Treehoppers are tiny insects with wildly diverse shapes. Some resemble thorns, while others look like spinning tops or spikes. Over 3,000 treehopper species exist, yet the purpose behind their extreme body forms remains unclear. 



A new study presents a surprising explanation. The body shapes of treehoppers might help them detect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mystery-of-static-electricity-has-finally-been-solved/">static electricity</a>.



This fresh idea comes from Dr. Sam England and Professor Daniel Robert at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>. The experts suggest that treehopper morphology evolved in part to sense electrical signals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insects-can-sense-electric-fields">Insects can sense electric fields</h2>



Electric fields in air were once thought irrelevant to land <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insects-are-still-disappearing-and-there-are-hundreds-of-reasons-why/">animals</a>. Water conducts electricity well. Air does not. But several recent discoveries changed this idea. 



Bees, caterpillars, hoverflies, and even spiders can detect electric fields without touching the source.



This ability comes from hair-like sensory structures that deflect when electric forces act on them. These structures are usually setae or antennae. Treehoppers have plenty of them, especially on their dramatic pronotum.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-treehoppers-detect-electric-signals">How treehoppers detect electric signals</h2>



The pronotum is the shield-like extension on a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-many-ants-live-on-earth-at-any-point-in-time-total-number-is-astounding/">treehopper</a>’s back. Researchers found that it is covered with tiny, articulated setae that are likely mechanosensory. 



These hairs could respond to electric fields, especially when placed at ridges and tips where the electric field is strongest.



The placement of the hair isn’t random. Shorter hairs (pit-type) sit near the base. Taller hairs (erect-type) appear at the outer tips. These positions make them well suited to catch electric signals from nearby insects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weird-shapes-make-sensing-easier">Weird shapes make sensing easier</h2>



Using 3D computer modeling, the team found that the strange shapes of treehoppers enhance electric field detection. Sharp edges and protrusions increase the field strength near the sensory hairs. 



Treehoppers with spiked or horned pronota experience electric fields up to 100 kV/m. This is far higher than those with flat shapes.



This increased exposure means they can detect other insects more effectively. Predators or mutualists approaching with a charge will create electrical signals that trigger responses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-treehoppers-react-to-electric-signals">Treehoppers react to electric signals</h2>



To test this theory, the researchers exposed treehoppers to artificial electric fields. They placed the insects on a pole and turned on a voltage source when the insect reached the top. Many treehoppers turned back, indicating they sensed something unusual.



Those that experienced an electric field were more likely to retreat than those in the control group. This behavior supports the idea that treehoppers use electroreception to detect threats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enemies-and-friends-have-different-charges">Enemies and friends have different charges</h2>



The study compared electrostatic charges of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/paleontologists-found-the-oldest-ant-species-on-earth-113-million-years-old-with-scythe-like-jaws/">predators</a> and allies. Predatory wasps often carried strong, negative charges. In contrast, stingless bees known to protect treehoppers carried weaker, mostly positive charges.



This difference might let treehoppers tell allies from enemies using charge polarity and strength. 



The erect-type and pit-type setae even respond differently. Pit-type hairs, for example, can detect charge polarity more reliably and from more angles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-body-shapes-for-electric-sensing">Body shapes for electric sensing</h2>



The researchers propose that these extreme morphologies may act as electrostatic lenses. Like antennas, they draw in electric signals and improve the insect's ability to sense its environment.



The shapes extend sensory range, increase receptor surface area, and direct electric signals more effectively to sensitive spots. This might explain why certain shapes appear more often in predator-rich environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-animals-may-do-this-too">Other animals may do this too</h2>



This idea may apply to other animals. Many species across insects and spiders have exaggerated shapes. If those structures also enhance electroreception, it could reshape our understanding of evolution.



“We think our study provides a really exciting launch pad for investigating static electricity as a driver of organismal morphology more generally," said Dr. England.



"There’s plenty of other insects, spiders, and other animals and plants that also have really extreme shapes, which in many cases are currently without explanation."



"Our study provides the first evidence of the electrostatic sense potentially driving morphological evolution, but we can’t prove this just yet."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-treehoppers-may-adapt-to-electric-cues">Treehoppers may adapt to electric cues</h2>



The next step is linking specific treehopper shapes to local electric environments. Researchers want to know if certain structures evolved to detect predators from particular angles or distances.



“If we can link treehopper shapes to certain aspects of their electrical ecology, like specific predators which approach from certain angles with particular static charges, this would really begin to strongly support our ideas around static electricity as an evolutionary driver,” noted Dr. England.



This research opens new paths. It pushes scientists to rethink why evolution created strange shapes and what hidden senses they might serve.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2505253122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Treehoppers evolved weird bodies to sense electric predators

Treehoppers are tiny insects with wildly diverse shapes. Some resemble thorns, while others look like spinning tops or spikes. Over 3,000 treehopper species exist, yet the purpose behind their extreme body forms remains unclear. A new study presents a surprising explanation. The body shapes of treehoppers might help them detect static electricity. This fresh idea comes from Dr. Sam England and Professor Daniel Robert at the University of Bristol. The experts suggest that treehopper morphology evolved in part to sense electrical signals. Insects can sense electric fields...

We hear a lot about how climate change affects animals - but what if the reverse is also true?



New research suggests that when animals disappear from forests, the forests lose one of their key tools for fighting climate change. That connection between animals and climate may be even stronger than we thought.



Scientists at the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> have found that tropical forests regrow much more effectively when they still have healthy populations of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-plants-wont-survive-the-loss-of-seed-dispersing-animals/">seed-dispersing animals</a>. 



In fact, they can absorb up to four times more carbon than similar forests where those animals are missing or declining.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-need-wildlife-to-function">Forests need wildlife to function</h2>



Tropical forests are the planet’s biggest land-based carbon sinks. That means they absorb and store more carbon than any other type of ecosystem. 



So, understanding what keeps those forests functioning isn’t just an ecological question - it’s a climate question.



Evan Fricke, a research scientist in the MIT Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is the lead author of the new study.



“The results underscore the importance of animals in maintaining healthy, carbon-rich tropical forests,” said Fricke. “When seed-dispersing animals decline, we risk weakening the climate-mitigating power of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-forests-are-struggling-to-keep-pace-with-climate-change/">tropical forests</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animals-are-nature-s-forest-planters">Animals are nature’s forest planters</h2>



If you’ve ever watched a monkey munch on fruit or a bird fly off with a berry, you’ve seen nature’s version of forest management in action.



When these animals eat fruit and later defecate the seeds elsewhere, they help forests regenerate. In tropical regions, over 75 percent of tree species depend on animals to disperse their seeds.



Without those animals, seeds don’t travel far, germinate less often, and forests grow back more slowly - if at all.



Fricke has spent nearly 15 years studying this process. He’s shown in past work that animal seed dispersal helps <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-have-unique-fungi-partnerships-that-help-them-survive/">trees survive</a> and adapt. Now, his team is thinking more broadly about what that means for the planet.



“We’re now thinking more about the roles that animals might play in affecting the climate through seed dispersal,” Fricke said. 



“We know that in tropical forests, where more than three-quarters of trees rely on animals for seed dispersal, the decline of seed dispersal could affect not just the biodiversity of forests, but how they bounce back from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-deforestation-crisis-how-can-we-stop-massive-forest-losses/">deforestation</a>. We also know that all around the world, animal populations are declining.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-impact-of-missing-animals">The impact of missing animals</h2>



To find out just how big an impact this has, the MIT researchers pulled together massive datasets - on biodiversity, animal movement, seed dispersal, and carbon storage. They studied 17,000 plots, tracking animals’ locations, movements, and the seeds they dispersed.



The team also factored in human pressures. In areas with heavy human activity, animals didn’t travel as far or scatter seeds as widely. The team built an index to measure how much <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insects-play-a-much-bigger-role-in-seed-dispersal-than-we-thought/">seed dispersal</a> had been disrupted and compared that to how much carbon forests in those areas could store.



“It was a big task to bring data from thousands of field studies together into a map of the disruption of seed dispersal,” Fricke said. “But it lets us go beyond just asking what animals are there to actually quantifying the ecological roles those animals are playing and understanding how human pressures affect them.”



What they found was striking. Forests lost 1.8 metric tons of carbon per hectare yearly where seed-dispersing animals had declined. That’s a 57 percent drop in regrowth potential.



The finding that disrupted seed dispersal leads to a fourfold drop in carbon absorption highlights seed dispersers as a key driver of tropical forest carbon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animals-make-climate-solutions-work">Animals make climate solutions work</h2>



Not all forests are equally positioned for regrowth. The team found that some landscapes are more promising than others - especially those near intact forests or with lots of tree cover. 



In these places, animal populations are more stable, which helps forests bounce back naturally.



