Just 35 light-years away, a small red dwarf star is turning heads. This unassuming star, named L 98-59, is in the center of one of the most closely examined planetary systems near Earth.&nbsp;This is because some of its planets fall in the habitable zone. 



Scientists from the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (IREx) and the <a href="https://www.umontreal.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Université de Montréal</a> have now mapped the L 98-59 system with record precision.



The findings confirm a fifth <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-planet-system-hd110067-discovered-that-moves-in-perfect-mathematical-harmony/">planet</a> in the habitable zone of this nearby red dwarf star. This planetary system now provides a promising location to explore conditions suitable for life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planets-identified-around-their-star">Planets identified around their star</h2>



L 98-59 is a small red dwarf star hosting three planets discovered by NASA’s <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/tess/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TESS mission</a> in 2019. A fourth was later found using the ESPRESSO spectrograph. These four planets orbit their star at distances that are much closer than Mercury is to the Sun.



“These new results paint the most complete picture we’ve ever had of the fascinating L 98-59 system. It’s a powerful demonstration of what we can achieve by combining data from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronomers-catch-exact-moment-when-planets-form-around-a-star-hops-315/">space</a> telescopes and high-precision instruments on Earth,” noted Charles Cadieux, lead researcher at <a href="https://exoplanetes.umontreal.ca/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IREx</a>.



The research also provides scientists with key targets for future atmospheric studies using the James Webb Space Telescope [<a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JWST</a>],



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-and-watery-planets-in-the-system">Hot and watery planets in the system</h2>



The team analyzed a large archive of ground and space-based data. They determined the masses and sizes of the planets with high accuracy. L 98-59 b, the innermost planet, is a sub-Earth - it is around 84% of Earth’s size and half its mass.



The two closest planets might host volcanic activity due to tidal heating, similar to Jupiter’s moon Io. 



The third planet stands out as a potential “water world,” with its low density suggesting a deep, water-rich composition. The nearly circular orbits of these planets improve their suitability for detailed atmospheric study.



“With its diversity of rocky worlds and range of planetary compositions, L 98-59 offers a unique laboratory to address some of the field’s most pressing questions," said René Doyon, co-author and director of IREx. 



These questions include the following: What are super-Earths and sub-Neptunes made of? Do planets form differently around small stars? Can rocky <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronomers-announce-evidence-suggesting-that-our-solar-system-has-nine-planets-again/">planets</a> around red dwarfs retain atmospheres over time?” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fifth-planet-falls-in-habitable-zone">Fifth planet falls in habitable zone </h2>



One of the study’s highlights is the confirmation of L 98-59 f, a non-transiting fifth planet. Its presence came to light through precise radial velocity readings from HARPS and ESPRESSO. 



This planet is particularly interesting because it receives about the same energy from its star as Earth does from the Sun.



“Finding a temperate planet in such a compact system makes this discovery particularly exciting. It highlights the remarkable diversity of exoplanetary systems and strengthens the case for studying potentially habitable worlds around low-mass stars,” Cadieux said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-old-telescope-data-and-new-planets">Old telescope data and new planets</h2>



Instead of scheduling new observations, the team used existing data from TESS, HARPS, ESPRESSO, and JWST. They applied advanced techniques developed at IREx, including a line-by-line radial velocity method and a new temperature indicator. 



These tools allowed them to filter out noise from stellar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-observatory-will-reveal-millions-of-objects-hidden-in-our-solar-system/">activity</a>. Combining this with transit data from JWST, the team improved planet size and mass estimates by twofold.



“We developed these techniques to unlock this kind of hidden potential in archival data. It also highlights how improving analysis tools allow us to improve upon previous discoveries with data that is just waiting to be revisited,” said study co-author Étienne Artigau.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-on-the-planet-system">Future research on the planet system</h2>



L 98-59 now stands as one of the most promising systems near Earth for studying rocky planets. Its varied compositions and close orbits around a small star make it an ideal candidate for atmospheric studies with JWST.



The IREx team has already begun follow-up observations. L 98-59 could soon join systems like TRAPPIST-1 as a key player in exoplanet research.



“With these new results, L 98-59 joins the select group of nearby, compact planetary systems that we hope to understand in greater detail over the coming years," concluded study co-author Alexandrine L’Heureux.



"It’s exciting to see it stand alongside systems like TRAPPIST-1 in our quest to unlock the nature and formation of small planets orbiting red dwarf stars.” 



The study is published in <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.09343" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astronomical Journal</a>.



Image Credit: Benoit Gougeon, Université de Montréal



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Fifth planet discovered in a nearby star system, this one is in the habitable zone

Just 35 light-years away, a small red dwarf star is turning heads. This unassuming star, named L 98-59, is in the center of one of the most closely examined planetary systems near Earth.&nbsp;This is because some of its planets fall in the habitable zone. Scientists from the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (IREx) and the Université de Montréal have now mapped the L 98-59 system with record precision. The findings confirm a fifth planet in the habitable zone of this nearby red dwarf star. This planetary...

More than half of the average American’s daily calories come from ultra-processed food (UPF). A new score helps measure how much of this food people actually eat, even though they may be unaware of it.



A new investigation guided by Dr. Erikka Loftfield at the <a href="https://www.cancer.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Cancer Institute</a> identifies tiny molecules in blood and urine that seem to line up with how many of these ultra-processed food products a person eats.



Researchers found that certain metabolite patterns, called <a href="https://cdas.cancer.gov/approved-projects/4913/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">poly-metabolite scores</a>, could help scientists check the accuracy of self-reported <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-ultra-processed-foods-makes-your-muscles-weaker-and-more-fragile/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diets</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-food-score-helps-track-hidden-intake">A food score helps track hidden intake</h2>



Many people have no idea how much ultra-processed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ultra-processed-foods-make-our-bodies-age-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food</a> they actually consume. Even well-intentioned eaters might miss hidden additives, processed oils, or preservatives in everyday meals.



This new testing method offers a way to cut through the confusion. It gives researchers - and potentially doctors - a snapshot of your diet without needing you to log every bite.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-complex-eating-habits">Tracking complex eating habits</h2>



Individuals might overlook many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/health-risks-of-ultra-processed-foods-revealed-in-30-year-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">items</a> that fit into ultra-processed categories. Instant noodles, sweet packaged snacks, and store-bought pastries often fly under the radar.



The research team developed an approach to measure small <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165993602012098" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemical markers</a> in blood and urine. They used a set of older participants who had provided detailed dietary reports across 12 months.



These markers were linked to how often a person consumed ultra-processed items. They looked like a fingerprint that matched the share of daily calories coming from those foods.



Some ultra-processed items carry more salt, sugar, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-sweeteners-erythritol-directly-linked-to-heart-attacks-and-strokes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial flavors</a> than simpler choices. These features can make them attractive and shelf-stable but also raise questions about long-term health effects.



Investigators combined both diet records and lab data to improve accuracy. This kind of measurement could catch missed details when people forget what they ate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-score-reveals-true-junk-food-levels">Score reveals true junk food levels</h2>



The team created a score that reflected this chemical signature. They tested the score on volunteers in a highly controlled inpatient setting to confirm that it worked.



“The identified poly-metabolite scores could serve as objective measures of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breaking-free-from-ultra-processed-foods-the-surprising-health-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UPF</a> intake in large population studies to complement or reduce reliance on self-reported dietary data. 



Poly-metabolite scores should be evaluated and iteratively improved in populations with diverse diets and a wide range of UPF intake,” added Dr. Loftfield. 



The new score might reduce guesswork in nutrition studies. Each type of marker may hold clues about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breaking-free-from-ultra-processed-foods-the-surprising-health-benefits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">processed ingredients</a> that might not appear in fresh or minimally processed foods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-doctors-may-check-diet-with-a-test">Doctors may check diet with a test</h2>



In the future, your doctor might learn more from a urine test than from a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ultra-processed-foods-are-harmful-to-nearly-every-part-of-the-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food</a> diary. If these metabolite scores become widely available, clinicians could use them to flag poor dietary patterns without needing long conversations or guesswork.



This could speed up diagnosis and allow earlier interventions for diet-related issues. It also opens the door for personalized nutrition advice, built on real chemical data rather than rough estimates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-ultra-processed-foods">Impact of ultra-processed foods</h2>



Experts continue to investigate whether these products affect weight and disease risk. Some <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(19)30248-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence</a> shows that heavy intake of such foods can coincide with weight gain.



Advanced <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39150724/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glycation compounds</a> formed in some food processes might play a role in metabolic conditions. Researchers hope that pinpointing these markers may offer new insights.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-score-exposes-what-brands-don-t-highlight">Score exposes what brands don’t highlight</h2>



Food manufacturers often use marketing to frame ultra-processed products as convenient or fortified with nutrients. 



But the presence of these chemical signatures in blood and urine paints a different picture, one that links these foods to measurable biological changes.



As researchers get closer to pinpointing how these products affect the body, companies could face growing pressure to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-tool-lets-you-check-how-processed-your-food-is-grocerydb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reformulate their offerings</a>. 



If specific ingredients or production methods are consistently tied to the presence of harmful markers, regulators might push for transparency or even restrictions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-food-score-improves-tracking">How the food score improves tracking</h2>



Many people rely on memory when telling doctors or researchers what they ate. 



This score could someday serve as a helpful backup by offering an objective way to see whether someone’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ultra-processed-foods-directly-linked-cognitive-decline-stroke-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported consumption</a> lines up with their actual exposure.



Scientists expect that future research may refine these measures for broader use. More diverse samples, including younger individuals and different cultural diets, could increase the reliability of these findings. 



Taking a closer look at blood and urine has sparked new ideas about how to identify ultra-processed food intake.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-future-health-policies">Implications for future health policies</h2>



Public health agencies could eventually use these poly-metabolite scores to improve large-scale nutrition surveillance. 



Instead of relying only on self-reports or food purchase data, officials might turn to biochemical evidence to track dietary trends across regions or demographics.



Insurance companies or employers may also show interest in using these biomarkers to assess dietary risks. While this raises ethical questions, it reflects a growing push to personalize prevention strategies based on measurable health behaviors.



The study is published in <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1004560" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS Medicine</a>.



