Astronomers have spotted what may be a rare type of black hole hiding on the outskirts of a distant galaxy. This discovery could help fill in a key missing piece in our understanding of how black holes grow over time - and how galaxies build themselves around them.



The new object, known as NGC 6099 HLX-1, was picked up through a collaborative effort using NASA’s <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble Space Telescope</a> and the Chandra X-ray Observatory.



The bright X-ray signal coming from this object suggests it might belong to a hard-to-find class of black holes known as intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-elusive-intermediate-black-hole">The elusive intermediate black hole</h2>



The suspected black hole is located within a compact star cluster about 40,000 light-years from the center of the galaxy NGC 6099. This galaxy lies approximately 450 million light-years away in the constellation Hercules.



Most galaxies have two kinds of black holes. The massive ones - millions to billions of times the mass of our Sun - are located in the center of galaxies. Then, there are the much smaller black holes - typically less than 100 times the Sun’s mass - formed from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dead-stars-reveal-the-hidden-physics-of-the-universe/">dying stars</a>.



Between the smallest and largest black holes lies a largely uncharted middle ground: intermediate-mass black holes. Ranging from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of solar masses, they’ve been incredibly difficult to detect.



Unlike their larger cousins, IMBHs usually aren’t feeding. They don’t suck in enough material to glow brightly. Unless something triggers a flare - like a passing star getting too close - they remain invisible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-black-hole-caught-in-the-act">A black hole caught in the act</h2>



In this case, astronomers believe the black hole may have been caught red-handed during one of those feeding episodes, what scientists call a “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/18-black-holes-captured-devouring-nearby-stars-in-dramatic-tidal-disruption-events/">tidal disruption event</a>.” When a black hole tears apart a star, it creates a superheated disk of plasma that shines in X-rays.



<figure class="wp-block-embed 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/_tdzj2jlKBk?si=KZ9OB1dDOpj5qHX4
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Video Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/ Paul Morris</figcaption></figure>



Chandra first picked up the signal in 2009. ESA’s XMM-Newton observatory then tracked it over time. In 2012, the object reached peak brightness - about 100 times brighter than it was in 2009. Since then, the brightness has faded.



“If the IMBH is eating a star, how long does it take to swallow the star’s gas? In 2009, HLX-1 was fairly bright. Then in 2012, it was about 100 times brighter. And then it went down again,” noted study co-author Roberto Soria of the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF). 



“So now we need to wait and see if it’s flaring multiple times, or there was a beginning, there was peak, and now it’s just going to go down all the way until it disappears.”



The X-ray emission from HLX-1 is at a temperature of about 3 million degrees, which is consistent with a violent event. Hubble added more detail by spotting a dense <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stunning-star-clusters-captured-in-the-extreme-outskirts-of-the-milky-way/">cluster of stars</a> around the black hole. 



In this packed environment, stars are only a few light-months apart - about 500 billion miles - providing plenty of fuel for a black hole to feast on.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-intermediate-mass-black-holes-matter">Why intermediate-mass black holes matter</h2>



“X-ray sources with such extreme luminosity are rare outside galaxy nuclei and can serve as a key probe for identifying elusive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/intermediate-mass-black-holes-survive-and-thrive-in-giant-star-clusters/">IMBHs</a>. They represent a crucial missing link in black hole evolution between stellar mass and supermassive black holes,” said lead author Yi-Chi Chang of <a href="https://nthu-en.site.nthu.edu.tw/index.php">National Tsing Hua University</a>.



Scientists want to study intermediate-mass black holes more closely because they might be the building blocks for the enormous black holes at galactic centers. 



When smaller galaxies merge into larger ones, their black holes may combine too. Over time, this could form the supermassive black holes we see today. Hubble data has shown that bigger galaxies tend to have bigger central black holes, suggesting they grew together.



Alternatively, some theories suggest that black holes in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-capture-baby-pictures-of-the-very-early-universe-cosmic-microwave-background/">early universe</a> didn’t start small. Instead, clouds of gas in dark-matter halos may have skipped star formation entirely and collapsed straight into giant black holes.



NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has recently found very distant black holes that seem too massive for the size of their galaxies. That might support the direct-collapse idea. Or it could be that we’re just missing the smaller ones because they’re too faint to detect at such great distances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-telescopes-that-scan-the-entire-sky">Telescopes that scan the entire sky</h2>



“So if we are lucky, we’re going to find more free-floating black holes suddenly becoming X-ray bright because of a tidal disruption event," said Soria.



"If we can do a statistical study, this will tell us how many of these IMBHs there are, how often they disrupt a star, how bigger galaxies have grown by assembling smaller galaxies."



