For years, astronomers scanning the sky with NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) have cheered each new detection of a small, rocky planet. These findings seemed to inch us closer to answering the age‑old question of whether life exists elsewhere in the cosmos. 



However, a fresh look at the data suggests many of those celebrated worlds are not the Earth‑like bodies scientists hoped for.



According to a new study led by the <a href="https://uci.edu/">University of California, Irvine</a>, the radii of more than 200 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exotic-worlds-tess-unveils-126-new-exoplanets/">TESS</a> planets have been systematically underestimated - sometimes by enough to bump them out of the “potentially habitable” category altogether.



“We found that hundreds of exoplanets are larger than they appear, and that shifts our understanding of exoplanets on a large scale,” said Te Han, a UC Irvine doctoral student who led the research. “This means we may have actually found fewer Earth‑like planets so far than we thought.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-misjudging-exoplanet-size">Misjudging exoplanet size</h2>



Conventional planet-hunting relies on the transit method. Astronomers monitor a star’s brightness and watch for the slight dip that occurs when a planet crosses the star. 



From that dimming, they infer the planet’s radius. But the technique works only if the starlight is clean - an increasingly tall order in crowded regions of the sky.



“We’re basically measuring the shadow of the planet,” explained co‑author Paul Robertson, a UC Irvine astronomy professor. 



If the telescope’s pixels collect extra light from background stars, the shadow looks shallower than it really is, making the planet seem smaller. This dilution problem worried astronomers even during NASA’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-new-super-earth-kepler-725c-found-in-habitable-zone-around-its-star/">Kepler mission</a>. 



However, TESS, with its wide‑field cameras and larger pixels, is even more vulnerable. Most teams assumed existing software pipelines handled the issue well enough. Han decided to test that assumption.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-calculations-of-planet-density">Calculations of planet density</h2>



Digging through hundreds of peer‑reviewed papers, Han compiled measurements for single‑planet systems announced by TESS teams through late 2024. He then applied a deblending code called TGLC, which models exactly how each pixel’s light gets smeared across the detector. 



The code incorporates star positions and brightness data from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency’s</a> ultra‑precise <a href="https://irsa.ipac.caltech.edu/Missions/gaia.html">Gaia catalog</a>. When TGLC processed the light curves, the transit dips deepened, implying bigger planets.



“TESS data are contaminated, which Te's custom model corrects better than anyone else in the field,” Robertson said.



Statistical tests showed the literature had, on average, shaved about six percent off planetary radii. That may sound minor, but a radius error compounds when scientists calculate density, leading to roughly 20 percent overestimates. 



Furthermore, densities feed directly into guesses about a planet’s composition - whether it is rocky like Earth, watery, or rich in gas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-twins-reclassified">Earth twins reclassified</h2>



Before the reanalysis, astronomers believed TESS had spotted three solo exoplanets close enough to Earth’s size and composition to warrant detailed follow‑up. Han’s corrections knock all three off that list.



“Of the single‑planet systems discovered by TESS so far, only three were thought to be similar to Earth in their composition,” noted Han. “With this new finding, all of them are actually bigger than we thought.”



The revamped sizes place them in the realm of so‑called water worlds - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exoplanet-discovery-nasa-identifies-over-5500-distant-worlds/">planets</a> cloaked in global oceans - or even miniature Neptunes, wrapped in thick envelopes of hydrogen and helium. 



Both categories are intriguing, but neither offers the same surface conditions that make Earth habitable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-targets-for-the-webb-telescope">New targets for the Webb Telescope</h2>



The stakes go beyond tallying Earth analogues. Space- and ground‑based observatories have limited time, and astronomers rely on planet catalogs to decide which worlds merit a closer look.



“This has important implications for our understanding of exoplanets - including prioritization for follow‑up observations with the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-telescope-may-have-just-found-its-first-planet/">James Webb Space Telescope</a>, and the controversial existence of a galactic population of water worlds,” Robertson said.



A planet now revealed to be larger - and therefore puffier - may actually be a better Webb target. Its atmosphere is easier to probe, making it more suitable for detailed study. Conversely, a world once hailed as a rocky twin could drop in priority.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-exoplanet-size-revisions-ahead">More exoplanet size revisions ahead</h2>



Han’s team will revisit planets previously dismissed as too large or too low‑density to support life. Some may shrink back into the habitable zone once more precise corrections are applied; others may grow even farther from it.



