Amazona imperialis NatureServe Explorer Species Reports &#8212; NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-populations-dropped/">Canada</a>. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.
ITIS Reports &#8212; ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=north+america&amp;cvid=35f8c824aab647a19217981e91ae23f2&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59l2j69i60j69i57j69i60l2j0.1017j0j1&amp;pglt=299&amp;FORM=ANNTA1&amp;PC=HCTS">North America</a> and the world.
FWS Digital Media Library &#8212; The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service&#8217;s National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.The imperial amazon (Amazona imperialis) or Dominican amazon, also known as the sisserou, is a parrot found only on the Caribbean island of Dominica. It has been designated as the national bird of Dominica. The species is critically endangered. In 2019, it was estimated there were only about 50 mature individuals left in the wild.The imperial amazon measures an average of 48 cm (19 in) in length. With males weighing an average of 900 g (32 oz) and females 650 g (23 oz), the species is large for its genus. Being of the family Psittacidae, the sisserou has zygodactyl feet and a thick, hooked bill with a muscular tongue. This bill is fashioned in such a way that using its hinged mandibles and tongue, the sisserou can easily move food around in its mouth. Males and females have identical plumage. Adult plumage is very colorful and mostly darkly

Amazona imperialis

A few decades ago, it was established that the farthest corners of our planet had conserved carbon in frozen permafrost for many years. However, recent studies led by experts at NASA suggest that Arctic permafrost is approaching a tipping point.



As it thaws, the permafrost is releasing greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane - both of which accelerate global warming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-frozen-arctic-permafrost">Frozen Arctic permafrost</h2>



Permafrost is ground that remains permanently frozen, typically year-round, for extended periods - often spanning decades, centuries, or even millennia.



Found mostly in the Earth’s northern regions, such as the Arctic and parts of Alaska, Canada, and Siberia, permafrost serves as a natural storehouse of carbon. 



This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/abrupt-permafrost-thaw-releases-more-co2-than-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frozen ground</a> traps organic matter like dead plants and animal remains that have not fully decomposed due to the low temperatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-underground-carbon-safe">Underground carbon safe</h2>



Over time, these materials accumulate vast amounts of carbon, effectively locking it underground in what has long been considered a "carbon safe."



However, as the Arctic warms at an accelerated rate - up to four times faster than other regions - permafrost begins to thaw. This thawing process releases previously stored greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide and methane, into the atmosphere.



These heat-trapping gases contribute to global warming, turning permafrost from a carbon sink into a source of emissions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greenhouse-gases-released-from-permafrost">Greenhouse gases released from permafrost </h2>



A recent study led by scientists at NASA and <a href="https://www.su.se/cmlink/stockholm-university" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stockholm University</a> provides intriguing insights into this vast permafrost region.



The study meticulously accounts for where and how greenhouse gases are making their escape as the Arctic warms up. 



The researchers discovered that, between 2000 and 2020, emissions from the land nearly overshadowed the carbon dioxide absorbed by it.



The permafrost region, thus, is increasingly contributing to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rapid-permafrost-thaw-in-alaska-threatens-global-climate-balance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global warming</a>. This phenomenon is also linked to another greenhouse gas - methane. While not as long-lived as carbon dioxide, methane can pack quite a punch within its short lifetime, trapping heat much more effectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tipping-the-balance-of-permafrost">Tipping the balance of permafrost</h2>



Abhishek Chatterjee is a scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (<a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JPL</a>) in Southern California and a co-author of the study.



"We know that the permafrost region has captured and stored carbon for tens of thousands of years,” said Chatterjee.



“But what we are finding now is that climate-driven changes are tipping the balance toward permafrost being a net source of greenhouse gas emissions."



Perhaps the concept of permafrost needs a bit more unpacking. A slice from the core of permafrost unveils layers upon layers of icy soils. These soils are chock-full of dead plant and animal matter, which can be carbon-dated using various techniques.



This is the organic carbon that microbes feed on when permafrost thaws and decomposes, expelling some of it as greenhouse gases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-permafrost-emissions">Tracking permafrost emissions</h2>



Scientists have been using an array of methods to track emissions - from ground-based instruments and aircraft to satellites.



NASA's Arctic-Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (<a href="https://above.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ABoVE</a>) zeroes in on Alaska and western Canada. However, taking measurements across the vast northern expanses is anything but straightforward.



The new study, part of the Global Carbon Project’s RECCAP-2 effort, monitored three greenhouse gases - carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide - across 7 million square miles of permafrost terrain from 2000 to 2020.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-release-across-arctic-ecosystems">Carbon release across Arctic ecosystems </h2>



The experts found that forests absorbed slightly more carbon dioxide than they released. However, this was largely offset by carbon dioxide emissions from lakes and rivers as well as from forest and tundra fires.



The findings suggest that greenhouse gases contributed to planetary warming over the 20-year period. But over a 100-year timeframe, emissions and absorptions would primarily balance each other out.



Thus, the region has been oscillating between serving as a carbon source and a weak carbon sink.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-complex-picture-has-emerged">A complex picture has emerged</h2>



To reach these conclusions about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/time-traveling-pathogens-exposing-the-dangers-of-melting-permafrost/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thawing</a> permafrost and its greenhouse gas emissions, the scientists had to use a combination of methods.



"Bottom-up” methods estimated emissions using ground and air-based measurements as well as ecosystem models, whereas “top-down” methods used atmospheric measurements from satellite sensors, including NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) and JAXA’s (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite.



“This study is one of the first where we are able to integrate different methods and datasets to put together this very comprehensive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-melting-arctic-sea-ice-could-disrupt-earths-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gas</a> budget into one report,” Chatterjee said. “It reveals a very complex picture.”



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Permafrost is becoming a source of global warming

A few decades ago, it was established that the farthest...

Did you know that coyotes are among the most successful predators on our continent? These highly adaptive and clever coyotes have made a home on our lands, and their interaction with the environment is a fascinating tale of survival, adaptation, and resilience to hunting.



A recent study led by The University of New Hampshire brings new insights into how native coyotes are navigating different challenges from environmental pressures such as urban expansion, hunting, and competition amongst carnivores.



Surprisingly, their response is rather unanticipated, presenting a counterintuitive relationship with human hunting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-coyote-conundrum">The coyote conundrum</h2>



Remington Moll is an assistant professor of natural resources and the environment at the <a href="https://www.unh.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of New Hampshire</a> and the leading scientist of this study.



"Intensive coyote removal can obviously reduce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coyotes-can-make-puppy-dog-eyes-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">populations</a> in the short term, but removal can also result in younger coyote populations with higher reproduction and immigration rates," explained Moll. 



“In our study, we detected more coyotes in places where hunting was allowed over several years. This suggests that, on average, hunting did not reduce coyote abundance and perhaps even increased it locally in certain areas."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hunting-practices-and-coyotes">Hunting practices and coyotes</h2>



This investigation, one of the largest-scale studies of coyote populations to date, examined the highly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cooperative-hunting-does-not-require-complex-thinking-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex dynamics</a> shaping coyote populations across a diverse range of habitats - from rural to suburban.



The research team relied on data from over 4,500 cameras set up across the country by the Snapshot USA project, combined with satellite-derived habitat metrics, and analyzed using cutting-edge modeling techniques.



This comprehensive approach allowed for an evaluation of various factors such as habitat type, competition with larger carnivores, hunting practices, and suburban expansion on coyote populations. 



The result is a more unobscured understanding of how coyotes respond to multifarious environmental pressures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interaction-of-predators">Interaction of predators</h2>



Roland Kays, a research professor with <a href="https://www.ncsu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Carolina State University</a>’s College of Natural Resources and study co-author, added another interesting dimension to the story.



