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 <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.



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



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>).



"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. 



The project involved an international team of experts working across multiple collections and labs.



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.



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



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



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



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. 



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



From the 1.1 million year steppe mammoth, the team reconstructed partial genomes of Erysipelothrix 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.



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



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. 



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.



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.



"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.



"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."



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



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



One bacterium in the dataset is closely related to a Pasteurella 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.



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.



Erysipelothrix 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 Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae associated with widespread deaths in the Canadian Arctic.



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



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.



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.



"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. 



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



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



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.



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.



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.



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">Cell</a>.



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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...

It’s no longer unusual for people to form emotional or even romantic bonds with artificial intelligence (AI). Some have gone so far as to “marry” their AI companions, while others have turned to these machines in moments of distress - sometimes with tragic outcomes.



These long-term interactions raise serious questions: Are we prepared for the psychological and ethical consequences of emotionally investing in machines? 



Psychologists from the <a href="https://www.mst.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Missouri University of Science &amp; Technology</a> are now raising the alarm. In a new opinion piece, they explore how these relationships can blur boundaries, affect human behavior, and create new opportunities for harm.



Their concern isn't limited to novelty cases. The experts are calling attention to the deeper effects these emotional connections might have on everyday people.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-comfort-and-consequences-of-ai">The comfort and consequences of AI</h2>



Short conversations with AI are common, but what happens when the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/conversations-with-ai-chatbots-can-reverse-reduce-conspiracy-theory-beliefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conversation</a> continues for weeks or months? These machines, designed to imitate empathy and attentiveness, can become steady companions.



For some, these AI partners feel safer and easier than human connections. But that ease comes with a hidden cost. 



“The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-ai-systems-learn-like-the-human-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ability for AI to now act like a human</a> and enter into long-term communications really opens up a new can of worms,” said Daniel B. Shank, the study's lead author. 



Shank specializes in social psychology and technology at the Missouri University of Science &amp; Technology. “If people are engaging in romance with machines, we really need psychologists and social scientists involved.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-falling-in-love-with-ai">Falling in love with AI</h2>



When AI becomes a source of comfort or romantic engagement, it starts to influence how people see real relationships. 



Unrealistic expectations, reduced social motivation, and communication breakdowns with actual humans are just some of the risks.



“A real worry is that people might bring expectations from their AI relationships to their human relationships,” Shank added. “Certainly, in individual cases it’s disrupting human relationships, but it’s unclear whether that’s going to be widespread.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-love-for-ai-turns-dangerous">When love for AI turns dangerous</h2>



AI chatbots can feel like friends - or even therapists - but they are far from infallible. These systems are known to “hallucinate,” producing false information while appearing confident. In emotionally charged situations, that could be dangerous.



“With relational AIs, the issue is that this is an entity that people feel they can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-put-too-much-trust-in-ai-even-for-life-or-death-decisions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trust</a>: it’s ‘someone’ that has shown they care and that seems to know the person in a deep way, and we assume that ‘someone’ who knows us better is going to give better advice,” Shank explained.



“If we start thinking of an AI that way, we’re going to start believing that they have our best interests in mind, when in fact, they could be fabricating things or advising us in really bad ways.”



The impact can be devastating. In rare but extreme cases, people have taken their lives after receiving troubling advice from AI companions. 



But the problem isn’t just about suicide. These relationships could open the door to manipulation, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-deception-is-a-growing-issue-that-we-cannot-control/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deception</a>, and even fraud.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trusting-the-wrong-source">Trusting the wrong source</h2>



The researchers warn that the trust people build with AIs could be exploited by bad actors. AI systems can collect personal information, which might be sold or used in harmful ways. 



More alarmingly, because these interactions happen in private, detecting abuse becomes nearly impossible. “If AIs can get people to trust them, then other people could use that to exploit AI users,” Shank noted.



“It’s a little bit more like having a secret agent on the inside. The AI is getting in and developing a relationship so that they’ll be trusted, but their loyalty is really towards some other group of humans that is trying to manipulate the user.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-companions-don-t-focus-on-safety">AI companions don't focus on safety</h2>



The researchers believe AI companions could be more effective at shaping beliefs and opinions than current social media platforms or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/readers-trust-news-less-when-ai-is-involved/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">news</a> sources. And unlike Twitter or Facebook, AI conversations happen behind closed screens.



“These AIs are designed to be very pleasant and agreeable, which could lead to situations being exacerbated because they’re more focused on having a good conversation than they are on any sort of fundamental truth or safety,” Shank said. 



“So, if a person brings up suicide or a conspiracy theory, the AI is going to talk about that as a willing and agreeable conversation partner.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-we-ready-for-what-s-coming">Are we ready for what’s coming?</h2>



The team is urging the research community to catch up. As AI becomes more human-like, psychologists have a key role to play in understanding and guiding how people interact with machines.



“Understanding this psychological process could help us intervene to stop malicious AIs’ advice from being followed,” said Shank.



“Psychologists are becoming more and more suited to study AI, because AI is becoming more and more human-like, but to be useful we have to do more research, and we have to keep up with the technology.”



For now, these concerns remain largely theoretical - but the technology is moving fast. Without more awareness and research, people may continue turning to machines that offer comfort, only to find that comfort comes with hidden risks.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1364661325000580" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trends in Cognitive Sciences</a>.



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People are falling in love with AI companions, and it could be dangerous

It’s no longer unusual for people to form emotional or...

In one of the most extreme regions of the Milky Way, just 200 light-years from our galaxy’s central supermassive black hole, a dense cloud of gas and dust has birthed thousands of stars.&nbsp;



Known as Sagittarius C, this turbulent environment at the Milky Way's core is now being seen in unprecedented detail thanks to NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. 



The images reveal strange magnetic structures that may hold the key to a longstanding cosmic mystery.



A new study offers a deeper look into why this region - despite being rich in interstellar gas - doesn’t form stars at the rate astronomers once expected.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extremes-at-the-milky-way-s-core">Extremes at the Milky Way's core </h2>



The research also captures Sagittarius C’s dramatic structure, including long glowing filaments of hot hydrogen gas shaped by powerful magnetic fields, forming patterns that resemble strands of spaghetti stretching across light-years.



John Bally, a professor in the Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences at the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado Boulder</a>, is the study's lead author. &nbsp;



“It’s in a part of the galaxy with the highest density of stars and massive, dense clouds of hydrogen, helium, and organic molecules,” said Bally. "It’s one of the closest regions we know of that has extreme conditions similar to those in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-capture-baby-pictures-of-the-very-early-universe-cosmic-microwave-background/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">young universe</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-magnetic-fields-and-strange-structures">Magnetic fields and strange structures </h2>



The findings were led by Bally alongside Samuel Crowe, an undergraduate student at the <a href="https://www.virginia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Virginia</a>, and Rubén Fedriani of the <a href="https://www.iaa.es/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía</a> in Spain.&nbsp;



The research is part of a larger observation campaign that Crowe proposed. Despite being just a fourth-year student, he has already been named a Rhodes Scholar for his work.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/milky-way-galaxy_center_meerkat_Webb_telescope-images_NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/milky-way-galaxy_center_meerkat_Webb_telescope-images_NASA_1s.webp" alt="An image of the Milky Way captured by the MeerKAT radio telescope array puts the James Webb Space Telescope’s image of the Sagittarius C region in context. Full image below. Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, SARAO, Samuel Crowe (UVA), John Bally (CU), Ruben Fedriani (IAA-CSIC), Ian Heywood (Oxford)" class="wp-image-1965135"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An image of the Milky Way captured by the MeerKAT radio telescope array puts the James Webb Space Telescope’s image of the Sagittarius C region in context. Click image to enlarge. Credits: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, SARAO, Samuel Crowe (UVA), John Bally (CU), Ruben Fedriani (IAA-CSIC), Ian Heywood (Oxford)</figcaption></figure>



“Because of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-magnetic-field-has-a-dent-and-nasa-is-watching-closely/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnetic fields</a>, Sagittarius C has a fundamentally different shape, a different look than any other star forming region in the galaxy away from the galactic center,” Crowe said.



The images captured by the Webb telescope showcase that difference vividly. 



Unlike smoother star-forming areas like the Orion Nebula, Sagittarius C is laced with bright, thin filaments of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plasma-can-bend-magnetic-fields-into-unique-shapes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plasma</a> - hot, ionized gas - each stretching several light-years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-web-of-plasma-filaments">Complex web of plasma filaments</h2>



The plasma filaments thread through the region, creating a complex web that surprised even seasoned researchers. "We were definitely not expecting those filaments,” Fedriani said. “It was a completely serendipitous discovery.”



Bally believes the magnetic environment is responsible for Sagittarius C’s strange architecture. 



In the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farewell-to-gaia-the-spacecraft-that-mapped-the-milky-way/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>’s core, the gravitational power of the central black hole - estimated to be four million times more massive than our sun - swirls surrounding gas into motion, which in turn stretches and amplifies the local magnetic fields. 



These fields appear to shape the plasma into filamentary structures, altering how stars form.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turbulent-nursery-for-new-stars">Turbulent nursery for new stars</h2>



Stars emerge from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fluffy-molecular-clouds-may-change-our-understanding-of-star-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">molecular clouds</a> - vast collections of gas and dust that collapse under their own gravity. In regions like the Orion Nebula, this process unfolds relatively predictably. But Sagittarius C tells a more chaotic story.



In a companion paper, also published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ad8889" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal</a>, Crowe, Bally, and colleagues examined the young protostars of the galaxy forming within Sagittarius C. 



