The,Human,Eye,With,The,Image,Of,The,Brain,In

Working memory plays a pivotal role in our day-to-day functions. It's an essential brain skill that helps us manage and process information while engaging in activities, without losing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-the-brain-focus-with-so-many-distractions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">focus</a>. 



For instance, working memory allows us to remember to buy more dishwasher soap while we're busy loading the dishwasher and to keep track of other future necessities.



Researchers have long understood the significant variability in working memory across individuals but have struggled to pinpoint the reasons behind these differences. 



Taking an innovative approach to studying this dilemma, researchers at the <a href="https://www.uta.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Texas at Arlington</a>, including Matthew Robinson and Lauren Garner, conducted an experiment that examined whether pupil dilation could be a reliable indicator of working memory capacity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-pupil-dilation-and-working-memory">Understanding pupil dilation and working memory</h2>



In a recent study, it was discovered that pupil size could tell us more than just how much light is entering the eye. 



Typically, pupils dilate in low-light conditions to improve vision. However, this study revealed that pupils also dilate in response to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cognitive-stimulation-at-work-helps-prevent-memory-problems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive</a> tasks requiring concentration.



The study involved 179 undergraduate students who underwent a series of working memory tests. While they attempted these tasks, an eye-tracker, similar to devices used during routine eye exams, continuously measured their pupil dilation. The findings were quite revealing. 



"We found that people who more intensely and consistently paid attention, as evidenced by greater <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/traumatic-experiences-can-be-detected-in-the-eyes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pupil dilation</a>, performed better on memory tasks," explained Robinson.



"The highest-performing participants not only had larger overall pupil dilations but were also more discerning about the information they needed to remember," he added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-pupil-dilation-correlates-to-performance">How pupil dilation correlates to performance</h2>



The correlation between pupil size and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/understanding-how-students-learn-is-key-to-helping-them-succeed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">task performance</a> could have broader implications. 



For instance, Matthew Robison noted that, "The lowest performers on the tasks showed less pupil dilation. For the highest-performing participants, their pupil dilations were both larger overall and the individuals were more discerning about the information they were asked to recall."



This research highlights a fascinating aspect of how our bodies respond to mental exertion and could lead to more personalized approaches in educational and professional settings to enhance <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-smaller-brain-size/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive performance</a>.



The study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Attention, Perception &amp; Psychophysics, provides valuable insights into the physiological underpinnings of working memory. 



"This is exciting research because it adds another valuable piece of the puzzle to our understanding of why working <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/daily-multivitamins-slow-cognitive-aging-and-improve-memory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory</a> varies between individuals," Robison concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Exploring the intricacies of working memory</h2>



Working memory enables us to hold and manipulate information in our minds for short periods, allowing us to perform complex tasks, solve problems, and make decisions. Without working memory, we would struggle to navigate the world around us effectively.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Components</h3>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-phonological-loop">The phonological loop</h4>



This component handles auditory information, such as speech and sound.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-visuospatial-sketchpad">The visuospatial sketchpad</h4>



This component processes visual and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blinking-plays-crucial-role-vision-human-perception/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spatial information</a>, such as images and locations.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-central-executive">The central executive</h4>



This component acts as a control center, allocating attention and coordinating the activities of the other components.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-episodic-buffer">The episodic buffer</h4>



This component integrates information from the other components and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wasabi-linked-to-substantial-boost-in-memory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">long-term memory</a>, creating a unified representation.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Capacity</h3>



Working memory has a limited capacity, typically allowing us to hold and manipulate between three and seven items at a time. This capacity varies among individuals and can be influenced by factors such as age, training, and cognitive impairments. 