Equally important, the researchers urge colleagues to treat raw TESS light curves with caution. The same lessons apply to upcoming missions, such as the <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Plato">European Space Agency’s PLATO</a>, which will also rely on wide‑field, transit‑based searches.



The study highlights an ongoing theme in exoplanet science: indirect measurements of size and other properties can mislead, and small biases ripple outward into big conclusions about life in the universe.



But there is a bright side. Astronomers now have better tools to compensate for contamination. Thanks to Gaia, they also have a stellar map precise enough to support those tools.



Every correction sharpens our cosmic census, bringing the truly Earth‑like worlds into clearer focus - even if there turn out to be fewer of them than we hoped. In the hunt for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-planets-may-be-the-place-to-look-for-extraterrestrial-life/">extraterrestrial life</a>, knowing where not to look can be just as valuable as knowing where to point the telescope next.



The study is published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/ade794">The Astrophysical Journal Letters</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Hundreds of exoplanets are much larger than we thought

For years, astronomers scanning the sky with NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) have cheered each new detection of a small, rocky planet. These findings seemed to inch us closer to answering the age‑old question of whether life exists elsewhere in the cosmos. However, a fresh look at the data suggests many of those celebrated worlds are not the Earth‑like bodies scientists hoped for. According to a new study led by the University of California, Irvine, the radii of more than 200 TESS planets have been systematically underestimated -...

Arctic heatwave is breaking records, and it's not even summer yet. A record-breaking <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/marine-heatwave-pushed-species-northward/">heatwave</a> has arrived in the Arctic this month, appearing unusually early and with shocking intensity. Forecasts show that temperatures will remain higher than average next week, and possibly for the rest of the year.

By mid-May, temperatures in the Arctic were the warmest ever recorded this time of the season. 

Last week, the temperature reached 80 degrees Fahrenheit above the Arctic Circle. A little farther south in Siberia, the temperature hit 86.

The Arctic has been warming at a rate that is twice as fast as the rest of the world as a result of climate change. The early appearance of unprecedented temperature spikes indicates that this rate is accelerating. 

According to the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/">Washington Post</a>, the Siberian town of Khatanga recorded a temperature of 78 degrees on Friday. The average high for this day in Khatanga is 32 degrees. 

Above-average temperatures have persisted in Siberia since winter,  and the region is already experiencing unusually large wildfires and shrinking snow cover. 

In the Kara Sea, just north of central Siberia, Arctic sea ice started melting more than a month early this year. The sea ice cover has reached the lowest extent that has ever been recorded in May.

Zack Labe is a graduate student at UC Irvine who studies Arctic climate change.

“Although Siberia is known for wild temperature swings, the persistence and magnitude of warmth over the region so far this year has been astonishing,” Labe told the Washington Post. 

“This week is an example of an extreme event, with summer-like temperatures over parts of Western Siberia thanks to a strong upper level ridge." 

"We can already see this reflected in snow cover data, as there are large negative departures of snow extent stretching across the entire Siberian coast of the Arctic."

Beyond concerns about how much sea ice will be lost this year and the implications for sea-level rise, scientists are also closely monitoring the stability of Arctic permafrost. 

Greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon are released from thawing permafrost that have been stored in the ground for centuries. This will only accelerate global warming, and further intensify its impacts on the Arctic.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Arctic heatwave is breaking records, and it's not even summer yet

Arctic heatwave is breaking records, and it's not even summer...

New research from the <a href="https://www.acponline.org/">American College of Physicians</a> highlights the powerful role of fruits and vegetables in protecting heart health. 

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of disease and death worldwide. 

A healthy <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/dietary-supplements-can-help-you-fight-off-covid-19/">diet</a> is a critical lifestyle factor for maintaining a healthy heart, and the new study suggests that some nutritious diets may be even more beneficial than others. 

Mediterranean, vegetarian, and DASH diets are the most widely recommended for cardiovascular health.

The DASH diet is high in vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy products, and a moderate amount of whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish, and poultry. 

The traditional Mediterranean diet includes the same plant-based foods as the DASH diet but also includes high consumption of extra-virgin olive oil and moderate consumption of wine. 

