Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features Saba, a small island in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. Saba is the top of a volcano that became active during the Pleistocene era.



"Located about 140 kilometers east of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the active stratovolcano rises 1,500 meters above the sea floor," says NASA. "Above the water, rainforests cover the steep slopes of the volcano, home to many birds, orchids and reptiles, including an endemic spotted lizard, the Saban anole (Anolus sabensis). Below the water, corals and other species thrive."



"The largest city and the capital city of the island, called The Bottom, lies between the port and the higher elevations of the volcano."&nbsp;



Due to a lack of sandy beaches, Saba is not a major tourist destination like other Caribbean islands. However, it is a popular spot for divers to find corals and sea urchins.



According to NASA, sea urchins in the Caribbean started mysteriously dying off in early 2022. Dive shops in the region began reporting mysterious sea urchin die offs in February, particularly the long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum.&nbsp;



"Saba’s reef was once home to more than 5,000 D. antillarum. But in April 2022, in a section of Saba’s reef called 'Diadema City,' half of the long-spined sea urchins died off in just one week, and only 100 remained in June, according to reporting in ScienceNews."



"The massive loss of sea urchins is reminiscent of a die-off that started in 1983, in which virtually all of the D. antillarum population in the Caribbean was eliminated within a year. Although the exact cause of the 1983 and 2022 die-offs is still a mystery, many researchers agree that the speed and scope of the event in the 1980s indicates the spread of an unknown disease," says NASA.



The image was captured on August 16, 2022 by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory



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

The volcanic island of Saba

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features...

A sparkling galactic neighbour

Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the galaxy ESO 300-16, which is located 28.7 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Eridanus



According to ESA, the galaxy is a ghostly assemblage of stars which resembles a sparkling cloud.&nbsp;



"A rogue’s gallery of distant galaxies and foreground stars complete this astronomical portrait, which was captured by the Advanced Camera for Surveys," said ESA.



"This observation is one of a series which aims to get to know our galactic neighbors; around three quarters of the known galaxies suspected to lie within 10 megaparsecs of Earth have been observed by Hubble in enough detail to resolve their brightest stars and establish the distances to these galaxies."



"A team of astronomers proposed using small gaps in Hubble’s observing schedule to acquaint ourselves with the remaining quarter of the nearby galaxies."



ESO 300-16 is a relatively small and remote dwarf galaxy. It is sometimes known as a "compact blue dwarf galaxy" because of its size and the intense blue colors indicating active star formation.&nbsp;



These galaxies are typically small, but they have high star-forming rates for their size. This kind of galaxy can provide insights into the process of star formation as well as galaxy evolution in general.



Dwarf galaxies are of particular interest to astronomers because they can help to provide understanding about the formation and evolution of galaxies in the early universe. They're also thought to play a role in the assembly of larger galaxies over cosmic time.



By studying galaxies like ESO 300-16, astronomers can hope to better understand how galaxies grow, evolve, and interact over time.&nbsp;



Image Credit: ESA



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A ghostly assemblage of stars make up the galaxy ESO 300-16

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency...

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features an astronaut view of the Tunupa Volcano, a dormant volcano in southwestern Bolivia. The volcano is located on a peninsula between two of Bolivia’s largest salt flats - Salar de Uyuni and Salar de Coipasa.



"Tunupa Volcano is located at the center of the Southern Altiplano, or the Andean Plateau, and rises as high as 5.3 kilometers (3.3 miles) in elevation," says NASA. "The volcano is a composite cone - a large, complex volcano that is often covered by lava flows, pyroclastic and mudflow deposits, and domes. Last active about 1.4 million years ago, Tunupa is now considered dormant."



"The flanks of the volcano’s cone are incised by valleys that were eroded by ancient glaciers and stream flows. Domes and lava flows appear on the eastern side of Tunupa, and the volcano is adjacent to other eroded volcanic fields and craters, including Jayu Khota and Titivilla."