Researchers have developed various tests and tasks to measure working memory capacity, such as the n-back task and the complex span task.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Importance in everyday life</h3>



Working memory plays a vital role in numerous everyday activities, such as:



<ul>
<li>Following instructions and directions </li>



<li>Engaging in conversations and maintaining the flow of dialogue </li>



<li>Reading comprehension and language processing </li>



<li>Performing mental calculations and problem-solving </li>



<li>Multitasking and switching between different tasks</li>
</ul>



Deficits in working memory can lead to difficulties in these areas, impacting an individual's academic performance, work efficiency, and social interactions.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Enhancement strategies</h3>



While working memory capacity is largely determined by genetic factors, research suggests that certain strategies and interventions can help improve its efficiency:



<ul>
<li>Chunking: Grouping information into meaningful units to reduce the number of items to be remembered.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Rehearsal: Repeating information mentally or aloud to maintain it in working memory.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Visualization: Creating mental images or diagrams to represent information visually.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Mindfulness and meditation: Practicing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mindfulness-protects-against-work-stress-burnout/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mindfulness</a> and meditation techniques to improve focus and attention.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Cognitive training: Engaging in targeted exercises and activities designed to challenge and strengthen working memory</li>
</ul>



By understanding the intricacies of working memory and employing these strategies, individuals can optimize their cognitive performance and enhance their ability to navigate the demands of daily life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pupil-dilation-working-memory-and-future-implications">Pupil dilation, working memory, and future implications</h2>



In summary, this study has revealed a fascinating connection between pupil dilation and working memory performance. By measuring participants' pupils during cognitive tasks, the researchers discovered that individuals with greater pupil dilation and sensitivity consistently outperformed those with less dilation. 



This finding enhances our understanding of the factors influencing working memory variation and paves the way for future research into the neural mechanisms underlying this critical cognitive skill. 



As scientists continue to explore the complexities of the brain's executive functions, studies like this one bring us closer to developing targeted interventions and strategies to support individuals struggling with working memory, ultimately unlocking the full potential of the human mind.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/s13414-024-02853-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Attention Perception &amp; Psychophysics</a>



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Pupils enlarge when the brain's working memory is focused on a task

Working memory plays a pivotal role in our day-to-day functions. It's an essential brain skill that helps us manage and process information while engaging in activities, without losing focus. For instance, working memory allows us to remember to buy more dishwasher soap while we're busy loading the dishwasher and to keep track of other future necessities. Researchers have long understood the significant variability in working memory across individuals but have struggled to pinpoint the reasons behind these differences. Taking an innovative approach to studying this dilemma, researchers...

In a new study led by <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/">Northwestern University</a>, experts have investigated various foods that may protect against severe COVID-19 infection. The researchers found that drinking at least two to three cups of coffee per day lowers the risk of falling ill with COVID-19 by about one-tenth.

"Nutritional status influences immunity but its specific association with susceptibility to COVID-19 remains unclear. We examined the association of specific dietary data and incident COVID-19 in the UK Biobank (UKB)," wrote the study authors.

The team analyzed the records of 40,000 British adults in the UK Biobank. They looked at baseline diet factors including daily intake of coffee, tea, oily fish, processed meat, red meat, fruit, and vegetables. 

"Individual COVID-19 exposure was estimated using the UK’s average monthly positive case rate per specific geo-populations. Logistic regression estimated the odds of COVID-19 positivity by diet status adjusting for baseline sociodemographic factors, medical history, and other lifestyle factors," explained the researchers.

The study produced evidence to suggest that the consumption of coffee provides protection  against the virus, even among some individuals who were known to have been exposed. The researchers believe that coffee contains health-boosting plant chemicals that may turbocharge the immune system.

The results of the analysis indicate that eating vegetables also lowers the risk of developing COVID-19, as well as being breastfed as a baby. By contrast, the regular consumption of processed meat like bacon and sausage appears to increase the risk of severe COVID-19 infection. In addition, the experts found that tea and fruit did not have a significant effect. 

"Although these findings warrant independent confirmation, adherence to certain dietary behaviors may be an additional tool to existing COVID-19 protection guidelines to limit the spread of this virus," concluded the researchers.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients">Nutrients</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

A daily dose of coffee may protect you from COVID-19

In a new study led by Northwestern University, experts have...

Giant pandas have been removed from China's critically <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/two-new-species-of-screech-owls-are-already-critically-endangered/">endangered</a> species list after more than three decades of conservation efforts to save them. With about 1,800 individuals now living in the wild, the giant panda species is now classified as vulnerable. 