Essentially, both of these diets, as well as the vegetarian diet, are centered around plant-based foods like fruits and vegetables.

In a study focused on middle-aged adults without a known history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the researchers set out to compare a typical American diet with diets rich in fruits and vegetables to examine any <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eat-well-live-longer-a-dash-of-protein-could-add-years-to-your-life/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">potential cardiovascular effects</a>.

"Participants were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of monitored feeding with a control diet typical of what many Americans eat; a diet rich in fruits and vegetables but otherwise similar to the control diet; or the DASH diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and fiber and has low levels of saturated fat and cholesterol," explained the study authors. 

After the eight week intervention, participants in the DASH and fruit-and-vegetable diet groups had significantly lower concentrations of the biomarkers for myocardial injury and cardiac stress. 

The experts theorize that large dietary amounts of potassium, magnesium, and fiber can partially explain the beneficial effects of the DASH and vegetarian diets on heart health. 

The protection from myocardial injury and cardiac stress may also be explained by the influence of fruits and vegetables in reducing blood pressure, cholesterol, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

According to the experts, recommendations to increase the intake of fruits and vegetables to at least 10 servings per day should be generalized to the overall population, regardless of health status. 

The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.acpjournals.org/journal/aim">Annals of Internal Medicine</a>.

---

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

Fruit and vegetables are very beneficial to heart health

New research from the American College of Physicians highlights the...

Experts map the genetic diversity of mammals on a global scale . Researchers at the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/english/">University of Copenhagen</a> have mapped the worldwide distribution of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/female-mammals-live-longer-than-males-in-the-wild/">mammals</a> in an effort to unravel the origins of their genetic diversity.

Understanding global patterns of biological diversity, including variation among species and their ecosystems, is critical for protecting Earth's wildlife.

Up until now, the lack of genomic data and relevant geographic information has greatly limited the ability for experts to map genetic diversity, which is very difficult to detect. 

In addition to mapping and georeferencing a massive dataset, the Copenhagen team examined long-standing theories about the distribution of genetic diversity among terrestrial mammals. 

The analysis revealed that regions with the richest evolutionary history also contain the highest levels of genetic diversity. 

These areas include the Northern Andes, the Eastern Arc Mountains, the Amazon, the Brazilian Atlantic forest, the jungles of Central America, sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia.

The researchers determined that these regions have had a relatively stable climate over the past 21,000 years, which contributed to diversity among individual species. 

Study lead author Spyros Theodoridis is a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate.

"Genetic diversity within species is a critical component of biodiversity, playing two important roles at the same time. It reflects species evolutionary history and defines their capacity to adapt under future environmental change," said Theodoridis.

"However, and despite the predictions of major biodiversity theories, the actual global distribution of genetic diversity remained, so far, a mystery."

According to Theodoridis, recent efforts to populate public databases with genetic sequences and their locations enabled the team to generate the first global maps of genetic diversity in terrestrial mammal groups.

Study senior author David Nogues-Bravo is an associate professor at the University of Copenhagen.

"The tropics, and more specifically tropical mountain regions, host large amounts of the global pool of genetic diversity," said Professor Nogues-Bravo. 

"These arks of biodiversity are under a high pressure today due to climate and land-use change. The conservation of genetic diversity in these areas should be a priority in on-going conservation efforts."

The researchers investigated how the past 21,000 years of climate change affected current patterns of genetic diversity. They found that regions which had endured less extreme fluctuations in temperature and precipitation have higher levels of genetic diversity. This is likely due to a lower rate of population extinctions. 

Study co-author Damien Fordham is an associate professor at the University of Adelaide's Environment Institute.

"While we show that areas of high genetic diversity tend to occur in regions where climates have remained relatively unchanged during past periods of global-scale climate change, many of these regions are forecast to experience major climate disturbances in the near future," said Fordham. "Unfortunately, this is likely to lead to a loss of genetic diversity in many biodiversity hotspots."

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

&nbsp;

Experts map the genetic diversity of mammals on a global scale 

Experts map the genetic diversity of mammals on a global...

Body posture not only reflects how you feel but also affects how you feel, according to a new study from <a href="https://www.uni-halle.de/?lang=en">Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg</a> (MLU). 

