Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features smoke plumes stretching across the Iberian Peninsula, as wildfires suddenly intensified across Spain and Portugal.



The image was captured on August 15 by the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) sensor on NASA’s Terra satellite.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-record-breaking-fire-season-nbsp">Record-breaking fire season&nbsp;</h2>



Hot, dry conditions pushed fire risk to extreme levels, leaving vast landscapes scorched. The fires aren’t just dramatic visuals - they are shaping the year’s record-breaking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fire-weather-seasons-are-overlapping-more-than-ever-before/">fire season</a>.



“As of August 19, fires in Spain had scorched more than 382,000 hectares (944,000 acres) since the start of the year, according to the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS),” noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154691/smoke-blankets-the-iberian-peninsula" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



This exceeds any previous yearly total in the EFFIS records, which date back to 2006. Firefighters were stretched thin, tackling roughly 20 major blazes nationwide, with a particularly severe cluster near Ourense.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fire-devastation-in-portugal">Fire devastation in Portugal</h2>



Portugal faced a similarly devastating season. By mid-August, more than 347,000 hectares (857,000 acres) had been consumed by fire.&nbsp;



The European Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre reported 10 large fires burning across the country at that time. The largest fire, near Trancoso, alone had already scorched over 39,000 hectares.



The blazes forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. Essential services were disrupted, including the high-speed rail line between Madrid and Galicia, which had been closed for nearly a week.&nbsp;



Firefighters worked tirelessly under extreme conditions, navigating both flames and smoke to protect people and property.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smoke-pollution-and-far-reaching-effects">Smoke, pollution, and far-reaching effects</h2>



The fires didn’t stay local. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-delivers-a-double-hit-to-air-quality/">Smoke</a> from the Iberian Peninsula carried high into the atmosphere, drifting across France, the United Kingdom, and Scandinavia.&nbsp;



It even mixed with smoke from wildfires in Canada, creating hazy skies across parts of Europe. Carbon emissions from these fires hit record levels in Spain and near-record levels in Portugal, according to the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service.



Black carbon, a component of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) released by wildfires, poses serious health risks. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, potentially aggravating respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.&nbsp;



Residents in affected regions were warned to limit outdoor activity and monitor air quality as smoke lingered.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfires-in-spain-and-portugal">Wildfires in Spain and Portugal </h2>



Spain and Portugal are no strangers to wildfires, but the 2025 season is unusual for its speed and scale.&nbsp;



Heatwaves have become more frequent in southern Europe, with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/state-of-the-climate-2024-record-heat-and-rising-seas/">rising temperatures</a> and prolonged droughts creating tinderbox conditions for forests and grasslands.&nbsp;



Experts link this increase to ongoing climate change, which has amplified the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events in the region.



The EFFIS database shows that Spain’s burned area this year surpassed previous records, while Portugal’s figures ranked second only to the catastrophic fires of 2017. These trends highlight the growing challenge of managing wildfires in a warming climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-human-toll-of-wildfires-nbsp">The human toll of wildfires&nbsp;</h2>



Beyond environmental impacts, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfires-are-changing-the-quality-of-our-air/">wildfires</a> take a heavy toll on communities. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced, and homes, farms, and critical infrastructure have suffered extensive damage.&nbsp;



Emergency services scrambled to coordinate evacuations and protect residents, while volunteers and local authorities provided support on the ground.



Firefighters faced particularly difficult conditions, battling flames under record heat and through thick <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-making-wildfire-smoke-more-deadly/">smoke</a>. The work was physically demanding and dangerous.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-satellite-technology-and-firefighting">Satellite technology and firefighting</h2>



NASA’s Terra satellite and the MODIS sensor provide crucial monitoring for wildfire activity. These tools allow authorities to track the spread of fires in near-real time, identify hotspots, and deploy resources more efficiently.&nbsp;



The data feeds into systems like EFFIS and the Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS), offering a broader picture of wildfire patterns and trends across Europe.



This combination of satellite monitoring, on-the-ground firefighting, and coordination among emergency services is vital for managing the ongoing crisis. As wildfires continue to grow in frequency and intensity, technology can help limit damage and protect communities.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Wildfires scorch Spain and Portugal amid extreme heat

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

Today's Image of the Day from NASA features the spiral galaxy NGC 2566, which is located 76 million light-years away in the constellation Puppis. 



The striking image was captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.



“A prominent bar of stars stretches across the center of this galaxy, and spiral arms emerge from each end of the bar. Because NGC 2566 appears tilted from our perspective, its disk takes on an almond shape, giving the galaxy the appearance of a cosmic eye,” said <a href="https://phys.org/news/2024-12-hubble-spies-spiral-galaxy-ngc.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



“As NGC 2566 appears to gaze at us, astronomers gaze right back, using Hubble to survey the galaxy's star clusters and star-forming regions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-appearance-of-ngc-2566">Complex appearance of NGC 2566</h2>



NGC 2566 lies at a considerable distance from Earth, making it a challenging object for amateur astronomers to observe in detail without powerful telescopes.&nbsp;



It can be seen in the Southern Hemisphere sky and is better observed from locations with minimal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-light-pollution-influences-interest-in-astronomy/">light pollution</a>. 



