Illustration,Of,The,Sun,Showing,Formidable,Solar,Flares

On Friday, April 12, 2024, at 6:54 pm EDT, extreme (G5) geomagnetic conditions reached Earth. This event followed G4 conditions first observed at 1:39 pm EDT and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/noaa-issues-severe-geomagnetic-storm-watch-first-time-since-2005/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">G3 conditions</a> at 1:08 pm EDT. 



Geomagnetic storming of varying intensity is likely to persist through the weekend, with Earth.com and the <a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SWPC website</a> serving as the best resource for warnings and alerts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coronal-mass-ejections-cause-geomagnetic-storming">Coronal mass ejections cause geomagnetic storming</h2>



The current geomagnetic activity has been caused by seven Earth-directed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-solar-outburst-detected-simultaneously-at-earth-the-moon-and-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coronal Mass Ejections</a> (CMEs), which began entering the Earth's outer atmosphere earlier today. 



<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dr2BIlDGDk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">These CMEs</a> have been associated with solar flares due to a large and magnetically complex sunspot cluster, known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-prepares-impact-three-cme-events-solar-storms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA Region 3664</a>. This sunspot cluster is at least 17 times the diameter of Earth, and additional solar activity from this region is possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-impacts-on-technology-and-infrastructure">Potential Impacts on Technology and Infrastructure</h2>



The ongoing geomagnetic storming may lead to several potential impacts:



<ol>
<li>Power grid irregularities</li>



<li>Disruptions to HF/VHF/UHF communication</li>



<li>Interference with GPS and satellite navigation</li>



<li>Issues with other technologies reliant on stable geomagnetic conditions</li>
</ol>



Authorities and individuals should remain vigilant and prepared for any disruptions caused by this event.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aurora-visibility-across-the-continental-united-states">Aurora visibility across the Continental United States</h2>



Weather permitting, the geomagnetic storming may result in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/auroras-southern-united-states-this-week-huge-solar-storm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aurora being visible</a> across much of the continental United States. 



This rare occurrence provides an opportunity for skywatchers to witness the stunning display of the Northern Lights in regions where they are not typically seen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historical-context-halloween-storms-of-october-2003">Historical context: Halloween storms of October 2003</h2>



The last G5 (Extreme) event occurred during the <a href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/great-halloween-solar-storm-2003" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Halloween Storms</a> in October 2003. That particular G5 event resulted in power outages in Sweden and damaged power transformers in South Africa, highlighting the potential severity of such geomagnetic disturbances.



This newest storm, caused by seven streams of plasma ejected from the sun earlier this week, could rival the intensity of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carrington-event-biggest-solar-storm-history-radiocarbon-earth-tree-rings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1859 Carrington event</a>, which disrupted global communications and set telegraph stations on fire.



As the current geomagnetic storming continues, it is crucial for individuals and organizations to stay informed about the latest developments and take necessary precautions to mitigate any potential risks associated with this extraordinary event.



Stay tuned to Earth.com and the Space Weather Prediction Center (<a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SWPC</a>) for updates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-update-may-10-2024-at-7-31-pm-edt">Update -- May 10, 2024 at 7:31 PM EDT</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-noaa-warning-seven-coronal-mass-ejections-cmes-are-racing-towards-earth">NOAA Warning: Seven Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are racing towards Earth</h2>



NOAA scientists have witnessed severe (G4) geomagnetic storm conditions today. Several additional Earth-directed Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are in transit to Earth's outer atmosphere, making it highly likely that geomagnetic storming will persist through the weekend.



A large, complex sunspot cluster (<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-prepares-impact-three-cme-events-solar-storms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA Region 3664</a>), which has now grown to 17 times the diameter of Earth, has been the primary source of this activity. Experts still expect additional activity from this Region.



Since the current <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solar-storms-will-intensify-then-slow-as-the-solar-cycle-peaks-in-early-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar cycle</a> began in December 2019, observers have only witnessed three Severe geomagnetic storms.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-g4-and-g5-level-storms-in-history">G4 and G5 level storms in history</h3>



The most recent G4 (Severe) storm occurred on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/severe-solar-storm-will-generate-auroras-as-far-south-as-alabama/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">March 23, 2024</a>, while the <a href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/great-halloween-solar-storm-2003" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Halloween Storms</a> in October 2003 marked the last G5 (Extreme) event.



The G5 storm notably caused power outages in Sweden and damaged transformers in South Africa, underscoring the potential consequences of such powerful geomagnetic disturbances.



This newest storm, caused by seven streams of plasma ejected from the sun earlier this week, could rival the intensity of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carrington-event-biggest-solar-storm-history-radiocarbon-earth-tree-rings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1859 Carrington event</a>, which disrupted global communications and set telegraph stations on fire.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Potential impacts on modern infrastructure</h3>



In our technology-dependent society, a geomagnetic storm of this magnitude could cause widespread electrical disruptions, blackouts, and damage to critical infrastructure. Some of the potential impacts include:



<ul>
<li>Voltage control problems and mistaken tripping of protective systems in the power grid</li>



<li>Intensified induced pipeline currents</li>



<li>Surface charging and increased drag on low Earth orbit satellites</li>



<li>Tracking and orientation problems for spacecraft</li>



<li>Degraded or inoperable satellite navigation (GPS) for hours</li>



<li>Sporadic or blacked out high frequency (HF) radio propagation</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Spectacular auroral displays expected</h3>



Despite the potential risks, the event could also trigger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/auroras-southern-united-states-this-week-huge-solar-storm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnificent nighttime auroras</a>, or Northern lights. 



Auroras may be seen as low as Florida and Texas in the southern states, down to Missouri in the Midwest, and down to Southern California on the west coast. 



The auroral displays are expected to begin around 11:00 PM ET on Friday, May 10, 2024 and continue for several days.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Monitoring the storm's severity</h3>



Scientists will have a better understanding of the storm's severity around 8:00 PM ET when the plasma explosions are nearly one million miles from Earth. NOAA plans to issue alerts immediately to keep the public informed of the situation.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Possibility of a "Cannibal CME"</h3>



Scientists have also predicted that three of the six plasma streams, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), could combine to create a powerful "cannibal CME," further intensifying the storm's impact.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Understanding geomagnetic storms</h3>



Geomagnetic storms occur when high-energy particles released from solar flares ejected by the sun reach Earth. Although the sun continuously erupts and hurls particles into space, Earth's distance of 93 million miles from the sun usually prevents these particles from reaching our planet.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Preparing for the worst</h3>



Clinton Wallace, director of NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), emphasized the agency's readiness, stating, "We anticipate we will get one shock after another. We are really buckling down here." 



