Picture a microorganism swimming through a liquid. It moves with purpose, but it has no brain, no nerves. How does it know where to go? How does it move at all? 



A team of researchers from <a href="https://www.tuwien.at/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TU Wien</a>, the University of Vienna, and Tufts University decided to tackle these questions. They simulated microorganisms on a computer to understand how they move without having centralized control.



The findings reveal something surprising: even without a brain or any central control, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-glaciers-are-putting-many-unique-ecosystems-at-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microorganisms</a> can still swim efficiently. 



This behavior isn't just interesting from a biological standpoint - it could also lead to more effective designs for nanobots that navigate through fluids to deliver drugs or clean up pollutants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microorganisms-swim-efficiently">Microorganisms swim efficiently </h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-skins-bacteria-could-be-a-natural-sunscreen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bacteria</a>, amoebas, and even blood cells move without central control. Yet, they navigate effectively through fluids. The researchers wanted to know how.



Benedikt Hartl, from TU Wien and <a href="https://www.tufts.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tufts University</a>, explained the concept using a simple analogy. 



“Simple microorganisms can be imagined as being composed of several parts, a bit like a string of pearls,” he said. Each part can move relative to the next, but there is no overall command center issuing orders.



The research team created virtual microorganisms made up of interconnected beads. Each bead could exert a force to the left or right. 



But here’s the catch: each bead only knew the position of its immediate neighbors. It had no idea what the rest of the body was doing. Despite this, the beads still managed to coordinate their movements to swim effectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-decentralized-control-is-effective-nbsp">Why decentralized control is effective&nbsp;</h2>



Why bother with decentralized control? Why not just give these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-recreate-an-ancient-war-trick-to-defeat-viruses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microorganisms</a> a virtual brain?



The researchers argue that single-celled organisms don’t have brains, so it made sense to simulate movement without one. They wanted to see if simple rules could still produce coordinated movements. 



“Is there a control system, a set of simple rules, a behavioral strategy that each bead can follow individually so that a collective swimming motion emerges - without any central control unit?” Hartl questioned.



Turns out, there is. The beads don’t need a central controller. Instead, they rely on simple, localized rules. If each bead reacts only to its immediate neighbors, a kind of collective intelligence emerges. The beads work together without knowing it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-virtual-microorganisms-swimming">Virtual microorganisms swimming</h2>



The researchers simulated these movements using a basic neural network. Each bead acted like a tiny agent with its own controller. 



The neural network had 20 to 50 parameters - not much in the world of artificial intelligence. Still, it was enough to produce coordinated swimming behaviors.



On the computer screen, the virtual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-found-alive-sealed-inside-rock-after-2-billion-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microorganisms</a> swam through simulated viscous fluids. They didn’t just move randomly. They propelled themselves in specific directions, responding to simulated forces. 



The most intriguing part was that they were swimming with purpose without any central control.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-microorganisms-learn-to-swim">How microorganisms learn to swim</h2>



The researchers didn’t just program these beads to swim. They let them learn how to swim. They used neuroevolution - a process that mimics natural selection. 



In each iteration, the virtual microorganisms tried different swimming strategies. The best ones survived, while the less efficient ones were eliminated.



With each new generation, the swimmers got better at moving through fluids. They became more coordinated and more efficient. They developed swimming gaits that propelled them forward with surprising speed and precision.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-applications-beyond-biology">Applications beyond biology</h2>



As the simulations progressed, a pattern emerged. Larger microorganisms tended to adopt long-wavelength body deformations. Instead of twitching back and forth, they generated sweeping, wave-like movements. These long-wavelength movements proved to be the most efficient.



Andreas Zöttl from the <a href="https://www.univie.ac.at/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vienna</a> saw potential beyond biology. If microorganisms could swim using such simple rules, so could nanobots. 



Imagine a swarm of nanobots moving through the bloodstream, delivering drugs directly to cancer cells. With decentralized control, each nanobot could operate independently, yet still contribute to the overall mission.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-microorganisms-adapt-to-cargo">How microorganisms adapt to cargo</h2>



The researchers didn’t stop at swimming. They wanted to know if these decentralized controllers could handle cargo. They loaded the virtual microorganisms with additional beads - representing cargo - and watched what happened.



Despite the added weight, the swimmers kept moving. They didn’t need any adjustments to their control systems. The same simple rules that allowed them to swim also enabled them to transport cargo. As the cargo got heavier, the swimmers slowed down. But they kept moving.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-robustness-without-reprogramming">Robustness without reprogramming</h2>



The researchers pushed the virtual swimmers further. What if a few beads stopped working? What if some connections got severed?



Even then, the swimmers kept going. The decentralized control system was remarkably robust. If one bead failed, the others adapted.



If a connection broke, the swimmers still moved. This kind of resilience is rare in centralized systems. But in decentralized systems, it’s almost a given.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-larger-microswimmers-adapt">How larger microswimmers adapt</h2>



The researchers didn’t just stick to small models. They scaled up to 100 beads. Would the same rules work? Could the microorganisms still swim without central control?



Yes. In fact, the larger swimmers performed even better. They generated longer, smoother waves. They moved more efficiently without any additional programming. The same set of rules that worked for a three-bead swimmer also worked for a 100-bead swimmer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapting-to-new-challenges">Adapting to new challenges</h2>



The virtual swimmers didn’t just learn to swim. They also learned to adapt. The researchers varied the simulated environment. They added obstacles, changed the viscosity of the fluid, and introduced new challenges.



The swimmers adapted without any reprogramming. Their controllers adjusted to the new conditions. This adaptability hints at the power of decentralized systems. They don’t just follow orders. They learn and evolve.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nanobots-could-swim-like-microorganisms">Nanobots could swim like microorganisms</h2>



The implications extend far beyond microorganisms. Zöttl envisioned nanobots that could replicate these movements. 



Imagine a swarm of nanobots in polluted water, seeking out oil droplets and breaking them down. Or consider medical nanobots that navigate through the bloodstream, releasing drugs at specific locations.



These nanobots wouldn’t need complex programming. They’d just follow simple rules - the same rules that let microorganisms swim without a brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-way-of-thinking-about-movement">A new way of thinking about movement</h2>



This study challenges the assumption that complex movement requires complex control systems. Instead, the researchers showed that simple, decentralized rules can produce surprisingly coordinated behaviors.



The implications for nanotechnology are significant. Autonomous nanobots could swim without central control systems, like microorganisms, thus reducing computational costs and increasing resilience.



And by learning from nature, engineers could develop systems that adapt, evolve, and keep moving - even when some parts fail.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42005-025-02101-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Physics</a>.



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How microorganisms swim without a brain and why it matters

Picture a microorganism swimming through a liquid. It moves with purpose, but it has no brain, no nerves. How does it know where to go? How does it move at all? A team of researchers from TU Wien, the University of Vienna, and Tufts University decided to tackle these questions. They simulated microorganisms on a computer to understand how they move without having centralized control. The findings reveal something surprising: even without a brain or any central control, microorganisms can still swim efficiently. This behavior isn't just...

The 2015 Paris Agreement was a landmark moment in international climate action, bringing countries together with a shared commitment to combat the existential threat of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indisputable-evidence-of-human-caused-climate-change/">climate change</a>.&nbsp;



Since its inception, nations across the globe have been proactive in taking measures to mitigate its impacts. Yet, a new technical report on the global stocktake highlights an urgent need to expedite ambition and implementation.



<h2 id="h-global-stocktake">Global stocktake&nbsp;</h2>



Established as an integral part of the Paris Agreement, the global stocktake is an assessment that is conducted every five years. The evaluation is used to gauge humanity's collective response to the mounting climate crisis and pave a strategic path ahead.&nbsp;



The primary goal is to inform the forthcoming round of nationally determined contributions, slated for presentation in 2025.



This extensive review commenced with a rigorous data collection phase in 2021. Contributions for the assessment came from many sources including international organizations, non-party stakeholders, and the parties to the Agreement itself.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-comprehensive-dialogue">Comprehensive dialogue&nbsp;</h2>



Over the course of 2022 and 2023, a comprehensive technical dialogue was organized by two distinguished co-chairs, Farhan Akhtar and Harald Winkler.



With the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange">UN Climate Change</a> secretariat's support, the dialogue spanned various pivotal domains – from mitigation and adaptation to loss, damage, and response measures.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-inspiring-global-action">Inspiring global action</h2>



“The technical dialogues were based on the best available science, drawing on the latest findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other sources of knowledge, with broad participation of experts and non-Party Stakeholders with diverse backgrounds," said Akhtar.



