<p>For a century, Western water forecasts have leaned on a simple idea: more mountain snow means more water in rivers in the spring. But where you measure that snow matters as much as how much you measure.</p>



<p>A new analysis of more than two decades of data across 390 snow-fed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planning-for-an-uncertain-future-in-the-colorado-river-basin/">river basins</a> in 11 Western states shows that placing new instruments at strategically chosen “hotspots” consistently delivers better water supply forecasts than trying to blanket an entire basin with broad surveys.</p>



<p>In those basins, adding hotspot sites improved forecast skill by about 11–14 percent on average. By comparison, doing comprehensive basin-wide snow mapping nudged forecasts up by only about 4 percent on average. </p>



<p>The takeaway is surprisingly straightforward: measuring snow in the right places can help far more than measuring snow everywhere.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-snow-matters-most">Where snow matters most</h2>



<p>Hotspots are small areas within a watershed where snow conditions punch above their weight in predicting how much water will actually reach streams months later. </p>



<p>Think of ridgelines, aspects, or elevations where snow tends to persist or melt in patterns that strongly control downstream flow.</p>



<p>Because most existing ground stations sample a tiny fraction of a basin, there’s room to improve forecasts by adding just a few stations - if they’re placed where the snow signal matters most for runoff.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-putting-snow-sites-to-the-test">Putting snow sites to the test</h2>



<p>Researchers sifted through more than 20 years of snow estimates and streamflow records, comparing two expansion strategies for monitoring: adding targeted hotspot gauges, or rely on basin-wide mapping (from aircraft or satellites) to capture total snow volume. </p>



<p>They tested both approaches against the current network of ground stations that operational forecasters use today. </p>



<p>The team treated streamflow forecasting the way a water manager would, asking how much each strategy improved the year-to-year predictive power for seasonal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-global-greening-could-drain-earths-water-supply/">water supply</a>.</p>



<p>Because different basins respond differently, they repeated the analysis for hundreds of watersheds, from the Cascades and Sierra Nevada to the Rockies and the Great Basin. </p>



<p>Across that breadth of climates and terrains, the pattern held - focused hotspot measurements typically outperformed broad coverage.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-airborne-snow-measuring-has-tradeoffs">Airborne snow measuring has tradeoffs</h2>



<p>Basin-wide surveys are undeniably powerful. Airborne campaigns can directly estimate a basin’s total snow volume, and satellites help paint the big picture over vast, remote areas. The catch is cost and cadence.</p>



<p>Airborne surveys are expensive and can’t fly everywhere all the time. Satellite products are improving quickly but still struggle with forests, clouds, and complex terrain, and they need ground truth to keep forecasts anchored in reality.</p>



<p>By contrast, a handful of well-placed ground sensors can run all season, in all weather, at a fraction of the price. </p>



<p>The new study shows those stations can deliver similar - and often better - forecast gains precisely because they target the parts of a basin that control when and how snowmelt becomes streamflow.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-snowmelt-and-a-warming-west">Snowmelt and a warming West</h2>



<p>On average, about half of the water in Western U.S. streams comes from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alpine-spring-begins-earlier-speeding-up-plant-growth/">snowmelt</a>. Cities plan reservoir releases and farmers schedule irrigation based on spring forecasts issued months ahead of peak demand.</p>



<p>But warming winters are shrinking mountain snowpacks and making melt timing jumpier, which raises the stakes for every improvement in prediction.</p>



<p>With budgets tightening, the findings offer a practical roadmap: expand monitoring, yes - but do it surgically. In many basins, adding a few instruments at hotspot locations will deliver more value than trying to map the whole watershed every time snow falls.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-water-managers-can-do-now"><a></a>What water managers can do now</h2>



<p>One of the most useful outcomes of the study is a framework for identifying where new measurements will help the most. </p>



<p>Rather than guessing, agencies can now screen a basin to find untapped areas whose snow signals are especially predictive of downstream flow and focus new stations there.</p>



<p>The same framework highlights where basin-wide mapping will add value - for example, in large, highly variable basins where total snow volume swings widely from year to year.</p>



<p>In short, there isn’t a single “best” strategy for every watershed. But there is a smarter sequence: start by asking where a new measurement would most improve the forecast, then pick the tool - a ground station, an aircraft flight, or satellite data - that fits the need and the budget.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapting-as-snowlines-shift">Adapting as snowlines shift</h2>



<p>Hotspot monitoring isn’t a magic wand. Some basins still benefit from periodic aerial surveys to capture the full snow picture, especially after major <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-soil-moisture-can-predict-severe-storms/">storms</a> or in places with complex rain-snow transitions.</p>



<p>Satellites remain essential for regional situational awareness. As climate change pushes snowlines higher, the locations of the most informative hotspots may shift, requiring the network to adapt.</p>



<p>The encouraging news is that the ingredients for better forecasts already exist: decades of streamflow records, a century of snow-station data, rapidly improving remote sensing, and now a tested way to combine them so that each new measurement counts.</p>



<p>The study also shows that many forecasters are closer than they might think to an optimally balanced network - one that blends a few carefully placed new stations with occasional basin-wide snapshots to keep tabs on the big swings.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-what-matters-most">Measuring what matters most</h2>



<p>Snowmelt will remain the West’s water engine, even as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/">climate change</a> makes it less predictable. This work suggests a practical, budget-savvy way to squeeze more certainty out of the same mountains: measure the snow where it matters most.</p>



<p>When every acre-foot counts, a handful of well-chosen hotspots can do more for tomorrow’s water plan than trying to see everything everywhere all at once.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-025-02660-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications: Earth and Environment</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Measuring snow in the right places can greatly improve water forecasts

For a century, Western water forecasts have leaned on a simple idea: more mountain snow means more water in rivers in the spring. But where you measure that snow matters as much as how much you measure. A new analysis of more than two decades of data across 390 snow-fed river basins in 11 Western states shows that placing new instruments at strategically chosen “hotspots” consistently delivers better water supply forecasts than trying to blanket an entire basin with broad surveys. In those basins, adding hotspot sites...

<p>Land subsidence, often overlooked as a significant urban <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/two-billion-people-are-threatened-by-land-subsidence/">hazard</a>, is gaining increased attention due to compelling new research led by an international team of scientists.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By examining satellite data mapping land movement across China with unprecedented accuracy and consistency, the experts found that of the 82 Chinese cities analyzed, 45 percent are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-seas-sinking-cities-land-subsidence-on-the-east-coast/">sinking</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-future-land-subsidence-nbsp">Predicting future land subsidence&nbsp;</h2>



<p>While consistently measuring subsidence is highly important, this is just the starting point for more comprehensive investigations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In order to predict future subsidence, models should take into consideration all drivers, including human activities and climate change, particularly focusing on how they might change over time. </p>



<p>Such an approach is based on the assumption that subsidence is a complex issue influenced by both natural and anthropogenic factors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-land-subsidence-across-china">Land subsidence across China</h2>



<p>The scientists evaluated land subsidence across 82 cities from China, with a collective population of nearly 700 million people. The analysis revealed that 45% of these urban areas are sinking, with 16% experiencing a significant subsidence rate of more than 10mm per year.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This phenomenon has broad implications, affecting roughly 270 million urban residents, nearly 70 million of whom are subject to rapid subsidence rates. Notable hotspots for this phenomenon include the densely populated cities of Beijing and Tianjin.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-land-subsidence-and-sea-level-rise-nbsp">Land subsidence and sea-level rise&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The repercussions of land subsidence are particularly severe in coastal regions where the compounding effects of sinking land and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-seas-sinking-cities-land-subsidence-on-the-east-coast/">sea-level rise</a> pose substantial risks. For instance, the sinking of sea defenses was a major reason why Hurricane Katrina’s flooding brought such devastation and fatalities to New Orleans in 2005.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Similarly, Shanghai has experienced up to three meters of subsidence over the past century and faces ongoing challenges. The researchers project that, combined with sea-level rise, the urban area in China below sea level could triple by 2120, potentially affecting between 55 to 128 million residents.</p>



<p>“Subsidence jeopardizes the structural integrity of buildings and critical infrastructure and exacerbates the impacts of climate change in terms of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coastal-flooding-will-soon-be-common-in-the-u-s/">flooding</a>, particularly in coastal cities where it reinforces sea-level rise,” said Robert Nicholls, a climate scientist at the <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of East Anglia</a>, who was not involved in the study. Thus, there is an urgent need for robust urban planning and infrastructure resilience strategies to mitigate these risks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-profound-effect-of-human-activity">The profound effect of human activity</h2>



<p>The primary drivers of land subsidence in China include extensive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pumping-too-much-groundwater-affects-earths-spin/">groundwater</a> withdrawal, urban development, and the natural geological conditions that predispose certain areas to sink.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The profound effect of human activity is evident from historical precedents set by cities like Osaka and Tokyo, where substantial mitigation of subsidence was achieved by regulating groundwater extraction.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In these cities, groundwater withdrawal was stopped in the 1970s and city subsidence has greatly reduced or even ceased, proving that this is a highly effective mitigation strategy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-actionable-strategies-are-urgently-needed">Actionable strategies are urgently needed</h2>



<p>In a commentary to the research article, Nicholls and Manoochehr Shirzaei, a researcher at <a href="https://www.vt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Tech</a> and the <a href="https://unu.edu/inweh" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Nations University for Water, Environment, and Health</a>, Ontario call for a national, and indeed global, response to address this issue comprehensively.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts advocate for a shift from mere measurement of subsidence to the development of actionable strategies that involve city planners and policymakers to tackle the underlying causes and manage the consequences effectively.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This collaborative approach is crucial for enhancing the resilience of cities, particularly those in coastal and susceptible regions, to address the related challenges of subsidence and climate change.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-causes-of-land-subsidence-nbsp">Causes of land subsidence&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The most common cause of subsidence is the removal of groundwater from aquifers. When water is pumped out, the empty spaces in the aquifer collapse, causing the ground above to sink. Here are some other causes of land subsidence:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-natural-compaction-of-sediments">Natural compaction of sediments</h3>



<p>Over time, sediment layers can naturally compact under their own weight, especially if the sediments are loose or contain a lot of water. This process can cause the ground to settle and lower.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mining-activities">Mining activities</h3>



<p>The extraction of minerals, oil, and gas can lead to subsidence. When these resources are removed from the Earth, the voids left can cause the surface to collapse.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drainage-of-organic-soils">Drainage of organic soils</h3>



<p>In areas with a high organic content in the soil, such as peat, drainage for agriculture or development can cause the soil to shrink and compress, leading to subsidence.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thawing-permafrost">Thawing permafrost</h3>



<p>In polar regions, permafrost thaw can lead to subsidence. When frozen ground thaws, it loses volume and stability, causing the ground above to sink.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tectonic-activity">Tectonic activity</h3>



<p>Although less common, subsidence can also occur due to geological changes such as faulting or the gradual bending of the Earth’s crust.</p>



<p>Each of these factors can operate individually or in combination, depending on the geographical and geological conditions of an area.</p>



<p>Both the <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adl4366" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> and the <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ado9986" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">commentary</a> are published in the journal <em>Science.</em></p>



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Half of China's cities are sinking due to humans and climate change

Land subsidence, often overlooked as a significant urban hazard, is...

