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



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



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



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



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



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-messier-82-image">Messier 82 image </h2>



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



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



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



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



The study also focused on understanding how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spin-of-a-new-black-hole-is-unlocking-galactic-mysteries/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galactic wind</a>, driven by the rapid rate of star formation and subsequent supernovae, influences M82’s environment. 



The NIRCam images showed clumpy streams of gas, appearing in red, which extend above and below the galaxy's plane, marking the path of this wind rushing out from the starburst's core.



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



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-observations-of-messier-82">Future observations of Messier 82</h2>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Messier 82: Unlocking the mysteries of star formation

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features Messier 82, a starburst galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major. This galaxy is actively forming new stars at a rate ten times that of the Milky Way. In a study using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), an international team of astronomers has taken an unprecedented look at Messier 82 (M82), revealing intricate details about its frenzied star formation.&nbsp; The power of NIRCam The study, led by Alberto Bolatto, utilized Webb’s...

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features a pair of interacting spiral galaxies known as the Antennae Galaxies. They are located approximately 45 million light-years away in the constellation Corvus.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antennae-galaxies-in-a-deadly-embrace">Antennae Galaxies in a deadly embrace </h2>



“The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has snapped the best ever image of the Antennae Galaxies. Hubble has released images of these stunning galaxies twice before, once using observations from its Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) in 1997, and again in 2006 from the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS),” noted <a href="https://esahubble.org/images/potw1345a/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>.



“The galaxies - also known as NGC 4038 and NGC 4039 - are locked in a deadly embrace. Once normal, sedate spiral galaxies like the Milky Way, the pair have spent the past few hundred million years sparring with one another.”



According to ESA, the clash of the Antennae Galaxies is so violent that stars have been ripped from their host <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxy-collision-2-million-mph-stephans-quintet-captured-unprecedented-detail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a> to form a streaming arc between the two.&nbsp;



The name "Antennae" comes from this long stream of stars and gas, which resembles insect antennae.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intense-bursts-of-star-formation-nbsp">Intense bursts of star formation&nbsp;</h2>



The collision has triggered intense bursts of star formation, making the Antennae Galaxies one of the nearest and most dramatic examples of a starburst galaxy.&nbsp;



Many of the newly formed stars are concentrated in massive star clusters, some of which are expected to evolve into globular clusters over millions of years.



“This new image of the Antennae Galaxies shows obvious signs of chaos. Clouds of gas are seen in bright pink and red, surrounding the bright flashes of blue star-forming regions - some of which are partially obscured by dark patches of dust,” explained ESA.



“The rate of star formation is so high that the Antennae Galaxies are said to be in a state of starburst, a period in which all of the gas within the galaxies is being used to form stars.”&nbsp;



“This cannot last forever and neither can the separate galaxies; eventually the nuclei will coalesce, and the galaxies will begin their retirement together as one large elliptical galaxy.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-antennae-galaxies">Significance of the Antennae Galaxies</h2>



The Antennae Galaxies are one of the most well-studied examples of galaxy collisions, offering insight into the processes that shape galaxies over time.



Astronomers study the Antennae Galaxies using a range of telescopes across different wavelengths, including visible light, infrared, and X-rays.&nbsp;



Observations in X-rays have revealed evidence of supernovae and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-holes-may-talk-to-galaxies-through-energetic-winds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black holes</a>, while infrared studies highlight regions of dust and star formation.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-milky-way-s-collision-course-nbsp">The Milky Way's collision course&nbsp;</h2>



The Antennae Galaxies provide a glimpse into the future of our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/uma3-u1-faintest-star-system-found-orbiting-milky-way-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>, which is expected to eventually merge with the Andromeda Galaxy - our closest spiral galaxy neighbor.



The cosmic collision course of the Milky Way and Andromeda will reshape both galaxies over billions of years.&nbsp;



This event is expected to occur in about 4.5 billion years. Both galaxies are part of the Local Group, a cluster of galaxies bound together by gravity. Their mutual gravitational pull is drawing them closer at a speed of approximately 110 kilometers per second.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-birth-of-an-elliptical-galaxy-nbsp">The birth of an elliptical galaxy&nbsp;</h2>



When the two galaxies collide, their individual stars will largely avoid direct collisions due to the vast distances between them. However, the gravitational forces involved will create dramatic effects.&nbsp;



These forces will distort the galaxies' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shapes-of-one-million-galaxies-hint-at-the-universes-origins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shapes</a>, triggering intense bursts of star formation as gas clouds collide and compress. Over time, the galaxies will settle into a new, larger elliptical galaxy often referred to as "Milkomeda" or "Milkdromeda" by astronomers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-galaxy-merger-and-the-solar-system">Galaxy merger and the solar system</h2>



Despite the seemingly destructive nature of the collision, the solar system is unlikely to face direct harm. Our Sun may find itself flung into a new orbit within the merged galaxy or even cast into intergalactic space.&nbsp;



The merger will also significantly alter the night sky, with the Andromeda Galaxy becoming increasingly prominent before blending into the unified structure.