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Quick blood test can now show exactly how much ultra-processed junk food a person eats

More than half of the average American’s daily calories come...

Our food faces growing threats as chemical, biological, and physical hazards collide with shifting economic and environmental conditions. But there’s hope on the horizon - artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful ally in detecting food contamination before it reaches our plates.



Researchers at the Universities of Birmingham, Bedfordshire, and <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oxford</a> have reviewed 116 studies published between 2019 and 2024.



The experts argue that only a combination of real-time <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/enduring-earth-mystery-partially-solved-artificial-intelligence-nazca-geoglyphs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial intelligence</a> tools and stronger international partnerships can keep pace with this accelerating complexity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-panorama-of-modern-food-contaminants">Panorama of modern food contaminants</h2>



The review groups hazards into three broad classes. Biological contaminants include familiar culprits - bacteria such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-it-safe-to-eat-eggs-salmonella-contamination-found-in-poultry-production-chain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Salmonella</a> and E. coli, as well as viruses and parasitic protozoa.



Chemical contaminants span a spectrum from pesticide residues and industrial heavy metals to naturally occurring toxins and veterinary drugs. 



Physical contaminants take the form of unwanted objects, now increasingly represented by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/contamination-crisis-microplastics-found-in-88-of-protein-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastics</a>, fragments of packaging, and processing debris.



According to the authors, these disparate hazards share a common characteristic: they travel quickly through a globalized, just-in-time food system that can turn a local slip into a transcontinental outbreak.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-drivers-behind-food-risks">Key drivers behind food risks</h2>



To understand why contamination episodes appear to be multiplying, the team identified six macro forces shaping <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electronic-tongue-could-revolutionize-food-safety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food safety</a>. Demographic change tops the list as urbanization and aging populations both alter consumption patterns and stretch distribution networks.



Economic factors follow closely, with cost pressures sometimes eroding best practice in production and transport. Environmental degradation - soil depletion, water scarcity, climate-induced weather volatility - can create new pathways for contaminants to infiltrate crops and livestock.



Geopolitical instability can disrupt supply chains or weaken regulatory oversight, while shifting consumer priorities - such as demand for minimally processed or “natural” foods - may inadvertently reduce built-in safety margins.



Finally, technological advances themselves cut both ways: they allow faster detection yet also introduce novel materials and ingredients whose safety profiles are not fully known.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-warnings-for-food-contamination">AI warnings for food contamination </h2>



“Our review shows that food contamination is a borderless threat that no nation can tackle alone,” said lead author Helen Onyeaka of the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Birmingham</a>.



“Pairing next-generation detection technologies with stronger international partnerships will be critical to keeping harmful contaminants out of the global food supply.”



The team highlights the promise of AI-driven systems that sift sensor data, trade records, and meteorological feeds to forecast contamination hotspots days or even weeks before pathogens bloom or toxins exceed safe limits. 



Machine-learning models can continuously refine themselves as new data arrive, offering regulators dynamic dashboards instead of static compliance snapshots.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gaps-in-global-oversight"><a></a>Gaps in global oversight</h2>



Despite technological gains, the authors found glaring inconsistencies in how nations define, measure and report emerging contaminants. 



While the European Union has made strides in harmonizing pesticide residue limits, global standards for microplastic fragments or mycotoxin cocktails are still patchy.



“Science-based, transparent regulation must keep pace with the accelerating complexity of the food chain,” said co-author John Krebs, the former chair of the <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UK Food Standards Agency</a>. “By integrating real-time data and global cooperation, we can modernize food safety for the challenges ahead.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-food-safety-ai-algorithms">Future of food safety: AI algorithms</h2>



The paper calls for a multi-level response. International research consortia should pool surveillance data and develop shared threat vocabularies so that a novel contaminant flagged in one region can be recognized in another before exposure spreads.



Regulatory bodies need to move toward mutual recognition of safety assessments and faster pathways for updating allowable limits. Investment in cutting-edge detection platforms must be prioritized to make supply chains more transparent.



Such platforms include biosensors that change color in the presence of toxins, handheld spectroscopes that read chemical fingerprints, and AI algorithms that parse complex patterns.



Public engagement rounds out the agenda: consumers who understand the provenance of their food and the basics of proper storage and preparation become active partners in prevention rather than passive recipients of recalls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-encouraging-signs-but-uneven-uptake"><a></a>Encouraging signs but uneven uptake</h2>



Novel tools are indeed emerging. Portable Raman spectrometers can now screen fish fillets for histamine in seconds; electrochemical biosensors detect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deadly-listeria-outbreak-linked-to-frozen-dairy-shakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Listeria</a> in soft cheeses before they leave the factory. 



Deep-learning models use satellite imagery and humidity forecasts to predict aflatoxin surges in maize fields.



Yet adoption remains fragmented, with many small and medium-sized enterprises lacking capital or technical capacity. Governments can help by offering tax incentives, subsidized training, and open-source software packages that help detect these threats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-ai-to-detect-food-contamination">Using AI to detect food contamination </h2>



The review ends on a cautiously optimistic note. The same forces that magnify risk - global trade, digital interconnection, rapid innovation - also provide the tools to mitigate it.



If nations share data rather than hoard it, and if industry embraces intelligent monitoring rather than relying solely on end-product testing, contamination events could be intercepted well before they reach supermarket shelves.



In an era when a single click can order strawberries from another continent, the authors argue, food safety must evolve into a similarly networked enterprise. 



By balancing a set of harmonized rules with real-time analytics and an informed public, the world may yet enjoy a future where meals cross borders - and generations - without carrying invisible threats.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479725012228?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Environmental Management</a>.



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Future of food safety: AI can detect contamination early

Our food faces growing threats as chemical, biological, and physical...

Sharks have glided through oceans for more than 450 million years, relying on skeletons made not of bone but of stiff, mineralised cartilage.



Their vertebral columns act like coiled springs, storing and releasing energy with every tail beat, even as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/offshore-wind-farms-threaten-electric-sensitive-sharks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a> reach speeds of twenty miles per hour or vault clear of the water in spinning leaps.



Scientists have long known that this mechanical efficiency stems from a cleverly reinforced spine, yet only now are researchers imaging those reinforcements at the nanoscale.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-cartilage-in-3d">Mapping cartilage in 3D</h2>



A team from <a href="https://www.fau.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Atlantic University</a> (FAU), the <a href="https://www.desy.de/index_eng.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">German Electron Synchrotron</a> (DESY), and <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA Fisheries</a> used synchrotron X-ray nanotomography to map the internal architecture of blacktip shark vertebrae in three dimensions.



They paired scans with mechanical tests, squeezing tiny segments while tracking how they bent and cracked. The images revealed two layers inside the mineralized cartilage: a hard outer shell (corpus calcareum) and a softer inner core (intermediale).



Both zones are packed with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-molecules-collagen-discovered-in-66-million-year-old-dinosaur-bones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">collagen</a> fibers infused with bioapatite, the same calcium-phosphate mineral that stiffens human bone. Yet their arrangements differ.



Porous plates of mineralized tissue are supported by thick struts, allowing the shark skeleton to resist forces from many directions. This is essential for an animal that swims continuously and bends its body thousands of times each hour.



At even higher magnification, the scientists saw needles of bioapatite aligned with the collagen strands. They also discovered helically wound fiber layers that resemble plywood on a microscopic scale. 



Under load, those helices hinder cracks from running unchecked, distributing stress through a web of stiff mineral and stretchy protein.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-s-recipe-for-resilience">Nature’s recipe for resilience</h2>



Study senior author Vivian Merk is an assistant professor of chemistry, ocean and mechanical engineering, and biomedical engineering at FAU.



“Nature builds remarkably strong materials by combining minerals with biological polymers, such as collagen - a process known as biomineralization," said Merk. "This strategy allows creatures like shrimp, crustaceans, and even humans to develop tough, resilient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dead-coral-skeletons-prevent-reefs-from-recovering/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">skeletons</a>.”



“Sharks are a striking example. Their mineral-reinforced spines work like springs, flexing and storing energy as they swim. By learning how they build such tough yet adaptable skeletons, we hope to inspire the design of next-generation materials.”



Under compression, vertebrae yielded slightly on the first cycle and cracked only after a second round of stress. Even then, the fracture plane remained confined to one mineral layer, evidence that the helices and porous scaffolds localize damage rather than letting it propagate.



“After hundreds of millions of years of evolution, we can now finally see how shark cartilage works at the nanoscale - and learn from them,” said co-author Marianne Porter, an associate professor of biological sciences at FAU.



“We’re discovering how tiny mineral structures and collagen fibers come together to create a material that’s both strong and flexible, perfectly adapted for a shark’s powerful swimming. These insights could help us design better materials by following nature’s blueprint.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shark-skeletons-inspire-design">Shark skeletons inspire design</h2>



Blacktip sharks roam warm coastal waters worldwide. Their quick turns and aerial spins place punishing loads on the spine, making them ideal models for impact-resistant design. 



The layered “sharkitecture” identified in the study could guide the development of everything from lighter body armor to longer-lasting joint implants.



“This research highlights the power of interdisciplinary collaboration,” said Stella Batalama, dean of FAU’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. “By bringing together engineers, biologists, and materials scientists, we’ve uncovered how nature builds strong yet flexible materials.”



“The layered, fiber-reinforced structure of shark cartilage offers a compelling model for high-performance, resilient design, which holds promise for developing advanced materials from medical implants to impact-resistant gear.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cartilage-wins-in-evolution">Cartilage wins in evolution</h2>



Unlike bony fish, sharks never switch to a calcium-phosphate skeleton during development. Their cartilaginous framework, reinforced by bioapatite only at strategic sites, saves weight without sacrificing stiffness.



The new nanoscale images suggest evolution achieved that balance through multiscale ordering. Collagen fibrils form bundles, which twist into helices. These helices embed in mineral plates, which then stack into porous columns that combine load-bearing strength with flexibility.



Because collagen and bioapatite are common to many vertebrates, the principles observed in sharks could be translated to human health.



Engineers might mimic the helical layering to make fracture-resistant composites, or apply the plate-and-strut motif to maximize strength while retaining lightness in aerospace parts.



