Genetic,Brain,Disorders,,Conceptual,3d,Illustration.,Mutations,In,The,Dna

When folks picture Neanderthals, the image often involves heavy brows, furry pelts, and stone tools. Yet pieces of their DNA are still part of the modern human genome. Recent research suggests that some of these genetic variants inherited from Neanderthals could be linked to autism spectrum disorder.



About 50,000-60,000 years ago, small groups of modern humans trekked out of Africa into Eurasia. They met Neanderthals, exchanged tools, and also exchanged genes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dna-analysis-reveals-most-recent-modern-human-to-interbreed-with-neanderthals/">through interbreeding</a>. 



It has been estimated that Eurasian-derived populations have approximately <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq3010" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2% Neanderthal DNA</a>, which was acquired during introgression events occurring shortly after anatomically modern humans migrated out of Africa.



Later, some descendants journeyed back to Africa, sprinkling a much thinner dusting of Neanderthal genes across the continent. 



That genetic shuffling means nearly everyone on Earth carries at least a trace of <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/the-neanderthal-in-us.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neanderthal ancestry</a>, though the amount varies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-fragments-big-questions">Small fragments, big questions</h2>



Genetic leftovers can be helpful. Certain <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-06587-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neanderthal alleles</a> boost immune responses or aid survival at high altitudes. 



Many others never meshed well with our biology and were slowly weeded out by natural selection. Brain-related genes are especially unforgiving; even minor glitches can prove disruptive. 



With the recent sequencing of multiple <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867424001168" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">archaic human genomes</a>, there has been growing interest concerning the influence of archaic human-derived alleles on modern health.



Yet some Neanderthal variants slipped past that filter. They linger in regions tied to perception, memory, and social understanding, sparking curiosity about their subtle effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-autism-clues-in-neanderthal-dna">Autism clues in Neanderthal DNA</h2>



The study linking autism to Neanderthal DNA was led by researchers from <a href="https://www.clemson.edu/">Clemson University</a> and <a href="https://www.luc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Loyola University</a>.



The authors compared whole-genome data from autistic people, their unaffected siblings, and unrelated controls across diverse ethnic backgrounds. 



They saw that both rare and common Neanderthal-derived variants appeared more often in autistic participants. 



The pattern wasn’t about carrying more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-inject-40000-year-old-neanderthal-dna-gli3-gene-into-mice-with-incredible-results/">Neanderthal DNA</a> overall; it hinged on possessing particular snippets.



One striking theme involved genes that guide how distant brain regions talk to each other. 



Visual-processing circuits appeared to run hotter, while the so-called default mode network, linked to daydreaming and social reflection, ran cooler. 



Those connectivity signatures match traits many autistic individuals report - keen pattern recognition alongside social fatigue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seeing-the-world-in-sharp-focus">Seeing the world in sharp focus</h2>



Functional MRI scans from the same project confirmed this pattern. People who carried a higher load of the identified <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/inner-ears-of-neanderthals-reveals-catastrophic-population-event-during-their-evolution/">Neanderthal variants</a> - whether autistic or not - showed stronger signaling in visual areas. 



Meanwhile, pathways that normally hum during casual conversation or idle thought stayed quieter. 



The result hints that these ancient genes might sculpt a cognitive profile tuned for intense observation and precise motor planning.



Archaeologists note a similar nuance in Neanderthal craftsmanship and stone tool making skills. 



Their <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levallois_technique" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Levallois technique</a> required stepwise planning, spatial reasoning, and sustained focus - skills that resonate with strengths many autistic thinkers display today.



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



Why would such variants stick around? One idea points to the small, tight-knit bands <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-and-neanderthals-species-face-structure-evolved-differently/">Neanderthals</a> likely formed. In that setting, visual scouting for game, shelter, or stone resources could outweigh complex social juggling. 



When Homo sapiens groups interbred with them, those advantageous perceptual talents may have proved useful enough to persist.



The study does not argue that Neanderthal DNA “causes” autism. Instead, it suggests that a handful of inherited tweaks can raise the odds of certain traits emerging along a spectrum. 



Those traits might have offered benefits in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-theory-explains-why-neanderthals-vanished-and-homo-sapiens-are-alive-today/">ancestral environments</a> - and still do in fields that prize logic, detail, and pattern spotting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neanderthal-contributions-to-autism">Neanderthal contributions to autism</h2>



Researchers stress that genetics is only part of the autism puzzle. Environment, early development, and countless other genes interact in ways science is still charting. 



Even so, identifying concrete Neanderthal contributions helps explain why autism exists worldwide, independent of culture or upbringing. 



It also reframes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/placenta-hormones-may-have-driven-human-brain-evolution/">neurodiversity</a> as a legacy of humanity’s mixed heritage rather than a modern anomaly.



Many families notice clusters of analytical talent - mathematicians, engineers, visual artists - scattered among autistic and non-autistic relatives alike. The new findings offer a biological thread connecting those shared gifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next?</h2>



“We hope this research will lead to further investigation into the ongoing influences of ancient hybridization between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neanderthals-and-humans-had-multiple-waves-of-contact/">Homo sapiens and Neanderthals</a> in brain development, human intelligence, and overall human health, as well as spur work into additional clinical resources for this complex population,” the research team wrote.



Future projects will likely probe other neurodevelopmental conditions, explore how Neanderthal variants interact with modern lifestyles, and refine personalized supports. 



As we continue to discover, the story of human evolution didn't stop with one lineage replacing another. It wove their strengths together, leaving fingerprints that guide our thoughts, perceptions, and innovations in modern humans to this day.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-024-02593-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Molecular Psychiatry</a>.



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Scientists link autism to Neanderthal DNA found in modern humans

When folks picture Neanderthals, the image often involves heavy brows, furry pelts, and stone tools. Yet pieces of their DNA are still part of the modern human genome. Recent research suggests that some of these genetic variants inherited from Neanderthals could be linked to autism spectrum disorder. About 50,000-60,000 years ago, small groups of modern humans trekked out of Africa into Eurasia. They met Neanderthals, exchanged tools, and also exchanged genes through interbreeding. It has been estimated that Eurasian-derived populations have approximately 2% Neanderthal DNA, which was...