Cui Shuhong, the head of the <a href="https://english.mee.gov.cn/">Ministry of Ecology and Environment</a>, said at a press conference on Wednesday that the new classification comes after Beijing carried out some major activities and measures to protect biodiversity and achieved remarkable results.

Shuhong also gave credit to stricter law enforcement, including ramped up efforts to prevent illegal activities on nature reserves.

"China has established a relatively complete nature reserves system," said Shuhong. "Large areas of natural ecosystems have been systematically and completely protected, and wildlife habitats have been effectively improved."

Becky Shu Chen of the Zoological Society of London told <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/">NBC News</a> that in most of the Chinese nature reserves are so huge that there are still villages populated with humans inside of them. She noted that the government taught villagers farming techniques that did not destroy the giant panda's natural habitat.

According to Chen, the villagers protected the home of pandas, which is one of the reasons that they are now downgraded to vulnerable.

Giant pandas were initially moved off the IUCN endangered species list five years ago, but this move was not supported by Chinese officials, who said the animals were still at risk of extinction.

“If we downgrade their conservation status, or neglect or relax our conservation work, the populations and habitats of giant pandas could still suffer irreversible loss and our achievements would be quickly lost,” the administration told the Associated Press in 2016. “Therefore, we’re not being alarmist by continuing to emphasize the panda species’ endangered status.”

According to the IUCN, giant pandas are still threatened by climate change in the decades to come. More than 35 percent of their bamboo habitat is projected to be destroyed in the next 80 years. 

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Giant pandas removed from China's endangered species list

Giant pandas have been removed from China's critically endangered species...

Rising temperatures and ozone levels are changing the way that plant roots interact with the soil and promoting carbon loss, according to a new study from <a href="https://www.ncsu.edu/">NC State University</a>. The researchers found that both climate factors have a detrimental effect on soybean plant roots, in particular, and their symbiotic relationship with microorganisms in the soil.

Under the condition of higher levels of both warming and ozone, the experts observed few changes to the plant shoots aboveground, but concerning modifications underground. The plants lost their ability to sequester carbon, releasing it into the atmosphere as a greenhouse gas.

"The ability to sequester carbon is very important to soil productivity - in addition to the detrimental effects of increasing greenhouse gases when this carbon escapes," said study co-author Professor Shuijin Hu.

The study was focused on the role of specific organisms - arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) - in promoting chemical interactions that hold carbon in the ground by preventing the decomposition of soil organic matter. 

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are present in the roots of about 80 percent of all terrestrial plants. These organisms take carbon from plants and provide nitrogen and other soil nutrients that plants need in order to grow.

For their investigation, the researchers set up plots of soybeans with increased air temperatures of about three degrees Celsius, plots with higher levels of ozone, plots with higher levels of both warming and ozone, and control plots with no modifications. 

The field experiments revealed that rising temperatures and ozone levels make soybean roots thinner as they attempt to preserve their resources and nutrients.

According to Professor Hu, soybean cultivars are often sensitive to ozone levels. Ozone has recently declined in the United States but has increased in areas of rapid industrialization like India.

"Ozone and warming have been shown to be very stressful to a lot of crops - not just soybeans - and a lot of grasses and tree species," said Professor Hu. "Ozone and warming make the plants weak. Plants try to maximize nutrient uptake, so their roots become thinner and longer as they need to exploit the sufficient volume of soil for resources." 

"This weakness results in a reduction of AMF and faster root and fungal hyphal turnovers, which stimulates decomposition and makes carbon sequestration more difficult. These cascading events may have profound effects underground, although the plant shoots appear normal in some cases."

Professor Hu said he was surprised that the plant shoots were not greatly affected by the stresses of warming and ozone. Perhaps even more surprising, he said, was that more warming and ozone changed the type of AMF that colonized soybean plants.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/">Science Advances</a>.

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Ozone alters the behavior of plant roots

Rising temperatures and ozone levels are changing the way that...

