<p>A new study reports microbial DNA preserved inside woolly and steppe mammoth remains that are older than one million years. The team shows that some bacteria were living with these animals while they were alive, not just invading after death.</p>



<p>Researchers analyzed DNA from 483 specimens and sequenced 440 of them for the first time. From a steppe mammoth that lived about 1.1 million years ago, they even pieced together parts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-buried-for-millions-of-years-may-guide-search-for-alien-life/">bacterial</a> genomes that once infected or inhabited the animal.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-microbes-in-mammoths">Ancient microbes in mammoths</h2>



<p>The work was led by Benjamin Guinet, a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Palaeogenetics in Stockholm (<a href="https://palaeogenetics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CPG</a>). The Centre is a collaboration between Stockholm University and the Swedish Museum of Natural History (<a href="https://www.nrm.se/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NRM</a>).</p>



<p>"Our results push the study of microbial DNA back beyond a million years, opening up new possibilities to explore how host-associated microbes evolved in parallel with their hosts," said Guinet. </p>



<p>The project involved an international team of experts working across multiple collections and labs.</p>



<p>The researchers used strict lab protocols, computational filters, and DNA damage checks to separate life stage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-found-alive-sealed-inside-rock-after-2-billion-years/">microbes</a> from postmortem contaminants. That approach helped them focus on organisms that were likely part of the mammoth’s own internal community.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inside-mammoth-dna">Inside mammoth DNA</h2>



<p>The scientists kept finding the same six types of bacteria in mammoth remains from different times and places, including close relatives of <em>Actinobacillus</em>, <em>Pasteurella</em>, <em>Streptococcus</em>, and <em>Erysipelothrix</em>. </p>



<p>This pattern suggests that these microbes had a long history with mammoths, sticking with them through environmental changes and population shifts.</p>



<p>The scientists distinguished host-associated microbes, meaning those living in or on a host while it was alive, from environmental bacteria that entered after burial. </p>



<p>They used metagenomics, a method that reads all DNA in a sample at once, then identified ancient damage patterns to authenticate the oldest material.</p>



<p>From the 1.1 million year steppe mammoth, the team reconstructed partial genomes of <em>Erysipelothrix</em> that likely came from an infection during life. This is the oldest authenticated host-associated microbial DNA ever reported, and it extends the range for studying ancient host <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-aquificales-discovered-in-hot-springs-breathe-oxygen-and-sulfur-at-same-time/">microbe</a> interactions.</p>



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



<p>This result builds on earlier work that recovered genome scale data from mammoth teeth more than one million years old, demonstrating that DNA can survive when conditions are right. </p>



<p>The previous <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03224-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> established methods and expectations for data quality at this extreme age.</p>



<p>Ancient DNA is fragile and breaks into tiny pieces, and chemical changes accumulate over time. By tracking these signatures, scientists can tell ancient sequences from modern contamination and avoid false signals.</p>



<p>"As microbes evolve fast, obtaining reliable DNA data across more than a million years was like following a trail that kept rewriting itself," said study senior author Tom van der Valk.</p>



<p>"Our findings show that ancient remains can preserve biological insights far beyond the host genome, offering us perspectives on how microbes influenced adaptation, disease, and extinction in Pleistocene ecosystems."</p>



<p>The Pleistocene was a period from about 2.6 million years ago to 11,700 years ago that included repeated ice ages.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbes-linked-to-mammoth-health">Microbes linked to mammoth health</h2>



<p>One bacterium in the dataset is closely related to a <em>Pasteurella</em> species implicated in lethal outbreaks among African elephants. That connection is supported by a 2023 <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37880229/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">paper</a> that identified a Pasteurella relative as the likely cause of fatal septicemia in elephants in Zimbabwe.</p>



<p>The new study reports several putative <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2646308/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">virulence factors</a>, which are gene features tied to disease-causing ability, in some clades. The authors are careful about cause and effect because ancient DNA is incomplete and infections leave mixed traces.</p>



<p><em>Erysipelothrix</em> is also known to sicken Arctic wildlife today, including muskoxen during unusual mortality events. That pattern has been documented in a Canadian Veterinary <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4431149/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal</a> that found <em>Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae</em> associated with widespread deaths in the Canadian Arctic.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mammoth-survival-and-microbes">Mammoth survival and microbes</h2>



<p>Microbes that stayed with mammoths for hundreds of thousands of years hint at stable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breathing-without-oxygen-how-ancient-microbes-powered-early-life/">relationships</a> shaped by diet, climate, and social behavior. The persistence of these lineages across far flung regions points to deep coevolution.</p>



<p>The last woolly mammoths survived on Wrangel Island until about 4,000 years ago, long after mainland populations vanished. Genetic work on that relict group links their late survival to small population size and accumulating harmful mutations.</p>



<p>"This work opens a new chapter in understanding the biology of extinct species. Not only can we study the genomes of mammoths themselves, but we can now begin to explore the microbial communities that lived inside them," said Love Dalén, professor of evolutionary genomics at the CPG. </p>



<p>Ultimately, the data help connect health, ecology, and extinction risks in a single picture.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-this-research-can-go-next">Where this research can go next</h2>



<p>Reconstructing ancient microbiomes can help set baselines for living elephant microbiomes. That matters because health, diet, and stress are all reflected in the microbiome, the community of microbes that live in and on an organism.</p>



<p>Ancient pathogen signals can also clarify whether outbreaks played a role in population declines. Learning which bacteria carried disease associated genes in the past could inform surveillance and treatment strategies for modern elephants.</p>



<p>Finally, the same tools can be applied to other Ice Age species to test whether long-lived microbial partners were the rule rather than the exception. Careful sampling, clean labs, and independent checks will keep new claims on firm ground.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674(25)00917-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Cell</em></a>.</p>



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Million year-old mammoth microbes reveal new clues about disease

A new study reports microbial DNA preserved inside woolly and steppe mammoth remains that are older than one million years. The team shows that some bacteria were living with these animals while they were alive, not just invading after death. Researchers analyzed DNA from 483 specimens and sequenced 440 of them for the first time. From a steppe mammoth that lived about 1.1 million years ago, they even pieced together parts of bacterial genomes that once infected or inhabited the animal. Ancient microbes in mammoths The work...

<p>Microplastics have been found in alarming concentrations in some of Europe’s most iconic rivers. From the Thames to the Tiber, researchers discovered that no waterway was free from this form of pollution.</p>



<p>The findings are based on a large collaborative effort that highlights the widespread and often invisible presence of microplastics in Europe’s freshwater systems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-total-load-of-microplastics">Total load of microplastics </h2>



<p>The research was led by scientists from the <a href="https://www.cnrs.fr/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">French National Center for Scientific Research</a> (CNRS), in collaboration with 19 laboratories across Europe. </p>



<p>The investigation encompassed 14 separate studies that analyzed nine major rivers, including the Elbe, Ebro, Garonne, Loire, Rhone, Rhine, Seine, Thames, and the Tiber.</p>



<p>Despite having far fewer particles per cubic meter compared to some of the world’s most polluted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/iconic-american-rivers-are-threatened-by-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rivers</a>, such as the Ganges or Yangtze, the sheer volume of water in Europe’s rivers means the total load of microplastics is still significant.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarming-presence-of-microplastics">Alarming presence of microplastics </h2>



<p>The pollution levels detected in the rivers averaged three microplastics per cubic meter of water. That may seem low at first glance, but considering the fast-moving currents in these rivers, the flow quickly adds up.</p>



<p>In Valence, France, the Rhone River carries about 3,000 microplastic particles per second. In Paris, the Seine transports roughly 900 per second.</p>



<p>"The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastic-pollution-found-in-every-aquatic-species-tested/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a> is present in all European rivers," said Jean-François Ghiglione, who coordinated the project. He noted that this widespread presence is "alarming."</p>



<p>"The mass of microplastics invisible to the naked eye is more significant than that of the visible ones," said Ghiglione, noting that this finding surprised the team.</p>



<p>Advances in analytical tools since the study began in 2019 have enabled researchers to detect and measure even the tiniest fragments.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-does-the-pollution-come-from">Where does the pollution come from?</h2>



<p>To collect data, a team of around 40 chemists, biologists, and physicists traveled upstream from the mouths of the rivers to the first major city on each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-impacts-on-waterways-contribute-to-the-climate-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waterway</a>.</p>



<p>The samples revealed tiny microplastics, including synthetic fibers from laundry, particles worn off car tires, and bits released when opening plastic bottles.</p>



<p>"Microplastics are smaller than a grain of rice," said Alexandra Ter Halle, a chemist who contributed to the analysis.</p>



<p>The researchers also identified “virgin” plastic pellets - tiny granules used to manufacture <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/9936-chemicals-found-in-plastic-products-used-for-food-packaging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic products</a>. Often referred to as "mermaid tears," these pellets can escape from industrial sites and end up in rivers and oceans, especially after maritime spills.</p>



<p>"What we see is the pollution is diffuse and established," said Ghiglione. "It comes from everywhere."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-industry-fuels-microplastic-pollution">Industry fuels microplastic pollution</h2>



<p>One of the more surprising findings was that a quarter of the microplastics identified in the rivers did not come from discarded <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coca-cola-pepsi-among-top-contributors-to-plastic-waste/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic waste</a>. Instead, the particles originated from industrial pellets.</p>



<p>The implications are very concerning. One of the studies even detected a bacterium clinging to a microplastic in the Loire that is known to cause infections in humans.</p>



<p>As part of an international coalition involved in ongoing United Nations negotiations on plastic pollution, the researchers are pushing for upstream solutions.</p>



<p>"The international scientific coalition we are part of (as part of international UN negotiations on reducing plastic pollution) is calling for a major reduction in the production of primary plastic because we know that plastic production is directly linked to pollution," Ghiglione said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-swift-and-coordinated-action-is-needed">Swift and coordinated action is needed</h2>



<p>This research adds urgency to global conversations about how plastic production and waste management are regulated. Microplastics have already been found in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and even our bloodstreams and brains.</p>



<p>Their presence in major European rivers confirms that the issue is no longer isolated to far-off coastlines or heavily polluted regions. Microplastic pollution is local, persistent, and rapidly spreading.</p>



<p>Beyond environmental damage, the potential health risks to humans and wildlife raise serious concerns. </p>



<p>Scientists warn that without swift and coordinated action to curb plastic production, improve industrial standards, and enforce stricter regulations, this form of pollution will only accelerate further and threaten ecosystems, public health, and future generations.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-024-35827-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Science and Pollution Research</a></em>.</p>



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'Alarming' levels of microplastics found in every major European river

Microplastics have been found in alarming concentrations in some of...

<p>Recent findings indicate that the moon’s farside may contain far less water in its mantle than the side that perpetually faces Earth.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Scientists studying rock and soil returned from this lesser-seen region have uncovered an intriguing possibility that water may be distributed unevenly throughout the lunar interior, shedding new light on how the moon formed and evolved over billions of years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-intriguing-hemispheric-difference">An intriguing hemispheric difference </h2>



<p>Soil and rocks recovered from the moon's mysterious <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/huge-differences-found-between-the-moons-near-and-farside/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">farside</a> suggest it may be drier than the side constantly facing Earth, according to a team of Chinese scientists. </p>



<p>The samples were gathered by China’s Chang’e-6 (CE6) mission and analyzed by researchers at the <a href="https://english.cas.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese Academy of Sciences</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Although missions over the decades have detected anywhere from 1 to 200 micrograms of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moons-entire-surface-is-covered-with-water-and-hydroxyl-not-just-the-poles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water </a>per gram of lunar material on the near side, the new measurements indicate the farside may be on the exceptionally dry end of the spectrum, pointing to an intriguing hemispheric difference.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-landmark-lunar-mission">A landmark lunar mission</h2>



<p>China became the first nation to land a spacecraft on the farside last year. The CE6 probe touched down in the South Pole-Aitken basin, a massive impact crater on the lunar farside that is one of the largest in the solar system.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By returning five grams of volcanic rock and soil, the mission provided scientists with their first opportunity to characterize water content beneath the less-explored hemisphere.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Within those five grams, 578 tiny particles were selected for close analysis with electron microscopes. </p>



<p>This work builds on more than a decade of research into lunar water, which first began shifting scientific opinion away from viewing the moon as “bone dry” to recognizing that it contains small but meaningful amounts of water locked in its mantle.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exceptionally-dry-lunar-rocks">Exceptionally dry lunar rocks</h2>



<p>The CE6 sample analysis focused on mineral grains - especially apatite, a phosphate mineral known to trap hydrogen, and tiny pockets of ancient molten rock called melt inclusions. </p>



<p>These inclusions, often encased in minerals like olivine or ilmenite, can record the chemistry of the original magma that melted deep in the mantle and rose to the surface. Apatite and melt inclusions therefore serve as invaluable windows into the moon’s interior.</p>



<p>The researchers estimate that the water content of the parent magma for these far-side basalts could have ranged from about 15 to 168 micrograms per gram.&nbsp;</p>



<p>After careful modeling of how water-bearing minerals crystallize and release their hydrogen over time, they concluded that the mantle source for these rocks might contain just 1 to 1.5 micrograms of water per gram - among the lowest estimates so far for any region of the moon.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-moon-s-dry-side">Significance of the moon's dry side</h2>



<p>A better grasp of water distribution in the lunar interior can help explain how the moon formed, whether through a giant impact or another process, and how its mantle evolved as it cooled.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The near side, especially the Procellarum KREEP Terrane, holds more thorium and appears richer in water. </p>



<p>By contrast, the farside’s low thorium and reduced water content suggest a deep-seated imbalance, possibly caused by the enormous collision that created the South Pole-Aitken basin. That event could have relocated water-bearing minerals, leaving the farside comparatively depleted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-upcoming-moon-missions">Upcoming moon missions</h2>



<p>Even if confirmed by further samples, these results do not upend existing mission plans. Astronauts will likely continue targeting the near side, particularly near the south pole, where ice may be abundant in permanently shadowed craters.&nbsp;</p>



<p><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a> aims to send four astronauts around the moon next year as part of its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grow-plants-on-moon-by-2026-nasa-artemis-iii-mission/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Artemis</a> program, followed by a landing no earlier than 2027. China has also announced plans for its own crewed lunar landing by 2030.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Both space agencies have strong motivation to explore and possibly utilize ice deposits for life support and rocket fuel, making the relatively water-poor farside less of a priority for immediate human presence.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mystery-of-the-moon-s-interior">Mystery of the moon's interior</h2>



<p>The new estimate of dryness from the farside underlines how much remains unknown about the moon’s interior and its hemispherical differences. Further sampling will be crucial before scientists can assert that the entire farside is as arid as these initial fragments suggest.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Future missions by NASA’s Artemis program and additional Chinese projects aim to collect still more diverse samples, potentially revealing whether the dryness is widespread or limited to one particular region.</p>



<p>Nevertheless, the potential for a drier farside does not diminish the scientific significance of exploring this untouched terrain. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-study-of-the-moon-s-dry-side">Ongoing study of the moon's dry side</h2>



<p>The quest to understand lunar water continues to reshape models of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-earth-get-its-moon-a-new-theory-has-emerged/">moon’s origin</a> and development, guiding how researchers plan future missions, target landing sites, and search for the best places to establish a lasting foothold on Earth’s only natural satellite.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, the researchers behind the CE6 findings emphasize that more data - and more samples - are key. </p>



<p>Study co-author Sen Hu, an astrophysicist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, concluded that more samples are required to further investigate how much water there is on the farside. </p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08870-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature</em></a>.</p>



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'Dry side' of the Moon reveals new details about lunar evolution

Recent findings indicate that the moon’s farside may contain far...