<p>Rivers across the United States are under severe threat from extensive pollution and weakened protections, according to a a recent report led by the <a href="https://www.americanrivers.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Rivers Association</a>.</p>



<p>The experts found that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-is-disrupting-the-seasonal-flow-of-rivers/">rivers</a> of New Mexico, including the Rio Grande, Gila, San Juan, and Pecos - which are vital to over 85% of the state's population - stand out as the most endangered in the nation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-american-rivers-and-dangerous-pollution-nbsp">American rivers and dangerous pollution&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Scientists attribute the vulnerability of seasonally flowing rivers to a loophole in the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/tmdl/Vision">2022 Clean Water Act</a> amendments, which fail to protect these rivers from the runoff of wastewater treatment plants, mines, and industrial sites.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As a result, American rivers that millions depend on for drinking water are at risk of becoming dangerously polluted, posing serious health risks and disrupting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/freshwater-ecosystems-filter-pollution/">ecosystems</a>. Among the rivers facing the gravest dangers are the Tijuana River in California and the Santa Cruz River in Arizona.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“All water is connected. We cannot allow pollution anywhere without risk to the rivers we rely on for our drinking water,” said Tom Kiernan, President and CEO of the American Rivers. “Our leaders must hold polluters accountable and strengthen the Clean Water Act to safeguard our health and communities.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-protection-for-seasonally-flowing-rivers-nbsp">No protection for seasonally flowing rivers&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The Supreme Court's 2022 decision removed protections for rivers that only flow seasonally, primarily during periods of higher precipitation in the fall and winter. This decision disproportionately affects arid states like New Mexico, where rivers flow primarily during the rainy season or from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spring-heatwaves-deplete-the-water-supply-in-the-western-us/">snowmelt</a>.</p>



<p>“These rulings fly in the face of established science and ignore the value that small streams and wetlands have to their broader watersheds, communities, and economies, particularly in places with dry climates like New Mexico,” the report authors wrote.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These waterways not only supply clean <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strict-pfas-limits-will-make-drinking-water-safer-for-100-million-americans/">drinking water</a> and irrigation but also support rich cultural traditions and diverse habitats essential for fish and wildlife, thus playing a critical role in both the environment and the lives of nearly 87% of New Mexicans.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-catastrophic-effects-of-river-pollution-nbsp">Catastrophic effects of river pollution&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Furthermore, pollution in these endangered rivers can have broader, catastrophic effects, extending even to major rivers like the Rio Grande, which sustains around six million people and countless wildlife species. The pollution in the Tijuana River, which has been problematic for decades, exemplifies the transboundary nature of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predicting-the-effects-of-pollutants-on-river-ecosystems/">river pollution</a>, affecting communities in both Mexico and the United States.</p>



<p>The situation is compounded by large-scale projects like the Yazoo Backwater Pumps in Mississippi, which threaten over 200,000 acres of waterfowl habitat by draining wetlands essential for migratory birds. Known as the 'Zombie Project,' this initiative, originally designed to control flooding, now represents a significant ecological misstep.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-rollback-of-the-clean-water-act">Ongoing rollback of the Clean Water Act</h2>



<p>Additionally, the Santa Cruz River, once a vibrant desert oasis, faces renewed threats from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tackling-the-worlds-climate-driven-water-crisis/">water scarcity</a> and pollution after only recently beginning to recover.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The ongoing rollback of the Clean Water Act's protections poses further challenges to its revitalization, prompting American Rivers to urge the Biden administration and legislators to reinforce protections for these critical ecosystems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-impact-of-polluted-waterways-nbsp">Human impact of polluted waterways&nbsp;</h2>



<p>A recent survey by the <a href="https://riversarelife.com/">Rivers are Life</a> coalition highlights the human impact, with 86% of respondents indicating that polluted waterways adversely affect their health. “I believe that addressing the pollution of waterways starts with awareness and education, and encouraging people to collectively take action,” said Chris Keefer, the co-founder of Rivers are Life.</p>



<p>“Our hope is that in learning about just how important rivers are to our communities globally, we can all take action to protect these vital waterways and recognize them as the lifeblood of our planet.”</p>



<p>This widespread call to action underscores the urgency of addressing river pollution not just as an environmental issue but as a critical component of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-environmental-and-public-health-benefits-of-solar-power/">public health</a> and community sustainability.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-most-endangered-american-rivers-nbsp">Most endangered American rivers&nbsp;</h2>



<p>1. Rivers of New Mexico</p>



<p>2. Big Sunflower and Yazoo Rivers, Mississippi</p>



<p>3. Duck River, Tennessee</p>



<p>4. Santa Cruz River, Arizona</p>



<p>5. Little Pee Dee River, South Carolina and North Carolina&nbsp;</p>



<p>6. Farmington River, Connecticut and Massachusetts</p>



<p>7. Trinity River, California</p>



<p>8. Kobuk River, Alaska</p>



<p>9. Tijuana River, California</p>



<p>10. Blackwater River, West Virginia&nbsp;</p>



<p>The full report from the American Rivers Association can be found <a href="https://www.americanrivers.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Report_NewMexico_Final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.</p>



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Iconic American rivers are threatened by severe pollution

Rivers across the United States are under severe threat from...

<p>Astronomers have employed a novel approach with NASA's Hubble Space Telescope to uncover a largely unseen population of smaller <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-molecules-discovered-on-an-asteroid-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">asteroids</a> in our solar system. </p>



<p>By sifting through a vast archive of images captured by Hubble over a span of 19 years, the researchers have identified an impressive 1,701 asteroid trails, with 1,031 of these asteroids being previously uncatalogued.</p>



<p>The study was led by Pablo García Martín of the <a href="https://www.uam.es/uam/en/inicio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Autonomous University of Madrid</a>, Spain, and co-authored by Bruno Merín of the <a href="https://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESAC" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Astronomy Centre</a>, also in Madrid, Spain. Together, they have uncovered new data on the formation and evolution of the asteroid belt. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-citizen-scientists-hunting-asteroids-with-ai">Citizen scientists hunting asteroids with AI</h2>



<p>This cosmic treasure hunt was made possible by the collaborative efforts of professional scientists and a dedicated group of volunteers from around the world, known as "citizen scientists." </p>



<p>The researchers combined the volunteers' identifications with a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-computing-and-machine-learning-enhance-airplane-performance-and-safety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">machine learning</a> algorithm to efficiently detect the asteroids in the Hubble images.</p>



<p>"We are getting deeper into seeing the smaller population of main belt asteroids. We were surprised with seeing such a large number of candidate objects," said lead author Pablo García Martín. </p>



<p>"There was some hint of this population existing, but now we are confirming it with a random asteroid population sample obtained using the whole Hubble archive. This is important for providing insights into the evolutionary models of our solar system," he concluded.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-into-asteroid-formation-and-evolution">Insights into asteroid formation and evolution</h2>



<p>The large, random sample of asteroids discovered in this study offers new insights into the formation and evolution of the asteroid belt. </p>



<p>The abundance of small asteroids supports the idea that they are fragments of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psyche-asteroid-is-worth-10000-quadrillion-and-nasa-is-sending-a-space-probe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">larger asteroids</a> that have collided and broken apart over billions of years, like smashed pottery. </p>



<p>This finding challenges an alternative theory suggesting that these smaller fragments formed as such billions of years ago.</p>



<p>"Collisions would have a certain signature that we can use to test the current main belt population," said co-author Bruno Merín.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hubble-s-unique-vantage-point-for-asteroid-hunting">Hubble's unique vantage point for asteroid hunting</h2>



<p>Hubble's fast orbit around the Earth allows it to capture <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasas-lucy-discovers-two-asteroids-instead-of-one-during-dinkinesh-flyby/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wandering asteroids</a> through their telltale trails in the telescope's exposures. </p>



<p>As viewed from an Earth-based telescope, an asteroid leaves a streak across the picture. Asteroids essentially "photobomb" Hubble exposures by appearing as unmistakable, curved trails in the photographs.</p>



<p>By knowing the position of Hubble during the observation and measuring the curvature of the streaks, scientists can determine the distances to the asteroids and estimate the shapes of their orbits. </p>



<p>The faintest asteroids in the survey are roughly one forty-millionth the brightness of the faintest star that can be seen by the human eye.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaborative-cosmic-exploration">Collaborative cosmic exploration</h2>



<p>The Hubble Asteroid Hunter, a citizen-science project launched in 2019, was a collaborative effort between researchers, engineers, and the Zooniverse platform. </p>



<p>A total of 11,482 citizen-science volunteers provided nearly 2 million identifications, which were then used to train an automated algorithm based on artificial intelligence to identify asteroids. This pioneering approach may be effectively applied to other datasets in the future.</p>



<p>"<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-new-quasi-moon-will-stick-around-for-hundreds-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Asteroid positions</a> change with time, and therefore you cannot find them just by entering coordinates, because at different times, they might not be there," said Merín. "As astronomers we don't have time to go looking through all the asteroid images. So we got the idea to collaborate with over 10,000 citizen-science volunteers to peruse the huge Hubble archives."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hubble-and-the-future-of-asteroid-discovery">Hubble and the future of asteroid discovery</h2>



<p>The project will next explore the streaks of previously unknown <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-sheds-new-light-on-mysterious-asteroid-phaethon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">asteroids</a> to characterize their orbits and study their properties, such as rotation periods. </p>



<p>However, because most of these asteroid streaks were captured by Hubble many years ago, it is not possible to follow them up now to determine their orbits.</p>



<p>In summary, the fascinating study led by Pablo García Martín and Bruno Merín demonstrates the immense potential of collaborative efforts between professional scientists, citizen scientists, and advanced technologies in uncovering new insights into our solar system. </p>



<p>By harnessing the power of the <a href="https://hubblesite.org/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble Space Telescope</a>'s vast archive, the dedication of thousands of volunteers, and the efficiency of machine learning algorithms, the researchers have unveiled a hidden population of asteroids, providing new data on the formation and evolution of the asteroid belt. </p>



<p>This innovative approach paves the way for future discoveries and highlights the importance of continued exploration and collaboration in our quest to understand the cosmic landscape that surrounds us.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the&nbsp;journal&nbsp;<em><a href="https://www.aanda.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Astronomy and Astrophysics</a></em>.</p>



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Beautiful photo of galaxy UGC 12158 gets photobombed by an asteroid

Astronomers have employed a novel approach with NASA's Hubble Space...

<p>Researchers from the University of Vienna recently discovered that complex leaf vein networks, a feature prevalent in modern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-true-survivors-flowering-plants-lived-through-the-dinosaur-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flowering plants</a>, actually originated much earlier than previously believed. </p>



<p>The research, published in the journal <em>New Phytologist</em>, highlights the fossilized plant <em>Furcula granulifer</em>. This <a href="https://www.earth.com/plant-encyclopedia/pteridophytes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seed fern</a>, from the Late Triassic period around 201 million years ago, exhibited advanced venation patterns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rediscovery-of-a-triassic-plant-revolutionizes-understanding">Rediscovery of a triassic plant revolutionizes understanding</h2>



<p>The team, led by palaeobotanists Mario Coiro and Leyla Seyfullah, utilized novel methods and concepts to re-examine historical collections at the <a href="https://www.univie.ac.at/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vienna</a>. </p>



<p>Subsequently, they collaborated with colleagues from the <a href="https://www.nrm.se/en/16.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swedish Museum of Natural History</a> in Stockholm and the <a href="https://en.huji.ac.il/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hebrew University</a> in Jerusalem.</p>



<p>Mario Coiro explains the significance of their findings, saying, "Within old collections, using new techniques, we identified a plant that displayed a unique set of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-leaf-diversity-shape-plant-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leaf</a> characteristics, akin to those of flowering plants, but without their evolutionary success."</p>



<p>Consequently, this plant, <em>Furcula granulifer</em>, once thought to be an early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-investigate-the-mysterious-origin-of-flowering-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flowering plant</a>, belongs instead to the now-extinct group of seed ferns</p>



<p>"The fossil leaves of <em>Furcula granulifer</em> show a net-like hierarchical veining typical of most plants today. This discovery indicates that such efficient photosynthetic structures have evolved multiple times throughout Earth's history," adds Leyla Seyfullah.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-leaf-vein-networks">Significance of leaf vein networks</h2>