The galaxy's arms are populated with young, bright stars, regions of active star formation, and interstellar gas and dust - giving it a dynamic and complex appearance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-the-ages-of-stars">Measuring the ages of stars</h2>



According to NASA, data from Hubble is especially valuable for studying stars that are just a few million years old. “These stars are bright at the ultraviolet and visible wavelengths to which Hubble is sensitive.”



“Using these data, researchers can measure the ages of NGC 2566's stars, which helps piece together the timeline of the galaxy's star formation and the exchange of gas between star-forming clouds and the stars themselves.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-galaxies">Star formation in galaxies</h2>



Star formation in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shapes-of-one-million-galaxies-hint-at-the-universes-origins/">galaxies</a> is a fascinating and complex process that unfolds over millions of years. It begins in vast clouds of gas and dust, known as molecular clouds, which are often found in the spiral arms of galaxies or in regions of irregular or starburst galaxies. 



These clouds provide the raw material for star formation, consisting primarily of hydrogen and helium, with trace amounts of heavier elements.



As the molecular clouds collapse under their own gravity, regions within them begin to condense and fragment, forming dense clumps. Within these clumps, protostars emerge. Their formation is driven by the gravitational pull drawing in surrounding gas.&nbsp;



During this process, the gas heats up due to increasing pressure, eventually igniting nuclear fusion in the core, signaling the birth of a new star.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rates-of-star-formation">Rates of star formation</h2>



The rate of star formation varies across galaxies is influenced by numerous factors. In spiral galaxies like the Milky Way, star formation is most active in the spiral arms, where density waves compress gas and dust, triggering the collapse of molecular clouds.&nbsp;



Elliptical galaxies, which often have little cold gas and dust, typically exhibit low rates of star formation or none at all.



On the other hand, starburst galaxies experience episodes of exceptionally high star formation, often triggered by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-captures-a-galaxy-collision-with-a-radiant-smile/">galactic collisions</a> or interactions.



These events can funnel large amounts of gas into central regions, leading to intense star-forming activity. However, such bursts are usually short-lived on cosmic timescales, exhausting the available gas quickly.



The environment within a galaxy also plays a significant role. Stellar winds and supernova explosions from existing stars can both inhibit and promote star formation. They may disperse gas, preventing further collapse, or compress nearby clouds, triggering new star formation.&nbsp;



As galaxies evolve over time, the availability of gas diminishes, leading to a gradual decline in star formation activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-puppis-constellation-nbsp">The Puppis constellation&nbsp;</h2>



The Puppis constellation in the southern sky represents the stern of a ship. It was once part of a larger constellation known as Argo Navis, which depicted the mythical ship of Jason and the Argonauts.&nbsp;



However, Argo Navis was later divided into three separate constellations: Puppis, Carina (the keel), and Vela (the sails). Puppis is the largest of these three and contains many notable celestial objects.



This constellation is home to several bright stars, including Naos (Zeta Puppis), a hot, massive star that emits intense ultraviolet radiation. Puppis also hosts a wide variety of deep-sky objects, such as open <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stunning-star-clusters-captured-in-the-extreme-outskirts-of-the-milky-way/">star clusters</a> and nebulae. 



Among these, Messier 46 and Messier 47 stand out. Both are beautiful star clusters that are visible through binoculars or small telescopes. The region is dense with stars because it lies along the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-way-collision-may-change-everything-we-know-about-our-galaxy/">Milky Way</a>, making it a prime area for stargazing and astrophotography. 



Image Credit: NASA



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Eye in the sky: A galaxy that appears to be gazing back

Today's Image of the Day from NASA features the spiral...

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features a large phytoplankton bloom in the Gulf of Maine.



The image was captured on June 21, 2025, by the Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) on NASA’s PACE satellite.&nbsp;



“In summer 2025, waters in the Gulf of Maine popped with vivid swirls of blue and green. The cause was a massive bloom of phytoplankton - microscopic plant-like organisms that often float near the ocean surface,” noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154472/a-booming-bloom-returns-to-the-gulf-of-maine">NASA</a>.



“Scientists say it was one of the largest blooms of its kind to show up in the Gulf’s waters in recent years.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bloom-in-the-gulf-of-maine">Bloom in the Gulf of Maine </h2>



Catherine Mitchell is a satellite oceanographer at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. She noted that the Gulf of Maine bloom contained coccolithophores, a type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-phytoplankton-that-feed-ocean-life-are-rapidly-disappearing/">phytoplankton</a> that makes the water appear milky blue.



“The tiny organisms, along with other types of phytoplankton, including diatoms that bloom here in spring, lie at the base of the marine food web,” explained NASA.