Good body posture implies that you are <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/women-confident-caring-work/">confident</a>, while slouching indicates a lack of self-esteem. The way you carry your body subliminally influences how you are perceived by others, and a growing collection of research suggests posture influences how you feel about yourself.

Previous studies have found that "power posing," or holding the body in commanding positions, can immediately make a person feel more empowered. 

A study from Harvard even found that two minutes of power posing raises levels of testerone, a hormone that is associated with power and dominance.

"Body language is not just about expressing feelings, it can also shape how a person feels," said study lead author Robert Körner of the MLU Institute of Psychology. "Power posing is the nonverbal expression of power. It involves making very bold gestures and changes in body posture."

The MLU study is the first of its kind to examine the effect of power posing among children. 

According to Körner, children are able to recognize and interpret the body posture of others from the age of five. 

For the investigation, a total of 108 fourth-graders were divided into two groups and assigned opposing tasks. One group was instructed to hold two open and expansive postures for one minute each. The other group was instructed to pose with their arms folded in front of them and their heads down. 

Next, the children completed a series of psychological tests. The participants who had assumed an open posture reported higher levels of self-esteem and indicated they were in a better mood compared to the children who did not engage in power poses.

The effects were even more profound when the children answered questions about school. 

"Here, power posing had the strongest effect on the children's self-esteem," said Körner. "Teachers could try and see whether this method helps their students." 

The results are consistent with previous findings on power posing. However, this concept remains controversial in the field of psychological research.

Some of the effects on mood or behavior could not be replicated, but many other psychological studies have the same limitations. 

"To make our study even more objective and transparent, we pre-registered it and all of the methodology. This means that we specified everything in advance and could not change anything afterwards," said Körner.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/home/spi">School Psychology International</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Power posing gives children an instant confidence boost

Body posture not only reflects how you feel but also...

In a new study from the <a href="https://umich.edu/">University of Michigan</a> (U-M), researchers have found evidence that all living organisms - from bacteria to humans - have a <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/hybrid-lobster-species-discovered-with-new-genetic-test/">genetic</a> memory of their ancestral surroundings that helps them adapt to changing environments.

The study is providing new insight into how plants and animals will respond to today's changing climate.

The research was focused on chickens raised on the Tibetan Plateau and at an adjacent lowland site.

Chickens were first domesticated thousands of years back from a tropical Asian bird called the red junglefowl. By 1,200 ago, chickens were introduced to the Tibetan Plateau where they gradually adapted to the high-altitude conditions. 

In a collaboration with Chinese experts, the U-M team hatched and raised hundreds of chickens on the Tibetan Plateau at an elevation of nearly 11,000 feet. Chickens were also raised at a lowland site in China's Sichuan Province. 

Some of the eggs from the lowland site were hatched at a higher altitude on the Tibetan Plateau. 

The experts wanted to measure how the change in external surroundings may affect a chicken's phenotype - the characteristics that result from the interaction of environment and genetic inheritance.

The researchers investigated two types of phenotypic changes. "Plastic" phenotypic changes alter gene activity without interfering with DNA, while mutations alter gene activity by modifying the DNA sequence.

The relative roles of these two phenotypic changes have been a mystery, and experts have theorized that plastic changes may be precursors to mutations. 

In the U-M study, the researchers wanted to find out how the chickens readapted when they were reintroduced to ancestral environments. 

The study revealed that plastic changes played a more dominant role when the chickens returned to the lowland compared to when they adapted to the plateau.

Study senior author Jianzhi Zhang is a professor in the U-M Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

"These findings reveal a mechanism by which past experience affects future evolution," said Professor Zhang.

"Our findings contribute to the recent debate on the relative roles of plastic and genetic changes in adaptation and reveal the importance of considering whether the environment is changing to a novel or ancestral one."

To analyze the relative roles of plastic and DNA-sequence changes, the researchers looked at gene-expression differences between lowland and Tibetan chickens in brain, liver, lung, heart, and muscle tissue. 

The experts found that many mutations were needed when the animals first adapted to the Tibetan Plateau, but plastic changes were required when the chickens were brought back to the lowland.

"In summary, our work uncovers a phenomenon conserved from bacteria to vertebrates that organisms remember their ancestral environments in the form of phenotypic plasticity," wrote the study authors.

The research is published in the journal <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/">Science Advances</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Animals have a genetic memory of their ancestral environments

In a new study from the University of Michigan (U-M),...