“In the discussion around planting trees versus allowing trees to regrow naturally, regrowth is basically free, whereas planting trees costs money, and it also leads to less diverse forests,” said Professor César Terrer.



“With these results… we can understand where natural regrowth can happen effectively because there are animals planting the seeds for free.”



This research adds a new layer to climate modeling. If seed-dispersing animals are missing, regrowth estimates may be too optimistic. If animals are thriving, some areas may have more regrowth potential than previously thought.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-forests-means-saving-animals">Saving forests means saving animals</h2>



The researchers suggest several ways to support seed-dispersing animals. These include restoring habitats, building wildlife corridors, and limiting activities like wildlife trade. 



In some cases, reintroducing missing species or planting trees that attract them could help restore these lost relationships.



It’s also about getting the science right. Future studies may examine whether the decline in tropical forests’ carbon-absorbing power is linked more to extreme weather or to the loss of these animal-plant partnerships.



“Forests provide a huge climate subsidy by sequestering about a third of all <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-faces-hidden-mechanical-stress-from-carbon-emissions/">human carbon emissions</a>,” Terrer said. “Tropical forests are by far the most important carbon sink globally, but in the last few decades, their ability to sequester carbon has been declining."



The team will next investigate whether the decline is driven more by extreme droughts and fires or by reduced animal seed dispersal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-losing-wildlife-worsens-warming">Losing wildlife worsens warming</h2>



Ultimately, the findings point to a deeper truth. Climate and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diverse-forests-are-more-resilient-and-productive/">biodiversity</a> aren't separate problems - they're intertwined.



“It’s been clear that climate change threatens biodiversity, and now this study shows how biodiversity losses can exacerbate climate change,” said Fricke. “These are challenges we need to tackle in tandem."



“When we lose our animals, we’re losing the ecological infrastructure that keeps our tropical forests healthy and resilient."



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2500951122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Forests rely on animals to help fight climate change

We hear a lot about how climate change affects animals...

The African coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae, earned its “living fossil” nickname because its skeleton seems almost identical to fossils over 65 million years old. Scientists have pored over this deep‑sea relic for decades, assuming its anatomy was already well documented.



A new study, however, shows that long‑standing descriptions of the fish’s head muscles were riddled with errors. 



The research suggests that correcting those mistakes reshapes how biologists think jawed vertebrates learned to bite, breathe, and swallow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-old-anatomy-mostly-mistaken">Old anatomy mostly mistaken</h2>



Re‑examining two rare museum specimens, researchers from the <a href="https://www5.usp.br/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of São Paulo</a> (USP) and the Smithsonian Institution discovered that just 13 percent of the previously identified evolutionary muscle novelties for the largest vertebrate lineages were correct.



What earlier anatomists called muscles in the buccopharyngeal cavity - tissue once thought to expand the mouth to suck in prey - turned out to be ligaments. Unlike muscles, ligaments are structures incapable of contraction.



Lead author Aléssio Datovo, a professor at USP’s Museum of Zoology, said the corrected map makes the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/living-fossils-could-inspire-advancements-in-human-health/">coelacanth</a> “even more similar to cartilaginous fish [sharks, rays, and chimaeras] and tetrapods [birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles] than previously thought.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-suction-feeding-evolved-later">Suction feeding evolved later</h2>



Bony fish split into two grand lineages roughly 420 million years ago: the ray‑fins (actinopterygians) and the lobe‑fins (sarcopterygians).



Modern ray-fins, from pet-store goldfish to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tuna-fishing-gear-is-harming-oceans-more-than-we-thought/">tuna</a>, use powerful mouth muscles to generate suction. This skill helped them diversify into half of all living vertebrate species. Coelacanths, lungfish, and most sharks rely on biting.



“In previous studies, it was assumed that this set of muscles that would give greater suction capacity was also present in coelacanths and, therefore, would have evolved in the common ancestor of bony vertebrates, which we now show isn’t true,” Datovo explained.



“This only appeared at least 30 million years later, in the common ancestor of living ray‑finned fish.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-securing-rare-deep-sea-fish">Securing rare deep-sea fish</h2>



Coelacanths lurk in submarine caves about 300 meters (about 984 feet) below the ocean surface. Since the first living specimen stunned scientists in 1938, fewer than a hundred have reached museum collections.



Datovo and Smithsonian co‑author G. David Johnson spent years persuading institutions to lend material. <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Field Museum in Chicago</a> and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science each entrusted them with a fish.



“Dissecting a specimen does not mean destroying it as long as it’s done properly,” Datovo noted. 



Over six painstaking months, he teased apart every muscle, bone, and nerve, preserving each element so future researchers can study it individually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fixing-70-years-of-errors">Fixing 70 years of errors</h2>



“There were many contradictions in the literature,” Datovo recalled. "We detected more errors than we’d imagined. For example, 11 structures described as muscles were actually ligaments or other types of connective tissue.”



Because muscles create motion and ligaments merely transmit it, mistaking one for the other had inflated the coelacanth’s supposed ability to expand its throat for suction. 



The team also identified nine completely new evolutionary transformations in cranial muscles tied to feeding and respiration across early vertebrates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rebuilding-ancient-muscle-maps">Rebuilding ancient muscle maps</h2>



With fresh data in place, the researchers turned to micro‑CT scans posted by other labs. The team used these 3D images to slide coelacanth muscle attachments onto the skulls of extinct fishes whose soft tissues are long gone.



By slotting the correct muscles into place, they traced how jaw and throat mechanics evolved in the first jawed vertebrates. 



Because coelacanths sit near the base of the lobe‑fin line that gave rise to all amphibians, reptiles, birds, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-mammals-have-evolved-over-66-million-years/">mammals</a>, the revisions ripple through the entire vertebrate family tree.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-honoring-a-fish-anatomist">Honoring a fish anatomist</h2>



The paper doubles as an homage to Johnson, described by Datovo as “probably the greatest fish anatomist of his time.”



Johnson was born in 1945 and secured the loan of the rare specimens. He died in November 2024 while the manuscript was under review.



His meticulous approach to comparative anatomy shaped the project and ensured that each corrected label carries lasting authority.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coelacanth-holds-modern-insights">Coelacanth holds modern insights</h2>



Coelacanths have diverged little since dinosaurs went extinct, partly because they face few predators in their deep‑reef refuges. That stability, confirmed by a 2013 genomic study, creates a living window onto ancient body plans.



Updating the blueprint clarifies which innovations fueled the explosive diversification of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tracking-endangered-rays-a-new-chapter-in-marine-conservation/">ray‑finned fish</a> and which traits lobe‑fins passed on to terrestrial tetrapods. 



Datovo’s team now plans to compare the revised coelacanth anatomy with muscles in amphibians and reptiles. They’re looking for shared features that might push the story closer to the water-to-land transition.



By peeling away decades of assumptions, the study reminds scientists that even icons of evolutionary stasis can still rewrite textbooks - provided someone is willing to pick up a scalpel and look again.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adt1576" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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'Living fossil' reveals clues about how animals learned to breathe

The African coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae, earned its “living fossil” nickname...

Clownfish, with their vivid stripes and playful movements, have captured attention far beyond coral reefs. From animated films to marine biology textbooks, they are often introduced as loyal companions of sea anemones. These relationships, once thought to be the key driver of clownfish diversity, have shaped decades of scientific thinking.



However, a new international study presents a surprising twist. Researchers from institutions across the globe discovered that the bond between clownfish and anemones does not entirely explain their evolutionary <a href="https://www.uliege.be/cms/c_8750816/en/uliege">path</a>. 



Through a blend of fieldwork, advanced laboratory experiments, and high-resolution modelling, the team uncovered new dimensions of clownfish survival. This research adds complexity to how we understand ecological roles, adaptation, and biodiversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-than-just-anemone-partners">More than just anemone partners</h2>



Traditionally, scientists believed clownfish <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/clownfish-count-stripes-on-other-fish-to-defend-their-territory/">diversity</a> came from their relationships with specific sea anemones. These partnerships protect clownfish from predators using the anemones’ stinging tentacles.



Study lead author Manon Mercader is a postdoctoral marine conservation ecologist at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (<a href="https://www.oist.jp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OIST</a>, Japan).



"Until now, it was thought that the adaptive radiation (or ecological diversification) of these fish was mainly dictated by the fact that they live in association with certain species of anemones," explained Mercader. "But the study we conducted shows that the reality is more nuanced."



Mercader and her team studied 14 clownfish species. They discovered eco-morphotypes: distinct profiles combining body form and behavior. These morphotypes did not always match the fish’s choice of anemone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clownfish-evolution-shows-habit-changes">Clownfish evolution shows habit changes</h2>



Larger clownfish with stronger muscles swam efficiently and often ventured far from their anemones. Smaller fish with leaner builds and higher energy needs stayed close to their host. This behavior suggests more than just dependence on anemones.



