For years, bacteria dominated gut health research. Now, the gut virome is gaining attention as a major player in health and disease. Bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-think-they-found-two-key-bacteria-that-cause-multiple-sclerosis/">bacteria</a>, make up around 90% of the gut virome.



Though small in biomass, they outnumber bacteria by up to tenfold. These tiny viruses shape microbial communities, influence immunity, and affect gut health.



A landmark review published recently in Precision Clinical Medicine reveals how the gut virome links to diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/inflammatory-bowel-disease/about/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IBD</a>), <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/colonoscopy-vs-stool-tests-doctors-found-out-which-is-better-at-detecting-cancer/">colorectal cancer</a>, and Clostridium difficile infection (<a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15548-c-diff-infection" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CDI</a>).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gut-s-virome-changes-across-life-stages">Gut's virome changes across life stages</h2>



The gut virome changes constantly throughout life. Infants show high <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-that-eat-forever-chemicals-discovered-in-contaminated-soil/">diversity</a> in gut bacteriophages (also called phages), which is shaped by birth method, diet, and antibiotic exposure.



As individuals grow, diet and hormones refine the virome. In adults, phages and bacteria form a stable, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41579-021-00536-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">balanced community</a>.



However, aging shifts this balance. Older adults show more lysogenic phages, which integrate into bacterial genomes and potentially alter metabolism and immune interactions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diet-and-environment-shape-the-virome">Diet and environment shape the virome</h2>



Diet greatly <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9455721/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">influences</a> the virome. High-fiber diets support beneficial phages by encouraging helpful bacteria. Western diets, rich in fat and sugar, promote harmful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-bacteria-breathe-by-creating-electricity/">phages</a>.



Urbanization reduces exposure to natural viruses. Studies show that rural diets which are rich in fiber boost gut virome diversity.



Host genetics and immunity also play roles. Genetic variants can affect viral detection and clearance. Immune defenses, like <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/interferons" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interferons</a> and <a href="https://www.immunology.org/public-information/bitesized-immunology/receptors-molecules/immunoglobulin-iga" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IgA</a>, keep the virome balanced.



However, immune dysfunction can trigger viral imbalances, worsening conditions like HIV and gut inflammation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viruses-and-bacteria-interacting">Viruses and bacteria interacting</h2>



Viruses, including phages, along with bacteria and fungi form a complex and dynamic ecosystem in the gut. The components interact in positive and negative ways, thus affecting host metabolism, immune regulation and resistance to disease. 



The gut virome plays a crucial regulatory role in these intricate interactions. Phages interact with bacteria through lytic, lysogenic, and budding cycles, which regulate bacterial populations and gene flow. 



In a form of microbial arms race, the bacteria defend against phages using <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crispr-used-to-remove-extra-chromosomes-in-down-syndrome-and-restore-cell-function/">CRISPR systems</a> and the phages evolve escape mechanisms.



Some phages even boost bacterial metabolism and biofilm formation, affecting disease risk. For instance, phages can transfer genes that enhance bacterial survival in acidic conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-virome-s-influence-on-immunity">Virome’s influence on immunity</h2>



The virome affects gut immunity deeply. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-bacteria-get-hungry-they-turn-on-each-other/">Phages</a> can anchor to gut mucus and form a protective barrier. They also shape our own <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459471/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">T and B cell</a> activity and regulate macrophages. In addition, viruses that infect eukaryotic cells affect immune pathways and maintain gut balance.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/virome_microbiome_human-gut_graphic_credit-PCM_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/virome_microbiome_human-gut_graphic_credit-PCM_1s.webp" alt="This infographic illustrates four major therapeutic approaches—fecal microbial transplantation (FMT), phage therapy, dietary interventions, and probiotics/prebiotics—that aim to restore gut health by modulating the microbiome and virome. Each strategy offers unique methods, benefits, and challenges in managing gastrointestinal disorders such as IBD, CRC, and CDI, highlighting the growing potential of virome-informed precision medicine. Credit: Precision Clinical Medicine" class="wp-image-1976450"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This infographic illustrates four major therapeutic approaches—fecal microbial transplantation (FMT), phage therapy, dietary interventions, and probiotics/prebiotics—that aim to restore gut health by modulating the microbiome and virome. Each strategy offers unique methods, benefits, and challenges in managing gastrointestinal disorders such as IBD, CRC, and CDI, highlighting the growing potential of virome-informed precision medicine. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Precision Clinical Medicine</figcaption></figure>



However, infections and antibiotics can disrupt this harmony and lead to inflammation. Phages can trigger TLR9 pathways, causing excessive immune responses such as those linked to IBD.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-virome-s-role-in-disease">Virome’s role in disease</h2>



Imbalances in the gut virome have been linked to several gut diseases. In IBD, specific phages become abundant and worsen inflammation.



Certain groups of phages (such as Caudovirales) amplify immune responses, while norovirus and rotavirus can damage the gut lining. Viral imbalances are also common in IBS and CDI.



In colorectal cancer, phages and eukaryotic viruses like HPV and JC virus (polyomavirus) appear more often. They may promote tumor growth by altering bacterial communities and gene expression.



Studies suggest that some phages directly influence cancer risk by promoting biofilms and transferring harmful genes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-virus-based-treatments">Virus-based treatments</h2>



Several therapies now explore the virome’s potential to treat certain diseases or conditions. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) restores gut balance and reduces inflammation in IBD and CDI.



FMT works not only by shifting bacteria but also by transferring beneficial phages. Studies show that donor phages often align quickly with recipients and promote recovery.



Phage therapy, which uses viruses to kill specific bacteria, is another approach that is gaining traction. It can reduce harmful microbes while preserving beneficial ones.



Researchers have created phage cocktails that target specific gut pathogens like E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and this approach has had promising results in animal models.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diet-as-a-tool-to-reshape-the-virome">Diet as a tool to reshape the virome</h2>



Dietary strategies also reshape the virome. High-fiber diets boost beneficial phages and support bacterial diversity.



Whey protein has shown potential in managing Crohn’s disease by improving phage-bacteria interactions.



Other interventions, such as exclusive enteral nutrition and low-FODMAP diets, also show benefits in gut diseases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-probiotics-prebiotics-and-phages">Probiotics, prebiotics, and phages</h2>



Probiotics introduce beneficial bacteria, while prebiotics feed them. Combining them, known as symbiotics, shows promise for restoring and maintaining gut health.



Recent research suggests that adding phages can enhance these effects. Phage-based products, such as PreforPro, have already shown benefits in clinical trials.



These products can reduce populations of harmful bacteria and improve probiotic performance, thereby creating a more stable gut environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-gut-viruses-to-detect-diseases-early">Using gut viruses to detect diseases early</h2>



The gut virome is now being studied as a diagnostic tool. Viral patterns are more stable than bacterial ones, making them reliable biomarkers.



Distinct virome signatures can predict IBD and colorectal cancer. Machine learning models already use virome data to detect these diseases early.



Virome profiling may also track treatment responses, such as FMT success in IBD and CDI.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-and-future-prospects">Challenges and future prospects</h2>



Despite the excitement over potential new treatments, many hurdles remain. Current methods struggle to capture the full virome due to technical limits.



Many phages are still unculturable, and their roles remain unclear. Researchers are working to improve viral databases and develop targeted therapies. Once these gaps close, virome-based therapies could change how we treat gut diseases.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/pcm/article/8/2/pbaf010/8152264" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Precision Clinical Medicine</a>.



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Move over microbiome, it's time for the human gut's "virome" to shine

For years, bacteria dominated gut health research. Now, the gut virome is gaining attention as a major player in health and disease. Bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect bacteria, make up around 90% of the gut virome. Though small in biomass, they outnumber bacteria by up to tenfold. These tiny viruses shape microbial communities, influence immunity, and affect gut health. A landmark review published recently in Precision Clinical Medicine reveals how the gut virome links to diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colorectal cancer, and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI)....

Invasive species pose a significant challenge to ecosystems and agriculture, often spreading unnoticed until they have caused considerable damage. Conservationists and growers now have an unusual new ally in the fight against the invasive spotted lanternfly - trained dogs.



A recent study published in the journal Ecosphere highlights how these detection dogs outperform humans in identifying lanternfly egg masses in challenging environments, offering a novel strategy to curb the pest’s spread.



"Preventing the introduction of invasive species is championed as the most cost-effective and efficient strategy for avoiding negative impacts on systems," noted the researchers.



"However, once a species has been introduced, the next best option is to detect the population and eliminate it before it becomes established and spreads more widely across the landscape."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spotted-lanternfly-infestations">Spotted lanternfly infestations </h2>



First detected in Pennsylvania in 2014, the spotted lanternfly has now infested 19 states, including New York. This invasive insect feeds on woody plants like grapes, apples, hops, and various trees, causing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/growing-threat-of-invasive-species-requires-immediate-action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">widespread destruction</a>.