According to NASA. the salt flats are typically a bright white color when viewed from orbit - but during Bolivia’s rainy season, rivers can carry sediment rich in microbes and dark-colored volcanic minerals onto the flats.&nbsp;



The image was captured on February 5, 2022 by a member of the Expedition 66 crew.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory



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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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Tunupa Volcano in southwestern Bolivia

Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2023/09/Earth_from_Space_Southern_Patagonian_Ice_Field">European Space Agency</a> features the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in the Southern Andes. It is one of the world's largest continuous masses of ice outside the polar regions.&nbsp;



The Southern Patagonian Ice Field spreads across the border between Argentina and Chile and is an essential fresh water reservoir. Covering an area of about 12,363 square kilometers, it is home to numerous glaciers, including the well-known Perito Moreno and Upsala Glaciers in Argentina.



The ice field is situated within the Andes mountain range and is part of two national parks: the Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina and the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.&nbsp;



"Ice fields form as a result of accumulations of snow that turn into ice through years of compression and freezing. Shaped by the underlying topography, glaciers often form at the edges of an ice field," explained ESA.



"In this image, the ice mass feeds several smaller and bigger glaciers, including the Argentinian Perito Moreno Glacier in the top right corner. Located on a narrow channel, Perito Moreno feeds Lake Argentino and forms an ice dam that separates the main body of the lake, visible on top in turquoise, from its southern arm, which appears grey."



The Southern Patagonian Ice Field is crucial for the study of climate change as it reacts sensitively to temperature variations. Over recent years, it has experienced significant retreat and thinning due to global warming, leading to concerns over rising sea levels and loss of freshwater resources.&nbsp;



"Glaciers are the largest reservoirs of freshwater on our planet. The rate at which they may be melting or growing is one of the best indicators of climate change," said ESA. "The demise of glaciers is one of the main causes of sea-level rise. Many glaciers in Patagonia have retreated over the last 50 years."&nbsp;



Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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The Southern Patagonian Ice Field in the Andes Mountains

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA Earth Observatory </a>&nbsp;features a dust storm that moved across parts of Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan in mid-September.



"This image, acquired by the VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) instrument on the NOAA-NASA Suomi NPP satellite, shows thick plumes of dust blowing hundreds of kilometers across the arid region on September 22, 2023," said NASA.



"The dust appears to emanate from the ephemeral Hamun wetlands, which partially surround the Iranian city of Zabol. When dry, this area becomes a hotspot for dust storms due to a persistent weather feature known as the Levar wind (or “120-day wind”), which blows out of the northwest from late-May to late-September."



Across the Sistan-Baluchistan province in southeastern Iran, three people were killed in accidents related to poor visibility and more than 1,300 others sought medical assistance for respiratory, heart, and eye ailments.



According to NASA, more than two decades of low water levels in the Hamun wetlands have led to a significant increase in dust storms. This has been especially the case during the 120-day winds, strong summer winds that occur from late May to late September.



"Water levels are influenced by rainfall and the flow of the Helmand river, which runs from the Hindu Kush mountains across Afghanistan before terminating at the wetlands. More frequent drought since 1999, along with increasing upstream demands on water resources for agriculture and other uses, have amplified the drying," said NASA.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Brutal dust storm sweeps across Southern Asia

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory &nbsp;features...

In 2018, underwater photographer Ryo Minemizu spotted an alien-like sea creature swimming off the coast of Okinawa. When the images were posted online, hundreds of exports struggled to identify the bizarre animal.&nbsp;



Minemizu collected a single sample of the animal and stored it in a formaldehyde solution at room temperature. Two years later, an international team of scientists performed morphological and genetic studies to identify the area creature, which was about the size of a ladybug.&nbsp;



The experts, led by neurobiologist Igor Adameyko of the University of Vienna, have finally solved the mystery. The team determined that the animal, Cercariae, was actually a colony of two types of parasitic worms swimming as one.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cercariae-parasitic-flukes">Cercariae - Parasitic flukes</h2>



"After microscopy-assisted exploration of the unstained specimen, we established that the aggregate is composed of two types of cercariae, which are henceforth referred to as the “sailors” (large ones) and the “passengers” (small ones)," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"The single aggregation we studied included about 20 sailors and over 1,000 passengers. Passenger cercariae were arranged in a hemisphere, with their tails forming the bulk and their bodies at the periphery. The tail tips of the sailor cercariae were anchored at the flattened side of the hemisphere, resembling snake hair on the Gorgon’s head."&nbsp;



"The passengers were much smaller volume-wise, as compared to large sailors. The aggregate resembles a colony, being finely structured and optimized for functional performance at different levels."



