Diseño sin título - 1

Dark, finger‑like marks slide down countless Martian cliffs each year. These stripes have prompted decades of speculation about water still trickling across the Red Planet.



A new analysis of 500,000 of these features shows that they form through avalanches of dry dust, report <a href="https://www.csh.unibe.ch/about_us/people/csh__bernoulli_fellows/dr_bickel_valentin/index_eng.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Valentin Tertius Bickel</a> of the <a href="https://www.unibe.ch/index_eng.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bern</a> and <a href="https://deeps.brown.edu/people/postdocs-researchers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Adomas Valantinas</a> of <a href="https://www.brown.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brown University</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-martian-stripes-matter">Why the Martian stripes matter</h2>



For almost 50 years, scientists have puzzled over the dusky streaks that run hundreds to thousands of feet down Martian slopes before slowly fading. Their shorter‑lived cousins, <a href="https://www.lpl.arizona.edu/~shane/publications/mcewen_etal_natgeo_2014.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recurring slope lineae (RSL)</a>, appear seasonally and were once thought to be briny trickles that might shelter microbes.



If <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wave-ripples-discovered-mars-surface-indicate-liquid-water-present-4-billion-years-ago/">liquid water</a> were involved, these sites would demand strict planetary‑protection rules and might even hint at present‑day habitability. Proving the absence of water, therefore, reshapes exploration priorities and eases contamination worries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-a-map-of-dust-based-stripes">Building a map of dust‑based stripes</h2>



Bickel and Valantinas trained a deep‑learning model on images from the <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/mars-reconnaissance-orbiter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter</a> and scanned 86,000 photographs, thus assembling the first global catalog of half a million Martian stripes. 



The map shows that streaks cover less than 0.1 percent of Mars’ surface, yet shuffle enough dust each Martian year to rival several planet‑wide storms.



Most stripes cluster between 40 degrees north and 20 degrees south, in the dustiest lowlands where reflectance is high and grain size is tiny. Bright, older streaks outnumber fresh dark ones by roughly 37 to 1, revealing a surface that is still reworked long after volcanic and fluvial eras ended.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wind-impacts-and-avalanches">Wind, impacts, and avalanches</h2>



The study found no link between Martian stripes and humidity, <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-is-locating-ice-on-mars-with-this-new-map/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">subsurface ice</a>, or temperatures that ever rise above the freezing point. Instead, stripe density rises sharply in areas with above‑average wind speeds and fresh impact craters, suggesting that blasts and gusts dislodge blankets of ultra‑fine dust.



“Once we had this global map, we could compare it to databases of temperature, wind speed, and rock‑slide activity. Then we could look for correlations over hundreds of thousands of cases,” said Bickel.



High‑resolution images catch some streaks cascading minutes after nearby meteorites land, while others follow seasonal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-storms-can-engulf-the-entire-planet-of-mars-but-how/">dust deposition</a> peaks tracked by orbital weather <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0019103524001210" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">models</a>. 



Laboratory experiments with micron‑scale grains show that such powders can flow like a liquid under Mars’ weak gravity, giving the stripes smooth outlines.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-investigations-of-martian-stripes">Future investigations of Martian stripes </h2>



Because the streaks are dry, rovers and landers can safely approach them without risking forward contamination of a hidden oasis. The dusty gullies also provide natural “core samples” of surface coatings, which offer clues to recent climate cycles without the need for drilling.



Planetary‑protection officers may reroute planned missions away from suspected wet spots and toward subsurface ice, where astrobiological potential remains stronger. 



For human explorers, the result underscores that liquid water is still locked in ice or vapor, simplifying landing‑site selection but highlighting the need for in‑situ resource extraction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dust-stripes-and-climate-dynamics">Dust stripes and climate dynamics</h2>



The dust shifted by Martian stripes isn’t just a cosmetic feature, it’s part of a much larger atmospheric loop. Each Martian year, flowing stripes displace enough <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-could-threaten-the-health-of-future-astronauts-on-mars/">dust</a> to rival multiple global dust storms, suggesting that they play a bigger role in regulating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-ridges-on-mars-hint-at-an-unexpected-past/">Mars</a>’ thin, dusty air than previously thought.



This ongoing redistribution could influence seasonal temperature patterns, surface reflectivity, and even the strength of regional wind systems. Researchers haven’t yet observed the dust entering the atmosphere during a stripe’s formation, but models suggest this movement contributes significantly to the surface-atmosphere dust exchange budget.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-martian-dust-stripes-flows-like-a-fluid">Martian dust stripes flows like a fluid</h2>



The motion of Martian slope stripes mimics the behavior of liquids, even though they consist of dry dust. Laboratory studies on granular materials show that fine particles can flow downhill in dense, smooth waves, especially in low-gravity environments like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/detecting-life-on-mars-a-breakthrough-in-space-research/">Mars</a>.



On Earth, this kind of granular flow is seen in slow-moving avalanches or the collapse of powdery hills. 



On Mars, it may explain why slope stripes form without leaving behind visible dust clouds. The dust might move in tightly packed sheets, held together by electrostatic forces and grain-to-grain interactions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-unanswered-questions">The unanswered questions</h2>



Researchers still debate why <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/2016JE005012" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RSL</a> favor sun‑facing southern highlands while most Martian stripes sit in northern lowlands. They question whether this is related to different grain sizes or bedrock textures. 



Dust‑devil tracks often skirt stripe fields but rarely overlap, raising puzzles about the effects of localized wind turbulence and static charging.



Future high‑cadence imaging could reveal exactly how fast each stripe forms, whether seconds or hours, and whether Marsquakes ever help kick‑start an avalanche. 



For now, the Red Planet’s famous stripes turn out to be the work of wind and impacts, not water, deepening our understanding of a world that remains strikingly dry.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59395-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>. Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / University of Arizona.



-----



Like what you read?<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/"> Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

New analysis offers alternative theories on the mysterious 'Martian stripes'

Dark, finger‑like marks slide down countless Martian cliffs each year. These stripes have prompted decades of speculation about water still trickling across the Red Planet. A new analysis of 500,000 of these features shows that they form through avalanches of dry dust, report Valentin Tertius Bickel of the University of Bern and Adomas Valantinas of Brown University. Why the Martian stripes matter For almost 50 years, scientists have puzzled over the dusky streaks that run hundreds to thousands of feet down Martian slopes before slowly fading. Their...

