Rare earth elements are everywhere - in your smartphone screen, in the MRI machine at the hospital, in the battery of an electric vehicle, and even in oil and gas refining. They are a key ingredient of modern life.



As global tensions rise, so does the competition for access to these minerals. Recent headlines show the stakes: China has halted rare earth exports to the United States, and a deal was just signed to secure U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral resources.



Despite their name, rare earth elements aren’t actually scarce; what’s rare is finding them in high enough concentrations to mine economically. These deposits are scattered unevenly across the globe and often buried deep underground, shaping who controls their production and the global supply chain.



Scientists at <a href="https://www.tufts.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tufts University</a> are trying to better understand how and why rare earth minerals ended up where they did. Their research reveals how the movement of continents over billions of years helped form - and hide - these valuable deposits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supercontinents-shaped-rare-deposits">Supercontinents shaped rare deposits</h2>



To explain how this mineral drama began, we need to go back in time. Way back. Earth's surface is always on the move. Over millions of years, massive landmasses shift, collide, and break apart, reshaping the planet in the process.



"Most of us are familiar with <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/supercontinents-101-pannotia-gondwana-and-pangea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pangea</a> - the supercontinent that formed about 300 million years ago and that the current seven continents broke off from to form their present-day arrangement," said Jill VanTongeren, professor and chair of the Department of Earth and Climate Sciences.



"But Pangea is only the most recent supercontinent. Throughout Earth history, there have been at least five major <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/australia-north-america-supercontinent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supercontinent</a> cycles - periods when continents all come together and then spread back out again into different pieces. We think this process happens roughly every 500 million years."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-minerals-begin">Where minerals begin</h2>



As these continents drifted apart, they created rifts - places where the Earth's tectonic plates pulled away from each other. These rifting zones became birthplaces for rare earth element-rich magmas.



"As the rocks are pushed apart, they decompress, causing melting. It's kind of like taking the lid off a soda bottle, and the bubbles rise to the surface," said VanTongeren.



"Those early magmas contain the highest abundance of rare earth and other incompatible elements that then enter the crust, either erupting in volcanic centers or solidifying at depth."



Some of these mineral-rich magmas cooled and stayed near the surface. Others got dragged back down into the mantle or remain buried too deep to mine with today’s technology.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-race-for-control-resources">A race for control resources</h2>



Today, the number of economically viable rare earth deposits is limited. China dominates the market, with nearly 70% of global production coming from its Bayan Obo mine. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crucial-rare-earth-elements-discovered-coal-mines-united-states/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S.</a> has a smaller operation at Mountain Pass in California, and a few other countries have scattered deposits.



In the late 1990s and early 2000s, China flooded the market with rare earth minerals, driving down prices and shutting down other global producers. That move reshaped global dependence.



In response, the U.S. government took steps to re-establish a domestic supply. Recent investments from the 2021 Infrastructure and Jobs Act and the Department of Defense aim to restart full operations at the Mountain Pass mine, though it could take up to a decade.



There’s also hope that Ukraine's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-is-on-a-mission-to-map-americas-mineral-wealth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mineral deposits</a> could help diversify supply. But for now, their potential remains unclear.



"Political boundaries and the desire to obtain access to mineral resources have been the source of economic and military conflicts throughout human history," said VanTongeren. "This is likely to continue as the world shifts toward green energy and a greater dependence on rare earth elements in the future."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hunting-for-mineral-deposits">Hunting for mineral deposits</h2>



VanTongeren’s work tracks these mineral stories from source to surface. Her fieldwork has taken her from a ship near Antarctica to platinum mines in South Africa, Morocco’s mountains, and even a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/huge-lithium-deposit-from-volanic-ash-found-in-pennsylvania/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lithium</a> discovery in Maine.



"It's a fascinating area of study partly because it lies at the intersection of science, economics, and politics," she said. Back on the Tufts campus, this intersection takes a more visual form.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tufts-secret-mineral-vault">Tufts' secret mineral vault</h2>



Tucked into the basement of Lane Hall, the P.T. Barnum Mineral Collection offers a glimpse into the Earth’s treasures. It includes thousands of mineral specimens, some collected by Barnum himself. He was an early supporter of Tufts and a major collector of natural history in the 1800s.



"In the late 1800s, it was considered fashionable for many prominent individuals to accumulate their own natural history collections," noted VanTongeren.



"P.T. Barnum was one of the biggest collectors of the time. His collection of animals, plants, and minerals was among the first gifts to Tufts University and part of an endowment to establish Tufts as one of the major natural history museums in the country."



After a fire destroyed the Barnum Museum in 1975, the mineral collection moved to Lane Hall. Now, it’s about to move again - this time to Bacon Hall, the new home for the Department of Earth and Climate Sciences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-hunt-for-rare-earth-elements">Global hunt for rare earth elements</h2>



VanTongeren hopes this new home will be more than just a storage site. She wants it to become a space that encourages curiosity and exploration, not just for scientists, but for everyone.



"My pie-in-the-sky vision is to set up a mineral gallery with both a permanent exhibit as well as pop-up exhibitions every semester highlighting minerals important for technology, related to other research at the university, or to global events," said VanTongeren.



"I'd like to help bring back Barnum's vision of bringing the beauty of, and an appreciation for, the natural world to campus."



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Global hunt for rare earth elements is underway

Rare earth elements are everywhere - in your smartphone screen, in the MRI machine at the hospital, in the battery of an electric vehicle, and even in oil and gas refining. They are a key ingredient of modern life. As global tensions rise, so does the competition for access to these minerals. Recent headlines show the stakes: China has halted rare earth exports to the United States, and a deal was just signed to secure U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral resources. Despite their name, rare earth elements...

To investigate ocean currents, scientists usually release GPS-tagged buoys and record their velocities to reconstruct the currents that carry them. This recorded data can also be used to identify areas in which water rises up from below the surface or sinks beneath it (phenomena known as “divergences”).&nbsp;



By accurately predicting currents and identifying divergences, experts can more precisely forecast <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/which-animals-are-most-affected-by-extreme-weather/">weather</a>, measure energy transfer rates in the ocean, or estimate how oil will spread after a spill.&nbsp;



Until recently, scientists have largely used a machine-learning technique known as a “Gaussian process” to estimate currents and pinpoint divergences.&nbsp;



Although this method is able to make predictions even in cases when data is sparse, it frequently starts from assumptions that are physically inaccurate, such as that the latitude and longitude components of a current are unrelated. For instance, this model assumes that a current’s divergence and its vorticity (a whirling motion of the water) operate on the same magnitude and length scales –an assumption that ocean scientists know is not true.



To overcome these limitations, a team of computer scientists and oceanographers led by the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> (MIT) has recently developed a new model which incorporates knowledge from fluid dynamics to better reflect the physics structuring ocean currents.&nbsp;



Using what is known as a “Helmholtz decomposition,” the new method models ocean currents by breaking them into a vorticity component. This captures the water’s whirling motion, and a divergence component, which captures water sinking or rising.&nbsp;



Although this technique is more computationally intensive, its additional costs will be relatively small. Furthermore, it would help scientists make more accurate estimates from buoy data, enabling them to effectively monitor the transportation of biomass, carbon, plastics, nutrients, and oil in the ocean, and to better understand and track the effects on climate change on currents.



“Our method captures the physical assumptions more appropriately and more accurately. In this case, we know a lot of the physics already. We are giving the model a little bit of that information so it can focus on learning the things that are important to us, like what are the currents away from the buoys, or what is this divergence and where is it happening,” explained senior author Tamara Broderick, an associate professor of Computer Science at MIT.



By evaluating this new model using both synthetic and real ocean buoy data from the Gulf of Mexico, the researchers showed that their method was more accurate in predicting currents and identifying divergences than both the standard Gaussian process and another machine-learning approach which used a neural network.&nbsp;



For instance, in a simulation including a vortex adjacent to an ocean current, the new technique correctly predicted no divergence, while both other methods predicted a divergence with very high confidence. A pre-print of the study can be found <a href="https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2302.10364">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;



In future research, the scientists plan to incorporate a time element into their model (since ocean currents can vary over both space and time), and better capture how noise - such as that produced by wind - can impact the data.



“Our hope is to take this noisily observed field of velocities from the buoys, and then say what is the actual divergence and actual vorticity, and predict away from those buoys, and we think that our new technique will be helpful for this,”&nbsp;Broderick concluded.



<h2 id="h-why-is-it-important-to-study-ocean-currents">Why is it important to study ocean currents?</h2>



Studying ocean currents is crucial for many reasons. They play a significant role in controlling the climate, determining marine life distribution, shaping human activity, and more. Here's a breakdown of why we study them:



<h3 id="h-climate-regulation">Climate Regulation</h3>



Ocean currents distribute heat around the planet, helping to regulate climate. For example, the Gulf Stream carries warm water from the Gulf of Mexico up to the North Atlantic, moderating the climate in Western Europe. Understanding these currents allows scientists to make accurate climate predictions and models.



<h3 id="h-biodiversity-and-ecosystems">Biodiversity and Ecosystems</h3>



Ocean currents impact the distribution of nutrients, which in turn affects where marine organisms can live and thrive. Currents can carry nutrient-rich cold water to the surface in a process called upwelling, supporting biodiversity hotspots. By studying ocean currents, we gain insights into marine ecosystems and the factors influencing their health and biodiversity.



<h3 id="h-navigation-and-shipping">Navigation and Shipping</h3>



For centuries, mariners have used ocean currents to help in navigation. Understanding ocean currents can lead to more efficient shipping routes, saving time and fuel.



<h3 id="h-pollution-dispersion">Pollution Dispersion</h3>



When spills or leaks occur (like oil spills), ocean currents help determine where the pollution will spread. By modeling these currents, we can predict the movements of such pollutants and devise better clean-up strategies.



<h3 id="h-fisheries-management">Fisheries Management</h3>



Many commercial fish species follow particular ocean currents during their life cycles. Knowing these patterns helps in managing and protecting these fisheries.



<h3 id="h-weather-prediction">Weather Prediction</h3>



Ocean currents play a role in weather systems. For example, El Niño, a warm ocean current, affects weather patterns around the globe. Understanding these currents can contribute to more accurate weather forecasting.



<h3 id="h-climate-change-study">Climate Change Study</h3>



Ocean currents are expected to change with climate change, affecting global weather patterns, sea levels, and marine life. Studying them helps us understand the impacts of climate change and guide mitigation strategies.