<p>The presence of intricate leaf veins in plants is crucial for efficient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-finally-decoded-the-process-of-photosynthesis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a> and carbon dioxide fixation. </p>



<p>Consequently, flowering plants, or angiosperms, which dominate today's ecosystems, evolved this feature between 145 and 66 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. </p>



<p>This development significantly contributed to the diversification and success of other life forms, including mammals, insects, and birds.</p>



<p>The study suggests that <em>Furcula granulifer</em> exhibited similar venation patterns to <a href="https://www.earth.com/plant-encyclopedia/angiosperms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">angiosperms</a>. However, it had less vein density, which limited its photosynthetic efficiency compared to later flowering plants.</p>



<p>The team employed a combination of traditional microscopy and cutting-edge Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy to analyze both old and newly collected material. They concluded that <em>Furcula</em>'s similarities to angiosperms are a result of convergent evolution.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-evolutionary-failures">Understanding evolutionary failures</h2>



<p>The research further identifies that <em>Furcula granulifer</em> and its relatives represent an evolutionary dead end. They went extinct during the Jurassic period without achieving the diversity seen in angiosperms.</p>



<p>Another group, the Gigantopteridales, also represents a similar failed evolutionary attempt during the Permian period.</p>



<p>"These natural experiments offer us a window into understanding the real reasons behind the success of flowering plants, which likely stems from the evolution of multiple traits rather than a single key innovation," Seyfullah explains.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-modern-science-discovered-ancient-leaf-vein-networks">How modern science discovered ancient leaf vein networks</h2>



<p>In summary, this research led by palaeontologists from the University of Vienna has transformed our understanding of leaf evolution. </p>



<p>By combining traditional and novel methods, they have unraveled a century-old mystery, revealing that the net-like leaf veining characteristic of modern flowering plants evolved much earlier than previously thought in the now-extinct seed fern <em>Furcula granulifer</em>. </p>



<p>This discovery highlights the complexity of plant evolution and the importance of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunflower-family-tree-explains-evolution-of-flower-symmetry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">convergent evolution</a> in shaping the world we see today. </p>



<p>The study also identifies failed attempts at efficient leaf design during the Triassic and Permian periods, suggesting that the success of flowering plants lies in the evolution of multiple traits rather than a single key innovation. </p>



<p>As we continue to explore the mysteries of nature's design, this research serves as a testament to the power of scientific inquiry and the endless wonders waiting to be discovered in the fossil record.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><em><a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.19726" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Phytologist</a></em></em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Plants had complex leaf vein networks 200 million years ago

Researchers from the University of Vienna recently discovered that complex...

<p>Major transformations are occurring within Arctic and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/single-degree-temperature-warming-boreal-forests-wreak-havoc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">boreal</a> ecosystems, which are warming at a faster rate than the rest of the planet. </p>



<p>Recent findings from the <a href="https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/">University of California, Irvine</a>, detailed in three pivotal studies, underscore the significant environmental shifts prompted by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/northern-forests-are-being-transformed-by-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global warming</a>. </p>



<p>The research, led by PhD candidate Jinhyuk Kim and Professor James Randerson, suggests that ecosystems at high latitudes are becoming increasingly unstable.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfires-ignite-change-across-ecosystems">Wildfires ignite change across ecosystems</h2>



<p>The study was focused on the forests of Canada and Alaska. The researchers found that wildfires are intensifying photosynthesis rates. This phenomenon arises as fast-growing deciduous plants like willow and aspen replace the slower-growing black spruce forests destroyed by fire. </p>



<p>"We’re seeing higher levels of photosynthesis that persist for decades after fire,” explained Kim. “Instead of the evergreen conifer forest coming back right away, in some regions, we see a long-term replacement of these forests with faster-growing species."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-consequences-of-wildfires">Complex consequences of wildfires</h2>



<p>While increased photosynthesis might suggest a greater removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the reality is much more complex. </p>



<p>“But because you’ve combusted the carbon stored in the plants and their organic soils, even the increase in photosynthesis we observe doesn’t necessarily translate into more carbon storage in the long run," explained Kim. </p>



<p>"The increasing trends in wildfire have significant implications for forest species composition and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-ecosystems-are-endangered-by-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystem</a> function but likely negatively affect the land carbon sink." </p>



<p>"This is why it’s important to study how the changing landscape from wildfire and warming influences different aspects of land carbon cycling."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-changes-in-arctic-and-boreal-ecosystems">Tracking changes in Arctic and boreal ecosystems </h2>



<p>To track changes in photosynthesis, Kim’s team utilized data from the Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2 satellites. These satellites measure plant fluorescence - a novel method that provides a global view of photosynthesis rates.</p>



<p>“We also have this long land cover time series from Landsat, and we can look at how fires are changing the land plant cover and then tie it to changes in the solar-induced fluorescence signal," said Kim.</p>



<p>"We find that wildfires are changing the land cover, which, in turn, can enhance the seasonality of carbon fluxes at large spatial scales.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-shrubbery-signals-warmer-winters">Shifting shrubbery signals warmer winters</h2>



<p>In another study led by Allison Welch, a PhD candidate in the lab of Professor Claudia Czimczik, researchers explored plant expansion across the Arctic ecosystem. </p>



<p>"With increasing temperatures and wildfire activity, we’re seeing increased growth of bigger, deciduous shrubs,” noted Welch. </p>



<p>Her team found that alder shrubs, in particular, are thriving, significantly boosting vegetation productivity at their study sites. Moreover, these changes come with critical implications for permafrost. </p>



<p>"We reported a decrease in the thickness of the organic layer at our tundra sites," said Welch. "Shallower organic layers mean less insulation for the underlying Arctic permafrost, which carries vast reserves of frozen organic matter that, if thawed, may release planet-warming gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemical-clues-about-ecosystem-changes">Chemical clues about ecosystem changes </h2>



<p>Under the guidance of Professor Alex Guenther, PhD candidate Hui Wang conducted a third study. The research was focused on an unexpected rise in emissions of isoprene - an important molecule that influences local <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-climate-change-alter-alaskas-boreal-forest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> through its effects on ozone, aerosols, and methane levels.</p>



<p>“This change will indirectly change the climate,” said Wang. He noted that rising temperatures have prompted plants to release more isoprene.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapidly-changing-arctic-ecosystem">Rapidly changing Arctic ecosystem </h2>



<p>These studies collectively highlight a rapidly changing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-geese-have-a-large-impact-on-arctic-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic</a> ecosystem that is transforming at a faster rate than previously anticipated. Claudia Czimczik, a co-author on Welch’s paper, emphasized the urgent need for attention.</p>



<p>"These three studies are examples of how the Arctic is changing more rapidly than previously expected. Increasing wildfire activity, via its effect on vegetation composition, has the potential to accelerate permafrost thaw beyond the rates we expected from changing climate," said Czimczik.</p>



<p>Kim concluded with a reflection on the broader implications of the research. "We can see the environment is unstable, and that there are complex interactions from not only the changing plant communities but the responses of those plants to the rapidly changing climate." </p>



<p>"These have consequences for the environment and the overall Earth system, so it’s something important that we need to understand better.”</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <em><em>Global Change Biology</em></em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Arctic and boreal ecosystems are becoming increasingly unstable

Major transformations are occurring within Arctic and boreal ecosystems, which...

<p>Scientists have shared remarkable findings from NASA's Juno mission to Jupiter. The solar-powered Juno spacecraft has provided new insights into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brilliant-new-images-of-jupiters-moon-io-captured-by-juno-spacecraft/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jovian moon Io</a>, Jupiter's polar cyclones, and the planet's water abundance.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jaw-dropping-io-discoveries-from-the-juno-mission">Jaw-dropping Io discoveries from the Juno mission</h2>



<p>Scott Bolton, Juno's principal investigator from the <a href="https://www.swri.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southwest Research Institute</a> in San Antonio, unveiled the new discoveries during a news conference at the European Geophysical Union General Assembly in Vienna. </p>



<p>The team transformed data collected during two recent flybys of Io into captivating animations that showcase the moon's most dramatic features: <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/jupiter-moon-Io_Steeple-Mountain_juno-mission_color-closeup_NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a mountain</a> and a nearly glass-smooth <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/jupiter-moon-Io_lava-lake_juno-mission_color-closeup_NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lake of cooling lava</a>.</p>



<p>"Io is simply littered with volcanoes, and we caught a few of them in action. We also got some great close-ups and other data on a <a href="https://youtu.be/lg2Szj_OG_Q" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">200-kilometer-long (127-mile-long) lava lake</a> called Loki Patera," said Bolton.</p>



<p>"There is amazing detail showing these crazy islands embedded in the middle of a potentially magma lake rimmed with hot lava. The specular reflection our instruments recorded of the lake suggests parts of Io's surface are as smooth as glass, reminiscent of volcanically created obsidian glass on Earth," he continued.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-io-s-dramatic-landscapes">Unraveling Io's dramatic landscapes</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/video/the-juno-spacecraft-reveals-origin-of-zodiacal-light/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Juno</a> made extremely close flybys of Io in December 2023 and February 2024, getting within about 930 miles (1,500 kilometers) of the surface and obtaining the first close-up images of the moon's northern latitudes. </p>



<p>Maps generated with data collected by Juno's Microwave Radiometer (<a href="https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/instrument/Microwave+Radiometer?subselect=Mission:Juno:" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MWR</a>) instrument reveal that Io not only has a relatively smooth surface compared to Jupiter's other Galilean moons but also has poles that are colder than middle latitudes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-jupiter-s-enigmatic-polar-cyclones">Exploring Jupiter's enigmatic polar cyclones</h2>



<p>As Juno's extended mission progresses, the spacecraft flies closer to Jupiter's north pole with each pass. This changing orientation allows the MWR instrument to improve its resolution of the planet's northern polar cyclones. </p>



<p>The data enables multiwavelength comparisons of the poles, revealing that not all polar cyclones are created equal.</p>



<p>"Perhaps most striking example of this disparity can be found with the central cyclone at Jupiter's north pole. It is clearly visible in both infrared and visible light images, but its microwave signature is nowhere near as strong as other nearby storms, said Steve Levin, Juno's project scientist at NASA's <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> in Southern California.</p>



<p>"This tells us that its subsurface structure must be very different from these other cyclones. The MWR team continues to collect more and better microwave data with every orbit, so we anticipate developing a more detailed 3D map of these intriguing polar storms," Levin continued.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solving-the-puzzle-of-jupiter-s-water-abundance">Solving the puzzle of Jupiter's water abundance</h2>



<p>One of the mission's primary science goals is to collect data that could help scientists better understand Jupiter's water abundance. </p>



<p>To do this, the Juno science team isn't hunting for liquid water. Instead, they are looking to quantify the presence of oxygen and hydrogen molecules (the molecules that make up water) in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jupiters-turbulent-atmosphere-includes-a-high-speed-jet-stream/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jupiter's atmosphere</a>. An accurate estimate is critical to piecing together the puzzle of our solar system's formation.</p>



<p>"The probe did amazing science, but its data was so far afield from our models of Jupiter's water abundance that we considered whether the location it sampled could be an outlier. But before Juno, we couldn't confirm," said Bolton. </p>



<p>"Now, with recent results made with MWR data, we have nailed down that the water abundance near <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-fresh-look-at-jupiter-through-an-ultraviolet-lens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jupiter's equator</a> is roughly three to four times the solar abundance when compared to hydrogen. This definitively demonstrates that the Galileo probe's entry site was an anomalously dry, desert-like region," he concluded.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hydrogen-and-oxygen-are-key-to-jupiter-s-past">Hydrogen and oxygen are key to Jupiter's past</h2>



<p>The results support the belief that during the formation of our solar system, water-ice material may have been the source of the heavy element enrichment (chemical elements heavier than hydrogen and helium that were accreted by Jupiter) during the gas giant's formation and/or evolution. </p>



<p>However, the formation of Jupiter remains puzzling, as Juno results on the core of the gas giant suggest a very low water abundance -- a mystery that scientists are still trying to sort out.</p>



<p>Data collected during the remainder of Juno's extended mission may help shed additional light on the structure of Jupiter's dilute core and enable scientists to compare the planet's water abundance near the polar regions to the equatorial region. </p>



<p>During <a href="https://youtu.be/Gajd3mcYnbA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Juno's most recent flyby of Io</a> on April 9, the spacecraft came within about 10,250 miles (16,500 kilometers) of the moon's surface. It will execute its 61st flyby of Jupiter on May 12.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jupiter-io-and-the-juno-spacecraft">Jupiter, Io, and the Juno spacecraft</h2>



<p>NASA's Juno mission continues to push the boundaries of our understanding of Jupiter and its moons. With each flyby, Juno gathers invaluable data that scientists eagerly analyze, uncovering new insights into the gas giant's polar cyclones, water abundance, and the enigmatic moon Io. </p>



<p>As the spacecraft persists in its exploration, the scientific community anticipates more stunning discoveries that will deepen our knowledge of Jupiter and provide new details on the formation and evolution of our solar system. </p>



<p>The Juno mission exemplifies the indomitable spirit of human curiosity and the relentless pursuit of scientific truth, promising to rewrite the textbooks on the largest planet in our cosmic neighborhood.</p>



<p>The full study was presented at the <a href="https://www.egu.eu/meetings/general-assembly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Geophysical Union General Assembly</a>.</p>



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Fire, mountains, and polar cyclones found by the Juno spacecraft

Scientists have shared remarkable findings from NASA's Juno mission to...