Surgeons could one day use customized implants modeled on shark cartilage to promote bone integration and reduce fatigue failure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shark-tech-from-the-deep">Shark tech from the deep</h2>



The study adds to a growing inventory of marine organisms whose microstructures inspire technology, from manta-ray-inspired filters to cephalopod-inspired <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-squid-power-their-amazing-camouflage-abilities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">camouflage</a>. Shark spines now join that list, revealing how evolution transforms humble ingredients - protein and mineral - into a mechanical masterpiece.



Further research will probe other species, life stages, and environmental stresses. Mixed-phase cartilage from hammerheads or deep-sea lantern sharks may reveal different configurations tuned to unique swimming styles or pressure regimes.



Each discovery will refine the emerging field of deep-sea biomimetics, where ancient adaptations inform tomorrow’s materials. 



For engineers seeking to reconcile strength, flexibility, and damage tolerance, few tutors rival the blacktip shark. It has been perfected by 450 million years of relentless motion through saltwater and time.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.5c02004" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Nano</a>.



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Shark skeletons could lead to technological innovations

Sharks have glided through oceans for more than 450 million...

A massive exploration of ocean life has revealed 866 new species that most people never knew existed. This achievement ranks among the largest efforts ever to document organisms dwelling in some of the most secluded underwater zones.



Many surprises have surfaced from <a href="https://oceancensus.org/publications/press-release-the-ocean-census-discovers-over-800-new-marine-species/?ftag=YHF4eb9d17" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">these findings</a>, including a curious new guitar shark species. 



This creature was first recorded at approximately 650 feet below the surface by <a href="https://mlml.sjsu.edu/research-faculty/david-ebert/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David Ebert</a>, the “Lost Shark Guy” from the Pacific Shark Research Center at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (<a href="https://mlml.sjsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MLML</a>).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-marine-species-among-ocean-life">Hidden marine species among ocean life</h2>



“The ocean covers 71% of our planet, yet it is said that only around 10% of marine life has been discovered so far, leaving an estimated 1-2 million species still undocumented," said Executive Director <a href="https://oceancensus.org/team-member/mitsuyuku-unno/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mitsuyuki Unno</a> of <a href="https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Nippon Foundation</a> representing the founding partner of the Ocean Census. "



"These latest findings demonstrate how international collaboration can advance our understanding of ocean biodiversity."



Experts say learning about unexplored species can spark fresh approaches to conservation. Documenting them quickly is critical since cataloguing can take over a decade, which creates risks for vulnerable marine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/filter-feeders-transform-microplastics-into-a-bigger-threat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creatures</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-snail-with-hidden-value">A snail with hidden value</h2>



A standout discovery involves the turrid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bright-yellow-margarita-snails-discovered-in-florida-keys/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gastropods</a> known as Turridrupa magnifica. It was found between about 650 and 1,600 feet in waters off New Caledonia and Vanuatu. 



Scientists note these snails carry venomous barbs used to capture prey, and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17932414/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">related snail compounds</a> have inspired pain relief drugs, including some tested for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breakthrough-cancer-cells-have-a-molecular-switch-that-could-be-rewired-to-behave-normally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer</a> treatment.



Its potential medical applications symbolize the practical significance of identifying new lifeforms. 



Locating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-species-of-tree-snake-with-completely-black-eyes-is-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rare species</a> can lead to breakthroughs in human health, especially if researchers can examine the biochemical secrets behind their survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-fresh-octocoral-in-the-maldives">A fresh octocoral in the Maldives</h2>



A newly found Octocoral genus in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drowning-mangroves-climate-change-is-pushing-nature-past-its-limits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maldives</a> drew excitement from specialists at the Maldives Marine Research Institute. 



This is the first known record of its type in that area. <a href="https://www.abebooks.com/Shallow-Water-Octocorallia-West-Indian-Region-Manual/31967855712/bd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Octocorals</a> help shore up reef structures and create habitats for countless fish and invertebrates.



Additional research could clarify how these corals protect shorelines from erosion and benefit local fisheries. They highlight the functional roles that relatively unknown organisms can play in underwater <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-ecosystem-sea-creatures-never-before-seen-revealed-antarctica-iceberg-breakup/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-new-marine-species">Understanding the new marine species</h2>



“Too many species remain in limbo for years because the process of formally describing them is too slow," stated <a href="https://oceancensus.org/team-member/prof-lucy-woodall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prof. Lucy Woodall</a>, Head of Science at <a href="https://oceancensus.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ocean Census</a>.



"We urgently need to change that and adding the Species Discovery step gives us a way to rapidly start the process. Every new species - whether a shark or a sponge - deepens our understanding of marine ecosystems and the benefits they provide for the planet.” 



Taxonomists are taking new steps to expedite this framework by adding interim documentation. The <a href="https://dataplatform.oceancensus.org/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ocean Census Biodiversity Data Platform</a> allows researchers and the public to see entries while more detailed scientific descriptions continue behind the scenes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-refining-the-global-mission">Refining the global mission</h2>



“We’ve pioneered new methods, forged key partnerships, established a global network of participating scientists, and overcome the hurdles of a truly global mission," said <a href="https://oceancensus.org/team-member/oliver-steeds-obe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oliver Steeds</a>, Director of the Ocean Census.&nbsp; 



Steeds also suggests, "We are laying the groundwork to make large-scale species discovery a reality, but our impact will ultimately be determined by how this knowledge is used to support <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-protected-areas-have-spillover-benefits-around-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine protection</a>, climate adaptation, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodiversity-leaks-conservation-efforts-may-shift-harm-elsewhere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity conservation</a>."



Leaders of the Ocean Census maintain that collaborative strategies are vital. Collective efforts from more than 400 institutions feed into this decentralized network. 



By grouping different skill sets and resources, they cut the time required to identify new lifeforms in waters from the tropics to the icy poles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uniting-innovators-and-organizations">Uniting innovators and organizations</h2>



“<a href="https://schmidtocean.org/">Schmidt Oc</a><a href="https://schmidtocean.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">e</a><a href="https://schmidtocean.org/">an Institute</a> is proud to be a partner of the Ocean Census, whose strength lies in its vast network," said Executive Director of Schmidt Ocean Institute, <a href="https://schmidtocean.org/person/dr-jyotika-virmani/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jyotika Virmani</a>.



"By uniting governments, philanthropic supporters, and leading marine research organizations, we can accelerate the discovery of ocean life at an unprecedented scale,” 



Research institutes, philanthropic foundations, and government agencies are aligning to explore areas that have never been systematically sampled. 



These partnerships allow scientists to map remote habitats with advanced tools, gather specimens with submersibles, and build shared databases for faster and more accurate species registration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead-ocean-and-marine-life">Looking ahead: Ocean and marine life</h2>



The campaign plans to keep expanding its scope. More expeditions and workshops are slated for 2025, stretching from the Pacific to the Indian and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-storage-mystery-emerges-in-the-southern-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southern Oceans</a>. 



Their findings will funnel into the network’s biodiversity platform, reinforcing collective knowledge of hidden <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-cool-the-climate-more-than-previously-realized/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a> life.



Experts stress the importance of channeling these discoveries into actions that protect fragile habitats. 



Once researchers confirm a species, that opens doors for environmental policies tailored to safeguard threatened populations or preserve essential ocean corridors.



New developments at the frontier of taxonomy also create opportunities for local communities. 



Some of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-antarctic-waters-are-cooling-in-a-warming-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waters</a> serve as essential fishing grounds, so tracking new inhabitants can shed light on how to maintain long-term sustainability.



This study was published in the <a href="https://oceancensus.org/publications/press-release-the-ocean-census-discovers-over-800-new-marine-species/?ftag=YHF4eb9d17" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ocean Census</a>. 



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Guitar-shaped ray species, discovered for the first time, lives in the deep ocean

A massive exploration of ocean life has revealed 866 new...

Peering over the forest-draped ridges of southwestern China, a scar nearly half a mile wide across yawns open, so sheer that light seems to drain straight into the earth. Xiaozhai Tiankeng, also known as the "Heavenly Pit," is the world's largest sinkhole.



 Locals have spoken of Xiaozhai Tiankeng for centuries, yet it was only “discovered” by the wider world in 1994 when a team of British cavers stumbled on its hidden maw.



Measured from rim to floor, the Xiaozhai Heavenly Pit plunges about 2,172 feet - deeper than a stack of six Statues of Liberty - and encloses roughly 4.2 billion cubic feet of space. 



Those numbers secure its place as the planet’s deepest and largest known sinkhole, a title it wears with quiet, vertigo-inducing confidence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-xiaozhai-tiankeng-a-hidden-giant">Xiaozhai Tiankeng - a hidden giant</h2>



Geologists now read the sinkhole’s striped limestone walls like pages in an epic timeline. Rainwater, slightly acidic after mingling with soil carbon dioxide, seeped through fractures in Triassic-age rock for some 128,000 years. 



Bit by bit, it hollowed out caverns below <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fengjie_County" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fengjie County</a>, until the ceiling finally collapsed and birthed the chasm seen today.



Because the limestone lies high above sea level and is free of clay impurities, water could tunnel unimpeded, carving passages that still channel underground streams. 



The Xiaozhai Tiankeng stands as the textbook example of karst topography - what happens when karst processes are given perfect working conditions - and plenty of monsoon rain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-karst-topography-the-basics">Understanding karst topography - the basics</h2>



<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589471424000202" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karst topography</a> forms when water slowly eats away at soft, soluble rocks like limestone, dolomite, or gypsum. As rainwater seeps into the ground, it picks up carbon dioxide and turns slightly acidic. That weak acid reacts with the rock, gradually wearing it down.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sinkholes_karst-topography_diagram-illustration_annotated_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sinkholes_karst-topography_diagram-illustration_annotated_1s.webp" alt="Water shapes karst landscapes by slowly dissolving soft, soluble rocks like limestone. Over time, this natural process carves out striking features - think sinkholes, hidden caves, and winding underground rivers. You’ll often find these dramatic terrains in rainy regions rich in carbonate rock. Click image to enlarge." class="wp-image-1970449"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Water shapes karst landscapes by slowly dissolving soft, soluble rocks like limestone. Over time, this natural process carves out striking features - think sinkholes, hidden caves, and winding underground rivers. You’ll often find these dramatic terrains in rainy regions rich in carbonate rock. Click image to enlarge.</figcaption></figure>



Over time, the land above starts to sag and collapse, creating sinkholes, disappearing streams, and vast cave systems below the surface. It’s a quiet, powerful transformation that reshapes the landscape from the inside out.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-xiaozhai-tiankeng-got-its-name">How Xiaozhai Tiankeng got its name</h2>



Chinese researchers classify this colossus as a tiankeng, a term reserved for sinkholes at least 328 feet deep and wide, each harboring a river at its base. 