The experts found that even as these stars are born, they emit powerful radiation that disrupts the cloud around them, blasting away the material needed for future star formation.



“Even the sun, we think, formed in a massive cluster like this,” Bally said. “Over billions of years, all of our sibling stars have drifted away.”



The filaments observed by Webb suggest that magnetic fields in Sagittarius C may act as a counterforce to gravity.&nbsp;



While molecular clouds try to collapse to form stars, magnetic pressure may resist that collapse - offering a possible explanation for why fewer stars form in this region of the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) than earlier models predicted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harsh-conditions-at-the-galaxy-s-core">Harsh conditions at the galaxy's core</h2>



Sagittarius C is not just unusual - it’s also aging. As the stars within it continue to push away remaining gas and dust with radiation and stellar winds, the molecular cloud that gave rise to the region’s current burst of star formation is vanishing.&nbsp;



Bally estimates that this stellar nursery could fade entirely within a few hundred thousand years. “It’s almost the end of the story,” he said.



Even as Sagittarius C winds down, it continues to inform our understanding of how galaxies evolve. 



The Webb telescope’s ability to peer through thick clouds of interstellar material with infrared light has opened a new window into the mysterious and dynamic environments at the Milky Way’s core.



By revealing how magnetic fields, gravity, and radiation interact in one of the galaxy’s harshest places, this study offers a clearer picture of how stars are born - and sometimes prevented from being born - in the heart of the cosmos.



The study is published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ad9d0b" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal</a>.



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Something very strange discovered at the core of our Milky Way galaxy

In one of the most extreme regions of the Milky...

When astronauts gaze at our planet from space, they call it the “Blue Marble.” But that iconic color, which reflects the vast oceans and sunlit sky, may be a relatively new look. Dive deeper into Earth's past - about 2.5 to 4 billion years ago - and you might see a very different hue. 



Scientists now argue that Earth's oceans once shimmered green, not blue.



These emerald waters weren’t just a geological oddity - they were a cradle for evolution, especially for one of life’s most influential architects: the cyanobacteria.



A recent study by Taro Matsuo and his team at <a href="https://en.nagoya-u.ac.jp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nagoya University</a>, which is published in Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution, reimagines Earth’s early biosphere.



By exploring how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-oceans-are-rapidly-changing-colors-matching-climate-predictions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">underwater</a> light filtered through iron-rich seas, the researchers offer a bold hypothesis: the evolution of cyanobacteria's photosynthetic systems was deeply shaped by the presence of green light.



This green ocean world could change how we recognize life on other planets - and how we view our own beginnings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-oceans-were-iron-rich-and-green">Early oceans were iron-rich and green</h2>



Four and a half billion years ago, Earth formed from cosmic debris. Life took its time to appear, only arriving around 3.7 billion years ago.



Before the first cells emerged, oceans covered the planet’s surface, but their appearance differed greatly from what we see today. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-hydrothermal-vents-provide-clues-about-the-origin-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hydrothermal vents</a>, erupting across ocean floors, pumped reduced iron - Fe(II) - into the water, filling the seas with ferrous iron.



This chemistry defined the early ocean’s interaction with sunlight. With no oxygen in the atmosphere and an abundance of Fe(II), the oceans lacked the reflective quality of today’s blue waters. 



There was no ozone to block UV rays, and no land plants to shift the atmosphere. What these iron-saturated oceans had instead was a strange relationship with light - one that bent toward green.



With the arrival of cyanobacteria, oxygen started appearing in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunken-worlds-discovered-under-the-pacific-ocean-in-earths-mantle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a>. That oxygen transformed ferrous iron into ferric iron, which is insoluble and formed rust-like particles. 



These particles sank slowly but didn’t disappear quickly. Instead, they lingered and affected the light that filtered into the ocean depths.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-green-light-shapes-evolutionary-paths">Green light shapes evolutionary paths</h2>



The ferric iron, suspended in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weakening-ocean-currents-could-cost-trillions-of-dollars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a> as fine iron hydroxide, had a powerful optical effect. It absorbed red and blue wavelengths but let green light pass. 



As a result, the oceans themselves took on a green hue. Had anyone been there to witness it, they would have seen Earth’s waters glowing emerald.



This green-light environment had significant consequences for the organisms living in it. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turning-plants-into-carbon-capture-machines-with-cyanobacteria/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cyanobacteria</a>, the early masters of photosynthesis, began to adapt. 



They already used chlorophyll a, a pigment that absorbs red and blue light. But under green light, chlorophyll a becomes far less effective.



To survive, cyanobacteria evolved phycobilisomes - large antenna-like structures that are packed with accessory pigments. Among these pigments, phycoerythrobilin (PEB) proved especially vital.



It absorbed green light and passed that energy to chlorophyll a for photosynthesis. These structures enabled cyanobacteria to dominate the early oceans.



“Genetic analysis revealed that cyanobacteria had a specialized phycobilin protein called phycoerythrin that efficiently absorbed green light,” Matsuo said in a statement. “We believe that this adaptation allowed them to thrive in the iron-rich, green oceans.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simulating-earth-s-early-green-oceans">Simulating Earth's early green oceans</h2>



To test their theory, Matsuo and his colleagues ran detailed numerical simulations, recreating the underwater light environment from the Archean eon. These simulations accounted for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-broke-records-for-450-straight-days/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a> chemistry, light diffusion, and pigment absorption.



They discovered that at depths of 5 to 20 meters (16 to 66 feet), iron hydroxide particles created a persistent green-light window. Even tenfold variations in particle concentration did not shift the spectrum significantly.



Under these conditions, green light dominated, matching perfectly with the absorption range of PEB. Phycobilisomes equipped with PEB gave <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-algae-soak-up-loads-of-carbon-to-help-save-the-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cyanobacteria</a> an evolutionary edge.



In addition to models, the team performed genetic experiments. They engineered cyanobacteria strains to produce PEB. 



When exposed to green light, the modified strains outgrew the wild-type strains. The energy transfer was so efficient that PEB didn’t even need its usual protein partner, phycoerythrin - it could work by attaching directly to phycocyanin instead.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-bodies-match-ancient-green-oceans">Water bodies match ancient green oceans</h2>



Still, simulations and lab results weren’t enough for Matsuo. In 2023, he journeyed to Iwo Island, part of Japan’s Satsunan archipelago. 



There, nature offered a rare analog to Earth’s ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-ocean-warming-in-2024-is-a-warning-for-our-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oceans</a>. Hydrothermal vents beneath the island release Fe(II), which oxidizes into iron hydroxide - just as it did in the early oceans, billions of years ago.



“From the boat, we could see that the surrounding waters had a distinct green shimmer due to iron hydroxides, exactly like how I imagined the Earth used to look,” said Matsuo.



Measurements at 5.5 meters depth (18 feet) confirmed the dominance of green light. Fluorescence analysis showed that cyanobacteria at this depth contained more PEB than those at the surface. It was a perfect modern echo of the ancient world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-phycobilisomes-are-tools-born-from-light">Phycobilisomes are tools born from light</h2>



Phycobilisomes remain a defining trait of the cyanobacteria. Made up of three major proteins - phycoerythrin (PE), phycocyanin (PC), and allophycocyanin (APC) - these structures evolved to absorb light in a range of wavelengths. 



In the Archean oceans, PE’s ability to absorb green light and transfer it to chlorophyll a was unmatched.



Phylogenetic analyses suggest that even the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pyramid-lake-nevada-water-turns-dark-green-with-beautiful-swirling-whirlpool-currents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">earliest cyanobacteria</a> had the complete PE–PC–APC system. Over time, some cyanobacteria lost PE, especially those that adapted to brighter or different light conditions. But for the early dwellers of green oceans, PE was crucial.



Further analysis showed that energy transfer from PEB was more efficient than from carotenoids like β-carotene. In fact, the distance over which PEB could transfer energy to chlorophyll was about seven times greater. 



This meant that even in low-light conditions, PEB-packed phycobilisomes kept photosynthesis humming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-earth-s-green-oceans-matter">Why Earth's green oceans matter</h2>



The implications of green oceans stretch beyond Earth's history. They reshape how we might detect life on alien worlds.



Traditionally, astronomers have searched for blue planets, assuming that water reflects that hue. But as Matsuo’s team showed, oceans rich in iron hydroxide appear brighter and greener from a distance.



“Remote-sensing data show that waters rich in iron hydroxide, such as those around Iwo Island in the Satsunan archipelago, appear noticeably brighter than typical blue oceans,” he explained. “This leads us to think that green oceans might be observable from a longer distance, making them easier to detect.”



In the search for extraterrestrial life, scientists might do well to widen their palette. A green tint could signal oceans teeming with microbial activity, and shaped by chemistry just as Earth’s once were.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-we-ve-learned-from-this-study">What we've learned from this study</h2>



The light window on Earth has not always remained the same. Before the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-first-bacteria-used-oxygen-about-one-billion-years-earlier-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great Oxidation Event</a> (GOE), the planet’s light environment favored green.



After the GOE, as oxygen levels rose and iron dropped, oceans cleared, and the light window shifted toward white. Land plants evolved under this white light, and cyanobacteria on land lost their need for PE.



Still, in dim underwater habitats, PE remained essential. The evolution of phycobilisomes thus mirrors Earth’s atmospheric and oceanic transformations. Each stage of light drove new adaptations, and carved paths for life to expand and diversify.



Matsuo wasn’t always convinced. “When I first started pondering the idea in 2021, I was more skeptical than anything else,” he said. “But now, after years of research, as geological and biological insights gradually came together like pieces of a puzzle, my skepticism has turned into conviction.”



