Clos,Eup,Of,A,Woman,Wand,Touching,River,Water,In

Scientists have long mapped separate brain areas for sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. Yet new research reveals that when we focus sharply on any of those senses, signals converge on the same two structures buried deep in the brain - the midbrain reticular formation and the central thalamus.



This finding highlights a shared neural pathway that sustains <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-stops-paying-attention-to-repeated-distractions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">attention</a> and wakefulness and could inspire therapies for coma, epilepsy, and attention-deficit disorders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-senses-in-a-single-brain-region">Senses in a single brain region</h2>



Research over the past century has shown that visual scenes activate the occipital cortex, melodies light up the temporal lobes, and so forth.



“We were expecting to find activity on shared networks, but when we saw all the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-sense-of-smell-and-different-odors-can-influence-how-we-see-colors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">senses</a> light up the same central brain regions while a test subject was focusing, it was really astonishing,” said Aya Khalaf, a postdoctoral associate in neurology at <a href="https://medicine.yale.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yale School of Medicine</a> and lead author of the study.



Those two regions - the reticular formation, a mesh of neurons in the upper brainstem, and the intralaminar and mediodorsal nuclei of the thalamus - form part of the so-called subcortical arousal system, a set of circuits long suspected to regulate alertness and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/consciousness-may-stem-from-unseen-dimensions-beyond-our-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consciousness</a>.



Previous work had linked these hubs to vigilance by studying patients emerging from coma or experiencing absence seizures. But most of those experiments examined responses to a single type of stimulus, for example flashing lights or chirping sounds.



Khalaf and colleagues asked the broader question: do different senses share the same arousal circuitry when people deliberately pay attention?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-massive-data-mine">A massive data mine</h2>



To answer that, the team turned to the publicly available <a href="https://www.humanconnectome.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human Connectome Project</a> and other repositories, assembling functional MRI scans from 1,561 healthy adults.



Across 11 tasks, participants viewed moving shapes, listened to spoken stories, sampled liquid tastants, or felt puffs of air on their fingertips. Each task included abrupt cues that forced subjects to switch attention - for instance, a sudden change in picture orientation or a surprise tone embedded in white noise.



The investigators processed more than 500 hours of scan data through a pipeline that removed head motion and physiological noise, then aligned brain volumes to a common atlas.



In every sensory domain, when a cue demanded rapid attentional re-orientation, blood-oxygen signals spiked in the reticular formation and the central thalamus. The effect was absent or minimal during passive stimulation, underscoring the importance of active engagement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consciousness-in-the-brain">Consciousness in the brain</h2>



Why would a taste test and a vision task end up at the same neural address? The authors propose that the midbrain reticular formation integrates sudden sensory changes and broadcasts a “wake-up” volley to the thalamus, which relays it to widespread cortical areas.



That burst synchronizes cortical rhythms, priming the brain to process incoming information. The scheme dovetails with classical animal studies showing that electrical stimulation of the reticular formation induces cortical desynchronization and behavioral arousal, while lesions produce stupor.



“It tells us how important this brain region is and what it could mean in efforts to restore consciousness,” Khalaf said.



“This has also given us insights into how things work normally in the brain. It’s really a step forward in our understanding of awareness and consciousness,” said senior author Hal Blumenfeld, a neurologist at Yale.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-awakening-senses-in-the-brain">Awakening senses in the brain</h2>



Because the same deep-brain hubs fire regardless of which sense is active, treatments aimed at modulating those hubs could benefit diverse conditions.



Drugs that enhance thalamic neurotransmission, for instance, might improve focus in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/autism-and-adhd-disorders-directly-linked-amount-of-time-kids-spend-on-screens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">attention deficit hyperactivity disorder</a>. Conversely, overactivity in the arousal circuit has been implicated in insomnia; dampening the circuitry could help induce sleep.



The results also support ongoing trials that deliver low-intensity ultrasound or deep-brain electrodes to the central thalamus in patients with disorders of consciousness. 



If attention triggers the thalamus to “switch on” the cortex, stimulating it directly might help rouse patients who are minimally conscious.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-sensory-rehabilitation"><a></a>Rethinking sensory rehabilitation</h2>



The discovery challenges sensory-specific training programs that ignore subcortical commonalities. 



For example, visual rehabilitation for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stroke-risk-is-elevated-by-air-pollution-and-traffic-noise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stroke</a> survivors may benefit from pairing attentional cues with tactile or auditory tasks to engage the shared arousal pathway.



Likewise, virtual-reality therapies that bombard users with multi-sensory surprises might more effectively sharpen attentional control.



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



The Yale team plans to refine the timeline of activation using magnetoencephalography, which offers millisecond resolution. They also hope to dissect the frequency bands that link the thalamus to frontal and parietal cortices during attentional jumps. 



Such work could reveal whether gamma-band bursts or alpha-band suppression carry the critical “wake-up” message.



Another frontier involves patients. Investigators will compare responses in healthy volunteers with those in people who have attention deficits or who are emerging from anaesthesia. 



Identifying a lost or delayed thalamic spike could serve as a biomarker for impaired consciousness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-regions-and-the-senses">Brain regions and the senses</h2>



For now, the study establishes the midbrain reticular formation and central thalamus as the universal relay through which sight, sound, taste, and touch gain conscious entry - at least when our minds snap to attention.



By showing that “all the senses light up the same central brain regions,” it confirms that consciousness depends not only on specialized cortical maps but also on a common deep-brain gatekeeper. 



Therapies that target this gatekeeper may eventually help restore awareness where it has dimmed and sharpen it where it wanders.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811925002277?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NeuroImage</a>.