Climate change is having a major impact on the abundance and distribution of fish, as many species are migrating in search of cooler waters and more suitable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overtopping-threatens-the-future-of-coastal-habitats/">habitats</a>. In the Northeast United States, fishing communities are preparing for these changes in three specific ways, according to a new study from <a href="https://www.wellesley.edu/">Wellesley College</a>.

A team of experts led by Professor Becca Selden set out to investigate how fishing communities have responded to shifts in the distribution of summer flounder, also known as fluke, and red and silver hake. 

The researchers identified distinct changes that fishing communities have made in their approach. Some have opted to follow the fish to a new location, while others have begun targeting a different kind of fish. In addition, many fishers are now bringing their catch to shore at another port of landing.

The experts analyzed quantitative data on fish availability from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center and from a unique database of fishing trip records developed for this project. The researchers also interviewed fishers in 10 ports from North Carolina to Maine.

Ultimately, the team found that fishers throughout the Northeast were more likely to shift their target species. The research suggests that targeting a mix of species is a critical option for adaptation, but it can be complicated. 

"Most communities tend to fish where they have fished for generations, and therefore, for any fishery management plan to be more climate-ready in the future, it needs to take that into account," said Professor Selden. 

"They're less likely to move where they fish, more likely to switch what they fish, but only if they can, and regulations play a big role in that being successful."

The study revealed a previously undescribed strategy in which fishers bring their fish ashore in new locations. According to the experts, this was found to be particularly common for vessels coming from northern fishing communities that sell summer flounder in Beaufort, N.C. 

"Had we not combined the quantitative data with the in-depth interviews with community members, we would have totally missed the phenomenon we saw come to light in Beaufort," said study co-author Eva Papaioannou, a scientist at GEOMAR.

"It made for such a powerful way of analyzing the data, so that we were really using it to influence the questions we would ask in each interview, and the interviews would drive what we would examine in the quantitative data. I think that approach really made for a much more complete look at the impact of changes in species distribution and fishers' adaptations."

Out of all the fishing communities examined, Beaufort was the only one to use the strategy of following fish to new grounds. 

"Beaufort fishers have gone to tremendous lengths to keep fishing fluke, and following fish to new grounds brings its own constraints and concerns," said Professor Selden.

The study was focused on the Northeast because it has been a hotspot of recent ocean warming, especially in the Gulf of Maine, and in some ways it is a harbinger of what other areas might be experiencing soon, said Professor Selden. 

She explained that along the East Coast, there are state-by-state regulations, and you pass through different jurisdictions with species crossing boundaries all over the place. "This all has an impact on fishers, their behavior, and their communities."

Going forward, Professor Selden plans to continue this work on the West Coast to compare how stable their fishing grounds are and how much fishers are responding.

"Fisheries are really on the frontline of climate impacts. It's really a bipartisan issue, and there are stakeholders across party lines. That was my motivation to focus on how communities are adapting, how they've adapted to past change," said Professor Selden.

"We need to be able to understand how they might adapt to future change and potentially how we would need to change management to facilitate some of the adaptations that they are already demonstrating."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Fishing communities are on the frontline of climate change

Climate change is having a major impact on the abundance...

Massive asteroid impacts in Earth’s distant past are nothing new. Anyone that knows anything about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaurs-were-already-in-trouble-before-extinction/">dinosaurs</a> knows that these space rocks were involved in their demise. 

Scientists have long been aware that enormous asteroids - larger than 10 kilometers in diameter - have pummelled the Earth. In a recent study, experts investigated how often large asteroids hit our planet in the past, and they found something shocking.  

"We have developed a new impact flux model and compared with a statistical analysis of ancient spherule layer data. With this approach, we found that current models of Earth's early bombardment severely underestimate the number of known impacts, as recorded by spherule layers," explained Dr. Simone Marchi of the Southwest Research Institute.

"The true impact flux could have been up to a factor of 10 times higher than previously thought in the period between 3.5 and 2.5 billion years ago. This means that in that early period, we were probably being hit by a Chicxulub-sized impact on average every 15 million years. Quite a spectacle!"