This event is part of the natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxies-are-much-bigger-than-we-originally-believed-gas-clouds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution of galaxies</a> and serves as a fascinating reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the universe. 



While the collision is still billions of years away, studying it helps astronomers understand galactic interactions and the long-term future of our cosmic neighborhood.



Image Credit: ESA/Hubble &amp; NASA



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Violent clash of the Antennae Galaxies  

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

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> shows a remote island in the North Pacific just before it was practically wiped out by Hurricane Walaka.

The storm system moved past the Hawaiian Islands on October 3rd, affecting an island chain located about 550 miles northwest of Honolulu known as the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. 

Extreme storm surges washed over many of the shallow islets, and one particular 11-acre strip known as East Island was almost completely wiped off the map. According to NASA, only two slivers of land have re-emerged.

This image of East Island was captured on September 11, 2018 by the Operational Land Imager on Landsat 8.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, Earth.com Staff Writer

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 

&nbsp;

East Island disappears into the Pacific Ocean

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

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> shows intense flooding in central Texas after a series of storms dumped record rainfall across the region in September and October.

A state of disaster was declared for 111 Texas counties as lakes and rivers flooded, and one river even flowed backwards.

According to the National Weather Service, the Dallas Fort Worth Airport recorded 15.66 inches of rain in October, making it the wettest October on record.

This false-color image of flooding along the Nueces River near Calallen was captured on November 1, 2018 by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8.

--

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;








&nbsp;

October rainfall causes intense flooding in central Texas

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> shows a thermal anomaly, which is a region of the Earth's surface that is unusually warm, several hundred kilometers off the coast of Brazil. 

The thermal anomaly was remotely detected by the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the Suomi NPP satellite.

Most of the hotspots detected by VIIRS are caused by fires. However, this thermal anomaly has been flagged in the middle of the ocean.


Patricia Oliva, a scientist at Universidad Mayor, explained that the visible heat was most likely caused by a weakness in the Earth's magnetic field known as the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (SAMA).

As a result of SAMA, much of South America and part of the South Atlantic Ocean are exposed to an increased level of radiation.


This nighttime image was captured by VIIRS on July 14, 2017.

--

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;

&nbsp;

Thermal anomaly detected in the Atlantic Ocean

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> shows Hurricane Lane as it churns across the Pacific Ocean toward the Hawaiian Islands with maximum sustained winds of 155 miles per hour. 

The track that Hurricane Lane will take as it gets closer to the state is not yet clear. While direct hits on Hawaii are rare, forecasts from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center predict that the center of the storm will pass “very close to or over the main Hawaiian Islands” between August 23rd and 25th.

This image was captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite at 10:45 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time on August 21, 2018.

--

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

Hurricane Lane charges toward the Hawaiian Islands

Today’s Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> shows the rain that accumulated during last week's devastating monsoon event that struck India. 

The storm claimed an estimated 420 lives, displaced more than one million people, and damaged over 50,000 homes.

After torrential rain fell between August 8th and the 16th, the South Indian state of Kerala experienced its worst flooding since 1924.

Around 80 dams were opened, including the largest in Asia - the Idukki Dam - which coincided with intense rainfall and worsened the flooding. According to NASA, 35 of these dams had never been opened before.

The region experienced 164 percent more rain than normal in the first 3 weeks of August.

This data shows rainfall from July 19th to August 18th, and was captured by NASA's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Precipitation_Measurement">Global Precipitation Measurement</a> (GPM) mission.
--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="http://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory



&nbsp;

Monsoon devastates southern Indian state of Kerala

Today’s Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory shows...

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> shows Typhoon Soulik as it approached Japan on Monday. Typhoon Soulik heads toward Japan 

The powerful storm had maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour, and was expected to move over the Amami Islands before heading north toward the Korean Peninsula.

Japan may endure a second storm later this week, as Typhoon Cimaron intensifies in the Northwest Pacific.

This image was captured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite on August 20, 2018. Typhoon Soulik heads toward Japan shown in image above.

Japan (Japanese:, Nippon  (listen) or Nihon  (listen)) is an island country located in East Asia. It is bordered by the Sea of Japan to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east, and spans more than 3,000 kilometers (1,900 mi) along the coast of the continent from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Philippine Sea in the south. Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, Japan encompasses a stratovolcanic archipelago of about 6,852 islands, with five main islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku, and Okinawa) comprising 97% of the country's total area of 377,975 square kilometers (145,937 sq mi).
Japan is officially divided into 47 prefectures and traditionally into eight regions. Approximately two-thirds of the country's terrain is mountainous and heavily forested, and less than one-eighth of land is suitable for agriculture. Consequently, Japan is among the most densely populated and urbanized countries in the world, with over 90% of its population living in urban areas. The largest of these is the metropolitan area centered on the capital city of Tokyo, which is the most populous in the world and home to more than 38 million people. Japan itself is the world's eleventh most populous country with a population of 126.2 million, of which 97.8% are ethnically Japanese.