“A spotted lanternfly infestation in a vineyard can cause 80% to 100% mortality of the vines in one growing season,” said study co-author Angela Fuller, a professor in Cornell’s Department of <a href="https://cals.cornell.edu/natural-resources-environment" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Natural Resources and the Environment</a>.



Fuller also noted the financial burden of infestations. “Infestations also increase the amount of insecticide that growers need to use, which can increase costs by up to 170% in a growing season.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-training-dogs-for-invasive-species-detection">Training dogs for invasive species detection</h2>



In collaboration with the <a href="https://www.nynjtc.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York-New Jersey Trail Conference</a> and <a href="https://wd4c.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Working Dogs for Conservation</a>, researchers trained a Labrador retriever and a Belgian malinois to sniff out the lanternfly’s egg masses.



These organizations have previously trained dogs to detect invasive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cats-have-become-one-of-the-worlds-most-invasive-predators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> and pathogens, making them well-equipped for this task.



The study compared the efficiency of human and canine detection in 20 vineyards across Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 



The researchers mapped transects in vineyard rows and adjacent forests, where egg masses are likely to overwinter. Humans and dogs surveyed the areas on separate days to prevent cross-contamination of scents.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-outperform-humans-in-forests">Dogs outperform humans in forests</h2>



While humans excelled in detecting invasive egg masses in vineyards, dogs proved superior in forested areas. In vineyards, humans detected 1.8 times more egg masses than dogs, finding 31 egg masses per hour compared to the dogs’ 24. 



Fuller attributed this to humans’ ability to systematically search vines and poles, whereas dogs relied on scent and conducted more random searches. In forests, however, dogs excelled, finding 3.4 times more egg masses than humans. 



“The dogs find egg masses by smell,” Fuller explained. “In a very <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unseen-crisis-37000-alien-species-have-been-introduced-by-human-activities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex environment</a>, it’s easier for a dog to smell something than it is for a human to see something that is small and cryptic.” 



Dogs located 7.6 egg masses per hour in forests compared to humans’ 6.7 per hour.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-invasive-species-detection">Importance of invasive species detection</h2>



The study emphasizes the importance of early detection in managing the lanternfly’s spread. Dogs performed exceptionally well in areas with low egg mass densities, making them invaluable for rapid response efforts. 



Fuller noted that while dogs take more time to search than humans, the added time is worth it. 



“The extra time that dogs take to find them is not as important as it is to find them in the first place, because you need to detect the egg masses in order to eradicate them,” she said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-into-lanternfly-behavior">Insights into lanternfly behavior</h2>



Using computer modeling, the researchers identified patterns in lanternfly egg mass distribution. They found higher occupancy rates in vineyards than forests, particularly on metal poles. 



Vineyards near forests had higher lanternfly populations, likely because the insects don’t disperse far and often migrate from nearby trees.



“If you’re searching in a vineyard close to the forest, that’s more likely where they’re going to be,” Fuller said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-combating-invasive-species-with-dogs">Combating invasive species with dogs </h2>



This innovative approach offers hope for combating invasive species like the spotted lanternfly. 



By combining human surveys with trained detection dogs, growers and conservationists can strengthen their defense against this destructive pest.



The integration of canine detection into pest management strategies represents a significant step forward in protecting vital ecosystems and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/non-native-species-are-spreading-at-an-exponential-rate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agricultural resources</a>.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecs2.70113" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecosphere</a>.



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Trained dogs can sniff out invasive pests in forests

Invasive species pose a significant challenge to ecosystems and agriculture,...

Ancient societies had all sorts of attitudes toward altered states of mind. Some favored fermented drinks, while others explored psychoactive plants with potent effects. 



Either way, there is a growing body of evidence that many of our ancestors used mind-altering substances in ceremonial settings, personal rituals, and possibly even on the battlefield. 



From what we know about ancient cultures in Mesopotamia, the Mediterranean, and beyond, it seems people were curious about the boundaries of consciousness from the very beginning.



In a new paper in Praehistorische Zeitschrift, researchers discuss the possibility that certain Germanic fighters experimented with psychoactive substances to gain an edge in warfare.



The study was led by archaeologist <a href="https://akokowski.academia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prof. Andrzej Kokowski</a> alongside biologists from <a href="https://study.gov.pl/university/maria-curie-sklodowska-university" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maria Curie-Skłodowska University</a> in Lublin, Poland, and it taps into a fascinating area of debate about what these ancient communities might have consumed before they clashed with soldiers of the mighty Roman Empire.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-humans-and-psychoactive-plants">Ancient humans and psychoactive plants</h2>



Ancient civilizations in the Middle East left us clues that they understood the power of certain psychoactive plants or plant extracts. 



Evidence from Mesopotamia <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/arcm.12806" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">suggests</a> that the Sumerians recognized the potential of poppy cultivation over 5,000 years ago.



Meanwhile, the Egyptians produced beer as early as <a href="https://academic.oup.com/book/51721/chapter-abstract/419816733?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">8,000 years ago</a>, and some <a href="https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/43c3119d-743e-4c7b-a028-ca29b1ab3fc6/content" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">researchers</a> believe that they later discovered ways to harness the poppy’s narcotic components for medical and religious ceremonies.&nbsp;



Across the Mediterranean, the Greeks refined methods of harvesting poppy sap to make opium, which became a prized substance in certain circles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-tools-in-germanic-contexts">Hidden tools in Germanic contexts</h2>



The new study highlights how small artifacts, possibly too tiny to hold food, may have delivered stimulating powders or tinctures to those who wielded swords and shields. 



Although a direct chemical analysis of these artifacts would be the gold standard of proof, the researchers rely on indirect clues from burial and settlement sites. 



The authors remark that certain items fit into the category of “dispensers,” indicating they might have delivered a measured dose of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-potency-linked-to-dramatic-rise-in-psychiatric-disorders/">potent substance</a> in the heat of conflict.



The team also introduce a thought-provoking line in their paper: “The ‘war on drugs’ seems to be the aberration.” 



This statement by the study's authors implies that, in ancient times, the notion of banning <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-potency-linked-to-dramatic-rise-in-psychiatric-disorders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">these substances</a> may not have been front and center. 



Instead, societies either tolerated or ritualized them, weaving them into social gatherings, medical treatments, and possibly warfare traditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-misconceptions-and-roman-views">Cultural misconceptions and Roman views</h2>



One of the more intriguing angles is how the Romans regarded their northern adversaries. Romans often portrayed the so-called “barbarians” as unsophisticated, suggesting that refined substances like opium were beyond their reach. 



Yet material findings seem to contradict that assumption. Scholars argue that people living outside Roman borders had their own knowledge networks, which may have included information on creative uses of plants and fungi.



Other historical studies support the idea that ancient communities across Europe and Asia <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-real-impact-of-burning-magic-herbs-in-spiritual-rituals/">experimented with an array of herbs</a>. 



A range of species, including henbane and belladonna, was accessible through trade routes and local foraging. The question is whether some of these plants could have boosted courage or dulled pain during battle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychoactive-plants-impact">Psychoactive plants impact</h2>



If these warriors had any way to harness psychoactive substances, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evidence-of-drug-use-found-during-bronze-age-ceremonies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psychological effects</a> might have included the numbing of fear or the triggering heightened aggression. 



In the face of enemy lines, an altered state could offer perceived protection or confidence.



Away from the battlefield, the same substances might have been used to ease injuries or find temporary relief from stress.



Researchers also point out that large-scale access to psychoactive plants or extracts would have demanded precise expertise. 



Someone in the community would have needed to cultivate and distribute these items, and would have known about their potency. 



This opens discussions about economic networks that financed these endeavors. It may also hint at the existence of supply chains stretching across large territories and bringing together resources from different regions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-reflections-on-the-ancient-past">Modern reflections on the ancient past</h2>



Discussions about drug use in antiquity challenge our assumptions about humanity’s relationship with altered consciousness. Today’s laws and views on intoxicants are shaped by modern cultures and governments.&nbsp;



People often regard drug use as a specific modern problem or rebellious act. Yet, archaeological evidence suggests that it can be an age-old behavior shaped by survival, celebration, and even worship.



Some contemporary <a href="https://www.hellenic.org.au/post/ritual-religious-drug-use-in-ancient-greece" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">researchers</a> hold that these early experiments helped shape social cohesion, ritualistic practices, and medical traditions.&nbsp;



The further we look into prehistory, the more we see how deeply entwined these substances might have been with community life. Whether they were used to ramp up bravery in <a href="https://www.caymanchem.com/news/drugs-used-in-conflict-and-wars" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">war</a> or heal the wounded in small villages, they likely played a distinct role in shaping cultural identities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-debates-and-continuing-questions">Debates and continuing questions</h2>



Studies on ancient drug use can provoke lively debate among archaeologists and historians. 