“Our work suggests that promoting the recovery of large carnivores, especially in certain habitats, is more likely to decrease the number of coyotes than people directly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-used-interesting-technique-hunt-big-animals-clovis-points/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hunting</a> them,” said Kays.



The study discerned that the presence of larger carnivores, such as black bears and pumas, affected coyote numbers in a habitat-specific manner. For example, black bears had a stronger limiting effect on coyotes in forested areas, whereas pumas exerted a similar influence in open environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thriving-coyote-populations">Thriving coyote populations </h2>



Here's the twist - while urban development tends to reduce coyote numbers at local scales due to increased human presence and habitat fragmentation, the story changes with a broader perspective. 



At larger, suburban scales, coyote populations actually thrive. Fragmented habitats and edges offer access to both natural and human-modified resources, proving to be favorable for these intelligent animals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coyote-across-the-u-s">Coyote across the U.S.</h2>



Regional variation in coyote populations across the U.S. was another significant finding of the study. 



High numbers have been observed in the southwestern U.S., with comparatively lower populations in the northeast, reflecting the diverse ecological and geographical factors at play.



"Coyotes are the most successful carnivores on the continent. Having spread throughout the eastern United States, coyotes come into regular contact with humans. However, until now, the factors influencing the number of coyotes across suburban, rural and wild landscapes have remained largely unclear," said Moll.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-research">Significance of the research</h2>



This research marks a significant stride in achieving that understanding, underscoring the complexity of coyote survival dynamics and their adaptability in the face of various challenges. 



With this data, scientists can now map out coyote abundance, a tool that could aid both in conservation and coyote management across the country.



Now, what does this mean for you as a citizen? Perhaps the next time you spot a coyote, you'll remember their intricate story of survival from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/does-hunting-fishing-connect-humans-with-nature-or-reinforce-superiority-complex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hunting strategies</a> of the world.



Cohabitation with wildlife, like coyotes, is a part of our world that deserves to be understood, valued, and protected. Can we imagine a world where we live harmoniously with our wild neighbors? Only time will tell.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://nsojournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ecog.07390" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecography</a>.



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Hunting coyotes actually boosts their numbers

Did you know that coyotes are among the most successful...

In the 1990s, a Japanese scientist, Shigeyuki Yamato, noticed an unusual species of shrimp swimming around in local intertidal waters. It was striking because it had unique black-and-white coloration, similar to the coat of the iconic giant panda. 



Decades later, this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-deep-sea-crustacean-species-discovered-in-the-bahamas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new species</a> has been officially named and introduced to science as Melita panda, the newest melitid amphipod. Its recognition highlights the importance of dedicated research and the fact that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-biodiversity-could-shift-rapidly-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine biodiversity</a> still holds many surprises for those who look carefully.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-journey-of-crustacean-discovery">The journey of crustacean discovery</h2>



Before its unique coloring gave the Melita panda its name, there were already 63 recognized species of Melita <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-crustaceans-prey-on-jellyfish-to-survive-the-polar-night/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amphipods</a>, with 16 of them found in Japan.



Researchers Ko Tomikawa, from <a href="https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/gshs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hiroshima University's Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences</a>, and Hiroyuki Ariyama, from the Osaka Museum of Natural History, returned to the intertidal waters of Wakayama Prefecture where the original specimen had been found. 



There, they collected significant numbers of the black-and-white amphipods for detailed morphological and genetic analyses. These studies confirmed that the small, shrimp-like crustacean is indeed a new species.



The researchers suggest that there may be many more unidentified and undescribed species of Melita amphipods in Japan's coastal waters.



"Study on the amphipod Crustacea in the coastal zone of Japan is lagging behind," said Tomikawa. 



"In order to accurately assess species diversity, taxonomic studies are necessary. We hope the discovery of a new species of amphipod with the familiar coloring of the panda pattern will increase the public's interest in biodiversity and taxonomy."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-melita-panda-a-tribute-to-species-taxonomy">Melita panda: A tribute to species taxonomy</h2>



In reality, our understanding of the world's species diversity, especially in marine ecosystems, is still in its infancy. Identification is an essential step in understanding the biological and conservation needs of species all over the world.



"Despite the fact that biodiversity conservation is a global issue, species diversity and other aspects of biodiversity are still not fully understood," said Tomikawa.



"As a first step toward species conservation, we conducted a taxonomic study of amphipod Crustacea, which boasts high species diversity around Japan."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-melita-panda">Understanding Melita panda</h2>



The researchers conducted detailed morphological studies of the physical characteristics of body parts in the crustacean to ascertain their differences from other melitid amphipods. 



Unlike other familiar crustaceans, M. panda individuals are very small. The first male specimen collected was a mere 0.2 in (6 mm), with females being even smaller. 



The panda-like pattern was found to consist of black markings on a body that was white. The antennae, sides, head and posterior abdomen were all black, while the rest of the body was white.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinctive-differences-in-melita-panda">Distinctive differences in Melita panda </h2>



The researchers also used nuclear and mitochondrial genes for phylogenetic analysis, hoping to gain deeper insights into the species' evolutionary relationships with other crustaceans and how it fits within the broader family tree.



Melita panda was found to be closely related to two other Melita amphipods, namely M. nagatai and M. koreana.



What clearly sets Melita panda apart from the other two species, however, are its distinctive coloring and its physical differences.



Melita panda boasts unique gnathopods - claws extending from the second thoracic segment - that are positioned more forward than in the other Melita amphipods.



It also features unique setae - bristles that look like hairs. These three species together form a monophyletic group, meaning that they share a common evolutionary ancestor, M. hoshinoi.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-lies-ahead-for-crustacean-research">What lies ahead for crustacean research</h2>



As the researchers continue to study this newest Melita, they're optimistic about what lies ahead.



"Hopefully, a detailed study of the ecology and behavior of Melita panda will reveal the reason for its panda pattern," said Tomikawa. 



But, the research doesn't end with Melita panda. Tomikawa noted that further taxonomic studies on amphipods in uninvestigated areas are expected to lead to the discovery of additional new species. 



"Continued taxonomic studies are expected to elucidate the biodiversity in the coastal environments of the Japanese archipelago and provide important basic data for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pronghorn-lessons-conservation-crucial-preventing-species-extinctions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species conservation</a>."



These discoveries remind us of just how much we have yet to learn about the biodiversity that surrounds us.



The study was published in the journal <a href="https://zookeys.pensoft.net/article/128858/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ZooKeys</a>.



Image Credit: Ko Tomikawa/Hiroshima University



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Meet Melita panda: The black-and-white crustacean shrimp

In the 1990s, a Japanese scientist, Shigeyuki Yamato, noticed an...

It's no secret that albatrosses are a mobile bunch. These birds don’t shy away from a little trip and, thanks to the wind, cover several hundred thousand miles to feast on fish and other creatures in the open ocean. 



Albatrosses are so attuned to the wind that some larger species have a difficult time taking off in calm weather.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-much-wind-can-albatrosses-handle">How much wind can albatrosses handle?</h2>



A recent study led by the University of Liverpool’s School of Environmental Science reveals a surprising discovery: there's a limit to how much wind these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shrinking-sea-ice-makes-it-harder-for-seabirds-to-find-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> can handle.



The researchers found that two species of albatrosses, despite being expert fliers, found it challenging to eat during very stormy weather. Under these conditions, finding food becomes risky or even downright dangerous.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-research">Focus of the research </h2>



The experts analyzed data collected at South Georgia in the southwest Atlantic Ocean. They used tracking devices from the British Antarctic Survey to measure when and where the birds were resting, flying, or eating. 