--

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

Typhoon Soulik heads toward Japan

Today's Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> shows the massive amount of smoke produced by fires in Oregon. Wildfire smoke hovers over Oregon shown in image above.

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, nine large fires were burning across the state on August 15, 2018.

The Klondike fire in southwestern Oregon is the largest, and has burned more than 57,000 acres. The Taylor Creek fire, which has now merged at the northern tip of the Klondike, has burned more than 45,000 acres.


This image was captured on August 14th by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite.

Oregon (/ˈɒrɪɡən/ (listen) ORR-ih-gən)is a state in the Pacific Northwest region on the West Coast of the United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of its eastern boundary with Idaho. The parallel 42° north delineates the southern boundary with California and Nevada.
Oregon was inhabited by many indigenous tribes before European traders, explorers, and settlers arrived. An autonomous government was formed in the Oregon Country in 1843 before the Oregon Territory was created in 1848. Oregon became the 33rd state on February 14, 1859. Today, at 98,000 square miles (250,000 km2), Oregon is the ninth largest and, with a population of 4 million, 27th most populous U.S. state. The capital, Salem, is the second most populous city in Oregon, with 169,798 residents. Portland, with 647,805, ranks as the 26th among U.S. cities. The Portland metropolitan area, which also includes the city of Vancouver, Washington, to the north, ranks the 25th largest metro area in the nation, with a population of 2,453,168. Wildfire smoke hovers over Oregon

--

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

Wildfire smoke hovers over Oregon

Today’s Image of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> features Mount St. Helens, where a devastating volcanic eruption killed 57 people and thousands of animals on May 18, 1980. The catastrophic eruption of Mount St. Helens caused a huge impact on the city.

The volcanic event, which was the most destructive in the history of the United States, caused the largest landslide ever recorded and triggered the eruption of highly-pressured molten lava and rock. A column of ash was shot 80,000 feet into the air and drifted across 12 states. Nearly 150 square miles of forest were either damaged or destroyed by the blast.

This image was captured on June 25, 2017 from the International Space Station.

Mount St. Helens (known as Lawetlat'la to the indigenous Cowlitz people, and Loowit or Louwala-Clough to the Klickitat) is an active stratovolcano located in Skamania County, Washington, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Portland, Oregon and 96 miles (154 km) south of Seattle, Washington. Mount St. Helens takes its English name from the British diplomat Lord St Helens, a friend of explorer George Vancouver who made a survey of the area in the late 18th century. The volcano is located in the Cascade Range and is part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, a segment of the Pacific Ring of Fire that includes over 160 active volcanoes. This volcano is well known for its ash explosions and pyroclastic flows. Also The catastrophic eruption of Mount St. Helens is also a well known eruption across the nation.

--

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

The catastrophic eruption of Mount St. Helens

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

From adding up lunch bills to juggling monthly expenses, mathematics can feel like a steep climb for many people. The frustration can become so intense that some avoid any numbers that seem daunting, losing out on jobs and opportunities in the process. 



It’s no wonder that organizations tracking adult skills keep pointing to math anxiety as a serious barrier to well-being. 



Math anxiety doesn’t just hinder academic progress; it also impacts career opportunities, financial literacy, and overall confidence in navigating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-brain-uses-context-to-make-complex-decisions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">daily life</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-color-transforms-perception-in-mathematics">Color transforms perception in mathematics</h2>



Artist and educator Brook Tate says he once felt paralyzed at the mention of even basic number problems. He had hoped to become a children’s nurse, but he struggled with the numeric test required for nursing school. 



While this setback discouraged him, he looked for a new approach that would make numbers less intimidating. He traveled, worked with children in India, and found himself questioning the usual ways of teaching math.



Tate, who lives in Bristol, was inspired by the legacy of mathematician Alan Turing and decided to mix art, color, and pattern to ease math anxiety. He says a vibrant dream on Munroe Island sparked his color-coded method, leading to ideas about how shapes and colors could represent digits from 0 to 9. 



“I woke up and thought, ‘That’s math, I don’t know how, but that is math,’” said Tate. He calls it the <a href="https://www.multicolourmaths.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">multicolour math method</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-patterns-that-calm-and-motivate">Patterns that calm and motivate</h2>



Tate suggests that assigning each digit its own color helps people see how addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division link together visually. The shapes are arranged like building blocks, and individuals can rearrange them into patterns that quickly highlight relationships between numbers. 



Tate tried his approach in workshops with both adults and children at <a href="https://www.callicroftprimary.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Callicroft Primary Academy.</a> The school’s teacher, Luke Guest, said, “I believe it’s going to help them."



Advocates of this approach say that once math is presented as a puzzle of colors and shapes, the usual dread fades. The calmness of drawing and coloring encourages a new perspective. 