That conviction now paints a different portrait of early Earth as a pale green sphere where light sculpted life in unexpected ways.



The study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02637-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Ecology and Evolution</a>.



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Earth was once a "Green Marble" before its oceans turned blue

When astronauts gaze at our planet from space, they call...

It was once thought that when an aging star engulfed a planet it would be a dramatic swelling and devouring event akin to a predator eating its prey. New observations, however, tell a very different story.



Data from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (<a href="https://webbtelescope.org/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JWST</a>) reveals that the planet’s orbit didn’t terminate with a sudden engulfment. Instead, the planet spiraled slowly inward over time until it met its fiery end.



The scientists behind this surprising update are from NSF’s <a href="https://noirlab.edu/public/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOIRLab</a>, and they worked with data collected by Webb’s powerful mid- and near-infrared instruments.



Their observations challenge earlier theories and offer a clearer picture of what may await <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-stars-shape-planetary-systems-like-ours-with-ultraviolet-radiation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planetary systems</a> like our own.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disappearing-planet-grabbed-attention">Disappearing planet grabbed attention</h2>



The star at the center of this event sits about 12,000 light-years from Earth in our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newly-discovered-stars-milky-way-are-old-as-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a> galaxy. A flash of visible light, first spotted in 2020 and labeled ZTF SLRN-2020, originally caught astronomers’ attention. 



But even earlier, infrared data from NASA’s <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/neowise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NEOWISE mission</a> had picked up a brightening signal that hinted at a build-up of dust. 



A deeper <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/neowise/caught-in-the-act-astronomers-detect-a-star-devouring-a-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">investigation in 2023</a> led researchers to think the star was becoming a red giant.



Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (<a href="https://webbtelescope.org/contents/media/images/01FA0SZA5HPXKRKH8Y6PKB10V1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIRI</a>) changed the narrative. Its ability to isolate faint emissions in crowded star fields showed that the star wasn’t as bright as a red giant should be.



In fact, it never expanded enough to swallow a planet whole.



“Because this is such a novel event, we didn’t quite know what to expect when we decided to point this telescope in its direction,” said Ryan Lau. 



“With its high-resolution look in the infrared, we are learning valuable insights about the final fates of planetary systems, possibly including our own.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-engulfed-planet-s-final-orbit">Engulfed planet’s final orbit</h2>



Instead of being engulfed in a sudden flash, the planet met its end in slow motion.



Researchers now believe the planet was roughly the size of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-is-our-trip-to-jupiter-taking-so-long/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jupiter</a> and orbited its host star much closer than Mercury orbits the Sun. 



Over millions of years, it spiraled inward. Eventually, it began brushing the star’s outer atmosphere. That contact triggered a runaway effect - the closer the planet got, the faster it fell in.



“The planet, as it’s falling in, started to sort of smear around the star,” said Morgan MacLeod.



This violent encounter would have blown gas outward from the star’s surface. That gas then cooled and formed dust, creating a faint halo that continued to glow in the infrared long after the planet’s demise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-engulfed-planet-leaves-gas-disk-behind">Engulfed planet leaves gas disk behind</h2>



Webb’s Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) offered an even closer look. 



Along with the expected cool dust cloud, it revealed something much more surprising: a hot, molecular gas disk surrounding the star. 



This accretion disk contained carbon monoxide and other compounds - the kind often found in regions where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-ingredients-of-life-are-with-planets-at-their-birth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planets are born</a>.



“With such a transformative telescope like Webb, it was hard for me to have any expectations of what we’d find in the immediate surroundings of the star,” said Colette Salyk. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://stsci-opo.org/STScI-01JRDSW6JDQZ8TTTY7SCMDX0XK.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/planetary-engulfment-event_star-ZTF-SLRN-2020_swallows-planet_Webb_NASA_1s.webp" alt="This illustration depicts the sequence of events that took place over millions of years, based on observations from Webb’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) and NIRSpec (NIR-Infrared Spectrograph). Panel 1: The planet was about Jupiter-sized, and orbited very close to the star – even closer that Mercury’s orbit around our Sun. Panel 2: The planet’s orbit slowly shrank, or decayed, over time, and the planet approached the star. It eventually started to graze the star’s atmosphere. As the planet was falling in, it smeared around the star. Panel 3: The planet was engulfed by the star completely, and blasted gas away from the outer layers of the star. Panel 4: As that gas expanded and cooled off, the heavy elements in this gas condensed into cold dust over the next year. There is a hot circumstellar disk of molecular gas closer to the star. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Ralf Crawford (STScI)" class="wp-image-1965437"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This illustration depicts the sequence of events that took place over millions of years, based on observations from Webb’s MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument) and NIRSpec (NIR-Infrared Spectrograph). Panel 1: The planet was about Jupiter-sized, and orbited very close to the star – even closer that Mercury’s orbit around our Sun. Panel 2: The planet’s orbit slowly shrank, or decayed, over time, and the planet approached the star. It eventually started to graze the star’s atmosphere. As the planet was falling in, it smeared around the star. Panel 3: The planet was engulfed by the star completely, and blasted gas away from the outer layers of the star. Panel 4: As that gas expanded and cooled off, the heavy elements in this gas condensed into cold dust over the next year. There is a hot circumstellar disk of molecular gas closer to the star. Click image to enlarge. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Ralf Crawford (STScI)</figcaption></figure>



“I will say, I could not have expected seeing what has the characteristics of a planet-forming region, even though planets are not forming here, in the aftermath of an engulfment.”



This leftover material provides fresh clues about what happens after a planet disappears into a star. 



Researchers are now questioning how the interaction may have altered the star’s outer layers or affected nearby planetary debris.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



The event was observed under Webb’s Guaranteed Time Observation program 1240, one of the first Target of Opportunity programs ever conducted by the telescope.



These programs are meant to catch rare moments, like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/t-coronae-borealis-blaze-star-explosion-visible-one-week/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stellar explosions</a> or dramatic system changes, even though scientists can’t predict exactly when or where they’ll happen.



“This is truly the precipice of studying these events. This is the only one we've observed in action, and this is the best detection of the aftermath after things have settled back down,” enthused Lau. “We hope this is just the start of our sample.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-will-planet-earth-be-engulfed-by-the-sun">Will planet Earth be engulfed by the Sun</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/see-the-sun-in-exquisite-detail-in-rare-solar-orbiter-video/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Sun</a>, like all stars, won’t shine forever. In about five to seven billion years, it’ll run out of hydrogen - the fuel that’s kept it stable and warm all this time. 



When that happens, its core will contract and heat up, while the outer layers expand. The Sun will swell into a red giant, growing so massive that it might swallow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/layer-diamonds-nine-miles-thick-discovered-on-planet-mercury-surface/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mercury</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/venus-may-have-far-more-volcanic-activity-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Venus</a>. 



Earth sits right on the edge of that danger zone. Some scientists think the Sun could completely engulf it. Others believe Earth might just escape, pushed outward as the Sun loses mass. Either way, the outcome isn’t good.



Even if Earth avoids getting swallowed, it won’t survive the heat. The oceans will boil away. The atmosphere will vanish. The surface will burn. 



Eventually, the Sun will shed its outer layers and collapse into a tiny, dense <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/white-dwarf-stars-may-be-billions-of-years-older-than-estimated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">white dwarf</a>. What’s left of Earth - if anything - will be a frozen, lifeless husk orbiting a dim, burnt-out star. No fire, no light, no life. Just silence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next?</h2>



More events like ZTF SLRN-2020 are expected to be discovered in the future, thanks to observatories like the upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory and NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.



These tools will scan the sky repeatedly, helping scientists to track sudden changes and expand our understanding of how stars and planets interact in their final acts.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/adb429" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal</a>.



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First-ever recorded planetary engulfment event captured by Webb

It was once thought that when an aging star engulfed...

Microbes live all around us, but some of the most important ones are hidden far beneath our feet. They are part of a world that plays a critical role in keeping our ecosystems healthy.



A recent study revealed that a previously unknown group of microbes is thriving in this deep soil - and they’re quietly helping to clean the water that becomes our drinking supply.



Researchers at <a href="https://msu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michigan State University</a> are exploring one of the least understood parts of our planet - a vast underground zone that quietly supports life above.



What goes on in this zone, known as "Earth's Critical Zone," helps regulate essential processes like water purification, soil formation, and nutrient cycling. Despite how vital it is, scientists still know very little about it, especially at its deepest levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-earth-s-critical-zone">What is Earth's Critical Zone?</h2>



“The Critical Zone extends from the tops of trees down through the soil to depths up to 700 feet,” explained James Tiedje, a world-renowned expert in microbiology from Michigan State University.



“This zone supports most life on the planet as it regulates essential processes like soil formation, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-water-cycle-is-changing-much-faster-than-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water cycling</a> and nutrient cycling, which are vital for food production, water quality and ecosystem health," said Tiedje. 



"Despite its importance, the deep Critical Zone is a new frontier because it’s a major part of the Earth that is relatively unexplored.”



By analyzing deep soil samples from Iowa and China - two places known for their rich and deep soils - the team discovered something extraordinary: a whole new phylum of microbes, which they named CSP1-3.



A phylum is a major category in biological classification, so this is not just a new species or strain - it's a completely different branch of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbial-life-soil-planet-warming-global-carbon-cycle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbial life</a>.



The team selected Iowa and China to see whether these microbes are widespread or limited to specific regions. Their findings suggest CSP1-3 might be more common than anyone realized.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-history-of-the-new-microbes">History of the new microbes</h2>



The researchers extracted DNA from these deep soils and traced the evolutionary journey of CSP1-3. It turns out these microbes have a long history. 



