Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features an astronaut photograph of the Amazon River in Brazil. This particular stretch of river is located near the port city of Parintins.



"The river is the largest on Earth and allows seagoing ships to reach Parintins even though it is 800 kilometers (500 miles) inland from the Atlantic Ocean," says NASA.



"Seagoing ships can progress 3,600 kilometers (2,200 miles) up the Amazon River - more than halfway across the South American continent - to the port of Iquitos in Peru."&nbsp;



The muddy color of the river is tied to the Andes Mountains, a major source of sediments and mineral nutrients. According to NASA, the sediment erodes from the Andes Mountains located to the west and is carried generally eastward toward the ocean.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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The lower Amazon River in Brazil

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

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features an astronaut photograph of the Espíritu Santo Archipelago, a group of islands located in the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, off the eastern coast of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico.&nbsp;



"Sunglint reflects off the water surface, accentuating wave movement, ship wakes, and cloud shadows," said NASA. "The islands appear rust-colored due to previous tectonic and volcanic activity that deposited layers of black lava and pink volcanic ash."



"The Baja Peninsula acts as a natural wind and wave break that protects islands in the Gulf of California from erosion. Slowed erosion has resulted in the preservation of rock shelters and caves."



"Exploration and excavation of these shelters contribute to understanding the geomorphology, geology, and ancient human patterns on the islands. Archeologists have found human artifacts artifacts dating back approximately ten thousand years, providing evidence of human activity on the islands."



The Espíritu Santo Archipelago is part of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur and consists of several islands, the largest and most well-known of which is Isla Espíritu Santo. The other main islands in the archipelago are Isla Partida, Los Islotes, and a few smaller islets.



Espíritu Santo and its surrounding islands are known for their stunning natural beauty, featuring dramatic cliffs, white sand beaches, and turquoise waters. The region is home to a rich diversity of marine life, including sea lions, manta rays, whale sharks, and various species of whales and dolphins. It also supports a variety of bird species, such as blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds, and pelicans, making it a popular destination for birdwatching.



The Espíritu Santo Archipelago has been designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a Mexican Protected Natural Area, which helps to preserve its unique ecosystems and biodiversity. Ecotourism is popular in the area, with visitors participating in activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and wildlife watching.



The islands are accessible by boat from the nearby city of La Paz, which is the capital of Baja California Sur. There are numerous tour operators that offer day trips and multi-day excursions to the Espíritu Santo Archipelago, allowing visitors to explore the islands and their remarkable natural features.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&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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Espíritu Santo Archipelago in the Gulf of California

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the Dark Canyon Complex, which is a rugged, remote area in southeastern Utah. It's part of the larger Cedar Mesa Plateau and includes both the Dark Canyon Wilderness and Dark Canyon Primitive Area.&nbsp;



These are areas of steep canyons, high plateaus, and rock formations that are characteristic of the Colorado Plateau.



"Deep, meandering canyons cut through the Colorado Plateau in southeastern Utah in this photograph, taken by an astronaut on the International Space Station on April 6, 2023," says NASA.



"These canyons, known as the Dark Canyon complex, have distinctive geology, ecology, and archeology. They are some of the only intact protected canyons in the United States."



"This rugged and remote landscape has been shaped by erosion. Over thousands of years, the Colorado River and smaller tributaries have eroded winding, steep-walled canyons into the sedimentary rock. Dark Canyon - one of seven canyons within the complex - cuts diagonally across the photo."



"Within this canyon, sandstone walls tower up to 3,000 feet, shading visitors from morning and afternoon sun - hence its name. The canyon’s steep walls expose roughly 250 million years of geologic history and contain deposits from the Permian period. Cockleshell and crinoid stem fossils have been found in the area."



The astronaut photograph is provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Johnson Space Center. The image was taken by a member of the Expedition 69 crew.&nbsp;



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

The Dark Canyon Complex in southeastern Utah

Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency </a>&nbsp;features Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, and its surroundings. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission on February 21, 2023.



"Situated some 50 km south of the North Korean border, the metropolitan area of Seoul appears as the grey area in the centre of the image," says ESA.



