Quantum entanglement is a mind-boggling phenomenon in quantum mechanics that intrigues both scientists and the public alike.



Unlike the predictable nature of classical physics, quantum mechanics thrives on unpredictability, often challenging our everyday perceptions. This is particularly evident in the behavior of entangled particles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-quantum-entanglement">Understanding quantum entanglement</h2>



In quantum mechanics, particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously, a concept known as superposition. Entanglement elevates this idea: when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-laws-thermodynamics-follow-entropy-rule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particles become entangled</a>, their states are interlinked.



A change in one particle's state instantly influences the other, regardless of distance—imagine two distant light bulbs flickering in sync across the cosmos.



Entanglement suggests that information can be shared instantaneously between particles, defying the notion that nothing travels faster than light.



This "<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-spooky-action-at-a-distance-persists-between-top-quarks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spooky action at a distance</a>," as Albert Einstein famously termed it, prompts profound questions about the nature of space and time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-of-measurement">Challenges of measurement</h2>



Measurement in quantum mechanics presents unique challenges. Observing one particle in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-dance-entangled-photons-wave-functions-captured-real-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">an entangled pair</a> determines the states of both, leading to critical inquiries: What constitutes a 'measurement,' and how does it influence our understanding of reality?



The complex mathematics underpinning quantum mechanics -- incorporating concepts like Hilbert spaces, wave functions, and operators -- can be intimidating, rendering entanglement less accessible to many.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fascinating-puzzle">Fascinating puzzle</h2>



Simply put, quantum entanglement is just too complicated for most people to fully understand. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-tunneling-allow-particles-break-light-speed-barrier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">It defies classical intuitions</a>, involves sophisticated mathematics, and urges us to reevaluate our understanding of reality.



That is, until now. 



Enter Professor Carl Kocher, a pioneer of the study of quantum entanglement. He is currently a member of the <a href="https://quantumfoundry.ucsb.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quantum Foundry</a> at University of California Santa Barbara and Professor Emeritus at <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a>.



Professor Kocher is the author of a new article in Frontiers in Quantum Science and Technology, explaining his groundbreaking 1964-67 experiments in quantum entanglement and discussing the 'paradox' of quantum entanglement.



In the following guest editorial, <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Carl-Kocher" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Professor Kocher</a> helps us stretch our minds to understand this apparently paradoxical phenomenon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-quantum-entanglement-0">Understanding quantum entanglement</h2>



My new article, ‘<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/quantum-science-and-technology/articles/10.3389/frqst.2024.1451239/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quantum Entanglement of Optical Photons: The First Experiment, 1964-67</a>’, is intended to convey the spirit of a small research project that reaches into uncharted territory. 



The article breaks with tradition, as it offers a first-person account of the strategy and challenges for the experiment, as well as an interpretation of the final result and its significance. 



In this guest editorial, I will introduce the subject and also attempt to illuminate the question ‘What is a paradox?’



Let’s begin with the gyroscope that I bought when I was eight, from a store that sold novelties and magic tricks. The spinning disk, supported at one end of its shaft, did not fall, but moved slowly around in a horizontal plane. 



This behavior seems mysterious or paradoxical in the context of common experience that excludes gyroscopes, but makes complete sense in the context of Newtonian mechanics, which resolves the paradox by predicting precisely how gyroscopes will behave.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-quantum-theory">Evolution of quantum theory</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/radical-new-theory-finally-unites-gravity-spacetime-and-the-quantum-realm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quantum theory</a>, conceived in the mid-1920s, has been impressively successful in accounting for the properties and interactions of atoms and molecules. 



In 1935, Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen stirred controversy with a thought experiment in which two particles of common origin move apart, noting that quantum theory predicts correlations in subsequent measurements of their spins.



The correlation may seem quite puzzling, as a measurement on one of the particles appears to influence a subsequent measurement on the other, even if the particles do not interact.



In current terminology, these correlations are an example of entanglement, and the correlation phenomenon is known as the EPR paradox.



The puzzle has become a subject for much discussion and analysis, especially because there was (and is) no known mechanism for measurements to communicate with each other.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disentangling-quantum-entanglement">Disentangling quantum entanglement</h2>



In 1964 I was intrigued by this unfamiliar effect and began to think of a way to actually perform the EPR experiment -- or at least a version of it -- for observing the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-discovery-is-a-revolutionary-step-forward/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">correlation and entanglement</a>. It would be a low-energy experiment that could be set up in a small laboratory.



For the experiment outlined here, the particles of interest are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-photons-used-to-measure-earth-rotation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">visible-light photons</a>, which are noninteracting, emitted by excited calcium atoms in a two-stage spontaneous emission process. The polarization states of the photons, which are related to their spins, can be measured simply, with ordinary linear polarizers. 



Photomultiplier detectors count the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-dance-entangled-photons-wave-functions-captured-real-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">individual photons</a>, #1 (green) and #2 (violet), and timing circuits enable the identification of photon pairs from the same atom. A rotatable linear polarizer is mounted in front of each detector.



In simplest terms, the experiment involves counting the rate at which photon pairs are detected, as a function of the orientation of the polarizers. A photon pair detected from the same atom is recorded as a “coincidence count.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theory-and-experiment-agree">Theory and experiment agree</h2>



Quantum theory makes the following predictions:



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-computer-photons-create-vortex-when-they-collide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Each photon</a>, taken separately, has a 50% chance of being transmitted by its polarizer, regardless of its angle of orientation. </li>



<li>If the polarizer axes are parallel, both photons from the same atom can pass through their polarizers and be counted. Coincidence counts will be observed. </li>



<li>If the polarizer axes are perpendicular, it never happens that both photons pass through their polarizers. Therefore, no coincidence counts will be observed.</li>
</ol>



Predictions #1 and #2 are not surprising, as the green and violet beams of light are unpolarized.



Prediction #3, discussed further in my article, is a quantum entanglement effect with no analog in classical (non-quantum) physics. It is especially interesting because it can be tested experimentally. I designed the experiment specifically for this purpose.



The results of the experiment, after nearly three years of effort in the laboratory, clearly demonstrate that coincidence counts are recorded if the polarizer axes are parallel, and that no coincidences are recorded if the polarizers are perpendicular. The agreement between theory and experiment is unequivocal and striking.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-so-is-there-a-paradox">So is there a paradox?</h2>



In our brief discussion of the gyroscope, no paradox was acknowledged because Newton’s theory (classical dynamics) fully explains how a gyroscope moves. 



Furthermore, both the theory and the observed gyroscopic behavior are compatible with our life experience and intuitive ability to grasp natural processes in the classical realm.



In the entanglement case, quantum theory accounts for the observed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/super-photons-fascinating-behavior-in-quantum-realm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">correlation of the photon polarizations</a>. But even when a theory predicts experimental results, a paradox may remain if the intuition cannot reach out to connect with it.



Take another look at predictions #1 and #3 above. If we draw on our experience of life in a non-quantum world, we may notice something very strange when the polarizers are “crossed” at 90 degrees. 



If each photon has a 50% chance of transmission through its polarizer, why don’t we get coincidences 25% of the time? Instead, we observe none at all. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stretching-the-mind-to-resolve-the-paradox">Stretching the mind to resolve the paradox</h2>



At first consideration, this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/impossibility-paradox-calculating-incalculable-quantum-realm-particles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">does seem to qualify as a paradox</a>. One possible explanation could involve a missing component of quantum theory - perhaps a causal mechanism that could allow one photon, or one measurement, to communicate with the other. 