<h3 id="h-marine-archeology-and-history">Marine Archeology and History</h3>



Currents also impact the dispersion of artifacts from shipwrecks, offering clues into historical events and lost civilizations.



Overall, understanding ocean currents is crucial to a wide array of fields, including climate science, biology, navigation, conservation, and more.



—-



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Machine learning can more accurately predict ocean currents

To investigate ocean currents, scientists usually release GPS-tagged buoys and...

Ever wondered how mosquitoes find humans from distances of up to a hundred meters away? In a landmark study, a group of researchers have made headway into answering this question. The experts discovered that human body odor is a critical element in the long-range host-seeking behavior of mosquitoes (see image <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/mosquitoes-tracking-ability-graphic_Credit-Giraldo-and-Rankin-Turner_1big.png">here</a>).



The researchers developed an outdoor testing arena, the size of an ice-rink, in Zambia. They then used this setup to study the mosquito attraction to human body <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sense-of-smell-has-diminished-in-humans-and-other-primates/">odor</a>.&nbsp;



In the process, the team also identified specific airborne body-odor components that could potentially explain why some people are mosquito magnets, while others are less appealing to these insects. The groundbreaking study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.04.050">Current Biology</a>.



The majority of studies in the past that focused on mosquito preference were conducted in controlled laboratory conditions. However, these setups likely don't accurately represent the real-world experiences of mosquitoes.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-how-the-study-was-done">How the study was done</h2>



To overcome this, researchers from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health’s <a href="https://malaria.jhsph.edu/">Malaria Research Institute</a> and Macha Research Trust built a testing arena spanning 1,000 cubic meters in Choma District, Zambia.



“This is the largest system to assess olfactory preference for any mosquito in the world,” said study co-author Diego Giraldo. He added that it presents a highly sensory environment for the mosquitoes.



The unique testing arena consisted of a ring of landing pads, each heated to the average human skin temperature of 35 degrees Celsius. The researchers released 200 famished mosquitoes into this arena each night and tracked their activity using infrared motion cameras.&nbsp;



Special attention was paid to how frequently mosquitoes landed on each of the landing pads, as it's a strong indication that they’re ready to feed.



<h3 id="h-stage-1">Stage 1</h3>



The first stage of the investigation involved comparing the relative importance of heat, CO2, and human body odor in attracting mosquitoes.&nbsp;



The experts discovered that the mosquitoes showed no interest in the heated landing pads unless they were also baited with CO2. However, human body odor proved to be an even stronger attractant than CO2 alone.



<h3 id="h-stage-2">Stage 2</h3>



The researchers then tested the discerning nature of mosquitoes. To achieve this, six volunteers slept in single-person tents surrounding the arena over six consecutive nights.&nbsp;



Using repurposed air conditioner ducting, the team directed air from each tent - complete with the unique aromas of each sleeping volunteer - onto the heated landing pads.&nbsp;



Concurrently, they recorded the mosquitoes' preferences and collected nightly air samples from the tents to analyze and compare the airborne components of body odor.



“These mosquitoes typically hunt humans in the hours before and after midnight,” explained study senior author Conor McMeniman. He added that the mosquitoes follow scent trails and air currents originating from humans and usually invade homes and bite between around 10 PM and 2 AM.&nbsp;



Thus, the researchers aimed to assess mosquito olfactory preferences during this peak activity period and gauge the odor from sleeping humans during the same timeframe.



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



In their findings, the experts noted a consistent pattern where some people were more attractive to mosquitoes than others. Intriguingly, one of the volunteers, who had a notably different odor composition from the rest, consistently drew very few mosquitoes.



The researchers detected 40 chemicals that were emitted by all the volunteers, albeit at varying rates. “It’s probably a ratio-specific blend that they're following,” explained study co-author Stephanie Rankin-Turner.&nbsp;



She expressed the team’s hope of figuring out what exactly in skin secretions, microbial metabolites, or breath emissions are driving this phenomenon in the coming years.



Despite nightly variations in each person’s odor profile, the researchers detected some enduring patterns. The volunteers who were more attractive to mosquitoes consistently emitted higher amounts of carboxylic acids, a byproduct most likely produced by skin microbes.



Contrastingly, the volunteer least appealing to mosquitoes exhaled fewer carboxylic acids but approximately three times the amount of eucalyptol, a compound commonly found in many plants. The researchers theorize that this surge in eucalyptol levels may be associated with the individual's diet.



<h2 id="h-ability-to-find-the-perfect-meal-impressed-the-scientists">Ability to find the perfect meal impressed the scientists</h2>



The team was taken aback by the mosquitoes' proficient ability to locate and choose between potential human meals within the expansive arena.



“When you see something moved from a tiny laboratory space where the odors are right there, and the mosquitoes are still finding them in this big open space out in a field in Zambia, it really drives home just how powerful these mosquitoes are as host seekers,” said Rankin-Turner.



This groundbreaking study presents significant insights into the host-seeking behavior of mosquitoes and the role human body odor plays in it. It also opens up potential avenues for further research on this topic.&nbsp;



These include a deeper understanding of how specific body odor components influence mosquito attraction. Ultimately, such insights may lead to more effective measures for mosquito control and malaria prevention.



<h2 id="h-more-about-mosquitoes">More about mosquitoes</h2>



Mosquitoes have a significant impact on both humans and the environment, largely because of their role in disease transmission.



From a human health perspective, mosquitoes are one of the deadliest animals on the planet. This is because they are vectors for a number of harmful diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, West Nile virus, yellow fever, and various forms of encephalitis.



Malaria, in particular, is a significant global health issue. According to the World Health Organization, there were an estimated 229 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2019, resulting in about 409,000 deaths. Most of these cases and deaths occurred in Africa, particularly among children under the age of five.



Mosquito-borne diseases can have other impacts as well, such as economic consequences from missed work and the costs of medical treatment. They can also cause societal disruption, particularly in regions where these diseases are endemic.



<h3 id="h-environmental-impact-of-mosquitoes">Environmental impact of mosquitoes</h3>



From an environmental perspective, mosquitoes play several roles. Mosquito larvae, for instance, serve as food for fish and other aquatic animals, and adult mosquitoes are a food source for various species of birds, bats, and spiders.&nbsp;



Some mosquito species also serve as pollinators, feeding on plant nectar and incidentally transferring pollen from one flower to another. However, the negative impact mosquitoes have as disease vectors for both humans and wildlife significantly outweighs their ecological roles.



<h3 id="h-mosquito-population-control-strategies">Mosquito population control strategies</h3>



Various strategies are employed to control mosquito populations and limit their impact. These include insecticide use, bed nets treated with insecticides for malaria control, habitat modification to eliminate breeding sites, and biological controls such as introducing natural predators. There's also considerable research into genetically modifying mosquitoes to reduce their ability to transmit disease.



The increasing global temperatures due to climate change can potentially alter mosquito distributions and disease transmission patterns, making it an important ongoing area of research. Understanding mosquitoes and their behavior, like the work carried out by the team in Zambia, is vital in developing new strategies to combat these threats.



—-



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How mosquitoes find tasty humans from hundreds of meters away

Ever wondered how mosquitoes find humans from distances of up...

Methane emissions play a very large role in climate change. In the fight against global warming, a recent study by <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/">Queen Mary University of London</a> (QMUL) reveals a shocking fact. The experts report that only around 13 percent of global methane emissions are currently regulated. 



Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is responsible for at least 25 percent of the global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-endured-rapid-global-warming-300-million-years-ago/">warming</a> we're experiencing today.



Published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2023.04.009">One Earth</a>, this comprehensive global review uncovers not only the shortage of regulations, but also raises questions about the efficacy of existing policies.&nbsp;



A significant concern is that many policy decisions are based on methane emission estimations that may not accurately represent reality, potentially downplaying the severity of the problem.



<h2 id="h-urgent-action-needed">Urgent action needed</h2>



In no uncertain terms, the QMUL researchers emphasize the urgent need for increased regulation and improved understanding of their impact, particularly in the context of meeting global climate targets. They propose a global, consistent approach that relies on accurate quantification and reporting, which could open up fresh avenues to substantially cut global warming levels.



To achieve the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global temperature increase to 1.5°C, we must reduce man-made methane emissions by at least 40-45% by 2030, compared to 2020 levels.&nbsp;



Reducing methane is not only a cost-effective strategy for tackling global warming, but it also offers the added benefit of improving air quality. Alarmingly, methane emissions have been rising faster in recent years than at any point since the 1980s.



<h2 id="h-study-reviewed-global-methane-emissions-policies">Study reviewed global methane emissions policies</h2>



The QMUL study provides the first systematic review of methane policies across major man-made emission sources, including agriculture, energy, and waste.&nbsp;



Researchers scrutinized 281 policies worldwide, of which 255 are currently active. They examined the policies' geographical reach, strength, and effectiveness in monitoring and reducing methane emissions.



The study found that three regions have adopted 90 percent of the identified national policies: North America (39%), Europe (30%), and Asia Pacific (21%).&nbsp;



Globally, there has been a gradual increase in methane policies since 1974. However, policies targeting fossil methane emissions, such as those from coal, oil, and gas sectors, are generally less stringent than those aimed at biogenic methane sources, especially in the waste sector.



In regions where fossil methane policies are in place, there are still opportunities for further mitigation. For instance, reducing emissions along supply chains, like emissions from Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carrier ships, could have a significant impact. This possibility was explored by a team of QMUL researchers led by Dr. Balcombe.



A significant hurdle in controlling methane emissions is the accurate identification and quantification of sources. Technological innovations, such as satellite monitoring, can offer invaluable assistance in this area. They could aid policymakers in measuring and verifying emissions, ensuring compliance, and detecting super-emitters.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-feedback-and-commentary-from-the-research-team">Feedback and commentary from the research team</h2>



If we introduce policies with broader coverage, include mitigation solutions for major sources, and set measurable goals, we could significantly reduce methane emissions and slow down global warming.



Maria Olczak, lead researcher on this project from Queen Mary University of London, said:&nbsp;“Methane reduction is still perceived as a choice rather than a necessary step alongside CO2 reduction to combat global warming. And with so many different sources, there needs to be stronger social support and the political will to act.



“Our review highlights the value of setting policies that are predictable and clear for the industry. They will aid effective investment decisions aligned with the long-term climate mitigation goals, including the decrease in emission intensity and in production across developed and developing economies.”