A recent study highlights the importance of deep sleep for cardiovascular health.&nbsp;



The research provides valuable insights into how targeted stimulation during deep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exposure-to-light-during-sleep-can-damage-your-health/">sleep</a> can substantially benefit the heart, particularly the left ventricle, optimizing its functionality to pump and extract blood more efficiently.&nbsp;



Such enhanced activity in the left ventricle subsequently improves the supply of oxygen-rich arterial blood to vital organs, extremities, and the brain.



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



The study was led by Christian Schmied, Senior Consultant for Cardiology at the University Hospital Zurich.&nbsp;



The researchers used auditory stimulation to experimentally enhance slow waves.&nbsp;Using echocardiography, the experts obtained visual images of the heart to demonstrate that nocturnal stimulation intensifies the deformation of the left ventricle.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improved-cardiac-function-nbsp">Improved cardiac function&nbsp;</h2>



Through their examination, the researchers observed that an increase in brain waves during deep sleep (slow waves) directly correlated with improved cardiac function.



“We were expecting that stimulation with tones during deep sleep would impact the cardiovascular system. But the fact that this effect was so clearly measurable after just one night of stimulation surprised us,” explained project leader Caroline Lustenberger, a sleep expert at ETH Zurich.



“We clearly saw that both the heart’s pumping force and its relaxation were greater after nights with stimulation compared to nights without stimulation," said Schmied. Both factors are an excellent measure of cardiovascular system function.



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



The study was focused on 18 healthy male participants between the ages of 30 and 57. Over three non-consecutive nights, the subjects were closely monitored while they slept, with the research team employing sound stimulation on two nights and abstaining on the third.&nbsp;



This precise approach offered researchers an opportunity to directly observe the correlation between sound stimulation-enhanced deep sleep, and the participants' heart rate and blood pressure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-continuous-measurements-nbsp">Continuous measurements&nbsp;</h2>



A computer system was used to meticulously analyze data from continuous measurements of the subjects' brain activity, blood pressure, and heart activity during sleep.&nbsp;



The system played a series of brief tones, or "pink noise," upon detecting that a subject had entered deep sleep. This experimental design allowed the team to monitor the immediate effects of sound stimulation on deep sleep and the cardiovascular system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increase-in-slow-waves">Increase in slow waves</h2>



“During stimulation, we clearly see an increase in slow waves, as well as a response from the cardiovascular system that is reminiscent of cardiovascular pulsation,” said study lead author Stephanie Huwiler.



“Despite the relatively small group of subjects, the results are significant. We were also able to reproduce the results on two separate nights, which in statistical terms makes them very strong,” said Lustenberger.



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



According to Huwiler, the deep sleep stimulation system developed in this study could have valuable applications in preventive medicine and competitive sports.&nbsp;



"Especially in preventive medicine, but also in competitive sport, this kind of deep sleep stimulation system might enable improved cardiac function in the future – and possibly ensure faster and better recovery after intense workouts,” said Huwiler.



“The treatment of cardiovascular diseases may be enhanced with this or similar stimulation methods," said Lustenberger. "However, it’s crucial to first investigate whether patients can benefit from this kind of deep sleep stimulation method as well.”



The research is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehad630" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Heart Journal</a>.



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



—-



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

Deep sleep stimulation can improve cardiac function overnight

A recent study highlights the importance of deep sleep for...

A recent study into the mammalian family tree across multiple <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-predict-a-new-mass-extinction-that-will-wipe-out-humans-and-all-mammals/">mass extinctions</a> reveals unexpected traits among the survivors, challenging the long-held belief that generalist or “boring” mammals primarily endured such catastrophic events.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-survival-of-the-unspecialized-nbsp">Survival of the unspecialized&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers discovered that the mammals which persisted through mass extinctions possessed unique and advanced traits for their respective eras. This contradicts the notion of the “survival of the unspecialized.”



“The idea of the ‘survival of the unspecialized’ goes back to the 1800s, and the conventional wisdom is that generalized animals are the least likely to go extinct. But we found that the ones that survived more often only seemed generalized in hindsight, when compared with their later descendents," explained study senior author Ken Angielczyk of the Field Museum.



"They were actually pretty advanced animals for their time, with new traits that might have helped them survive and provided evolutionary flexibility."



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



This revelation was supported by a massive family tree of synapsids, constructed by study co-lead author Spencer Hellert of Columbia College Chicago. Synapsids are a group of animals whose only surviving members are mammals.



“What’s been thought previously is that every time a new group of mammals evolves, you start out with a small generalist animal, since when disaster strikes, those are the guys that keep on trucking - they can hide anywhere, they can eat whatever is around,” said study co-lead author Spencer Hellert. “The kind of mammal that survives a mass extinction won’t be a specialist like a panda bear that can only eat bamboo.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-radiations-nbsp">Evolutionary radiations&nbsp;</h2>



Hellert’s extensive family tree, one of the largest of its kind, incorporated data from all previously established family trees for synapsids, providing a comprehensive and rigorous approach to summarizing information from various sources.&nbsp;



The research team examined the evolutionary radiations in synapsids over time, focusing on the species’ diets and body sizes, and discovered that the pattern of survival was not solely reliant on generalist characteristics. At certain points, larger synapsids and not just generalist insect-eaters were among the survivors.



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



Study co-lead author David Grossnickle, assistant professor at the Oregon Institute of Technology, published a study in 2019 that highlighted how small, insect-eating mammals are often the lineages that survive challenging times. He approached Hellert and Angielczyk to see if this trend may also apply to earlier mammals and their ancestors.



“We were pretty surprised - it’s pretty well-established that those mammal radiations go from these small insectivores into the bigger taxa repeatedly, so I was kind of expecting to see that as we went back into synapsid history. And when we went back, that pattern starts to disappear,” said Grossnickle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-novel-characteristics-nbsp">Novel characteristics&nbsp;</h2>



Upon closer analysis, the researchers found that some survivor species, initially perceived as unspecialized, actually bore novel characteristics.&nbsp;



For instance, certain mammals from the dinosaur era possessed advanced teeth designed not just for cutting into prey but also for grinding, akin to a mortar and pestle. This “fancier” tooth structure might have offered a significant advantage during times of food scarcity, allowing these mammals to consume a broader range of foods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-specialized-animals-nbsp">Specialized animals&nbsp;</h2>



However, the study’s findings should not be interpreted as suggesting that specialized animals, such as pandas with their bamboo-exclusive diet, are less prone to extinction than generalist species like raccoons.&nbsp;



Instead, the research highlights that the species making it through mass extinctions possessed traits that were far from generic.