However, despite extensive research, no evidence has been found for such a mechanism.



As we do not live in an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-quantum-revolution-will-impact-all-aspects-of-society/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overtly quantum world</a>, classical phenomena may influence our thought processes - even when we venture into the quantum realm. It may therefore remain a challenge to assimilate entanglement into the intuition.



I believe that the paradox can be at least partially resolved when further thought and experience, such as the experiment considered here, ‘stretch the mind’ to more fully embrace entanglement and other quantum phenomena.



I have come to view these aspects of nature as ‘strangely wonderful’.



The full paper and study can we read at <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/quantum-science-and-technology/articles/10.3389/frqst.2024.1451239/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Quantum Science and Technology</a>.



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Quantum entanglement: A simple way to fully grasp this 'impossible' concept

Quantum entanglement is a mind-boggling phenomenon in quantum mechanics that intrigues both scientists and the public alike. Unlike the predictable nature of classical physics, quantum mechanics thrives on unpredictability, often challenging our everyday perceptions. This is particularly evident in the behavior of entangled particles. Understanding quantum entanglement In quantum mechanics, particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously, a concept known as superposition. Entanglement elevates this idea: when particles become entangled, their states are interlinked. A change in one particle's state instantly influences the other, regardless of distance—imagine...

Imagine Antarctica. You're probably visualizing vast, pristine landscapes of endless snow and frost. But as you read this, an unseen threat might be quietly destabilizing the continent's icy terrain.&nbsp;



Globally, scientists have been keeping a close eye on Antarctica, particularly its ice shelves' condition. And they just highlighted something alarming - there's double the previously estimated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-shelves-are-fracturing-from-meltwater-weight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volume</a> of meltwater present.&nbsp;



This meltwater is largely composed of “slush,” or water-drenched snow, that blankets over half of Antarctica's ice shelves during summer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoding-the-ice-shelves">Decoding the ice shelves</h2>



Interestingly, this discovery wasn't the result of a physical expedition but spawned from an innovative union of science and artificial intelligence.&nbsp;



Though ice shelves' surfaces accumulate water during the summer months, spotting this slush-filled meltwater has proved challenging.&nbsp;



"We can use satellite imagery to map meltwater lakes across much of Antarctica, but it's hard to map slush because it looks like other things, such as shadows from clouds, when viewed from a satellite,” said study lead author Rebecca Dell from the <a href="https://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scott Polar Research Institute</a> (SPRI) at the University of Cambridge.



But artificial intelligence presented effective solutions to this tricky problem. Utilizing the optical data from NASA's Landsat 8 satellite and training a machine learning model to work with more light wavelengths than the human eye can perceive, the researchers successfully generated monthly records of slush and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-sheets-can-retreat-much-faster-than-previously-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meltwater</a> lakes across 57 Antarctic ice shelves from 2013 to 2021.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-silent-struggle-of-the-ice-shelves">Silent struggle of the ice shelves</h2>



Why is this discovery so significant? Well, it lies in the intricate dance of ice, slush, and water. The researchers discovered that in January, at the height of the Antarctic summer, over half (57%) of all meltwater on Antarctica's ice shelves exists as slush.&nbsp;



“This slush has never been mapped on a large scale across all of Antarctica’s large ice shelves, so over half of all surface meltwater has been ignored until now,” noted Dell. “This is potentially significant for the hydrofracture process, where the weight of meltwater can create or enlarge fractures in the ice.”



The fractures can destabilize the continent's surrounding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-shelves-are-much-thinner-than-previously-estimated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice shelves</a>. As climate changes lead to increased melting, this meltwater - whether in lakes or slush form - can seep into ice cracks, expanding them.&nbsp;



This can trigger fractures and the collapse of ice shelves, accelerating inland glacier ice flow into the ocean and contributing to sea level rise.



“Since slush is more solid than meltwater, it won’t cause hydrofracture in the same way that water from a lake does, but it’s definitely something we need to consider when attempting to predict how or whether ice shelves will collapse,” said study co-author Ian Willis, a scientist at SPRI.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-melting-models-are-we-missing-something">Melting models: Are we missing something?</h2>



Aside from hydrofracture, slush also severely impacts melt rates. As darker and less reflective surfaces, slush and lakes absorb more heat than snow or ice, causing increased snowmelt.&nbsp;



Unfortunately, these factors are not currently represented in climate models, which could lead to underestimating ice sheet <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-sheet-fracture-sets-a-speed-record-in-antarctica/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">melting</a> and ice shelf stability.



“I was surprised that this meltwater was so poorly accounted for in climate models,” said Dell. “Our job as scientists is to reduce uncertainty, so we always want to improve our models so they are as accurate as possible.”



“In the future, it’s likely that places in Antarctica that currently don’t have any water or slush will start to change. As the climate continues to warm, more melting will occur, which could have implications for ice stability and sea level rise,” said Willis.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41561-024-01466-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>.



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Hidden threat lurking in Antarctica's ice shelves

Imagine Antarctica. You're probably visualizing vast, pristine landscapes of endless...

A,Vacuum,Device

Scientists have produced a rare form of quantum matter known as a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) using molecules instead of atoms.



Made from chilled sodium-cesium molecules, these BECs are as chilly as five nanoKelvin, or about -459.66 °F, and stay stable for a remarkable two seconds.



“These molecular BECs open up an new research arenas, from understanding truly fundamental physics to advancing powerful quantum simulations,” noted <a href="https://www.columbia.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Columbia University</a> physicist <a href="https://www.will-lab.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sebastian Will</a>. “We've reached an exciting milestone, but it's just the kick-off.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-bose-einstein-condensate-bec">Understanding Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC)</h2>



A Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC) represents a state of matter that occurs when a collection of bosons, particles that follow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mit-scientists-create-new-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bose-Einstein</a> statistics, are cooled to temperatures very close to absolute zero. 



Under such extreme conditions, a significant fraction of the bosons occupy the lowest quantum state, resulting in macroscopic quantum phenomena. 



This means that they behave as a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/super-photons-fascinating-behavior-in-quantum-realm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">single quantum entity</a>, effectively "collapsing" into a single wave function that can be easily described using the principles of quantum mechanics.



The fascinating aspect of BECs stems from their superfluid properties -- exhibiting zero viscosity as they flow, which allows them to move without dissipating energy. 



This unique property enables BECs to simulate other quantum systems and explore new realms of physics. 



For instance, studying BECs can provide insights into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/finding-quantum-coherence-chemical-reaction-chaos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum coherence</a>, phase transitions, and many-body interactions in quantum gases. 



The creation of molecular BECs, like those involving sodium-cesium molecules, extends this exploration even further, potentially leading to breakthroughs in quantum computing and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-realm-controlled-at-room-temperature-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">precision measurements</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ultracold-bec-odyssey">Ultracold BEC odyssey</h2>



The journey of BECs is a long and winding one, dating back a century to the works of physicists Satyendra Nath Bose and Albert Einstein. 



They prophesied that a cluster of particle cooled to the brink of standstill would merge into a singular macro-entity, governed by the dictates of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-discovery-is-a-revolutionary-step-forward/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum mechanics</a>. The first true atomic BECs emerged in 1995, 70 years after the original theoretical predictions.



Atomic BECs have always been relatively simple - round objects with minimal polarity-based interactions. But the scientific community came to crave a more complex version of BECs compiled of molecules, albeit with no avail. 