The main problem is coverage. Chandra and XMM-Newton observe only a tiny portion of the sky. That makes it hard to catch these sudden flares in real time. But there’s hope on the horizon.



The upcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile will scan the entire sky regularly in optical light. It could help catch more of these events. 



Then, space telescopes like Hubble and Webb can follow up to confirm whether an IMBH was behind the show - and maybe help us figure out how these cosmic heavyweights really come to be.



-----



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



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



-----

'Free-floating' black hole appears to be feeding on a star

Astronomers have spotted what may be a rare type of black hole hiding on the outskirts of a distant galaxy. This discovery could help fill in a key missing piece in our understanding of how black holes grow over time - and how galaxies build themselves around them. The new object, known as NGC 6099 HLX-1, was picked up through a collaborative effort using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The bright X-ray signal coming from this object suggests it might belong to a...

The United Nations has declared 2021-2030 to be the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, or the "ocean decade." Earth is mostly covered by ocean, so it makes sense that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-resolutions-misconceptions-about-recycling-plastics/">Earth Day</a> would celebrate ocean conservation.&nbsp;



In support of Earth Day and the <a href="https://www.oceandecade.org/">ocean decade</a>, a non profit is working to raise $100,000.00 to remove 100,000 pounds of plastic trash from the ocean. To celebrate the conjunction of both Earth Day and the organization's 10th birthday, <a href="https://oceanblueproject.org/earth-day-activities-all-about-earth-day/">Ocean Blue Project </a>has already gotten corporate partners to pledge $60,000 to the cause. This a grand beginning towards Ocean Blue’s goal of removing a million pounds of plastic trash from oceans by the middle of the Ocean Decade.&nbsp;



Due to partnerships with several businesses and other organizations, Ocean Blue Project has made Earth Day 2022 one of the easiest days to give. If you’re interested in buying something with a percentage of the profit going toward the cause, there are options.



Next Level Burger is donating 10 percent to Ocean Blue for every Good Catch LTO Vegan Burger sold during Earth Month. From April 18th to 24th, EarthHero is contributing to one pound of ocean clean up for every dollar spent. Woolly Made is contributing a portion of wallet sales to Ocean Blue.



If you would rather donate money directly, Earth Day is a good time for that as well. The<a href="https://www.allatonce.org/"> All at Once Initiative</a> is partnering with the Johnson Ohana Foundation. From April 1st, Jack Johnson will be matching all donations to Ocean Blue of up to $2,500.&nbsp;



Other groups and businesses are also getting in on the action. Earth Breeze is leading campus cleanups by promising to remove 5,000 pounds of plastic garbage. They’re promoting this by giving out free samples of their dryer sheets without plastic packaging. HMTX Industries is pledging to remove 500 pounds of plastic garbage as well.&nbsp;



To do your part to support the Ocean Decade, donate money, support a business that is donating, or simply go pick up some plastic trash and recycle it.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



---



By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Organizations are rallying together to support the ocean decade

The United Nations has declared 2021-2030 to be the Decade...

Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation is sponsoring the inaugural <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=SsuU1b7y4_CcbxBW_5kG9bpsPE4nb6F4UMbqf5I44ueQHlQ36uOOdfipKWvbSfCHTYgjE4vbTPkW0s-BwMXfQjoG5icALoy4RKJAKV-jHXI=">Growing School Garden Summit</a>, April 22 through 25 in Denver, Colorado. The summit is set to be the first gathering entirely dedicated to school <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gardening-got-a-major-boost-from-the-covid-19-pandemic/">gardening</a> on a national level.&nbsp;



The meeting will be attended by more than 400 educators, representing organizations that work on the campuses of more than 6,000 schools and educate an estimated 2.5 million students annually. Beyond learning more about nutrition and science, the children are connected viscerally to the earth by getting their hands dirty gardening.&nbsp;



“Sprouts is committed to improving children’s nutrition education, and we believe our investment in school garden education is one of the best tools available to advance this mission,” said Lyndsey Waugh, Executive Director of the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation. “Hosting the Growing School Gardens Summit is an opportunity to level-up our impact by focusing on how we can empower school garden educators, understanding that through this support we will have an even greater and lasting impact on students.”



Evidence shows that school gardening programs engage kids in interesting, hands-on learning, making them better students and feeding them healthier foods. This means that the popularity of school gardening programs is only expanding.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“The number of organizations using gardens as learning spaces continues to grow each year and, with this, comes a greater demand for teacher training and peer-to-peer learning,” said Life Lab Program and Partnerships Director John Fisher, a co-founder of the School Garden Support Organization Network, a professional learning community of more than 4,500 educators.&nbsp;



“The Summit provides this space and also raises awareness for the effectiveness of school gardens in teaching children that establishing healthy eating habits early in life will lead to better health outcomes as they become adults.”