In addition, satellite measurements of wind, rain and water clarity were used to gauge when these birds encountered stormy conditions.



Study lead author Jamie Darby conducted the research while at the <a href="https://www.liverpool.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Liverpool</a> and is now based at <a href="https://www.ucc.ie/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University College Cork</a>. 



“This combination of data is a very powerful tool for understanding how albatrosses behave, especially when they are so difficult to observe directly," noted Darby. 



“On several occasions, we tracked wandering albatross flying in very strong storm winds. During these times, the logger data tell us that the albatrosses barely fed at all. Not only did they not manage to eat, but they also landed and took off more regularly."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-avoiding-extreme-weather">Avoiding extreme weather</h2>



“The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/albatrosses-use-infrasound-for-long-distance-navigation-study-reveals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">albatrosses</a> seem to avoid severe winds by landing on the water, but then cannot rest for long, probably because such strong wind would cause waves to break over them regularly,” said study co-author Dr. Ewan Wakefield from Durham University.



Wandering albatrosses, with the largest wingspan of any bird (up to 12 feet), are adapted for efficient flight in Southern Ocean winds.



Despite this incredible feat, they are not immune to the adverse effects of extreme weather. Recent studies have documented several instances of albatrosses avoiding the strongest wind in storm systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wind-adapted-albatrosses">Wind-adapted albatrosses </h2>



“This study allows us to understand <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shrinking-sea-ice-makes-it-harder-for-seabirds-to-find-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal behavior</a> when they are in places and conditions that make it almost impossible for us to see them directly. This includes extreme weather, like Southern Ocean storms," said project principal investigator Dr. Samantha Patrick.



"Knowing what animals do in these conditions, and how they cope, is really important. It’s a way to figure out how they will be affected by changes in their environment.”



The research implies that wind-adapted albatrosses could be disadvantaged by more widespread extreme winds, as finding food becomes difficult or dangerous.



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



The findings from this study hold important implications for the conservation of albatrosses, as climate change is predicted to increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.



Understanding how these birds respond to such conditions is crucial for developing strategies to protect them. Conservationists can use this knowledge to inform marine protected area design and enforce policies that mitigate human impact on albatross habitats. 



By anticipating how future wind patterns might hinder their ability to feed, conservation efforts can be tailored to support the resilience of these magnificent creatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wind-s-impact-on-albatrosses">Wind's impact on albatrosses</h2>



This study opens the door for further research into the behavioral adaptations of albatrosses and other seabirds to extreme weather conditions.



As technology advances, more sophisticated tracking devices and environmental sensors will allow researchers to gather even finer-scale data on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seabirds-have-highly-sensitive-beaks-to-locate-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird movements</a> and environmental conditions. 



Future studies could explore how juvenile albatrosses learn to navigate and respond to stormy weather or how changes in prey availability during storms impact albatross feeding strategies. 



Such research can deepen our understanding of how winds and climate change affect not only albatrosses but marine ecosystems as a whole.



The study was funded by the Natural Environmental Research Council (NERC) in the UK and the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the U.S.



The findings are published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(24)01372-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Strong winds make it difficult for albatrosses to feed

It's no secret that albatrosses are a mobile bunch. These...

COVID-19 presents a broad range of symptoms, varying in intensity from mild to severe and even life-threatening, especially among those with pre-existing health conditions. Despite current strains generally producing milder symptoms, individuals with underlying conditions still face heightened risks of severe illness. 



Now, researchers at <a href="https://www.emory.edu/home/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emory University</a> have made a breakthrough in predicting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-can-increase-the-severity-of-covid-19-infection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID-19 severity</a> by analyzing autoantibodies in the nasal cavity. 



The findings, published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.adq1789" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Translational Medicine</a>, offer a path to more tailored treatment plans that could benefit high-risk individuals by informing rapid treatment options, such as taking antiviral medications like Paxlovid within a week of symptom onset to reduce the risk of severe complications.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-covid-19-through-antibodies">Tracking COVID-19 through antibodies</h2>



The study monitored 125 patients with COVID-19 ranging from mild to severe cases over nearly two years. The researchers tracked <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antibodies-improve-in-quality-for-months-after-covid-19-vaccination/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antibodies</a> both in the blood and in the nasal airways and found that over 70% of individuals with mild or moderate COVID-19 developed specific autoantibodies in the nasal cavity. 



Surprisingly, these nasal autoantibodies were associated with milder symptoms, better antiviral responses, and quicker recovery times.



According to the study’s lead researcher, Eliver Ghosn, a faculty member at Emory’s Lowance Center for Human Immunology and Emory Vaccine Center, the presence of these autoantibodies in the nose appears to play a protective role by regulating the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-deadly-molds-attack-the-immune-system-of-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">immune system</a>. 



“Generally, autoantibodies are associated with pathology and a negative prognosis, causing increased <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-covid-inflammation-damages-heart-cells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inflammation</a> that would indicate more severe disease,” Ghosn said. “What’s interesting about our findings is that with COVID-19, it’s the opposite.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-immune-pathway">Distinct immune pathway</h2>



These nasal autoantibodies seem to latch onto inflammatory molecules produced by the patient’s own cells early in infection, potentially preventing excessive inflammation.&nbsp;



The autoantibodies then diminish as recovery progresses, suggesting they serve as an immune response mechanism to keep the inflammatory process balanced.&nbsp;



This nasal response, in contrast to autoantibodies in the blood, could mark a distinct immune pathway that guards against severe disease.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-immune-responses-in-the-nasal-cavity-nbsp">Immune responses in the nasal cavity&nbsp;</h2>



Earlier studies showed that autoantibodies in the blood often predispose COVID-19 patients to severe illness. However, these studies have largely overlooked the nasal cavity, which is the actual entry and initial infection site for the virus.&nbsp;



This new study reveals that immune responses in the nasal cavity may function differently, with nasal autoantibodies potentially offering a layer of protection, unlike those found in the blood.



“The key to this puzzle was to look directly at the site of infection, in the nose, instead of the blood,” Ghosn explained.&nbsp;



“While autoantibodies in the blood were linked to bad prognosis, producing them only in the nose soon after infection is linked to efficient recovery.” This distinction underscores the potential for site-specific immune responses in respiratory illnesses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-tool-to-detect-local-antibodies">New tool to detect local antibodies</h2>



To analyze antibodies produced at the infection site in the nose, the Ghosn lab developed a new diagnostic tool called FlowBEAT.&nbsp;



This biotechnology allows for a more efficient, comprehensive measurement of antibodies in nasal swabs, which could soon have applications for other respiratory illnesses like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-the-influenza-virus-hack-our-cells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">influenza</a> and RSV. 



Unlike traditional tests, which generally measure only a single antibody type, FlowBEAT can evaluate all human antibody types against dozens of viral and host antigens in one test.



“Historically, the technology to measure antibodies has low sensitivity and is inefficient since they are limited to measuring one or a few antibodies at a time,” Ghosn explained.&nbsp;



“With FlowBEAT, we can take any standard nasal swab and perform a combination test to simultaneously measure all human antibody types against dozens of viral and host antigens in a single tube.”&nbsp;



This new technology enables a more sensitive and scalable way to measure nasal autoantibodies, providing valuable insights into infection severity and improving diagnostic capabilities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-combating-respiratory-infections-more-effectively-nbsp">Combating respiratory infections more effectively&nbsp;</h2>



The study also opens the door to examining whether this nasal autoantibody response is a common immune defense mechanism in other respiratory infections.&nbsp;



If similar responses are identified in cases of flu or RSV, this could represent a new understanding of how the body mounts protective immunity against a range of viral infections.