Finally, in 2008, the first breakthrough came when a duo of physicists chilled a gas of potassium-rubidium molecules to about 350 nanoKelvin. The quest for achieving an even lower temperature to cross the BEC threshold continued.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microwaves-the-chilling-solution">Microwaves: The chilling solution</h2>



In 2023, the initial step towards this goal was achieved when the research group created their desired ultracold sodium-cesium molecule gas using a blend of laser cooling and magnetic manipulations. To further decrease the temperature, they decided to introduce microwaves. 



Microwaves can construct small shields around each molecule, preventing them from colliding and leading to a drop in the overall temperature of the sample.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-propelling-into-quantum-control-era">Propelling into quantum control era</h2>



The group's achievement of creating a molecular BEC represents a spectacular accomplishment in quantum control technology. 



This brilliant piece of scientific work is bound to impact a multitude of scientific fields, from the study of quantum chemistry to the exploration of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-is-a-virtual-world-and-humans-play-the-roles-of-its-characters-new-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex quantum materials</a>.



“We really have a thorough understanding of the interactions in this system, which is vital for the subsequent steps, like exploring dipolar many-body physics,” said co-author and Columbia postdoc Ian Stevenson. 



The research team developed schemes to control interactions, tested these from a theoretical angle, and executed them in the actual experiment. It's truly wondrous to witness the realization of these microwave ‘shielding’ concepts in the lab.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unfurling-a-new-canvas-in-quantum-physics">Unfurling a new canvas in quantum physics</h2>



The creation of molecular BECs enables the fulfilment of numerous theoretical predictions. The stable nature of these molecular BECs allows extensive exploration of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/radical-new-theory-finally-unites-gravity-spacetime-and-the-quantum-realm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum physics</a>. 



A proposition to build artificial crystals with BECs held in a laser-made optical lattice might provide a comprehensive simulation of interactions in natural crystals.



On switching from a three-dimensional system to a two-dimensional one, new physics is expected to emerge. This area of research opens up a plethora of possibilities in the study of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/molecules-scramble-quantum-information-equally-well-black-holes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum phenomena</a>, including superconductivity and superfluidity, amongst others.



“This feels like a whole new universe of possibilities unveiling itself,” Sebastian Will concluded, summing up the enthusiasm in the scientific community.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-becs-from-atoms-to-molecules">BECs: From atoms to molecules</h2>



In summary, this research chronicles the successful creation of a Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC) using ultracold sodium-cesium molecules, reaching a stable state at five nanoKelvin for two seconds. 



Leveraging a combination of laser cooling, magnetic manipulations, and innovative microwave shielding, the research group and their theoretical collaborator achieved unprecedented control over molecular interactions at <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/impossible-quantum-effects-observed-atoms-positioned-closely-together/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum levels</a>. 



This milestone enables comprehensive exploration of quantum phenomena such as coherence, phase transitions, and many-body interactions, potentially unlocking new avenues in quantum simulations, quantum computing, and precision measurements.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07492-z">Nature</a>.



Special thanks to Ellen Neff from Columbia University. 



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Rare form of quantum matter created with molecules for the first time

Scientists have produced a rare form of quantum matter known...

Researchers have discovered a biological basis for the storage of long-term memories, centered around a molecule called KIBRA. 



This study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adl0030" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>, reveals how KIBRA acts as a “glue” to solidify memory <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-human-brain-decides-which-memories-to-remember/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">formation</a> by interacting with other crucial molecules like protein kinase Mzeta (PKMzeta).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-holding-onto-memories-for-the-long-term-nbsp">Holding onto memories for the long term&nbsp;</h2>



“Previous efforts to understand how molecules store long-term memory focused on the individual actions of single molecules,” said André Fenton, a professor of neural science at <a href="https://www.nyu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York University</a> and one of the study’s principal investigators. “Our study shows how they work together to ensure perpetual memory storage.”



“A firmer understanding of how we keep our memories will help guide efforts to illuminate and address memory-related afflictions in the future,” added senior author Todd Sacktor, a professor at <a href="https://www.downstate.edu/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stability-of-memories-over-time">Stability of memories over time</h2>



While <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neurons-can-predict-human-speech-before-we-say-a-word/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurons</a> store information as strong and weak synapses, the instability of molecules in synapses raises questions about the stability of memories over time.&nbsp;



The study used laboratory mice to focus on KIBRA’s role in memory, identifying it as the key component that ensures memory persistence. KIBRA acts as a “persistent synaptic tag,” binding to strong synapses and PKMzeta, while avoiding weak ones. This allows PKMzeta to strengthen specific synapses continually.



“During memory formation, the synapses involved in the formation are activated - and KIBRA is selectively positioned in these synapses,” Sacktor explained.&nbsp;



“PKMzeta then attaches to the KIBRA-synaptic-tag and keeps those synapses strong. This allows the synapses to stick to newly made KIBRA, attracting more newly made PKMzeta.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhancing-weak-or-faded-memories-nbsp">Enhancing weak or faded memories&nbsp;</h2>



The experiments demonstrated that disrupting the KIBRA-PKMzeta bond can erase old memories, while increasing PKMzeta can enhance weak or faded <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rewriting-negative-memories-by-activating-positive-ones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memories</a>. This persistent synaptic tagging explains the enhanced memory effect observed in previous studies.



“The persistent synaptic tagging mechanism for the first time explains these results that are clinically relevant to neurological and psychiatric disorders of memory,” Fenton said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proteins-are-replaced-to-hold-long-term-memories-nbsp">Proteins are replaced to hold long-term memories&nbsp;</h2>



The research supports a concept introduced by Francis Crick in 1984, akin to the philosophical idea of Theseus’s Ship, where new planks replace old ones to maintain the ship.



“The persistent synaptic tagging mechanism we found is analogous to how new planks replace old planks to maintain Theseus’s Ship for generations, and allows memories to last for years even as the proteins maintaining the memory are replaced,” said Sacktor.



“Francis Crick intuited this Theseus’s Ship mechanism, even predicting the role for a protein kinase. But it took 40 years to discover that the components are KIBRA and PKMzeta and to work out the mechanism of their interaction.”



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How does our brain form long-term memories?

Researchers have discovered a biological basis for the storage of...

Forget lawn bowls or a gentle swim - pensioners should consider weight-lifting for a healthier retirement, suggests recent research led by the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a>. 



Resistance training, shown to sustain strength well into retirement, is particularly beneficial for the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-reduces-aging-related-fat-buildup-in-tissues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">elderly</a>. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gradual-loss-of-muscle-function-nbsp">Gradual loss of muscle function&nbsp;</h2>



Muscle function declines naturally with age, and weakened grip and leg strength are strong predictors of mortality among older adults.&nbsp;



Resistance training, involving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-weight-training-boosts-brain-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weights</a>, body weight, or resistance bands, has been shown to counteract this decline effectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-the-benefits-of-weight-lifting-nbsp">Exploring the benefits of weight-lifting&nbsp;</h2>



The scientists investigated the long-term benefits of a one-year supervised resistance training program using heavy weight-lifting.&nbsp;



The participants, including 451 retirees with an average age of 71 years old, were divided into three groups: heavy resistance training, moderate-intensity training, or no additional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/3000-extra-steps-per-day-lowers-blood-pressure-in-older-adults/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exercise</a> beyond usual activities.