"Across the discussions it was clear that the Paris Agreement has inspired widespread action that has significantly reduced forecasts of future warming. This global stocktake is taking place at a crucial moment to inspire further global action in responding to the climate crisis."



<h2 id="h-cop28">COP28</h2>



The <a href="https://unfccc.int/documents/631600">global stocktake report</a> unveils 17 technical findings from these discussions. The report underscores the strides made thus far but also magnifies the immense work that lies ahead. It meticulously points out the evident gaps but also illuminates the opportunities and solutions to bridge them.&nbsp;



All eyes are now set on Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, where the first global stocktake's culmination will transpire at the <a href="https://unfccc.int/">UN Climate Change Conference</a> COP28.&nbsp;



“More than 137 non-Party stakeholders submitted input on their actions and support for the Paris Agreement goals, in total over 170,000 pages of written submissions were received, and we had over 252 hours of meetings and discussions over the three meetings of the technical dialogue – in plenaries, roundtables and world café formats," said Winkler.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"As the report’s technical findings show, much more is needed now, on all fronts and by all actors to meet the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement."



<h2 id="h-ambition-and-urgency">Ambition and urgency&nbsp;</h2>



As the stocktake progresses into its final phase, a series of high-level events will be held to discuss the implications of these technical findings. These discussions will assist in identifying opportunities, good practices, and challenges to enhance climate action and support.



“This global stocktake report provides clear direction on how we can meet the expectations of the Paris Agreement by taking decisive action in this critical decade,” said COP28 President-Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber.&nbsp;



“To keep 1.5 within reach we must act with ‘ambition and urgency’ to reduce emissions by 43% by 2030. That is why the COP28 Presidency has put forward an ambitious action agenda centered around fast- tracking a just and well managed energy transition that leaves no one behind, fixing climate finance, focusing on people's lives and livelihoods, and underpinning everything with full inclusivity."&nbsp;



"I believe we can deliver all of this while creating sustainable economic growth for our people, but we must urgently disrupt business as usual and unite like never before to move from ambition to action and from rhetoric to real results.”



<h2 id="h-actionable-commitments">Actionable commitments</h2>



Dr. Al Jaber says he is calling on leaders from both the public and private sector to come to COP28 with real and actionable commitments to address climate change.&nbsp;



"We need to rapidly decarbonize both the supply side and demand side of the energy system at the same time. We need to triple renewable energy by 2030, commercialize other zero carbon solutions like hydrogen and scale up the energy system free of all unabated fossil fuels, while we eliminate the emissions of the energies we use today," noted Dr. Al Jaber.



"We need to protect and enhance nature, safeguard carbon sinks and transform food systems that account for one third of emissions. And we need fundamental reform of the international financial architecture that was built for the last century.”



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Global stocktake report: Ambition and urgency needed to meet Paris goals

The 2015 Paris Agreement was a landmark moment in international...

The red wolf, a carnivore native to the southeastern United States, has historically been a vital component of this region’s ecosystem. Renowned for its reddish-tan fur and notable hunting capabilities, the red wolf plays a crucial role in maintaining a balanced environment by regulating the populations of smaller mammals.&nbsp;



Yet, despite its significance, the&nbsp; century has witnessed the wolf’s numbers plummet, a decline largely attributed to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unseen-crisis-37000-alien-species-have-been-introduced-by-human-activities/">human activities</a>. By the 1980s, the repercussions of these activities were so severe that the red wolf was deemed extinct in the wild.



<h2 id="h-fragmented-habitats">Fragmented habitats</h2>



Human actions primarily caused the red wolf's decline. As settlements expanded and natural habitats were encroached upon, the spaces where these wolves once roamed became fragmented and diminished.&nbsp;



The reduced habitat not only meant limited territory for the wolves but also a decline in the prey base, resulting in less food availability. Moreover, wolves became targets due to misinterpretations and vilifications in folklore and popular culture.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-unregulated-hunting">Unregulated hunting&nbsp;</h2>



Unregulated hunting further exacerbated the situation, pushing the red wolf to the brink of extinction by the late 20th century. Such dire circumstances necessitated immediate conservation actions.



<h2 id="h-reintroduction">Reintroduction&nbsp;</h2>



Recognizing the urgency, the <a href="https://www.fws.gov/">U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service</a> (FWS) initiated a comprehensive recovery program in the latter part of the 1980s. The multi-faceted strategy employed by the FWS included a captive-breeding program, where wolves were bred in a controlled environment to boost their numbers.&nbsp;



This approach ensured the creation of a healthy population ready for reintroduction into the wild. Subsequent reintroductions targeted specific natural habitats that historically were part of the wolf’s range, with wildlife refuges such as the Pocosin Lakes playing a pivotal role.



<h2 id="h-conservation-challenges">Conservation challenges</h2>



Yet, conservation, while hopeful, is not without its own set of challenges. Even as efforts to reintroduce the wolves intensified, several roadblocks emerged.&nbsp;



<h3 id="h-fatal-encounters">Fatal encounters&nbsp;</h3>



First, human-induced mortality continued to be a significant problem. People often mistakenly shot wolves, thinking they were their distant cousins, the coyotes.



In an attempt to reduce such incidents, the FWS took the measure of equipping the reintroduced wolves with orange, reflective collars, signaling their protected status.&nbsp;



However, even with such precautions, fatal encounters persisted, hinting at a more deep-rooted issue tied, perhaps, to long-standing prejudices.



<h3 id="h-coyotes">Coyotes</h3>



Another significant challenge arises from the burgeoning coyote population in the southeastern United States.&nbsp;



Coyotes not only vie for the same resources as the red wolves, creating competition, but also pose a genetic threat. Interbreeding between coyotes and red wolves could dilute the pure genetic lineage of the latter.&nbsp;



As a countermeasure, the FWS adopted a novel approach: sterilizing coyotes while leaving them hormonally intact. This would allow these coyotes to defend territories, thus minimizing intrusion from fertile coyotes, yet without adding to the gene pool.



<h3 id="h-vehicle-collisions">Vehicle collisions&nbsp;</h3>



Vehicle collisions further threaten the wolf’s survival. High-speed roads traversing through or alongside wolf habitats have resulted in numerous fatalities. Recognizing this danger, authorities have placed warning signs, especially in regions known for wolf activity, urging motorists to drive with caution.



<h3 id="h-lack-of-space">Lack of space</h3>



However, the most formidable challenge lies in securing enough space for the wolves. Despite the vastness of the refuges, the territorial nature of red wolves means that each pack requires considerable space.&nbsp;



A single pack’s territory can span up to 80 square miles, depending on prey availability. Given this, the existing refuges are inadequate to support a growing population. The realization underscores the necessity of incorporating private lands into the conservation strategy.



<h3 id="h-addressing-these-challenges">Addressing these challenges</h3>



Programs such as “<a href="https://ncwf.org/blog/prey-for-the-pack/">Prey for the Pack</a>” were devised to address this spatial challenge. Introduced in 2020, this initiative incentivizes landowners to make habitat improvements favorable for the wolves, offering reimbursements for such efforts. In return, the FWS gets the requisite access to these lands for conservation activities.&nbsp;



Yet, gaining widespread acceptance for such programs remains problematic, as illustrated by public meetings where sentiments against the wolves and conservation efforts come to the fore.



<h2 id="h-updated-recovery-plan">Updated recovery plan&nbsp;</h2>



Despite the challenges, the fight for the red wolf's survival remains a testament to human responsibility. As with many endangered species, it is a stark reminder that while human actions might have caused their decline, similar actions, if channeled correctly, can also facilitate their recovery. The story of the red wolf emphasizes the delicate balance of our ecosystems and the importance of each species within it.



For the first time in three decades, the FWS is preparing to release an updated recovery plan for this iconic species. According to a recently released <a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fecos.fws.gov%2Fdocs%2Frecovery_plan%2FDraft_Revised_Recovery_Plan_Red_Wolf_2022_1.pdf&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cabreed%40ap.org%7Ccd88a1f16bdc4623257c08dba8d0bade%7Ce442e1abfd6b4ba3abf3b020eb50df37%7C1%7C0%7C638289386796002920%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=Qj3X%2BJGNm9g6wGTrCNpaR2UpjqeSy3b6qwn%2FGjvVu64%3D&amp;reserved=0">draft</a>, the agency will spend a quarter billion dollars over the next half a century to rebuild and expand the wild wolf population.



“It was done once before,” said Joe Madison, the North Carolina manager for the <a href="https://www.fws.gov/project/red-wolf-recovery-program">Red Wolf Recovery Program</a>. “And we can do it again.”