While officials predict an event slightly less severe than the Carrington event (a G5 geomagnetic storm), they are not discounting the possibility of reaching the lower end of the same measurement scale, which ranges from <a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">G1 to G5</a>.



As Earth prepares for this potentially historic geomagnetic storm, it is crucial to stay informed and heed any warnings or alerts issued by NOAA and other official sources. 



By understanding the risks and taking appropriate precautions, we can minimize the storm's impact on our modern way of life while marveling at the awe-inspiring auroral displays it may bring.



Stay tuned to Earth.com and the Space Weather Prediction Center (<a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SWPC</a>) for updates.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-update-may-10-2024-at-2-04-pm-edt">Update -- May 10, 2024 at 2:04 PM EDT</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-noaa-warning-severe-geomagnetic-storm-to-impact-earth-starting-today">NOAA Warning: "Severe Geomagnetic Storm" to impact Earth starting today</h2>



A Severe (G4) Geomagnetic Storm is highly likely to occur, possibly as early as later today and continuing through the weekend, according to the Space Weather Prediction Center (<a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SWPC</a>). 



The exact timing of the storm remains somewhat uncertain, but at least seven earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are currently in transit to Earth.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Rare occurrence in solar cycle</h3>



Since the beginning of the current solar cycle in 2019, only three Severe (G4) geomagnetic storms have occurred. The most recent was a brief event on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/severe-solar-storm-will-generate-auroras-as-far-south-as-alabama/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">March 23, 2024</a>. 



This is the first G4 Watch issued by the SWPC since 2005, highlighting the rarity of such events. The last Extreme (G5) event took place during the <a href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/great-halloween-solar-storm-2003" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Halloween Storms</a> in 2003.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Source of the outburst</h3>



The source of this geomagnetic outburst has been identified as a large, complex sunspot cluster named <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-prepares-impact-three-cme-events-solar-storms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Region 3664</a>. 



This sunspot region is currently 16 times the diameter of Earth and is expected to generate additional activity in the future.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Earth impacts from this event</h3>



The area of impact is primarily expected to be poleward of 45 degrees Geomagnetic Latitude. The following potential impacts may occur:



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Induced currents</h4>



Widespread voltage control problems may arise, and some protective systems may mistakenly trip out key assets from the power grid. Induced pipeline currents are also expected to intensify.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Spacecraft</h4>



Spacecraft systems may experience surface charging, increased drag on low Earth orbit satellites, and tracking and orientation problems.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Navigation</h4>



Satellite navigation systems, such as GPS, may be degraded or inoperable for hours.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Radio</h4>



High-frequency (HF) radio propagation may become sporadic or experience blackouts.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Aurora</h4>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/auroras-southern-united-states-this-week-huge-solar-storm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Auroras</a> may be visible across the United States and the northern hemisphere, as far south as Alabama and northern California.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Stay informed</h3>



The SWPC has issued a Space Weather Message Code: ALTK08 with Serial Number: 31 at 1744 UTC on May 10, 2024. 



The geomagnetic K-index threshold of 8, 9- was reached on May 10, 2024 at 1739 UTC during the synoptic period of 1500-1800 UTC. 



An active warning is currently in place, with the NOAA Scale indicating a G4 -- Severe event.



For more information on the NOAA Space Weather Scale descriptions, please visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation" rel="noreferrer noopener">www.swpc.noaa.gov/noaa-scales-explanation</a>.



As this severe geomagnetic storm unfolds, it is essential to stay informed and prepared for potential disruptions to power grids, satellite systems, navigation, and radio communications. 



Keep an eye on updates from Earth.com and the SWPC and local authorities to ensure your safety and minimize any inconvenience caused by this rare and powerful space weather event.

'Extreme' and very rare G5-level geomagnetic storm hits Earth

On Friday, April 12, 2024, at 6:54 pm EDT, extreme (G5) geomagnetic conditions reached Earth. This event followed G4 conditions first observed at 1:39 pm EDT and G3 conditions at 1:08 pm EDT. Geomagnetic storming of varying intensity is likely to persist through the weekend, with Earth.com and the SWPC website serving as the best resource for warnings and alerts. Coronal mass ejections cause geomagnetic storming The current geomagnetic activity has been caused by seven Earth-directed Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), which began entering the Earth's outer atmosphere...

We are probably all familiar with the way that hunger can change our behavior – make us grumpy, angry or less able to cope. But the way in which signals from the gut are communicated to the brain and end up causing changes in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-uncovers-4000-years-of-foraging-behavior-among-albatrosses/">behavior</a> are not well understood.&nbsp;



Now, scientists from the <a href="https://www.salk.edu/">Salk Institute</a> have investigated this topic, using lowly worms as a model to examine the molecular origins of behavioral changes in hungry individuals. They created a barrier of copper sulfate, a known worm repellent, and allowed tiny worms (Caenorhabditis elegans) the option of crossing it to access food on the other side.



“Animals, whether it’s a humble worm or a complex human, all make choices to feed themselves to survive. The sub-cellular movement of molecules could be driving these decisions and is maybe fundamental to all animal species,” said senior author&nbsp;<a href="https://www.salk.edu/scientist/sreekanth-chalasani/">Sreekanth Chalasani</a>, associate professor in Salk’s Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory.



Chalasani and the team found that if worms were deprived of food for two to three hours, they were more willing to cross the toxic barrier to access the food than were well-fed worms. The researchers then used genetic tools and imaging techniques to establish whether molecules in the gut were signaling to the brain in ways that would explain this more risky behavior.&nbsp;



The results, published today in&nbsp;<a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/">PLOS Genetics</a>,&nbsp;suggest that specific transcription factors, proteins that turn genes “on” and “off,” changed location in hungry animals.&nbsp; Normally, transcription factors are found in a cell’s cytoplasm but move into the nucleus when activated, but the Salk scientists found that these transcription factors, known as MML-1 and HLH-30, move back to the cytoplasm in cells of the gut when a worm is hungry.&nbsp;



When the scientists deleted these transcription factors, hungry worms stopped trying to cross the toxic barrier, indicating a central role for MML-1 and HLH-30 in controlling how hunger changes worm behavior.