"The Han River runs through the city, and to the right of the image it can be seen partly covered by ice. It is one of the biggest rivers in the Korean peninsula. It flows westward through Seoul into the Yellow Sea, named so because of the yellowish sand that colours its water."



"Seoul is surrounded by forested mountains, which appear brown in this wintery image. Bukhansan National Park lies just north of the city. The park is like an island, acting as a big green lung for the surrounding urban environment."



Image 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



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

The city of Seoul, South Korea 

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 Typhoon Mawar as it approached Guam on May 24, 2023. According to NASA, the violent storm was one of the strongest in decades to lash the U.S. territory.



Mawar carried sustained winds of about 140 miles per hour, which is the equivalent of a Category 4 storm.&nbsp;



"The image shows the typhoon’s cloud bands completely covering the islands, which were already being lashed with powerful winds and heavy rain," says NASA.



"The typhoon maintained its category 4 strength as the storm’s center traversed the Rota Channel, between the islands of Guam and Rota, at about 9 p.m. local time on May 24."



"The eye’s southern wall passed over much of Guam, according to the U.S. National Weather Service, and delivered the most extreme winds to the northern-third of the island."



Brandon Aydlett, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the central and northern parts of the island received more than two feet of rain as the eyewall passed, and most of Guam received about a foot of rain during the storm.



The image was captured by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the NOAA-20 satellite.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Typhoon Mawar slams the U.S. territory of Guam

In the midst of rising Atlantic Ocean temperatures and the looming presence of El Nino, the <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA) forecasts a near-normal hurricane season for the Atlantic in 2023.&nbsp;



These predictions, made by NOAA forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center - a division of the National Weather Service - anticipate a 40 percent likelihood of a near-normal season, with a 30 percent chance each for either an above-normal or below-normal season.



The Atlantic hurricane season, traditionally stretching from June 1 to November 30, will likely witness 12 to 17 named storms, with winds blowing at a minimum of 39 mph, according to NOAA's estimates.&nbsp;



Within this range, five to nine storms are predicted to escalate into hurricanes, packing winds of 74 mph or more, and one to four of these could become major hurricanes of category 3, 4 or 5, with winds exceeding 111 mph. The confidence level of NOAA in these projections stands high at 70 percent.



Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo commended the efforts of the Commerce Department and NOAA in advancing the scientific and technological aspects of hurricane modeling.



“Thanks to the critical investments this year, NOAA will be able to deliver even more accurate forecasts, helping ensure communities have the information they need to prepare for and respond to the destructive economic and ecological impacts of Atlantic hurricanes," said Raimondo.



NOAA's outlook suggests that the upcoming hurricane season may be less active than recent ones, due to various influencing factors. The convergence of some of these factors may suppress storm development, while others may fuel it, which contributes to an overall forecast of a near-normal season.&nbsp;



Intriguingly, after the continual presence of La Nina for three hurricane seasons, NOAA scientists now anticipate a high potential for El Nino to develop in the upcoming summer.&nbsp;



While El Nino often suppresses Atlantic hurricane activity, its potential impact might be offset by favorable conditions inherent to the tropical Atlantic Basin.&nbsp;



Other factors that could play a role include warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, which provide the energy for storm development, and the potential for an above-normal west African monsoon, which contributes to the generation of some of the stronger and longer-lived Atlantic storms.



These conditions are part of the long-term variability in Atlantic atmospheric and oceanic conditions conducive to hurricane development. This state, known as the high-activity era for Atlantic hurricanes, has been responsible for more active Atlantic hurricane seasons since 1995.



NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad emphasized the importance of NOAA's data and expertise for decision-making during hurricanes, particularly in the context of a changing climate.&nbsp;



"This year we are operationalizing a new hurricane forecast model and extending the tropical cyclone outlook graphic from five to seven days, which will provide emergency managers and communities with more time to prepare for storms," said Dr. Spinrad.



NOAA is gearing up to implement a suite of enhancements and improvements this summer, such as expanding the capacity of the agency's operational supercomputing system by 20 percent. This advancement in computing capability will empower NOAA to improve and run more intricate forecast models, including significant model upgrades during this hurricane season.