As part of a commitment to equitability, the foundation along with other partners are offering scholarships to 25 percent of attendees, meaning that this type of instruction can hopefully reach underprivileged communities as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;



---



By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

National school garden summit kicks off on Earth Day

Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation is sponsoring the inaugural Growing School...

In May 2021, the Biden administration formally released its “30×30” plan in a report called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/report-conserving-and-restoring-america-the-beautiful-2021.pdf">“Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful,</a>” pressing national governments to ensure that at least 30 percent of their land masses remain protected from development by 2030. The even more ambitious “<a href="https://natureneedshalf.org/">Nature Needs Half</a>” initiative advocates stopping the destruction of natural habitats before the ratio falls below 50 percent (which is unfortunately already too late for many countries).



In order to assess how does the United States fare in relation to these goals, a research team led by the <a href="https://www.numbersusa.org/">NumbersUSA Education and Research Foundation</a> has now released an extended <a href="https://sprawlusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/NatlSprawl.pdf">report</a> examining the powerful counterforce of urban sprawl - the amount of rural land lost to development - in the U.S. The researchers found that, although the rapacious rate of natural habitat destruction of the 1980s and 1990s has slowed considerably during recent decades, around 17,800 square miles of natural and agricultural land were still converted into developed land for residential, industrial, commercial, transportation, and other purposes between 2002 and 2017.



The study revealed that, while 67 percent (11,950 square miles) of rural land loss was related to population growth, the remaining 33 percent (5,850 square miles) was caused by several other factors which increased the average amount of developed land per person, such as the construction of new shopping malls, streets, highways, parking lots, schools, waste treatment facilities, government buildings, or places of employment, education, or worship.&nbsp;



Although in the United States almost all government efforts to combat urban sprawl have focused on strategies seeking to create denser settlements by changing land use practices, the current study argues that such approaches will have limited success in saving rural land from development because they fail to take into account the key major cause of sprawl: population growth (which, according to the study authors, is mainly driven recently by the increasing number of immigrants coming to the United States).&nbsp;



“If the United States intends to address climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, etc., it must consider how its population affects each issue,” said Joseph Chaimie, the former director of the <a href="https://www.un.org/development/desa/pd/">United Nations Population Division</a>. “Gradually stabilizing America’s population will provide an exemplary model for other countries to emulate. Rather than racing to increase the size of their respective populations in a world with eight billion humans and growing, nations would see America moving away from an unsustainable demographic strategy.”



Whether immigration should be considered or not the main culprit behind population growth remains a hotly debated issues. However, finding ways of stabilizing the American population will indeed be necessary to stop further habitat loss that could endanger a vast number of ecosystems.



---



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

"Nature needs half" but natural habitats are vanishing

In May 2021, the Biden administration formally released its “30×30”...

In celebration of this year’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2022-new-investments-in-our-planet-urgently-needed/">Earth Day</a>, Footprint – a global materials science and technology company aiming to make our planet healthier – has announced that it has sold over half a billion plant-based straws since 2019, supporting top clients such as McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, or Panera Bread in their efforts to eliminate the use of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-pollution-is-a-planetary-emergency/">plastic</a> straws. Footprint’s innovative paper straws underwent a year of testing before commercialization, and are designed to prioritize strength and retaining their shape, while offering a much more sustainable alternative to plastic straws.



“This week on Earth Day, we ask people to take a pause and think about the little things they can do to make a difference in their community. If plastic was a country, it would be the world’s fifth largest greenhouse gas emitter, beating out all but China, the U.S., India and Russia,” said Footprint co-founder and CEO Troy Swope. “People can pledge to eliminate single-use plastics, including straws, by switching to plant-based materials and getting more educated about ways they can contribute to a healthier planet.”



The dangers of single-use plastic straws became evident in 2018 when a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wH878t78bw&amp;ab_channel=SeaTurtleBiologist">video</a> of a sea turtle with a straw stuck up its nose was broadcast around the world and became viral, gathering over 108 million views on YouTube. The video was shot by Christine Figgener, a marine biologist who is now the director of science and education for the <a href="https://footprintusfoundation.org/">Footprint Foundation</a>.



“Straws are just the beginning when it comes to getting rid of single-use plastic,” Figgener said. “We are drowning in plastic pollution, and every step we take toward eliminating single-use plastic is a step in the right direction. I see the result of plastic pollution every day in the work I do in the marine ecosystem and we’re committed to educating wherever possible to help ocean cleanup.”