The intricate mechanisms of the human body come into play in unique ways when we expose ourselves to fear or suspense, particularly through the medium of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/environmental-disaster-movies/">film</a>.&nbsp;



One prominent response is the escalation in production of stress hormones, such as adrenaline, which effectively mobilize the body’s reserves of energy. This hormonal surge is in tandem with an increase in heart rate and a state of heightened attention, all of which converge to create a physiological state of readiness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-engaging-with-fear">Engaging with fear</h2>



When individuals engage with horror films, they are subjecting themselves to controlled doses of fear and suspense, and the body’s response can be quite exhilarating. This exhilaration is particularly pronounced when the film reaches its climax and the built-up tension is finally released.&nbsp;



Engaging with fear in a safe and controlled environment, such as when watching a film, can induce feelings of thrill and euphoria. This is comparable to engaging in extreme sports like skydiving, where the element of fear is palpable, yet the activity is pursued for the exhilaration it provides.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pain-tolerance-nbsp">Pain tolerance&nbsp;</h2>



Endorphins, the body’s natural chemicals associated with pleasure and reward, play a crucial role in these experiences. The brain produces endorphins in various scenarios, including while eating, exercising, and also when the body is under stress or experiencing pain. This latter category includes the intense moments often found in jump-scare horror movies.&nbsp;



“Researchers have found that watching horror can improve pain tolerance due to endorphin production,” said Kristen Knowles, a neuropsychiatrist at the <a href="https://www.qmu.ac.uk/">Queen Margaret University</a> in Edinburgh.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotional-training">Emotional training</h2>



“The body’s response to fear or suspense is to ramp up production of stress hormones, such as adrenalin, which mobilize your body’s energy resources. This is paired with increased heart rate and focused attention."&nbsp;



"This can all feel rather exhilarating when that tension is released at the end of the film. Doing this safely can feel good simply because it is thrilling – consider skydiving as a similar activity which is frightening but also euphoric."



Dr. Knowles further explained that this safe exploration of fear through film allows individuals to “learn to cope with negative emotions and develop resilience to fear and stress.” It is a form of emotional training, where the stakes are low but the emotional engagement is high.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-physical-responses-nbsp">Physical responses&nbsp;</h2>



This perspective has previously been bolstered by empirical research, such as in a study conducted in 2012 by the <a href="https://www.westminster.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Westminster</a> in London. 



The study highlighted the physical impacts of engaging with horror films, showing that watching a 90-minute horror movie could burn a number of calories equivalent to what one might burn during a brisk walk. Thus, such fascinating insights draw a direct line between the emotional and psychological engagement of watching horror movies and tangible physical responses.



In sum, horror films provide a unique and multifaceted experience, intertwining physiological responses, emotional engagement, and psychological exploration. The thrill of fear, experienced in a safe and controlled environment, offers both an exhilarating experience and an opportunity for emotional growth and resilience building.



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Facing your fear: How horror films benefit health

The intricate mechanisms of the human body come into play...

Researchers at the <a href="https://le.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Leicester</a> have discovered a novel way of connecting criminals to crime scenes: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-have-solved-the-mystery-of-fur-patterns-in-cats/">cat</a> hair. The new study reveals that the DNA found in a single strand of cat hair could be sufficient to create a link between a suspect and a crime scene, or even a victim.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forensic-investigations-nbsp">Forensic investigations&nbsp;</h2>



With 26 percent of households in the UK owning a cat, and considering the vast amount of hair these pets shed annually, it’s almost certain that traces of a cat’s presence will be found on individuals who have been in the vicinity of these furry creatures. This has significant implications for forensic investigations, providing a new avenue for collecting evidence in criminal cases.



Even if a human perpetrator is careful enough to avoid leaving behind their own DNA, the cat hair transferred from the scene of the crime can act as a genetic marker. The hair itself contains unique DNA that could be the key to associating a suspect with a particular location or person involved in a criminal incident.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wealth-of-dna-information-nbsp">Wealth of DNA information&nbsp;</h2>



In the recently published paper in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2023.102944" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forensic Science International: Genetics</a>, the experts outlined a refined method capable of extracting a wealth of DNA information from a single piece of cat hair.



“Hair shed by your cat lacks the hair root, so it contains very little usable DNA. In practice we can only analyze mitochondrial DNA, which is passed from mothers to their offspring, and is shared among maternally related cats,” said lead author Emily Patterson, a PhD student at Leicester.



This limitation means that while the hair DNA can’t be used to identify a specific cat, it is crucial to extract as much information as possible when conducting forensic tests.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-innovative-method">Innovative method</h2>



The team’s innovative method allows for the analysis of the entire mitochondrial DNA sequence, providing results that are approximately ten times more discriminating than previous techniques, which only examined a small fragment of the DNA.



Dr. Jon Wetton from the University’s Department of Genetics &amp; Genome Biology, who co-led the study, shared insights from a previous murder case.&nbsp;



“We applied the earlier technique but were fortunate that the suspect’s cat had an uncommon mitochondrial variant, as most cat lineages couldn’t be distinguished from each other. But with our new approach virtually every cat has a rare DNA type and so the test will almost certainly be informative if hairs are found.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-valuable-source-of-evidence">Valuable source of evidence</h2>



The method was put to the test in a real-world scenario involving a lost cat, successfully matching the DNA from the cat’s skeletal remains to that of hair from a surviving male offspring.



Professor Mark Jobling, a Genetics expert and study co-lead, highlighted the broader implications of their findings: “In criminal cases where there is no human DNA available to test, pet hair is a valuable source of linking evidence, and our method makes it much more powerful. The same approach could also be applied to other species - in particular, dogs.”