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Scientists discover a brain region that connects all the senses

Scientists have long mapped separate brain areas for sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. Yet new research reveals that when we focus sharply on any of those senses, signals converge on the same two structures buried deep in the brain - the midbrain reticular formation and the central thalamus. This finding highlights a shared neural pathway that sustains attention and wakefulness and could inspire therapies for coma, epilepsy, and attention-deficit disorders. Senses in a single brain region Research over the past century has shown that visual scenes...

Researchers have discovered that bumblebees make complex decisions when foraging for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sipping-on-nectar-hummingbirds-consume-a-surprising-amount-of-alcohol/">nectar</a>, and they prioritize immediate rewards over energy efficiency.



While observing bumblebees' interactions with slippery artificial flowers, the experts found that they make choices to maximize the rate of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-harness-plant-energy-to-improve-solar-panels/">energy</a> return, or the amount of sugar collected each minute.



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



“Bumblebees can make decisions ‘on the fly’ about which nectar sources are the most energetically economical,” said study first author Jonathan Pattrick.&nbsp;



“By training bumblebees to visit artificial slippery flowers and using different ‘nectars’ with high, medium or low amounts of sugar, we found that they could make a trade-off between the energy content of the nectar and how difficult it was to access.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-lifestyles-nbsp">Distinct lifestyles&nbsp;</h2>



This behavioral pattern stands in contrast to honeybees, which have been found to prioritize energy efficiency in their foraging. Pattrick suggests that the distinct lifestyles of bumblebees and honeybees might be responsible for this variance.&nbsp;



“Bumblebees have a different lifestyle to honeybees: they only store a small amount of nectar in the nest and so have to make the most of every available opportunity to forage,” Pattrick said.&nbsp;



“This difference between species may be why the bumblebees adopt a strategy such that their foraging is of more immediate benefit to the colony, even if it means they have to work harder, while honeybees take a relatively more measured approach to how hard they work – this should prolong their working lifespan.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



The team, working at the University of Cambridge, UK, used specially designed artificial flowers with slippery surfaces to study this trade-off. These flowers were placed both vertically and horizontally.&nbsp;



The researchers also used a custom computer program to record the minute behaviors of the bumblebees as they opted to gather high-sugar nectar from the slippery flowers, which necessitated hovering, or chose flowers they could land on with lower sugar concentrations. This rigorous method resulted in a total of 60,000 individual behavioral observations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



The data showed that bumblebees were making decisions based on the rate of energy return. Earlier studies, relying on observing bees in their natural settings, had left some ambiguity regarding their decision-making process.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-significance-nbsp">Study significance&nbsp;</h2>



Pattrick noted the significance of these findings for understanding bee behaviors and their interaction with flowers.&nbsp;



“Identifying the currency used by nectar-foraging bumblebees helps provide a framework for understanding how bumblebees make foraging decisions," said Pattrick.



“This information can be used to make predictions about the sorts of flowers the bees are likely to be visiting. In turn, this could inform choices of the flowers to plant in field margins and is also relevant to crop breeders who want to make varieties which are ‘better’ for bumblebees.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The researchers believe that future studies should delve deeper to determine if bumblebees consistently use this decision-making currency across varied foraging contexts.&nbsp;



The team also expressed admiration for the bumblebee's cognitive abilities, with Pattrick stating, "We find it amazing that, even with a relatively simple brain, bumblebees are able to make such complex energetic decisions."



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2023.108071">iScience</a>.



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Bumblebees choose immediate rewards over energy efficiency

Researchers have discovered that bumblebees make complex decisions when foraging...

Recent simulations conducted using the UK's national supercomputer have provided concerning insights into the fate of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS). The research suggests that substantial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-ice-sheet-melting-in-past-decade-is-worst-in-recorded-history/">melting</a> is inevitable, posing serious questions about our ability to control or adapt to the resulting sea level rise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inevitable-melting">Inevitable melting</h2>



The scientists used the supercomputer to explore the ocean-driven melting patterns of the WAIS. Their goal was to discern how much melting is inevitable and what portion can still be influenced by managing greenhouse gas emissions.



Despite considering climate fluctuations such as El Niño, the results were alarming. They showed minimal difference between moderate emission scenarios and the ambitious targets set by the 2015 Paris Agreement.&nbsp;



The study revealed that even if global temperature rise is restricted to the optimal target of 1.5°C, the rate of melting would be three times faster than that experienced in the 20th century.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications">Study implications</h2>



The West Antarctic Ice Sheet is currently shedding ice at an alarming rate, standing as Antarctica's primary contributor to rising sea levels.&nbsp;



Past models have suggested that the Southern Ocean's warming, especially in the Amundsen Sea region, is the driving force behind this phenomenon.&nbsp;



If the entire West Antarctic Ice Sheet melted, it would elevate the global sea level by as much as five meters. Such a rise would have dire consequences for the millions residing along coastlines worldwide.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-to-prepare-nbsp">Time to prepare&nbsp;</h2>



“It looks like we’ve lost control of melting of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. If we wanted to preserve it in its historical state, we would have needed action on climate change decades ago," said Dr. Kaitlin Naughten, a researcher at the <a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Antarctic Survey</a>.



"The bright side is that by recognizing this situation in advance, the world will have more time to adapt to the sea level rise that’s coming. If you need to abandon or substantially re-engineer a coastal region, having 50 years lead time is going to make all the difference.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-projections-nbsp">Future projections&nbsp;</h2>



Dr. Naughten's team simulated several 21st-century scenarios. These projections either met the Paris Agreement's targets or followed standard paths for medium to high carbon emissions.



A significant takeaway was the striking similarity in outcomes for the three lower-range emission scenarios. All of them anticipated a considerable warming of the Amundsen Sea, leading to increased ice-shelf melting.&nbsp;



Although the worst-case scenario predicted even more melting, it was deemed unlikely since it assumes a rapid increase in emissions after 2045.



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



While the study paints a somber picture, it does not negate the value of active mitigation against climate change impacts.