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Fatal encounters: The future of the red wolf remains unclear

The red wolf, a carnivore native to the southeastern United...

When astronauts set foot on the barren landscape of Mars for the first time, they may owe their survival to a machine no bigger than a household microwave.&nbsp;This relatively diminutive device, MOXIE (Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment), has just finished its 16th and final oxygen-producing run aboard NASA’s Perseverance rover.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-impressive-performance">Impressive performance&nbsp;</h2>



The results have surpassed even the most optimistic expectations of its creators at the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> (MIT).



<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a> Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy commented on the device's significance, stating: “MOXIE’s impressive performance shows that it is feasible to extract oxygen from Mars’ atmosphere – oxygen that could help supply breathable air or rocket propellant to future astronauts.”&nbsp;



Melroy emphasized the importance of harnessing the resources of space bodies like the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/days-are-getting-longer-as-the-moon-drifts-away-from-earth/">Moon</a> and Mars to facilitate sustainable human exploration.



<h2 id="h-moxie-s-achievements">MOXIE's achievements&nbsp;</h2>



Since the Perseverance rover's 2021 landing, the device has synthesized a total of 122 grams of oxygen. To put that in perspective, it's roughly the amount a small canine would consume in 10 hours.&nbsp;



Impressively, at its peak efficiency, MOXIE produced 12 grams of oxygen an hour, which is a full 100% more than what NASA had originally targeted.&nbsp;



During its last run on August 7, MOXIE pumped out 9.8 grams of oxygen. All of these feats were accomplished while maintaining a purity level of 98% or even higher.



<h2 id="h-how-does-it-work">How does it work?</h2>



MOXIE crafts molecular oxygen through a complex electrochemical process. It isolates an oxygen atom from each molecule of carbon dioxide derived from Mars' atmosphere.&nbsp;



As these gases weave their way through the system, they undergo rigorous analysis to ascertain the quality and volume of the produced oxygen.



<h2 id="h-human-exploration">Human exploration&nbsp;</h2>



While Perseverance hosts myriad experiments, MOXIE stands apart, laser-focused on enabling future human ventures on the Martian expanse.&nbsp;



As the pioneering technology of its kind, MOXIE paves the path for future astronauts to harness Martian resources for sustenance and, crucially, for creating rocket fuel to facilitate their journey back to Earth.



<h2 id="h-next-big-leap">Next big leap</h2>



Michael Hecht from MIT, who led the MOXIE project, noted its role as a beacon for future space resource endeavors.



“MOXIE has clearly served as inspiration to the ISRU community. It showed NASA is willing to invest in these kinds of future technologies. And it has been a flagship that has influenced the exciting industry of space resources."



Hecht emphasized that the next big leap isn't necessarily a MOXIE upgrade. The focus would likely shift to a full-scale system amalgamating an oxygen generator like MOXIE with mechanisms to liquefy and store the generated oxygen.&nbsp;



But for Hecht, the real victory lies in MOXIE paving the way for other innovative technologies to shine on Mars.



<h2 id="h-perseverance-s-mission">Perseverance’s mission</h2>



A key objective for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/curiosity-mars-rover-finds-more-compelling-evidence-for-life-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Perseverance’s mission</a> on Mars, and for the MOXIE instrument, is astrobiology, including the search for signs of ancient microbial life, according to NASA.



Apart from hunting for these elusive life signs, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-sunspot-may-soon-disrupt-earths-power-grids/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Perseverance</a> plays a pivotal role in understanding Mars's geological tapestry and its climatic past. Its findings are expected to lay the groundwork for future human expeditions to this alien world.



The broader Mars 2020 Perseverance mission lies within NASA’s grander Moon to Mars exploration blueprint. This grand vision encompasses the Artemis missions to our moon, serving as the rehearsal stage for human exploration of the Red Planet.



Behind the scenes, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has been the force powering the construction and operations of the Perseverance rover.



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Oxygen is created on Mars using MOXIE, paving the way for humans

When astronauts set foot on the barren landscape of Mars...

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kindergarten-conduct-childhood-behavioral-problems-will-cost-society-later/">Childhood</a> is a crucial period of growth and development, with nutrition playing a central role in the trajectory of a child's health and well-being.&nbsp;



In a recent study published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666323017427">Appetite</a>, researchers have explored the issue of picky eating - a common childhood challenge - and its potential long-term impacts.



<h2 id="h-picky-eating-habits">Picky eating habits</h2>



Often labeled as "fussy eating," it encompasses behaviors like refusal to eat specific foods, limited dietary variety, and hesitation in trying unfamiliar foods – known as "food neophobia."



Picky eating is also characterized by slower eating habits, and a unique combination of less enjoyment from eating and feeling fuller quicker.



While children’s growth and immunological defenses rely heavily on adequate nutrition, picky eating can introduce barriers.&nbsp;



This behavior can lead to skewed intake, with children consuming fewer fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins. Instead, their diet might become dominated by snacks.&nbsp;



The researchers set out to investigate the implications of such dietary restrictions. "Deficiencies in minerals and vitamins, or constipation, are some of the effects of such restrictions in food intake," they noted.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-persistent-picky-eaters">Persistent picky eaters&nbsp;</h2>



Interestingly, the researchers found that the prevalence of picky eating changes as children grow. The research suggests that over a quarter of two-year-olds can be termed fussy eaters, but this number drops by 50% by age six. However, those who remain particular about their food preferences are labeled as persistent picky eaters.



The trajectory of picky eating varies. Some toddlers display this behavior temporarily, while others may develop it later or maintain it throughout life.&nbsp;



Past studies have hinted at the long-term impacts of picky eating, drawing correlations between this early childhood behavior and a poorer diet, decreased weight, and stunted growth during adolescent years.



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



Building on this knowledge, the team investigated the prolonged effects of picky eating on both food consumption and the body mass index (BMI) in young adulthood.



The researchers relied on the data from the Dutch KOALA Birth Cohort, an extensive longitudinal study. The cohort, representing a Dutch acronym which translates to Child, Parents, and Health, focuses on lifestyle and predisposition factors.



Parents filled out questionnaires about their children's health and behavior when they were between the ages of 3-6.&nbsp;



A subsequent survey was conducted when these children reached 18 to understand their current food habits and physical parameters. The results, derived from over 800 participants, were enlightening.



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-discovered">What the researchers discovered&nbsp;</h2>



The analysis revealed compelling findings: for every one-point increase in the picky eating score, adults consumed raw vegetables or fruit 0.14 days less per week. A similar decline was observed in the consumption of cooked vegetables and dairy products.&nbsp;



However, intake patterns of snacks, meat, eggs, and sugary drinks were not significantly impacted by early childhood eating behaviors. BMI in adulthood also didn't show a significant correlation with picky eating tendencies during childhood.



This comprehensive research stands out as the first major cohort study to delve into the link between early childhood picky eating and its repercussions on dietary habits in adulthood.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



"The study results indicate that long-term eating patterns are related to picky eating in young children," the researchers state.



However, it's crucial to remember that many factors, like regional food availability and cultural preferences, can influence dietary choices. Additionally, varying data collection methods between studies can impact the results, underlining the need for standardized norms in the field.



The researchers emphasize the importance of addressing and rectifying picky eating habits as early as possible. By doing so, we can pave the way for healthy nutrition throughout both childhood and adulthood.&nbsp;



Importantly, the strategies should not only target the child but also consider parental eating patterns, which can inadvertently influence the child's behavior. With further research, there's hope to better understand and address this widespread issue.



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Picky eating habits in childhood have lingering effects in adulthood

Childhood is a crucial period of growth and development, with...

A new study led by <a href="https://english.tau.ac.il/">Tel Aviv University</a> (TAU) has found that the extinction of large prey, upon which human nutrition depended hundreds of thousand years ago, compelled prehistoric humans to develop improved <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-masters-woodworking-crafting-wooden-hunting-weapons/">weapons</a> to help them hunt smaller prey, thus driving significant evolutionary adaptations.&nbsp;



By examining the evolution of hunting weapons from wooden- and stone-tipped spears to sophisticated bows and arrows, the experts found significant correlations with changes in prey size and human physiology and culture.



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



“This study was designed to examine a broader unifying hypothesis, which we proposed in a previous paper published in 2021. The hypothesis explains the cultural and physiological evolution of prehistoric humans – including increased cognitive abilities - as an adaptational response to the need to hunt progressively smaller and quicker prey,” the authors wrote.



