Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the galaxy I Zwicky 18, which was captured in remarkable detail by the James Webb Space Telescope.



I Zwicky 18 is a blue compact dwarf <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newly-discovered-stars-milky-way-are-old-as-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxy</a> located approximately 59 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-formation-in-i-zwicky-18">Star formation in I Zwicky 18</h2>



The galaxy is notable for its relatively young appearance and the fact that it contains very few heavy elements. These characteristics indicate that it has experienced little <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> compared to other galaxies of similar age.



“The galaxy was first identified by Swiss astronomer Fritz Zwicky in the 1930’s and resides roughly 59 million light-years from Earth,” noted <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>. “This galaxy has gone through several sudden bursts of star formation.”&nbsp;



According to ESA, I Zwicky 18 is typical of the kinds of galaxies that inhabited the early universe and is much smaller than our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/runaway-star-j1249-36-spotted-trying-to-escape-our-milky-way-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-telescope-image-of-the-galaxy">Webb telescope image of the galaxy</h2>



“Two major starburst regions are embedded in the heart of the galaxy. The wispy brown filaments surrounding the central starburst region are bubbles of gas that have been heated by stellar winds and intense ultraviolet radiation unleashed by hot, young stars,” noted ESA.



“A companion galaxy resides nearby to the dwarf galaxy, which can be seen at the bottom of the wider-field image. The companion may be interacting with the dwarf galaxy and may have triggered that galaxy's recent star formation.”&nbsp;



ESA explained that the “orange blobs” surrounding the galaxy are the dim glow from ancient fully formed galaxies at much larger distances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-characteristics-of-i-zwicky-18">Key characteristics of I Zwicky 18</h2>



As previously mentioned, the galaxy has a very low abundance of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium, suggesting that it has not undergone significant stellar processing.



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



Despite its old age, I Zwicky 18 contains many young, hot stars. This suggests that it might have experienced a burst of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hubble-detects-awe-inspiring-newborn-star/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a> relatively recently in its history.



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



The galaxy has a high density of gas, which is a prime ingredient for star formation. This gas is mostly in the form of hydrogen.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unusual-characteristics">Unusual characteristics</h3>



Its characteristics are more typical of primordial galaxies found in the early universe, making it a valuable object of study for understanding galaxy formation and evolution.



Ultimately, I Zwicky 18 provides insights into the conditions and processes that might have been prevalent in the early universe.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-cycles-of-stars-and-dust">Life cycles of stars and dust</h3>



The image was captured as part of a Webb program to study the life cycle of dust in I Zw 18.&nbsp;



“Scientists are now building off of previous research with Hubble obtained at optical wavelengths, studying individual dusty stars in detail with Webb’s equivalent spatial resolution and sensitivity at infrared wavelengths.”&nbsp;



ESA noted that this galaxy is of particular interest as its content of elements heavier than helium is one of the lowest of all known <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-galaxy-formation-occurred-much-faster-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a> in the local universe.&nbsp;



“Such conditions are thought to be similar to those in some of the first star-forming galaxies at high redshift, so the Webb study of I Zw 18 should shed light on the life-cycle of stars and dust in the early universe.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-constellation-ursa-major">The constellation Ursa Major </h2>



Ursa Major, also known as the Great Bear, is one of the most prominent and easily recognizable constellations in the northern sky. 



Its name, "Ursa Major," means "Great Bear" in Latin, and it has been a significant part of various mythologies and star lore across cultures for thousands of years. 



One of the most famous asterisms within Ursa Major is the Big Dipper, a group of seven bright stars that form a shape resembling a ladle or dipper. The Big Dipper is often used as a navigation tool because it points to Polaris, the North Star, located in the nearby constellation Ursa Minor.



Ursa Major is best viewed in the northern hemisphere and is circumpolar, meaning it is visible year-round for much of the Northern Hemisphere. Its position changes with the seasons, rotating around Polaris, the North Star.



Image Credit: NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope



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Dwarf galaxy provides a window into the early universe

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency features the galaxy I Zwicky 18, which was captured in remarkable detail by the James Webb Space Telescope. I Zwicky 18 is a blue compact dwarf galaxy located approximately 59 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major.&nbsp; Star formation in I Zwicky 18 The galaxy is notable for its relatively young appearance and the fact that it contains very few heavy elements. These characteristics indicate that it has experienced little star formation...

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...

Cambodian Rivers. A flooded landscape in Cambodia rivers between the Mekong River (right) and Tonlé Sap river (left) is pictured by Japan’s ALOS satellite. The centre of this image is about 30 km north of the centre of the country’s capital, Phnom Penh.

Originating on the Tibetan Plateau and passing through six countries before emptying into the South China Sea, the 4350 km-long Mekong is the single largest source of protein for communities in its basin. Tens of millions of people rely on the river for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indigenous-fishing-practices-are-needed-to-revive-salmon-fisheries/">fishing,</a> while agriculture is intensive along parts its course.