Extraterrestrial bodies like the Moon show obvious scars from asteroid impacts. On Earth, the signs of ancient collisions are masked by the atmosphere, weathering and other features. 

There is one sure sign of a past impact from an asteroid - little rocks called spherules. These are formed when the molten rock from a collision is thrown into the air and then rain back to earth where they become embedded in other stones. The more of these spherules found, the larger an impact.     

Scientists are interested in asteroid impacts on Earth because they could possibly explain the development of our atmosphere. 

Furthermore, it is possible that an asteroid was important for the beginning of life on Earth. So far, the scientists claim, the consideration of asteroids in our understanding of life on Earth has mostly been ignored. Perhaps this research will open a new chapter in our understanding of the history of our planet. 

"As we deepen our understanding of the early Earth, we find that cosmic collisions are like the proverbial elephant in the room. They are often neglected as we lack a detailed knowledge of their number and magnitude, but it is likely these energetic events fundamentally altered the Earth's surface and atmospheric evolution," said Dr. Marchi.

The research will be presented at the <a href="https://2021.goldschmidt.info/">Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference</a>.

---

By <a href="http://zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner </a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

More gigantic asteroids hit early Earth than expected

Massive asteroid impacts in Earth’s distant past are nothing new....

Yoga and other relaxation techniques can help reduce work-related <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/work-stress-and-social-strain-raise-risk-of-heart-disease-in-women/">stress</a>, according to a new study published by <a href="https://www.wiley.com/en-us">Wiley</a>. The researchers analyzed the results of 15 clinical trials involving a total of 688 healthcare workers. 

"Work-related stress is a major occupational health problem that is associated with adverse effects on physical and mental health. Healthcare workers are particularly vulnerable in the era of COVID-19. Physical methods of stress relief such as yoga and massage therapy may reduce occupational stress," wrote the study authors.  

"The objective of this systematic review and network meta-analysis is to determine the effects of yoga, massage therapy, progressive muscle relaxation, and stretching on alleviating stress and improving physical and mental health in healthcare workers."

Overall, each of the physical relaxation techniques was found to reduce specific measures of occupational stress, with yoga and massage therapy proving to be the most effective.

"Work-related stress has been linked with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and other serious causes of morbidity. Our results suggest that physical relaxation methods are helpful in reducing occupational stress," said study lead author Dr. Michael Zhang.

"Yoga is particularly effective and can be delivered virtually, making it convenient for employers to offer distance options to promote worker health."

The researchers noted that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has seen healthcare workers across the world brought under immense physical and emotion strain. "From the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak, surging case numbers placed increased demands on hospital staff and spawned a multitude of new challenges," wrote the study authors.  

"Fear of infection, lack of adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), concerns for the health and safety of family and friends, limited training and experience against an emerging disease, and ever-changing care protocols are several of the many sources of stress faced by frontline healthcare workers."

The meta-analysis confirms the overall effectiveness of physical methods of relaxation, and suggests that yoga and related exercises are particularly beneficial. According to the researchers, their findings can also be applied to other professions and to the general population.

The study is published in the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/13489585">Journal of Occupational Health</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Yoga is consistently effective in reducing work-related stress

Yoga and other relaxation techniques can help reduce work-related stress,...

The unprecedented <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ignoring-climate-change-will-lead-to-ultra-extreme-heatwaves/">heatwave</a> that is responsible for killing hundreds of people in the Pacific Northwest has been linked to global warming. According to a new study published by the <a href="https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/">World Weather Attribution</a>, the heatwave would have been "virtually impossible" without human-caused climate change.

"The observed temperatures were so extreme that they lie far outside the range of historically observed temperatures. This makes it hard to quantify with confidence how rare the event was," explained the researchers.

"In the most realistic statistical analysis the event is estimated to be about a 1 in 1000 year event in today’s climate."

The experts warn that if greenhouse gas emissions continue at the current rate, extreme heatwaves will become much more common - occurring every five to 10 years by the 2040s.