Tate feels it’s been transformative in his own life. "I love math now, it’s cured my math anxiety, math for me is now like an endless poem and song."



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



Struggling with math is not just a classroom issue. Numbers follow people through rent payments, job interviews, recipe portions, and everyday money decisions. Those who feel overwhelmed by figures sometimes avoid career paths that require even modest math skills.&nbsp;



That avoidance can have serious consequences later, since research shows that low numeracy can hurt job prospects and incomes. One <a href="https://dera.ioe.ac.uk/22309/1/doc_3186.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> found that lower math skills may lead to fewer employment opportunities and more time spent unemployed.



Sam Sims from the charity National Numeracy has been urging businesses, public institutions, and community groups to join forces to help everyone gain more confidence in their math abilities. “Progress will require systemic change,” said Sims.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-number-skills-change-lives-and-economies">Number skills change lives and economies</h2>



Researchers note that limited number skills can come with emotional and financial burdens. Data from a study points to poor numeracy costing the UK economy around £20 billion a year, mainly through lost productivity and unemployment.



According to another international <a href="https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/104394/pdf/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">survey</a>, 57.4% of English adults score below the level of numeric skill expected of children aged 9 to 11.3. 



Educators warn that math anxiety can begin early and linger, reinforcing the notion that certain people just can’t grasp numbers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-fresh-way-to-learn">A fresh way to learn</h2>



Tate believes his color-coded system offers a route out of these difficulties by turning numbers into something you can see rather than fear. He says that when teachers and parents encourage creativity in a math lesson, learners are more relaxed and willing to give new methods a try. 



Additional researchers have also shown interest in this approach. Tom Crawford from Oxford University finds the visual system intriguing and is open to a formal study with children and adults. “I’d be interested to create a more formal study,” said Dr. Crawford.



Meanwhile, some participants from Tate’s pilot sessions say they finally feel safe exploring math without embarrassment. One reason is that the approach gives them an immediate sense of playfulness, rather than the usual panic. 



Placing colorful tiles or shapes in a pattern can feel more like a craft activity, and the final design draws the eye away from old feelings of shame around numbers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-perspectives-in-mathematics-education">New perspectives in mathematics education</h2>



Tate hopes his multicolor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-impossibility-made-possible-using-exotic-mathematics/">math method</a> can bring new confidence to families, teachers, and even advanced researchers who find certain equations baffling. He wants to partner with more schools and possibly run large-scale trials in collaboration with higher education experts. 



Though he started with modest experiments, his belief that art and color can soften math anxiety has grown stronger, especially after seeing children grasp new concepts within minutes.



He knows his bright collection of shapes won’t replace traditional methods or official exams, but he’s certain it can give math-shy learners a foot in the door. Feeling comfortable with numbers leads to better prospects at work, improved financial decisions, and less stress around everyday tasks.&nbsp;



These results matter for all ages, from students tackling their first times table to adults juggling mortgage payments. Tate’s dream-inspired discovery arrives at a moment when many people are searching for better ways to make numbers click. 



Even though math can seem like a puzzle without a solution, Tate's method shows that color might be the spark missing in conventional approaches.



-----



Like what you read?<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/"> Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Math anxiety can be cured with colors

From adding up lunch bills to juggling monthly expenses, mathematics...

Mites are capable of producing offspring without the aid of a partner. The children are exact replicas of their singular parent, creating a line of pure <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=mites&amp;rlz=1C1GEWG_enZA994ZA994&amp;oq=mites&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyFAgAEEUYORhDGIMBGLEDGIAEGIoFMgwIARAAGEMYgAQYigUyBwgCEAAYgAQyBwgDEAAYgAQyBwgEEAAYgAQyBwgFEAAYgAQyBwgGEAAYgAQyBggHEEUYPdIBCDE5NzhqMGo3qAIAsAIA&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8">females.</a>



This isn't a scene from a science fiction novel, but a reality in the intriguing world of oribatid mites of the species Platynothrus peltifer.



Mothers give birth to daughters from fertile eggs that haven't been fertilized by any male counterpart.



This process, known as parthenogenesis, gives rise to an all-female population - a peculiar characteristic that has caught the attention of scientists around the globe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-asexual-reproduction-in-mites">Asexual reproduction in mites</h2>



Scientists at the <a href="https://www.uni-koeln.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cologne</a>, along with their international colleagues, set out to investigate the remarkable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asexual-reproduction-can-negatively-impact-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">asexual reproduction</a> of oribatid mites.



The study revealed that the secret to the mites' survival is in the independent evolution of their double chromosome copies - a concept known as the "Meselson effect."



Through the use of genome sequencing techniques, the researchers identified several factors that contribute to the genetic diversity of the chromosome sets which could, in turn, ensure the mite's long-term preservation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolving-chromosomes-and-genetic-diversity">Evolving chromosomes and genetic diversity</h2>



The oribatid mite is a living contradiction of the evolutionary principle, surviving over 20 million years without any trace of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/males-are-responsible-for-the-genetic-fitness-of-a-population/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sexual reproduction</a>.