Some specialists believe that minimal chemical residue in the artifacts makes firm conclusions elusive. Others lean on contextual clues found near skeletal remains or in areas associated with combat. 



No matter the stance, each new piece of research fuels broader conversations about how ancient societies navigated social norms, survival strategies, and the universal human drive for altered experiences.



Several puzzles still remain. Did these <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25386392/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Germanic fighters</a> incorporate psychoactive mixtures into spiritual traditions as well? Were there dedicated roles for people in the community - like herbalists or specialists - who oversaw dosing?&nbsp;



These topics carry important anthropological questions about the balance between practical needs and personal exploration. Answers may emerge as more evidence surfaces, but for now, there is enough intrigue to keep experts on their toes.



The information for this article is published in the journal <a href="https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/pz-2024-2017/html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Praehistorische Zeitschrift</a>. 



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Ancient warriors may have used psychoactive plants for courage in battle

Ancient societies had all sorts of attitudes toward altered states...

What if the frozen heart of Antarctica held secrets of a fiery past? A new study investigating ancient methane trapped in Antarctic ice has uncovering a shocking link between Ice Age wildfires and abrupt climate upheavals.



The findings highlight the interplay between wildfire surges, shifting rainfall patterns, and global temperature changes, and offers crucial insights into the dynamics of climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-determining-ice-age-climate-trends">Determining Ice Age climate trends</h2>



Ice cores from Antarctica act like time capsules. Tiny air bubbles that were formed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/disastrous-climate-changes-of-the-last-ice-age-could-happen-again/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thousands of years ago</a> are locked inside the ancient ice.



These bubbles contain atmospheric gases from the past that offer scientists a window into Earth’s historical climate conditions. By analyzing the air bubbles in these cores, researchers can trace changes in the planet's climate over millennia.



The study focused on a specific ice core from the Western Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide, which provides a detailed climate record spanning 67,000 years. This ice core is unique because it comes from a region with a high annual snowfall rate. 



While this limits how far back in time the record can go, when compared to other cores, the frequent snowfall ensured that more ice accumulated each year. This denser accumulation allows for a more detailed, year-by-year record of past climates.



“Because this ice is in a place where the annual snowfall rate is high, the record doesn’t go back as far in time as other ice cores, but you get more ice for each year, and you can better see the detail in those years,” explained Edward Brook, a paleoclimatologist from <a href="https://oregonstate.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a>, and a co-author of the study. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-methane-spikes-wildfires-and-ice-age-climate">Methane spikes, wildfires and Ice Age climate</h2>



Previous studies have shown that methane, a potent greenhouse gas, spiked during abrupt climate changes, known as Dansgaard-Oeschger and Heinrich events, roughly 11,000 years ago. These events were marked by rapid temperature shifts and changes in tropical rainfall patterns.



“These spikes were notable because of how quickly the methane levels changed during these periods,” said lead author Ben Riddell-Young. He used a specialized system to extract air from the ice samples and analyze the isotopic composition of methane, which reveals its sources.



The findings suggest that wildfire emissions likely caused these methane surges. The study is the first to establish a direct link between abrupt climate events and wildfire activity during the Ice Age.



“This study showed that the planet experienced these short, sudden episodes of burning, and they happened at the same time as these other big climate shifts,” Brook explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cascading-effects-of-wildfire-activity">Cascading effects of wildfire activity</h2>



According to the study, abrupt climate changes triggered cascading <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-the-ice-age-can-tell-us-about-future-el-nino-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">events</a> during the Ice Age, including increased wildfire activity. 



“It probably went something like: Ocean currents slowed down or sped up rapidly, the northern hemisphere cooled or warmed rapidly, and then this caused abrupt shifts in tropical rainfall that led to increased drought and fire,” Riddell-Young explained.



These findings shed light on the potential impact of shifting climate patterns on global ecosystems, particularly during periods of rapid change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-modern-climate-challenges">Implications for modern climate challenges</h2>



The research carries important implications for understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-age-data-analysis-reshapes-climate-future-lowers-warming-estimates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">today’s climate dynamics</a>. Modern climate change could similarly amplify wildfire activity as temperature rises and rainfall patterns shift.



“This research shows that we may not be properly considering how wildfire activity might change as the climate warms and rainfall patterns shift,” Riddell-Young said.



Burning produces carbon dioxide, another greenhouse gas, which further contributes to climate warming. “Understanding what this burning really means for the carbon cycle is one of the places the research is headed next,” noted Brook.



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



While this study opens new avenues for understanding the Ice Age and its climate history, more research is needed to assess the broader implications of ancient wildfire activity. These insights can inform strategies to mitigate and adapt to modern climate challenges.



The study was supported by the National Science Foundation (<a href="https://www.nsf.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NSF</a>) and involved contributions from researchers at several institutions, including the <a href="https://www.unibe.ch/index_eng.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bern</a>, <a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Antarctic Survey</a>, and the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado, Boulder</a>.



By analyzing ancient methane, scientists continue to uncover critical connections between past and present climate systems, emphasizing the interconnectedness of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-age-viruses-hold-clues-to-earth-past-future-climate-and-microbial-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global ecosystems</a> and the urgency of addressing today’s climate challenges.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08363-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Wildfire activity surged during Ice Age climate shifts

What if the frozen heart of Antarctica held secrets of...

Plants face the constant challenge of allocating energy between growth and defense. While growth ensures survival and reproduction, defense protects against harmful bacteria. 



Until now, scientists struggled to explain how plants achieve this balance. Researchers at Princeton University recently uncovered new insights into this process, revealing the surprising role of soil bacteria in managing plants' immune responses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-soil-bacteria-help-plants">How soil bacteria help plants</h2>



Published in&nbsp;the journal Cell Reports, the study explores how certain soil bacteria impact plant immunity. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-soil-bacteria-contribute-to-atmospheric-co2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria</a> produce enzymes that reduce immune activity in plants, enabling their roots to grow longer.



This discovery sheds light on how plants interact with microbiomes without triggering constant immune responses.



“This is trying to get at a really big biological question where there are not good answers - about how microbiomes interface with host immune systems,” said Jonathan Conway, the study’s senior author and an assistant professor of chemical and biological engineering.



“It’s a small step in the direction of trying to understand how microbes live on hosts - either plants or humans or other animals - all the time and don’t activate our immune responses constantly.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-health-and-growth">Balancing health and growth</h2>



The team focused on Arabidopsis, a small mustard plant often used in research. They engineered Arabidopsis seedlings with heightened sensitivity to flagellin, a bacterial protein that typically activates immune responses. 



On exposure to flagellin, these plants directed energy toward immunity, resulting in stunted root growth.



To identify bacteria that could suppress this immune response, the researchers introduced 165 bacterial species to the seedlings. 



Remarkably, 41% of these isolates suppressed the stunted growth response, allowing roots to grow longer. Among these,&nbsp;Dyella japonica&nbsp;emerged as particularly effective.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enzyme-regulates-immune-system-response">Enzyme regulates immune system response </h2>



The researchers discovered that&nbsp;D. japonica, a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-plays-an-overlooked-role-in-antibiotic-resistance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">soil bacterium</a>, produces an enzyme called subtilase. This enzyme breaks down flagellin, a protein that normally triggers a plant's immune response. 



By degrading flagellin, subtilase prevents the plant's immune system from activating unnecessarily, enabling the roots to grow without being stunted.



To confirm subtilase's role, the team used genetic and biochemical techniques. These methods demonstrated that subtilase directly modulates the plant's immune response, proving its critical function.



Purifying the subtilase enzyme posed significant challenges, as obtaining a pure protein is essential for detailed analysis. A breakthrough came when Todd Naumann, a <a href="https://www.usda.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USDA</a> chemist, suggested purifying the enzyme using yeast cells instead of bacteria. 



This alternative approach worked effectively, allowing the researchers to proceed with advanced studies on the enzyme's properties and functions.



“Now we can do chemistry with it, and we can actually look at this in vitro,” said co-first author Samuel Eastman.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dual-role-of-soil-bacteria">Dual role of soil bacteria </h2>



The findings suggest that many soil bacteria may use similar enzymes to influence plant growth and immunity. This raises intriguing questions about the potential benefits for both plants and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-bacteria-makes-flowers-more-attractive-to-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria</a>. 



One theory is that the enzymes prevent pathogens from invading plant roots by disabling their flagella. Alternatively, the enzymes might help pathogens evade detection, potentially increasing the risk of disease.



“So, in that way it could be suppressing pathogens as well as the plant immune system,” Eastman noted. However, he warned of the risks in agricultural applications. 