<p>Faint glows in the night sky, often seen above distant city skylines, can do more than reveal urban sprawl. Recent findings show that even extremely low levels of artificial light can affect freshwater systems, sparking rises in certain algae while changing how carbon flows through lake ecosystems.</p>



<p>Researchers at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (<a href="https://www.igb-berlin.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IGB</a>) investigated these effects, demonstrating how skyglow - artificial light scattered in the atmosphere - can reach remote <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lakes-are-warming-toward-the-point-of-no-return/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lakes</a> and subtly disrupt the balance of microscopic organisms.</p>



<p>“The effects of skyglow on freshwater ecosystems were largely unknown until recently. However, we have now learned that many of the organisms in lakes follow a day-night rhythm.,” said IGB researcher Hans-Peter Grossart, who led the research.</p>



<p>“In our study, we have shown that artificial light at night promotes the proliferation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turning-plants-into-carbon-capture-machines-with-cyanobacteria/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cyanobacteria</a>, also known as blue-green algae, which can produce toxins. Skyglow also stimulates carbon cycling in freshwaters.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-light-pollution-in-lakes">Studying light pollution in lakes</h2>



<p>The team used the IGB’s <a href="https://www.igb-berlin.de/en/infrastructure/lakelab" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LakeLab</a>, a one-of-a-kind experimental platform set within a larger lake. This setup consists of 24 separate enclosures, each containing 1,300 cubic meters of lake water and isolating its contents from the rest of the environment.</p>



<p>At the start of the experiment, the researchers ensured that algae, bacteria, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungi-can-think-and-make-smart-decisions-without-a-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungi</a>, and small crustaceans were evenly distributed throughout all of these enclosures.</p>



<p>Ten of these sections were lit at night for a month using a specially designed system that introduced levels of illumination ranging from 0.06 lux, resembling typical skyglow in urbanized areas, to 6 lux, the highest documented skyglow level ever measured. Five enclosures were left dark as controls.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-artificial-illumination-and-cyanobacteria">Artificial illumination and cyanobacteria</h2>



<p>The experiment was designed to test whether low-intensity nighttime light would alter the composition and metabolism of lake organisms. </p>



<p>The focus was on microorganisms, especially the bacteria and algae crucial to cycling nutrients like carbon. The scientists wanted to see if weak night lighting could trigger noticeable changes in how the lake community produced and processed organic material.</p>



<p>Study co-author Mark Gessner is an IGB researcher one of the coordinators of the project on light pollution in lakes.</p>



<p>“The IGB LakeLab offers ideal conditions for such a large-scale experiment where cause-and-effect relationships can be ascertained in realistic field settings by comparing responses of lit and unlit control enclosures,” said Gessner.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bacteria-respond-to-low-light-levels">Bacteria respond to low light levels</h2>



<p>During the trial, the scientists tracked how bacterial populations grew and responded, with a particular focus on cyanobacteria and other bacteria that rely on light to generate energy.</p>



<p>The results were significant: these light-using microorganisms increased on average by a factor of 32 in the lit enclosures compared to the dark ones. </p>



<p>Many of them, including cyanobacteria and certain anaerobic phototrophs, rose to levels high enough to suggest a direct response to even the weakest artificial glow.</p>



<p>“In our experiments, even very low light intensities of 0.06 lux were sufficient to elicit a response,” explained co-author Stella Berger, a phytoplankton expert at IGB. </p>



<p>These findings highlight how extremely subtle amounts of artificial light may have bigger ecosystem effects than scientists once assumed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disrupted-carbon-cycling-and-toxins">Disrupted carbon cycling and toxins</h2>



<p>When more light-favoring microbes thrive, the processes driving organic matter production, consumption, and decomposition shift accordingly. </p>



<p>Freshwater systems depend on a balanced cycle: algae, aquatic plants, and photosynthetic bacteria convert inorganic elements such as carbon dioxide into organic matter, which eventually serves as food for other creatures.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-in-lakes-help-fight-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bacteria</a> that function as decomposers break down leftover material, returning nutrients to the environment. The presence of extra cyanobacteria can throw off this balance, sometimes producing toxins harmful to fish, wildlife, and even humans if they accumulate in drinking water sources.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-light-pollution-changes-lakes">Light pollution changes lakes</h2>



<p>Laboratory analysis of water samples from the lit enclosures revealed that under conditions resembling typical urban skyglow, bacterial decomposition of organic substances ramped up considerably. </p>



<p>Genetic evidence confirmed that community composition shifted, with certain species thriving under low artificial light and altering the rate at which carbon and nutrients circulated in the lake.</p>



<p>“An illuminance of 0.06 lux is roughly the illuminance to which organisms can be exposed over large urban areas,” added IGB researcher Franz Hölker, co-author of the study and second coordinator of the project. </p>



<p>This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-pollution-is-transforming-nightlife-on-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">subtle glow</a>, in other words, matches the brightness that rural or distant locations may experience simply because of distant city lights scattering in the atmosphere.</p>



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



<p>The study’s conclusions carry weight for managing freshwater resources. Cyanobacteria blooms can disrupt recreation, kill fish, and release toxins that pose public health risks. </p>



<p>Even if other conditions including temperature and nutrient levels remain stable, the presence of faint artificial light at night might be one more factor tipping the scales toward damaging algae blooms. </p>



<p>The researchers suggest that for cases where algal blooms are not easily explained, light pollution should be considered as a contributing cause.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-increase-in-light-pollution">Global increase in light pollution</h2>



<p>The growing use of satellite imagery and drone technologies can help track which regions might be most affected, offering early warning and mitigation strategies. Still, prevention remains challenging. </p>



<p>The broader global increase in artificial lighting could spark far-reaching changes in habitats never intended to be illuminated.</p>



<p>By showing that conditions once deemed too dim to matter can trigger noteworthy ecological responses, this research shifts the conversation about artificial light pollution. </p>



<p>Though it is easy to overlook faint skyglow, lakes teeming with life are more sensitive to these gentle, scattered illuminations than previously realized.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0043135425002295?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Water Research</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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'Skyglow' from light pollution causes more problems than we knew

Faint glows in the night sky, often seen above distant...

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<p>A new study suggests that the human ability to walk on two legs may have shaped more than just how we move - it could also explain the emergence of rhythm, music, and even language.</p>



<p>The researchers propose that the shift to upright walking played a key role in developing human creativity and communicative abilities, with echoes of that transformation still present in how we think, speak, and relate to each other today.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-upright-walking-and-human-creativity">Upright walking and human creativity</h2>



<p>The study was co-authored by physician and researcher Matz Larsson from <a href="https://www.oru.se/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Örebro University </a>and anthropology professor Dean Falk from <a href="https://www.fsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida State University</a>. </p>



<p>The research explores how the rhythmic sound of footsteps, unique to upright walking, may have laid the groundwork for our sense of timing and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-your-body-moves-to-music-even-if-you-dont-enjoy-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">musicality</a>, and how it influenced the evolution of human interaction and brain development.</p>



<p>“This also explains why running and going for walks promote creativity,” noted Larsson. The steady rhythm of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walk-20-minutes-daily-to-boost-your-brain-power/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">walking</a>, he suggests, could help synchronize thoughts and sharpen perception - a connection that may have deep evolutionary roots.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rhythm-in-the-footsteps">Rhythm in the footsteps</h2>



<p>When early humans began walking upright, they produced a new kind of sound - steady, rhythmic, and easy to predict. This contrasts with the more erratic noise made by quadrupedal movement, such as the irregular steps of a chimpanzee climbing through trees.</p>



<p>“Bipedal footsteps create rhythmic and more predictable sounds of movement, in comparison with the way in which our closest living relative, the chimpanzee, moves on all fours, with irregular steps among rustling tree branches,” Larsson explained.</p>



<p>This regularity likely offered an evolutionary advantage. When two people walk in sync, their footsteps create quiet intervals between steps, giving the brain space to tune in to other sounds in the environment.</p>



<p>“That way, a lion or an enemy can be noticed in time. Individuals with no rhythm who could not manage this most likely waddled, quite literally, their way out of the genetic pool,” added Larsson.</p>



<p>This auditory clarity may have helped humans survive by detecting threats sooner. But the implications go further. The rhythm of footsteps may also have trained the brain to group sounds together, paving the way for musical patterns and structured <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-humans-start-talking-scientists-may-have-found-the-answer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">speech</a> beginning with upright walking.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-the-womb-to-the-world">From the womb to the world</h2>



<p>Even before birth, the effects of rhythmic motion seem to leave a mark. As pregnant women walk, the steady up-and-down motion of their footsteps activates multiple sensory systems in the fetus - including hearing, balance, touch, and body awareness (known as proprioception).</p>



<p>The tempo of normal walking - around 120 steps per minute - happens to match the beat of many musical compositions.</p>



<p>“Our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-music-affects-a-babys-heartbeat-before-birth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heartbeat</a> has a different rhythm, around 70 beats per minute, and the heartbeat only stimulates hearing,” Larsson noted. “This means that footsteps create a significantly more music-like experience. Babies are soothed by being rocked. Perhaps it's because it simulates when the mother was walking around during pregnancy?”</p>



<p>This early exposure to rhythm may prime infants to respond to tempo, soothing them and preparing them for later experiences of music and movement.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-melody-of-early-speech">The melody of early speech</h2>



<p>Larsson’s co-author Dean Falk has spent years studying “baby talk" - the melodic, exaggerated style adults use when speaking to infants. Falk suggests this behavior may have developed as a way to compensate for a loss of physical closeness.</p>



<p>Once humans began walking upright, babies could no longer cling to their mother’s fur, which reduced constant physical contact between parent and child.</p>



<p>“That's how baby talk arose - as a substitute for the physical connection between babies and parents, according to Falk's research. This may have stimulated the evolution of music and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-did-humans-first-develop-language-scientists-think-they-know/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">language</a>,” Larsson said.</p>



<p>In this view, the rhythmic and melodic aspects of early speech - used to comfort and bond with infants - may have contributed to the rise of both language and musical expression.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-upright-walking-boosts-creativity">Upright walking boosts creativity</h2>



<p>Larsson believes these ancient patterns are still alive in modern human behavior. “In my experience, running and going for walks promote creativity and can give rise to new thoughts - and going for a walk with a friend stimulates the exchange of ideas,” he said.</p>



<p>Walking doesn’t just help us think more clearly - it may also enhance how we connect with others, synchronizing speech and movement in subtle but meaningful ways.</p>



<p>Larsson had personal inspiration for this theory. “My son Filip has Down syndrome and is a great music lover. He has a special rhythmic ability and likes to walk in step with his dad. The sounds that are created when we are out walking replace the talking - he no longer uses words, he signs instead. Filip got me thinking outside the box,” he said.</p>



<p>With upright walking, father and son communicate without words, guided by the shared rhythm of their steps. For Larsson, this everyday experience points to something profound: the cadence of bipedal motion may have done more than free our hands - it may have freed our minds.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/734554" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Current Anthropology</em></a>.</p>



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Upright walking may have sparked human creativity and music

A new study suggests that the human ability to walk...