“Their presence - or absence - in Gulf of Maine waters can affect the entire ecosystem, from finfish to shellfish, and the region’s fisheries that depend on them.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-conditions-and-plankton-communities-nbsp">Shifting conditions and plankton communities&nbsp;</h2>



Mitchell said that coccolithophore blooms like this one became less common in the Gulf’s waters starting around 2010. But in recent years, they’ve started to come back.&nbsp;



Scientists have also seen more dinoflagellates (a type of phytoplankton that move with tiny tails) and an overall drop in phytoplankton productivity over the past few decades.



These changes in plankton are linked to shifting ocean conditions. For instance, heavy rainfall from 2006 to 2009 made the Gulf’s waters fresher. Then, starting in 2008, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invisible-forest-of-phytoplankton-thrives-in-a-warming-climate/">warm water</a> from deep in the North Atlantic began heating the Gulf from the bottom up.&nbsp;



However, by spring 2025, bottom-water temperatures were cooler than they’ve been in 20 years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-research-efforts">Ongoing research efforts</h2>



“The relationship between these changing water conditions and phytoplankton communities in the gulf remains unclear, but ongoing research could begin to provide some answers,” noted NASA.



“In fact, Mitchell and colleagues scrutinized this PACE image just days before heading out on a research expedition to study the bloom and other ocean properties up close. The cruise, the third so far this year, offers scientists the chance to validate ocean color data collected by PACE with real-world ocean samples.”



Mitchell pointed out that a major benefit of the PACE satellite is its ability to “see the rainbow,” which makes it easier for scientists to distinguish between groups of phytoplankton.



“With our continuing field measurements, we will validate ocean color observations from PACE, enabling satellite observations in the Gulf of Maine and supporting the region’s fisheries and aquaculture industries.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vital-signs-of-ocean-health">Vital signs of ocean health</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-from-africa-sparked-a-massive-phytoplankton-bloom/">Phytoplankton blooms</a> like the one captured in the Gulf of Maine are vital signs of ocean health. These microscopic organisms form the foundation of marine food webs, feeding everything from tiny zooplankton to large fish, whales, and seabirds.&nbsp;



When conditions are right - such as warm temperatures, abundant sunlight, and available nutrients - phytoplankton populations can grow rapidly, creating colorful blooms that are visible from space.



The Gulf of Maine is particularly sensitive to environmental change. Located at the intersection of cold northern currents and warmer waters from the south, it’s a dynamic ecosystem where small shifts in temperature or salinity can have outsized effects.&nbsp;



This region is also one of the fastest-warming ocean areas on the planet, with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-temperatures-are-rising-faster-than-expected-and-likely-to-accelerate/">temperatures</a> rising more than three times the global ocean average in some years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forecasting-changes-with-ocean-monitoring-nbsp">Forecasting changes with ocean monitoring&nbsp;</h2>



Changes in water temperature and salinity have ripple effects across the food chain. Warmer waters can favor certain types of phytoplankton over others, shifting the balance of species in ways that affect what fish and shellfish are available to predators - and to the region’s fisheries.&nbsp;



For example, coccolithophores may thrive in clearer, warmer waters, while traditional spring-blooming diatoms do better in colder, more nutrient-rich conditions.



Long-term monitoring is essential to understand and predict these shifts. Satellites like PACE provide a global view of ocean color, which reflects the presence and composition of phytoplankton.&nbsp;



By combining these observations with ship-based sampling, scientists can get a more complete picture of how plankton communities are evolving and how that affects everything from carbon cycling to fisheries sustainability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warming-in-the-gulf-of-maine-nbsp">Warming in the Gulf of Maine&nbsp;</h2>



The Gulf’s warming trend has already caused noticeable ecological changes. Some species of fish have moved farther north or into deeper waters in search of cooler temperatures.&nbsp;



Lobsters, a key commercial species, have shifted their range as well. Meanwhile, harmful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-algae-in-lake-erie-may-be-hiding-toxic-deadly-compounds/">algal blooms</a> - caused by certain types of phytoplankton - have become more frequent in some parts of the Gulf, threatening shellfish harvests and public health.



Scientists are working to better predict how blooms will respond to future climate conditions.&nbsp;



Understanding which species are likely to dominate under warmer, fresher, or more acidic conditions can help predict changes in fish stocks, shellfish safety, and ecosystem stability.&nbsp;



This kind of forecasting is especially important in the Gulf of Maine, where marine resources are closely tied to local economies.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Giant bloom in the Gulf of Maine signals change

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features Lake Chad in central Africa. The photograph was taken by an astronaut on the International Space Station.



According to <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154407/lake-chads-water-wetlands-and-dunes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>, Lake Chad once ranked among the largest natural lakes in the world. It was a critical resource for millions of people and animals, supporting agriculture and fishing across the region.&nbsp;



Lake Chad straddles the borders of Chad, Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon. The shallow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lakes-are-warming-toward-the-point-of-no-return/">lake</a> is primarily fed by the Chari River, which brings water from the Central African Republic. 