"This result overturns the classic model that contrasts 'specialists,' clownfish that live in only one or two anemones, with 'generalists,' those that can associate with up to ten anemones," noted Bruno Frédérich, co-author of the study and researcher at the <a href="https://www.uliege.be/cms/c_8750816/en/uliege" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Liège</a>.



"Our analyses show that swimming ability and exploratory behavior are not related to the number of anemones a species can occupy. Diversification has also occurred along another axis: dependence on the microhabitat, i.e. on the anemone itself."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muscle-motion-and-evolution">Muscle, motion, and evolution</h2>



The team used a range of tools to gather their data. These included wild behavior observations, swimming tests, oxygen consumption measurements, and 3D muscle scans.



"Thanks to this integrative approach, two main morphotypes can be distinguished: the 'adventurous,' which are good swimmers capable of covering long distances at low energy cost; and the 'sedentary,' which need more energy to swim and stay confined to the anemone," explained Mercader.



"A third intermediate type, represented in particular by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/clownfish-use-a-trick-to-live-safely-among-stinging-anemones/">species</a> Amphiprion frenatus, may also exist."



By building an evolutionary tree, the team found these traits evolved multiple times. This independent evolution is called convergence. Similar traits appeared in unrelated lineages, shaped by similar environmental pressures.



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



Clownfish now join Darwin’s finches and African cichlids as models for adaptive radiation. They show how different ecological strategies can emerge without changing habitats or partners.



"This discovery also has ecological implications," said Frédérich. "The ability or inability to move away from the anemone could influence diet, social dynamics or interactions with the host." 



"It could also play a role in cohabitation between species, a common phenomenon among clownfish."



These findings matter for ecology and conservation. They also deepen our understanding of how species adapt in complex environments.



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



The study highlights how body shape, movement, and behavior influence evolution. It shows that clownfish adapted not just by choosing different hosts, but by living different lifestyles.



In 2018, the same research group explored clownfish color pattern evolution. Now, with this new study, Amphiprion clownfish gain importance as research models linking form, function, and environment. 



Their story reminds us that nature rarely works in simple categories. Instead, it moves in fascinating, dynamic patterns shaped by time, behavior, and ecological pressure.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(25)00801-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Clownfish evolution mystery solved by surprising swimming behavior

Clownfish, with their vivid stripes and playful movements, have captured...

Have you ever cracked open a bright-red lobster tail and paused to wonder what the animal felt in its final moments? Most diners never think about it, yet a new wave of research is forcing that question onto the table. 



Fresh findings hint that crabs, lobsters, and other crustaceans experience pain and discomfort in ways we hadn't fully understood before.



Seafood lovers now face a crossroads. Enjoying crab cakes or lobster rolls may no longer feel quite so carefree once you learn these animals are suffering greatly during common cooking methods.



Dr. Lynne Sneddon, a zoophysiologist at the <a href="https://www.gu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Gothenburg</a>, believes it's time we reconsider how we treat these animals. 



"We need to find less painful ways to kill shellfish if we are to continue eating them. Because now we have scientific evidence that they both experience and react to pain," she says.



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



Crustaceans have been <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bright-coloration-in-crayfish-does-not-serve-an-evolutionary-purpose/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">roaming the Earth</a> for over 500 million years. They first appeared during the "<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grand-canyon-fossils-reveal-secrets-of-the-cambrian-explosion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cambrian Explosion</a>" when many major animal groups emerged.



Early crustaceans already showcased the key features we recognize today, such as their hard <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shellfish-consumed-by-humans-are-ironically-more-resistant-to-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exoskeletons</a>, segmented bodies, and jointed limbs. 



This long evolutionary history has allowed them to diversify into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meet-melita-panda-the-black-and-white-crustacean-shrimp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thousands of species</a>, adapting to a wide range of environments. These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-deep-sea-crustacean-species-discovered-in-the-bahamas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adaptable animals</a> can be found almost everywhere: from the deepest ocean trenches to freshwater rivers and even damp terrestrial spots.



Crustaceans, such as crabs and lobsters, are more than just seafood delicacies. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/do-crabs-and-lobsters-have-emotions-and-feelings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">These fascinating creatures</a> boast a hard exoskeleton made of chitin, providing them with protection and support. 



With ten legs - often featuring claws or pincers - they navigate their environments with ease. Their bodies are segmented into the head, thorax, and abdomen, and they have specialized appendages for swimming, walking, or digging.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crabs-pain-and-perception">Crabs, pain, and perception</h2>



Until now, the idea that crustaceans feel pain was mostly based on observational studies. 



Researchers noticed that when crabs and lobsters were exposed to potentially harmful stimuli -- like electric shocks or acids -- they would touch the affected area or try to avoid the danger in subsequent encounters.



Only recently have scientists mustered the tools to test whether a crab’s quick retreat from a hot surface is mere reflex or true pain and discomfort. 



The team at the University of Gothenburg took it a step further. PhD student Eleftherios Kasiouras led a study where they measured the activity in a shore crab's brain using EEG-style recordings.



The results showed the scientists that they are experiencing pain.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/crabs_feel-pain_electrodes_shore-crab_Eleftherios-Kasiouras_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/crabs_feel-pain_electrodes_shore-crab_Eleftherios-Kasiouras_1s.webp" alt="Electrodes measuring brain activity were attached to a shore crab, which was then subjected to mechanical and chemical stimuli. Credit: Eleftherios Kasiouras" class="wp-image-1951623"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Electrodes measuring brain activity were attached to a shore crab, which was then subjected to mechanical and chemical stimuli. Credit: Eleftherios Kasiouras</figcaption></figure>



"We could see that the crab has some kind of pain receptors in its soft tissues, because we recorded an increase in brain activity when we applied a potentially painful chemical, a form of vinegar, to the crab's soft tissues," Kasiouras explained. 



"The same happened when we applied external pressure to several of the crab's body parts," he explains.



Those signals did more than flicker. The team noticed brief, intense bursts when the crustaceans felt a squeeze, contrasted with a slower, lingering rise after chemical irritation - two distinct footprints of a system built to detect harm and prompt escape.



These findings suggest that shore crabs have a pain signaling system that sends messages to their brains when they experience harmful stimuli. 



Interestingly, the pain response was shorter and more intense with physical stress, while chemical stress produced a longer-lasting effect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-if-crabs-feel-pain-what-about-lobsters">If crabs feel pain, what about lobsters?</h2>



Given that many crustaceans share similar structures and nervous systems, these results could extend beyond shore crabs.



"It is a given that all animals need some kind of pain system to cope by avoiding danger. I don't think we need to test all species of crustaceans, as they have a similar structure and therefore similar nervous systems," Kasiouras explains.



"We can assume that shrimps, crayfish, and lobsters can also send external signals about painful stimuli to their brain which will process this information."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reconsidering-how-we-handle-seafood">Reconsidering how we handle seafood</h2>



Unlike cattle or poultry, shellfish such as prawns, lobsters, crabs, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-crayfish-atlas-offers-new-tools-for-conservation/">crayfish</a> sit outside European Union animal-welfare laws. That omission means practices like boiling live lobsters remain legal even if the animals suffer. 



This means practices that might cause them pain are still legally acceptable. But with new evidence pointing to their ability to feel pain, there's a growing call to change how we treat these animals.



“We need more research to find less painful ways to kill shellfish,” Dr. Sneddon urges.



Some countries have already acted. Since 2018, Switzerland has required stunning - either electrical or mechanical - before hot water immersion. 



New Zealand and parts of Australia recommend chilling crustaceans in a salt-ice slurry to numb them ahead of cooking, a step that lowers neural activity within minutes. 



In the United Kingdom, the 2022 <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2022/22" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act</a> recognized lobsters, crabs, and octopuses as sentient, opening the door to stricter standards.



If we continue to consume these creatures, it's crucial to ensure we're not causing unnecessary suffering.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-this-is-awful-but-what-can-we-do">This is awful, but what can we do?</h2>



The first step is acknowledging that these animals might experience pain similarly to how we do. 



With that understanding, industries and regulators can work towards implementing more humane methods of handling and killing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strawberry-claws-the-hermit-crab-that-sings-underwater/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crustaceans</a>. 



Restaurants and home cooks alike can adjust. Rapid chilling at 32 °F for 20 minutes puts many crabs into torpor; specialized devices such as the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CrustaStun" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CrustaStun</a> deliver a quick electrical jolt that ends consciousness in under a second. 



While these methods demand new gear or extra time, they align dinner prep with the growing scientific consensus on crustacean sentience. 



Consumers wield influence too: asking how a lobster was dispatched nudges suppliers toward humane methods, just as cage-free labels reshaped egg aisles.