<p>In the shallows off Taiwan’s western coast, a centuries-old jawbone fossil lay hidden beneath the sea. It wasn’t buried in a cave or preserved in a mountain. Instead, it rested quietly in the sediment of the Penghu Channel - until chance and curiosity brought it to light.</p>



<p>What began as a fisherman’s haul would soon rewrite the story of a long-lost branch of humanity. Scientists now confirm that this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-modern-fossils-will-be-the-most-surprising-to-future-explorers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient</a> jawbone belonged to a Denisovan, one of the most mysterious human relatives ever identified.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jawbone-fossil-from-rare-denisovan-group">Jawbone fossil from rare Denisovan group</h2>



<p>The Denisovans are an extinct group of archaic humans, first identified in 2010. Their name comes from the Siberian cave where their remains were originally discovered.</p>



<p>They are neither <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-and-neanderthals-species-face-structure-evolved-differently/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neanderthals</a> nor modern humans, but something distinct. They share ancestors with both of these hominins, and have left genetic remnants in living populations today. Much about them remains uncertain, because their physical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-extinction-theories-are-challenged-by-new-research/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossils</a> are extremely rare.</p>



<p>"Denisovan fossils are very scarce," said study co-author Takumi Tsutaya at the <a href="https://www.soken.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Graduate University for Advanced Studies</a> in Japan.</p>



<p>Until recently, their known fossils included only a few teeth, jaw fragments, and a finger bone. These remains came mostly from Denisova Cave in southern Siberia and a cave in Tibet. </p>



<p>Hints of Denisovan presence in Laos and China have emerged, but no direct molecular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cambrian-fossils-reveal-new-clues-about-arthropod-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence</a> had confirmed those suspicions. That changed with the jawbone, which is now known as Penghu 1.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accidental-discovery-turns-into-treasure">Accidental discovery turns into treasure</h2>



<p>Penghu 1’s story began not in a lab, but on a fishing boat. In the early 2000s, a trawler operating near the Taiwan Strait dredged up the fossil from the seabed. </p>



<p>It made its way to an antique shop, where it sat unrecognized until 2008, when a collector noticed its potential and donated it to Taiwan’s <a href="https://www.nmns.edu.tw/en/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Museum of Natural Science</a>.</p>



<p>The fossil jawbone's location - once part of the Asian mainland during times when sea levels were lower - places it in an area that could have been accessible to ancient humans.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Denisovan-male_jawbone-fossil_discovery_Taiwan_credit-Cheng-Han-Sun_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Denisovan-male_jawbone-fossil_discovery_Taiwan_credit-Cheng-Han-Sun_1s.webp" alt="Researchers extracted ancient proteins from the bone and tooth enamel of this Denisovan jawbone discovered in Taiwan. Credit: Chun-Hsiang Chang, Jay Chang" class="wp-image-1965636"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Researchers extracted ancient proteins from the bone and tooth enamel of this Denisovan jawbone discovered in Taiwan. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Chun-Hsiang Chang, Jay Chang</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Initial attempts to study the jawbone were limited. The fossil was too degraded to yield ancient DNA, which is typically the most reliable way to identify archaic human lineages. However, scientists from Taiwan, Japan, and Denmark took a different route. </p>



<p>Using advanced protein analysis, they found molecular signatures preserved in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prototaxites-the-mystery-fossil-from-a-lost-branch-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil</a>’s bone and tooth enamel.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jawbone-proteins-match-denisovans">Jawbone proteins match Denisovans</h2>



<p>Rather than rely on DNA, the team turned to palaeoproteomics, a method that involves studying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-evolution-timeline-pushed-back-20-million-years-by-baminornis-zhenghensis-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient</a> proteins. From just 25 milligrams of jawbone, they recovered 4241 amino acid residues - an unusually high number for such old material.</p>



<p>These proteins included bone collagen and enamel proteins like amelogenin and enamelin. Within these, the researchers found two Denisovan-specific protein variants that sealed the identification.</p>



<p>One key marker was a variant of the protein ameloblastin (M273V) that is rarely found in modern humans but is present at high frequency in populations with known Denisovan ancestry.</p>



<p>Another protein marker was found in collagen (COL1A2; R996K), and this had previously been identified in Siberian and Tibetan Denisovans. Together, these markers matched closely with those found in Denisova 3, a well-studied Denisovan fossil from Siberia.</p>



<p>Penghu 1 also revealed its biological sex. Scientists identified amelogenin Y, a protein variant found only in males. The enamel peptides matched 11 of 23 diagnostic sites, allowing them to classify the jawbone’s owner as male with confidence.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jawbone-fossil-shows-possible-male-traits">Jawbone fossil shows possible male traits</h2>



<p>The Denisovan identity of Penghu 1 adds to our growing understanding of their morphology. Alongside other known Denisovan fossils, the jawbone helps define a set of physical traits. </p>



<p>These include a low but thick mandibular body, wide dental arcade, large molars, and unusually strong premolar roots. </p>



<p>Some molars showed signs of extra roots and the absence of wisdom teeth - features that are shared with other confirmed Denisovan fossils from Tibet and Siberia.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Denisovan-male_jawbone-discovery_Taiwan_illustration-credit-Cheng-Han-Sun_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Denisovan-male_jawbone-discovery_Taiwan_illustration-credit-Cheng-Han-Sun_1s.webp" alt="This illustration provided by researchers in April 2025 depicts a Denisovan male in Taiwan in the Pleistocene era about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago. Credit: Cheng-Han Sun" class="wp-image-1965634"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>This illustration provided by researchers in April 2025 depicts a Denisovan male in Taiwan in the Pleistocene era about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Cheng-Han Sun</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Interestingly, all well-preserved Denisovan jawbones and teeth that have been found so far - Denisova 4, Denisova 8, Xiahe 1, and now Penghu 1 - belonged to males.</p>



<p>This raises a question. </p>



<p>Were robust jaws a male trait, or do they reflect the general Denisovan condition? Female specimens, like the gracile Jinniushan fossil from northeast China, might offer clues if their Denisovan identity is confirmed through molecular analysis.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-siberian-caves-to-island-shores">From Siberian caves to island shores</h2>



<p>Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this discovery is its location. </p>



<p>Penghu lies over 4000 kilometers southeast of the Denisova Cave and more than 2000 kilometers from Xiahe in Tibet. Denisovans now appear to have occupied a vast range - from cold, mountainous regions to tropical, coastal lowlands.</p>



<p>Genetic studies had previously suggested that Denisovans contributed DNA to modern human populations in East and Southeast Asia, including those in the Philippines. </p>



<p>The jawbone offers direct evidence that Denisovans not only passed through, but lived in such environments.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Denisovan_jawbone-discovery_Taiwan_map_credit-Cheng-Han-Sun_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Denisovan_jawbone-discovery_Taiwan_map_credit-Cheng-Han-Sun_1s.webp" alt="Fossil sites are also shown. (Inset) Photos of Penghu 1 show the (top) superior and (bottom) right lateral views. Credit: Chun-Hsiang Chang, Jay Chang" class="wp-image-1965632"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Fossil sites are also shown. (Inset) Photos of Penghu 1 show the (top) superior and (bottom) right lateral views. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Chun-Hsiang Chang, Jay Chang</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Penghu 1's discovery confirms that Denisovans thrived in conditions unlike those associated with Neanderthals, who lived mostly in Europe and parts of western Asia. </p>



<p>The ability to survive in cold highlands and warm islands speaks to the impressive adaptability of these ancient hominins.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-denisovan-jawbone-reshapes-story-of-evolution">Denisovan jawbone reshapes story of evolution</h2>



<p>This fossil shifts how we understand Denisovan evolution and dispersal. Its morphology supports the idea that Denisovans evolved unique traits after splitting from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dna-analysis-reveals-most-recent-modern-human-to-interbreed-with-neanderthals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neanderthals</a> over 400,000 years ago.</p>



<p>These weren’t just random primitive features. They represent a distinct evolutionary path within the genus <em>Homo</em> - one that ran parallel to our own.</p>



<p>"We can identify Neanderthal elements and Denisovan elements" in the DNA of some people alive today, said Tsutaya.</p>



<p>Now, with Penghu 1, scientists can trace some of those Denisovan elements back to a real individual who once lived, breathed, and chewed with the powerful jaw found beneath the waves. </p>



<p>The fossil’s protein record brings Denisovans into sharper focus - not just as genetic contributors to our own genomes, but as people with faces, bones, and stories waiting to be uncovered.</p>



<p>The study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ads3888" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Science</em></a>.</p>



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Jawbone discovery adds to the mystery of our Denisovan ancestors

In the shallows off Taiwan’s western coast, a centuries-old jawbone...

<p>Arsenic in seafood has long stirred questions for health experts. A new report reveals interesting findings that might raise eyebrows among families who frequently eat these products.</p>



<p>The research highlights concerns about certain species consumed in Shenzhen, China. Bo Fu, a researcher from the <a href="https://www.nature.com/nature-index/institution-outputs/china/shenzhen-center-for-disease-control-and-prevention-szcdc-guangdong-cdc/5432425a140ba054651d0875" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shenzhen Center for Disease Control</a>, played a key role in guiding this investigation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dangers-of-arsenic">Dangers of arsenic</h2>



<p>Arsenic can occur in multiple forms, yet <a href="https://monographs.iarc.fr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inorganic arsenic</a> is the more toxic variant. The <a href="https://www.iarc.who.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Agency for Research on Cancer</a> places it in Group 1, indicating strong evidence of its harmful effects.</p>



<p>It can build up in the body from day-to-day exposures. That possibility raises special worries for those who rely on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-particles-found-in-99-of-tested-seafood-samples/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seafood</a> for routine meals.</p>



<p>The researchers looked at seafood samples collected over a multi-year period. They paid close attention to the quantity of inorganic arsenic found in common items like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-eating-farmed-fish-may-be-safer-than-eating-fish-caught-in-the-wild/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a>, shrimp, crab, and shellfish.</p>



<p>They confirmed that children and teenagers might be especially at risk when they eat large amounts of certain varieties. They also observed that the majority of consumers stay within suggested intake limits.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arsenic-risk-for-children">Arsenic risk for children</h2>



<p>Kids usually weigh less than adults, so even moderate arsenic in their meals can mean a higher dose per pound. </p>



<p>Children also tend to consume certain favorites more frequently, which could further elevate the arsenic risk and chance of problems down the line.</p>



<p>Some groups in this study had indications of non-cancer issues linked to frequent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-are-widespread-in-the-seafood-we-eat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seafood consumption</a>. Possible cancer-related hazards were also mentioned, urging ongoing checks on local waters.</p>



<p>Long-term exposure to high levels of arsenic is mainly through contaminated water and food, stated the <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/arsenic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Health Organization</a>. They warn that it can cause a range of conditions, including cancers, if levels are not properly controlled.</p>



<p>Parents may benefit from paying closer attention to how often their children eat fish and shrimp. Adults might also consider mixing up <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/feeding-children-healthy-diets-can-be-very-challenging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meal choices</a> to limit repeated exposure.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regular-testing-of-seafood">Regular testing of seafood </h2>



<p>Industrial practices and natural processes both contribute to <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/22797-heavy-metal-test" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heavy metals</a> in coastal zones. Some marine species can accumulate these substances, making them a possible route of exposure for humans.</p>



<p>Experts call for regular testing of local seafood to identify any arsenic risk that could endanger public well-being. They also encourage prompt efforts to address pollution sources.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-children-from-arsenic-risks">Protecting children from arsenic risks </h2>



<p>This project underscores a need for vigilant monitoring, especially when it involves younger demographics. The authors encourage active steps to keep arsenic within safe ranges in common foods.</p>



<p>Public health teams recommend timely sharing of results with parents and communities. They aim to help people make informed choices about daily diets.</p>



<p>"This <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691525001206" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> offers a reminder that children require special attention," stated Bo Fu, the lead author. He and his co-authors emphasize practical guidance for those who eat seafood on a regular basis.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-steps-for-families">Practical steps for families</h2>



<p>Health authorities encourage limited consumption of fish and shrimp for sensitive groups, without cutting them out entirely. Seafood remains a source of vital <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farmed-salmon-diet-would-be-beneficial-for-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nutrients</a>, so balance is important.</p>



<p>Guardians might vary the type of seafood on the plate. They can also watch for advisories from local agencies about contamination levels.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-intervention-and-widespread-education">Early intervention and widespread education </h2>



<p>Communities worldwide deal with inorganic arsenic contamination in drinking water, rice, and other staples. Ongoing studies point to children as a high-priority population because of developing organs and rapid growth.</p>



<p>International guidelines stress early intervention and widespread education. They see local monitoring and strong policies as key barriers against possible harm.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-keeping-seafood-safe">Keeping seafood safe</h2>



<p>Researchers in Shenzhen plan further investigations to track how arsenic levels shift over time. They hope to shape policies that keep residents informed about potential arsenic risks and other health concerns.</p>



<p>Experts also suggest a team effort among government bodies, industry, and academics. Clear rules and consistent updates can help keep aquatic products safer.</p>



<p>Families in Shenzhen and elsewhere can enjoy seafood, but some caution is wise. Careful planning and ongoing research can ease many worries.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278691525001206" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Food and Chemical Toxicology</em></a>.</p>



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Arsenic in popular foods poses a greater risk to children

Arsenic in seafood has long stirred questions for health experts....