According to the researchers, the parasites had essentially created a prey-like swimmer that would infect the intestines of an unsuspecting host (see <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/strange-sea-creature_credit-Ryo-Minemizu_2medium.jpg">image</a>).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-aggregation-nbsp">Moving aggregation&nbsp;</h2>



"It is the sailor cercariae that provide the movement of the aggregation by wiggling their huge tails with wide lateral fin-folds," explained the experts.&nbsp;



"At the initiation of swimming, only one or few sailors start to wiggle tails, and the others join them soon after. Sailors have different collective activity regimes, as they can beat their tails in synchrony, causing pulsing or jumping movements of the aggregate, or asynchronously via alternating beating, which provides for a smooth motion without jumping patterns."



"The beating activity of sailors involves coordinated relaxation phases that occur in cercariae located exclusively at one specific side of the aggregate. When some of the sailor cercariae do not move, they are stretching behind, and their tails appear relaxed. Thus, the activity of sailors on one side and their inactivity on the opposite side can define the directionality of swimming."&nbsp;



"Altogether, the aggregate acts like a heteromorphic colony with integrated structure and coordinated behavior. We should note that studying a single specimen does not allow us to estimate the variations in locomotion patterns or in proportion between sailor and passenger cercariae."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cercariae-have-astonishing-strategies">Cercariae have astonishing strategies </h2>



The researchers pointed out that parasites have evolved a variety of astonishing strategies to survive within their hosts. 



They noted that the discovery described in this study provides a unique example of how morphologically and functionally heterogeneous individuals of the same species cooperate to build colonial organisms for the purpose of infection.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(23)01170-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



Image Credit: Ryo Minemizu



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Bizarre sea creature, Cercariae, is actually a colony of hundreds of parasitic worms

In 2018, underwater photographer Ryo Minemizu spotted an alien-like sea...

Female,Psychologyst,Therapy,Session,With,Client,Indoors,Sitting,Girl,Smiling

MDMA, often recognized by its street name, "ecstasy", is a popular recreational drug celebrated for its unique ability to enhance feelings of closeness and connection. While its party-drug reputation is widely known, researchers are now shining light on MDMA's promising role in therapy sessions.



In recent years, MDMA has been studied for its potential in assisted psychotherapy, particularly in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recent clinical trials have demonstrated its efficacy in this field, a promising stride for mental health treatments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-of-mdma-therapy">Benefits of MDMA therapy</h2>



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.uchicago.edu/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Chicago</a> delved into the pharmacological attributes of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychedelic-drug-mdma-shows-promise-for-reducing-post-traumatic-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MDMA</a>, aiming to discern its influence on social interactions. 



Spearheaded by Hanna Molla, PhD, from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at UChicago, the study involved a series of controlled laboratory experiments. Volunteers under the influence of MDMA felt a heightened sense of connection during conversations compared to those who consumed a placebo.



“MDMA increased feelings of connection, or feeling in sync with their partner, and how meaningful the conversation was relative to when they took a placebo,” said Molla. “But interestingly, we found the same exact effect with methamphetamine. Pharmacologically, there are distinctions between the drugs, so there might be some differences in terms of the underlying mechanisms to how these drugs produce feelings of closeness.”



In an unexpected turn, the research team found that methamphetamine – a drug not typically linked to empathogenic effects – induced a similar feeling of connectedness. Both drugs may have unique pharmacological distinctions, but their similar impact on social bonding is evident. As Molla remarked, understanding these drugs' underlying mechanisms in fostering closeness is pivotal.