"People need to realize that heat waves are killers, and they are by far the deadliest extreme event," said study co-author Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at the University of Oxford.

"Heatwaves are really changing so much more and so much faster than all other extreme events. Heat preparation and preventing death during heat waves need to be a No. 1 priority for every city authority."

The Pacific Northwest heatwave, which struck in the last week of June, claimed hundreds of lives in British Columbia, Oregon and Washington state. Dozens of cities experienced record high temperatures, and many records were broken by several degrees.

The heat was so intense in this typically mild region of the Pacific Northwest that power cables melted, knocking out electricity to thousands of people. The researchers determined that climate change either exacerbated the rare heat event, or caused it altogether. 

"Our results provide a strong warning: our rapidly warming climate is bringing us into uncharted territory that has significant consequences for health, well-being, and livelihoods. Adaptation and mitigation are urgently needed to prepare societies for a very different future," said the study authors. 

"Adaptation measures need to be much more ambitious and take account of the rising risk of heatwaves around the world, including surprises such as this unexpected extreme. Deaths from extreme heat can be dramatically reduced with adequate preparedness action."

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Pacific Northwest heatwave is a warning of what's to come

The unprecedented heatwave that is responsible for killing hundreds of...

Researchers at <a href="https://www.ncsu.edu/">North Carolina State University</a> have invented a new device that plants can "wear" to help growers monitor the health of crops. The "plant patches" are small, flexible rectangles fitted with graphene sensors and nanowires. 

Currently, monitoring plants for disease and stress is time consuming and labor intensive. Plant samples must be collected and analyzed in a laboratory. The new sensor can change all of that. 

The sensors on the plant patches are coated with sensitive chemicals that allow them to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that plants emit. These emissions are constantly monitored and stored in the prototype, the team has plans to make newer sensors that wirelessly transmit their readings. 

The patches were tested on tomato plants looking for both physical stress and late stage blight caused by an infection of the oomycete Phytophthora infestans. 

The sensors were quick to pick up VOCs associated with physical stress, registering the damage within three hours depending on how close the sensor was located to the trouble zone. 

The detection of blight took a bit longer, with sensors registering it a few days later. "This is not markedly faster than the appearance of visual symptoms of late blight disease," said study co-author Qingshan Wei. 

"However, the monitoring system means growers don't have to rely on detecting minute visual symptoms. Continuous monitoring would allow growers to identify plant diseases as quickly as possible, helping them limit the spread of the disease."

The plant patches monitor the levels of 13 different VOCs, which is much more data than is available by traditional methods.  

The researchers are now working to develop a newer and better version of a plant patch, improving on their prototype. The scientists note that this is meant as a real world solution, not just something theoretical.

"Our technology monitors VOC emissions from the plant continuously, without harming the plant," said Wei. "The prototype we've demonstrated stores this monitoring data, but future versions will transmit the data wirelessly. What we've developed allows growers to identify problems in the field - they wouldn't have to wait to receive test results from a lab."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/matter/home">Matter</a>.

---
By <a href="http://zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

New plant patch will speed up disease detection

Researchers at North Carolina State University have invented a new...

A team of scientists led by the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/">University of Cambridge</a> has investigated how the evolution of human bodies and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-reading-technology-recreates-bird-song-from-brain-waves/">brains</a> may relate to climate, which generally affects the body size of animals. 

Sure, there are mice in Alaska and elephants in tropical Africa, but colder climates tend to favor larger body sizes while warmer climates push animals to evolve smaller sizes. 

As the mass of a body increases, its surface area increases at a slower rate. This means that larger bodies are thought to lose less heat than smaller ones. Conversely, larger bodied animals tend to overheat more easily, and humans are no exception to this rule. 

The study revealed that the human body size has fluctuated quite a bit over the last million years, with larger bodied humans evolving in colder climates. 

Our species, Homo sapiens, is larger bodied and bigger brained than some of our possible ancestors such as Homo habilis. There is much debate over what drove the evolution of larger brains and bodies in humans, and climate could be one of the driving factors. 

Interestingly, it does not seem that brain size is correlated to changes in climate like body size. Instead, different factors are at play. 