“If this nasal autoantibody response turns out to be a common mechanism to protect us against other viral infections, it can be a paradigm shift in how we study protective immunity,” Ghosn said.&nbsp;



He envisions this discovery sparking new research avenues and therapeutic strategies for combating respiratory infections more effectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-precise-treatment-decisions-nbsp">More precise treatment decisions&nbsp;</h2>



Following the findings, Ghosn’s team is collaborating with Emory’s patent office to create a diagnostic tool that uses leftover samples from routine nasal swabs taken for COVID-19 tests.&nbsp;



Such a tool could help healthcare providers assess patients’ immune responses in real time, enabling timely, more precise treatment decisions.



Ben Babcock, a PhD candidate who led the study, emphasized the significance of real-time immune monitoring.



“Imagine if we could capture the immune response in real-time, right in the clinic. A just-in-time test could give physicians and patients the real-time information they need to make faster, smarter treatment decisions,” said Babcock.



If successful, this tool could redefine how respiratory infections are managed in clinical settings, providing patients and healthcare providers with more control over treatment timelines.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-personalized-treatment-for-respiratory-infections-nbsp">Personalized treatment for respiratory infections&nbsp;</h2>



The potential for nasal autoantibodies to influence treatment strategies represents an important step toward personalized respiratory care.&nbsp;



As Ghosn notes, this discovery challenges traditional perspectives on autoantibodies and offers a promising pathway for real-time diagnosis and treatment options not only for COVID-19 but also for other respiratory infections.&nbsp;



With further development and clinical testing, FlowBEAT and similar technologies could make it possible to accurately predict disease progression and severity, giving patients a better chance of recovery with minimal complications.



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Nasal swab test can predict severe COVID-19 infections

COVID-19 presents a broad range of symptoms, varying in intensity...

A team of biologists has recently revealed the origins of a unique DNA duplication mechanism that grants plants additional ways to control genetic instructions.&nbsp;



This discovery, led by Xuehua Zhong from the <a href="https://washu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington University in St. Louis</a> (WashU), holds promise for innovations in agriculture, particularly in enhancing crop resilience to environmental challenges like heat and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-extreme-weather-events-are-escalating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drought</a>. 



The research, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adr2222" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>, delves into DNA methylation - a biological process that plays a key role in gene regulation, directly impacting how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-plants-make-life-and-death-decisions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> respond to environmental stressors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complexity-of-plant-dna-methylation">Complexity of plant DNA methylation</h2>



DNA methylation involves adding small chemical groups called methyl groups to DNA. This modification determines which genes are turned on or off, shaping various plant traits.&nbsp;



A crucial part of this process involves silencing “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-fungus-has-become-more-deadly-thanks-to-jumping-genes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">jumping genes</a>” or transposons, which are mobile DNA sequences that can disrupt normal genetic function if not controlled. In plants, this regulatory role is handled by specialized enzymes, distinct from those found in mammals.



“Mammals only have two major enzymes that add methyl groups in one DNA context, but plants actually have multiple enzymes that do that in three DNA contexts,” Zhong explained, highlighting the unique complexity of plant DNA methylation.&nbsp;



“The question is - why do plants need extra methylation enzymes?” This research could pave the way for advancements in agriculture by helping scientists to tap into plant systems that naturally regulate resilience-related traits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-enzymes-in-plant-dna">The role of enzymes in plant DNA</h2>



Zhong’s study focuses on two enzymes unique to plants: CMT3 and CMT2. Both enzymes are part of the chromomethylase (CMT) family, responsible for adding methyl groups to specific DNA sequences.&nbsp;



CMT3 specializes in methylating so-called CHG sequences, while CMT2 targets CHH sequences. Despite their differences, these enzymes share a common ancestry, having evolved through duplication events that provided plants with extra copies of genetic information.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-history-of-the-enzymes-nbsp">Evolutionary history of the enzymes&nbsp;</h2>



Using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, also known as thale cress, Zhong’s team traced the evolutionary history of these enzymes.&nbsp;



The experts discovered that CMT2 lost its ability to methylate CHG sequences due to the absence of an amino acid called arginine, a change that occurred during the enzyme’s evolution.&nbsp;



“Arginine is special because it has charge. In a cell, it’s positively charged and thus can form hydrogen bonds or other chemical interactions with, for example, the negatively charged DNA,” explained co-author Jia Gwee, a graduate student at WashU.



CMT2, however, contains valine instead of arginine. Valine lacks the necessary charge to interact with CHG sequences, explaining why CMT2 no longer recognizes these DNA contexts as CMT3 does.&nbsp;



To test this theory, the research team introduced arginine back into CMT2, restoring its ability to methylate both CHG and CHH sequences.&nbsp;



This mutation suggests that CMT2 originally functioned as a duplicate of CMT3 - a backup enzyme with the potential to diversify its function as plant DNA complexity grew.&nbsp;



“But instead of simply copying the original function, it developed something new,” Zhong noted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapting-to-environmental-stress">Adapting to environmental stress</h2>



The study also uncovered structural features that set CMT2 apart. Notably, the enzyme has a flexible N-terminal region that influences its protein stability, a characteristic that may have helped plants adapt to various environmental conditions.&nbsp;



“This is one of the ways plants evolved for genome stability and to fight environmental stresses,” Zhong explained. This structural adaptation has likely allowed plants equipped with CMT2 to thrive in diverse climates across the globe.



A significant portion of the data for this study came from the <a href="https://1001genomes.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1001 Genomes Project</a>, which maps the genetic diversity of A. thaliana strains worldwide. 



By exploring samples from plants in the wild rather than just laboratory specimens, the researchers gained insights into how DNA methylation contributes to plants’ natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-ecosystem-stability-threatened-by-declining-plant-resilience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resilience</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jumping-genes-and-plant-adaptation">Jumping genes and plant adaptation</h2>



The study also highlights the adaptive potential of transposons, or “jumping genes,” in plant DNA. These mobile sequences are often silenced by methylation to maintain genomic stability, but their occasional movement can aid in environmental adaptation.&nbsp;



“One jump might help species deal with harsh environmental conditions,” Zhong said, explaining how these genetic shifts could help plants survive in challenging environments.



As plants navigate unpredictable climates, the diversification enabled by DNA methylation - particularly through enzymes like CMT3 and CMT2 - can provide the flexibility needed to withstand stressors like extreme temperatures and limited water availability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-implications-for-crop-resilience">Future implications for crop resilience</h2>



Understanding how CMT enzymes contribute to plant resilience opens exciting possibilities for agriculture.&nbsp;



By precisely targeting the genes and methylation processes responsible for drought tolerance, heat resistance, or other resilience traits, scientists could enhance crops’ ability to thrive under changing climate conditions.&nbsp;



“If we find precisely how they are regulated, then we can find a way to innovate our technology for crop improvement,” Zhong explained.



As the world faces growing agricultural challenges, insights into the DNA methylation processes that strengthen plants can provide a foundation for developing crops capable of withstanding increasingly severe environmental pressures.&nbsp;



This research marks a step forward in harnessing plants’ genetic systems to create resilient agricultural ecosystems, offering a promising path to sustainable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungal-infections-are-threatening-global-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food security</a> in the face of climate change.



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Plants use DNA duplication to increase their resilience 

A team of biologists has recently revealed the origins of...

The fossilized remains of a giant "terror bird," recently discovered in the sandy landscapes of South America's Tatacoa Desert, tells the story of a formidable predator from the Phorusrhacid family.



