<p>Today's <strong>Image of the Day</strong> from NASA Earth Observatory features the Costa Atlántica Reserve stretching along the Atlantic coast in Argentina.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-refuge-for-migratory-birds-nbsp">A refuge for migratory birds&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“At the far southern reaches of South America, a stretch of tidal flats, shoals, and beaches serves as a refuge for migratory shorebirds and copious aquatic life,” said <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.</p>



<p>“The Costa Atlántica Reserve in Argentina extends for 220 kilometers (140 miles) along the eastern shore of Tierra del Fuego. The area was designated a Ramsar site in 1995 and a provincial nature reserve in 1998." </p>



<p>According to NASA, the reserve is the southernmost site both on the Ramsar list and in the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-costa-atlantica-reserve">Significance of the Costa Atlántica Reserve</h2>



<p>The Costa Atlántica Reserve is an important conservation site that signifies Argentina's commitment to preserving its rich <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-induced-changes-in-ocean-salinity-threaten-biodiversity-and-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastal biodiversity</a>. </p>



<p>This vast expanse of protected area serves as a sanctuary for many species, ranging from migratory birds to marine mammals and diverse plant life.</p>



<p>“Tidal habitats along the coast support some 135 species of birds, while crustaceans, mollusks, fish, and cetaceans feed in the productive coastal waters,” said NASA.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The topography inland of Costa Atlántica, stretching into Chile to the west, is blanketed in shrubs and grassland vegetation adapted to dry conditions - part of a semiarid ecosystem known as the Fuegian steppe.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maintaining-ecological-balance-nbsp">Maintaining ecological balance&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Established to safeguard the delicate ecosystems of dunes, estuaries, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coastal-lagoons-have-high-loads-of-microplastics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastal lagoons</a>, the reserve plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It provides critical habitats for numerous threatened species, including the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/southern-right-whales-have-shifted-their-foraging-grounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southern Right Whale</a>, which finds refuge in these waters during its breeding season.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-costa-atlantica-reserve-a-living-laboratory-nbsp">Costa Atlántica Reserve: A living laboratory&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The Costa Atlántica Reserve is not only a refuge for wildlife but also a living laboratory for scientific research. Conservationists and researchers work within its bounds to monitor ecosystems, study species behaviors, and develop strategies for sustainable management.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This ongoing research is pivotal in understanding the impacts of climate change on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coastal-river-deltas-face-major-threats-beyond-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastal environments</a> and in devising measures to mitigate these effects.</p>



<p>Furthermore, the reserve illustrates the importance of community involvement in conservation efforts. Local communities are engaged in sustainable tourism and educational programs. </p>



<p>Through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-bird-photographers-improve-nesting-success/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eco-tourism</a> initiatives, visitors can experience the natural beauty of the reserve while contributing to its preservation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tierra-del-fuego-archipelago">Tierra del Fuego archipelago</h2>



<p>According to NASA, the broader landscape of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago was shaped by glaciers.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Ice advanced over the mountains and lowlands during cold climatic periods between the mid-Pleistocene, about 1 million years ago, and the Last Glacial Maximum, about 20,000 years ago. San Sebastián Bay formed in a tectonic depression that was deepened by glacial erosion," noted NASA. </p>



<p>“Further evidence of glaciation, including hummocky moraines and fields of glacial erratics, appears around the bay, though it is too small to be visible in this image.”</p>



<p>“Partially enclosed by a long, sandy peninsula, San Sebastián Bay attracts copious migratory birds, some of which shuttle seasonally between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.”</p>



<p>“Large populations of the Hudsonian godwit, white-rumped sandpiper, and other long-distance flyers congregate in the vast intertidal zones. This part of the reserve, however, is vulnerable to the impact of oil and gas extraction from onshore and offshore deposits.”</p>



<p>The image was captured on February 20, 2024 by the <a href="https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/satellites/landsat-9/landsat-9-instruments/oli-2-design/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OLI-2</a> (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 9.</p>



<p>Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;</p>



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Costa Atlántica Reserve in Argentina

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

<p>Today's <strong>Image of the Day</strong> from the European Space Agency features Messier 82, a starburst galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. This galaxy is actively forming new stars at a rate ten times that of the Milky Way.</p>



<p>In a study using the <a href="https://webb.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Webb Space Telescope</a> (JWST), an international team of astronomers has taken an unprecedented look at Messier 82 (M82), revealing intricate details about its frenzied star formation. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-nircam-and-infrared-observations">The power of NIRCam and infrared observations</h2>



<p>The study, led by Alberto Bolatto, utilized Webb’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) to penetrate the thick dust and gas covering the galaxy's core, a region critical to understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-stars-release-sneezes-of-gas-and-dust-as-they-develop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a>. </p>



<p>"M82 has garnered a variety of observations over the years because it can be considered as the prototypical starburst galaxy," noted Bolatto. “With Webb’s size and resolution, we can look at this star-forming galaxy and see all of this beautiful new detail.”</p>



<p>Webb's NIRCam has proven crucial for observing areas like M82’s center, where layers of dust typically obscure the view in other wavelengths. The camera's ability to capture infrared light allows it to reveal the galaxy's core and its dynamic processes.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-messier-82-image-shows-the-power-of-webb-nbsp">Messier 82 image shows the power of Webb&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“This image shows the power of Webb. Every single white dot in this image is either a star or a star cluster. We can start to distinguish all of these tiny point sources, which enables us to acquire an accurate count of all the star clusters in this galaxy,” noted study co-author Rebecca Levy from the University of Arizona.</p>