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Cat hair can be used to link criminals to crime scenes

Researchers at the University of Leicester have discovered a novel...

Beautiful,View,Of,The,Planets,Saturn,,Jupiter,,Uranus,,Neptune,,Pluto

In the cosmic game of planetary billiards, giant gas planets can act as colossal wrecking balls, effectively pushing their Earth-like counterparts out of the stable zones that might harbor life. 



Two recent papers dive into this concept further, investigating the roles of giant gas planets in two distinct star systems. What they reveal might alter how we view the potential for life in other parts of the universe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jupiter-gas-planet-is-solar-system-s-shield">Jupiter: Gas planet is solar system's shield</h2>



To understand the concept better, we must first look closer to home. Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, is more than just a spectacle for astronomers. It is literally Earth's shield. 



The giant gas planet's substantial gravitational force acts as a deflector of potential threats, like comets and asteroids, which might have otherwise struck Earth. This gravitational behemoth ensures a level of stability that has, in part, allowed life to flourish on our planet.



However, as the new research indicates, not all giant planets are as benevolent as Jupiter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-chaos-of-gas-planet-hd-141399">The chaos of gas planet HD 141399</h2>



The study focuses on a star system known as <a href="https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exoplanet-catalog/7121/hd-141399-e/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HD 141399</a>. Unique in its formation, it houses four giant planets that are positioned relatively farther from their star. This setup bears similarity to our solar system, where both Jupiter and Saturn lie at a considerable distance from the sun.



But unlike our solar system, these planets create chaos. "It’s as if they have four Jupiters acting like wrecking balls, throwing everything out of whack," explains Stephen Kane, the paper's author from <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Riverside</a>. Through various computer simulations considering the data on these planets, Kane sought to determine if a planet similar to Earth could sustain a stable orbit within the system's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-third-of-our-galaxys-planets-could-be-habitable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitable zone</a>.



His findings? It's possible, but highly improbable. The immense gravitational force from the four giants would likely knock a rocky planet out of its orbit, pushing it out of the habitable zone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-case-of-gas-planet-gj-357">The case of gas planet GJ 357</h2>



HD 141399 showcases the disruption caused by planets outside the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/next-generation-telescopes-could-detect-signs-of-life-on-exoplanets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitable zone</a>. A second paper investigates the potential chaos of a sizable planet located within the habitable zone. This research focuses on the star system <a href="https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/exoplanet-catalog/7448/gj-357-d/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GJ 357</a>, located a mere 30 light years away from Earth.



Earlier studies pinpointed a planet, GJ 357 d, within this system's habitable zone. Although previously estimated to be six times Earth's mass, Kane's paper titled “Agent of Chaos” posits it could be even larger, potentially ten times Earth's mass. 



Such a massive planet wouldn't just be inhospitable for life. GJ 357 d's gravitational influence would also likely deter other, more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-like-planets-may-be-more-common-than-we-ever-imagined/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth-like planets</a> from maintaining stable orbits in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jwst-provides-new-insights-into-a-distant-star-and-its-exoplanets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitable zone</a>.



Even if a planet could maintain an orbit within this zone, its path would be highly elliptical. This would result in "wild climates," as Kane puts it. Essentially, while a planet might be located in what we consider a "habitable" zone, the conditions could be far from conducive for life as we understand it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rarity-of-life-friendly-configurations">Rarity of life-friendly configurations</h2>



Together, these papers underscore a profound realization. The conditions and configurations conducive to life, at least as we understand it, might be rarer than previously thought in the universe. 



Kane's concluding thoughts encapsulate this sentiment. He said, "Our work gives us more reasons to be very grateful for the particular planetary configuration we have in our solar system."



In the quest for extraterrestrial life, it's crucial to understand these cosmic dynamics. While the universe is vast and possibilities are endless, these findings remind us of the unique and delicate balance that enables life on Earth.



This full paper was published in the <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-3881/acfb01" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Astronomical Journal</a>.



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Giant gas planets are cosmic wrecking balls that wreak havoc in habitable zones

In the cosmic game of planetary billiards, giant gas planets...

A new study reveals that Australasia - including Australia, New Zealand and nearby islands - may be on the brink of a pollination crisis. The research from <a href="https://www.mq.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Macquarie University highlights</a> the urgent need for intervention to prevent devastating repercussions on biodiversity and food security in the region.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lack-of-research-nbsp">Lack of research&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers sifted through thousands of global research papers on the decline of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/south-african-daisy-creates-fake-flies-to-attract-pollinators/">pollinators</a> due to human activities. They discovered that even though a minuscule fraction mentioned Australasia, the same factors causing pollinator decline in the northern hemisphere are also prevalent in this region.&nbsp;



Europe and North America's research pointed out threats such as natural habitat loss, climate change, pesticide usage, the spread of pathogens, and the introduction of new species, all contributing to the decline of animals, including birds and insects, that serve as pollinators, and consequently, the plants they pollinate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insect-apocalypse-nbsp">Insect apocalypse&nbsp;</h2>



“At first glance it seems Australasia has dodged a bullet and missed the so-called insect apocalypse and other declines in pollinators," said Honorary Professor Graham Pyke.



However, despite the scarcity of relevant research in Australasia, Professor Pyke’s team unearthed grave environmental threats to local pollinators, suggesting that the region's pollination crisis has been overlooked.



“The same environmental threats to plants and their pollinators are happening in this region – but we haven’t been monitoring their impact," said Professor Pyke.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollination-crisis-nbsp">Pollination crisis&nbsp;</h2>



Pollination crises occur when there's a significant decline, even to the point of extinction, of animals that act as pollinators and the plants they pollinate.&nbsp;



“This is not a trivial issue,” said Professor Pyke. “In Australia, we estimate 15,000 animal species act as plant pollinators. Declines in these pollinator species will cascade through to the estimated 20,000 species of flowering plants in Australia that rely on or benefit from animal pollination to reproduce."