The river on the left, the Tonlé Sap, changes flow direction seasonally. During the dry season from November to May it flows south, draining into the Mekong at Phnom Penh. The direction changes during the wet season, causing a rise in water levels in the surrounding floodplains and forming a large lake further north (not pictured). Cambodian Rivers

This image, also featured on the Earth from Space video program, was captured by the AVNIR-2 instrument on Japan’s ALOS satellite on 5 December 2009. In 802 AD, <a title="Jayavarman II" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jayavarman_II">Jayavarman II</a> declared himself king, uniting the warring Khmer princes of <a class="mw-redirect" title="Chenla Kingdom" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chenla_Kingdom">Chenla</a> under the name "Kambuja". This marked the beginning of the <a title="Khmer Empire" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khmer_Empire">Khmer Empire</a>, which flourished for over 600 years. The <a class="mw-redirect" title="Indianised kingdom" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianised_kingdom">Indianised kingdom</a> facilitated the spread of first <a title="Hinduism" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism">Hinduism</a> and then <a title="Buddhism" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism">Buddhism</a> to much of Southeast Asia and undertook many religious infrastructural projects throughout the region. <a title="Angkor Wat" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_Wat">Angkor Wat</a> is the most famous of these structures and is designated as a <a title="World Heritage Site" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage_Site">World Heritage Site</a>. In the fifteenth century, after the rebellion of <a title="Ayutthaya Kingdom" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayutthaya_Kingdom">Ayutthaya</a>, which was formerly ruled by the Khmer Empire, Cambodia experienced the decline of power, while its neighbors Vietnam and Thailand grew stronger. In 1863, Cambodia became a <a class="mw-redirect" title="French Protectorate of Cambodia" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Protectorate_of_Cambodia">protectorate of France</a>, and later was incorporated into <a title="French Indochina" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Indochina">French Indochina</a> of Southeast Asia

This is just one of about 50 satellite images on display at the National Museum of Science and Technology in Milan, Italy.

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<a href="http://www.esa.int" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Space Agency</a>

Cambodian Rivers

Cambodian Rivers. A flooded landscape in Cambodia rivers between the...

IDL TIFF file

Chilika Lake is the largest lagoon in <a href="http://India">India</a> and one of the largest in the world. The interplay between fresh water—draining into the shallow lake from rivers to the north and west—and salty tidal water—encroaching from the Bay of Bengal to the south—gives Chilika’s waters a brackish quality, with salinity varying significantly throughout the lake. These variations open up a range of ecological niches and promote a rich diversity of species. Chilika Lake is known for is nice bright colors.

Located in southeastern India, Chilika is best known as a mecca for birds, which are attracted by the hundreds of species of fish and other aquatic life. During peak migratory season, the lake hosts more than one million birds from more than 200 species. About half of the birds are migratory species that arrive from distant parts of Asia, including the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, and Siberia.

In 1987, Indian authorities declared Nalabana Island a bird sanctuary. During and just after the rainy season, lake levels increase enough to completely inundate the low-lying <a href="http://island">island.</a> During other seasons, falling water levels expose extensive mudflats that are ideal habit for wading birds such as flamingoes, herons, spoonbills, storks, and pelicans.

The Advanced Land Imager (ALI) on the<a href="http://www.earth.com/news/humans-earths-magnetic-fields/"> Earth</a> Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite captured this image of Nalabana bird sanctuary on December 14, 2013. While parts of the island are visible, much of it was under water. The brown areas in the lower part of the image are farms and villages. A dock, used for fishing boats and tourist ferries, is also visible.

To the south of Nalabana, a series of pools are arrayed along the coast for shrimp farming. The number of shrimp farms around Chilika has increased dramatically in recent decades. One satellite-based studyfound that the percentage of land being used for shrimp farming had increased from about 4 percent in 1999 to 13 percent in 2013. The expansion of aquaculture has created conflicts with traditional fishing communities, who claim that shrimp ponds disrupt the natural flow and ecosystem of the lake.

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<a href="http://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NASA</a>

Chilika Lake

Chilika Lake is the largest lagoon in India and one...

Since measurements began in 1895, Alaska’s Hubbard Glacier has been thickening and steadily advancing into Disenchantment Bay. The advance runs counter to so many thinning and retreating glaciers nearby in Alaska and around the world.

<a href="http://cff1.greenatom.net/uploads/2015/05/hubbard-glacier-terminus_NASA.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2381763" src="http://cff1.greenatom.net/uploads/2015/05/hubbard-glacier-terminus_NASA.jpg" alt="hubbard-glacier-terminus_NASA" width="720" height="480" /></a>The image above, acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) on Landsat 8, shows Hubbard Glacier on July 22, 2014. The second image shows a close-up of the glacier’s terminus on that day. Yellow lines indicate the location of the terminus on August 1, 1978, and on July 13, 2002.

According to Leigh Stearns, a glaciologist at the University of Kansas, Hubbard’s advance is due to its large accumulation area; the glacier’s catchment basin extends far into the Saint Elias Mountains. Snow that falls in the basin either melts or flows down to the terminus, causing Hubbard to steadily grow. In addition, Hubbard is building up a large moraine, shoveling sediment, rock, and other debris from <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/humans-earths-magnetic-fields/">Earth’</a>s surface onto the glacier’s leading edge. The moraine at the front gives the glacier stability and allows it to advance more easily because the ice does not need to be as thick to stay grounded. (If it is thin, it can start floating and will not necessarily advance.)

Twice in the past hundred years—in 1986 and again in 2002—the moraine has made contact with Gilbert Point and blocked the entrance to Russell Fjord. With nowhere to drain, runoff caused the water level in the fjord to rise rapidly.

The image below, acquired on July 13, 2002 by the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus on Landsat 7, shows the glacier the last time that it sealed the fjord. Water levels to rose 0.24 meters (0.8 feet) per day. However, the closure was temporary, as water pressure overpowered the encroaching ice and debris and burst through the natural dam, returning the fjord to normal levels.<a href="http://cff1.greenatom.net/uploads/2015/05/Hubbard-Landsat-7_NASA.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2381764" src="http://cff1.greenatom.net/uploads/2015/05/Hubbard-Landsat-7_NASA.jpg" alt="Hubbard-Landsat-7_NASA" width="720" height="480" /></a>

In 2002, Stearns was attending a glaciology conference in nearby Yakutat, Alaska, a town that depends on Russell Fjord’s marine life. “Understanding Hubbard’s behavior is scientifically interesting,” Stearns said, “but it also has immediate consequences for the town of Yakutat.”