<p>One of the NIRCam's innovative features is its mode that prevents bright sources from overwhelming the detector, which was particularly useful in studying the intensely active center of Messier 82.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In the image, dark brown tendrils of dust weave through the galaxy's glowing white core, interspersed with small green specks that represent concentrated areas of iron from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-explosions-could-damage-distant-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova</a> remnants. Red patches highlight regions where molecular hydrogen is illuminated by the radiation from nearby young stars.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-into-galactic-winds">Insights into galactic winds</h2>



<p>The study also focused on understanding how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spin-of-a-new-black-hole-is-unlocking-galactic-mysteries/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galactic wind</a>, driven by the rapid rate of star formation and subsequent supernovae, influences M82’s environment. The NIRCam images showed clumpy streams of gas, appearing in red, which extend above and below the galaxy's plane, marking the path of this wind rushing out from the starburst's core.</p>



<p>A key revelation came from the NIRCam’s tracing of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), sooty chemical molecules that map out the structure of the galactic wind. To the surprise of researchers, the PAH emissions closely resembled the patterns of the hot, ionized gas, suggesting a more complex interaction within the wind than previously understood.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"It was unexpected to see the PAH emission resemble ionised gas," said Bolatto. "PAHs are not supposed to live very long when exposed to such a strong radiation field, so perhaps they are being replenished all the time. It challenges our theories and shows us that further investigation is required."</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-observations-of-messier-82">Future observations of Messier 82</h3>



<p>The findings from Webb are just the beginning. The team plans to further analyze Messier 82 with additional data, including spectroscopic observations, to determine the ages of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxy-collisions-hubble-spots-a-string-of-pearls-star-cluster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star clusters</a> and the duration of each star formation phase within the starburst environment.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These observations will also assist in a broader understanding of similar processes in early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ceers-2112-ancient-galaxy-looks-strikingly-similar-to-ours/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a>, which were common in the young universe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-study">Broader implications of the study</h2>



<p>Study co-author Torsten Böker of the <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Agency</a> emphasized the broader implications of these findings. </p>



<p>“With these amazing Webb images, and our upcoming spectra, we can study how exactly the strong winds and shock fronts from young stars and supernovae can remove the very gas and dust from which new stars are forming,” explained Böker.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“A detailed understanding of this ‘feedback’ cycle is important for theories of how the early universe evolved, because compact starbursts such as the one in M82 were very common at high redshift.”</p>



<p>The study not only illuminates the specific mechanics of star formation in M82 but also enhances our general understanding of galactic evolution and the lifecycle of galaxies.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Image Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA &amp; CSA</p>



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Messier 82: Unlocking the mysteries of star formation

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

<p>Today's <strong>Image of the Day</strong> from NASA Earth Observatory features Tropical Storm Francine moving across the Gulf of Mexico on the afternoon of September 10, 2024. </p>



<p>Just hours after the photo was captured by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the NOAA-21 satellite, the storm intensified into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coastal-hurricanes-are-intensifying-faster-due-to-climate-change/">hurricane</a> strength.</p>



<p>By September 11, Francine had become a Category 2 hurricane, reaching wind speeds of 100 miles per hour. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-storms-fueled-by-rising-ocean-temperatures">Storms fueled by rising ocean temperatures</h2>



<p>“Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are a fair predictor of the readiness of the ocean to fuel and sustain storms. Meteorologists generally agree that SSTs should be above 82 degrees Fahrenheit to sustain and intensify hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons,” noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/153309/francine-bears-down-on-louisiana" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.</p>



<p>“During the time of Francine’s development on September 8 to 10, temperatures in the southwestern Gulf were several degrees above that threshold and slightly above the 2003-2014 average for those dates, according to data from the Multiscale Ultrahigh Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (MUR SST) project.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-of-hurricane-francine">Impacts of Hurricane Francine</h2>



<p>Louisiana was hit hardest by Francine, with coastal areas experiencing life-threatening storm surges up to 10 feet, heavy rainfall, and significant flooding. In Terrebonne Parish, where Francine made landfall, more than 200,000 residents lost power.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Southern regions of Texas also experienced heavy rainfall and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-outrun-the-flood-risks-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flooding</a>. Despite some weakening as Francine moved inland, Mississippi and other parts of the Gulf Coast still experienced flash flooding and strong winds as the system degraded into a tropical depression.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2024-atlantic-hurricane-season">2024 Atlantic hurricane season</h2>



<p>The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has been notably active, but with an unusual break in activity leading up to Hurricane Francine.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-start-for-storms">Early start for storms</h3>



<p>The season officially began on June 1, 2024. By early September, there had been five named storms, including three hurricanes, with one reaching Category 5 status - Hurricane Beryl in July.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Beryl set an early-season record as it intensified rapidly due to exceptionally warm sea surface <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-has-nearly-doubled-in-the-last-decade/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperatures</a>.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-calm">Surprising calm</h3>



<p>While the early part of the season saw significant activity, including Beryl's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-causes-the-rapid-intensification-of-hurricanes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">explosive growth</a>, the basin has experienced a surprising calm since mid-August. </p>