Their ancestors once lived in aquatic environments, including freshwater habitats and hot springs, millions of years ago. Over time, they adapted to life in soil, first moving into surface layers and eventually into deeper regions.



But perhaps the most surprising discovery isn't just that they exist - it is that they are thriving.



“Most people would think that these organisms are just like spores or dormant,” Tiedje said. “But one of our key findings we found through examining their DNA is that these microbes are active and slowly growing.”



Not only are they active, they’re dominant. In some samples, CSP1-3 made up over half of the microbial community, which is a rare occurrence in soil ecosystems.



“I believe this occurred because the deep soil is such a different environment, and this group of organisms has evolved over a long period of time to adapt to this impoverished soil environment,” Tiedje added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-microbes-help-purify-water">How microbes help purify water</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-soil-day-2024-protecting-our-planets-lifeline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Soil</a> isn’t just dirt - it’s the Earth’s largest water filter.



As rainwater moves down through the layers of soil, it’s cleaned by a combination of physical, chemical, and biological processes. 



While the surface soil does part of the job, much of the water purification actually happens deeper down - and that’s where CSP1-3 comes in.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/microbes-discovered_earths-deep-soil_Critical-Zone_credit_UMichigan_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/microbes-discovered_earths-deep-soil_Critical-Zone_credit_UMichigan_1s.webp" alt="This image shows the Earth’s Critical Zone, which extends from the tops of trees down through the soil to depths up to 700 feet and depicts the microbes which live throughout this zone. This zone supports most life on the planet as it regulates essential processes like soil formation, water cycling and nutrient cycling, which are vital for food production, water quality and ecosystem health. Credit: Michigan State University" class="wp-image-1965498"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This image shows the Earth’s Critical Zone, which extends from the tops of trees down through the soil to depths up to 700 feet and depicts the microbes which live throughout this zone. This zone supports most life on the planet as it regulates essential processes like soil formation, water cycling and nutrient cycling, which are vital for food production, water quality and ecosystem health. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Michigan State University</figcaption></figure>



“CSP1-3 are the scavengers cleaning up what got through the surface layer of soil,” Tiedje said. “They have a job to do.” 



These microbes feed on leftover carbon and nitrogen that percolates down from the topsoil. In doing so, they help purify groundwater before it reaches the aquifers that supply our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strict-pfas-limits-will-make-drinking-water-safer-for-100-million-americans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drinking water</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-scientists-plan-to-do-next">What scientists plan to do next</h2>



The next step for the research team is to grow CSP1-3 in the lab. Culturing deep-soil microbes in the lab is notoriously difficult because their native environment is hard to replicate. However, the researchers are hopeful.



Knowing that CSP1-3’s ancestors once lived in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hot-springs-may-have-played-a-key-role-in-the-emergence-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hot springs</a>, they’re experimenting with high-temperature conditions to encourage growth.



“CSP1-3’s physiology, driven by their biochemistry, is different, so there may be some interesting genes of value for other purposes,” Tiedje commented.



“For example, we don’t know their capacities for metabolizing tough pollutants and, if we could learn that, we can help solve one of the Earth’s most pressing problems.”



As Leonardo da Vinci once said, “We know more about the movement of celestial bodies than about the soil underfoot.” With discoveries like this, we’re starting to change that - one layer at a time.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2424463122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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New type of microbes discovered in Earth's deep soil, an area known as the 'Critical Zone'

Microbes live all around us, but some of the most...

Urgent action is needed to protect endangered species, human health, and industry from the impacts of the Caspian Sea’s decline.



In a new study, scientists from the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Leeds</a> have mapped the potential risks posed by the shrinking Caspian Sea to the region’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-ocean-day-a-unified-approach-to-protect-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> and infrastructure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-decline-in-the-caspian-sea">Water decline in the Caspian Sea</h2>



Water levels in the Caspian Sea - the world’s largest landlocked water body - are shrinking as hotter temperatures cause more water to evaporate than flows in.



Even if <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-experts-predict-global-warming-will-far-exceed-paris-goals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global warming</a> is limited to below 2°C, the sea level is expected to decline by 5 to 10 meters. If temperatures rise further, levels could drop by as much as 21 meters (more than 68 feet) by 2100.



The findings show that an area of 112,000 km² - larger than Iceland - could dry up, even in an optimistic warming scenario with a 10-meter decline.



Because many of the most ecologically and economically important areas lie in shallow water, the consequences could be severe for biodiversity and the sustainability of human life in the region.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risks-of-low-water-levels">Risks of low water levels</h2>



The sea is home to the endangered Caspian seal, six species of sturgeon, and hundreds of fish and invertebrate species that cannot be found anywhere else. 



According to the researchers, declining water levels will reduce breeding habitat for Caspian seals, block sturgeon access to spawning rivers, and destroy coastal lagoons and reed beds vital for spawning fish and migrating birds.



In addition, more than 15 million people live along the Caspian coast, in Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan. The bordering nations rely on the water body for fishing, shipping, and trade, and the sea is important for regulating climate in Central Asia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-places-will-be-stranded">Some places will be stranded</h2>



In the northern Caspian, the study's findings show that some settlements, ports, and industrial facilities could end up stranded tens or even hundreds of kilometers from the new shoreline.



The exposed seabed is likely to release dust containing industrial contaminants and salt, posing serious threats to human health - as happened during the drying of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aral-sea-dust-emissions-have-doubled-with-major-climate-impacts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aral Sea</a>. 



The researchers argue that policymakers and conservationists need to take a dynamic approach to biodiversity protection, rather than relying on traditional protected areas with fixed boundaries, since these may quickly become obsolete due to the rapidly changing water levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proactive-measures-are-needed">Proactive measures are needed</h2>



Simon Goodman, a researcher in the School of Biology at the University of Leeds, led the study.



“Some Caspian Sea level decline appears unavoidable, even with action to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. However, with the anticipated effects unfolding over a few decades, it should be possible to find ways to protect biodiversity while safeguarding human interests and well-being,” said Goodman.



“That might sound like a long timescale, but, given the immense political, legislative, and logistical challenges involved, it is advisable to start action as soon as possible to give the best chance of success.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shrinking-seal-habitat">Shrinking seal habitat</h2>



Currently, the Caspian Sea extends approximately 1,150 by 450 kilometers, with a total area of 387,000 square kilometers.



With a 10-meter decline, four out of ten ecosystem types unique to the Caspian Sea are expected to disappear entirely, and the coverage of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-protected-areas-fall-short-on-2030-biodiversity-targets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">existing marine protected</a> areas could shrink by up to 94 percent.



Caspian seals give birth to white-coated pups between mid-January and early March on ice in the northern Caspian Sea. However, the research shows that a 5-meter decline could reduce this habitat by up to 81%, putting extreme pressure on their already diminished population.



The Caspian seal was listed as endangered by the<a href="https://iucn.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> International Union for Conservation of Nature</a> (IUCN) in 2008 and appears in the national Red Books of all five Caspian countries, signifying its recognition as a species at risk of extinction.



The decline will also make all current and historical haul-out sites - areas on land where seals rest - inaccessible. While receding water levels may create some new islands, further research is needed to assess their suitability for seals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vanishing-habitats-for-birds-and-fish">Vanishing habitats for birds and fish</h2>



Sturgeons are an ancient family of large fish, and critically endangered due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-has-caused-a-50-decline-in-sharks-and-rays/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overfishing</a> for their meat and roe.



The fish usually inhabit shallower parts of the sea in summer and autumn, but these areas are facing a potential reduction of 25% to 45% due to the fall in water levels, which may stop them accessing their few remaining spawning sites in rivers that flow into the sea.



The Caspian Sea is also a globally important habitat for birds migrating between Europe, Asia, and Africa.



Migratory birds rely on coastal lagoons and reed beds for resting, shelter, and food during their migrations, but such habitats are vulnerable to loss as waters recede. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-awareness-of-caspian-sea-decline">Awareness of Caspian Sea decline </h2>



Although work has been done to protect areas important for biodiversity, the paper predicts that overall coverage of existing Caspian marine protected areas will disappear almost entirely for all countries except Kazakhstan, which would retain about 5% of current coverage.



Rebecca Court, a PhD researcher in the School of Earth and Environment at Leeds, worked on the research as part of her master's degree in the School of Biology.



“We hope this research will help to raise awareness of the trajectory and potential impacts of the falling sea level. The mapping should better equip policymakers and conservationists to plan for and address the numerous issues in advance."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ports-pipelines-and-peril">Ports, pipelines, and peril</h2>



The findings also predict troubling consequences for industry, with key ports in all bordering countries expected to be affected. Baku (Azerbaijan), Anzali (Iran), and Aktau (Kazakhstan) may experience shoreline retreats of 1 km or more. 



Turkmenbashi (Turkmenistan) and Lagan (Russia - a planned future site) could see shoreline shifts of 16 km and 115 km, respectively, according to the study.



The Volga is the only river connecting the Caspian Sea to the global maritime network, and this vital trade route could be severely compromised by a decline of just five meters.



The Kashagan and Filanovsky oil fields in the northern Caspian are among the region’s most important hydrocarbon production sites.



Currently, production takes place at offshore installations using ship-based logistics, but these operations will become landlocked if Caspian Sea levels fall by 5 to 15 meters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-communities-in-the-crosshairs">Communities in the crosshairs</h2>



Coastal communities in the north are likely to be hit hard as fishing income disappears, and harsh climatic conditions make other economic activity, such as agriculture more difficult - potentially threatening social stability.