“We must not stop working to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. What we do now will help to slow the rate of sea level rise in the long term," said Dr. Naughten.



"The slower the sea level changes, the easier it will be for governments and society to adapt to, even if it can’t be stopped.”



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West Antarctic Ice Sheet: Melting rate will triple, even with climate action

Recent simulations conducted using the UK's national supercomputer have provided...

In an extraordinary revelation, researchers from the <a href="https://www.arizona.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Arizona</a> have shed light on how a fragment of the moon could have transitioned to becoming a near-Earth asteroid. 



The study is focused on the asteroid Kamo`oalewa, which was proposed by a UArizona team in 2021 to be a fragment of the moon.&nbsp;



Now, after two years, another research group at the same university has provided further insight, suggesting a unique trajectory that could have made such a transformation possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lunar-fragments-nbsp">Lunar fragments&nbsp;</h2>



Study senior author Professor Renu Malhotra noted that so far, only distant asteroids from beyond the orbit of Mars have been considered a source of near-Earth asteroids. "We are now establishing that the moon is a more likely source of Kamo`oalewa."



This raises intriguing prospects of the presence of many undiscovered lunar fragments within the near-Earth asteroid population.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-characteristics">Unique characteristics</h2>



The researchers were particularly interested in two unique aspects of Kamo'oalewa. First, it is designated as Earth's quasi-satellite. This term is reserved for asteroids that have orbits resembling Earth's so closely that they give the illusion of orbiting the Earth, even though their actual path is around the sun. 



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="ORIAumVsss-3108364-12187" type="single"]</div>



The other peculiar aspect of Kamo`oalewa is its longevity, said Jose Daniel Castro-Cisneros, the study's lead author and a graduate student in the Department of Physics.&nbsp;



Unlike other celestial objects that occupy Earth-like orbits temporarily, Kamooalewa is expected to remain Earth's companion for millions of years.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meteoroid-impact">Meteoroid impact</h2>



Interestingly, a 2021 study had already hinted at Kamo`oalewa's lunar origins. The asteroid's spectrum was distinctly different from other near-Earth asteroids but closely mirrored that of the moon. This led to the theory that a meteoroid impact might have ejected this fragment from the lunar surface.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-like-orbits-nbsp">Earth-like orbits&nbsp;</h2>



In the current study, the researchers set out to investigate the feasibility of a lunar fragment adopting a quasi-satellite orbit. The challenge is that moon fragments capable of escaping the gravitational pull of both Earth and the moon usually don't end up in Earth-like orbits.&nbsp;



However, using precise numerical simulations which accounted for gravitational impacts from all planets, the team found that certain lunar fragments can land in such orbits. Kamo`oalewa might just be one of these fragments, a result of a lunar impact occurring in the last few million years.



Throughout its history, the moon has been bombarded by asteroids, which is evident in the numerous impact craters preserved on its surface, explained Malhotra. Impacts cause lunar material to be ejected from the moon's surface, but most of that material usually falls back on the moon, she said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



According to the researchers, the study's findings could help understand more about near-Earth asteroids, which are considered a hazard to Earth. Malhotra noted that more detailed studies of Kamo`oalewa and determining this asteroid's origin in a specific impact crater on the moon will provide useful insights on impact mechanics.



Castro-Cisneros said the team is planning to identify the specific conditions that allowed the orbital pathway of Kamo`oalewa.&nbsp;



"We looked at Kamo`oalewa's spectrum only because it was in an unusual orbit," said Malhotra. "If it had been a typical near-Earth asteroid, no one would have thought to find its spectrum and we wouldn't have known Kamo`oalewa could be a lunar fragment."



Video Credit: Jose Daniel Castro-Cisneros/University of Arizona



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8339513" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Earth &amp; Environment</a>.



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Near-Earth asteroid may be a fragment of the moon

In an extraordinary revelation, researchers from the University of Arizona...

World,Map,,Earth,Flat,View.,Detailed,World,Physical,Map,In

Geologists have long been intrigued by a missing piece of Earth's history - a lost <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/african-rift-massive-crack-could-split-the-continent-in-half/">continent</a> called Argoland. Around 155 million years ago, a 5,000-kilometer chunk broke off of western Australia and began its solitary drift.&nbsp;



The void that was left behind is marked by a basin deep below the ocean known as the Argo Abyssal Plain. But, where did Argoland actually go?



A new study from <a href="https://www.uu.nl/en/home-en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utrecht University</a> reveals that while Argoland might not exist as a singular mass today, it has not vanished entirely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-journey-of-argoland">The journey of Argoland</h2>



Scientists have relied on the underwater Argo Abyssal Plain as evidence of Argoland's past existence. The seabed structure suggests that the detached continent drifted northwestward, potentially towards present-day Southeast Asia.&nbsp;



But the mystery deepens, as the vast continent-sized footprint of Argoland is conspicuously absent beneath Southeast Asian islands. Instead, these islands sit atop smaller continental fragments, encircled by significantly older oceanic basins.



This led geologists to dive deeper into the fate of Argoland. They found that the lost continent hasn't completely disappeared - it has simply shattered into fragments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-s-hidden-tales">Earth's hidden tales</h2>



Earth's crust varies in weight, comprising heavier oceanic sections and lighter continental chunks. Interestingly, these lighter portions might be lurking below sea level, much like Greater Adria, another lost continent.&nbsp;



Greater Adria's journey ended when it submerged into the Earth's mantle, leaving its top layer behind, which later morphed into the mountains of Southern Europe. Argoland, by contrast, left no evidence in the form of folded rocks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-significance">Study significance</h2>



Utrecht University geologist Douwe van Hinsbergen emphasized the significance of tracing these continents.&nbsp;



“If continents can dive into the mantle and disappear entirely, without leaving a geological trace at the Earth’s surface, then we wouldn’t have much of an idea of what the Earth could have looked in the geological past. It would be almost impossible to create reliable reconstructions of former supercontinents and the Earth’s geography in foregone eras," said van Hinsbergen.