“Animals with novel traits like new tooth features, or jaws that work a little better at breaking down different food items, don’t really take over ecologically until the incumbent, older lineages go extinct,” said Grossnickle.&nbsp;



“You often need an extinction event like the one that killed the dinosaurs to knock out some of those older groups, and then it allows those fancier animals to persist and diversify.”



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



According to the researchers, the results of their study have broader implications for scientists’ understanding of how evolution works.&nbsp;



"We don't really know if there is a consistent set of features typically possessed by the ancestors of evolutionary diversifications," said Angielczyk.&nbsp;



"The fact that we see this complexity in the diversifications of mammals and their ancient relatives means we need to examine other groups to see if the situation in mammals is an exception, or business as usual."



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02200-y">Nature Ecology and Evolution</a>.



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



—-



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

Evolutionary flexibility: Unique traits help mammals survive mass extinctions

A recent study into the mammalian family tree across multiple...

Scientists at <a href="https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Liverpool John Moores University</a> have uncovered a fascinating link between our sense of smell and our perception of colors. According to the study, the presence of different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crabs-are-losing-their-sense-of-smell-and-vanishing-due-to-ocean-acidification/">odors</a> can directly influence how humans perceive color.



The research illuminates the unconscious “crossmodal” associations that our brain establishes among different senses, affecting our interpretation of the surrounding world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-multisensory-information-nbsp">Multisensory information&nbsp;</h2>



Our five senses are constantly bombarding us with information, and one way our brain makes sense of this is by combining information from two or more senses, explained the researchers.



"Our brain constantly combines multisensory information from our surrounding environment," wrote the study authors. "Odors for instance are often perceived with visual cues; these sensations interact to form our own subjective experience."&nbsp;



"This integration process can have a profound impact on the resulting experience and can alter our subjective reality."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-color-perception-nbsp">Color perception&nbsp;</h2>



Lead author Dr. Ryan Ward said the study demonstrates that the presence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/genetic-variations-smell-differently/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">different odors</a> influences how humans <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-perceive-colors-biology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">perceive color</a>.



“In a previous study, we had shown that the odor of caramel commonly constitutes a crossmodal association with dark brown and yellow, just like coffee with dark brown and red, cherry with pink, red, and purple, peppermint with green and blue, and lemon with yellow, green, and pink,” he explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-the-sense-of-smell">Studying the sense of smell</h2>



For the current investigation, 24 adult participants, aged between 20 and 57 years, were tested for their association strength between specific odors and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/language-categorize-objects-colors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">colors</a>.&nbsp;



To ensure a controlled environment, participants were placed in a sensory-deprived room that was free of any unwanted stimuli.&nbsp;



With the absence of deodorants, perfumes, or any ambient odors, the researchers introduced one of six distinct odors: caramel, cherry, coffee, lemon, peppermint, or odorless water (as a control).



The individuals were then shown a square of random color on a screen. They were tasked with adjusting two sliders, one corresponding to the spectrum of yellow to blue and the other from green to red, to turn the color to neutral grey. Each odor was presented five times in random order.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intriguing-results">Intriguing results</h2>



The study revealed that when certain scents such as coffee were introduced, participants perceived the color grey as having a more red-brown hue than its true shade. Similarly, with the smell of caramel in the air, they perceived a blue-enriched color as grey.



When the smell of peppermint was presented, the participants’ choice of hue was different from the typical crossmodal association demonstrated for the other odors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-and-next-steps">Implications&nbsp;and next steps</h2>



“These results show that the perception of grey tended towards their anticipated crossmodal correspondences for four out of five scents, namely lemon, caramel, cherry, and coffee,” said Dr. Ward.



“This 'overcompensation' suggests that the role of crossmodal associations in processing sensory input is strong enough to influence how we perceive information from different senses, here between odors and colors.”



The researchers emphasized the need to investigate the extent of these crossmodal associations before making conclusions about our sense of smell and color perception.



“We need to know the degree to which odors influence color perception," said Dr. Ward. "For example, is the effect shown here still present for less commonly encountered odors, or even for odors encountered for the first time?”



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1175703" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Psychology</a>.



---



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



---



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

Our sense of smell can change our perception of colors

Scientists at Liverpool John Moores University have uncovered a fascinating...

Structure,Of,Moon,In,Space,,3d,Rendering

In a development that translates to a more accurate understanding of the Moon, scientists can now ascertain the components of the moon's core. It is neither solid nor molten. In fact, the moon is indeed not <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moon_is_made_of_green_cheese" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">made of green cheese</a>. So, what is the moon made of?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-the-moon-s-core-made-of">What is the moon's core made of?</h2>



There have been speculations about the Moon's core. However, all of them can now be debunked, thanks to these new findings from a study conducted by a team of astronomers.



A team of scientists led by French astronomer Arthur Briaud has established that the likely contents of the Moon's core is a solid metal ball covered by a molten outer layer. This conclusion followed an in-depth study that compared and analyzed simulations and existing data from various sources.



The study, done at the French National Centre for Scientific Research in France and published in the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-05935-7%5C" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Journal</a>, relied on NASA's Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (<a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/gravity-recovery-and-interior-laboratory-grail" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GRAIL</a>) 2011 mission data. NASA sent two spacecraft into orbit around Earth's satellite as part of the mission. 



The gravitational forces between both were measured as the spacecraft flew over various parts of their surface. With these, scientists could determine the position of one relative to the other.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovering-what-s-inside-the-moon-s-core">Discovering what's inside the moon's core</h2>



Seismic data remains the most reliable means of assessing the composition of any object in the Solar System. Therefore, in addition to the GRAIL seismic data, Briaud and his team measured distances between the Earth and certain lunar areas using the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_Laser_Ranging_experiments" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR).</a>



All of these were employed in creating an in-depth profile of the features of the Moon, after which different simulations of potential cores were built to identify the core that exhibits most of the known characteristics.



As noted by the team, their results "question the evolution of the Moon's magnetic field thanks to its demonstration of the existence of the inner core and support a global mantle overturn scenario that brings substantial insights on the timeline of the lunar bombardment in the first billion years of the Solar System."



They observed that the models that mirror our current understanding of the moon's description showed active overturn deep in the mantle. Therefore, the denser material in the moon's core is most likely situated at the center, while the less dense material moves upwards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moon-s-core-vs-earth-s-core">Moon's core vs. Earth's core</h2>



The study also revealed a level of similarity between the lunar core and the Earth's. The inner core is solid in both cases, while the outer layer is fluid. 