Dr Paul Balcombe, study author and senior lecturer in Chemical Engineering at Queen Mary, said:&nbsp;“It’s shocking to see that most methane emissions aren’t regulated when they contribute heavily to global warming today, although accurately monitoring emissions is not easy. Our chances of reaching global climate targets are slim if this goes unchecked.



“The good news is that there’s an enormous opportunity to limit warming in the short term if we act fast to get on top of methane emissions. We urgently need tighter regulation on better monitoring of methane and concrete actions towards reduction measures.”



Andris Piebalgs, study author, part-time Professor at the Florence School of Regulation and a former EU Commissioner for Energy, said:&nbsp;“Over the last few years, we have seen growing attention to methane thanks to multilateral initiatives such as the International Methane Emissions Observatory and the Global Methane Pledge."



"The European Union and the US EPA are now working to finalise ambitious regulations targeting methane emissions in the energy sector. I hope that the upcoming COP28 and the first Global Stocktake will make the policymakers across the world realise that methane mitigation is an effective way to enhance their climate commitments.”



<h2 id="h-more-about-methane-emissions">More about methane emissions</h2>



Methane (CH4) is a colorless, odorless, and highly flammable gas, and it is the simplest hydrocarbon in the alkane series. It's a key component of natural gas and a significant contributor to climate change. Here are some important facts about methane:



<h3 id="h-natural-and-man-made-sources">Natural and Man-made Sources</h3>



Methane is produced both naturally and by human activity. Natural sources include wetlands, termites, oceans, and wildfires. Man-made sources include energy production (like coal mining, oil extraction, and natural gas systems), waste treatment, biomass burning, and livestock farming (where it's a byproduct of the digestive process in ruminants like cows).



<h3 id="h-greenhouse-gas">Greenhouse Gas</h3>



Methane is a potent greenhouse gas. Although it's less prevalent in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO2), it is much more effective at trapping heat. Over a 100-year period, the global warming potential (GWP) of methane is 25 times greater than that of CO2. This means that, pound for pound, methane warms the planet 25 times more than CO2 over a century.



<h3 id="h-shorter-atmospheric-lifespan">Shorter Atmospheric Lifespan</h3>



Methane has a relatively short lifespan in the atmosphere, around 10-12 years, compared to CO2, some of which can persist in the atmosphere for thousands of years. However, when methane breaks down, it forms ground-level ozone, another harmful air pollutant.



<h3 id="h-climate-change-connection-to-methane-emissions">Climate Change Connection to Methane Emissions</h3>



Methane emissions contribute significantly to global warming and climate change. Human activities, especially the production and transport of coal, oil, and natural gas, along with agriculture, are the major sources of methane emissions.



<h3 id="h-use-as-energy-source">Use as Energy Source</h3>



As the main component of natural gas, methane is a widely used energy source. It's burned to produce heat and electricity, and used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications.



<h3 id="h-methane-hydrates">Methane Hydrates</h3>



Methane can be found in a solid form called methane hydrates or clathrates, which are ice-like structures found in deep sea floors and Arctic permafrost. They represent a vast potential energy source but also a potential source of large methane emissions if destabilized by warming.



<h3 id="h-mitigation-strategies-for-methane-emissions">Mitigation Strategies for Methane Emissions</h3>



Strategies for reducing methane emissions include improving the efficiency of coal mining and gas systems, promoting waste management, reducing methane emissions from livestock, and improving the handling and use of manure.



<h3 id="h-role-in-chemistry-and-industry">Role in Chemistry and Industry</h3>



Methane is a starting material in the production of many chemicals, including hydrogen, methanol, and synthetic hydrocarbons. It's also used in the production of polymers and resins.



<h3 id="h-methanogenesis-and-methanotrophs">Methanogenesis and Methanotrophs</h3>



Methanogenesis is a form of anaerobic respiration used by microbes called methanogens, which produce methane. Conversely, methanotrophs are bacteria that use methane as their carbon and energy source, helping to limit the release of methane into the atmosphere.



In sum, while methane is a critical energy source and industrial chemical, its role as a potent greenhouse gas necessitates careful management and reduction strategies to combat climate change.



—-



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Alarming fact: only 13% of methane emissions are actively monitored

Methane emissions play a very large role in climate change....

Cannabis use among U.S. workers is hitting record highs, according to new data analysis, suggesting that the recent wave of marijuana legalizations is impacting workplace dynamics.&nbsp;



A study from <a href="https://www.questdiagnostics.com/">Quest Diagnostics</a>, the world's largest network of diagnostic labs, shows that in 2022, more than one in 25 employees tested positive for cannabis during routine drug screenings - the highest rate since the company started processing these tests 25 years ago.



This figure marks an increase from approximately three percent in 2018. It seems to reflect a growing acceptance of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frequent-cannabis-use-can-lead-to-heart-disease/">cannabis</a> use, with a particularly high prevalence in the food service and hospitality industries, where eight percent of workers tested positive. Retail workers followed closely behind in the rankings.



Keith Ward, the Vice President for Employer Solutions at Quest Diagnostics, explained: "The overall U.S. workforce positivity rate continued to be at a historically elevated level in 2022, even as much of the nation's workforce returned to the office post-pandemic."



"This historic rise seems to correspond with sharp increases in positivity for marijuana in both pre-employment and post-accident drug tests, suggesting that changing societal attitudes about marijuana may be impacting workplace behaviors and putting colleagues at risk."



<h2 id="h-how-the-study-was-conducted">How the study was conducted</h2>



Data show a staggering 54 percent surge in cannabis use across all industries in the last five years. In 2018, 2.8 percent of workers tested positive for cannabis, a figure that rose to 4.3 percent in 2022. The rate is the highest it's been since 1997.



The study analyzed over 6.3 million urine tests from workers across different sectors. Workers in food service, accommodations, and retail were found most likely to use cannabis.



However, the presence of THC — the psychoactive chemical in marijuana — in a person's system does not imply they are under the influence at work. As THC binds to fat molecules in the body, it can linger for weeks, hence, a positive test may merely indicate past use.



Nevertheless, the consistent increase in cannabis use across all major industries coincides with extensive legalization efforts over the past decade. This suggests that general usage of the drug is increasing, potentially even during work hours.



<h2 id="h-which-industries-have-the-most-workers-using-marijuana">Which industries have the most workers using marijuana</h2>



Workers in the accommodations and food service industry ranked highest for marijuana use, followed by the transportation and warehousing industry. In 2022, 6.4 percent of these workers used marijuana, a figure that has escalated from 2.4 percent in 2018 - an astounding 167 percent increase over five years.



Similarly, cannabis usage in realtors and leasing agents rose from about three percent in 2018 to 5.4 percent in 2022, a 93 percent increase. The wholesale trade sector showed a 125 percent surge in marijuana use, with the rate growing from 2.4 percent in 2018 to over five percent in 2022.



Interestingly, states with legal recreational marijuana use exhibited the most significant increases in test positivity rates, climbing nearly 12 percent from 2021 to 2022.&nbsp;



Comparatively, states allowing only medical marijuana use recorded a milder increase of about eight percent. In states where marijuana remains illegal, the positivity rate rose slightly over three percent year on year and nearly 15 percent over five years — 2.7 percent in 2018 versus 3.1 percent in 2022.



Dr. Suhash Harwani, Senior Director of Science for Employer Solutions at Quest Diagnostics, noted: "In the general U.S. workforce, states that have legalized recreational and medical marijuana use exhibit higher positivity rates than the national average. States that have not legalized marijuana appear to have positivity rates below the national averages."



Despite the increasing acceptance of marijuana and its touted benefits for treating chronic pain and mental health issues, there is a mounting body of evidence suggesting that the drug might be more detrimental than beneficial in certain scenarios. Specifically, Quest's findings suggest an increasing correlation between marijuana use and workplace accidents and injuries.



<h2 id="h-linking-work-accidents-to-marijuana-use">Linking work accidents to marijuana use</h2>



In 2022, 7.3 percent of urine drug tests conducted after accidents in the general workforce came back positive for marijuana. This was an increase of 9 percent from the 6.7 percent recorded in 2021.&nbsp;



Over the past decade, there has been a consistent annual rise in post-accident marijuana positivity, which has surged more than 204 percent since 2012. These statistics are concerning given the known effects of cannabis on cognition and motor skills.&nbsp;



"Intoxicating cannabis products, including marijuana, can have a major impact on safety at work and have been proven to slow reaction time, impact memory and impair skills essential to driving. The Quest data provide compelling evidence that increased use of cannabis products by employees can contribute to greater risk for injuries in the workplace," said Katie Mueller, a senior program manager at the <a href="https://www.nsc.org/">National Safety Council</a> focusing on cannabis safety.



The study thus raises critical questions about marijuana usage and workplace safety, especially as cannabis continues to be embraced by numerous sectors of the economy and is legalized in an increasing number of states for recreational and medicinal purposes.&nbsp;



Twenty-one states and Washington, DC have legalized it for recreational use, and almost all states now allow its use for medicinal purposes.



This wave of legalization and the corresponding increase in cannabis use among the workforce underscore the need for comprehensive research and clear guidelines to ensure workplace safety.&nbsp;



The increasing trend of workers testing positive for cannabis necessitates a nuanced discussion on the balance between personal freedoms, societal norms, and workplace safety.



<h2 id="h-more-about-marijuana">More about marijuana</h2>



Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is a plant that contains compounds called cannabinoids. The two most well-known cannabinoids are THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).



<h3 id="h-thc">THC</h3>



This is the psychoactive compound in marijuana that causes the high associated with its use. It can influence perception, mood, and cognition. THC can potentially have therapeutic effects, but it's also linked with negative effects such as anxiety, paranoia, and cognitive impairments. The potency of THC in marijuana has been increasing over the past few decades.



<h3 id="h-cbd">CBD</h3>



Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a high. It's been the focus of research for its potential therapeutic effects in treating a variety of conditions, including epilepsy, anxiety, inflammation, and sleep disorders. It's often extracted from the plant to make oils, creams, and other products.



Marijuana is usually consumed by smoking the dried flowers of the plant, but it can also be vaporized, ingested as an edible, taken as a capsule, or applied topically.



Its effects can vary widely depending on many factors, including the individual's physiology, the strain of marijuana, how it's consumed, and the presence of other substances. In general, the effects include relaxation, altered perception, euphoria, increased appetite, and impaired short-term memory.