“So far such a unified hypothesis was lacking in professional literature, with the prevailing hypothesis maintaining that the changes in hunting weapons were a reflection of an essentially unexplained cognitive improvement.”



The researchers analyzed findings from nine prehistoric archaeological sites from South Africa, East Africa, Spain, and France. Early humans inhabited the sites about 300,000 years ago, during the transition from the Lower to the Middle Stone Age (Paleolithic). This was a period in which Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens first emerged.



<h2 id="h-decline-in-size-of-large-prey">Decline in size of large prey</h2>



The analysis of animal bones and stone tools used to hunt and process prey revealed a strong correlation between the emergence of stone-tipped spears, and the progressive decline in prey size.



“Specifically, we examined the emergence of a sophisticated stone-knapping method known as the Levallois technique, which is especially indicative of cognitive development: unlike earlier knapping methods, here the craftsman first prepares a core of good-quality stone, then cuts a pointed item off with one stroke – a process that requires him/her to imagine the final outcome in advance," said the researchers.



"We found that in all cases, at all sites, stone tips made with the Levallois technology appeared simultaneously with a relative decrease in the quantity of bones of large prey."



<h2 id="h-wooden-spears">Wooden spears&nbsp;</h2>



According to lead author Miki Ben-Dor, an archeologist at TAU, studies of contemporary hunter-gatherers suggest that wooden spears are sufficient for hunting large prey such as elephants.&nbsp;



After first limiting the animal’s mobility - for instance, by driving it into a swamp or digging a trapping pit and concealing it with branches – the hunters can then thrust a spear into it and wait for it to bleed. However, middle-sized animals such as deer, are much more difficult to trap, and if hit by a wooden spear, they have more chances to run away.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-stone-tipped-spears">Stone-tipped spears&nbsp;</h2>



Thus, more substantial wounds induced by stone-tipped spears are likely to slow them down and reduce the distance they can run before collapsing.



Archeological evidence suggests that prehistoric humans began to manufacture stone tools about three million years ago, and started to hunt about two million years ago.&nbsp;



While Homo Erectus (the ancestor of all later types of humans) used wooden spears, Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens upgraded their spears around 300,000 years ago by adding stone tips produced with the more sophisticated Levallois method.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-more-complex-hunting-systems">More complex hunting systems&nbsp;</h2>



Around 50,000 years ago, people developed more complex hunting systems. Homo Sapiens began using bows, arrows, and spear throwers. Finally, at the end of the Upper Paleolithic (approximately 25,000 years ago), new hunting aids emerged, including dogs, traps, and fishing hooks.&nbsp;



While facts about this continual evolution of hunting weapons – accompanied by improvements in human cognition and skills – have been known for a long time, no unifying hypothesis for explaining them has been proposed.



<h2 id="h-evolution-of-prehistoric-humans">Evolution of prehistoric humans&nbsp;</h2>



“For the past ten years we have been searching for a unified explanation for focal phenomena in the cultural and biological evolution of prehistoric humans," said co-author Ran Barkai, an archeologist at TAU.



"Our excavations at the Qesem Cave site led us to conclude that elephants, a major component of the human diet in our region for a million years, disappeared about 300,000 years ago, as a result of overhunting and climate change. With the huge elephants gone, humans had to find ways for obtaining the same amount of calories from a larger number of smaller animals."



“Ultimately, we hypothesized that prey size had played a major part in human evolution: at the beginning the largest animals were hunted, and when these were gone humans went on to the next in size, and so on. Finally, when hunting was no longer energetically viable, humans began to domesticate animals and plants. That’s how the agricultural revolution began.”



<h2 id="h-large-prey-decline-and-hunting-weapons">Large prey decline and hunting weapons&nbsp;</h2>



In 2021, Barkai and Ben-Dor first proposed their unified hypothesis on the cultural and physiological development of Paleolithic humans, by connecting advancements in hunting weapons to decreases in prey size.&nbsp;



Their recent research supports this theory and builds upon a previous 2022 study they conducted alongside zoologists Jacob Dambitzer and Shai Meiri from TAU. This study examined archaeological data spanning 1,500,000 to 20,000 years ago, revealing a shift in predominant prey - from 12-ton elephants at the start of this period to 25 kg gazelles by the end.&nbsp;



Additionally, the data indicated that the average prey weight dropped from three tons a million years ago to just 50 kg 20,000 years ago, highlighting a consistent reduction in prey size.



“In the present study specifically, and in our broader unifying hypothesis in general, we propose for the first time an explanation for one of the most intriguing questions in prehistoric archaeology: Why did tools change? The usual explanation is that tools changed due to improvements in the cognitive abilities of humans. For instance, when humans were suddenly able to imagine the outcomes of a sophisticated process, they developed the Levallois technique," said Barkai.



"But one may well ask: Why did humans become smarter all of a sudden? What was the advantage of having a large brain that consumes so much energy? We demonstrate that these biological and cognitive changes correlate directly with the size of prey."



<h2 id="h-small-elusive-animals">Small elusive animals&nbsp;</h2>



“To hunt small elusive animals humans had to become smarter, faster, more focused, more observant, and more collaborative. They had to develop new weapons for hunting from afar and learn how to track their prey."&nbsp;



"And they had to choose their prey carefully, with preference for high fat content, to ensure a sufficient energetic return - because hunting a large number of agile gazelles requires a much higher investment of energy than hunting one giant elephant."



"This, we propose, is the evolutionary pressure that generated the improvement in human ability and tools – to ensure an adequate energy return on investment (EROI)."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/quat6030046" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quaternary</a>.



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Large prey extinction drove evolutionary changes in early humans

A new study led by Tel Aviv University (TAU) has...

According to a report from the <a href="https://public.wmo.int/en">World Meteorological Organization</a> (WMO), the Earth has just endured its hottest three-month period on record. The data, sourced from the European Union-funded <a href="https://climate.copernicus.eu/">Copernicus Climate Change Service</a> (C3S) and implemented by ECMWF, paints a concerning picture of the planet's changing climate.&nbsp;



The data reveals that global sea surface temperatures have touched unprecedented highs for three consecutive months. Additionally, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-sea-ice-hits-a-new-record-low-this-year/">Antarctic sea ice</a> extent sits at a record low for this period of the year.



<h2 id="h-multiple-red-flags">Multiple red flags&nbsp;</h2>



The month of August alone has raised multiple red flags. "It was the hottest August on record - by a large margin - and the second hottest ever month after July 2023," the Copernicus Climate Change Service ERA 5 dataset confirmed.&nbsp;



Delving deeper into the figures, August's average temperatures were roughly 1.5°C warmer than the preindustrial average measured between 1850 and 1900, as per the C3S monthly climate bulletin.



<h2 id="h-second-warmest-year">Second warmest year</h2>



To put this year into context, the period from January to August ranks as the second warmest on record, only surpassed by 2016. It's worth noting that 2016 witnessed a potent warming El Niño event, which contributed significantly to its high temperatures.



“Eight months into 2023, so far we are experiencing the second warmest year to date, only fractionally cooler than 2016, and August was estimated to be around 1.5°C warmer than pre-industrial levels," said Carlo Buontempo, director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service.



"What we are observing, not only new extremes but the persistence of these record-breaking conditions, and the impacts these have on both people and planet, are a clear consequence of the warming of the climate system."



<h2 id="h-sea-surface-temperatures">Sea surface temperatures&nbsp;</h2>



Perhaps the most alarming revelation was regarding global sea surface temperatures. "August as a whole saw the highest global monthly average sea surface temperatures on record across all months, at 20.98°C," the <a href="https://public.wmo.int/en/media/press-release/earth-had-hottest-three-month-period-record-unprecedented-sea-surface">WMO report</a> stated.&nbsp;



Astonishingly, temperatures in August exceeded the previous record, set in March 2016, on each day of the month.



<h2 id="h-climate-breakdown">Climate breakdown</h2>



“Our planet has just endured a season of simmering – the hottest summer on record. Climate breakdown has begun," said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.



"Scientists have long warned what our fossil fuel addiction will unleash. Surging temperatures demand a surge in action. Leaders must turn up the heat now for climate solutions. We can still avoid the worst of climate chaos – and we don’t have a moment to lose."



<h2 id="h-antarctic-sea-ice-extent">Antarctic sea ice extent</h2>



In the icy realms of our planet, there's also cause for concern. The Antarctic sea ice extent is operating at a record low for this period, showing a monthly value 12% below average.&nbsp;



This discrepancy marks the most significant negative anomaly for August since satellite observations commenced in the late 1970s. Meanwhile, the Arctic's sea ice extent lags by 10% below average, although it is still considerably above the record minimum observed in August 2012.