Those in the heavy weights group trained three times weekly, performing three sets of six to 12 repetitions at 70-85% of their maximum weight.&nbsp;



Moderate-intensity participants engaged in circuits with body weight exercises and resistance bands. Bone and muscle strength, alongside body fat levels, were measured at the study's start and after one, two, and four years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weight-lifting-maintains-leg-strength-nbsp">Weight-lifting maintains leg strength&nbsp;</h2>



After four years, the heavy weights group maintained their leg strength, while the other groups lost strength. “In well-functioning older adults at retirement age, one year of heavy resistance training may induce long-lasting beneficial effects by preserving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childhood-trauma-can-cause-muscle-decline-adult-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">muscle</a> function,” the authors wrote.



No differences were noted among the groups in leg extensor power, handgrip strength, or lean leg mass, all of which decreased. However, visceral fat increased in those who didn't exercise, remaining stable in the exercise groups.&nbsp;



Moreover, the study participants were generally more active, averaging nearly 10,000 steps a day, compared to the wider population.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-effects-of-resistance-training">Long-term effects of resistance training</h2>



“This study provides evidence that resistance training with heavy loads at retirement age can have long-term effects over several years,” noted the researchers.



“The results, therefore, provide means for practitioners and policy-makers to encourage older individuals to engage in heavy resistance training.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136%2Fbmjsem-2024-001899" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine</a>.



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Weight-lifting helps older adults preserve their strength and health

Forget lawn bowls or a gentle swim - pensioners should...

In a new study from the <a href="https://www.oist.jp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology</a> (OIST), scientists have discovered that Mycena mushrooms have surprisingly large genomes. This revelation contradicts long-held assumptions about the species. 



Mycena mushrooms were previously believed to be sabrobes, which depend solely on the degradation of dead organic material for nutrients. But the recent findings suggest that these mushrooms harbor richer gene varieties, enabling them to adapt to varying lifestyles based on existing circumstances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mycena-mushrooms-in-the-harsh-arctic-nbsp">Mycena mushrooms in the harsh Arctic&nbsp;</h2>



The specific strains of Mycena mushrooms spotted in the harsh ecosystem of the Arctic possess some of the largest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-psilocybin-mushrooms-got-their-magic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mushroom</a> genomes ever recorded. 



Their DNA shows evidence of rampant growth across their genetic makeup, inclusive not only of invasion and plant interaction genes but also elements with unknown functions and genes acquired from unrelated fungi through horizontal gene transfer.



Delving into the heart of the discovery, the research team collected Mycena samples across Northern Europe, including the Arctic region.&nbsp;



"Three of these were successfully sequenced, and we found that these Arctic species contained significantly larger genomes compared to ordinary Mycena species," explained Dr. Shingo Miyauchi, co-lead author of the study.  



Their initial astonishment led them to double-check the genome assembly's correctness and conclude that these significantly enlarged genomes were exclusive to certain Arctic Mycena mushroom species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-evolutionary-advantage">An evolutionary advantage</h2>



"Evolution tells us that non-advantageous traits tend to disappear over time, so an obvious implication is that adaptability and generalism in those large genome structures must be an advantage for these fungi,” said study co-author Francis Martin.



“This is despite the costs of having a large genome with lots of possibly unnecessary features that must be replicated in each cell division. This may be particularly true in an extreme environment like the Arctic, as also seen in plants.”&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-mycena-mushrooms-nbsp">Significance of Mycena mushrooms&nbsp;</h2>



The research initiative was primarily driven by Mycena's crucial role as a significant mushroom decomposer of litter and leaves in forest ecosystems. Despite having minuscule bodies, their contributions to the global carbon cycle are substantial.&nbsp;



The researchers were also intrigued by the species' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bioluminescence-emerged-in-animals-540-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bioluminescent</a> features (they glow in the dark). Given these fascinating characteristics, they sought to expand their understanding of the gene structure in these fungi to learn more about their lifestyle habits.



In the course of the study, the team produced new genome sequences for 24 additional Mycena species, including three Arctic species.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-research-nbsp">Focus of the research&nbsp;</h2>



The goal of the research was to comprehend how the genomes evolved over time, what triggered their expansion, and how different species might vary in plant cell wall-degrading enzymes based on their lifestyle habits.



Amidst their findings, the researchers discovered that the genome expansion was a common feature across all Mycena species, affecting all gene families regardless of their expected habits. Two Arctic-collected species exhibited the largest genomes, up to eight times bigger than those found in temperate zones.



The researchers came across another surprising discovery: the Arctic species' genomes expanded far beyond the general Mycena expansion. The research team also found that Mycena fungi had acquired genes from Ascomycetes through horizontal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parasites-steal-genes-to-control-their-hosts-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gene transfer</a>.



"The evolutionary transition from decomposer to symbiotic fungi is generally believed to have happened in parallel in several fungal groups throughout the course of evolution millions of years ago," said Håvard Kauserud of the University of Oslo. "However, with Mycena, we appear to be seeing this gradual process in action happening right in front of our eyes."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-implications-of-the-study">Future implications of the study</h2>



The findings suggest that multiple possible lifestyles are reflected in their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/butterfly-genome-has-barely-changed-after-250-million-years-of-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genome</a> structures, a conclusion that has significant implications for understanding an organism's habits from their genome sequences alone.



As the research progresses, the team continues to delve deeper into forest fungi's genomic intricacies.&nbsp;



"Our goal is genome mining to uncover unusual genes, enzymes, and metabolites,” said Dr. Miyauchi. “Ultimately, we aim to isolate unique genomic materials for biotechnological applications. It’s my hope that funding bodies recognize the huge future potential of petite mushrooms."



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.xgen.2024.100586" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell Genomics</a>.



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Mycena mushrooms are evolving right before our eyes

In a new study from the Okinawa Institute of Science...

Sunspot,Explosions,Sending,Extreme,Uv,Radiation,To,Earth,3d,Animation

Brace yourselves, as we are officially on a Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch. The stage is set, curtains drawn. We're on the brink of another <a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unique astronomical event</a>, an intriguing spectacle that doesn't present itself too often.



The ominous announcement was issued on June 28, 2024, by the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), an agency at the forefront of meteorological and environmental insights.



This new development rings a bell, mirroring the intense geomagnetic storms that we faced recently in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/noaa-issues-severe-geomagnetic-storm-watch-first-time-since-2005/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early May 2024</a>.



Such instances are rather extraordinary, and this one is believed to be spawned by several earth-bound coronal mass ejections (CMEs)



The probable repercussions that these geomagnetic disturbances pose to our planet's magnetic field and technological infrastructure are not to be taken lightly. It's a situation that justifiably warrants the Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trip-down-solar-memory-lane">Trip down solar memory lane</h2>



Taking a solar trip down memory lane to the onset of the current solar cycle in December 2019, we can recollect, only three Severe geomagnetic storms have made their presence known. 



The most recent G4 (Severe) storm paid us a visit on May 9, 2024, and lasted several days, peaking at the G5 level.



The G5 storm was notorious for causing power outages, damaging transformers, and producing awe-inspiring auroras as far south as Texas, thus highlighting the potential chaos such geomagnetic disturbances can create.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preparing-for-the-geomagnetic-storm">Preparing for the geomagnetic storm</h2>



As the anticipated arrival of the CMEs approaches, it's crucial for scientists, government agencies, and the general public to stay informed about the latest updates and any potential impacts on communication systems, power grids, and satellite operations. 