In a subsequent experiment, the researchers also discovered that a protein called insulin-like peptide (INS-31) is secreted from the gut when MML-1 and HLH-30 are on the move. Neurons in the brain, in turn, make a receptor that might detect the INS-31secretions.



The authors summarize their findings as follows: in a worm deprived of food, the transcription factors MML-1 and HLH-30 move back to the cytoplasm of cells in the gut, which could promote the secretion of the protein called INS-31 from the gut cells. These INS-31 proteins then travel to, and bind to, receptors on neurons in the brain and this relays the information that food is needed. Worms then respond to the huger information by choosing appropriate behavior to access food, even if this involves taking risks.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



“C. elegans&nbsp;are more sophisticated than we give them credit for,” said co-first author Molly Matty, a postdoctoral fellow in Chalasani’s lab. “Their intestines sense a lack of food and report this to the brain. We believe these transcription factor movements are what guide the animal into making a risk-reward decision, like traversing an unpleasant barrier to get to food.”



The researchers propose that such molecular mechanisms may also exist in humans and may change our behavior when we are hungry. They plan to undertake further research on the dynamic nature of these transcription factors and establish whether similar mechanisms operate in other animals, such as humans, to prioritize basic needs over comfort.



---



By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Hunger alters the behavior of worms, and perhaps humans too

We are probably all familiar with the way that hunger...

An international team of researchers led by <a href="https://www.ru.nl/english/">Radboud University</a> has demonstrated that plants in salt and freshwater wetlands capture and store massive amounts of carbon dioxide. This means that the restoration of wetlands, such as bogs, salt marshes, and mangrove forests, has very promising potential to help mitigate climate change and slow global warming.&nbsp;



While wetlands only cover about one percent of Earth's surface, they capture and store more than 20 percent of the CO2 that is absorbed by all of the ecosystems in the world. The plants contained in wetlands are able to capture huge amounts of CO2 and store them in the surrounding soil. This creates "carbon capture hotspots," as the researchers have now confirmed.



The experts found that oceans and forests hold the most CO2, followed by wetlands. "But when we look at the amount of CO2 stored per square meter, it turns out that wetlands store about five times more CO2 than forests and as much as 500 times more than oceans,” explained study first author Ralph Temmink. “Peat bogs, salt marshes, mangrove forests and seagrass beds are therefore global 'hotspots' of CO2 storage.”



The secret to these hotspots, the researchers discovered, is that wetlands are built by landscape-forming plants that help each other when they grow close together, and this process boosts their ability to capture CO2.&nbsp;



For example, in raised bogs, peat mosses behave like sponges and retain an enormous amount of rainwater. This makes the mosses grow faster, and they are able to stabilize dead plant material that is held beneath them under the water. Nutrients released from the dead material further stimulates the growth of the moss, which in turn thickens the soil layer that stores CO2.



“We support this study and are very happy with its findings," said Teo Wams. “It shows how important peatland and salt marshes are, and illustrates that we should take good care of these valuable ecosystems. Also, this knowledge helps us to improve management and restoration of unique landscapes."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/">Science</a>.



---



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

Wetlands are powerful weapons in the fight against global warming

An international team of researchers led by Radboud University has...

The vaquita porpoise is one of only seven different porpoise species in the entire world – and its population is critically <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/endangered-insects-are-easy-to-purchase-illegally-online/">endangered</a>. The species is endemic to the northern end of the Gulf of California in Baja California, Mexico, and is unusual in that it is the smallest of all cetacean species and the only member of the porpoise family to live in warm waters. Tragically, there are only 10 vaquita porpoises left.



This small marine mammal, which only reaches four to five feet in length, has been the unfortunate bycatch of poachers hunting the totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi), an endangered fish species that is highly prized in some countries for its perceived medicinal properties.  Vaquitas are roughly the same size as the large totoaba that are illegally targeted using gillnets, and the porpoises easily become entangled in the nets and then drown. 



Fishing for totoaba has been outlawed in Mexico since 1975 but the ban has not been adequately enforced. The swim bladder of a totoaba is perceived in China as having medicinal and nutritional properties and is in such demand that the prices have become sky high. In fact, dried maw (swim bladder) from totoaba often fetches higher prices per kilogram than cocaine or gold. Despite the fact that the trade in totoaba is banned by CITES, the value of the maws makes them sought-after by poachers and so the illegal fishing and trade continues. Vaquitas are simply collateral damage in this situation.



A recent genetic analysis of vaquitas by a team of <a href="https://www.ucla.edu/">UCLA</a> biologists and colleagues has, however, given a ray of hope for this critically endangered species. The experts analyzed the genomes from tissue of 20 vaquitas that lived between 1985 and 2017 and assessed the range of genetic variation present in the genomes. Using this information, they conducted computational simulations to predict the species’ risk of extinction over the next 50 years.&nbsp;



The results, published today in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/">Science</a>, indicate that the species still has a relatively high genetic diversity and a low incidence of harmful mutations, despite the effects of inbreeding. The researchers say that this gives the living population a good chance of recovery, as long as gillnet fishing ends immediately.  If the threat of gillnets continues, however, the prospects of population recovery are very dim indeed. 



“Interestingly, we found the vaquita is not doomed by genetic factors, like harmful mutations, that tend to affect many other species whose gene pool has diminished to a similar point,” said study co-lead author Christopher Kyriazis. “Outlawed fishing remains their biggest threat.”



Genetic diversity is a measure of the differences in genes that exist between individuals in a population. The accepted understanding is that the greater the genetic diversity present in a population, the healthier that population is. Large populations tend to have many differences, while naturally smaller or reduced ones have fewer, resulting in individuals that are more genetically similar. Breeding between genetically similar individuals (known as inbreeding) increases the chances of offspring with harmful genetic mutations, as mutated genes can be passed on by both parents.&nbsp;



“A prevailing view in conservation biology and population genetics is that small populations can accumulate deleterious mutations,” said senior author Professor Kirk Lohmueller. “However, our finding that the vaquita likely has fewer strongly deleterious mutations hiding in the population means that they are better poised to survive future inbreeding, which bodes well for their overall recovery.”