“We don’t want to compromise the immune system, but we also want plants to save that immune response for when it matters.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-crop-growth-and-plant-health">Improving crop growth and plant health</h2>



The team’s work opens doors to harnessing beneficial bacteria for agriculture while minimizing risks. With further research, these findings could lead to innovative ways to improve <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electronic-soil-boosts-crop-growth-by-over-50/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crop growth</a> without compromising plant health.



For now, scientists are one step closer to understanding the delicate balance of growth and defense in plants.



The study was a team effort involving nine <a href="https://www.princeton.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Princeton</a> researchers, including six undergraduates. Senior thesis projects played a vital role, such as that of Britley Jones from the Class of 2023.



Kaeli Ficco, another key contributor and a Princeton graduate, engineered mutant bacterial strains to confirm the genetic basis of immune suppression. 



“I really liked how discovery-based the project was,” Ficco said, reflecting on her contributions.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(24)01414-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell Reports</a>.



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Soil bacteria help plants balance growth and immunity

Plants face the constant challenge of allocating energy between growth...

Ebola, a severe hemorrhagic disease caused by a virus endemic in parts of East-Central and West Africa, is generally known to spread through contact with bodily fluids from individuals who have the infection.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ebola-virus-on-the-skin-surface">Ebola virus on the skin surface</h2>



More recent outbreaks, such as the 2013-2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa, have shown that infectious Ebola virus (EBOV) is also found on the surface of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-tech-will-track-emotions-through-changes-in-our-skin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">skin</a> of those who have succumbed to infection or at late times during infection.&nbsp;



Although this suggests that the virus can be transmitted from skin contact with someone in the later stages of the disease, researchers have not yet fully understood how the virus exits the body and appears on the skin’s surface.



In a recent study, scientists at <a href="https://uihealthcare.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Iowa Health Care</a>, working with colleagues at <a href="https://www.txbiomed.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas Biomedical Research Institute</a> and <a href="https://www.bu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boston University</a>, have uncovered a cellular route that EBOV uses to traverse the inner and outer layers of skin and emerge onto the surface.&nbsp;



The researchers identified new cell types within the skin that are targeted by EBOV during infection and confirms that human skin tissues actively sustain EBOV infection.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-possible-route-of-ebola-infection">Possible route of Ebola infection</h2>



The results, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adr6140" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>, suggest that the skin’s surface may be one possible route of person-to-person transmission.



“The skin is the largest organ in the human body yet is woefully understudied compared to most other organs. Interactions of EBOV with skin cells have not previously been extensively examined,” said study senior author Wendy Maury, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Iowa.&nbsp;



“Our work provides evidence for one mechanistic avenue that EBOV uses to exit from the human body. A comprehensive understanding of which cells are targeted during virus infection is critical for rational development of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/willow-bark-may-contain-life-saving-antiviral-medications/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antiviral</a> approaches.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-skin-model-for-tracking-ebola">Human skin model for tracking Ebola</h2>



The research team, guided by Maury and Kelly Messingham, a research professor of dermatology at the University of Iowa, designed a new method for discovering which skin cells are infected by Ebola virus.&nbsp;



They constructed a human skin explant system using full-thickness biopsies from healthy individuals, preserving both the deeper (dermal) and surface (epidermal) layers of skin.



Next, the team placed these explants dermal side down in culture media, adding virus particles to simulate how EBOV would move from the bloodstream outward toward the skin’s exterior.&nbsp;



This setup let the researchers use specialized tracing and labeling techniques to observe how the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-covid-19-virus-travels-deep-inside-our-lungs/">virus</a> progressed from one layer of skin to the next, tracking which cells became infected as time passed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skin-cells-prone-to-ebola-infection">Skin cells prone to Ebola infection</h2>



Prior clinical and animal studies indicated that skin cells could become infected with EBOV, yet they did not identify the particular cells involved.&nbsp;



In this work, the authors showed that EBOV infects several cell types in the skin explant, including macrophages, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and keratinocytes.&nbsp;



Some of these cells are also infected by EBOV in other tissues, but keratinocytes - particular to skin - had not been previously recognized as an EBOV replication site.



Notably, the virus appeared to replicate more actively in the epidermal layer than in the dermal layer when compared on a per-gram basis. Within three days, infectious virus was detected at the epidermal surface, underscoring the virus’s ability to rapidly move through skin to the surface.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tool-for-exploring-new-therapies">Tool for exploring new therapies </h2>



In addition to mapping how the virus travels through the skin, the scientists demonstrated that human skin explants offer a realistic, three-dimensional model for examining potential antiviral treatments against EBOV. This model could be an economical and valuable tool for exploring new therapies.



“This study explores the role of the skin as a potential route of Ebola virus infection and identifies, for the first time, several cell types in the skin that are permissive to infection,” Messingham said.&nbsp;



“In total, these findings elucidate a mechanism by which EBOV traffics to the skin’s surface and may explain person-to-person transmission via skin contact.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-insights-into-ebola-infection-nbsp">New insights into Ebola infection&nbsp;</h2>



Beyond its discoveries about the skin, the research also zoomed in on interactions between the Ebola virus and two particular skin cell types, fibroblasts and keratinocytes.&nbsp;



The team found specific receptors on these cells that facilitate the virus’s entry, adding further clarity on how EBOV infects skin on a molecular level.



By clarifying one route the virus may take to exit the body, these findings expand our knowledge of Ebola’s spread and highlight why skin-to-skin contact in advanced cases of infection can pose such a risk.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-public-health-concern">Ongoing public health concern</h2>



Understanding these pathways, and identifying the cell types that the virus relies on, can influence future efforts to develop effective treatments and prevention measures.



This work also sets the stage for further investigations into how EBOV might exploit other organs or tissues and suggests potential ways to block the virus’s path at the skin level.&nbsp;



With Ebola remaining an ongoing global health concern, insights like these can help scientists target the virus more effectively and better protect those at risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-infection-equips-the-body-to-fight-off-the-flu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infection</a>.



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Skin may play a hidden role in Ebola infection

Ebola, a severe hemorrhagic disease caused by a virus endemic...

He was out prospecting for gold in 2015, when something far heavier than any ordinary rock caught his eye. David Hole believed he had stumbled upon a valuable nugget in Maryborough, just a few hours from Melbourne.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-curious-find">A curious find</h2>



At first glance, the odd <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/perseverance-rover-finds-best-evidence-yet-life-on-mars-cheyava-falls-rock/">reddish rock</a> looked like it might hold a fortune. Hole tried every method he could think of to see if there was gold buried inside.



Melbourne Museum geologist Dermot <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=vLYRmCsAAAAJ&amp;hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Henry</a> first examined the object when Hole brought it in, still believing it contained hidden treasure. 



Henry recognized qualities that made the rock stand out from typical specimens that people lug into the museum.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unbreakable-mystery">Unbreakable mystery</h2>



The stone withstood onslaughts with a rock saw, power drills, and even repeated hammer blows. Hole’s attempts to crack it exposed an important detail: the thing was tough in a way that ordinary, gold-containing stones are not.



After a diamond saw finally cut off a thin slice, the internal structure <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/prospector-s-mystery-rock-was-no-nugget-but-something-much-rarer-20190716-p527pi.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">showed</a> an abundance of iron and nickel.&nbsp;



It was an <a href="https://www.lpi.usra.edu/meteor/metbullclass.php?sea=h5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">H5 ordinary chondrite meteorite</a> weighing 17 kilograms (37.5 pounds), and <a href="https://museumsvictoria.com.au/media-releases/meteorite-found-by-gold-prospector-the-first-found-in-victoria-since-1995-comes-to-museums-victoria/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">originally</a> part of the leftover chunks from our Solar System’s early days.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-second-largest-of-its-kind">Second largest of its kind</h2>



Experts concluded that this Maryborough meteorite is around <a href="https://museumsvictoria.com.au/media-releases/meteorite-found-by-gold-prospector-the-first-found-in-victoria-since-1995-comes-to-museums-victoria/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4.6 billion years old</a>. It is only the 17th meteorite ever recorded in the Australian state of Victoria and the second-largest single chondritic mass found there.



Bill <a href="https://museumsvictoria.com.au/about-us/staff/dr-bill-birch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Birch</a>, also from the Melbourne Museum, immediately noticed how unnaturally heavy the stone felt for its size. He recognized the polished, sculpted exterior, shaped was by a fiery descent through Earth’s atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-it-matters">Why it matters</h2>



The researchers say meteorites like this provide vital pieces in the puzzle of how our planetary neighborhood formed. By analyzing their chemical makeup, scientists can learn about conditions that existed long before Earth was fully formed.



When the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/interstellar-tunnel-found-that-connects-our-solar-system-to-other-stars/">Solar System</a> took shape, it began as a swirling mix of gas and chondrite fragments. Much of this material coalesced into planets, while some lumps never merged and ended up in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-journey">Unexpected journey</h2>



A cosmic collision in that belt might have dislodged the Maryborough meteorite long ago. It then hurtled through space, entered Earth’s atmosphere, and eventually plopped into the clay where Hole discovered it.