Their modeling also estimates the radius of the Moon's inner core to be around 258 kilometers or 160 miles and the outer core 362 kilometers or 225 miles. The density of the inner core was also recorded to be similar to that of iron, which is about 7,822 kilograms per cubic meter. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-this-mean-for-the-future">What does this mean for the future?</h2>



The findings of this study have confirmed earlier findings about a high possibility of an Earth-like lunar core. With more countries investing significant resources into exploring and possibly living on the lunar surface, knowing what is on the moon is a giant step in the right direction, both for the present and the future.



These fresh understandings have significant implications for the composition, structure, and history of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-impact-may-have-instantly-formed-the-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moon's formation</a>. They will also go a long way to help space agencies leverage advanced technology and resources to fulfill these exploration goals and learn more about the Moon. 



---



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



---



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

Timeless mystery solved: Scientists uncover what is inside the moon's core

In a development that translates to a more accurate understanding...

Scientists from Queen Mary University of London have discovered that people may suffer from persistent symptoms, or "long colds," following acute respiratory infections.



The study suggests that there could be long-lasting health impacts following a non-COVID respiratory infections, such as a cold or the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-flu-killed-hundreds-of-seals-in-new-england-last-year/">flu</a>, that are currently going unrecognized.



This phenomenon is similar to "long Covid," a condition in which individuals experience lingering symptoms after their initial recovery. However, it is not yet clear whether the symptoms of long colds have the same severity or duration as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-covid-linked-to-persistent-inflammation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">long Covid</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lasting-effects-of-respiratory-infections-nbsp">Lasting effects of respiratory infections&nbsp;</h2>



“Our findings shine a light not only on the impact of long Covid on people’s lives, but also other respiratory infections. A lack of awareness - or even the lack of a common term - prevents both reporting and diagnosis of these conditions," said study lead author Giulia Vivaldi.&nbsp;



“As research into long Covid continues, we need to take the opportunity to investigate and consider the lasting effects of other acute respiratory infections.



“These ‘long’ infections are so difficult to diagnose and treat primarily because of a lack of diagnostic tests and there being so many possible symptoms. There have been more than 200 investigated for long Covid alone.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-symptoms-of-a-long-cold">Symptoms of a long cold</h2>



The experts analyzed data from 10,171 UK adults collected by <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/covidence/about-the-covidence-uk-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVIDENCE UK</a>, Queen Mary University of London’s national study of COVID-19.&nbsp;



The researchers identified common symptoms of the long cold, including coughing, stomach pain, and diarrhea persisting for over four weeks post the initial infection.&nbsp;



The researchers found that the severity of the initial illness plays a crucial role in determining the risk of developing long-term symptoms.&nbsp;



More research is needed to clarify why some individuals suffer from prolonged symptoms while others recover quickly.



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



The team compared the prevalence and the severity of long-term symptoms occurring after COVID-19 infections with those manifesting post non-COVID-19 respiratory infections.&nbsp;



The results showed that individuals recovering from COVID-19 were notably more prone to experiencing light-headedness, dizziness, and problems with taste and smell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-implications-for-long-colds">Future implications for "long colds"</h2>



“Our findings may chime with the experience of people who have struggled with prolonged symptoms after having a respiratory infection despite testing negative for COVID-19 on a nose or throat swab," explained Professor Adrian Martineau, chief investigator of COVIDENCE UK.



“Ongoing research into the long-term effects of COVID-19 and other acute respiratory infections is important because it can help us to get to the root of why some people experience more prolonged symptoms than others. Ultimately this could help us to identify the most appropriate form of treatment and care for affected people.”



Victoria King is the director of Funding and Impact at Barts Charity, an organization dedicated to supporting transformative healthcare research.



“Barts Charity swiftly supported COVIDENCE UK in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 to help inform of its risk factors and impacts. These findings highlight not only the long-term symptoms experienced by people after Covid infection, but by people after other acute respiratory infections as well," said King.&nbsp;



"As we learn more about long Covid symptoms and their possible treatments, studies like this help to build greater awareness around other prolonged respiratory infections that may be going unrecognized.”&nbsp;



---



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



---



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

Scientists find possibility of "long colds" alongside "long Covid"

Scientists from Queen Mary University of London have discovered that...

Watermeal, Earth's tiniest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-true-survivors-flowering-plants-lived-through-the-dinosaur-extinction/">flowering plant</a>, may become an essential astronaut food source and an efficient oxygen generator for space missions, according to a recent report from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/Hypergravity_odyssey_of_Earth_s_tiniest_plant">European Space Agency</a> (ESA).



Mahidol University researchers in Thailand have tested watermeal’s space potential by subjecting the minuscule plant to 20 times Earth's normal gravity on the Large Diameter Centrifuge (LDC).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hypergravity">Hypergravity</h2>



The LDC, located at ESA’s ESTEC technical center in the Netherlands, is a four-arm centrifuge which allows researchers to expose materials to hypergravity for extended periods.&nbsp;



The project, facilitated through HyperGES, is a collaboration under the <a href="https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/en/ourwork/access2space4all/index.html">Access to Space for All</a> initiative, backed by both the ESA and the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA).



The centrifuge, capable of reaching up to 67 revolutions per minute, houses six gondolas along its arms, which are each able to hold 80 kilograms.&nbsp;



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



The Mahidol University team, led by Tatpong Tulyananda, placed samples of watermeal in boxes equipped with LED lights simulating natural sunlight, within these gondolas.&nbsp;



Watermeal, a tiny plant floating on Thai and Asian water bodies, does not possess roots, stems, or leaves, and has been under study using clinostats to observe its reaction to microgravity.



“We became interested in watermeal because we wanted to model how plants respond to changing gravity levels. Because watermeal doesn’t have any roots, stems or leaves, it is basically just a sphere floating on a body of water. That means we can focus directly on the effects that gravity shifts will have on its growth and development," said Tulyananda.



“In addition, it produces a lot of oxygen through photosynthesis. And watermeal is also a good protein source, which has been consumed in our country for a long time – used with fried egg to soup, or eaten as part of a salad. You consume 100% of the plant when you eat it, so it holds promise in terms of space-based agriculture.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-valuable-insights-nbsp">Valuable insights&nbsp;</h2>



The research team observed minimal differences in the plant’s growth between 1g and simulated microgravity. The short-lived nature of watermeal, with a life cycle ranging between five to ten days, allows for the examination of its entire life cycle in a short span.&nbsp;



The experiment yielded two generations of watermeal, the analysis of which Tulyananda believes will provide valuable insights into the plant’s hypergravity response.