“Relative to other species, the vaquita has a higher chance of rebounding from an extreme population crash without suffering severe genetic consequences from inbreeding,” said co-lead author&nbsp;Jacqueline Robinson. “Genetic diversity in vaquitas is not so low that it constitutes a threat to their health and persistence. It simply reflects their natural rarity.”



The fact that vaquitas have always been rare is what seems to protect them from the harmful effects of inbreeding. Although their historic numbers are not known, a comprehensive survey in 1997 counted 570 porpoises in their only known habitat, the Gulf of California. This means that some extent of inbreeding has probably been taking place for a long time and the harmful mutations have gradually been selected out of the population.&nbsp;



“They’re essentially the marine equivalent of an island species,” said Robinson, who noted that the species has survived for tens of thousands of years with low genetic diversity due to the small size of their population. “The vaquitas’ naturally low abundance has allowed them to gradually purge highly deleterious recessive gene variants that might negatively affect their health under inbreeding.”



In fact, Robinson said, of the 12 marine mammal species that the researchers analyzed genetically, vaquitas had the lowest number of potentially harmful mutations. This situation gives hope that the population of these porpoises may be able to rebound from the precipice of extinction, given the chance.



Encouragingly, the surviving vaquitas in the northern Gulf of California are actively reproducing and appear healthy. But poachers’ gillnets continue to pose an existential threat to them, and unless further measures are taken to protect the porpoises, there is a distinct possibility they may go extinct. The loss would be a great tragedy, said study senior author Professor Robert Wayne.



“The vaquita is symbolic of the unique diversity found in the Gulf of California, which was described by John Steinbeck in his wonderful 1951 book ‘The Log from the Sea of Cortez,’” said Wayne. “It represents a unique evolutionary lineage – there is no similar species anywhere in the world – and its loss would rob the ecosystem of an important predator adapted to this unique ecosystem.”



Image Credit: NOAA Fisheries&nbsp;



---



By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Vaquita porpoises may have a good chance at recovery

The vaquita porpoise is one of only seven different porpoise...

Despite notable successes in reducing poverty worldwide over the past two decades, almost one billion people still live without access to affordable and reliable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electricity-may-be-the-cheapest-energy-source-by-2050/">electricity</a>, which negatively impacts their health and welfare, and impedes sustainable development. Knowing the precise location of these people is crucial in order to provide them the assistance and infrastructure they need. A recent study led the <a href="http://iiasa.ac.at/">International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis</a> (IIASA) has proposed a new method to estimate global economic well-being by using nighttime satellite imagery.&nbsp;



For almost three decades, scientists have used such images – known as “nighttime radiance” or “nighttime lights” – to study human activity and map issues related to economic growth, poverty, or inequality, particularly in places where such data was lacking. While brightly lit areas indicate more developed regions such as capital cities, areas that are unlit at night usually indicate limited development. By contrast to previous studies that assessed data gathered from lit areas, this new study has specifically focused on unlit areas in order to estimate global economic well-being.



“Whereas previous work has focused more on the relationship between lit areas and economic development, we found that it actually also works the other way around and that unlit areas are a good indicator of poverty. By identifying those unlit areas, we can target interventions for poverty alleviation and places to focus on to improve energy access,” explained study senior author Steffen Fritz, the IISSA Strategic Initiatives Program Director.



By combining a harmonized geo-spatial wealth index for households in Africa, Asia, and the Americas (calculated by the <a href="https://dhsprogram.com/">Demographic and Health Surveys Program</a>) with satellite images of nighttime lights in these countries, the scientists found that 19 percent of the Earth’s total settlement footprint had no detectable artificial radiance. The majority of unlit settlements were in Africa (39 percent) and Asia (23 percent). Moreover, if only rural areas were considered, these percentages rose to 65 percent for Africa and 40 percent for Asia. These results indicate a strong association between increasing percentages of unlit communities and decreasing economic well-being.



While government agencies usually prioritize the expansion of electricity access for urban rather than rural areas, the researchers stress that rural electrification is crucial for increasing economic wellbeing, health, and education. Since the <a href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals">United Nations Sustainable Development Goals</a> (SDGs) specifically include “access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all,” identifying all the areas where such access is lacking is crucial.



“If applied over time, the method we used in our study could provide opportunities to track well-being and progress toward the SDGs. In terms of policy, it can help better inform energy policy around the globe and can also be helpful in shaping aid policy by ensuring that we are reaching those remote rural areas that are likely energy poor. In addition, it could be useful to detect signs of sustainable and environmental management of lighting in the developed world,” concluded study co-author Shonali Pachauri, a researcher at IIASA.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-30099-9">Nature Communications</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Satellite imagery used to map global poverty

Despite notable successes in reducing poverty worldwide over the past...

Scientists from various Chinese universities have recently had the opportunity to analyze soil samples brought back from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shark-attacks-linked-to-phases-of-the-moon/">moon</a> by the Chinese space mission know as Chang’E-5. They find that the lunar soil, or components extracted from it, have the potential to be used as photocatalysts for splitting water molecules and using the products - along with carbon dioxide from the breath of visiting astronauts - to form oxygen and various fuels. This, they say, could form the basis of an independent life-support system on the moon.



The exploration of deep space by manned spacecraft is receiving a lot of attention as the next great frontier of space exploration. However, a suitable first step would be to develop the technology to allow extraterrestrial survival using in situ resources. Nanjing University material scientists Yingfang Yao and Zhigang Zou hope to design just such a system that takes advantage of lunar soil and solar radiation, the two most abundant resources on the moon.



After analyzing the soil brought back by China’s Chang’E-5 lunar lander, the research team proposed that water found in the soil and rocks, along with iron-rich and titanium-rich substances that could work as catalysts, could be used to make essential products to support life on the moon.&nbsp;



In their research paper, published today in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/joule/home">Joule</a>, the team of scientists propose an “extraterrestrial photosynthesis” pathway that uses in situ resources on the moon to produce oxygen and fuel for use in a “zero-energy consumption” extraterrestrial life-support system.&nbsp;



The system uses lunar soil and solar energy to electrolyze water extracted locally on the moon, and from the exhaled breath of astronauts, to form oxygen and hydrogen. In addition, carbon dioxide exhaled by moon inhabitants could also be collected and reacted with the hydrogen from water electrolysis, during a hydrogenation process catalyzed by substances present in the lunar soil.