Those consequences provoked her to investigate what controls the terminus position and its advance, and to estimate when the fjord might become permanently blocked. The findings, recently accepted for publication in the <cite>Journal of Geophysical Research,</cite> explain how the mechanics at the terminus override the influence of other climate fluctuations.

One estimate suggests that the fjord could permanently close by 2025. But Hubbard’s terminus is nearly 14 kilometers (9 miles) wide, and does not advance at the same rate across its entire width. The region adjacent to Gilbert Point, where the closure would occur, advances more slowly because seawater passing through the gap constantly erodes the ice. Based on the current rate of advance at the gap, Stearns estimated that closure could occur by 2043. Stearns cautions, however, that these closure dates are “projections based on our current observations, and should be viewed with skepticism.”

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<a href="http://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a>

The Advance of Hubbard Glacier

Since measurements began in 1895, Alaska’s Hubbard Glacier has been...

On May 18, 2015, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired this natural-color image of Typhoon Dolphin near the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

The storm has weakened since it first intensified into a Category 5 storm on May 16. The center of racked between Guam and Rota on May 15. Typhoon Dolphin was a powerful tropical cyclone that produced the first typhoon-force winds on Guam since Typhoon Pongsona in 2002. The seventh named storm of the 2015 Pacific typhoon season, Dolphin formed on May 6 in the vicinity of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Moving eastward at first, the storm slowly organized before beginning a north and west-northwest trajectory.

Dolphin intensified into a typhoon before passing between <a href="http://www.earth.com/image/island-guam-clear-day/">Guam</a> and Rota on May 15, producing typhoon-force winds on both islands. It later rapidly intensified as it curved to the north. The American-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) designated Dolphin as a super typhoon, while the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) estimated 10 minute sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph). Dolphin turned to the northeast and weakened, becoming extratropical on May 20 and exiting the western Pacific basin on May 24.

---The storm first affected the FSM, notably Pohnpei where it dropped 603 mm (23.73 in) of rainfall over three days. The rains and gusty winds knocked down many trees on the island, one of which killed a person, and causing $1 million in damage (2015 USD). Dolphin passed between Guam and Rota, producing gusts of 171 km/h (106 mph) at Andersen Air Force Base on northern Guam. The winds left 40% of the island without power and left at least 3,300 people without water. The storm also dropped heavy rainfall, flooding Guam Memorial Hospital. Dolphin damaged 390 houses, including nine that were destroyed, leaving 1,055 people homeless. With damage estimated at around $10 million, the island was declared a disaster area. The typhoon also brushed Rota, causing $2.5 million in damage there, as well as Saipan.

<a href="http://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NASA</a>

Typhoon Dolphin

On May 18, 2015, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)...

Lenses of Fresh Water Under Langeoog. Langeoog is one of several sandy barrier islands along Germany’s North Sea coast. The island, about 8 kilometers (5 miles) north of the German mainland, formed about 2,800 to 2,200 years ago. Dunes began to develop about 1,900 years ago, but the island was mainly sand until soils formed and vegetation arrived about 1,200 years ago.

In the 1800s, just a few hundred people lived on Langeoog. Now the island has become a popular tourist destination home to approximately 1,700 permanent residents. Langeoog also hosts more than 1.5 million overnight visitors each year. The <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/EO1Tenth/page4.php">Advanced Land Imager</a> (ALI) on the <a href="http://eo1.gsfc.nasa.gov/">Earth Observing-1</a> (EO-1) satellite captured this image of Langeoon on July 13, 2013.

All those people need to drink, and that could put a strain on the island’s fresh water aquifers. Like many other islands, a relatively shallow <a href="http://portal.unesco.org/fr/ev.php-URL_ID=13604&amp;URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&amp;URL_SECTION=201.html">lens</a> of lower density fresh water floats above the heavier salt water underlying the island. In Langeoog’s case, there are two main fresh water lenses. One lies below the Heerenhus dunes on the western side of the island. The other is beneath the Eastern dunes on the other end. The surface lakes in the lowlands separating the dunes fields are salty.

Wells were used to tap the lens on the island’s western side in an area west of town in 1909, but these wells had to be abandoned in 1989 due to bacterial contamination. Now the town now relies on wells to its northeast in the Heerenhus dunes. So far, the larger lens of fresh water under the dunes on the far eastern side of the island has not been tapped.

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<a href="http://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NASA</a>

Lenses of Fresh Water Under Langeoog

Lenses of Fresh Water Under Langeoog. Langeoog is one of...

Diminished Snowpack In The Pacific Northwest. Despite several months with average or just-below average precipitation, concerns about drought are growing in the states of Oregon and Washington. That’s because winter and early spring snows instead fell as rain. Like many parts of the western United States and Canada, the region depends on mountaintop snow as a sort of frozen reservoir that melts and fills streams and rivers through warmer, drier summer months. Warmer than usual temperatures on land and offshore in the North Pacific led to rainfall events even at high elevations.

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (<a href="http://www.earth.com/image/the-serengeti-plains-of-africa/">MODIS</a>) on NASA’s Aqua satellite acquired these natural-color images of Oregon, Washington, and the Cascade and Olympic Mountains. The left image shows the region on May 13, 2014, while the right was acquired on May 3, 2015. Last year was not necessarily good for snowpack, but it was substantially better than 2015.

