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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes why the Earth is surrounded by bright shades of red, yellow, green, and purple light when the planet is viewed from around 300 miles above its surface.

This phenomenon is known as airglow, which occurs when atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere produce light to release excess energy. Airglow can also happen when atoms and molecules that have been ionized by sunlight capture a free electron. In either case, a particle of light known as a photon is emitted.

This ethereal glow, reminiscent of the soft light emitted by vintage <a href="https://vacuum-tubes.com/nixie-tubes-guide/">nixie tubes</a>, is a captivating spectacle that scientists continue to study.

The event is similar to an aurora, except auroras are driven by high-energy particles originating from solar wind, while airglow is driven by everyday solar radiation.

--

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

Video Credit: NASA Goddard

Why does Earth appear to glow from space?

Today's Video of the Day from NASA Goddard describes why the Earth is surrounded by bright shades of red, yellow, green, and purple light when the planet is viewed from around 300 miles above its surface. This phenomenon is known as airglow, which occurs when atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere produce light to release excess energy. Airglow can also happen when atoms and molecules that have been ionized by sunlight capture a free electron. In either case, a particle of light known as a photon...

The Neotropics is one of Earth's richest vessels of biodiversity. It contains a colorful and diverse array of bird species and is home to around 30% of all bird species worldwide. 



Despite the ecological complexity and biodiversity of the region, climate change poses a severe threat to bird diversity in the coming decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unsettling-forecast-for-birds">Unsettling forecast for birds</h2>



Jeff Brawn, co-lead author of a recent study on birds of the Neotropics, is a professor emeritus in the <a href="https://nres.illinois.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences</a> at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.



“Compared to a more optimistic future precipitation scenario, we predict the ‘business-as-usual’ scenario will be potentially catastrophic for resident forest birds in the Neotropics,” said Brawn, noting that birds are just one part of a larger picture.



"We're just using <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-extinctions-shatter-the-harmonious-balance-of-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> as an illustration. We will likely see similar threats for mammals, reptiles, amphibians, arthropods, fungi, and plants. And the implications for agriculture are not insignificant either."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-scenarios-for-the-neotropics">Climate scenarios for the Neotropics </h2>



Brawn's team, including Professor David Luther from George Mason University (GMU) and Rong Fu from UCLA, predicted precipitation changes under two climate scenarios in the Neotropics by 2100.



The business-as-usual scenario, known as SSP-8.5, paints a grim future where greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated. 



On the other hand, the SSP-2.6 scenario represents an optimistic view where aggressive climate action leads to the transition to a low-carbon economy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bird-ranges-and-climate-challenges">Bird ranges and climate challenges</h2>



The team investigated how bird ranges overlap with climate issues by mapping predicted changes in dry season lengths across the Neotropics and overlaying the distribution of 3,000 forest bird species.



"We were able to say where the dry season is going to get longer or shorter, and to what extent, and how many species currently living in those places will be affected," explained Luther.



The SSP-8.5 scenario is discouraging. It projects that dry seasons will be extended by at least 5% across three-quarters of Neotropical lowland forests, impacting 2,000 species of resident birds. 



By contrast, only 90 bird species face longer dry seasons in the SSP-2.6 scenario, where just 10% of lowland forests become drier.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-longer-dry-seasons-in-the-neotropics">Longer dry seasons in the Neotropics </h2>



Longer dry seasons due to climate change could have far-reaching implications for tropical ecosystems and bird <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-behavior-productivity-being-directly-impacted-by-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species distributions</a>. 



"Think of a closed canopy rainforest. If it gets too dry, there's going to be a threshold where it'll open up and become a savannah,” Brawn said.



For Luther, the maps highlight areas of relative stability. "If we're going to plan future conservation efforts, we should put extra effort into those areas because they're less likely to dry out."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-and-deforestation">Climate change and deforestation</h2>



Despite the unsettling findings on the loss of bird diversity and ecosystems, the team believes the study paints a "rosy picture" as it doesn't account for the impact of deforestation from climate change. Therefore, the reality of the situation is even more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-species-are-shifting-their-habitats-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">critical</a>.



“If there's fewer trees, it's hotter and drier,” Brawn said. “Unfortunately, thousands of hectares of tropical forest disappear every year."



The researchers hope these alarming insights expedite policy action. However, climate policy is just one piece of a larger puzzle.



The good news? "These are all things we can solve, if we choose to. We can do the right thing," Luther said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-birds-in-the-neotropics">Saving birds in the Neotropics </h2>



The complex challenges facing the Neotropics demand a concerted and multi-disciplinary approach.



Researchers, conservationists, policymakers, and local communities must collaborate to implement sustainable solutions. Integrated strategies that combine scientific research with traditional ecological knowledge provide the most effective avenues for positive change.



Efforts to preserve biodiversity must consider the socioeconomic realities of the region, ensuring economically viable and culturally inclusive conservation initiatives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technological-innovations">Technological innovations</h2>



Technological advancements play a role in addressing environmental and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-birds-can-handle-climate-variability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate challenges</a>. Remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) technologies enable more precise monitoring of ecosystem changes and effective conservation planning.



Moreover, advancements in renewable energy and sustainable agricultural practices offer opportunities to mitigate the impact of climate change.



Brawn and his colleagues advocate for harnessing these technologies. They argue adopting innovative tools empowers communities and helps safeguard the Neotropics biodiversity.



Humanity stands at the crossroads of a monumental decision. Will it transition towards a world of mitigated carbon emission and preserve the ecology of places like the Neotropics or continue on a path of unbridled <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-records-shatter-2024-set-to-be-hottest-year-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> change, risking thousands of bird species?



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.17544" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Change Biology</a>.



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Hundreds of bird species face extinction risks in the Neotropics

The Neotropics is one of Earth's richest vessels of biodiversity....

Understanding the impact of climate change can be challenging when framed in terms of global temperature changes. To make it more relatable, researchers at MIT have introduced a concept called “outdoor days.”&nbsp;



This approach measures the number of days per year in a given location when the weather is suitable for typical outdoor activities - like walking, gardening, or dining outside - without being too hot or too cold.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-localized-perspective-on-global-change">A localized perspective on global change</h2>



In a previous study, the researchers applied the outdoor days concept to assess the impact of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-people-fear-climate-change-will-end-the-world-during-their-lifetime/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> across different countries. 