“Those reconstructions are vital for our understanding of processes like the evolution of biodiversity and climate, or for finding raw materials. And at a more fundamental level: for understanding how mountains are formed or for working out the driving forces behind plate tectonics; two phenomena that are closely related.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-islands-of-information-nbsp">Islands of information&nbsp;</h2>



Van Hinsbergen and his colleague Eldert Advokaat were curious about what the geology of Southeast Asia may reveal about Argoland.&nbsp;



“But we were literally dealing with islands of information, which is why our research took so long. We spent seven years putting the puzzle together," said Advokaat.&nbsp;



“The situation in Southeast Asia is very different from places like Africa and South America, where a continent broke neatly into two pieces. Argoland splintered into many different shards. That obstructed our view of the continent’s journey.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fragmented-continent-nbsp">Fragmented continent&nbsp;</h2>



But then, Advokaat realized that these fragments converged at their current locations simultaneously, painting a once cohesive picture. Today, the remnants of Argoland can be found beneath the jungles of Indonesia and Myanmar.



This fragmentation was characteristic. Argoland was never a single, solid landmass. Instead, it was an 'Argopelago,' a collection of microcontinental chunks interspersed with older oceanic basins. This aspect aligns with other known entities like Greater Adria and Zeelandia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-evolving-planet">An evolving planet</h2>



The investigation by Advokaat and Van Hinsbergen seamlessly links the geological systems between the Himalayas and the Philippines. Their explorations unravel why Argoland fragmented so intensely.&nbsp;



Around 215 million years ago, the continent underwent rapid fracturing, breaking into slender splinters. This theory was further supported through field studies on islands such as Sumatra, Borneo, and Timor.



The story of Argoland is not one of complete disappearance but of transformation. As the world continues to evolve, this lost continent serves as a compelling reminder of the ever-shifting nature of our planet.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2023.10.005" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gondwana Research</a>.



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Argoland: Unraveling the mysteries of a lost continent

Geologists have long been intrigued by a missing piece of...

A new study from the <a href="https://www.unc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill</a> reveals that spending time with a romantic partner is good for your <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-living-near-the-seaside-enjoy-better-health/">health</a>, even if that time together is spent asleep. 



The research was focused on a protein that is found at higher levels in the blood when inflammation is present in the body.&nbsp;



Inflammation is a natural and vital part of the body's immune response to injury or infection. However, when inflammation becomes chronic or excessive, it can be indicative of poor health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



"Social relationships are an important driver of health, and inflammation has been proposed as a key neurobiological mechanism to explain this effect," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"Behavioral researchers have focused on social relationship quality to further explain the association, yet recent research indicates that relationship quality may not be as robust a predictor as previously thought."



"Here, building on animal models of social bonds and recent theory on close relationships, we instead investigated merely being in the physical presence of one’s romantic partner. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that spending more time co-present with a loved partner in everyday life would be associated with lower C-reactive protein."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



For the investigation, the experts recruited 100 people in romantic relationships.&nbsp;



Over the course of a month, the participants provided blood samples three times. During each lab visit, the individuals reported on how much time they had spent in the same physical space as their partner in the previous 24 hours



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



"Results from multi-level models showed that when one reported spending more time in the physical presence of their partner they had lower CRP – an effect that was independent from social relationship quality explanations from the prior literature, including romantic relationship quality, hostility, and loneliness," wrote the researchers.



"These findings move past global assessments of social isolation to consider a novel everyday behavior that is of great interest in the non-human animal literature - spending time together - as a potential mechanism linking high-quality relationships and physical health in adult humans."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



According to the Mayo Clinic, a high level of CRP in the blood has been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks. Elevated CRP over a long period of time has also been linked to health issues such as diabetes, obesity and cancer.



"For the first time to our knowledge, we showed that simply spending more time in the physical presence of a loved partner was associated with lower levels of CRP the next day," concluded the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-benefits-of-having-a-romantic-partner">Health benefits of having a romantic partner</h2>



Engaging in healthy romantic relationships can offer a range of emotional, psychological, and even physical benefits. For example, the support of a romantic partner can lead to decreased levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) in the body.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heart-health">Heart health</h3>



Some studies suggest that being in a committed relationship or being married reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-health">Mental health</h3>



Romantic relationships may also act as a buffer against depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. The companionship and emotional support provided by a partner can be a source of comfort.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-immune-function-nbsp">Immune function&nbsp;</h3>



Some research suggests that happily married individuals or those in stable relationships have better immune function compared to those who are single or in unhappy relationships.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pain-relief">Pain relief</h3>



The comfort and physical touch provided by a romantic partner can release oxytocin, which can act as a natural painkiller.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improved-healing">Improved healing</h3>



The emotional and psychological support from a partner can enhance the body's ability to heal faster after injury or surgery.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-better-habits">Better habits</h3>



Being in a relationship might encourage healthier habits such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, and reduced substance abuse, as partners can motivate and hold each other accountable.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-longer-life">Longer life</h3>



Some studies have found a correlation between being in a romantic relationship and increased lifespan. The reasons might be related to improved mental and physical health and stronger social networks.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889159122003828" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brain, Behavior, and Immunity</a>.



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Spending time with a romantic partner can improve your health

A new study from the University of North Carolina at...

Children infected with the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/omicron-is-much-more-deadly-than-the-seasonal-flu/">Omicron</a> variant of COVID-19 remain infectious for an average of three days after testing positive, according to a new study led by <a href="https://www.usc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USC</a> and Stanford University.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-school-policies">School policies</h2>



The research suggests that the prevalent school policy mandating a five-day isolation period for infected children is more than sufficient, and should be reevaluated.