<h3 id="h-marijuana-and-the-law">Marijuana and the law</h3>



The legal status of marijuana varies by country and by state. Many states in the U.S. have legalized marijuana for medical use, and a growing number have legalized it for recreational use. Still, it remains illegal at the federal level.



There is a significant body of research on the potential therapeutic effects of marijuana. It's been used to treat conditions like chronic pain, glaucoma, and nausea from chemotherapy. There is also evidence to suggest it can help with certain types of epilepsy.



However, there are potential health risks associated with marijuana use. Long-term or heavy use can lead to cognitive impairment, particularly in those who start using marijuana at a young age. It's also associated with mental health risks, such as the onset or worsening of anxiety and depressive disorders, and there is a strong association between cannabis use and the risk of psychosis, though more research is needed to fully understand this relationship.



Marijuana can be addictive, with about 9% of users becoming dependent. The risk of addiction is higher for those who start using in their teens or who use marijuana daily.



As for the societal impact, there is an ongoing debate about the pros and cons of marijuana legalization. Advocates argue that it could lead to reduced law enforcement costs, increased tax revenue, and better quality control and safety regulations. Critics, however, worry about potential public health risks, including increased use and abuse, particularly among young people.



—-



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Record number of Americans are high on marijuana at work

Cannabis use among U.S. workers is hitting record highs, according...

Wild,Forest,Fire,In,Canada

A team of researchers led by the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/">University of Florida</a> (UF) has recently found that, as woody plants such as trees or shrubs replace grasses, spot fires can occur farther away from the original fire perimeter. This so-called “woody encroachment” is becoming a significant problem not only in grasslands, but also in wetlands and savannahs.



During the past decade, over 61,000 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfires-ultimately-benefit-plant-and-animal-diversity/">wildfires</a> have decimated about 7.2 million acres annually. Once wildfires start spreading, extinguishing them is challenging due to issues such as spot fires, where winds carry lofted sparks and ignite new fires outside the original fire perimeter. Moreover, the greater the potential spot fire distance, the more difficult it becomes to monitor, control, and suppress wildfires.



“Spot fires are one of the most common reasons why houses burn in a wildfire,” said lead author Victoria Donovan, an assistant professor of Forest Management at UF, who conducted this study as a researcher at the <a href="https://www.unl.edu/">University of Nebraska-Lincoln</a>. 



“It’s not typically because the flames from wildfire reach a house, but that embers from that fire land on roofs, travel through home ventilation systems, or land on other combustible material on or near the home, and ignite the house from there. They’re a big concern for structural damage.”



Donovan and her colleagues examined three phases of wood encroachment: a largely grassland area, a grassland with new forested growth, and a dense forest. By using a mathematical fire simulation program and taking into account the various conditions in the Loess Canyons Experimental Landscape in south Nebraska, they found that prescribed fires – which are often used in Florida to keep woody plant growth under control – could contribute to a significant reduction of spot fires.&nbsp;



“Our study shows that the risk of spot fire is much lower when you’re burning under the weather conditions used for prescribed fire, regardless of encroachment phase, compared to waiting for the potentially more extreme conditions we can see during wildfires,” Donovan said. “This tells us that using prescribed fire early to control encroachment and reduce fuel load is a lot safer than waiting for a wildfire to occur.”



Moreover, the investigation revealed that it is not only spot fire distance that increases wildfire risk from woody plants. Another major problem is that shrubs and trees can grow much taller than grasses. 



“Think about putting out your campfire on the ground by pouring water on it, and compare that to trying to put out a fire a couple stories above you,” Donovan explained.



The concerns this study highlights are universal and show marked similarities regardless of the type of land where the wildfires occur. In Florida, for example, fire suppression has led to a massive encroachment of shrubs, creating dense forest stands that are very different from the open savannah systems in which more wildfires occurred in the past.



Although Florida has recently become a model for prescribed fires, there is still a high degree of hesitancy among some private landowners. However, using prescribed fire as a controlling process for woody encroachment remains less risky than allowing the encroachments and waiting for wildfires to occur.



“Across the country, data has shown that fire is inevitable. Using prescribed fire allows us to decide what we want a lot of that fire to look like,” Donovan concluded. The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0283816">PLoS ONE</a>.



<h2 id="h-wildfires-and-climate-change">Wildfires and climate change</h2>



Wildfires are a natural part of many ecosystems, but they have become more destructive in recent decades, and this trend is partially attributed to climate change. Here's how climate change is contributing to an increase in wildfires:



<h3 id="h-warmer-temperatures">Warmer Temperatures</h3>



Climate change has led to increased temperatures and earlier spring melt. This results in hotter, drier conditions that can prolong fire seasons. Additionally, warmer temperatures aid the spread of pests like the pine beetle, which can kill trees and create more potential fuel for fires.



<h3 id="h-changes-in-precipitation">Changes in Precipitation</h3>



While some areas are experiencing increased rainfall, others are becoming drier due to shifts in weather patterns caused by climate change. In areas that are becoming drier, these changes can contribute to drought conditions that make forests more susceptible to severe wildfires.



<h3 id="h-increased-lightning-activity">Increased Lightning Activity</h3>



Warmer conditions can lead to more thunderstorms, which in turn increase the likelihood of lightning – a major cause of wildfires.



<h3 id="h-stronger-winds">Stronger Winds</h3>



Climate change can also cause changes in wind patterns, and high winds can help spread wildfires.



The relationship between wildfires and climate change is a kind of positive feedback loop. On one hand, climate change creates conditions that can increase the risk of wildfires.&nbsp;



On the other hand, wildfires themselves can contribute to climate change. They release large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) - a greenhouse gas - into the atmosphere, thereby exacerbating global warming. Moreover, when forests that act as carbon sinks are destroyed by fires, they are unable to absorb CO2, further compounding the problem.



Mitigating climate change, therefore, could help reduce the risk of future wildfires. This would involve reducing greenhouse gas emissions through actions like shifting towards renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and protecting and restoring forests.&nbsp;



Adaptation measures, such as better land management practices and the development of more fire-resistant infrastructure, could also help communities become more resilient to wildfires.



—-



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Wildfires spread farther where woody plants replace grasses

A team of researchers led by the University of Florida...

Stag,Beetle,In,An,Oak,Forest.,Close,Up.

Although scientists have long known that energy is key to life, the connection between available energy and biodiversity in ecosystems is not yet clear.&nbsp;



While ecosystems with higher energy input – such as those exposed to stronger solar radiation near the equator – are clearly endowed with greater biodiversity, not all ecosystems seem to draw their energy exclusively from the sun. This raises important questions, such as which type of energy promotes biodiversity and whether energy sources change along specific food chains.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Now, by analyzing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reconstructing-300-million-years-of-beetle-evolution/">beetles</a> that live in deadwood in forests across Europe, a team of researchers led by <a href="https://www.uni-wuerzburg.de/en/home/">Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg</a> (JMU) has found that energy can also be stored chemically in resources such as wood, and that beetle diversity is influenced differently by energy types depending on their position in the food chain.&nbsp;



“Species like the stag beetle, whose larvae feed directly on dead wood and are thus at the bottom of the food chain, benefit in their diversity from the amount of energy stored in the wood,” said study lead author Peter Kriegel, a PhD student in Biodiversity at JMU. “The more sugar compounds are stored in the heartwood, the greater their diversity.”



By contrast, at the top end of deadwood beetles’ food pyramid are species such as the ant beetle, which feed on other insects. Rather than being affected by the energy stored in the wood, these beetles’ diversity is much more influenced by solar radiation.



These findings are crucial for basic ecological research and could help slow down alarming developments such as global insect decline. In future research, the scientists plan to turn their attention to biodiversity in deadwood that is not openly visible, to clarify which are the sources such organisms draw their energy from.



“Using methods such as DNA sequencing, we want to detect the molecular traces of hidden organisms: Bacteria, fungi without fruiting bodies, but also groups of insects which are difficult to determine and are therefore often neglected,” Kriegel concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ele.14227">Ecology Letters</a>.



<h2 id="h-beetles-are-indicators-of-ecosystem-health">Beetles are indicators of ecosystem health</h2>



Beetles play several important roles in our ecosystem, which make them indispensable. Here are a few key reasons:



<h3 id="h-decomposition">Decomposition</h3>



Many species of beetles, such as carrion beetles and dung beetles, are vital for breaking down and decomposing dead animals and feces. This is an essential part of the nutrient cycle in ecosystems as it helps to return nutrients to the soil, promoting plant growth.



<h3 id="h-pest-control">Pest Control</h3>



Some types of beetles, like ladybugs, feed on pests that can harm or destroy crops. This makes them invaluable for natural pest control.



<h3 id="h-pollination">Pollination</h3>



Certain beetles are known to contribute to pollination, which is critical for plant reproduction. While they may not be as efficient as bees or butterflies, they do play a role in the pollination of certain types of plants.



<h3 id="h-food-source">Food Source</h3>



Beetles serve as a food source for a large number of animals, including birds, reptiles, and other insects. Their role in the food chain is crucial for maintaining biodiversity.



<h3 id="h-biodiversity-indicators">Biodiversity Indicators</h3>



Beetles constitute the largest group of organisms, with over 350,000 known species. The diversity and sensitivity of beetles to ecological changes make them excellent indicators of overall biodiversity and ecosystem health.



<h3 id="h-human-benefits">Human Benefits</h3>



Certain beetles are also beneficial for human activities. For instance, the dung beetle helps in improving soil structure and fertility, which is beneficial for farming and agriculture. Also, the study of beetles can lead to scientific advancements and breakthroughs.



However, it's worth noting that not all beetles are beneficial. Some species can cause significant damage to crops, forests, and stored products. For example, bark beetles can kill large numbers of trees, and weevils can ruin stored grains or attack crops.



—-



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Beetle diversity is influenced by energy stored in dead wood

Although scientists have long known that energy is key to...

Scientists at the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/">University of Cambridge</a> have broken new ground, ushering in a new era of green energy. The researchers have unveiled a cutting-edge solar-powered technology that transforms carbon dioxide and water into liquid fuels.&nbsp;



The real game changer here is that these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-emissions-can-be-turned-into-clean-fuels/">fuels</a> can directly power a car's engine without any modifications - a so-called "drop-in" fuel.