<p>From August 12 to September 3, there was no tropical activity, marking the quietest stretch in over 50 years. Experts attribute this inactivity to several factors, including cooling waters in parts of the Atlantic and shifts in atmospheric patterns over Africa that disrupted storm formation.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-ahead">What's ahead</h3>



<p>Looking ahead, forecasts are cautious but not pessimistic. Despite the quiet period, researchers still expect more activity, with potential for further storm development through September.</p>



<p>Predictions are pointing to up to 14 named storms - seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes - by the end of the 2024 season.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hurricanes-in-the-gulf-of-mexico-nbsp">Hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The location of the Gulf of Mexico makes it a hotspot for hurricane development and landfall. Warm sea surface temperatures, especially in late summer and early fall, provide the energy needed for these storms to grow in intensity.&nbsp;</p>



<p>When atmospheric conditions such as low wind shear and high moisture are favorable, hurricanes can rapidly intensify, becoming major threats to coastal regions.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-little-time-for-preparation-nbsp">Little time for preparation&nbsp;</h3>



<p>The Gulf of Mexico's geography also means that hurricanes have a relatively short distance to travel before making landfall, often allowing little time for preparation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Communities in coastal states like Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida are frequently in the path of these storms.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-devastating-impacts">Devastating impacts</h3>



<p>Over the years, hurricanes like Katrina, Harvey, and Ida have highlighted the devastating impacts, from storm surges and flooding to wind damage and disruption of infrastructure.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Due to the Gulf's importance as an economic hub, especially for oil production and shipping, hurricanes can also have significant economic repercussions.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change">Climate change</h3>



<p>The region's vulnerability to hurricanes is compounded by climate change, which has led to warmer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-ocean-heating-signals-alarm-for-a-3c-warmer-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean temperatures</a> and more intense storms. </p>



<p>Predictions suggest that while the overall number of hurricanes may not increase, the number of major hurricanes (Category 3 and above) could rise. This will make the Gulf Coast an even more dangerous area during hurricane season, which typically lasts from June to November.</p>



<p>Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;</p>



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Hurricane Francine makes landfall in Louisiana 

<p>Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features an incredible new image of the Crab Nebula in bright neon colors. </p>



<p>“The unusual image was produced by combining data from telescopes spanning nearly the entire electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to X-rays,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>. </p>



<p>Colored in red, the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) provided information about the nebula gathered in the radio regime.</p>



<p>NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope took infrared images, which appear yellow, while the NASA/ESA <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hubble-captures-another-cosmic-masterpiece-in-galaxy-ngc-2217/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble</a> Space Telescope provided images made in optical wavelengths, colored in green.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Blue colors represent ultraviolet observations made by ESA’s XMM-Newton telescope, and the purple colors are X-ray radiation data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-about-the-crab-nebula-nbsp">About the Crab Nebula&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The Crab Nebula, located in the constellation Taurus, contains the remnants of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-explosions-could-damage-distant-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova explosion</a> first observed on Earth in 1054 AD. This explosion was recorded by Chinese astronomers and possibly by Native American rock art.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The nebula spans about 11 light-years across and lies approximately 6,500 light-years away from Earth. It is one of the most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unraveling-the-mysterious-origins-of-the-crab-nebula/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studied objects</a> in the sky, largely due to its status as a bright and dynamic supernova remnant.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-crab-pulsar">The Crab Pulsar</h2>



<p>The Crab Nebula contains a pulsar at its center, which is a rapidly rotating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/slow-spinning-neutron-star-completely-defies-our-expectations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neutron star</a> that emits pulses of radiation. This pulsar, known as the Crab Pulsar, spins about 30 times per second and is a significant source of gamma rays and other forms of high-energy radiation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The nebula itself is a complex structure of filaments and synchrotron radiation. The filaments are remnants of the original star's outer layers, while the synchrotron radiation emerges from electrons spiraling in the magnetic fields produced by the pulsar.</p>



<p>“Surrounding the pulsar lies a mix of material; some of it was originally expelled from the star before it went supernova, and the rest was ejected during the explosion itself,” explained ESA.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Fast-moving winds of particles fly off from the neutron star, energizing the dust and gas around it. These different layers and intricacies of the nebula can be observed in all of the different wavelengths of light.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crab-nebula-observation-nbsp">Crab Nebula observation&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Throughout its history, the Crab Nebula has provided critical insights into the processes of stellar death, the behavior of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pulsars-are-helping-astronomers-pinpoint-dark-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pulsars</a>, and the mechanics of supernova remnants.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Its continuous observation has revealed changes over time, such as the expansion of its filaments and variations in its brightness, offering a dynamic laboratory for astrophysical studies.</p>



<p>Overall, the Crab Nebula is a highly energetic and object, providing valuable insights into the processes following a supernova explosion.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fascinating-facts-about-nebulae">Fascinating facts about nebulae</h2>



<p>Nebulae are some of the most breathtaking and intriguing structures in the universe. They are vast clouds of gas and dust, often considered stellar nurseries where new stars are born. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colors-of-nebulae">Colors of nebulae </h3>



<p>One of the most fascinating aspects of nebulae is their ability to glow in different colors. This occurs because they either reflect the light of nearby stars or emit light due to the ionization of gases within them, particularly hydrogen. </p>



<p>Some nebulae, like the famous Orion Nebula, are visible to the naked eye and serve as one of the nearest regions of active star formation.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planetary-nebulae">Planetary nebulae </h3>