[caption id="attachment_2381710" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="http://cff1.greenatom.net/uploads/2015/05/snowpack_cascades_2014_modis.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-2381710" src="http://cff1.greenatom.net/uploads/2015/05/snowpack_cascades_2014_modis-150x150.jpg" alt="2014 snowpack. Credit: NASA" width="150" height="150" /></a> 2014 snowpack. Credit: NASA[/caption]

According to state officials, snowpack in Washington was 16 percent of normal as of May 15, and yearly runoff is predicted to be at its lowest in 64 years. Of 98 locations that are regularly monitored for snowpack, 66 were snow free by mid-May. The state’s water managers noted that 48 of 62 watersheds were at or below 75 percent of water capacity, and record-low water levels have been recorded on the Stillaguamish, Snohomish, Skykomish, and Snoqualmie rivers, among others. The data prompted Governor Jay Inslee to declare a statewide drought emergency.

In neighboring Oregon, average snow pack stood at 11 percent, its lowest level since 1992. The peak of mountain snow cover in 2015 came anywhere from three to thirteen weeks before the normal peak in April. Snow cover in May ranged from zero in the Klamath Basin to 16 percent in northeastern Oregon. Conservation managers noted that three quarters of the state’s snow monitoring stations reached their lowest April measurements on record.

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<a href="http://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NASA</a>

Diminished Snowpack In The Pacific Northwest

Diminished Snowpack In The Pacific Northwest. Despite several months with...

Rann Of Kutch, India.Astronauts aboard the International <a href="http://www.earth.com/video/mount-fuji-from-space/">Space</a> Station took this photograph as they flew over western India near the Pakistan border. The Rann of Kutch is a long, narrow salt flat that stretches inland in an almost straight line for 325 kilometers (200 miles) from the Arabian Sea coast. Rann comes from a Hindi word meaning desert, and the region is famous for its marshy salt flats which become snow white when the summer monsoon flood waters dry up. These inhospitable lowlands are resource-rich with minerals and natural gas deposits.

Angular evaporation ponds along the floor of the Rann are the heart of a major salt-producing industry. The straight lines across the image are ditches that help control the flow of salt-rich water. The scale is difficult to judge in this landscape of abstract shapes; in this case, the image shows an area roughly 16 kilometers (10 miles) wide. The light green tint (lower right) is shallow water from a small river that drains dark-toned farmland (top right).

Thousands of years ago, the Rann was a shallow arm of the <a href="https://www.bing.com/search?q=arabian+sea&amp;qs=n&amp;form=QBRE&amp;sp=-1&amp;pq=arabian+sea&amp;sc=9-11&amp;sk=&amp;cvid=AFAEAD633A5143D0850895793300591B">Arabian Sea</a>. Land uplift caused by tectonic forces then closed off the connection with the sea, creating a vast lake that was still navigable during the time of Alexander the Great.

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<a href="http://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NASA</a>

Rann Of Kutch, India

Rann Of Kutch, India.Astronauts aboard the International Space Station took...

Russia's Kizimen Volcano. Despite 9 months of continuous activity at Kizimen <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/volcano-erupt-next/">Volcano</a>, seasonal changes from early fall 2013 (top) to late spring 2014 (lower) dominate the landscape. Located on Russia’s subarctic Kamchatka Peninsula, summers are short at Kizimen.

<a href="http://cff1.greenatom.net/uploads/2015/05/kizimen_volcano_2big_landsat8_nasa.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-2381688" src="http://cff1.greenatom.net/uploads/2015/05/kizimen_volcano_2big_landsat8_nasa-150x150.jpg" alt="kizimen_volcano_2big_landsat8_nasa" width="150" height="150" /></a>Early snow covered the upper slopes of the volcano and nearby ridges on September 2, 2013. Almost all of Kamchatka (including Kizimen) was covered in snow on April 14, 2014, almost a month into astronomical spring.

On June 16, only a few days before the start of summer, snow remained on scattered mountainsides, and the twin lakes at the foot of Kizimen remained frozen.The volcano was in a dormant state since an eruption in 1929, but on 2 September 2009 it was reported by Georgina Cooper for the Reuters news agency that the crater lake temperature had risen 10 degrees Celsius in a week and plumes of steam were rising from its flanks. The activity continued throughout 2010, with the formation of new fumaroles reported in November. Seismic activity and ash emission continued to build over the following weeks, and in January 2011 a hotspot was recorded, indicating the presence of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kizimen">lava.</a> In early February 2011 the volcano sent a column of ash several kilometres high

These natural-color images were collected by the Operational Land Imager on Landsat 8.

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<a href="http://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">NASA</a>

Russia's Kizimen Volcano

Russia's Kizimen Volcano. Despite 9 months of continuous activity at...

In November, the United Nations Climate Change Conference is set to commence. The spotlight will shine brightly on one contentious issue: the negotiation of new payments from industrialized nations to their less affluent counterparts - especially using profits from oil and gas companies. 



The debate on the financing of these payments is, to put it mildly, a heated one. But now, a revelation from a study led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) could change everything.



It turns out, the windfall profits raked in by oil and gas companies during the energy crisis of 2022 were enough to fulfill the existing commitments of industrialized nations for almost five years. The researchers' solution? A tax on these so-called windfall profits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oil-profits-bridge-the-funding-gap">Oil profits bridge the funding gap</h2>



The funding for climate targets is a key item on the agenda at the forthcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29). 



Industrialized nations had pledged annually $100 billion from 2020 to 2025 to assist less developed countries in climate protection initiatives and adaptation to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-diversity-takes-a-hard-hit-near-offshore-platforms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>. However, the promised funds have not fully been delivered. 



This leads us to the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), a follow-up agreement set to be passed. The NCQG commits to additional funding, yet there is no clarity on sourcing these funds. So, what do we do? 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-windfall-profit-tax">Windfall profit tax</h2>



One proposed solution under consideration is a tax on windfall profits of companies dealing in fossil fuels. 



A windfall profit tax imposes a levy on profits that exceed normal expectations during a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-records-shatter-2024-set-to-be-hottest-year-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crisis</a>. Think of it as a situation where the companies hit the jackpot owing to the crisis. 