Although local and state governments have already began to institute bans and restrictions on single-use plastics, consumers should also play an important role by switching form plastic straws to new, more sustainable alternatives such as those developed by <a href="https://www.footprintus.com/">Footprint</a>. These straws have been designed to help eliminate the soggy performance of typical paper straws and meet all the requirements for compostability acceptance standards at commercial composting facilities.



The development of these straws is only a first step towards replacing single-use plastics with healthier alternatives. Footprint’s portfolio of plant-based fiber solutions now also includes custom plates, bowls, meat trays, and sustainable packaging options for some of the world’s biggest brands, such as Sweetgreen, P&amp;G, Conagra, or Beyond Meat, helping them and consumers worldwide move away from plastics without sacrificing performance.&nbsp;&nbsp;



---



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

Footprint celebrates over half a billion paper straws sold worldwide

In celebration of this year’s Earth Day, Footprint – a...

Over 50 years ago on Christmas Eve, Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders captured an iconic image of the Earth rising above the surface of the <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/moon-dust-toxic-health/">moon</a>. The photo, which is known as Earthrise, has left behind quite a legacy and has been credited with sparking an environmental movement. 

Now, the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> shares the perspective of Frank De Winne, the head of the Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany, on how he views our planet from space. Frank De Winne is a retired Belgian astronaut and military pilot who has served as the head of the European Astronaut Centre and as the commander of the International Space Station (ISS).
<h2>An astronaut shares his experience</h2>
Frank does not recall the Earthrise photo from his childhood, but he does have a vivid memory of the Moon landing. “My parents woke me up to watch it. Having to get up in the middle of the night to watch television was very impressive.”

He could have never imagined that he would one day fly to space, spending 198 non-consecutive days orbiting the Earth. Frank said that every experience in life has an impact, but the fragility of our planet, the thinness of our atmosphere, and the immense nature of the universe strikes you when you fly into space.

“The other part of course is that in space there are no borders,” he explained. “You can look as much as you want, but you cannot see a border between Germany and Poland and Poland and Ukraine. We have spent thousands of years fighting over imaginary lines on a map that are simply not evident from orbit.”
<h2>How being in space can change your perspective</h2>
This shift in awareness is referred to as the “overview effect” by author Frank White. He explained that while we can intellectually understand the ideas Frank De Winne and many other astronauts share with us, we still do not have the direct experience that is so powerful.

“Some of the astronauts I interviewed talked about going to the Grand Canyon in the United States - you can describe it, you can talk about it, you can try to explain it to people, but that is not the experience,” said White.

He believes that the Earthrise image, and imagery captured by astronauts like ESA’s Alexander Gerst, play an important role in helping us put our planet in perspective as well as the need for global thinking.

[caption id="attachment_1864278" align="aligncenter" width="700"]<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/earth-gerst.jpg"><img class="Earthrise - Earth seen from space wp-image-1864278" title="Earthrise - Earth seen from space" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/earth-gerst-1024x683.jpg" alt="Earthrise - Earth seen from space" width="700" height="467" /></a> Image Credit: Alexander Gerst/ESA/NASA[/caption]

“Earthrise amplified the environmental movement here on Earth,” said White. “It is a good example of how, by sharing their experiences with people who may not have the opportunity to travel to space, astronauts can influence our thinking and behavior.”

The overview effect will always stay with Frank De Winne, but now he looks to the Moon.

“We have come a long way since this photo was taken,” he said. “We landed on the Moon six times. ESA’s Rosetta orbiter landed on a comet, probes and rovers have landed on Mars, we are working together with five international partners and many more countries on the International Space Station.”

“Now it is time to take the next step and go forward to the Moon - not to plant a flag and be first, but to truly explore as an international community for the benefit of Earth. That is our vision for Europe.”
<h2>How it feels to be in space and see Earthrise</h2>
During the <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apollo missions</a>, the astronauts saw the Earthrise from the Moon during several missions. Specifically, Earthrise was first photographed by the crew of Apollo 8, the first manned mission to orbit the Moon, on December 24, 1968. 

The astronauts of Apollo 10 also witnessed Earthrise while in lunar orbit in May 1969. Then, during the Apollo 11 mission in July 1969, the first humans landed on the Moon, and they saw Earthrise while on the surface of the Moon. So, in total, the Earthrise was seen by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/50-years-after-the-apollo-8-mission/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apollo astronauts</a> on three separate missions.

Astronauts often describe a range of sensations and feelings when they are in space, including both physical and emotional experiences.

Physically, astronauts may initially feel disoriented or dizzy due to the lack of gravity. They may also experience a sense of weightlessness, which can be both exhilarating and disorienting. Some astronauts have reported feeling as though they are constantly falling, while others describe a sensation of floating or flying.