<p>Stars are born in dense regions of nebulae, and when they die, some will expel their outer layers, creating stunning structures known as planetary nebulae. The colorful clouds left behind can shine brightly for thousands of years. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-massive-size">Massive size</h3>



<p>Another amazing fact is that some nebulae are so vast that light can take years to travel from one side to the other, stretching across hundreds of light-years.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-remnants">Star remnants </h3>



<p>Perhaps even more mind-boggling is the fact that nebulae are the remnants of previous generations of stars. Supernova explosions of massive stars can create these glowing clouds of gas and dust, seeding the cosmos with the elements necessary for the formation of new stars and planets.</p>



<p>Image Credit: NASA, ESA, G. Dubner (IAFE, CONICET-University of Buenos Aires) et al.; A. Loll et al.; T. Temim et al.; F. Seward et al.; VLA/NRAO/AUI/NSF; Chandra/CXC; Spitzer/JPL-Caltech; XMM-Newton/ESA; and Hubble/STScI</p>



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Crab Nebula: The brilliant remains of a massive star explosion

<p>Today's <strong>Image of the Day</strong> from the European Space Agency features wildfires in the state of Mato Grosso in Brazil. These fires have been some of the most devastating in recent history.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission on September 9, 2024. “The infrared signal acquired by the mission’s multispectral instrument allows the extent of the burned areas to be seen and highlights where the fires were still active on the date of acquisition,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brazil-fires-of-2024">Brazil fires of 2024</h2>



<p>2024 has shaped up to be one of Brazil's most intense fire seasons. The country is facing its worst drought since national measurements began, which has fueled a surge in wildfires across critical regions like the Amazon, the Pantanal wetlands, and the Cerrado savanna.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-amazon">The Amazon</h3>



<p>By September 2024, Brazil had already recorded nearly 160,000 fires - the highest number since 2010. In the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfires-threaten-environmental-gains-in-the-amazon/">Amazon</a>, the first half of the year saw the most wildfires in 20 years, with fire activity up by 40% compared to previous record years.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-and-deforestation-nbsp">Climate change and deforestation&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Climate change and human-driven deforestation are worsening the situation. The combination of extreme drought, slash-and-burn agriculture, and the ongoing degradation of forests has created ideal conditions for fire <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/canadian-wildfires-of-2023-were-a-global-environmental-setback/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outbreaks</a> to spread uncontrollably. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fires-in-the-pantanal-nbsp">Fires in the Pantanal&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Regions like the Pantanal have been especially hard-hit, with large portions of the biome burned earlier than usual, long before the peak of fire season.</p>



<p>The fires have significantly impacted the fragile ecosystem of the Pantanal, which is one of the world’s largest tropical wetlands.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Between August 1 and 27, over 3,800 fires were recorded in the Pantanal, marking an alarming increase compared to the previous year.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These fires have led to severe damage to local wildlife, with hundreds of animals, including jaguars and anteaters, suffering from burns. Firefighters have been mobilized, but the scale of the fires and the vast, difficult-to-access areas have made containment efforts challenging.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-irreversible-impacts-on-biodiversity">Irreversible impacts on biodiversity</h2>



<p>Furthermore, the fires have released toxic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/twenty-years-of-air-quality-improvement-erased-by-wildfires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smoke</a> that has spread across Brazil, affecting cities as far as São Paulo and Brasília. The use of satellite imagery from the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission has been crucial in monitoring the active fires and the extent of burned areas. </p>



<p>Environmentalists are warning that the destruction of native vegetation and animal habitats could have long-term, irreversible effects on the region’s biodiversity.</p>



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



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-people-attribute-extreme-heat-and-wildfires-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Climate change</a> and wildfires are deeply interconnected. As the Earth's climate warms due to the increase in greenhouse gases, many regions around the world are experiencing hotter, drier conditions. </p>



<p>These changes create the perfect environment for wildfires to ignite and spread. Warmer temperatures dry out vegetation, making forests and grasslands more flammable.&nbsp;</p>



<p>When a spark - whether from a lightning strike, a human activity, or another source - hits this dry vegetation, fires can erupt rapidly and become difficult to control.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-longer-fire-seasons">Longer fire seasons</h3>



<p>In addition, changing weather patterns have led to longer fire seasons in many parts of the world. Areas that were once too wet or cool to experience frequent fires are now seeing them more often.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For example, the Arctic and subarctic regions, including parts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfires-in-siberia-are-a-growing-global-threat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Siberia</a> and Alaska, have experienced unusually intense wildfires in recent years, partly due to warming temperatures and thawing permafrost.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fire-severity">Fire severity</h3>



<p>Climate change also affects the severity of fires. Warmer air holds more moisture, leading to more extreme weather events such as thunderstorms, which can generate lightning and ignite fires.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Furthermore, prolonged droughts caused by changing rainfall patterns make forests more susceptible to large, destructive wildfires. Once a fire starts, the hot, dry conditions fuel its rapid spread, often overwhelming firefighting efforts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reinforcing-feedback-loop">Reinforcing feedback loop</h2>



<p>The aftermath of wildfires further exacerbates climate change. When forests burn, they release large amounts of carbon dioxide stored in trees and soil into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This creates a feedback loop, where more fires lead to more carbon emissions, which in turn accelerate climate change, making future fires more likely and more intense. As climate change continues to progress, wildfires are expected to become more frequent, larger, and more destructive across many parts of the world.</p>



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Brazil's devastating 2024 fire season rages on