This process would yield hydrocarbons such as methane and methanol, which could be used as fuel. The strategy uses no energy other than that derived from sunlight to produce a variety of desirable products such as water, oxygen, and fuel that could support life on a moonbase, the researchers say. The team is now looking for an opportunity to test the system in space, likely with China’s future crewed lunar missions.



“We use in situ environmental resources to minimize rocket payload, and our strategy provides a scenario for a sustainable and affordable extraterrestrial living environment,” said Yao.



While lunar soil is less efficient at catalyzing chemical reactions than the catalysts available on Earth, Yao says the team is testing different methods to improve the design, such as melting the lunar soil into a nanostructured high-entropy material, which is a better catalyst.



The team’s proposed system of extraterrestrial survival is unusual in that it requires no energy input from Earth. For example, NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover brought an instrument that can use carbon dioxide in the planet’s atmosphere to make oxygen, but it’s powered by a nuclear battery onboard. The scientists say that achieving the objective of independence from Earth’s resources could dramatically improve the feasibility and durability of human extraterrestrial survival and would increase the economic feasibility of future space journeys.



“In the near future, we will see the crewed spaceflight industry developing rapidly,” said Yao. “Just like the ‘Age of Sail’ in the 1600s when hundreds of ships head to the sea, we will enter an ‘Age of Space.’ But if we want to carry out large-scale exploration of the extraterrestrial world, we will need to think of ways to reduce payload, meaning relying on as little supplies from Earth as possible and using extraterrestrial resources instead.”



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By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Lunar soil could be the basis of moon life-support system

Scientists from various Chinese universities have recently had the opportunity...

A study from the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/">University of Cambridge</a> reveals that fire activity in protected areas increased dramatically during COVID lockdowns. The research is focused on the island of Madagascar, one of the world's most renowned <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-impacts-biodiversity-in-protected-areas-worldwide/">biodiversity</a> hotspots, where the experts believe that a huge spike in fires during 2020 may be attributed to a lack of on-site management over five months of lockdowns.



The findings highlight the need for governments to keep staff on duty in protected areas at all times as an “essential service," even during periods of health crisis and travel restriction, said the study authors. They referred to the long-delayed convention to set international biodiversity goals later this year, noting that more attention must be paid to the management of protected areas - not just expanding their coverage.



The study is the first to examine the effects of the pandemic on protected areas. In collaboration with experts at the University of Helsinki, the researchers used historical and contemporary data to analyze rates of burning in Madagascar’s protected areas for every month during 2012 to 2020. The team compared the data to fires captured in satellite images to look at previous patterns of burning.&nbsp;



The study revealed that during the first lockdowns of 2020, fire activity increased by 209 percent in March, 223 percent in April, 78 percent in May, 248 percent in June and 76 percent in July.&nbsp;



The researchers describe this scale of burning inside Madagascar’s protected areas as “unprecedented” in recent history. Once management operations resumed, fire activity quickly returned to normal levels.



“The disruption caused by COVID-19 clearly demonstrates the dramatic impact that interruptions to the management of protected areas can have on habitats,” said study senior author Professor Andrew Balmford. “Over the last twenty years, excess fires in Malagasy protected areas have been limited to occasional blocks of one or two months."



“When all staff were pulled out of protected areas in March 2020 the fires spiked dramatically and continued at a ferocious level for an unprecedented five months, falling away exactly as staff started to return."



Study lead author Dr. Johanna Eklund said that while they cannot know for sure what caused all the fires during the early months of COVID-19, local communities already struggling economically would have come under further pressure from lockdowns.



“Madagascar has very high rates of poverty, and has a history of conflict between the livelihoods of vulnerable people and saving unique biodiversity,” said Dr. Eklund. “The pandemic increased economic insecurity for many, so it would not be surprising if this led some to encroach on protected lands while on-site management activities were on hold.”



“Importantly, the study did not measure fires outside conservation sites, so we cannot measure how much protected areas actually mitigated burning compared to areas without protection."



Study co-author Domoina Rakotobe is the former coordinator for the Malagasy organisation Forum Lafa, the network of terrestrial protected area managers.



“The high levels of burning during the lockdowns clearly shows the value of on-the-ground management, with protected area teams working with communities to support local livelihoods and safeguard natural resources," said Rakotobe.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/natsustain/">Nature Sustainability</a>.



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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

Fire activity spiked in protected areas during COVID lockdowns

A study from the University of Cambridge reveals that fire...

A new experimental study led by the <a href="https://quadram.ac.uk/">Quadram Institute</a> and the <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/">University of East Anglia</a> (UEA) has found that transplanting fecal microbiota from young into old mice can reverse hallmarks of aging in the gut, brain, and eyes. In a reverse experiment, microbes transplanted from older mice caused inflammation in the brain of younger recipients and depleted a key protein that is required for normal vision. These findings suggest that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-cravings-linked-to-microbial-activity-in-the-gut/">gut microbiota</a> plays a crucial role in regulating the process of aging, and open the possibility of gut microbe-based therapies to combat decline in old age.



“This ground-breaking study provides tantalizing evidence for the direct involvement of gut microbes in aging and the functional decline of brain function and vision and offers a potential solution in the form of gut microbe replacement therapy,” said study senior author Simon Carding, the head of the <a href="https://quadram.ac.uk/research_areas/gut-microbes-health/">Gut Microbes and Health Research Program</a> at the Quadram Institute, and a professor of Biology at UEA. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



Scientists have long known that the population of microbes that we carry in our gut is strongly linked to health. Many diseases are associated with changes in the types and behaviors of gut microbes. Some of these changes in the composition of gut microbiota happen as we age, negatively impacting our metabolism and immune systems, and leading to age-related diseases, such as inflammatory bowel syndrome, or cardiovascular, autoimmune, metabolic, and neurodegenerative disorders.



To better understand these changes, Professor Carding and his team transferred gut microbes from aged mice into young ones, and vice-versa. They found that the microbes from old donors led to loss of integrity of the lining of the gut in young recipients, allowing bacterial products to cross into circulation - a phenomenon that triggers immune responses and inflammatory reactions in the brain and eyes. Moreover, brain cells that are known to be associated with age-related chronic inflammation were also over-activated in young mice that received aged microbiome transplants, while proteins linked to retinal degeneration were elevated.