<p>The discovery of a second massive jawbone, over two meters in length, on a beach in Somerset, UK, has recently piqued the interest of paleontologists. This fossil, along with the first one found, has been identified as belonging to a previously <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ichthyotitan-severnensis_couple-swimming_credit-gabrielugueto_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unknown species of giant ichthyosaur</a> named <em>Ichthyotitan severnensis</em> - a marine reptile from prehistoric times. </p>



<p>Researchers estimate that this creature would have spanned more than 25 meters in length, akin to the size of a blue whale.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovery-of-the-marine-reptile-ichthyotitan-severnensis">Discovery of the marine reptile <em>Ichthyotitan severnensis</em></h2>



<p>This significant find was made by Justin and Ruby Reynolds, a father and daughter duo from Braunton, Devon. During a fossil hunting trip in May 2020 at Blue Anchor, Somerset, 11-year-old Ruby stumbled upon the first fragment of this colossal jawbone.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Realizing the importance of their find, they contacted Dr. Dean Lomax, a leading ichthyosaur expert and a paleontologist at the <a href="https://www.manchester.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Manchester</a> as well as a research fellow at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol.</a> Lomax. </p>



<p>They then reached out to Paul de la Salle, a seasoned fossil collector who had discovered the first giant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-lizards-were-thriving-during-the-age-of-dinosaurs/">jawbone</a> in 2016 along the same coastline.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-multimillion-year-old-jigsaw-puzzle">A multimillion-year-old jigsaw puzzle</h2>



<p>“I was amazed by the find,” Lomax said. “In 2018, my team (including Paul de la Salle) studied and described Paul’s giant jawbone and we had hoped that one day another would come to light. This new specimen is more complete, better preserved, and shows that we now have two of these giant bones - called a surangular - that have a unique shape and structure. I became very excited, to say the least.”</p>



<p>Fueled by this initial success, Justin, Ruby, Paul, Lomax, and several family members returned to the site to search for more pieces. Their efforts were fruitful, eventually piecing together more fragments that fit perfectly together, like a multimillion-year-old jigsaw puzzle.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-species-of-giant-marine-reptile-nbsp">New species of giant marine reptile&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The analysis revealed that these jawbones belonged to a new species of giant ichthyosaur, which they named <em>Ichthyotitan severnensis</em> or "giant fish lizard of the Severn." </p>



<p>These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossils-capture-a-turning-point-in-the-evolution-of-life/">fossils</a>, dating back approximately 202 million years to the end of the Triassic Period, represent some of the last members of the Shastasauridae family before they disappeared due to a global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extinction-event-shows-how-life-responds-to-extreme-changes/">mass extinction </a>event.</p>



<p>This discovery also aligns with findings of other large ichthyosaurs, such as <em>Shonisaurus sikanniensis</em> from Canada and <em>Himalayasaurus tibetensis</em> from China, although the new species appears around 13 million years after these relatives.</p>



<p>Dr. Lomax invited Ruby and Justin to join his research team in studying and naming this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-150-year-old-bones-identified-as-ichthyosaur-jaws/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prehistoric creature</a>. Ruby, now recognized as a young scientist, said that “it was so cool to discover part of this gigantic ichthyosaur. I am very proud to have played a part in a scientific discovery like this.”</p>



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



<p>Further investigations into the bones by Marcello Perillo, a master’s student from the <a href="https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/university/university">University of Bonn</a>, confirmed the ichthyosaur origin and revealed that the creature was still growing at the time of its death.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We could confirm the unique set of histological characters typical of giant ichthyosaur lower jaws: the anomalous periosteal growth of these bones hints at yet to be understood bone developmental strategies, now lost in the deep time, that likely allowed late Triassic ichthyosaurs to reach the known biological limits of vertebrates in terms of size,” Perillo explained.</p>



<p>“To think that my discovery in 2016 would spark so much interest in these enormous creatures fills me with joy. When I found the first jawbone, I knew it was something special. To have a second that confirms our findings is incredible. I am overjoyed,” de la Salle said.</p>



<p>“This research has been ongoing for almost eight years. It is quite remarkable to think that gigantic, blue whale-sized ichthyosaurs were swimming in the oceans around what was the UK during the Triassic Period. These jawbones provide tantalizing evidence that perhaps one day a complete skull or skeleton of one of these giants might be found. You never know,” Lomax concluded.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0300289" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>PLoS ONE</em></a> and the jawbone will soon go on display at the <a href="https://www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/bristol-museum-and-art-gallery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bristol Museum and Art Gallery</a>.</p>



<p>Image Credit: Sergey Krasovskiy.</p>



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Largest known marine reptile discovered is a giant ichthyosaur

The discovery of a second massive jawbone, over two meters...

Mechanized,Industry,Robot,And,Robotic,Arms,For,Assembly,In,Factory

<p>In an era where automation is becoming increasingly integral to industrial processes, the demand for RoboSapiens -- robots that can intelligently adapt to their environment and unforeseen circumstances -- is surging. </p>



<p>The new RoboSapiens project, funded by <a href="https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Horizon Europe</a> with a substantial grant, aims to meet the growing need for adaptable robots. It focuses on enhancing the adaptability and reliability of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robotsweater-a-new-fabric-enables-robots-to-feel-and-react-to-human-touch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">industrial robots</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leading-the-charge-for-smarter-robots">Leading the charge for smarter robots</h2>



<p>Under the leadership of Professor Peter Gorm Larsen from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at <a href="https://ece.au.dk/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aarhus University</a>, RoboSapiens is set to transform the landscape of <a href="https://digit.au.dk/research-projects/robosapiens" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robotic technology</a>. </p>



<p>"We see great benefits if robots can adapt to conditions, learn from their surroundings, and then change their behavior to better suit the task," explains <a href="https://pure.au.dk/portal/da/persons/pgl%40ece.au.dk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Professor Larsen</a>. "All the while maintaining or even increasing their expected performance and remaining as safe and robust as before.</p>



<p>This project aims to significantly enhance robot capabilities, allowing them to autonomously adapt to new and unexpected challenges. It focuses on self-adaptation, safety, and advanced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/environmental-health-ai-can-identify-insects-based-on-their-sounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deep learning</a> techniques to manage uncertainties during these adaptations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-four-pillars-of-robotic-advancement">Four pillars of robotic advancement</h2>



<p>Scheduled to run from January 2024 to December 2027, RoboSapiens will concentrate on achieving four main objectives:</p>



<ol>
<li>Enabling robotics to autonomously adapt in response to unprecedented changes in system structures and environments.<br></li>



<li>Enhancing robot safety software to ensure exceptional performance before, during, and after adaptation processes.<br></li>



<li>Leveraging deep learning to actively mitigate uncertainties associated with robotic self-adaptation.<br></li>



<li>Guaranteeing the reliability of robotic systems as they learn to independently navigate and interact with their surroundings.</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-targeting-diverse-robotic-applications-with-robosapiens">Targeting diverse robotic applications with RoboSapiens</h2>



<p>RoboSapiens will explore these innovations through four diverse use-cases. These include autonomous ship navigation, collaborative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/should-robots-be-programmed-to-have-human-consciousness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human-robot</a> interactions, intra-warehouse robot navigation, and automated laptop refurbishment.</p>



<p>Mikkel Labori Olsen, a consultant at the <a href="https://www.dti.dk/specialists/robot-technology-and-automation/39709" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Centre for Robotics</a> at the Danish Technological Institute, expresses his excitement for the project's practical applications. He highlights the project's role in promoting sustainable manufacturing processes.</p>



<p>"Robots have helped increase production for decades. In our use-cases, we’ll take a closer look at how we can scale up circular processes using automated robots, thereby extending the lifespan of products instead of producing new ones," Olsen states. </p>



<p>Initially focusing on laptop refurbishment, including tasks like screen repairs, the project plans to progressively expand these efforts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-standards-for-autonomous-robot-improvement">New standards for autonomous robot improvement</h2>



<p>A key feature of RoboSapiens is its commitment to safety and continuous enhancement without the need for frequent recertification. </p>



<p>"We want robots to be able to gradually improve. We want to demonstrate that we can achieve sufficient safety without recertification, thereby ensure autonomy and that the robot adapts appropriately by using intelligent safety systems and control software," Larsen concluded.</p>



<p>This approach aims to diminish limitations and boost the robots' capability to adapt to complex and unexpected conditions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-robosapiens-and-the-future-of-robotics">RoboSapiens and the future of robotics</h2>



<p>In summary, the RoboSapiens project is set to revolutionize the field of robotics by developing adaptable, reliable, and safe robots that can navigate unprecedented situations and work seamlessly alongside humans. </p>



<p>By focusing on four key pillars of robotic advancement and exploring diverse applications, from autonomous ships to laptop refurbishment, the project aims to reduce limitations and increase robots' ability to adapt to unforeseen events and changes in their environment. </p>



<p>With the combined expertise of its partners and the vision of gradual improvement and intelligent safety systems, RoboSapiens paves the way for a new era in robotics, reshaping industries and unlocking new possibilities for the future.</p>



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RoboSapiens: AI is making industrial robots more 'free thinking'

In an era where automation is becoming increasingly integral to...