Carbon dating <a href="https://www.publish.csiro.au/RS/RS19002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">places</a> its arrival at anywhere between 100 and 1,000 years ago. Observers in the region reported bright fireballs overhead at different times in history, any one of which might have been the final leg of this stone’s cosmic trip.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historic-significance">Historic significance</h2>



Investigations show that meteorites of this size do not surface often in Victoria. Many people <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supergiant-gold-deposit-find-claims-to-be-the-worlds-largest-discovery-ever/">find gold</a> in Maryborough’s fields, but few come across something formed beyond our planet.



“Meteorites provide the cheapest form of space exploration. They transport us back in time, providing clues to the age, formation, and chemistry of our Solar System (including Earth),” said Henry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rarity-over-gold">Rarity over gold</h2>



“This is only the 17th meteorite found in Victoria, whereas there’s been thousands of gold nuggets found,” said Henry. That ratio alone underlines how uncommon such objects can be.



Scientists discovered small, metallic chondrules within the space rock. These droplets once floated in a cloud of hot dust in the early Solar System, and eventually hardened into solid rock.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-museum-worthy-exhibit">Museum-worthy exhibit</h2>



The Maryborough meteorite was placed on display at the Melbourne Museum. Hole, who never found gold in that rock, later marveled at its grander significance.



Experts classify it as an H5 ordinary chondrite, a type believed to resemble the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mantle-heat-shaped-earths-crust-3-billion-years-ago/">material that formed our planet</a>. Learning about its texture and composition may shed light on how Earth evolved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-short-stay-on-earth">Short stay on Earth</h2>



The meteorite’s weathered surface suggests it has not spent more than a few centuries in the soil. Researchers point to several historical newspaper accounts about blazing objects in the sky, any of which could match its rough arrival date.



In July 2019, Henry and Birch, along with other collaborators, published a detailed <a href="https://www.publish.csiro.au/rs/rs19002">paper</a> describing the meteorite's properties. Their study chronicles its structure and chemical makeup, and offers a glimpse at an untouched fragment of our early neighborhood.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-treasure">Surprising treasure</h2>



Hole never got the gold he expected, but he discovered something even more precious to science. His story is a reminder that unusual objects can turn out to be cosmic gifts hiding right under our feet.



Anybody with a backyard might have an interstellar souvenir tucked away in the dirt. In rare cases, that suspiciously heavy rock could be a time capsule from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-novae-star-explosion-may-be-origin-phosphorus-life/">origins of the Solar System</a>.



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He thought it was gold, but inside this 4.6 billion-year-old meteorite he found something even stranger

He was out prospecting for gold in 2015, when something...

Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity has revolutionized our understanding of gravity and the universe. However, it leaves some unanswered questions, particularly about singularities and black holes. 



Recent studies suggest quantum mechanics could help resolve these mysteries and offer new insights into the fundamental nature of space-time and black holes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-general-relativity">General relativity</h2>



General relativity is a theory developed by Albert Einstein to explain how gravity works. 



Instead of thinking of gravity as a force that pulls objects toward each other, like Isaac Newton suggested, Einstein proposed that gravity is the result of massive objects bending the space and time around them. 



Imagine space and time as a stretchy fabric, and when something heavy, like the Earth or the Sun, sits on it, the fabric bends around it. 



This bending is what we experience as gravity. So, objects like planets and moons move in curved paths because they are following the curves in this "fabric" created by mass.



One of the most mind-blowing predictions of general relativity is that time isn't the same everywhere. 



Time actually moves slower near a strong gravitational field, like near a planet or a star, and faster in areas with weaker gravity. 



This effect is known as time dilation. It's something that satellites in space have to account for because they experience time a little differently than we do on Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-singularities-the-basics">Understanding singularities - the basics</h2>



The elegant framework of general relativity encounters a critical limitation at singularities - points in space-time where matter collapses to infinite density, and the curvature of space-time becomes infinitely sharp.



These singularities arise under extreme gravitational collapse, as shown by Nobel laureate Roger Penrose. When a massive star exhausts its fuel and collapses under its gravity, the result can be a singularity.



At a singularity, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/google-record-shattering-quantum-ai-chip-accesses-parallel-universes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fundamental laws</a> of physics, as we know them, no longer work. Concepts like time, space, and the behavior of matter lose their meaning, rendering physical predictions impossible. 



This unpredictability would challenge science’s foundation, which relies on consistent, testable laws to explain the universe.



Understanding and addressing singularities is, therefore, a major challenge in modern physics. 



Researchers aim to find ways to reconcile this breakdown, often looking to quantum mechanics or other advanced theories to fill the gaps left by general relativity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-black-holes-and-cosmic-censorship">Black holes and cosmic censorship</h2>



Black holes, nature's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-a-simple-way-to-grasp-this-impossible-concept-carl-kocher/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enigmatic phenomena</a>, may conceal singularities. Their defining feature, the event horizon, prevents anything, including light, from escaping. 



According to Penrose's&nbsp;cosmic censorship conjecture, singularities resulting from gravitational collapse remain hidden behind these event horizons, preserving the predictability of physics elsewhere in the universe.



Despite its elegance, cosmic censorship remains unproven. Scientists have found no definitive counterexamples, making it one of the most significant open problems in mathematical physics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantum-mechanics-and-black-holes">Quantum mechanics and black holes</h2>



While general relativity focuses on large-scale structures, quantum mechanics governs particles and atoms. 



Combining these frameworks to understand black holes has proven complex. Recent research published in the journal Physical Review Letters suggests that Penrose's conjecture is supported by quantum mechanics.



Physicists have long speculated about "quantum black holes," where quantum effects play a significant role. These black holes raise questions about how cosmic censorship applies in the quantum realm. 



A potential answer lies in developing a theory of "quantum gravity," which integrates quantum mechanics with space-time. However, such a theory remains elusive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advances-in-quantum-cosmic-censorship">Advances in quantum cosmic censorship</h2>



Quantum mechanics introduces new complexities such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/negative-time-observed-measured-tangible-in-new-quantum-experiments/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">negative energy</a>, a phenomenon allowed in quantum mechanics but absent in classical physics. 



Penrose's theorem assumes that all matter has positive energy, so the existence of negative energy introduces scenarios that the theorem does not address.



To explore these complexities, researchers use a hybrid approach called&nbsp;semi-classical gravity. In this model, the space-time structure still obeys Einstein's general relativity, but the matter within it is treated according to quantum mechanics. 



This allows scientists to study how quantum effects influence the behavior of space-time and black holes.



From this perspective, quantum mechanics might play a role in keeping singularities hidden. The concept, called&nbsp;quantum cosmic censorship, proposes that quantum effects could reinforce the "clothing" of singularities by black hole event horizons. 



This means that quantum mechanics may prevent singularities from becoming observable, thus modifying their behavior and preserving the predictability of the universe.



The idea builds on Penrose’s original cosmic censorship conjecture but extends it into the quantum realm, offering a potential bridge between classical and quantum physics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-energy-of-space-time">The energy of space-time</h2>



A key to understanding quantum cosmic censorship lies in the&nbsp;Penrose inequality. This mathematical relationship links the mass of space-time to the area of black hole horizons, assuming cosmic censorship holds. In quantum systems, a similar inequality could provide <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/schrodingers-cat-survives-in-quantum-superposition-for-a-record-shattering-23-minutes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insights</a>.



In 2019, researchers proposed a quantum Penrose inequality. Building on this, the new study introduced a refined version that applies even in strong quantum effects.



The research shows that the energy of space-time relates to the combined entropy of black holes and quantum matter, which thus maintains the second law of thermodynamics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strengthening-theories-with-quantum-mechanics">Strengthening theories with quantum mechanics</h2>



The new quantum Penrose inequality strengthens the idea of cosmic censorship. While not a definitive proof, it shows that quantum mechanics reinforces the principles governing black holes and singularities. 



This advance bridges classical and quantum physics, and paves the way for deeper insights into the universe.



As space-time might end at singularities, quantum mechanics ensures we remain shielded from such extremes, preserving the predictability of our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-instead-of-oil-or-coal-powers-a-new-kind-of-engine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universe</a>. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.133.181501" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physical Review Letters</a>.



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Why the universe remains predictable: Insights from "quantum black holes"

Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity has revolutionized our understanding...

If you've ever felt that modern movies seem to resonate with a chorus of ominous verbs that echo through scenes of action, drama, and suspense, you're not alone.



A recent study confirms an increase in the use of violent language and disturbing phrases in film dialogues over the past half-century, shedding light on how our cinematic landscape has shifted over time.