The word translates variously as “heavenly pit” or “sky hole,” both fitting nods to the feeling one gets while peering over the edge. Of the 75 such features documented worldwide, about 50 cluster inside China’s humid karst belts.



The Xiaozhai example dwarfs its peers: it stretches roughly 1,676 to 2,054 feet long and 984 to 1,762 feet across, dimensions that defy easy comparison yet satisfy every benchmark geologists set for these rare landforms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-layered-steep-descent">Long, layered, steep descent</h2>



Two enormous “bowls” stack inside the chasm, each dropping more than 984 feet before giving way to the next terrace. 



After heavy summer storms, a temporary waterfall pours over the rim and ribbons down the vertical walls, then vanishes into the stone. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sinkhole_worlds-largest_Xiaozai-Tiankang_bottom-view_Credit-Research-Gate_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sinkhole_worlds-largest_Xiaozai-Tiankang_bottom-view_Credit-Research-Gate_1s.webp" alt="View along the floor of the Qinlong Tiankeng, towards the natural bridge at its western end, in the Wulong Sanqiao Park. Credit: ResearchGate" class="wp-image-1970451"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">View along the floor of the Qinlong Tiankeng, towards the natural bridge at its western end, in the Wulong Sanqiao Park. Click image to enlarge. Credit: ResearchGate</figcaption></figure>



Where the stream briefly reappears, it leaps in a single 151-foot plunge that echoes through the darkness below.



Scrambling down is a workout: concrete stairways cling to corners of the cliff, but many scientists still rope in, carrying sensors and sampling kits on their harnesses. 



The sense of scale - walls so high the sky shrinks to a blue rectangle - never quite fades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-inside-xiaozhai-tiankeng">Life inside Xiaozhai Tiankeng</h2>



Sunlight weakens but never disappears, nurturing a green haze of ferns, mosses, and towering ginkgo biloba trees. 



Biologists have counted 1,285 plant and animal species in this natural greenhouse, including the elusive clouded leopard, whose total wild population is thought to number fewer than 10,000. 



Dense humidity and steady temperatures create a pocket climate unlike anything on the surrounding plateau.



Winged insects flit among orchids; amphibians breed in clear pools; vines cling to walls slick with mist. 



Each tier supports its own community, separated by the same height difference that splits mountain life into bands. To ecologists, the pit is a ready-made laboratory for studying evolution in vertical space.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-river-runs-through-it">A river runs through it</h2>



Near the foot of the second bowl, the Difeng cave yawns open, swallowing a crystal stream that has already traveled 5.3 miles underground. 



The water’s final above-ground act is that 151-foot curtain, after which it threads the darkness beneath the sinkhole and resurfaces downstream at the cliffs of the Migong River. 



Flow-rate monitors reveal seasonal surges that match regional rainfall, tying surface weather to hidden hydrology.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sinkhole_worlds-largest_Xiaozai-Tiankang_Credit-Research-Gate_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/sinkhole_worlds-largest_Xiaozai-Tiankang_Credit-Research-Gate_1s.webp" alt="Xiaozhai Tiankeng seen from the southern rim; the path down the stone steps is obscured by trees and shrubs-it curves round to the right and descends the steep debris fan inside the lower pit. Credit: ResearchGate" class="wp-image-1970447"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Xiaozhai Tiankeng seen from the southern rim; the path down the stone steps is obscured by trees and shrubs-it curves round to the right and descends the steep debris fan inside the lower pit. Click image to enlarge. Credit: ResearchGate</figcaption></figure>



Mapping that labyrinth has never been easy. Speleologists tried five times in a decade to trace the torrent from end to end; each expedition turned back amid roar and spray, equipment battered by sudden rises in water level. 



The cave remains one of China’s least charted river systems, a reminder that even in the GPS era some coordinates resist tidy lines.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-karst-topography-and-xiaozhai-tiankeng">Karst topography and Xiaozhai Tiankeng</h2>



Field teams from Chongqing’s Institute of Karst Geology, often joined by overseas colleagues, now lower radar probes, deploy microclimate loggers, and sample sediments for isotopic clocks that refine the sinkhole’s birth date. 



Their findings feed global climate models and offer clues to safeguarding groundwater in limestone regions where pollution can spread in hours.



Yet the pit keeps its mystique. Nearby villagers swap tales of dragons curling inside the void or celestial doors hidden behind the waterfall. 



Trekkers on the steep trail say the silence at the bottom feels otherworldly, broken only by dripping water and the occasional flap of a bat. 



Maybe that mix of hard data and lingering legend is why the Xiaozhai Tiankeng continues to draw scientists, adventurers, and curious travelers alike - each hoping to understand, if only for a moment, how water, rock, and time conspired to open a doorway straight through the Earth’s surface.



This story was adapted from a report by the BBC, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0crc7bb/china-s-huge-and-mysterious-xiaozhai-tiankeng-sinkhole" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">which you can watch here…</a>



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World’s largest sinkhole showcases the power and beauty of nature

Peering over the forest-draped ridges of southwestern China, a scar...

A walk in the forest often brings peace, calm, and a deep sense of renewal. From ancient times to modern therapy practices, forests have stood as symbols of balance and healing. But not all forests heal equally. 



As cities grow and public health concerns rise, scientists are uncovering how the design and structure of forests matter. The health benefits we get from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cities-in-the-global-south-have-far-less-green-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green spaces</a>, especially forests, depend not just on their presence, but on what they are made of.



A new study from the University of Surrey and the <a href="https://www.ugent.be/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Ghent</a> sheds light on this. Working with partners across Europe, the research team explored how specific features of forests influence human health. 



The findings mark a major step in understanding the complex links between ecological structure and wellbeing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forest-traits-and-human-health-benefits">Forest traits and human health benefits </h2>



The study, which is part of the larger Dr. Forest research project, included 164 forests across five European countries. The researchers focused on seven ecological characteristics and their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-green-spaces-are-urgently-needed-across-the-global-south/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">influence</a> on various health outcomes.



The forests were not selected at random. They varied in structure, species mix, and density, allowing researchers to draw comparisons. This wide range of forest types provided a rare opportunity to explore how real-world differences affect human experiences and health.



The goal was not to judge forests as good or bad, but to understand how their differences shaped people’s health responses. What emerged was a nuanced view. Forests benefit health, but their structure can amplify or limit those effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-tree-diversity">The power of tree diversity</h2>



One of the key traits studied was tree species diversity. The findings showed that more diverse forests offered modest but positive health <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-tree-layout-influences-human-health-and-mortality-rates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outcomes</a>. These effects were not dramatic, but they were consistent enough to support the idea that diversity is beneficial.



Tree diversity does not just matter for human health. It also supports broader biodiversity, helping insects, birds, and mammals thrive. This makes it a safe, low-risk strategy for forest managers aiming to enhance public health while improving ecosystem resilience.



More tree species create different textures, shapes, and colors, making forests more visually stimulating and ecologically stable. These aspects can subtly influence how people feel and behave when they visit such areas. 



While the direct health impacts may be limited, the indirect ones, through enhanced engagement and ecosystem strength, are valuable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-canopy-structure-a-major-influence">Canopy structure: A major influence</h2>



Among the ecological features studied, canopy structure had the strongest impact. Dense canopies reduce heat by offering shade and help regulate the forest's internal climate. They also provide larger leaf surfaces, which trap fine particulate matter and improve air quality.



These benefits are especially important in urban settings, where heatwaves and pollution are on the rise. In such contexts, a well-structured canopy becomes more than a luxury. It is a necessity. The cooling effect alone can reduce heat stress and the risk of heat-related illnesses.



Yet, there are trade-offs. Denser canopies create more humid conditions. While that is good for moisture-loving plants, it also creates ideal habitats for ticks, which carry Lyme disease. 



In addition, less sunlight reaches the forest floor. This limits the growth of medicinal plants, reducing some of the forest's potential healing properties.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-health-gains-beyond-structure">Mental health gains beyond structure</h2>



Perhaps the most consistent finding across the study was the benefit of simply being in a forest. Regardless of structure or biodiversity, spending time in a forest improved mental wellbeing. People reported lower anxiety and stress, along with more positive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/surprising-mental-health-benefits-of-living-near-green-spaces/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotions</a>.



What enhanced these effects was how natural and biodiverse the forest felt to the visitor. Forests that looked wild, vibrant, and untamed tended to offer more psychological relief. This suggests that human perception plays a key role in shaping forest-based experiences.



“Our study shows that forests generally provide a mental health benefit, reducing anxiety and stress, regardless of their biodiversity or structure. As one in six people in England experience anxiety and depression each week, this research suggests that simply being in a forest can improve mental health,” noted Dr. Melissa Marselle, a lecturer in environmental psychology at the <a href="https://www.surrey.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Surrey</a>.



“For the UK, this means preserving urban forests so people can easily access forests where they live, work and play for their mental wellbeing. Contact with forests could be prescribed by the NHS, as research shows that NHS nature prescriptions are effective at improving mental health.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-designing-healthier-cities-with-forests">Designing healthier cities with forests </h2>



The study points to a pressing need in urban planning. It is not enough to plant trees and call it a forest. The structure, layout, and biodiversity of these spaces must be considered. Urban forests should reduce heat, absorb pollution, and offer mental rest.



This involves difficult trade-offs. Canopy density must balance between cooling the environment and letting in enough light. Species choices should consider both ecological function and visual appeal. Forests must feel natural to the human eye while also being safe and accessible.