<p>A recent study led by the <a href="https://www.oslo-universitetssykehus.no/oslo-university-hospital" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oslo University Hospital</a> in Norway has suggested that engaging in mentally stimulating work may reduce the risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/understanding-memory-how-we-remember-traumatic-events/">memory</a> and thinking problems in later life. </p>



<p>The study does not establish that such work definitively prevents mild <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-americans-have-mild-cognitive-impairment-and-dont-know-it/">cognitive impairment</a>. However, the research indicates a significant association between cognitive stimulation at work and lower risks of these age-related issues.</p>



<p>“The cognitive reserve hypothesis posits that cognitively stimulating work delays the onset of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. However, the effect of occupational cognitive demands across midlife on the risk of these conditions is unclear,” wrote the study authors.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-job-related-cognitive-demands">Job-related cognitive demands</h2>



<p>The experts set out to analyze the impact of job-related cognitive demands on later life <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-for-the-aging-brain-mediterranean-diet-protects-cognitive-health/">cognitive health</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We examined the demands of various jobs and found that cognitive stimulation at work during different stages in life - during your 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s - was linked to a reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment after the age of 70,” explained lead author Trine Holt Edwin, a medical doctor and researcher at the Oslo University Hospital.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Our findings highlight the value of having a job that requires more complex thinking as a way to possibly maintain memory and thinking in old age.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-levels-of-cognitive-stimulation-at-work">Levels of cognitive stimulation at work</h2>



<p>The study encompassed 7,000 individuals and 305 different occupations across Norway, measuring the level of cognitive stimulation participants experienced in their professions. This included assessing tasks categorized as routine manual, routine cognitive, non-routine analytical, and non-routine interpersonal.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Routine manual tasks typically involve speed and repetitive motions, as seen in factory work, while routine cognitive tasks require precision in repetitive roles such as bookkeeping or filing.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Non-routine analytical tasks involve information analysis, creative thinking, and interpretation, necessary in fields like computer programming and public relations. Non-routine interpersonal tasks are focused on relationship management, motivation, and coaching.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cognitive-stimulation-across-various-professions">Cognitive stimulation across various professions</h2>



<p>Participants were grouped based on the cognitive demands of their jobs, with teachers frequently representing the group with the highest cognitive demands and mail carriers and custodians often representing the group with the lowest.</p>



<p>Following their 70th birthday, participants underwent tests to evaluate memory and cognitive abilities to determine if they had developed mild cognitive impairment. The findings showed that 42% of those in the lowest cognitive demand group were diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, compared to 27% in the highest group.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lowest-cognitive-stimulation-group-nbsp">Lowest cognitive stimulation group&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Adjusting for factors such as age, sex, education, income, and lifestyle, the scientists found that individuals in the lowest cognitive stimulation group had a 66% higher risk of mild <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-vision-cognitive-decline/">cognitive impairment</a> than those in the highest group.</p>



<p>“These results indicate that both education and doing work that challenges your brain during your career play a crucial role in lowering the risk of cognitive impairment later in life,” Edwin said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Further research is required to pinpoint the specific cognitively challenging occupational tasks that are most beneficial for maintaining thinking and memory skills.”</p>



<p>One limitation of the study is the potential variance within job roles, as individuals with the same job title may perform different tasks and experience varying levels of cognitive demands.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-benefits-of-cognitive-stimulation-nbsp">Health benefits of cognitive stimulation&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Cognitive stimulation offers several notable benefits, particularly for older adults and those dealing with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alarming-reality-one-in-four-americans-with-cognitive-impairment-lives-alone/">cognitive impairments</a>. Here are some of the key advantages:</p>



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



<p>Engaging in activities that challenge the brain can help maintain and even improve cognitive functions such as memory, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-delay-in-cognitive-decline">Delay in cognitive decline</h3>



<p>For individuals with mild cognitive impairment or early stages of dementia, cognitive stimulation can slow the progression of symptoms. This is crucial for maintaining independence and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/active-aging-physical-activity-has-a-direct-impact-on-life-quality/">quality of life</a>.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhanced-communication-skills">Enhanced communication skills</h3>



<p>Activities often involve social interaction and communication, which can enhance verbal skills and the ability to engage with others effectively.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increased-engagement-and-motivation">Increased engagement and motivation</h3>



<p>Cognitive stimulation activities can help reduce feelings of isolation or depression by keeping individuals engaged with their surroundings and other people.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotional-benefits">Emotional benefits</h3>



<p>Participating in stimulating activities can boost self-esteem and mood, providing a sense of accomplishment and pleasure.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-better-quality-of-life">Better quality of life</h3>



<p>By regularly participating in cognitive stimulation, individuals can enjoy a range of mental and emotional benefits that contribute to a more satisfying and independent life.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000209353" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Neurology</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Cognitive stimulation at work helps prevent memory problems 

A recent study led by the Oslo University Hospital in...

<p>Ever misplaced your keys or forgotten where you parked? Imagine if you had the remarkable memory of a mountain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chickadees-are-genetically-inclined-to-have-a-remarkable-memory/">chickadee</a>. Despite their small size, with brains just larger than a pea, these nimble birds masterfully remember the locations of tens of thousands of food caches.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Mountain chickadees hide seeds in tree bark, under dead leaves, and within pine cones throughout mountainous terrains. Their ability to recall these locations during the harsh winter months is crucial for their survival amid the cold and snow.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-remarkable-memory-of-mountain-chickadees-nbsp">Remarkable memory of mountain chickadees&nbsp;</h2>



<p>A research study led by the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado, Boulder</a> and the <a href="https://www.unr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Nevada, Reno</a> has identified nearly a hundred genes that are linked to the birds’ spatial memory, which is their ability to pinpoint and recall the locations of these hidden caches. </p>



<p>Furthermore, the experts suggest that there might be a trade-off between having robust <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-term-memory-starts-at-age-2-study-finds/">long-term memory</a> and the ability to quickly forget old memories to make room for new ones. This discovery has the potential to deepen our understanding of how spatial memory evolves not just in animals, but also in humans.</p>



<p>“Chickadees are impressive birds,” said senior author Scott Taylor, the director of CU Boulder’s Mountain Research Station and an associate professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“They can remember tens of thousands of locations where they cached food across an entire winter and a new set of those the next winter. Their spatial memory is much more developed than many other birds that don't have to have this strategy to survive cold winters.”</p>



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



<p>To assess how these birds manage such a feat, Taylor’s colleagues at the University of Nevada, Reno, led by biologist professor Vladimir Pravosudov, put together a creative test. They set up multiple feeder arrays in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, each consisting of eight bird feeders filled with seeds.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Each feeder was equipped with a gate that had a radio frequency reader capable of detecting a tag placed on the chickadees. The setup required the mountain chickadees to remember which feeders they could access as each gate was programmed to open only for certain birds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spatial-learning-among-mountain-chickadees-nbsp">Spatial learning among mountain chickadees&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Pravosudov’s team observed and recorded the number of times each bird visited the incorrect feeders before finding the right one. The underlying theory was that mountain chickadees with superior spatial memory capabilities would show a lower rate of errors.</p>



<p>Additionally, using blood samples, the scientists sequenced the genomes of 162 tagged chickadees, creating the largest dataset ever for exploring the genetic basis of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ravens-develop-sophisticated-cognitive-skills-by-the-age-of-four-months/">cognitive abilities</a> in chickadees.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetics-of-spatial-memory-in-birds">Genetics of spatial memory in birds</h2>



<p>By correlating the birds’ genetic information with their performance in the feeder test, the team identified 97 genes associated with the chickadees’ spatial learning and memory. Birds with specific genetic variants at these genes demonstrated fewer incorrect attempts before successfully locating their designated feeders.</p>



<p>According to co-author Sara Padula, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, a large proportion of these variants are linked to neuron formation in the hippocampus, a part of the brain that plays a fundamental role in learning and memory. “Understanding the genetic basis of this trait will allow us to understand how the trait evolves,” said Taylor.</p>



<p>Moreover, he pointed out that the common ancestor of all North American chickadees cached food. However, among the seven species of chickadees found today, two do not.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“They live in a milder environment where food is generally available year-round. Now that we know the gene regions that underlie spatial memory, we can look at what variation looks like in these species that have lost caching,” said Taylor.</p>



<p>“This study substantially advanced our understanding of the genetics of spatial memory in birds and behavioral genetics more broadly,” added co-author Georgy Semenov, a research associate in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-good-long-term-memory-may-have-a-disadvantage">Good long-term memory may have a disadvantage</h2>



<p>The research also highlighted a potential downside to having an excellent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/songbirds-rely-on-an-autism-gene-for-memorization/">memory</a>. After a few days of the initial task, Pravosudov’s team reassigned new feeders to the birds. Surprisingly, mountain chickadees that excelled in the initial tests struggled with adapting to the new feeders. They found it challenging to discard old memories and form new ones.</p>



<p>“In a more variable environment, what our collaborators found suggests that chickadees with good long-term memory may have a disadvantage. For example, if there is an unexpected snowstorm, these birds may keep trying to visit caches that have been buried in the snow, rather than forgetting them and looking for other caches,” Padula said.</p>



<p>As climate conditions continue to change, birds that can adapt quickly by forming new memories might have a better chance of survival. “Because of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-climate-change-happening-too-fast-for-birds-to-keep-up/">climate change</a>, we might expect these selective pressures that have been shaping chickadee’s special memory for thousands of years to shift significantly,” Taylor concluded.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2024.03.058" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Current Biology</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Mountain chickadees have an extraordinary memory

Ever misplaced your keys or forgotten where you parked? Imagine...

<p>Scientists have discovered a shocking new trait in some of the world's most common – and dangerous – <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-bacteria-have-very-clever-ways-of-supporting-human-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria</a>. Turns out, bacteria like <em>Salmonella</em> and <em>E. coli</em> have a taste for human blood, and they'll hunt it down like vampires.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bacterial-vampirism">Bacterial vampirism</h2>



<p>Researchers at <a href="https://wsu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington State University</a> have given this newly observed behavior the term "bacterial vampirism." This term illuminates how certain bacteria have an unusual ability to migrate from the gut, where they cause illnesses like food poisoning, into the bloodstream where they pose a much more serious threat.</p>



<p>These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/intestinal-bacteria-could-help-you-live-a-very-long-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria</a> demonstrate a remarkable capacity to detect serum, the liquid component of blood. Serum is a rich source of nutrients that bacteria thrive on. Even the smallest injury within the digestive system acts as an invitation for these bacteria to swarm towards it, allowing them to infiltrate the bloodstream. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-super-senses-of-vampire-bacteria">Super senses of vampire bacteria</h2>



<p>The research team, led by Professor Arden Baylink, found that these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/certain-gut-bacteria-lower-cholesterol-and-the-risk-of-heart-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria</a> are like microscopic sharks. They can detect the tiniest trace of blood, even minuscule amounts. </p>



<p>"Bacteria infecting the bloodstream can be lethal," explained Professor Baylink. "We learned some of the bacteria that most commonly cause bloodstream infections actually sense a chemical in human blood and swim toward it."</p>



<p>Bacteria have ways to sense their environment. They have special proteins on their surfaces that act like tiny receptors. These receptors help bacteria detect various things, like chemicals in their surroundings that might signal sources of food or danger.</p>



<p>The bacteria analyzed in this study have a specific protein receptor that is designed to pick up on traces of blood (more specifically, serum, the liquid part of blood).</p>



<p>This receptor acts like a nose for the bacteria. It picks up the chemical signals from the blood and guides the bacteria toward the source. Think of it like a shark detecting a few drops of blood in the ocean and swimming towards it.</p>



<p>Imagine the chemicals in blood leaving a faint trail. The bacteria, using their specialized receptor, can follow that trail right to the injury where the blood is leaking into the gut.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-vampire-bacteria-for-new-cures">Using vampire bacteria for new cures</h2>



<p>By uncovering the mechanism behind how bacteria find their way into the bloodstream, scientists can now develop new strategies to prevent these infections.</p>



<p>"By learning how these bacteria are able to detect sources of blood, in the future we could develop new drugs that block this ability. These medicines could improve the lives and health of people with inflammatory bowel disease who are at high risk for bloodstream infections," noted study co-author and PhD student Siena Glenn.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-vampire-bacteria">Significance of vampire bacteria</h2>



<p>You might be wondering why it's particularly important that bacteria like <em>E. coli</em> and <em>Salmonella</em> can target blood for nutrients especially given that these bacteria are commonly found in the human gut. </p>



<p>Normally, when these bacteria cause food poisoning, the body's immune system is typically able to fight them off relatively efficiently. The symptoms, while unpleasant, are usually not life-threatening and tend to resolve with time.</p>