“We're basically saying five days is more than sufficient; public-health and education leaders may consider shorter durations,” said co-author Neeraj Sood, Director of the COVID-19 Initiative and a senior fellow at the USC Schaeffer Center.



The analysis showed that by day five, 18.4 percent of the infected children remained contagious. By day ten, this number dropped significantly to 3.9 percent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vaccination-status-nbsp">Vaccination status&nbsp;</h2>



In a noteworthy observation, the researchers found no significant link between the duration of infectivity and vaccination status. This indicates that school re-entry guidelines may not need to distinguish between vaccinated and non-vaccinated students.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-children-s-isolation-nbsp">Children's isolation&nbsp;</h2>



The topic of children's isolation, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, has been a matter of significant concern for parents, educators, health professionals, and policymakers.



Isolation is crucial to prevent the spread of the virus. By ensuring that children who have contracted the virus stay away from others during their infectious period, it reduces the risk of community transmission.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-educational-impact-nbsp">Educational impact&nbsp;</h2>



Extended periods of isolation can disrupt children's education. Especially given the educational interruptions children have already faced during the pandemic, it's essential to find a balance between health safety and educational continuity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-well-being-nbsp">Mental well-being&nbsp;</h2>



Apart from the educational impact, prolonged isolation can also affect children's mental and emotional well-being. It can lead to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression.&nbsp;



Thus, it's crucial to ensure that kids have the necessary support during these times, whether it's through virtual interactions, engaging activities, or counseling.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-self-isolation-protocols-nbsp">Self-isolation protocols&nbsp;</h2>



The findings of the USC study may ultimately lead to a more informed approach to self-isolation protocols for children.



These protocols – which have been implemented in school districts from New York City to Los Angeles – have been guided by little data so far, said the researchers.



“We want to protect the other children in the school who could potentially get infected, but at the same time, we don't want to disrupt education for the child who is infected, given the amount of disruption that's already happened,” said Sood. “The duration of infectivity is an important parameter into figuring out what the optimal duration of self-isolation should be.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



For the study, the researchers partnered with a virus testing enterprise, examining nasal swabs from 76 children aged 7-18 from Los Angeles County who tested positive for the Omicron variant.&nbsp;



Nikhilesh Kumar, lead author and a Medicine student at the USC Keck School of Medicine, emphasized the goal was to "capture how infectivity changed over the 10-day window."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



The results are in line with prior research on Omicron-infected adults, which found no correlation between vaccination and infectivity duration. However, adults exhibited slightly prolonged infection durations, with a median of five days.



But as Sood noted, with the virus’s propensity to mutate, ongoing research will be necessary. “We need to continue doing studies like this because the next variant may have a longer or shorter duration of infectivity.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.4511" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Pediatrics</a>.



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Children may be isolating too long for COVID-19 infection

Children infected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 remain infectious...

A recent study challenges the belief that men were the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-alaskan-hunters-advanced/">hunters</a> and women the gatherers in prehistoric times. Research led by Sarah Lacy, an anthropology professor at the <a href="https://www.udel.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Delaware</a>, suggests that women were not only physically capable of hunting but likely participated in it.



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



The study was focused on the Paleolithic era, which spans from approximately 2.5 million to 12,000 years ago. The researchers found little evidence to suggest that roles were rigidly defined by gender.



Professor Lacy, who specializes in the health of early humans, collaborated with Cara Ocobock from the University of Notre Dame, who bridges modern-day physiology with the fossil record.



The researchers were inspired to challenge the long-held belief about gendered division of labor. They questioned why the "cavemen hunt, women gather" theory was so widely accepted. "We have so much evidence that that's not the case,” said Lacy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gender-equality-nbsp">Gender equality&nbsp;</h2>



A review of ancient tools, diets, art, burials, and anatomy revealed a striking picture of gender equality.&nbsp;



“People found things in the past and they just automatically gendered them male and didn't acknowledge the fact that everyone we found in the past has these markers, whether in their bones or in stone tools that are being placed in their burials," said Professor Lacy.



"We can't really tell who made what, right? We can't say, ‘Oh, only males flintknap,’ because there's no signature left on the stone tool that tells us who made it."



Lacy noted that, from what evidence we do have, there appears to be almost no sex differences in roles.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-physiological-capabilities-nbsp">Physiological capabilities&nbsp;</h2>



One of the biggest questions addressed was whether there were physiological barriers preventing women from hunting.&nbsp;



While men may have advantages in speed and power tasks like sprinting and throwing, women excel in endurance activities such as long-distance running. Both sets of skills were crucial for hunting.&nbsp;



Estrogen, predominantly found in women, plays a significant role in enhancing fat metabolism, regulating muscle breakdown, and providing a longer-lasting energy source. The fact that estrogen receptors can be traced back 600 million years further validates its pivotal role.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shared-roles">Shared roles</h2>



“When we take a deeper look at the anatomy and the modern physiology and then actually look at the skeletal remains of ancient people, there's no difference in trauma patterns between males and females, because they're doing the same activities,” Lacy said.



During the Paleolithic era, most people lived in small groups. To Lacy, it didn't make sense that only part of the group would hunt.



“You live in such a small society. You have to be really, really flexible. Everyone has to be able to pick up any role at any time. It just seems like the obvious thing, but people weren't taking it that way.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outdated-theory">Outdated theory</h2>



Lacy points to the 1968 publication "Man the Hunter" by anthropologists Richard B. Lee and Irven DeVore. By emphasizing hunting's role in human evolution and presuming all hunters were male, they inadvertently set a gender-biased narrative.&nbsp;



While this outdated "man the hunter" theory seems to have persisted for decades, Professor Lacy hopes this new research will highlight that both sexes have always been contributors to their communities.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-egalitarian-species">Egalitarian species</h2>



“There were women who were publishing about this in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, but their work kept getting relegated to, ‘Oh, that's a feminist critique or a feminist approach,’” Lacy said.&nbsp;



“This was before any of the work on genetics and a lot of the work on physiology and the role of estrogen had come out. We wanted to both lift back up the arguments that they had already made and add to it all the new stuff.”&nbsp;



For three million years, males and females both participated in subsistence gathering for their communities, and dependence on meat and hunting was driven by both sexes, Lacy said.