Some cities around the Caspian use desalination (removing salt and minerals from saltwater) for freshwater supplies, and water level declines are already impacting desalination operations at Aktau in Kazakhstan.



The loss of water from the Caspian could also affect the regional climate, leading to reduced rainfall and drier conditions across Central Asia with indirect impacts on agriculture.



Finally, the energy resources of the Caspian Sea make it geopolitically significant. As a result, social, economic, and environmental instability caused by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> could have worldwide repercussions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risks-posed-by-climate-change">Risks posed by climate change </h2>



Going forward, a balance needs to be struck between protecting biodiversity and human prosperity and well-being.



The researchers’ recommendations include: investing to enhance regional capacity for biodiversity monitoring, supporting coastal communities to diversify economically, enabling flexible protected areas with fluid boundaries, and taking preemptive steps to avoid conflicts between conservation and infrastructure adaptation.



The team also stresses the urgency of reducing<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2023-climate-change-report-record-high-temperatures-greenhouse-gases-sea-level-rise/"> greenhouse gas emissions</a> globally and warns in order to mitigate these projected impacts, coordinated regional planning and global collaboration are essential.



“This is an important study because it highlights the risks posed by climate change for Caspian region biodiversity and local communities and the need to enhance regional and international cooperation to help manage the impacts,” concluded Elchin Mamedov from the Azerbaijan Ministry of Ecology and National Resources.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-025-02212-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communication: Earth and Environment.</a>



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Caspian Sea decline threatens wildlife, human health, and industry

Urgent action is needed to protect endangered species, human health,...

Deep beneath the Earth's surface, an extraordinary discovery has been made. Microbes - alive and thriving - have been found sealed within a fracture of 2-billion-year-old rock.



This finding pushes the boundaries of our understanding of life's resilience and longevity.



Lead researcher Yohey Suzuki, an associate professor from the Graduate School of Science at the <a href="https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tokyo</a>, couldn't hide his excitement. 



“We didn’t know if 2-billion-year-old rocks were habitable,” Suzuki explained. “Until now, the oldest geological layer in which living microorganisms had been found was a 100-million-year-old deposit beneath the ocean floor, so this is a very exciting discovery."



By studying the DNA and genomes of microbes like these, scientists may be able to understand the evolution of very early life on Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bushveld-igneous-complex">Bushveld Igneous Complex</h2>



The rock sample housing these ancient microbes was excavated from the Bushveld Igneous Complex (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushveld_Igneous_Complex" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BIC</a>) in northeastern South Africa.



Covering an area roughly the size of Ireland, the BIC is known for its rich ore deposits, including about 70% of the world’s mined platinum. 



Due to its formation from slowly cooled magma and minimal changes over the millennia, the BIC provided a stable environment for microbial life.



The University of Tokyo team, with the support of the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (<a href="https://www.icdp-online.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ICDP</a>) - a nonprofit organization that funds exploration at geological sites - obtained a 30-centimeter-long core sample from about 50 feet below the ground.



The rock varies in thickness up to 5.5 miles and has remained relatively undisturbed, making it an ideal habitat for organisms to persist over geological timescales.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-closer-look-at-the-rock-microbes">Closer look at the rock microbes</h2>



When the team analyzed thin slices of the rock, they discovered microbial cells densely packed into tiny cracks. 



These fractures were sealed off by clay, creating a closed system where the microbes could survive without outside interference. The cells appeared to be living life in slow motion, scarcely evolving over millions of years.



To ensure the microbes were indigenous to the rock and not contaminants, the researchers employed a refined technique involving three types of imaging: infrared spectroscopy, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/watching-electrons-move-1-quintillionth-of-second-attoseconds-attomicroscopy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electron microscopy</a>, and fluorescent microscopy. 



By staining the DNA of the cells and examining the proteins and surrounding clay, they confirmed the organisms were alive and native to the ancient sample.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clay-sealed-microenvironments">Clay-sealed microenvironments</h2>



One intriguing aspect of this discovery is the role of clay in preserving these microbes. The clay acted like a natural barrier, sealing off the cracks and preventing anything from entering or leaving. 



This created a stable microenvironment where the organisms could survive for unimaginable lengths of time.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/microbes_found-alive_2-billion-year-old-rock_credit-Y-Suzuki_UTokyo_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/microbes_found-alive_2-billion-year-old-rock_credit-Y-Suzuki_UTokyo_1s.webp" alt="Microbial cells stained green: This picture shows many tiny cells in which DNA is abundantly included inside the cells. First, the microbial cells were detected in fractures in the rock sample using an infrared imaging technique called O-PTIR spectroscopy. After that, they were stained with a green solution and analyzed using both a scanning electron microscope and then fluorescent microscopy. The combination of readings from these three imaging techniques enabled the researchers to confirm the indigenous and living microbial cells in the 2-billion-year-old rock fissure. Credit: Y. Suzuki, S. J. Webb, M. Kouduka et al." class="wp-image-1965489"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Microbial cells stained green: This picture shows many tiny cells in which DNA is abundantly included inside the cells. First, the microbial cells were detected in fractures in the rock sample using an infrared imaging technique called O-PTIR spectroscopy. After that, they were stained with a green solution and analyzed using both a scanning electron microscope and then fluorescent microscopy. The combination of readings from these three imaging techniques enabled the researchers to confirm the indigenous and living microbial cells in the 2-billion-year-old rock fissure. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Y. Suzuki, S. J. Webb, M. Kouduka et al.</figcaption></figure>



Such natural encapsulation raises interesting possibilities. Could similar mechanisms be at play elsewhere, perhaps even on Mars? If so, our chances of finding preserved life forms on other planets might be better than we thought.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-early-life-on-earth">Understanding early life on Earth</h2>



This discovery opens up new avenues for studying the early evolution of life on Earth. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-microbes-eat-a-different-diet-that-affects-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Finding organisms</a> that have persisted in such ancient rocks allows scientists to peer back in time and understand how life may have adapted to extreme environments.



“I am very interested in the existence of subsurface microbes not only on Earth, but also the potential to find them on other planets,” Suzuki shared. 



NASA’s Mars <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/mars-2020-perseverance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Perseverance rover</a> is currently due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/perseverance-rover-finds-best-evidence-yet-life-on-mars-cheyava-falls-rock/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bring back rocks</a> that are a similar age to those we used in this study.



"Finding microbial life in samples from Earth from 2 billion years ago and being able to accurately confirm their authenticity makes me excited for what we might be able to now find in samples from Mars," Suzuki enthused.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbes-rocks-and-alien-life">Microbes, rocks, and alien life</h2>



The techniques perfected in this study could be instrumental in examining rock samples from other planets. 



If microbes can survive sealed in rocks for billions of years on Earth, could similar life forms exist elsewhere in our solar system?



It's a tantalizing question. The methods used to detect and confirm these ancient microbes might help us identify signs of life in Martian rocks. 



With missions like Perseverance bringing back samples from Mars, the possibilities are expanding.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-living-time-capsules">Living time capsules</h2>



The idea that life can endure in such isolation and for such immense periods challenges our perceptions of survival and adaptation. These microbes are like living time capsules, offering a snapshot of life from eons ago.



By studying them, scientists hope to uncover clues about the conditions on early Earth and how life managed to take hold. 



This finding also prompts us to reconsider the limits of life on Earth. If microbes can survive in such extreme and isolated conditions, what does that say about life's ability to adapt? 



It suggests that life is incredibly tenacious and can find a way in even the most inhospitable places.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-frontier-in-microbiology">New frontier in microbiology</h2>



To sum it all up, this finding doesn't just push the boundaries of geology and biology - it opens a new frontier. The intersection of deep Earth studies and microbiology could lead to breakthroughs in understanding life's resilience.



Researchers will continue to explore these ancient habitats, using the perfected techniques to avoid contamination and ensure authenticity.



As we look to the future, the implications of this research are vast. 



Could studying these ancient microbes help us prepare for discovering life beyond Earth? What adaptations allow these organisms to survive in such extreme conditions?



The answers may lie in continued exploration and cross-disciplinary collaboration. One thing is certain: the Earth's deep places still have many stories to tell.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00248-024-02434-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microbial Ecology</a>.



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Microbes found alive sealed inside a rock for over 2 billion years

Deep beneath the Earth's surface, an extraordinary discovery has been...

A black hole that had been silent for decades has erupted with brilliant flashes of X-ray light, surprising astronomers and opening a rare window into one of the universe's most extreme phenomena. 



The black hole, known as "Ansky," sits at the heart of SDSS1335+0728 - a distant galaxy located 300 million light-years away in the constellation Virgo.



Scientists from the European Southern Observatory and <a href="https://www.valpo.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Valparaíso University</a> in Chile have been tracking the black hole's activity, using X-ray telescopes to monitor its strange awakening.



The research is supported by XMM-Newton, an observatory operated by the European Space Agency. NASA is also contributing to this global collaboration with the NICER, Chandra, and Swift telescopes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-black-hole-breaks-its-silence">A black hole breaks its silence</h2>



Black holes, despite their reputation for devouring everything in sight, can actually go unnoticed for long periods. They lie dormant, consuming little to no matter from their surroundings. 



This had been the case with the black hole at the center of SDSS1335+0728 - until late 2019. That’s when something changed. The galaxy began to shine unusually bright in optical light, prompting astronomers to dig into archival data and launch new observations.



Paula Sánchez Sáez is a researcher at the European Southern Observatory and leader of the team that first explored the black hole’s activation.