Remarkably, this trend is not limited to crime movies but seems to creep into all genres, and subtly infiltrates even the most unexpected narratives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increase-in-murderous-verbs">Increase in "murderous verbs" </h2>



The researchers embarked on a quest to unravel the mystery of this unsettling trend, driven by a desire to understand how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/power-of-words-how-language-framing-shapes-our-perception/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">language</a> shapes our perception of violence in cinema.



The team used a large database of more than 160,000 movie subtitles, spanning five decades from 1970 to 2020, and meticulously analyzed and quantified the incidence of chilling words like “murder” and “kill” in the dialogues. Their findings revealed a startling linguistic evolution in the film industry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-killer-words-across-all-films">"Killer words" across all films</h2>



According to study co-author Brad Bushman, the surge in these "killer words" has been unsurprisingly variable. Yet, there has been a noteworthy upward trajectory over the 50 years.



Interestingly, this trend isn't confined to crime flicks. Characters in other genres of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-watching-movies-affect-our-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">movies</a> have also been upping their "kill-talk" game.



"Characters in noncrime movies are also talking more about killing and murdering today than they did 50 years ago. Not as much as characters in crime movies, and the increase hasn’t been as steep. But it is still happening. We found increases in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-finds-no-evidence-that-video-games-promote-violence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">violence</a> cross all genres," noted Bushman.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gender-dynamic-of-violent-language">Gender dynamic of violent language</h2>



Authored by researchers at the <a href="https://umd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maryland</a> and The Ohio State University, the study was published as a research letter in the journal JAMA Pediatrics. The findings offer new insights into the evolving dynamics of film dialogue.



The study revealed that the rise in the use of violent language was not gender-specific, demonstrating a broad shift in cinematic trends.



Study lead author Babak Fotouhi highlighted an intriguing aspect of the findings. While men typically delivered more violent dialogues, women also showed a discernable increase over time, reflecting a significant shift in character portrayal across genders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-steady-rise-in-violent-language">Steady rise in violent language</h2>



Using the subtitle database from opensubtitles.org, the researchers sifted through 166,534 movies, extracting references to murderous actions with painstaking precision.



The team calculated the proportion of "killer verbs" - semantics rooted in words like “kill” and “murder" which capture the darker tones of cinematic language.



The analysis painted a grim picture of evolving dialogue trends: close to 7% of the movies spewed murderous verbs over the study period, indicating a steady rise in violent language on the silver screen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-competitive-edge-of-violence-in-film">The competitive edge of violence in film</h2>



Pennsylvania-based post-doctoral researcher Amir Tohidi emphasized the team's focus on these ominous verbs to identify only the most severe forms of violence present in movie diologue, thus representing a conservative estimate. 



“We focused exclusively on murderous verbs in our analysis to establish a lower bound in our reporting,” said Tohidi. “Including less extreme forms of violence would result in a higher overall count of violence.“



The researchers noted that if they had incorporated less aggressive forms of violence in the analysis, the overall count of violent dialogue would have skyrocketed.



“We designed this to be a conservative estimate,” said Fotouhi. “It is likely there was more violence in the movies than what we calculated in terms of the dialogue.”



This research, backed by an enormous dataset, highlights the escalation in cinematic reference to violence.



"Movies are trying to compete for the audience’s attention and research shows that violence is one of the elements that most effectively hooks audiences," noted Fotouhi.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-call-for-mindful-media-consumption">A call for mindful media consumption</h2>



Bushman weighed in with a cautionary note, suggesting that this unsettling trend may still be on an upward trajectory, with no clear peak in sight.



This observation highlights an urgent call to action: the need to promote greater <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tweens-used-media-more-during-the-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">media</a> literacy and encourage mindful media consumption. 



By equipping audiences - especially vulnerable groups like young viewers - with critical thinking skills, we can mitigate the potential impact of violent language on impressionable minds.



So, the next time you cozy up for a movie night, take a moment to reflect - our screens are brimming with more killer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-brain-uses-a-secret-thesaurus-to-find-the-right-words/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">words</a> than ever before, subtly shaping the narratives we consume.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2828322" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Pediatrics</a>.



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Movies are using more violent language including 'murderous verbs'

If you've ever felt that modern movies seem to resonate...

The Quadrantid meteor shower is the first major celestial event of the year, offering a spectacular display of fireballs streaking across the sky. 



Known for its bright fireballs and intense bursts of activity, the Quadrantid meteor shower produces as many as 120 meteors per hour under ideal conditions. 



The meteor shower is unique due to its sharp peak, which lasts for only a few hours. This means that timing crucial for catching the display. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-meteor-showers">What are meteor showers?</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/january-2025-stargazing-a-parade-of-bright-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meteor showers</a> happen when Earth moves through a trail of debris left behind by comets or asteroids during their journeys around the sun. These small particles, often no larger than grains of sand, enter Earth’s atmosphere at high speeds. 



As they collide with the atmosphere, the friction causes the particles to heat up and burn, producing glowing streaks of light called meteors. Sometimes, larger fragments burn brighter, creating what we call fireballs, which are exceptionally vivid and long-lasting meteors.



To enjoy this celestial spectacle, you don’t need telescopes or binoculars. A dark, open area away from city lights provides the perfect setting to witness the beauty of meteors streaking across the night sky.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-legacy-of-an-obsolete-constellation">Legacy of an obsolete constellation</h2>



Unlike other meteor showers named after active constellations, the Quadrantids derive their name from&nbsp;Quadrans Muralis - which is now obsolete.



"The Quadrantids take their name from a constellation that doesn’t exist anymore," said <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>’s William Cooke.



Introduced by French astronomer Jérôme Lalande in 1795, Quadrans Muralis was once positioned between Boötes and Draco. Though removed from modern star maps in 1922, its legacy endures through the Quadrantids meteor shower.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-and-where-to-watch-the-quadrantids">When and where to watch the Quadrantids</h2>



The Quadrantid meteor shower will reach its peak during the early morning hours of January 3, 2025. The meteors appear to radiate from a point in the northern sky near the Big Dipper and the bright star Arcturus. 



This makes the shower ideal for observers in mid-northern latitudes, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere.



For the best viewing experience:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Time: The hours before dawn on January 3 offer the clearest view of the meteors.</li>



<li>Moon Phase: A waning crescent moon means the sky will remain dark with minimal interference.</li>



<li>Location: Choose a spot far from city lights to reduce artificial light pollution.</li>



<li>Preparation: Avoid using your phone or other bright screens. This helps your eyes adjust to the darkness and improves your ability to spot meteors.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parent-objects-of-the-quadrantids">Parent objects of the Quadrantids</h2>



The Quadrantid meteor shower has an intriguing and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/two-meteor-showers-delta-aquarids-alpha-capricornids-light-up-night-skies-august-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex origin</a> involving several celestial objects.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-asteroid-2003-eh1">Asteroid 2003 EH1</h3>



This asteroid, discovered in 2003, is the primary source of the Quadrantid meteors. It is believed to be a dormant comet, meaning it no longer exhibits the typical activity of a comet such as a visible tail.



The asteroid completes an orbit around the sun every 5.5 years, but no longer comes close to Earth’s orbit. Despite this, debris that was ejected in the past continues to intersect with Earth’s path, creating the meteor shower.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comet-96p-machholz">Comet 96P/Machholz</h3>



This active comet is another contributor to the Quadrantids. Its material produces a less intense and broader peak in the shower. 



The comet approaches the sun very closely, with a perihelion (closest point to the sun) of just 0.12 astronomical units (AU). Each astronomical unit represents the distance between Earth and the sun.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-machholz-complex">The Machholz Complex</h3>



Astronomers theorize that a massive comet likely fragmented centuries ago, giving rise to a group of related celestial bodies called the Machholz Complex. This group includes Comet 96P/Machholz, asteroid 2003 EH1, and other smaller fragments. 



Together, these objects are responsible for multiple meteor showers, including the Quadrantids.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historical-significance-of-the-quadrantids">Historical significance of the Quadrantids</h2>



The Quadrantid meteor shower was first observed in 1825 by Antonio Brucalassi. He described "a multitude of luminous bodies" radiating from&nbsp;Quadrans Muralis. 



Later studies linked the shower to asteroid 2003 EH1 and Comet 96P/Machholz. These discoveries highlight the intricate connections between ancient celestial objects and modern astronomical phenomena.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stunning-start-to-the-new-year">Stunning start to the new year</h2>



The Quadrantids primarily favor the Northern Hemisphere due to their radiant's high northern position. However, some Southern Hemisphere observers occasionally report sightings of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meteor-showers-help-scientists-discover-where-comets-came-from/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meteors</a>.



The Quadrantid meteor shower provides a stunning start to the new year, with its narrow peak and dazzling fireballs. Whether you're an avid stargazer or a casual observer, this celestial event is worth braving the cold January morning.



The fleeting beauty of the Quadrantids serves as a reminder of the vast and dynamic universe we call home.