It's a wise move to take necessary precautions and have contingency plans in place, as it can help mitigate the risks associated with severe geomagnetic storms.



While such events are rare, the Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch serves as a reminder of the ever-changing, immensely powerful nature of our Sun and its far-reaching effects on Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earthly-concerns-what-might-the-impact-be">Earthly concerns: What might the impact be?</h2>



The major impact zone is expected to be primarily poleward of 50 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude. The potential effects could include:



<ul>
<li>Induced Currents: Expect voltage irregularities in power systems and false alarms on certain protection devices. </li>



<li>Spacecraft: Surface charging and increased drag on low Earth-orbit satellites could cause orientation problems. </li>



<li>Navigation: Satellite navigation (GPS) systems may experience periodic problems, including loss-of-lock and increased range error. </li>



<li>Radio: Fishermen and sailors could face intermittent HF (high-frequency) radios communication. </li>



<li>Aurora: As an enticing side effect, northern lights may shine as far south as Alabama in the southern U.S. and northern California in the West.</li>
</ul>



The dedicated meteorological agency responsible for issuing the Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm Watch, NOAA's Spaceweather Prediction Center (<a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SWPC</a>), will monitor the situation closely and provide updates as the event unfolds. It’s always better to be prepared than to be caught off guard.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-geomagnetic-storms">More about geomagnetic storms</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/geomagnetic-storms-are-influenced-by-earths-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geomagnetic storms</a> occur when our Sun unleashes powerful bursts of energy and particles into space. These solar temper tantrums, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), hurl massive clouds of magnetized plasma towards Earth.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-s-magnetic-shield-takes-a-hit">Earth's magnetic shield takes a hit</h3>



As these solar projectiles slam into Earth's magnetic field, they cause dramatic disturbances. Our planet's protective magnetosphere wobbles and warps under the assault, allowing charged particles to penetrate deeper into the atmosphere.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technological-chaos-ensues">Technological chaos ensues</h3>



These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/noaa-alert-severe-geomagnetic-solar-storm-warning-issued/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storms</a> wreak havoc on our modern infrastructure. They can:



<ul>
<li>Disrupt radio communications </li>



<li>Cause GPS errors </li>



<li>Overload power grids, potentially triggering widespread blackouts </li>



<li>Damage satellites and pose risks to astronauts</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-s-light-show">Nature's light show</h3>



It's not all doom and gloom, though. Geomagnetic storms treat us to spectacular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/auroras-southern-united-states-this-week-huge-solar-storm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">auroras</a>, pushing the northern and southern lights closer to the equator.



These dazzling displays of colorful lights dance across the sky, captivating observers.



Scientists monitor solar activity closely to predict these storms. Advanced warning systems help protect vulnerable technologies and alert stargazers to potential aurora sightings.



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'Severe Geomagnetic Storm' alert issued as the Sun begins erupting again

Brace yourselves, as we are officially on a Severe (G4)...

The ocean's depths are an inhospitable environment with no light, freezing temperatures, and crushing pressure. However, certain marine organisms, such as ctenophores (commonly known as comb jellies), have evolved unique adaptations to survive these extreme conditions.



A team of researchers led by Itay Budin, an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the <a href="https://ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California San Diego</a>, explored these adaptations, focusing on the cell membranes of ctenophores.&nbsp;



The analyses revealed that these organisms possess unique lipid structures that help them withstand high pressure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pressure-adaptation-in-comb-jellies-nbsp">Pressure adaptation in comb jellies&nbsp;</h2>



Unlike <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-invasion-jellyfish-are-moving-north-in-a-warming-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">jellyfish</a>, comb jellies can grow as large as a volleyball, living in oceans globally at varying depths. Their cell membranes, which consist of thin sheets of lipids and proteins, need to maintain specific properties to function correctly. 



While some organisms have long been known to adapt their lipids to maintain fluidity in extreme cold through homeoviscous adaptation, the adaptation to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-fish-survive-the-intense-pressure-of-deep-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pressure</a> in deep-sea organisms was not well understood.



“Hydrostatic pressure increases with depth in the ocean, but little is known about the molecular bases of biological pressure tolerance,” wrote the study authors. “We describe a mode of pressure adaptation in comb jellies (ctenophores) that also constrains these animals’ depth range.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-lipid-structures-nbsp">Unique lipid structures&nbsp;</h2>



Budin's team examined comb <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/comb-jellies-use-cannibalism-to-survive-long-winters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">jellies</a> from different environments, including those from the bottom of the ocean in California and the surface of the Arctic Ocean, to study whether these organisms adapted to cold and pressure through the same mechanism. 



They found that comb jellies have developed unique lipid structures, known as “homeocurvatures,” which are distinct from those used to adapt to cold.&nbsp;



The lipids in deep-sea ctenophores evolved into exaggerated cone shapes, counteracted by ocean pressure, maintaining the normal lipid shape only at extreme depths. When these creatures are brought to the surface, their cell membranes split apart, and the animals disintegrate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comb-jellies-and-human-brains">Comb jellies and human brains</h2>



The researchers discovered that these exaggerated cone-shaped molecules are a type of phospholipid called plasmalogens, which are also abundant in human brains.&nbsp;



The study revealed that plasmalogens make up as much as three-quarters of a deep-sea ctenophore’s lipid count. Given the significant role of plasmalogens in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-health-may-literally-be-a-state-of-mind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain health</a> and their association with neurodegenerative diseases, this finding is particularly intriguing.



Further experiments with E. coli in high-pressure chambers demonstrated that bioengineered bacteria synthesizing plasmalogens thrived under high pressure, while unaltered bacteria did not.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-plasmalogens-in-brain-health">The role of plasmalogens in brain health</h2>



Budin hopes that this discovery will lead to further research on the role of plasmalogens in brain health and disease.&nbsp;



“I think the research shows that plasmalogens have really unique biophysical properties. So now the question is, how are those properties important for the function of our own cells? I think that’s one takeaway message.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.adm7607" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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How do comb jellies survive crushing pressure in the deep ocean?

The ocean's depths are an inhospitable environment with no light,...

Throughout the warmer months in the Midwestern U.S., many people have become keen observers of the sky, watching for signs of storms and tornadoes.



Dan Chavas, an associate professor at <a href="https://www.purdue.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purdue University</a>’s College of Science, goes further by studying tornadoes and severe storms daily. His work focuses on understanding what drives the formation and location of these extreme weather events.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-do-some-regions-have-more-storms">Why do some regions have more storms?</h2>



“I study both the climate and extreme weather,” Chavas said. “My research asks, ‘Why do we have severe thunderstorms or tornadoes at all?’ There are specific regions on Earth that have more storms, more tornadoes than other places. What creates these stormy regions?”



Chavas uses advanced computer models to explore the factors contributing to these storms. “We have had these decades-old assumptions about what causes storms. We’re validating those hypotheses and figuring out what makes North America such a hot spot.”



Unlike storm chasers who track storms in the field, Chavas utilizes historical data and computer models to simulate different scenarios, referring to this process as being a storm tester.&nbsp;



“We use weather and climate models, as well as extensive databases of thunderstorms, lightning strikes, atmospheric data and more, to ask, ‘What if the world was different?’”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geographic-features-and-storm-formation">Geographic features and storm formation</h2>



One significant study conducted by Chavas and his team involved simulating what would happen if the Rocky Mountains were flattened or if the Gulf of Mexico were filled in. The goal of studying these hypothetical scenarios was to investigate the role of these geographic features in storm formation.



