Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features an astronaut view of the Aladaghlar Mountains in northwestern Iran.



These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-and-why-do-mountains-form-new-theories-for-an-age-old-mystery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mountains</a> are known for their strikingly colorful landscapes, which make them stand out among other mountain ranges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-landscape-of-the-aladaghlar-mountains">Landscape of the Aladaghlar Mountains</h2>



"Ridges cast shadows in the valleys and other low elevation areas, creating a three-dimensional appearance. Human alterations to the landscape are most evident in riverbeds, where the even topography is easier to build on and navigate," said <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



"Natural processes over millions of years have folded rock layers of various compositions and colors into the curved patterns seen here. These folds are produced by tectonic forces operating along the convergent plate boundary of the Arabia and Eurasia plates." 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-rainbow-mountains">The Rainbow Mountains</h2>



One of the most remarkable features of the Aladaghlar Mountains is the vivid coloration of their slopes. 



The name "Aladaghlar" translates to "colorful mountains," which is a testament to their unique appearance.&nbsp;They are also known as the Rainbow Mountains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildlife-of-the-aladaghlar-mountains">Wildlife of the Aladaghlar Mountains </h2>



The Aladaghlar Mountains are part of a larger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountain-ecosystems-are-in-urgent-need-of-protection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystem</a> that includes forests, meadows, and rivers, contributing to a rich biodiversity. 



The region supports a variety of wildlife, including several species that are unique to the area. The diverse wildlife add to the natural beauty and ecological importance of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-and-why-do-mountains-form-new-theories-for-an-age-old-mystery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mountains</a>.



Among the larger mammals, the mountains host species such as brown bears, Persian leopards, and wild goats. The Aladaghlar Mountains also support smaller mammals, including foxes, hares, and various rodent species.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-mountains-influence-bird-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Birdlife</a> is abundant, including eagles, falcons, and a variety of songbirds. Reptiles like lizards and snakes are commonly found in the more humid areas, as well as amphibians.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-significance-of-the-region">Cultural significance of the region</h2>



In addition to their natural appeal, the Aladaghlar Mountains hold cultural significance. The region has a rich history, with evidence of ancient civilizations and historical sites. 



Local communities have their unique cultures and traditions, which have been influenced by the natural environment of the mountains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geology-of-the-aladaghlar-mountains-nbsp">Geology of the Aladaghlar Mountains&nbsp;</h2>



The geological history of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountains-both-carbon-sinks-and-carbon-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mountains</a> is a fascinating tale of millions of years of natural processes.



The Aladaghlar Mountains are primarily composed of sedimentary rocks that have accumulated over millions of years. These sediments include sandstones, siltstones, shales, and conglomerates.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mineral-deposition-nbsp">Mineral deposition&nbsp;</h3>



The varying colors of the Aladaghlar Mountains are largely due to the presence of different minerals in the sedimentary layers. For example, red and orange hues are typically due to iron oxides, while greens can result from copper compounds.



These minerals were deposited in the sedimentary rocks through processes such as chemical precipitation, biological activity, and the weathering of parent rocks.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tectonic-activity">Tectonic activity</h3>



The region has experienced significant tectonic activity due to its location near the convergent boundary between the Arabian and Eurasian plates. This tectonic activity has caused the uplift and folding of the sedimentary layers, creating the mountain range.



The compression and folding associated with tectonic movements have also contributed to the exposure of the colorful strata that were originally deposited horizontally.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-erosion-and-weathering">Erosion and weathering</h3>



Over time, erosion and weathering processes have played a crucial role in shaping the Aladaghlar Mountains. 



Wind, water, and temperature variations have eroded the softer rock layers more quickly than the harder ones, creating the distinctive ridges and valleys seen today.



These erosive processes have also helped to expose the underlying layers, revealing the vibrant colors and intricate patterns that attract tourists and geologists alike.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tales and legends</h2>



One of the most famous tales associated with the Aladaghlar Mountains is that of a hidden treasure buried deep within the mountains by an ancient Persian king.&nbsp;



According to legend, the treasure is guarded by mystical creatures and can only be found by someone pure of heart and brave enough to face the challenges of the mountain.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The shepherd and the fairy</h3>



Another local legend tells the story of a young shepherd who fell in love with a fairy he encountered in the Aladaghlar Mountains. The fairy granted the shepherd three wishes, but warned him that the wishes would come with consequences.&nbsp;



Despite the warning, the shepherd made his wishes, which ultimately led to his downfall, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of greed.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The healing springs</h3>



The Aladaghlar Mountains are also said to be home to a spring with magical healing properties. According to folklore, those who bathe in the spring or drink its water are cured of all ailments.&nbsp;



However, the location of the spring is a closely guarded secret, known only to a few wise elders in the nearby villages.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The spirit of the mountain&nbsp;</h3>



Some locals believe that the Aladaghlar Mountains are inhabited by a protective spirit, who watches over the land and its people.&nbsp;



This spirit is said to bring good fortune to those who respect the mountain and its natural beauty, but misfortune to those who exploit or harm it.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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The Aladaghlar Mountains of northwestern Iran

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

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features the Corbassière glacier, a high-altitude glacier in Switzerland. The glacier originates on the northern slope of the Grand Combin, which is one of the highest peaks in the Pennine Alps.



Collectively, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alpine-glaciers-will-lose-half-of-their-volume-by-2050/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alpine glaciers</a> of Switzerland have lost more than half of their volume since the 1930s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-natural-archives-of-past-climate">Natural archives of past climate </h2>



"Glaciers are natural archives of past climate. In their frozen layers lies evidence of Earth’s changing temperature and atmospheric composition. But as the climate warms, some of the longest records of our changing planet are melting away," said <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



"In just over two decades, Corbassière has shrunk in area and surface mass. The glacier was darker in 2023 due to lack of snow, and the glacier’s tongue had retreated."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-cores-from-the-corbassiere-glacier">Ice cores from the Corbassière glacier</h2>



To reconstruct past concentrations of atmospheric <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-aerosols-impact-the-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aerosols</a>, a team of scientists analyzed ice cores that were collected from the Corbassière glacier in 2018 and 2020.&nbsp;



Aerosols are tiny airborne particles that are deposited in the ice. "Such information from glaciers around the world can provide clues about past environmental conditions thousands of years ago," noted NASA.



"Ice cores contain ammonium, nitrate, and sulfate ions - signatures of aerosols lacing the snow that’s deposited on glaciers year after year. Ion concentrations are lower in winter than in summer because less polluted air can rise from the valley when the air is cold."



When the researchers analyzed the ice core from 2018, they found seasonal fluctuations in the amount of ion deposits - which is what they expected to find.&nbsp;



"But when we went to core the glacier in 2020, we noticed melting on the surface right away,” said Margit Schwikowski, an environmental chemist at <a href="https://www.psi.ch/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paul Scherrer Institute</a> in Switzerland.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-surface-melting-on-corbassiere-glacier">Rapid surface melting on Corbassière glacier</h2>



The experts determined that melting on the glacier's surface likely penetrated the glacier layers below and carried away the aerosol ions. 



"This melting rendered the core unusable in the team’s research, and other attempts to core the glacier had the same result. The valuable information stored in the ice was destroyed," explained NASA.



Schwikowski has joined a team of other experts in an effort to preserve cores from the last remaining glaciers. Led by the <a href="https://www.ice-memory.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ice Memory Foundation</a>, the goal of the project is to obtain ice cores from 20 endangered glaciers around the world in 20 years and collect them in a global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarcticas-ice-has-a-history-of-rapid-and-unexpected-changes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate archive</a>.



“Glaciers are retreating worldwide, and we may find similar issues at other sites,” said Schwikowski. She added that even at the highest altitudes in the Alps, "glaciers are on the verge of becoming unsuitable as natural paleo-archives."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-features-of-the-corbassiere-glacier">Features of the Corbassière Glacier</h2>



The Corbassière Glacier is a captivating natural feature located in the Swiss Alps, part of the canton of Valais. 



The glacier stretches over approximately 9 kilometers, making it one of the significant glaciers in the region. It originates from the Grand Combin, an imposing mountain massif that reaches heights of over 4,300 meters, contributing greatly to the glacier's nourishment through snow and ice accumulation.



A distinct feature of the Corbassière Glacier is its accessibility and the dramatic scenery it offers, which attracts many hikers and nature enthusiasts. 



One of the most notable attractions near the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/doomsday-glacier-seems-to-have-lost-its-ability-to-recover/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glacier</a> is the Corbassière footbridge, a 210-meter long suspension bridge that provides stunning views of the glacier and the surrounding peaks. 



This bridge not only enhances the experience for visitors but also serves as a crucial observation point for scientists studying glacier dynamics and the effects of climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Swiss Alps&nbsp;</h2>



The Swiss <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snow-cover-in-the-alps-could-soon-be-cut-in-half/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alps</a> are a majestic and expansive mountain range that stretches across the southern part of Switzerland, forming a part of the greater Alpine region that spreads across several countries in Europe.&nbsp;



Renowned for their stunning beauty and formidable peaks, the Swiss Alps are not just a geographical landmark but also a cultural symbol of Switzerland, epitomizing its identity as a nation of scenic landscapes and outdoor adventure.