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Quadrantid meteor shower peaks tonight, kicking off the new year

The Quadrantid meteor shower is the first major celestial event...

In the captivating world of archaeology, where discoveries often turn the tide of understanding, sea level changes have emerged as a powerful force that may have shaped human history.



A recent revelation reveals an intriguing connection between fluctuations in the Atlantic Ocean's sea levels and the rise and fall of early societies in southern Brazil.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-the-mystery-of-sambaquis">Unraveling the mystery of "sambaquis"</h2>



One could liken the work of an archaeologist to that of a detective, piecing together a puzzle from an array of diverse clues. 



This time, the evidence came from gigantic, prehistoric <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indigenous-people-harvested-oysters-sustainably-for-thousands-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mounds of shells</a> known as sambaquis. 



Sambaquis were produced by pre-colonial people along a 3,000 km (1,800 mile) stretch of the Brazilian coastline, and contain the remains of shellfish and fish, along with plants, artefacts and charcoal.



When the scientists noticed a sudden decline in the size and frequency of these mounds around 2,500 years ago, they hypothesized that the coastal communities present in the region at the time had vanished or become reduced in number.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinguishing-the-pottery-paradox">Distinguishing the pottery paradox</h2>



Some experts believed the reduction in sambaquis resulted from the advent of ceramics and crop farming, which would have reduced the region's reliance on fishing and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mollusks-evolution-shishania-aculeata-spiny-armor-no-shells-500-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mollusk</a> consumption.



However, a study published in December 2021 demonstrated that the decline in sambaqui-building and use commenced before pottery became prevalent in the society.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reading-the-tides-of-change">Reading the tides of change</h2>



Observations made by examining human and animal remains from Babitonga Bay, the largest repository of sambaquis in Brazil, opened doors to a fresh perspective. 



A timeline, based on over 400 radiocarbon dates, established the arrival of ceramics at around 1,200 years ago. The decline in sambaqui activity began significantly earlier, about 2,500 years ago, and culminated in a "dramatic abandonment" around 2,200 years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sea-level-retreat-and-early-societies">Sea level retreat and early societies</h2>



During the Late <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/welcome-to-humanitys-new-era-the-anthropocene/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Holocene era</a>, as icy cold fronts increased in southern Brazil, sea levels began to fall. 



The ocean receded by 1.6 meters (5 feet) between 7,000 and 1,000 years ago, resulting in the expansion of drylands and mangrove systems.



The scarcity of mollusks, fishing areas, and edible plants under these conditions would have pushed the shellfish-dependent societies to confront fierce competition for dwindling resources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-from-the-past-insights-for-the-present">Lessons from the past, insights for the present</h2>



The authors suggested that the changing landscape forced communities to reorganize into more dispersed, independent social units. 



Warning bells should be sounding for us as well. With <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-evidence-that-climate-change-is-caused-by-human-activities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anthropogenic climate change</a> predicted to increase sea levels by about 0.3 meters (12 inches) by the turn of this century, we stand to lose roughly half of the world's sandy beaches and rocky coasts.



The repercussions could be disastrous for global communities relying heavily on oceanic, coastal, and marine resources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ever-changing-sea-levels-a-force-of-transformation">Ever-changing sea levels: A force of transformation</h2>



Sea levels have long acted as both creators and destroyers of human civilizations, shaping landscapes and the societies that inhabit them. 



In the case of Brazil's Sambaqui societies, fluctuating sea levels during the Late Holocene were a driving force behind dramatic societal changes.



As the ocean decreased in vertical height by 1.6 meters over millennia, shellfish-dependent communities faced dwindling resources, with mollusks and fish becoming scarce and food insecurity taking hold.



This transformation was not merely about the physical loss of coastline but also reflects a profound reshaping of the environment itself.



The retreating seas exposed new drylands and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mangrove-forest-reveals-ancient-climate-change-effects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mangrove</a> systems, forcing communities to rethink their reliance on coastal ecosystems. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-societies-changing-with-sea-levels">Societies changing with sea levels</h2>



These changes triggered a reorganization of society, with dispersed settlements replacing the centralized shell mound communities that had thrived for thousands of years. Such historical events highlight the lasting impact of sea level changes on human history. 



Today, the world faces a parallel challenge: rising sea levels driven by anthropogenic climate change. 



Unlike the gradual retreat that impacted the sambaqui builders, the current rate of sea level rise is accelerating, posing an even greater threat to modern coastal populations. 



Entire cities could be inundated, and vital ecosystems may collapse, leading to mass displacement and economic turmoil.



The sambaqui story serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between humans and their environment. It highlights the urgency of understanding and mitigating sea level changes - not just to protect infrastructure - but to safeguard cultural and ecological heritage for future generations.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-02888-7#Sec7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Sea levels linked to the rise and fall of early human societies

In the captivating world of archaeology, where discoveries often turn...

NSF NOIRLab has begun the New Year by unveiling a remarkable deep-space image of the Antlia Cluster. The image was captured with the Dark Energy Camera (DECam), which is mounted on the Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile.&nbsp;&nbsp;



This ultra-detailed view reveals hundreds of galaxies in the cluster, each belonging to a larger cosmic structure that continues to fascinate astronomers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-galaxy-clusters-and-cosmic-evolution">Galaxy clusters and cosmic evolution</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/titanic-galaxy-cluster-collision-defies-all-current-understanding-of-the-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Galaxy clusters</a> rank among the biggest assemblies of matter in the universe. They come into being when dark matter gravitationally pulls galaxies together, typically forming groups of dozens.&nbsp;



Over time, these groups coalesce into clusters containing hundreds or even thousands of galaxies.&nbsp;



Researchers can learn a great deal about cosmic evolution by studying these superstructures, as their formation and organization shed light on how dark matter operates on vast scales.



Located around 130 million light-years away in the direction of the constellation Antlia (the Air Pump), the Antlia Cluster is one such assembly.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-the-features-of-the-antlia-cluster-nbsp">Exploring the features of the Antlia Cluster&nbsp;</h2>



Over the last two decades, scientists have turned to multiple <a href="https://noirlab.edu/public/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOIRLab</a> programs to explore the cluster’s features.&nbsp;



Researchers in Chile employed the Blanco telescope using an earlier camera, known as MOSAIC II, as well as the Gemini South telescope, which is part of the International Gemini Observatory under NOIRLab’s purview.&nbsp;



More recently, data from both ground-based and space-based observatories have expanded knowledge of Antlia’s makeup, revealing a lively variety of galaxy types.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="EjWijtOA3g-4180568-12187" type="single"]</div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observations-of-the-antlia-cluster">Observations of the Antlia Cluster</h2>



Astronomers discovered that the Antlia Cluster is dominated by two large elliptical galaxies, NGC 3268 and NGC 3258. Around these giants, numerous faint <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-happened-when-a-dwarf-galaxy-clashed-with-the-milky-way/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dwarf galaxies</a> circle, adding to the cluster’s complexity.&nbsp;



There is also evidence that these two massive galaxies may be in the process of merging, based on X-ray studies that found a line of globular clusters in the region of peak luminosity between them.&nbsp;



Some experts propose that what is currently labeled as the Antlia Cluster might actually be two smaller clusters on the path to merging.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-diverse-range-of-galaxies">A diverse range of galaxies</h2>



Looking more broadly, the cluster includes a range of additional galaxy types, such as lenticular galaxies with little gas or dust for star formation, irregular galaxies, and many lower-luminosity systems like ultra-compact dwarfs, compact ellipticals, and blue compact dwarfs.&nbsp;



Researchers think the cluster could also hold dwarf spheroidal galaxies and ultra-diffuse galaxies, though these remain to be confirmed with further observations.&nbsp;



The ability to detect these small and often dim objects has only emerged in the last few decades, thanks to continual improvements in telescope instrumentation and data analysis approaches.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-evolution-of-the-antlia-cluster-nbsp">The evolution of the Antlia Cluster&nbsp;</h2>



The assorted galaxies in Antlia are more than just visually striking; they also provide a window into how galaxies take shape, evolve, and possibly fade.&nbsp;



Some galaxy varieties found in the cluster are associated with higher levels of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/existence-of-dark-matter-confirmed-by-new-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dark matter</a>, giving researchers further clues about how dark matter influences galactic development.&nbsp;



As scientists trace the origins and transformations of these objects, they gain a richer understanding of the cluster’s evolutionary history, as well as the universe’s larger-scale dynamics.