Notably, the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS), jointly created by NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic &amp; Meteorological Laboratory Hurricane Modeling and Prediction Program and NOAA’s National Weather Service Environmental Modeling Center, will become operational by late June. This model has demonstrated a 10-15 percent improvement in track forecasts over existing operational models based on retrospective analysis of tropical storms and hurricanes from the 2020-2022 seasons.



In addition, the Probabilistic Storm Surge model upgrade will advance storm surge forecasting for the contiguous U.S. and new forecasts for surge, tide and waves for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.&nbsp;



Forecasters now have the ability to run the model for two storms simultaneously. This model provides forecasters with the likelihood, or probability, of various flooding scenarios including a near worst-case scenario to help communities prepare for all potential outcomes.



Over the last 10 years, flooding from tropical storm <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deforestation-in-the-tropics-linked-to-reduced-rainfall/">rainfall</a> was the single deadliest hazard. To give communities more time to prepare, the Weather Prediction Center is extending the Excessive Rainfall Outlook an additional two days, now providing forecasts up to five days in advance. The outlook shows general areas at risk for flash flooding due to excessive rainfall.



“As we saw with Hurricane Ian, it only takes one hurricane to cause widespread devastation and upend lives. So regardless of the number of storms predicted this season, it is critical that everyone understand their risk and heed the warnings of state and local officials. Whether you live on the coast or further inland, hurricanes can cause serious impacts to everybody in their path,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.&nbsp;



“Visit ready.gov or listo.gov for readiness resources, and get real time emergency alerts by downloading the FEMA App. Actions taken today can save your life when disaster strikes. The time to prepare is now.”



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NOAA forecasts near-normal 2023 Atlantic hurricane season

In the midst of rising Atlantic Ocean temperatures and the...

In a recent study published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0285041">PLOS One</a>, data from more than 10,000 adults has revealed a compelling link between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/physical-activity-can-protect-mental-health-in-pre-teen-years/">physical activity</a> and greater pain tolerance. The extensive research, conducted by Anders Årnes and his team from the <a href="https://unn.no/om-oss/university-hospital-of-north-norway">University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø</a>, confirms that a more active lifestyle has potential advantages for dealing with chronic pain.



For years, experts have maintained that a habit of physical activity could help in managing, and even preventing chronic pain, primarily by boosting an individual's tolerance to pain. But no definitive conclusion has been established on this topic, despite numerous studies, particularly due to their small size or narrow focus on specific demographic groups.



Årnes and his team sought to address these limitations and bring clarity to the relationship between physical activity and pain tolerance. They approached this by analyzing data collected from 10,732 Norwegian adults who had participated in the Tromsø Study - a large population survey conducted periodically in Norway. The researchers utilized data from two rounds of the survey, carried out from 2007 to 2008 and then from 2015 to 2016.



The data offered an insight into the participants' self-reported levels of physical activity and their respective pain tolerances. The pain tolerance of each participant was evaluated using a unique test, which involved submerging their hand in cold water, providing a tangible measurement for comparison.



Statistical analysis of this data revealed a clear trend. Participants who reported a physically active lifestyle during either round of the Tromsø Study displayed a higher pain tolerance compared to those who led a sedentary lifestyle in both survey periods.&nbsp;



Furthermore, individuals with higher total activity levels over the span of both surveys exhibited higher pain tolerance. Even participants who reported a rise in physical activity levels in the 2015/2016 survey compared to the 2007/2008 survey demonstrated an overall higher level of pain tolerance.



Interestingly, the research did not present a statistically significant relationship between changes in activity levels and alterations in pain tolerance between the two rounds of the study. However, it did strongly suggest that maintaining physical activity, initiating an active routine, or even augmenting physical activity levels is positively linked to higher pain tolerance.



In light of these findings, Årnes and his team propose that promoting physical activity could potentially serve as a strategy for mitigating or even warding off chronic pain. While the research provides a strong indication of this relationship, the experts note that future research is necessary to firmly establish a cause-and-effect relationship between physical activity and pain tolerance, as well as explore any potential therapeutic applications this link may have.