Emotionally, many astronauts report feeling a sense of awe and wonder at the incredible view of the Earth and the universe from space. They may also feel a sense of isolation or loneliness, as they are far away from friends and family on Earth. However, many also report a deep sense of camaraderie and connection with their fellow crew members, as they work together to accomplish their mission.
<h2>Astronauts help the Earth and humanity by sharing</h2>
Overall, the experience of being in space is often described as both challenging and rewarding, and many astronauts report that it changes their perspective on life and the world around them. Sharing these experiences, as Frank De Winne has done by sharing his Earthrise experience in this article, can help inspire, educate, and benefit humanity in very important and innumerable ways.

Here are a few examples:
<ol>
 	<li>Inspiring the next generation: Astronauts serve as role models for aspiring scientists and explorers, and their experiences in space can help inspire young people to pursue careers in STEM fields.</li>
 	<li>Advancing scientific research: Astronauts conduct a wide range of experiments in space, which can lead to new discoveries and innovations in fields such as medicine, engineering, and physics. By sharing their results and insights, astronauts can help advance scientific research and benefit humanity as a whole.</li>
 	<li>Promoting international cooperation: Space exploration is often a collaborative effort involving multiple countries and cultures. By working together in space, astronauts can help promote international cooperation and understanding.</li>
 	<li>Raising awareness of global issues: Astronauts often speak about their experiences of seeing the Earth from space, which can raise awareness of issues such as climate change and environmental degradation. By sharing their perspectives, astronauts can help promote global action to address these issues.</li>
</ol>
Overall, astronauts can serve as powerful ambassadors for space exploration and scientific discovery, and their experiences can help inspire, educate, and benefit humanity in a wide range of ways.

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

Main Image Credit: William Anders/<a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NASA</a>

Earthrise: An astronaut’s perspective of Earth from space

Over 50 years ago on Christmas Eve, Apollo 8 astronaut...

In honor of Earth Day, <a href="https://www.republicservices.com/">Republic Services, Inc</a>. is setting the record straight about recycling <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/concerning-amount-of-plastic-has-reached-the-arctic/">plastic</a>. The company says there's a growing demand for recycled plastic, and they want to debunk common misconceptions and encourage people to recycle.&nbsp;



Although many brands promise to use more recycled plastics, and some states even require it, only 30 percent of single-use plastic jugs and bottles are recycled. Republic Services wants to increase that percentage. Pete Keller is the organization's vice president of recycling and sustainability.



"Republic Services is committed to helping our customers put sustainability in action. We know people want to recycle, but there are a lot of misconceptions around recycling plastics. This Earth Day we want to clear those up," said Keller.



Here are some debunked recycling myths to help you recycle effectively:&nbsp;



Myth #1: Recycling plastic is a waste of time because most of it doesn't get recycled



Fact: There is a huge demand for recycled plastic.



Myth #2: All plastic is recyclable



Fact: Some plastic is not recyclable. Ask your recycling center what plastics can and cannot be recycled.&nbsp;



Myth #3: Plastic grocery bags can be recycled



Fact: Plastic grocery bags can be recycled, but not curbside. Big-box stores and grocery stores often have places where plastic bags can be dropped off for recycling.&nbsp;



Myth #4: Recyclables should be placed in bags.



Fact: Always be sure to follow your provider's instructions. Never bag your recyclables as this can ruin equipment.



Myth #5: As long as it has a recycling symbol, it's ok to throw it in the bin.



Fact: What is recyclable will vary according to where you live. Contact your local facility for more information.



To help recycle more plastic, Republic Services is currently creating an integrated plastics recycling center known as the Republic's Polymer Center. This facility will be the first of its kind in the United States and will process plastics in the Western US. For more information, visit <a href="https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=3502273-1&amp;h=2652250834&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.republicservices.com%2FPolymerCenter&amp;a=RepublicServices.com%2FPolymerCenter">RepublicServices.com/PolymerCenter</a>.



"By recycling, you can help turn your plastic water bottle into another water bottle," said Keller. "Recycling helps preserve natural resources, reduces emissions and contributes to a more sustainable world."



So, if you don't have an Earth Day resolution, perhaps you can resolve to incorporate recycling into your lifestyle. It's better for us and all the plants and animals that share our extraordinary world.



---



By <a href="mailto:nire518@gmail.com">Erin Moody </a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Earth Day resolutions: misconceptions about recycling plastics

In honor of Earth Day, Republic Services, Inc. is setting...