This innovative technology leverages photosynthesis, the natural process through which plants convert sunlight into energy. It manages to replicate this process, using the sun's power to turn CO2 and water into multicarbon fuels. These fuels, ethanol and propanol, pack a high energy density, and the bonus is that they're also simple to store and transport.



<h2 id="h-zero-net-carbon-emissions-thanks-to-photosynthesis">Zero net carbon emissions thanks to photosynthesis</h2>



There's an important difference between these solar fuels and their fossil fuel counterparts. The solar fuels developed by these researchers produce zero net carbon emissions - a critical factor in our fight against climate change.&nbsp;



They are fully renewable, and in contrast to the majority of bioethanol fuels, their production does not encroach on any agricultural land that could otherwise be used for food production.



Although this technology remains at the laboratory stage, it's seen as a significant step toward our departure from a fossil fuel-dependent economy. The groundbreaking findings are documented in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41560-023-01262-3">Nature Energy</a>.



<h2 id="h-breaking-free-of-biofuels">Breaking free of biofuels</h2>



Bioethanol has long been championed as a cleaner substitute for petrol, being plant-derived rather than reliant on fossil fuels. It's noteworthy that many cars and trucks on our roads today operate on petrol with an ethanol content of up to 10% (known as E10 fuel).&nbsp;



The United States holds the title as the world’s largest bioethanol producer. Around 45 percent of all corn grown in the US is dedicated to ethanol production, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.



However, biofuels like ethanol have not escaped controversy. "They take up agricultural land that could be used to grow food instead,” said Professor Erwin Reisner, who led the research.



Reisner and his team, based in the Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, have been working tirelessly for several years on developing sustainable, zero-carbon fuels. These are inspired by photosynthesis and utilize artificial leaves.



Prior to this breakthrough, these artificial leaves could only generate simple chemicals, such as syngas, a combination of hydrogen and carbon monoxide used in the manufacture of fuels, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and fertilizers. The real challenge was to create more complex chemicals in a single step powered by the sun.



<h2 id="h-major-breakthrough-by-the-research-team">Major breakthrough by the research team</h2>



The team's latest accomplishment has been to adapt the artificial leaf to produce clean ethanol and propanol directly, bypassing the intermediate syngas production step.&nbsp;



This was made possible by developing a catalyst based on copper and palladium. This catalyst was specifically optimized to allow the artificial leaf to create these multi-carbon alcohols.



This achievement is a first. While other scientists have produced similar chemicals using electrical power, it's the first time that such complex chemicals have been produced with an artificial leaf harnessing only solar energy.



Dr. Motiar Rahaman, the paper's first author, expressed his excitement: “Shining sunlight on the artificial leaves and getting liquid fuel from carbon dioxide and water is an amazing bit of chemistry.”&nbsp;



He emphasized that their achievement of converting CO2 into a practical liquid fuel using only sunlight was a tremendous leap forward, one that opens up a whole new path in their work.



<h2 id="h-still-lots-of-work-to-be-done">Still lots of work to be done</h2>



As it stands, this device is a proof of concept, currently demonstrating only modest efficiency.&nbsp;



The experts are striving to improve the light absorbers for enhanced sunlight absorption and tweaking the catalyst for better sunlight to fuel conversion. Moreover, the device's scalability needs attention for it to produce fuel in larger volumes.



"Even though there's still work to be done, we've shown what these artificial leaves are capable of doing," said Reisner. He believes it’s vital to demonstrate that they can push beyond the production of the simplest molecules and generate materials that are directly useful in our transition away from fossil fuels.



This revolutionary research was funded in part by the European Commission Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship, the Cambridge Trust, and the Winton Programme for the Physics of Sustainability.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-a-very-bright-future-for-clean-cars-thanks-to-sunlight">A very bright future for clean cars, thanks to sunlight</h2>



This groundbreaking work undertaken by the Cambridge team signals a promising future for renewable fuels. It's a major advancement in green energy research that could pave the way towards a future less reliant on fossil fuels.&nbsp;



While the technology is still in its early stages, its potential implications for combating climate change and promoting sustainable fuel production are truly exciting. As we continue to battle the effects of climate change, this pioneering work on solar fuels could be a critical piece of the puzzle in our quest for a cleaner, greener world.



<h2 id="h-more-about-clean-energy-and-zero-net-carbon-emissions">More about clean energy and zero net carbon emissions</h2>



Clean energy, also known as renewable energy, refers to energy produced from sources that do not deplete when used or those that naturally replenish within a human lifetime. These sources include wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and even certain forms of biomass.&nbsp;



As a result of their renewable nature, they have a significantly lower environmental impact compared to conventional energy sources like coal, oil, and gas.



One of the most compelling arguments for the use of clean energy is its potential to help achieve zero net carbon emissions or carbon neutrality.&nbsp;



<h3 id="h-the-importance-of-carbon-neutrality">The importance of carbon neutrality</h3>



Carbon neutrality means balancing the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the atmosphere with an equivalent amount of CO2 sequestered or offset, or buying enough carbon credits to make up the difference. In essence, it’s when the net amount of carbon dioxide emissions (emissions minus offsets) equals zero.



Why is achieving carbon neutrality important? Well, carbon dioxide is one of the primary greenhouse gases contributing to global warming and climate change. An excess of CO2 in the Earth's atmosphere traps heat, leading to a rise in global temperatures—a phenomenon known as the greenhouse effect.



Clean energy technologies play a crucial role in achieving zero net carbon emissions. For example, solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity, and wind turbines generate power from wind flow. Both methods produce electricity without releasing CO2, unlike traditional fossil fuel power plants.



Further, when used for heating, cooling, and transportation – which together account for a large portion of global CO2 emissions – clean energy technologies can help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and thereby lower greenhouse gas emissions.



<h3 id="h-achieving-energy-efficiency-through-clean-energy">Achieving energy efficiency through clean energy&nbsp;</h3>



It's worth noting that clean energy also involves energy efficiency. By optimizing how we use energy, we can achieve the same results with less, reducing the overall demand for energy and thereby contributing to lower emissions.



While transitioning to a clean energy future involves significant challenges – including technology and infrastructure development, costs, and policy and regulatory hurdles – the long-term benefits for our environment, health, and economy make it a compelling goal.&nbsp;



This is the context in which the work by the researchers at the University of Cambridge, as well as many other scientists worldwide, takes on such importance. These efforts represent vital steps towards creating sustainable and scalable solutions for clean energy and achieving zero net carbon emissions.



—-



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Breakthrough: Sunshine will soon power your car instead of gasoline

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have broken new ground,...

Loving,Couple,Kissing,At,Sunset.,Love,In,The,Sun.,Valentine's

The sweet, intimate act of lip-to-lip contact, or kissing as we know it, may have originated much earlier than we previously thought.&nbsp;



This surprising revelation comes from Dr. Troels Pank Arbøll and Dr. Sophie Lund Rasmussen, who offer fresh insights on the historical roots of this romantic gesture, pushing the timeline back a further millennium than previously acknowledged. The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.adf0512">Science</a>.



<h2 id="h-studying-the-origins-of-kissing">Studying the origins of kissing</h2>



Contrary to prior hypotheses, which pinned the birth of the human kiss at around 3,500 years ago in South Asia, the researchers argue that kissing was already a well-established practice around 4,500 years ago in the Middle East, potentially predating this by even more.



The earliest human societies of Mesopotamia, the region nestled between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers in present-day Iraq and Syria, have provided key insights into this age-old tradition.&nbsp;



“People wrote in cuneiform script on clay tablets. Many thousands of these clay tablets have survived to this day, and they contain clear examples that kissing was considered a part of romantic intimacy in ancient times, just as kissing could be part of friendships and family members’ relations,” explained Dr. Arbøll of the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/english/">University of Copenhagen</a>.



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



In essence, Dr. Arbøll argues that the act of kissing is not a cultural artifact exclusive to any one civilization or region but appears to be a universal behavior practiced by multiple ancient cultures over several millennia.



“In fact, research into bonobos and chimpanzees, the closest living relatives to humans, has shown that both species engage in kissing, which may suggest that the practice of kissing is a fundamental behavior in humans, explaining why it can be found across cultures," noted Dr. Rasmussen.



<h2 id="h-both-good-and-bad-came-from-the-kissing-revolution">Both good and bad came from the kissing revolution&nbsp;</h2>



The tradition of kissing isn't solely a matter of social and sexual behavior. It may have unintentionally aided the spread of microorganisms, potentially aiding in the transmission of viruses among humans.&nbsp;



However, to dub kissing as a sudden catalyst for the spread of specific <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/if-pathogens-wish-to-spread-why-make-their-hosts-sick/">pathogens</a>, such as the herpes simplex virus 1, may be a bit of a leap.



“There is a substantial corpus of medical texts from Mesopotamia, some of which mention a disease with symptoms reminiscent of the herpes simplex virus 1," said Dr. Arbøll.



However, he is quick to remind us that these ancient medical texts were influenced by various cultural and religious concepts, therefore cautioning against reading them literally.



<h2 id="h-is-kissing-also-the-origin-of-herpes-infections">Is kissing also the origin of herpes infections?</h2>



Despite these challenges, Dr. Arbøll finds it intriguing to note some similarities between a disease referred to as 'buʾshanu' in these ancient Mesopotamian medical texts and the symptoms caused by herpes simplex infections.&nbsp;



He describes the bu’shanu disease as primarily located in or around the mouth and throat, with symptoms including vesicles in or around the mouth, one of the dominant signs of herpes infection.



If the practice of kissing was as widespread and well-established in a range of ancient societies as suggested, Dr. Rasmussen believes that the effects of kissing in terms of pathogen transmission must likely have been more or less constant.



The researchers believe that the future of understanding complex historical developments and social interactions, such as the role of kissing in early disease transmission, relies on an interdisciplinary approach to studying ancient DNA.&nbsp;



As we continue to unearth more about our shared human history, the roots of a simple kiss prove to be a fascinating probe into the past.



<h2 id="h-more-about-mesopotamia">More about Mesopotamia</h2>



Mesopotamia, often referred to as the "cradle of civilization," was a historical region located in the eastern Mediterranean, corresponding to present-day Iraq, Kuwait, and parts of Syria, Turkey, and Iran. The region is known for its fertile land, situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, thus the name Mesopotamia, which translates to "land between the rivers" in Greek.



Mesopotamia was home to several important ancient civilizations, including the Sumerians, Akkadians, Assyrians, and Babylonians. Each of these civilizations made significant contributions to culture and science, influencing future societies significantly in ways other than kissing.



