Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features Klinaklini Glacier, located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, Canada.



Klinaklini Glacier is notable for its size and the role it plays in the regional environment. It is part of a larger system of glaciers and ice fields in the area, which are critical for their contribution to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellites-reveal-a-sudden-drop-in-global-freshwater-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">freshwater</a> resources and their influence on local climate conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-klinaklini-glacier-and-climate-change">Klinaklini Glacier and climate change</h2>



Klinaklini is particularly interesting due to its dynamics and response to climate change. Like many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-glaciers-pose-great-threat-to-biodiversity-in-mountain-ranges/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glaciers</a> around the world, it is being closely monitored for changes in its size, flow, and overall health. 



Glaciers in the Coast Mountains, including Klinaklini, have been studied for their response to global warming, with many showing signs of retreat and reduced ice mass.



"Decades of satellite images of western Canada make it clear that the region’s glaciers are shrinking and that the rate of ice loss is accelerating," said <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



"In 1984, there were 14,329 glaciers in British Columbia and Alberta that were large enough to detect with sensors on the Landsat 5 satellite."



"By 2020, nearly 8 percent of them - 1,141 glaciers - had shrunk so much that newer Landsat sensors could no longer distinguish them, according to research conducted by University of Northern British Columbia glaciologists Alexandre Bevington and Brian Menounos."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-role-of-the-klinaklini-glacier">Ecological role of the Klinaklini Glacier </h2>



Klinaklini Glacier also plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem. It feeds into the Klinaklini River, which is an important waterway for the region. 



The river supports a variety of wildlife, including salmon populations that are vital both ecologically and economically for local communities.



Studies conducted on and around the Klinaklini Glacier contribute to the understanding of glaciology, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alpine-glaciers-will-lose-half-of-their-volume-by-2050/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>, and hydrology. 



This research is essential for predicting future changes in the glacier and for understanding the broader impacts of climate change on glacial systems globally.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coast-mountains-of-british-columbia">Coast Mountains of British Columbia </h2>



The Coast Mountains of British Columbia are a striking and expansive mountain range forming part of the Pacific Coast Ranges in western North America. 



Stretching approximately 1,600 kilometers from the Fraser River near Vancouver in the south to the Yukon Territory in the north, the range is known for its rugged beauty and significant ecological and cultural importance.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geography-of-the-mountains">Geography of the mountains</h3>



Geographically, the Coast Mountains are positioned between the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Interior Plateau to the east.



They are divided into three main sections: the Pacific Ranges in the south, the Kitimat Ranges in the central region, and the Boundary Ranges in the north, which extend into Alaska and Yukon. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geological-processes">Geological processes</h3>



The range's dramatic landscapes include steep peaks, fjords, and valleys carved by ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-glaciers-release-vast-quantities-of-unknown-microbes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">glaciers</a>, highlighting the lasting influence of glaciation on the region.



Geologically, the Coast Mountains are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, formed by volcanic and tectonic activity. 



Their granitic composition is a result of millions of years of geological processes. Mount Waddington, the highest peak in the range at 4,019 meters, stands as a notable landmark in the Pacific Ranges.



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



The climate of the Coast Mountains varies significantly depending on location. The western slopes are characterized by a temperate rainforest climate, with high levels of precipitation brought by moist Pacific air. 



In contrast, the eastern slopes are drier, with semi-arid conditions in some areas. This climatic diversity supports a wide range of ecosystems, from lush coastal rainforests to alpine tundra. 



The region is home to diverse <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/outdoor-recreation-noise-triggers-fear-response-in-wildlife/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a>, including black bears, grizzly bears, mountain goats, and numerous bird species.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recreation-and-culture">Recreation and culture</h3>



The Coast Mountains are a popular destination for recreation and tourism. Activities such as hiking, skiing, snowboarding, and mountaineering draw visitors from around the world - particularly to destinations like Whistler, a renowned resort town in the Pacific Ranges. 



The fjords and valleys of the range provide opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and scenic exploration.



Indigenous peoples, including the Tlingit, Tsimshian, Haida, and Squamish, have lived in and around the Coast Mountains for millennia. 



These groups maintain a deep connection to the land, reflected in their stories, traditions, and art. The mountains are not only a physical presence but also a vital cultural and spiritual landscape.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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Klinaklini Glacier in British Columbia

Today's Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features Klinaklini Glacier, located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, Canada. Klinaklini Glacier is notable for its size and the role it plays in the regional environment. It is part of a larger system of glaciers and ice fields in the area, which are critical for their contribution to freshwater resources and their influence on local climate conditions. Klinaklini Glacier and climate change Klinaklini is particularly interesting due to its dynamics and response...

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features NGC 1333, a reflection nebula located in the Perseus molecular cloud about 960 light-years away from Earth. The photo is a mosaic of images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-webb-nbsp-nbsp">The power of Webb&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>



“Webb’s superb sensitivity allows astronomers to investigate young objects with extremely low masses. Some of the faintest ‘stars’ in the picture are in fact newly born free-floating brown dwarfs with masses comparable to those of giant planets,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



The same cluster was featured as the 33rd anniversary image of the Hubble Space Telescope in April 2023.&nbsp;



According to ESA, Hubble’s image just scratched the surface of this region, because clouds of dust obscure much of the star formation process. 



"Observing with larger aperture and in the infrared part of the spectrum, Webb is capable of peering through the dusty veil to reveal newborn stars, brown dwarfs and planetary mass objects."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-s-view-of-ngc1333">Webb’s view of NGC1333</h2>



ESA noted that the center of the image presents a deep peek into the heart of the NGC1333 cloud.&nbsp;



“Across the image we see large patches of orange, which represent gas glowing in the infrared. These so-called Herbig-Haro objects form when ionized material ejected from young stars collides with the surrounding cloud. They are hallmarks of a very active site of star formation."



The disks of gas and dust that surround the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newly-discovered-stars-milky-way-are-old-as-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stars</a> in this image may eventually produce planetary systems.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-formation-of-the-sun">Formation of the Sun</h2>



“Similar to the young stars in this mosaic, our own Sun and planets formed inside a dusty molecular cloud, 4.6 billion years ago. Our Sun did not form in isolation but as part of a cluster, which was perhaps even more massive than NGC 1333,” explained ESA.