“It's not something that only men did and that therefore male behavior drove evolution. What we take as de facto gender roles today are not inherent, do not characterize our ancestors. We were a very egalitarian species for millions of years in many ways.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aman.13914" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Anthropologist</a>.&nbsp;



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Prehistoric women were not just gatherers, they were also hunters

A recent study challenges the belief that men were the...

Over four billion years ago, during the early days of our Solar System, a catastrophic collision occurred between Earth and an object the size of Mars, leading to the formation of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/days-are-getting-longer-as-the-moon-drifts-away-from-earth/">moon</a>. The exact timing of this momentous event has long eluded scientists.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moon-crystals">Moon crystals</h2>



In a recent publication in <a href="https://www.geochemicalperspectivesletters.org/">Geochemical Perspectives Letters</a>, researchers have shed light on this mystery, utilizing crystals from the moon, brought back by Apollo astronauts in 1972. Their findings suggest that the moon is at least 4.46 billion years old, pushing back previous estimates by 40 million years.



“These crystals are the oldest known solids that formed after the giant impact. And because we know how old these crystals are, they serve as an anchor for the lunar chronology,” said senior author Philipp Heck, a professor of Astronomy at the <a href="https://www.uchicago.edu/en">University of Chicago</a> and curator for Meteoritics and Polar Studies at the <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/">Field Museum</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lunar-dust-samples-nbsp">Lunar dust samples&nbsp;</h2>



“We were approached by our coauthors, Bidong Zhang and Audrey Bouvier, who needed a nanoscale look at these samples in order to understand them fully,” added lead author Jennika Greer, a former doctoral candidate at the Field Museum and the University of Chicago, who is now a research associate at the <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1CJIkN4KDPuC6XaAC8snzQi1QVKxha4_Z7NKMoIRWu-c/edit">University of Glasgow</a>.&nbsp;



The lunar dust samples used in the study were collected by astronauts during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. These samples contain tiny crystals that formed billions of years ago, providing insights into the moon’s formation.&nbsp;



“When the surface was molten like that, zircon crystals couldn’t form and survive. So any crystals on the moon’s surface must have formed after this lunar magma ocean cooled. Otherwise, they would have been melted and their chemical signatures would be erased,” Heck explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-minimum-age-for-the-moon-nbsp">Minimum age for the moon&nbsp;</h2>



Determining the age of the zircon crystals has allowed scientists to establish a minimum age for the moon. A previous study by co-author Bidong Zhang had suggested this age, but the current study employs atom probe tomography to conclusively determine the age of the oldest known lunar crystal.&nbsp;



“In atom probe tomography, we start by sharpening a piece of the lunar sample into a very sharp tip, using a focused ion beam microscope, almost like a very fancy pencil sharpener. Then, we use UV lasers to evaporate atoms from the surface of that tip. The atoms travel through a mass spectrometer, and how fast they move tells us how heavy they are, which in turn tells us what they’re made of,” Greer said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-radioactive-decay-nbsp">Radioactive decay&nbsp;</h2>



This detailed analysis revealed the extent of radioactive decay within the zircon crystals, allowing the researchers to determine their age.&nbsp;



Heck has likened radiometric dating to an hourglass: “In an hourglass, sand flows from one glass bulb to another, with the passage of time indicated by the accumulation of sand in the lower bulb. Radiometric dating works similarly by counting the number of parent atoms and the number of daughter atoms they have transformed to. The passage of time can then be calculated because the transformation rate is known.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-results">Study results</h2>



The results indicated that the sample was approximately 4.46 billion years old, establishing a minimum age for the moon.&nbsp;



“It’s amazing being able to have proof that the rock you’re holding is the oldest bit of the moon we’ve found so far. It’s an anchor point for so many questions about the Earth. When you know how old something is, you can better understand what has happened to it in its history,” Greer explained.



Heck has highlighted the importance of understanding the moon’s age. “It’s a part of our natural system that we want to better understand, and our study provides a tiny puzzle piece in that whole picture.”&nbsp;



He concluded by emphasizing the moon’s crucial role in stabilizing Earth’s rotational axis, defining the length of our days, and influencing tidal patterns, thus ultimately shaping life on our planet.



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The moon is 40 million years older than previously thought

Over four billion years ago, during the early days of...

Is the love of dogs universal, surpassing that for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cats-can-learn-the-names-of-their-companions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cats</a>? A scientific investigation spanning three nations has recently revealed that while pet owners might favor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-live-longer-and-happier-lives-when-they-get-to-socialize-often/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a> over cats, the extent of this preference can drastically differ based on the cultural context.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



A group of researchers led by Dr. Peter Sandøe from the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a> has embarked on a journey to delve deeper into this topic. “We and others have found that people are willing to spend much less on their cats than on their dogs,” Sandøe said. “We wanted to find out whether cats could eventually end up having the same high status as dogs do today.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



In their pursuit of answers, the team collaborated with a survey company, which helped them gather a representative sample of adult pet owners from Denmark, Austria, and the United Kingdom. Each of these countries has experienced urbanization at different historical points, potentially influencing current attitudes towards pets.