For more than five decades, the Gulf of Mexico was believed to play a crucial role in the formation of tornadoes in the U.S. by supplying warm, moist air.&nbsp;



Chavas’s research has begun to challenge this assumption. “It was a very reasonable hypothesis,” he said. “But no one had been able to test these 50-year-old ideas because they came about when there weren’t climate models with the necessary computational power.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environments-with-specific-ingredients-nbsp">Environments with specific ingredients&nbsp;</h2>



The team's findings showed that a dry Gulf of Mexico influenced the frequency and severity of storms less than expected. Instead, severe thunderstorms shifted from the central Great Plains to Illinois, reducing their occurrence in southern Texas.



“Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes form in environments with specific ingredients for how temperature, moisture, and especially wind speed and direction change with height in the atmosphere. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-will-climate-change-affect-extreme-weather-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> determines where and when those ingredients can be found together to produce these types of storms,” Chavas said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-severe-weather-potential-in-north-and-south-america-nbsp">Severe weather potential in North and South America&nbsp;</h2>



In a recent study published in the <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2315425121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>, Chavas and graduate student Funing Li compared severe weather potential in North America with South America.&nbsp;



Despite having similar geography, South America experiences fewer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/summer-storms-stir-oxygen-into-the-deep-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tornadoes</a>. The researchers found that the rough terrain east of the Andes, including the Amazon's hills and tall trees, may prevent tornadoes. 



Conversely, tornadoes in the U.S. often form east of the Rockies, where the wind flows from the smooth Gulf of Mexico surface.



“A rough surface upstream means that downstream the wind is no longer changing speed and direction with height very strongly near the surface, which we refer to as ‘wind shear,’” Chavas explained. “It doesn’t change ingredients for severe thunderstorms, but the wind shear in the one kilometer of air above the ground is a critical ingredient for tornadoes.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-and-future-weather-patterns">Climate change and future weather patterns </h2>



Chavas’s fascination with real weather and its implications began after a storm-torn tree fell on his house in Wisconsin when he was four years old. His research aims to understand how climate change will impact future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-activity-is-rapidly-changing-weather-in-north-america/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weather patterns</a>. 



“If we want to understand how climate change will affect weather in the future, we need to understand how climate determines weather in the first place,” said Chavas.



“If we change the land surface and the trajectory of air flowing inland from the Gulf of Mexico, it may have a direct impact on these ingredients that give rise to tornadoes farther inland.”



“When we think about climate change, we think about it getting hotter and the land getting drier. But if the jet stream changes where and how quickly air flows inland, it can change where and how tornadoes form.”



“Places that didn’t see them before may see them more, and places that had more may see fewer. We need to understand the weather now to help us better predict the weather of the future.”



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Why does the U.S. have so many tornadoes?

Throughout the warmer months in the Midwestern U.S., many people...

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have mapped the astonishing 4,200-kilometer transatlantic flight of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-butterfly-migration-sparked-by-a-surge-in-vegetation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Painted Lady butterfly</a>.



This unprecedented journey challenges our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-insects-migrate-through-the-pyrenees-each-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insect migration</a> and showcases the remarkable capabilities of these delicate creatures.



The study, led by Gerard Talavera from the <a href="https://www.ibb.csic.es/ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institut Botànic de Barcelona</a>, along with an international team of researchers, unravels the mystery of Painted Lady butterflies found on the Atlantic beaches of French Guiana in October 2013.



This unusual sighting sparked a scientific investigation that would reveal an extraordinary tale of endurance and adaptation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-journey-of-painted-lady-butterflies">The journey of Painted Lady butterflies</h2>



The research team employed a unique combination of cutting-edge techniques to trace the origin and journey of the Painted Lady butterflies. The methods included wind trajectory reconstruction, genome sequencing, pollen DNA analysis, and isotope geolocation.



This innovative approach allowed the researchers to piece together the puzzle of the butterflies' remarkable journey.



Dr. Clément Bataille, a professor at the University of Ottawa, emphasized the significance of this approach: "It is the first time that this combination of molecular techniques including isotope geolocation and pollen metabarcoding is tested on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bats-feast-on-migrating-insects-in-the-pyrenees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migratory insects</a>."



"The results are very promising and transferable to many other migratory insect species. The technique should fundamentally transform our understanding of insect migration."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-astonishing-feat-of-nature">Astonishing feat of nature </h2>



The study's findings unveil an astonishing feat of nature. Wind trajectory analysis identified conditions conducive to a transatlantic crossing from western Africa. Genetic studies revealed a closer relationship to African and European populations, eliminating the possibility of North American origin. 



Intriguingly, pollen DNA analysis detected traces of plants native to tropical Africa, providing a crucial link to the butterflies' journey. Meanwhile, isotope analysis pointed to a potential birthplace in western Europe. 



These diverse and complementary lines of evidence converged to support an extraordinary conclusion: the Painted Lady butterflies had indeed accomplished a long-distance, intercontinental flight across the Atlantic Ocean.



"We usually see butterflies as symbols of the fragility of beauty, but science shows us that they can perform incredible feats. There is still much to discover about their capabilities," said study co-author Roger Vila, a researcher at the <a href="https://www.ibe.upf-csic.es/presentation">Institute of Evolutionary Biology</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favorable-wind-conditions">Favorable wind conditions </h2>



The researchers assessed the viability of this transatlantic flight by analyzing energy expenditure. They concluded that the journey, lasting 5 to 8 days without stops, was possible due to favorable wind conditions.



"The butterflies could only have completed this flight using a strategy alternating between active flight, which is costly energetically, and gliding the wind," explained study co-author Eric Toro-Delgado.



"We estimate that without wind, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/butterflies-use-visual-and-behavioral-mimicry-to-avoid-predators/">butterflies</a> could have flown a maximum of 780 km before consuming all their fat and, therefore, their energy."



The study highlights the importance of the Saharan air layer as a significant aerial route for dispersion. These wind currents, known for transporting Saharan dust to the Amazon, are now recognized as potential highways for living organisms.



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



This discovery suggests the existence of natural aerial corridors connecting continents, potentially facilitating species dispersal on an unprecedented scale.



"I think this study does a good job of demonstrating how much we tend to underestimate the dispersal abilities of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-flightless-stick-insects-spread-their-populations-over-vast-regions/">insects</a>," noted study co-author Megan Reich, a postdoctoral fellow at the <a href="https://www.uottawa.ca/en">University of Ottawa</a>.



"Furthermore, it's entirely possible that we are also underestimating the frequency of these types of dispersal events and their impact on ecosystems."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-painted-lady-s-flight-into-the-future">The Painted Lady's flight into the future</h2>



As our climate continues to change, researchers anticipate more long-distance dispersal events, which could significantly impact global biodiversity and ecosystems.



"It is essential to promote systematic monitoring routines for dispersing insects, which could help predict and mitigate potential risks to biodiversity resulting from global change," said Gerard Talavera, the study's lead researcher.



This groundbreaking research not only reveals the extraordinary capabilities of the Painted Lady butterfly but also opens new avenues for understanding insect migration in the face of global environmental changes. 



As we continue to unlock the secrets of these remarkable creatures, we may find that they have much to teach us about resilience, adaptation, and the interconnectedness of our world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-49079-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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The incredible transatlantic journey of the Painted Lady

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have mapped the astonishing 4,200-kilometer...