By supporting businesses that prioritize humane practices and advocating for better regulations, we can encourage a shift towards more ethical treatment of these animals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crabs-pain-and-human-compassion">Crabs, pain, and human compassion</h2>



As we learn more about the creatures we share our planet with, it's essential to adapt our behaviors accordingly. 



Knowing that crabs, lobsters, and other crustaceans can feel pain changes the game on how we should treat them, especially when it comes to cooking and handling. 



It's not just about following laws or guidelines -- it's about being mindful and compassionate in our everyday choices, treating sentient creatures with respect. 



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/13/11/851" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biology</a>.



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Immediate ban on boiling crabs and lobsters called for after disturbing study

Have you ever cracked open a bright-red lobster tail and...

Animal communication has always fascinated scientists. From bird calls to whale songs, acoustic signals help species find mates, warn of danger, and mark territory. 



But while many animals use vocal cords, some rely on completely different mechanics. Crickets, for example, create their characteristic chirps using intricate wing vibrations.



Reconstructing these songs, especially for extinct <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-male-crickets-go-silent-how-females-adapt-and-respond/">species</a>, has long been a challenge. Vocal cords and soft tissues rarely fossilize, and scientists often have to piece together incomplete clues. 



Now, researchers at <a href="https://www.uwo.ca/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Western University</a> have developed a breakthrough method that can accurately recreate cricket songs using preserved specimens and advanced computer models.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-crickets-songs-were-recreated">How crickets’ songs were recreated</h2>



This approach combines detailed measurements of preserved cricket wings with finite element modelling (FEM). It focuses on the physical structure of the wings, predicting their vibration patterns and song frequencies with unprecedented accuracy.



The findings, published in Royal Society Open Science, came from the lab of Natasha Mhatre, a biology professor and Canada Research Chair in invertebrate neurobiology. She and her team aim to better understand insect and spider communication.



The modelling system can even predict the vibration patterns of wings it was not designed for. This leap forward changes how scientists study preserved specimens and opens the possibility of reviving sounds from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insects-are-still-disappearing-and-there-are-hundreds-of-reasons-why/">species</a> long extinct.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-crickets-make-sound">How crickets make sound</h2>



Crickets do not use vocal cords to produce sound. Instead, they create songs through vibrations in their forewings. These wings are tough, leathery structures that protect the cricket’s body and hold the specialized microstructures required for chirping.



The arrangement of veins in the forewings plays a critical role in song frequency.



“Each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-male-crickets-go-silent-how-females-adapt-and-respond/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cricket</a> wing has a pattern of veins running through it, which are structurally critical to making songs,” said Mhatre. 



“Some of these veins are used to generate the forces that make the wing vibrate and make sounds. Others stiffen local areas within the wing and develop the resonant structures that vibrate at specific frequencies.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-model-gives-better-results">New model gives better results</h2>



For years, scientists used FEM and measurements from preserved specimens to study cricket calls. 



However, both approaches relied on simplifying assumptions. Previous FEM models treated dense vein regions as fixed, which did not reflect reality.



The new study improved accuracy by clamping wings only at the base, as they naturally hinge. 



The researchers also modeled the stiffening effects of veins directly. This approach worked even for wing variations across cricket species and improved predictions about vibration patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-preserved-specimens">Using preserved specimens</h2>



The team also tested preserved cricket wings. Desiccated specimens vibrated similarly to live ones but at higher frequencies due to stiffened cuticles. 



Rehydrating the wings restored their resonance frequencies, making them more comparable to live crickets.



This discovery means preserved specimens can help predict the songs of extinct or rare <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parasitic-crickets-hide-in-ant-colonies-without-being-caught/">species</a>. 



Adjusting for stiffness, either physically through rehydration or computationally, makes these specimens a powerful tool for studying acoustic evolution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wing-veins-change-cricket-songs">Wing veins change cricket songs</h2>



Venation patterns in cricket wings are genetically driven and influence song frequency. Changes in these patterns can drive evolutionary shifts in communication signals.



By modelling venation and resonances without assumptions about immobile areas, scientists can trace how wing structures shaped cricket song evolution. 



This method can also analyze fossil specimens, even when only two-dimensional impressions are available.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bringing-back-lost-cricket-songs">Bringing back lost cricket songs</h2>



The refined methodology opens the possibility of reconstructing the songs of species that vanished long ago. Museum specimens and fossils can now be analyzed for their acoustic traits, offering a new window into insect communication through time.



“We’ve developed a more reliable way of dealing with reconstructing cricket acoustic function from morphology, using computational modelling and preserved specimens,” said Mhatre.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaboration-and-future-directions">Collaboration and future directions</h2>



The study began during the COVID-19 pandemic and included Nathan Bailey from the <a href="https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of St. Andrews</a>. 



Three of Mhatre’s former undergraduate students, Sarah Duke, Ryan Weiner, and Gabriella Simonelli, also contributed as co-authors.



This breakthrough could inspire large-scale studies on cricket song diversity. Comparing wing mechanics across species may reveal how morphology drives communication and speciation in the insect world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.251005" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Society Open Science</a>.



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Scientists finally learn how crickets sing and chirp

Animal communication has always fascinated scientists. From bird calls to...

Every year, thousands of tourists head to Africa in search of wildlife encounters. For many, the chance to see lions and hyenas ranks high on their bucket list. 



National parks like Etosha in Namibia offer one of the best opportunities to witness these carnivores in their natural environment. Tourists gather near man-made waterholes and along main roads, hoping for a close look at the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lion-numbers-have-reached-a-critical-low-in-uganda/">animals</a> they’ve only seen in documentaries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-large-predators-and-tourism">Large predators and tourism</h2>



But how do these predators feel about the attention? New research suggests their movements might tell a different story. 



A study led by the <a href="https://www.uga.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Georgia</a> reveals how lions and hyenas adjust their habits in response to tourist activity. It uncovers a complex relationship between predator behavior, water access, road networks, and human presence.



“The message here is not that tourism is bad. These large predators need large areas to roam and access prey, and tourism is a huge driver of many economies,” said Jim Beasley, co-author of the study and a professor in UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environment-shapes-animal-movements">Environment shapes animal movements</h2>



The research team tracked 14 lions and 9 hyenas using GPS collars over eight years. They analyzed movement patterns across seasons and times of day. The findings show that vegetation and water availability influenced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-change-their-daily-schedules-when-tourists-are-watching/">predator</a> behavior more than tourist traffic.



Lions chose areas with less shrubbery and tree cover. Though these cats are ambush predators, dense vegetation may also deter prey. This could force lions to hunt in open landscapes. 



Hyenas, by contrast, gravitated toward grassy and tree-rich zones. This behavior might help them avoid heat and stay hidden.



These habitat choices weren’t random. They reflected a balance between predator needs and landscape features shaped by both nature and tourism infrastructure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-species-evolve-their-own-strategies">Species evolve their own strategies </h2>



Lions showed a consistent preference for waterholes during dry and wet seasons. Their presence near these resources likely serves two purposes - hydration and better chances of encountering prey.



Hyenas showed less interest in water sources. They can survive on water from their prey and seem more flexible in their range. 



The researchers believe hyenas avoid waterholes to reduce competition with lions. This difference in behavior highlights how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-lions-and-farmers-coexist-experts-are-cautiously-optimistic/">species</a> evolve separate strategies in the same landscape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lions-and-hyenas-dodge-tourist-traffic">Lions and hyenas dodge tourist traffic </h2>



The study also examined how animals interact with roads. Both lions and hyenas use roads to move efficiently. But during the dry season - when tourist traffic peaks - they avoid the busiest ones.



Lions tended to stay near secondary roads that have lower traffic but still provide access to waterholes. Hyenas, known for their wariness around humans, also kept away from primary roads in the dry season. 



However, during the wetter months, when tourism drops, they used primary and secondary roads more freely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animals-develop-tolerance-for-tourists">Animals develop tolerance for tourists</h2>



Etosha sees over 200,000 visitors each year. Over time, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-lions-and-farmers-coexist-experts-are-cautiously-optimistic/">animals</a> may become used to vehicles and people. 



Prior studies in the park have shown habituation in impalas, elephants, and even hyenas. Some lions, too, seem unbothered by tourists. But this tolerance may come with risks.



Animals that grow too used to humans may venture closer to park edges, where interactions with people can turn dangerous. Understanding these patterns helps park managers improve road layouts and visitor guidelines to ensure predator safety.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-tourism-and-conservation">Balancing tourism and conservation </h2>



“National parks where these large carnivores occur are really important areas for conservation but also tourism,” Beasley said. “Tourism brings in a huge amount of revenue to a lot of countries, and many people want to go see large carnivores in the wild.”



But while people enjoy watching wildlife, it’s important to consider the hidden effects of these encounters. 