The analysis revealed that much of the global south would experience a significant reduction in outdoor days, while some northern regions could see a slight increase. 



Building on these findings, the team has now focused on different parts of the United States, dividing the country into nine climatic regions. 



The experts found that areas such as Florida and the Southeast may face a major decrease in outdoor days, whereas the Northwest could experience a modest increase.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connecting-climate-change-to-everyday-life">Connecting climate change to everyday life</h2>



“This is something very new in our attempt to understand the impacts of climate change, in addition to the changing extremes,” said lead author Yeon-Woo Choi, a postdoctoral fellow at <a href="https://www.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIT</a>. 



The method aims to show how global climate shifts can directly affect people's daily experiences rather than focusing solely on overall temperature trends or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-extreme-weather-events-are-escalating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme weather events</a> like hurricanes. 



“To the best of my knowledge, nobody else takes this same approach” to assess local climate impacts, he added. “I hope that many others will parallel our approach to better understand how climate may affect our daily lives.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-extremes-versus-reality">Climate extremes versus reality</h2>



The study explored two climate scenarios: one where global efforts significantly reduce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-first-greenhouse-gas-detecting-satellite-is-now-in-orbit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gas emissions</a> and a “worst-case” scenario where emissions continue to rise unchecked. 



Using these scenarios with 32 global climate models, the researchers found consistent trends across all models. Study senior author Elfatih Eltahir, an expert in climate change at MIT, suggests that reality might fall between the extremes.



Eltahir does not think we will act as aggressively as the low-emissions scenario suggests, or as carelessly as the high-emissions scenario. He predicts that “maybe the reality will emerge in the middle, toward the end of the century.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outdoor-days-across-the-united-states-nbsp">Outdoor days across the United States&nbsp;</h2>



By analyzing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-earths-temperature-has-changed-over-500-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperature</a> trends from 1961 to 2020 and projecting them to the end of this century, the researchers uncovered notable changes in outdoor days. 



The Southeastern United States is expected to face significant impacts, with a decline in the number of days suitable for outdoor activities.&nbsp;



“It seems like climate change is going to have a significant impact on the Southeast in terms of reducing the number of outdoor days,” Eltahir said, which could affect the quality of life, tourism, and retirement appeal in those regions.



Surprisingly, the study revealed that one of the regions that would benefit slightly is the Northwest, though the gain is limited.&nbsp;



The Northwest could see an increase of around 14% in outdoor days by the century’s end, compared to the period from 1976 to 2005. In contrast, the Southwest may see an average loss of 23% in outdoor days.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outdoor-days-and-economic-activities-nbsp">Outdoor days and economic activities&nbsp;</h2>



The study also examined the relationship between outdoor days and economic activities like tourism, using data from <a href="https://www.nps.gov/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. National Park Service</a> visits. 



“Accounting for seasonal variations, we find a clear connection between the number of outdoor days and the number of tourist visits in the United States,” Choi explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-seasons-and-outdoor-activities-nbsp">Shifting seasons and outdoor activities&nbsp;</h2>



While the total annual number of outdoor days may not change dramatically for many regions, their seasonal distribution could shift.&nbsp;



As summers become hotter, spring and fall might replace summer as the most favorable seasons for outdoor activities. Eltahir notes that this shift is already apparent in places like Florida, where “the really enjoyable time of year is in the spring and fall, and summer is not the best time of year.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-online-tool-to-measure-outdoor-days">Online tool to measure outdoor days</h2>



To allow individuals to explore how changing climates could affect their own experiences, the researchers developed an online tool.&nbsp;



This tool lets users define their own comfort ranges for outdoor temperatures and see how their number of outdoor days might change over time.&nbsp;



For the study, the researchers used a standard range of 10 to 25 degrees Celsius (50 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit), which represents the “thermoneutral zone” where the human body does not need to generate extra heat or sweat for cooling.



“If you disagree with how we define an outdoor day, you could define one for yourself, and then you’ll see what the impacts of that are on your number of outdoor days and their seasonality,” Eltahir explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-climate-change-more-relatable-nbsp">Making climate change more relatable&nbsp;</h2>



Eltahir noted that the idea behind the concept of outdoor days came from realizing that people’s understanding of climate change is based on the assumption that climate change is something that’s going to happen sometime in the future and is going to happen to someone else.&nbsp;



“It’s not going to impact them directly. And I think that contributes to the fact that we are not doing enough,” said Eltahir.



By focusing on everyday experiences, the concept of outdoor days aims to make climate change more relatable and immediate.&nbsp;



“It brings the concept of climate change home, brings it to personal everyday activities. I hope that people will find that useful to bridge that gap, and provide a better understanding and appreciation of the problem,” said Eltahir.



“And hopefully that would help lead to sound policies that are based on science, regarding climate change.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1029/2024GL111607" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.



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How will climate change affect our outdoor activities? 

Understanding the impact of climate change can be challenging when...

Mighty polar bears, the iconic symbols of Arctic snow and ice landscapes, are developing a peculiar problem. It's not the lack of food or the shrinking ice caps -- these are well-known, and devastating, problems.



No, it's something entirely unexpected and strangely ironic for a creature at home in the ice and snow -- buildup of painful "iceballs" stuck on between the toes and on the bottoms of polar bears' feet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-icy-polar-bear-paws">Icy polar bear paws</h2>



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.washington.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Washington</a> recently discovered lacerations, hair loss, ice buildup and skin ulcerations primarily affecting the feet of adult polar bears, and other parts of their bodies.



Some even had ice blocks up to a foot (30 centimeters) in diameter stuck to their foot pads, leading to deep bleeding cuts that impaired their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-bears-are-struggling-to-survive-longer-summers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ability to walk</a>. 



This bizarre phenomenon was first documented in a study published the journal Ecology.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-response-to-climate-change">Unexpected response to climate change</h2>



The researchers, in their quest to understand this strange occurrence, propose a few theories. 



They suggest that the transition from a chronically below-freezing climate to one riddled with unpredictable freeze-thaw cycles is to blame for the icing injuries.



“In addition to the anticipated responses to climate change for polar bears, there are going to be other, unexpected responses,” said lead author&nbsp;<a href="https://environment.uw.edu/faculty/kristin-laidre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kristin Laidre</a>, a senior principal scientist at the UW Applied Physics Laboratory and a professor in the UW School of Aquatic and Fishery sciences. 