“When we first saw Ansky light up in optical images, we triggered follow-up observations using NASA’s Swift X-ray space telescope, and we checked archived data from the eROSITA X-ray telescope, but at the time we didn’t see any evidence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/x-ray-radiation-from-black-holes-explained-after-50-year-struggle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">X-ray</a> emissions,” said Sánchez Sáez.



Now classified as an active galactic nucleus, or AGN, the black hole is producing intense bursts of X-rays that repeat at nearly regular intervals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-witnessing-a-rare-event">Witnessing a rare event</h2>



In February 2024, the story took a more fascinating turn. A team led by researchers from Valparaíso University began detecting consistent X-ray bursts from the black hole.



These flares are known as quasiperiodic eruptions (QPEs) - brief flashes of high-energy X-rays that appear and disappear in a pattern.



“This rare event provides an opportunity for astronomers to observe a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-vortex-created-lab-mimic-black-hole-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black hole’s behavior</a> in real time, using X-ray space telescopes XMM-Newton and NASA’s NICER, Chandra and Swift," noted Lorena Hernández-García, a researcher at the Valparaiso University, Chile.



"QPEs are short-lived flaring events. And this is the first time we have observed such an event in a black hole that seems to be waking up.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-faint-x-ray-emissions">Detecting faint x-ray emissions</h2>



Quasiperiodic eruptions have only been seen a few times since their discovery, and no one fully understands what causes them. 



“The first QPE episode was discovered in 2019, and since then we’ve only detected a handful more. We don’t yet understand what causes them. Studying Ansky will help us to better understand <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-hole-disks-are-unexpectedly-fluffy-new-simulation-reveals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black holes and how they evolve</a>," said Hernández-García.



Among the many telescopes involved, XMM-Newton has proven to be especially valuable. Hernández-García noted that it is the only X-ray telescope sensitive enough to detect the fainter X-ray background light between the bursts.



"With XMM-Newton we could measure how dim Ansky gets, which enabled us to calculate how much energy Ansky releases when it lights up and starts flashing.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-causing-the-x-ray-flashes">What is causing the x-ray flashes?</h2>



Normally, when a black hole captures matter - such as gas or even a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/18-black-holes-captured-devouring-nearby-stars-in-dramatic-tidal-disruption-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star</a> - the material is shredded and forms a bright, spinning disc known as an accretion disc.



Some quasiperiodic eruptions are thought to be triggered by interactions between this disc and a nearby object like a small star or black hole. These interactions generate energy bursts detectable as X-rays. 



However, Ansky doesn’t fit that model neatly. So far, there’s no sign it has destroyed a star. This led researchers to consider a different explanation: perhaps the black hole is collecting gas from its environment.



A small object might be disturbing this gas repeatedly as it orbits through it, creating periodic shocks that result in X-ray flashes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ansky-challenges-existing-ideas">Ansky challenges existing ideas</h2>



Joheen Chakraborty, a PhD student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, noted that the bursts of X-rays from this black hole are ten times longer and ten times more luminous than what we see from a typical quasiperiodic eruption.



“Each of these eruptions is releasing a hundred times more energy than we have seen elsewhere. Ansky’s eruptions also show the longest cadence ever observed, of about 4.5 days," said Chakraborty.



"This pushes our models to their limits and challenges our existing ideas about how these X-ray flashes are being generated.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-watching-a-black-hole-transform">Watching a black hole transform </h2>



What makes this situation so unique is that researchers are witnessing the black hole’s transformation in real time. Rather than catching the aftermath of some cosmic outburst, they’re watching the outburst as it happens.



“For QPEs, we’re still at the point where we have more models than data, and we need more observations to understand what's happening,” said Erwan Quintin, an ESA research fellow and X-ray astronomer.



“We thought that QPEs were the result of small celestial objects being captured by much larger ones and spiraling down towards them. Ansky’s eruptions seem to be telling us a different story. These repetitive bursts are also likely associated with gravitational waves that ESA’s future mission LISA might be able to catch.”



According to Quintin, it is crucial to have these X-ray observations that will complement the gravitational wave data and help us solve the puzzling behavior of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evidence-of-massive-early-universe-black-hole-stuns-astronomers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">massive black holes</a>.



Image Credit: European Space Agency



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Black hole reawakens with intense, mysterious X-ray bursts

A black hole that had been silent for decades has...

Saving lives with careful intervention is often seen as a trait unique to humans. Yet research suggests that some ants may operate their own version of medical support. 



A peer-reviewed study published in the science journal, Current Biology, highlights how Florida carpenter ants (Camponotus floridanus) handle severe wounds among their nestmates.



In these ants, injuries to legs sometimes call for amputation or cleaning, depending on the severity. These amputations, in turn, save <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-many-ants-live-on-earth-at-any-point-in-time-total-number-is-astounding/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the life of the ant</a>. It's an amazing discovery, to say the least.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ants-and-life-saving-amputations">Ants and life-saving amputations</h2>



According to Erik Frank from the <a href="https://www.uni-wuerzburg.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Würzburg</a>, decisions about how to treat a damaged limb appear to hinge on the potential risk of infection and the amount of muscle tissue in the injured area.



Scientists examining Florida carpenter ants discovered that the insects use a striking combination of wound cleaning and limb removal. 



"When we're talking about amputation behavior, this is literally the only case in which a sophisticated and systematic amputation of an individual by another member of its species occurs in the animal Kingdom," says first author Erik Frank. 



In a separate <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-43885-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">paper published in 2023</a>, a different ant species, Megaponera analis, was shown to rely on a special gland to release antimicrobial compounds during treatment.



Florida carpenter ants, lacking this specialized gland, apply purely mechanical means. They use their mouthparts for cleaning, and in certain cases, follow up by removing the entire limb. 



Observations revealed that the ants rely on a systematic evaluation of each wound, suggesting they can detect when amputation is more likely to offer a better outcome than cleaning alone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wound-type-determines-the-ants-actions">Wound type determines the ants' actions</h2>



In the study, femur injuries were consistently handled with initial cleaning before the leg was removed, whereas tibia injuries received only cleaning. 



"Femur injuries, where they always amputated the leg, had a success rate around 90% or 95%. And for the tibia, where they did not amputate, it still achieved a survival rate of about 75%," says Frank. 



Such careful attention led to much higher survival than in ants left untreated.



Leg anatomy appears to explain this difference. Muscle tissue within the femur may become compromised if left intact, while the tibia contains less muscle and plays a smaller role in moving blood through the leg. 



"Thus, because they are unable to cut the leg sufficiently quickly to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria, ants try to limit the probability of lethal infection by spending more time cleaning the tibia wound," explains senior author and evolutionary biologist Laurent Keller of the <a href="https://www.unil.ch/unil/en/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Lausanne</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-florida-carpenter-ants-the-basics">Understanding Florida carpenter ants - the basics</h2>



Camponotus floridanus, better known as the Florida carpenter ant, is one of the most common ant species in Florida. These ants are big, bold, and easy to spot thanks to their reddish-brown bodies and darker heads and abdomens. 



Unlike the typical "carpenter" ants that chew through wood to build nests, Florida carpenter ants prefer to move into existing cavities, like tree hollows, rotting wood, or even wall voids in homes. 



They're not shy either - on warm evenings, especially in spring and summer, you might catch them foraging in long trails, searching for sugary snacks or protein-rich morsels.



What makes C. floridanus especially interesting is their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-are-now-using-cars-to-travel-spread-to-new-locations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex social structure</a> and communication skills. These ants use chemical signals called pheromones to coordinate everything from food collection to defense. 



They live in colonies with thousands of individuals, and every ant has a specific job - some guard the nest, others care for young, and many act as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungus-farming-ants-work-hard-to-maintain-healthy-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tireless foragers</a>. 



Scientists actually study them to better understand social behavior and aging, since these ants can live for years and show unique patterns of brain activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ant-society-and-amputations">Ant society and amputations</h2>



Ants operating as medics raises questions about how a social insect develops such organized responses.



"The fact that the ants are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/leafcutter-ants-remember-past-infections-strengthening-colony-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">able to diagnose a wound</a>, see if it's infected or sterile, and treat it accordingly over long periods of time by other individuals - the only medical system that can rival that would be the human one," Frank says. 



These behaviors show a surprising ability to reduce deaths from infected limbs.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ants_performing-amputation_credit-Danny-Buffat_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ants_performing-amputation_credit-Danny-Buffat_1s.webp" alt="Video still image – wound care and amputation in Florida carpenter ants, C. maculatus. Credit: Danny Buffat" class="wp-image-1965342"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Video still image – wound care and amputation in Florida carpenter ants, C. maculatus. Credit: Danny Buffat</figcaption></figure>



Another unexpected twist is that these responses seem to appear without learned training. "It's really all innate behavior," says Keller. 



Since ants often rely on age-based division of labor, the individuals performing these treatments may have an inborn skill set that emerges at the right stage in their life cycle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next?</h2>



Researchers are now exploring the prevalence of similar amputation strategies in other Camponotus species. 



They hope to learn whether this practice is unique to Florida carpenter ants or if others without antimicrobial glands share the same approach. 



"<a href="https://youtu.be/Ys96YXXTL1Q" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">When you look at the videos</a> where you have the ant presenting the injured leg and letting the other one bite it off completely voluntarily, and then present the newly made wound so another one can finish the cleaning process - this level of innate cooperation, to me, is quite striking," says Frank. 



This work also raises questions about pain perception in ants, since the injured insect remains conscious throughout the limb removal. 



To sum it all up, this incredible research hints at complex interactions that make ant societies a remarkable source of curiosity.