The water levels are also influenced by seasonal rainfall. The rainfall patterns vary significantly across the basin but generally follow a wet-dry seasonal cycle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-decline-and-shrinkage-nbsp">Environmental decline and shrinkage&nbsp;</h2>



From the 1960s to the early 2000s, the lake lost more than 90 percent of its surface area. It transformed from a vast expanse of open water into a patchwork of wetlands, reed beds, and scattered pools.&nbsp;



This environmental decline has had severe consequences for local communities, leading to food and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-water-security-relies-on-the-origins-of-rainfall/">water insecurity</a>, loss of livelihoods, and increasing competition over scarce resources.



“Ongoing droughts and the rising demand for fresh water have shrunk the lake to less than a tenth of the area it covered in the middle of the last century,” noted NASA.



“Although the lake has experienced dry and wet periods for thousands of years, there has been a significant decline in the amount of lake water available since the 1960s.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conflict-culture-and-economy">Conflict, culture, and economy</h2>



Lake Chad is a geopolitical hotspot. The region has been affected by conflict, including the insurgency led by Boko Haram, which has displaced millions and further complicated efforts to manage and protect the lake’s fragile ecosystem.&nbsp;



Despite these challenges, regional governments and international organizations are working to restore and sustain the lake, including ambitious proposals to divert water from the Congo River basin.



Culturally and economically, Lake Chad remains vital. It is a hub for trade and social exchange among diverse ethnic groups and continues to provide fish and fertile land despite its reduced size.&nbsp;



The future of Lake Chad hinges on sustainable water management, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-extremes-alter-how-sunlight-travels-through-clear-lakes/">climate</a> resilience, and political cooperation across national boundaries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-lake-chad-nbsp">Evolution of Lake Chad&nbsp;</h2>



According to NASA, the evolution of Lake Chad has been documented by astronaut photography over the past 60 years.&nbsp;



“During the Apollo 7 mission in 1968, an astronaut acquired an oblique <a href="https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/SearchPhotos/photo.pl?mission=AS07&amp;roll=8&amp;frame=1932" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photograph</a> of the lake as one large body of water. In 1982, another photo from the space shuttle mission STS-5 recorded receding water levels and encroaching sand dunes.”



“A photo taken in 2015 during space station Expedition 42 captured the lake’s remaining waters and wetlands in dark green, blue, and brown, contrasting with the sandy shades of the surrounding land.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-of-lake-chad">Wildlife of Lake Chad</h2>



Lake Chad still supports wildlife, though species diversity and abundance have declined significantly due to ecosystem degradation



The lake and its surrounding wetlands are home to several species of fish, including tilapia, catfish, and Nile perch, which are important both ecologically and economically.&nbsp;



These fish support a major regional fishing industry, although overfishing and changes in water conditions have put pressure on fish populations.



Birds are another key component of the ecosystem. The lake serves as a crucial habitat and stopover point for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-may-be-using-quantum-physics-for-migration/">migratory birds</a> traveling along the African-Eurasian flyway. 



Species such as herons, storks, ducks, and geese can be found in the region, especially during the wet season when parts of the lake flood and create rich feeding grounds.



Mammals that depend on the surrounding floodplains and wetlands include hippos and various antelope species, yet their numbers have declined.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-efforts-and-challenges">Conservation efforts and challenges</h2>



Reptiles like Nile crocodiles and turtles also inhabit the lake's waters and marshy areas. In the past, larger wildlife such as elephants and lions may have roamed the wider Lake Chad basin, but they are now mostly gone from the immediate lake area due to habitat loss and human activity.



Despite these challenges, Lake Chad remains an important, yet increasingly fragile, refuge for wildlife in a region where water and natural habitats are becoming more scarce.&nbsp;



Conservation efforts aim to balance the needs of people and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-freshwater-species-are-threatened-with-extinction/">wildlife</a>, but the success of such efforts depends on managing the lake’s limited resources in the face of climate change, political instability, and population growth.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Lake Chad: A vanishing lifeline in Central Africa

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features the Bear Gulch Fire, which has persisted for weeks on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington.  



The fire was ignited on July 6, 2025. Over the past month, it has grown into one of the most significant wildfires in the region's recent history. 



The <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/154682/fire-burns-through-olympic-wilderness">image</a> was captured by the Landsat 8 satellite on August 12. “On that day, smoke reached a height of nearly 30,000 feet because of significant fuel consumption and unstable atmospheric conditions,” noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-progression-of-the-bear-gulch-fire-nbsp">Progression of the Bear Gulch Fire&nbsp;</h2>



By August 12, the fire had expanded by approximately 1,200 acres in just 24 hours, burning a total of 7,390 acres.  



This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fast-wildfires-are-gaining-even-more-speed/">rapid growth</a> was fueled by a combination of high temperatures - reaching 93°F - and dry vegetation that had been primed by weeks of drought. Firefighting efforts were further complicated by the region's rugged terrain, making containment challenging. 