Many studies have shown us that walking provides physical and mental benefits. Yet, new research from the <a href="https://le.ac.uk/">University of Leicester</a> sought to determine if pace made a difference in health outcomes. Indeed, the study shows us that there is a link between how fast we walk and our biological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/life-satisfaction-increases-with-age-thanks-to-oxytocin/">age</a>.&nbsp;



The researchers analyzed 405,981 UK biobank genetic samples and found that people who walked faster had longer telomeres, which are used to determine biological age. This is because cells with shorter telomeres are correlated with frailty and age-related diseases.&nbsp;



The experts used self-reported data, as well as data from wearable activity trackers, to determine the participants' walking speeds.&nbsp;



Based on the results, the researchers estimate that a lifetime of brisk walking could decrease an individual’s biological age by as much as 16 years by midlife.



"This research uses genetic data to provide stronger evidence for a causal link between faster walking pace and longer telomere length," said study lead author Dr. Paddy Dempsey.



"Data from wrist-worn wearable activity tracking devices used to measure habitual physical activity also supported a stronger role of habitual activity intensity (e.g. faster walking) in relation to telomere length.”



The research is vital because it helps inform the general population and health officials on who may be more at risk.



"This suggests measures such as a habitually slower walking speed are a simple way of identifying people at greater risk of chronic disease or unhealthy ageing, and that activity intensity may play an important role in optimising interventions," explained Dr. Dempsey.



Previous research has indicated that those who walk briskly for at least 10 minutes a day live longer, but this study is the first of its kind to reveal a specific marker - telomere length - associated with walking faster. This may ultimately help encourage healthy lifestyle changes.&nbsp;



"For example, in addition to increasing overall walking, those who are able could aim to increase the number of steps completed in a given time (e.g. by walking faster to the bus stop). However, this requires further investigation," concluded Dr. Dempsey.



This study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/commsbio/">Communications Biology</a>.



---



By <a href="mailto:nire518@gmail.com">Erin Moody </a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Brisk walking may reduce biological age by more than a decade

Many studies have shown us that walking provides physical and...

On April 19, 2022, the multinational technology company <a href="https://www.apple.com/">Apple</a> released its annual <a href="https://www.apple.com/environment/pdf/Apple_Environmental_Progress_Report_2022.pdf">Environmental Progress Report</a>, in which they highlighted the increased use of recycled content across their products. According to this report, nearly 20 percent of all materials used in Apple products in 2021 was recycled, making Apple the world’s most sustainable corporation.



The company also announced its newest technological innovation, Taz, a recycling machine which utilizes new shredder-like technology to separate magnets from audio modules and thus recover more rare earth elements. The use of Taz, together with that of the recycling robot Daisy, has helped Apple make significant progress in the recycling of older materials. In 2021, 59 percent of all the aluminum used in Apple’s products came from recycled sources, with many products featuring up to 100 percent recycled aluminum. Moreover, since 2015, Apple has also reduced plastics from its packaging by 75 percent, making major progresses toward the company’s goal to completely eliminate packaging plastics by 2025.&nbsp;



In 2021, Apple products included 45 percent certified recycled rare earth elements, 30 percent recycled tin, and 13 percent recycled cobalt. Moreover, for the first time in the company’s history, they used recycled gold in the plating of the main logic board and wire in the front and rear cameras of products such as iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro.



Recovering more materials for use in future products will significantly help reduce mining. For instance, from just one metric ton of iPhone components disassembled by Apple’s recycling robots, engineers can recover the amount of gold and copper typically extracted from 2,000 metric tons of mined rocks. Moreover, the company is also committed to extending the lifetime of their products through refurbishment, which will also significantly reduce the need for future mining.



“As people around the world join in celebrating Earth Day, we are making real progress in our work to address the climate crisis and to one day make our products without taking anything from the earth,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. “Our rapid pace of innovation is already helping our teams use today’s products to build tomorrow’s, and as our global supply chain transitions to clean power, we are charting a path for other companies to follow.”



---



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

Apple is ramping up its recycling efforts

On April 19, 2022, the multinational technology company Apple released...

On April 22nd, the world celebrates <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2022-new-investments-in-our-planet-urgently-needed/">Earth Day</a>. This is an opportunity to raise awareness of protecting the environment through global actions that have one shared goal: to save our planet.



This year, more than ever before, we have been warned by the world’s climate scientists that time is running out to protect our world from environmental catastrophe. Some of the most dire findings include:



<ul><li>The temperature on Earth will rise by 2.7°C this century, even if we meet our 2030 climate targets, affecting food supplies, ecosystems, and livelihoods.</li><li>Every year, almost two million children under the age of five die from environmental factors like pollution.&nbsp;</li><li>One in three people do not have access to safe drinking water. And things are only getting worse.&nbsp;</li></ul>



The European Union, through its European Green Deal, is fighting climate change with ambitious policies and cooperation with international partners.&nbsp;



This year, the <a href="https://www.eeas.europa.eu/_en">European External Action Service</a> has organized a call to action through a global campaign to raise awareness by creating a virtual heartbeat of our Planet Earth. Every generated beat is merged with the original in order to create the sound of Earth.