Planners and health professionals can now use this evidence to shape better public spaces. Health services could integrate forest access into mental health treatments. Parks could be designed not just for recreation but also for healing. In a time when stress-related disorders are rising, these changes could make a meaningful difference.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-are-essential-tools-for-public-health">Forests are essential tools for public health</h2>



This research redefines the role of forests. No longer just natural assets or scenic spots, they emerge as powerful contributors to public health. But their power lies in their details. Forests must be built, preserved, and managed with intention.



Tree diversity adds depth and life. Canopy structure shapes the microclimate and air. Visitor perceptions tie it all together. Forests that feel alive and balanced bring calm and strength to those who enter them.



Nature has always played a quiet role in healing. Now, with evidence in hand, we have the chance to shape that role more deliberately. Managed well, forests can support both ecosystems and the people who rely on them for peace and mental clarity.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-025-01547-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Sustainability</a>.



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Forests provide different health benefits based on their structure

A walk in the forest often brings peace, calm, and...

Our memories define us. They help us learn, shape our identities, and guide decisions. While the psychology of memory has long been explored, the biological roots remain a complex puzzle. Now, a breakthrough study from Linköping University (LiU) in Sweden sheds new light on how molecules in our brain might hold a kind of memory themselves.



Published in the journal Nature Communications, this work explores a special ion channel called CaV2.1, crucial for communication between brain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/memory-isnt-only-stored-in-our-brains-other-cells-can-remember-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cells</a>. This molecular machine does more than just transmit signals. It appears to "remember" them, laying the groundwork for long-term changes in the brain.



The discovery has implications not only for understanding memory formation but also for treating rare neurological diseases linked to genetic variations in these channels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-brain-molecules-support-memory">How brain molecules support memory</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-learning-how-our-brains-neurons-make-and-retrieve-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a> uses electrical pulses to send messages across networks of neurons. At the end of these neurons are specialized junctions called synapses, where neurotransmitters pass the message forward. Calcium ion channels such as CaV2.1 sit at these junctions and regulate when neurotransmitters are released.



When a neuron fires, the CaV2.1 channel opens briefly, allowing calcium to enter. The calcium influx triggers neurotransmitter release into the synapse, reaching the next neuron. These brief openings seem simple, but they are essential for how we learn and adapt.



However, the channel does not stay fully responsive after repeated stimulation. If neurons fire continuously, fewer CaV2.1 channels remain ready to open. This leads to weaker signals at the synapse. Until now, scientists did not know how this "dampening" occurred on a molecular level.



“I want to uncover the secret lives of these ion channel molecules,” said Antonios Pantazis, associate professor at the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences at LiU, who led the study.



“Calcium ion channels have very important functions in the body - by opening and closing, they regulate, among other things, nerve-to-nerve signaling. But beyond that, these molecules also have a kind of memory of their own, and can remember previous nerve signals.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-molecules-hold-traces-of-memories">Brain molecules hold traces of memories</h2>



The study dives into the structure of CaV2.1 channels, revealing that they are made up of multiple parts called voltage-sensor domains or VSDs. These domains sense electrical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sleep-how-slow-waves-boost-memory-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changes</a> and help the channel open or close. Each VSD plays a different role.



VSD-I, in particular, emerged as the central player. It responds to brief electrical signals and undergoes a dramatic transformation after repeated activation. The researchers found that this domain could switch between two different operating modes. 



In one mode, it allows the channel to open. In the other, it effectively shuts the channel down. This switch doesn’t happen instantly. It’s a slow process that builds with repeated neural activity.



This behavior is strikingly similar to memory itself. Brief experiences can lead to long-term consequences. In this case, short bursts of neural activity reshape the channel, leaving a molecular trace of that experience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-channels-shift-to-record-memory">Brain channels shift to record memory</h2>



Through voltage-clamp fluorometry and kinetic modeling, the researchers showed that CaV2.1 channels can adopt nearly 200 different conformations. These shifts depend on both the intensity and duration of electrical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breathing-rhythms-help-strengthen-memories-during-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">signals</a>. It’s a level of molecular complexity far greater than previously imagined.



“We believe that during sustained electrical nerve signaling, an important part of the molecule disconnects from the channel gate, similar to the way the clutch in a car breaks the connection between the engine and the wheels,” said Pantazis.



“The ion channel can then no longer be opened. When hundreds of signals occur over long enough time, they can convert most channels into this ‘declutched memory state’ for several seconds.”



This state change is not just a quirk. It acts like a short-term memory at the molecular level. Although the channels stay shut for only a few seconds, this effect can accumulate across many neurons. 



The result is a long-term weakening of certain synapses, which over time may be pruned altogether. This is how the brain refines its networks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-short-brain-events-lasting-memory">Short brain events, lasting memory</h2>



One might wonder how a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-brains-create-three-copies-of-every-memory-we-make/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory</a> that lasts only seconds in one molecule could matter. But the answer lies in scale. In a brain with billions of neurons, such subtle changes can shape entire circuits. The researchers propose that the transition of VSD-I into its inactive mode contributes to a broader memory process.



“In this way, a ‘memory’ that lasts for a few seconds in a single molecule can make a small contribution to a person’s memory that lasts for a lifetime,” said Pantazis.



The timing here is crucial. A single neural spike lasts only milliseconds, but the channel’s inactive state can persist for seconds. That mismatch acts as a biological filter, allowing the brain to decide which signals are important enough to encode. 



Over time, repeated exposure to certain signals strengthens or weakens specific pathways, forming the basis of learning and memory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-molecular-shape-and-neural-function">Molecular shape and neural function </h2>



The research also uncovered how each of the four voltage-sensor domains behaves. VSD-II stood out as unresponsive to voltage, acting as a kind of bystander. VSD-III and VSD-IV, on the other hand, activated at more negative voltages and were sensitive to the brain’s resting state.



These domains help the channel prepare for incoming signals or fine-tune its response. However, only VSD-I showed a direct link to inactivation. This distinction helps researchers understand which part of the molecule could be targeted by future drugs.



The visual data, particularly the structural maps on pages 3 to 6 of the paper, illustrate how these domains shift under different conditions. These figures bring clarity to the idea that molecular shape affects neural function.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-for-new-treatments">Potential for new treatments</h2>



There’s more than curiosity at stake. The CACNA1A gene, which encodes the CaV2.1 channel, has many variants linked to rare but serious brain diseases. 



These include episodic ataxia and some forms of migraine. By pinpointing the regions responsible for the channel’s memory-like behavior, researchers can now identify where new drugs might act.



“Our work pinpoints which part of the protein should be targeted when developing new drugs,” noted Pantazis.



Understanding the exact shape and function of VSD-I, especially how it switches states, gives drug developers a precise target. Instead of broadly affecting the brain, a medication could focus on restoring proper function in only the channels that malfunction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-molecules-support-flexible-memory">Brain molecules support flexible memory</h2>



At rest, the CaV2.1 channel is a picture of complexity. It can be open, closed, or inactivated. Its VSDs can exist in different states depending on the history of electrical activity. 



According to the models in the study, especially those on page 9, the greatest diversity in channel shape occurs at the brain's resting voltage. This allows the brain to stay flexible, ready to respond or to reset depending on context.



Depolarization, an electrical event, pushes VSDs into active positions. But only VSD-I directly causes the channel to open. That makes it the trigger point for neurotransmitter release and memory encoding.



Pantazis and colleagues suggest a term for this kind of behavior: syntasic. This means the VSD and pore open together, like gears meshing. The idea captures the elegance of how voltage, shape, and function all interconnect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-molecular-basis-for-memory">A molecular basis for memory</h2>



The study reveals that the molecules behind neural communication are not just passive players. They process information, adapt, and even remember. The CaV2.1 channel’s VSD-I acts as a gatekeeper, shaping how neurons communicate based on past activity.



In the grand theater of the brain, even the smallest parts play starring roles. By understanding these roles in detail, science moves closer to answering one of its oldest questions: how do we remember?



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58884-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Brain molecules unexpectedly store their own memory

Our memories define us. They help us learn, shape our...

College life comes with many expectations. Good grades, late nights, maybe a few parties. Somewhere along the way, students and drinking become a familiar pair. It’s not just about having a drink. It’s about keeping up - or thinking you have to.



Dr. Joshua Awua knows this all too well. He grew up in Ghana, where community mattered and everyone looked out for each other. That closeness also came with pressure.



“Social connection was everything, and sometimes that came with pressure to conform, including drinking,” said Dr. Awua, now a postdoctoral research associate at <a href="https://www.utexas.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Texas</a> at Arlington’s School of Social Work.



Dr. Awua remembers the drinking. Not wild parties - but small gatherings with siblings and friends. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-alcohol-in-moderation-does-not-prolong-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">casual way</a> drinking blended into everything. “I remember how hanging out with peers and even my older siblings often centered on drinking,” he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-memory-sparked-new-research">A memory sparked new research</h2>



That memory stuck with him. Years later, it shaped a study he co-wrote with his UT Arlington mentor Micki Washburn and others. The title’s long - “Perceived Norms and Alcohol-Related Consequences: The Moderated Mediation Roles of Protective Behavioral Strategies and Alcohol Consumption” - but the idea is simple.



Young people often <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alcohol-has-a-hidden-impact-on-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drink more</a> because they think everyone else is. The study, published in Substance Use &amp; Misuse, focused on college students. Researchers gave a confidential online survey to 524 students at a large public university.



The questions covered how much students drank, what they believed their peers were doing, and whether they used any strategies to stay safe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-misperceptions-about-peer-drinking">Misperceptions about peer drinking </h2>



Here’s the problem. What students think their peers are doing is often way off. College life offers many chances to see alcohol in action - tailgates, house parties, pre-games before the real party. That creates a false impression that everyone drinks often and drinks a lot.



“We might think our peers are having five or six drinks in a day, so we can also drink that amount,” Awua said. “But it has been established that this is mostly inaccurate. That misperception can lead to heavy episodic drinking and negative consequences.”



A few drinks here and there become something <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alcohol-related-deaths-have-doubled-over-the-past-two-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">riskier</a>. And when students think “everyone” is heavy drinking, they stop questioning their own limits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-helping-students-drink-safely">Helping students drink safely</h2>



Protective behavioral strategies, or PBS, may sound like a formal concept, but they’re actually easy actions students can take to drink more safely. 