An additional benefit of more advanced instruments, such as DECam, is that astronomers can now detect faint intracluster light - the hazy glow of stars that have been gravitationally pulled out of their original galaxies during interactions and collisions.&nbsp;



This faint glow sometimes overlaps with residual light from regional features, such as the Antlia Supernova Remnant discovered in 2002, which adds yet another dimension to the overall cosmic picture.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-the-light-of-galaxy-clusters">Studying the light of galaxy clusters </h2>



As scientists delve more deeply into clusters like Antlia, they look to upcoming projects and observatories to unlock even greater insights. The NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time, set to commence in the near future, will mark a major leap forward.&nbsp;



For the first time, astronomers will have the data to examine intracluster light in thousands of galaxy clusters, shedding more light on how dark matter is distributed and how these structures have evolved across cosmic epochs.



By comparing results from a wide range of clusters, astronomers can piece together the events and processes that shaped today’s vast galactic formations.&nbsp;



This level of detail supports or challenges existing theories and refines the overall model of how galaxies gather and transform over billions of years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-large-scale-structures-in-astronomy">Importance of large-scale structures in astronomy</h2>



The Antlia Cluster, as portrayed in the new image, stands out for its remarkable diversity of galaxies and ongoing processes. From the central elliptical giants that may be merging, to the smaller dwarf galaxies circling on the fringes, the cluster captures the drama of cosmic evolution.&nbsp;



Advances in observing technology and data analysis have made it possible to study these objects in greater depth than ever before, setting the stage for even more detailed research in the years to come.



Ultimately, these efforts underscore the broader importance of large-scale structures in astronomy. By examining the architecture and composition of galaxy clusters, researchers glean essential clues about the mechanics of dark matter, the fate of stripped stars, and the origins of galaxy populations.&nbsp;



Images like the one provided by DECam not only captivate astronomers and the public alike, but they also fuel the quest to understand the forces and processes that shape the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shapes-of-one-million-galaxies-hint-at-the-universes-origins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universe</a>.



Image Credit: Dark Energy Survey/ DOE/ FNAL/ DECam/ CTIO/NOIRLab/ NSF/ AURA.Dark Energy



Video Credit: NSF NOIRLab



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Hundreds of glittering galaxies captured in the Antlia Cluster

NSF NOIRLab has begun the New Year by unveiling a...

A new study from Tel Aviv University has uncovered how bacterial defense mechanisms can be neutralized, facilitating more efficient genetic material transfer between bacteria.&nbsp;



Researchers believe this discovery could significantly aid in combating antibiotic resistance and advancing genetic engineering for medical, industrial, and environmental applications.



The study was conducted by PhD student Bruria Samuel, under the guidance of professor David Burstein at the Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research at <a href="https://english.tau.ac.il/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tel Aviv University</a>'s Wise Faculty of Life Sciences.&nbsp;



The study also involved contributions from Dr. Karin Mittelman, Shirly Croitoru, and Maya Ben-Haim - all members of Burstein's lab.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-dna-transfer-in-bacteria-survival">The role of DNA transfer in bacteria survival</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-trees-protect-their-genetic-diversity-for-millions-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Genetic diversity</a> is critical for organisms to adapt and survive in changing environments. While humans and many other species achieve this through sexual reproduction, bacteria rely on alternative mechanisms.&nbsp;



One key method is the direct transfer of DNA between cells, a process that enables rapid genetic exchange and adaptation. This mechanism is exemplified by the swift spread of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antibiotic-resistance-could-cause-a-health-crisis-globally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antibiotic resistance</a> among bacterial populations.



Despite its prevalence, the process of DNA transfer has remained somewhat mysterious. Bacteria possess sophisticated defense systems designed to destroy foreign DNA, raising the question: How do plasmids, the carriers of genetic material, evade these defenses?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-investigating-conjugation-and-plasmid-behavior">Investigating conjugation and plasmid behavior</h2>



The study focused on conjugation, a primary mechanism for DNA transfer in bacteria. During this process, a bacterium connects to another via a microscopic tube, through which genetic material called plasmids is passed.&nbsp;



“Plasmids are small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecules classified as 'mobile genetic elements.' Like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-create-viruses-to-combat-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">viruses</a>, plasmids move from one cell to another, but unlike viruses, they do not need to kill the host bacterium to complete the transfer,” explained Burstein.



Since plasmids are technically foreign DNA, they must find ways to evade bacterial defenses to survive and replicate within cells.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genes-associated-with-anti-defense-systems">Genes associated with anti-defense systems</h2>



Samuel began her research by analyzing 33,000 plasmids, identifying genes associated with anti-defense systems that allow plasmids to bypass bacterial defenses. The location of these genes proved to be a crucial discovery.



“The genes for the anti-defense systems that I identified were found to be concentrated near that cutting point, and organized in such a manner that they would be the first genes to enter the new cell,” noted Samuel.&nbsp;



“This strategic positioning allows the genes to be activated immediately upon transfer, giving the plasmid the advantage needed to neutralize the recipient bacteria's defense systems.”



When Samuel first presented her findings, Burstein admitted that he found it “hard to believe that such a phenomenon had not been identified before.” After an extensive review of the scientific literature, they confirmed that no prior studies had observed this pattern.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plasmids-evading-defense-systems">Plasmids evading defense systems</h2>



To test the computational findings, the team conducted laboratory experiments. They introduced antibiotic-resistant plasmids into bacteria equipped with CRISPR, a well-known bacterial defense system.&nbsp;



This setup allowed the researchers to observe whether the plasmids could evade CRISPR and confer antibiotic resistance to the recipient bacteria.



Samuel's experiments demonstrated that plasmids with anti-defense genes positioned near the DNA entry point successfully overcame the CRISPR system, enabling the bacteria to develop resistance.&nbsp;



Conversely, plasmids with anti-defense genes located elsewhere were destroyed, and the bacteria succumbed to antibiotics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-antibiotic-resistance-nbsp">Implications for antibiotic resistance&nbsp;</h2>



Understanding the strategic positioning of anti-defense genes could lead to the discovery of new anti-defense systems, a topic of active research. 



The findings may also enhance the design of plasmids for genetic manipulation in industrial and research settings.



“Our study can contribute to designing more efficient plasmids for genetic manipulation of bacteria in industrial processes," said Burstein.



"While plasmids are already widely used for these purposes, the efficiency of plasmid-based genetic transfer in lab conditions is significantly lower than that of natural plasmids."



Potential applications include designing plasmids to block antibiotic resistance genes in hospitals, enabling bacteria in soil and water to degrade pollutants, or improving human health by modifying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-bacteria-have-very-clever-ways-of-supporting-human-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gut bacteria</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-major-breakthrough-in-biotechnology-nbsp">Major breakthrough in biotechnology&nbsp;</h2>



The study has been described as a major breakthrough in biotechnology. Dr. Ronen Kreizman, CEO of Ramot, Tel Aviv University's technology transfer company, highlighted its potential.&nbsp;



“The new research opens revolutionary possibilities in areas such as developing drugs against resistant bacteria, synthetic biology, agritech, and foodtech,” said Dr. Kreizman.



“The ability to control and fine-tune genetic material transfer between bacteria could become a powerful tool for addressing environmental, agricultural, and medical challenges.”



By unveiling the mechanisms that allow plasmids to overcome bacterial defenses, this research sets the stage for innovative solutions to pressing global challenges, including antibiotic resistance and environmental sustainability.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07994-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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How bacteria share genes and defy defenses

A new study from Tel Aviv University has uncovered how...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" 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 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

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

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.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

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



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



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

How the immune system responds to injury

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes two exoplanets that are orbiting a star 218 light-years away. A team of researchers led by the University of Montreal has found evidence that these planets are "water worlds."



The experts used data from NASA’s Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes. They discovered that exoplanets Kepler-138 c and Kepler-138 could be composed largely of water.



"We previously thought that planets that were a bit larger than Earth were big balls of metal and rock, like scaled-up versions of Earth, and that's why we called them super-Earths," explained study co-author Björn Benneke.&nbsp;



"However, we have now shown that these two planets, Kepler-138 c and d, are quite different in nature and that a big fraction of their entire volume is likely composed of water. It is the best evidence yet for water worlds, a type of planet that was theorized by astronomers to exist for a long time."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and Leah Hustak (STScI)



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes Earth’s interconnected systems, and how this network is affected by rising temperatures.&nbsp;



During 2020, average global temperatures matched the hottest year on record. The hurricane season was also record-breaking, with many of the storms intensifying at extraordinary speeds. Hot water in the ocean is fuel for hurricanes. The satellite data shows that it's all one interconnected system showing how Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected.



According to NASA, dust swept up from Northern Africa plays a major role in the formation of hurricanes, and is also a key source of fertilization in the Amazon rainforest. As a result of<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/"> climate</a> change, dust plumes are expected to decline, which will have an effect on vegetation far away.&nbsp;



Images from Earth-observing satellites show how the world’s plant life is affected by natural disasters, fires, and deforestation. Satellites also reveal how widespread changes in vegetation impact waterways,&nbsp; the climate, air quality. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennas on the Earth. "Earth From Space" is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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