To take part in this campaign, follow these simple steps:



<ol><li>Turn any noise into a heartbeat: clap your hands, tap a beat, use your voice…</li><li>Record a video of your sound on your smartphone.</li><li>Share it on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #BeTheWave.</li><li>And don’t forget to tag @eudiplomacy, @eu_eeas and European External Action Service - EEAS.</li><li>Then listen to the Earth’s heartbeat getting louder and stronger as people around the world share their sounds to stand up for the environment, to keep the Earth alive.</li></ol>



Our Earth is calling.



Only together can we protect the earth, keep its heart beating, and our home alive.&nbsp;



#BeTheWave on Earth Day! Check out <a href="http://www.earthcalling.eu/">www.earthcalling.eu</a> and get inspired by everything that we can achieve together!



---



By <a href="mailto:katherinebucko@gmail.com">Katherine Bucko</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

For Earth Day, let's make our planet's heartbeat louder

On April 22nd, the world celebrates Earth Day. This is...

A new computer modeling study led by the <a href="https://scripps.ucsd.edu/">Scripps Institution of Oceanography</a> at the University of California, San Diego has found that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-atmosphere-is-expanding-due-to-climate-change/">climate change</a> is altering the mechanics of surface ocean circulations, making the currents become thinner and faster. Such changes can have a major impact, affecting the transport of nutrients that marine organisms need, as well as the microorganisms themselves. In addition, swifter currents could also influence the processes by which the oceans remove heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and protect our planet from excessive warming.



“We were surprised to see that surface currents speed up in more than three-fourths of the world’s oceans when we heated the ocean surface,” said study lead author Qihua Peng, a postdoctoral researcher in Physical Oceanography at the Scripps Institution.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



Although previous studies have identified wind as the main factor predicting the speed of ocean currents, these new findings reveal that increases in sea surface temperatures also play a crucial role in this process. 



According to Dr. Peng and his colleagues, warming makes the topmost layers of water become lighter. This rise in density difference between the warm surface layers and the colder water beneath limits the swift surface ocean currents to a thinner layer, causing them to speed up in over three-fourths of the world’s oceans. This increased speed of rotating currents (known as gyres) was associated with a slowdown of current circulation underneath.



The dynamics of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (the largest in the world in terms of volume transport) provide clear evidence for this hypothesis. As shown by a 2021 study published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-021-01212-5">Nature Climate Change</a>, this current is speeding up. “The accelerating Antarctic Circumpolar Current is exactly what our model predicts as climate warms,” said Shang-Ping Xie, a climate modeler at Scripps and co-author of the present study.



Since these trends are directly correlated with the ever-increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, urgent measures are needed to mitigate emissions in order to protect the various marine ecosystems that are threatened by changes in currents circulation.&nbsp;



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/sciadv.abj8394">Science Advances</a>.&nbsp;



---



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

Rising surface temperatures are speeding up ocean currents

A new computer modeling study led by the Scripps Institution...

Black,Carrion,Crow,(corvus,Corone),Perched,On,Mossy,Log,And

Crows and ravens are intelligent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-and-bats-are-eating-midge-flies-that-contain-pesticides/">birds</a> that use tools, solve complex problems and are known for their vocal “caw” sounds.&nbsp;



What is less well appreciated is their diversity and ability to live all over the world in a variety of habitats. They are one of the most widespread groups of birds worldwide. This is because crows and ravens - part of the avian family of Corvids - underwent rapid global expansion, unlike other birds that stayed within single continents.



Their planetary exploration is largely due to their great flying ability, which allows them to access new places more easily.&nbsp;



New research also shows that their big bodies and brains played an important role in surviving in the new climates they occupied.



“When we think about processes of global diversification, it is important to consider not just the ability to reach new places, but also the ability to survive once you get there. Our work suggests that crows and the ravens diversified both quickly and widely because they were particularly good at coping with different habitats,” said Carlos Botero, assistant professor of biology in Arts &amp; Sciences at <a href="https://wustl.edu/">Washington University in St. Louis</a>.



The researchers show that the birds’ ability to rapidly expand and diversify across the planet was driven by a combination of traits. Using specimens housed in museums, the scientists found that these birds have longer wing lengths, bigger body sizes and bigger relative brain sizes compared with other Corvids.



“We hypothesize that these three very convenient combinations of traits are what allowed this group of birds to colonize and diversify across the world,” said study first author Joan Garcia-Porta.