<p>What lies at the bottom of the ocean? For many, it’s a dark and mysterious place, full of creatures we know little about. But sometimes, discoveries shed light on these mysteries. A new study has done just that, focusing on an unusual deep ocean dweller who likes to eat Sargassum.</p>



<p><em>Bathyopsurus nybelini</em>, an isopod living nearly 3.7 miles (6,100 meters) deep beneath the ocean's surface, has a very unique diet: it feeds on Sargassum algae that sinks down from the ocean’s surface.</p>



<p>The study, led by Johanna Weston, a hadal ecologist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (<a href="https://www.whoi.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WHOI</a>), reveals just how connected the surface of our oceans is to the deep sea. </p>



<p>Let's find out what makes this discovery so fascinating and important.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sargassum-in-the-deep-ocean">Sargassum in the deep ocean</h2>



<p>In the summer of 2022, a group of researchers set out on an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/five-new-hydrothermal-vents-discovered-in-the-pacific-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adventure with Alvin</a>, a human-occupied submersible, to explore the Puerto Rico Trench and the Mid-Cayman Spreading Center in the Caribbean Sea. </p>



<p>Thanks to Alvin's recent upgrades, including better deep-diving abilities and high-res image capturing, this journey became a reality.</p>



<p>While exploring the ocean depths, the team observed something unexpected: an isopod swimming upside down and away from the seafloor, clutching a frond of Sargassum algae as long as its own body. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-deep-sea-worm-discovered-off-costa-rica/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">At these depths</a> -- between 5,001 and 6,284 meters -- Alvin filmed 32 individual isopods and collected two samples for further study. </p>



<p>According to Weston, “It was exciting to see this beautiful animal actively interacting with Sargassum, deep in the ocean. This isopod is so rarely seen; only a handful of specimens were collected during the groundbreaking 1948 Deep Sea Swedish Expedition.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-food-source">Unexpected food source</h2>



<p>Sargassum is a type of brown algae typically found floating on the ocean's surface, forming dense mats that stretch for miles. In the sunlit zone, it thrives, photosynthesizing like any other plant. </p>



<p>However, when Sargassum dies or detaches from its floating mats, it begins a slow, downward journey into the dark abyss.</p>



<p>That’s where <em>Bathyopsurus nybelini</em> comes in. This deep-sea isopod seems to wait patiently, adapted to find and feast on this sunken source of nutrients. </p>



<p>“This isopod illustrates that an animal in a dark and high-pressure environment at the bottom of the seafloor has evolved multiple adaptations to feed on algae that grow in a sunlit ecosystem," explains Mackenzie Gerringer, a deep-ocean physiologist at <a href="https://www.geneseo.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SUNY Geneseo</a> and co-lead author of the study.</p>



<p>It’s an unlikely meal, but one that provides essential nourishment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-isopods-and-deep-ocean-sargassum">Isopods and deep ocean Sargassum</h2>



<p>Why is this discovery such a big deal? For one, <em>Bathyopsurus nybelini</em> has developed unique adaptations to survive in an environment where most creatures would struggle to find food. </p>



<p>It uses a specialized swimming stroke, moving upside down and backward with large paddle-like legs, to carry Sargassum fronds off the seafloor. This might be a clever strategy to avoid predators by lifting its food into the water column.</p>



<p>But the adaptations don’t stop there. This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-deep-sea-crustacean-species-discovered-in-the-bahamas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">isopod has mouthparts</a> that are serrated and ideal for tearing and consuming the tough, fibrous Sargassum. </p>



<p>Inside its gut, it harbors bacteria that help break down the algae’s complex polysaccharides -- molecules that are notoriously difficult to digest. </p>



<p>“Life everywhere, even in the deepest depths of the sea, is inexorably connected to the microorganisms around it,” says Logan Peoples, an aquatic microbial ecologist at <a href="https://flbs.umt.edu/newflbs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flathead Lake Biological Station</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-web-of-life-from-surface-to-seafloor">Web of life from surface to seafloor</h2>



<p>The presence of Sargassum at such deep depths has bigger implications for how we understand ocean ecology. This study highlights the close connection between the surface ocean and the deep sea.</p>



<p>When Sargassum sinks, it plays a role in carbon cycling and storage, which affects global climate patterns. </p>



<p>We’re already seeing significant ecological and economic impacts on coastal communities due to changes in how much Sargassum is found in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean Sea.</p>



<p>Researchers are eager to figure out just how much Sargassum makes it to the seafloor and how its arrival varies with the seasons and long-term environmental changes. </p>



<p>Understanding these dynamics could help us predict how deep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-pigs-unicumbers-strange-stunning-creatures-discovered-abyssal-plains-ccz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean communities</a> respond to shifting environmental conditions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-this-matter">Why does this matter?</h2>



<p>The discovery of <em>Bathyopsurus nybelini</em> feeding on Sargassum also highlights the importance of advanced technologies in deep-sea exploration. </p>



<p>Alvin, the submersible that made this observation possible, was recently certified to dive to depths of 6,500 meters. </p>



<p>This achievement opens new doors for marine research and underscores the significance of developing new tools and techniques to explore and study the ocean’s most remote regions. </p>



<p>As Anna Michel, Chief Scientist for the <a href="https://ndsf.whoi.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Deep Submergence Facility</a>, noted, "The discovery described in this paper was possible due to its new deeper diving capabilities, which is very exciting for the Alvin team."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deep-sea-ecosystems-and-human-impact">Deep-sea ecosystems and human impact</h2>