In an effort to increase awareness of biodiversity issues, the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/">United Nations</a> (UN) has designated today, May 22, as the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB).

According to the UN, more than a million plant and animal species are now threatened with <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/marine-megafauna-extinctions-will-compromise-critical-ecosystem-services/">extinction</a>, and hundreds to thousands of species are vanishing every year.

Biodiversity loss is directly tied to human activities, such as overexploitation of resources, land degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Humans are transforming the Earth in ways that threaten the survival of plants and animals. But a planet without diverse species is a place that is no longer suitable for humans to live. 

By losing biodiversity, we lose critical ecosystem services that regulate air and water quality and provide food security. Our reliance on biodiversity cannot be overstated. Diverse habitats are involved in every aspect of balancing the complex systems of nature. 

"As the global community is called to re-examine our relationship to the natural world, one thing is certain: despite all our technological advances we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy, just to name a few," writes the UN.

The UN reports that more than 80 percent of the human diet is provided by plants, and fish provide 20 percent of animal-based protein to about 3 billion people. An estimated 80 percent of people in rural areas across developing countries depend on plant-based medicines for basic healthcare.

Without drastic conservation efforts, biodiversity loss is expected to accelerate through 2050, and the effects will be most pronounced in areas hit the hardest by global warming. But there is still time to change this trajectory.

The UN reminds us that "2020 is a year of reflection, opportunity and solutions." 

"It is expected, from each of us, that we will 'build back better' by using this time to increase the resilience of nations and communities as we recover from this pandemic." 

"2020 is the year when, more than ever, the world can signal a strong will for a global framework that will bend the curve on biodiversity loss for the benefit of humans and all life on Earth."

The theme of this year's <a href="https://www.un.org/en/observances/biological-diversity-day">International Day for Biological Diversity</a> is "Our solutions are in nature." 

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

&nbsp;

UN hosts International Day for Biological Diversity

In an effort to increase awareness of biodiversity issues, the...

Why is it harder to wake up on a cold morning? A new study from <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/">Northwestern University</a> has tapped into the minds of fruit flies to find out how cold weather affects our <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/does-sleep-help-us-adapt-to-difficult-circumstances/">sleep</a>.

While it is known that temperature has a profound influence on the behavior of people and animals, the connection between neurons that control the sleep-wake cycle and those that respond to external stimuli is not clearly understood. 

In a study focused on fruit flies, researchers have identified a sensory circuit that relays information about cold temperatures to a higher brain center. 

According to the experts, through this sensory circuit, cold and dark conditions can inhibit the brain cells that promote wakefulness and activity. The neural network was found to have a stronger effect in the morning. 

Study lead author Marco Gallio is an associate professor of Neurobiology in Northwestern's Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. 

"This helps explains why - for both flies and humans - it is so hard to wake up in the morning in winter," said Professor Gallio. "By studying behaviors in a fruit fly, we can better understand how and why temperature is so critical to regulating sleep."

The study is the first to describe "absolute cold" receptors in the fruit fly's antenna. The receptors respond exclusively to temperatures that are below the fly's comfort threshold of approximately 77 degrees Fahrenheit. 

The researchers traced the neurons to their targets in the brain, which turned out to be a small group of cells in a region that controls circadian rhythm. 

When the cold circuit was stimulated, target cells that are normally activated by morning light were shut down. 

The circadian rhythm of the fruit fly is a daily 24-hour cycle of rest and activity, just like that of humans. 

The detection of external temperature is critical for survival, especially among tiny fruit flies, but humans also seek optimal core temperatures simply for comfort or to enhance sleep. 

"Temperature sensing is one of the most fundamental sensory modalities," said Professor Gallio. "The principles we are finding in the fly brain - the logic and organization - may be the same all the way to humans. Whether fly or human, the sensory systems have to solve the same problems, so they often do it in the same ways."

Study co-first author Michael H. Alpert is a postdoctoral researcher in Professor Gallio's lab.

"The ramifications of impaired sleep are numerous - fatigue, reduced concentration, poor learning and alteration of a myriad of health parameters - yet we still do not fully understand how sleep is produced and regulated within the brain and how changes in external conditions may impact sleep drive and quality," said Alpert.