The region is famous for its dramatic scenery, including towering mountains, pristine lakes, and picturesque valleys. Among these peaks are some of the highest in Europe, such as the Dufourspitze, part of the Monte Rosa massif, which is the highest point in Switzerland. 



The Matterhorn, perhaps the most iconic of all Swiss mountains, is celebrated for its unique, pyramid-like shape and is a magnet for climbers and tourists alike.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory



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The Corbassière glacier in the Swiss Alps

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features thick haze over Thailand during the fire season. The photograph was captured on March 16, 2024 by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the Suomi NPP satellite.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-waves-of-smoke-and-haze">Waves of smoke and haze</h2>



"Each year in January and February, satellites begin to detect waves of smoke and fire in Southeast Asia, particularly in highland forests in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand. <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/intense-fire-season-in-mexico-is-part-of-a-worldwide-trend/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fire activity</a> continues to increase through March and April, reaches a peak during the height of the dry season, and then fades in May with the start of the rainy season," noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



"Individual fires are usually small and short-lived. But they are often so numerous that smoke, along with air pollution from rural and urban areas, mixes to produce thick layers of haze that blanket the landscape." 



According to NASA, the haze contains mixtures of small airborne particles called aerosols and gaseous pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone that degrade air quality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-haze-in-thailand-nbsp">Haze in Thailand&nbsp;</h2>



An international field campaign - the Airborne and Satellite Investigation of Asian Air Quality (ASIA-AQ) - was launched to investigate the haze in Thailand.



"During the last two weeks of March 2024, NASA’s DC-8 and Gulfstream III aircraft flew several flights over Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and rural areas surrounding the cities to sample air quality with several sensors. At the same time, satellites observed the haze from above," said NASA.



James Crawford, ASIA-AQ’s principal investigator, said the team is collaborating closely with national and local government entities in Thailand.



“The goal is to take as many simultaneous measurements of pollutants as possible from the ground, air, and space,” said Crawford. The team will use the data to gain a better understanding of how the haze forms, evolves chemically over time, and moves throughout the region.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-haze-and-public-health-in-thailand">Haze and public health in Thailand </h2>



According to media reports, nearly 200,000 people have been hospitalized this year due to air quality in the region, with over 1.3 million people falling ill since January.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-causes-of-the-haze">Causes of the haze</h3>



The root causes of the haze include agricultural burning, particularly of corn fields, as part of slash-and-burn practices to prepare land for the next planting cycle. This is exacerbated by the dry season when there's little rain to wash the pollutants away. 



The situation is worsened by industrial emissions and vehicle fumes, particularly in urban areas like Bangkok​.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustainable-solutions-are-needed">Sustainable solutions are needed</h3>



Efforts to address the crisis have been complex, involving local and transboundary issues. Much of the agricultural burning occurs not only within Thailand but also in neighboring countries like Myanmar and Laos, contributing to the transboundary nature of the haze. 



Activists and local communities have called for sustainable solutions that do not exacerbate the poverty of smallholder farmers, emphasizing the need for affordable and realistic alternatives to burning​.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mitigation-measures-nbsp">Mitigation measures&nbsp;</h3>



The Thai government has implemented a no-burning rule until the end of April to combat wildfires and haze, but enforcement and effectiveness remain challenges​​. 



Some measures taken to mitigate the immediate effects of pollution in urban areas include spraying water and seeding clouds to encourage rain, although these have had limited success​​.



This ongoing environmental crisis has sparked widespread concern among citizens, who are increasingly using public interest litigation to hold companies and the government accountable for environmental commitments. 



With recent political changes, there is hope that the new administration will take more decisive action against the haze, possibly through more stringent regulations and international cooperation​​.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-impacts-of-haze">Health impacts of haze</h2>



Haze poses several health hazards for those exposed to it, particularly when it contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Here are some of the main health risks associated with exposure to haze:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-respiratory-problems">Respiratory problems</h3>



Haze can aggravate conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). The fine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heatwaves-and-air-pollution-may-double-fatal-heart-attack-risk/">particles</a> can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and reducing lung function.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cardiovascular-issues-and-haze">Cardiovascular issues and haze</h3>



Exposure to fine particulate matter can also affect the cardiovascular system, leading to increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure. Particles can affect blood vessel function and promote the formation of blood clots.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eye-irritation">Eye irritation</h3>



Haze can cause eye irritation, leading to conditions such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) or exacerbated symptoms in people with existing eye conditions.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skin-problems">Skin problems</h3>



For some people, exposure to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-will-increase-dramatically-in-a-hotter-climate/">polluted air</a> can cause skin irritation or exacerbate skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reduced-immune-function">Reduced immune function</h3>



There is evidence to suggest that prolonged exposure to polluted air can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-on-mental-health">Impact on mental health</h3>



There are growing concerns about the impact of air pollution on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-linked-to-multiple-chronic-health-conditions/">mental health</a>, with studies suggesting a link between exposure to polluted air and an increased risk of depression and anxiety.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pregnant-women-and-children">Pregnant women and children</h3>



Pregnant women, children, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the effects of haze. There may be increased risks of preterm birth and low birth weight in babies, and children may experience delayed development and reduced lung function.



The health impacts of haze can be mitigated by staying indoors on days when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/twenty-years-of-air-quality-improvement-erased-by-wildfires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air quality</a> is particularly poor, using air purifiers, wearing masks designed to filter out fine particles, and following local health advisories.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nbsp">&nbsp;</h3>

Haze pollution is an environmental crisis in Thailand

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Webb Images features an extraordinary view of Uranus, the seventh planet from the sun in our solar system.&nbsp;



The photo reveals the rings, moons, and extreme seasons of the ice giant Uranus in unprecedented detail.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dynamic-north-polar-cap-nbsp">Dynamic north polar cap&nbsp;</h2>



“The Webb image exquisitely captures Uranus’s seasonal north polar cap, including the bright, white, inner cap and the dark lane in the bottom of the polar cap,” noted NASA.



Unlike Earth, where polar ice caps are formed by the freezing of water, Uranus's polar caps are thought to be primarily composed of a dense concentration of haze in the atmosphere.&nbsp;



The polar cap's haze is likely composed of methane particles. Methane in Uranus's atmosphere condenses into ice particles, which then create a thick haze that scatters sunlight, giving the polar cap its distinct bright appearance in visible and infrared light.



The polar cap is dynamic and changes over time. It becomes more prominent during the summer season of each pole. 



As Uranus moves along its orbit, the cap's appearance transforms, with the haze becoming thicker and brighter when the pole is in continuous sunlight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-zeta-ring-nbsp">The Zeta ring&nbsp;</h2>



The inner and outer rings of Uranus are visible in the image, including Zeta - the innermost ring which is the faintest and most difficult to observe.



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stunning-photo-of-uranus-and-its-rings-and-moons-captured-by-the-webb-telescope/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rings of Uranus</a> are primarily composed of narrow bands of particles, likely made of water ice mixed with a dark material. These rings are distinct from those of Saturn in that they are much darker and narrower.



The faintness and characteristics of the Zeta ring make it a subject of interest in studies related to the dynamics and composition of planetary ring systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moons-of-uranus-nbsp">Moons of Uranus&nbsp;</h2>



The <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/multimedia/images/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Webb</a> photo also features nine of the planet’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-four-uranus-moons-may-have-oceans-that-are-miles-deep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moons</a>, which appear as blue dots surrounding the rings.&nbsp;



“Clockwise starting at 2 o’clock, they are: Rosalind, Puck, Belinda, Desdemona, Cressida, Bianca, Portia, Juliet, and Perdita. The orbits of these moons share the 98-degree tilt of their parent planet relative to the plane of the solar system,” noted NASA.



Uranus has 27 known moons, and they are divided into three main groups based on their orbits: the inner moons, the major moons, and the irregular moons.



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/uranus-moon-ariel-may-have-a-hidden-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moons</a> of Uranus are unique because they are named after characters from the works of William Shakespeare and Alexander Pope, rather than being named after figures from classical mythology, as is common for the moons of other planets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ice-giant-uranus-nbsp">The ice giant Uranus&nbsp;</h2>



Uranus is classified as an "ice giant" because, unlike the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn, which are primarily composed of hydrogen and helium, Uranus has a significant proportion of "ices" in its composition.&nbsp;



In astronomical terms, ices refer to volatile substances like water, ammonia, and methane, which exist in solid or liquid forms at the low temperatures found in the outer solar system.