“As strange as it sounds, with climate warming there are more frequent freeze-thaw cycles with more wet snow, and this leads to ice buildup on polar bears’ paws.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-polar-bear-feet-covered-in-ice-balls">Polar bear feet covered in ice balls</h2>



Kristin Laidre and co-author Stephen Atkinson undertook a decade-long study, from 2012 to 2022, of two <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-confirms-direct-link-between-polar-bear-survival-and-harmful-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polar bear populations</a> living above 70 degrees north latitude.



In the Kane Basin population, nestled between Canada and Greenland, they found evidence of icing-related injuries in 31 of the 61 polar bears observed. 



In <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-transformation-ice-melt-plant-growth-vegetation-cascading-effects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">East Greenland</a>, the second population under observation, 15 of the 124 polar bears exhibited similar injuries.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/polar-bears_arctic_iceballs_paws_feet_credit-Kristin-Laidre-UWashington_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/polar-bears_arctic_iceballs_paws_feet_credit-Kristin-Laidre-UWashington_1s.webp" alt="This photo shows the rear paws of a polar bear temporarily sedated for research in East Greenland in 2022. The bear has large chunks of ice frozen onto its feet, which the researchers removed. It is one of two polar bears showing this type of buildup, which appears to be a new phenomenon affecting some polar bears in the Far North. Credit: Kristin Laidre/University of Washington" class="wp-image-1948280"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This photo shows the rear paws of a polar bear temporarily sedated for research in East Greenland in 2022. The bear has large chunks of ice frozen onto its feet, which the researchers removed. It is one of two polar bears showing this type of buildup, which appears to be a new phenomenon affecting some polar bears in the Far North. Credit: Kristin Laidre/University of Washington</figcaption></figure>



Two bears in particular from separate locations in Greenland in 2022 had massive ice balls stuck to their feet. 



“I'd never seen that before,” Laidre said. “The two most affected bears couldn't run -- they couldn't even walk very easily. When immobilizing them for research, we very carefully removed the ice balls."



"The chunks of ice weren't just caught up in the hair. They were sealed to the skin, and when you palpated the feet it was apparent that the bears were in pain.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recent-phenomenon">Recent phenomenon</h2>



Researchers, alongside Indigenous subsistence hunters, have been monitoring these two polar bear populations since the '90s. 



However, they have never reported these types of injuries before, indicating it is a recent, and worrying, phenomenon.



Polar bears, adept at navigating icy terrains, have small bumps on their foot pads that provide grip on slippery surfaces. 



These bumps, larger than those on other bear species, like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-are-some-black-bears-actually-brown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brown and black bears</a>, ironically makes it easier for wet snow to freeze and accumulate on their paws. 



This problem, interestingly, is also prevalent amongst sled dogs in the north, as well as <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/meet-the-newfoundland-dog-everyones-favorite-bear-dog/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newfoundland dogs</a> in the Rockies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solving-the-polar-bear-ice-balls-mystery">Solving the polar bear ice balls mystery</h2>



Laidre and her colleagues hypothesize three possible reasons for the increasing ice buildup -- all linked to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-ocean-warming-four-times-faster-than-global-average/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate warming</a>. 



The first is more rain-on-snow events creating moist, slushy snow that clumps onto their paws, which then freezes solid once temperatures drop.



The second possibility is frequent warm spells causing surface snow to melt and refreeze into a hard crust. The heavy polar bears break through the ice crust, injuring their paws on its sharp edges.



Finally, both populations inhabit "fast ice," areas connected to the land where freshwater glaciers meet the ocean. 



Warming in these environments leads to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-new-clues-about-rapid-arctic-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thinner sea ice</a>, which allows seawater to infiltrate the snow. This damp snow then freezes onto the bears' feet, causing injuries.



However, both populations seldom swim long distances in spring, which would help thaw and dislodge any accumulated ice from their feet, due to the warmer water temperature compared to the air.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unknown-consequences">Unknown consequences</h2>



While the bears are undoubtedly affected by this new challenge, the researchers are wary about drawing broader conclusions about the overall health of the two populations. 



“We’ve seen these icing-related injuries on individual polar bears,” Laidre said. “But I would hesitate to jump to conclusions about how this might affect them at a population level. We really don’t know.”



There is no doubt that the surface of Arctic sea ice is transforming as the climate changes and temperatures continue rising.



"The sea ice has less snow in late spring and summer, and the snow that does exist is experiencing earlier, episodic melt and more frequent rain. All these things can create challenging surface conditions for polar bears to travel on," adds fellow researcher Melinda Webster.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bridging-knowledge-and-action">Bridging knowledge and action</h2>



The new data on polar bears presents a clear call-to-action for the scientific community and policymakers alike. 



As this newly emerged issue of ice balls on polar bears' feet demonstrates the more nuanced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/iss-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impacts of climate change</a>, it is vital that comprehensive research continues to predict and uncover other unforeseen consequences.



Collaborative efforts among scientists, indigenous communities, and governments are necessary to develop mitigation strategies that can help protect these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-bear-conservation-leaps-forward-with-new-tracking-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emblematic creatures</a>.



By sharing indigenous knowledge and integrating it with cutting-edge scientific research, there lies a hopeful path toward addressing these complex climate challenges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-directions">Future directions</h2>



Looking forward, researchers acknowledge the imperative need for a more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-observation-technology-will-transform-climate-monitoring/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robust climate monitoring</a> framework across the Arctic. 



This involves deploying advanced technologies such as satellite imagery and drone surveillance to observe environmental changes continuously.



Furthermore, expanding interdisciplinary research, which unites climatology, ecology, and data science, can yield refined <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-models-underestimate-sea-ice-melt-and-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predictive models</a>. 



By interpreting these dynamic climate patterns more accurately, scientists can better anticipate ecological impacts and propose timely interventions.



Current discoveries, like those outlined by Kristin Laidre and her colleagues, pave the way for these future endeavors, ensuring that the Arctic's ecological tapestry is preserved for generations to come.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-polar-bears-feet-from-ice-balls">Saving polar bears feet from ice balls</h2>



When asked what might be done to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-bear-conservation-leaps-forward-with-new-tracking-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">help these magnificent creatures</a>, Laidre has a succinct response: “We can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and try to limit climate warming.”