Taking the energy crisis following Russia's attack on Ukraine in 2022 as an example, international energy prices rocketed sky-high.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-oil-and-gas-profits">Using oil and gas profits</h2>



The research team meticulously scrutinized the profits reported by 93 of the world's largest oil and gas companies for 2022, and compared them with the analysts' predictions at the beginning of the year. 



The figures are staggering. The projected profits were about $753 billion. However, the actual profits earned exceeded this by a whopping $490 billion, totaling around $1.243 trillion. 



“These additional profits from just one year are close to the total amount promised to the poorer countries for a five-year period,” noted study leader Florian Egli, professor of Public Policy for the Green Transition at <a href="https://www.tum.de" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TUM</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-it-plausible">Is it plausible?</h2>



To consider the feasibility of redistributing these excess profits, the research team acknowledged the domicile countries of these companies and whether they were state-owned or private entities. 



A remarkable 42% of these windfall profits were reported by state-run companies, with the lion's share originating from Norway. 



“The governments have the ability to take direct action to skim off the profits earned due to a crisis and use them to fight the climate crisis,” said Dr. Anna Stünzi of the <a href="https://www.unisg.ch/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of St. Gallen</a>.



On the other hand, the private enterprises that garnered windfall profits, which is a whopping 95%, were headquartered in nations that pledged towards <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/report-earth-is-headed-for-an-irreversible-climate-disaster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> protection funding.



“With a tax on windfall profits from oil and gas, at least some industrialized countries could generate income to meet their commitments to the poorer countries,” said Professor Egli.



It is important to note that companies in the United States, the UK, France, and Canada collectively accounted for about half of these profits. Almost all of these companies are based in G20 countries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-oil-profits-fund-climate-solutions">Can oil profits fund climate solutions?</h2>



Global greenhouse gas emissions are predominantly linked to burning oil and gas. Meanwhile, the oil and gas industry continues to rake in substantial profits.



“More than half of the worldwide greenhouse gas emissions result from the burning of oil and gas. At the same time, the oil and gas industry has been one of the most profitable sectors for a long time,” said Professor Egli.



“It would undoubtedly be hard to reach an international agreement to tax these profits. But the agreement on a global minimum tax rate for companies, reached by more than 130 countries in 2023 under the auspices of the OECD and G20, could be a role model.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oil-profits-drive-clean-energy">Oil profits drive clean energy</h2>



The worldwide profits of oil and gas the industry are larger than those acknowledged in this study. 



Some of the industry giants - such as those in Russia, Iran, South Africa and Venezuela - do not disclose their figures and therefore, were not encompassed in the study.



“Taxing superprofits could tamper and phase down investment in oil and gas, building a stable and efficient clean energy market and helping to align financial flows with the goals of the <a href="https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paris Agreement</a>,” noted Michael Grubb, professor at University College London (<a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCL</a>).



“The reorientation of fossil fuel revenues for consistency with climate goals should be next on the global agenda.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14693062.2024.2424516" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Climate Policy</a>. 



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Oil profits could save the planet if governments tax them now

In November, the United Nations Climate Change Conference is set...

In the magical network of connections that is social media, there's an unexpected hero emerging: wildlife conservation. 



Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are offering a new way to boost conservation efforts by connecting people worldwide to the realities of animal life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-media-a-lifeline-for-caracals">Social media: A lifeline for caracals</h2>



As surprising as it sounds, it seems that our online addiction to cat videos, photos, and memes isn't just for mindless entertainment; it can also feed into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gen-ai-and-social-media-divert-peoples-attention-from-climate-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental awareness</a>. 



A recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Communication showed how social media has the immense potential of rallying support for wildlife.



And who's the internet's favorite feline this time around? It's the caracal - a wild cat native to Africa with whimsical tufted ears.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-so-special-about-the-caracal">What's so special about the caracal?</h2>



The caracal is known as a smaller yet "charismatic" mammal. This wild feline has managed to attract the gaze of the online world, especially on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spending-less-time-on-social-media-improves-your-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media channels</a>, thanks to its curious resemblance to our domestic kitty companions.



The study authors noted that caracals can be used as a "flagship species" to communicate the aims of scientific research in rapidly urbanizing landscapes.



“Using an aesthetic species such as the caracal is an effective way to capture public attention to communicate the importance of conserving urban wildlife,” noted Dr. Gabriella Leighton and Dr. Laurel Serieys from the <a href="https://uct.ac.za" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cape Town</a>.



However, it's not just about the caracal's looks. It's also a question of deeper human engagement and involvement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-media-and-caracals">Social media and caracals</h2>



Though their research, the experts are emphasizing the role that smaller carnivores play in igniting the public's interest in science and conservation.



A key takeaway from the study is the power of public participation in conservation efforts, where charismatic species can lend a hand in raising awareness about biodiversity in urban areas.



“The research demonstrates how a public interest in urban ecology and the global phenomenon of ‘cats on the internet' can be harnessed to leverage conservation action,” said the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-power-of-online-influence">Power of online influence</h2>



Undeniably, the success of conservation efforts relies heavily on public engagement, particularly in biodiversity hotspots that are increasingly becoming urbanized and are understudied.



A prime example of this is the Urban Caracal Project (<a href="http://www.urbancaracal.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCP</a>), initiated in December 2014 in Cape Town, a location within a biodiversity hotspot and home to the caracal.



The project aims to explore caracal ecology and use social media as a tool to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-trust-news-that-matches-their-political-views-even-when-its-fake/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shape perceptions</a> towards caracal conservation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-media-interactions">Social media interactions</h2>



The experts used Google Trends to examine the global popularity of caracals from 2004 to the present day. A comparison was also drawn against a similar African wildcat - the serval.