"Becoming or staying physically active over time can benefit your pain tolerance. Whatever you do, the most important thing is that you do something!"&nbsp;



This conclusion not only supports the notion that an active lifestyle can lead to increased pain tolerance, but also serves as a call to action for individuals to engage in more physical activity, regardless of its intensity or nature.



<h2 id="h-more-about-physical-activity-and-chronic-pain">More about physical activity and chronic pain&nbsp;</h2>



The relationship between physical activity and chronic pain is complex and involves several aspects of human physiology and psychology. Understanding this relationship can have significant implications for managing chronic pain, a condition that affects millions of people worldwide.



First, it's important to understand what chronic pain is. Unlike acute pain, which is a normal response to an injury or illness, chronic pain is a persistent condition that lasts for three months or longer. It can occur in various parts of the body and can be associated with a wide range of medical conditions, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraine, and back problems, among others. Chronic pain can severely impact quality of life, affecting sleep, mood, and the ability to carry out everyday tasks.



Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to manage chronic pain. It has numerous benefits that can contribute to alleviating chronic pain symptoms. Here are some key ways physical activity helps:



<h3 id="h-release-of-endorphins">Release of endorphins</h3>



Physical activity stimulates the production of endorphins, the body's natural pain relievers. These chemicals interact with the receptors in the brain to reduce the perception of pain and promote a feeling of well-being.



<h3 id="h-muscle-strength-and-flexibility">Muscle strength and flexibility</h3>



Regular exercise can help increase strength and flexibility, which can alleviate pain, particularly in conditions like arthritis and back pain. Stronger muscles provide better support to the joints, reducing joint strain.



<h3 id="h-weight-management">Weight management</h3>



Regular physical activity can help manage weight, which is crucial because excess weight can put additional strain on the body, leading to increased pain, particularly in weight-bearing joints like the knees and the back.



<h3 id="h-improved-sleep">Improved sleep</h3>



Physical activity can also contribute to better sleep, which is often a challenge for people with chronic pain. Good sleep is crucial for the body’s healing processes and can help to reduce pain severity.



<h3 id="h-mental-health-benefits">Mental health benefits</h3>



Chronic pain often coexists with mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. Regular physical activity can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of these conditions, which in turn can help in managing chronic pain.



Despite the numerous benefits of physical activity, it's essential to approach it correctly when dealing with chronic pain. Overexertion can potentially exacerbate pain. Therefore, it's recommended to start slow and gradually increase the intensity and duration of exercise.&nbsp;



It is also crucial to select the right type of exercise. Activities like swimming, yoga, and walking can be beneficial for people with chronic pain, as these are low-impact exercises that can be easily modified based on individual capabilities.



Recent research, such as the study conducted by Anders Årnes and his team, suggests that staying physically active over time can also increase your pain tolerance, further reinforcing the potential of physical activity as a strategy for managing chronic pain. However, more research is needed to fully understand this relationship and how it can be harnessed therapeutically.



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No pain no gain: Physical activity enhances pain tolerance

In a recent study published in the journal PLOS One,...

According to a new study led by the <a href="https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/medicine-lumc">Leiden University Medical Center</a> (LUMC) and presented at the <a href="https://easo.org/congress/">European Congress on Obesity</a> (ECO) in Dublin, Ireland (17-20 May 2023), the metabolic response to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-plants-cope-with-cold-mornings/">cold</a> exposure varies based on the time of day and the gender of individuals. More specifically, cold exposure in the morning might be more effective in boosting metabolism and burning fat in men, whereas the same effect may not be observed in women.



Brown fat, also known as brown adipose tissue (BAT), is a type of fat that is activated in response to cold temperatures. Its primary function is to generate heat and maintain body temperature by burning calories, particularly from fat.



The study revealed that the optimal timing for cold exposure closely aligns with the circadian cycle. “There may also be a sex difference in how the body responds to cold exposure in terms of boosting metabolism at a specific time point. It appears that delivering cold exposure therapies in the morning may be more beneficial for men,” said co-author Mariëtte Boon, an expert in fat metabolism at Leiden.