<h2 id="h-summer-of-extremes">Summer of extremes</h2>



“The northern hemisphere just had a summer of extremes – with repeated heatwaves fuelling devastating wildfires, harming health, disrupting daily lives and wreaking a lasting toll on the environment," noted WMO Secretary-General Professor Petteri Taalas



"In the southern hemisphere Antarctic sea ice extent was literally off the charts, and the global sea surface temperature was once again at a new record."



"It is worth noting that this is happening BEFORE we see the full warming impact of the El Niño event, which typically plays out in the second year after it develop."&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-more-heat-records-to-come">More heat records to come</h2>



For its comprehensive climate monitoring activities and its State of the Climate reports, the WMO amasses data not just from C3S, but five other international datasets.



Further compounding climate worries, a joint report released in May by the WMO and the UK's Met Office warned of the immediate future. According to their findings, there's a 98% likelihood that one of the upcoming five years will be the warmest ever recorded.&nbsp;



Furthermore, there's a 66% chance that temperatures will temporarily surge past 1.5°C above the 1850-1900 average within the next half-decade.&nbsp;



However, the report clarified, "This does not mean that we will permanently exceed the 1.5°C level specified in the Paris Agreement which refers to long-term warming over many years."



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Earth just endured the hottest three-months ever recorded

According to a report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO),...

Jungle,Exoplanet,,Green,And,Biologically,Active,Alien,Planet,With,Moons

In the vast expanse of our universe, with its billions of stars and galaxies, the discovery of over 5,000 exoplanets has led scientists to a compelling realization: there is no such thing as an "ordinary" planet. These distant worlds, far removed from our own, challenge our understanding of outer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jwst-spots-a-mysterious-question-mark-in-deep-space/">space</a>.



<h2 id="h-first-exoplanet-with-a-sun-like-star">First exoplanet with a Sun-like star&nbsp;</h2>



It was 1995 when astronomers Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz stumbled upon <a href="https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exoplanet-catalog/7001/51-pegasi-b/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">51 Pegasi b</a>, the first exoplanet found orbiting a Sun-like star. "The discovery rocked the astronomical world as its characteristics did not fit into the theory of planetary formation at the time," recalls the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a>.&nbsp;



This "hot Jupiter" orbits its star in a mere four days. The planet is tidally locked, forever showing its same face to its star. Adding to the allure, water particles were detected in its atmosphere by 2017.



<h2 id="h-first-with-an-atmosphere">First with an atmosphere</h2>



The art of exoplanet detection evolved, and by 1999, <a href="https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/resources/231/hd-209458b/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HD 209458 b</a> was discovered using the transit method. As a planet transits or passes in front of its star, the starlight gets absorbed by particles in the atmosphere.&nbsp;



The historical moment came when the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope measured the atmosphere's composition, marking it the first of its kind. This exoplanet, later revisited by ESA’s Cheops mission in 2020, has a remarkably dark and cloudless atmosphere.



<h2 id="h-first-exoplanet-to-be-photographed">First exoplanet to be photographed</h2>



Direct imaging, another method of detecting exoplanets, introduced us to the enigmatic <a href="https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/resources/300/2m1207-b-first-image-of-an-exoplanet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2M1207b</a>. This heavyweight, boasting five times the mass of Jupiter, orbits a brown dwarf at a staggering distance, equivalent to 55 times that from Earth to the Sun.&nbsp;



This exoplanet proudly claimed its title as the first directly imaged planet, courtesy of the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in 2004.



<h2 id="h-first-orbiting-two-stars">First orbiting two stars</h2>



Our universe thrives on variety. Some exoplanets, like <a href="https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exoplanet-catalog/1814/kepler-16b/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kepler 16b</a>, orbit not one, but two stars. This gaseous entity, slightly smaller than Saturn, revolves around a binary star system. Each star is less massive than our Sun, one significantly more so than the other.



<h2 id="h-first-exoplanet-with-a-deformed-shape">First exoplanet with a deformed shape</h2>



<a href="https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exoplanet-catalog/5157/wasp-103-b/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WASP-103b</a> defies our understanding of planetary shapes. With a mass 1.5 times that of Jupiter, it's squeezed into an elongated, rugby ball-like form due to intense gravitational interactions with its star. As it whirls around its star in less than a day, it appears to be gradually distancing itself.



<h2 id="h-first-terrestrial-exoplanet">First terrestrial exoplanet&nbsp;</h2>



<a href="https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exoplanet-catalog/1242/corot-7-b/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CoRoT-7b</a> is an example of terrestrial planets, but it is a far cry from Earth. Larger by half and six times heavier, its days are molten, and nights, bitterly cold. An unforgiving landscape with no discovered atmosphere to buffer the heat.



<h2 id="h-first-with-traces-of-co2">First with traces of CO2</h2>



The advent of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope escalated exoplanet studies. Its keen eyes discerned traces of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of <a href="https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exoplanet-catalog/5673/wasp-39-b/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WASP-39 b</a> – the first-ever confirmation of this molecule on an exoplanet.



<h2 id="h-first-exoplanets-orbiting-a-pulsar">First exoplanets orbiting a pulsar&nbsp;</h2>



The pulsar <a href="https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exoplanet-catalog/7134/psr-b125712-b/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PSR B1257+12</a> revealed a surprise – two planets in its vicinity. Pulsars, magnetized neutron stars emitting strong radiation, are incredibly precise in their rotations. However, discrepancies in this pulsar's emission led scientists to its planetary companions.



<h2 id="h-first-synchronized-exoplanets">First synchronized exoplanets&nbsp;</h2>



Diversity reigns supreme in the universe, even in planetary systems. A rhythmic dance is on display around the star <a href="https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exoplanet-catalog/7816/toi-178-b/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TOI-178</a>. Five of its six planets have synchronized orbits, moving in a captivating 18:9:6:4:3 pattern. To an observer, they align at regular intervals, presenting a celestial ballet.



These discoveries highlight the boundless mysteries of our universe. Each exoplanet, with its unique story, pushes the boundaries of our knowledge. As the European Space Agency notes, the exoplanet realm continually challenges our comprehension of the cosmos.



<h2>More about the search for exoplanets</h2>



Exoplanets, or planets outside our solar system, have intrigued astronomers and the public alike for decades. But how do scientists find these distant worlds, and why does their discovery matter? Let's dive into the dynamic realm of exoplanet exploration.



<h3>Why hunt for exoplanets?</h3>



The search for exoplanets isn't just about finding new worlds; it's about seeking answers to fundamental questions. Are we alone in the universe? What kinds of planetary systems exist out there? Is there another Earth-like planet? Discovering exoplanets expands our understanding of the universe and the potential for life beyond our solar system.



<h3>The tools of the trade: Telescopes and techniques</h3>



<h4>Transit method</h4>



The most successful technique, the transit method, involves monitoring stars for small, regular dips in brightness. When a planet crosses in front of its star from our viewpoint, it blocks a tiny fraction of the star's light. This event, known as a 'transit', gives away the planet's presence. NASA's <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/overview/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kepler Space Telescope</a>, launched in 2009, utilized this method and identified thousands of exoplanet candidates.



<h4>Radial velocity or doppler method</h4>



As a planet orbits its star, it exerts a gravitational tug, causing the star to wobble slightly. Astronomers detect this wobble by observing shifts in the star's spectrum of light. The European Southern Observatory's <a href="https://www.eso.org/public/teles-instr/lasilla/36/harps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HARPS instrument </a>stands out as a champion in this method, having confirmed dozens of exoplanets.



<h4>Direct imaging</h4>



Here, astronomers try to capture images of planets directly. Though challenging due to the brightness of stars, advancements in technology have made a few direct images possible, especially for large planets far from their stars.



<h4>Gravitational microlensing</h4>



This method takes advantage of the gravitational force of stars and planets. When a distant star aligns perfectly with a nearer star, the closer star's gravity can magnify and brighten the distant star's light. If the closer star has a planet, it too can act as a lens, producing a noticeable effect in the light curve.



<h3>Looking forward</h3>



The search for exoplanets has undergone rapid advancements over the past few decades. Future and current missions, like the <a href="https://webb.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Webb Space Telescope</a> and the European Space Agency's <a href="https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/plato" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLATO mission</a>, promise to revolutionize our understanding even further. These telescopes will offer greater sensitivity and precision, enabling the detection of smaller, Earth-like planets in the habitable zones of their host stars.