The data showed a significant surge in searches for the term "caracal," doubling since the launch of UCP.



This substantial growth of 91%, compared to a 76% increase in searches for "servals," highlights the project's success in raising global awareness about caracals.



Additionally, the project has amassed more than 16,800 Facebook followers and over 7,300 followers on Instagram. These growing numbers have granted the project a "micro-influencer" status, attracting people not just from South Africa but also the UK, India, and the US.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-platform-for-public-engagement">Platform for public engagement </h2>



The experts found that social media also presented a valuable platform for direct public engagement, such as reported sightings of caracals, their rescues, or distressing reports of their deaths.



This interaction on social media has allowed the authors to conduct post-mortems, thereby assessing threats to the caracal population and analyzing roadkill patterns.



Moreover, exchanging information on the platform provides conservationists with valuable insights into how caracals respond to humans. Most encounters happen on roads or paths where caracals are described as "calm" or "chilled" before swiftly moving away.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-media-for-caracal-welfare">Social media for caracal welfare</h2>



The common adjectives used in Facebook comments were "beautiful" for positive posts and "sad" for negative ones, usually related to a death or threat to the population.



This observation points towards the fact that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-likes-have-a-strong-emotional-effect-on-young-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media engagement</a> has indeed led to people caring about caracal welfare, a breakthrough in the world of wildlife conservation that we have in part to thank our "cats on the internet" obsession for.



Ultimately, these findings offer compelling reasons to embrace social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram as powerful tools in wildlife conservation. 



After all, there's no stopping the internet's love affair with cats, so why not use it for a greater cause?



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17524032.2024.2402466" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Communication</a>.



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Social media is helping save wild animals like caracals

In the magical network of connections that is social media,...

Have you ever wondered what gives an Australian finch's bill its vivid hues? The range of colors - from striking red and stunning yellow to brilliant orange - has remained a mystery, until now.



A significant study has demystified this puzzle, revealing the discrete genetic triggers that govern these fascinating colorations.



The study unveils how the long-tailed finch's red and yellow bill colors sprouted from slight changes in a few <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/finch-beaks-and-bird-songs-a-new-story-of-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vital genes</a>. 



The genes are intricately involved in how birds process dietary yellow pigments. This discovery opens an exciting chapter in our understanding of natural coloration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observing-the-bills-of-australian-finches">Observing the bills of Australian finches</h2>



The species under investigation, the long-tailed finch, is endemic to Australia. Conducted by experts from eight institutions across five countries, this research peels back layers on the genetic makeup of these captivating creatures.



"Modern genomic techniques provide us with incredible insight into how relatively subtle genetic changes can lead to profound changes in things like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/zebra-finch-female-birds-choose-mates-who-can-sing-most-complex-songs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal color</a>," said study senior author Professor Simon Griffith from Macquarie University's <a href="https://www.mq.edu.au/faculty-of-science-and-engineering/departments-and-schools/school-of-natural-sciences" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Natural Sciences</a>.



The study was focused on two subspecies of the long-tailed finch. One flaunts a yellow bill and calls the Kimberley region of Western Australia home while its counterpart with a red bill hails from the Northern Territory. 



In the event of these subspecies mating, they yield hybrid offspring adorned with orange bills.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bill-colors-of-australian-finches">Bill colors of Australian finches </h2>



The red-billed finches owe their crimson "smile" to carotenoid pigments, sourced from the seeds they munch. Through the course of their lives, they create enzymes that alter the yellow pigments from their dietary intake into the red pigment deposited in their growing bills.



The spectrum of eye-catching bill colors among the Finch family results from the genetic variations that halt this color conversion.



"This discovery helps us understand how animals can evolve different color signals, contributing to the amazing colors of nature," said Professor Griffith.



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



The study suggests that the yellow bill tint, which first emerged roughly 100,000 years ago, might have offered an evolutionary edge.



This advantage could have led to the proliferation of genes responsible for yellow bills within populations of red-billed finches. 



"While red-colored bills were the ancestral state for these finches, we can see natural selection has favored the yellow coloration as these populations have mixed," noted Professor Griffith.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-bird-s-eye-view">A bird's eye view</h2>



Birds utilize carotenoid pigments for ornamental feather, skin, and bill colors. But, these pigments also play a crucial role in bird vision. 



Nestled in their retinas, these oil droplets laden with carotenoids filter light, enabling color vision.



Interestingly, although yellow-billed finches cannot produce red carotenoids in their bills, they can still manufacture them in their retinas. 



This intriguing fact suggests that the birds don't lack the genes for creating red pigments. Instead, they regulate these genes uniquely in different body parts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mechanisms-behind-unique-coloration">Mechanisms behind unique coloration</h2>



The unraveling of the genetic map responsible for color traits in the long-tailed finch provides a broader vantage point for understanding avian diversity. 



The researchers sequenced the genomes of various finches, comparing gene expressions in red and yellow-billed birds.



By pinpointing the genes responsible for converting dietary carotenoids into distinctive color pigments, scientists are unraveling the mechanisms behind unique coloration in numerous bird species. 



This genetic cartography not only enriches our knowledge of avian biology but also serves as a template for future research into genetic determinants of coloration across the animal kingdom.



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



The insights gleaned from this research extend beyond mere academic curiosity - they bear significant implications for conservation efforts. 



Understanding the genetic basis of coloration aids in comprehending how environmental pressures influence species' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-have-regional-accents-just-like-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary trajectories</a>.



In conservation biology, such information can guide strategies to preserve threatened populations by identifying genetic variations necessary for adaptation to changing habitats. 



As biodiversity faces unprecedented challenges, studies like these emphasize the need to protect genetic diversity essential for species' survival and the vibrancy of their assorted color palettes in nature.