“So far, we have seen little to no difference between plant growth at 1g and simulated microgravity, but we want to extend our observations to get an idea of how the plants react and adapt across the whole range of gravity environments," explained Tulyananda.



"Another advantage of watermeal is that it is quite a short-lived plant, so we can study its entire life cycle within five to 10 days."



“Our two weeks of experimentation give us access to two generations of watermeal overall. What we do next is examine the plants directly, then render extracts into a solid pellet form that we will take home to study. Then we can put these samples through detailed chemical analysis to gain insights into the broad spectrum of watermeal’s hypergravity response.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-watermeal-nbsp">More about watermeal&nbsp;</h2>



Watermeal, scientifically known as Wolffia, is recognized as the smallest flowering plant on Earth. Belonging to the duckweed family (Lemnaceae), this tiny plant is aquatic, predominantly floating on the surface of water bodies.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-size-and-appearance-nbsp">Size and appearance&nbsp;</h3>



Each individual watermeal plant is extremely small, roughly the size of a pinhead. It has a simple, globular, and rootless structure, often appearing like minute green grains on the water. Unlike typical plants, watermeal lacks stems, leaves, and roots.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-habitat">Habitat</h3>



Watermeal thrives in quiet, nutrient-rich freshwater environments like ponds, lakes, and marshes.



The plant is found globally, with a significant presence in Asia and Thailand.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nutritional-value">Nutritional value</h3>



Watermeal is known to be a rich source of protein, making it a nutritious foodstuff. It has been a part of the diet in some countries, consumed in various forms like in soups, salads, or with fried eggs.



Because you consume 100% of the plant when you eat it, it offers maximum nutritional benefits per serving.



Image Credit: ESA



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



—-



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

Watermeal may become an essential food for astronauts

Watermeal, Earth's tiniest flowering plant, may become an essential astronaut...

The,Planet,Mercury.,Elements,Of,This,Image,Were,Furnished,By

Despite shrinking for the last three billion years, there are strong reasons to suggest that Mercury, the smallest planet in the solar system, is still shrinking. In addition, the reduction in Mercury's radius now comes with more wrinkles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-we-know-about-mercury-s-shrinking">What we know about Mercury's shrinking</h2>



We know all planets lose heat over time, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/how-does-ice-exist-on-mercury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mercury</a> is no exception. The planet's closeness to the Sun could not stop internal heat from leaking away over the years. Heat loss also means the volume of the rock and metal making up its internal composition has reduced considerably.



Scientists have estimated Mercury's radius to have reduced by 7 km since the first evidence of its shrinkage in 1974. Over the years, the reduction has led to the appearance of wrinkles, also known as "scarps," on the planet's surface.



But what we do not know is the current rate of reduction in Mercury's radius, and for how long the process will continue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shrinking-of-mercury-becoming-more-significant">Shrinking of Mercury becoming more significant</h2>



According to new research published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-023-01281-5#Sec2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>, Mercury may be recording its most significant shrinkage in recent times. The study, conducted by scientists from The <a href="https://www.open.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Open University</a> in the United Kingdom, reported the widespread occurrence of a unique geological structure. Called grabens, they were discovered from global mapping of tectonic features using imagery from the <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/messenger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MESSENGER</a> mission.



Before now, scientists have relied on the appearance of wrinkles, or scarps, to prove that Mercury is indeed shrinking. But these geological structures are too old, dating back to about three billion years ago.



Rather than using scarps, this current study focused on grabens, which the scientists described as "some scarps with small fractures piggy-backing on their stretched upper surfaces." 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-grabens">Implications of grabens</h2>



Although grabens are also geological structures, they offer an advantage over scarps with their slightness. These structures are small, with 0.6 miles of length with about 300 feet of depth.



Grabens are formed due to the stretching of the planet's crust. While it is not unusual for the crust of a planet like Mercury to stretch, scientists observed that the formation of grabens, in this case, is due to the bending of the crust.



As noted by the authors in their paper, the identified grabens are about 10 to 150 m deep, tens of kilometers in length, and generally less than 1 km wide. In addition, the occurrence of the grabens as secondary tectonic features on larger compressional tectonic structures indicates "continued activity of parent structure."



With 48 definite grabens and 244 likely grabens identified from the pictures obtained from NASA's MESSENGER 2015 probe, the scientists concluded that these geological structures are about 300 million years old or younger.



"We estimate that they must be ~300 million years old or younger; otherwise, impact gardening would have masked their signature by burial and infilling." Based on the spread and young age of the grabens, the study also established "continued activity of Mercury’s shortening structures into geologically recent times."



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



David Rothery, professor of planetary geosciences at UK's Open University and an author on the study, believes the next step will be to wait for the <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/bepicolombo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BepiColombo</a>. 



The BepiColumbo was launched in 2018 to explore the planet's surface from various angles. It is expected to take higher-resolution pictures of Mercury in late 2025 or early 2026, in addition to the one it took in 2021 while flying by the planet.



Perhaps BepiColombo's new data can help unravel the mysteries of Mercury's ongoing transformation and tell us more than we currently know.



---



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



---



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

Planet Mercury is still shrinking and now has more wrinkles

Despite shrinking for the last three billion years, there are...

Astronaut,Wearing,Space,Suit,Walking,On,The,Surface,Of,Mars.

In the latest revelation from Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of SpaceX, his company may be on track to land a spacecraft on Mars within the next four years.



<a href="https://www.spacex.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SpaceX</a> needs no introduction. The spacecraft manufacturing giants have recorded many giant strides in the area of spaceflight and exploration, including the development and launching of rockets. In what may seem like an attempt at another lofty goal, the company is planning to launch a spacecraft to Mars in a few years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-musk-optimistic-about-landing-on-mars">Musk optimistic about landing on Mars</h2>



Musk, made this revelation while speaking via a video conference at the International Astronautical Congress in Baku, Azerbaijan. Musk also expressed optimism about the planned launch of SpaceX's Starship, saying the most powerful launch vehicle in the world stands "a decent chance" of succeeding.



Recall that earlier this year, precisely on April 20, SpaceX attempted a launch of the Starship for its first uncrewed test flight from its facility in Boca, China. However, the mission encountered a setback a few minutes after takeoff. 



The upper stage of the vehicle was unable to separate from the lower-stage, leading to its explosion in mid-air. As a result, what was supposed to be a 90-minute debut flight lasted less than four minutes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-musk-unwilling-to-set-too-high-expectations">Musk unwilling to set 'too high' expectations</h2>



During his presentation at the congress on Thursday, Musk expressed SpaceX's unwillingness to "set expectations too high," considering what happened in April. However, he is positive that the <a href="https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starship rocket</a> can finally fulfill its long-term potential of successfully ending up on Mars.