These include things like pacing your drinks, avoiding drinking games, or simply keeping track of how much you're <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-social-drinking-feels-so-different-from-drinking-alone/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drinking</a>. They’re simple to use and don’t require big changes.



Dr. Awua points out that even basic strategies like these can make a noticeable difference. “If we utilize some of these simple but effective strategies, we’re more likely to reduce the stress or the negative consequences associated with alcohol use,” he said.



What makes these strategies especially helpful is that they still work even when a student believes their peers are drinking heavily. You don’t have to wait for the culture to change. You can still protect yourself. The focus shifts from fitting in to staying safe, and that shift can be powerful.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-real-risks-from-student-drinking">Real risks from student drinking</h2>



This part connects the study to real-world data. It reflects what's happening on campuses.



The&nbsp;2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health&nbsp;found that nearly&nbsp;50% of full-time college students aged 18 to 25had consumed alcohol in the past month. About&nbsp;30% engaged in binge drinking - meaning they drank large amounts in a short time, often with the goal of getting drunk.



These aren’t just harmless numbers. They represent real dangers. Each year, around&nbsp;1,519 students die&nbsp;because of alcohol-related accidents, especially car crashes. But it doesn't stop there. 



Heavy drinking leads to more&nbsp;assaults, more missed classes, more failing grades, and in some cases,&nbsp;long-term alcohol dependence of students. So, while Awua’s study doesn’t fix every problem, it offers a&nbsp;practical tool: protective behavioral strategies. 



These small changes - like drinking slowly or avoiding drinking games - can actually cut down on serious harm. It’s a starting point that works.



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



“What the evidence shows, and what our study confirmed, is that once students begin to use these strategies, they reduce the risk of experiencing negative consequences like drunk driving,” Awua said.



The goal isn’t to shame students. It’s to give them tools. To remind them they’re not stuck. You don’t need to match the crowd - or the version of the crowd you’ve imagined.



“Ultimately, they’re supporting their own health by reducing risks," said Dr. Awua. "Over time, the consistent use of these strategies can help lower the overall rates of substance-related harm."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10826084.2025.2496930" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Substance Use &amp; Misuse</a>.



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Heavy drinking among students is fueled by misperceptions

College life comes with many expectations. Good grades, late nights,...

The ocean hosts bizarre organisms, but this newly studied worm outshines most oddities. It thrives in hidden spaces inside certain sea sponges.



A global team has now produced the first detailed map of this worm’s genetic activity. This work was led by Dr. Guillermo Ponz-Segrelles at IES El Burgo-Ignacio-Echeverría in Madrid, working with the <a href="https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/1.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Göttingen</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-worm-grows-many-branches">Marine worm grows many branches</h2>



Experts call this creature <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13127-021-00538-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ramisyllis kingghidorahi</a>. It has one anterior region but can form multiple body extensions that spread through its sponge host.



Each extension contains full sets of organs, yet they all connect back to the same head. Researchers say this arrangement creates hundreds of potential sites for reproduction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gene-control-depends-on-body-part">Gene control depends on body part</h2>



The study measured which genes turn on in different body parts. More variation appeared between the head, midsection, and reproductive zones than between male and female <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-animals-swim-at-the-perfect-depth-to-save-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">specimens</a>.



That suggests body location matters more for genetic control than sex does. Yet the reproductive segments still showed distinct patterns when comparing males and females.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-worm-s-midsection">Marine worm’s midsection</h2>



Unlike the head or reproductive segments, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alien-like-marine-life-found-on-underwater-mountains-includes-100-new-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">worm’s midbody</a> showed very little unique genetic activity. This region had fewer upregulated genes, suggesting it may serve mainly as a passive conduit between active zones.



What’s puzzling is that, in female worms, the midbody still showed distinct expression patterns when compared to males and non-reproductive individuals.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/worm_Ramisyllis-kingghidorahi_male-stolen_credit-BMC-Genomics_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/worm_Ramisyllis-kingghidorahi_male-stolen_credit-BMC-Genomics_1s.webp" alt="Ramisyllis kingghidorahi Male stolon (right hand side): one of the independent reproductive units—growing at the tip of a branch of the worm's body. It has sprouted eyes and will go swimming free to find a stolon of the opposite sex with which to reproduce. The research showed stolons showed localized upregulation of genes related to eye development. Length of the stolon: approx. 1.5 millimeters. Credit: BMC Genomics" class="wp-image-1970650"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ramisyllis kingghidorahi Male stolon (right hand side): one of the independent reproductive units—growing at the tip of a branch of the worm's body. It has sprouted eyes and will go swimming free to find a stolon of the opposite sex with which to reproduce. The research showed stolons showed localized upregulation of genes related to eye development. Length of the stolon: approx. 1.5 millimeters. Click image to enlarge. Credit: BMC Genomics</figcaption></figure>



The reason for this is unclear, and scientists believe future work will be needed to figure out what, if anything, the midbody contributes to reproduction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-each-part-shows-focused-gene-activity">Each part shows focused gene activity</h2>



Scientists report that these worms seem to juggle shared anatomy with focused gene <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-mining-impacts-marine-life-for-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">activity</a> in each section. 



Investigators also note that<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sparkling-worm-discovered-deep-in-the-pacific-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> male and female worms</a> both rely on key signals, although each sex shows subtle differences in reproductive regions.



Molecular data indicate that many standard body processes are shared, even if actual egg or sperm production diverges. This insight reshapes how specialists think about mature segments



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-female-marine-worms-activate-more-genes">Female marine worms activate more genes</h2>



Across every body region, female worms showed the most distinct patterns of gene expression. 



Their reproductive segments, midbodies, and even heads activated more unique genes than those of males or non-reproductive individuals.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/worm_Ramisyllis-kingghidorahi_female-stolen-eggs_credit-Autonomous-University_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/worm_Ramisyllis-kingghidorahi_female-stolen-eggs_credit-Autonomous-University_1s.webp" alt="Close-up of female stolen – one of the independent reproductive units – from the worm Ramisyllis kingghidorahi. It has already sprouted eyes and is swimming free to find a stolon of the opposite sex with which to reproduce. Total length of the stolon: approx. 1.5 millimeters. Credit: Maria Teresa Aguado and Guillermo Ponz-Segrelles" class="wp-image-1970648"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Close-up of female stolen – one of the independent reproductive units – from the worm Ramisyllis kingghidorahi. It has already sprouted eyes and is swimming free to find a stolon of the opposite sex with which to reproduce. Total length of the stolon: approx. 1.5 millimeters. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Maria Teresa Aguado and Guillermo Ponz-Segrelles</figcaption></figure>



This might mean that developing female stolons requires a more complex genetic process. It could also reflect earlier or more intense reproductive activity, though the exact reason for this stronger gene response is still unclear. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reproductive-hormones-barely-showed-up">Reproductive hormones barely showed up</h2>



Researchers expected to see strong genetic signals related to known reproductive hormones like <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305049196003379" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methyl farnesoate</a>, dopamine, and serotonin. But those signals were weak or almost absent in the data.



One explanation is that these hormones may act earlier in the worm’s development, before the stage when samples were collected. 



Another possibility is that Ramisyllis kingghidorahi uses a different set of molecular tools entirely, which would set it apart from its relatives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-worm-genome-duplication">Marine worm genome duplication</h2>



Some genetic patterns hint at a deeper evolutionary backstory. Researchers found signs that Ramisyllis kingghidorahi may have experienced partial genome duplication in its past.



This duplication could help explain the worm’s high number of active genes across different body parts. If confirmed, it might also reveal how this species evolved such a complex reproductive system compared to its unbranched relatives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eyes-on-every-reproductive-unit">Eyes on every reproductive unit</h2>



Each specialized reproductive segment, or <a href="https://forages.oregonstate.edu/regrowth/how-does-grass-grow/developmental-phases/vegetative-phase/rhizomes-and-stolons" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stolon</a>, sprouts temporary eyes before it separates. These eyes likely help the stolons navigate for mating.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/worm-brainching_Ramisyllis-kingghidorahi_sponge_credit-BMC-Genomics_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/worm-brainching_Ramisyllis-kingghidorahi_sponge_credit-BMC-Genomics_1s.webp" alt="The branching worm, Ramisyllis kingghidorahi, at home. This sponge is its underwater natural habitat. Credit: BMC Genomics" class="wp-image-1970652"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The branching worm, Ramisyllis kingghidorahi, at home. This sponge is its underwater natural habitat. Click image to enlarge. Credit: BMC Genomics</figcaption></figure>



This unusual adaptation highlights the worm’s skill at sensing its surroundings. Researchers hope further experiments will reveal how these newly formed eyes develop in such a short time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-decides-when-to-reproduce">Who decides when to reproduce?</h2>



One of the biggest mysteries is how a single anterior end, essentially one head, can control hundreds of reproductive sites. Even more confusing, not all of the worm’s branches produce stolons at the same time.



The study suggests that some branches might receive different signals or respond at different times, but the exact trigger remains unknown. 



Scientists are still trying to figure out what cues cause some branches to go ahead and create stolons while others stay dormant.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-worm-s-control-system-is-still-unclear">Marine worm’s control system is still unclear</h2>



“We were surprised to find that the head of the worm, which was previously thought to house a sex-specific control system, didn’t show the dramatic differences we expected between males and females,” said Dr Guillermo Ponz-Segrelles, former researcher at the <a href="https://www.uam.es/uam/inicio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Autonomous University of Madrid</a>. 



With each new revelation, the puzzle of how these worms fine-tune such a strange body plan keeps growing.



Scientists suggest that further work with advanced genomic methods could reveal more about how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-marine-worms-found-living-under-the-ocean-floor/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine invertebrates</a> adapt to intricate symbiotic habitats. 



Such data might also offer deeper insights into the evolution of reproductive strategies among annelids.



The study is published in <a href="https://bmcgenomics.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12864-025-11587-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMC Genomics</a>.



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One head of this worm controls hundreds of bodies for one of the world's strangest creatures

The ocean hosts bizarre organisms, but this newly studied worm...

Wine has long been regarded as a mirror of its environment. From the high slopes of Mendoza to the gentle hills of Tuscany, each bottle reflects not just grape variety and tradition, but also the subtle influence of climate, soil, and season.