<h2 id="h-three-convenient-traits">Three convenient traits:</h2>



<ol><li>Longer wings gave crows and ravens higher flying capacities, which allowed the birds to travel across the world.&nbsp;</li><li>Big brains suggest that ancestral crows and ravens were behaviorally flexible. They were smarter than other Corvids and able to figure out how to live in a new environment and increase their chances of survival.&nbsp;</li><li>Bigger body size gave crows and ravens a competitive advantage over smaller species, helping them establish in a new place.</li></ol>



“We are excited with these new insights on how these birds were able to do things that even close relatives did not,” said Professor Botero. “It truly seems that their incredible behavioral flexibility may have played a major role in allowing these birds to survive initial periods of maladaptation and hang in there long enough for selection to catch up and produce a range of new species in the process.”



Traveling across the world required crows and ravens to adapt to many different environments and resulted in high rates of evolution and speciation. This is because arriving in a new environment comes with exposure to selective pressures. For example, living in the cold Arctic after moving from a tropical rainforest likely required very different strategies.



“These new environments often favor tweaks to an organism’s phenotype that facilitate survival and overall performance. That process is often known as optimizing selection,” said Professor Botero.



This caused crows and ravens to acquire new beak shapes that did not exist in any other Corvid, increasing beak shape variation in the Corvidae family. The scientists also found that the birds increased body size variation as they colonized new environments.



“Thanks to these amazing birds, we now understand a bit more the processes by which animals rapidly expand across the planet and how this geographic expansion translates to the production of new species with new morphologies.” Concluded Garcia-Porta.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/ncomms/">Nature Communications</a>.



---



By <a href="mailto:katherinebucko@gmail.com">Katherine Bucko</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Big brains and bodies helped crows expand across the globe

Crows and ravens are intelligent birds that use tools, solve...

Oxytocin is a hormone that has effects on many organs in the body. It is secreted into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland and travels around the body to these target organs. In the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-has-an-alert-system-to-shut-down-unwanted-memories/">brain</a>, oxytocin acts as a chemical messenger and has an important role in many human behaviors. In particular, it has been shown to influence levels of trust, altruism, charity, and generosity.



A new study, conducted by scientists from Claremont Graduate University and the University of Southern California set out to investigate whether the release of oxytocin changed with age, as is found with some other neurochemicals that influence feelings and behaviors.&nbsp;



“We have previously shown a link between how kind and generous people are, known as prosocial behaviors, and the release of oxytocin,” said Dr Paul J Zak of Claremont Graduate University. “Seniors spend more time volunteering and donate a larger proportion of their income to charity than do younger people, so we wanted to see if there was a neurochemical basis for these behaviors.”



The researchers examined the release of oxytocin in 103 participants aged between 18 and 99, and its relationship to prosocial behaviors. Blood samples were taken from participants before and after they watched a video about a little boy with cancer; this video had previously been shown to induce oxytocin release in the brain.&nbsp;



“Participants had the option to donate some of their earnings from the study to a childhood cancer charity, and this was used to measure their immediate prosocial behavior. We also collected data on their emotional states, to provide information on their overall satisfaction with life,” explained Zak.



The results of the research, published today in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience">Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience</a>, showed that the release of oxytocin following the video was related to the age of the participant. Older participants released significantly more oxytocin and they also donated more to the charity than did younger participants. Older participants also reported being involved in many other helping activities and being overall more satisfied with their lives.&nbsp;



“Participants in our study who released the most oxytocin were more generous to charity when given the opportunity and performed many other helping behaviors. The change in oxytocin was also positively related to participants' empathy, religious participation, and gratitude,” said Dr. Zak, who is first author on the publication.



The conclusion of the study is that a sense of life satisfaction is linked to the chemistry of our brains. As we grow older, we produce more of the hormone oxytocin, which encourages us to be kinder and more caring to others. The more we help others, the more satisfied we feel with our lives. These findings are consistent with many religious philosophies, where satisfaction with one's life is enhanced by helping others.



The finding that helping behaviors improve the quality of life is consistent with many faith traditions and philosophies. Serving others appears to prime the brain to release more oxytocin in a positive feedback loop of increased empathy and gratitude.



Dr. Zak would like to repeat this study in a more ethnically and geographically diverse sample of people to see if the findings hold for different cultures.



“We would also like to conduct a longer-term measurement of neurophysiology using non-invasive wearable technologies to see what specific activities raise people's satisfaction with life,” he concluded.



---



By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Life satisfaction increases with age thanks to oxytocin

Oxytocin is a hormone that has effects on many organs...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



---



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



---



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



---



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



---



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



---



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



---



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



---



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



---



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



---



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



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

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



---



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



---



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



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

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



---



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



---



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



---



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



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

How the immune system responds to injury

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



---



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



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

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



---



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



---



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

News coming your way