The realization of this goal remains to be seen. But for now, SpaceX will focus on retrieving Starship after it was grounded in September by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-starship-is-still-grounded">Starship is still grounded</h2>



According to the FAA, the decision to ground Starship was informed by its findings at the end of an investigation into the explosion. Multiple potential causes were identified, resulting in the FAA requiring SpaceX to address 63 corrective actions to prevent a reoccurrence of such incidents in the future.



However, the launch license could be ready as early as this month (October), as noted by acting FAA Administrator Polly Trottenberg, who spoke with Reuters shortly after the report. 



While SpaceX claims to have addressed these issues, the company has not yet received the necessary launch license from the FAA. In addition to regulatory approval, SpaceX must secure environmental clearances for its launches.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-spacex-land-on-mars">Can SpaceX land on Mars?</h2>



While Musk's vision of landing on Mars by 2027 is ambitious, the path ahead for SpaceX's Starship program is challenging. There are a number of regulatory hurdles to overcome and technical complexities to resolve.



But if there is anyone you can bet on to make this happen, then it is Elon Musk. SpaceX's transformation of the spaceflight landscape in the last two decades is an indication of what the company can do.&nbsp;



---



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



---



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

Elon Musk's SpaceX plans to land a spacecraft on Mars in 3 to 4 years

In the latest revelation from Elon Musk, the founder and...

The presence of space aliens up there in the cosmos is one of the biggest scientific fictions. But in reality, we have higher chances of finding extrasolar microbial life first than these legendary aliens. The question is, how soon?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbial-life-is-closer-than-we-think">Microbial life is closer than we think</h2>



Scientists have previously reported the existence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/does-exoplanet-k2-18-have-the-right-conditions-to-support-alien-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">earth-like exoplanets</a> around sun-like stars, and also the possible existence of life on these planets. But we may now be able to estimate how near we can find them.



According to a new research by Piero Madau, a renowned professor of astrophysics at the <a href="https://www.ucsc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Santa Cruz</a>, earthlike planets orbiting G and K spectral-type stars may serve as home to microbial life within 326 light-years of the sun.



"Within 326 light years of the Sun, there may be as many as 10,000 rocky planets in the habitable zone--the region around a star where conditions are right for liquid water on a world's surface, also called 'temperate terrestrial planets' or TTPs," Madau said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-star-formation-and-microbial-life">Early star formation and microbial life</h2>



We can break the formation of TTPS in the solar vicinity into different events. The first was a burst of star formation about 10-11 billion years ago. This was followed by another event that peaked about 5 billion years ago, giving rise to the solar system.&nbsp;



With three documented incidents where the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittarius_Dwarf_Spheroidal_Galaxy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy</a> entered the Milky Way's stellar disk, we can say that our own solar system was formed due to the first passing of the Sagittarius.



Madau also observed in his paper, which is appearing in <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2309.11927" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal</a>, that although most TTPs are older than 4.5 billion years (older than the solar system), it remains unclear what part of these planets could support microbial life.&nbsp;



"If microbial life did arise as soon as it did on Earth in greater than 1 percent of TTPs around K spectral type stars, then the closest ‘life-harboring Earth-like planet’ would be 65 light years away," he added.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-frequency-of-abiogenesis-is-crucial">Frequency of abiogenesis is crucial</h2>



We can define abiogenesis as the origin of life from non-living matter. If we assume that abiogenesis is fast and we ultimately record simple life in every existing temperate terrestrial planet, then Madau's population study predicts that we are just 16 light years away from the closest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronomers-discover-earth-sized-exoplanet-covered-in-volcanoes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">earth-like planet</a> where life exists.



While this is a mere prediction, the failure to discover biosignatures at this volume in the future may necessitate the reassessment of these assumptions. However, Madau suggests some "cautious optimism" in the quest to unmask habitability markers and biosignatures using next-generation technologies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drake-s-equation-and-madau-s-approach">Drake's equation and Madau's approach&nbsp;</h2>



If there is one thing the renowned <a href="https://www.seti.org/drake-equation-index" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frank Drake's 1961 equation</a> has achieved, it is providing probabilistic parameters on the number of intelligent civilizations that might exist and relate over interstellar distances.&nbsp;



But Madau believes Drake's equation is not the full story. This is why he is proposing a mathematical model that he believes can answer questions about when the TTPs in the local neighborhood were formed, the abundance of microbial life, and whether it arrived before or after the birth of life on Earth.



If we can obtain better stats from near-term ground- and space-based telescopes, we may be closer than ever to detecting the presence of nearby extraterrestrial intelligent life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-temperate-terrestrial-planets-ttps">More about temperate terrestrial planets (TTPs)</h2>



Temperate terrestrial planets, often hailed as the best candidates for finding life outside our solar system, captivate astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. As mentioned previously, these worlds are similar in size and composition to Earth. They also lie within a star's habitable zone where conditions might just be right for liquid water -- a key ingredient for life as we know it.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-location-matters">Location matters</h3>



The term "habitable zone" refers to the range of distances from a star where a planet's surface can potentially maintain liquid water. Planets too close to their star boil away any surface water, while those too far freeze solid. Temperate terrestrial planets reside within this 'Goldilocks' zone, making them prime targets for study.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-composition-and-atmosphere">Composition and atmosphere</h3>



Like Earth, these planets primarily consist of rocky materials. They might have iron cores, silicate mantles, and a solid or liquid water surface. Their atmospheres, if present, play a crucial role in regulating their climate. While Earth's atmosphere contains oxygen and nitrogen, temperate terrestrial planets might have different atmospheric compositions, influencing their potential to support life.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-search-and-discovery">Search and discovery</h3>



Telescopes like the Kepler Space Telescope revolutionized our search for these distant worlds. By monitoring the brightness of stars, astronomers detect the minute dimming when a planet transits in front of its star. This transit method, combined with other techniques like radial velocity, has unveiled numerous temperate terrestrial planets in recent years.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-and-future-exploration">Significance and future exploration</h3>



Finding these planets doesn't only boost our hopes of discovering extraterrestrial life. They also offer insights into planetary formation, evolution, and the intricacies of planetary atmospheres and climates. As technology advances, new missions like the James Webb Space Telescope aim to further scrutinize the atmospheres of these worlds, searching for bio-signatures or other markers of habitability.