<h3 id="h-sumerians">Sumerians</h3>



The Sumerians are often considered the creators of civilization as modern humans understand it. They are believed to have developed around 4000 to 3000 BC in southern Mesopotamia. The Sumerians are credited with many 'firsts' in human history, including the invention of the wheel, the development of the earliest known system of writing – cuneiform script, the creation of complex architectural structures such as ziggurats, and the formation of the earliest known codified legal and administrative systems.



<h3 id="h-akkadians">Akkadians</h3>



The Akkadians, led by their king, Sargon the Great, are known for establishing possibly the world's first empire around 2334 BC, bringing together various city-states under one rule.



<h3 id="h-assyrians">Assyrians</h3>



The Assyrian Empire, known for its military prowess and extensive libraries, was centered in the northern part of Mesopotamia. The famous king Ashurbanipal established a vast library in the capital, Nineveh, which included thousands of cuneiform tablets preserving the knowledge of the time.



<h3 id="h-babylonians">Babylonians</h3>



The Babylonians, based in central-southern Mesopotamia, are especially remembered for Hammurabi's law code, one of the oldest deciphered writings of significant length in the world. The Babylonians also made remarkable strides in astronomy and mathematics, including the development of a base-60 (sexagesimal) number system, which is still used to measure time and angles today.



Mesopotamia was also a hub of trade and invention, with agriculture playing a vital role in its economy. Mesopotamians invented many agricultural tools and developed an early system of irrigation to counter the annual floods of the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers.



Religion in Mesopotamia was polytheistic, with a vast pantheon of gods and goddesses worshipped in various city-states. Temples held great significance and were central to both religious and political life. Key religious concepts, including the afterlife and humans' relationship with the gods, were central to Mesopotamian worldviews.



Mesopotamia's influence extends into the present day, with its civilizations significantly contributing to human culture (including kissing), governance, technology, and knowledge. Its rich and varied history is a testament to the resourcefulness and adaptability of humanity and the power of civilization.



—-



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Humans first began kissing in Mesopotamia over 4500 years ago

The sweet, intimate act of lip-to-lip contact, or kissing as...

Aging inevitably leads to muscle wasting, a condition known as sarcopenia. Until recently, the scientific world lacked a comprehensive understanding of why and how this occurs.&nbsp;



However, recent research from the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI) at <a href="https://www.monash.edu/">Monash University</a> has made strides in unraveling this mystery, thanks to an unusual subject – the African killifish.



The research suggests that towards the end of life, our muscles may revert to an "early-life" state, which could slow mortality. This groundbreaking revelation potentially opens doors to new approaches that could slow, halt or even reverse the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength.



Published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/acel.13862">Aging Cell</a>, the study was led by Professor Peter Currie and Dr. Avnika Ruparelia from ARMI and the <a href="https://www.unimelb.edu.au/">University of Melbourne</a>. The importance of this research becomes increasingly evident in the face of a predicted global surge in the prevalence and severity of sarcopenia.



“There is a pressing need to understand the mechanisms that drive sarcopenia, so that we can identify and implement suitable medical interventions to promote healthy muscle ageing,” said Professor Currie.



<h2 id="h-newest-weapon-in-the-fight-against-aging">Newest weapon in the fight against aging</h2>



The African turquoise killifish, known scientifically as Nothobranchius furzeri, is a recent addition to the pantheon of model organisms used in aging studies. With the shortest known lifespan among captive-breedable vertebrates, killifish make for an intriguing research subject.



Spawned by the African rains, killifish live in seasonal rain pools. Their life cycle is rapid, hatching, growing, and reaching maturity in just two weeks, after which they reproduce daily until the pool evaporates.



What makes them particularly useful in aging research is the manifestation of human-like aging symptoms - cancerous liver and gonad lesions, diminished limb regenerative abilities (in their case, the fin), and genetic hallmarks of aging such as decreased mitochondrial DNA copy number and function, and telomere shortening.



Dr. Ruparelia notes that the study is the first to use killifish in sarcopenia research. “In this study, we performed a thorough cellular and molecular characterization of skeletal muscle from early life, aged and extremely old late-life stages, revealing many similarities to sarcopenia in humans and other mammals.”



<h2 id="h-researchers-make-fascinating-discovery">Researchers make fascinating discovery</h2>



Remarkably, the researchers also discovered these metabolic signs of aging seemingly reversed during the late-life stage.&nbsp;



Dr. Ruparelia suggests that "in extremely old animals, there may be mechanisms in place that prevent further deterioration of skeletal muscle <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-failure-is-influenced-by-gut-health/">health</a>, which may ultimately contribute to an extension of their life span."



Drawing a correlation between improved muscle health and declining mortality rates in old age, the team hypothesizes that enhanced muscle health could be a significant factor in prolonging the lifespan of the extremely elderly.



To further investigate this phenomenon, the researchers embarked on a metabolic survey of killifish at different aging stages. This exploration revealed a surprising rejuvenation of certain metabolic features in the oldest fish, mirroring those seen in young fish.



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



The investigation underscored the crucial role of lipid metabolism in this rejuvenation process. Through regulating the formation of certain lipids with drugs, the researchers achieved a similar rejuvenation of aging <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-hibernating-bears-could-help-humans-prevent-muscle-loss/">muscle</a>.



“During extreme old age, there is a striking depletion of lipids, which are the main energy reserves in our cells," said Professor Currie. "We believe that this mimics a state of calorie restriction, a process known to extend lifespan in other organisms, which results in activation of downstream mechanisms ultimately enabling the animal to maintain nutrient balance and live longer. A similar process is seen in the muscle of highly trained athletes.”



“The idea that muscle aging may be reversible, and potentially treatable by drugs that can manipulate a cell’s metabolism, is an exciting prospect especially given the social, economic and healthcare costs associated with the ever-growing aged population around the world," said Dr. Ruparelia.



"We are excited by the potential of the killifish model, and very grateful to the Winston Churchill Trust for funding, and to Dr. Kay Patterson for her assistance with establishing the import regulations to establish the first and only killifish facility in Australia. We now have a unique opportunity to study biological processes regulating aging and age-related diseases, and to investigate strategies to promote heathy aging.”



<h2 id="h-more-about-anti-aging-research">More about anti-aging research</h2>



Anti-aging research is an incredibly broad field, encompassing many different disciplines. From genetics and cell biology to pharmacology and lifestyle modification, many promising advances are being made.



One important area of anti-aging research revolves around understanding the underlying biological processes of aging.&nbsp;



Scientists have identified several key hallmarks of aging, including genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, deregulated nutrient sensing, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, stem cell exhaustion, and altered intercellular communication.&nbsp;



By targeting these fundamental processes, researchers hope to slow down or even reverse the signs of aging.



<h3 id="h-telomeres">Telomeres</h3>



These protective end caps of chromosomes that shorten as cells divide, are a major focus in this research. Scientists have discovered that by manipulating an enzyme called telomerase, they can extend the lifespan of cells in the lab. This has the potential to slow down or reverse certain aging processes, although this approach is still being studied for safety and efficacy.



<h3 id="h-caloric-restriction">Caloric restriction</h3>



The practice of reducing daily calorie intake without malnutrition, has been shown to extend lifespan in multiple organisms, from yeast and worms to mice and monkeys. This has led to interest in drugs that can mimic the effects of caloric restriction, such as metformin and rapamycin. These drugs have shown promise in preclinical studies and are now being tested in human trials.



<h3 id="h-senescence">Senescence</h3>



This is a state in which cells can no longer divide and accumulate with age, contributing to tissue dysfunction. Scientists are exploring drugs known as senolytics that selectively eliminate these senescent cells, thereby improving health and lifespan in animal models.



<h3 id="h-regenerative-medicine-and-stem-cell-research">Regenerative medicine and stem cell research&nbsp;</h3>



The idea is to use stem cells to replace damaged or aged cells in the body, effectively rejuvenating tissues and organs. Techniques such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which can theoretically produce any cell type in the body, hold great promise in this area.



<h3 id="h-gut-microbes">Gut microbes</h3>



Understanding the role of the microbiome, the community of microbes living in our gut, in aging has gained considerable attention. Studies suggest that the composition of the gut microbiota changes with age and influences health and lifespan. Therefore, interventions that modify the gut microbiota, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplants, may have potential anti-aging effects.



Despite these exciting developments, it's important to remember that aging is a complex process that is unlikely to have a simple, one-size-fits-all solution.&nbsp;



However, the research being done in this field could not only increase lifespan but also "healthspan," the period of life spent in good health, free from the chronic diseases and disabilities of aging.



—-



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African Killifish holds secrets to reversing muscle aging in humans

Aging inevitably leads to muscle wasting, a condition known as...

The resurgence of apex predators and wolf populations across the continental United States, a result of measures under the Endangered Species Act, has been a hot topic among conservationists. While <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-wolves-headed-to-south-carolina-from-ohio/">wolves</a>, along with other apex predators, have been recognized for their role in keeping smaller predator species in check, new research now reveals an unexpected facet of this ecological dance.



The study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.adf2472">Science</a> on May 18, reveals that in Washington state, the dual presence of apex predators – wolves and cougars – does regulate populations of mesopredators, such as bobcats and coyotes.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-surprising-discoveries">Surprising discoveries</h2>



However, the twist in the tale lies in the fact that these apex predators were not found to be the primary cause of mortality among the mesopredators.



Instead of falling prey to the fangs and claws of their larger counterparts, the bobcats and coyotes were driven into areas with higher human activity. The consequences were inevitable - it was the humans who ended up playing the grim reaper.



The study was led by wildlife ecologist Laura Prugh and her collaborative team from the <a href="https://www.washington.edu/">University of Washington</a>, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Spokane Tribe of Indians.&nbsp;



The experts discovered that bobcats and coyotes were more than three times as likely to die from human activities, such as hunting or trapping, than from encounters with cougars and wolves.



This revelation provides a stark illustration of how humanity's ever-expanding footprint is significantly altering interactions among wildlife species.&nbsp;



"When cougars and wolves moved into an area, coyotes and bobcats employed a specific strategy to avoid apex predators by moving into more human-impacted regions," explained Professor Prugh.



"That indicated to us that coyotes and bobcats likely perceived these large carnivores as a greater threat to them than people. But when we looked at causes of mortality for the mesopredators, humans were by far the largest cause of death.”