Over time, the stars in the Sun's birth cluster would have drifted apart due to gravitational interactions and the dispersion of gas in the region.



Astronomers have been studying certain clues, such as isotopic signatures in meteorites, that hint the Sun may have formed near massive stars. These stars likely produced supernovae, which could have influenced the early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-objects-spotted-in-the-outer-solar-system-beyond-pluto/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar system</a> by injecting heavy elements like iron-60.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-ngc-1333">Star formation in NGC 1333</h2>



NGC 1333 is a vibrant example of a stellar nursery, where active <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-stars-release-sneezes-of-gas-and-dust-as-they-develop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a> is ongoing. It is known for its chaotic appearance, shaped by the interactions between newborn stars and the surrounding material.



Within NGC 1333, astronomers have observed a high level of turbulence, which makes the region dynamic and complex. 



These disturbances are caused by the outflows of young stars as they eject material into their surroundings, creating shock waves and influencing further star formation.&nbsp;



These outflows are often seen as jets, which are visible in multiple wavelengths of light, especially infrared, as the surrounding dust absorbs visible light.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-ngc-1333">Significance of NGC 1333</h2>



NGC 1333 is also an area of interest for studying the early stages of star and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-formation-new-insights-mechanics-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet formation</a>, as many of the stars within the cluster are in their infancy, still in the process of gathering material and developing protoplanetary disks.&nbsp;



In images, NGC 1333 is marked by bright patches of blue and red, representing reflection <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-rogue-worlds-discovered-inside-a-young-star-forming-nebula/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nebulae</a> and the ionized gas created by energetic young stars.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-perseus-molecular-cloud-nbsp">The Perseus molecular cloud&nbsp;</h2>



The Perseus molecular cloud is a vast region of cold gas and dust located about 600 light-years away from Earth in the constellation <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/1500-billion-orphan-stars-discovered-in-the-perseus-galaxy-cluster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Perseus</a>.&nbsp;



It is one of the most studied star-forming regions in our galaxy due to its relative proximity and the diversity of its young stellar objects. This cloud spans several hundred light-years and contains dense pockets of gas where new stars are actively forming.&nbsp;



These areas are often enshrouded in thick dust, which obscures them in visible light but allows astronomers to study them using infrared and radio wavelengths.



The Perseus molecular cloud is particularly interesting because of the chemistry taking place within it, including the formation of complex organic molecules that could be precursors to life.&nbsp;



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



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Stellar nursery shines in the Perseus cloud

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

ISS030 star trails created with iss030e271644 thru iss030e271714

Star trails over Earth Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features a compilation of photographs taken by astronaut Don Pettit while he was onboard the International Space Station (ISS) in April of 2012. 

According to <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=nasa&amp;cvid=1b58b4dec2e84188a4911f2119bb0e32&amp;aqs=edge.0.69i59j0l4j69i60l2.799j0j9&amp;FORM=ANAB01&amp;PC=HCTS">NASA</a>, the composite was created from more than 72 long-exposure photographs taken over several minutes as the ISS. traveled over the Caribbean Sea, across South America, and over the South Atlantic Ocean. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government responsi

Star trails over Earth In a blog post, Pettit explained that long-exposure picturble for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.es from the ISS show star trails as circular arcs, with the center of rotation being the poles of the station.

“My star trail images are made by taking a time exposure of about 10 to 15 minutes,” wrote Pettit. “However, with modern digital cameras, 30 seconds is about the longest exposure possible, due to electronic detector noise effectively snowing out the image. To achieve the longer exposures, I do what many amateur astronomers do. I take multiple 30-second exposures, then stack them using imaging software, thus producing the longer exposure.”

The image captures both natural and artificial lights that appear to astronauts as they pass over the night side of Earth. For example, cities appear as pale yellow-white streaks.

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 

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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

Star trails over Earth

Star trails over Earth Today's Image of the Day from...

The Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. The photograph was taken by astronaut Don Pettit from the International Space Station in May of 2012.

The Tibetan Plateau is visible just beyond the 600-mile stretch of mountains, including numerous lakes and mountain glaciers.

Meanwhile, the flat, treeless plains of the Indo-Gangetic belt can be seen in the foreground. 

Over millions of years, the Ganges, Ghaghara, and Gandak rivers transported massive amounts of sediment from the Himalayas. This has covered the plains with alluvial soil that is fertile and agriculturally productive. The Tibetan Plateau, also known in China as the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau or the Qing–Zang Plateau or as the Himalayan Plateau in India, is a vast elevated plateau in South Asia, Central Asia and East Asia, covering most of the Tibet Autonomous Region, most of Qinghai, Northwestern Yunnan, Western half of Sichuan, Southern Gansu provinces in Western China, the Indian regions of Ladakh and Lahaul and Spiti as well as Bhutan. It stretches approximately 1,000 kilometres north to south and 2,500 kilometres east to west. It is the world's highest and largest plateau above sea level, with an area of 2,500,000 square kilometres. With an average elevation exceeding 4,500 metres and being surrounded by imposing mountain ranges that harbor the world's two highest summits, Mount Everest and K2, the Tibetan Plateau is often referred to as "the Roof of the World".

The Himalayas and the Tibetan plateau were formed as the Indian tectonic plate collided into the Eurasian plate about 50 million years ago. This process is still ongoing, and the mountain range still rises a bit every year. Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth, is also visible in the photograph.

According to NASA, the curve of Earth’s limb defines the horizon due to the oblique viewing angle from the ISS.

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 

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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

The Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau

The Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau Today's Image of the...

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features a large iceberg that has broken away from Antarctica’s Brunt Ice Shelf. The rift that spawned the calving event, known as Chasm 1, was first observed in satellite images in September of 2019.

The break was detected on February 26, 2021, and then confirmed the next day with radar images from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1A satellite. The giant iceberg, A-74, spans 490 square miles, which is about twice the size of Chicago. 

According to NASA, A-74 broke from the ice shelf northeast of the McDonald Ice Rumple - an area where the flow of ice is impeded by an underwater formation that causes pressure waves, crevasses, and rifts to form at the surface. 

The rift that produced the iceberg rapidly advanced across the ice shelf during the summer of 2020 to 2021.