While it is possible that social life may have driven the growth in brain size, it is also related to ecology in a roundabout way. Members of our genus living in open areas such as grasslands tended to have bigger brains, the researchers found, which was possibly due to social hunting of large animals in such habitats. 

"We found that different factors determine brain size and body size - they're not under the same evolutionary pressures. The environment has a much greater influence on our body size than our brain size," said study first author Dr.  Manuel Will at the University of Tubingen.

"There is an indirect environmental influence on brain size in more stable and open areas: the amount of nutrients gained from the environment had to be sufficient to allow for the maintenance and growth of our large and particularly energy-demanding brains."

The scientists caution on reading too much into their research, so many factors were involved in our evolution and those factors aren’t necessarily the same today as they were. 

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/ncomms/">Nature Communications</a>.

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By <a href="http://zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

How climate changed the evolution of the human body

A team of scientists led by the University of Cambridge...

Rising levels of atmospheric acidity are transforming the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-ocean-plastic-sink-is-no-longer-missing/">ocean</a> by altering the nutrient supply, according to a new study from the <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/">University of East Anglia</a>. The experts report that increasing acidity is disrupting the ecological balance of marine ecosystems.

The researchers explain that the way nutrients are delivered to the ocean not only affects its productivity, but also its ability to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.

"Human emissions of pollutants have caused significant changes to the acidity of the atmosphere, leading to well-known environmental impacts such as acid rain," said study lead author Professor Alex Baker.

"Atmospheric acidity affects the quantity and distribution of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and iron) delivered to the ocean."

"Acids attack the surface of desert dust particles as they are transported through the atmosphere, increasing the proportion of the phosphorus and iron contained in those particles that will dissolve when the dust falls into the ocean."

"Our work suggests that increasing acidity since the Industrial Revolution increased the proportions of phosphorus and iron that are soluble by 14 percent and 16 percent respectively. These increases will have had a direct fertilizing effect on marine phytoplankton."

During the same time frame, the amount of nitrogen delivered to the oceans through the atmosphere has at least doubled as a result of emissions.

Professor Maria Kanakidou of the University of Crete used an atmospheric chemistry transport deposition model to contribute to the research.

"Acidity controls the distribution of nitrogen between particles and gases in the atmosphere, so that changes in acidity alter the length of time that nitrogen remains in the atmosphere and hence where in the ocean it will be deposited," said Professor Kanakidou.

Beyond fertilization, these changes in the amount and distribution of nutrients have an impact on the ecological balance of the ocean.

"Phytoplankton communities are sensitive to the proportions of nutrients available to them. The changes in nutrient deposition that we have identified will likely have led to ecological shifts as the atmospheric input alters the nutrient balance of surface waters," said Professor Kanakidou.

"These changes can promote certain phytoplankton types over others, depending on the organisms' adaptation to the relative levels of nutrients present in the water."

Study co-author Professor Athanasios Nenes is an expert at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland, and the Center for the Study of Air Quality and Climate Change of the <a href="https://www.forth.gr/">Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas</a>.

"Fine aerosol particles tend to remain strongly acidic, despite considerable reductions in pollutants. Understanding this counterintuitive behavior and its impact on nutrient supply to the ocean has only become possible thanks to advances in theory and modeling," said Professor Nenes.

"Anthropogenic emissions will continue to change the acidity of the atmosphere into the future. Emissions controls implemented to address acid rain will reduce aerosol acidity in many regions of the world, while continued economic development is likely to see further increases in acidity in other regions."

According to the researchers, the system is unlikely to return to its pre-Industrial condition due to an increasing frequency of wildfires, which influence both nutrient supply and acidity, and their uncertain impacts. 

"Knowledge of the complex interactions between nutrient supply and marine microbial communities is limited," said Professor Baker. "Predictions of the consequences of long-term changes in atmospheric acidity on marine ecosystems will need to be considered alongside other stressors on the system, such as ocean acidification, warming and deoxygenation."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/">Science Advances</a>.