Close-up of a seared steak

<p>Meat is a staple in many diets around the world, yet hidden antibiotic residues could pose a risk to unsuspecting consumers. </p>



<p>Researchers have introduced a smartphone-assisted ratio fluorescence method that promises a quick solution to detecting these residues before they reach dinner tables.</p>



<p>This new approach relies on a special probe that shifts its glow from one color to another in the presence of a specific antibiotic. Tests in common meats suggest a swift, precise response that might reduce the need for complex labs or lengthy procedures.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-antibiotic-residue-in-meat">Detecting antibiotic residue in meat</h2>



<p>The platform was created by Zheng Cheng from <a href="https://sites.lynu.edu.cn/gjhz/lxszs/Info_about_Luoyang__Normal_University.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luoyang Normal University</a> and Henan University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with several co-authors from academic institutions.</p>



<p>The researchers set out to tackle antibiotic residue detection in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-in-livestock-are-major-drivers-of-antibiotic-resistance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">livestock</a> after noticing the rising concern of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK535454/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ciprofloxacin</a> medication overuse.</p>



<p>Ciprofloxacin is a synthetic compound widely used to treat infections. Authorities have cautioned that too much antibiotic usage can lead to resistant bacteria, which is why new detection methods are in high demand.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-health-risks-of-antibiotic-residue">Potential health risks of antibiotic residue</h2>



<p>When bacteria get used to certain drugs, they become stronger enemies that can be difficult to eliminate. This situation puts a strain on <a href="http://Researchers have discovered antibiotic residues may be present in meat such as steak which can cause potential health problems." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">public health</a> and sparks worry about the future of infectious disease control.</p>



<p>“Overuse and misuse of antimicrobials in humans and animals is accelerating the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance,” noted the <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Health Organization (WHO)</a>. This warning rings louder than ever, given how often antibiotics appear in daily meals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-concerns-from-national-agencies"><a></a>Concerns from national agencies</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-issues/antimicrobial-resistance" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Food &amp; Drug Administration (FDA)</a> also keeps a close eye on livestock medications and supports strict regulations. Officials note that antibiotic residues in meat can threaten public confidence in food quality.</p>



<p>Watchdogs recommend regular checks to confirm that producers stay within permitted limits. The new testing approach could help address these requirements by offering consistent results in less time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-new-method-works"><a></a>How the new method works</h2>



<p>The researchers built a <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8159423/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bimetallic organic framework</a> that shifts its fluorescence from red to green upon contact with the target. In about 1 minute, this probe reveals an antibiotic’s presence with a detection limit around 90 nanomoles, which is sensitive enough for varied food tests.</p>



<p>Scientists tested <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/beef-industry-can-cut-emissions-by-30-with-sustainable-practices/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beef</a>, chicken, and pork, observing a wide detection range that maintained strong accuracy. The method’s smartphone compatibility gives users a practical way to monitor multiple samples without heavy lab setups.</p>



<p>An unsupervised <a href="https://www.kdnuggets.com/2019/09/hierarchical-clustering.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hierarchical clustering</a> tool was added to assist with classifying results in a straightforward manner. This algorithm helps interpret data faster, which is particularly useful for non-experts.</p>



<p>Combining the phone app and clustering approach means a user can receive a final readout without specialized training. This setup may encourage more widespread testing across various points in the food supply.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-possible-benefits-for-consumers"><a></a>Possible benefits for consumers</h2>



<p>Shoppers may gain more confidence knowing new detection tools exist to keep tabs on antibiotic residues. </p>



<p>Such straightforward methods could help retailers guarantee that customers receive products that meet <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fda-faces-scrutiny-over-synthetic-food-dyes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">safety guidelines</a>.</p>



<p>Individuals who worry about hidden chemicals might see these developments as a proactive step toward clarity. Swift response times also mean producers can catch and address issues before shipping goods to market.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increased-awareness-and-responsibility"><a></a>Increased awareness and responsibility</h2>



<p>Critics have voiced concerns that some manufacturers rely too heavily on antibiotics to speed animal growth and fight disease. This trend leads to rising calls for everyone in the production chain to take a more careful approach.</p>



<p>Public education campaigns highlight the importance of understanding where food comes from. Handy detection methods can support these efforts by revealing when safety thresholds have been exceeded.</p>



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



<p>Experts see potential for expanding this technology to detect other antibiotic compounds and contaminants. That versatility might influence future policies and guidelines around how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electronic-tongue-could-revolutionize-food-safety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food safety</a> is managed.</p>



<p>Streamlined strategies like this one may pave the way for simpler practices in labs and fields alike. The drive to curb antibiotic resistance keeps pushing innovation, and this latest breakthrough offers a promising addition to the toolkit.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-public-health"><a></a>Protecting public health</h2>



<p>Health advocates emphasize that changes in animal husbandry practices go hand in hand with advanced detection methods. If fewer antibiotics are used altogether, any existing residue becomes easier to monitor.</p>



<p>Government agencies might share this technology with smaller farms that lack modern equipment. Such cooperation could prevent antibiotic overuse and boost confidence in the supply chain.</p>



<p>Regulatory bodies continue setting maximum residue limits for drugs in food. Enforcing these rules often hinges on reliable tests that can confirm compliance under real-world conditions.</p>



<p>Without accurate tools, producers could face allegations of improper medication use. Clear guidelines help manage disputes while reinforcing a stable market environment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-steps-for-producers"><a></a>Practical steps for producers</h2>



<p>Farm operators can adopt prudent antibiotic practices by consulting veterinarians and monitoring animal health closely. Periodic sample checks with simpler devices may detect issues early and sidestep bigger penalties.</p>



<p>Consistent record-keeping also lets producers track medication schedules. That data can support claims of responsible antibiotic use if questions arise about residue <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/innovative-sensor-uncovers-hidden-antibiotics-residues-in-milk-and-honey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">levels</a>.</p>



<p>Awareness campaigns often encourage consumers to ask more questions about how their meat is raised. These efforts drive the industry to explore innovative ways to meet growing expectations.</p>



<p>Steady improvements in detection technology hold the key to safeguarding people and animals. Once proven effective on a large scale, approaches like this smartphone-based probe might gain widespread adoption.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S095671352500091X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Food Control</em></a>.</p>



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Antibiotic residue in meat: What experts have discovered

Meat is a staple in many diets around the world,...

<p>For centuries, horses have stood beside humans - on farms, in sport, in therapy, and in war. They carry our weight, follow our signals, and react with subtle cues. But one thing they cannot do is speak. </p>



<p>Horses show discomfort through posture, tension, or the way they walk. Yet, unless you're a trained expert, these signs are easy to miss. What if <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-era-in-wildlife-conservation-how-ai-will-help-protect-elephants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI</a> could give horses a voice - not in words, but through movement data?</p>



<p>That’s exactly what a team of researchers from Sweden is doing. Using a blend of machine learning and synthetic imagery, they’ve created an AI model that can interpret the body language of horses in 3D. </p>



<p>This breakthrough system is named <a href="https://celiali.github.io/Dessie/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dessie</a>, and it may reshape how we detect pain or illness in animals that can’t tell us where it hurts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-reading-horses-is-so-difficult">Why reading horses is so difficult</h2>



<p>Veterinarians often rely on visual cues during clinical exams. However, movements that signal distress are subtle and easy to misinterpret. </p>



<p>Human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-tool-superanimal-can-accurately-analyze-animal-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">observation</a> has its limits - particularly in dynamic settings like walking or trotting. Horses may offload pain to one limb, change their weight distribution, or shift their posture slightly. These changes can indicate orthopedic issues, behavioral distress, or early signs of injury.</p>



<p>Traditional diagnostic tools such as X-rays or MRIs show results after the damage has taken hold. Dessie aims to catch the signs earlier, by helping humans read equine body language more precisely. </p>



<p>The model works by transforming 2D images into 3D representations that reflect the horse’s shape, pose, and motion in real-time.</p>



<p>This isn’t just about visualizing a horse. It’s about interpreting a language that’s always been there - unspoken, physical, and deeply expressive.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isolating-movement-patterns">Isolating movement patterns</h2>



<p>Dessie works using a special kind of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-emotions-can-be-decoded-through-voice-recognition/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI</a> training method called disentangled learning. In traditional models, all the information - pose, shape, background, lighting - is bundled together. That can confuse the AI, making it harder to focus on what matters: the horse.</p>



<p>Disentangled learning separates each feature. It puts shape in one box, pose in another, and ignores irrelevant background noise. </p>



<p>This makes Dessie’s 3D reconstructions not just detailed but reliable. Researchers can now isolate movement patterns without the distraction of surrounding objects or inconsistent lighting.</p>



<p>"Dessie marks the first example of disentangled learning in non-human 3D motion models," said Hedvig Kjellström, Professor in computer vision and machine learning at <a href="https://www.kth.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">KTH Royal Institute of Technology</a>.</p>



<p>Dessie also doesn’t need high-end cameras or markers on the horse’s body. It can work with simple video footage, using just a single camera. That opens up new possibilities for rural clinics, breeders, and researchers who might not have access to expensive imaging technology.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recognizing-how-different-horses-move">Recognizing how different horses move</h2>



<p>To train Dessie, researchers needed massive amounts of visual data. But real-world images of horses in varied poses, lighting, and breeds are hard to collect. </p>



<p>So, the team developed a synthetic data engine called DessiePIPE. It generates endless horse images using a 3D model and AI-generated textures, all based on real-world breed characteristics.</p>



<p>This synthetic approach allows researchers to teach Dessie how different horses move - without needing thousands of live animals. DessiePIPE renders horses walking, eating, rearing, or resting, with random backgrounds and lighting conditions. </p>



<p>The system can even generate matched image pairs that differ in just one <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-monitoring-will-help-protect-endangered-spider-monkeys/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aspect</a> - such as shape or pose - to train the model to notice small differences.</p>



<p>This method not only trains Dessie to recognize subtle motion differences but also makes the system generalize better to new environments.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-detects-how-horses-show-pain">AI detects how horses show pain</h2>



<p>Pain in horses often shows up as subtle changes in gait or stance. These cues can go unnoticed unless observed by experienced clinicians. Dessie offers a new level of insight by translating these signs into 3D metrics.</p>



<p>Elin Hernlund, associate professor at <a href="https://www.slu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SLU</a> and an equine orthopedics clinician, noted that the model helps spot early warning signs.</p>



<p>"Horses are powerful but fragile and they tell us how they are feeling by their body language. By watching their gait we can see, for example, if they are offloading pain," said Hernlund.</p>



<p>With Dessie, that gait can be measured and modeled precisely. The result is a digital record of posture and movement, which can be reviewed repeatedly, compared over time, or shared across clinics.</p>



<p>"We say we created a digital voice to help these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-may-have-three-million-undiscovered-animal-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> break through the barrier of communication between animals and humans. To tell us what they are feeling," said Hernlund.</p>



<p>"It's the smartest and highest resolution way to extract digital information from the horse's body - even their faces, which can tell us a great deal."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-problems-with-real-world-data">Detecting problems with real-world data</h2>



<p>Although Dessie was trained largely on synthetic data, it performs remarkably well on real-world images. The researchers fine-tuned the system using just 150 real annotated images. Even with this small set, Dessie outperformed state-of-the-art models on benchmark tasks.</p>



<p>In keypoint detection tasks, where the system must locate joints or features on a horse's body, Dessie achieved higher accuracy than tools like MagicPony or Farm3D. It also predicted body shape and motion more precisely - essential for detecting problems like lameness or muscular asymmetry.</p>



<p>When trained with larger datasets, Dessie improved even further, beating out models that had been trained on much more data but lacked the structure provided by disentangled learning.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-model-isn-t-limited-to-horses">AI model isn't limited to horses</h2>



<p>Though built for horses, Dessie isn’t limited to them. Its architecture is flexible enough to generalize to similar species like zebras, cows, or deer. The model can reconstruct these animals in 3D, despite never having been trained on them directly.</p>



<p>This opens the door for broader applications in animal welfare, research, and conservation. Endangered species, for instance, could be studied using just photographs and videos, without the need for intrusive monitoring.</p>



<p>The researchers even demonstrated Dessie’s ability to process artistic images - paintings and cartoons - and still generate accurate 3D models. That shows just how well the system can separate core features from visual distractions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-road-ahead-limitations-and-ambitions">The road ahead: Limitations and ambitions</h2>



<p>While promising, Dessie still has limitations. It works best when there’s only one horse in the frame. </p>



<p>If the model encounters unusual body shapes not present in the training data, it struggles to adapt. The team hopes to solve this by incorporating a new model called VAREN, which has better shape diversity.</p>



<p>The experts are also expanding Dessie’s library of visual data. To do that, they’re reaching out to breeders worldwide.</p>



<p>"To achieve this, we're asking breeders to send images of their breeds to capture as much variation as possible," said Hernlund.</p>



<p>With more diverse images, Dessie could learn to identify breed-specific traits, track genetic links to motion patterns, and improve care for horses of all types.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-letting-horses-speak-through-movement">Letting horses speak through movement</h2>



<p>Dessie doesn’t teach horses a new language. Instead, it helps us finally understand the one they’ve always used. By converting motion into a digital voice, the AI makes communication between horses and humans more accurate and empathetic.</p>



<p>It marks a step toward a future where animals can tell us more - where their movements carry the weight of meaning, and where science helps us listen.</p>



<p>For horses, and maybe for other animals too, the silence might finally be over.</p>



<p>The study is published in <em><a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.03438" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arXiv</a></em>. </p>



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How AI is helping horses speak without words

For centuries, horses have stood beside humans - on farms,...