With the Arctic warming at twice the rate of the global average, this unexpected and worrying ailment faced by the polar bears serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching effects of climate change. 



The damage, it appears, reaches far beyond what we can see and predict. It's another urgent call to action for us to tread more lightly on this beautiful planet we call home.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecy.4435" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology</a>.



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Polar bears are suffering from painful 'ice balls' stuck on their feet

Mighty polar bears, the iconic symbols of Arctic snow and...

International Snow Leopard Day is celebrated each year on October 23 to raise awareness about the importance of protecting these endangered cats and their habitats.&nbsp;



Snow leopards, native to the mountains of Central and South Asia, are facing intense threats from habitat loss, poaching, and declining prey populations due to human activity.



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honoring-the-king-of-the-jungle-on-world-lion-day/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">big cats</a> are classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their population is estimated to be between 3,500 to 7,000 individuals in the wild, though precise numbers are difficult to determine due to their elusive nature.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mountain-ghosts-nbsp">Mountain ghosts&nbsp;</h2>



Snow leopards are often called the "ghosts of the mountains" because of their ability to blend into their rocky surroundings. They are incredibly difficult to spot in the wild.



The mountain cats are powerful jumpers, capable of leaping up to 50 feet (15 meters) in a single bound. This ability helps them navigate steep, rocky mountain terrain and catch prey.



Their thick, grayish-white fur provides excellent camouflage against the snow and rocks of their habitat. Their long, bushy tail helps with balance and can also wrap around their bodies for warmth during cold nights.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-lifestyle-of-snow-leopards">Extreme lifestyle of snow leopards </h2>



Snow leopards live in some of the world’s highest and harshest environments. They are typically found at elevations between 9,800 and 17,000 feet in the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia, including the Himalayas.



Snow leopards are solitary and secretive animals, preferring to roam vast territories on their own. They are most active at dawn and dusk, and communicate mainly through scent marks and vocalizations.



These big cats rely on their stealth and patience to hunt prey such as blue sheep, ibex, and other mountain animals. They can stalk prey from as far as 200 feet away before making their move.



Unlike most big cats, snow leopards do not roar. They communicate with other sounds, such as growls, hisses, meows, and a unique call known as a "chuff."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-importance-of-snow-leopards-nbsp">Ecological importance of snow leopards&nbsp;</h2>



Snow leopards play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of their habitats. By protecting them, we can help to safeguard entire ecosystems.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-controlling-prey-populations-nbsp">Controlling prey populations&nbsp;</h3>



As top <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snow-leopards-the-carnivores-that-eat-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predators</a>, snow leopards regulate the populations of herbivores such as ibex, blue sheep, and other mountain animals. 



By controlling these prey populations, the leopards prevent overgrazing, which could otherwise lead to the degradation of vegetation and soil erosion in fragile mountain environments.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supporting-plants-and-other-animals-nbsp">Supporting plants and other animals&nbsp;</h3>



Snow leopards indirectly support plant diversity by keeping <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-with-high-body-temperatures-often-become-herbivores/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">herbivore</a> populations in check. This helps maintain a balanced ecosystem where various species of plants, insects, and animals can thrive, contributing to overall biodiversity in the region.



When the cats make a kill, they often leave behind remains that are consumed by scavengers like vultures, wolves, and smaller carnivores. This supports the wider ecosystem by providing a food source for other species.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-indicator-species">Indicator species</h3>



Snow leopards serve as an indicator species, meaning their presence and well-being reflect the overall health of the high-altitude ecosystems they inhabit. 



Healthy populations of these wild cats suggest that their mountain ecosystems, including prey species and vegetation, are also in good condition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-symbols-of-strength-nbsp">Symbols of strength&nbsp;</h2>



In some Central Asian cultures, snow leopards are viewed as symbols of strength, independence, and mysticism due to their rarity and resilience in the harsh mountain landscape.



The cats' ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment, including human encroachment and climate change, further reinforces their symbolic strength. They have the remarkable capacity to endure and persist despite shrinking habitats and threats from poaching.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-international-snow-leopard-day-nbsp">International Snow Leopard Day&nbsp;</h2>



International Snow Leopard Day was established in 2013, following the adoption of the <a href="https://globalsnowleopard.org/bishkek-declaration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bishkek Declaration</a>.&nbsp;



For this initiative, 12 countries that host snow leopard populations - Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan - agreed to collaborate in their conservation efforts.



The countries set a goal to secure at least 20 healthy snow leopard <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountain-ecosystems-are-in-urgent-need-of-protection/">ecosystems</a> by the year 2020, ensuring the species' survival in the wild and the integrity of the environments they inhabit.



The Bishkek Declaration highlights the importance of international cooperation and community involvement in conserving snow leopards and their habitats.



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Snow Leopard Day 2024: Honoring the elusive mountain ghost

International Snow Leopard Day is celebrated each year on October...

Recent research into how dinosaurs managed to run on their massive body frames has helped scientists gain a better understanding of how the act of "running" evolved in animals over time.



Let's travel back 106 million years, to a time when small, feathered dinosaurs roamed the Earth. This new study suggests that these little creatures were pulling off some impressive stunts using their wings, even without the capability to fly.



The research team focused on a fossil trackway found in South Korea. This preserved slice of history belonged to a dinosaur the size of a sparrow. 



What makes this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alpkarakush-kyrgyzicus-new-dinosaur-was-t-rex-cousin-has-protruding-eyebrow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prehistoric path</a> so interesting is how it demonstrates the dinosaur used a unique "flap-running" technique to achieve impressive speeds.



What is this "flap-running"? Imagine the quick scuttle and fluttering of a domestic fowl. Except, picture this taking place millions of years ago in a dinosaur about the size of your hand!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dinosaurs-flap-running-with-wings">Dinosaurs flap-running with wings</h2>



These findings challenge the traditional view of evolution. Previously, it was thought that flight evolved in a linear process, from gliding to powered flight. 



This new discovery highlights the complexity and adaptability of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/qunkasaura-pintiquiniestra-new-sauropod-dinosaur-discovered-in-spain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird ancestors</a>, demonstrating that wing usage played a crucial role in locomotion before the actual evolution of flight.