The research shows that animals don’t just wander randomly. Their choices reflect subtle calculations about safety, prey availability, and human disturbance.



"Large carnivores are especially vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures, which are increasing in areas of Sub-Saharan Africa," wrote the researchers.



"As wildlife-based tourism increases human-wildlife interactions, it is crucial to better understand predator habitat selection to inform conservation strategies."



The study, published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989425002823?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Ecology and Conservation</a>, was led by Jessica R. Patterson.



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Lions and hyenas change behavior when tourists are nearby

Every year, thousands of tourists head to Africa in search...

In the natural world, social bonds often determine the success and survival of species. Animals form partnerships, friendships, and alliances that can influence every aspect of their lives, from reproduction to foraging success. 



Among monogamous birds, these social bonds are particularly significant because a single partner is chosen at a time. Selecting and maintaining the right mate can directly affect reproductive outcomes.



A new study by the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a> and <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Leeds</a> has revealed that wild great tits display behavioral signs of "divorce" well before birds breeding season. The research shows that social behaviors during winter can predict whether pairs will remain together or split up in the spring.



Great tits form monogamous bonds, and their choice of partner plays a crucial role in reproductive success. Previous research examined why some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hundreds-of-bird-species-could-vanish-in-the-next-century/">pairs</a> remain together while others separate, but it was unclear whether winter social behavior could predict future splits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-study-was-done">How the study was done</h2>



The team analyzed data from the Wytham Woods great tit project, one of the longest-running wild bird studies. 



The researchers monitored breeding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-may-be-using-quantum-physics-for-migration/">pairs</a> and used advanced radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology at feeding stations during the winter months. This allowed them to gather detailed data on social associations between individuals.



Out of 1,169 breeding pairs observed over three years, 287 met the criteria for analysis. This smaller number was expected due to natural mortality and the possibility of immigration in the wild population.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-which-bird-pairs-divorced">Which bird pairs divorced</h2>



Pairs were classified as faithful, divorcing, new, or juvenile based on their breeding history. The data revealed that divorcing pairs spent much less time together in winter than faithful pairs. 



Faithful pairs increasingly associated with each other as the season progressed, while divorcing pairs grew more distant.



“Our results show that bird relationships are far from static. We found a clear behavioral signature in the winter months that can forecast a pair’s likelihood of divorcing by spring. Divorce appears to be a socially driven process, unfolding over time,” noted lead researcher Adelaide Daisy Abraham.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-winter-signs-of-future-bird-divorces">Winter signs of future bird divorces</h2>



Faithful pairs consistently had the highest winter association scores, while divorcing pairs had the lowest. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/all-birds-one-tree-complete-evolutionary-map-reveals-hidden-links/">Birds</a> in new or juvenile pairs showed patterns that shifted over time. 



New pairs started with low association scores but became more similar to faithful pairs as the season continued. Juvenile pairs, meanwhile, increased their association scores but followed different patterns, reflecting their inexperience.



Preferred partner analysis highlighted another divide: divorcing birds almost never considered their breeding partner as their closest social associate during winter. 



Faithful birds, by contrast, strengthened bonds with their partner, often making them their preferred social companion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feeder-visits-showed-bond-strength">Feeder visits showed bond strength</h2>



The study also examined how closely birds followed each other to feeders. Faithful, new, and juvenile pairs frequently visited feeders immediately after their partner, suggesting closer bonds. 



Divorcing bird pairs displayed far less of this behavior, with their visit adjacency declining as winter progressed.



“This work is an important step towards uncovering the social mechanics behind pair bonding and fidelity in the wild. Our study has revealed that it is possible to use behavioral dynamics in wild animal pairs to predict future social states, such as divorce,” noted Professor Ben Sheldon.



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



The findings suggest that information gained during the breeding season influences winter social associations almost immediately. This continuity across seasons could help explain how social decisions and reproductive success are linked.



“Following these individual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-birds-migrate-without-riding-the-wind/">birds</a> across seasons and over many years allows us to see how relationships form and break down in nature in a way that short-term studies wouldn't," said study senior author Dr Josh Firth.



"Going forward, carrying out new experiments in the wild will provide even more opportunities to really understand the fine-scale dynamics of bonding and separation in natural settings."



The analysis not only clarifies the dynamics of birds divorce but also opens doors for research into how social networks and relationship choices affect survival and reproduction across animal species.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.12.13.628365v2.full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences</a>.



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Birds show signs of divorce before the breeding season

In the natural world, social bonds often determine the success...

Climate change is rapidly joining overexploitation and habitat destruction as a third major driver of global biodiversity loss, forcing thousands of animals onto the endangered species list.



A sweeping analysis recently identified at least 3,500 animal species already deemed directly threatened by rising temperatures, intensifying storms, droughts, and other climate-related stresses.



The research, led by <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a> ecologist William Ripple, draws on international databases to show that risk is especially acute for invertebrates. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alarming-climate-impacts-threaten-key-marine-species/">Marine species,</a> in particular, face heightened danger because they cannot easily move away from warmer waters.



The study also warns that true vulnerability is likely far greater because scientists have not formally assessed most animal groups for climate danger.



“We’re at the start of an existential crisis for the Earth’s wild animals,” Ripple said. “Up till now, the primary cause of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-action-and-biodiversity-striking-the-right-balance/">biodiversity</a> loss has been overexploitation and habitat alteration. As climate change intensifies, we expect it to become a third major threat to the Earth’s animals.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-threats-to-animal-species">Climate threats to animal species</h2>



Ripple and colleagues analyzed records for 70,814 species across 35 taxonomic classes, relying on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (<a href="https://iucn.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN</a>) threat categories.



The team discovered that in six whole classes - arachnids, centipedes, anthozoans, hydrozoans, and two other invertebrate groups - climate change threatens at least one-quarter of species.



Other classes, including mammals, birds, and reptiles, contain smaller but still significant proportions of climate-imperiled members. 



The oceans stand out as a danger zone because seawater absorbs most excess heat from greenhouse forcing.



“We are particularly concerned about invertebrate animals in the ocean,” Ripple said. “Those animals are increasingly vulnerable because of their limited ability to move and promptly evade adverse conditions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-iucn-red-list">Understanding the IUCN Red List</h2>



The IUCN <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Red List of Threatened Species</a> is like the world’s pulse check for wildlife. It tracks the health of thousands of species - plants, animals, fungi - and tells us who’s thriving, who’s struggling, and who’s on the brink of extinction. 



Scientists use a detailed set of criteria to evaluate risk, ranging from population trends and habitat range to actual threats like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dehorning-rhinos-significantly-cuts-down-on-poaching/">poaching</a> or climate change. 



When a species lands in categories like “Endangered” or “Critically Endangered,” it’s not just a label - it’s a cry for help backed by data.



Governments, conservationists, and communities use the Red List to make decisions about land use, funding, and protection strategies. It influences environmental policies and helps prioritize where to focus resources. 



When we protect what’s on that list, we’re safeguarding ecosystems, cultures, and future generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-disasters-kill-millions-of-animals">Climate disasters kill millions of animals</h2>



In recent years extreme climate events have delivered dramatic proof of these vulnerabilities. Off Israel’s coast, a 90 percent crash in mollusk abundance followed a jump in sea-surface temperature.



During the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat dome, billions of intertidal mussels, clams, and snails died in a matter of days. A severe marine heatwave in 2016 bleached nearly 30 percent of Australia’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-barrier-reef-is-on-the-brink-of-extinction/">Great Barrier Reef</a>.



Terrestrial and pelagic vertebrates have suffered too. An extreme warm spell in 2015-2016 altered the marine food web in the North Pacific, starving four million common murres, slashing Pacific cod numbers by 71 percent, and contributing to the loss of roughly 7,000 humpback whales.



Ripple noted that such <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-was-the-cause-of-earths-largest-mass-extinction/">mass mortality</a> events reverberate through ecosystems. “The cascading effects of more and more mass mortality events will likely affect carbon-cycle feedbacks and nutrient cycling.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-missing-data-on-a-massive-scale"><a></a>Missing data on a massive scale</h2>



Although the headline figures are sobering, the authors emphasize that they represent only a fraction of the problem. 



Sixty-six of the planet’s 101 recognized animal classes have not had any species evaluated for climate risk by the IUCN. The 70,814 species examined in the study account for just 5.5 percent of all described animals.



“Our analysis is meant to be a preliminary effort toward assessing climate risk to wildlife species,” Ripple said. “Understanding the risk is crucial for making informed policy decisions."



"We need a global database on mass mortality events due to climate change for animal species in all ecosystems, and an acceleration in assessing currently ignored species.”