<p>As climate change accelerates, most people think of rising temperatures, melting ice caps, and stronger storms. But there’s another silent force growing stronger in the background - one that directly threatens food systems. The air itself is becoming thirstier.</p>



<p>This atmospheric thirst is not about how dry it feels. It’s about how much water the air can pull from the land, even when there's no drought in sight. Scientists call this "evaporative demand," and it’s emerging as a powerful driver of crop stress, water loss, and agricultural uncertainty.</p>



<p>Recent research by M. S. Kukal of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.uidaho.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Idaho</a>&nbsp;and M. Hobbins of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (<a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA</a>)&nbsp;has identified a dangerous pattern.</p>



<p>As global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astonishing-global-heat-in-january-2025-defied-climate-expectations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperatures</a> rise, extreme events of evaporative demand are not only increasing - they’re changing where and how they strike. The authors have given these intense events a name: thirstwaves.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-the-air-demands-too-much">When the air demands too much</h2>



<p>A thirstwave isn’t just a hot spell. It’s a multi-day period where the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-is-accelerating-beyond-control-as-co2-levels-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmosphere</a> pulls moisture from the land with extraordinary force. </p>



<p>Kukal and Hobbins define it precisely: a thirstwave occurs when the standardized short-crop evapotranspiration (ETos) exceeds the 90th percentile for at least three consecutive days.</p>



<p>"A thirstwave is a period of extremely high evaporative demand that, like its cousin the heat wave, can wreak havoc on a growing season." noted the researchers.</p>



<p>This definition mirrors how meteorologists define heatwaves but centers on a different metric. Instead of just temperature, ETos includes radiation, humidity, and wind - factors that dramatically impact water loss from crops. </p>



<p>That makes thirstwaves a uniquely agricultural stressor, invisible to people but devastating to plants.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-the-invisible">Measuring the invisible</h2>



<p>ETos is calculated based on how much water would evaporate from a well-watered, short grass surface under local weather conditions. It captures the “potential” for water to move from soil and plant surfaces into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-water-day-2025-preserving-glaciers-protecting-our-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmosphere</a>.</p>



<p>During a thirstwave, the atmosphere essentially goes into overdrive, demanding more moisture than usual. From 1981 to 2021, thirstwaves across the United States averaged 0.8 millimeters per day above normal, lasted about 4 days, and occurred nearly 3 times per growing season.</p>



<p>Some places saw much worse. One thirstwave stretched to 17 days. Another county experienced 20 thirstwaves in one season. The High Plains recorded the most intense thirstwaves. Longer events appeared frequently across the South, Upper Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and West Coast.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geography-of-a-growing-crisis">Geography of a growing crisis</h2>



<p>One of the most surprising findings in the study is that thirstwaves don’t align with regions that usually have the highest overall evaporative demand. While the Southwest often leads in seasonal ETos, thirstwave intensity and frequency follow different paths.</p>



<p>Places like the Prairie Gateway and Mississippi Portal now lead in thirstwave severity. That shift means farmers in new regions are facing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-shrinking-earths-atmosphere-and-thats-bad-for-satellites/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental conditions</a> they weren’t prepared for a generation ago.</p>



<p>The High Plains suffer some of the most intense thirstwaves, often exceeding 1 mm per day above the norm. Meanwhile, counties in the South and West Coast report the most frequent events. </p>



<p>This mismatch between long-term averages and extreme conditions shows why thirstwave-specific metrics are essential for future planning.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thirstwaves-are-getting-worse">Thirstwaves are getting worse</h2>



<p>Trends over four decades show a clear and concerning trajectory. Nationwide, thirstwave intensity rose by 0.06 mm/day per decade. Duration increased by 0.10 days, and frequency climbed by 0.39 events per decade.</p>



<p>But the worst-affected regions show even sharper increases. Prairie Gateway stands out with the steepest trend in intensity at 0.13 mm/day per decade. It also leads in frequency with 0.60 more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-constantly-reshuffling-earths-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">events</a> per decade. These changes make it one of the most vulnerable zones for thirstwave impacts.</p>



<p>The Mississippi Portal region saw the longest increases in event duration, rising by 0.17 days per decade. In Southern Seaboard and Fruitful Rim, nearly half the cropland now faces significantly more frequent thirstwaves.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revisiting-an-infamous-drought">Revisiting an infamous drought</h2>



<p>The thirstwave framework gives new insight into one of America’s most infamous droughts. The 2012 drought devastated crops, especially in the Midwest. But now, Kukal and Hobbins show that it also marked the peak of thirstwave severity across much of the nation.</p>



<p>In that year alone, thirstwave intensity across croplands hit 1.32 mm/day - almost twice the long-term average. Events lasted 5.8 days and occurred 8.5 times during the growing season. These values were far above normal, reaching up to 2.8 times the usual frequency in some places.</p>



<p>"2012 demonstrated the most severe thirstwaves observed in CONUS when represented by any of the three characteristics." added M. S. Kukal and M. Hobbins.</p>



<p>The 2011–2012 period accounted for the worst thirstwaves on record in nearly half of all U.S. cropland, based on at least one characteristic: intensity, duration, or frequency. This reanalysis confirms that what we saw in those years was not just heat - it was extreme atmospheric thirst.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-few-places-are-safe-from-thirstwaves">Few places are safe from thirstwaves</h2>



<p>Historically, some counties never faced a thirstwave in a given year. That’s no longer the case. In the 1980s, up to 41% of counties went an entire <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-climate-shift-sheds-light-on-future-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">season</a> without one. But by 2021, that number dropped sharply.</p>



<p>The probability of escaping a thirstwave during the growing season has declined by about 4% each decade. Areas like the Northern Plains and Northern Rockies - once rarely affected - now face at least one thirstwave almost every year.</p>



<p>This means more widespread exposure to crop stress, especially for rainfed farming systems that can’t compensate with irrigation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-thirstwaves-matter-more-than-heatwaves">Why thirstwaves matter more than heatwaves</h2>



<p>Heatwaves dominate climate headlines, but they only tell part of the story. Thirstwaves better capture how extreme weather stresses vegetation. That’s because temperature alone doesn’t drive evapotranspiration. Radiation, wind, and humidity all play major roles.</p>



<p>For example, a warm but humid day may feel intense but poses less risk to crops than a breezy, dry, and sunny one. That second scenario can pull water from leaves and soil at alarming rates - especially when it lasts for days.</p>



<p>By using ETos, thirstwaves provide a broader lens. They explain why crops wilt, why irrigation falls short, and why yields drop even when rainfall is average.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identifying-thirstwaves-earlier">Identifying thirstwaves earlier</h2>



<p>Kukal and Hobbins argue that farmers, water managers, and policymakers need tools to monitor thirstwaves in real time. Most irrigation systems were designed for past climate norms. They’re not built for long, repeated peaks in atmospheric demand.</p>



<p>“Continuing to measure and track thirstwaves will be crucial for crop and water management in the coming years, especially as the climate continues to warm,” the researchers noted.</p>



<p>Regions with shallow aquifers or restricted surface water rights may struggle the most. Even farmers with irrigation may not keep up if their systems can’t meet daily peak demand.</p>



<p>By identifying thirstwaves early, we can adapt farm practices, improve irrigation scheduling, and plan for more resilient agriculture. It won’t stop the air from getting thirstier - but it may help crops survive the heat.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024EF004870" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's Future</a></em>.</p>



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Thirstwaves: The hidden climate threat drying out American farms

As climate change accelerates, most people think of rising temperatures,...

<p>The ocean holds many wonders, but few captivate the human spirit like dolphins do. These sleek, intelligent mammals have inspired stories, songs, and scientific marvel for centuries. On April 14, National Dolphin Day invites us to appreciate their role in nature and urges us to protect them from mounting threats.</p>



<p>This day is not just a celebration of their charm - it is also a call to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/elevated-mercury-levels-discovered-in-dolphins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">awareness</a>. Dolphins face complex challenges, from pollution and habitat destruction to the ethical concerns of captivity. </p>



<p>National Dolphin Day serves as a timely reminder that these animals, so similar to us in many ways, deserve respect and protection.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extraordinary-intelligence-of-dolphins">Extraordinary intelligence of dolphins </h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dolphins-and-whales-got-new-backbones-for-life-in-the-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dolphins</a> are members of the Cetacean family, which includes whales and porpoises. But dolphins often steal the spotlight because of their extraordinary intelligence.</p>



<p>They demonstrate problem-solving abilities, use tools, and even pass down knowledge through generations. Bottlenose dolphins, in particular, have been observed using sea sponges to cover their snouts while foraging on the ocean floor - a behavior that hints at cultural learning.</p>



<p>Their brains are large and complex, second only to humans in size when compared to body weight. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-communication-and-self-awareness">Communication and self-awareness </h2>



<p>Dolphins use echolocation, a form of biological sonar, to navigate murky waters and locate prey. They also communicate using a wide array of clicks, whistles, and body movements.</p>



<p>Some even have signature whistles, functioning much like names, which help identify individuals within their pod.</p>



<p>In captivity, dolphins have demonstrated self-awareness through mirror tests and have shown empathy and cooperation in both wild and trained settings. </p>



<p>Their capacity for emotion and understanding has led scientists to argue that they should be classified as non-human persons, deserving of moral and legal rights.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threats-to-dolphin-survival">Threats to dolphin survival</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-dolphins-who-play-with-others-become-successful-adults/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dolphins</a>, whether gliding through ocean waves or winding through rivers, face growing danger. Across the globe - and off U.S. coasts too - their habitats are under stress. Plastic waste, chemical runoff, and warming waters are changing everything.</p>



<p>But it’s not just what’s in the water - it’s also the noise. Dolphins rely on sound like we rely on sight. Ships, sonar systems, and offshore drilling drown out their world, making it hard to feed, mate, or even stay together.</p>



<p>Fishing gear poses another huge risk. Many dolphins end up trapped in nets meant for tuna or shrimp, unable to reach the surface in time. Some are still caught for marine parks or entertainment shows, despite decades of pushback from scientists and activists.</p>



<p>In the U.S., groups like <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/marine-mammal-protection" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA</a>, the <a href="https://www.dolphinproject.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dolphin Project</a>, and the <a href="https://www.opsociety.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oceanic Preservation Society</a> push for stronger protections. Conservation zones, fishing reforms, and better pollution control are part of the solution - but public support matters too.</p>



<p>National Dolphin Day reminds us that protecting dolphins means protecting the oceans we all depend on.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-make-a-difference">How to make a difference</h2>



<p>You do not have to live by the ocean or work in marine biology to help <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pebanista-yacuruna-giant-dolphin-species-discovered-peru-amazon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dolphins</a>. Supporting dolphin-friendly practices in daily life can go a long way. </p>



<p>Reducing single-use plastics helps prevent ocean litter. Choosing sustainable seafood ensures that fishing practices do not harm marine mammals. Raising awareness about the ethical problems of dolphin captivity can shift public opinion and influence policy.</p>



<p>In the U.S., joining or donating to groups like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Mammal Center</a>&nbsp;or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dolphincommunicationproject.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dolphin Communication Project</a>&nbsp;can help fund vital conservation programs. School programs and public campaigns are also crucial to foster early respect and curiosity for marine life.</p>



<p>When people understand the importance of dolphins in their ecosystem, they are more likely to care for the ocean as a whole.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deeper-meaning-of-national-dolphin-day">Deeper meaning of National Dolphin Day</h2>



<p>National Dolphin Day is not only a celebration - it is a reflection of how humans connect with nature. Dolphins mirror many of our own traits: intelligence, empathy, playfulness, and communication. This connection reminds us that we are not separate from nature, but part of a shared ecosystem.</p>



<p>The future of dolphins depends on the choices we make today. As we mark April 14 with awareness and action, we celebrate not just an animal but a symbol of hope, beauty, and balance in the natural world. </p>



<p>Through protection and respect, we ensure that these marine wonders continue to thrive in our oceans and rivers for generations to come.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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National Dolphin Day 2025: Honoring the ocean’s most playful minds

The ocean holds many wonders, but few captivate the human...

<p>For centuries, sailors navigating the remote oceans have described a surreal experience: vast stretches of ocean glowing steadily through the night, casting a soft white or greenish light across the waves. </p>



<p>These luminous expanses, dubbed “milky seas,” are so bright they can illuminate a ship's deck and can even be spotted from space, covering areas as much as 100,000 square kilometers.</p>



<p>Researchers at <a href="https://www.colostate.edu/">Colorado State University</a> (CSU) have compiled the most comprehensive database to date of these rare and mysterious events, combining 400 years of sailor reports, data from the <a href="https://digital.nmla.metoffice.gov.uk/so_0afb8f96-434b-42c3-8082-056623702322/"><em>Marine Observer Journal</em></a>, and modern satellite imagery.</p>



<p>The project aims to transform folklore into scientific fact and uncover how these bioluminescent seas are linked to large-scale Earth systems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-glowing-ocean-mystery">A glowing ocean mystery</h2>



<p>Despite the long history of reported sightings, milky seas remain largely unexplained. They are thought to be caused by the activity of <em>Vibrio harveyi</em>, a luminous <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/23-new-marine-bacteria-species-discovered-that-influence-global-ocean-cycles/">bacterium</a> that may form vast blooms under the right conditions. </p>



<p>But because these events are rare and usually occur in the remote Indian Ocean, very little data has been gathered to confirm the theory.</p>



<p>“It is really hard to study something if you have no data about it,” said Justin Hudson, a PhD student at CSU and the paper’s lead author. </p>



<p>“To this point, there is only one known photograph at sea level that came from a chance encounter by a yacht in 2019. So, there is a lot left to learn about how and why this happens and what the impacts are to those areas that experience this.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turning-sailor-folklore-into-scientific-data">Turning sailor folklore into scientific data</h2>



<p>The newly assembled database traces reports of milky seas back to the 17th century, documenting when and where they occurred, and matching those accounts with satellite imagery and known climate cycles. </p>



<p>Hudson and his team discovered that most milky sea events cluster around the Arabian Sea and waters near Southeast Asia, and appear to be influenced by large-scale climate phenomena such as the Indian Ocean Dipole and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/el-nino-climate-shifts-date-back-250-million-years/">El Niño</a> Southern Oscillation.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/milky-seas_glowing-color_bioluminescent_mystery_credit_CSU_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/milky-seas_glowing-color_bioluminescent_mystery_credit_CSU_1s.webp" alt="For centuries, sailors have told tales of milky seas—huge swaths of ocean glowing on dark nights, seen in blue in this false–color satellite image. Credit: Steven D. Miller. Colorado State University/NOAA" class="wp-image-1965516"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>For centuries, sailors have told tales of milky seas - huge swaths of ocean glowing on dark nights, seen in blue in this false-color satellite image. Credit: Steven D. Miller. Click imaeg to enlarge. Colorado State University/NOAA</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>“The regions where this happens the most are around the northwest Indian Ocean near Somalia and Socotra, Yemen, with nearly 60% of all known events occurring there,” Hudson explained. </p>



<p>“At the same time, we know the Indian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-land-conditions-affect-the-asian-monsoon-climate/">monsoon</a>’s phases drive biological activity in the region through changes in wind patterns and currents.”</p>



<p>This suggests that the glowing phenomenon may not be random, but rather tied to broader cycles of biological and oceanographic activity. </p>



<p>Milky seas may turn out to be a valuable indicator of carbon and nutrient flows in the global system - especially if bacteria are playing a larger role than previously thought.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-biology-of-milky-seas">The biology of milky seas</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bioluminescence-emerged-in-animals-540-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bioluminescence</a> isn’t rare in nature - fireflies and glowing jellyfish are well-known examples. But what sets milky seas apart is their scale and persistence. </p>



<p>One of the few clues scientists have about their biology comes from a 1985 research vessel that accidentally sailed through a glowing sea and collected a water sample.</p>