“This includes many food plants such as most fruits and many vegetables, ranging from tomatoes and beans to coffee, strawberries, canola and even cacao – essential for chocolate, which rely partially or totally on animal pollination.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extensive-work-is-needed">Extensive work is needed</h2>



To gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation and plan subsequent interventions, Professor Pyke highlighted the need for collecting detailed taxonomic data on Australasian flora and fauna.



Study co-author Dr. Kit Prendergast, adjunct researcher at Curtin University, noted that neglecting to conserve local indigenous pollinators exacerbates the pollination crisis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lack-of-investment-nbsp">Lack of investment&nbsp;</h2>



The introduced European honeybee, although instrumental in pollinating some crops in Australia, competes with native bees and can disrupt established pollination systems.&nbsp;



“There are currently 1,660 native bee species which are described, and hundreds more that remain undescribed," said Dr. Prendergast. "The investment into these bees is vastly overshadowed by the investment into the introduced honeybee."



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



Study co-author Professor Zong-Xin Ren from the Chinese Academy of Sciences plans to extend the study to include China and other parts of Asia.&nbsp;



The experts say that the region needs to step up its game in monitoring and improving conditions for pollinators to prevent widespread impacts on food security.



“Neglecting the pollination crisis in Australasia could reverberate globally, and even jeopardise biodiversity and food supply,” said Professor Pyke. 



The study is published in the journal Ecology and Evolution.



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Insect apocalypse: Australasia is facing a hidden pollination crisis

A new study reveals that Australasia - including Australia, New...

Sunflowers have long fascinated observers with their ability to follow the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aztecs-kept-accurate-time-using-the-sun-and-the-mountains/">sun</a> from east to west throughout the day, a behavior known as heliotropism. But the science behind this intricate dance has remained somewhat of a mystery. Now, a study led by Stacey Harmer and her team at the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California Davis</a> sheds light on the complexities of this behavior. The study has revealed that sunflowers rely on multiple types of light responses to execute this movement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-phototropic-light-response">Phototropic (light) response</h2>



In the past, it was believed that the sunflower's ability to move towards light sources was primarily driven by a light-dependent response pathway known as the phototropic response. This system operates when blue light, falling unevenly on a plant, gets detected by proteins known as phototropins.&nbsp;



These proteins then cause a redistribution of a specific plant hormone, resulting in the plant's growing tip bending towards the light. It's nature's own way of helping plants, which are anchored to one spot, to reach out for the light they need for photosynthesis.



However, Harmer and her colleagues' research indicates that the sunflower's heliotropism isn't solely based on this phototropic response.&nbsp;



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



In their study, they contrasted the gene activity patterns in sunflowers bending towards blue light in a lab setting to those of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunflower-extracts-shield-blueberries-from-fruit-rot/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sunflowers</a> in a natural environment, following the sun's movement. 



The researchers discovered that only a handful of genes responsible for the phototropic bending in the lab exhibited significant changes in activity in response to the sun's movement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shade-avoidance-system">Shade avoidance system</h2>



Interestingly, their findings also highlighted the activation of other light-response systems. One such system, the shade avoidance system, detects far-red light typically found in shaded areas.&nbsp;



The shade avoidance system was activated on the west side of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunflower-pollen-protects-bees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sunflower</a> stem during the early hours of the day when the sun was still in the east. This revelation paints a complex picture of the mechanisms behind sunflower movement. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-this-light-response-system">Implications of this light response system</h2>



Even more intriguing is the fact that even when either the red and far-red or blue light was removed, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunflowers-use-an-internal-clock-to-bloom-at-optimal-times/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sunflowers</a> still managed to track the sun. This suggests that multiple systems collaborate to ensure the heliotropic response, making it possible even if one or more light triggers are absent.



“We’ve been continually surprised by what we’ve found as we study how sunflowers follow the sun each day," said Harmer. "In this paper, we report that they use different molecular pathways to initiate and maintain tracking movements, and that the photoreceptors best known for causing plant bending seem to play a minor role in this remarkable process.”



The research not only provides a deeper understanding of a well-observed phenomenon but also challenges previous assumptions about plant behavior and adaptation.&nbsp;



The study is published in the journal in <a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3002344" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS Biology</a>.



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Sunflowers use multiple light response systems to track the sun

Sunflowers have long fascinated observers with their ability to follow...

Halloween is all about the eerie ambiance, trick-or-treating, and most importantly, the costumes. And it’s not just humans getting dressed up for the occasion.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pet-costumes-nbsp">Pet costumes&nbsp;</h2>



A growing trend in the US is dressing up pets, particularly dogs. However, a cautionary note has been raised by pet expert Christopher Masanto, co-founder and CEO of <a href="https://thepetlabco.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The PetLab Co.</a>, about keeping an eye on the comfort of our furry friends.



According to the National Retail Federation, this year's national Halloween spend is expected to hit a record-high $12.2 billion, with $700 million projected to be spent on pet Halloween costumes.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comfort-and-safety-nbsp">Comfort and safety&nbsp;</h2>



With such increasing popularity in dressing up pets, it's essential to prioritize their comfort and safety, taking measures to keep them from getting anxious and stressed.



“We all love seeing how adorable our dogs look dressed up in their costumes and its great owners think of their pets as part of the family," said Masanto. 



“However, some dogs may not feel the same love for their costumes as we do. Dressing up may even cause some of our pets to become stressed and anxious, especially if they’ve never worn anything similar before. They’ll be less spooky, and more spooked.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-look-for-signs-of-stress">Look for signs of stress</h2>



For those planning to include their pets in the festivities, Masanto offers guidance on signs of stress to watch out for: whimpering, excessive panting, rubbing or scratching.&nbsp;



These could be signs of discomfort from the costume or sensory overload. If these signs are evident, it might be best to remove the costume and provide a calm environment for the pet.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-establish-a-safe-place">Establish a safe place</h2>



“To help calm your dog if they’re feeling uneasy, make sure they have an easily accessible safe place. This may be the room they sleep in or cuddled up on the couch under a blanket. You'll want to ensure the place is quiet to allow your dog time to return to its usual happy state," said Masanto.