<p>However, the scenario changes drastically if these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/christensenella-minuta-gut-bacteria-linked-obesity-different-men-women/">bacteria</a> manage to enter the bloodstream. When <em>E. coli</em> and <em>Salmonella</em> transition from the gut to the bloodstream, they bypass many of the body's natural defense mechanisms. </p>



<p>These defenses are primarily localized to the gastrointestinal tract. In the gut, the immune system is well-equipped to handle invaders through a combination of physical barriers, chemical secretions, and immune cells that target and eliminate pathogens. </p>



<p>Once bacteria enter the bloodstream, these localized defenses are no longer effective. This allows the bacteria to spread more freely and potentially cause more severe health issues.</p>



<p>In the bloodstream, these bacteria can spread throughout the body, potentially leading to systemic infections that are much more severe and difficult to treat.</p>



<p>This is particularly risky for individuals with chronic intestinal conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. These conditions are characterized by inflammation and sometimes ulceration of the gut lining, which can compromise the integrity of the intestinal barrier. </p>



<p>Small lesions or microscopic tears in the gut — which might be inconsequential in a healthy individual — can act as portals for bacteria to escape from the gut and enter the bloodstream.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-threatening-response">Life-threatening response </h2>



<p>For someone with Crohn's or ulcerative colitis, these microscopic breaches in the gut lining are far from benign. They provide potential entry points for opportunistic bacteria that otherwise remain confined to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-gut-microbiome-is-shaped-by-what-we-eat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gut</a>. </p>



<p>Once in the bloodstream, these "bloodthirsty" bacteria can exploit the nutrient-rich environment to multiply and spread, leading to a dangerous condition known as sepsis. </p>



<p>Sepsis is a life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death if not promptly and effectively treated.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-protect-yourself">How to protect yourself</h2>



<p>While you can't stop these bacteria from living in your gut (and sometimes they're even helpful), here are some important tips:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cook-food-thoroughly">Cook food thoroughly</h3>



<p>Bacteria like <em>Salmonella</em> and <em>E. coli</em> often cause food poisoning. Proper cooking destroys these harmful bacteria.</p>



<p> Use a food thermometer to ensure meats, poultry, and eggs reach their recommended internal temperatures before eating. This is especially important to avoid getting these bacteria into your system.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-see-your-doctor">See your doctor</h3>



<p>If you have a chronic gut condition like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, your gut lining may be more susceptible to small injuries or lesions. These create an opening for bacteria to enter your bloodstream, potentially leading to serious complications like sepsis. </p>



<p>Your doctor can help you understand your specific risks and provide guidance on managing your gut health to minimize potential complications.</p>



<p>While the idea of "vampire bacteria" might give you the creeps, this knowledge is power. Scientists are getting the upper hand, and that means new treatments and prevention strategies could be on the way. </p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://elifesciences.org/reviewed-preprints/93178v2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eLife</a>.</p>



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Common gut bacteria behave like vampires to target human blood

Scientists have discovered a shocking new trait in some of...

<p>Honey bees - those buzzing dynamos that pollinate our food - are in trouble. Despite decades of study, scientists couldn't quite crack the code of why bee colonies are <a href="https://www.earth.com/search-results/?search=Honey%20bees&amp;start=0">collapsing</a>. A new study is shedding light on this mystery by revealing multiple stressors that honey bees encounter on a typical day in the field.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-network-of-honey-bee-stressors">Complex network of honey bee stressors</h2>



<p>New research from <a href="https://www.yorku.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">York University</a> indicates that honey bees are not afflicted by a lone stressor, but rather an interconnected web of threats.</p>



<p>"Our study is the first to apply systems level or network analyses to honey bee stressors at a massive scale. I think this represents a paradigm shift in the field because we have been so focussed on finding the one big thing, the smoking gun," said Professor Amro Zayed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-relentless-barrage-of-stressors">Relentless barrage of stressors</h2>



<p>The study broadened its scope to expose the vast network of stressors confronting honey bees. Consider their work environment: fields bursting with apples, canola, blueberries, and other crops. </p>



<p>These bees encounter a relentless barrage of stressors, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bees-cannot-fly-straight-after-ingesting-pesticides/">pesticides</a>, viruses, parasites, and unpredictable environmental changes. </p>



<p>The result of this exposure is a complex and harmful entanglement, where any single stressor has the potential to intensify the impact of others.</p>



<p>The researchers uncovered a startling reality: honey bees grapple with an average of 23 stressors simultaneously. </p>



<p>This translates into a staggering 307 potential interactions, all with the capacity to undermine their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bee-virus-has-evolved-to-become-less-deadly-in-a-u-s-forest/">health</a>. Furthermore, certain stressors emerge as particularly influential, further compounding the damage.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-influencer-stressors-for-honey-bees">Influencer stressors for honey bees</h2>



<p>The researchers call them "influencer stressors." Just like social media influencers, certain viruses and pesticides are the ringleaders, making other stressors even nastier.</p>



<p>"Understanding which stressors co-occur and are likely to interact is profoundly important to unraveling how they are impacting the health and mortality of honey bee colonies," noted study lead author Sarah French.</p>



<p>"There have been a lot of studies about major pesticides, but in this research, we also saw a lot of minor pesticides that we don’t usually think about or study. We also found a lot of viruses that beekeepers don’t typically test for or manage. Seeing the influencer stressors interact with all these other stressors, whether it be mites, other pesticides or viruses, was not only interesting, but surprising."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-identifying-honey-bee-stressors">Significance of identifying honey bee stressors</h2>



<p>Honey bees play an indispensable role in our food production and economy, making their protection a significant concern. </p>



<p>These small <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honeybee-pollination-produces-plant-offspring-vastly-inferior-to-plants-pollinated-by-other-species/">pollinators</a> are vital for the fertilization of many crop species, contributing to the diversity and availability of fruits, vegetables, and nuts. </p>



<p>Without honey bees, many of the foods we take for granted could become scarce and more expensive. The economic impact is profound; honey bees add billions of dollars to global economies through their pollination services. In the U.S. alone, they contribute over $15 billion to the value of crop production.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colony-collapse-disorder">Colony collapse disorder</h2>



<p>The urgency to understand and protect honey bees from their stressors is underscored by the troubling rates at which colonies are declining. </p>



<p>This decline, often referred to as Colony Collapse Disorder, is marked by the mysterious and sudden disappearance of worker bees from a colony, leaving behind a queen, food, and a few nurse bees to care for the remaining immature bees. </p>



<p>Despite extensive research, the precise causes of these die-offs remain elusive, complicating efforts to devise effective interventions.</p>



<p>The situation is dire; some regions report winter losses of up to 60 percent of their bee colonies. These losses are not just numbers; they represent a significant threat to biodiversity, food security, and agricultural economies. </p>



<p>The causes of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bee-lifespans-are-mysteriously-declining/">bee decline</a> are believed to be multifaceted, involving a combination of environmental stressors such as pesticides, habitat loss, climate change, nutrition deficit, parasites, and pathogens like the Varroa mite and viral diseases. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications">Broader implications</h2>



<p>Each of these stressors alone is a threat, but in combination, they can lead to devastating effects on honey bee populations.</p>



<p>Understanding the complex interactions between these stressors and developing strategies to mitigate them is crucial. It also maintains the health of natural ecosystems by supporting the growth of trees, flowers, and other plants. </p>



<p>Therefore, protecting honey bees is not merely an act of environmental stewardship—it is a critical necessity for sustaining our natural resources and agriculture.</p>



<p>Hope isn't lost. The study is part of a larger project called BEECSI, which uses 'omics' tools to help beekeepers assess bee health. The more we understand about these complex webs of stressors, the better we can protect these vital pollinators.</p>



<p>So, the next time you munch an apple or admire a field of wildflowers, remember the incredible hard workers behind them, and the fascinating (if somewhat stressful!) world they navigate.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(24)00379-8">Current Biology</a></em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Honey bees face a multitude of complex stressors in the field

Honey bees - those buzzing dynamos that pollinate our food...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the opposite.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-contrasting-climate-response">A contrasting climate response</h2>



<p>Most coastal towns are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-land-will-intensify-the-effects-of-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preparing for higher sea levels</a>, but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-no-longer-has-to-worry-about-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland presents</a> a different scenario during climate change. The ground there is rising at a remarkable rate. Over the past decade, some areas have lifted about 20 centimeters, which translates to roughly 2 meters per century. This rate significantly exceeds current projections for sea level rise.</p>



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



<p>The mechanism behind this phenomenon is straightforward. As the ice sheet melts, the immense weight is removed from the bedrock, causing the land to rebound upward. This process resembles the way compressed material springs back when pressure is released.</p>



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



<p>Researchers at the <a href="https://www.dtu.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Denmark</a> are documenting this uplift using the GNET network, consisting of 61 GPS stations positioned around Greenland's coast. These sensors can detect movement with millimeter precision, providing detailed measurements of the ongoing changes.</p>



<p>The data reveal that current uplift rates exceed the gradual rebound occurring since the last ice age ended approximately 12,000 years ago. This acceleration corresponds directly with increased ice sheet melting rates.</p>



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



<p>This uplift is actively reshaping Greenland's coastline. New islands and rocky formations, called "skerries," are emerging as previously submerged land surfaces rise above the water level. This represents a notable contrast to global concerns about rising seas.</p>



<p>The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, demonstrates the varied regional impacts of climate change. While many locations face rising water levels, Greenland's bedrock is literally rising above the surrounding seas.</p>



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to implement the latest AI Agent building platform.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-agent-training-transforms-the-workplace-fear-factor-into-a-competitive-advantage">AI agent training transforms the workplace 'fear factor' into a competitive advantage</h2>



<p>Organizations that offer comprehensive artificial intelligence training to their workers find remarkable value that extends well beyond basic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-wandering-might-be-more-productive-than-you-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">productivity improvements</a>. Emerging research demonstrates that carefully crafted AI training programs <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-does-not-replace-human-creativity-but-enhances-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enhance</a> corporate performance, lower operational costs, and dramatically improve employee psychological well-being by turning workplace uncertainty into professional empowerment.</p>



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



<p>A staggering 53% of employees expressed concern that the use of AI tools to automate work tasks could make them appear disposable to their employers, according to <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft</a>'s 2024 workplace survey. Such pervasive worry about being substituted by machines has caused what researchers have termed "AI technostress" – a psychological state that can result in occupational burnout and poorer mental well-being.</p>



<p>Data published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a> showed that belief in AI learning ability was a moderator in the link between technology adoption and work pressure, and higher confidence significantly lowered negative psychological responses. Workers provided ample training to become competent with AI software have significantly lower stress.</p>



<p>Companies like <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a> have platforms for building what are known as "AI Agents".  In essence, AI Agents are simply tools that employees can build for themselves or their teams quickly and inexpensively.   MindStudio will even train entire companies, from the CEO on down, at no cost. By letting MindStudio empower employees, companies avoid hiring more IT staff, buying more software, and implementing solutions to problems that do not exist.</p>



<p>MindStudio even has partners locally for companies, like <a href="http://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dominnus</a> with offices in the Carolinas, California, and Denver, to help build AI Agents and support employees as they become resident AI experts for their organization.  The training provided by MindStudio is applicable across other AI Agent building platforms as well.</p>



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



<p>Organizations that implement large-scale AI training programs achieve dramatic outcomes. Employees performed tasks significantly better when they utilized AI support compared to when they didn't, according to <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nielsen Norman Group</a> research findings. Their study documented productivity increases of 66% for a variety of professional tasks.</p>



<p>Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis research finds workers record 33% higher productivity in time working with generative AI tools. The benefit is equivalent to 5.4% of work time savings for AI users – around 2.2 hours per week for full-time workers.</p>