Understanding the nuances of these responses could shed light on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/very-little-is-known-about-99-of-all-insects-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">how all insects</a>, not just ants, balance communal well-being with individual costs.



-------



<a href="https://youtu.be/Ys96YXXTL1Q" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here to see the full video...</a>



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(24)00805-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Ants are the only animals besides humans that perform life-saving surgeries

Saving lives with careful intervention is often seen as a...

Researchers have been fascinated by how sea sponges build strong yet delicate glass-like skeletons. These natural structures have now inspired scientists to use bacteria to create tiny, durable lenses in the lab.



The research was led by Anne S. Meyer, an associate professor in the Department of Biology at the <a href="https://www.rochester.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Rochester</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enzymes-from-sea-sponges">Enzymes from sea sponges</h2>



Sea sponges combine minerals from their surroundings to create <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/bioglass" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bioglass</a>, a material that feels fragile yet remains surprisingly resilient. That fusion of durability and lightness has intrigued research teams for decades.



The concept gained momentum when experts realized that this simple marine biology trick might inspire new imaging technologies. 



By mixing enzymes that were derived from sea sponges, with certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-strain-identified-that-can-eat-forever-chemicals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria</a>, Meyer’s team managed to get the living bacterial cells to make themselves into small lenses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bacteria-form-lenses">Bacteria form lenses </h2>



The tiny lenses belong to a category called <a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2012/sm/c2sm06988a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microlens devices</a> that focus or manipulate light at a very small scale. Researchers see big potential in these devices for use in medical imaging and commercial applications.



​Meyer’s group collaborated with scientists from the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado Boulder</a>, <a href="https://www.tudelft.nl/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Delft University of Technology</a>, and <a href="https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leiden University</a>. Together, the experts combined biology and optics to create living cells that coat themselves with a glass-like shell at normal temperature and pressure.​



“This research is the first to engineer light-focusing properties into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-first-bacteria-used-oxygen-about-one-billion-years-earlier-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria</a> cells, and I am excited to explore the different possibilities that our work has opened up,” said Meyer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-bacteria-use-sponge-enzymes">How bacteria use sponge enzymes </h2>



Meyer’s lab inserted a sponge enzyme, called <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29909834/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">silicatein</a>, into the outer layers of bacterial cells. That enzyme enabled the cells to gather silica-based material, forming a glass-like coating over each tiny bacterium.



Once covered, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-and-imprint-new-era-dna-transformation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria</a> can focus incoming light into bright beams. This shell also allows the bacteria to stay alive for months, which means they can change or adapt in ways that regular microlenses cannot.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bacteria-based-lenses-for-medical-imaging">Bacteria-based lenses for medical imaging</h2>



Getting microlenses down to the size of individual cells could push imaging boundaries even further. A small lens often provides sharper images, giving researchers a chance to see structures that might otherwise remain hidden.



Some experts envision these living microlenses in medical imaging, where scientists look for finer details in tissue samples. Others see commercial uses, such as inspection tools in factories where high-resolution images are essential.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accessible-and-affordable-lenses">Accessible and affordable lenses</h2>



The microlenses don’t just work - they’re tough. Traditional microlens production often involves harsh temperatures or costly machinery, but these new lenses are made in mild, low-tech conditions. That makes them more accessible, more affordable, and easier to replicate.



Because the coating comes from biological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/23-new-marine-bacteria-species-discovered-that-influence-global-ocean-cycles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">processes</a>, the structure holds up under stress. Researchers confirmed that the lenses remained functional even after months, which sets them apart from most synthetic microlens alternatives.



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



There is growing excitement about what living lenses could bring to optical devices. They might be added to image sensors to improve resolution or even woven into flexible materials for wearable technology.



The possibility of self-replicating or self-repairing optical elements opens up entire categories of innovation. If these lenses can change with their environment, future devices might include smart responses to light, temperature, or motion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-living-devices-for-new-frontiers">Living devices for new frontiers</h2>



Since these microscopic lenses can survive for months, they could serve as tiny detectors that react to different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-antibiotic-found-in-soil-has-potential-to-fight-superbugs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surroundings</a>. They might even help monitor conditions inside cramped or extreme environments.



“The ease of producing these microlenses could make them a good way to fabricate optics in locations with less access to nanofabrication tools, including outer space,” said Meyer. 



The team received support to test how these glassy cells behave in places without standard fabrication tools.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-questions-still-remain">Some questions still remain</h2>



Researchers still don’t fully understand how glass-coated bacteria and their lenses will perform in real-world imaging systems.



Their ability to survive and change over time brings up new challenges about stability and predictability, especially in sensitive medical or aerospace applications.



There are also open questions about scaling up production. While the process works in the lab, using it in industry means developing methods to grow and shape millions of these bacterial lenses in uniform, reliable ways.



The study was published in <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2409335121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



Image Credit: National Science Foundation/ J. Adam Fenster / University of Rochester 



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Bacteria used to create 'living lenses' that can see inside cells

Researchers have been fascinated by how sea sponges build strong...

The bison in Yellowstone National Park have captivated visitors for generations. These animals have roamed the region since the park’s establishment in 1872, bringing travelers from around the world to see these majestic creatures up close.



Bison once endured a disastrous period known as the <a href="https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/36694#page/7/mode/1up" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">population bottleneck</a>, leaving fewer than 25 wild animals in Yellowstone in the early 1900s. 



A small group of domestic bison from Montana and the <a href="https://www.traveltexas.com/cities-and-regions/panhandle-plains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas Panhandle</a> helped rebuild the numbers when they were introduced to bolster the wild survivors.



The national park <a href="https://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/images/get-involved/students-resource-about-bison/bison-conservation-papers/White-et-al-Management-of-Yellowstone-bison-and-brucellosis-transmission-risk-January-2011.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">population</a> rose to about 4,000 - 6,000 individuals over the following century. This growth stands out as a story of resilience, given the dangers once faced by these iconic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wolves-are-rebuilding-forests-and-restoring-ecosystem-balance-in-yellowstone/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creatures</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bison-now-form-one-big-herd">Bison now form one big herd</h2>



After years of monitoring their movements, Dr. James Derr from the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology at the College of Veterinary Medicine &amp; Biomedical Sciences (<a href="https://vetmed.tamu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VMBS</a>) at Texas A&amp;M has brought new clarity to how these bison breed.



His team’s genetic findings indicate a shift in behavior that rewrites previous understandings of separate herds within <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yellowstone-supervolcano-eruption-study-sparks-new-debate-on-where-and-when-it-will-erupt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yellowstone</a>.



Management plans have often revolved around the assumption of two distinct herds that needed separate strategies. According to the latest research, that division may no longer exist.



“This finding certainly has a direct impact on the long-term conservation and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yellowstone-tourism-generates-over-1-megaton-carbon-annually/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">management</a> of this iconic bison population,” said Dr. Derr. In simpler terms, the park’s bison are now breeding in a unified way.



“To get a clearer picture, we examined samples from the two major summer breeding groups and two major winter ranges,” said Dr. Sam Stroupe, a researcher at VMBS.



Evaluations confirmed that genetic exchange is happening throughout Yellowstone, rather than staying within smaller pockets.



Scientists took advantage of new tools to compare markers in bison DNA, offering a fuller picture than was possible two decades ago. 



This helped them pinpoint the extent of gene flow, revealing the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-viruses-found-in-yellowstones-hot-springs-are-1-5-billion-years-old/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> function as one interconnected group.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unified-bison-herd-boosts-stability">Unified bison herd boosts stability</h2>



Experts now recommend that these bison be managed as a single population with multiple subunits. This shift in approach aims to preserve genetic diversity for future generations.



One reason for this recommendation is the strong health of the overall gene pool. 



Researchers observed that the bison population carries lineages from both the original <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yellowstone-lake-maintains-ice-cover-despite-warming-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yellowstone</a> group and later introductions, which appears to boost stability.



Park officials work alongside wildlife specialists to watch for any sign of genetic risk in the herd. 



Recognizing a single breeding population encourages consistent strategies that keep gene flow open and protect the animals from harmful inbreeding.



Stewardship also involves collaboration with various stakeholders to maintain ecological balance. By monitoring bison migration between seasonal ranges, specialists can refine how they address population numbers and habitat needs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



The U.S. national mammal has long served as a symbol of vitality and grit. Part of what makes Yellowstone special is its free-roaming herds that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yellowstone-tourism-generates-over-1-megaton-carbon-annually/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">remind onlookers of wilder days</a> in American history.



These new findings come with the hope that data-driven strategies will guide the next steps in bison management. 



Experts underscore that clear research on herd structure is key to making solid decisions about when, where, and how to intervene.



These animals continue to face environmental challenges, from harsh winters to pressure at park boundaries. 



Yet the results of this study suggest that a single, large interbreeding population can handle setbacks if carefully supported.



Conservation teams believe that gene flow across herds helps the species maintain the adaptability needed for long-term survival. Watching for any future shifts will remain essential, given Yellowstone’s changing landscape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-the-yellowstone-bison-herd">Tracking the Yellowstone bison herd</h2>



As rangers and scientists track bison movements, they will look for ways to keep habitats healthy. A wide-ranging herd needs well-managed feeding grounds, especially during winter, to prevent overuse of any single area.



Researchers also emphasize the importance of monitoring herd size. When bison remain robust and widespread, they are less vulnerable to sudden ecological shifts.



Some experts suggest that this united herd might further stabilize <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wolves-are-rebuilding-forests-and-restoring-ecosystem-balance-in-yellowstone/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yellowstone’s ecological balance</a>. 