A new study focuses on these giant, meat-eating predators, providing remarkable insights into the diverse wildlife that roamed the world in very ancient times.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-phorusrhacid-s">What are Phorusrhacids?</h2>



Phorusrhacid birds, better known as "terror birds," were some of the most impressive predators to ever walk the Earth. These flightless birds lived in South America from about 60 million to 2 million years ago. 



Standing up to 10 feet tall, they had massive, hooked beaks and really strong legs built for running, Basically, they were the top predators of their time.



Terror birds dominated their environment by hunting small to medium-sized animals. They could sprint at high speeds to chase down prey, using their powerful beaks to deliver lethal strikes. 



Some scientists believe they might have even hunted in packs, although that's still up for debate. Their reign lasted for millions of years, filling the gap left by the dinosaurs' extinction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leg-bone-of-an-ancient-phorusrhacid">Leg bone of an ancient Phorusrhacid</h2>



At the center of this fascinating narrative is a leg bone. This relic from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-site-in-australia-indicates-abundant-life-during-the-miocene/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Miocene</a> epoch, a period dating back around 12 million years, holds within it stories about the ancient birds of prey that roamed the continent.



Dr. Siobhán Cooke is an associate professor of functional anatomy and evolution at the <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins University</a> School of Medicine. 



He noted that the size of the bone indicates that this terror bird may be the largest known member of the species identified to date, approximately 5 to 20 percent larger than known Phorusrhacids.



The bone's physical attributes provide an intriguing subplot. It contains deep pits peculiar to Phorusrhacids and potential teeth marks of a prehistoric caiman, Purussaurus.



The physical evidence seems to point to a fatal altercation with a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/differences-in-the-mammalian-and-reptilian-brain-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reptilian</a> adversary. 



"We suspect that the terror bird would have died as a result of its injuries given the size of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-remains-shed-new-light-on-crocodilian-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crocodilians</a> 12 million years ago," said Dr. Cooke.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distribution-of-phorusrhacid-terror-birds">Distribution of Phorusrhacid terror birds</h2>



The unearthed fossil, found as far north as Colombia, expands our understanding of the geography of terror birds, which have been primarily associated with Argentina and Uruguay.



The research hints at a diverse and thriving ecosystem, markedly different from the landscapes we see now.



This ancient environment, now a desert, was home to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/primates-face-an-uncertain-future-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">primates</a>, hoofed mammals, gigantic ground sloths, glyptodonts (essentially, gigantic armadillos the size of cars), and terror birds.



The seriema, a modern long-legged bird native to South America, is considered a distant relative of Phorusrhacids.



"It’s a different kind of ecosystem than we see today or in other parts of the world during a period before South and North America were connected," noted Dr. Cooke.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-phorusrhacid-terror-birds">Studying Phorusrhacid terror birds</h2>



The discovery opens a window of possibility that additional fossils of terror birds may lie unidentified in museum archives.



"It’s possible there are fossils in existing collections that haven’t been recognized yet as terror birds because the bones are less diagnostic than the lower leg bone we found," said Dr. Cooke.



The fossil also prompts us to envision an environment now lost to time, populated by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/elusive-bird-night-parrot-pezoporus-occidentalis-thought-to-be-long-extinct-rediscovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">long-extinct</a> creatures that once dominated the fauna. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/terror-bird_Phorusrhacid_leg-bone_tibiotarsus_credit-Degrange_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/terror-bird_Phorusrhacid_leg-bone_tibiotarsus_credit-Degrange_1s.webp" alt="The end of a terror bird's left tibiotarsus, a lower leg bone in birds equivalent to that of a human tibia or shin bone, dates back to the Miocene epoch around 12 million years ago. Credit: Degrange et al." class="wp-image-1949728"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The end of a terror bird's left tibiotarsus, a lower leg bone in birds equivalent to that of a human tibia or shin bone, dates back to the Miocene epoch around 12 million years ago. Credit: Degrange et al.</figcaption></figure>



"It would have been a fascinating place to walk around and see all of these now extinct animals," noted Dr. Cooke.



This remarkable find, the first of its kind from the site, is a tribute to the rich biodiversity that once adorned our planet. 



It nudges us to view the past through a lens of awe and curiosity, and to appreciate the diversity and beauty of the life forms that populated Earth millions of years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-terror-bird-s-legacy">The terror bird’s legacy</h2>



The discovery of this massive terror bird sheds light not only on ancient ecosystems but also on the evolutionary story of apex predators. 



The physical characteristics of this bird - its powerful leg bones and sharp beak -- highlight the specialized adaptations that allowed it to thrive in its environment.



These adaptations may have provided the terror bird with the speed and agility to hunt effectively, filling a predatory role in the food chain much like large cats or raptors do today. 



By understanding the terror bird’s evolution, researchers hope to uncover insights into how apex predators adapt to environmental shifts, contributing valuable knowledge to evolutionary biology.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossil-discoveries-on-the-horizon">Fossil discoveries on the horizon</h2>



This fossil, potentially one of the largest known of its kind, also serves as a reminder that more discoveries await in the Tatacoa Desert and beyond.



While Colombia is not typically recognized as a hotbed of fossil discovery compared to regions like Argentina or North America, recent findings like this highlight its hidden potential.



Paleontologists are hopeful that ongoing exploration of South American sites will yield further specimens, expanding our understanding of Miocene-era ecosystems. 



This research, along with improved fossil identification techniques, may pave the way for unearthing additional terror bird remains, helping scientists reconstruct the behaviors, habitats, and interactions of these ancient predators.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/spp2.1601" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palaeontology</a>.



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New "terror bird" species ate meat and dominated the planet

The fossilized remains of a giant "terror bird," recently discovered...

Just when you thought you'd heard it all about the benefits of exercise, a study emerges that further endorses the power of physical activity.



The research suggests that adding just a short burst of physical activity - such as uphill walking or climbing stairs - into your daily schedule might just be the secret elixir to reducing your blood pressure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-physical-activity-and-blood-pressure">Physical activity and blood pressure </h2>



The study was conducted by a team of experts from the ProPASS (Prospective Physical Activity, Sitting and Sleep) Consortium, steered by the University of Sydney and University College London (UCL).



The findings offer a fresh perspective on how we could potentially manage blood pressure <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-over-2000-genetic-markers-that-affect-blood-pressure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">issues</a>.



The study revealed that as little as five minutes of moderate activity daily could potentially help reduce blood pressure levels. 



The researchers also found that replacing about 20-27 minutes of sedentary time with exercise such as walking, running, and cycling could also play a significant role in reducing blood pressure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adding-exercise-to-daily-life">Adding exercise to daily life</h2>



“High blood pressure is one of the biggest health issues globally, but unlike some major causes of cardiovascular mortality there may be relatively accessible ways to tackle the problem in addition to medication,” said joint senior author&nbsp;Professor Emmanuel Stamatakis,&nbsp;director of the ProPASS Consortium from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/charles-perkins-centre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charles Perkins Centre</a>.&nbsp;



“The finding that doing as little as five extra minutes of exercise per day could be associated with measurably lower blood pressure readings emphasises how powerful short bouts of higher intensity movement could be for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-from-plastic-bottles-raises-your-blood-pressure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blood pressure management</a>.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-managing-blood-pressure-levels">Managing blood pressure levels</h2>



Hypertension, or consistently elevated blood pressure, remains one of the primary causes of premature death worldwide.



With nearly 1.28 billion adults affected globally, hypertension can lead to devastating health implications such as stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney damage.