"We love Halloween but we love our pets too and this way, we can ensure a safe and enjoyable Halloween for everyone!”&nbsp; 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-top-dog-costumes">Top dog costumes</h2>



Needing some last minute inspiration? By analyzing nationwide Google search data, PetLab Co. has identified the top 10 most searched-for Halloween dog costumes.&nbsp;



Topping the list was Chucky, closely followed by an easy-to-DIY ghost costume. Other top dog costume searches included The Grinch, Scooby-Doo, Ewok, bats spiders, and dinosaurs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-popular-pet-costumes">More popular pet costumes</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-movie-characters">Movie characters</h3>



From Darth Vader cats to Superman dogs, costumes inspired by popular movies and TV shows are a hit.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-classic-halloween-characters">Classic Halloween characters</h3>



Think ghosts, witches, and skeletons. These timeless choices are always in style.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animals">Animals</h3>



It's always fun to dress a dog as a lion or a cat as a shark.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-items">Food items</h3>



Dressing pets as tacos, hot dogs, or sushi rolls can be both hilarious and adorable.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-superheroes">Superheroes</h3>



With the popularity of superhero movies, many pets are seen sporting capes and masks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-important-considerations">Important considerations</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comfort">Comfort</h3>



Ensure that the costume doesn't restrict movement, hearing, or breathing.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-safety">Safety</h3>



Avoid costumes with small, dangling, or easily chewable parts that a pet might ingest.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tolerance">Tolerance</h3>



Not all pets like wearing costumes. Some might tolerate it, while others might become anxious and stressed.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temperature">Temperature</h3>



Ensure the costume is appropriate for the weather. A thick costume might be too hot for some climates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-helpful-tips">Helpful tips</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trial-run">Trial run</h3>



Before the big day, let your pet wear the costume to see how they react.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stay-supervised">Stay supervised</h3>



Always supervise your pet while they're in their costume.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-photos">Photos</h3>



Take photos early in the evening, so if your pet isn't comfortable, they don't have to stay in their costume all night.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diy-pet-costumes">DIY pet costumes</h3>



If you're crafty, consider making a DIY costume for your pet. For instance, a simple bedsheet can turn your dog into a ghost, or a red cape can transform your cat into Little Red Riding Hood.



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How to keep your pet safe and calm in a Halloween costume

Halloween is all about the eerie ambiance, trick-or-treating, and most...

A study from <a href="https://ok.ubc.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UBC Okanagan</a> is providing new insights into the impact of therapy dogs and programs across various gender identities. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-therapy-dogs">Studying therapy dogs</h2>



The goal of the research, led by Dr. John-Tyler Binfet, was to determine whether the positive effects of canine therapy may differ across genders in a campus setting.



There is abundant evidence that dog therapy programs are beneficial for emotional and social well-being. However, most past studies were predominantly focused on female participants.&nbsp;



The UBC Okanagan study analyzed the effectiveness of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ten-minutes-with-a-therapy-dog-can-help-relieve-er-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dog</a> therapy programs among students identifying as female, male, and gender diverse.



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



"Facilitating access to on-campus well-being resources is important in light of the prevalence of mental health challenges faced by post-secondary students, especially first-year students," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"Supporting students’ well-being and reducing factors contributing to ill-being is paramount to reducing the risk of students dropping out or underperforming academically."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gender-specific-study">Gender-specific study</h2>



Dr. Binfet has conducted numerous studies on the benefits of canine therapy, but to his knowledge, this is the first gender-specific study about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/full-time-hospital-therapy-dogs-benefit-both-patients-and-staff/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">canine therapy</a>.



“Previous research has explored if it works and how it works, but not who it works for,” said Dr. Binfet. “This was one of the first studies that examined whether canine-assisted interventions work equally well for varied genders.”



The study participants were students who self-selected their gender group. Prior to the therapy sessions, they provided reports of well-being; specifically measuring their self-perceptions of social connectedness, happiness, optimism, stress, homesickness and loneliness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dimensions-of-well-being-from-therapy-dogs">Dimensions of well-being from therapy dogs</h2>



"For the purpose of our study, well-being was conceptualized as 'a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her community,'" wrote the researchers.



"As this definition incorporates both positive and negative dimensions of well-being, we designed our study to incorporate aspects of both well-being and ill-being."



A total of 163 students participated in the study: 49% women, 33% men, and 17% identifying as non-binary or other genders. These students, in groups of three or four, took part in 20-minute sessions with a therapy dog and handler. After their session, they filled out a post-session survey.



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



The results showed a notable increase in overall well-being among participants and a decline in feelings of homesickness, stress, and loneliness.&nbsp;



Furthermore, the positive impact of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/petting-a-dog-even-when-its-not-your-own-can-boost-your-health-for-months/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">canine</a> intervention therapy was consistently observed across all gender identities.



“In light of previous studies that note participants were predominantly women, our sampling of men, genderfluid and two-spirit participants furthers our understanding that the efficacy of these interventions does not appear to be gender dependent,” said Dr. Binfet.&nbsp;



“The vast majority of responses showed that the dogs helped the students feel and experience something positive regardless of their gender.”



The research may have profound implications for mental health and wellness programs at post-secondary institutions. As educators constantly strive to find inclusive, low-cost, and accessible solutions for student well-being, the gender inclusivity of canine therapy may be a promising resource.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1079/hai.2023.0037" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human-Animal Interactions</a>.&nbsp;



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Therapy dogs benefit student well-being across all genders

A study from UBC Okanagan is providing new insights into...