These mites produce female offspring from unfertilized eggs, sidelining males to nonexistence or sheer rarity - thus, making no contribution to the gene pool.



In contrast to our understanding, the offspring inherit either all or some of the mother’s gene variants (alleles), turning into an identical copy of the mother.



Interestingly, the mite's two chromosome sets evolve independently, allowing the introduction of new genetic variants while preserving essential information. 



These changes enable rapid adaptation to environmental fluctuations, providing a selective advantage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-tools-in-the-genetic-toolbox">New tools in the genetic toolbox</h2>



The research highlights horizontal gene transfer (HGT) as another mechanism that enhances <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-asexual-ants-maintain-genetic-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic diversity</a>. HGT refers to the exchange of genetic material outside the boundaries of sexual reproduction.



From a metaphorical perspective, horizontal gene transfer is similar to adding new tools to a preexisting toolbox.



"Some of these genes seem to help the mite to digest cell walls, thus expanding its food spectrum," noted study lead author Dr Hüsna Öztoprak, an expert in the Institute of Zoology at the University of Cologne.



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



Transposable elements (TEs), or '<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-fungus-has-become-more-deadly-thanks-to-jumping-genes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">jumping genes</a>,' also play a significant role. They are dynamic components of the genome, exerting influence by altering their locations, akin to rearranging chapters in a book to change the plot's trajectory.



The excitement lies in the different activity levels of TEs in the two chromosome copies. One copy demonstrates an active state that allows for dynamic transformations, while the other remains relatively inactive.



The findings of the study add significant value to understanding the survival strategies of asexual organisms. 



"In future research projects, we would like to find out whether there are additional mechanisms that might be important for evolution without sex,” said Dr. Jens Bast, Emmy Noether group leader at the University of Cologne.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mites-and-evolutionary-adaptation">Mites and evolutionary adaptation</h2>



The study of oribatid mites offers a fascinating glimpse into how organisms can adapt and thrive without sexual reproduction, challenging long-standing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolution-is-not-as-random-as-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary theories</a>. 



While sexual reproduction is traditionally seen as essential for maintaining genetic diversity and evolutionary fitness, these mites demonstrate an alternative path. 



Their ability to evolve through mechanisms such as the Meselson effect, horizontal gene transfer, and transposable elements suggests that asexual reproduction can still provide the necessary genetic variation for adaptation. 



This discovery could inspire further research into other organisms that rely on similar strategies to survive in challenging environments, potentially offering new insights into evolutionary biology.



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



Understanding the genetic mechanisms behind the asexual reproduction of oribatid mites could have broader implications for biodiversity and conservation efforts. 



These mites play a crucial role in soil ecosystems by aiding in decomposition and nutrient cycling. 



Insights into their genetic resilience could inform conservation strategies for other asexual or endangered species facing environmental pressures. 



Additionally, studying the ability of oribatid mites to adapt without genetic recombination may offer practical applications in agriculture and pest management, as scientists seek to harness or mitigate similar reproductive strategies in other organisms.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adn0817" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

How mites survived without sex for millions of years

Mites are capable of producing offspring without the aid of...

Seagrass meadows are among the most vital yet often overlooked components of our marine landscapes, playing a crucial role in maintaining the health of our planet. 



These underwater meadows are cherished for their ability to promote biodiversity, boost coastal protection, and improve water quality. 



Beyond these benefits, seagrass meadows are also remarkably adept at capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO₂), making them a powerful ally in the fight against climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threats-to-seagrass-meadows">Threats to seagrass meadows </h2>



Climate change poses significant threats to seagrass ecosystems. Rising sea temperatures can stress seagrass plants, making them more susceptible to disease and reducing their growth rates. 



Ocean acidification, another result of increased CO2 in the atmosphere, affects the delicate balance of the marine environment, altering the chemistry that seagrasses depend on. 



Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and storms intensified by climate change, can physically damage seagrass beds. Meanwhile, rising sea levels may reduce the amount of sunlight these plants receive, hindering photosynthesis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unveiling-the-zobluc-project">Unveiling the ZOBLUC project</h2>



A new research initiative is focused on investigating and enhancing the potential of seagrass meadows as carbon sinks. The project - Zostera marina as a Blue Carbon Sink in the Baltic Sea (ZOBLC) - is a result of the combined efforts of several institutions.



With funding from the German Federal Environment Ministry's Nature-based Climate Action Programme (ANK) and state funds, the project has a budget of around €6 million to unravel the secrets of seagrass meadows.



To break it down, Zostera marina is the scientific term for seagrass, and blue carbon refers to the carbon stored by coastal and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-and-habitat-degradation-have-devastated-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine ecosystems</a>.