Moreover, the findings also enrich our understanding of extinct species' biomechanics and their transition from ground-dwelling to flight-capable creatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-locomotion">Unique locomotion</h2>



“With this new find, we’ve demonstrated these really tiny, feathered dinosaurs were using their wings for a kind of locomotion only seen in birds today,” said <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McGill University</a> Biology Professor Hans Larsson.



It seems these ancient creatures were up to something innovative that modern birds have carried forward into the present.



The study was spearheaded by Alex Dececchi at <a href="https://dsu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dakota State University</a> in the United States and Michael Pittman at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (<a href="https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/english/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CUHK</a>)’s School of Life Sciences. 



Together, with a team of researchers from South Korea and the U.S., they have given us a fascinating glimpse into the past.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dinosaurs-flap-running">Dinosaurs flap-running</h2>



The revelation of flap-running provides a nuanced understanding of the evolutionary trajectory of avian flight. 



It suggests that flight did not emerge from a straightforward set of innovations but through a series of complex adaptations.



The ability to flap-run would have offered these tiny theropods a survival advantage, enabling rapid escape from predators and efficient movement across varied terrains. 



In this context, the evolutionary path appears to be more of a branching process with multiple explorations, highlighting the adaptability and resourcefulness of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-with-huge-blade-like-horns-discovered-in-montana/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prehistoric creatures</a> in an ever-changing environment. 



This discovery invites further exploration into the transitional forms and intermediary behaviors that punctuated the rise of avian flight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-avian-flight">Modern avian flight</h2>



The study's insights extend beyond paleontological curiosity, offering implications for modern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cracking-the-code-of-pterosaur-flight-soaring-vs-flapping/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">avian flight mechanics</a>.



Understanding how these ancient winged dinosaurs utilized their wings not only informs us about their evolutionary past but also potentially reveals aspects of contemporary bird flight we may not fully grasp. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/dinosaur_Dromaeosauriformipes-rarus_wings_running_credit-Alex-Boersma-PNAS_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/dinosaur_Dromaeosauriformipes-rarus_wings_running_credit-Alex-Boersma-PNAS_1s.webp" alt="Illustrated reconstruction of Dromaeosauriformipes rarus running along the muddy shore of an ancient lake. Credit: Alex Boersma/PNAS" class="wp-image-1948266"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Illustrated reconstruction of Dromaeosauriformipes rarus running along the muddy shore of an ancient lake. Credit: Alex Boersma/PNAS</figcaption></figure>



Modern birds, from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/songbirds-benefit-from-social-networks-during-migration/">songbirds</a> to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alarming-decline-of-african-raptors-linked-to-multiple-pressures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">raptors</a>, exhibit a range of flight techniques and efficiencies that could trace their origins back to these primal movements.



By studying these ancestral techniques, scientists can gain a more comprehensive understanding of avian physiology and biomechanics, ultimately enriching our knowledge of biodiversity and the intricacies of life on our planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-from-fossil-trackways">Insights from fossil trackways</h2>



Examining fossilized trackways offers a unique window into understanding the locomotive behaviors of ancient creatures. 



The specific trackway discovered in South Korea not only illuminates the movement strategies of these small theropods but also sheds light on the environments they inhabited.



By analyzing the substrate and patterns of the preserved footprints, scientists can infer details about the gait and speed of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/feathered-dinosaurs-had-scaly-skin-like-modern-day-lizards/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feathered dinosaurs</a>. 



Such insights help reconstruct ecological contexts, indicating whether these dinosaurs traversed swampy landscapes, forested areas, or open plains.



This broader environmental understanding is critical in piecing together the intricate puzzle of prehistoric ecosystems and their dynamic interactions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-from-flap-running-of-dinosaurs">Learning from flap-running of dinosaurs</h2>



The revelation of flap-running in small <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-theropod-dinosaurs-thrived-in-polar-environments/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">theropods</a> prompts a reevaluation of other similar adaptations in the paleobiological record.



This research underscores the importance of revisiting fossil evidence with a fresh perspective, as even minute details can revolutionize our understanding of evolutionary processes. 



Furthermore, these findings highlight the interconnectedness of survival strategies across different species, suggesting that analogous adaptations may have arisen independently in various lineages. 



The implication is a call for interdisciplinary collaboration to explore these complex <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaurs-are-helping-astronomers-in-the-search-for-extraterrestrial-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary narratives</a>, integrating paleontology, biomechanics, and environmental science to unravel life's historical tapestry. 



Through such a comprehensive approach, we can better appreciate the diversity and ingenuity present in the natural world both in ancient times and today.



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



This research opens up a new avenue of inquiry about the origins of bird flight. It is a clear illustration that evolution isn't always a straightforward process, and complex adaptations can occur, even in the tiniest of creatures.



Indeed, the journey of a thousand miles (or in this case, millions of years) starts with just a single step. Or perhaps, a fascinating flap-run!



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2413810121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)</a>.



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Feathered dinosaurs used wings to run, not fly, in what's now called 'flap-running'

Recent research into how dinosaurs managed to run on their...

The amphibian world, home to fascinating creatures like frogs and toads, is hanging by a thread. These anurans are facing an uncertain future, all thanks to our ever-warming planet, which is drying out frog and toad habitats.



In a recent paper, an international team of researchers paints a stark picture of the struggles ahead for these creatures, pointing to their rapidly disappearing habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-an-invisible-thief">Climate change: An invisible thief</h2>



As we broach this topic, let's understand why we're even discussing a 2.7°C increase in global temperature by the century's end. This seemingly small figure can make big waves, leading to transformations in our climate and ecosystems that are anything but small.



With climate change running amok, many amphibians face a significant threat. The researchers raise a red flag towards the loss of water in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-frog-day-addressing-environmental-threats-to-frogs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anuran</a> habitats.



Less water means that these habitats may shrink or vanish completely. With the impacts of deforestation, fungal outbreaks, pollution, and warming temperatures, amphibians have their share of problems, and this situation simply adds to the pile.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-change-in-frog-and-toad-habitats">Change in frog and toad habitats</h2>



The researchers set out to predict which and how many of these watery havens might suffer due to drought. Now, you might wonder why this is such a big deal.



Frogs and toads require moisture to breathe. No water, no air, no frogs - it's as simple, and as heartbreaking, as that.