Uranus has a thick atmosphere of hydrogen and helium, but beneath that, it contains a large, dense mantle composed of these ices, along with rock and other heavier elements.&nbsp;



The term <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diamond-rain-may-be-common-on-giant-icy-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice giant</a> differentiates Uranus (and Neptune, the other ice giant) from the larger gas giants, emphasizing the different chemical compositions and internal structures of these planets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-of-uranus-nbsp">Climate of Uranus&nbsp;</h2>



Uranus has a unique and extreme climate, largely influenced by its unusual tilt, which causes the planet to rotate almost on its side. This tilt leads to extreme seasonal variations, with each pole experiencing 42 years of continuous sunlight followed by 42 years of darkness.&nbsp;



Even though it is closer to the sun than Neptune, Uranus is the coldest planet in the solar system, with temperatures plunging to as low as -224°C (-371°F). The reason for this is not fully understood, but it might be due to an internal heat distribution anomaly.



Despite these frigid conditions, Uranus experiences intense weather patterns, including powerful storms and winds that can reach speeds of up to 900 kilometers per hour. These winds blow in the same direction as the planet’s rotation and are some of the fastest in the solar system.



Storms on Uranus are driven by its internal heat and the interaction of its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/uranus-is-more-gassy-less-icy-than-we-ever-imagined/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric gases</a>. Observations have shown that these storms can be quite large, sometimes comparable in size to the Earth, and can last for several years.&nbsp;



The planet’s extreme axial tilt also means that the storms and weather patterns are highly variable, depending on the season. During equinoxes, when the Sun is directly over the equator, Uranus exhibits more storm activity compared to when the poles are pointed towards the Sun or away from it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observations-of-uranus">Observations of Uranus</h2>



“One day on Uranus is about 17 hours, so the planet’s rotation is relatively quick. This makes it supremely difficult for observatories with a sharp eye like Webb to capture one simple image of the entire planet - storms and other atmospheric features, and the planet’s moons, move visibly within minutes,” explained NASA.



“This image combines several longer and shorter exposures of this dynamic system to correct for those slight changes throughout the observing time.”



The first recorded observations of Uranus were made by John Flamsteed on December 13, 1690. However, Flamsteed mistakenly identified the planet as a star, which he named “34 Tauri."&nbsp;



It wasn't until March 13, 1781, that Uranus was officially identified as a planet by William Herschel. He initially thought he had discovered a comet, but further observations and calculations by other astronomers confirmed that it was a new planet, making Uranus the first planet discovered in modern history with the aid of a telescope.



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI



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The ice giant Uranus in stunning detail

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Webb Images features...

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features a strong extratropical cyclone, which struck the Pacific Northwest on November 19, 2024.



“The storm knocked over trees and left nearly 600,000 people without power in Washington state on November 20, according to news reports,” noted <a href="https://search.app?link=https%3A%2F%2Fearthobservatory.nasa.gov%2Fimages%2F153605%2Fextratropical-cyclone-whips-over-the-pacific-northwest&amp;utm_campaign=aga&amp;utm_source=agsadl2%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>. “This image shows the storm system at 1:50 p.m. Pacific Time on November 19.” 



According to NASA, mature extratropical cyclones like this often feature comma-shaped cloud patterns that are the product of ‘conveyor belt’ circulation. “Heavy precipitation is often present near the low-pressure head of the comma.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-of-the-extratropical-cyclone-nbsp">Impacts of the extratropical cyclone&nbsp;</h2>



The “bomb cyclone” brought <a href="https://search.app?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.earth.com%2Fnews%2Fhow-much-does-climate-change-influence-extreme-weather-events%2F&amp;utm_campaign=aga&amp;utm_source=agsadl2%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">severe weather</a>, including strong winds exceeding 70 mph, heavy rainfall, and snow in higher elevations. These conditions led to significant disruptions, including downed trees and hazardous travel conditions.



In urban and rural areas, damage to infrastructure and properties was substantial, with emergency responders and utility crews working around the clock to restore services.&nbsp;



Additionally, mountain passes faced dangerous blizzard conditions, with up to 20 inches of snow accumulating in some areas, severely affecting travel.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-pace-of-acceleration">Rapid pace of acceleration</h2>



Chris Dolce is a meteorologist at The Weather Channel. He noted that on the evening of November 19, the storm’s central pressure dropped to levels on par with a storm in October 2021, which saw the lowest pressure in about 50 years of records for that region.



“The pace of the storm’s intensification was more than double the criteria for bombogenesis - a popular term that describes a midlatitude cyclone that rapidly intensifies into a ‘bomb cyclone,’” said NASA.



The rapidly dropping atmospheric pressure at the center of the <a href="https://search.app?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.earth.com%2Fnews%2Fcoastal-hurricanes-are-intensifying-faster-due-to-climate-change%2F&amp;utm_campaign=aga&amp;utm_source=agsadl2%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storm</a> caused winds to intensify quickly. According to the National Weather Service in Seattle, wind gusts reached up to 77 miles per hour in the mountains southeast of the city.



“The cyclone kicked off a long-duration atmospheric river that forecasters expect will park over Northern California and southern Oregon through November 22. The National Weather Service estimates that these areas could see rainfall totals of 12 to 16 inches over the duration of the storm,” noted NASA.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-an-extratropical-cyclone">What is an extratropical cyclone?</h2>



An extratropical cyclone is a large-scale weather system that forms outside the tropics, typically between 30° and 60° latitude, and is associated with areas of low pressure.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-energy-source">Energy source</h3>



These cyclones obtain their energy from the contrast in temperature between air masses, such as cold polar air and warm subtropical air. This contrast creates instability and drives atmospheric circulation.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-development-of-extratropical-cyclones-nbsp">Development of extratropical cyclones&nbsp;</h3>



Extratropical cyclones usually have well-defined warm and cold fronts. They often develop along the polar front, where cold and warm air masses meet.



A common area for their development is the mid-latitudes, particularly in regions like the North Atlantic and North Pacific.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weather-conditions">Weather conditions</h3>



Extratropical cyclones can bring a variety of <a href="https://search.app?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.earth.com%2Fnews%2Fhuman-activity-is-rapidly-changing-weather-in-north-america%2F&amp;utm_campaign=aga&amp;utm_source=agsadl2%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weather conditions</a>, including heavy rain, snow, strong winds, and severe storms. They are responsible for much of the day-to-day weather in mid-latitude regions.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tropical-vs-extratropical-cyclones-nbsp">Tropical vs. extratropical cyclones&nbsp;</h3>



While <a href="https://search.app?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.earth.com%2Fnews%2Ffast-moving-tropical-cyclones-are-becoming-more-powerful%2F&amp;utm_campaign=aga&amp;utm_source=agsadl2%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tropical cyclones</a> derive energy from warm ocean waters and have a warm core, extratropical cyclones gain energy from temperature contrasts and have a cold core.



Tropical cyclones typically lack fronts, whereas extratropical cyclones are defined by them.



These systems are essential in distributing heat and energy across the planet, playing a critical role in the Earth's climate system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caught-off-guard-by-the-weather">Caught off guard by the weather</h2>



The bomb cyclone in the Pacific Northwest highlights the importance of <a href="https://search.app?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.earth.com%2Fnews%2Fnew-era-in-forecasting-ai-will-improve-extreme-weather-warnings%2F&amp;utm_campaign=aga&amp;utm_source=agsadl2%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preparedness</a>, as residents were urged to secure loose outdoor items, stock emergency supplies, and avoid unnecessary travel.



The fire department in Bellevue, east of Seattle, posted a Severe Weather Safety alert on Facebook: “It’s severe out there. Trees are coming down all over the city, with multiple falling onto homes. If you are able, head to the lowest floor you can and stay away from windows. Do not go outside if you can avoid it.”



The image was captured by the VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) on NOAA’s JPSS-1 (Joint Polar Satellite System-1).



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory



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Bomb cyclone rapidly intensified in the Pacific Northwest

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the barred spiral galaxy NGC 1559, located around 35 million light-years away in the little-observed southern constellation Reticulum. The image was captured by the James Webb Space Telescope.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fuel-for-star-formation">Fuel for star formation </h2>



"The data featured in this portrait make use of two of Webb’s instruments: the Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) and Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam)," noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



"Here MIRI captures the glow of interstellar dust grains, which trace out the interstellar medium, the fuel for future star formation. NIRCam shows the light from stars, even young stars hidden behind prodigious amounts of dust. NIRCam also captures emission from ionised nebulae around young stars."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-reveals-galaxies-in-new-light">Webb reveals galaxies in new light</h2>



According to ESA, the data was collected by the <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/phangs/home">PHANGS team</a> as part of a program in which Webb will observe 55 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/james-webb-captures-galaxies-that-are-too-old-to-exist/">galaxies</a> that have also been mapped by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) radio telescope, the Hubble Space Telescope, and more.&nbsp;



"By combining Webb’s unprecedented view of the dust and stars with data from these other facilities, the team aims to obtain a new, highly detailed view of how stars are born, live, and die in galaxies across the Universe."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ngc-1559-a-loner-in-space">NGC 1559: A loner in space</h2>



Although NGC 1559 appears to sit close to one of our nearest neighbors in the sky - the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) - this is just a trick of perspective, noted ESA.



While it is part of the Reticulum constellation, NGC 1559 is not part of the Local Group of galaxies but instead resides in a more distant region of space.