The <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/">Red List</a> itself is heavily skewed toward vertebrates, which make up fewer than six percent of named animal species, leaving the vast majority of invertebrates - essential to pollination, soil health, and marine food webs - largely unexamined.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-merging-climate-and-conservation">Merging climate and conservation</h2>



Ripple argued that policymakers must couple improved risk assessments with policies that synchronize biodiversity conservation and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-mitigation-strategies-may-be-endangering-biodiversity/">climate mitigation</a>.



“There is also a need for more frequent climate risk assessments of all species and better consideration of adaptive capacity,” he added. “We need the integration of biodiversity and climate change policy planning on a global scale.”



Ripple and his co-authors call for real-time monitoring of die-off events and expansion of citizen science initiatives to cover overlooked taxa. 



They also advocate incorporating species’ dispersal abilities and genetic diversity into risk models.



Only with such knowledge can policymakers design interventions that help vulnerable species stand a fighting chance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-animals-with-climate-action">Saving animals with climate action</h2>



With global temperatures already flirting with the 1.5°C threshold that scientists warn will unleash accelerating hazards, the time for closing data gaps is rapidly shrinking.



The new study shows that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-the-largest-threat-to-u-s-endangered-species/">climate change</a> is no longer a distant or incremental danger for wildlife; it is a present crisis that compounds longstanding threats.



Whether governments heed the warning will decide how many species remain confined to the 3,500-strong endangered column - and how many more quietly slide into it as the planet continues to warm.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/advance-article/doi/10.1093/biosci/biaf059/8127685?login=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BioScience</a>.



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Thousands of animal species face an imminent threat of extinction from climate change

Climate change is rapidly joining overexploitation and habitat destruction as...

Aging is usually viewed as an inexorable march forward - each day etched onto our DNA in the form of subtle chemical marks. Yet new research from the University of Leicester reports that one glittering insect can press “pause” on that process early in life and enjoy a slower biological clock thereafter.



Jewel <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parasitic-wasp-had-a-flytrap-for-snatching-its-victims/">wasps</a> (Nasonia vitripennis), famed for their metallic sheen, enter a hibernation‑like state as larvae when their mothers experience cold and darkness. 



That developmental pause, called <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-development-has-a-pause-button/">diapause</a>, not only extends the adult insects’ lifespan by roughly one‑third; it also slows molecular aging by almost 30 percent.



“It’s like the wasps who took a break early in life came back with extra time in the bank,” said senior author Eamonn Mallon of Leicester’s <a href="https://le.ac.uk/ggb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department of Genetics, Genomics and Cancer Sciences</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-tiny-model-for-aging">A tiny model for aging</h2>



Most renowned invertebrate models - think <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fruit-flies-on-treadmills-video-shows-how-insects-walk-and-balance/">fruit flies</a> or nematode worms - lack a DNA methylation system comparable to humans. 



Jewel wasps do possess such a system, making them rare among insects and highly valuable to aging researchers. 



They also live only a few weeks as adults, allowing scientists to track entire lifespans quickly.



“Understanding how and why aging happens is a major scientific challenge,” Mallon said. “With its genetic tools, measurable aging markers, and clear link between development and lifespan, Nasonia vitripennis is now a rising star in aging research.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unlocking-the-aging-clock">Unlocking the aging clock</h2>



Aging leaves molecular fingerprints known as methyl groups on DNA, and the accumulation of those marks forms an “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/epigenetic-dna-clocks-predict-biological-age-more-accurately/">epigenetic clock</a>” that is among the most accurate indicators of biological age.



Doctoral student Erin Foley and colleagues wondered: if you slow development itself, does the clock slow, too? To test the idea, the team exposed adult female wasps to low temperature and darkness before egg‑laying. 



Those conditions reliably induce diapause in offspring, halting larval growth for several weeks.



When the chilled larvae resumed development and emerged as adults, the scientists measured their chronological life expectancy. The team also used sophisticated methylation profiling to gauge biological age.



The diapause group lived more than 33 percent longer than control wasps raised under standard conditions. More strikingly, their epigenetic clocks “ticked” 29 percent more slowly, indicating genuine deceleration of intrinsic aging processes rather than a mere delay in development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-wasps-to-humans">From wasps to humans</h2>



The team’s molecular deep dive uncovered changes in gene networks tied to insulin signaling and nutrient sensing. 



These are hallmark pathways implicated in human aging and targeted by candidate anti-aging drugs such as metformin and rapamycin.



What sets this study apart is its demonstration that a long-lasting slowdown of aging can be triggered by environmental factors in a model that is both straightforward and highly applicable to human biology. 



In other words, the jewel wasp’s larval pause does not merely stretch youthful vigor; it tweaks biochemical circuits that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protein-changes-discovered-protect-humans-mammals-from-aging/">mammals</a> share.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-slowing-time-not-stopping">Slowing time, not stopping</h2>



Many animals - from nematodes to bears - can enter dormant states that stall metabolism. But evidence that benefits persist after normal life resumes has been scarce. 



The new findings fill that gap, showing that early‑life environmental cues can confer durable protection against the ravages of time.



That discovery dovetails with human epidemiological data suggesting prenatal nutrition or childhood stress can influence disease risk decades later. 



Jewel wasps now offer a manipulable platform to dissect those cause‑and‑effect chains at molecular resolution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-slowing-aging-in-ourselves">Slowing aging in ourselves</h2>



The work does not imply that humans will one day diapause their way to 150. It does, however, spotlight developmental windows when environmental interventions might produce lifelong benefits.



Because the wasps’ slowed clocks involve insulin and nutrient pathways, the study strengthens efforts to modulate those same pathways pharmacologically or through diet. 



Moreover, the precise methylation changes identified could guide biomarker discovery in mammals.



Mallon envisions future projects that compare diapause‑induced methylation patterns with those produced by calorie restriction or drug treatments in mice. If common signatures emerge, they could signal a universal lever for aging control.



“This study opens up new avenues for research into the broader question of whether we might one day design interventions to slow aging at its molecular roots,” said Mallon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-aging-in-wasps">Testing aging in wasps</h2>



The research team reared parent wasps under either normal light and temperature or a cold‑dark regime. Offspring from the latter entered diapause for four to six weeks.



Scientists tracked adult survival and used DNA sequencing over time to map methylation changes after the animals emerged. Statistical models then compared epigenetic age trajectories between groups.



Future experiments will probe whether diapause must occur at a specific larval stage to confer aging benefits or whether adult diapause (possible in some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insects-are-uniquely-adapted-to-withstand-harsh-winter-climates/">insects</a>) offers similar protection.



Another avenue is gene editing. Researchers knock out or overexpress key insulin-pathway genes to see if molecular clocks speed or slow independent of diapause.



Such tests will clarify whether the pause itself or downstream metabolism drives the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-transfer-longevity-gene-hoping-to-extend-human-lifespan/">longevity</a> dividend.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wasp-study-changes-thinking">Wasp study changes thinking</h2>



From a practical standpoint, the jewel wasp teaches that aging is plastic - modifiable by early environments and perhaps by later interventions that mimic those conditions. 



Slowing an epigenetic clock shows that environmental factors can delay aging in a simple animal relevant to human biology. 



In short, pausing development today could mean a longer tomorrow - not just for jewel wasps, but for the future of aging science.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2513020122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Wasps might hold the secret to slow human aging

Aging is usually viewed as an inexorable march forward -...

Dogs are hardly passive couch potatoes, yet many will pause mid play to glance at a flickering screen. A new survey now puts a number on that gaze, showing the average household dog spends about 14 minutes and 8 seconds each day actually watching television.



The work was led by animal behavior researcher Lane Montgomery of Auburn University, who, with colleagues, asked more than 650 owners to log every tail twitch, bark, or stare during TV time. 



Their final sample of 453 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-puppy-day-2025-where-happiness-meets-responsibility/">dogs</a> formed the backbone of the “Dog Television Viewing Scale” that underpins the study’s findings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-dogs-watch-on-television">What dogs watch on television</h2>



Excitable dogs tracked fast moving objects across the screen with surprising intensity, almost as if the ball or squirrel were zipping across the living room wall. 



Fearful or anxious <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/do-dogs-actually-judge-people-its-not-as-simple-as-we-thought/">dogs</a>, by contrast, reacted more to non animal cues such as car horns or a recorded doorbell, hinting at a sensitivity to sudden, potentially alarming sounds.



Owners rated each pet’s temperament using standard Positive and Negative Activation Scale (<a href="https://ogg.osu.edu/media/documents/MB%20Stream/PANAS.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PNAS</a>) questions, and high excitement scores neatly aligned with more “follow” behaviors, while high negative activation lined up with responses to inanimate or human noises. 



These links suggest that personality, not breed, age, or sex, best predicts which scenes will grip a given dog.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-dogs-see-television-images">How dogs see television images </h2>



The dog brain can treat a moving two dimensional image as if it were a real object, a skill first demonstrated when pets obeyed commands delivered via video as readily as those given by a live trainer. 