In summary, temperate terrestrial planets represent some of the most promising locales in our quest to find life beyond Earth. Every discovery brings us one step closer to answering the age-old question: Are we alone in the universe?



---



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



---



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

Microbial life that's 8 billion years old may exist on nearby exoplanets

The presence of space aliens up there in the cosmos...

NASA’s <a href="https://blogs.nasa.gov/osiris-rex/2023/09/29/initial-curation-of-nasas-osiris-rex-sample/">OSIRIS-REx team</a> is diligently working through the initial curation of samples retrieved from asteroid Bennu.&nbsp;



Despite the process moving at a slower pace than initially expected, the delay comes as a positive surprise for the scientific community: the sample is significantly more abundant than anticipated.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-abundant-asteroid-material-nbsp">Abundant asteroid material&nbsp;</h2>



As the science canister lid was removed earlier this week, researchers discovered more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dart-mission-released-boulders-with-the-explosive-capacity-of-an-atomic-bomb/">asteroid</a> material than they expected.&nbsp;



This prompted a careful and methodical start to disassembling the TAGSAM (Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism) head, where the majority of the Bennu material is stored.



“The very best ‘problem’ to have is that there is so much material, it’s taking longer than we expected to collect it,” said deputy OSIRIS-REx curation lead Christopher Snead of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. “There’s a lot of abundant material outside the TAGSAM head that’s interesting in its own right. It’s really spectacular to have all that material there.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quick-look-analysis-nbsp">Quick-look analysis&nbsp;</h2>



This abundant material has drawn keen interest from the scientists, with the first sample collected from outside the TAGSAM head currently undergoing initial analysis.&nbsp;



This "quick-look" analysis is expected to shed light on the nature of the Bennu material and set expectations for the findings likely to emerge once the bulk sample is unveiled for study.



“We have all the microanalytical techniques that we can throw at this to really, really tear it apart, almost down to the atomic scale,” said Lindsay Keller, OSIRIS-REx sample analysis team member from Johnson.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tools-used-for-the-analysis">Tools used for the analysis</h2>



The experts will use various instruments for the analysis, including a scanning electron microscope (SEM), infrared measurements, and x-ray diffraction (XRD).&nbsp;



These instruments will provide invaluable data, offering insights into the chemical and morphological composition of the sample, the presence of hydrated minerals and organic-rich particles, and an inventory and potential proportion of different minerals present.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revealing-the-rest-of-the-sample">Revealing the rest of the sample</h2>



With a treasure trove of asteroid material in their hands, researchers anticipate that the forthcoming weeks will be busy as they carefully move the TAGSAM head into a specialized glovebox for disassembly. This intricate process aims to reveal the bulk sample within, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the collected material.



The OSIRIS-REx mission, the first of its kind to successfully collect samples from an asteroid, has garnered significant attention since delivering rocks and dust from asteroid Bennu to Earth on September 24, 2023.&nbsp;



The pristine samples, originally collected in 2020, offer an unparalleled opportunity for scientists to peer back into the formative era of the Sun and planets approximately 4.5 billion years ago.&nbsp;



Following its historic sample delivery, the spacecraft, now renamed OSIRIS-APEX (OSIRIS-Apophis Explorer), has embarked on a new mission to explore asteroid Apophis.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-makes-bennu-special">What makes Bennu special?</h2>



Bennu is not just another asteroid. Its potential for scientific discovery is enormous.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-solar-system-insights">Early solar system insights</h3>



Because Bennu is an ancient asteroid, scientists believe it has remained relatively unchanged since the early days of our solar system.&nbsp;



Studying its composition can give researchers insight into the conditions of the early solar system and how planets like Earth formed.&nbsp;



Additionally, because it's rich in carbon, studying Bennu can also provide clues about the origins of life.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-characteristics">Characteristics</h3>



Asteroid Bennu is a carbonaceous asteroid in the Apollo group discovered by the LINEAR Project on September 11, 1999. It is a near-Earth object, which means it has an orbit that brings it close to our planet.&nbsp;



Bennu has a roughly spheroidal shape, resembling a spinning top with a diameter of about 490 meters (1,600 feet).



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-may-contain-clues-about-the-origins-of-life">May contain clues about the origins of life</h3>



Bennu is a B-type asteroid, which means it's rich in carbon and other volatile materials. This makes it incredibly valuable for scientific study as it might contain organic molecules, amino acids, or other prebiotic molecules that are essential for life.



One of the reasons Bennu is of interest to scientists is that it has a relatively high probability (though still quite low in absolute terms) of impacting Earth in the late 22nd century. However, further observations and studies are required to refine these predictions.



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



—-



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

What will asteroid Bennu samples reveal about the origins of life?

NASA’s OSIRIS-REx team is diligently working through the initial curation...

5-meo-dmt,(5-methoxy-n,n-dimethyltryptamine),,Physically,Accurate,Scientific,3d,Model,Of,The,Molecule,

A combination of two psychedelic drugs demonstrated significant efficacy in treating a range of symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairments, in U.S. special operations forces veterans. 



This novel approach might offer a beacon of hope for many veterans who do not find relief in traditional therapies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-which-psychedelic-drugs-were-used">Which psychedelic drugs were used?</h2>



The treatment regimen combined two <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-offers-new-explanation-for-how-psychedelic-drugs-work/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psychedelic</a> drugs. The first, ibogaine hydrochloride, is sourced from the West African shrub called iboga. The second, <a href="https://psychedelics.berkeley.edu/substance/5-meo-dmt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5-MeO-DMT</a>, is a substance secreted from the Colorado River toad. 



Both these substances are categorized as Schedule I drugs under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act, a classification reserved for drugs with no current accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.



This research, spearheaded by <a href="https://www.osu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ohio State University</a>, discovered not only alleviation in symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but also a noteworthy improvement in cognitive functions related to traumatic brain injury. The latter finding was especially unexpected and sheds new light on the vast potential of psychedelic treatments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-challenges-in-treating-veterans">Unique challenges in treating veterans</h2>



Alan Davis, the lead author and the director of the <a href="https://www.cpdre.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education</a> (CPDRE) at Ohio State’s College of Social Work, emphasized the unique challenges faced by special operations forces veterans. 