While many of us are familiar with popular dietary regimens like the Mediterranean or DASH diet, a report from the <a href="https://www.heart.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Heart Association</a> promotes a diet that you've probably never heard of:the portfolio diet. A recent study suggests that this diet may significantly decrease the risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-diet-may-save-your-life-six-key-foods-lower-the-risk-of-heart-disease/">heart disease</a> and stroke.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-portfolio-diet-nbsp">Portfolio diet&nbsp;</h2>



The portfolio diet specifically targets the reduction of "bad" LDL cholesterol, which is a prominent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The primary components of the portfolio diet include:



<ul>
<li>Plant-based proteins like soy and legumes.</li>



<li>Foods rich in viscous fiber such as oats, barley, berries, apples, and citrus fruits.</li>



<li>Nuts and seeds.</li>



<li>Phytosterols that decrease cholesterol absorption, available in fortified foods or as supplements.</li>



<li>Avocado and plant-based oils rich in monounsaturated fats.</li>
</ul>



Dr. Andrea Glenn is the lead author of the study and a registered dietitian at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston and the University of Toronto.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consistent-health-benefits-nbsp">Consistent health benefits&nbsp;</h2>



"Through this research, we found that the portfolio diet score was consistently associated with a lower risk of both heart disease and stroke, highlighting an opportunity for people to lower their heart disease risk through consuming more of these foods recommended in the diet," said Dr. Glenn.



While prior studies have established that the portfolio diet can reduce LDL cholesterol levels comparably to early-generation statins, not much was known about its long-term effects on cardiovascular disease risk.&nbsp;



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



This prompted researchers to analyze the diet data of 166,270 women and 43,970 men who were initially free from cardiovascular diseases in the mid-1980s to early 1990s. The participants' diets were assessed every four years using food questionnaires.



After nearly 30 years, participants with the highest adherence to the portfolio diet had a remarkable 14 percent reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke, in comparison to those with the lowest adherence.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lowering-ldl-cholesterol-nbsp">Lowering LDL cholesterol&nbsp;</h2>



Dr. Kristina Petersen, an associate professor of Nutritional Sciences at Penn State, commented on the importance of lowering LDL cholesterol.



"We're always looking at ways to reduce the risk of heart disease, and one effective way to do that is to lower blood cholesterol levels, particularly LDL cholesterol," said Dr. Petersen



Although she was not involved in the current study, Dr. Petersen co-authored an AHA scientific statement that evaluated 10 prevalent diets based on their heart health benefits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-forward-diet">Plant-forward diet</h2>



The portfolio diet bears resemblance to other heart-healthy diets in terms of emphasizing whole grains, fruits, vegetables, plant protein, nuts, and plant oils.



While this diet may not be as well known as the DASH and Mediterranean diets, there are significant overlaps, said Dr. Glenn. The portfolio diet, she said, is more "plant forward" and discourages animal proteins more than other dietary patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lack-of-public-awareness-nbsp">Lack of public awareness&nbsp;</h2>



Despite its potential heart-health benefits, the portfolio diet's lack of public awareness is evident. Dr. Glenn hopes that these new findings will elevate its status and emphasize its flexibility.



"It's not an all-or-nothing approach. You can take your own diet and make a few small changes and see cardiovascular benefits," said Dr. Glenn.



"You also do not have to follow it as a strict vegan or vegetarian diet to see benefits, but the more of the foods (from the portfolio diet) that you eat, the greater your heart disease risk protection, as we saw in the current study. We need to get the word out."



The findings are published in the American Heart Association journal <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.123.065551">Circulation</a>.



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Plant-forward portfolio diet reduces heart disease risk

While many of us are familiar with popular dietary regimens...

Deforestation in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amazon-animals-will-suffer-as-the-rainforest-turns-into-savanna/">Amazon</a> is heating up land surfaces as far as 100 kilometers away, according to a new study led by Dr. Edward Butt at the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/">University of Leeds</a>.



The research highlights the pivotal role tropical forests play in land surface cooling, an effect observed over significant distances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-amazon-deforestation">Studying Amazon deforestation</h2>



While it has been previously recognized that clearing tropical forests leads to immediate climate warming in the vicinity, the researchers wanted to investigate the climate impact of Amazon <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-deforestation-crisis-how-can-we-stop-massive-forest-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deforestation</a> in more distant regions. 



The study specifically gauged the climate effects in areas up to 100 kilometers from the deforestation sites.



Dr. Butt emphasized the urgent need to understand the impact of Amazon's forest loss.



“The world is getting warmer as a result of climate change. It is important that we understand how deforestation of the Amazon ecosystem is contributing to climate warming," said Dr. Butt. "If deforestation is warming surrounding regions, this would have big implications for people living in those areas."



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



The experts integrated satellite data to track land surface temperature changes and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brazilian-amazon-crisis-deforestation-is-escalating-in-indigenous-territories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon forest loss</a> from 2001 to 2020. 



With data from 3.7 million locations across the Amazon basin, the researchers compared warming that had occurred over regions with varying amounts of local and regional deforestation.



For clarity, the scientists categorized deforestation within two kilometers of a data point as "local." Beyond this, land up to 100 kilometers away, was deemed "regional."



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



The data revealed that in zones with minimal local and regional deforestation, the average land temperature change from 2001 to 2021 was just 0.3°C.&nbsp;



By contrast, areas subjected to both local and regional deforestation witnessed an average temperature surge of 4.4°C.



“The regional warming due to Amazon <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deforestation-linked-to-irreversible-transition-in-the-amazon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deforestation</a> will have negative consequences for the 30 million people living within the Amazon basin, many of whom are already exposed to dangerous levels of heat," wrote the study authors. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-warming-scenarios">Potential warming scenarios</h2>



The team also projected the potential warming of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/rio-negro-is-shrinking-as-drought-strikes-the-brazilian-amazon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brazilian Amazon</a> in the next 30 years based on two scenarios of future deforestation. 