The presence of these formidable grazers recycles nutrients in grasslands and provides food sources for predators and scavengers.



Standing as the largest wild bison herd in the country, these animals offer a unique window into how to handle wildlife management challenges. They also serve as a source of cultural pride and a reminder of North America’s natural heritage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-based-animal-protection">Science-based animal protection</h2>



Moving forward, the focus is on using science-based approaches to protect these Yellowstone bison without fragmenting the population. 



This aligns with a broader trend toward <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bison-slaughter-had-lasting-traumatic-impacts-on-indigenous-communities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">safeguarding genetic variety</a> in national parks across the country.



Keeping tabs on reproduction patterns will remain vital. If different groups started breeding apart again in the future, managers would need to adapt their strategies.



This shift to one breeding population also carries lessons for other species. Large areas of protected habitat, combined with the right research, can help threatened animals recover from historical hardships.



Several wildlife researchers have praised Yellowstone’s example. Their unified effort confirms that even after past declines, thoughtful planning can sustain a species that once hovered on the edge of vanishing.



The study is published in the <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jhered/article/116/1/1/7756833?login=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Heredity</a>.



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Yellowstone's iconic bison have finally merged back into a single herd after 120 years of effort

The bison in Yellowstone National Park have captivated visitors for...

The Cambrian explosion, over 500 million years ago, gave rise to many bizarre and complex life forms. Some were short-lived and mysterious, and vanished without a trace. Others left behind fossils so rare that generations of scientists could only speculate about their nature. 



Among these elusive creatures was Helmetia expansa, an arthropod discovered in 1918 by Charles Doolittle Walcott.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glimpse-into-a-lost-world">Glimpse into a lost world</h2>



For more than a century, Helmetia remained an enigma. Only a single specimen had ever been illustrated. It appeared in research papers but was never formally described. 



With no follow-up studies and no modern analysis, Helmetia existed more as a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-fuel-pollution-is-causing-disease-disaster-and-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil</a> footnote than a central figure in Cambrian biology.



Now, after 107 years, a new study has brought Helmetia back to life - figuratively speaking. Led by Sarah Losso at <a href="https://www.harvard.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard University</a>, the research team has provided the first complete description of this strange animal. And what they found offers a detailed glimpse into a lost world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-examining-the-cambrian-fossils">Examining the Cambrian fossils</h2>



The new work is based on 36 specimens. They come from two major collections: the <a href="https://www.si.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smithsonian Institution</a> and the <a href="https://www.rom.on.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Ontario Museum</a>.



These fossils were collected between 1975 and 1998 from Canada’s Burgess Shale, a site that is famous for preserving delicate body structures in extraordinary detail.



The team used high-resolution photography, cross-polarized light, and detailed morphological comparisons. For the first time, they could examine Helmetia’s anatomy with clarity. 



This new approach revealed more than just exoskeletons and spines. It uncovered preserved guts, eyes, antennae, and even animals caught mid-molt.



“We need to study more than one specimen to see the species’ full range of morphology and preservation,” said Losso. This is especially important for species known only from flattened, soft-bodied <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prototaxites-the-mystery-fossil-from-a-lost-branch-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossils</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprises-in-the-cambrian-fossils">Surprises in the Cambrian fossils</h2>



Helmetia expansa had a broad, leaf-like body. It was oval in shape and reached lengths of 92 to 183 millimeters (3.6 to 7.2 inches). The body consisted of a cephalon, six thoracic segments, and a large pygidium.



Each thoracic segment bore spines that increased in size toward the rear. The exoskeleton’s edge showed fine serrations, a feature that is rarely preserved in such <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-warnings-fossil-fuels-are-causing-climate-health-and-biodiversity-crises/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossils</a>.



At the front, Helmetia sported large anterolateral spines extending from the head. Between them sat a rounded sclerite - a hardened plate - beneath which lay two large, medial eyes.



Two lateral eyes were tucked under small domes on either side of the head. These features give Helmetia an alien appearance but also hint at visual complexity.



Beneath the surface, the researchers found further surprises. The gut was a narrow, straight tube with a J-shaped foregut and five pairs of digestive glands - oblong and ultrastructurally complex. These internal organs add depth to our understanding of Cambrian arthropod biology.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-movement-of-early-arthropods">Movement of early arthropods </h2>



Early interpretations of Helmetia suggested a floating animal, perhaps drifting above the seafloor. Some even argued it lacked legs entirely. 



But the new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-fossils-reveal-hollow-bones-just-like-modern-birds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossils</a> proved otherwise. Several specimens preserved both gills and walking limbs, which were narrow, segmented appendages hidden under the body.



The limbs were biramous, meaning they branched into two parts. One acted as a leg for walking and grasping, the other functioned as a gill. This arrangement mirrors that of many early arthropods and suggests a crawling lifestyle, not a pelagic one.



The team concluded that Helmetia walked on the ocean floor, using its limbs to move and its gills to exchange gases. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-molting-strategies">Early molting strategies</h2>



Among the most remarkable finds were two Helmetia individuals preserved mid-molt. The fossils showed a second, fainter outline beneath the primary exoskeleton. This indicated that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossils-capture-a-turning-point-in-the-evolution-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> were forming a new cuticle before shedding the old one.



“Molting strategies have never been known in any concilitergan,” said Losso. "All arthropods molt their hard exoskeletons to grow, but no one had seen this behavior before in a concilitergan because you have to catch a specimen in the act of molting, and it’s difficult to get just the right timing.”



The team noted that the new exoskeletons were closer to the front of the body. This suggests Helmetia exited its molt through the head, much like modern horseshoe crabs. Most crabs exit from the rear, so this anterior strategy marks an important evolutionary detail.



“These patterns tell us not only how these 508-million-year-old animals grew, but how big they could get,” Losso said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-and-complex-digestive-glands">Tiny and complex digestive glands</h2>



The internal anatomy of Helmetia included more than just a gut. Researchers found five pairs of digestive glands - small, ovoid structures with submillimetric lamellae. These paired organs are rare among concilitergans and were only previously known in Arthroaspis bergstroemi, a distant relative.



The researchers believe these glands helped process complex food. Their lamellar structure resembles those seen in other marine species that are predators or scavengers. In this light, Helmetia may have fed on soft-bodied prey or organic debris on the seafloor.



These gut glands also serve a deeper purpose. Their similarity to those in Arthroaspis helped confirm a close evolutionary relationship between the two species. Both are now considered part of the same broader group.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-cambrian-fossils">Significance of the Cambrian fossils </h2>



The new study also revised the family tree of the Conciliterga, the order of arthropods to which Helmetia belongs. Previous studies placed trilobites as close relatives. But with better data and a broader comparison set, the researchers now propose a new structure.



Arthroaspis emerged as the most primitive concilitergan. Helmetia, with its well-defined segments and spines, sits within the newly redefined family Helmetiidae. This group includes other species like Kuamaia, Haifengella, and Rhombicalvaria. These helmetiids share features like visible tergite boundaries and spiny bodies.



In contrast, a second group - Tegopeltidae - includes concilitergans with fused segments and no spines. Species like Tegopelte and Saperion fall into this category. The revised tree provides a cleaner classification and suggests that body segment fusion evolved multiple times.



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



All studied Helmetia specimens had six thoracic segments. This means they were adults, fully developed in body structure. Yet, their sizes varied significantly, with the largest individuals being twice the length of the smallest.



This pattern suggests that Helmetia continued to grow during adulthood without adding new body segments - a process known as epimorphic growth. Whether they also experienced an earlier phase of segment addition, like many trilobites, remains unknown due to the lack of juvenile fossils.



The growth pattern seen here mirrors that of Arthroaspis, which also showed size doubling in adulthood. The consistency between the two strengthens their evolutionary connection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossils-of-cambrian-arthropods">Fossils of Cambrian arthropods</h2>



The resurrection of Helmetia expansa through detailed study marks a major leap in understanding Cambrian arthropods. Once an obscure name, Helmetia now stands as one of the best-documented concilitergans.



The study sheds light on its structure, growth, molting, and feeding. It redraws concilitergan evolution and confirms shared features among related species. Most importantly, the research reanimates a species long trapped in the pages of forgotten paleontology.



“Our findings give a much fuller picture of what Helmetia looked like, how it lived, and how concilitergans are related to each other,” Losso said.



Thanks to careful analysis, imaging advances, and renewed interest, Helmetia expansa has finally taken its rightful place in the story of life’s ancient past.



The study was published in the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14772019.2025.2468195" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Systematic Palaeontology</a>. 



Image Credit: Marianne Collins



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Cambrian fossils reveal new clues about arthropod evolution

The Cambrian explosion, over 500 million years ago, gave rise...

<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>



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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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>



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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



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



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.



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%.



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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>.



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



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

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>



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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">Nature Communications</a>.



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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>



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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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>



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>.



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



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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



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>. This research offers renewed hope against cancer, and it can potentially open a door to more effective cancer therapies for most cancer patients worldwide.



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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>



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

<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>



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.



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



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.



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."



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.



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



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.



"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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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>.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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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>



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.



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



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 Neuron</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.



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.



"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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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



Dr. Konstantina Kilteni's 2025 research, published in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adt0350" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>, 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.



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



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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



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



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.



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.



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



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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>



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.



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



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.



That solace came through H.G. Wells' The Time Machine. 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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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."



"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.



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



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."



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.



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



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



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



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 This American Life</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 Today Show</a>. The widespread interest reflects both his compelling personal story and rigorous scientific approach.



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



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.



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.



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.



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.



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



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."



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.



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.







-----



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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>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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