However, in old mice receiving transplants from young, healthy ones, the age-related detrimental changes in the gut, brain, and eyes were reversed. In future studies, the researchers aim to clarify how long these positive effects last, and to identify the beneficial components of the young donor microbiota and the ways in which they can affect organs distant from the gut.



“We were excited to find that by changing the gut microbiota of elderly individuals, we could rescue indicators of age-associated decline commonly seen in degenerative conditions of the eye and brain,” said study lead author Dr. Aimee Parker, a researcher at the Quadram Institute.



“Our results provide more evidence of the important links between microbes in the gut and healthy aging of tissues and organs around the body. We hope that our findings will contribute ultimately to understanding how we can manipulate our diet and our gut bacteria to maximize good health in later life,” she concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40168-022-01243-w">Microbiome</a>.&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Can fecal transplants reverse signs of aging?

A new experimental study led by the Quadram Institute and...

Over a third of adults in the United States and United Kingdom don’t get enough <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/getting-more-sleep-can-boost-weight-loss/">sleep</a> on a regular basis, due to reasons related to modern life such as stress, the blurring of work-life boundaries, or the excessive use of electronic devices. Previous studies have shown that sleep disorders can cause a variety of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, or obesity. Now, a research team led by the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/english/">University of Copenhagen</a> has also found that lack of good quality sleep undermines people’s attempts to keep weight off after dieting, and that approximately two hours of vigorous exercise per week could help maintain better sleep.



“It was surprising to see how losing weight in adults with obesity improved sleep duration and quality in such a short time, and how exercising while attempting to keep the weight off preserved improvements in sleep quality,” said study lead author Adrian Bogh, a Master student in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen. “Also, it was intriguing that adults who aren’t sleeping enough or getting poor quality sleep after weight loss appear less successful at maintaining weight loss than those with sufficient sleep.”



In order to investigate the relation between sleep patterns and weight, the scientists enrolled 195 adults 18 to 65 years old with obesity who followed a low-calorie diet for two months, and lost an average of 12 percent of their body weight. Afterwards, the patients were followed for one year to assess how various factors – including a weight-loss drug, a placebo, and four sessions of exercise per week - influenced weight loss maintenance. Sleep duration was measured using data from accelerometers worn by the participants, while sleep quality was assessed through a qualitative self-rated questionnaire.



The scientists found that, after the two months low-calorie diet, both sleep duration and quality improved in all participants. However, after one year, participants in the exercise group managed to maintain the sleep improvements achieved from a low-calorie diet, while non-exercise groups relapsed. Moreover, individuals who slept less than six hours per night or had lower quality sleep at the start of the study gained more weight during the follow-up year than those who slept longer or better.



“The fact that sleep health was so strongly related to weight loss maintenance is important since many of us don’t get the recommended amount of sleep needed for optimal health and functioning,” said study co-author Signe Torekov, an expert in obesity and weight loss maintenance at the University of Copenhagen.&nbsp;



“Future research examining possible ways of improving sleep in adults with obesity will be an important next step to limit weight regain. Weight loss maintained with exercise seems promising in improving sleep,” she concluded.



The study will be presented at this year’s <a href="https://zoomforward22.org/">European Congress on Obesity</a> (ECO) in Maastricht, Netherlands (4-7 May, 2022).&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Poor sleep may hamper the ability to keep weight off

Over a third of adults in the United States and...

Freezing temperatures are highly challenging for life, which is water-based. Animals have three main strategies to survive extremely low winter temperatures: migrating, remaining where they are and resisting the cold, or reducing their body temperatures and metabolic rates in a state called torpor (which includes both dormancy and full-blown hibernation). The main role of these cold-survival strategies is dealing with energy deficits imposed by reduced solar energy and food availability in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/swallows-are-no-longer-migrating-south-as-winters-become-milder/">winter</a>.



Biologists have usually studied these cold-survival strategies in isolation, treating them as mutually exclusive alternatives. However, according to a new study conducted by Giorgia Auteri, a biologist at the <a href="https://umich.edu/">University of Michigan</a>, many animals combine multiple strategies to beat the cold.&nbsp;



For instance, a large number of high-latitude bats and birds such as swallows, warblers, or hummingbirds use both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/assisted-migrations-could-help-species-survive-climate-change/">migration</a> and torpor. In some cases, strategies are split among members of the same species: some blue jays migrate south during winter, while others stay put, and individual eastern chipmunks often shift from torpor to cold resistance when food is abundant.&nbsp;



“Each cold-survival strategy exists not as a binary but on a spectrum,” explained Dr. Auteri. “Separate treatment of these strategies misses opportunities to identify broader patterns and mechanisms and eliminates the possibility of discoveries that require comparisons across strategies.”



The integrated conceptual framework for mapping cold-survival strategies that Dr. Auteri has developed could help resolve discrepancies in Bergmann’s rule, which argues that the trend of larger animal body size at higher latitudes facilitates cold resistance due to the lower surface area-to-volume ratio that is a trademark of large animals. However, many migratory birds and small mammals deviate from this rule.&nbsp;



“This proposed framework, which considers cold-survival strategies collectively, resolves the mystery of why some taxa ‘break’ the rule,” said Dr. Auteri. “Small mammals do not follow the rule well because they often use torpor instead of resistance. Migratory birds conform less strongly because, like small mammals, they use an alternative - migration.”



In order to conceptualize and quantify cold-survival strategies, Dr. Auteri proposes a framework with four main components. She argues 1) that seasonal migration, torpor, and cold-resistance should be considered collectively; 2) that species often use multiple strategies; 3) that each of these strategies exists on a spectrum which permits partial use; and 4) that species can exhibit proportional use, where the employment of one strategy leads to a significant decrease in the use of others.



According to Dr. Auteri, this new integrated conceptual framework could shed more light on phenomena such as animal responses to climate change, capacities of colonizing high latitudes, disease dynamics, niche partitioning, adaptive tradeoffs, or how changes in seasonal regimes impact ecological networks.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2022.0050">Biology Letters</a>.&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Animals combine different strategies to survive the cold

Freezing temperatures are highly challenging for life, which is water-based....