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



<p>The emotional transformation when employees are provided with proper technology training is a fundamental transformation from fear to professional confidence. A survey of 600 employees across industries, carried out by ScienceDirect, proved that AI capabilities strengthen work environment commitment and improve job satisfaction.</p>



<p>A <a href="https://www.lut.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LUT University</a> study discovered that AI adoption has no direct effect on workers' well-being but does so indirectly through working conditions like task optimization and safety protocols. Strategically deployed AI that involves correct training can actually increase workplace mental well-being.</p>



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



<p>Although 35% of those interviewed in recent McKinsey studies were concerned about workforce displacement, firms with large-scale training initiatives witness such fears dissipate quickly. The World Economic Forum found that two out of three respondents believe AI competencies will enhance their career prospects and job marketability.</p>



<p>This shift from fear to trust has measurable implications for job satisfaction. Applied Sciences research indicates AI can create tailored wellness programs based on individual employee requirements.</p>



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



<p>The mental health advantages of AI learning have a direct impact on organizational bottom lines in the form of a positive feedback cycle with high retention of employees. Recent ROI research validates that artificial intelligence learning has a beneficial impact on employee turnover and satisfaction levels.</p>



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



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



<p>AI training has unforeseen environmental benefits as it makes the work environment more efficient. According to a study in Scientific Reports, the carbon footprint in writing and illustrating work is significantly lower when AI performs it compared to humans. AI software produces 130 to 1,500 times less CO2 equivalent per page of text created than human authors.</p>



<p>In addition, AI-driven remote work functionality significantly reduces environmental impact. Research by Cornell University and Microsoft indicates that remote workers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 54% by not commuting daily to offices. Hybrid workers working remotely two to four days a week can reduce their carbon footprint by 11% to 29%.</p>



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



<p>The compounding gains of better mental well-being, reduced turnover, increased productivity, and environmental benefits flow to enterprises from the pairing. McKinsey analysis estimates the long-term AI potential at $4.4 trillion in incremental productivity growth opportunity from business use cases.</p>



<p>As of now, 75% of knowledge workers globally utilize generative AI, mirroring widespread adoption patterns. Organizations that provide organized training and assistance see the most favorable results in productivity, worker satisfaction, and ecological sustainability.</p>



<p>The research overwhelmingly indicates that companies that invest in proper AI education, like that offered through <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a>, establish win-win scenarios where employees are both more empowered and less stressed, and companies enjoy the gains of increased productivity, reduced turnover, and improved mental health outcomes throughout their workforce.</p>



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



<p>The research was published across a variety of peer-reviewed journals, including <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a>, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence</a>, and <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci">Applied Sciences</a>.</p>



<p id="block-9bd989d6-2fd3-4580-957f-6cacce134f08">-----</p>



<p id="block-eff5dea3-a9bb-40b5-a923-e5a9978bc0e2">Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



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<p id="block-1f9a227a-ec37-4140-81b8-ffa4a7cc6689">-----</p>



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-natural-solution-to-disease-through-crop-modification">A natural solution to disease through crop modification.</h2>



<p>The agricultural industry stands at a crossroads between productivity and environmental responsibility, and crop modification often carries a negative connotation. While chemical pesticides have long been the go-to solution for crop protection, their harmful effects on ecosystems and human health have prompted scientists to seek alternatives. The recent breakthrough by <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a> researchers offers a promising path forward through the precise manipulation of plant-associated microbial communities.</p>



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



<p>Plants naturally harbor diverse ecosystems of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that function as biological allies. These microscopic partners contribute to disease resistance, nutrient absorption, and stress tolerance. However, until now, scientists lacked the tools to deliberately reshape these communities to enhance crop protection.</p>



<p>The Southampton team's approach centered on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/engineered-plant-microbiomes-the-future-of-crop-protection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modifying lignin biosynthesis genes in rice plants</a>. This strategic intervention altered the plant's metabolic output, creating conditions that favored beneficial bacterial populations while suppressing harmful ones. The result was a living defense system embedded within the plant itself.</p>



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



<p>The successful demonstration against Xanthomonas oryzae, the pathogen responsible for bacterial blight in rice, represents more than a laboratory achievement. Rice feeds nearly half the world's population, and bacterial blight causes devastating crop losses annually. Traditional control methods rely heavily on pesticides that contaminate soil and water systems.</p>



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



<p>While disease protection represents the immediate application, the research framework opens doors to broader agricultural improvements. Future developments could engineer microbiomes to enhance nutrient uptake, reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. This dual benefit addresses both crop productivity and environmental sustainability.</p>



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



<p>As this technology advances from laboratory to field applications, it promises to reshape sustainable agriculture. The ability to program plants with their own biological defense systems could herald a new era where crops protect themselves naturally, reducing chemical inputs while maintaining yields necessary for global food security.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44335-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4 Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease A natural...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVywlgRJXsc
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Some children read facial expressions when making food choices.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-people-s-reactions-influence-children-s-eating-habits">Other people's reactions influence children's eating habits</h2>



<p>Many children are finicky eaters, but research explains how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-learned-why-so-many-kids-dislike-vegetables/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">watching others eat and social modeling</a> influence the eating habits of children.</p>



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



<p>Researchers at <a href="https://www.aston.ac.uk/hls/school-of-psychology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aston University School of Psychology</a> have published findings in Frontiers in Psychology that illuminate the neurobiological foundations of food preference development through observational learning. The investigation employed controlled video stimuli featuring adults consuming raw broccoli while displaying systematically varied facial expressions to measure participant responses.</p>



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



<p>The research, conducted with 204 female participants, revealed a pronounced asymmetry in social modeling effects. Negative facial expressions during vegetable consumption significantly diminished observer food preference ratings, while positive expressions failed to produce corresponding increases in vegetable appeal. This finding challenges conventional assumptions about the bidirectional nature of social influence in dietary behavior formation.</p>



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



<p>Dr. Katie Edwards and her research team propose that these results reflect adaptive mechanisms developed through evolutionary processes. The heightened sensitivity to disgust expressions likely functions as a protective system, enabling individuals to identify potentially harmful foods through social cues without direct risk exposure.</p>



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



<p>These findings carry substantial implications for pediatric nutrition interventions and family meal dynamics. The research suggests that parental expressions of distaste during vegetable consumption may inadvertently reinforce children's existing food aversions through unconscious social transmission pathways.</p>



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



<p>The study establishes a foundation for expanded investigation into real-time social modeling effects and cross-demographic applicability. Researchers emphasize the necessity for longitudinal studies examining actual consumption behaviors rather than preference ratings alone, particularly within family contexts where social learning occurs most frequently.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>



<p></p>

Social modeling affects our food choices

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVywlgRJXsc Some children read facial expressions when making food choices....

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JynHpMaNO8A
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chaotic cancer protein finally controlled after decades of mystery</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cancer-causing-protein-bound-and-blocked">Cancer-causing protein bound and blocked</h2>



<p>In a discovery that can one day revolutionize cancer treatment, researchers at the <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Riverside</a> have successfully developed a means of controlling MYC, a notoriously slippery protein that causes approximately <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chaotic-protein-that-fuels-75-of-cancers-can-be-controlled/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">75% of all cancers in humans</a>.</p>



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



<p>MYC presents a unique challenge when studying cancer. Normally, this protein plays a vital role in healthy cells. It carefully controls transcription - the process that converts genetic information from DNA and RNA into proteins.</p>



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



<p>Professor Min Xue, who led the research team, explains it simply: "MYC is less like food for cancer cells and more like a steroid. It drives cancer's aggressive growth." This superactive behavior makes MYC involved in three out of every four cancer cases.</p>



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



<p>Despite its clear role in cancer, targeting MYC has been one of medicine's biggest challenges. The main problem lies in MYC's unusual structure - or rather, its complete lack of structure.</p>



<p>Professor Xue describes the protein as "basically a glob of randomness." This means conventional drug discovery methods don't work. These traditional approaches rely on sharply defined protein structures. MYC simply doesn't have one.</p>



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



<p>The UCR research team developed a clever solution. They designed a special peptide molecule that could selectively bind to MYC. More importantly, this peptide could block MYC's destructive activity.</p>



<p>The key was fine-tuning two specific features: the peptide's stiffness and its shape. Through careful adjustments, researchers achieved something remarkable. They reached "sub-micro-molar affinity" - meaning their peptide binds as strongly as antibodies do.</p>



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



<p>This accomplishment represents a major leap beyond previous attempts. The researchers enhanced their peptide's binding strength by two orders of magnitude. This dramatic improvement brings the work significantly closer to practical drug development goals.</p>



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



<p>The researchers are presently optimizing peptide-delivery systems based on lipid nanoparticles that deliver the peptide effectively into cancer cells. The<a href="https://www.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> National Institutes of Health</a> and the <a href="https://www.defense.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Department of Defense</a> funded the study, which appeared in the Journal of the <a href="https://www.acs.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Chemical Society</a>.<br>This research offers renewed hope against cancer, and it can potentially open a door to more effective cancer therapies for most cancer patients worldwide.</p>



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<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



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The protein that fuels 3 out of 4 cancers has been controlled

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JynHpMaNO8A Chaotic cancer protein finally controlled after decades of mystery...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em>Current Biology</em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Veg4HmmRVZY
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Our bodies hits two 'aging cliffs' at these ages.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientists-map-exact-ages-when-your-body-rapidly-ages">Scientists Map Exact Ages When Your Body Rapidly Ages</h2>



<p>Scientists have <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-bodies-begin-breaking-down-two-very-precise-ages/#google_vignette">discovered that aging</a> isn't the gradual, steady process many assume it to be. Instead, researchers from Stanford Medicine have found that our bodies undergo dramatic molecular changes at two specific ages: 44 and 60. This research, published in Nature Aging, reveals that aging happens in sudden bursts rather than smooth transitions.</p>



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



<p>The Stanford study tracked over 135,000 different molecules and microbes in 108 participants aged 25 to 75 over several years. Results showed that 81% of all molecules studied exhibited non-linear changes, meaning they shifted dramatically at certain ages rather than changing gradually over time.</p>



<p>Michael Snyder, chair of genetics at Stanford School of Medicine and the study's senior author, noted significant findings. "We're not just changing gradually over time; there are some really dramatic changes. It turns out the mid-40s is a time of dramatic change, as is the early 60s. And that's true no matter what class of molecules you look at."</p>



<p>The first wave of changes occurs around age 44, affecting molecules related to alcohol metabolism, caffeine processing, lipid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/age-related-changes-in-metabolism-dont-match-our-expectations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metabolism</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-disease-remains-the-leading-cause-of-death-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular disease</a>, and skin and muscle function. The second wave hits around age 60, involving changes in carbohydrate metabolism, immune regulation, kidney function, and again cardiovascular and muscle health.</p>



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



<p>During the mid-40s transformation, researchers observed significant changes in how the body processes alcohol and fats. This period often coincides with increased stress levels in many people's lives, potentially contributing to lifestyle factors that accelerate these molecular shifts.</p>



<p>"It's possible some of these changes could be tied to lifestyle or behavioral factors that cluster at these age groups, rather than being driven by biological factors," Snyder explained. For instance, alcohol metabolism dysfunction might result from increased consumption during the typically stressful mid-40s period.</p>



<p>The changes at age 60 are perhaps less surprising, as this is when many age-related diseases begin to manifest more prominently. The molecular shifts affect immune function and kidney health, both critical for maintaining overall wellness as we enter our senior years.</p>



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



<p>Recent 2025 studies have validated these findings. Research examining tissue samples from 76 people found similar aging patterns, noting an "inflection point" between ages 45 and 55.</p>



<p>Scientists discovered that blood vessels, particularly the aorta, age fastest among all body tissues. This vascular aging may drive aging in other body parts, highlighting cardiovascular health's central role in the aging process.</p>