"In reality, NGC 1559 is physically nowhere near the LMC in space; in fact it truly is a loner, lacking the company of any nearby galaxies or membership of any galaxy cluster."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-ngc-1559">Star formation in NGC 1559</h2>



NGC 1559 is notable for its active star formation and strong magnetic fields. It has also been the site of several <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-explosions-could-damage-distant-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernovae</a>, making it of particular interest to astronomers studying stellar evolution and the lifecycle of stars.



The structure of NGC 1559 includes well-defined spiral arms that are rich in young, hot stars and regions of ionized gas, indicative of ongoing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-hole-is-starving-its-host-galaxy-of-star-forming-fuel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a>.



The galaxy’s central bar is believed to play a role in driving gas towards the core, fueling both the star formation and the activity around its nucleus.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-extragalactic-wonder">An extragalactic wonder</h2>



Despite being relatively small compared to larger galaxies like the Milky Way, NGC 1559 is an important object for understanding how barred spiral galaxies evolve and the processes that trigger supernovae.



The galaxy’s remote location and active nature make it a fascinating subject of study in the field of extragalactic astronomy. The isolation of NGC 1559 allows for a clearer view of its structure without much interference from neighboring galaxies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-barred-spiral-galaxies">Barred spiral galaxies</h2>



Barred spiral galaxies are a type of spiral galaxy characterized by a central bar-shaped structure composed of stars. This bar extends out from the core and connects to the galaxy's spiral arms, which swirl outward in a graceful pattern.



Scientists believe that the bar plays a crucial role in the evolution of the galaxy, funneling gas towards the core and potentially triggering star formation or feeding a central black hole. 



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newly-discovered-stars-milky-way-are-old-as-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>, our own galaxy, is an example of a barred spiral. These galaxies are quite common in the universe, making up about two-thirds of all observed spiral galaxies.



The bar itself is thought to be a temporary feature, developing as the galaxy matures and possibly disappearing over time as the dynamics of the stars change. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-reticulum-constellation">The Reticulum constellation</h2>



The Reticulum constellation is a small, faint constellation in the southern sky. Its name means "the reticle" in Latin, which refers to the crosshairs in an eyepiece of a telescope. 



The constellation was named in the 18th century by the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille to honor the reticle he used in his scientific instruments. It is one of the 88 modern constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union.



Image Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA &amp; CSA, A. Leroy, J. Lee and the PHANGS Team



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Spiral galaxy NGC 1559 is a loner in outer space

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

The mother elephant was visibly becoming more agitated as the crowd leaned in to try and spot the baby at the bottom of the ditch. She began to dig faster with her trunk, but she was only making things worse. Every time she clumsily pulled at the soft dirt, she knocked more mud into the hole. They had to do something!

Making Matters Worse

In the midst of our busy lives, those seemingly insignificant everyday experiences - like booking a flight home for Thanksgiving or writing a thank-you note - may feel less meaningful.



But according to Erin Westgate, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Florida, these experiences carry more value than we attribute them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-purpose-behind-the-research">Purpose behind the research</h2>



Alongside her team at the <a href="https://socialcognition.psych.ufl.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Social Cognition and Emotion Lab</a>, Westgate recently secured a grant from the National Science Foundation.



The researchers intended to examine why people underestimate the significance of future life <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/facial-expressions-arent-enough-to-understand-human-emotions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">experiences</a>. The spark for this exploration ignited during Westgate's school days.



“This started a long time ago when I was in grad school where I was talking to another student who asked me if we know how meaningful events will be in the future,” Westgate said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meaningful-experience-of-thanksgiving">Meaningful experience of Thanksgiving</h2>



The question prompted an interesting study involving <a href="https://www.virginia.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Virginia</a> undergraduates. The students were asked about their expectations of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday's meaningfulness and their thoughts afterward. 



“Surely people know how significant Thanksgiving will be, right? It’s the poster child for gratitude and meaning,” Westgate said.



Much to Westgate's surprise, the students extensively misjudged their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-likes-have-a-strong-emotional-effect-on-young-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feelings</a> about the holiday.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-missing-out-on-meaningful-experiences">Missing out on meaningful experiences </h2>



Fast forward to the pandemic-ridden 2020. Westgate revisited her initial findings, asking, “We found it once, but can we find it again?”



With a larger sample of University of Florida undergraduates, the results echoed the first study. People chronically underestimated the value of their Thanksgiving holiday.



“We want to live meaningful lives, we want to do meaningful things and so if we are not realizing that an experience is going to be meaningful, we may be less likely to do it and miss out on these potential sources of meaning in our own lives,” Westgate said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decision-factors-in-meaningful-experiences">Decision factors in meaningful experiences</h2>



The research indicated a key factor in decision-making - anticipated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-emotions-linked-to-unique-brain-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feelings</a>.



Whether it's a life-altering decision like a career choice or a family start, or a minor one like attending a holiday event, our decisions lean towards promoting a sense of purpose and fulfillment.



Over the course of a three-year study, Westgate aims to condense the reasons behind our underestimation of experiences - from our career choices to the seemingly mundane task of writing thank-you notes.



The research considers both positive and negative experiences, including the acceptance or rejection of medical school applications.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-sense-of-events">Making sense of events</h2>



The study also explores personal growth experiences that entail discomfort, leading to avoiding certain decisions out of fear.



Still, these very decisions could play an instrumental role in developing resilience and yielding deep satisfaction.



“We don’t make sense of events until they actually happen. We don’t process events until we need to, when they actually happen and not before,” said Westgate. Jumping the gun might lead us to underestimate the potential meaning of certain events.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seeking-solutions-for-underestimation">Seeking solutions for underestimation</h2>



The research aims to go beyond merely identifying problems; it seeks actionable solutions. Many of us often overlook the true value of meaningful experiences. 



This oversight can lead to a less fulfilling life, as we fail to appreciate the depth and significance of our everyday moments. By delving into the reasons behind this underestimation, Westgate’s work strives to illuminate the cognitive biases and misconceptions that cloud our perception of meaning.



Understanding the root of these misconceptions is crucial. It involves exploring psychological patterns and societal influences that lead individuals to undervalue their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/emotional-intelligence-may-be-secret-to-academic-success/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">experiences</a>. 



By identifying these patterns, the research can offer strategies to shift our perspectives and encourage a deeper appreciation of our lives. This shift could not only enhance individual well-being but also promote a more profound connection with others and the world around us.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harnessing-meaningful-experiences-in-daily-life">Harnessing meaningful experiences in daily life</h2>



The findings suggest that by becoming more aware of our tendency to underestimate the meaningfulness of experiences, individuals can purposefully cultivate more fulfilling daily lives.



Simple changes, such as being more present in the moment, keeping a gratitude journal, or actively reflecting on past experiences, can enhance appreciation for life's ordinary events. 



These practices can help individuals recognize the intrinsic value in seemingly minor experiences, thereby enriching personal happiness and well-being.



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



The research carries significant implications for psychological interventions aiming to promote mental well-being. Interventions could focus on enhancing awareness of meaningful experiences and encouraging individuals to engage in activities that nurture a sense of purpose.



By integrating these insights into therapy and counseling, mental health practitioners can better support clients in recognizing and capitalizing on the meaningful dimensions of their lives, potentially improving mental resilience and overall life satisfaction.



“Sometimes we go into a project, and we know what we are going to find. This is one of those projects that surprised us,” concluded Westgate.



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We often undervalue the most meaningful experiences in life

In the midst of our busy lives, those seemingly insignificant...

Is America losing its battle against obesity? According to recent data, around 72-75% of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese. 



The harsh reality is that approximately 86 million people struggle to maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI) of under 25.



This alarming statistic, as described by the researchers in a new study, is nothing short of an "epidemic."



The findings highlight how these trends have become steadily worse over decades, signaling a persistent public health crisis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-obesity-rates-in-america">Obesity rates in America</h2>



Despite this bleak prognosis, there may still be a silver lining in sight. Separate research conducted by the CDC hints towards a possible decline in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childhood-obesity-rates-spiked-during-the-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">obesity rates</a>, referred to as the "Ozempic effect."



The CDC's national survey, spanning from 2021 to 2023, provides a glimpse into the most recent health trends and shines a ray of hope that mitigates some of the concern arising from the raw data.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-invisible-threat">The invisible threat</h2>



Why is there this large-scale concern over obesity? The answer lies in the myriad <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/obesity-now-affects-more-than-a-billion-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health issues</a> that come part and parcel with being overweight, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.



Moreover, the burden of obesity extends beyond the individual, as healthcare costs related to obesity totaled a staggering $481 billion in 2016. 



The mounting costs and the rising tide of obesity are fueled by several factors, including the accessibility and affordability of healthy, fresh food and the consumer's choice to eat processed foods that are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-average-american-consumes-80-pounds-of-sugar-per-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">high in sugar</a> and fat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-failure-to-tackle-the-epidemic">Failure to tackle the epidemic </h2>



This comprehensive study on obesity rates in America was published recently in the journal The Lancet. The experts collated data from 134 sources that dated from 1980 to 2021.



The research was conducted by a team of over 100 scientists from international organizations, forming a group known as the GBD 2021 U.S. Obesity Forecasting Collaborators.