<p>Why should we care about an isopod munching on seaweed at the bottom of the ocean? Well, it all comes down to how connected our planet’s ecosystems are. </p>



<p>As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-mining-forms-dust-clouds-that-devastate-marine-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human activities change ocean conditions</a> -- from climate change to pollution -- it’s really important to understand how surface processes link to deep ocean ecosystems.</p>



<p>Every discovery, like that of <em>Bathyopsurus nybelini</em>, reminds us that even the most extreme environments on Earth are part of a larger, interconnected web of life. </p>



<p>The more we learn, the better equipped we are to protect these ecosystems and manage the impacts of our actions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-sargassum-on-the-deep-ocean">Impact of Sargassum on the deep ocean</h2>



<p>This study is just the beginning. Scientists plan to continue investigating how Sargassum and other surface-derived materials affect life in the deep sea. </p>



<p>More research is needed to understand the seasonal and long-term changes in the abundance of Sargassum and its impact on deep-ocean food webs.</p>



<p>As we explore further, new discoveries will undoubtedly reshape our understanding of these hidden ecosystems. </p>



<p>As Weston puts it, “We’re excited to share its amazing story of adaptation and this important reminder that habitats and organisms on our planet are deeply and intricately connected.”</p>



<p>The ocean is vast, and there is so much more to uncover. So, what other secrets lie in the deep, dark waters? Only time, curiosity, and continued exploration will tell. </p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.0823" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences</a>.</em></p>



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Robot discovers surprising food source for deep ocean creatures

What lies at the bottom of the ocean? For many,...

<p>America just got a whole lot bigger. The United States has successfully claimed an additional one million square kilometers beneath the ocean, expanding its extended continental shelf boundaries. </p>



<p>Yes, it's like America just bought a new basement, one that is almost 60% the size of Alaska.</p>



<p>Mead Treadwell, former lieutenant governor of Alaska and chair of the <a href="https://www.arctic.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Arctic Research Commission</a>, helps us understand the situation. </p>



<p>"America is larger than it was yesterday. It's not quite the Louisiana Purchase. It's not quite the purchase of Alaska, but the new area of land and subsurface resources under the land controlled by the United States is two Californias larger," Treadwell explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-extended-continental-shelf-ecs">Understanding Extended Continental Shelf (ECS)</h2>



<p>What's this all about? Well, imagine the ocean as a multi-story building, with each country owning specific floors extending <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-sea-ice-is-currently-the-lowest-ever-recorded/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">out from their shoreline</a>. </p>



<p>Typically, a country's rights stop after 200 nautical miles, around the fifth floor. But, the Extended Continental Shelf (<a href="https://www.state.gov/continental-shelf/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ECS</a>) is the rights to the underground parking lot.</p>



<p>Under this framework, coastal states can claim an ECS up to 350 nautical miles from their baseline or 100 nautical miles from the 2,500-meter isobath, which is a line connecting depths of 2,500 meters.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-extended-continental-shelf-ecs-provisions">Key Extended Continental Shelf (ECS) provisions</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Article 76 of UNCLOS:</strong> This rule lays out the guidelines for extending the continental shelf beyond the usual 200 nautical miles from a coastal state's baseline. It details the key steps and things to consider when determining the outer boundaries of the continental shelf. These include factors like the land's natural extension and the depth of the sea floor.</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS):</strong> The CLCS is crucial for reviewing submissions from coastal states about their continental shelf's outer boundaries. Made up of experts in geology, hydrography, and oceanography, the CLCS ensures that the submissions are based on solid science and align with international law.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-process-of-claiming-an-extended-continental-shelf-ecs">Process of claiming an Extended Continental Shelf (ECS)</h3>



<p>Claiming an ECS is a detailed process that requires some careful planning and solid evidence. Coastal states looking to assert their rights need to provide thorough geological and hydrographic proof to the CLCS to back up their claims.</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Data Collection:</strong> Coastal states conduct in-depth seabed surveys using advanced tech and techniques to gather geophysical and hydrographic data. This can include seismic surveys, sediment sampling, and underwater terrain mapping.</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Preparation of Submission:</strong> After collecting the necessary data, coastal states review the information and prepare a detailed submission, including maps, scientific reports, and other supporting documents to strengthen their claim.</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Evaluation by CLCS:</strong> Once the submission is in, the CLCS goes through a thorough review, checking the scientific validity of the data and methods used. They offer recommendations based on their assessment. While these recommendations aren't legally binding, they carry a lot of weight when/if a dispute arises, as they represent expert consensus on the matter.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-twenty-years-of-hard-work">Twenty years of hard work</h2>



<p>The U.S. began its quest for an ECS back in 2003. This effort, which required teamwork between the U.S. State Department, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (<a href="https://www.noaa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA)</a>, and the U.S. Geological Survey (<a href="https://www.usga.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USGS</a>), was no easy task. </p>



<p>It took them twenty years and involved a massive data collection initiative, but it paid off, big time. On December 19, 2023, the State Department announced new geographical coordinates of the U.S. ECS, adding massive chunks of territory in the Atlantic, Arctic, Pacific, and more.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-united-states-and-unclos">The United States and UNCLOS</h2>