“I would not have thought that this rift could go zipping across the northeast side of the Brunt Ice Shelf and cause a significant calving - all in a tiny fraction of the time it has taken Chasm 1 to extend toward the ice rumples from the south,” said Christopher Shuman, a glaciologist based at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.

The image was captured on March 1, 2021 by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8.

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 

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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

Large iceberg breaks away from Antarctica’s Brunt Ice Shelf

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

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> maps the colors of large rivers across the United States. A new study has found that the dominant color has changed in about one-third of these rivers over the past 35 years.

“Changes in river color serve as a first pass that tell us something is going on nearby. There are a lot of details to parse out on what is causing those changes, though," explained study lead author John Gardner, who is a hydrologist at the University of Pittsburgh.

The scientists used 234,727 images collected by Landsat satellites between 1984 and 2018 to construct the first map of river color in the United States. The colors are similar to how they would appear to the naked eye.

During the study period, 56 percent of rivers were dominantly yellow and 38 percent were dominantly green. 

According to Gardner, it is not unusual for rivers to change colors. These changes occur as a result of fluctuations in flow, concentrations of sediments, and the amount of dissolved organic matter or algae in the water. 

“We are seeing an increase in the frequency of color changes,” said Gardner. The analysis revealed that around 21 percent of rivers became greener, most commonly in the western United States, while around 12 percent of the rivers shifted toward yellow, primarily in the eastern United States.

The most extreme examples were often found to be located near man-made reservoirs. Gardner also noticed that algal blooms have become more frequent in rivers. 

“Our findings do not indicate if the color changes are good or bad in terms of water quality, but we showed that we can detect some trends,” said Gardner. “The next step is to investigate what humans are doing to cause those changes and whether it’s an improvement or degradation.”

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 

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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

River colors are changing across the United States

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

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> illustrates how warm weather caused Alaska to jump from the middle of winter straight into spring.

March of 2019 was part of an ongoing warming trend across the state in recent years. According to the Alaska Climate Research Center, a high-pressure ridge developed in the middle of the month and stayed in place.

The hotter air temperatures combined with warm sea surface temperatures have significantly lowered the amount of sea ice coverage west of Alaska in the Bering Sea.

This image was captured over Anchorage on March 30, 2019 by MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite.

Alaska is a U.S. state in the northwest extremity of the west coast of the United States just across the Bering Strait from Asia. The Canadian province of British Columbia, as well as the territory of Yukon, border the state to the east and southeast. Its most extreme western part is Attu Island, and it has a maritime border with Russia (Chukotka Autonomous Okrug) to the west across the Bering Strait. 

To the north are the Chukchi and Beaufort seas - southern parts of the Arctic Ocean. The Pacific Ocean lies to the south and southwest. Alaska is the largest U.S. state by area and the seventh largest subnational division in the world. In addition, it is the 3rd least populous and the most sparsely populated of the 50 United States. On the other hand, it is by far the most populous territory located mostly north of the 60th parallel in North America: its population - estimated at 738,432 by the United States Census Bureau in 2015 - is more than quadruple the combined populations of Northern Canada and Greenland. 

Approximately half of Alaska's residents live within the Anchorage metropolitan area. Alaska's economy is dominated by the fishing, natural gas, and oil industries, resources which it has in abundance. United States armed forces bases and tourism are also a significant part of the economy. 
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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

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory

&nbsp;

An early spring in Alaska

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

Lake Balaton in western Hungary Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features a Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite view of Lake Balaton, the largest freshwater lake in central Europe.

Located in Hungary, Lake Balaton is about 48 miles in length. The lake is primarily fed by the Zala River to the west, and its water flows out to the east through an artificial channel called the Sió, ultimately feeding into the Danube River.Lake Balaton in western Hungary

Balaton was once five separate water bodies, but the barriers gradually eroded away to create a single lake. The remains of the ridges that divided the lake can be seen in Balaton’s shape. Lake Balaton is a freshwater lake in the Transdanubian region of Hungary. It is the largest lake in Central <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/sahara-dust-plume-moves-toward-europe/">Europe,</a> and one of the region's foremost tourist destinations. The Zala River provides the largest inflow of water to the lake, and the canalised Sió is the only outflow. But it's especially appealing in the summer, when you can cool off from the Hungarian heat at one of the many lakeside resorts that dot the shoreline. Lake Balaton is almost 50 miles long and 10 miles wide at its widest point. It's a freshwater lake, but it's a striking milky green color because of the algae that grows in the shallow waters.

The emerald color of the water that was captured in this image is most likely due to its chemical composition. According to the ESA, the water is heavy in carbonates and sulphates, and there are also around 2, 000 species of algae that grow in its waters.

Balaton provides habitats for a large population of wildlife, including 41 native fish species living in the lake and its tributaries. This is also an important staging area for thousands of ducks and geese during migration season. 

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

Lake Balaton in western Hungary

Lake Balaton in western Hungary Today's Image of the Day...

New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features New River Gorge, which was designated in 2020 as the first national park in the state of West Virginia.

The image of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve was captured on April 22, 2020 by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on the Landsat 8 satellite. 

The photograph is overlaid on digital elevation data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) to give a sense of the topography. The shaded areas represent land within the park.

Dating back more than 300 million years, the New River is one of the oldest rivers in the world. Some people believe that the river rose up with the Appalachian Mountains as they were formed.

The New River is one of only a handful of rivers that flows primarily from south to north. It begins in western North Carolina in Ashe County and passes through Virginia into West Virginia.

According to NASA, the New River Gorge attracts more than a million visitors each year for its famous whitewater rafting courses, as well as hiking, rock climbing, hunting, and fishing. 

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 

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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

New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia

New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia Today's Image...

Lisbon, Portugal on the Atlantic coast. Today's Image of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features a Sentinel-1A satellite view of Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal.

The Tagus River, which originates in central Spain, flows west into Portugal and reaches the Atlantic Ocean in Lisbon.

The city center is located on the northern shore of the Tagus River, and is made visible by the bright radar reflections from buildings and other structures. Some of these reflections represent the suspension bridge that connects Lisbon to Almada.