<p>The sample revealed luminous bacteria coating the surface of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/algae-revived-after-7000-years-beneath-the-baltic-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algae</a> in a large bloom, potentially explaining the uniform glow. Still, with only one such sample ever taken, more evidence is needed.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/milky-seas_glowing-color_test-tube_bioluminescent_bacteria_credit_CSU_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/milky-seas_glowing-color_test-tube_bioluminescent_bacteria_credit_CSU_1s.webp" alt="The bioluminescence in milky seas is likely caused by a type of bacteria. Credit: S. Haddock / MBARI" class="wp-image-1965519"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>The bioluminescence in milky seas is likely caused by a type of bacteria. Click image to enlarge. Credit: S. Haddock / MBARI</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>According to Hudson, the goal is to send a research vessel out to the site in time to collect information about the biology and chemistry of milky seas. That could be tricky. </p>



<p>So far, no one has managed to deliberately reach a milky sea in time to study it. But with the new database, scientists hope to improve their odds by predicting when and where future events might occur.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gateway-to-earth-system-science">Gateway to Earth system science</h2>



<p>Professor Steven Miller, Hudson’s research advisor and co-author of the study, has long been fascinated by milky seas and helped pioneer efforts to image them from satellites. </p>



<p>For him, this research is about more than solving an old oceanic mystery - it's about tapping into a previously overlooked part of the planet’s biosphere.</p>



<p>“Milky seas are incredible expressions of our biosphere whose significance in nature we have not yet fully determined,” Miller stated. </p>



<p>“Their very existence points to unexplored connections between the surface and the sky, and between microscopic to the global scale roles of bacteria in the Earth system."</p>



<p>"With the help of this new database, forged from sea-faring ships of the 17th century all the way to spaceships of modern times, we begin to build a bridge from folklore to scientific understanding.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-bright-future-for-research">A bright future for research</h2>



<p>As Hudson prepares to defend his thesis this summer, he’s hopeful the work will open up new avenues for studying the intersection of climate, biology, and oceanography.</p>



<p>“We have no idea what milky seas mean for the ecosystems they are found in,” he said. “They could be an indication of a healthy ecosystem or distressed one - the bacteria we suspect are behind it are a known pest that can negatively impact fish and crustaceans.”</p>



<p>“Having this data ready allows us to begin answering questions about milky seas beyond hoping and praying a ship runs into one accidentally."</p>



<p><br>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024EA004082" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Earth and Space Science</em></a>.</p>



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Glowing, 'milky seas' phenomenon has stumped scientists for 400 years

For centuries, sailors navigating the remote oceans have described a...

<p>An ichthyosaur called "Fiona" has recently stirred curiosity from far beyond scientific circles. She measured about 11 feet (3.4 meters) during life, and met a swift end when her long snout planted itself several inches into the sand, setting the stage for an unusual preservation.</p>



<p>Fiona was carefully excavated in five segments from a glacial field in Patagonia in 2023. </p>



<p>Lead author Judith Pardo-Pérez from the <a href="https://umag.cl/language/en/our-university/vice-presidency-of-community-engagement/directorate-of-university-social-responsibility/environmental-sustainability-unit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Magallanes</a> and the <a href="https://capehorncenter.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cape Horn International Center</a> in Chile worked with a large team to transfer the fossil to the <a href="https://mhnrioseco.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Natural History Museum</a> Río Seco for a closer look at her condition.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearly-complete-ichthyosaur-skeleton">Nearly complete ichthyosaur skeleton</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/hauterivian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hauterivian</a> stage was a slice of the <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/the-cretaceous-period.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Early Cretaceous</a> period, and Fiona’s bones add crucial information about marine reptile life from that time. </p>



<p>Her almost complete skeleton is especially significant, since findings in that part of the Southern Hemisphere are quite limited.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.palaeodiversity.org/pdf/03/Palaeodiversity_Bd3_Maisch.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientists</a> believe she was an apex predator when she roamed ancient waters. The wide distribution of these creatures in various latitudes suggests they adapted to a range of environmental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-modern-fossils-will-be-the-most-surprising-to-future-explorers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conditions</a>.</p>



<p>Fiona is the only fully preserved and excavated pregnant ichthyosaur known from Chile. A fetus still inside her body highlights how these reptiles gave birth to live young, a <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234149040_Evolution_of_Fish-Shaped_Reptiles_reptilia_Ichthyopterygia_in_Their_Physical_Environments_and_Constraints" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trait</a> associated with advanced marine reptiles.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossil-and-burial-mystery">Fossil and burial mystery</h2>



<p>Inside her body were fossilized fish vertebrae, which indicate that her last meal had not yet been digested. The fetus was also mostly intact and appeared ready for birth, with its tail oriented toward what would have been the exit path from the mother.</p>



<p>The fossil reveals a story of sudden burial. Scientists suspect an underwater landslide pushed down a heavy flow of sand that covered Fiona almost instantly, and led to excellent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossils-capture-a-turning-point-in-the-evolution-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conditions</a> for the preservation of both mother and unborn baby.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ichthyosaur_Fiona_131-million-years-old_Patagonia-glacier_credit-UTexas_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ichthyosaur_Fiona_131-million-years-old_Patagonia-glacier_credit-UTexas_1s.webp" alt="Lead author Judith Pardo-Pérez in the glacial field in Patagonia where the fossil was discovered. In 2023, Fiona was air-lifted in five pieces and brought to the Natural History Museum Río Seco, in Punta Arenas, Chile, for further research. Credit: Alejandra Zúñiga" class="wp-image-1965523"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Lead author Judith Pardo-Pérez in the glacial field in Patagonia where the fossil was discovered. In 2023, Fiona was air-lifted in five pieces and brought to the Natural History Museum Río Seco, in Punta Arenas, Chile, for further research. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Alejandra Zúñiga</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>“We were conducting our research with different objectives, they are very synergistic,” remarked co-author Matt Malkowski, an assistant professor at The University of Texas at Austin’s <a href="https://www.jsg.utexas.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jackson School of Geosciences</a>.</p>



<p>Malkowski uses methods in stratigraphy to understand landscape shifts and was drawn into the Fiona project when he met Pardo-Pérez in <a href="https://torresdelpaine.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Torres del Paine National Park</a>.</p>



<p>Certain geological signatures suggest multiple landslides hit that region over an extended period. More than 80 other ichthyosaurs rest in the same glacial field, hinting at repeated catastrophic flows that buried these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-did-dinosaurs-come-from-missing-fossils-hold-the-secret/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> in a similar manner.</p>



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



<p>At the time of Fiona's burial, South America was in the process of separating from what is now Africa. </p>



<p>Malkowski said the opening up of a narrow oceanic passageway between the continents may have affected global climate, currents and habitats for marine life.</p>



<p>“If you are the apex predator in the ocean at the time, these are all things you care about,” he said. “You care about migration pathways. You care about places that you can hunt and fish and do your thing. You care about places where you can reproduce.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossil-reveals-injury-and-anatomy">Fossil reveals injury and anatomy</h2>



<p>A set of fused fin bones suggests Fiona recovered from an earlier injury or infection. The skeletal details of both mother and fetus reveal aspects of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/paleopathology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">paleopathology</a> seldom seen in marine reptiles from this period.</p>



<p>“The discovery of the Fiona ichthyosaur provides valuable information regarding the species, its paleobiology, and paleoecology,” said Pardo-Pérez. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ichthyosaur_Fiona_131-million-years-old_credit-UTexas_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ichthyosaur_Fiona_131-million-years-old_credit-UTexas_1s.webp" alt="Students in the Jackson School’s Undergraduate Honors Research Program visited Fiona on a 2025 field trip to Patagonia. Credit: Matt Malkowski." class="wp-image-1965521"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Students in the Jackson School’s Undergraduate Honors Research Program visited Fiona on a 2025 field trip to Patagonia. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Matt Malkowski.</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>She explained that new imaging methods could uncover unique structural characteristics that enhance the understanding of these creatures’ anatomy.</p>



<p>Fiona’s remarkable condition highlights how precise timing in burial can preserve entire skeletons. She shows evidence of normal feeding habits, advanced pregnancy, and well-developed bones typical of a robust adult.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-landscapes-and-marine-life">Shifting landscapes and marine life</h2>



<p>Shifting landscapes might have affected marine life across what is now South America. The possibility of a <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380326350_The_Cretaceous_World_Plate_Tectonics_Paleogeography_and_Paleoclimate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">narrow oceanic passage</a> once connecting the continent to modern-day Africa could have shaped currents and sea temperatures.</p>



<p>Malkowski’s sedimentary techniques might reveal whether repeated events scattered fossils through various layers or whether a single, larger catastrophe occurred. That knowledge helps paint a broader picture of how ocean basins evolved in the distant past.</p>



<p>Researchers continue to analyze trace minerals from the rock surrounding Fiona and the other ichthyosaurs. </p>



<p>Fluctuations in these minerals may show how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-fuel-pollution-is-causing-disease-disaster-and-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient</a> seas adapted to tectonic transformations, and influenced predators that roamed the waters.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossil-reshapes-views-on-ichthyosaurs">Fossil reshapes views on ichthyosaurs</h2>



<p>Fiona marks a turning point in how scientists view ichthyosaur populations in southern latitudes. </p>



<p>Each piece of data gleaned from her skeleton contributes to a fuller understanding of the biology, reproduction, and survival of these reptiles under shifting conditions.</p>



<p>Experts remain excited about what this discovery implies for future excavations in Patagonia. Rapid glacial melting reveals previously unreachable regions that may hide additional creatures from the Early Cretaceous.</p>



<p>Malkowski’s involvement is a reminder that paleontology and sedimentology share common goals. He is not a traditional fossil hunter, yet his methods complement the anatomy-based approach led by Pardo-Pérez.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-story-is-still-unfolding">The story is still unfolding </h2>



<p>Researchers emphasize that Fiona’s story is still unfolding. Some suspect each additional ichthyosaur in the area may introduce additional information about variations in diet, growth patterns, or injury history.</p>



<p>“Moreover, its skeleton will allow us to delve deeper into aspects of its anatomy through new studies and the use of medical technology,” said Pardo-Pérez. </p>



<p>New scanning technology will bring sharper insight into the mother’s physiology and her pup’s final stage of development.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The collection of samples around her remains is planned in order to understand local climate conditions at the time. This may shed light on the triggers behind multiple burial episodes, shaping an ongoing narrative in southern Chile’s fossil record.</p>



<p>Fiona testifies to how ancient catastrophes can preserve a life story for millions of years. Her unusual circumstances give paleontologists a vital look into an extinct species that is still full of surprises.</p>



<p>The study is published in the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02724634.2024.2445705" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology</em></a>.</p>



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'Fiona' the ichthyosaur was preserved for millions of years after a landslide

An ichthyosaur called "Fiona" has recently stirred curiosity from far...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the opposite.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-contrasting-climate-response">A contrasting climate response</h2>



<p>Most coastal towns are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-land-will-intensify-the-effects-of-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preparing for higher sea levels</a>, but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-no-longer-has-to-worry-about-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland presents</a> a different scenario during climate change. The ground there is rising at a remarkable rate. Over the past decade, some areas have lifted about 20 centimeters, which translates to roughly 2 meters per century. This rate significantly exceeds current projections for sea level rise.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geological-rebound-process-through-climate-change">Geological rebound process through climate change</h2>



<p>The mechanism behind this phenomenon is straightforward. As the ice sheet melts, the immense weight is removed from the bedrock, causing the land to rebound upward. This process resembles the way compressed material springs back when pressure is released.</p>



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



<p>Researchers at the <a href="https://www.dtu.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Denmark</a> are documenting this uplift using the GNET network, consisting of 61 GPS stations positioned around Greenland's coast. These sensors can detect movement with millimeter precision, providing detailed measurements of the ongoing changes.</p>



<p>The data reveal that current uplift rates exceed the gradual rebound occurring since the last ice age ended approximately 12,000 years ago. This acceleration corresponds directly with increased ice sheet melting rates.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coastal-transformation">Coastal Transformation</h2>



<p>This uplift is actively reshaping Greenland's coastline. New islands and rocky formations, called "skerries," are emerging as previously submerged land surfaces rise above the water level. This represents a notable contrast to global concerns about rising seas.</p>



<p>The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, demonstrates the varied regional impacts of climate change. While many locations face rising water levels, Greenland's bedrock is literally rising above the surrounding seas.</p>



<p>The full study was recently published in <em><a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2023GL104851" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a></em>.</p>



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to implement the latest AI Agent building platform.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-agent-training-transforms-the-workplace-fear-factor-into-a-competitive-advantage">AI agent training transforms the workplace 'fear factor' into a competitive advantage</h2>



<p>Organizations that offer comprehensive artificial intelligence training to their workers find remarkable value that extends well beyond basic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-wandering-might-be-more-productive-than-you-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">productivity improvements</a>. Emerging research demonstrates that carefully crafted AI training programs <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-does-not-replace-human-creativity-but-enhances-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enhance</a> corporate performance, lower operational costs, and dramatically improve employee psychological well-being by turning workplace uncertainty into professional empowerment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-widespread-ai-anxiety-crisis-among-us">Addressing the widespread 'AI anxiety' crisis among us</h2>



<p>A staggering 53% of employees expressed concern that the use of AI tools to automate work tasks could make them appear disposable to their employers, according to <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft</a>'s 2024 workplace survey. Such pervasive worry about being substituted by machines has caused what researchers have termed "AI technostress" – a psychological state that can result in occupational burnout and poorer mental well-being.</p>



<p>Data published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a> showed that belief in AI learning ability was a moderator in the link between technology adoption and work pressure, and higher confidence significantly lowered negative psychological responses. Workers provided ample training to become competent with AI software have significantly lower stress.</p>



<p>Companies like <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a> have platforms for building what are known as "AI Agents".  In essence, AI Agents are simply tools that employees can build for themselves or their teams quickly and inexpensively.   MindStudio will even train entire companies, from the CEO on down, at no cost. By letting MindStudio empower employees, companies avoid hiring more IT staff, buying more software, and implementing solutions to problems that do not exist.</p>