Some groups of marine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-iridescent-colors-protect-animals-from-predators/">animals</a> have achieved enormous body sizes in the past and, although most of them are now extinct, scientists still puzzle over how their extreme body shapes and sizes allowed them to move efficiently in their aquatic environment. Among the largest, only cetaceans (whales) have survived into the modern era, while the ancient reptiles known as ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs have become extinct.



Dr. Susana Gutarra Díaz from the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/">University of Bristol</a> and her colleagues have conducted a recent study examining the body shapes of these large marine animals using models and computational fluid dynamics. Some of the animals show more streamlined body shapes, such as modern whales and the dolphin-like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2302957-prehistoric-ichthyosaurs-evolved-rapidly-to-be-as-big-as-whales/">ichthyosaurs,</a>&nbsp;while the plesiosaurs had massive paired flippers.and necks that could measure as much as half the total body length.&nbsp;



“Until now, it was not very clear how this great diversity of shapes and sizes affected the energy demands of swimming in these marine animals,” said Dr. Gutarra Díaz. “To test our hypotheses, we created various 3D models and performed computer flow simulations of plesiosaurs, ichthyosaurs and cetaceans. These experiments are performed on the computer, but they are like water tank experiments.”



Tetrapods, or&nbsp;"four-limbed&nbsp;vertebrates," have repeatedly returned to the oceans over the last 250 million years, and their bodies have become adapted to the marine environment in different ways. For example, dolphins and ichthyosaurs have similar body shapes, adapted for reducing resistance or drag as they swim rapidly through the water. By contrast, plesiosaurs that lived side-by-side with the ichthyosaurs in the Mesozoic Era, propelled themselves underwater using giant flippers, and some had extremely long necks that hardly look helpful for swimming at all. These necks likely helped them to snap up quick-moving fish, but were also believed to make them slower.



The results of the analysis, published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/commsbio/">Communications Biology</a>, showed that body size had a major influence on possible shapes for marine reptiles.&nbsp;In fact, body size was more important than body shape in determining the energy economy of swimming for aquatic animals.&nbsp;



While the large limbs and long necks of many plesiosaurs created a significant amount of drag, bigger bodies and larger torsos lowered the energetic cost of moving through water. This is because drag is created by the friction between water and an animal’s skin, and as bodies get larger, the ratio of surface area to mass is actually reduced.



“Large animals have a greater drag in absolute terms,” said Dr. Gutarra Díaz. “But the power they need to invest to move a unit of body mass is smaller.”



“We showed that although plesiosaurs did experience more drag than ichthyosaurs or whales of equal mass because of their unique body shape, these differences were relatively minor," explained Dr Colin Palmer, an engineer involved in the project. "We found that, when size is taken into account, the differences between groups became much less than the shape differences. We also show that the ratio of body length to diameter, which is widely used to classify these aquatic animals as more or less efficient, is not a good indicator of low drag.”



In this study, the researchers were particularly interested in one family of plesiosaurs known as the elasmosaurs. These were plesiosaurs with the longest necks of all, measuring up to 20 feet (6 metres) in some species, and having over 70 cervical (neck) vertebrae. In these species, the neck was almost half of the total body length and would have been too long and too heavy to hold above the surface of the water.&nbsp;



“We were also particularly interested in the necks of elasmosaurs and so we created hypothetical 3D models of plesiosaurs with various lengths of necks," said Dr. Gutarra Díaz. "Simulations of these models reveal that, past a certain point, the neck adds extra drag, which potentially would make swimming costly. This ‘optimal’ neck limit lies around twice the length of the trunk of the animal.”



“When we examined a large sample of plesiosaurs modelled on really well-preserved fossils at their real sizes, it turns out that most plesiosaurs had necks below this high-drag threshold, within which the neck can get longer or shorter without increasing drag," said Dr. Benjamin Moon. "But more interestingly, we showed that plesiosaurs with extremely long necks also had evolved very large torsos, and this compensated for the extra drag!”



According to <a href="about:blank">Dr. Tom Stubbs</a>, the study shows that in contrast with prevailing popular knowledge, very long-necked plesiosaurs were not necessarily slower swimmers than ichthyosaurs and whales, and this is in part thanks to their large bodies. "We found that in elasmosaurs, neck proportions changed really fast. This confirms that long necks were advantageous for elasmosaurs in hunting, but they could not exploit this adaptation until they became large enough to offset the cost of high drag on their bodies.”



“Our research suggests that large aquatic animals can afford to have crazy shapes, as in the elasmosaurs," said Professor Mike Benton. "But there are limits: body sizes cannot get indefinitely large, as there are some constraints to very large sizes as well. The maximum neck lengths we observe, seem to balance benefits in hunting versus the costs of growing and maintaining such a long neck. In other words, the necks of these extraordinary creatures evolved in balance with the overall body size to keep friction to a minimum.”



&nbsp;---



By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Plesiosaurs with long necks needed large bodies to minimize friction

Some groups of marine animals have achieved enormous body sizes...

In a surprising new study led by <a href="https://www.georgetown.edu/">Georgetown University</a>, scientists have contradicted the theory that city rats and other urban animals host a greater number of communicable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/avocados-substantially-reduce-the-risk-of-heart-disease/">diseases</a>. The research suggests that urban wildlife has less potential to spark the next pandemic than expected.&nbsp;



More than two years after the COVID-19 pandemic first emerged, scientists are urgently investigating the risks of future pandemics. It has long been assumed that city rats and urban animals are likely to harbor more infectious diseases.



The researchers set out to analyze the pathogens hosted by nearly 3,000 mammal species. They found that urban animals could host roughly ten times as many types of diseases. On the other hand, the experts noted that urban species had been the focus of about 100 more scientific studies.



“There are plenty of reasons to expect urban animals to host more diseases, ranging from their food to their immune systems to their close proximity to humans,” said study lead author Dr. Greg Albery. “We found that urban species do indeed host more diseases than non-urban species, but the reasons for this appear to be largely associated with the way we study the ecology of disease. We’ve looked more at animals in our cities, so we’ve found more of their parasites - and we’ve started to hit diminishing returns.”



Once the sampling bias was accounted for, the researchers were surprised to find that urban animals do not host more viruses than animals in rural areas.