Lisbon is the westernmost capital city in continental Europe, and the only European city located on the Atlantic coast. Lisbon is the capital and the largest city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 505,526 within its administrative limits in an area of 100.05 km². Lisbon's urban area extends beyond the city's administrative limits with a population of around 2.8 million people, being the 10th-most populous urban area in the <a href="http://www.earth.com/video/the-northern-european-region-of-lapland/">European</a> Union. Lisbon, Portugal on the Atlantic coast. About 3 million people live in the Lisbon metropolitan area, which represents approximately 27% of the country's population. It is mainland Europe's westernmost capital city and the only one along the Atlantic coast. Lisbon lies in the western Iberian Peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean and the River Tagus. The westernmost portions of its metro area, the Portuguese Riviera, form the westernmost point of Continental Europe, culminating at Cabo da Roca.

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

Lisbon, Portugal on the Atlantic coast

Lisbon, Portugal on the Atlantic coast. Today's Image of the...

Imagine strolling along the same path where our ancestors once walked, then accidentally discovering human footprints that had been left behind roughly 115,000 years ago. 



This is precisely what happened to a group of archaeologists when they found the oldest-known human footprints on the Arabian Peninsula.



Discovered among the tracks of prehistoric animals, these imprints mark a significant discovery in the study of human migration and life before the Ice Age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-human-footprints-on-the-arabian-peninsula">Early human footprints on the Arabian Peninsula </h2>



In 2017, the fossilized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earliest-human-footprints-ever-found-are-believed-to-be-300000-years-old/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tracks</a> were spotted in a special lakebed region of northern Saudi Arabia. The tracks consisted of seven discrete footprints.



"Here, we report hominin and non-hominin mammal footprints and fossils from the Alathar lacustrine deposit in the western Nefud Desert, Saudi Arabia," noted the researchers.



"We argue that the footprints, dated to the last interglacial and therefore contemporaneous with an early&nbsp;H. sapiens&nbsp;out-of-Africa dispersal, most likely represent the earliest evidence of our species in the Arabian Peninsula."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-footprints-in-similar-states">Human footprints in similar states</h2>



The lakebed, named "the trace" in Arabic, seems to have been a busy spot over 100,000 years ago. The scientists noted that the footprints - which were found in similar states of preservation - were likely generated within a very short time frame. 



"An experimental study of modern human footprints in mud flats found that fine details were lost within two days and prints were rendered unrecognizable within four, and similar observations have been made for other non-hominin mammal tracks," explained the researchers.



Mud, it seems, is nature's perfect canvas to capture history, even though the impressions may be lost rather rapidly from the soft surface. During the Burgess Shale event, for example, organisms were preserved intact because they were caught in a mudslide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-tracks-of-our-ancestors">The tracks of our ancestors</h2>



As complex as the past is, several theories have been proposed about the upright primates of that era. Mounting evidence indicates that the tracks were left by members of our own species, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prehistoric-homo-sapiens-stone-tools-preserved-volcanic-ash-grotta-di-castelcivita/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Homo sapiens</a>.



"Seven hominin footprints were confidently identified and, given the fossil and archaeological evidence for the spread of H. sapiens into the Levant and Arabia during the era 130,000 to 80,000 years ago, and absence of Homo neanderthalensis from the Levant at that time, we argue that H. sapiens was responsible for the tracks at Alathar," stated the researchers. 



Furthermore, the experts noted that the sizes of the Alathar footprints are more consistent with those of early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neanderthals-homo-sapiens-living-spaces-organized-similarly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">H. sapiens</a> than H. neanderthalensis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brief-visits-to-the-lake">Brief visits to the lake</h2>



The scientists did not find marks from tools or knives on the animal bones that were uncovered in the area. In other words, there was no evidence of hunting. 



Does this mean the humans just dropped by for a drink?



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Alathar-paleolake_human-footprints_115000-years-old_ULondon_Science_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Alathar-paleolake_human-footprints_115000-years-old_ULondon_Science_1s.webp" alt="The Alathar paleolake sediments, footprints, and fossils. (A) Plan view of the Alathar paleolake deposits with researchers indicated by white arrowheads. (B) First stratigraphic section (units FS1 to FS3). (C) Second stratigraphic section (units SS1 to SS3) overlying the first but located toward the center of the paleolake. (D and E) Example of an elephant track and trackway, Proboscipeda isp. (F) Camelid trackway, Lamaichnum isp. (G) Camelid forefoot (H) Camelid hindfoot. (I) Equid track, Hippipeda isp. (J) Bovid axis vertebra eroding out of the paleolake sediment. Photo credit: Gilbert Price, The University of Queensland and Richard Clark-Wilson, Royal Holloway, University of London" class="wp-image-1955724"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Alathar paleolake sediments, footprints, and fossils. (A) Plan view of the Alathar paleolake deposits with researchers indicated by white arrowheads. (B) First stratigraphic section (units FS1 to FS3). (C) Second stratigraphic section (units SS1 to SS3) overlying the first but located toward the center of the paleolake. (D and E) Example of an elephant track and trackway, Proboscipeda isp. (F) Camelid trackway, Lamaichnum isp. (G) Camelid forefoot (H) Camelid hindfoot. (I) Equid track, Hippipeda isp. (J) Bovid axis vertebra eroding out of the paleolake sediment. Photo credit: Gilbert Price, The University of Queensland and Richard Clark-Wilson, Royal Holloway, University of London</figcaption></figure>



"The lack of archaeological evidence suggests that the Alathar Lake was only briefly visited by people," the researchers noted. The visit, it seemed, was primarily "tied to the need for potable water."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-last-steps-before-the-ice-age">Last steps before the Ice age</h2>



The fossilized footprints raise the obvious question of who made them, but they also spark another intriguing question: why weren't the tracks covered by those of another group?



One theory is that they may have been the last ones who migrated through a temperate climate before being obliterated by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/disastrous-climate-changes-of-the-last-ice-age-could-happen-again/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ice Age</a>. Their silent footsteps, captured in the mud, are a reminder of a history we may never fully understand.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-footprints-of-ancient-humans-and-animals">Footprints of ancient humans and animals</h2>



The footprints discovered at Alathar Lake not only reveal the presence of early humans but also offer a snapshot of the ecosystem that existed 115,000 years ago. 



Surrounding the human footprints, scientists identified tracks from animals such as elephants, camels, and antelopes. The research paints a vivid picture of a lush environment that was vastly different from the arid desert seen today.