The fire's progression into the forest canopy in certain areas has been particularly concerning.  Flames have spread with the help of hanging moss. 



Rock outcrops - which normally act as natural firebreaks - have been consumed due to the burning of moss on them. This behavior demonstrates the fire's intensity and the unusual conditions contributing to its spread. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community-and-environmental-response">Community and environmental response</h2>



In response to the fire's advancement, the Staircase area of Olympic National Park, along with several trails and campgrounds in the adjacent Olympic National Forest and Mount Skokomish Wilderness Area, were closed as of August 14, 2025.  



These closures aim to protect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-is-an-escalating-public-health-emergency/">public safety</a> and allow firefighting efforts to proceed without interference. As of the latest reports, no structures have been damaged, but the situation is still evolving. 



Firefighters continue to battle the Bear Gulch Fire. They are using a number of strategies to contain its spread, including bucket drops from helicopters.  



The coming days will be critical in determining the fire's trajectory and the effectiveness of suppression efforts.  Residents and visitors are urged to stay informed through official channels and to follow all safety advisories. 



The Bear Gulch Fire serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, especially under the influence of climate change.&nbsp;&nbsp;



The wildfire highlights the need for ongoing vigilance, preparedness, and adaptation in the face of evolving environmental conditions.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-human-and-ecological-toll">The human and ecological toll</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fear-and-anxiety-the-mental-health-impacts-of-wildfires/">Wildfires</a> don’t just threaten trees and wildlife - they disrupt communities. Evacuations and road closures become part of life during fire outbreaks. 



Residents often have to adjust daily routines to reduce exposure to smoke, taking steps ranging from keeping windows closed to limiting outdoor activities. Local health services may see an increase in respiratory issues, particularly among children, the elderly, and those with preexisting conditions. 



At the same time, fire crews and emergency responders face heightened risks as they work to contain the flames - highlighting the human effort required to protect both communities and the environment during these events.



Smoke can travel miles from the blaze, affecting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-delivers-a-double-hit-to-air-quality/">air quality</a> and public health in nearby towns. 



Wildlife faces habitat loss, and even small changes to forest ecosystems can have ripple effects on biodiversity, soil health, and water quality.



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



The Bear Gulch Fire reflects a broader pattern affecting the Pacific Northwest. Increasing temperatures, prolonged droughts, and shifting precipitation patterns are making forests more susceptible to wildfires.&nbsp;



Over the past few decades, wildfire seasons in Washington and neighboring states have lengthened, and fires have become more intense and harder to control.



Scientists say climate change doesn’t just make fires more likely - it changes the way they behave.&nbsp;



Forests stressed by heat and dry conditions burn faster and hotter, with flames that can leap into tree canopies and travel across areas that would have naturally slowed a fire in the past.&nbsp;



The combination of high winds and dry vegetation can turn small ignitions into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fast-wildfires-are-gaining-even-more-speed/">fires</a> that cover thousands of acres within days.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Bear Gulch Fire rages across Washington forests

Slimy layered microbial mats in Shark Bay are more than seaside oddities. They are living laboratories where bacteria and archaea still work side by side, much as they may have done long ago.



A new co-culture from these mats shows a bacterium and an archaeon physically connecting through tiny tubes while trading metabolites in ways that make both partners tick. That kind of teamwork fits neatly with ideas about how complex <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/life-was-thriving-before-earths-greatest-mass-extinction/">cells</a> arose.



<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/brendan-burns" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brendan P. Burns</a> at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) led the study with colleagues including <a href="https://profiles.uts.edu.au/Iain.Duggin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Iain G. Duggin</a> at the University of Technology Sydney.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shark-bay-microbes-survive-extremes">Shark Bay microbes survive extremes</h2>



Shark Bay, Western Australia, holds thriving stromatolites, the rock-like piles that grow when layered microbial communities trap and bind sediments in harsh, salty water. 



In Malgana language, Shark Bay is called <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/srep46160" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gathaagudu</a>, which means two waters, a name still used by Traditional Owners and regional agencies.



The southern basin can be roughly twice as salty as the open ocean, and the mats ride out heat, desiccation, and intense UV under those conditions. 



Modern mats are not time capsules, but they are useful stand-ins for ancient ecosystems where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rocks-reveal-the-turning-point-when-oxygen-changed-earth-forever/">microbes</a> built layered structures and forged partnerships that shaped the planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbial-mat-microbes-team-up">Microbial mat microbes team up</h2>



Back in the lab, researchers enriched a two-member community from those mats: the bacterium Stromatodesulfovibrio nilemahensis and a newly named Asgard archaeon, Nerearchaeum marumarumayae. 



<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5875740/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Asgard archaea</a> are widely viewed as the closest known prokaryotic relatives of eukaryotes, the lineage that includes animals, plants, and fungi.