The research sample comprised 2,117 individuals, with a breakdown of 844 dog owners, 872 cat owners, and 401 who had both cats and dogs. The participants were asked to respond to a series of questions, evaluating various aspects of pet care, including their emotional connection to their pets and their financial commitment to their pets’ health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



Across all three nations, the study found a consistent trend: dogs were the favored pets. Owners displayed a stronger emotional bond with their dogs, were more likely to insure them, had higher expectations of medical treatments available for them, and were willing to invest more in their healthcare.



However, the magnitude of this preference varied significantly across countries. “While people care more about their dogs than their cats in all countries, the degree of difference varied dramatically between countries,” Sandøe observed. In the UK, the preference for dogs was subtle, but in Austria, it was more pronounced, and in Denmark, the disparity was even more substantial.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-factors-nbsp">Cultural factors&nbsp;</h2>



This pattern of preference was evident in other aspects of pet care as well. For instance, Danish pet owners demonstrated a significantly lower likelihood of insuring their cats compared to their dogs, and they were also less willing to spend on medical treatments for their cats.



“There seems to be no natural limit to how much people will end up caring about their cats compared to their dogs,” Sandøe said, highlighting that cultural factors, such as the history of human-animal interactions and the role of pets in households, play a crucial role in shaping these attitudes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications">Study implications </h2>



“Our study only looks at three countries located in central and western Europe,” cautioned co-author Clare Palmer, a professor of Philosophy at <a href="https://www.tamu.edu/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas A&amp;M University</a>. “It raises intriguing questions regarding what comparative studies of other countries might find. Perhaps there are countries where the level of care for and attachment to cats is, in fact, higher than dogs?”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1237547" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Veterinary Science</a>.



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Do pet owners care more for their dogs than they care for their cats?

Is the love of dogs universal, surpassing that for cats?...

A recent study from <a href="https://dornsife.usc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USC Dornsife</a> has revealed some unexpected details about the effects of global warming on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-are-some-corals-more-resilient-to-climate-change-than-others/">corals</a>. According to the research, the adaptations of a common Caribbean coral could have significant implications for our approach to conserving these vital marine ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mountainous-star-coral">Mountainous star coral</h2>



The study was focused on the mountainous star coral, Orbicella faveolata, a species frequent in Caribbean waters. The goal was to determine whether coral populations that had endured increased temperatures could pass this heat resilience to their progeny.&nbsp;



"Orbicella faveolata, commonly known as the mountainous star coral, is a dominant reef-building species in the Caribbean, but populations have suffered sharp declines since the 1980s due to repeated bleaching and disease-driven mortality," wrote the researchers.



"Prior research has shown that inshore adult O. faveolata populations in the Florida Keys are able to maintain high coral cover and recover from bleaching faster than their offshore counterparts. However, whether this origin-specific variation in thermal resistance is heritable remains unclear."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-tolerant-corals-nbsp">Heat-tolerant corals&nbsp;</h2>



The popular assumption among scientists has been that heat-tolerant coral parents would produce offspring with similar adaptations for heat resistance.



However, Professor Carly Kenkel and her team discovered a contradiction. They found that the offspring of a population less acclimated to heat showed better resilience when subjected to higher temperatures compared to those from a heat-tolerant lineage.



“The study findings have significant implications for how we think about saving coral reefs," said Professor Kenkel. "It’s not as simple as just breeding more heat-tolerant corals.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



For the investigation, the scientists collected gametes (reproductive cells) from coral reefs in two distinct sites in the Florida Keys. They then crossbred the corals in controlled conditions, and exposed the larvae to elevated temperatures.



The team also examined the genes of these corals to detect signs of stress under heightened temperature conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-limitations">Study limitations</h2>



The results of the study suggest that the ability of coral offspring to withstand heat may be determined by a range of factors. This includes the frequency with which their parent corals may have bleached or faced other environmental challenges.



However, it is important to note that this research was focused on a single coral species. Other coral species might respond differently, and the study's controlled lab setting does not capture the myriad factors that impact coral reefs in natural habitats.



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



The scientists plan to delve deeper into coral adaptation mechanisms, factoring in their historical experiences and interactions with other organisms, as well as the overall health of the reef system.



Professor Kenkel noted that coral rescue may require a more comprehensive approach. “Instead of focusing solely on breeding more heat-tolerant corals, we might need to consider other factors affecting coral survival and more diverse interventions.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



"The documented resilience of adult corals to recurrent heat stress and bleaching in environments with high and variable temperatures may come with highly consequential trade-offs," wrote the researchers.



"In this study, we show that larvae from a site that routinely experiences and recovers from heat-induced bleaching significantly underperformed relative to larvae from a cooler, less variable reef site."&nbsp;



"The unexpected outcome that more thermally tolerant O. faveolata produced poorer quality offspring challenges the prevailing paradigm that breeding vulnerable populations with thermally tolerant individuals can contribute to genetic rescue."



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16977" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Change Biology</a>.



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Unexpected coral adaptations challenge conservation plans

A recent study from USC Dornsife has revealed some unexpected...

An international team of scientists has detected what is now considered the most distant cosmic radio burst known to humanity, breaking previous records and stunning the scientific community. This discovery not only helps in understanding the mysterious phenomena known as fast radio bursts (FRBs), but also opens a path to probing the unseen matter in the universe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cosmic-mystery-frb-20220610a">Cosmic mystery: FRB 20220610A</h2>



Fast radio bursts are extraordinarily powerful flares of energy in the cosmos, and their fleeting nature makes them particularly challenging to observe. The newly discovered burst, designated FRB 20220610A, holds the record for the most distant FRB detected. Its signal took a staggering eight billion years to reach Earth. 



This event was identified by the ASKAP radio telescope in Australia and later studied using the European Southern Observatory’s (<a href="https://www.eso.org/public/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESO</a>) Very Large Telescope (<a href="https://www.eso.org/public/teles-instr/paranal-observatory/vlt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">VLT</a>) in Chile.