<h2 id="h-how-the-study-was-conducted">How the study was conducted</h2>



For the investigation, the researchers embarked on a five-year journey, from winter 2017 to summer 2022, tracking the activity of 22 wolves, 60 cougars, 35 coyotes, and 37 bobcats in two study areas in north-central and northeastern Washington as part of the Washington Predator-Prey Project.&nbsp;



They used GPS collars to monitor the animals across a diverse landscape comprising national forests, camping, hunting, and fishing recreational areas, as well as lands devoted to agriculture, timber harvesting, ranching, and residential use.



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-about-apex-predators">What the researchers learned about apex predators</h2>



The study revealed a fascinating shift in animal behavior. When wolves or cougars moved into their region, bobcats and coyotes altered their movements to avoid them.&nbsp;



"Coyotes and bobcats started using areas that had twice as much human influence compared to where they were before the large carnivores moved in," said Prugh.



Further, upon investigating the causes of death for any animals tracked during the study, the team found that areas with high human activity were far more lethal for mesopredators than those with a lesser human presence.



For instance, of the 24 coyotes that died during the study, over half were killed by humans. Similarly, humans were responsible for half of the 22 bobcat deaths recorded. Some mesopredators were shot after preying on livestock, others were targeted for threatening poultry.



In a nutshell, human activities accounted for three to four times more mesopredator deaths in this study than the apex predators – wolves and cougars.



<h2 id="h-no-urgent-need-for-action">No urgent need for action</h2>



Interestingly, the study doesn't signal immediate danger for the overall populations of bobcats and coyotes, which rank among the most widespread mesopredators in North America. Neither are endangered, and coyotes especially are highly adaptable to human presence.&nbsp;



However, Professor Prugh warns that not all mesopredator species share this resilience. Some reproduce more slowly, while others may be vulnerable in multiple ways to human activities. For example, rodent poisons used in pest control can be lethal for fishers, another type of mesopredator.



Looking forward, researchers need to investigate how mesopredators use space and resources in areas with high human activity. They should also explore the potential risks these shifts pose to humans. "These are not trivial shifts in territory or space. There are real consequences," said Professor Prugh.



<h2 id="h-human-shield-hypothesis">Human shield hypothesis</h2>



The study also sheds new light on the "human shield hypothesis," a working theory in wildlife-human interactions. This hypothesis suggests that prey species move to areas with higher human activity due to the presence of predators.&nbsp;



Instances of this behavior can be seen in Yellowstone National Park, where elk have moved near hiking trails, typically avoided by wolves and other large carnivores.



However, the human impact in areas like Yellowstone is typically less compared to other recreational spaces or farming, grazing, and residential developments. This has prompted scientists to question the efficacy of humans as a "shield" in such environments.



"In these areas with higher levels of human activity, it was unknown whether a mesopredator would perceive the apex predator or humans as the greater threat," Prugh said.&nbsp;



"Here, we found that bobcats and coyotes perceived their apex predators as the greater threat, but their strategy of avoiding those large carnivores backfired by bringing them into contact with a much more effective predator: us."



<h2 id="h-apex-predators-and-humans-a-complex-relationship">Apex predators and humans - a complex relationship</h2>



The research presents a sobering reminder of our role in reshaping wildlife interactions. As apex predators continue to reclaim their former habitats, our growing human footprint also modifies these ecosystems.&nbsp;



Balancing our presence with the needs of these animals becomes an ever more pressing issue. The dance between apex predators, mesopredators, and humans continues to play out, and only time will tell where this dynamic interaction will lead us.



The research was funded by the National Science Foundation, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Australia Fulbright Program.



<h2 id="h-more-about-mesopredators">More about mesopredators</h2>



A "mesopredator" is a term used in the science of ecology to identify medium-sized, mid-ranking predators that are not apex predators. This category includes a broad variety of species across numerous animal groups, which can vary according to the specific ecosystem and food web under consideration.



Generally speaking, mesopredators are small to medium-sized carnivores that occupy an intermediate trophic level in food webs. Examples of mesopredators include raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes in North America, or jackals and servals in Africa. In aquatic environments, mesopredators might include certain species of sharks or large fish.



One crucial role of mesopredators in an ecosystem is controlling the populations of smaller animals, usually herbivores or omnivores, which they prey upon. This relationship can help maintain a balance and biodiversity in the ecosystem.



However, the population and behavior of mesopredators are often controlled by larger predators, or apex predators. In ecosystems where apex predators have been removed or their populations significantly reduced (often due to human activity), mesopredators can become overabundant.&nbsp;



<h3 id="h-complex-relationship-with-humans">Complex relationship with humans</h3>



This situation, referred to as "mesopredator release," can lead to declines in the prey species and overall biodiversity loss. For example, in the absence of wolves (an apex predator), coyote (a mesopredator) populations can increase, leading to declines in smaller mammal and bird populations.



Furthermore, as demonstrated in the study discussed earlier, mesopredators can have complex relationships with humans.&nbsp;



Some mesopredators have adapted well to human-dominated environments and can live in close proximity to human settlements (e.g., urban foxes or coyotes). However, this proximity can also make them more susceptible to threats such as vehicle collisions, hunting, trapping, or poisoning.



In terms of reproduction and survival rates, mesopredators can vary widely. Some species, like coyotes, can quickly adapt to a variety of environments and have relatively high reproduction rates, enabling their populations to sustain despite threats. In contrast, other mesopredators may reproduce more slowly or be more vulnerable to human activities, potentially leading to population declines in certain areas.



Overall, mesopredators play a vital role in maintaining the health and balance of ecosystems. Understanding their behavior, interactions with other species, and responses to human activity is essential for effective wildlife management and conservation strategies.



—-



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Coyotes move into towns to avoid apex predators, only to be killed by humans

The resurgence of apex predators and wolf populations across the...

In a landmark study published today in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.abo2812">Science</a>, experts warn that over half of the world's largest lakes are experiencing water loss. As expected, the primary culprits are a warming climate and unsustainable human consumption patterns.



Fangfang Yao, the lead author of the study and a visiting fellow at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), now a climate fellow at the University of Virginia, offers a silver lining amid the alarming data.&nbsp;



“This is the first comprehensive assessment of trends and drivers of global lake water storage variability based on an array of satellites and models,” says Yao.



Yao's motivation to conduct the research originated from witnessing environmental crises in some of the planet's largest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-water-is-the-key-to-a-long-and-healthy-life/">water</a> bodies, such as the drying of the Aral Sea situated between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-how-the-study-was-conducted">How the study was conducted</h2>



To measure changes in water levels in almost 2,000 of the world's largest lakes and reservoirs, Yao teamed up with colleagues from the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/">University of Colorado Boulder</a>, Kansas State University, France, and Saudi Arabia. These bodies of water account for 95 percent of the total lake water storage on Earth.



The researchers created an innovative technique that combines three decades of satellite observations with models to track and explain changes in lake storage on a global scale.&nbsp;



Freshwater lakes and reservoirs store 87 percent of Earth's water, underscoring their importance to both human and natural ecosystems. Despite their significance, these lakes have been under-monitored compared to rivers, even though they supply more water to human communities.



“Until now, our understanding of long-term trends and changes to water levels has been largely limited," said study co-author Professor Balaji Rajagopalan. “We are able to provide insights into global lake level changes with a broader perspective using this novel method,” he adds.



The team used a quarter of a million snapshots of lake areas captured by satellites from 1992 to 2020 to survey the area of 1,972 of Earth's biggest lakes. They combined recent water level measurements with long-term area measurements to reconstruct the volume of lakes dating back decades.



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



The findings are sobering: 53 percent of lakes worldwide have seen a reduction in water storage. This loss equates to the volume of 17 Lake Meads, the largest reservoir in the United States.



To unpack these trends in natural lakes, Yao and his team drew on the latest advances in water use and climate modeling. Both climate change and human water consumption were found to be primarily responsible for the global net decline in natural lake volume, as well as water losses in about 100 large lakes.



“Many of the human and climate change footprints on lake water losses were previously unknown, such as the desiccations of Lake Good-e-Zareh in Afghanistan and Lake Mar Chiquita in Argentina,” said Yao.



Worryingly, lakes in both dry and humid regions globally are losing volume. This loss in humid tropical lakes and Arctic lakes indicates a broader drying trend than previously acknowledged.



<h2 id="h-the-team-also-studied-reservoirs">The team also studied reservoirs</h2>



In addition to studying natural lakes, Yao and his colleagues examined water storage trends in reservoirs. They discovered that almost two-thirds of Earth's large reservoirs have undergone substantial water losses.



“Sedimentation dominated the global storage decline in existing reservoirs," noted study co-author Professor Ben Livneh. For reservoirs established before 1992, sedimentation was found to be more impactful than either droughts or years of heavy rainfall.



However, not all lakes are shrinking. The study shows that 24 percent of global lakes have witnessed significant increases in water storage.&nbsp;



These expanding lakes are primarily located in underpopulated areas, such as the inner Tibetan Plateau and Northern Great Plains of North America, and in regions with new reservoirs, such as the Yangtze, Mekong, and Nile river basins.



The study's authors estimate that approximately 2 billion people, or roughly one-quarter of the world's population, live in the basins of these drying lakes. This striking statistic underscores the urgent need to consider the impacts of human consumption, climate change, and sedimentation on water management strategies.



<h2 id="h-disturbing-results-lead-to-potential-solutions">Disturbing results lead to potential solutions</h2>



While the news seems concerning, the study's authors believe it could provide a pathway to potential solutions. According to Livneh, "If human consumption is a significant factor in lake water storage decline, then we can adapt and explore new policies to curb large-scale declines."



The team's research highlights one such success story: Lake Sevan in Armenia. Over the past two decades, Lake Sevan has witnessed an increase in water storage, a positive trend that the authors attribute to the enforcement of conservation laws restricting water withdrawal since the early 2000s.



In conclusion, the study marks a significant advancement in the understanding and tracking of global lake water storage trends. Though the results are worrying, they offer invaluable insights that could potentially guide policy changes and prompt more sustainable water use.&nbsp;



The findings underscore the urgent need for policymakers, water managers, and communities around the world to pay heed and take action to protect this critical resource and the vital ecosystems it supports.