These prehistoric creatures likely gathered around the lake to drink water, much like the humans whose tracks were immortalized in the mud.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dynamic-environment-with-shared-resources">Dynamic environment with shared resources </h2>



By analyzing the spatial arrangement and depth of the footprints, researchers can infer details about the behavior and interactions of both humans and animals during this period. 



For instance, the proximity of human and animal tracks suggests a dynamic environment where resources like water attracted a variety of species, enabling brief yet crucial encounters. 



These findings help scientists piece together not just human history but also the broader ecological tapestry of the region before the harsh climatic shifts of the Ice Age began to arrive.



The research was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aba8940">Science Advances</a>. 



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115,000-year-old human footprints found in a location where they should not be

Imagine strolling along the same path where our ancestors once...

On October 19, the US Space Command revealed a troubling incident: the Intelsat 33e satellite broke into approximately 20 pieces, littering an already crowded space with large chunks of space debris. 



The cause remains unknown, but the event has reignited serious concerns about the increasing accumulation of space junk in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).



Experts warn that this growing problem could lead to the dreaded&nbsp;Kessler Syndrome, potentially rendering space exploration and satellite use impossible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-low-earth-orbit-leo-the-basics">Understanding Low Earth Orbit (LEO) - the basics</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/what-is-low-earth-orbit-leo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Low Earth Orbit (LEO)</a> is a region of space that lies relatively close to Earth, typically between 100 and 1,200 miles (160 to 2,000 kilometers) above the planet’s surface. 



It’s the most commonly used orbit for satellites and space stations because it’s cheaper and easier to reach than higher orbits. 



In LEO, satellites orbit the Earth much faster, completing a full circle in just about 90 minutes. This means they can pass over the same spot on Earth several times a day, making LEO ideal for things like weather forecasting, communication, and Earth observation.



One of the most famous objects in LEO is the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-nasa-plans-to-keep-people-in-space-after-the-iss-is-gone/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Space Station (ISS)</a>, which orbits the Earth at about 250 miles (400 kilometers) above the surface. 



LEO is also where most commercial communication satellites, as well as satellites for internet services, operate. 



Their relatively low altitude means they can provide faster data transmission speeds and lower latency compared to satellites in higher orbits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-kessler-syndrome">What is Kessler Syndrome?</h2>



In 1978, <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a> scientists Donald Kessler and Burton Cour-Palais introduced the concept of&nbsp;Kessler Syndrome - a dire prediction about space debris.



The experts theorized that as objects in orbit collide, the resulting <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/what-happens-to-all-the-space-junk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">debris</a> could trigger more collisions. These repeated collisions would create a&nbsp;chain reaction, generating an increasing number of fragments in space.



This phenomenon could spiral out of control, leading to a heavily polluted orbital environment. If allowed to continue accumulating unchecked, the debris could render low Earth orbit completely unusable.



This would prevent future satellite launches, disrupt space exploration, and severely impact technologies that rely on satellites, such as GPS, internet, and weather forecasting.



Kessler Syndrome highlights the critical need to manage space debris effectively and prevent cascading collisions that could jeopardize humanity's access to space.



"The Kessler Syndrome is going to come true. If the probability of a collision is so great that we can't put a satellite in space, then we're in trouble," said&nbsp;John L. Crassidis, space debris expert at the <a href="https://www.buffalo.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University at Buffalo</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-space-debris-a-growing-problem">Space debris: A growing problem</h2>



Space has become <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/undetectable-space-junk-is-now-easier-to-detect/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">increasingly crowded</a>. There are currently more than 10,000 active satellites orbiting Earth, with approximately 6,800 of these belonging to Elon Musk's <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/what-is-low-earth-orbit-leo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starlink</a> network.



Companies like SpaceX and Amazon aim to launch thousands more satellites, heightening the risk of collisions.



Since the dawn of spaceflight in 1957, there have been over 650 fragmentation events, including collisions, explosions, and deliberate satellite destruction. 



In 2021, Russia destroyed one of its own satellites in a military test, creating over 1,500 traceable debris fragments.



"The size of the debris we are tracking ranges from small fragments roughly the size of a softball to larger pieces up to the size of a car door," noted Bill Therien, CTO at <a href="https://exoanalytic.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ExoAnalytic Solutions</a>.



"The majority of the tracked objects are on the smaller end of that spectrum, which contributes to the difficulty of consistently observing all the debris pieces."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consequences-of-space-debris">Consequences of space debris</h2>



Congestion in orbit endangers astronauts and vital <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/clusters-final-mission-a-fiery-return-to-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space-based technologies</a>. For instance, the&nbsp;ISS&nbsp;has performed numerous evasive maneuvers to avoid debris. 



In one recent incident, a piece of debris came within&nbsp;2.5 miles&nbsp;of the ISS, forcing a Russian spacecraft to adjust its trajectory.



If satellites collide or go offline due to overcrowded space, critical services like&nbsp;GPS, broadband internet, and television&nbsp;could fail. Experts warn that this would cause widespread disruption to modern life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mitigating-kessler-syndrome-risks">Mitigating Kessler Syndrome risks</h2>



Efforts are underway to address this growing crisis. The European Space Agency (<a href="https://www.esa.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>) is developing initiatives like <a href="https://www.esa.int/Space_Safety/ClearSpace-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clearsat-1</a> in collaboration with Swiss startup <a href="https://clearspace.today/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ClearSpace</a> to capture and deorbit defunct satellites.



Meanwhile, technologies such as drag sails aim to accelerate the natural descent of debris into Earth's atmosphere.



However, tracking and mitigating debris remains a monumental challenge. The ESA estimates there are over&nbsp;40,500 pieces of debris larger than 10 centimeters&nbsp;and millions of smaller fragments that current technology cannot reliably detect. 



"Even with today’s best sensors, there are limits to what can be reliably 'seen' or tracked, and smaller space debris is often untrackable," said&nbsp;Bob Hall, director at COMSPOC Corp.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-need-for-space-regulations">Need for space regulations</h2>



Experts emphasize the urgency of international cooperation to establish binding space regulations. 



<a href="https://www.un.org/en/summit-of-the-future/pact-for-the-future" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The United Nations' Pact for the Future</a> aims to address space debris through frameworks for traffic and resource management. However, enforcement mechanisms are lacking.