The astounding energy released by FRB 20220610A is incomparable. In a fraction of a second, it emitted energy equivalent to what our Sun produces over three decades. 



"We utilized ASKAP's cutting-edge technology to pinpoint the burst's origin, leading us to its source galaxy, which is significantly older and more remote than any other FRB source discovered so far," explained Stuart Ryder, an astronomer at <a href="https://www.mq.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Macquarie University</a> in Australia and co-lead author of the research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-frbs-as-cosmic-yardsticks">FRBs as cosmic yardsticks</h2>



One of the most perplexing conundrums in modern cosmology is the discrepancy in measurements of the universe's mass. Traditional techniques have struggled to account for all the normal matter (baryonic matter) that theoretical predictions insist should exist. 



Ryan Shannon, from Swinburne University of Technology, highlights the crux of the problem. He said, “Over half of the normal matter that should exist in the universe is currently undetectable. We suspect it’s adrift in the vast spaces between galaxies, potentially in a hot, diffuse state that evades our conventional observation methods.”



However, with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-alien-radio-signals-may-be-caused-by-starquakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FRBs</a> like the recently observed FRB 20220610A, researchers have a unique new tool. These cosmic phenomena interact with the ionized material in space, offering an innovative way to detect the elusive particles residing in the vast cosmic voids. 



“FRBs have the incredible ability to sense this ocean of electrons, even in the most vacant stretches of space. This quality allows us to quantify the amount of matter present in the intergalactic mediums,” Shannon adds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-validating-the-macquart-relation">Validating the Macquart relation</h2>



The importance of understanding FRBs was emphasized by the late Australian astronomer Jean-Pierre Macquart. In 2020, he proposed what is now known as the Macquart relation, suggesting that the more distant an FRB, the more it reveals about the diffuse gas interspersed between galaxies. 



“Some recent FRBs seemed to contradict this principle. However, our findings with FRB 20220610A confirm that the Macquart relation remains consistent across more than half the observable universe,” states Ryder, underscoring the principle's continued relevance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-study-of-fast-radio-bursts">Future study of fast radio bursts</h2>



While the cause of FRBs remains an enigma, the discovery confirms their ubiquity in the universe and their potential as tools for cosmic exploration. Current telescopes have reached their operational limits in this quest, but a new generation of observatories promises to transcend these boundaries.



The international <a href="https://www.skao.int/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Square Kilometre Array Observatory</a> is spearheading this new era, constructing radio telescopes in South Africa and Australia designed to discover thousands of FRBs, even those lurking further than FRB 20220610A. 



Concurrently, ESO’s <a href="https://elt.eso.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Extremely Large Telescope</a>, now rising from the Chilean Atacama Desert, is set to join the few elite observatories capable of investigating these source galaxies.



With these advancements on the horizon, the quest to understand the universe's hidden mass and the enigmatic nature of FRBs takes an exciting turn. As we brace for the revelations these futuristic telescopes will uncover, the cosmic odyssey to decipher the universe's deepest secrets continues unabated.



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Unknown radio burst traveled through space for 8 billion years to reach Earth

An international team of scientists has detected what is now...

Invasive species are often brought into new regions unintentionally through human activities, posing a threat to native wildlife. If they become established, invasive species can outcompete, prey on, or bring diseases to native species, which might lead to their decline or even extinction. This disrupts the balance of the ecosystem.



The cost of controlling invasive species, and the economic losses they create, can be immense. Some invasive species carry diseases that affect human health.&nbsp;



It is important to understand how these species are introduced, and why they establish in new places, in order to help prevent their destructive impacts. However, there remains a lack of research in this domain, and many questions remain.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biological-hazards-nbsp">Biological hazards&nbsp;</h2>



In a collaboration between <a href="https://www.agresearch.co.nz/">AgResearch</a> and Better Border Biosecurity (B3), researchers set out to investigate the biological hazards presented by soil found on the external surfaces of sea freight. These included shipping containers and machinery at New Zealand's sea ports.



The goal was not only to understand this potential biosecurity threat but also to fine-tune measures to prevent the entry and spread of invasive organisms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



The study revealed that soil was present on almost all sea freight, regardless of its origin. This is troubling because soil is a potential carrier of harmful microbes including plant pathogens.



The average amount of soil detected on a single sea container was 5.3 kg, whereas the overall mean weight was 417g. Surprisingly, the majority of this soil was located on the underside of the sea freight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invasive-organisms-nbsp">Invasive organisms&nbsp;</h2>



Mark McNeill of AgResearch, who led the study, noted that while the presence of soil is perhaps not surprising, the presence of live bacteria, fungi, worms, seeds and insects associated with the soil was of greater concern.&nbsp;



"Various regulated biosecurity organisms were recovered from the samples, including plant-parasitic worms, seeds, insects and spiders that were not recorded as being present in New Zealand."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



“Not only does the spread of exotic species through these networks represent significant environmental, economic and social costs to natural and agricultural environments if invasive alien species were to establish, a loss of biodiversity is also an expected consequence of invasive alien species establishment," wrote the researchers.



"For islands, the implications can be significant, as they have high levels of endemism and invasive alien species establishment can lead to extinction of species as well as biodiversity declines."



An interesting comparison was made to a prior study examining soil contamination on footwear carried by international airline passengers. The comparison revealed that soil on sea freight, although less diverse, still presents a tangible biosecurity threat.



The study highlights the importance of sea freight as a notable entry route for invasive species. Preventative measures, such as pre-departure container cleaning and thorough border inspections are recommended to curb the potential spread of these harmful organisms.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.88.98440">NeoBiota</a>.



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Biological hazard: Soil on sea freight loaded with invasive species

Invasive species are often brought into new regions unintentionally through...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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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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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



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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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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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

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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



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



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

How the immune system responds to injury

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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