This exploration of the finches' color code offers fresh insights into the evolution of animal coloration. It may also shed light on similar color variations in bird species worldwide. 



The story of nature's paintbrush is as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/darwins-finches-reveal-how-one-species-becomes-many/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vibrant and varied</a> as the colors it creates.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(24)01373-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Why do Australian finches have bright red and yellow bills?

Have you ever wondered what gives an Australian finch's bill...

For a very long time, we have been under the impression that memory and learning are solely the brain's forte. Central to this belief is the fact that our brains, particularly our brain cells, store memories.



However, an innovative team of researchers begs to differ, suggesting that cells in other parts of the body partake in this memory function too.



The ability of non-brain cells to learn and form memories is a riveting discovery. 



This thought-provoking study provides us with a new understanding of memory's mechanisms and paves the way for potential advancements in learning and memory-related afflictions treatment.



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



Memory is like your brain’s personal filing system. When you experience something new -- like meeting a friend or learning a fact -- your brain encodes that information by turning it into patterns of neural activity. 



These patterns get stored in different parts of your brain, depending on what type of information it is. For example, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-human-brain-decides-which-memories-to-remember/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">visual memories</a> might be stored in areas responsible for processing images, while facts and numbers find their way into regions that handle language and logic.



Retrieving memories happens when your brain needs to access those stored patterns. It’s similar to searching for a file on your computer. 



If you want to remember your friend’s birthday, your brain activates the relevant neural pathways to bring that information back into your <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/consciousness-may-stem-from-unseen-dimensions-beyond-our-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conscious mind</a>. 



Sometimes, this process is seamless, but other times memories can be a bit fuzzy or mixed up, especially if they’re not accessed frequently. That’s why you might struggle to recall something you haven’t thought about in a while.



Your memory isn’t perfect, and it can change over time. Each time you recall a memory, your brain might update it with new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unlocking-memories-with-scents-may-help-treat-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">information or emotions</a>, which can make the memory stronger or slightly different from the original event. Factors like sleep, stress, and even nutrition can influence how well your memory works.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-memory-formation-and-cells">Memory formation and cells</h2>



“Learning and memory are generally associated with brains and brain cells alone, but our study shows that other cells in the body can learn and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/memory-is-shaped-by-both-past-and-future-experience-and-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">form memories</a>, too,” explains New York University’s&nbsp;<a href="https://liberalstudies.nyu.edu/about/faculty-listing/nikolay-kukushkin.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nikolay V. Kukushkin</a>, the lead author of the&nbsp;study.&nbsp;



The goal of the research was straightforward -- to investigate if non-brain cells contribute to memory. To do this, the scientists deployed the time-honored neurological property, known as the massed-space effect.



This principle asserts that our retention capacity is better when information is studied in spaced intervals rather than crammed into a single, intensive session.



Does this strike a chord? We have all experienced the futility of last-minute cramming before tests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-memory-test-in-non-brain-cells">Memory test in non-brain cells</h2>



In this study, the scientists simulated the process of spaced learning by examining two types of non-brain human cells -- one from nerve tissue and one from kidney tissue -- in a laboratory setting.



These cells were exposed to varying patterns of chemical signals, akin to the exposure of brain cells to neurotransmitter patterns when we learn new information.



The intriguing part? These non-brain cells also switched on a "memory gene" - the same gene that brain cells activate when they detect information patterns and reorganize their connections to form memories.



So, how exactly did the scientists gauge the memory and learning process? 



They ingeniously engineered the non-brain cells to generate a glowing protein, which indicated whether the memory gene was active or dormant.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-memory-cells-learning-and-pulses">Memory cells, learning, and pulses</h2>



The results of this innovative research were nothing short of astounding. 



It turned out that these cells were able to discern when the chemical pulses (simulating bursts of neurotransmitters in the brain) were repeated rather than simply prolonged -- much like neurons in our own brains when we opt for break-filled studying instead of continuous cramming.



When the pulses were delivered at intervals, they activated the "<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-is-essential-for-memory-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory</a> gene" more intensely and for a longer duration than when the same treatment was administered all at once - a perfect demonstration of the massed-space effect.



“This reflects the massed-space effect in action,” says Kukushkin, a clinical associate professor of life science at NYU Liberal Studies and a research fellow at NYU’s Center for Neural Science. 



“It shows that the ability to learn from spaced repetition isn't unique to brain cells, but, in fact, might be a fundamental property of all cells.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-how-memory-works">Understanding how memory works</h2>



Not only does this research on non-brain cells introduce fresh perspectives to study memory, but it also holds promise for potential health-related benefits.



“This discovery opens new doors for understanding how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-our-brain-form-long-term-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory</a> works and could lead to better ways to enhance learning and treat memory problems,” notes Kukushkin.



“At the same time, it suggests that in the future, we will need to treat our body more like the brain -- for example, consider what our pancreas remembers about the pattern of our past meals to maintain healthy levels of blood glucose or consider what a cancer cell remembers about the pattern of chemotherapy.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-this-research">Implications of this research</h2>



As we explore this fascinating new research on non-brain cells, the pressing question remains - how will this impact our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-brains-create-three-copies-of-every-memory-we-make/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">understanding of memory formation</a>?



What implications does this discovery hold for the future of learning and memory-related treatments? Only time will tell. 



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The research team also included Thomas Carew, a professor in NYU’s Center for Neural Science; Tasnim Tabassum, an NYU researcher; and Robert Carney, an NYU undergraduate researcher. The study was funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (R01-MH120300-01A1).



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-53922-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Memory is stored in cells throughout the body, not just the brain

For a very long time, we have been under the...

Wild,Elephant,Playing,With,Water

When we think of animals using tools, creatures like crows, chimpanzees, and dolphins might come to mind. But have you ever considered elephants in that mix? Turns out, some of the tools that elephants use might just surprise you.



