to certain metabolites. 

Furthermore, some health conditions can be identified through compounds found in urine. Formate and sodium are linked with obesity and high blood pressure.

"Through careful measurement of people's diets and collection of their urine excreted over two 24-hour periods we were able to establish links between dietary inputs and urinary output of metabolites that may help improve understanding of how our diets affect health," said study co-author Professor Paul Elliott. "Healthful diets have a different pattern of metabolites in the urine than those associated with worse health outcomes."

In a second study, the team used their findings to design a five-minute test. The results showed that the mix of metabolites in urine varies from person to person, even when they have the exact same diet.

"Our technology can provide crucial insights into how foods are processed by individuals in different ways - and can help health professionals such as dieticians provide dietary advice tailored to individual patients," said study co-author Dr. Isabel Garcia-Perez. She noted that the team now plans to use the diet analysis technology on people at risk of cardiovascular disease.

"We show here how different people metabolize the same foods in highly individual ways," explained Professor John Mathers of Newcastle University. "This has implications for understanding the development of nutrition-related diseases and for more personalized dietary advice to improve public health."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/natfood/">Nature Food</a>.

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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

&nbsp;

Urine test will help identify the best diet for each individual

In a new study led by Imperial College London, scientists...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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;



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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.

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

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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

[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" 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 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



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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://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

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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

[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

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