“Stunningly, although urban-adapted species have 10 times as many parasites, more than 100 times as many studies have been published on them," said Dr. Albery. "When you correct for this bias, they don’t have more human pathogens than expected – meaning that our perception of their novel disease risk has been overinflated by our sampling process."



The results suggest that city rats and other urban animals are not the disease reservoirs that they were expected to be. However, that doesn’t mean cities are disease-free, said Dr. Albery.



“This probably means that urban animals aren’t hiding as many important novel pathogens as we might think – those pathogens that might cause the next ‘Disease X.' But they are still incredibly important carriers of many pathogens that we do know about. Rats, raccoons, and rabbits are still good at coexisting alongside us, and they still spread a lot of diseases to humans living in urban areas.”



Study co-author Dr. Colin Carlson said that the study highlights the value of scientific data. “If we take the time to build better datasets, and look more closely at the patterns in them, we might keep overturning long-standing assumptions about who’s at risk from emerging diseases and why."



According to v the researchers, further research is needed to explore how many pathogens any given animal has, as well as how city living may influence the transmission of those diseases.&nbsp;



“What this really accentuates is that we need to design more evenly distributed, more equitable sampling regimes if we want to find novel pathogens of humans; sampling needs to be more focussed in wild areas of the world, but also in urban areas in less well-studied places,” said Dr. Albery. “Not only will this help us to find the new ones, but will improve surveillance of the old ones, and will ultimately help to address ages-old geographic biases in ecology.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/natecolevol/">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>.



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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

City rats do not harbor more diseases than their country cousins

In a surprising new study led by Georgetown University, scientists...

Cognitive impairment as a result of severe <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-diets-reduce-the-risk-of-severe-covid-19/">COVID-19</a> is similar to 20 years of aging and is the equivalent to losing ten IQ points, says new research from the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/">University of Cambridge</a> and Imperial College London.



The results suggest that cognitive impairment is still detectable more than six months after the acute illness and recovery is gradual at best.



There is growing evidence that COVID-19 can cause lasting cognitive and mental health problems. Recovered patients have reported fatigue, "brain fog," problems recalling words, sleep disturbances, anxiety and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) months after infection. In the UK, a study found that one in seven individuals reported cognitive difficulties 12 weeks after COVID-19.



To understand this link, the data of 46 individuals who received hospital or intensive care (mechanical ventilation) for COVID-19 from March to July 2020 was analyzed. These patients were at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, part of Cambridge University Hospital's NHS Foundation.



Cognitive tests were used six months after the patient's illness using the Cognitron platform, which measures mental faculties such as memory, attention and reasoning. Scales measuring anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder were also assessed.&nbsp;



COVID-19 survivors were less accurate and had a slower response time than the control population. These symptoms were still detectable six months later. The effects were strongest for those who required ventilation.&nbsp;



By comparing the patients to 66,008 members of the general public, the researchers estimate that the magnitude of cognitive loss is similar on average to that sustained with 20 years aging, between 50 and 70 years of age, and that this is equivalent to losing ten IQ points.



Survivors scored poorly on tasks such as verbal reasoning, supporting the commonly-reported problem of difficulty finding words. They also showed slower processing speeds, which aligns with post COVID-19 decreased brain glucose consumption within the frontoparietal network of the brain, responsible for attention, complex problem-solving and working memory.



“Cognitive impairment is common to a wide range of neurological disorders, including dementia, and even routine aging, but the patterns we saw – the cognitive 'fingerprint' of COVID-19 – was distinct from all of these," explained study senior author Professor David Menon.



It has been well documented that people who have recovered from severe COVID-19 can have symptoms of poor mental health – depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, low motivation, fatigue, low mood, and disturbed sleep. However, the research team found that acute illness severity was better at predicting these cognitive deficits.



Over time, the patients’ scores and reaction times began to improve, however, recovery in cognitive faculties was at best gradual and likely to be influenced by a number of factors including illness severity and its neurological or psychological impacts. It is also considered likely that some individuals will never fully recover.



There are several factors that could cause the cognitive deficits, including inadequate oxygen or blood supply to the brain, blockage of large or small blood vessels due to clotting, and microscopic bleeds. Emerging evidence suggests that damage may be caused by the body’s own inflammatory response and immune system.



While this study looked at hospitalized cases, the team say that even those patients not sick enough to be admitted may also have tell-tale signs of mild impairment. This emphasizes the importance of exploring methods that could help patients recover.&nbsp;



This is the first time that such rigorous assessment and comparison has been carried out in relation to the after effects of severe COVID-19.



“Around 40,000 people have been through intensive care with COVID-19 in England alone and many more will have been very sick, but not admitted to hospital. This means there is a large number of people out there still experiencing problems with cognition many months later. We urgently need to look at what can be done to help these people," said study first author Professor Adam Hampshire.



The research was funded by the NIHR BioResource, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre and the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust.



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By <a href="mailto:katherinebucko@gmail.com">Katherine Bucko</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Cognitive loss from severe Covid equates to 20 years of aging

Cognitive impairment as a result of severe COVID-19 is similar...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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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

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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

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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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



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



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How the immune system responds to injury

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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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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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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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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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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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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/">University of Miami</a> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science explores how changes in water temperatures have affected tiger shark habitats and movements in the North Atlantic Ocean. The study reveals that rising temperatures have caused the sharks to shift toward the poles over the past 40 years.



“Tiger shark annual migrations have expanded poleward, paralleling rising water temperatures,” explained study lead author Neil Hammerschlag. “These results have consequences for tiger shark conservation, since shifts in their movements outside of marine protected areas may leave them more vulnerable to commercial fishing.”



The researchers analyzed nine years of tracking data from satellite-tagged tiger sharks, combined with four decades of conventional tag and recapture data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Shark Tagging Program.



The experts found that during the last decade of record heat, for every one-degree Celsius increase in water temperatures, tiger sharks migrated further poleward by over 400 kilometers. They also migrated two weeks earlier than usual to waters off the northeastern coast of the United States.



“Given their role as apex predators, these changes to tiger shark movements may alter predator-prey interactions, leading to ecological imbalances, and more frequent encounters with humans,” concluded Professor Hammerschlag.



Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science



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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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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

Today’s Video of the Day from the University of Miami...