In rodents, the metabolic activity of brown fat fluctuates throughout the day and reaches its peak just before waking up. This is logical from a biological standpoint, since heat production decreases during nighttime and the body needs to raise its core temperature upon waking. However, it remains unknown whether humans exhibit a circadian rhythm in brown fat activity and if it differs between men and women when exposed to cold.



To investigate further, the researchers conducted a randomized crossover study involving 24 lean adults, consisting of 12 men (aged 18-31 years; BMI 18-26 kg/m²) and 12 women (aged 18-29 years; BMI 18-26 kg/m²). Participants underwent a personalized cooling protocol using water-filled mattresses for 2.5 hours in the morning (7:45 am) and evening (7:45 pm), with a day’s interval between the sessions.



The water temperature was gradually decreased until shivering occurred or until it reached 9°C. Following this, participants were exposed to stable cold for an additional 90 minutes. Energy expenditure and supraclavicular skin temperature (a proxy for brown fat activity) were measured four times during the experiment: at the start under thermoneutral conditions (32°C), during the cooling down phase, the stable cold phase, and at the end of cooling.



The analysis revealed that, in men, cold-induced energy expenditure and skin temperature were higher in the morning compared to the evening. However, in women, there was no significant difference in cold-induced energy expenditure and skin temperature between the morning and evening.&nbsp;



Interestingly, women exhibited greater tolerance to cold in the morning, meaning they started shivering at a lower temperature in the morning than in the evening. Additionally, women showed higher levels of circulating free fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol after cold exposure in the morning compared to the evening.



Some limitations of the study include the inability to establish strong causal conclusions about the direct effects of cold exposure on cardiometabolic health, and the fact that unmeasured lifestyle or genetic factors may have influenced the results, despite efforts to control diet and sleep.



“Nevertheless, this is an important first step investigating the effects of circadian rhythm on the effects of cold exposure on (fat) metabolism. We are currently studying whether repeated bouts of cold exposure in the morning improves cardiometabolic health in individuals with obesity. At the very least, our findings indicate that administering interventions at specific times should be considered when targeting lipid metabolism,” Boon concluded.



The study is published in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgac094">Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &amp; Metabolism</a>.



<h2 id="h-more-about-cold-exposure-and-fat-burning">More about cold exposure and fat burning</h2>



Research suggests that cold exposure could potentially help burn fat, but it's not entirely clear how significant or practical this effect is.



Humans have two types of fat: white fat and brown fat. White fat stores energy and is the kind of fat that builds up when we consume more calories than we burn. On the other hand, brown fat burns energy to generate heat and can help maintain body temperature in cold conditions.



When your body is exposed to cold, it tries to keep your core warm, and one way it does this is by activating brown fat, which burns calories to generate heat. Therefore, theoretically, exposure to cold could help burn more calories and potentially reduce fat stores.



There's some evidence that regular cold exposure can increase brown fat activity and potentially help with weight loss. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation in 2014 found that people who were exposed to cold temperatures for two hours a day for six weeks burned more energy and had a decrease in body fat.&nbsp;



However, more research is needed to understand the potential benefits and risks of cold exposure for fat burning and weight loss. Also, it's not clear how cold the exposure needs to be or how long it needs to last to have a meaningful effect.



Moreover, cold exposure might have side effects, such as hypothermia, frostbite, or cardiovascular strain, especially in people with certain health conditions. Therefore, it's important to talk to a healthcare provider before trying cold exposure as a weight loss strategy.



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



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Does cold exposure really help with weight loss?

According to a new study led by the Leiden University...

<div class="vdb_player vdb_591c9e3c9efa894c3c6e150b58d96b98cd4fed198a0d2a49"><script type="text/javascript" src="//delivery.vidible.tv/jsonp/pid=591c9e3c9efa894c3c6e150b/vid=592ddc949cb28c2660511650/58d96b98cd4fed198a0d2a49.js"></script></div>
As part of EPA&#8221;s P3 Program, Appalachian State University student Jacob Herrin talks about a project to use algae to purify wastewater in a system that releases water free of algae and allows algae harvesting for biofuel production.

Purifying Water With Algae