The term 'sink' points to the role these meadows play in capturing and storing CO₂ - much like a sink that drains water away.



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



ZOBLUC's strategy rests on three fundamental pillars - the study of seagrass <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-alkalinity-may-safely-boost-the-carbon-storage-capacity-of-seawater/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon storage capacity</a>, the restoration of meadows, and active community participation in the restoration process.



“Seagrass meadows are like underwater peatlands,” noted Dr. Thorsten Reusch, a professor of Marine Ecology at <a href="https://www.geomar.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GEOMAR</a> who is steering the scientific aspect of the project. “They store carbon, which is preserved in oxygen-poor sediments for centuries.”



ZOBLUC aims to locate blue carbon hotspots that can serve as primary zones for protection.



The second pillar of the project focuses on ensuring that restored meadows can withstand future climatic challenges. 



“There’s little point in replanting seagrass that won’t survive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atlantic-ocean-currents-slowing-as-water-temperature-rises/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rising water temperatures</a> in a few years’ time,” said Dr. Reusch. To prevent this, the team will expose seagrass to various stressors in an effort to breed resistant and resilient populations.



The third pillar seeks to involve local communities in the restoration process. The plan is to train volunteers to plant seagrass shoots - the most effective restoration method so far. 



“It’s important to complete the training course and only use areas that we have checked for suitability for restoration," noted Dr. Reusch.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-peek-into-the-future">A peek into the future</h2>



The road ahead involves comprehensive mapping of the present <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-meadows-can-recover-after-major-die-offs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seagrass meadows</a> in the Baltic Sea. 



This task will be accomplished using advanced optical and acoustic surveying technologies. Additionally, drones will be used to monitor newly planted areas.



The findings from the ZOBLUC project will be disseminated through workshops and integrated into policy recommendations to bolster the protection and restoration of seagrass meadows in the Baltic Sea. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seagrass-and-climate-resilience">Seagrass and climate resilience</h2>



As the effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> intensify, seagrass meadows are emerging as a natural defense against environmental challenges. 



Their dense root systems help stabilize coastal sediments, reducing shoreline erosion and mitigating the impact of rising sea levels. 



Moreover, seagrass meadows act as nurseries for a variety of marine species, ensuring the resilience of coastal ecosystems against changing ocean conditions. 



By understanding and enhancing these natural defenses, the ZOBLUC project aims to provide a blueprint for other regions facing similar climate threats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-value-of-seagrass-meadows">The value of seagrass meadows</h2>



Beyond their environmental benefits, seagrass meadows offer significant economic value. Healthy seagrass beds support local fisheries by providing critical habitats for commercially important species, such as fish and shellfish.



Additionally, they contribute to the tourism industry by maintaining clear waters and vibrant marine life that attract snorkelers and divers. 



Protecting and restoring these meadows not only safeguards biodiversity but also enhances coastal economies, making their conservation a win-win for both nature and local communities.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Natural climate solutions: Enhancing the role of seagrass meadows

Seagrass meadows are among the most vital yet often overlooked...

Most people are left confounded and flummoxed when presented with the most basic concepts of quantum mechanics. That's because they make no sense to any rational mind, so please don't take this statement as any type of slight. 



This is especially true when discussing something called "superposition" - where a particle can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-a-simple-way-to-grasp-this-impossible-concept-carl-kocher/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exist in multiple states</a> at the same time until someone actually measures it.



One of the most memorable thought experiments used to explain superposition is through the story of Schrödinger’s cat, which paints a picture of a hypothetical feline that is simultaneously alive and dead inside a box. 



When someone opens the box to observe the cat, the superposition is broken, and the cat definitively becomes one or the other: alive or dead.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schrodinger-s-cat-explains-quantum-strangeness">Schrödinger’s cat explains quantum strangeness</h2>



Of course, we never encounter boxes containing real animals in that type of bizarre dual state, yet researchers continually explore and test superpositions of much smaller particles. 



They do this for many reasons, but for the purposes of this research, a team of scientists focused on particle superposition because they believe it holds the secret to error-free <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/google-record-shattering-quantum-ai-chip-accesses-parallel-universes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum computing</a>.



Quantum computers display processing <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/highereducation/books/quantum-computation-and-quantum-information/01E10196D0A682A6AEFFEA52D53BE9AE#overview" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">power</a> that monumentally eclipses anything that modern traditional computers or supercomputers can manage.



<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/andrea-morello" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Andrea Morello</a> from the University of New South Wales (<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNSW</a>) has been at the forefront of turning these quantum properties into a secure and efficient way to store and process information.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antimony-as-the-quantum-cat">Antimony as the quantum cat</h2>



<a href="https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=pYmHeC8AAAAJ&amp;hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Xi Yu</a>, a researcher in the same UNSW group, describes their latest feat as creating a quantum atomic take on this cat story.



“In our work, the ‘cat’ is an <a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/element/Antimony" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atom of antimony</a>,” explains Xi Yu, who was lead author of the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41567-024-02745-0#Abs1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">paper</a>.