<p>The relationship between the United States and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) <a href="https://saisreview.sais.jhu.edu/unmoored-from-the-un-the-struggle-to-ratify-unclos-in-the-united-states/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">is complicated, to say the least</a>. </p>



<p>While UNCLOS is often referred to as the “Constitution for the Oceans,” governing everything from maritime boundaries to resource rights and environmental standards, the U.S. has never actually ratified the treaty, even though it played a significant role in drafting it back in the 1970s and 1980s.</p>



<p>There are worries about issues like sovereignty, naval operations, and financial commitments that have created some major roadblocks. </p>



<p>Some senators fear that joining the treaty would mean giving up U.S. rights to the International Seabed Authority and could restrict access for U.S. companies to underwater resources. </p>



<p>On the flip side, military leaders, especially from the U.S. Navy, are all for ratification, arguing that it would help the U.S. tackle excessive maritime claims by other countries and secure navigational freedoms.</p>



<p>Supporters of ratifying UNCLOS believe that joining would boost U.S. influence in shaping global maritime rules and give legal certainty for U.S. claims, especially regarding the Extended Continental Shelf (ECS). </p>



<p>Even though the U.S. isn't a formal party, it already follows many of the convention's rules, using its provisions to back up territorial claims and assert navigation rights in international waters, like the South China Sea.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-of-exploration">Science of exploration</h2>



<p>This ambitious venture wasn't just about drawing lines on a map. It required a scientific odyssey of epic proportions. </p>



<p>The areas encompassed in this claim include the Arctic, the east coast Atlantic, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/image/bering-sea-ice-cover-hits-a-record-high/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bering Sea</a>, the west coast Pacific, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/image/typhoon-higos-over-mariana-islands-pacific-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mariana Islands</a>, and two regions in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gulf-of-mexicos-dead-zone-is-unusually-large-this-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gulf of Mexico</a>.</p>



<p>Brian Van Pay, Project Director for the State Department, explained further, saying, "Forty missions at sea, going to areas that we’ve never explored before, finding entire seamounts we didn’t even know existed."</p>



<p>Scientists spent the equivalent of over three years charting new territory; using sonar mapping, geological sampling, and sediment layer analysis. </p>



<p>The outcome, as Van Pay notes, was a submission that aligns with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (<a href="https://www.un.org/depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/unclos_e.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNCLOS</a>) -- the legal framework for this claim.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-unclos">Understanding UNCLOS</h2>



<p>The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), commonly known as the Law of the Sea Treaty, serves as a vital framework governing our planet’s oceans and seas. </p>



<p>Developed through the collaborative efforts of over 160 countries, UNCLOS provides essential legal guidelines for managing marine natural resources, protecting the environment, and defining maritime rights among nations.</p>



<p>UNCLOS was born in the 20th century, driven by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/adult-fish-are-dwindling-across-many-marine-protected-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">growing exploitation of marine resources</a> and advancements in maritime technology that called for a cohesive set of international rules. </p>



<p>The convention emerged from three United Nations conferences dedicated to the Law of the Sea, with the first occurring in 1956. </p>



<p>However, it wasn't until 1982 that this pivotal treaty was finalized, officially coming into force on November 16, 1994.</p>



<p>The debate over the United States ratification of UNCLOS is still ongoing, with many experts and leaders urging the U.S. to officially join the treaty to enhance its global standing. </p>



<p>However, without a clear agreement in the Senate, the U.S. finds itself in a tricky situation -- acting according to a treaty it hasn't signed while trying to balance its leadership role on the world stage with concerns about preserving its sovereignty and independence.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-exactly-does-this-land-grab-mean">What exactly does this land grab mean?</h2>



<p>The implications of this move are multifold. For starters, the U.S. now has the right to control and potentially <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/underwater-upheaval-the-ecological-impact-of-deep-sea-mining/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exploit resources like oil, gas, and minerals</a> in the expanded territory.</p>



<p>However, it doesn't mean they can suddenly start fishing further off the coast or start patrolling the new water regions. It's more like the U.S. government won the mineral rights to some underwater property.</p>



<p>The claim has been shaped carefully to avoid stepping on the toes of other nations, particularly Russia. But there might be a bit of an overlap with Canada, which may call for future diplomacy.</p>



<p>Despite the potential gains, challenges persist. The biggest one of these, as mentioned above, is the lack of a formal ratification of UNCLOS by the U.S. Senate. This gap could potentially limit the international legal weight of the claim.</p>



<p>Moreover, the claim's validity is dependent on the robustness of the science backing it. </p>



<p>According to Treadwell, "If somebody came back and said, 'Your science is bad,' I think the United States would listen. But I don’t think science is bad. I think we’ve had very good science."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-managing-the-extended-continental-shelf">Managing the Extended Continental Shelf</h2>



<p>There's more at stake than just economic gain. The move also widens the U.S.'s jurisdiction to enforce environmental regulations effectively and protect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-ocean-day-a-unified-approach-to-protect-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fragile marine ecosystems</a> from unchecked exploitation. </p>



<p>However, balancing these ecological responsibilities with economic interests will prove to be a tricky task.</p>



<p>But, hey, isn't that part of the thrill? As over 75 countries have already defined their ECS boundaries, it's clear that the world is entering a new era of ocean governance. </p>



<p>So, will this new territory lead to a scramble for resources, or will it enhance cooperation in managing and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-conservation-credit-system-could-reduce-costs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protecting the world's oceans</a>?</p>



<p>Let's not get ahead of ourselves. For now, America has made a bold move, and the rest of the world is watching. </p>



<p>One thing is for sure, though: how we navigate these waters will affect not only our economy but also the health of our oceans, the climate, and our future.</p>



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U.S. added over one million square kilometers to its territory

America just got a whole lot bigger. The United States...