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



The UChicago study methodology involved pairing up adult volunteers with unfamiliar partners. The participants were either given a dose of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mdma-makes-people-cooperative/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MDMA</a> or a placebo before therapy. This was done under double-blind conditions ensuring no expectancy bias. Conversations, prompted by light topics like favorite TV shows, ensued.



A parallel study was carried out with <a href="https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methamphetamine</a>. It's essential to note that methamphetamine, often notorious for its addictive potential, has clinical utilities in treating conditions like narcolepsy and ADHD. It shares certain pharmacological characteristics with MDMA, yet also possesses distinct differences.



Participants, post-interaction, provided feedback on their conversation experience. Saliva samples were also collected to gauge oxytocin levels, a hormone integral to fostering social bonds. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-research-team-learned">What the research team learned</h2>



The results? MDMA taken during therapy not only enhanced feelings of connection but also amplified oxytocin levels, correlating with the depth of felt connection. Methamphetamine also fostered feelings of closeness, but without the associated oxytocin spike.



Harriet de Wit, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at UChicago, highlighted the significance of these findings for the psychotherapy realm. The inherent qualities of MDMA could strengthen the therapy bond between patients and therapists. This provides a more conducive environment for emotional exploration.



“When we see that a drug like MDMA is used in a recreational setting, it may be because people believe it makes them more connected. As researchers, we’re interested in what psychological components are involved. Everything we’ve seen with MDMA in controlled laboratory studies suggests that these effects would facilitate psychotherapy and make the process go better,” de Wit said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-does-mdma-work">How does MDMA work?</h2>



Drawing parallels to its recreational use, de Wit posits that MDMA's popularity might root from its ability to foster connections. The drug's capacity to boost psychotherapy’s efficacy is supported by controlled lab studies, suggesting its utility in professional settings.



The underlying mechanisms remain a mystery – while MDMA's impact is linked to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxytocin-promotes-cooperation-among-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oxytocin</a>, methamphetamine's pathway to connectedness seems different. Regardless of the processes, the sheer act of conversation might be the real magic in forging connections.



As we progress in the world of pharmacological research, drugs like MDMA present more than just recreational value. Their potential in medical treatments, especially psychotherapy, could be groundbreaking. As always, understanding and harnessing their potential responsibly is key.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-mdma">More about MDMA</h2>



As mentioned above, MDMA, popularly known as "ecstasy" or "molly", has for years danced its way into nightclubs and festivals. The drug has the ability to draw users into a web of intensified emotions and heightened sensations. But the story of MDMA is more intricate than its party-drug reputation suggests.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-origin-story">Origin story</h3>



Synthesized in 1912 by Merck, a German pharmaceutical company, MDMA originally surfaced with the intent for pharmaceutical purposes. However, it didn't see any significant medical use until the 1970s. 



Psychologists and therapists began to recognize its potential to aid psychotherapy, given its ability to foster feelings of empathy and connection.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychological-effects">Psychological effects</h3>



At its core, MDMA functions as both a stimulant and a psychedelic. When ingested, it influences three primary neurotransmitters in the brain: serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. This triad is responsible for the characteristic effects of MDMA, which include elevated mood, feelings of closeness, and increased energy.



However, the recreational use of MDMA is not without its risks. Users often face the dangers of dehydration, hyperthermia, and in rare cases, severe neurotoxicity. Additionally, what's sold on the street as "molly" or "ecstasy" can sometimes contain harmful adulterants, amplifying potential dangers.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mdma-used-in-therapy">MDMA used in therapy</h3>



In recent years, a resurgence in research has unveiled MDMA's therapeutic promise, especially for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Clinical trials have showcased the efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, with patients reporting significant reductions in PTSD symptoms. 



Under the controlled conditions of these studies, therapists administer MDMA to create a trust-filled environment where patients can dive deep into traumatic memories and process them more effectively.