Antimony is no ordinary atom. It has a nuclear spin with <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prresearch/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.5.033105" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eight possible directions</a>, unlike simpler two-state systems called qubits.



That larger range protects the encoded data from sudden changes that would normally disrupt more fragile qubits.



A typical qubit can flip if anything nudges it, and one flip may turn a zero into a one, foiling any crucial calculation. The antimony approach helps avoid that vulnerability.



“As the proverb goes, a cat has nine lives. One little scratch is not enough to kill it,” says Xi Yu.



Each small error leaves most of the data intact, making it easier to notice and fix any trouble before it gets worse.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schrodinger-s-cat-inside-a-silicon-chip">Schrödinger’s cat inside a silicon chip</h2>



<a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/danni-holmes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Danielle Holmes</a> at UNSW built a silicon chip that can hold this single antimony atom. It grants full control over the spin state, and it is fashioned with the same material found in typical consumer electronics.



This opens the door for large-scale production methods that already exist. 



The prospect of connecting many atoms on a chip may allow <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/quantum-device" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum devices</a> to be assembled using machinery that has served the regular semiconductor industry for decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-error-correction-with-quantum-cats">Error correction with quantum cats</h2>



“A single, or even a few errors, do not immediately scramble the information,” says Morello, a professor at UNSW. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-teleportation-of-logical-qubits-performed-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quantum error correction</a> is a central challenge, since even minute glitches can cascade and ruin complicated tasks. 



By using antimony’s expanded spin space, the design does not topple when faced with a small slip. That extra buffer slows down error accumulation, so there is a higher chance of fixing mistakes in time.



Each quantum bit, or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/building-quantum-computers-just-got-easier-with-new-technique/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">qubit</a>, remains stable under minor disturbances that would derail simpler systems. Once a disturbance shows up, the device can often preserve the right values.



This relieves some of the burden from correction algorithms. With fewer surprises to manage, researchers hope these extra-robust qubits will lead to larger, more complex quantum circuits that can solve problems outside the reach of standard computers.



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



Scientists plan to refine their tools for spotting and fixing errors the moment they pop up. They aim to push reliability high enough for lengthy <a href="https://scienceexchange.caltech.edu/topics/quantum-science-explained/quantum-superposition" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">computing</a> tasks.



Morello notes that this “Schrödinger’s cat” analogy shows how quantum systems can be both delicate and sturdy. 



By improving this technology, the team hopes to overcome one of the toughest hurdles to a fully fledged quantum computer.



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



Quantum machines could support <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/code-breaking-encryption-quantum-computers-takes-big-step-closer-to-becoming-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">safer cryptography</a>, simulate large-scale phenomena, and sift through colossal data sets.



Engineers foresee a hybrid model where single-atom components work alongside today’s circuits, taking advantage of industrial processes that are already in place.



Though it may take time to perfect, early results suggest these unusual, cat-like states might boost the resilience of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-computer-can-instantly-execute-a-task-that-would-normally-take-47-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum hardware</a>, and pave the way for a new era of computing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rewriting-quantum-rules">Rewriting quantum rules</h2>



Teams worldwide keep testing different spins and elements, hunting for ways to control errors without overloading hardware resources. <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-45368-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">High-dimensional nuclear spins </a>may be a vital stepping stone in this pursuit.



By letting these spins act like sturdy bits, researchers cut down the complicated fixes usually required. The hope is that robust qudit-based strategies will open the door to leaner and more powerful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-computer-can-instantly-execute-a-task-that-would-normally-take-47-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum</a> machines.



Experts from UNSW Sydney, the <a href="https://www.unimelb.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Melbourne</a>, <a href="https://www.sandia.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sandia National Laboratories</a>, <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/ames/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA Ames</a>, and the <a href="https://ucalgary.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Calgary</a> joined forces for this research. They tackled materials growth, device engineering, and advanced theoretical modeling.



Together, they turned a classic thought experiment into a workable unit that might, someday soon, accelerate quantum technology to the point where we achieve error-free quantum computing at mass scale.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41567-024-02745-0#Abs1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Physics</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Quantum superposition used in the real world for the first time, new microchip called "holy grail"

Most people are left confounded and flummoxed when presented with...

Biochar,Is,Charcoal,Used,As,A,Soil,Amendment,For,Both

Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced by pyrolyzing biomass, is emerging as a promising tool in the quest to combat climate change. 



While efforts to tackle global warming have taken various forms - some more effective than others - biochar stands out for its dual benefits of promoting soil health and sequestering carbon.



A new study now reveals its largely untapped potential as a long-term CO₂ removal solution that surpasses conventional expectations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-biochar-and-carbon">Climate, biochar, and carbon</h2>



The study - a collaborative effort from Professor Hamed Sanei of <a href="https://international.au.dk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aarhus University</a>, Professor Henrik Ingermann Petersen from the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (<a href="https://eng.geus.dk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GEUS</a>), among others - spotlights biochar's overlooked potential.