The CDC's surveys, Gallup polls and long-term studies, like Women's Health Across the Nation, were all part of the rich mosaic of data sources used to curate this extensive research material.



Study lead author Professor Emmanuela Gakidou is an expert in the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the <a href="https://www.washington.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Washington</a>.  



“Our analysis lays bare the decades-long failure to tackle the growing overweight and obesity epidemic in the USA," said Professor Gakidou.



"The catastrophic consequences of the surge in overweight and obesity among children are already evident in the rising prevalence of childhood hypertension and type 2 diabetes."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-obesity-in-america">Future of obesity in America</h2>



The research team devised maps depicting areas of obesity prevalence from 1990 to 2021, after segregating data by age and gender. 



The experts further extrapolated these trends and built a model to predict scenarios for the next 25 years.



The model predicts that, by 2050, there will be 43.1 million obese or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/being-overweight-makes-it-harder-for-brain-to-resist-unhealthy-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overweight</a> children and adolescents, and 213 million obese or overweight adults. 



This translates to one in three adolescents and two in three adults who will be grappling with obesity.



The most concerning revelation was the increasing trend of obesity among children. 



According to research from the <a href="https://illinois.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Illinois</a>, children struggling with their weight are more likely to develop health issues like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and psychological problems.



They also have a higher risk of dying young compared to children of average weight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-pop-culture">Role of pop culture</h2>



Modern pop culture has played a pivotal role in shaping perceptions about food intake and obesity in America.



Muk-bang creators like Nicholas Perry, better known by his username Nikocado Avocado, share videos of themselves binging on massive amounts of food, consuming more than 10,000 calories in a single sitting. 



These motivations are predominantly monetary, with Perry amassing 150 pounds and a net worth of $2 million over seven years as a food creator.



However, this trend is not without its casualties. The grim reality of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/binge-eating-linked-to-a-specific-set-of-brain-cells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">binge eating</a> was highlighted by the tragic death of TikToker Brittany Sauer, who felt she had "ruined her life" with binge eating.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-call-for-institutional-change">Call for institutional change</h2>



While there have been recent strides made in weight loss - especially with more people turning to GLP-1 inhibitors like Ozempic - experts suggest that institutional change is necessary to curb obesity in America.



Changes could include everything from widening insurance coverage for weight loss procedures to tightening regulations on sugar and fat content in consumer products, and even making healthy options more affordable.



Public health campaigns focusing on education and awareness are also critical to empowering individuals to make healthier lifestyle choices.



"Without major reform, the forecasted trends will be devastating at the individual and population level, and the associated disease burden and economic costs will continue to escalate," concluded the researchers.



The full study is published in <a href="https://www.healthdata.org/news-events/newsroom/news-releases/lancet-without-immediate-action-nearly-260-million-people-usa#:~:text=Continuation%20of%20these%20trends%20would,%25%20to%2082.1">The Lancet</a>.



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75 percent of U.S. adults are overweight in what doctors are now calling 'an epidemic'

Is America losing its battle against obesity? According to recent...

Diamond rain and super-ionic water are among the more dramatic theories proposed to explain the mysterious interiors of Uranus and Neptune, the ice giants of our solar system.&nbsp;



However, a planetary scientist from the <a href="https://www.berkeley.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Berkeley</a>, has introduced a compelling alternative: the interiors of these planets are layered, with materials separating like oil and water.&nbsp;



This separation could explain the planets' unusual magnetic fields and challenges earlier theories about their interiors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-layered-model-for-the-ice-giants">A layered model for the ice giants</h2>



In a paper published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2403981121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>, Burkhard Militzer, a professor of earth and planetary science at UC Berkeley, suggests that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/decades-after-voyager-2-flew-by-uranus-we-finally-know-what-it-saw/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uranus</a> and Neptune have interiors composed of two distinct layers.&nbsp;



Beneath the planets’ thick hydrogen-and-helium atmospheres, a deep ocean of water-rich material lies above a highly compressed, hydrocarbon-rich fluid composed of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen.



Militzer's computer simulations show that under the extreme pressures and temperatures inside these planets, water (H₂O), methane (CH₄), and ammonia (NH₃) naturally separate. This separation occurs because hydrogen is squeezed out of methane and ammonia, leading to the formation of immiscible layers.



“We now have, I would say, a good theory why Uranus and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/three-new-moons-discovered-around-neptune-and-uranus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neptune</a> have really different fields, and it's very different from Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn,” Militzer explained. “It's like oil and water, except the hydrogen-rich layer goes on top, and the heavier material stays below.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-magnetic-fields-and-convection">Magnetic fields and convection</h2>



The theory provides a potential explanation for the irregular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-magnetic-field-is-shifting-and-putting-navigation-at-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnetic fields</a> of Uranus and Neptune, which were discovered by NASA's Voyager 2 mission in the 1980s.&nbsp;



Unlike Earth’s strong, dipolar magnetic field - which results from convection in the planet's liquid outer core - Uranus and Neptune have disorganized magnetic fields.



Convection, a process where hot material rises and cooler material sinks, generates magnetic fields in planetary interiors. For Uranus and Neptune, the lack of a large-scale, convecting layer in their interiors suggests that the materials within are layered and do not mix.



In Militzer's model, the upper water-rich layer likely convects, creating the observed disorganized magnetic field, while the deeper, hydrocarbon-rich layer remains stable and stratified, preventing global convection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-conditions-of-uranus-and-neptune">Extreme conditions of Uranus and Neptune </h2>



Militzer’s breakthrough came after a decade of research. Ten years ago, he used computer models with 100 atoms to simulate the behavior of elements in the planets’ interiors but could not replicate the formation of layers.



Last year, leveraging machine learning and more powerful computing tools, he increased the number of atoms in his model to 540.&nbsp;



This allowed him to simulate the behavior of materials under the extreme pressures and temperatures inside Uranus and Neptune - up to 3.4 million times Earth's atmospheric pressure and temperatures around 4,750 Kelvin (8,000°F).



“One day, I looked at the model, and the water had separated from the carbon and nitrogen,” Militzer said. “What I couldn't do 10 years ago was now happening.”



The model revealed that as pressure increases with depth, hydrogen is squeezed out, forming a stable layer of carbon-nitrogen-hydrogen material, almost like a plastic polymer. This hydrocarbon-rich layer lies beneath the convecting, water-rich layer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gravity-fields-measured-by-voyager-2-nbsp">Gravity fields measured by Voyager 2&nbsp;</h2>



When Militzer modeled the gravitational effects of a layered Uranus and Neptune, the results matched the gravity fields measured by Voyager 2 nearly 40 years ago.&nbsp;



His model predicts that below Uranus’ 3,000-mile-thick atmosphere lies a water-rich layer about 5,000 miles thick.&nbsp;



Beneath this layer is a hydrocarbon-rich layer of similar thickness, with a rocky core about the size of Mercury. Neptune, though more massive than Uranus, has a thinner atmosphere but similar water-rich and hydrocarbon-rich layers. Its rocky core is slightly larger, approximately the size of Mars.



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



If Militzer's theory is correct, it has implications beyond our solar system.&nbsp;



Planets similar in size to Uranus and Neptune, often referred to as sub-Neptune <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neptune-like-exoplanets-atmospheres-interesting-earth-size-neighbors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exoplanets</a>, are among the most common types of planets discovered around other stars. These exoplanets may also have layered interiors with distinct chemical compositions and magnetic fields.



“If other star systems have similar compositions to ours, ice giants around those stars could well have similar internal structures,” Militzer noted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-interiors-of-uranus-and-neptune">The interiors of Uranus and Neptune </h2>



Militzer hopes to collaborate with experimental physicists to recreate the extreme conditions of Uranus and Neptune’s interiors in laboratory settings.&nbsp;



By testing the behavior of fluids with elemental proportions found in the protosolar system, researchers could verify whether immiscible layers naturally form.



Future space missions may also provide definitive proof. A proposed NASA mission to Uranus could include a Doppler imager to measure planetary vibrations.&nbsp;



According to Militzer, a layered planet would vibrate at different frequencies than one with a fully convecting interior. His next project involves calculating these vibrations using his computational model.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-peculiarities-of-uranus-and-neptune">The peculiarities of Uranus and Neptune </h2>



Militzer's findings challenge popular theories about Uranus and Neptune, such as the idea of diamond rain in the planets’ interiors or the exotic properties of super-ionic water.



“If you ask my colleagues, 'What do you think explains the fields of Uranus and Neptune?' they may say, ‘Well, maybe it's this diamond rain, but maybe it's this water property which we call super-ionic,’” Militzer said.&nbsp;



“From my perspective, this is not plausible. But if we have this separation into two separate layers, that should explain it.”



Militzer's layered model offers a comprehensive explanation for the peculiarities of Uranus and Neptune, from their magnetic fields to their gravitational signatures.&nbsp;



By identifying the separation of water-rich and hydrocarbon-rich layers as the key factor, the study advances our understanding of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-ice-giant-uranus-in-stunning-detail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice giants</a> and opens new possibilities for exploring planetary interiors.