For centuries, these factors combined to shape what is known as terroir - the distinctive character of a wine shaped by its natural surroundings.



But today, the climate that supports winegrowing is no longer stable. Global warming is not just nudging temperatures upward - it is altering the rhythm of growth, the timing of harvest, and even the places where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healing-chronic-wounds-with-gold-and-red-wine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wine</a> can be grown. 



A sweeping new study led by E.M. Wolkovich at the <a href="https://www.ubc.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of British Columbia</a> provides a much-needed global lens into these transformations. The research reveals a world where climate change has reached into every winegrowing region - but in dramatically different ways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wine-industry-faces-climate-extremes">Wine industry faces climate extremes</h2>



Winegrapes are one of the world’s most sensitive perennial crops. They grow year after year, rooted in specific microclimates. 



Unlike annual crops that can be replanted in new locations, vineyards represent long-term investments that depend on stable conditions. As a result, winegrapes are especially sensitive to climate extremes.



Warmer temperatures push the limits of ripening. Grapes mature faster, resulting in more sugar and alcohol, but often less acidity and complexity. This alters not only taste but also market value. 



Meanwhile, regions that once hovered at the cooler edges of climate suitability are becoming new centers of production, with parts of the UK and Tasmania emerging as rising players in the global wine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moderate-wine-consumption-reduces-cardiovascular-risks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scene</a>.



Despite a growing body of regional studies, no prior research had taken a comprehensive view. Wolkovich’s team aimed to understand how climate change has affected winegrowing across continents, across seasons, and across grape varieties.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wine-and-climate-trends-across-regions">Wine and climate trends across regions</h2>



The researchers analyzed more than 500 winegrape varieties grown across 620 regions worldwide.



They looked at ten critical climate metrics that influence <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-grapes-every-day-can-transform-your-muscles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">grape development</a>, from temperatures during winter dormancy and budburst, to extreme heat during the growing season, and rainfall just before harvest.



Rather than rely on a single dataset, the experts drew from multiple sources, including the Berkeley Earth Surface Temperature dataset and the INRAE Domaine de Vassal collection, which has maintained decades of records on grape phenology.



The team created detailed models that could estimate changes both with and without considering the diversity of grape varieties planted in each region.



The research spans every stage of the grape’s annual cycle and covers a global map of winegrowing zones. The study paints a complex picture. Climate change is not a uniform force - it is reshaping winegrowing differently in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, and beyond.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-europe-faces-the-most-intense-heat">Europe faces the most intense heat</h2>



The most dramatic changes were observed in Europe. Here, temperatures during the growing season have soared. 



The researchers found increases of over 2°C (3.6°F) in maximum temperatures, and a surge in the number of days exceeding 35°C (95°F). These shifts represent standard deviation jumps of 4 to 6 in Eastern and Western Europe - a statistical signal of extreme change.



Such conditions challenge the very definition of classic European terroirs. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-alcohol-in-moderation-does-not-prolong-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wines</a> from Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Rhône Valley may now ripen too quickly. Sugar levels spike while acidity drops, altering the flavor balance.



“I was very surprised by the level of warming across the globe, but especially in Europe, where our results show clearly just how much the growing season has warmed with human-caused climate change,” said Dr. Wolkovich.



“As someone who has visited Europe for over 15 years, I have witnessed the increasing heat waves, but seeing the data - and how much change growers are facing - was sobering and even higher than I expected.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-regions-face-different-realities">Other regions face different realities</h2>



In contrast to Europe, North America and South America showed smaller average shifts, though still notable. 



For example, mean growing season temperatures increased by 1.3 standard deviations globally. Yet the types of stress varied. While Europe faced surging heat extremes, North American vineyards experienced more modest rises in both minimum and maximum temperatures.



Regions like Northern Africa and Western Asia, already at the warm end of the spectrum, saw smaller relative increases in high temperatures. But even small gains in such climates could have severe effects. These include greater wildfire risk, vine stress, and potential reductions in yield or quality.



The experts found that precipitation changes were minor on average. However, even slight reductions during harvest in places like Eastern/Southern Africa could impact grape development and disease pressure. The effects of these changes, though subtle, may accumulate over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-affects-wine-more-than-cold">Heat affects wine more than cold</h2>



One of the most striking findings in the study was that extreme heat - not minimum cold temperatures - has changed the most. This runs counter to many expectations.



“The fact that the biggest shifts were in heat extremes and metrics related to total heat was also surprising as we tend to expect climate change to warm minimum temperatures more - so I expected metrics like cold temperatures around the time of budburst and harvest to change the most - but it was often the metrics related to higher temperatures,” said Dr. Wolkovich.



This has major implications. Growers often prepare for spring frosts or winter chills, but now they must deal with searing summer heat and accelerated grape maturation. Such conditions could lead to berry shriveling, changes in tannin structure, or even crop loss.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-influence-of-grape-variety">The influence of grape variety </h2>



To test whether the mix of grape varieties in each region influenced climate metrics, the team modeled two scenarios. One assumed every region grew only Pinot noir, an early-ripening red grape. The other used detailed data on which varieties are actually planted in each area.



Surprisingly, the results showed only minor differences in most climate metrics between the two approaches. That’s because most regions plant a small set of popular varieties. Only Europe, with its rich mix of late-ripening cultivars, showed measurable shifts based on variety.



Still, the researchers note that this could change. As warming intensifies, regions may be forced to switch to more resilient, late-maturing varieties.



Dr. Wolkovich’s team modeled over 500 cultivars, but even this impressive effort covers less than half of all varieties grown globally. The data gap reflects how much more needs to be done.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stages-in-wine-and-climate-cycles">Stages in wine and climate cycles</h2>



Most climate models focus on the start (budburst) and end (harvest) of the growing season. But this overlooks critical mid-season events like flowering and veraison - the moment when grapes begin to change color and soften.



These stages are especially sensitive to temperature and water stress. Yet they are often excluded from global models because of a lack of data. 



The study calls for more research into how these mid-season processes are shifting, and how different grape types respond under stress.



Understanding these details could guide smarter planting decisions and improve predictions about wine quality under future climates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-solutions-need-global-awareness">Local solutions need global awareness</h2>



One of the core messages of the study is that winegrowers cannot think in isolation. The effects of climate change are deeply local, but learning from other regions can provide key insights.



Dr. Wolkovich noted that the study was a major interdisciplinary and international undertaking, requiring expertise from climatologists, crop modelers, macroecologists, and winegrape genetics experts from France, Spain, the US and Canada. 



"It also relied on extensive data resources, and would not have been possible without the records of the <a href="https://eng-vassal.montpellier.hub.inrae.fr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">INRAE</a> experimental unit Domaine de Vassal, which has collected data on winegrapes for decades."



Europe's experience with heat waves may inform future strategies in cooler regions. Australia’s innovations to handle wildfire smoke have already been adopted in parts of California. 



As the research notes, global comparisons can reveal both absolute extremes and relative rates of change - each of which matters for long-term adaptation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wine-s-future-in-a-changing-climate">Wine's future in a changing climate </h2>



Climate change is not only about average temperatures. It is about the shifting tempo of seasons, the rise of extreme events, and the fragility of systems once thought stable. Winegrowing, with its deep ties to place and tradition, now faces a reckoning.



This global study does more than document change - it invites a broader rethinking of how we grow, manage, and protect one of the world’s most culturally and economically significant crops. 



By blending regional expertise with a planetary perspective, it offers a path forward: one that honors tradition while preparing for transformation.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/climate/article?id=10.1371/journal.pclm.0000539" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS Climate</a>.



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Wines may develop new tastes as climate patterns change

Wine has long been regarded as a mirror of its...

Scientists have been searching for more efficient ways to track particles moving at speeds that boggle the mind. Recent progress in superconducting nanowire technologies promises to change the way we observe protons in high-energy experiments.



“This was a first-of-its-kind use of the technology,” said Argonne physicist <a href="https://www.anl.gov/profile/whitney-r-armstrong" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Whitney Armstrong</a>. Argonne National Laboratory experts are at the center of this discovery.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-protons-in-motion">Detecting protons in motion</h2>



<a href="https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsparticle-accelerators" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Particle accelerators</a> can push these protons to nearly the speed of light, smashing them into targets to uncover the building blocks of matter. Traditional detectors work for many studies, yet they can miss subtle signals in extreme environments.



These new sensors were first intended for single-photon detection. They are known as Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors (<a href="https://pubs.aip.org/aip/apl/article/118/19/190502/1062620/Superconducting-nanowire-single-photon-detectors-A">SNSPDs</a>), and their original design targeted the faintest glimmers of light.



Protons carry a positive charge and release energy that can shift signals in ultra-cold nanowires. Researchers at <a href="https://www.anl.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Argonne</a> tested SNSPDs with a proton beam clocked at 120 GeV to see if these slender wires could pick up on such high-energy particles.



Their tests showed that smaller wire widths delivered the best detection rates. That single adjustment from photon sensing to charged-particle detection could spark new ideas for nuclear physics projects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ready-for-strong-magnets">Ready for strong magnets</h2>



Accelerators often contain powerful superconducting magnets that guide or focus <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-speed-measured-for-first-time-too-fast-to-comprehend/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">high-speed particles</a>. Many sensors cannot function well in those intense magnetic fields, but SNSPDs can keep working even under those extremes.



Their resilience under those tough conditions expands their usefulness. They can be installed in critical locations without losing sensitivity when the magnetic field ramps up.



“This was a successful technology transfer between quantum sciences, for photon detection, into experimental nuclear physics,” said Argonne physicist <a href="https://www.anl.gov/profile/tomas-polakovic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tomas Polakovic</a>. He noted that only slight design tweaks were needed to help the nanowires register high-energy protons.



Researchers were thrilled to see the sensors handle charged particles at significant speeds. This outcome opens the door for advanced measurements in places that were once off-limits for fragile detectors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eye-on-the-electron-ion-collider">Eye on the electron-ion collider</h2>



A major application of these upgraded detectors will be at the Electron-Ion Collider <a href="https://www.bnl.gov/eic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(EIC)</a>, which is being built at <a href="https://www.bnl.gov/world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brookhaven National Laboratory</a>. 