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Acidity in the atmosphere is transforming the ocean

Rising levels of atmospheric acidity are transforming the ocean by...

Wild birds watch and learn from others what to eat - and what to avoid eating - according to a new study led by the <a href="https://www.helsinki.fi/en">University of Helsinki</a>. The research has produced the first evidence of birds using observations to dodge toxic or distasteful prey.

"We've known for a long time that predators, like birds, associate brightly colored warning signals with the danger of eating certain prey types," explained study co-lead author Rose Thorogood.

"However, we've never been able to demonstrate in the wild how predators learn about these aposematic prey advertisements. If predators do not recognize the signal, then the prey are highly vulnerable to naive predators."

"This is a big problem that prey face each year when juvenile predators arrive. Since aposematism is widespread in nature, we wanted to solve this problem in a real-world setting."

Liisa Hamalainen, a doctoral student at the University of Cambridge, conducted field research at the Madingley Wood site in Cambridgeshire, UK. The team combined field experiments with social network analyses to investigate social information transmission among bird predators.

"Here, we investigate how social information about defended prey and their palatable mimics spreads in a wild blue tit and great tit population," explained the study authors.  

"We use artificial prey, a well-established experimental method to test how predators learn about novel prey signals and combine this with technological advances that now make it possible to identify individuals’ foraging choices." 

The goal was to test how quickly birds learn to discriminate between tasteful and distasteful food, and whether they use social information about the foraging experiences of others during this learning process.

The experts set up pairs of bird-feeders, including one that dispensed brightly-dyed almond flakes that were naturally tasty and one that dispensed almond flakes with additives to make them disgustingly bitter.

The blue tits and great tits gathered around the feeders to select their food, and also observed feeding attempts by others.

"Our results show that birds use social information to discriminate between unpalatable and palatable food," wrote the researchers. "This suggests that social transmission among predators can influence attack rates on defended prey and their mimics, and therefore shape the selection environment experienced by prey."

"Our results may help resolve how costly prey defenses are maintained despite influxes of naïve juvenile predators, and suggest that accounting for social transmission is essential if we are to understand coevolutionary processes."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/ncomms/">Nature Communications</a>.

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Wild birds learn what to avoid eating by watching others

Wild birds watch and learn from others what to eat...

Psilocybin - the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms - has long been a recreational drug. A growing collection of research shows that psilocybin has huge potential as an antidepressant, yet not much has been known about how the drug impacts the brain or how long it may be effective. 

A study published by <a href="https://www.yale.edu/">Yale</a> scientists is shedding new light on this mysterious drug. The experts report that in test mice, psilocybin induces a long-lasting increase in connections between neurons. 

"We not only saw a 10 percent increase in the number of neuronal connections, but also they were on average about 10 percent larger, so the connections were stronger as well," explained study senior author Professor Alex Kwan.

A scanning laser microscope was used to look at mouse brain tissue. Within 24 hours of psilocybin being administered, the experts found a growth in dendritic spines. Tracking these changes in living mice, the scientists discovered the new growth was still present a month later. 

Mice subjected to stress also showed improved behavior after the drug was administered. The change in behavior makes sense as dendritic spines are spur-like growths on nerve cells that aid in the connections between neurons and the basic function of the brain.  

Psilocybin users have long reported mystical experiences and profound feelings after using the drug. The "magic mushrooms" that contain the drug have also been used by Native American religions. It may be that these deep feelings and experiences are simply a product of increased connectivity in the brain. 

The big surprise for the researchers was not that the drug was effective, but that it was effective for so long after just a single dose. What more secrets does this drug hold? 

The results suggest that psilocybin can potentially treat depression without the need for a daily pill, considering the transformative changes induced by small doses of the drug. The secret could be that psilocybin changes the brain structures to contain new experiences.  

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/neuron/home">Neuron</a>.

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By <a href="http://zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner </a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Psychedelic mushrooms and a cure for depression

Psilocybin - the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms - has...

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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



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.

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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.

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



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 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



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.

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

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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



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 city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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 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

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



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



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

How the immune system responds to injury

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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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...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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.

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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