To make these predictions, the team got down to business using a range of tools to map out potential drought-prone areas across the globe. They also took into account factors like ecosystem sensitivity to drought and anticipated behavioral changes in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wood-frogs-achieved-significant-biological-evolution-25-years-salt-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">different climate scenarios</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parched-future-for-amphibians">Parched future for amphibians </h2>



From all this rigorous research, what emerges is a bleak scenario. The findings suggest that by 2100, between 7% and 30% of current frog and toad habitats could be so dry that our amphibious friends can't survive there anymore. 



Furthermore, between 15% and 36% of these areas may face drought due to regular heatwaves.



It seems that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frogs-have-a-third-eye-for-direct-light-sensing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anurans</a> can't catch a break. They're likely to keep confronting escalating risks as ecosystems continue to fall prey to human encroachment. Pollution isn’t likely to let up anytime soon either. 



Plus, toads and frogs have the specter of natural threats, such as spreading fungal infections, to contend with.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-the-habitats-of-frogs">Saving the habitats of frogs</h2>



The dire predictions outlined in the study demand an urgent response. Conservation efforts must be intensified to safeguard the future of these vulnerable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seven-new-tree-frogs-named-after-star-trek-captains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creatures</a>.



Key strategies include habitat restoration, reinforcing legal protections, and developing scientific action plans that mitigate the impact of climate threats. Initiatives such as creating amphibian sanctuaries and promoting biodiversity-friendly agriculture can help preserve the delicate ecosystems these animals depend on. 



Cross-disciplinary collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and communities is crucial to implementing effective measures. 



By enhancing public awareness and education on the importance of amphibians, we can galvanize collective action, ensuring these fascinating organisms continue to thrive alongside us.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-ecosystem-shifts">Broader ecosystem shifts</h2>



The repercussions of declining anuran populations extend beyond the amphibians themselves, indicating broader shifts within ecosystems. Frogs and toads play pivotal roles in their habitats, acting as both predators and prey. 



Their presence helps control insect populations, reducing the spread of vector-borne diseases, and their absence could disrupt the intricate food web balance. Amphibians also serve as environmental indicators; their declining numbers signal broader ecological distress. 



This cascading effect poses significant challenges for conservationists and highlights the urgency of addressing climate change impacts holistically.



Protecting anurans is, therefore, more than an act of preservation; it is a crucial step in maintaining the health and stability of our global ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taking-action-for-amphibians">Taking action for amphibians</h2>



Stepping back, it's clear - the amphibian world is teetering on the brink. Will we allow their symphony of croaks to be silenced forever? Or can we take a moment to consider our actions and their implications for these creatures?



The choice is ours to make. After all, it's not just about the habitats of frogs and toads. It's about the delicate balance of our shared world and our responsibility to protect it.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-024-02167-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Climate Change</a>.



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Frogs and toads face new risks as their habitats dry up

The amphibian world, home to fascinating creatures like frogs and...

Picture this - one day, Earth's climate takes a sudden turn. The ocean circulation shifts without warning, creating weather chaos. In the blink of an eye, the Earth is in another Ice Age.



Sounds like the premise of a Hollywood disaster film, right? What makes this more attention-worthy is that it isn't a fictional scenario.



This actually happened several times during the last Ice Age that ended more than 11,000 years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tipping-points-in-earth-s-climate">Tipping points in Earth’s climate</h2>



Researchers analyzed ice cores gathered in Greenland to provide a fresh understanding of these abrupt shifts. The cores contained data from 120,000 years ago, including evidence of sudden climatic upheavals called Dansgaard-Oeschger events.



These represent "tipping points" in Earth's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atmospheric-rivers-are-shifting-with-global-climate-impacts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a>. Imagine a person standing on the edge of a cliff. One wrong step sends them stumbling down into a dangerous abyss. That's a tipping point .



“It is really important to understand such tipping points in the climate, because they may result in catastrophic and irreversible change,” said Christo Buizert, an associate professor in the <a href="https://ceoas.oregonstate.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences</a> at Oregon State University. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-the-dansgaard-oeschger-cycle">What is the Dansgaard-Oeschger Cycle?</h2>



The Dansgaard-Oeschger Cycle is a pattern of rapid climate fluctuation, which occurred over 25 times during the last Ice Age. It's like flipping on and off multiple times.



The catalyst behind these cycles is the <a href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/amoc.html">Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation</a> (AMOC), which circulates water throughout the Atlantic Ocean. This includes the Gulf Stream, which carries warm tropical waters to the North Atlantic.



“The AMOC is fundamentally unstable, and when it collapses, big things happen across the globe. There is significant cooling in Europe and around the North Atlantic, and the Indian and Asian monsoons fail,” Buizert said. 



"That instability was frequent during the last Ice Age. It is cause for concern for the future because climate models suggest the AMOC will likely weaken again under <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-ice-is-losing-its-cooling-power-making-the-earth-even-warmer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global warming</a>, potentially impacting billions of people.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-of-the-last-ice-age">Climate of the last Ice Age </h2>



Buizert, a paleoclimatologist, used the ice cores like time capsules to decode and understand past <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-the-ice-age-can-tell-us-about-future-el-nino-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate changes</a>.



The cores carry trapped water, dust, and tiny air bubbles that contain data dating back hundreds of thousands of years. This data provides crucial records of Earth's atmospheric evolution and is instrumental in scientists' understanding of past climate events.



Buizert analyzed ice cores from across Greenland including cores from south and coastal east Greenland, which had not been studied in detail. Findings related to the AMOC and the winter sea ice's interaction sparked interest in the cores.



These interactions had a key role in Dansgaard-Oeschger events. Scientists previously thought sea ice from the Nordic Seas north of Iceland was involved.



The new analysis suggests winter sea ice would extend much farther south, reaching modern-day France and New York City.



“The model shows that the Nordic Seas alone wouldn’t be big enough to drive a climate change event of this size,” Buizert said. “It just doesn’t pack enough of a punch.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ice-age-and-future-climate-change">The Ice Age and future climate change </h2>



The AMOC has been stable over the last 11,700 years. However, current <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-models-underestimate-sea-ice-melt-and-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate conditions and predictions</a> indicate it might weaken again but for different reasons than those in the Ice Age.



“We know the AMOC will weaken, but will it collapse? That is the big question. The weakening is likely gradual for the time being, but it could cross a tipping point and become a catalyst for abrupt climate change events like we saw in the past,” Buizert said. “The climate does not behave in linear patterns; it can change quickly and irreversibly.”