Michael Brecht, one of the senior authors of a recent study, was amazed by what elephants can do with a simple garden hose. 



"Elephants are amazing with hoses," he said. "As it is often the case with elephants, hose tool use behaviors come out very differently from animal to animal; elephant Mary is the queen of showering."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mary-s-unique-shower-routine">Mary's unique shower routine</h2>



So, what's so special about Mary? 



This Asian elephant has developed a knack for showering herself using a hose. In the study conducted at the <a href="https://www.zoo-berlin.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berlin Zoo</a>, researchers observed Mary coordinating the hose with her limbs to wash different parts of her body. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/elephants_pranking_water-hose_video-grab_credit-Current-Biology_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/elephants_pranking_water-hose_video-grab_credit-Current-Biology_1s.webp" alt="This is a video abstract of the elephant named Mary showering with a water hose for the 2024 Current Biology paper on elephant water hose tool use. Credit: Urban et al./Current Biology" class="wp-image-1949883"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This is a video abstract of the elephant named Mary showering with a water hose for the 2024 Current Biology paper on elephant water hose tool use. Credit: Urban et al./Current Biology</figcaption></figure>



She usually grabs the hose just behind the tip, turning it into a makeshift shower head. To reach her back, she switches things up by holding the hose further along and swinging it over her body like a lasso.



The team from <a href="https://www.hu-berlin.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humboldt University of Berlin</a> noticed that when given a larger and heavier hose, Mary opted to use her trunk to wash instead. 



The bulkier hose just wasn't as effective for her needs. This shows that she doesn't just use tools; she understands which tools work best in different situations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elephant-named-anchali-and-her-tool">Elephant named Anchali and her "tool"</h2>



But Mary's not the only star of this story. Enter Anchali, another Asian elephant at the zoo who seems to have a bit of a mischievous streak.



The researchers noticed some tension between Mary and Anchali, especially when Mary was enjoying her showers.



At one point, Anchali began pulling the hose away from Mary, lifting and bending it to stop the water flow. 



"The surprise was certainly Anchali's kink-and-clamp behavior," Brecht shared. "Nobody had thought that she'd be smart enough to pull off such a trick."



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elephant-s-water-tool-prank">Elephant's water tool prank</h2>



Anchali didn't stop there. She devised another method to disrupt Mary's shower time. This time, she placed her trunk on the hose and lowered her body onto it, effectively stopping the water. 



The researchers called this the "trunkstand." Since elephants at the zoo are trained not to step on hoses to avoid being scolded by keepers, Anchali's workaround was both clever and deliberate.



"When Anchali came up with a second behavior that disrupted water flow to Mary, I became pretty convinced that she is trying to sabotage Mary," Brecht admitted. 



It sparked quite a debate among the team about Anchali's true intentions. Was she being playful, or was there some elephant rivalry at play?



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



These observations highlight not just the intelligence of elephants but also their ability to understand and manipulate tools in complex ways. 



The researchers are now curious about what this could mean for wild elephants.



"Do elephants play tricks on each other in the wild?" Brecht wondered aloud. 



"When I saw Anchali's kink and clamp for the first time, I broke out in laughter. So, I wonder, does Anchali also think this is funny, or is she just being mean?"



It's a fascinating question. If elephants in captivity can display such nuanced behavior, perhaps their wild counterparts engage in similar antics. 



Maybe they have their own ways of teasing each other or competing for resources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glimpse-into-elephant-intelligence">Glimpse into elephant intelligence</h2>



This study highlights the extraordinary manipulative skills elephants possess, thanks to their versatile trunks. 



Their ability to use tools isn't just about survival; it seems to encompass social interactions and maybe even a sense of humor.



"I had not thought about hoses as tools much before, but what came out from Lea's work is that elephants have an exquisite understanding of these tools," Brecht mentioned. 



It's clear that there's still so much we can learn from these majestic creatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elephant-intelligence-and-society">Elephant intelligence and society</h2>



Elephants are known for their extraordinary intelligence, which is evident in many aspects of their behavior. 



They have large brains relative to their body size, and their cerebral cortex has as many neurons as that of a human brain. This brainpower enables them to solve problems, use tools, and exhibit complex social interactions.



Elephant social structures are intricate and deeply emotional. They live in tight-knit family groups led by a matriarch, and they form bonds that can last a lifetime. 



Elephants also display empathy by comforting distressed members of their herd and have been seen mourning the loss of a family member. 



Their ability to recognize themselves in a mirror indicates a high level of self-awareness, a trait rare in the animal kingdom.



Communication among elephants is also highly advanced. They use a range of vocalizations, from trumpets to low-frequency rumbles that can travel miles underground. This allows them to coordinate movements and stay connected even when they are far apart.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elephants-tools-and-social-dynamics">Elephants, tools, and social dynamics</h2>



To sum it all up, the clever behaviors of Mary and Anchali at the Berlin Zoo offer a fascinating glimpse into the intelligence and social dynamics of elephants.



Mary's ability to use a hose to shower herself shows not just tool use, but a deep understanding of how to manipulate objects to meet her needs. 



Her adaptability in choosing different techniques based on the hose's size highlights her problem-solving skills.



Anchali's actions add another layer to this story, revealing possible elements of rivalry or playfulness among elephants.



By cleverly disrupting Mary's showers, she demonstrates that elephants may engage in complex social interactions, perhaps even mischief.



These observations raise intriguing questions about elephant behavior in the wild and remind us just how remarkable these gentle giants truly are.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S096098222401371X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



Video Credit: Urban et al./ Current Biology 



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Elephants captured on video "pranking" each other using water hoses

When we think of animals using tools, creatures like crows,...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

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