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

&nbsp;

Fruit flies reveal why we sleep more in cold weather

Individuals who are socially isolated are 44 percent more likely to experience a major cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, compared to people who are socially connected. 

The German research, which will be presented tomorrow at the <a href="https://www.ean.org/">European Academy of Neurology</a> (EAN) Virtual Congress, has revealed that social isolation drastically elevates an individual's risk of death from all causes.

The researchers also discovered that a lack of financial support increases the risk of cardiovascular events independently of other factors.

The investigation was focused on data from 4,316 individuals with an average age of 59 who participated in the Heinz Nixdorf Recall (HNR) cohort study.

Upon enrollment in the study between 2000 and 2003, participants had no known history of cardiovascular disease. Information was collected on different types of social support.

Levels of social integration were measured based on marital status and cohabitation, contact with close friends and family, and membership in political, religious, community, sports, or professional organizations.

"We have known for some time that feeling lonely or lacking contact with close friends and family can have an impact on your physical health," said study co-author Dr. Janine Gronewold. 

"What this study tells us is that having strong social relationships is of high importance for your heart health and similar to the role of classical protective factors such as having a healthy blood pressure, acceptable cholesterol levels, and a normal weight."

"This observation is of particular interest in the present discussion on the COVID-19 pandemic, where social contacts are or have been relevantly restricted in most societies," said Professor Karl-Heinz Jöckel.

The HNR study followed up on individuals for an average of 13.4 years. During this time, 339 cardiovascular events and 530 deaths were documented among the study participants. 

The researchers analyzed the deaths and heart episodes while accounting for other factors that could have contributed, such as standard cardiovascular risk factors. 

Ultimately, a lack of social integration was found to increase the future risk of cardiovascular events by 44 percent and the risk of all-cause mortality by 47 percent. In addition, a lack of financial support was associated with a 30-percent higher risk of cardiovascular events.

"We don't understand yet why people who are socially isolated have such poor health outcomes, but this is obviously a worrying finding, particularly during these times of prolonged social distancing," said Dr. Gronewold. 

"What we do know is that we need to take this seriously, work out how social relationships affect our health, and find effective ways of tackling the problems associated with social isolation to improve our overall health and longevity," said Professor Dirk M. Hermann.

The study is published in the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14681331">European Journal of Neurology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Social isolation increases heart attack risk

Individuals who are socially isolated are 44 percent more likely...

Bumblebees can force <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/plants-have-memories-they-learn-to-forget/">plants</a> to speed up the production of flowers if they are struggling to find pollen, according to a new study. 

The researchers found that when pollen is scarce, bumblebees intentionally damage plant leaves by biting them to accelerate flowering.

This previously unknown strategy dramatically impacts the timing of flower production. According to the study authors, the plants bloom up to a month earlier as a result of the sustained injuries. 

Foteini Pashalidou is an expert in the Department of Environmental Systems Sciences at <a href="https://ethz.ch/en.html">ETH Zürich</a>. Pashalidou and her colleagues were studying how bees respond to plant odors when they discovered mysterious bite marks on some of the plants. 

In a research greenhouse, the experts found that bumblebees were cutting holes in the shape of half-moons into plant leaves. Upon further observation, the team recognized that bumblebees from food-deprived colonies were the most active participants in damaging the leaves.

Various flowering plants with distinctively-shaped holes from bumblebee bites were found to bloom up to 30 days earlier than plants which had not been exposed to bumblebees.

The researchers were not able to trigger the flower-stimulating effects by replicating the cuts themselves, which suggests there may be an unknown feature that is unique to the bees' strategy.

While the underlying mechanisms that link the bumblebee bites to premature flowering are not yet known, the findings indicate that bumblebee behavior may have a significant influence on the local availability of flowers.

Lars Chittka is a behavioral ecologist at Queen Mary University of London who wrote a commentary on the research. 

"Understanding the molecular pathways by which one could accelerate flowering by a full month would be a horticulturalist's dream," wrote Chittka.

He noted that bee saliva may contain chemicals that prompt flowering, similar to substances found in the saliva of plant-eating insects that signal plant defense responses.

Bumblebees and other pollinators support the reproduction of 90 percent of flowering plants. In turn, pollinators rely on flowering plants for food and nutrition. 

As the temperatures rise and the days get longer in the spring, insects emerge from their winter hibernation just as plants begin flowering. 