Future laboratory experiments and space missions could confirm these findings, not only shedding light on the mysteries of Uranus and Neptune but also providing insights into the structure of similar planets across the galaxy.



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What lies beneath the surface of Uranus and Neptune?

Diamond rain and super-ionic water are among the more dramatic...

Light is something we interact with every day, but have you ever wondered what the shape of a single particle of light -- the photon -- actually looks like? 



For the first time, researchers have defined the <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/photon-single_precise-shape_credit-Benjamin-Yuen_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">precise shape</a> of a single photon, a huge leap forward in quantum physics and material science.



Dr. Benjamin Yuen from the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Birmingham</a> led the groundbreaking research that delves deep into the quantum level of light and matter interaction. 



His team's findings, published in Physical Review Letters, provide a visual representation of a photon while enhancing our understanding of how photons are emitted and shaped by their environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-photons-the-basics">Understanding photons -- the basics</h2>



A photon is the fundamental unit of light and all <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lightning-sparks-the-discovery-of-a-new-electromagnetic-wave/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electromagnetic radiation</a>. Unlike particles that have mass, photons are massless and always move at the speed of light in a vacuum. 



They exhibit both particle-like and wave-like properties, a concept known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-tunneling-allow-particles-break-light-speed-barrier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wave-particle duality</a>.



Photons carry energy and momentum, determined by their frequency or wavelength. Simply put, the higher the frequency, the more energy a photon possesses. 



This unique dual nature allows photons to interact with matter in special ways, such as being absorbed or emitted by atoms. 



These interactions are essential for processes like vision, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/key-to-life-on-earth-photosynthesis-begins-on-the-quantum-level-with-a-single-photon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a>, and the technology behind our electronic devices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-photon-shape-and-the-far-field">Photon shape and the "far field"</h2>



The interaction between photons and their environment leads to endless possibilities for how light exists and travels. 



This limitless potential makes modeling these interactions exceptionally challenging -- a puzzle that quantum physicists have been trying to solve for decades.



"Our calculations enabled us to convert a seemingly unsolvable problem into something that can be computed," Dr. Yuen explained.



"And, almost as a byproduct of the model, we were able to produce this image of a photon, something that hasn't been seen before in physics."



By grouping the infinite possibilities of photon interactions into distinct sets, the team produced a model that describes not only <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-leap-making-light-waves-stand-still-photonic-crystals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">how photons interact </a>with the atoms or molecules that emit them, but also how the energy from that interaction travels into the distant surroundings, known as the "far field."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-do-we-care-about-photon-shape">Why do we care about photon shape?</h2>



We depend on photons more than we might realize. Our eyes detect photons, allowing us to see the world around us. 



In technology, photons are crucial for solar panels that convert light into electricity and fiber optic cables that provide high-speed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-atoms-qkd-quantum-communication-revolutionizing-data-protection-privacy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">internet and communications</a>.



Photons also play a significant role in scientific research. They are central to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/like-charged-particles-attract-each-other-defying-coulombs-laws-of-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum electrodynamics</a> (QED), the theory that describes how light and matter interact. 



Photons act as force carriers for the electromagnetic force, one of the four fundamental forces in the universe. 



They facilitate interactions between charged particles like electrons and protons, governing a wide range of physical phenomena.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advancing-quantum-physics">Advancing quantum physics</h2>



"The geometry and optical properties of the environment have profound consequences for how photons are emitted, including defining the photons' shape, color, and even how likely it is to exist," explained co-author Professor Angela Demetriadou.



Understanding the precise shape and behavior of photons could revolutionize the way we design <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trapped-atoms-forced-to-serve-as-transistors-quantum-network/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nanophotonic technologies</a>. 



This could lead to advancements in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unbreakable-encryption-brings-quantum-internet-communication-closer-to-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">secure communication methods</a>, improved detection of pathogens, and even control over chemical reactions at a molecular level.



"This work helps us to increase our understanding of the energy exchange between light and matter, and to better understand how light radiates into its nearby and distant surroundings," Dr. Yuen added.



"Lots of this information had previously been thought of as just 'noise' -- but there's so much information within it that we can now make sense of and make use of."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next?</h2>



By comprehending how photons interact with their environment, scientists can engineer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/if-shadows-are-created-by-light-how-can-laser-light-cast-a-shadow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">light-matter interactions</a> for future applications. 



Imagine better sensors that can detect diseases at an early stage, more efficient solar cells that provide cleaner energy, or advancements in quantum computing that could solve complex problems in seconds.



"By understanding this, we set the foundations to be able to engineer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-ping-pong-game-played-by-two-atoms-controlling-photons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">light-matter interactions</a> for future applications," says Dr. Yuen. 



The possibilities are vast and could significantly impact various fields, from healthcare to technology and environmental science.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-photon-shape-and-future-technology">Photon shape and future technology</h2>



To sum it all up, this fascinating research represents a significant step forward in quantum physics. 



By defining the precise shape of a single photon, the team has provided a tool that could help scientists and engineers design new technologies that harness the unique properties of light.



The findings not only answer long-standing questions about the fundamental nature of photons but also open up new questions and research paths. 



As we continue to explore the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-quantum-revolution-will-impact-all-aspects-of-society/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum world</a>, understanding the building blocks of light will be crucial in pushing the boundaries of what's possible.



The visualization of a photon is a testament to human curiosity and our desire to understand the universe at its most fundamental level. 



With this new knowledge, we're not just looking at light differently -- we're poised to use it in ways we never thought possible.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.133.203604" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physical Review Letters</a>.



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Precise shape of a single photon revealed for the first time

Light is something we interact with every day, but have...

A recent fossil discovery may revolutionize our understanding of bird brain evolution, shedding light on how the intelligence of modern birds developed.&nbsp;



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a> and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County have identified a remarkably well-preserved <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/terror-bird-phorusrhacid-discovery-was-largest-meat-eating-bird-of-its-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird</a> fossil from the Mesozoic Era, approximately 80 million years old, named Navaornis hestiae.&nbsp;



This ancient bird’s complete skull, roughly the size of a starling’s, was found in Brazil and offers a rare and detailed glimpse into the brains of early avian species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timeline-of-bird-brain-evolution">Timeline of bird brain evolution</h2>



Scientists believe that Navaornis hestiae could serve as a kind of “Rosetta Stone” for understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-birds-brains-evolved-to-enable-them-to-fly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">avian brain evolution</a>.&nbsp;



The fossilized skull bridges a 70-million-year gap in the evolutionary timeline between the 150-million-year-old Archaeopteryx, one of the earliest bird-like dinosaurs, and today’s birds.&nbsp;



Its well-preserved structure has enabled researchers to digitally reconstruct the brain and understand the evolutionary steps leading to the unique cognitive abilities of modern birds.



“The brain structure of Navaornis is almost exactly intermediate between Archaeopteryx and modern birds,” said co-lead author Guillermo Navalón from Cambridge’s Department of Earth Sciences. “It was one of these moments in which the missing piece fits absolutely perfectly.”&nbsp;



The skull’s preservation allowed for advanced micro-CT scanning, revealing a brain structure that suggests it had a larger cerebrum than Archaeopteryx, hinting at advanced cognitive functions not yet seen in other ancient bird-like dinosaurs.



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



While Navaornis was equipped with a more developed cerebrum, its cerebellum - a critical area for flight control in modern birds - was less evolved, indicating that its flight capabilities may have been simpler.&nbsp;



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/modern-bird-feathers-contain-traces-of-dinosaur-feathers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Modern birds</a> have some of the most advanced cognitive capabilities in the animal kingdom, comparable only with mammals,” said senior author Daniel Field, a paleontologist at Cambridge.&nbsp;



But understanding how and when these traits evolved has been elusive until now.&nbsp;



The fossil offers direct insight into an important transitional phase for bird cognition, suggesting that Navaornis might have been capable of complex behaviors like finding food, shelter, or even engaging in elaborate social interactions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-abilities-of-opposite-birds">Abilities of “opposite birds”</h2>



Though Navaornis has some similarities to modern birds, it belongs to a group called enantiornithines, or “opposite birds,” which diverged from modern avians more than 130 million years ago.&nbsp;



Enantiornithines had developed feathers and could likely fly, but they lacked some of the brain features essential for the precise flight control seen in living birds.&nbsp;



“This discovery shows that some of the birds flying over the heads of dinosaurs already had a fully modern skull geometry more than 80 million years ago,” said lead author Luis Chiappe from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.&nbsp;&nbsp;



But the brain anatomy of Navaornis raises new questions about how opposite birds achieved flight without the advanced cerebellar structures seen in contemporary birds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-perfectly-preserved-fossil">A perfectly preserved fossil</h2>



Navaornis was discovered by William Nava, director of the Museum of Paleontology in Marília, Brazil, at a site that tens of millions of years ago likely consisted of slow-moving creeks, creating the ideal conditions for fossil preservation.&nbsp;



This discovery marks the fourth major Mesozoic bird fossil identified by Field’s team, following Ichthyornis, Asteriornis (also called the “Wonderchicken”), and Janavis.&nbsp;



Each of these fossils has been pivotal in helping to reconstruct the evolutionary path of birds, the most diverse group of living vertebrate animals.