"The biggest concern is the lack of regulation," said&nbsp;Dr. Vishnu Reddy, a professor of planetary sciences at the <a href="https://www.arizona.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Arizona</a>. "Having some norms and guidelines that are put forward by the industry will help a lot."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-space-junk-kessler-syndrome-and-the-future">Space junk, Kessler Syndrome, and the future</h2>



To sum it all up, as more satellites are launched into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the risk of collisions and the potential for Kessler Syndrome -- the runaway chain reaction of debris collisions -- becomes an increasingly real threat. 



With over 10,000 active satellites currently in orbit, the crowded space environment is putting everything from space missions to vital technologies like GPS and communication systems in jeopardy. 



Experts warn that without significant efforts to manage and reduce space junk, we could face a future where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turning-moon-soil-lunar-regolith-space-debris-into-building-materials/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space exploration</a> and satellite services become nearly impossible.



Proactive measures - ranging from technological solutions to enforceable regulations - are crucial to safeguarding Earth's orbit.



The key to avoiding the worst-case scenario of Kessler Syndrome lies in international cooperation and the establishment of strict regulations to prevent further overcrowding. 



If action is not taken soon, the consequences could be catastrophic - not just for space exploration but for the many aspects of modern life that depend on satellite technology.



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Space junk has become a very big problem in low-Earth orbit

On October 19, the US Space Command revealed a troubling...

A recent study has revealed the presence of a rare parasite called Sarcocystis miescheriana in a domestic pig in central Poland. 



The finding has captured attention because it involved cysts large enough to be spotted during routine meat inspection at a slaughterhouse. Such occurrences are seldom recorded, which makes this detection especially noteworthy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rarely-seen-but-concerning">Rarely seen, but concerning</h2>



Experts point out that large, visible cystic lesions associated with <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/sarcocystis-miescheriana#:~:text=Protozoan%20Parasites&amp;text=Sarcocystis%20forms%20cysts%2C%20also%20known,streaks%20arranged%20lengthwise%20in%20muscles." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sarcocystis miescheriana</a> do not show up in pigs very often. 



The research describing this event appears in the Journal of Veterinary Research and has underscored how crucial it is to catch uncommon cases during meat inspections. 



In general, most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pigs-slow-growth-diet-increases-longevity-productivity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pigs</a> do not exhibit any obvious weight loss or breathing problems when infected. This subtle presentation can make early identification challenging in typical farming setups.



A dedicated research team led by <a href="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8266-581X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Weronika Korpysa-Dzirba</a> from the Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases at the National Veterinary Research Institute (<a href="https://www.nvri.gov.ng/parasitology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NVRI</a>) utilized molecular methods, such as analyzing <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/4512#:~:text=the%20presence%20of%20one%20or,in%20blood%20platelets%20during%20aging." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">specific genes</a>, to confirm that these rice-grain-sized nodules were indeed S. miescheriana. 



They extracted ten lesions - each about 0.39 inches long by 0.12 inches wide (1 cm x 0.3 cm) and verified them through gene sequencing. 



Testing confirmed the parasite’s presence, marking the first time scientists have used molecular tools in Poland to verify the presence of S. miescheriana in a pig.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-on-farmers-and-slaughterhouses">Impact on farmers and slaughterhouses</h2>



Carcass condemnation is possible when these lesions appear, since they raise safety flags during post-mortem inspection. Economic hits can follow if part or all of a carcass gets rejected.&nbsp;



Beyond financial losses, the presence of parasites calls for more frequent monitoring and better farm management. 



Ongoing tests could help producers avoid surprises at the slaughterhouse, which in turn safeguards public confidence in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-pig-day-honoring-the-role-of-an-underappreciated-animal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pork products</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-this-pig-parasite">What is this pig parasite?</h2>



“Sarcocystis infections are quite prevalent in farm animals (higher than 70% in some herbivore populations); however, there have been few outbreaks of clinical disease. Most animals are asymptomatic, and the tissue cysts (chronic stage) are [typically] discovered only at slaughter,” stated the <a href="https://www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/sarcocystosis/sarcocystosis-in-animals#Etiology,-Transmission,-and-Pathogenesis_v3286641" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Merck Veterinary Manual</a>. This reference also notes that severe infections can lead to condemned meat if cysts are visible. Even though subclinical infections may not affect an animal’s day-to-day appearance, the discovery of noticeable cysts can trigger concern among inspectors and consumers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-human-awareness-matters">Why human awareness matters</h2>



“In the intestinal type, people get infected by eating undercooked meat containing the parasite. In the muscular type, eating food or water contaminated with the parasite is a risk factor," warns the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/sarcocystosis/about/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CDC</a>.



"An animal will defecate a form of the parasite out, which can then contaminate food or water that people may drink."



Although S. miescheriana itself is not considered transmissible to humans, other varieties, such as S. hominis and S. suihominis, do pose a risk. 



Vigilance in the meat supply chain can help cut down on the chance that people get infected, and proper cooking and handling of the meat is essential to keep the parasites at bay.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-investigating-the-bigger-picture">Investigating the bigger picture</h2>



Researchers have suggested that future studies should determine how often S. miescheriana appears in both domestic and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-boar-found-with-alarming-levels-of-forever-chemicals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wild pigs</a>. At the moment, data on the frequency and distribution of infections remains patchy. 



Molecular testing could become a standard part of swine meat inspection if scientists confirm significant risks. This would help pinpoint infected herds more swiftly, reduce the spread of infection, and catch other parasitic species that are more dangerous to people.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-reduce-pig-parasite-risk">How to reduce pig parasite risk</h2>



Pork producers can lower the odds of Sarcocystis contamination by improving on-farm hygiene. Measures like stopping dogs or wild canids from roaming near pig pens may help because the parasite can cycle among animals through fecal contamination.&nbsp;



Adequate disinfection methods in barns and strict feed control can also cut down infection rates. Another level of defense is making sure pork is cooked thoroughly, which inactivates <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dog-parks-may-be-fueling-parasite-outbreaks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parasites</a> that might lurk in undercooked meat.



Experts plan to broaden their use of modern lab techniques at slaughterhouses. They hope this will catch parasitic infections before they enter the market. 