The team sequenced both genomes and grew the partners under high-salt, low-oxygen settings that fit the mats’ tough environment. 



Each partner seems to cover what the other lacks, a classic sign of syntrophy, where two microbes share metabolic tasks to make <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/timeline-of-lifes-evolution-extended-by-nearly-1-5-billion-years/">life</a> work.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genes-show-nutrient-sharing">Genes show nutrient sharing</h2>



Genome analysis indicates the archaeon releases hydrogen, acetate, formate, and sulfite, while the bacterium supplies amino acids and vitamins that the archaeon needs. 



These characteristics and interactions may represent an early step in the symbiotic evolution of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/eukaryote" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eukaryotic</a> cells.



That statement does not claim a perfect replay of early evolution. It argues that the features they see line up with long-standing models that link archaeal hydrogen producers and bacterial sulfate reducers to the rise of complex cells.



Those models gained traction after the first enrichment and later formal isolation of an Asgard archaeon, <a href="https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/ijsem/10.1099/ijsem.0.006435" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prometheoarchaeum syntrophicum</a>, a slow-growing anaerobe that depends on partner microbes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbial-mat-shows-nanotube-connections">Microbial mat shows nanotube connections</h2>



With cryotomography, the researchers observed chains of budded vesicles attached to the archaeal cell by extracellular fibers, plus internal tube and cage-like elements inside the archaeon. 



They also saw intercellular nanotubes apparently assembled by the bacterium that contact the archaeal surface, hinting at direct physical links during resource sharing.



Archaea in other systems build similar connections, and a 2024 <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51159-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> reported nanotubes in a co-culture that bridged cytoplasms and appeared to serve as conduits for molecular exchange. 



That study counted an average of 4.4 nanotubes per host-symbiont contact, showing how dense and structured these links can become under the microscope.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hints-at-complex-cells">Hints at complex cells</h2>



If partners swap metabolites through persistent contacts, selection can push them toward tighter dependence. 



That is the kind of ratchet some researchers think nudged early archaea and bacteria toward the cell-in-cell <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/third-state-of-existence-beyond-life-and-death-confirmed-by-scientists/">arrangement</a> that defines eukaryotes.



The new Shark Bay culture does not show one cell engulfing the other. It does, however, put plausible building blocks on the table: complementing metabolisms, physical tethers, and vesicle traffic that could knit cells into a more integrated unit over time.



That interpretation sits alongside earlier work that first enriched and then formally described Prometheoarchaeum, strengthening the case that Asgard lineages sit near the root of eukaryotic features.



More broadly, archaeal communities are <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10117752/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">known</a> to trade vesicles and tube-like structures, which can shuttle proteins, lipids, and genetic material and may help build cooperative networks in extreme habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps-in-research">Next steps in research</h2>



First, replication matters. Independent teams will want to reproduce the nanotube contacts and metabolite exchanges and test whether those tubes move specific molecules in real time, not just correlate with growth.



Second, comparative context helps. Asgard cultures and co-cultures are slowly expanding, and every new system gives biologists another angle on the relationship between archaeal cell biology and eukaryotic traits.



Finally, place still matters. Shark Bay’s mats are rugged, hypersaline, sunlit, and dynamic, a mix of stresses that can reward tight microbial alliances and keep them around across seasons and storms.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.07.22.663070v2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bioRxiv</a>.



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Strange microbial bedfellows offer clues to how complex life evolved

Slimy layered microbial mats in Shark Bay are more than...

Platelet,In,The,Blood,And,Thrombocyte,Anatomy,Concept,As,Activated

Tiny structures in our blood called platelets are best known for helping to stop the bleeding after we get a cut or a scrape, but that is only part of the story. 



A new study reports that platelets collect bits of DNA that float around in the blood and may help the body keep inflammation in check, while also offering a fresh source of genetic clues for disease detection.



Those fragments include cell-free DNA from tumors and from a fetus during pregnancy. 



Early cancer screens often struggle because <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-024-02021-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">circulating tumor DNA</a> is scarce, especially when disease is small, so tapping platelet cargo could raise the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/junk-dna-found-to-play-a-powerful-role-in-the-human-body/">signal</a> when it counts most.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blood-platelets-clean-up-trash">Blood platelets clean up trash</h2>



This work was led by <a href="https://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org/scientist/bethan-psaila/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bethan Psaila</a> at Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a>, with first author Lauren Murphy, working with collaborators across Oxford and the <a href="https://www.ed.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Edinburgh</a>.



Platelets lack a nucleus, yet they are laced with an internal network of surface connected channels known as the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29442528/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">open canalicular system</a>, which helps them take up and release molecules as they circulate.



That architecture makes them well suited to encounter DNA fragments shed by cells throughout the body.



They're also abundant, with a normal adult count of roughly 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter of blood, and they turn over quickly in about a week. 