The search for exoplanets challenges our understanding of the cosmos. Every discovery offers a chance to contemplate our place in the universe and to dream of worlds yet unseen. As technology advances and our gaze deepens, we inch closer to answering some of life's most profound questions.



Image Credit: ESA



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Science has found over 5,000 alien worlds, but what do we know about these exoplanets?

In the vast expanse of our universe, with its billions...

Recent breakthroughs at the international <a href="https://www.psi.ch/en/lac/projects/itn-cloud">CLOUD project</a>, based at the nuclear research center CERN, have revealed fascinating insights into the mysteries of cloud formation.&nbsp;



This natural process is of paramount importance in comprehending the planet’s shifting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dangerous-climate-feedback-loops-have-been-underestimated/">climate</a> patterns, as it plays a significant role in reflecting solar radiation, consequently impacting the Earth's temperature.



<h2 id="h-cloud-formation">Cloud formation</h2>



Cloud formation requires water vapor to coalesce around condensation nuclei, which are solid or liquid particles that provide a foundation for water vapor to condense upon.&nbsp;



Various aerosols serve this purpose, ranging from sea salt and desert sand to pollutants from industrial and vehicular activities.&nbsp;



Nonetheless, an intriguing aspect of this process is the concept of "new particle formation" (NPF), where gaseous molecules merge in the atmosphere and transition into solids.



<h2 id="h-hydrocarbons">Hydrocarbons&nbsp;</h2>



The NPF process involves hydrocarbons, including isoprenes, monoterpenes, and the lesser-studied sesquiterpenes, which are emitted by vegetation.&nbsp;



These hydrocarbons are not only fundamental to the scents we encounter during woodland strolls or after cutting grass, but they also undergo an oxidation process with atmospheric ozone to form aerosols.



<h2 id="h-factors-influencing-cloud-formation">Factors influencing cloud formation&nbsp;</h2>



"With tighter environmental regulations, there's been a noteworthy decline in the concentration of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere," said Dr. Lubna Dada, an atmospheric scientist from PSI.



"Contrastingly, there's a surge in terpene concentrations, particularly when plants undergo stress due to temperature spikes, extreme weather shifts, and increased drought exposure."



This dynamic presents a crucial question for climatologists: which among these factors will dominate in influencing cloud formation?&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-sesquiterpenes">Sesquiterpenes</h2>



Sesquiterpenes are gaseous hydrocarbons that are released by trees and other plants. While prior knowledge is extensive on sulphuric acid and both isoprene and monoterpene roles have been demystified, sesquiterpenes remained a rather untouched frontier in atmospheric studies. 



"Sesquiterpenes have remained under the radar primarily due to their rapid reaction with ozone and their comparative rarity in the environment," said Dada.



Yet, Dada’s latest study, emphasizes the integral role sesquiterpenes play in cloud formation. Remarkably, at equivalent concentrations, they form particles at a rate ten times higher than their counterparts.



The CLOUD chamber at CERN, globally recognized as the purest of its kind, allowed for this discovery. This sealed environment simulates varied atmospheric conditions, granting researchers the capacity to study even the low sesquiterpene concentrations found in nature.



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-discovered">What the researchers discovered&nbsp;</h2>



Dada’s team delved into mimicking biogenic particle formation from pre-industrial times, a period without anthropogenic sulphur dioxide emissions, providing a clearer picture of human-induced impacts on climate.&nbsp;



The results were revealing. The oxidation of a natural blend of isoprene, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes led to the creation of Ultra-Low-Volatility Organic Compounds (ULVOCs). These compounds are adept at particle formation, which can eventually mature into condensation nuclei.



"A single sesquiterpene molecule comprises 15 carbon atoms, while monoterpenes have ten and isoprenes merely five," said Dada.



<h2 id="h-significance-of-the-study">Significance of the study&nbsp;</h2>



This research does not only reveal another dimension by which flora influences meteorological patterns. It makes a compelling argument for the inclusion of sesquiterpenes in future climate modeling.



Given the reduction in atmospheric sulphur dioxide and the rise in biogenic emissions from climate stress, the research is increasingly significant.



“Next, we and our CLOUD partners want to investigate what exactly happened during industrialisation, when the natural atmosphere became increasingly mixed with anthropogenic gases such as sulphur dioxide, ammonia and other anthropogenic organic compounds," said Imad El Haddad, group leader at the Laboratory for Atmospheric Chemistry



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adi5297">Science Advances</a>.



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Mysteries in the sky: How trees impact cloud formation

Recent breakthroughs at the international CLOUD project, based at the...

Comparing,Green,Earth,And,Effect,Of,Air,Pollution,From,Human

In addition to their struggle with habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change, bees are now facing yet another threat – ozone pollution. A new study reveals that bees and other pollinators are having difficulty locating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/male-bees-create-perfume-from-flowers-to-attract-females/">flowers</a> due to air pollution's degradation of floral scents.



The extensive research involved a collaboration between the UK Centre for Ecology &amp; Hydrology (UKCEH) and several academic institutions including the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/index.aspx">University of Birmingham</a>.



<h2 id="h-ozone-pollution">Ozone pollution&nbsp;</h2>



One of the key findings was the significant impact of ozone on floral odor plumes. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ozone-pollution-threatens-the-health-of-plants-and-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ozone</a> was found to reduce the size of these odor plumes and significantly alter their scent. 



The most alarming revelation was the discovery that ozone pollution could reduce the ability of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honeybee-pollination-produces-plant-offspring-vastly-inferior-to-plants-pollinated-by-other-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">honeybees</a> to identify odors by up to 90 percent.



Ozone forms at ground level when nitrogen oxide emissions from vehicular and industrial sources interact with volatile organic compounds emitted by plants, catalyzed by sunlight.



“Our study provides robust evidence that the changes due to ground-level ozone on floral scent cause pollinators to struggle to carry out their crucial role in the natural environment also with implications for food security," said Professor Christian Pfrang, who was actively involved in the research.



<h2 id="h-detrimental-impacts">Detrimental impacts</h2>



With previous studies highlighting ozone's detrimental impact on plant growth and subsequent food production, this research further emphasizes the scale of the problem.



Dr. Ben Langford, an atmospheric scientist at UKCEH and the lead author of the study, pointed out that 75% of our food crops and nearly 90% of wild flowering plants depend, to some extent, upon animal pollination - particularly by insects.&nbsp;



"Therefore, understanding what adversely affects pollination, and how, is essential to helping us preserve the critical services that we rely upon for production of food, textiles, biofuels and medicines, for example.”



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



To measure the impact, the research team set up an experiment in a 30-meter wind tunnel at the <a href="https://www.surrey.ac.uk/">University of Surrey</a>. This allowed them observe changes in the size and structure of odor plumes in the presence of ozone.&nbsp;



The experts found that certain compounds in the scent plume decayed faster than others due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ozone-depletion-in-the-arctic-leads-to-weather-anomalies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ozone</a>, leading to a significant change in the overall scent.



<h2 id="h-floral-scents">Floral scents</h2>



The role of floral scents is pivotal in the world of pollinators. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honeybees-have-surprising-abilities-to-maintain-their-nest-structure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Honeybees</a>, for instance, associate the unique blend of chemical compounds in a flower’s scent with the nectar it provides. 



This association assists them in locating the same species of flower in later searches. But, with ozone-modified scents, the research disclosed a worrying pattern.&nbsp;



At the center of scent plumes, only 52% of honeybees could recognize a scent from 6 meters away, dropping to 38% at 12 meters. Even more concerning, at the edges of these plumes, which decayed faster due to ozone, just 32% of the bees could identify the scent from 6 meters, and only 10% could do so from 12 meters.



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



Beyond the hunt for flowers, the research hints at potential disruptions in other odor-controlled behaviors of insects, such as mating.



This pivotal research was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, which operates under UK Research and Innovation, and the findings are published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122336" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Pollution</a>.



“We know that air pollution has a detrimental effect on human health, biodiversity, and the climate, but now we can see how it prevents bees and other pollinating insects from carrying out their key job," said Professor Pfrang.



"This should act as a wake-up call to take action on air pollution and help safeguard food production and biodiversity for the future.“



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Ozone pollution makes it difficult for bees to find flowers

In addition to their struggle with habitat loss, pesticides, and...

For years, the mysterious nature of black holes has intrigued scientists and the general public alike. A new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stad1925">Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society</a> hints at the existence of multiple black holes nestled within the Hyades star cluster..



<h2 id="h-hyades-star-cluster">Hyades star cluster&nbsp;</h2>







This discovery is particularly striking because the Hyades cluster is the nearest open cluster to our solar system. If confirmed, this would mean that these are the closest black holes to our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-like-planets-may-be-more-common-than-we-ever-imagined/">planet</a> ever identified.