Often tagged as the "silent killer" due to the absence of visible symptoms, managing blood pressure levels evidently demands our urgent attention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blood-pressure-after-exercise">Blood pressure after exercise</h2>



The research team analyzed health information from 14,761 volunteers across five countries. They aimed to examine how swapping one type of movement behavior with another over the day could influence <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleeping-less-than-seven-hours-high-blood-pressure-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blood pressure</a> levels.



To ensure accuracy, each participant used a wearable accelerometer device on their thigh. This device kept track of their activity levels and blood pressure throughout day and night. 



The team divided daily activity into six distinct categories: sleep, sedentary behavior (such as sitting), slow walking, fast walking, standing, and more vigorous exercise such as running, cycling or stair climbing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-every-step-counts">Every step counts</h2>



Based on the data, the team realized that switching sedentary behavior with 20-27 minutes of physical activity daily could potentially slash the risk of cardiovascular disease by as much as 28 percent at a population level.



“Our findings suggest that, for most people, exercise is key to reducing blood pressure, rather than less strenuous forms of movement such as walking," said first author&nbsp;Dr. Jo Blodgett&nbsp;from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/surgery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Division of Surgery and Interventional Science</a>&nbsp;at UCL and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iseh.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health</a>.



“The good news is that whatever your physical ability, it doesn’t take long to have a positive effect on blood pressure. What’s unique about our exercise variable is that it includes all exercise-like activities, from running for a bus or a short cycling errand, many of which can be integrated into daily routines."



Dr. Blodgett noted that for those who don’t do a lot of exercise, walking still had some positive benefits for blood pressure. "But if you want to change your blood pressure, putting more demand on the cardiovascular system through exercise will have the greatest effect.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-daily-life">Implications for daily life</h2>



Integrating physical activity into one's routine does not have to be a daunting task. This study highlights that even minor modifications to daily habits can foster meaningful health improvements.



For instance, opting for the stairs instead of the elevator or a brisk walk during lunch breaks can accumulate significant health benefits over time. 



Such changes are not only practical but provide an accessible and engaging approach to managing health, promoting a proactive stance toward reducing hypertension risks. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-managing-blood-pressure-with-exercise">Managing blood pressure with exercise</h2>



The implications of this research extend beyond individual action, hinting at a potential shift in public <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-blood-pressure-can-be-detected-in-voice-recordings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health strategies</a>. 



Encouraging urban planning that incorporates more walkable spaces, investing in community fitness programs, and raising public awareness about the benefits of integrating activity into daily life could positively influence public health.



Policymakers may consider these findings as a call to implement initiatives that promote environments conducive to physical activity. 



Such measures align not only with health benefits but also with sustainability goals, fostering healthier lifestyles in conjunction with environmental stewardship.



The key takeaway? Incorporating more physically demanding activities in your daily life can have the greatest effect on your blood pressure. It doesn’t matter if you are running for a bus or cycling to the nearby grocery store - every bit of effort counts.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.124.069820" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Circulation</a>.



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Just 5 minutes of daily exercise can lower blood pressure

Just when you thought you'd heard it all about the...

Modern ecologists now have more data than ever to help monitor biodiversity, yet this increase in data isn’t always enough to address the nuanced challenges species face.&nbsp;



As global biodiversity declines, animal ecologist Scott Yanco from the <a href="https://umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a> explains that more specific data is crucial to identify the causes behind population declines, which, left unchecked, could lead to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/local-species-extinctions-are-often-underestimated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species extinction</a>. 



In a recent study co-authored with U-M evolutionary ecologist Brian Weeks and an international team, Yanco highlights the growing role of animal tracking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-is-tracking-endangered-animal-habitats-from-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">technology</a> in revolutionizing conservation efforts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vital-role-of-biodiversity">The vital role of biodiversity</h2>



Biodiversity is essential for supporting human health and ecosystems. It underpins food, water, air quality, and recreation.&nbsp;



Biodiversity isn’t only vital in remote ecosystems like tropical rainforests; Yanco points out that local biodiversity, such as what’s found in our backyards, plays a key role too. Understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-are-the-biggest-drivers-of-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> is essential for developing effective policies. 



Protecting ecosystems helps prevent crises like pandemics and agricultural failures, which ultimately support human well-being. Yanco’s work focuses on applying data to anticipate and prevent these issues.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-evolution-of-animal-tracking">The evolution of animal tracking</h2>



Tracking animals is not a new practice in ecology. Traditionally, animals were fitted with simple markers, such as aluminum leg bands for birds or collars for mammals.&nbsp;



However, these methods required researchers to repeatedly locate the animals, which was often challenging and time-consuming. This limited the amount of detailed, continuous data available on individual animals.



In recent years, electronic tracking devices have provided more precise information, similar to the GPS technology found in smartphones.&nbsp;



These new tracking devices allow researchers to monitor the location and behavior of animals on a much larger scale and over extended periods.&nbsp;



This influx of data has revealed previously unknown details about animals’ movements and interactions with their environments, creating an opportunity to study the behaviors and environmental factors that drive population declines.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animal-tracking-data-and-conservation">Animal tracking data and conservation</h2>



Animal tracking technology provides insights that go beyond monitoring population numbers. While researchers can often track overall trends in population levels, they need more specific information to determine the exact causes behind these changes.&nbsp;



Detailed data from animal tracking can help scientists understand the precise impact of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>, pollution, habitat fragmentation, and other stressors. This level of detail is essential for developing targeted conservation interventions.



With precise tracking data, conservationists can move beyond general explanations and address specific challenges.&nbsp;



For example, rather than simply noting habitat loss as a cause of population decline, tracking data can help researchers pinpoint particular areas where fragmented habitats are directly impacting survival rates.&nbsp;



By identifying these localized issues, ecologists can design interventions that address the specific conditions that impact wildlife populations.



Tracking technology offers a unique opportunity to gather such detailed information, which is especially valuable in studying species that are difficult to observe in the wild.&nbsp;



With this data, scientists can examine biodiversity on a global scale, focusing on species that are particularly vulnerable to human impacts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emerging-animal-tracking-technologies">Emerging animal tracking technologies</h2>



Modern animal tracking technology now includes lightweight GPS devices, which provide precise location data for larger animals like elk or elephants.&nbsp;



For smaller animals, researchers use miniaturized tracking devices that store data for later retrieval, as these species cannot support the weight of GPS-enabled devices.&nbsp;



Systems such as ICARUS are developing smaller, satellite-based tags, which enable researchers to track smaller species without needing to recapture the animals.



Advanced tracking devices also include additional sensors that measure environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and air pressure. Some devices even include mortality switches that send alerts if the animal has been motionless for too long.&nbsp;



This innovation allows researchers to understand animal behavior and responses to environmental changes with high precision.



With these technologies, researchers can collect detailed information about animal movements, behavior, and survival conditions.&nbsp;



This data provides new insights into the causes behind biodiversity declines, giving ecologists valuable tools for addressing these challenges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-a-targeted-approach-to-conservation">Building a targeted approach to conservation</h2>



Yanco sees these developments as paving the way for more targeted conservation strategies. By pinpointing the causes behind population declines, tracking technology enables conservationists to develop interventions that address specific threats to individual species.&nbsp;



This precise approach allows researchers to recommend specific actions that help wildlife populations thrive while minimizing human impact, creating potential for sustainable, coexisting ecosystems.



With this influx of detailed tracking data, Yanco and his team are hopeful for a future where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/effective-conservation-efforts-key-to-saving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation efforts</a> are more informed and effective. 