The EIC will collide electrons with protons or ions, and the resulting data could shed light on how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atomic-nucleus-made-of-quarks-and-gluons-reproduced-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quarks and gluons</a> fit together inside matter.



Experts believe SNSPDs might find a home in the EIC’s specialized experimental halls. Their quick timing and compact structure could help capture subtle collisions.



Beyond particle physics, SNSPDs have long helped in quantum encryption and optical sensing. <a href="https://pubs.aip.org/aip/rsi/article/82/7/071101/354525/Invited-Review-Article-Single-photon-sources-and" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Detecting</a> single photons is a tough task, and these devices excel at it when cooled to temperatures just a few degrees above absolute zero.



Their versatility hints at future multi-role sensors. One system could juggle both quantum optics experiments and high-energy particle detection, if labs design the right infrastructure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhancing-proton-detection-ability">Enhancing proton detection ability</h2>



Scientists also examined how well different widths of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/nanowire" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nanowires</a> performed under high proton flux. Wires around a few hundred nanometers wide appeared most reliable without wasting too much space.



Innovators want to ensure these detectors are strong enough for routine operations in big facilities. They also aim to preserve the delicate superconducting state under high beam intensities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-possible-improvements">Possible improvements</h2>



Researchers have ideas to refine the nanowire layouts and readout electronics. They plan to explore even narrower wires and smaller detection areas to increase efficiency and limit noise.



Argonne teams and other collaborators are mapping out follow-up tests to confirm that the sensors work under a range of magnetic settings and beam energies. They hope to finalize their designs before large-scale deployment at upcoming facilities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-proton-detection-matter">Why does proton detection matter?</h2>



These findings hint at the growth of instrumentation that merges <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cells-may-use-quantum-rules-to-manage-energy-flow/">quantum</a> science with high-energy physics. That overlap was once unexpected, yet it now appears to fill a gap where standard detectors fall short.



SNSPDs could soon appear in more experimental setups, from large accelerator centers to smaller labs doing niche research. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/physicists-create-schrodingers-cat-with-stable-quantum-state-at-higher-temperature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cryogenic cooling</a> is sometimes viewed as a challenge, but many modern installations already rely on similar infrastructure.



Particle accelerators aim to dig deeper into the secrets of matter. Each new sensor helps scientists piece together how quarks and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-category-of-particles-discovered-in-the-subatomic-realm-paraparticles/">subatomic</a> bits connect to form everything around us.



Data from the upgraded SNSPDs might reveal phenomena that have long been hidden by noise. Solid measurements can spark theoretical work and boost cross-disciplinary investigations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-precision-and-practicality">Balancing precision and practicality</h2>



Experts stress that real-world tests help confirm reliability. They must measure not only raw detection but also system stability over long runs.



Short bursts of beam time can showcase a sensor’s promise, yet years of data-taking require constant performance. Researchers want these devices to last without losing sensitivity.



In the months ahead, the Argonne team and their partners will evaluate how these sensors might serve as standard diagnostic tools at major accelerators. They will focus on data integrity and how well the nanowires survive under frequent collisions.



Engineers stand ready to design the next generation of cryostats and readout channels. Each enhancement moves the field closer to a new level of clarity in high-speed proton <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atomic-nucleus-made-of-quarks-and-gluons-reproduced-for-the-first-time/">detection</a>.



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



Some labs will look at energies far beyond 120 GeV. Others might scale down the approach for smaller beams or specialized targets.



The wide range of possible uses reflects the adaptability of SNSPDs. A simple redesign can shift their role from photon watchers to proton <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gluons-quarks-and-mystery-what-makes-proton-spin/">trackers</a>.



Proton detection in strong magnetic fields once posed a major challenge. Now, with these chilled wires, scientists see new ways to study the subtle signals from accelerated particles.



Unique approaches help drive the scientific community forward. Each small breakthrough can lead to a broader understanding of what lies inside atoms.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168900224008829?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A</a>.



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Supercooled nanowires detect protons at close to the speed of light

Scientists have been searching for more efficient ways to track...

As oceans warm and coral reefs bleach, marine life must respond fast or disappear. Among the reef's colorful residents, clownfish have shown an unexpected way to survive. These fish, famous from Finding Nemo, shrink their bodies during heatwaves. 



This is not just about losing weight. Clownfish actually reduce their length, and it helps them stay alive.



A new study published in the journal Science Advances documents this discovery. Researchers from <a href="https://www.ncl.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newcastle University</a> and partner institutions tracked 134 clownfish in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea.



The study lasted five lunar months, during a time when water temperatures rose well above average. Researchers measured each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-pushing-freshwater-fish-toward-the-poles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a> and recorded the heat they experienced. The results were surprising and important.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clownfish-shrink-their-bodies-to-survive">Clownfish shrink their bodies to survive</h2>



Shrinking in adult <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-jellyfish-day-2024-protecting-the-health-of-our-oceans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vertebrates</a> is rare. Yet during this study, 71 percent of dominant females and 79 percent of subordinate males shrank at least once. Most of these shrinkages happened during a single lunar month. 



However, 41 percent of the fish shrank more than once. These were not accidents or isolated events. The response was consistent and widespread.



“This is not just about getting skinnier under stressful conditions, these fish are actually getting shorter. We don’t know yet exactly how they do it, but we do know that a few other animals can do this too," noted Melissa Versteeg, the study’s lead author.



"For example, marine iguanas can reabsorb some of their bone material to also shrink during times of environmental stress."



The shrinking was reversible. Some fish even showed catch-up growth later. This reveals a flexible growth system that adjusts based on current conditions. It allows fish to temporarily shrink and then grow again when conditions improve.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-higher-ranked-clownfish-shrink-more-often">Higher-ranked clownfish shrink more often</h2>



The chance that a clownfish would shrink depended on its size and its social role. Larger dominant females started shrinking at around 80 mm (about 3.15 inches). Subordinate males began shrinking at about 61 mm (about 2.40 inches). 



Larger fish have higher metabolic needs. Shrinking may help lower those demands during heat stress.



Shrinking also helps <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reef-fish-populations-are-boosted-by-ocean-connectivity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a> manage social tension. Within clownfish pairs, size ratios are important. If those ratios shift too much, conflict can arise. 



Dominant fish were less likely to shrink when their partners were much smaller. This indicates a strategy that balances both physical survival and social peace.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shrinking-together-helps-fish-survive">Shrinking together helps fish survive </h2>



The study observed eleven deaths during the heatwave. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-has-caused-a-50-decline-in-sharks-and-rays/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fish</a> that shrank were more likely to survive. A single shrinking event improved survival chances by 78 percent. 



All fish that shrank multiple times survived the entire study. The best survival rates occurred when both fish in a breeding pair shrank. Coordinated shrinking helped preserve social structure and reduced conflict.



“It was a surprise to see how rapidly clownfish can adapt to a changing environment and we witnessed how flexibly they regulated their size, as individuals and as breeding pairs, in response to heat stress as a successful technique to help them survive,” Versteeg said.



This behavior shows how social and environmental factors interact. Clownfish are not just reacting to heat. They are responding as pairs, and that cooperation improves their chances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-stress-triggers-the-change">Heat stress triggers the change</h2>



The research found a direct link between local heat stress and growth changes. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aquaculture-impacts-wild-fish-much-more-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fish</a> exposed to higher temperatures during the same month showed some growth. 



However, those who experienced high heat the previous month were more likely to shrink. This shows that shrinking can be a delayed reaction to stress.



“Our findings show that individual fish can shrink in response to heat stress, which is further impacted by social conflict, and that shrinking can lead to improving their chances of survival,” noted Dr. Theresa Rueger, senior author of the study. 



“If individual shrinking were widespread and happening among different species of fish, it could provide a plausible alternative hypothesis for why the size many fish species is declining and further studies are needed in this area.” 



This points to a new explanation for shrinking fish sizes across the world. It may not just be about juvenile growth or food shortages. Adult fish could be shrinking to survive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trade-offs-of-being-smaller">Trade-offs of being smaller</h2>



While shrinking helps individuals survive, it may have long-term costs. In clownfish, reproductive output depends on body size. Smaller fish lay fewer eggs. So even if more fish survive a heatwave, fewer offspring may be produced.



Smaller fish may also offer less protection or nutrition to their host anemones. However, current evidence suggests that the number of fish matters more than their size in these partnerships. That means shrinking may not harm mutualism in the short term.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-many-fish-species-might-also-shrink">Many fish species might also shrink </h2>



Across ecosystems, scientists are seeing body sizes shrink. This is now considered one of three universal responses to climate change, along with changes in migration patterns and shifts in species distributions. 



Most studies focus on changes across generations. But this research shows that adult fish can also change their size.



This means that shrinking might be happening more often than we think. The clownfish offers a clear, measurable example. Other reef fish that are site-attached and exposed to temperature extremes may do the same.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clownfish-shrinking-is-not-fully-understood">Clownfish shrinking is not fully understood</h2>



The exact mechanism behind clownfish shrinking remains unknown. It may involve tissue resorption or hormonal changes. In other animals, thyroid hormones drop during heat stress and affect growth. These possibilities need to be tested in lab conditions.



The gill-oxygen limitation theory also provides a clue. Larger bodies require more oxygen, but fish gills have a limited surface area. 



Shrinking may help balance oxygen demand when temperatures rise. Alternatively, food shortages during heatwaves may make smaller bodies more energy-efficient.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clownfish-show-new-ways-of-adaption">Clownfish show new ways of adaption</h2>



Clownfish have shown that survival in a warming world might involve unexpected changes. They shrink in response to heat, and coordinate that change with their partner. 



The fish adapt quickly and reversibly. This flexible response may help their populations persist, even as oceans grow hotter.



This discovery opens new questions. Are other reef fish using similar strategies? Can this plasticity be passed to future generations? And can we use this knowledge to better protect vulnerable reef communities?



One thing is clear. In the battle against climate change, even the smallest fish are making bold moves. Shrinking may not seem like much. But for the clownfish, it could be the difference between survival and extinction.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adt7079" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>. 



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Clownfish physically shrink their bodies to survive heatwaves

As oceans warm and coral reefs bleach, marine life must...

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



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features 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

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



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



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How the immune system responds to injury

[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



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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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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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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