A doubling of atmospheric CO2 could significantly increase Earth's average temperature by 7 to 14 degrees Celsius, according to a study led by researchers at the <a href="https://www.nioz.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research</a> (NIOZ) and the Universities of <a href="https://www.uu.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utrecht</a> and <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bristol</a>.&nbsp;



These findings contrast sharply with the 2.3 to 4.5 degrees predicted by the <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</a> (IPCC).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invaluable-resource-for-the-study">Invaluable resource for the study</h2>



The researchers used a 45-year-old drill core from the Pacific Ocean floor to gather their data. The core preserved organic matter due to the lack of oxygen, making it an invaluable source for studying historical climate conditions.&nbsp;



“I realized that this core is very attractive for researchers, because the ocean floor at that spot has had oxygen-free conditions for many millions of years,” said senior author Jaap Sinninghe Damsté, a scientist at NIOZ and professor of organic geochemistry at Utrecht.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-15-million-years-of-co2-levels-nbsp">15 million years of CO2 levels&nbsp;</h2>



The experts were able to construct a unique time series of CO2 levels over the past 15 million years from a single location, a feat that had not been achieved before.&nbsp;



They used the TEX86 method to determine past seawater temperatures, a technique developed at NIOZ 20 years ago that analyzes the chemical composition of archaea membrane lipids.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-past-atmospheric-co2-concentrations">Past atmospheric CO2 concentrations</h2>



Additionally, they developed a new method to estimate past atmospheric CO2 concentrations using the chemical signatures of chlorophyll and cholesterol from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crust-forming-algae-have-the-potential-to-dominate-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algae</a>. This approach is the first to use cholesterol for quantitative CO2 estimates and to apply chlorophyll data to this time period.&nbsp;



The algae’s preference for the carbon isotope 12C over 13C under varying CO2 levels allowed researchers to infer historical CO2 concentrations.



“The lower the CO2 concentration in the water, the more algae will also use the rare 13C. Thus, the 13C content of these two substances is a measure of the CO2 content of the ocean water,” Damsté explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-atmospheric-co2-concentrations">Future atmospheric CO2 concentrations</h2>



The study revealed that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-carbon-dioxide-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CO2 levels</a> decreased from about 650 parts per million 15 million years ago to 280 parts per million just before the industrial revolution. Plotting these CO2 levels against corresponding temperatures showed a stronger relationship than previously recognized.



“So, this research gives us a glimpse of what the future could hold if we take too few measures to reduce CO2 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/co2-emissions-reduction-20-percent-possible-only-2-percent-economic-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emissions</a> and also implement few technological innovations to offset emissions,” said Damsté.



“The clear warning from this research is: CO2 concentration is likely to have a stronger impact on temperature than we are currently taking into account!”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-factors-contributing-to-atmospheric-co2-nbsp">Factors contributing to atmospheric CO2&nbsp;</h2>



Atmospheric CO2 levels are influenced by a combination of natural processes and human activities.&nbsp;



Natural processes include the carbon cycle, where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-ice-reveals-that-co2-is-rising-at-the-fastest-rate-in-50000-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CO2</a> is exchanged between the atmosphere, oceans, and land.&nbsp;



Photosynthesis by plants and phytoplankton absorbs CO2, while respiration and decomposition release it. Volcanic eruptions also contribute to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wonder-material-can-extract-value-from-captured-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CO2</a> levels.&nbsp;



Human activities have a significant impact, primarily through the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which releases large amounts of CO2.&nbsp;



Deforestation reduces the number of trees that can absorb CO2, further increasing atmospheric levels.&nbsp;



Industrial processes, such as cement production, also release CO2. Additionally, land use changes and agricultural practices can affect soil carbon storage and methane emissions, indirectly influencing CO2 levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consequences-of-rising-temperatures">Consequences of rising temperatures</h2>



Rising temperatures have far-reaching consequences for the planet. One significant impact is the alteration of weather patterns, leading to more frequent and severe weather events such as hurricanes, heatwaves, and heavy rainfall. 



These changes can result in increased flooding, droughts, and other natural disasters, which disrupt ecosystems and human communities.



The warming climate also affects the natural habitats of many species, causing shifts in their geographical ranges and threatening biodiversity. Many species may face extinction if they cannot adapt quickly enough or migrate to suitable environments.&nbsp;



Additionally, warmer temperatures contribute to the melting of polar ice caps and glaciers, leading to rising sea levels. This threatens coastal communities with flooding and erosion, potentially displacing millions of people and affecting freshwater supplies.



Agricultural productivity is also impacted by rising temperatures. Heat stress can reduce crop yields and affect the quality of produce, posing challenges to food security. In regions already vulnerable to food shortages, this can exacerbate malnutrition and poverty.&nbsp;



Furthermore, warmer temperatures can increase the prevalence of pests and diseases that affect both plants and livestock, further straining agricultural systems.



Human health is directly affected by rising temperatures. Increased heat can lead to heat-related illnesses and deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with preexisting health conditions. 



Higher temperatures can also exacerbate air quality issues, contributing to respiratory problems and other health concerns.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47676-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Atmospheric CO2 could push temperatures much higher than expected

A doubling of atmospheric CO2 could significantly increase Earth's average...

Magic mushrooms have become the most popular psychedelic substance in the United States, surpassing others like ecstasy, according to a new report by the <a href="https://www.rand.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RAND Corporation</a>. 



A national survey revealed that approximately 12% of respondents have used <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-magic-mushrooms-evolve-to-contain-psilocybin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psilocybin</a> at some point, with 3.1% using it in the past year, equating to about eight million American adults in 2023. 



The study highlights the growing interest in psychedelics for mental health treatments and the evolving policy landscape surrounding their use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-policies-and-the-future-of-psychedelics-nbsp">Shifting policies and the future of psychedelics&nbsp;</h2>



Psychedelics have shown promise in treating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insightful-psychedelic-experiences-may-improve-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a> conditions, sparking increased enthusiasm over the past decade. However, there has been less focus on the shifting policies concerning these substances. 



The report suggests that as state and local regulations ease, federal policymakers must decide whether to follow a for-profit cannabis model or explore alternative paths.



“The current situation with psychedelics reminds me of where we were with cannabis policy 12 years ago. Now is the time for federal policymakers to decide if they want to shape these policy changes or stay on the sidelines,” said study lead author Beau Kilmer, a senior policy researcher at RAND.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-data-from-thousands-of-americans-nbsp">Data from thousands of Americans&nbsp;</h2>



The RAND report draws from a survey of 3,791 American adults, as well as data from the <a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/data/data-we-collect/nsduh-national-survey-drug-use-and-health" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Survey on Drug Use and Health</a> and the <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/ucr/nibrs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Incident-Based Reporting System</a>. It also includes interviews with legal experts, policy advocates, researchers, and Indigenous community members regarding their traditional spiritual medicines.



Co-author Michelle Priest, an assistant policy researcher at RAND, emphasized the importance of engaging with Indigenous communities.&nbsp;



“Policy changes may affect Indigenous people who have longstanding traditions with certain spiritual medicines that are commonly referred to as psychedelics. Engaging respectfully with Indigenous community members who are authorized to speak on these topics can help craft policies that benefit from generations of wisdom while protecting Indigenous rights.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lenient-approaches-to-psychedelics-nbsp">Lenient approaches to psychedelics&nbsp;</h2>



Despite federal prohibitions, some state and local governments are adopting more lenient approaches to psychedelics.&nbsp;



The report highlights alternative models to the for-profit <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-plants-could-help-in-the-fight-against-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a> approach, such as allowing personal cultivation, non-profit collectives, or supervised use models like those in Oregon and soon in Colorado.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-versus-psychedelics-nbsp">Cannabis versus psychedelics&nbsp;</h2>



One key difference between cannabis and psychedelics policy debates is the role of supervision. Even in areas not adopting the supervision model, policymakers will need to address regulation of facilitators and supervision settings.