That constant traffic gives platelets countless chances each day to sample what the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/womens-egg-cells-shield-dna-from-the-effects-of-aging/">body</a> is shedding.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-platelets-absorb-tumor-and-fetal-dna">Platelets absorb tumor and fetal DNA</h2>



“We found that, despite lacking a nucleus, platelets contained a repertoire of DNA fragments mapping across the nuclear genome,” wrote Murphy. 



The researchers tracked DNA moving from nucleated cells into platelets in lab co-cultures and then looked for the same phenomenon in people. 



They examined platelets from pregnant individuals and detected <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/y-chromosome-is-disappearing-may-already-be-causing-problems-for-men/">Y chromosome</a> DNA when the fetus was male, confirming <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pregnancy-stress-may-have-lasting-effects-on-fetal-development/">fetal DNA</a> uptake in maternal platelets. 



In mice and in patients with very low platelet counts, plasma cell-free DNA rose, a pattern consistent with platelets normally helping clear that DNA from circulation.



The group also found tumor derived mutations inside platelets from people with advanced cancers and even from those with <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/they-found-colon-polyps-now-what" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">precancerous colonic polyps</a>. That last result points straight at early detection opportunities where today’s tests fall short.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-blood-platelets-fight-cancer">How blood platelets fight cancer</h2>



Today’s liquid biopsy tests usually analyze DNA floating in plasma after cells, including platelets, are removed, which means a chunk of useful information may be discarded at the very first step. 



If labs analyze DNA within platelets as well, they could detect low-burden disease that plasma-based methods often overlook.



Prior <a href="https://www.cell.com/cancer-cell/fulltext/S1535-6108%2815%2900349-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work</a> already hinted that platelets act as messengers for cancer biology. 



Researchers showed that tumor educated platelets carry altered RNA profiles that can classify tumor types and key mutations, proof that these cells can encode disease signals in their cargo. 



The new paper extends that idea to DNA and positions platelets as a second reservoir of genomic material.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-boost-for-prenatal-screening">Big boost for prenatal screening</h2>



Noninvasive prenatal testing built on maternal plasma cell-free <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/altering-rice-dna-improves-its-growth-rate-and-could-end-world-hunger/">DNA</a> has already reshaped obstetric care over the past decade. 



One <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30067923/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">review</a> called this shift “a success story of modern genomic medicine,” noting rapid global adoption and clinical impact.



Sequencing cell-free DNA in maternal plasma now reduces invasive procedures such as amniocentesis by an estimated 50 to 70 percent worldwide, according to recent <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11711700/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyses</a> of clinical practice. 



If platelets also harbor fetal DNA, as the Science study shows, laboratories may be able to extract more information from the same blood draw.



Any gains would be most valuable where signal is weakest, such as early gestation or in individuals with lower fetal DNA fractions. 



Platelet based workflows will need careful controls to avoid contamination and to normalize for platelet counts and activation states, but the path is clear for method development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aiding-immunity-and-inflammation">Aiding immunity and inflammation</h2>



Platelets are not bystanders in immunity. They sense pathogens, interact with white blood cells, and influence inflammation, a role recognized across cardiovascular and infectious disease <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.121.319821" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a>.



That biology helps explain the new findings. When platelet numbers drop, <a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/thrombocytopenia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thrombocytopenia</a> can coincide with higher levels of cell-free DNA, which is known to stimulate immune pathways; when numbers are normal, platelets may help buffer that stimulus. 



The team also observed that platelet encapsulated DNA is shielded from external DNases (enzymes that degrade DNA by hydrolyzing the phosphodiester bonds in the DNA backbone), suggesting a protected, controlled cargo rather than debris.



Taken together, the picture is of a blood cell that patrols widely, picks up DNA fragments, and releases contents when activated at the right place. 



That's a plausible way to limit background inflammation while still enabling targeted responses at sites of injury or infection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blood-platelets-and-future-health">Blood platelets and future health</h2>



The technical work is now straightforward in concept but demanding in practice. 



Labs will need robust protocols for platelet isolation, DNA extraction, and bioinformatic filtering that distinguish platelet encapsulated sequences from plasma contaminants, all while keeping pre analytical variables tight across sites.



Clinical trials must show added value over existing plasma tests. That means head to head comparisons in screening cohorts with adjudicated outcomes and clear metrics like sensitivity at fixed specificity in stage I cancers or low fetal fraction pregnancies.



None of this diminishes the central insight. Platelets may be more than clot makers and immune sentinels, they could be practical, easy to isolate biosensors that carry DNA signals from across the body, ready to be read out in a standard blood draw.



The full study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adp3971" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Blood platelets play a critically important role in the body that was unknown until now

Tiny structures in our blood called platelets are best known...

Astronomers have discovered a bizarre “lava world” spiraling towards its doom. TOI-2431 b is an Earth-sized exoplanet orbiting its star in a different solar system.&nbsp;



A consortium of astronomers led by Kaya Han Tas from the <a href="https://www.uva.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Amsterdam, Netherlands</a> characterized the exoplanet. 