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



<p>The Stanford research revealed that these aging bursts affect our microbiome – the trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi living in and on our bodies. These microbial communities undergo substantial shifts during both aging periods, potentially affecting everything from digestion to immune function.</p>



<p>Additionally, researchers found that protein production and gene expression begin to fall out of sync as we age. This breakdown in cellular communication becomes especially pronounced during the two aging waves, contributing to the accumulation of damaged proteins associated with diseases such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alzheimers-may-not-be-brain-disorder-important-data-was-fabricated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer's</a>.</p>



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



<p>Understanding these aging patterns has important implications for healthcare strategies. Research suggests that people should pay particular attention to their health during their 40s and 60s, when these dramatic molecular changes occur.</p>



<p>Snyder emphasized the importance of proactive health measures. "I'm a big believer that we should try to adjust our lifestyles while we're still healthy," he noted. This might include increasing exercise to protect heart health and maintain muscle mass, or reducing alcohol consumption in the 40s as the body's ability to metabolize it declines.</p>



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



<p>Aging research has seen notable advances in 2025. Harvard Medical School scientists developed chemical cocktails that reverse cellular aging without genetic modification. These six combinations restored aged cells to youthfulness in under a week, offering safer alternatives to gene therapy.</p>



<p>Researchers identified new biomarkers like "InflammAge," a saliva-based test measuring chronic inflammation associated with aging. This non-invasive approach could change how we monitor aging and intervention.</p>



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



<p>Emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, cellular reprogramming, and senolytic therapies, are opening new possibilities for extending healthspan. Companies develop treatments targeting aging's fundamental mechanisms rather than just managing age-related diseases.</p>



<p>The Stanford findings provide a roadmap for implementing preventive measures. Rather than waiting for symptoms, people can prepare for and potentially mitigate these predictable aging waves.</p>



<p>As aging understanding evolves, one thing becomes clear: aging isn't inevitable decline, but specific biological events we may learn to prevent or reverse. The key is recognizing when these transitions occur and taking proactive health steps during vulnerable periods.</p>



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



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Scientists discover we age in bursts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Veg4HmmRVZY Our bodies hits two 'aging cliffs' at these ages....

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqlF0XKzHY4
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The hidden science behind tickling.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientists-discover-the-brain-s-tickling-command-center">Scientists discover the brain's 'tickling command center'</h2>



<p>Researchers have finally solved one of humanity's most enduring mysteries: why we can't <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/after-centuries-of-debate-we-still-dont-know-how-tickling-works/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tickle</a> ourselves and what makes some people incredibly ticklish while others barely react? Recent scientific discoveries are revolutionizing our understanding of this peculiar human behavior.</p>



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



<p>In 2023, Dr. Michael Brecht's team at <a href="https://www.hu-berlin.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humboldt University</a>-<a href="https://www.hu-berlin.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berlin</a> made a major discovery published in the <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(22)01991-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">journal <em>Neuron</em></a>. They identified the brain's actual "tickling command center" – specific neurons in a region called the periaqueductal gray that control both tickling responses and play behavior.</p>



<p>When researchers used cutting-edge optogenetic technology to shut down these neurons in laboratory rats, something remarkable happened. The animals completely lost their ability to be tickled or engage in playful behavior.</p>



<p>"We found that global blockade of the rat periaqueductal gray with either muscimol or lidocaine interfered with ticklishness and play," the research team reported in their study.</p>



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



<p>What we call "tickling" is two completely different phenomena, according to the latest research. Light tickling – that feathery sensation that makes you want to scratch – is essentially your body's sophisticated bug detection system. This alerts you to potential insects or parasites on your skin.</p>



<p>Deep tickling – the kind that makes you laugh uncontrollably – involves complex brain circuits and is fundamentally social. You literally cannot tickle yourself with this type of stimulation.</p>



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



<p>Your cerebellum acts like a prediction machine, recent findings show. When you move your own hand to touch yourself, your brain generates precise predictions about what you will feel and then cancels out the tickling sensation through neural inhibition.</p>



<p>When someone else tickles you, your brain can't predict their movements, so the full tickling response activates. It's like your brain's way of distinguishing between self and others.</p>



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



<p>Individual differences in ticklishness depend on genetics, psychology, and even trust. Dr. Xinzhong Dong at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins University</a> notes that people with denser nerve endings tend to be more sensitive.</p>



<p>Psychological factors matter just as much. You respond more strongly when tickled by people you trust, and anxiety completely shuts down tickling responses. This explains why the same physical stimulus can produce completely different reactions depending on who's doing the tickling.</p>



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



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



<p>Dr. Konstantina Kilteni's 2025 research, published in <em><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adt0350" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a></em>, reveals another technique: place your hand on the tickler's hand. This allows your brain to partially predict the sensations, reducing the tickling response by up to 90 percent.</p>



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



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



<p>From an evolutionary perspective, tickling serves vital functions according to <a href="https://www.umd.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maryland</a> researcher Dr. Robert Provine's extensive studies. It trains our defense reflexes for vulnerable body areas and facilitates social bonding between family members.</p>



<p>Tickling-induced laughter is actually one of the first forms of communication between infants and caregivers. "Tickle involves a neurological self/nonself discrimination, providing the most primitive social scenario," Provine noted in his research.</p>



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



<p>Research shows people with autism spectrum disorder perceive touches as more ticklish than people without the condition. Investigating this difference could provide insight into brain differences and help advance autism research.</p>



<p>People with schizophrenia tend to experience self-touches similarly to external tickles, allowing them to essentially tickle themselves. This suggests altered sensory prediction mechanisms in the condition.</p>



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



<p>Scientists have discovered that many species beyond humans are ticklish. Rats emit ultrasonic "laughs" when tickled, while chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans all respond to tickling stimulation.</p>



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



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



<p>Dr. Kilteni argues that tickling research deserves more scientific attention. "It is a complex interplay of motor, social, neurological, developmental, and evolutionary aspects," she stated in her recent review.</p>



<p>New haptic technologies and advanced research methodologies now permit scientists to investigate tickle sensation with unprecedented precision. Standardized experimental methods using mechanical tickling devices ensure consistent results across studies.</p>



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



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Scientists solve the mystery of tickling

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqlF0XKzHY4 The hidden science behind tickling. Scientists discover the brain's...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elr4948_uOU
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dr. Ronald Mallett from the University of Connecticut reveals secret mission to create working time travel device.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-could-an-equation-truly-bend-time-a-physicist-s-decades-long-quest-to-rewrite-reality">Could an equation truly bend time? A physicist's decades-long quest to rewrite reality</h2>



<p>Imagine the impossible: stepping back through time in a time machine, not in fantasy, but through a scientific endeavor driven by profound personal loss. For <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astrophysicist-says-hes-cracked-the-equation-for-time-travel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Ronald Mallett</a>, a distinguished astrophysicist and professor emeritus at the <a href="https://uconn.edu/">University of Connecticut</a>, this deeply human longing has fueled a lifelong mission. He claims to have discovered the equation that could unlock temporal displacement, pushing boundaries once deemed purely science fiction.</p>



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



<p>Mallett's extraordinary pursuit began with devastating tragedy in 1955. At merely 10 years old, he endured his father Boyd's sudden death—a television repairman whose passion for science had ignited a similar spark in his young son. Boyd Mallett, only 33, succumbed to a heart attack, leaving behind a grief-stricken child searching for solace.</p>



<p>That solace came through H.G. Wells' <em>The Time Machine</em>. Within its pages, Mallett found a captivating concept: "Time is only a kind of Space." These words transformed from a literary phrase into a guiding principle, becoming the driving force behind his unwavering commitment to unraveling time's fundamental mysteries.</p>



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



<p>Mallett's journey was far from straightforward. After serving in the Air Force during the Vietnam War era, he utilized the GI Bill for higher education, earning his Ph.D. in physics from Pennsylvania State University in 1973 at the age of 28.</p>



<p>In 1975, he made history as the first African American professor in the University of Connecticut's physics department, achieving full professorship in 1987 before retiring in 2024 as professor emeritus.</p>



<p>Throughout these successful academic years, Mallett harbored his radical ambition as a closely guarded secret. "I kept my time travel goal a secret," he confessed. "I worried people would think I was nuts." His public research centered on black holes, serving as a "cover story" while he quietly developed his revolutionary time travel theory.</p>



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



<p>His pivotal insight arrived while hospitalized for a heart condition—a profound irony given his father's heart attack started this journey. The breakthrough was elegantly simple yet revolutionary: "If gravity can bend time, and light can create gravity, then light can bend time."</p>



<p>"It turns out that black holes can create a gravitational field that could lead to the creation of time loops that could allow us to go back in time," he explained.</p>



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



<p>Mallett's vision for a functioning time machine replicates spacetime-warping phenomena around black holes. He offers a compelling analogy: "Picture a cup of coffee. Stir it with a spoon, and the coffee swirls. A spinning black hole does the same to spacetime."</p>



<p>In Einstein's general relativity, the universe is a dynamic fabric woven from space and time. Massive objects like black holes warp this fabric—an effect we perceive as gravity. Mallett theorizes that an intense, continuous, circulating beam of light from a ring of powerful lasers could replicate this gravitational torsion, effectively twisting time into a loop.</p>



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



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



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



<p>Mallett's research has gained worldwide media attention, featured on <a href="https://www.thisamericanlife.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Public Radio's <em>This American Life</em></a>, the <a href="https://www.history.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History Channel</a>, and <a href="https://www.today.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBC's <em>Today Show</em></a>. The widespread interest reflects both his compelling personal story and rigorous scientific approach.</p>



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



<p>While Mallett's equations captivate imagination, the path to reality faces immense obstacles. The energy requirement is staggering—Mallett acknowledges needing "galactic amounts of energy," far beyond current technological capabilities.</p>



<p>There's also a poignant limitation: even if realized, his machine could only send information back to when it was first activated, meaning it couldn't transport him to 1955 to prevent his father's death.</p>



<p>The scientific community remains skeptical. Physicists Ken Olum and Allen Everett argue that Mallett's proposed laser ring would need to be larger than the observable universe to achieve the necessary spacetime distortion. They invoke Stephen Hawking's chronology protection conjecture, suggesting physics may prevent macroscopic time travel.</p>



<p>Astrophysicist Paul Sutter has voiced doubts about Mallett's underlying mathematics, while science writer Brian Clegg finds the concept intriguing enough to warrant experimental investigation.</p>



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



<p>Now approaching 80, Dr. Mallett remains steadfast. "I believe my work will show time travel is possible," he asserts. "Future generations will build on it in ways we can't yet imagine."</p>



<p>His equations, though yet to physically bend time, have bent our collective imagination. Ongoing public interest, evidenced by his continued media appearances and Spike Lee's film adaptation of his memoir, underscores his ideas' profound impact.</p>



<p>More than a scientific pursuit, Mallett's story testifies to human resilience, intellectual courage, and hope's enduring power. Whether his theoretical time machine ever materializes, his legacy is immeasurable—inspiring countless individuals to challenge conventional limits and perceive time not as an unyielding barrier, but as a boundless frontier awaiting exploration.</p>



<p></p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Retired professor claims he solved time travel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elr4948_uOU Dr. Ronald Mallett from the University of Connecticut reveals...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-don-t-we-ever-hear-about-acid-rain-anymore-the-environmental-crisis-that-was-solved">Why don't we ever hear about "acid rain" anymore? The environmental crisis that was solved</h2>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

The environmental problem we actually solved

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

<p>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. </p>



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



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https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
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<p>Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. </p>



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



<p>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. </p>



<p>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).</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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>.</p>

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p><em>Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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



<p>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;</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>“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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>“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;</p>



<p>“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.”</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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?</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: ACS Reactions</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

How does salt makes things taste better?

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>'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)."</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Santiago, Chile in South America

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