Unlike frequent cannabis users, psychedelic users tend to use these substances infrequently. The survey found that only 0.9% of respondents used <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-psilocybin-mushrooms-got-their-magic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psilocybin</a> in the past month, compared to 20% for cannabis. 



The total number of use days in the past month was significantly lower for psychedelics (around seven million) compared to cannabis (about 650 million).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-infrequent-use-of-magic-mushrooms">Infrequent use of magic mushrooms</h2>



A notable finding is that infrequent users dominate the psychedelics market. For cannabis, infrequent users account for about 5% of total use days, while for psychedelics, they represent closer to 60%.



“While price is a major policy lever when we think about regulating cannabis and alcohol, it will likely play a much smaller role for psychedelics since infrequent users currently drive the market and they tend to spend relatively little on these substances,” said co-author Rajeev Ramchand, a senior behavioral scientist at RAND.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-research-is-needed-nbsp">Further research is needed&nbsp;</h2>



The report indicates a significant gap in published research on psychedelic markets and usage patterns, especially for psilocybin. The authors recommend improving existing surveys and conducting qualitative, longitudinal research with users and producers of psychedelics.



The RAND report underscores the need for informed policymaking as the landscape for psychedelic substances evolves, highlighting the importance of protecting both public health and the rights of Indigenous communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-have-magic-mushrooms-become-so-popular">Why have magic mushrooms become so popular?</h2>



Magic mushrooms have become popular due to their perceived therapeutic benefits and the growing acceptance of psychedelic substances in mental health treatment.&nbsp;



Studies suggest that compounds like psilocybin can help alleviate symptoms of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/compound-in-magic-mushrooms-effectively-treats-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">depression</a>, anxiety, and PTSD, leading to increased interest from both the medical community and the public. 



Additionally, cultural shifts towards holistic and alternative therapies, along with the destigmatization of drug use, have contributed to their popularity.&nbsp;



Personal testimonials and media coverage highlighting positive experiences have further fueled curiosity and acceptance. As research continues to support their potential benefits, the interest in magic mushrooms is likely to grow.



The report can be found <a href="https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA2825-1.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.



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Magic mushrooms are the most popular psychedelic drug

Magic mushrooms have become the most popular psychedelic substance in...

The Sun, our life-giving star, holds a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sun-blasts-biggest-x-class-solar-flare-nineteen-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mesmerizing power</a> over our planet. Its gravitational pull keeps us in orbit, while its energy drives the seasons, ocean currents, and even the mesmerizing aurora borealis. But the Sun has a tempestuous side, capable of unleashing solar storms that can wreak havoc on Earth.



<a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>, through its groundbreaking missions and the International Space Station (<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ISS</a>), is delving deep into the mysteries of the Sun and its impact on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunspot-region-ar3664-blasted-earth-mars-may-2024-still-very-active/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our planet</a>. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sun-s-energy">Sun's energy</h2>



Have you ever wondered how much solar energy Earth receives? The Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor (TSIS) aboard the ISS is meticulously measuring just that. By quantifying the Sun's energy output, scientists gain valuable insights into our climate, atmosphere, and oceans.



Early data from the ISS's TSIS instrument, which has been meticulously measuring the Sun's energy output for five years, is already showing promise. Compared to its predecessor, the Solar Radiation and Climate satellite, TSIS has delivered more precise readings with less uncertainty. 



This leap in accuracy is a game-changer, allowing scientists to fine-tune their predictions of space weather and better understand the fluctuations in the Sun's energy that influence our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solar-fury-nasa-captures-x2-8-flare-earth-braces-for-impact/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-decade-of-monitoring-sun-s-energy">A decade of monitoring Sun's energy</h2>



The <a href="https://www.esa.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Agency</a>'s Solar mission, operating on the ISS for over a decade, has been instrumental in monitoring the Sun's energy output across various wavelengths. This data is essential for understanding how solar irradiance affects Earth's climate and weather patterns.



One of Solar's instruments, the Solar Variable and Irradiance Monitor, has significantly improved the accuracy of near-ultraviolet, visible, and thermal energy measurements. 



Another instrument, the SOLar SPECtral Irradiance Measurement, uncovered notable discrepancies from earlier solar models, enhancing our understanding of the Sun's complex behavior.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-s-light-show-powered-by-the-sun">Nature's light show powered by the Sun</h2>



The mesmerizing aurora borealis, or Northern Lights, is a breathtaking display of nature's power. But did you know that these dancing lights are triggered by the Sun and its energy? Solar electrons interact with molecules in Earth's upper atmosphere, creating a symphony of colors.



"The colorful aurora borealis or Northern Lights and aurora australis or Southern Lights are created by the transfer of energy from solar electrons to molecules in Earth’s upper atmosphere," stated the press release. Astronauts aboard the ISS have captured stunning images of these auroras, contributing to our understanding of their formation and dynamics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-student-satellites">Student satellites</h2>



The involvement of students in space exploration is inspiring. The Miniature X-ray Solar Spectrometer CubeSat, built by students at the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado</a>, is a testament to their ingenuity. This satellite measures solar X-ray activity, helping scientists understand how it affects Earth's upper atmosphere.



Better data help scientists understand how solar events affect satellites, crewed missions, and infrastructure in space and on the ground. These efforts are crucial for ensuring the safety of future missions to the Moon and Mars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-solar-research">Importance of solar research</h2>



Understanding the Sun's behavior is not just an academic pursuit; it has real-world implications. Solar storms can disrupt communication systems, damage satellites, and even affect power grids on Earth. By studying the Sun and its effects, we can develop better predictive models and mitigation strategies.



NASA's ongoing research, combined with the unique vantage point of the ISS, is unraveling the secrets of our star. With each discovery, we move closer to understanding the Sun's profound influence on our planet and beyond.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-solar-exploration">Future of solar exploration</h2>



As we venture further into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/see-the-sun-in-exquisite-detail-in-rare-solar-orbiter-video/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space</a>, understanding the Sun's behavior becomes even more critical. NASA's <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/artemis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Artemis</a> missions to the Moon and future missions to Mars rely on accurate space weather predictions to ensure the safety of astronauts and spacecraft.



The influence of the Sun's energy extends far beyond our planet, shaping the environment of our entire solar system. By studying the Sun, we not only gain insights into our own world but also expand our understanding of the cosmos.



The future of solar exploration is bright, with new missions and technologies on the horizon. As we continue to explore the Sun's mysteries, we are sure to make even more groundbreaking discoveries that will shape our understanding of the universe.



This knowledge is key to protecting astronauts and spacecraft from the potential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tracing-solar-wind-directly-to-its-source-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hazards</a> of sun's energy and solar storms, ensuring the safety and success of these monumental journeys.



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Sun's fury: Secrets of solar energy storms

The Sun, our life-giving star, holds a mesmerizing power over...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[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



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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



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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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" 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 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



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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



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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



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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

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" 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 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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" 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.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

[sendtonews key="f8fukm28Vz-2491833-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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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

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" 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 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



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



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



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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



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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



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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



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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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