<p>In a momentous scientific leap, researchers have successfully sequenced RNA from an extinct Tasmanian tiger specimen that is over a century old. This achievement marks a significant milestone in the field of genetics and paleogenomics.</p>



<p>For the first time, transcriptomes -- essentially the complete sets of RNA transcripts from an organism -- have been reconstructed for an extinct species, providing unprecedented insights into the biology of the Tasmanian tiger.</p>



<p>Emilio Mármol, the study's lead author and a dedicated researcher at SciLifeLab, underscores the importance of this venture .</p>



<p>“Resurrecting the Tasmanian tiger or the woolly mammoth is not a trivial task and will require a deep knowledge of both the genome and transcriptome regulation of such renowned species, something that only now is starting to be revealed," he enthused.</p>



<p>This impressive scientific endeavor broadens our understanding of the genetic makeup of these fascinating creatures while bringing researchers ever closer to future efforts in de-extinction, highlighting the intricate connection between genetics, evolution, and the survival of species.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pulling-rna-from-an-extinct-animal">Pulling RNA from an extinct animal</h2>



<p>Can you recall the Tasmanian tiger? Of course, you can't -- it vanished from earth long before our time. However, in its heyday, this unique animal was a top predator across the broad stretches of Australia and Tasmania. </p>



<p>The Tasmanian tiger's extinction in the early 20th century was a significant loss for our planet, but this breakthrough opens the door to understanding it and other extinct species more deeply than ever before.</p>



<p>The researchers' work helps us understand how a species lived, functioned, and evolved. This was achieved by constructing the skin and skeletal muscle transcriptomes -- an invaluable step towards de-extinction and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rna-world-unraveling-mysteries-life-origin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">understanding RNA</a> viruses' evolution.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-de-extinction-requires-more-than-just-dna">De-extinction requires more than just DNA</h2>



<p>Now, most efforts in de-extinction concentrate on DNA. Though essential, DNA tells only part of the story. </p>



<p>To get a more comprehensive picture, researchers need to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rna-junk-is-crucial-for-human-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">decode RNA</a>, the molecules carrying genetic instructions for building proteins. </p>



<p>In this important study, researchers sequenced RNA gleaned from a Tasmanian tiger specimen that had been preserved at room temperature for over 130 years at the <a href="https://www.nrm.se/engelska/in-english" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swedish Museum of Natural History</a> in Stockholm.</p>



<p>“This is the first time that we have had a glimpse into the existence of thylacine-specific regulatory genes, such as microRNAs, that got extinct more than one century ago," noted Marc R. Friedländer, an Associate Professor at <a href="https://www.su.se/cmlink/stockholm-university" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stockholm University</a></p>



<p>While DNA is the life blueprint, RNA is the project manager, directing which genes are expressed when. With the Tasmanian tiger’s transcriptome in hand, scientists now possess a trove of data that could be pivotal for de-extinction efforts.</p>



<p>Mármol and his team used cutting-edge techniques to identify high-quality RNA molecules, filling gaps in our understanding of how genes were regulated in extinct species and providing a richer picture of the biological functions that characterized the Tasmanian tiger.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps-towards-de-extinction">Next steps towards de-extinction</h2>



<p>Imagine what we could learn from the vast collection of specimens and tissues stored in museums across the globe. </p>



<p>Who knew that these seemingly unassuming archives could be gold mines of genetic information waiting to be discovered? </p>



<p>But, as Love Dalén, a Professor of evolutionary genomics at Stockholm University, points out, the implications extend beyond extinct animals.</p>



<p>“In the future, we may be able to recover RNA not only from extinct animals but also RNA virus genomes such as SARS-CoV-2 and their evolutionary precursors from the skins of bats and other host organisms held in museum collections," Dalén explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bringing-back-extinct-species-with-rna">Bringing back extinct species with RNA</h2>



<p>With the integration of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-building-block-of-life-called-tna-created-in-the-lab/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genomics and transcriptomics</a>, we're moving closer to a holistic understanding of what it takes to bring a species back to life. </p>



<p>A giant leap has been taken, but the journey is long, and we still need to understand the environment, behavior, and role within the ecosystem before reintroducing a species.</p>



<p>So, what's your take? Would you like to see a Tasmanian tiger roaming the earth again, or should we leave nature be? The conversation is just beginning.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://genome.cshlp.org/content/early/2023/07/18/gr.277663.123.abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Genome Research</a></em>.</p>



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RNA recovered from an extinct species in a big boost for de-extinction efforts

In a momentous scientific leap, researchers have successfully sequenced RNA...


<div class="vdb_player vdb_591c9e3c9efa894c3c6e150b58d96b98cd4fed198a0d2a49"><script type="text/javascript" src="//delivery.vidible.tv/jsonp/pid=591c9e3c9efa894c3c6e150b/vid=592ddc2ff5bcb176bb33b6f8/58d96b98cd4fed198a0d2a49.js"></script></div>
<p>Urban Waters Voices &#8212; Stephen Paul DeVillo</p>


Urban Waters: Stephen Paul DeVillo