“Their routine exposure to traumatic events often results in a mix of problems including traumatic brain injury, which predisposes them to a plethora of mental health challenges,” said Davis. He noted the most "striking results" were the observed improvements in cognitive functioning linked to brain injuries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-study-was-conducted">How the study was conducted</h2>



Most of the veterans in this study involving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/australia-is-the-first-country-to-legalize-psychedelics-for-mental-health-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psychedelic</a> drugs had been on active duty post the 9/11 tragedy. They sought care for a gamut of issues ranging from memory problems, depression, PTSD to sleep disturbances, fatigue, and anger. An astounding 86% of these veterans had experienced head injuries, attributing many of their symptoms to these past traumas.



To measure the efficacy of the treatment, 86 veterans were asked to complete pre-treatment questionnaires that gauged various mental health symptoms. The treatment protocol involved administering a single oral dose of ibogaine hydrochloride and inhalation doses of 5-MeO-DMT on separate days. These drug administrations were flanked by preparation and reflection sessions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-therapy-results-from-the-psychedelic-drugs">Therapy results from the psychedelic drugs</h2>



The results were indeed promising. A month after the treatment, the veterans reported significant improvements in symptoms of PTSD, depression, anger, and insomnia. Moreover, there was a substantial uptick in their life satisfaction. 



These benefits remained consistent even at the three- and six-month post-treatment check-ins. Furthermore, the veterans experienced improvements in disability, post-concussive symptoms, and showcased tremendous growth in psychological flexibility and cognitive function.



The latter, improved cognitive function, piqued Davis’s interest. He believes further investigation is needed to discern whether this improvement stems from a reduction in mental health symptoms, biological alterations in the brain's signaling, or a combination of both.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insightful-and-mystical-experiences-reported">Insightful and mystical experiences reported</h2>



Moreover, Davis highlighted the association of psychological flexibility with insightful and mystical experiences induced by psychedelics. "The higher one's psychological flexibility, the more probable is the reduction or mitigation of one’s mental health symptoms," he explained.



Post-treatment feedback also revealed intriguing insights into the veterans’ personal experiences. Almost half described their psychedelic experience as the most spiritually significant or psychologically insightful of their lives. However, a smaller fraction (17.1%) also found it to be the most challenging experience they ever encountered.



To ensure the integrity of their findings, Davis and his team adopted a conservative data analysis approach, accounting for the possibility that non-respondents might not have derived the desired benefits from the treatment.



The positive outcomes of this research emphasize the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapies, particularly for veterans with intricate trauma histories. This underscores the need to further explore psychedelic therapies in U.S. clinical trials. Notably, Ohio State is already diving deeper into the realm by studying psilocybin-assisted therapy for PTSD treatment among military veterans.



For those keen on delving into the intricate details of this study, it's published in the esteemed <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00952990.2023.2220874" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse</a>.



---



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



---



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

Psychedelic drugs secreted from toad skin greatly improve cognitive functioning

A combination of two psychedelic drugs demonstrated significant efficacy in...

Young,Mother,With,A,Baby,Boy,Doing,Housework.

Contamination in U.S. drinking water exposes millions of Americans to health risks, including cancer, according to a new study led by Johnnye Lewis of the <a href="https://hsc.unm.edu/news/2023/10/u.s-drinking-water-often-contains-toxic-contaminants-unm-scientist-warns.html">University of New Mexico</a> (UNM). In collaboration with scientists from various parts of the country, Lewis warns that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-water-is-the-key-to-a-long-and-healthy-life/">drinking water</a> from many wells and community water systems contains unsafe levels of toxic contaminants.



While many Americans believe the water from their taps is unpolluted and safe for consumption, this research suggests this is not always the case.&nbsp;



Alarmingly, the experts report that people living in tribal areas or underserved communities are at a higher risk. The research also raises concerns about the exacerbating effects of climate change on sourcing safe drinking water.



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



The researchers investigated the presence of seven contaminants frequently found in drinking water: arsenic, fracking fluids, lead, nitrates, chlorinated disinfection byproducts, synthetic chemicals (specifically PFAS or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), and uranium.



“There were several of us that have expertise in dealing with these particular contaminants, and we were seeing that they’re not always at safe levels in drinking water sources for a number of reasons,” said Lewis.



Several of the contaminants, such as arsenic, uranium, lead, and nitrates, are known or suspected to cause cancer. Prolonged exposure to many of these contaminants has also been associated with neurological and developmental disorders.



“Some of these, like uranium and arsenic - and even nitrates - are just common,” Lewis said. “They commonly occur in groundwater, and sometimes it is the source that you have access to.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emerging-new-threats">Emerging new threats</h2>



On the other hand, chemicals such as fracking fluids and PFAS, which are human-induced, are emerging as new threats. Notably, PFAS, due to its nature, can persist in the environment for extended periods without breaking down.



The research emphasizes that the identified seven contaminants are just a drop in the bucket. Thousands of chemical agents potentially pollute drinking water, and the possibility of their combined effects poses further threats.



“We’re only really now starting to come up with good methods to assess what those mixtures do,” said Lewis. “There’s always a lot of uncertainty, because a mixture is not the same in one community as it is in the next.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-water-systems-nbsp">Public water systems&nbsp;</h2>



The report highlights the varying capacities of water systems in detecting and eliminating these contaminants. Of the 150,000 public water systems in the United States, about a third are community water systems that cater to 320 million Americans – a staggering 95% of the population.&nbsp;



A significant 91% of these community water systems provide for fewer than 10,000 individuals, which amounts to 52 million people. Meanwhile, over 43 million Americans depend on private wells for their drinking water.



With these findings, the authors stress the urgent need for enhancing the nation's drinking water infrastructure, solidifying water standards, advancing water treatment procedures, and enforcing more rigorous chemical safety tests.



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



Highlighting the broader implications, Lewis pointed out that the changing climate, especially in the western U.S., is complicating the quest for clean water sources.&nbsp;



“For me the thing that is most concerning is that you start looking at drought and the stresses that that puts on looking for additional water sources,” said Lewis. “The potential for making sure those sources are clean could become more limited.”



The impact of climate change will most heavily burden those who are least equipped to handle it, such as people living in communities with minimal or no water monitoring.



"When we talk about racial injustice and societal injustice in communities that are underserved, they're the ones that are going to bear the brunt of this," said Lewis.&nbsp;



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41370-023-00597-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology</a>.



---



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



---



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

95% of U.S. drinking water contains unsafe levels of toxic contaminants

Contamination in U.S. drinking water exposes millions of Americans to...

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.



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="iuA5mpp3jv-1641775-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="f8fukm28Vz-2491833-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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.

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

[sendtonews key="f8fukm28Vz-2491833-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0dEcERCq61-2283382-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="3UUsNkFOuS-2487333-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"]</div>



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)



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

News coming your way