The past holds clues to our future. The research was conducted in collaboration with scientists from five countries and supported by the National Science Foundation. The insights bring us a step closer to understanding the nature of our planet's climate.



The research serves as a reminder that we have a lot more to learn, explore, and prepare for in the face of climate change.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2402637121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Disastrous climate changes of the last Ice Age could happen again

Picture this - one day, Earth's climate takes a sudden...

There's a new heavyweight in town, and no, we're not talking about the next boxing champion. It's the alcohol-loving Oriental hornet, an insect that can go head to head - or should we say drink for drink - with the best of us.



In a recent study, a group of behavioral ecologists, zoologists, and crop protection experts from Tel Aviv University have found that these buzz-worthy insects have the highest-known tolerance to alcohol in the animal kingdom.



"Ethanol, a natural by-product of sugar fermentation, can be found in various fruits and nectar. Although many animals routinely consume ethanol in low concentrations as part of their natural diets, its inherent toxicity can cause severe damage," noted the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oriental-hornets-and-alcohol">Oriental hornets and alcohol </h2>



Fermented foods like cheese, bread, and some fruits naturally produce alcohol as they break down. While eating rotten fruit may sound unpleasant to us, it’s a normal part of the Oriental hornet's diet. 



How does this insect eat ethanol-rich food without acting drunkenly? Scientists in Israel found that these insects aren't just a little bit tolerant to alcohol, they're practically teetotalers. 



Even after consuming foods with a whopping 20% ethanol content, these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hornets-are-the-most-important-pollinators-for-some-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hornets</a> showed no signs of drunkenness.



What happens when they have the equivalent of an 80-proof meal? A very brief period of slight tipsiness, then they sober up and fly off as if nothing happened. For comparison, a fruit fly would likely die from consuming such levels of alcohol.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-behind-sobriety">Science behind sobriety</h2>



The mystery of the Oriental hornet's impressive alcohol tolerance lies within its unique physiological mechanisms. Research indicates that the hornet's liver-equivalent organs have potent enzymes specifically adapted to metabolize alcohol efficiently. 



These enzymes break down ethanol at a rapid rate, significantly reducing its intoxicating effects. This evolutionary trait serves an ecological advantage, allowing hornets to exploit food sources that other animals may shy away from due to high alcohol content. 



Additionally, the hornet's robust nervous system seems less prone to alcohol-induced impairment, ensuring that their survival activities, such as foraging and defending their nests, remain unaffected even after feasting on fermented delicacies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-alcohol-diets-of-hornets">High-alcohol diets of hornets</h2>



Adaptations to a high-alcohol diet have significant ecological implications for the Oriental hornet. Living in environments where naturally fermenting fruits are abundant, these hornets have carved a specialized ecological niche for themselves. 



Their ability to consume alcohol-rich foods without adverse effects reduces competition for resources, as few other species can tolerate such levels of ethanol. 



Moreover, by consuming overripe fruits, hornets contribute to the cycling of nutrients and seed dispersal in their habitats, playing a critical role in maintaining <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/streetlights-make-tree-leaves-too-tough-for-insects-to-eat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecological balance</a>. 



Their alcohol tolerance might also offer insight into avenues for pest control strategies, utilizing their unique dietary preferences while safeguarding crops from destruction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genes-that-support-alcohol-tolerance">Genes that support alcohol tolerance</h2>



Remember when your biology teacher explained how genes work? Well, everything you learned about genetics goes hand in hand with why Oriental hornets can handle their alcohol so well.



Upon closer examination, researchers discovered that these hornets are packing some heavy-duty genetic artillery. Multiple copies of a gene known as alcohol dehydrogenase are present in their DNA. 



This gene is directly involved in breaking down alcohol in the body, which explains why these hornets can drink up without any <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/edible-ants-art-science-sustainable-food-source-ant-cuisine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adverse effects</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alcohol-breakdown-by-oriental-hornets">Alcohol breakdown by Oriental hornets</h2>



The brewer's yeast, which ferments and produces ethanol, has a symbiotic relationship with the hornets. They live and reproduce in the hornet's intestines, aiding in alcohol breakdown, and in return, the hornets help the yeast to spread.



The research team was led by several scientists from <a href="https://english.tau.ac.il" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tel Aviv University</a> in Israel. These experts specialize in behavioral ecology, zoology, and crop protection.



The study has garnered the attention and respect of the scientific community for its pioneering research on the relationship between the Oriental hornet and alcohol tolerance.



Next time you find a hornet feasting on your overripe fruit, you might just pause and marvel at nature's unexpected boozy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alien-invasion-yellow-legged-hornet-spotted-in-the-u-s-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">champions</a>. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2410874121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.</a>



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Oriental hornets have the highest alcohol tolerance of any animal

There's a new heavyweight in town, and no, we're not...

Scientists looking at weather patterns from El Niños and La Ninas millions of years ago may help predict future weather shifts in a world suffering from global warming. 



Research indicates the mass of unusually warm water on either side of the equator in the eastern Pacific Ocean known as El Niño has been around for at least 250 million years.



This revelation comes from a team of researchers at <a href="https://duke.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duke University</a> including Shineng Hu, assistant professor of climate dynamics at Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment, who led a new modeling study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-has-el-nino-evolved">How has El Niño evolved?</h2>



"The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), originating in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, is a defining mode of interannual climate variability with profound impact on global climate and ecosystems," wrote the researchers.



"However, an understanding of how the ENSO might have evolved over geological timescales is still lacking, despite a well-accepted recognition that such an understanding has direct implications for constraining human-induced future ENSO changes."



The study shows the massive temperature swings of El Niño and its sister effect, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/winter-of-extremes-how-will-la-nina-affect-weather-in-the-u-s/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Niña</a>, took place when continent locations were different than today.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-temperature-tango-of-el-nino">The temperature tango of El Niño </h2>



"In each experiment, we see active <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-mountains-impact-el-nino-winters-and-snowfall-amounts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">El Niño Southern Oscillation</a>, and it's almost all stronger than what we have now, some way stronger, some slightly stronger," said Hu.



The findings are a boon for climate scientists studying El Niño. This system significantly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forecasters-warn-of-weather-chaos-as-el-nino-arrives-early/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alters the jet stream</a>, leading to drier conditions in the northwest U.S. while simultaneously soaking the southwest with unusual rains.