That early <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.0179-1613.2003.00923.x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> set the stage for later work showing dogs anticipate where an on screen ball will re-appear after it rolls behind a barrier, a behavior called “anticipatory looking.”



Those cognitive feats depend on visual hardware that processes images at a higher flicker fusion rate than the human eye, meaning modern high refresh rate TVs finally look smooth to dogs rather than like a strobe. 



Such technical <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376635716303400?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">details</a> help explain why today’s flat panels engage pets more effectively than the cathode ray tubes of the past, which often appeared flickery to canine viewers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anxious-dogs-and-television-sounds">Anxious dogs and television sounds</h2>



Noise matters at least as much as motion. In a recent survey, only 15 percent of noise sensitive dogs reacted to visuals, but many startled at bangs or whistles piped through the speakers.



Montgomery’s team found a similar pattern: nervous dogs turned their heads when a TV car horn blared, while confident, playful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/are-dogs-replacing-children-how-modern-society-is-changing/">dogs</a> mostly ignored it. 



The result aligns with clinical observations that sudden, sharp noises are a common trigger for canine anxiety, whether the source is fireworks outside or surround sound inside.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-television-can-calm-shelter-dogs">Television can calm shelter dogs</h2>



Shelters have experimented with television as enrichment, yet results have been mixed because not every dog engages. 



Knowing that high excitement dogs track moving figures could help staff pick programs featuring slow pans for timid residents and gentle motion for energetic ones, maximizing benefit while avoiding overstimulation.



Research on visual enrichment devices shows cortisol levels drop only when the content matches the animal’s interest, so a one size fits all playlist rarely works. 



Tailoring videos to personality profiles derived from the new scale could turn idle screen time into an inexpensive welfare boost for thousands of kenneled dogs each year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tv-made-for-dogs-works-better">TV made for dogs works better</h2>



“DOGTV does that because of the way in which it enriches the space the dogs spend their time,” explained veterinarian David Haworth, a board member for the channel. Specialized networks such as DOGTV already tune colors, frame rates, and sound frequencies to canine preferences.&nbsp;



The new study offers hard data these producers can use, confirming that scenes rich in conspecific calls and clear animal silhouettes elicit the strongest reactions from typical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-may-respond-to-each-other-through-blinking/">pets</a>. 



Conversely, clips heavy on traffic sounds may suit anxious dogs only if the goal is desensitization rather than relaxation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tv-can-help-train-dogs">TV can help train dogs</h2>



Owners trying to curb barking at the screen should first note which stimuli set their dog off, then mute or pause similar cues to prevent rehearsal of the unwanted behavior. 



For excitable dogs that lunge at animated squirrels, distance from the set and cue controlled exposure can teach calm viewing without removing the enrichment entirely.



Trainers also leverage the screen as a controlled setting for practicing impulse control: a paused video of a cat can become the “sit and stay” homework before the action resumes as a reward. 



Because the average daily viewing span is short, two or three focused sessions are usually enough to work on problem responses without overloading the dog.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tv-habits-show-how-dogs-think">TV habits show how dogs think</h2>



Montgomery’s findings may even aid neuroscientists, who rely on video clips in fMRI scanners to probe how dogs perceive faces, objects, and motion. 



Knowing which personalities will stay still for a projected movie could streamline subject selection and improve data quality.



The study also touches on the broader question of picture object recognition, a hot topic in comparative psychology. 



If dogs categorize on screen animals separately from cars, yet still anticipate motion, they might maintain flexible mental models that shift between two and three dimensional contexts with ease.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-06580-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Most dogs will binge-watch TV all day, if given the opportunity

Dogs are hardly passive couch potatoes, yet many will pause...

Sea urchins don’t understand predators the way we do. They have no brains, no hearts - just raw instinct. When a sunflower sea star approaches, they don’t need complex reasoning to sense danger - they simply steer clear.



This is the conclusion of a new study that examined how sunflower sea stars affect sea urchin behavior. The research was conducted by ecologists and undergraduates at the <a href="https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/">University of California</a>, Santa Cruz.



The team set out to understand whether these massive, many-armed sea stars could help protect kelp forests by simply being present.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sea-stars-create-a-landscape-of-fear">Sea stars create a landscape of fear</h2>



The team from UC Santa Cruz conducted the experiment off the coast of Sitka, Alaska, where local sea urchins have wiped out once-thriving kelp forests, turning them into underwater deserts.



The students, trained in scientific diving through the university’s BIOE 159 Marine Ecology Field Quarter, placed cages on the ocean floor. Some held <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunflower-sea-stars-are-nearly-extinct-but-scientists-are-growing-them/">sunflower sea stars</a> (Pycnopodia helianthoides). Others were left empty. 



Kelp blades were tied near each cage to act as bait. The question was simple: Would sea urchins avoid the kelp if a sunflower sea star was nearby?



After just 24 hours, the answer was clear. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-red-sea-urchins-will-tolerate-climate-change-better-than-others/">Red sea urchins</a> kept their distance - about six feet, on average - from cages containing the sea stars. In contrast, green sea urchins, also present in the area, showed no hesitation and munched through the kelp.



“We show that the sea stars create a ‘landscape of fear’ among red sea urchins in degraded urchin barrens that reduces grazing on kelp,” said Kristy Kroeker, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz. 



“These are very hungry urchins that are dissuaded enough by the scent of a sea star to deter grazing on kelp forests, which is promising for thinking about their role in kelp-forest recovery.”



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



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kelp-forests-in-crisis-how-toxic-turf-algae-are-taking-over/">Kelp forests</a> aren’t just scenery. They provide critical shelter and breeding grounds for thousands of marine species, including commercially valuable ones like abalone and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pacific-rockfish-give-clues-about-the-genetic-basis-of-longevity/">rockfish</a>. 



They’re also a financial powerhouse, contributing an estimated $500 billion each year to the global economy. Kelp is used in everything from pharmaceuticals and cosmetics to food products like salad dressings and toothpaste.



But around 2013, something changed. A wasting disease swept through populations of sunflower sea stars, pushing them to local extinction along much of the west coast. 



At the same time, huge sections of kelp forest disappeared, especially in California and Oregon. Since then, neither the sea stars nor the kelp have made a full comeback.



That’s raised big questions. Are sea stars a key part of keeping urchin populations in check? Could bringing them back help kelp forests recover?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-students-led-the-research">Students led the research </h2>



This study didn’t come from a high-budget lab. It came from a hands-on field course that takes students into real-world research environments. 



In past years, the course has brought students to the Gulf of California in Mexico and to Moorea in French Polynesia. This time, they ended up in the chilly waters of Alaska.



“I feel very grateful to have had the privilege of working on this study alongside my peers,” said Rae Mancuso, the study’s lead author. 



“Participating in the entire process, from diving to scientific writing, was exciting and impactful as an undergraduate student. I hope the findings from this field experiment contribute in some way to the restoration of our all-important kelp forests.”



The students worked with faculty to design the experiment and set it up across three locations in urchin-dominated zones. They built pairs of cages, spaced about 60 to 100 feet apart, and monitored the urchin activity closely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sea-stars-scaring-off-sea-urchins">Sea stars scaring off sea urchins </h2>



Although the sea stars only deterred red sea urchins - not the green ones - researchers say it’s a promising lead. Simply putting sea stars in the area (rather than trying to remove urchins by hand) could help restore balance to the ecosystem.



Even better, this strategy might be less labor-intensive than current methods, which often require divers to manually cull urchin populations.



The researchers are also curious whether sunflower sea stars might scare off <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gray-whales-struggle-as-purple-sea-urchins-destroy-kelp-forests/">purple sea urchins</a>, the worst kelp destroyers in California. That part is still unclear.



“My educated guess is that they will deter purple urchin grazing as well, but it’s a question of how much and for how long,” Kroeker said. 



“There are many unknowns that need to be addressed and many steps that need to be taken between our results and the reintroduction of Pycnopodia for kelp-forest recovery.”



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2025.0949">Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences</a>.



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'Terrifying' sea stars could be key to kelp forest recovery

Sea urchins don’t understand predators the way we do. They...

In the dense forests of Central and South America, a strange thing happens. Hundreds of butterfly species - most of them nearly identical in appearance - flutter through the trees, each warning predators that they’re toxic through shared colors and patterns. 



But if the butterflies all look the same, how do they find the right partner to mate with? New research reveals that these butterflies can smell each other. 



Even among species that look nearly identical, each one produces a unique scent. This tiny chemical difference is how they tell each other apart.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetics-of-glasswing-butterflies">Genetics of glasswing butterflies</h2>



The research was conducted by an international team of scientists led by the <a href="https://www.sanger.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wellcome Sanger Institute</a>. 