Navalón, who co-led the study, expressed awe at the specimen’s remarkable state: “This fossil is truly so one-of-a-kind that I was awestruck from the moment I first saw it to the moment I finished assembling all the skull bones and the brain.”&nbsp;



The research team hopes that this fossil’s exceptional quality is just the beginning; additional findings at this Brazilian site could yield even more insights into avian evolution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advancing-our-understanding-of-bird-cognition">Advancing our understanding of bird cognition</h2>



“This might be just one fossil, but it’s a key piece in the puzzle of bird brain evolution,” Field said.&nbsp;



With the findings on Navaornis, researchers now have a clearer picture of the evolutionary transitions that led from early bird-like dinosaurs to today’s intelligent avian species, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crows-hold-grudges-for-up-to-17-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crows</a> and parrots.&nbsp;



Still, the discovery is just a first step. Future studies will focus on understanding Navaornis’s behavior and interaction with its environment, aiming to answer broader questions about how bird cognition has developed over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-early-era-in-bird-evolution">An early era in bird evolution</h2>



The team’s ongoing research on Mesozoic bird fossils combined with advanced imaging techniques is providing an unprecedented view of the evolutionary leaps in bird anatomy and cognition.&nbsp;



The next steps include investigating how Navaornis and its contemporaries adapted to their surroundings and exploring whether their evolving brain structures offered an advantage in survival and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-social-networks-greatly-influence-their-food-choices/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social behavior</a>.



This discovery stands as a significant milestone in the field, offering a unique window into an era when birds were just beginning to develop the traits that would eventually make them some of the most cognitively advanced animals on Earth.&nbsp;



With continued research, Navaornis hestiae may reveal even more about the mysteries of bird brain evolution, helping scientists piece together the fascinating journey from ancient feathered dinosaurs to the vibrant bird species we see today.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08114-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



Image Credit: Júlia d’Oliveira



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Bird brains: Fossil reveals roots of avian intelligence

A recent fossil discovery may revolutionize our understanding of bird...

Sipping on a citrus soda, have you ever wondered why the flavor seemed to be evenly distributed? A secret ingredient played a big role.



However, after much consideration and several studies indicating potential health risks, this soda additive is nearing its end in the United States.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-banning-the-soda-additive">Banning the soda additive </h2>



The Food and Drug Administration (<a href="https://www.fda.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FDA</a>), America's federal agency for regulating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electronic-tongue-could-revolutionize-food-safety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food safety</a>, has recently taken a decisive step against this controversial soda ingredient called BVO, or brominated vegetable oil.



After revoking the registration of BVO, this modified vegetable oil is now officially banned across the country.



The decision came after clear evidence of toxicity emerged from recent studies, making the continued usage of BVO untenable.



James Jones, FDA deputy commissioner for humans foods, announced the significant proposal.



"The proposed action is an example of how the agency monitors emerging evidence and, as needed, conducts scientific research to investigate safety-related questions, and takes regulatory action when the science does not support the continued safe use of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hundreds-of-ingredients-in-u-s-foods-are-potentially-unsafe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">additives</a> in foods," noted Jones. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-questioning-the-safety-of-the-soda-additive">Questioning the safety of the soda additive</h2>



The story of BVO dates back to the 1930s. As an emulsifying agent, it was added to keep the citrus flavor from floating to the top of soda. 



Animal studies have suggested that the compound may slowly accumulate in our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-late-increases-hunger-and-changes-fat-tissues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fat tissues</a>, preventing iodine from performing crucial functions within our thyroid gland. 



This led health authorities worldwide to question the emulsifier's safety.



In fact, BVO has already been scrapped from the ingredients list in several countries, including India, Japan, and European Union nations. 



Even the state of California bid it farewell in October 2022, with the ban expected to be active by 2027.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-concerns-about-potential-toxicity">Concerns about potential toxicity </h2>



The FDA had its reservations. In the 1950s, it considered BVO a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) ingredient. 



This status was given to items that had either been adequately tested or to those in common use prior to 1958.



The perception changed in the next decade when concerns about potential toxicity arose, leading to a temporary limit on BVO usage, especially in citrus <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/elevated-levels-of-toxic-metals-detected-in-popular-drinks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drinks</a>.



Getting hard data on the long-term risks was not an easy task, hence the delay. 



However, research in the UK during the 1970s found bromine building up in human tissues, and its high concentrations were linked to heart and behavioral issues in animals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-exactly-is-gras">What exactly is GRAS?</h2>



Generally Recognized as Safe, or GRAS, is a designation used by the U.S. FDA to indicate that a substance added to food is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toxic-chemicals-from-food-production-pass-into-the-human-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">considered safe</a> by experts. 



Basically, if something is labeled as GRAS, it means that scientists and researchers agree it won’t harm you when used as intended in our food. 



This can include everyday ingredients like salt, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ultra-processed-foods-are-harmful-to-nearly-every-part-of-the-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">certain preservatives</a>, and natural flavorings that have been used for years without any known issues. 



The GRAS status can be based on a long history of common use in food or on scientific evidence showing that the substance is safe.



Companies can declare their ingredients as GRAS either by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electronic-tongue-could-revolutionize-food-safety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conducting their own research</a> or by relying on the collective knowledge of experts. They can also submit their GRAS determinations to the FDA for review, but it's not always required. 



This system helps streamline the process of getting safe additives into the food supply without the need for lengthy approval procedures for every single ingredient. 



Overall, GRAS plays a crucial role in ensuring that the additives in our food are safe to eat, giving consumers confidence in the products they choose.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-soda-makers-move-on">Soda makers move on</h2>



After several studies, the FDA is finally convinced that BVO should be banned. Companies such as PepsiCo and Coca-Cola Co. have already started the process of phasing out this ingredient from their products over the last decade.



"Over the years many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-are-consuming-more-sugary-drinks-than-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beverage</a> makers reformulated their products to replace BVO with an alternative ingredient, and today, few beverages in the US contain BVO," said Jones. 



This decision could be the first of many. The FDA is currently reviewing regulations authorizing certain food additives, aiming to enhance the process and prohibit food coloring agents found to cause cancer in humans or animals.



The final decision on BVO's classification went through a comprehensive review process that has now come to an end. With alternatives already being used globally to keep citrus drinks tangy to the last drop, it appears the days of BVO are truly numbered.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-soda-ingredients">The future of soda ingredients</h2>



With BVO officially banned, soda manufacturers are now turning to safer and more sustainable alternatives to maintain flavor consistency in citrus beverages. 



Common replacements include natural stabilizers such as ester gum and sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB), which offer similar emulsifying properties without the associated health risks.



This shift reflects a broader trend in the beverage industry toward cleaner labels and transparency in ingredient sourcing. 



As consumers become more health-conscious, brands are under increasing pressure to minimize the use of synthetic additives and embrace natural formulations.



In addition, regulatory bodies are expected to intensify their scrutiny of food and beverage ingredients, encouraging innovation in the development of safe and effective stabilizers. 



These advancements could pave the way for a new era of beverages that prioritize both taste and health.



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Controversial soda ingredient has finally been banned by the FDA

Sipping on a citrus soda, have you ever wondered why...

Our planet Earth has a mesmerizing history that spans across 4.6 billion years. For a majority of this immense timeframe, single-celled life reigned supreme. 



But, about 500 million years ago, everything changed immensely. A dramatic occurrence took place known as the Cambrian “explosion."



During this period, an enormous diversity of life forms made an appearance and found a place for themselves in the fossil record. 



Imprinted in these preserved fossils, we can find traces of diverse animal groups that eventually evolved into animal species we see around us today, including us humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-cambrian-explosion">Understanding the Cambrian Explosion</h2>



The Cambrian Explosion was an incredibly important period in Earth's history about 541 million years ago when life on Earth suddenly got a major upgrade. 



Before the Cambrian, most organisms were simple and microscopic, but then things really took off. 



Suddenly, the oceans were teeming with a dazzling variety of creatures, including the first animals with hard shells and complex body structures. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cambrian-explosion_tonto-grand-canyon_tsunami-evidence_UNM_1s.webp" alt="UNM's Karl Karlstrom examines torn-up sediment that may record the record of a large hurricane or perhaps a tsunami affecting the shallow marine environment. Photo by Laurie Crossey." class="wp-image-1951528"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">UNM's Karl Karlstrom examines torn-up sediment that may record the record of a large hurricane or perhaps a tsunami affecting the shallow marine environment. Photo by Laurie Crossey.</figcaption></figure>



It’s like nature hit the fast-forward button, and you see the first fish, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/500-million-year-old-trilobites-fossils-preserved-in-volcanic-ash/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trilobites</a>, and even some of the earliest ancestors of modern-day creatures making their debut.