Regulatory bodies could use these methods, along with conventional inspections, to give consumers safer products and maintain trust in the pork sector. 



Some producers might see higher costs if advanced testing becomes routine, yet these steps could help avoid the larger price tag of losing entire carcasses due to suspicious lesions.



The full research report will be published in the <a href="https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/jvetres-2024-0067" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Veterinary Research</a>.



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Scientists report first case of rare parasite in pigs, posing human health risks

A recent study has revealed the presence of a rare...

Researchers at the Allen Institute have identified a specific brain region in mice where aging triggers significant changes in numerous cell types. The study also pinpointed which cell types undergo the most profound transformations



This new information, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08350-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>, points toward potential approaches for slowing or controlling the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-25-years-of-research-revealed-about-brain-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging</a> process in the brain.



The research was focused on numerous glial cell types - the brain’s “support cells” - that demonstrated considerable shifts in gene activity with age. Among the cells most affected were microglia, border-associated macrophages, oligodendrocytes, tanycytes, and ependymal cells.&nbsp;



The study showed that, in aging brains, the activity of genes linked to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fasting-helps-the-body-fight-inflammation-and-chronic-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inflammation</a> rose, while the activity of genes important for neurons decreased.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aging-hotspot-identified-in-the-brain">Aging hotspot identified in the brain</h2>



The researchers discovered a concentration of these changes in an “aging hotspot,” located in the hypothalamus.&nbsp;



The most significant gene expression changes were discovered in cell types located near the third ventricle of the hypothalamus.



The cells include tanycytes, ependymal cells, and neurons with an important role in food intake, energy homeostasis, metabolism, and how our bodies use nutrients.&nbsp;



This observation hints at a connection between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-healthy-diet-can-reduce-brain-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diet</a>, lifestyle factors, brain aging, and changes that influence susceptibility to age-related brain disorders.



“Our hypothesis is that those cell types are getting less efficient at integrating signals from our environment or from things that we're consuming,” said study lead author Kelly Jin, a scientist at the <a href="https://alleninstitute.org/division/brain-science/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Allen Institute for Brain Science</a>.&nbsp;



“And that loss of efficiency somehow contributes to what we know as aging in the rest of our body. I think that's pretty amazing, and I think it’s remarkable that we're able to find those very specific changes with the methods that we're using.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-analyzing-millions-of-brain-cells">Analyzing millions of brain cells</h2>



The experts employed advanced single-cell RNA sequencing and high-resolution mapping methods created through <a href="https://braininitiative.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The BRAIN Initiative®</a>.&nbsp;



The team analyzed over 1.2 million brain cells taken from mice at two months of age (classified as “young”) and 18 months of age (considered by researchers to be “late middle-aged”).&nbsp;



Mice share critical structural, functional, and genetic features with humans, making them useful for studying how the brain evolves over time.



“Aging is the most important risk factor for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alzheimers-disease-attacks-the-brain-in-two-separate-phases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer’s disease</a> and many other devastating brain disorders. These results provide a highly detailed map for which brain cells may be most affected by aging,” said Richard J. Hodes, the director of <a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NIH’s National Institute on Aging</a>.&nbsp;



“This new map may fundamentally alter the way scientists think about how aging affects the brain and also provides a guide for developing new treatments for aging-related brain diseases.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-will-this-study-help">How will this study help?</h2>



The researchers found that particular clusters of cell types in the hypothalamus had a meaningful drop in the genes essential for neuron functioning, while the genes involved in inflammation rose in activity.&nbsp;



The experts reasoned that examining this hotspot and these cell types more closely could lead to targeted interventions.



“We want to develop tools that can target those cell types,” said Hongkui Zeng, the executive vice president and director of the Allen Institute for Brain Science. “If we improve the function of those cells, will we be able to delay the aging process?”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lifestyle-factors-in-brain-aging">Lifestyle factors in brain aging</h2>



These data support earlier links between aging and metabolic changes, along with evidence suggesting that intermittent fasting or a balanced diet might influence longevity.&nbsp;



While the study did not test dietary patterns directly, it highlights the importance of understanding which brain cells may be “players” in the aging process.



“It’s not something we directly tested in this study,” said Jin. “But to me, it points to the potential players involved in the process, which I think is a huge deal because this is a very specific, rare population of neurons that express very specific genes that people can develop tools for to target and further study.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preventing-age-related-brain-decline">Preventing age-related brain decline</h2>



The study provides a starting point for deeper inquiries into how diet, lifestyle, or pharmaceuticals might alleviate or slow age-related declines in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-health-may-literally-be-a-state-of-mind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain health</a>. 



By tracking the most vulnerable cell types, researchers hope to devise strategies - whether dietary or pharmaceutical - that help maintain healthy brain function well into old age.



“The important thing about our study is that we found the key players - the real key players - and the biological substrates for this process,” Zeng said.&nbsp;



“Putting the pieces of this puzzle together, you have to find the right players. It’s a beautiful example of why you need to study the brain and the body at this kind of cell type-specific level.”&nbsp;



“Otherwise, changes happening in specific cell types could be averaged out and undetected if you mix different types of cells together.”



As scientists probe further into the link between these specific cells and the hypothalamic region, this line of research sets the stage for developing new methods aimed at preserving cognitive abilities and forestalling age-related diseases.&nbsp;



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"Aging hotspot" found in the brain may hold the key to longevity

Researchers at the Allen Institute have identified a specific brain...

Volcanoes hold incredible power, but similar to plants and their root systems, most volcanic activity that occurs before an eruption happens beneath the surface.



Traditional monitoring tools focus on measuring seismic activity and collecting gas samples, yet these methods can miss subtle warning signs hidden in rugged landscapes. 



Researchers have been searching for additional ways to detect signs of unrest before eruptions happen, especially for volcanoes that are far from inhabited areas. They are now turning to plant life for clues and signs that a volcano is close to erupting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-dioxide-plants-and-volcanoes">Carbon dioxide, plants, and volcanoes</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supervolcano-italy-solfatara-crater-phlegraean-fields-shows-signs-of-waking-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Volcanic gases, like carbon dioxide</a>, are often released as magma pushes upward. Detecting them can be tricky because the same gases also appear in everyday life.