The study was an international collaboration led by Dr. Stefano Torniamenti of the University of Padua, Italy. Key contributors to the research also included Mark Gieles, an ICREA professor affiliated with both the Institute of Cosmos Sciences of the <a href="https://web.ub.edu/en/web/ub/">University of Barcelona</a> (ICCUB) and the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC), and Friedrich Anders from ICCUB-IEEC.



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



In 2015, scientists detected gravitational waves, ripples in spacetime caused by cataclysmic events like the merging of two black holes. These detections have shed light on low-mass black hole mergers, propelling the scientific community's interest.



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



To search for the presence of black holes in the Hyades cluster, the team employed intricate simulations. These digital replicas meticulously traced the trajectories and evolutionary paths of all stars within the Hyades, which is approximately 150 light-years or 45 parsecs away from our Sun.



This simulation was then compared with real-time data from the European Space Agency's Gaia satellite, which has revolutionized our understanding of the positions and velocities of stars in open clusters.



"Our simulations can only simultaneously match the mass and size of the Hyades if some black holes are present at the centre of the cluster today (or until recently)," said Dr. Torniamenti.&nbsp;



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



The most plausible simulations suggest the presence of two to three black holes currently residing in the Hyades star cluster. At the same time, scenarios in which the black holes were ejected less than 150 million years ago (constituting the last quarter of the cluster's life) cannot be completely ruled out.



What's unequivocal is that the black holes originating from the Hyades cluster either inhabit it or reside in its close vicinity. This positioning makes them the closest known black holes to our Sun, overshadowing the prior nearest candidate, Gaia BH1, located a distant 480 parsecs away.



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



Mark Gieles highlights the broader implications of their findings: "This observation helps us understand how the presence of black holes affects the evolution of star clusters and how star clusters in turn contribute to gravitational wave sources."&nbsp;







<h2 id="h-what-is-a-black-hole">What is a black hole?</h2>



A black hole is a region in space where the gravitational pull is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape from it. The boundary surrounding a black hole is called the event horizon. Once something crosses the event horizon, it is inexorably drawn into the black hole and cannot escape.



<h2 id="h-how-are-black-holes-formed">How are black holes formed?</h2>



Stellar black holes are formed when massive stars undergo gravitational collapse at the end of their life cycles. The core contracts and the outer layers are expelled, and the core's gravity increases, pulling everything into a small, infinitely dense point known as a singularity.



Supermassive black holes are found at the center of most galaxies, including our own Milky Way, have masses ranging from millions to billions of solar masses. Their formation process is still a topic of research, but they might result from the merging of several small black holes and the accretion of gas from their host galaxy.



Intermediate black holes are of a mass between stellar and supermassive black holes. Their formation is still a mystery.



Primordial black holes are theoretical entities that are thought to have formed soon after the Big Bang. They could have been created from the gravitational collapse of high-density regions in the early universe.



<h2 id="h-key-features-of-black-holes">Key features of black holes</h2>



<h3 id="h-singularity">Singularity</h3>



At the center of a black hole, gravity crushes all matter into an infinitely small, infinitely dense point.



<h3 id="h-event-horizon">Event horizon</h3>



Once something crosses this threshold, it can't escape the black hole's gravitational pull.



<h3 id="h-accretion-disk">Accretion disk</h3>



As matter gets drawn towards a black hole, it forms a spinning disk of gas and dust around the event horizon known as an accretion disk.



<h3 id="h-jets">Jets</h3>



Some black holes emit streams of particles at nearly the speed of light. These are known as relativistic jets.



Image Credit: Jose Mtanous



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Hyades star cluster may contain the closest black holes to Earth

For years, the mysterious nature of black holes has intrigued...

Happy,African,American,Young,Woman,With,Afro,Hair,Modern,Cafe

Paper coffee cups may not be the environmentally friendly alternative to plastic cups that we hoped for. Researchers at the <a href="https://www.gu.se/en">University of Gothenburg</a> have found that these seemingly eco-friendly substitutes may be just as harmful as their plastic counterparts.



As distressing news continues to emerge about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unprecedented-increase-in-global-ocean-plastic-pollution-since-2005/">plastic pollution</a> contaminating every part of our planet, consumers are opting for what they believe to be more eco-friendly options.&nbsp;



A notable trend has been the growing preference for paper coffee cups. Many cafes have transitioned from plastic to paper cups, often served with paper lids. However, this well-intentioned switch might not be the ideal solution.



<h2 id="h-studying-disposable-paper-cups">Studying disposable paper cups&nbsp;</h2>



In a meticulously executed study, the Gothenburg team observed the effects of disposable cups made of various materials on butterfly mosquito larvae.&nbsp;



"We left paper cups and plastic cups in wet sediment and water for a few weeks and followed how the leached chemicals affected the larvae. All of the mugs negatively affected the growth of mosquito larvae,” noted study lead author Professor Bethanie Carney Almroth.



Given that paper on its own is neither fat nor water-resistant, it needs a surface coating to make it suitable for food packaging. This coating is a plastic layer designed to protect the paper from the contents it holds, like the piping hot coffee from your favorite café.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-paper-cups-have-toxins">Paper cups have toxins</h2>



In recent times, this protective plastic film has been made from polylactide (PLA), a type of bioplastic commonly derived from renewable resources like corn, cassava, or sugarcane.&nbsp;



Although it's frequently labeled as biodegradable – implying its ability to decompose faster than conventional oil-based plastics under ideal conditions – the study indicates that PLA can still have toxic implications.



Professor Carney Almroth points out the grave environmental challenge posed by bioplastics, which do not break down effectively when they end up in the environment, in water.&nbsp;



"There may be a risk that the plastic remains in nature and resulting microplastics can be ingested by animals and humans, just as other plastics do. Bioplastics contain at least as many chemicals as conventional plastic."



<h2 id="h-potential-health-hazard-of-paper-cups">Potential health hazard of paper cups</h2>



But what about the direct health implications for humans? “Some chemicals in plastics are known to be toxic, others we lack knowledge about," said Carney Almroth.



"Paper packaging also presents a potential health hazard compared to other materials, and it’s becoming more common. We are exposed to the plastics and the associated chemicals via contact with food.”



<h2 id="h-transformative-shifts-are-needed">Transformative shifts are needed</h2>



The study authors emphasize the need for transformative shifts to address the ongoing environmental and health challenges posed by plastic pollution.&nbsp;



“When disposable products arrived on the market after the Second World War, large campaigns were conducted to teach people to throw the products away, it was unnatural to us! Now we need to shift back and move away from disposable lifestyles," said Carney Almroth.



"It is better if you bring your own mug when buying takeaway coffee. Or by all means, take a few minutes, sit down, and drink your coffee from a porcelain mug.”



On a global scale, discussions are currently in progress at the UN, aiming to negotiate a binding agreement to curb the proliferation of plastics both in our societies and the natural environment.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-phasing-out-problematic-plastics">Phasing out problematic plastics&nbsp;</h2>



As a member of the <a href="https://ikhapp.org/scientistscoalition/">Scientists Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty</a> (SCEPT), Carney Almroth and her fellow scientists are supporting the cause by providing invaluable scientific insights into these negotiations.&nbsp;



The coalition vehemently advocates for the phasing out of superfluous and problematic plastics. They also emphasize the importance of due diligence to ensure we aren’t simply replacing one detrimental product with another.



“We at SCEPT are calling for transparency requirements within the plastics industry that forces a clear reporting of what chemicals all products contain, much like in the pharmaceutical industry. But the main goal of our work is to minimize plastic production," said Carney Almroth.



<h2>More about eco-friendly cups</h2>



In today's fast-paced world, disposable cups have become an everyday convenience for many. But with concerns about environmental degradation rising, the demand for eco-friendly alternatives has surged. Eco-friendly cups, crafted from sustainable materials and designed for minimal environmental impact, have emerged as a frontrunner in this green revolution.



<h3>Materials matter</h3>



Eco-friendly cups typically come from renewable resources. Manufacturers make these cups from materials like bamboo, paper sourced from responsibly managed forests, or even bioplastics derived from plants. Unlike conventional plastic cups, which can take hundreds of years to decompose, eco-friendly materials break down much faster, reducing the strain on our landfills.



<h3>Less carbon footprint</h3>



Producing conventional plastic cups emits significant amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. In contrast, eco-friendly cups often have a smaller carbon footprint. For instance, bamboo grows rapidly, absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide, which offsets the emissions from manufacturing products made from it.