In the first scenario, the Forest Code is ignored and protected areas not safeguarded. The second scenario anticipates some level of forest protection.&nbsp;



The findings suggest that in Mato Grosso state, located in the southern Amazon where forest loss is rampant, reducing deforestation could mitigate future warming by over 0.5°C.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amazon-deforestation-implications">Amazon deforestation implications </h2>



“It is well known that protecting tropical forests is crucial in the fight against global climate change. Our work shows that protecting forests will also have big benefits at a local, regional and national scale," said Professor Dominick Spracklen from the University of Leeds.



“We show that reducing deforestation would reduce future warming across the southern Amazon. This would benefit people living across the region through reducing heat stress and reducing the negative impacts on agriculture.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



Study co-author Dr. Celso von Randow is a researcher from the Brazilian <a href="https://www.gov.br/inpe/pt-br" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Institute for Space Research</a>.



“In Brazil, studies on the importance of conserving forests for carbon storage are common, but we still lack studies on their biophysical effects. This is important because the Amazon is warming rapidly due to climate change, and now exacerbated by deforestation," said Dr. von Randow.&nbsp;



“New efforts to control deforestation across the Brazilian Amazon have been successful and deforestation rates have declined over the last year, and now we see benefits of possibly reducing the warming affecting people living in this region. Recognizing such benefits will hopefully result in more widespread support for continued efforts to reduce deforestation and protect forests.” 



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2309123120">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Amazon deforestation has far-reaching impacts

Deforestation in the Amazon is heating up land surfaces as...

The first wide-scale assessment of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spiders-transfer-mercury-contamination-from-water-to-land-animals/">methylmercury</a>, a very poisonous form of mercury, in adult amphibians in the U.S. to date has found that this toxic compound is common, widespread and, in some cases, can reach very high levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-amphibians-and-mercury">Studying amphibians and mercury</h2>



The study, titled “Broad-scale Assessment of Methylmercury in Adult Amphibians,” and published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.3c05549" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Science and Technology</a>, encompasses data from over 3,200 amphibians spanning 14 species across 26 populations. This collaboration involved scientists from various regions of the country.



“Amphibians are the most endangered group of vertebrates worldwide, but until this study, we knew relatively little about the variability of mercury bioaccumulation in amphibians,” said Anne Kinsinger, the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/">U.S. Geological Survey</a> (USGS) Associate Director for Ecosystems.&nbsp;



“Trailblazing USGS science, like this study, provides a solid foundation for research and helps managers address the most pressing issues facing fish and wildlife conservation.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-methylmercury-concentrations-nbsp">Methylmercury concentrations&nbsp;</h2>



The investigation unveiled a range of methylmercury concentrations in <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/how-do-amphibians-breathe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amphibians</a>, influenced by factors including the specific site, as well as the life history characteristics of the amphibians, such as their diet, size, and sex. 



Some locations revealed barely detectable levels, while others demonstrated concentrations exceeding wildlife health benchmarks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mercury-levels-vary-in-amphibians">Mercury levels vary in amphibians</h2>



While the study noted substantial variation in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/warming-temperatures-methylmercury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methylmercury</a> levels across amphibians, the range was less extensive than that reported for other species like dragonflies, fishes, and birds. 



This lesser variation in amphibians is thought to be due to the current focus on sampling from wetlands, in contrast to the diverse habitats considered in studies on other animal species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bioaccumulation-nbsp">Bioaccumulation&nbsp;</h2>



Mercury, recognized as a global contaminant of concern, is suspected to be a contributing factor to the declining numbers of amphibians, though its specific role in this decline is yet to be fully understood.



Produced by aquatic microbes, methylmercury is the most bioavailable and toxic form of mercury for vertebrates. It enters the food chain and accumulates within animals, a process referred to as bioaccumulation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unknown-health-effects">Unknown health effects</h2>



“Despite its toxicity, scientists only have a limited understanding of methylmercury’s effects on amphibians,” said lead author Brian Tornabene, a postdoctoral fellow at USGS. “The results from this study can be used to inform future research on the health effects of methylmercury exposure on amphibians, which for some was very high.”



The study also provides new methodologies and baseline data critical for assessing mercury risk, particularly for species under conservation concern, including those listed under the Endangered Species Act, according to co-author Michael Adams, the leader of the USGS Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative.



A novel approach proposed by the study involves using dragonfly larvae as proxies for assessing methylmercury bioaccumulation in amphibians, especially for species that are challenging to sample directly. This method is currently being implemented in a <a href="https://geonarrative.usgs.gov/dmp/">nationwide project by the USGS/National Park Service</a>.



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



The current findings highlight the particular vulnerability of amphibians to environmental contaminants like mercury, owing to their reliance on aquatic habitats. It also acknowledges the need for a deeper understanding of how exposure to contaminants, in conjunction with other threats such as diseases, impacts amphibian populations.



By providing a comprehensive view of methylmercury variation in amphibians, this study marks a significant step forward in unraveling the complex interplay between environmental contaminants and amphibian health and conservation.



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Amphibians threatened by mercury, with unknown health impacts

The first wide-scale assessment of methylmercury, a very poisonous form...

As the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-made-covid-19-patients-sicker-for-longer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID-19</a> pandemic emerged, one of the most pronounced impacts was observed on cruise ships. A disproportionate number of cruise ship passengers were infected with the virus and stranded onboard for quarantine.&nbsp;



This scenario highlighted the urgent need for improved ventilation on cruise ships to distribute fresh air, especially in cabins and other enclosed areas, to reduce viral transmission.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-airborne-viruses-nbsp">Airborne viruses&nbsp;</h2>



A new study published by the <a href="https://www.aip.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Institute of Physics</a> investigated how ventilation can influence the transmission of airborne viruses in a standard cruise ship cabin. This examination was based on the guidelines established both before and after the pandemic.



“The most recent standards and regulations on room safety regarding the airborne transmission of viruses focus on high rates of air exchange,” said study co-author Dimitris Drikakis. 