In summary, MDMA, while widely recognized for its recreational allure, has dimensions that extend beyond the dance floor. As research progresses and its therapeutic potential gets more spotlight, MDMA could redefine the boundaries of therapy through the use of psychotherapeutic treatments. However, understanding its benefits and risks remains paramount for both recreational users and the medical community.



The full study was published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-43156-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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MDMA and methamphetamine spark human connections that prove beneficial in therapy

MDMA, often recognized by its street name, "ecstasy", is a...

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Gut microbes from wild wolves might be the solution for a severe gastrointestinal problem prevalent among domestic dogs. This new research from <a href="https://osucascades.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University – Cascades</a> is a significant stride towards resolving canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).



Canine IBD is a chronic disorder marked by symptoms like vomiting, diminished appetite, weight reduction, flatulence, stomach rumbling, and abdominal pain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-cure-for-canine-ibd">No cure for canine IBD</h2>



Bruce Seal, from OSU-Cascades’ biology program, shed light on the gravity of this issue, stating, “At present there is no known cure for this ongoing dysbiosis of the gastrointestinal tract, and there are limited options for treatment.” 



The root causes span from an animal's genetics and environmental factors to the immunological state of the GI tract and notably, an altered gut microbiome.



This study is the result of a partnership between scientists at OSU-Cascades and Oregon State’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine. It signifies a move towards a food supplement or additive that can guide a domestic dog's gut microbiome back to its ancestral state, resembling that of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-and-wolves-have-social-learning-ability-and-can-remember-where-people-hid-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wolf</a>.



“The modern dog diet, high in carbohydrates, does not mirror a wolf’s diet. For instance, starches in processed dog food are indigestible, adversely affecting the microbial community in a dog's GI tract and consequently its gastric physiology,” Seal emphasized, shedding light on the drastic shift from the dietary habits of their wild ancestors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-research-team-learned">What the research team learned</h2>



The crucial data for this research came from the gastrointestinal content of a deceased <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eastern-wolves-and-grey-wolves-evolved-separately/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wolf</a>, which had tragically died from car-inflicted injuries. This specimen allowed the scientists to isolate 20 unique gut bacteria. 



Preliminary genetic examinations hinted at their probiotic properties. The study zoomed in on a newfound <a href="https://microbialcellfactories.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12934-016-0603-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paenibacillus</a> strain, completing its whole genome sequencing.



Seal elaborated on the significance of this bacterium: “It encodes enzymes adept at digesting complex carbs such as starches. Moreover, it possesses gene systems that express antimicrobials.” 



These non-toxic, spore-forming bacteria have the potential to foster anti-inflammatory responses in the gut and restrict pathogen growth. Seal concluded, “Considering all these factors, this bacterial isolate might emerge as an invaluable probiotic for our domesticated canine companions.”



In a promising direction, Seal divulged that the team is gearing up to undertake whole genome sequencing for another four or five bacterial species among the isolated 20.



The full study from the was published in journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applmicrobiol">Applied Microbiology</a>.



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Wolves have gut bacteria that can help dogs with canine IBD

Gut microbes from wild wolves might be the solution for...

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Today&#8217;s Video of the Day from the <a href="http://acs.org">American Chemical Society</a> investigates whether washing your hands with soap is an effective way to kill the coronavirus.
Dr. Palli Thordarson is a professor of Chemistry at the University of New South Wales. He explains that soap contains amphiphilic substances that are capable of suspending the virus so that it can be removed. 
According to Dr. Thordarson, hand soap completely destabilizes the non-covalent interactions that hold viruses together, while water alone is not nearly as effective. 
It’s impossible to find any hand sanitizer at stores these days, but there are plenty of bars of soap on grocery store shelves.
And there’s a little known secret about good, old-fashioned soap, even if it’s the cheap, generic kind.
It works better than hand sanitizer to remove the coronavirus. So you ask Can hand soap kill the coronavirus? Studies do show the effectiveness of it
&#8212;
By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer
Video Credit: American Chemical Society