Certain remote volcanoes lack permanent sensors or easy access, which leads scientists to test creative approaches that might reveal small changes long before other instruments notice them.



One project was led by Robert Bogue from <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McGill University</a> in Montreal, Canada, who worked with colleagues to measure patterns in vegetation health near hydrothermal areas in the Yellowstone Caldera. 



The results reveal how plants respond to changes in the ground beneath them, which may point to rising magma and a heightened risk of volcanic activity or the imminent eruption of a volcano.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-and-volcanoes-as-allies">Plants and volcanoes as allies</h2>



Plants adjust how they grow when their surroundings shift. This adjustment includes changes in <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 patterns in leaf structure.



Variations in carbon dioxide, sulfur, and soil temperature can affect how trees flourish, and these factors often emerge in volcanic settings. 



Scientists reason that such signals might appear in plant tissues months or years before major events occur.



In the field, it can be hard to see small changes in vegetation by eye alone. Forests are vast, and weather can alter growth in ways unrelated to volcanoes. 



That is why satellite imaging has become popular. It can scan large areas and detect subtle hints of stress or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-learning-can-help-track-changes-in-forest-cover/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unusual greening</a> that might not stand out on the ground.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beneath-the-canopy">Looking beneath the canopy</h2>



One helpful technique is the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (<a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/features/MeasuringVegetation/measuring_vegetation_2.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NDVI</a>). This calculation captures how vigorously plants are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/details-photosynthesis-water-viewed-atomic-level-cryo-microscope/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesizing</a> by measuring chlorophyll levels.



Scores range from negative numbers up to 1, with higher numbers pointing to healthy leaves. By comparing these values in different spots over time, researchers can see if there are trends that may connect to shifts in the subsurface environment.



Studies in volcanic regions suggest that small bursts of carbon dioxide and heated fluids can initially fertilize local plants. But higher concentrations of harmful gases or very hot soil can stress and even kill them. 



Tracking these ups and downs over multiple years can reveal a story of underground changes that unfold gradually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tern-lake-as-a-proving-ground">Tern Lake as a proving ground</h2>



In Wyoming, the Tern Lake thermal area sits in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-music-will-yellowstones-seismic-activity-produce/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yellowstone Caldera</a>. From 1984 to 2022, archived Landsat images showed that tree health in this hydrothermal zone improved for about 16 years. 



Scientists believe the initial benefit may have come from extra nutrients reaching the soil. Then around the early 2000s, the satellite record captured a shift, with tree health dipping and many lodgepole pines dying near the center of activity.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/plants_predict-volcanic-eruptions_satellite-photos_credit-McGill-University_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/plants_predict-volcanic-eruptions_satellite-photos_credit-McGill-University_1s.webp" alt="Images of the study area in 1994 compared to 2022, with the significant loss of trees in the epicenter of the hydrothermal area. Landsat images (c, d) highlight the decline in plant health in the central area with lighter color shading corresponding to lower Normalized Difference Vegetation Index values. Credit: Bogue et al. McGill University" class="wp-image-1955545"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Images of the study area in 1994 compared to 2022, with the significant loss of trees in the epicenter of the hydrothermal area. Landsat images (c, d) highlight the decline in plant health in the central area with lighter color shading corresponding to lower Normalized Difference Vegetation Index values. Credit: Bogue et al. McGill University</figcaption></figure>



Infrared data suggested that soil temperatures in parts of the site exceeded 122°F, and that poisonous gases and acidic fluids were breaking down <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-soil-bacteria-contribute-to-atmospheric-co2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant tissues</a>.



Over time, the zone of stress spread outward, and a bare patch of dead trees became more visible. This persistent change confirmed that a deeper process was heating the ground and altering the chemistry that plants depend on.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signs-from-plants-that-a-volcano-is-waking-up">Signs from plants that a volcano is waking up</h2>



The research team linked these findings to pathways of hydrothermal fluids moving toward the surface. In some areas, mineral buildup may have clogged old routes, forcing new channels to open. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earthquake-activity-will-increase-due-to-glacial-retreat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earthquake data</a> supported this interpretation. Small tremors can indicate that magma or hot fluids are seeking different escape routes.



Collectively, these events point to activity that might have begun well before on-the-ground surveys took note.



Observations also suggest that this expansion reached a limit. Some recent field checks found signs of new seedlings taking hold in once-barren terrain. 



This could mean the local system is calming, at least for the moment. Changes in vegetation and plant life can serve as a reminder that volcanoes and their processes are not always linear. Conditions can shift as gases and fluids come and go.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-all-of-this-mean">What does all of this mean?</h2>



These discoveries illustrate how forests can serve as eyes on a hidden world. Researchers have often relied on thermal cameras and gas detectors to evaluate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/axial-seamount-large-underwater-volcano-off-us-coast-will-likely-erupt-in-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volcanic hazards</a>, but those instruments have limitations.



In some places, there is no easy way to install or maintain them. Harsh weather, dense canopies, and rough slopes can hamper efforts to collect reliable data.



Satellite imagery provides wide coverage without the need for a permanent presence in challenging locations. 



Vegetation-based monitoring is not a standalone method, but it can offer valuable hints for scientists. If the data show unusual patterns of greening or die-off, teams can schedule closer inspection or deploy instruments before any major event.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-volcanoes-plants-and-a-safer-tomorrow">Volcanoes, plants, and a safer tomorrow</h2>



Every volcano is unique. Some are surrounded by thick forests, while others sit in deserts or at high elevations. 



Where conditions support enough plant life, scientists can try vegetation indexes to look for shifts that might signal building magma. 



In other areas, this strategy may be less useful or confounded by drought, wildfires, or different species that react in unexpected ways.



The hope is to combine these plant observations with other signals. Minor quakes, ground swelling, and changes in gas composition all help create a clearer picture of what lies beneath the surface. 



Scientists continue to refine these approaches. As they gather more information, they can figure out how to focus resources on volcanoes that pose the greatest risk.



The story at Tern Lake shows that forests can act as an early warning system, revealing shifts that might mean an eruption is more likely. By studying these patterns, experts might someday issue alerts sooner than ever before.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023GC010938" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems</a>.



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Plants and trees are able to predict volcano eruptions

Volcanoes hold incredible power, but similar to plants and their...

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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

[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" 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.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



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.

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

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...