Published in the journal Biochar, the study tears down the inadequate climate models of the IPCC and European climate policymakers.



"The previous models underestimated the stability of carbon stored in biochar. By correcting these inaccuracies, we can elevate biochar to its rightful place as a highly reliable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-farming-practices-boost-soil-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon storage</a> option,” remarked Professor Hamed Sanei.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biochar-a-carbon-storage-solution">Biochar: A carbon storage solution</h2>



Biochar is a type of charcoal that farmers and gardeners are using to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farmers-adopt-regenerative-agriculture-better-soil-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">boost soil health</a> and fight climate change. 



They make biochar by heating organic materials like wood, crop residues, or manure in a low-oxygen environment, a process called pyrolysis. 



This turns the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deforestation-causes-biomass-loss-beyond-directly-affected-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biomass</a> into a stable form of carbon that can be added to the soil. Think of biochar as a sponge for nutrients and water - it helps the soil retain moisture and essential minerals, making it easier for plants to grow strong and healthy.



By storing carbon in the soil, biochar helps reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which is a major greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. It even help filter pollutants from water.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advantages-of-carbon-rich-biochar">Advantages of carbon-rich biochar</h2>



Biochar's ability to improve soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability is probably its most important trait.



It acts as a sponge, holding onto essential nutrients and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Additionally, its porous structure supports microbial activity, which promotes healthier soil ecosystems.



These benefits have made biochar an attractive option for farmers and environmentalists alike.



However, despite its many advantages, its potential has been overshadowed by skepticism regarding its long-term stability and effectiveness in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forest-modeling-study-reveals-new-insights-into-carbon-sequestration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon sequestration</a>. 



Past climate models have failed to fully acknowledge the enduring nature of biochar's stored carbon, a situation which this new research aims to address.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unearthed-flaws-in-previous-models">Unearthed flaws in previous models</h2>



The novel study uncovers the oversights in the widely accepted carbon modeling frameworks.



It suggests these models have inadequately valued biochar's storing capacity, thus limiting its use in global and European climate change strategies.



The study serves as an eye-opener, and sets the stage for harnessing biochar's promise in climate change mitigation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biochar-s-time-to-shine-nbsp">Biochar's time to shine&nbsp;</h2>



The research, which was backed by <a href="https://innovationsfonden.dk/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Innovation Fund</a> Denmark and the EU's <a href="https://next-generation-eu.europa.eu/index_en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NextGenerationEU</a> program, debunks the outdated assumptions that restrict biochar's pivotal role in climate conversations.



“Our work corrects the narrative and highlights biochar’s exceptional capacity for long-term carbon storage. It’s a ready-to-implement technology that can make an immediate impact,” stated Professor Henrik Ingermann Petersen from GEUS.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-denmark-leads-the-charge">Denmark leads the charge</h2>



The findings illustrate Denmark's forward-thinking climate initiatives. Recognizing biochar's critical role, Denmark is on the front line to achieving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reaching-carbon-neutrality-will-not-be-easy-in-california/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon neutrality</a> by 2050.



“This study provides policymakers and stakeholders with the tools they need to integrate biochar into carbon markets with confidence,” said Professor Ondrej Masek from the <a href="https://www.ed.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Edinburgh</a>, one of the paper's authors.



The authors express hope that their revelations will spur immediate action among policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers. 



With accurate models now at their disposal, biochar, and slow pyrolysis can finally claim their rightful spot as trusted, scientifically validated solutions for carbon dioxide removal.



"This isn’t just a story about biochar - it's about the future of carbon removal,” stated Professor David Chiaramonti from the <a href="https://www.polito.it" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Politecnico di Torino</a>. 



“By improving the accuracy of our models, we unlock the potential of technologies like biochar that are ready to scale today.”



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



Following this confirmation of biochar's full potential, its integration into mainstream policies related to the climate and frameworks of sustainability would seem to be a pressing task.



Policy makers, industries, and researchers need coordination to scale up production, standardize guidelines for its usage, and include it in carbon credit markets.



This will help biochar to shift from a largely unexploited resource to become the backbone of strategies for combating climate change.



Beyond its applications in agriculture, ongoing research has investigated other innovative applications for biochar.



As technologies continue to make production efficient and cheap, its use is expected to mitigate climate change extensively. 



The challenge is now to bridge the gap between the scientific discovery and real-world implementation.



As governments strive to meet ambitious climate goals, biochar presents a viable, immediate solution that can complement other carbon reduction efforts.



The momentum is building, and with the right policies and investments, this carbon-based solution could emerge as a powerful ally in the fight against climate change.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42773-024-00408-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biochar</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

What is 'biochar' and how can it help us mitigate climate change?

Biochar, a carbon-rich material produced by pyrolyzing biomass, is emerging...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...