Similarly, La Niña shifts the jet stream north, causing drought in the southwestern U.S., East Africa, and intensifying the monsoon season in South Asia.



Hu explained that atmospheric noise - the winds - can act just like a random kick to this pendulum, contributing to the strength of El Niño during earlier periods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-from-the-past">Insights from the past</h2>



To explore the ancient history of the El Niño weather phenomenon, the researchers used a climate modeling tool employed by the <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/">Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change</a> (IPCC) to project future climates. Instead of looking ahead, the scientists ran simulations to study the deep past.



"The model experiments were influenced by different boundary conditions, like different land-sea distribution, different solar radiation, different CO2,” said Hu.



The researchers identified two primary factors historically impacted the magnitude of these climate oscillations: the thermal structure of the ocean and atmospheric winds.



Hu noted that previous studies largely focused on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-temperatures-were-a-driving-force-behind-2023s-record-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean temperatures</a>, overlooking the influence of surface winds.



"So part of the point of our study is that, besides ocean thermal structure, we need to pay attention to atmospheric noise as well and to understand how those winds are going to change," Hu said.



The research highlights that understanding the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-needed-millions-of-years-to-recover-from-past-climate-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's ancient climate</a> patterns is crucial for accurate future projections. "If we want to have a more reliable future projection, we need to understand past climates first," Hu said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-oceans-and-atmospheric-dynamics">Ancient oceans and atmospheric dynamics</h2>



During the Mesozoic era, Earth’s continents were in different locations. The Panthalassic Ocean existed west of the supercontinent Pangea and experienced dramatic temperature oscillations.



Higher concentrations of atmospheric CO2 and lower solar radiation, factors that created a warmer global climate than today's, largely influenced these oscillations.



Understanding these ancient oceans provides key insights into how current and future climate systems may behave.



With the planet facing rising CO2 levels, studying past oscillations offers clues to potential changes in the strength and frequency of El Niño events.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-modern-climate-predictions">Implications for modern climate predictions</h2>



The findings from this study carry significant implications for how scientists approach modern climate predictions. 



By understanding the intensity and persistence of ancient El Niño and La Niña events, researchers can refine their models to anticipate future climate variability. This is especially important as the current global climate faces increasing pressures from human-induced changes.



With the past revealing stronger and more frequent oscillations, similar conditions could happen under future climate scenarios.



Predicting how El Niño and La Niña evolve in a warming world requires scientists to consider not only ocean temperatures but also atmospheric dynamics and surface winds.



These elements are critical to determine the impact of future oscillations on global weather patterns from droughts and floods to other extreme weather events.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2404758121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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El Niño climate shifts date back 250 million years

Scientists looking at weather patterns from El Niños and La...

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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

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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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...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> is focused on the melt ponds that emerge during the spring and summer on the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the largest ice mass in the northern hemisphere.



"Melt ponds are vast pools of open water that form on both sea ice and ice sheets and are visible as turquoise-blue pools of water in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image," says ESA.



"When snow and ice melts atop glaciers, water flows in channels and streams and collects in depressions on the surface. These melt ponds can speed up the melting of the surrounding ice since they greatly reduce the ice’s ability to reflect sunlight."



"This can create a positive feedback where an increasing number of melt ponds absorb more heat which causes ice cover to melt even faster."



According to ESA, Greenland has been hit with a late-season heatwave that began in early September. This caused the type of melt event that usually occurs in the middle of summer.



"In a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change, scientists found that major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now ‘inevitable’ even if the burning of fossil fuels were to halt overnight," says ESA. "Using satellite observations of Greenland ice loss and ice cap from 2000 to 2019, the team found the losses will lead to a minimum rise of 27 cm regardless of climate change."



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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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" 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> describes a new map of Mars that is providing insight into the planet’s watery past. The map also reveals where future missions could safely land on Mars.&nbsp;



The map has been created over the last decade using observations of water-rich rocks and mineral deposits. The images were captured by ESA’s Mars Express and NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.



"A big surprise is the prevalence of these minerals, with the map revealing hundreds of thousands of water-affected locations in the oldest parts of the planet," says ESA. "The new data will help answer exciting questions about Mars’ climate history, whether water was globally persistent or confined to short, intense episodes, and whether the conditions were ever suitable for life."



"Specifically, the map shows the locations and abundances of aqueous minerals. These are from rocks that have been chemically altered by the action of water in the past, and have typically been transformed into clays and salts."



According to John Carter of the Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale (IAS), our collective understanding of Mars has been oversimplified. He explained that planetary scientists have tended to think that only a few types of clay minerals on Mars were created during its wet period, then as the water gradually dried up, salts were produced across the planet.



The new map shows that the composition of Mars is much more complicated than what we thought. For example, while many salts formed after Martian clays, there are some salts that are presumed to be older than some of the clays.&nbsp;



“The evolution from lots of water to no water is not as clear cut as we thought, the water didn’t just stop overnight. We see a huge diversity of geological contexts, so that no one process or simple timeline can explain the evolution of the mineralogy of Mars. That’s the first result of our study. The second is that if you exclude life processes on Earth, Mars exhibits a diversity of mineralogy in geological settings just as Earth does,” said Carter.



Video 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 history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" 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.stowers.org/">Stowers Institute for Medical Research</a> describes how cavefish adapted to a sedentary lifestyle over tens of thousands of years. 



The experts found that the muscle metabolism of cavefish has been genetically reprogrammed over time. As a result, the animals have experienced major changes in their morphology and behavior. Despite these changes, however, the cavefish remain healthy and fit.



The research may provide new clues about the evolutionary consequences of prolonged physical inactivity in humans.&nbsp;



“It’s no surprise that people are moving less and less as technology has advanced,” said Rohner. “With cavefish, we have a unique system where we can study what might happen if people remained couch potatoes over very, very long periods of time.”



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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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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Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> some of the most incredible waves in the world, as seen by Landsat satellites.



"With more than 370,000 miles of coastline on Earth, there are plenty of places where epic waves build up, curl over, and hurtle toward the shore.- much to the thrill of surfers," says NASA. "There are some places where these waves are so magnificent that they can be seen from space."



"With the broad perspective of satellites, we can see how these iconic waves develop into the world’s tallest, longest, fastest, and heaviest."



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

[sendtonews key="MHyhtebibJ-2200368-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...