As tracking technology continues to evolve, ecologists are better equipped to combat the challenges facing biodiversity worldwide, with data-driven insights shaping the path forward.



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Animal tracking is crucial for preserving biodiversity

Modern ecologists now have more data than ever to help...

The day that Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980 is forever seared into the collective memory of the world. An unstoppable surge of lava effectively reduced surrounding life forms to ash within a matter of miles. In an unlikely twist of fate, an experiment involving some resilient gophers triggered a chain of events that initiated the recovery of the mountain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gophers-on-mount-st-helens">Gophers on Mount St. Helens</h2>



Despair had hung in the air after the eruption of Mount St. Helens. A once vibrant ecosystem was reduced to nothing in an instant, reminding us of nature’s fearsome power. However, in the aftermath, a bold theory emerged from the minds of scientists.



The experts speculated that gophers, small burrowing rodents, could play an essential role in the revival of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountain-building-triggered-a-mass-extinction-event/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">barren landscape</a>.



Quite simply, by digging up and redepositing beneficial bacteria and fungi from deeper soil layers, gophers could aid in the resurrection of the mountain's plant and animal life.



“They’re often considered pests, but we thought they would take old soil, move it to the surface, and that would be where recovery would occur,” said Michael Allen, a professor of plant pathology at <a href="https://search.app?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ucr.edu%2F&amp;utm_campaign=aga&amp;utm_source=agsadl2%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Riverside</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transformative-and-persistent-changes">Transformative and persistent changes</h2>



Two years following the eruption, the scientists decided it was time to put their theory into action. 



Gophers were dropped onto parts of the scorched <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountains-both-carbon-sinks-and-carbon-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mountain</a> for a mere 24 hours, and the effects of this short intervention continue to be seen today, 40 years later.



New research published this week in the journal Frontiers in Microbiomes illuminates the enduring impact of this experiment - a persistent change in the communities of fungi and bacteria in areas where gophers had briefly resided. 



This effect was not observed on land surrounding Mount St. Helens where gophers were not introduced.



“In the 1980s, we were just testing the short-term reaction,” said Professor Allen. “Who would have predicted you could toss a gopher in for a day and see a residual effect 40 years later?”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gophers-and-mountain-soil">Gophers and mountain soil</h2>



The interaction between gophers and the mountain soil is just one part of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loss-of-mountain-forests-accelerating-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">revitalization</a> puzzle. Another vital aspect is the role of mycorrhizal fungi. 



These tiny organisms have a symbiotic relationship with plant roots, exchanging nutrients and resources. They shield plants against pathogens and crucially, in such barren environments as that of Mount St. Helens post-eruption, they aid plants in becoming established and surviving.



“The fungi transport these things to the plant and get carbon they need for their own growth in exchange,” explained Professor Allen.



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



The real-world implications of these findings are vast. Take, for instance, two different sides of the mountain. 



One side was covered by an old-growth forest when the eruption blanketed everything with ash. Scientists feared that the forest would collapse due to the loss of needles from the pine, spruce, and Douglas fir trees. However, much to their surprise, the trees rebounded almost immediately in some places.



“These trees have their own mycorrhizal fungi that picked up nutrients from the dropped needles and helped fuel rapid tree regrowth,” said UCR environmental microbiologist and study co-author Emma Aronson.



In stark contrast, the other side of the mountain had been clear-cut prior to the eruption. With no trees or dropped needles to feed the soil fungi, this area remains barren to this day.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recovery-of-mount-st-helens">Recovery of Mount St. Helens</h2>



The results of this study highlight the importance of understanding and respecting the intricate connections within nature, particularly among elements like microbes and fungi which we can't see.



“We cannot ignore the interdependence of all things in nature, especially the things we cannot see like microbes and fungi,” said Mia Maltz, study lead author and <a href="https://uconn.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Connecticut</a> mycologist.



In conclusion, in the searing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-research-enhances-predictions-on-volcanic-eruptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aftermath of an eruption</a>, the recovery of Mount St. Helens provides an unforgettable lesson on the resilience of nature, the power of scientific curiosity, and the value of cooperation between species.



And let's not forget the humble gophers, forever to be remembered as the tiny heroes of a scorched and desolate mountain.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiomes/articles/10.3389/frmbi.2024.1399416/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Microbiomes</a>.



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How gophers revived Mount St. Helens after its eruption

The day that Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980 is...

Satellite,Photo,Of,Ice,Pattern,,Aerial,Top,View,Of,Blue

About 650 million years ago, during the last global ice age, Earth was a giant frozen snowball. As the ocean chemistry started to change and the ice began to melt, Earth's surface transformed into what scientists are calling a "slushy" planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-last-global-ice-age">Understanding the last global ice age</h2>



During a period of time ranging from 635 million to 650 million years ago, Earth went through an intense global ice age known as "<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/past-snowball-earth-conditions-drove-evolution-complex-multicellular-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Snowball Earth</a>." 



During this time, glaciers covered almost the entire planet, from the poles all the way to the equator. The oceans were capped with thick layers of ice, and the continents were buried under massive ice sheets. 



It was so extreme that if you were looking at Earth from space, it would have looked like a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-complete-record-of-snowball-earth-found-in-rock-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">giant snowball</a>, hence the nickname.



Life back then was pretty simple, mostly microscopic organisms living in the oceans. These tiny life forms had to survive under the ice, where some sunlight could still filter through. 



Volcanic activity continued beneath the icy surface, releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Over <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-was-a-giant-snowball-700-million-years-ago-and-now-scientists-know-why/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tens of millions of years</a>, this buildup of greenhouse gases eventually warmed the planet enough to start melting the ice. 



That's how Earth reached the "slushy" planet phase, which is the topic of this research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-slushy-earth-and-plumeworld-ocean">Slushy Earth and "plumeworld ocean"</h2>



Thankfully, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-records-shatter-2024-set-to-be-hottest-year-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>, much like its current inhabitants, has a knack for adaptation and survival.



A recently concluded study led by <a href="https://www.vt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Tech</a> has given us an icy peek into the past, one that unveils a fascinating era known as the "plumeworld ocean" epoch.



This time slot on our planet's timeline marked a significant moment. Imagine high levels of carbon dioxide acting like an invisible blowtorch, coaxing the frozen Earth into a vast, rapid meltdown. 



“Our results have important implications for understanding how Earth's climate and ocean chemistry changed after the extreme conditions of the last global ice age,” said lead author Tian Gan, a former Virginia Tech postdoctoral researcher. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-before-turning-slushy">Earth before turning slushy</h2>



Let's shift our attention back to the Snowball Earth period of around 635 to 650 million years ago. As mentioned, this was the time when our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-earths-temperature-has-changed-over-500-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth was deep-frozen</a>, and polar ice caps started encircling the planet like an icy belt.



This expansion of ice had a reflective effect, bouncing sunlight away from Earth and sending our temperatures on a downward spiral.



“A quarter of the ocean was frozen due to extremely low carbon-dioxide levels,” said co-author <a href="https://news.vt.edu/articles/2024/04/science-nas-xiao-rock-reader.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shuhai Xiao</a>, who recently was inducted into the National Academy of Sciences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-effect-of-inactivity">Effect of inactivity</h2>



Imagine someone pressing the pause button on the planet. That's pretty much what happened. 



The surface ocean sealed up, and a chain reaction of inactivity followed. First, the water cycle locked up -- no evaporation, not much precipitation.



Without water, a fundamental carbon-dioxide consuming process known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-caused-marine-mass-extinctions-millions-of-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemical weathering</a>, which essentially involves rocks eroding and disintegrating, slowed down dramatically. 