<h2 id="h-more-about-climate-change-and-earth-s-freshwater-supply">More about climate change and Earth’s freshwater supply</h2>



Climate change is having a significant impact on Earth's freshwater supply in several ways. Here are some of the most notable effects:



<h3 id="h-changes-in-precipitation-patterns">Changes in Precipitation Patterns</h3>



Climate change is altering the global water cycle, which affects where, when, and how much precipitation falls. Areas that are dry may become drier, and places that are wet may become wetter or experience more intense rainfall leading to flooding. Both scenarios can have serious implications for freshwater availability.



<h3 id="h-rising-temperatures-and-increased-evaporation">Rising Temperatures and Increased Evaporation</h3>



As global temperatures rise due to climate change, evaporation rates also increase. This leads to a reduction in the amount of surface water in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, as well as groundwater in aquifers. Higher temperatures can also increase water demand from both humans and vegetation.



<h3 id="h-melting-glaciers-and-reduced-snowpack">Melting Glaciers and Reduced Snowpack</h3>



Many regions, particularly those in the western United States and parts of Asia, depend on runoff from snowmelt and glaciers for their freshwater supply. As global temperatures rise, glaciers are melting at an accelerated pace and winter snowpack is declining, leading to decreased water availability in spring and summer when it's most needed.



<h3 id="h-sea-level-rise-and-saltwater-intrusion">Sea-Level Rise and Saltwater Intrusion</h3>



As sea levels rise due to the melting of polar ice caps, saltwater can intrude into freshwater aquifers, particularly those near coasts. This phenomenon is known as saltwater intrusion and can contaminate drinking water supplies and agricultural lands, reducing the availability of freshwater for those purposes.



<h3 id="h-changes-in-ecosystem-health">Changes in Ecosystem Health</h3>



Climate change can impact the health of freshwater ecosystems. Higher water temperatures, changes in water flow, and increased prevalence of drought can stress or even kill fish, birds, and other wildlife that depend on freshwater habitats.



<h3 id="h-increased-frequency-and-severity-of-droughts">Increased Frequency and Severity of Droughts</h3>



Climate change is expected to make droughts more frequent and severe in certain regions, reducing the availability of freshwater.



All of these factors pose significant challenges to managing water resources effectively and ensuring a sustainable freshwater supply for both human and ecological needs. It highlights the urgent need for implementing water conservation measures and developing resilient water management strategies in the face of a changing climate.



—-



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Alarming study: Most of the world’s largest lakes are quickly losing water

In a landmark study published today in the journal Science,...

The global phenomenon of El Niño events - a warm band of ocean water stretching from South America to Asia - periodically disrupts worldwide <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-anxiety-can-lead-to-climate-action/">climate</a> patterns. 



When it occurs, it often brings severe floods, destroys crops through drought, decimates fish populations, and increases the frequency of tropical diseases. This year, El Niño is expected to return.&nbsp;



A new study by <a href="https://home.dartmouth.edu/">Dartmouth</a> researchers, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.adf2983">Science</a>, suggests that the economic impact of this recurring climatic pattern extends well beyond the event itself. It could cause a lingering financial aftermath that lasts for years, potentially amounting to trillions of dollars in lost income worldwide.



<h2 id="h-el-nino-impacts-more-than-the-weather">El Niño impacts more than the weather</h2>



The Dartmouth study is a pioneering work in the field, offering an evaluation of El Niño's long-term costs. The projected losses it outlines far surpass previous estimations.



El Niño is part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation - a natural fluctuation between warm and cold temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean. This cycle also includes the cooler La Niña phase.&nbsp;



El Niño events alter global weather patterns, generally resulting in a wetter, warmer winter for the West Coast of the US and a milder Atlantic hurricane season.



<h2 id="h-how-the-study-was-conducted">How the study was conducted</h2>



Over two years, the researchers scrutinized worldwide economic activity in the decades following the significant El Niño events of 1982-83 and 1997-98. They detected a "persistent signature" of slowed economic growth extending for over five years.&nbsp;



These two events led to global economic losses of $4.1 trillion and $5.7 trillion, respectively, in the subsequent half-decade. Most of this burden fell upon the world’s poorest nations located in the tropics.



Looking to the future, the researchers anticipate that global economic losses during the 21st century could reach a staggering $84 trillion. This figure takes into account the potential amplification of El Niño's frequency and strength due to climate change.&nbsp;



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



Even if world leaders fulfill their current pledges to reduce carbon emissions, these predictions will remain the same. For instance, they estimate that the upcoming 2023 El Niño could constrain the global economy by up to $3 trillion by 2029.



Christopher Callahan, the lead author of the study and a doctoral candidate in geography at Dartmouth, shared that this research contributes to an ongoing discussion about society's resilience in the face of major climatic events like El Niño.



"We can say with certainty that societies and economies absolutely do not just take a hit and recover," said Callahan, explaining that the negative economic impact following an El Niño event could linger for up to 14 years, if not longer.



"In the tropics and places that experience the effects of El Niño, you get a persistent signature during which growth is delayed for at least five years." He emphasized the need to account for this prolonged impact when quantifying the financial cost of such events.



<h2 id="h-seeking-to-determine-the-economic-toll-of-climate-change">Seeking to determine the economic toll of climate change</h2>



Study senior author Professor Justin Mankin highlighted the significance of year-to-year climate variations in determining the economic toll of global warming. Even though these climate swings largely operate independently from global warming, they can either intensify or reduce its effects.



El Niño events, which Mankin calls the "trunk of the tree of climate variability," is the most significant source of year-to-year climate variation. It alters weather globally and leaves a substantial imprint on national economies.



Mankin argues that while world leaders and the public rightly focus on the consistent rise in global average temperature when discussing climate change, they must also consider El Niño.&nbsp;



"If you're estimating the costs of global warming without considering El Niño, then you are dramatically underestimating the costs of global warming," said Professor Mankin.



"Our welfare is affected by our global economy, and our global economy is tied to the climate." His research demonstrates that El Niño's effect on climate variation is incredibly costly, stagnating growth for years. This finding has led to cost estimates much larger than previous ones.



<h2 id="h-analysis-of-past-el-nino-events">Analysis of past El Niño events</h2>



According to Mankin and Callahan's analysis, the 1982-83 and 1997-98 El Niño events resulted in the gross domestic product (GDP) of the United States being approximately 3% lower in 1988 and 2003, respectively, than it would have been otherwise. In contrast, the GDPs of tropical coastal nations like Peru and Indonesia were more than 10% lower in the same years.



"The global pattern of El Niño's effect on the climate and the prosperity of different countries reflects the unequal distribution of wealth and climate risk - not to mention the responsibility for climate change - worldwide," Mankin said. He pointed out that El Niño magnifies existing climate change inequities, disproportionately affecting the least resilient and prepared among us.



According to Professor Mankin, the prolonged and substantial financial repercussions revealed by their research suggest that we are currently maladapted to our existing climate.&nbsp;



"Our accounting dramatically raises the cost estimate of doing nothing. We need to both mitigate climate change and invest more in El Niño prediction and adaptation because these events will only amplify the future costs of global warming.”



<h2 id="h-concerns-about-the-2023-el-nino-impact">Concerns about the 2023 El Niño impact</h2>



The El Niño predicted for 2023 is slated to arrive at a time of record-high sea-surface temperatures. Callahan noted that the last major El Niño event, which occurred in 2016, contributed to making that year the hottest in recorded history.



Since then, global warming has only intensified. Moreover, the world is now emerging from a prolonged La Niña phase, and these two phases can intensify each other. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a higher than 80% chance of El Niño setting in by late summer.



"The deck is potentially stacked for a really big El Niño," said Callahan. He suggests that there is likely to be a significant economic toll that depresses economic growth in tropical countries for potentially up to a decade. This could result in a global loss of trillions of dollars in productivity compared to a world without this El Niño.



<h2 id="h-more-about-el-nino">More about El Niño</h2>



El Niño is a naturally occurring climate pattern that involves changes in the temperature of waters in the central and eastern part of the tropical belt of the Pacific Ocean. Its full name, "El Niño Southern Oscillation" (ENSO), refers to the cycle of warm (El Niño) and cool (La Niña) phases this area undergoes.



During El Niño events, the ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific become significantly warmer than usual. This heating affects the atmospheric pressure patterns, leading to a reversal of the usual trade winds. 



Normally, these winds blow east to west, pushing warm water toward the western Pacific (near Asia). However, during El Niño, these winds weaken or even reverse, causing warm water to spread eastward toward South America.



The effects of El Niño are wide-ranging and global. Here are some of its potential impacts:



<h3 id="h-rainfall">Rainfall&nbsp;</h3>



Regions that are normally dry might receive heavy rainfall, leading to flooding. On the flip side, areas that typically have a wet climate may experience drought. For example, during El Niño events, countries like Peru and Ecuador often face heavy rain and flooding, while Australia and parts of Southeast Asia may experience drought.



<h3 id="h-temperature">Temperature&nbsp;</h3>



El Niño often causes above-average winter temperatures over western and northern Canada and over the western and northern United States. Simultaneously, it can lead to cooler than normal temperatures in the southeastern states of the U.S.



<h3 id="h-agriculture">Agriculture</h3>



Changes in rainfall and temperature can significantly affect agricultural productivity. This can lead to food shortages, increased food prices, and economic problems, especially in countries heavily reliant on agriculture.



<h3 id="h-fisheries">Fisheries&nbsp;</h3>



El Niño can disrupt marine ecosystems. The warmer water temperature leads to a decline in nutrients, which causes a reduction in the marine food chain's productivity. This has a direct impact on the fishing industry, especially in South American countries where economies can be significantly affected.



<h3 id="h-health">Health</h3>



There can be health implications too. Increased rainfall in certain regions can create breeding grounds for mosquitoes, potentially leading to outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus.



<h3 id="h-wildlife">Wildlife</h3>



Shifts in ocean temperatures and rainfall can also disrupt terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, impacting species distribution and behavior.



El Niño events typically occur every two to seven years and can last for up to a year or sometimes longer. They are part of a natural cycle and have been occurring for thousands of years. However, scientists are researching how climate change might impact the frequency and severity of El Niño events.



El Niño is followed by a phase called La Niña, characterized by cooler than average sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific. This phase also has its own set of global impacts, often opposite to those of El Niño.



Predicting El Niño events and their intensity is an active area of scientific research. Improved prediction models can help countries better prepare for the potential environmental and socio-economic impacts.



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El Niño events cost the global economy trillions of dollars

The global phenomenon of El Niño events - a warm...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



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



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

How the immune system responds to injury

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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