The springtime synchronization of pollinators and flowering plants is critical for maintaining their symbiotic relationship. However, climate change is threatening to disrupt this delicate balance. 

For example, warmer winter temperatures may cause pollinators to wake up before the springtime bloom, leaving them without any source of food. 

Chittka pointed out how the newly described bumblebee behavior may help to mitigate some of the threats associated with global warming. 

"An encouraging interpretation of the new findings is that behavioral adaptations of flower-visitors can provide pollination systems with more plasticity and resilience to cope with climate change than hitherto suspected," said Chittka.

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

&nbsp;

Hungry bumblebees bite plants to make them bloom early

Bumblebees can force plants to speed up the production of...

Despite concerns that climate change could reduce the ability of tropical forests to serve as <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/carbon-capture-and-storage-could-meet-global-climate-goals/">carbon</a> sinks, a new study reports that these ecosystems have the capacity to continue to store large amounts of carbon as temperatures rise. 

There is a tipping point, however, and greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced to avoid pushing tropical forests over a safe threshold. 

An international research team led by the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/">University of Leeds</a> set out to investigate how much carbon tropical trees can store in today's warming climate. The experts measured over half a million trees in 813 tropical forests. 

The study revealed that tropical forests are still storing large amounts of carbon under high temperatures. The researchers determined that these forests will continue to serve as critical carbon sinks up to an estimated threshold of 32 degrees Celsius in daytime temperature.

"Our analysis reveals that up to a certain point of heating, tropical forests are surprisingly resistant to small temperature differences. If we limit climate change they can continue to store a large amount of carbon in a warmer world," said study lead author Dr. Martin Sullivan.

"The 32 degree threshold highlights the critical importance of urgently cutting our emissions to avoid pushing too many forests beyond the safety zone."

"For example, if we limit global average temperatures to a 2°C increase above pre-industrial levels this pushes nearly three-quarters of tropical forests above the heat threshold we identified. Any further increases in temperature will lead to rapid losses of forest carbon."

The study is the first to analyze the long-term climate sensitivity of tropical trees based on direct observation of forests across the tropics. 

The research suggests that, in the long-term, temperature will have the greatest effect on forest carbon stocks by reducing tree growth. Drought will have the second largest influence by causing hydraulic failure and death.

According to the researchers, tropical forests have the capacity to adapt to some climate change, partly because of their high levels of biodiversity. Tree species that are more tolerant of new climate conditions will thrive and replace the less adaptable species over time. In order to maximize this potential, however, forests must remain intact.

"Our results suggest that intact forests are able to withstand some climate change. Yet these heat-tolerant trees also face immediate threats from fire and fragmentation," said study co-author Professor Beatriz Marimon. "Achieving climate adaptation means first of all protecting and connecting the forests that remain."

"The study indicates a heat threshold of 32 degrees Celsius in daytime temperature. Above this point tropical forest carbon declines more quickly with higher temperatures, regardless of which species are present."

"Each degree increase above this 32 degree threshold releases four-times as much carbon dioxide as would have been released below the threshold."

Reducing carbon emissions enough to keep tropical forests functioning as carbon sinks will be a challenge. 

&nbsp;

within the safety zone will be very challenging. Study author of the University of Leeds said: "Keeping our planet and ourselves healthy has never been more important. Right now, humanity has a unique opportunity to make the transition toward a stable climate," said study co-author Professor Oliver Phillips.

"By not simply returning to 'business as usual' after the current crisis we can ensure tropical forests remain huge stores of carbon. Protecting them from climate change, deforestation and wildlife exploitation needs to be front and centre of our global push for biosecurity."

"Imagine if we take this chance to reset how we treat our Earth. We can keep our home cool enough to protect these magnificent forests - and keep all of us safer."

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

&nbsp;

Tropical forests can adapt, but they have their limits

Despite concerns that climate change could reduce the ability of...

A team of experts has discovered that sounds produced by European spiny <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/hybrid-lobster-species-discovered-with-new-genetic-test/">lobsters</a> can be heard up to three kilometers away. 

The research may lead to the development of acoustic monitoring strategies to help conserve the lobsters, which are now dwindling as a result of overfishing. 