The result? <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-carbon-dioxide-travels-in-the-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carbon dioxide</a> began to pile up in the atmosphere, turning into a thermal blanket of sorts.



Like a tightly wound spring, pressure built until the high levels of carbon dioxide were enough to shatter this ice age. When that happened, it wasn't just a slow thaw -- it was a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/report-earth-is-headed-for-an-irreversible-climate-disaster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climatic catastrophe</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plumeworld-ocean-epoch">"Plumeworld ocean" epoch</h2>



The Earth took a sudden U-turn and became "slushy". 



As the heat built up, the ice caps began retreating, and our climate started shifting back towards the warmer side. 



And when we say warmer, we're talking about a scorching swing from minus 50 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (that's minus 45 to 48 degrees Celsius).



The ice didn't gently melt into the sea. Instead, think of it as reverse tsunamis of glacial water charging from land into the sea, creating vast pools over the extra salty, extra dense ocean water.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-we-know-this-is-true">How do we know this is true?</h2>



How did the researchers uncover this prehistoric tale of the slushy Earth? The answer lies in a set of carbonate rocks that formed as the global ice age was wrapping up. 



Upon analyzing the relative abundance of lithium isotopes within these rocks, a geochemical signature was found that supported the "plumeworld ocean" theory.



The data showed that the signatures of freshwater were stronger in rocks formed under nearshore meltwater than those formed offshore, deep under the salty sea. 



This finding falls perfectly in line with what our researchers had theorized.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-slushy-earth-s-resilience">Slushy Earth's resilience</h2>



To sum it all up, these findings bring the limits of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-days-getting-longer-rotation-slows-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental change</a> into sharper focus, as Xiao mentions.



They also shed light on the frontiers of biology and the incredible resilience of life under extreme conditions -- be it hot, cold, or slushy.



In the end, probing into Earth's slushy past isn't a mere indulgence in nostalgia. It's a way to understand our present and prepare for our future. 



In understanding how our planet has weathered past climatic earthquakes, we can better equip ourselves to navigate the potentially stormy climate shifts in our future.



Can the lessons from our past guide us towards a more resilient future? Let's hope so.



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Collaborators include Ben Gill, a Virginia Tech associate professor of sedimentary geochemistry; Morrison Nolan, a former graduate student now at <a href="https://denison.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Denison University</a>; and other significant contributors.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2407419121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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"Slushy" Earth: The slightly warmer cousin of the infamous Snowball Earth

About 650 million years ago, during the last global ice...

The flea toad, a tiny marvel smaller than a fingernail, resides deep within the heartlands of the Atlantic Rainforest.



Known for its diminutive size and unique characteristics, this intriguing amphibian has recently gained another member in its genus - a newly discovered species known as Brachycephalus dacnis.



The toad was named in honor of Project Dacnis, an NGO dedicated to conservation, research, and education.



Project Dacnis significantly contributes to the preservation of private regions within the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alarming-number-of-tree-species-threatened-in-the-atlantic-rainforest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atlantic Rainforest</a>, including the area where B. dacnis was spotted. This particular area lies within the charming coastal city of Ubatuba in the state of São Paulo.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flea-toad-brachycephalus-dacnis">Flea toad Brachycephalus dacnis</h2>



These small toads are nothing short of exceptional in the world of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/over-40-of-amphibians-face-extinction-due-to-escalating-climate-threats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amphibians</a>. They possess a unique set of traits that set them apart from their larger counterparts.



"There are small toads with all the characteristics of large toads except for their size. This genus is different," noted study co-author, Luís Felipe Toledo, a professor at the <a href="https://www.ib.unicamp.br/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Biology</a>.



"During its evolution, it underwent what we biologists call <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-do-some-animals-evolve-to-become-miniature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">miniaturization</a>, which involves loss, reduction and/or fusion of bones, as well as fewer digits and absence of other parts of their anatomy."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unearthing-diversity-amidst-the-leaves">Unearthing diversity amidst the leaves</h2>



Researchers have always found the genus Brachycephalus fascinating, particularly due to its colorful species and unique venom.



The recent focus, however, is on the puny stature of the flea toads belonging to the seventh species to be described in this genus.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/flea-toad_Brachycephalus-dacnis_smallest_credit-Lucas-Machado-Botelho_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/flea-toad_Brachycephalus-dacnis_smallest_credit-Lucas-Machado-Botelho_1s.webp" alt="New miniature species on researcher's palm. Credit: Lucas Machado Botelho/Projeto Dacnis" class="wp-image-1949690"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">New miniature species on researcher's palm. Credit: Lucas Machado Botelho/Projeto Dacnis</figcaption></figure>



The tiny toadlets of Brachycephalus share a unique quality. They are unable to hear their own vocalizations due to the absence of a tympanic middle ear. 



This intriguing fact was uncovered in a 2017 article by Toledo and his team. The study, focused on pumpkin toadlets, indicated that visual&nbsp;communication&nbsp;has replaced acoustic communication.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brachycephalus-dacnis-as-a-new-species">Brachycephalus dacnis as a new species</h2>



Upon analyzing B. dacnis, the team found that it shares a lot of morphological similarities with another species - B. hermogenesi.



Both have a yellowish-brown skin, share the same habitat in leaf litter, lack a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-tadpole-vision-changes-from-water-to-land/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tadpole</a> stage, and are found in the same region. However, the uniqueness lies in their calls -- they are distinctly different.



DNA testing further confirmed their suspicion and identified B. dacnis as a new species that is found in the same region as B. hermogenesi.



Discussing the likelihood of the existence of B. dacnis among the specimen that aided in describing B. hermogenesi in 1998, Toledo suggested the use of historical DNA sequencing tools to clear up uncertainties.



These tools are crucial in gathering DNA from zoological museum and herbarium specimens.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-need-for-focused-conservation-efforts">Need for focused conservation efforts</h2>



The discovery of B. dacnis reveals the rich and possibly underestimated variety within the world of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brazilian-flea-toad-worlds-smallest-vertebrate-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">miniature frogs</a>.



"The diversity of these miniature frogs may be far greater than we think. Hence the importance of describing as many traits and features as possible, to expedite the description process and get to work on conservation as quickly as possible," Toledo said. 



Advancing our understanding of these tiny amphibians is essential for their preservation and highlights the need for focused conservation efforts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-significance-of-flea-toads">Ecological significance of flea toads</h2>



Flea toads, despite their tiny size, play a significant role within their ecosystem. Their presence in the Atlantic Rainforest highlights the importance of even the smallest creatures in maintaining ecological balance.



As insectivores, these diminutive amphibians help regulate insect populations, including species that may become pests if left unchecked. 



By thriving within the leaf litter, they also contribute to the nutrient cycle, enriching the soil as they forage and interact with other organisms. 



Understanding the ecological contributions of B. dacnis and similar species highlights why conservation efforts are vital - not only to protect the toads themselves but also to preserve the broader environmental health of this rich habitat.



The research received funding and support from FAPESP, a prominent research foundation, as part of the thematic project “From the natural history to the conservation of Brazilian amphibians."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://peerj.com/articles/18265/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PeerJ</a>.



Image Credit: Lucas Machado Botelho/Projeto Dacnis



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Newly discovered 'flea toad' is the world’s second smallest vertebrate

The flea toad, a tiny marvel smaller than a fingernail,...

Date	Citation Page	Title
06/02/1970	35 FR 8491 8498	Part 17 - Conservation of Endangered Species and Other Fish or Wildlife (First List of Endangered Foreign Fish and Wildlife as Appendix A)
04/14/1970	35 FR 6069	Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Endangered Species Conservation); 35 FR 6069