<h3>No harmful chemicals</h3>



Many plastic cups contain chemicals like BPA, which can leach into beverages and pose health risks. Eco-friendly cups, on the other hand, steer clear of such harmful additives. By choosing these, consumers can enjoy their drinks without worrying about ingesting toxic chemicals.



<h3>Reusability and recyclability</h3>



While many eco-friendly cups are disposable, an increasing number now come as reusable options. Materials like stainless steel and glass make for durable, long-lasting cups. And when these eco-cups have reached the end of their lifespan, many can be easily recycled, further reducing waste.



<h3>Supporting sustainable industries</h3>



By purchasing eco-friendly cups, consumers support industries committed to sustainable practices. This demand can shift market dynamics, encouraging more companies to adopt eco-friendly strategies.



In summary, the shift towards eco-friendly cups isn't just a trend, it's a necessary step towards creating a sustainable future. By making the switch, consumers can enjoy their favorite beverages guilt-free, knowing they're making a difference. As more people adopt these green alternatives, the positive impact on our planet will only continue to grow.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121836" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Pollution</a>.



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Paper coffee cups are not so eco-friendly after all

Paper coffee cups may not be the environmentally friendly alternative...

The,Earth,As,Seen,From,The,Surface,Of,The,Moon

A recent study exploring the Earth’s ancient association with the moon has revealed that days on our planet are gradually getting longer, largely due to changes in the distance between the Earth and the moon.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-shorter-days-of-the-past">Shorter days of the past</h2>



According to the experts, about 1.4 billion years in the past, a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-full-day-on-earth-lasted-just-19-hours-for-about-one-billion-years/">day on Earth</a> lasted just over 18 hours, a phenomenon caused by the moon’s closer proximity, which influenced Earth’s rotational behavior.



“As the moon moves away, the Earth is like a spinning figure skater who slows down as they stretch their arms out,” explained study co-author Stephen Meyers, a professor of Geoscience at the <a href="https://www.wisc.edu/">University of Wisconsin-Madison</a>.



<h2 id="h-astrochronology">Astrochronology&nbsp;</h2>



To help them understand and describe this peculiar phenomenon, the researchers developed a statistical technique bridging astronomical theories and geological findings, called astrochronology.&nbsp;



This method offers insights into Earth’s ancient geology, solar system evolution, and old climate transitions captured in rock formations.



“One of our ambitions was to use astrochronology to tell time in the most distant past, to develop very ancient geological time scales. We want to be able to study rocks that are billions of years old in a way that is comparable to how we study modern geologic processes,” Meyers said.



<h2 id="h-milankovitch-cycles">Milankovitch cycles&nbsp;</h2>



The gravitational pull from other celestial bodies, such as the planets and the moon, impacts Earth’s movement in space, resulting in variations in our planet’s axial rotation, wobble, and solar orbit.&nbsp;



These shifts, known as <a href="https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2948/milankovitch-orbital-cycles-and-their-role-in-earths-climate/">Milankovitch cycles</a>, play a role in sunlight distribution on Earth and consequently, our climate patterns, which can be observed in the rock record, spanning hundreds of millions of years.



<h2 id="h-solar-system-chaos">Solar system chaos&nbsp;</h2>



However, diving deeper into billions of years of Earth’s history presents significant challenges. While traditional methods such as radioisotope dating lack the precision needed to identify these cycles, limited knowledge about the moon’s history and the concept of solar system chaos - first introduced by Jacques Laskar in 1989 - further complicates matters.



The solar system, with its myriad components including planets circling the sun, is susceptible to solar system chaos, meaning that even minor initial variations can lead to significant alterations millions of years later, a phenomenon posing major challenges to understanding long-term changes.



However, in 2022, Meyers and his colleagues managed to crack the code on this chaotic solar system in an examination of sediments from a 90 million-year-old rock formation which captured the Earth’s climate cycles.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-projecting-backward">Projecting backward&nbsp;</h2>



Yet, the further back in the rock record scientists are trying to go, the less reliable their findings tend to be.



For instance, the moon is now moving away from the Earth at a rate of 3.82 centimeters annually.&nbsp;



According to Meyers, using this current rate and projecting backward, it follows that “beyond about 1.5 billion years ago, the moon would have been close enough that its gravitational interactions with the Earth would have ripped the moon apart.” However, this contradicts the known age of the moon, which is 4.5 billion years.



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



To solve this puzzle, Meyers aimed to accurately track the movements of our neighboring planets billions of years back to fathom their effects on Earth and its Milankovitch cycles. He presented this dilemma at Columbia University’s <a href="https://lamont.columbia.edu/">Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory</a> during his sabbatical in 2016.



Alberto Malinverno, a researcher at Columbia and co-author of the recent study, was present. “I was sitting there when I said to myself, ‘I think I know how to do it! Let’s get together!’” he recounted. “It was exciting because, in a way, you dream of this all the time; it was a solution looking for a problem.”



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



During their collaboration, they combined a statistical approach Meyers devised in 2015, termed TimeOpt, with astronomical theories, geologic insights, and a refined statistical method called Bayesian inversion, to help them understand system uncertainties.



Testing their new method, named <a href="https://search.r-project.org/CRAN/refmans/astrochron/html/timeOptMCMC.html">TimeOptMCMC</a>, they examined two rock strata: the 1.4 billion-year-old Xiamaling Formation in Northern China and a 55 million-year-old segment from the Walvis Ridge in the southern Atlantic.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-reliable-evaluations">Reliable evaluations&nbsp;</h2>



This technique allowed for reliable evaluations of Earth’s rotational axis direction and orbital shape from both recent and ancient times, and factored in uncertainties, while also helping them pinpoint the day’s length and the gap between Earth and the moon.



“In the future, we want to expand the work into different intervals of geologic time,” Malinverno said.



Two other studies have also employed rock records and Milankovitch cycles to decode Earth’s history and behavior. One team at Lamont-Doherty authenticated Earth’s orbital fluctuations using an Arizonian rock formation. Another collaborative effort involving Meyers studied marine organisms’ evolution and extinction cycles, tracing back 450 million years.



“The geologic record is an astronomical observatory for the early solar system. We are observing its consistent rhythm, preserved in rocks and life’s history,” Meyers concluded.



<h2>More about the moon's impact on Earth</h2>



The Moon, Earth's only natural satellite, has long captured our imagination. But beyond its romantic allure, the Moon actively shapes our world in a myriad of tangible ways.



<h3>Tidal Forces: The Ebb and Flow</h3>



First and foremost, the Moon affects Earth's oceans through gravitational forces. As the Moon orbits our planet, its gravitational pull tugs at the Earth's water, leading to the phenomenon we recognize as tides. 



The water bulges toward the Moon, creating high tides on the side facing the Moon and, due to centrifugal forces from Earth's rotation, on the opposite side as well. Consequently, locations between these bulges experience low tides. The tides rise and fall twice a day in most coastal areas due to this intricate dance between the Earth and the Moon.



<h3>Stabilizing Earth's Wobble</h3>



The Moon also plays a pivotal role in stabilizing Earth's axial tilt. Earth's axis tilts at an angle, which gives us our seasons. Without the Moon's gravitational influence, Earth might experience dramatic variations in its axial tilt, causing extreme and unpredictable changes in climate. 



The Moon's presence ensures our planet's tilt remains relatively constant at around 23.5 degrees, providing a stable climate that has been crucial for the development and survival of life.



<h3>Lunar Eclipses: Shadows in the Sky</h3>



The relationship between the Earth and Moon also provides a visual spectacle: lunar eclipses. These occur when Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon's surface. During a total lunar eclipse, the Earth's umbra (central shadow) covers the Moon, often giving it a reddish hue due to the Earth's atmosphere bending sunlight and indirectly illuminating the Moon.



<h3>Impact on Earth's Length of Day</h3>



As mentioned in this article, the Moon's gravitational pull also causes a slight braking effect on Earth's rotation. This effect, known as tidal friction, results in a gradual lengthening of our day. Over millions of years, the Earth's rotation has been slowing down, and days have been getting longer, albeit at a very gradual pace.



In summary, the Moon does more than just light up our night skies. It shapes the rhythms of our oceans, stabilizes our climate, showcases celestial phenomena, and even impacts the length of our days. In this delicate cosmic balance, the Moon remains an influential and essential partner to Earth.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Our days are getting longer as the moon slowly drifts away from the Earth

A recent study exploring the Earth’s ancient association with the...

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



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



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https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



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



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How the immune system responds to injury

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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