They predict the planet is on a death spiral and will be torn apart by its star in just 31 million years, a blink of time on cosmic scales.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fate-of-toi-2431-b">Fate of TOI-2431 b</h2>



The Earth-sized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exoplanet-found-orbiting-the-closest-star-to-our-sun-barnards-star/">exoplanet</a> stands out as the shortest-period rocky world with astronomers having precisely measured both its mass and radius. These are also called ultra-short-period planets.



Unlike Earth’s year-long path around the Sun, this world completes a year in less than a quarter of an Earth day, once every 5 hours, 22 minutes.



It is also “tidally locked” - the same side always faces its star. One side is in endless day, while the other remains dark. <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10569-017-9783-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Models</a> suggest proximity to the star locks rotational and orbital periods together.



Being so close to its star puts it at the edge of survival because its orbit is unstable and shrinking. 



Researchers estimate that in only 31 million years, TOI-2431 b will cross the Roche limit. Crossing this threshold will let the star’s tidal forces overpower the planet’s self-gravity and rip it apart.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-was-toi-2431-b-characterized">How was TOI-2431 b characterized?</h2>



Astronomers discovered TOI-2431 b with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exotic-worlds-tess-unveils-126-new-exoplanets/">NASA’s TESS</a> telescope. TOI refers to “TESS object of interest.” The planet is named after its host star, TOI-2431, which is about two-thirds the size of our Sun. It’s a late K star.



They measured the planet’s size indirectly. Like insects casting shadows across a light bulb, the planet creates regular dips in starlight as it passes in front. Astronomers used this ‘shadow effect’ to determine the planet’s radius.



To measure its mass, scientists turned to the NEID and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/habitable-exoplanet-gliese-12-b-only-40-light-years-away-earth-like-temperatures/">Habitable-zone Planet</a> Finder instruments.&nbsp;



These detect tiny wobbles in the star’s movement, which the planet’s gravity causes. Combining mass with size showed TOI-2431 b is rocky and unusually dense.



For astronomers, the Earth-sized exoplanet is a benchmark case, revealing how extreme orbits reshape planets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-sized-exoplanet-shaped-by-tides">Earth-sized exoplanet shaped by tides</h2>



Unlike Earth, which is nearly spherical, TOI-2431 b has a distorted, football-like shape. Just as the Moon pulls the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-is-subtly-changing-the-tides/">Earth’s oceans</a>, this planet faces tides – but on a catastrophic scale.



It orbits so close that the star’s pull on its near side is much stronger than on its far side. The result is an elongated body. Its longest axis, pointing toward the star, is about 9% longer than its shortest axis.



Astronomers have measured such an extreme tidal deformation in a rocky exoplanet for the first time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-lava-world-with-no-atmosphere">A "lava world" with no atmosphere</h2>



If its orbit and shape weren’t extreme enough, TOI-2431 b’s surface is even harsher. With an equilibrium temperature above 2,000 Kelvin (3,600°F), it is hot enough to melt rock. It is likely covered in oceans of lava.



Stellar radiation stripped away any <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1304197111" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hydrogen-helium atmosphere</a> the planet once had. For millions of years, UV rays heated the gases until they escaped into space.



What remains is a dense, rocky world with a measured density of 9.4 grams per cubic centimeter, higher than Earth’s. It may represent the first well-studied case of a rocky core that atmospheric loss has exposed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-did-it-come-from">Where did it come from?</h2>



TOI-2431 b’s orbit is so close to its star that it could not have formed there. Forming solid rocks needs cooler temperatures. Astronomers believe that the planet formed farther away. It then migrated inward, being pushed and pulled by different gravitational forces along the way.



One possibility is that TOI-2431 b began as a <a href="https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/479/4/5012/5049314" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gas giant or mini-Neptune</a>, later losing its atmosphere. Another is that it started as a rocky super-Earth, gradually pushed inward by gravitational interactions.



Evidence suggests it may belong to a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-planet-system-discovered-just-270-light-years-away-named-toi-1136/">multi-planet system</a>. Gravitational tugs from worlds arising from the same start may have helped drive its migration. A little like the three-body problem in the science fiction series.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-world-in-its-final-chapter">A world in its final chapter</h2>



TOI-2431 b is unlike any world astronomers have studied before.&nbsp;



For scientists, it offers a unique laboratory to study planetary migration, atmospheric loss, and tidal interactions. For the rest of us, it is a reminder of the fragile balance that allows Earth to exist in a stable orbit.



By observing TOI-2431 b’s death spiral in real time, astronomers gain insight into how planets live and die. It is also a glimpse into the extraordinary diversity of worlds across the galaxy.



The study has been submitted to Astronomy and Astrophysics and is available as a preprint on <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.08464" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arXiv.</a>



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Earth-sized exoplanet is spiraling toward destruction

Astronomers have discovered a bizarre “lava world” spiraling towards its...

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