<p>MindStudio even has partners locally for companies, like <a href="http://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dominnus</a> with offices in the Carolinas, California, and Denver, to help build AI Agents and support employees as they become resident AI experts for their organization.  The training provided by MindStudio is applicable across other AI Agent building platforms as well.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-productivity-through-focused-learning">Revolutionary productivity through focused learning</h2>



<p>Organizations that implement large-scale AI training programs achieve dramatic outcomes. Employees performed tasks significantly better when they utilized AI support compared to when they didn't, according to <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nielsen Norman Group</a> research findings. Their study documented productivity increases of 66% for a variety of professional tasks.</p>



<p>Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis research finds workers record 33% higher productivity in time working with generative AI tools. The benefit is equivalent to 5.4% of work time savings for AI users – around 2.2 hours per week for full-time workers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychological-well-being-benefits-through-ai-competence">Psychological well-being benefits through AI competence</h2>



<p>The emotional transformation when employees are provided with proper technology training is a fundamental transformation from fear to professional confidence. A survey of 600 employees across industries, carried out by ScienceDirect, proved that AI capabilities strengthen work environment commitment and improve job satisfaction.</p>



<p>A <a href="https://www.lut.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LUT University</a> study discovered that AI adoption has no direct effect on workers' well-being but does so indirectly through working conditions like task optimization and safety protocols. Strategically deployed AI that involves correct training can actually increase workplace mental well-being.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-replacement-anxiety-to-partnership-confidence">From 'replacement anxiety' to 'partnership confidence'</h2>



<p>Although 35% of those interviewed in recent McKinsey studies were concerned about workforce displacement, firms with large-scale training initiatives witness such fears dissipate quickly. The World Economic Forum found that two out of three respondents believe AI competencies will enhance their career prospects and job marketability.</p>



<p>This shift from fear to trust has measurable implications for job satisfaction. Applied Sciences research indicates AI can create tailored wellness programs based on individual employee requirements.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-financial-benefits-of-increased-retention">Financial benefits of increased retention</h2>



<p>The mental health advantages of AI learning have a direct impact on organizational bottom lines in the form of a positive feedback cycle with high retention of employees. Recent ROI research validates that artificial intelligence learning has a beneficial impact on employee turnover and satisfaction levels.</p>



<p>PriceWaterhouseCoopers' research documents 20% to 30% improvements in productivity, market speed, and revenue in organizations that attempt systematic AI adoption through comprehensive training.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-advantages-of-ai-enabled-teams">Environmental advantages of AI-enabled teams</h2>



<p>AI training has unforeseen environmental benefits as it makes the work environment more efficient. According to a study in Scientific Reports, the carbon footprint in writing and illustrating work is significantly lower when AI performs it compared to humans. AI software produces 130 to 1,500 times less CO2 equivalent per page of text created than human authors.</p>



<p>In addition, AI-driven remote work functionality significantly reduces environmental impact. Research by Cornell University and Microsoft indicates that remote workers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 54% by not commuting daily to offices. Hybrid workers working remotely two to four days a week can reduce their carbon footprint by 11% to 29%.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cumulative-organizational-advantages">Cumulative organizational advantages</h2>



<p>The compounding gains of better mental well-being, reduced turnover, increased productivity, and environmental benefits flow to enterprises from the pairing. McKinsey analysis estimates the long-term AI potential at $4.4 trillion in incremental productivity growth opportunity from business use cases.</p>



<p>As of now, 75% of knowledge workers globally utilize generative AI, mirroring widespread adoption patterns. Organizations that provide organized training and assistance see the most favorable results in productivity, worker satisfaction, and ecological sustainability.</p>



<p>The research overwhelmingly indicates that companies that invest in proper AI education, like that offered through <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a>, establish win-win scenarios where employees are both more empowered and less stressed, and companies enjoy the gains of increased productivity, reduced turnover, and improved mental health outcomes throughout their workforce.</p>



<p>For more on MindStudio's free AI training for companies, visit the website's of MindStudio and Dominnus from the links below.</p>



<p>The research was published across a variety of peer-reviewed journals, including <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a>, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence</a>, and <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci">Applied Sciences</a>.</p>



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<p>MindStudio.AI: <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.mindstudio.ai</a></p>



<p>Dominnus: <a href="https://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.dominnus.com</a></p>

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-natural-solution-to-disease-through-crop-modification">A natural solution to disease through crop modification.</h2>



<p>The agricultural industry stands at a crossroads between productivity and environmental responsibility, and crop modification often carries a negative connotation. While chemical pesticides have long been the go-to solution for crop protection, their harmful effects on ecosystems and human health have prompted scientists to seek alternatives. The recent breakthrough by <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a> researchers offers a promising path forward through the precise manipulation of plant-associated microbial communities.</p>



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



<p>Plants naturally harbor diverse ecosystems of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that function as biological allies. These microscopic partners contribute to disease resistance, nutrient absorption, and stress tolerance. However, until now, scientists lacked the tools to deliberately reshape these communities to enhance crop protection.</p>



<p>The Southampton team's approach centered on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/engineered-plant-microbiomes-the-future-of-crop-protection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modifying lignin biosynthesis genes in rice plants</a>. This strategic intervention altered the plant's metabolic output, creating conditions that favored beneficial bacterial populations while suppressing harmful ones. The result was a living defense system embedded within the plant itself.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-global-food-security">Implications for global food security</h2>



<p>The successful demonstration against Xanthomonas oryzae, the pathogen responsible for bacterial blight in rice, represents more than a laboratory achievement. Rice feeds nearly half the world's population, and bacterial blight causes devastating crop losses annually. Traditional control methods rely heavily on pesticides that contaminate soil and water systems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-disease-resistance">Looking Beyond Disease Resistance</h2>



<p>While disease protection represents the immediate application, the research framework opens doors to broader agricultural improvements. Future developments could engineer microbiomes to enhance nutrient uptake, reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. This dual benefit addresses both crop productivity and environmental sustainability.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-path-forward">The path forward</h2>



<p>As this technology advances from laboratory to field applications, it promises to reshape sustainable agriculture. The ability to program plants with their own biological defense systems could herald a new era where crops protect themselves naturally, reducing chemical inputs while maintaining yields necessary for global food security.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44335-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>.</p>



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4 Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease A natural...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVywlgRJXsc
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Some children read facial expressions when making food choices.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-people-s-reactions-influence-children-s-eating-habits">Other people's reactions influence children's eating habits</h2>



<p>Many children are finicky eaters, but research explains how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-learned-why-so-many-kids-dislike-vegetables/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">watching others eat and social modeling</a> influence the eating habits of children.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Study Methodology Demonstrates Social Learning Impact</h2>



<p>Researchers at <a href="https://www.aston.ac.uk/hls/school-of-psychology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aston University School of Psychology</a> have published findings in Frontiers in Psychology that illuminate the neurobiological foundations of food preference development through observational learning. The investigation employed controlled video stimuli featuring adults consuming raw broccoli while displaying systematically varied facial expressions to measure participant responses.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Asymmetrical Response Patterns Identified</h2>



<p>The research, conducted with 204 female participants, revealed a pronounced asymmetry in social modeling effects. Negative facial expressions during vegetable consumption significantly diminished observer food preference ratings, while positive expressions failed to produce corresponding increases in vegetable appeal. This finding challenges conventional assumptions about the bidirectional nature of social influence in dietary behavior formation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Evolutionary Psychology Framework Applied</h2>



<p>Dr. Katie Edwards and her research team propose that these results reflect adaptive mechanisms developed through evolutionary processes. The heightened sensitivity to disgust expressions likely functions as a protective system, enabling individuals to identify potentially harmful foods through social cues without direct risk exposure.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Clinical and Educational Implications</h2>



<p>These findings carry substantial implications for pediatric nutrition interventions and family meal dynamics. The research suggests that parental expressions of distaste during vegetable consumption may inadvertently reinforce children's existing food aversions through unconscious social transmission pathways.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Future Research Directions</h2>



<p>The study establishes a foundation for expanded investigation into real-time social modeling effects and cross-demographic applicability. Researchers emphasize the necessity for longitudinal studies examining actual consumption behaviors rather than preference ratings alone, particularly within family contexts where social learning occurs most frequently.</p>



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<p></p>

Social modeling affects our food choices

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVywlgRJXsc Some children read facial expressions when making food choices....

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JynHpMaNO8A
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chaotic cancer protein finally controlled after decades of mystery</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cancer-causing-protein-bound-and-blocked">Cancer-causing protein bound and blocked</h2>



<p>In a discovery that can one day revolutionize cancer treatment, researchers at the <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Riverside</a> have successfully developed a means of controlling MYC, a notoriously slippery protein that causes approximately <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chaotic-protein-that-fuels-75-of-cancers-can-be-controlled/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">75% of all cancers in humans</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-makes-myc-different">What makes MYC different</h2>



<p>MYC presents a unique challenge when studying cancer. Normally, this protein plays a vital role in healthy cells. It carefully controls transcription - the process that converts genetic information from DNA and RNA into proteins.</p>



<p>However, cancer changes everything. In cancer cells, MYC becomes a destructive force. It operates in overdrive mode with no regulation whatsoever.</p>



<p>Professor Min Xue, who led the research team, explains it simply: "MYC is less like food for cancer cells and more like a steroid. It drives cancer's aggressive growth." This superactive behavior makes MYC involved in three out of every four cancer cases.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-myc-is-hard-to-target">Why MYC is hard to target</h2>



<p>Despite its clear role in cancer, targeting MYC has been one of medicine's biggest challenges. The main problem lies in MYC's unusual structure - or rather, its complete lack of structure.</p>



<p>Professor Xue describes the protein as "basically a glob of randomness." This means conventional drug discovery methods don't work. These traditional approaches rely on sharply defined protein structures. MYC simply doesn't have one.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A New Approach to Fighting MYC</h2>



<p>The UCR research team developed a clever solution. They designed a special peptide molecule that could selectively bind to MYC. More importantly, this peptide could block MYC's destructive activity.</p>



<p>The key was fine-tuning two specific features: the peptide's stiffness and its shape. Through careful adjustments, researchers achieved something remarkable. They reached "sub-micro-molar affinity" - meaning their peptide binds as strongly as antibodies do.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breakthrough-results">Breakthrough results</h2>



<p>This accomplishment represents a major leap beyond previous attempts. The researchers enhanced their peptide's binding strength by two orders of magnitude. This dramatic improvement brings the work significantly closer to practical drug development goals.</p>



<p>The research opens new possibilities for treating the vast majority of cancers where MYC plays a destructive role.</p>



<p>The researchers are presently optimizing peptide-delivery systems based on lipid nanoparticles that deliver the peptide effectively into cancer cells. The<a href="https://www.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> National Institutes of Health</a> and the <a href="https://www.defense.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Department of Defense</a> funded the study, which appeared in the Journal of the <a href="https://www.acs.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Chemical Society</a>.<br>This research offers renewed hope against cancer, and it can potentially open a door to more effective cancer therapies for most cancer patients worldwide.</p>



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The protein that fuels 3 out of 4 cancers has been controlled

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JynHpMaNO8A Chaotic cancer protein finally controlled after decades of mystery...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em>Current Biology</em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Veg4HmmRVZY
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Our bodies hits two 'aging cliffs' at these ages.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientists-map-exact-ages-when-your-body-rapidly-ages">Scientists Map Exact Ages When Your Body Rapidly Ages</h2>



<p>Scientists have <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-bodies-begin-breaking-down-two-very-precise-ages/#google_vignette">discovered that aging</a> isn't the gradual, steady process many assume it to be. Instead, researchers from Stanford Medicine have found that our bodies undergo dramatic molecular changes at two specific ages: 44 and 60. This research, published in Nature Aging, reveals that aging happens in sudden bursts rather than smooth transitions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-waves-of-rapid-aging">Two waves of rapid aging</h2>



<p>The Stanford study tracked over 135,000 different molecules and microbes in 108 participants aged 25 to 75 over several years. Results showed that 81% of all molecules studied exhibited non-linear changes, meaning they shifted dramatically at certain ages rather than changing gradually over time.</p>



<p>Michael Snyder, chair of genetics at Stanford School of Medicine and the study's senior author, noted significant findings. "We're not just changing gradually over time; there are some really dramatic changes. It turns out the mid-40s is a time of dramatic change, as is the early 60s. And that's true no matter what class of molecules you look at."</p>



<p>The first wave of changes occurs around age 44, affecting molecules related to alcohol metabolism, caffeine processing, lipid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/age-related-changes-in-metabolism-dont-match-our-expectations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metabolism</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-disease-remains-the-leading-cause-of-death-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular disease</a>, and skin and muscle function. The second wave hits around age 60, involving changes in carbohydrate metabolism, immune regulation, kidney function, and again cardiovascular and muscle health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-during-these-aging-bursts">What happens during these aging bursts</h2>



<p>During the mid-40s transformation, researchers observed significant changes in how the body processes alcohol and fats. This period often coincides with increased stress levels in many people's lives, potentially contributing to lifestyle factors that accelerate these molecular shifts.</p>



<p>"It's possible some of these changes could be tied to lifestyle or behavioral factors that cluster at these age groups, rather than being driven by biological factors," Snyder explained. For instance, alcohol metabolism dysfunction might result from increased consumption during the typically stressful mid-40s period.</p>



<p>The changes at age 60 are perhaps less surprising, as this is when many age-related diseases begin to manifest more prominently. The molecular shifts affect immune function and kidney health, both critical for maintaining overall wellness as we enter our senior years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-latest-research-confirms-aging-patterns">Latest research confirms aging patterns</h2>



<p>Recent 2025 studies have validated these findings. Research examining tissue samples from 76 people found similar aging patterns, noting an "inflection point" between ages 45 and 55.</p>