The European spiny lobsters emit loud broadband sounds called called “antennal rasps" by rubbing their antennas against a file that is located on each side of a plate below their eyes.

A team of experts led by Youenn Jézéquel set up eight underwater microphones between 0.5 and 100 meters away from the lobsters. Overall, the researchers recorded 1,560 antennal rasps that were produced by 24 spiny lobsters in the Bay of Saint Anne du Portzic, France. 

The study, which is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/srep/">Scientific Reports</a>, revealed that the sound projections varied significantly with body size. 

The largest lobsters were detected in recordings captured at the farthest distance of 100 meters. Sounds emitted by the smallest individuals were detected up to 10 meters away, while those from average-sized individuals were captured at distances up to 50 meters. 

After taking into account the loss of sound intensity and the background noise that was present during the experiment, the researchers estimate that antennal rasps from large lobsters could be detectable up to 400 meters away. 

Furthermore, the experts theorize that under conditions with low background noise, the largest European spiny lobsters could actually be heard as far as three kilometers away. 

The findings sugest that antennal rasps could be used to detect and monitor populations of spiny lobsters from exceptional distances. 

According to the study authors, non-invasive tools such as acoustic monitoring are needed to better manage this vulnerable species.

The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/srep/">Scientific Reports</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Spiny lobsters communicate up to 3 kilometers away

A team of experts has discovered that sounds produced by...

<a href="http://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-created-corals-with-a-higher-heat-tolerance/">Corals</a> do not always turn white after bleaching, but often produce bright neon colors. In a new study from the <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/">University of Southampton</a>, scientists have determined that this mysterious transformation is a sign that the corals are fighting to survive. 

As a result of accumulated heat stress, coral animals expel the algae that live in their tissues. The corals have a symbiotic relationship with these algae, or zooxanthellae, and need them to survive. 

Once the algae are lost, the coral skeleton shines through its once colorful tissues in a process known as coral bleaching. The corals typically turn solid white in this process, but some have been found to emit glowing colors. 

To investigate, researchers conducted a series of experiments at the University of Southampton's Coral Reef Laboratory.

The experts discovered that during "colorful bleaching" events, corals produce a type of sunscreen that appears as a colorful display. Beyond protection from the sun, the bright colors may encourage the coral symbionts to return.

Professor Jörg Wiedenmann is the head of the Coral Reef Laboratory.

"Our research shows colorful bleaching involves a self-regulating mechanism, a so-called optical feedback loop, which involves both partners of the symbiosis," explained Professor Wiedenmann. 

"In healthy corals, much of the sunlight is taken up by the photosynthetic pigments of the algal symbionts. When corals lose their symbionts, the excess light travels back and forth inside the animal tissue -reflected by the white coral skeleton." 

"This increased internal light level is very stressful for the symbionts and may delay or even prevent their return after conditions return to normal."

"However, if the coral cells can still carry out at least some of their normal functions, despite the environmental stress that caused bleaching, the increased internal light levels will boost the production of colorful, photoprotective pigments." 

"The resulting sunscreen layer will subsequently promote the return of the symbionts. As the recovering algal population starts taking up the light for their photosynthesis again, the light levels inside the coral will drop and the coral cells will lower the production of the colorful pigments to their normal level."

The researchers believe that corals which undergo colorful bleaching likely experienced mild or brief episodes of heat stress rather than extreme events.

"Bleaching is not always a death sentence for corals, the coral animal can still be alive. If the stress event is mild enough, corals can re-establish the symbiosis with their algal partner," explained Dr. Cecilia D'Angelo. 

"Unfortunately, recent episodes of global bleaching caused by unusually warm water have resulted in high coral mortality, leaving the world's coral reefs struggling for survival."

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

&nbsp;

Corals put up a colorful shield after bleaching

Corals do not always turn white after bleaching, but often...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"]</div>



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="iuA5mpp3jv-1641775-12187" type="single"]</div>



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

[sendtonews key="iuA5mpp3jv-1641775-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



---



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?

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"] Astronomers at Johns Hopkins University have created...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="f8fukm28Vz-2491833-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0dEcERCq61-2283382-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

[sendtonews key="0dEcERCq61-2283382-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Stowers...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="3UUsNkFOuS-2487333-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

[sendtonews key="3UUsNkFOuS-2487333-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"]</div>



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)



---



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

News coming your way