“But this can be inefficient in terms of energy consumption, can compromise passenger comfort as it generates strong air drafts, and most importantly, can spread saliva droplets up to five times more when passengers cough.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-computer-simulations">Computer simulations</h2>



To comprehend the implications thoroughly, Drikakis and his team simulated virus droplets resulting from a cough in a typical cruiser cabin designed for two or more occupants. These simulations factored in varying ventilation rates and the positioning of the individual coughing.&nbsp;



The range for computational fluid dynamics testing was broad, between 1.5 to 15 air changes per hour (ACH), encompassing scenarios from minimal ventilation to rates that surpassed the newest recommendations.



“The study reveals that a higher ventilation rate is not the best strategy to avoid spreading airborne diseases,” said Drikakis. “Complete evaporation of the saliva droplets may not necessarily mean all viruses or bacteria become instantly inactive. Therefore, we should aim at minimum droplet spreading inside the cabin and different ventilation strategies for occupied cabins.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ideal-ventilation-strategy-nbsp">Ideal ventilation strategy&nbsp;</h2>



Upon evaluating the results, the research team proposed an ideal ventilation strategy. Systems should function at medium flow rates of about 3 ACH when cabins are occupied and then ramp up to 15 ACH for a minimum of 12 minutes post-vacancy.&nbsp;



This method ensures a complete air refreshment for subsequent occupants. Additionally, they advocate for a "clearance wait time" of at least 12 minutes for rooms of comparable sizes, maintaining a minimum of 15 ACH.



“Our main argument for the proposed values is the necessity to minimize droplet spreading while maintaining good ventilation levels, comfort, and energy consumption,” stated Drikakis.&nbsp;



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



This approach offers a more energy-efficient solution and elevates passenger comfort - a stark contrast to the practice of leveraging higher ventilation rates.



“Our main argument for the proposed values is the necessity to minimize droplet spreading while maintaining good ventilation levels, comfort and energy consumption,” said Drikakis. “Keeping ventilation at the proposed values reduces energy consumption and improves passenger comfort in contrast to the use of higher ventilation rates.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://aip.scitation.org/doi/full/10.1063/5.0169992" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physics of Fluids</a>.



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Cruise ships rethink ventilation to minimize viral spread

As the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, one of the most pronounced...

A recent study led by the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/">University of Sydney</a> has revealed a concerning decline in the effectiveness of antibiotics used to treat common infections in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-may-be-isolating-too-long-for-covid-19-infection/">children</a> and babies worldwide.&nbsp;



This alarming resistance to antibiotics is leading to outdated global guidelines and a subsequent rise in avoidable deaths, particularly in regions such as South-East Asia and the Pacific.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-updates-urgently-needed">Updates urgently needed</h2>



The study highlighted that many antibiotics, which are recommended by the World Health Organization (<a href="https://www.who.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WHO</a>), show less than 50 percent effectiveness in combating childhood infections like pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis. 



This indicates that the global guidelines on antibiotic use urgently require updates. It is worth noting that these findings are further supported by data in the journal "Lancet South East Asia."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thousands-of-preventable-deaths">Thousands of preventable deaths</h2>



Regions facing the brunt of this crisis include South-East Asia and the Pacific, specifically nations like Indonesia and the Philippines. Thousands of preventable child deaths in these areas result from the growing antibiotic resistance each year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-health-threat">Global health threat</h2>



The WHO has identified antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as one of the top 10 global public health threats.&nbsp;



Among newborns, approximately three million sepsis cases are reported worldwide every year, leading to almost 570,000 deaths. A significant portion of these deaths can be attributed to antibiotics that are ineffective in treating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-have-been-found-in-clouds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria resistant</a> to them.



Of particular concern, the antibiotic ceftriaxone, commonly used in Australia to treat a myriad of child infections, is now found to be effective in only one out of three cases of newborn sepsis or meningitis. Another drug, gentamicin, often prescribed alongside aminopenicillins, is similarly losing its efficacy.



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



Study lead author Dr. Phoebe Williams is an infectious disease specialist at the University’s School of Public Health and <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/infectious-diseases-institute/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute</a>. Her research is focused on reducing antimicrobial resistance in high-burden healthcare settings in Southeast Asia.



Antimicrobial resistance poses a more significant threat to children as newer antibiotics are less frequently tested on them.



For the study, the experts scrutinized 6,648 bacterial isolates from 11 countries, relying on data from 86 publications.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wake-up-call-nbsp">Wake-up call&nbsp;</h2>



Dr. Williams said the study should be a wake-up call for the whole world, including Australia. "We are not immune to this problem - the burden of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sloths-may-hold-a-secret-weapon-against-antibiotic-resistance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antimicrobial resistance</a> is on our doorstep," she said.



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-linked-to-increase-in-antibiotic-resistance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antibiotic resistance</a> is rising more rapidly than we realize. We urgently need new solutions to stop invasive multidrug-resistant infections and the needless deaths of thousands of children each year.”



“Antibiotic clinical focus on adults and too often children and newborns are left out. That means we have very limited options and data for new treatments.”



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



Currently, Dr. Williams is researching the potential of an older antibiotic, fosfomycin, to counteract multidrug-resistant urinary tract infections in Australian children. She's also actively collaborating with the WHO’s Paediatric Drug Optimisation Committee to expedite children's access to effective antibiotics.



Study senior author Paul Turner is the director of the Cambodia Oxford Medical Research Unit at Angkor Hospital for Children, Siem Reap and a professor at the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a>.



“This study reveals important problems regarding the availability of effective antibiotics to treat serious infections in children,” said Turner. “It also highlights the ongoing need for high quality laboratory data to monitor the AMR situation, which will facilitate timely changes to be made to treatment guidelines.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lansea.2023.100291">The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia</a>.&nbsp;



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Antibiotics for childhood infections are becoming ineffective

A recent study led by the University of Sydney has...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

[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



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.

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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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The 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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



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



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

How the immune system responds to injury

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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