Scientists are still trying to figure out exactly what triggered this burst of life, but they think it was a combination of factors like changes in the environment, the availability of oxygen, and maybe even genetic innovations that allowed organisms to develop new body plans. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grand-canyon-reveals-earth-s-past">Grand Canyon reveals Earth's past</h2>



Now, an intriguing paper published by a team of researchers from The University of New Mexico (<a href="https://www.unm.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNM</a>) has added fresh insights into this fascinating event in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountain-building-triggered-a-mass-extinction-event/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's history</a>. 



“The Tonto Group of Grand Canyon holds a treasure trove of sedimentary layers and fossils chronicling the Cambrian Explosion some 500 million years ago, when the first animals with hard shells rapidly proliferated and sea levels rose to envelop continents with emerging marine life,” said Carol Dehler, professor at <a href="https://www.usu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utah State University</a>.



Dehler served as the lead author for this paper, with UNM's adjunct professor and paleontologist, Fred Sundberg, serving as the co-lead author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-model-of-the-cambrian-explosion">New model of the Cambrian explosion</h2>



This research doesn't just bring <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cambrian-explosion-fossil-sponges/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary advances</a> to the table; it also has implications for geoscience education. 



The study builds on Eddy McKee's classic model for marine transgression (the spread of seas across continents), which was developed 50 years ago based on these same rocks. 



McKee's model, taught to geology students worldwide, suggests a gradual deepening and slow shifts in sedimentary environments.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cambrian-explosion_grand-canyon-fossils_new-discovery_credit-UNM_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cambrian-explosion_grand-canyon-fossils_new-discovery_credit-UNM_1s.webp" alt="A 500 million-year-old trilobites fossil left ladder-like traces. Credit: University of New Mexico" class="wp-image-1951525"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A 500 million-year-old trilobites fossil left ladder-like traces. Credit: University of New Mexico</figcaption></figure>



“Our new model for deposition of the Tonto Group is much more nuanced, showing a mixture of marine and non-marine settings, breaks or unconformities when no sediment was being deposited, and a much faster tempo of evolution," noted Professor Karlstrom.



"Even more than before, the Tonto Group of Grand Canyon remains one of the most important Cambrian-type sections in the world because of its complete exposure.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dating-methods-used-for-the-study">Dating methods used for the study</h2>



The application of advanced techniques has provided new insights into the rate at which rock sedimentation occurred and has offered hints into how marine species like trilobites and other early animals diversified swiftly.



“Our new tandem U-Pb dating methods are refining precise ages for each layer in the succession and for the transitions between trilobite biozones,” said Schmitz. 



“We are finding that different trilobite species radiated, then went extinct at a very fast, sub-million year, tempo.”



The dating methods used for the study involve extracting hundreds of sand-sized zircon crystals from a ground-up sedimentary rock sample. 



The U-Pb ratios of these grains were first obtained using a preliminary method for swift dating, and then the youngest grains were precisely dated using a more elaborate laboratory technique.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-details-about-the-cambrian-explosion">New details about the Cambrian explosion</h2>



"Sedimentary rocks are hard to date," said Crossey. "But the deposition of the sediment and fossils entombed within it, must be younger than the age of the youngest grain so with many dates we can bracket sedimentary ages"



The team's new model, when compared to McKee's model, provides key pathways that can enable students, researchers, and even anyone interested in geology to understand the Cambrian explosion on a deeper level.



“From the Tonto Group’s 500-meter-thick strata, we’re learning about sea-level rise and the effects of catastrophic tropical storms -- probably more powerful than today’s devastating hurricanes," Dehler continued.



"This occurred in a world without land plants and during a period of very hot temperatures when the Earth was ice-free. Sea levels were so high that sediments like the Tonto Group were deposited atop most continents in environments that allowed rapid expansion of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-animal-day-2024-building-a-legacy-of-compassion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal</a> diversity on Earth," she concluded.



With advances like these, we can better understand and appreciate the complexity and beauty of the Cambrian explosion and Earth's history, making us more connected to the past, and more conscious about how our actions today might shape the future.



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The team also included Karl Karlstrom and Laurie Crossey, distinguished professors at UNM, James Hagadorn from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Mark Schmitz from Boise State University, and Steve Rowland from the <a href="https://www.unlv.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Nevada Las Vegas</a>.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.geosociety.org/GSA/Publications/GSA_Today/GSA/GSAToday/science/G604A/abstract.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GSA Today</a>.



Image Credit: UNM Newsroom



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Grand Canyon fossils reveal secrets that are forcing a rewrite of evolution textbooks

Our planet Earth has a mesmerizing history that spans across...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Nushagak Bay, a large estuary in southwest Alaska. Nushagak runs mainly north to south and exits in Bristol Bay, a large body of water in the Bering Sea.



"The bay is primarily fed by the Nushagak River, which begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest approximately 450 km. The bay is also fed by several additional rivers including the Wood, Igushik, Snake and Weary rivers," says ESA.



"The dark colors of the Nushagak River are most likely due to tannins or lignins (chemical substances found in plants). Tannins and lignins from roots, leaves, seeds, bark and soil can leach into the water and give it a brown or even black colour. The sediments then flow southwards where it is mixed with the bluer waters of the bay."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.



"The main antigenic targets of influenza virus are two surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Whereas the structural and dynamical properties of both glycoproteins have been studied previously, the understanding of their plasticity in the whole-virion context is fragmented," wrote the researchers.



To investigate, the team conducted detailed simulations of the influenza A H1N1 virion, or the swine flu. The experts concluded that the visualizations show many new vulnerable states of flu viruses, which could improve future vaccines and antiviral drugs.



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Lake Trasimeno, which is located west of Perugia in central Italy. It is the fourth largest lake in the country. While Trasimeno’s water level varies, it has a maximum depth of approximately six meters.&nbsp;



"In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, captured on 6 August 2022, the lake’s emerald green colour is likely due to the presence of phytoplankton. Streaks in the water, particularly visible in the west, indicate the presence of soil and sediments which have been stirred up by winds. Dark colored waters in the southern part of the lake indicate a presence of submerged and floating macrophytes (aquatic plants) as well as algae," says ESA.



"Surrounded by hills on three sides, Trasimeno is subject to heavy storms created by winds, especially from the north and west. There are three islets in the lake: Maggiore, Minore and Polvese (the largest). The lake’s shores are sparsely inhabited with only two popular villages: Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno."



"Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years which has affected drinking water supplies, hydroelectric power and agricultural production. High temperatures, hot winds and lack of rainfall are the main causes of drought in the Umbrian region which saw Lake Trasimeno’s drop 1.3 m, reaching the limit of the hydrometric zero in July 2022."



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;



The oxidized form of mercury can be harmful when it is ingested through contaminated water or food. This makes it necessary for experts to develop sensors that can quickly and accurately detect the presence of mercury.&nbsp;



Zong-Hong Lin and colleagues have now created a triboelectric nanosensor (TENS) that can detect mercury by simply by touching a sample. According to the researchers, their TENS could serve as the basis for similar devices to safely and remotely monitor other pollutants.



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Kainji Lake, a reservoir on the Niger River.



In 1968, Kainji Lake was created by the construction of the Kainji Dam. The Niger River, the third longest in Africa, enters the lake in the north.&nbsp;



According to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rivers-in-the-american-west-are-a-lifesaving-resource-for-birds/">ESA</a>, the creation of the lake submerged Foge Island and the town of Bussa and permanently flooded other riverine settlements, leaving around 50,000 people displaced.&nbsp;



Large parts of Foge Island are temporarily exposed during low water tides, and the land is often used by migrating fishermen. Kainji Dam is a dam across the Niger River in Niger State of Central Nigeria. 



Wild mammals occur at relatively low densities due to illegal hunting. Lake Kainji has suffered a dramatic decline as a fishery due to the high numbers of artisanal and subsistence fisherfolk using the lake. It has been suggested that a period of closure, together with controlled fishing rights may help improve fish stocks.



Kainji Lake National Park is the oldest of its kind in Nigeria. The park contains three distinct areas: a part of the Kainji Lake, the Borgu Game Reserve to the west of the lake, and the Zugurma Game Reserve to the southeast. The park is home to around 65 mammal species, 350 bird species, and 30 species of reptiles and amphibians. 



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a> reveals how scientists can modify common crops like soybean, rice, and wheat to protect them from heat stress.



“We need to double crop production by 2050 to feed a growing global population, and not only are we not on track to do that, but climate change is further complicating things,” said Amanda Cavanagh, a lecturer at the University of Essex. 



The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.



“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;



“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”



The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;



The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...

Tiwari realized the elephant was a female, and not just a female but a female who was nursing a calf that must have been born not too long ago. Tiwari inched forward and saw her baby. It was stuck in the bottom of the muddy hole. “She’s trying to rescue her baby!”, Tiwari shouted. “This makes her highly dangerous. Everyone please stay back!”.

Baby Elephant

The elephant’s warning call vibrated through his chest. Dust had kicked high into the air. Everyone ran. Everyone but Tiwari. “Don’t run! Everyone stay still!”, he ordered. Those that remained did as he directed. It was enough to discourage the animal, who quickly turned back and began digging again. Now, Tiwari could see what was happening.