<p>Scientists discovered that blood vessels, particularly the aorta, age fastest among all body tissues. This vascular aging may drive aging in other body parts, highlighting cardiovascular health's central role in the aging process.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cellular-changes-and-microbiome-shifts">Cellular changes and microbiome shifts</h2>



<p>The Stanford research revealed that these aging bursts affect our microbiome – the trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi living in and on our bodies. These microbial communities undergo substantial shifts during both aging periods, potentially affecting everything from digestion to immune function.</p>



<p>Additionally, researchers found that protein production and gene expression begin to fall out of sync as we age. This breakdown in cellular communication becomes especially pronounced during the two aging waves, contributing to the accumulation of damaged proteins associated with diseases such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alzheimers-may-not-be-brain-disorder-important-data-was-fabricated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer's</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-implications-and-longevity-considerations">Health implications and longevity considerations</h2>



<p>Understanding these aging patterns has important implications for healthcare strategies. Research suggests that people should pay particular attention to their health during their 40s and 60s, when these dramatic molecular changes occur.</p>



<p>Snyder emphasized the importance of proactive health measures. "I'm a big believer that we should try to adjust our lifestyles while we're still healthy," he noted. This might include increasing exercise to protect heart health and maintain muscle mass, or reducing alcohol consumption in the 40s as the body's ability to metabolize it declines.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-approaches-to-anti-aging-treatment">New approaches to anti-aging treatment</h2>



<p>Aging research has seen notable advances in 2025. Harvard Medical School scientists developed chemical cocktails that reverse cellular aging without genetic modification. These six combinations restored aged cells to youthfulness in under a week, offering safer alternatives to gene therapy.</p>



<p>Researchers identified new biomarkers like "InflammAge," a saliva-based test measuring chronic inflammation associated with aging. This non-invasive approach could change how we monitor aging and intervention.</p>



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



<p>Emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, cellular reprogramming, and senolytic therapies, are opening new possibilities for extending healthspan. Companies develop treatments targeting aging's fundamental mechanisms rather than just managing age-related diseases.</p>



<p>The Stanford findings provide a roadmap for implementing preventive measures. Rather than waiting for symptoms, people can prepare for and potentially mitigate these predictable aging waves.</p>



<p>As aging understanding evolves, one thing becomes clear: aging isn't inevitable decline, but specific biological events we may learn to prevent or reverse. The key is recognizing when these transitions occur and taking proactive health steps during vulnerable periods.</p>



<p>The study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/nataging" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Aging</a></em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Scientists discover we age in bursts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Veg4HmmRVZY Our bodies hits two 'aging cliffs' at these ages....

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqlF0XKzHY4
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The hidden science behind tickling.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientists-discover-the-brain-s-tickling-command-center">Scientists discover the brain's 'tickling command center'</h2>



<p>Researchers have finally solved one of humanity's most enduring mysteries: why we can't <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/after-centuries-of-debate-we-still-dont-know-how-tickling-works/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tickle</a> ourselves and what makes some people incredibly ticklish while others barely react? Recent scientific discoveries are revolutionizing our understanding of this peculiar human behavior.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breakthrough-discovery-in-the-brain">Breakthrough discovery in the brain</h2>



<p>In 2023, Dr. Michael Brecht's team at <a href="https://www.hu-berlin.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humboldt University</a>-<a href="https://www.hu-berlin.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berlin</a> made a major discovery published in the <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(22)01991-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">journal <em>Neuron</em></a>. They identified the brain's actual "tickling command center" – specific neurons in a region called the periaqueductal gray that control both tickling responses and play behavior.</p>



<p>When researchers used cutting-edge optogenetic technology to shut down these neurons in laboratory rats, something remarkable happened. The animals completely lost their ability to be tickled or engage in playful behavior.</p>



<p>"We found that global blockade of the rat periaqueductal gray with either muscimol or lidocaine interfered with ticklishness and play," the research team reported in their study.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-types-of-tickling-revealed">Two types of tickling revealed</h2>



<p>What we call "tickling" is two completely different phenomena, according to the latest research. Light tickling – that feathery sensation that makes you want to scratch – is essentially your body's sophisticated bug detection system. This alerts you to potential insects or parasites on your skin.</p>



<p>Deep tickling – the kind that makes you laugh uncontrollably – involves complex brain circuits and is fundamentally social. You literally cannot tickle yourself with this type of stimulation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-self-tickling-is-impossible">Why self-tickling is impossible</h2>



<p>Your cerebellum acts like a prediction machine, recent findings show. When you move your own hand to touch yourself, your brain generates precise predictions about what you will feel and then cancels out the tickling sensation through neural inhibition.</p>



<p>When someone else tickles you, your brain can't predict their movements, so the full tickling response activates. It's like your brain's way of distinguishing between self and others.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-individual-differences-explained">Individual differences explained</h2>



<p>Individual differences in ticklishness depend on genetics, psychology, and even trust. Dr. Xinzhong Dong at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins University</a> notes that people with denser nerve endings tend to be more sensitive.</p>



<p>Psychological factors matter just as much. You respond more strongly when tickled by people you trust, and anxiety completely shuts down tickling responses. This explains why the same physical stimulus can produce completely different reactions depending on who's doing the tickling.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-controlling-your-ticklishness">Controlling your ticklishness</h2>



<p>Science offers answers for controlling your ticklishness. You can reduce tickling sensitivity through systematic desensitization – gradual exposure in controlled settings.</p>



<p>Dr. Konstantina Kilteni's 2025 research, published in <em><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adt0350" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a></em>, reveals another technique: place your hand on the tickler's hand. This allows your brain to partially predict the sensations, reducing the tickling response by up to 90 percent.</p>



<p>"Your brain is essentially learning to override its own reflexes," Kilteni explained in her review of tickling research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-purpose-discovered">Evolutionary purpose discovered</h2>



<p>From an evolutionary perspective, tickling serves vital functions according to <a href="https://www.umd.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maryland</a> researcher Dr. Robert Provine's extensive studies. It trains our defense reflexes for vulnerable body areas and facilitates social bonding between family members.</p>



<p>Tickling-induced laughter is actually one of the first forms of communication between infants and caregivers. "Tickle involves a neurological self/nonself discrimination, providing the most primitive social scenario," Provine noted in his research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clinical-applications-emerge">Clinical applications emerge</h2>



<p>Research shows people with autism spectrum disorder perceive touches as more ticklish than people without the condition. Investigating this difference could provide insight into brain differences and help advance autism research.</p>



<p>People with schizophrenia tend to experience self-touches similarly to external tickles, allowing them to essentially tickle themselves. This suggests altered sensory prediction mechanisms in the condition.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animal-research-reveals-universal-nature">Animal research reveals universal nature</h2>



<p>Scientists have discovered that many species beyond humans are ticklish. Rats emit ultrasonic "laughs" when tickled, while chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans all respond to tickling stimulation.</p>



<p>This widespread occurrence across species suggests that tickling serves fundamental biological and social functions that evolved long before humans developed complex language and culture.</p>



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



<p>Dr. Kilteni argues that tickling research deserves more scientific attention. "It is a complex interplay of motor, social, neurological, developmental, and evolutionary aspects," she stated in her recent review.</p>



<p>New haptic technologies and advanced research methodologies now permit scientists to investigate tickle sensation with unprecedented precision. Standardized experimental methods using mechanical tickling devices ensure consistent results across studies.</p>



<p>Recent findings published in <em>Science Advances</em> show that tickling research is opening new doors in neuroscience, potentially leading to a better understanding of social behavior, sensory processing, and neurological conditions.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Scientists solve the mystery of tickling

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqlF0XKzHY4 The hidden science behind tickling. Scientists discover the brain's...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elr4948_uOU
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dr. Ronald Mallett from the University of Connecticut reveals secret mission to create working time travel device.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-could-an-equation-truly-bend-time-a-physicist-s-decades-long-quest-to-rewrite-reality">Could an equation truly bend time? A physicist's decades-long quest to rewrite reality</h2>



<p>Imagine the impossible: stepping back through time in a time machine, not in fantasy, but through a scientific endeavor driven by profound personal loss. For <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astrophysicist-says-hes-cracked-the-equation-for-time-travel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Ronald Mallett</a>, a distinguished astrophysicist and professor emeritus at the <a href="https://uconn.edu/">University of Connecticut</a>, this deeply human longing has fueled a lifelong mission. He claims to have discovered the equation that could unlock temporal displacement, pushing boundaries once deemed purely science fiction.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-profound-grief-that-forged-a-vision">A profound grief that forged a vision</h2>



<p>Mallett's extraordinary pursuit began with devastating tragedy in 1955. At merely 10 years old, he endured his father Boyd's sudden death—a television repairman whose passion for science had ignited a similar spark in his young son. Boyd Mallett, only 33, succumbed to a heart attack, leaving behind a grief-stricken child searching for solace.</p>



<p>That solace came through H.G. Wells' <em>The Time Machine</em>. Within its pages, Mallett found a captivating concept: "Time is only a kind of Space." These words transformed from a literary phrase into a guiding principle, becoming the driving force behind his unwavering commitment to unraveling time's fundamental mysteries.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-humble-beginnings-to-academic-heights">From humble beginnings to academic heights</h2>



<p>Mallett's journey was far from straightforward. After serving in the Air Force during the Vietnam War era, he utilized the GI Bill for higher education, earning his Ph.D. in physics from Pennsylvania State University in 1973 at the age of 28.</p>



<p>In 1975, he made history as the first African American professor in the University of Connecticut's physics department, achieving full professorship in 1987 before retiring in 2024 as professor emeritus.</p>



<p>Throughout these successful academic years, Mallett harbored his radical ambition as a closely guarded secret. "I kept my time travel goal a secret," he confessed. "I worried people would think I was nuts." His public research centered on black holes, serving as a "cover story" while he quietly developed his revolutionary time travel theory.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-breakthrough-moment">The breakthrough moment</h2>



<p>His pivotal insight arrived while hospitalized for a heart condition—a profound irony given his father's heart attack started this journey. The breakthrough was elegantly simple yet revolutionary: "If gravity can bend time, and light can create gravity, then light can bend time."</p>



<p>"It turns out that black holes can create a gravitational field that could lead to the creation of time loops that could allow us to go back in time," he explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-blueprint-for-a-temporal-vortex">The blueprint for a temporal vortex</h2>



<p>Mallett's vision for a functioning time machine replicates spacetime-warping phenomena around black holes. He offers a compelling analogy: "Picture a cup of coffee. Stir it with a spoon, and the coffee swirls. A spinning black hole does the same to spacetime."</p>



<p>In Einstein's general relativity, the universe is a dynamic fabric woven from space and time. Massive objects like black holes warp this fabric—an effect we perceive as gravity. Mallett theorizes that an intense, continuous, circulating beam of light from a ring of powerful lasers could replicate this gravitational torsion, effectively twisting time into a loop.</p>



<p>This "time loop" would theoretically allow information—or perhaps matter—to travel backward in time. He detailed this mathematical concept in his 2006 autobiography, <em>Time Traveler: A Scientist's Personal Mission to Make Time Travel a Reality</em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-published-research-and-recognition">Published research and recognition</h2>



<p>His work, published in respected journals including <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/physics-letters-a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physics Letters A</a></em> and <em><a href="https://link.springer.com/journal/10701" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Foundations of Physics</a></em>, suggests circulating laser light could generate gravitational fields potent enough to create closed timelike curves, enabling time travel for data.</p>



<p>Mallett's research has gained worldwide media attention, featured on <a href="https://www.thisamericanlife.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Public Radio's <em>This American Life</em></a>, the <a href="https://www.history.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History Channel</a>, and <a href="https://www.today.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBC's <em>Today Show</em></a>. The widespread interest reflects both his compelling personal story and rigorous scientific approach.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-galactic-hurdles-and-persistent-skepticism">The galactic hurdles and persistent skepticism</h2>



<p>While Mallett's equations captivate imagination, the path to reality faces immense obstacles. The energy requirement is staggering—Mallett acknowledges needing "galactic amounts of energy," far beyond current technological capabilities.</p>



<p>There's also a poignant limitation: even if realized, his machine could only send information back to when it was first activated, meaning it couldn't transport him to 1955 to prevent his father's death.</p>



<p>The scientific community remains skeptical. Physicists Ken Olum and Allen Everett argue that Mallett's proposed laser ring would need to be larger than the observable universe to achieve the necessary spacetime distortion. They invoke Stephen Hawking's chronology protection conjecture, suggesting physics may prevent macroscopic time travel.</p>



<p>Astrophysicist Paul Sutter has voiced doubts about Mallett's underlying mathematics, while science writer Brian Clegg finds the concept intriguing enough to warrant experimental investigation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-legacy-that-transcends-time">A legacy that transcends time</h2>



<p>Now approaching 80, Dr. Mallett remains steadfast. "I believe my work will show time travel is possible," he asserts. "Future generations will build on it in ways we can't yet imagine."</p>



<p>His equations, though yet to physically bend time, have bent our collective imagination. Ongoing public interest, evidenced by his continued media appearances and Spike Lee's film adaptation of his memoir, underscores his ideas' profound impact.</p>



<p>More than a scientific pursuit, Mallett's story testifies to human resilience, intellectual courage, and hope's enduring power. Whether his theoretical time machine ever materializes, his legacy is immeasurable—inspiring countless individuals to challenge conventional limits and perceive time not as an unyielding barrier, but as a boundless frontier awaiting exploration.</p>



<p></p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Retired professor claims he solved time travel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elr4948_uOU Dr. Ronald Mallett from the University of Connecticut reveals...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>-----</p>



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

<p>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. </p>



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



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



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



<p>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. </p>



<p>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).</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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>.</p>

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p><em>Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



<p>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;</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>“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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>“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;</p>



<p>“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.”</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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?</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: ACS Reactions</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

How does salt makes things taste better?

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>'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)."</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Santiago, Chile in South America

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