The team sequenced the genomes of dozens of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-glasswing-butterfly-has-a-unique-type-of-transparency/">glasswing butterfly</a> species - specifically focusing on two groups known for rapidly forming new species.



Glasswing butterflies are not rare. There are more than 400 species across Central and South America, and many live in the same areas. 



These butterflies are often used in conservation as "indicator species" because their presence reflects the health of the broader <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insects-play-important-roles-in-ecosystems/">insect ecosystem</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lookalike-butterflies-have-a-strategy">Lookalike butterflies have a strategy</h2>



What makes things tricky is that all glasswing butterflies look strikingly alike - and this similarity is no accident. It’s a defense strategy that warns predators they’re poisonous. 



But while this mimicry helps protect them, it poses a serious challenge for scientists trying to identify or monitor them in the wild.



To solve this, the research team mapped the genetics of the butterflies. In doing so, they discovered six subspecies were actually distinct enough to count as separate species. 



The experts also produced ten high-quality reference genomes now freely available to the research community.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scent-matters-for-glasswing-butterflies">Scent matters for glasswing butterflies </h2>



One major discovery: even butterflies that look the same can still recognize their own species through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/false-widow-spiders-use-pheromones-to-manipulate-mates/">pheromones</a> - chemicals they release to communicate through smell.



This matters a lot for mating. Because many of these butterflies have gone through a process called rapid radiation - where lots of new species evolve in a short period - they’re often closely related. 



Visually, the butterflies are often indistinguishable. But smelling different? That’s a game-changer.



“Having the reference genomes for the two groups of glasswing butterflies, Mechanitis and Melinaea, allowed us to take a closer look at how they have adapted to life in such close proximity to their relatives,” said study senior author Dr. Caroline Bacquet.



“These butterflies share the responsibility of warding off predators by displaying similar color patterns, and by producing different pheromones they can successfully find mates and reproduce."



"Now that we have clarity on glasswing butterfly species, we can look for specific markings or differences between them, giving new ways to track them during fieldwork.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-butterflies-that-evolve-quickly">Butterflies that evolve quickly </h2>



The team also uncovered something surprising in the butterflies’ DNA. Most butterflies have 31 chromosomes, but in glasswing species, that number varied from 13 to 28. 



The genes were mostly the same, but they were rearranged in different ways - a phenomenon called chromosomal rearrangement. These rearrangements aren’t just quirky genetic facts. They affect reproduction.



When butterflies with mismatched chromosome arrangements try to reproduce, their offspring are sterile. That means mating with the wrong species is a dead end. So, the butterflies have evolved to rely on pheromones as a way to ensure they choose the right partner.



Scientists think this high level of chromosomal rearrangement might be a key reason why these butterflies evolve into new species so quickly. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-lookalike-butterflies">Protecting lookalike butterflies </h2>



Once a population’s chromosome count shifts, it effectively becomes its own species, better able to adapt to local environments or food sources.



“Glasswing butterflies are an incredibly adaptive group of insects that have been valuable in ecology research for around 150 years,” said Dr. Eva van der Heijden, first author of the study.



“However, until now, there was no genetic resource that allowed us to robustly identify different species, and it is difficult to monitor and track something that you can’t identify easily." 



"With this new genetically informed evolutionary tree, and multiple new reference genomes, we hope that it will be possible to advance biodiversity and conservation research around the world, and help protect the butterflies and other insects that are crucial to many of Earth’s ecosystems.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-how-new-species-evolve">Understanding how new species evolve </h2>



Understanding how these lookalike butterflies evolved - and continue to evolve - could help scientists tackle broader questions. 



Why do some insects branch into many species while others don’t? How do environmental pressures drive rapid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quick-species-adaptability-shapes-long-term-evolution/">adaptation</a>? And can this knowledge help us in agriculture or pest control?



Dr. Joana Meier, senior author at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, warned that we are in the middle of an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-were-likely-the-leading-cause-of-megafauna-extinctions/">extinction</a> crisis and understanding how new species evolve, and evolve quickly in some cases, is important for preserving species. 



"Comparing butterflies that rapidly form new species to others that do not could benchmark how common this is in insects and highlight the factors involved," said Dr. Meier.



"This, in turn, could identify any species that require closer conservation and possibly identify genes that are important in the adaptation process and might have uses in agriculture, medicine, or bioengineering. 



"This research would not have been possible without global collaboration. We have one planet, and we must work together to understand and protect it.”



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2410939122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Lookalike butterflies use hidden cues to identify each other

In the dense forests of Central and South America, a...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-don-t-we-ever-hear-about-acid-rain-anymore-the-environmental-crisis-that-was-solved">Why don't we ever hear about "acid rain" anymore? The environmental crisis that was solved</h2>



Remember the 1980s when acid rain dominated headlines? Dire warnings about rain eating buildings, killing fish, and destroying forests filled every news cycle. Then, almost like magic, acid rain vanished from public discourse. What happened? Did we actually solve one of the late 20th century's most pressing environmental challenges?



The answer might surprise you. Unlike many environmental issues that drag on indefinitely, acid rain represents one of modern history's most successful ecological recovery stories. It's a tale of science, politics, and technology working together to tackle what seemed impossible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What was acid rain?</h2>



Acid rain isn't regular rain having a bad day – it's precipitation that became significantly more acidic due to air pollution. When power plants, factories, and vehicles burn fossil fuels, they release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The science behind it</h2>



Think of acid rain as nature's chemistry experiment gone wrong. These compounds react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. When mixed with water vapor in clouds, they create precipitation with dangerously low pH levels.



While clean rain has a pH of about 5.6, acid rain could drop as low as 4.2 to 4.4 – roughly as acidic as tomato juice or coffee. According to US Geological Survey documentation, Scottish chemist Angus Smith first coined "acid rain" in 1872, but it didn't become a household phrase until the 1960s and 1970s when Swedish scientist Svante Odén documented its devastating effects on Scandinavian lakes and European forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The crisis at its peak</h2>



During the height of public concern, environmental damage was both widespread and visible. This wasn't some abstract future threat – people could see destruction happening in real-time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Environmental devastation</h2>



The most dramatic impacts were impossible to ignore. Research documented by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shows that in the Adirondack Mountains, more than 200 lakes became so acidic they couldn't support fish life. The Adirondack Council reports that 409 lakes once supported brook trout, but many lost their fish populations due to acid rain.



By 1976, when scientists cataloged all acidified lakes in the Adirondack Park, researchers found that half of the lakes over 2,000 feet above sea level had no fish, according to studies published in environmental journals. The acidification process worked like a slow-motion disaster. As acid rain fell into watersheds, it gradually lowered pH levels. Fish couldn't survive in acidic water, and their food sources died off too.



Trees at high elevations showed stress directly linked to acid rain. It weakened them by leaching nutrients and making them susceptible to disease. Historical records show Germany's Black Forest saw nearly half its trees damaged by the mid-1980s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Economic impact</h2>



Acid rain wasn't just environmental – it was expensive. Acidic precipitation corroded infrastructure, buildings, and monuments. Historic stone structures deteriorated at accelerated rates. Tourism suffered as lakes became fishless and forests declined. EPA economic analyses from the period documented repair costs mounting into billions annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The solution: government action and technology</h2>



Transformation from crisis to success required unprecedented cooperation between governments, industries, and environmental groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Clean Air Act of 1990</h2>



The turning point came with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, signed by President George H.W. Bush. This represented a fundamentally new approach to environmental regulation, as documented in EPA historical records.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cap-and-trade success</h2>



Instead of mandating specific technologies, the 1990 amendments introduced something revolutionary: a cap-and-trade system for sulfur dioxide emissions. EPA program documentation shows this market-based approach set overall limits but allowed companies to trade emission allowances.



The genius was harnessing market forces to find cost-effective pollution reduction. Companies reducing emissions cheaply could sell excess allowances to those facing higher costs. Research published in environmental economics journals and EPA progress reports shows this resulted in dramatic SO2 reduction at a fraction of projected costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Technology advances</h2>



Policy provided the framework, but technology made reductions possible. Studies in atmospheric science journals document the widespread adoption of flue gas desulfurization systems ("scrubbers") that removed sulfur dioxide before it reached the atmosphere. By the 2000s, new installations could remove over 95% of SO2 emissions, according to EPA technical reports.



The push coincided with cleaner energy development. Natural gas produces fewer sulfur compounds than coal. Wind and solar, emerging in the 1990s, captured growing market share, reducing reliance on high-sulfur coal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-we-don-t-hear-about-it-today">Why we don't hear about it today</h2>



Why did acid rain disappear from headlines? Simple: the problem was largely solved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Success doesn't make news</h2>



There's an old journalism saying: "If it bleeds, it leads." Environmental success stories don't generate urgency like crisis reporting. Media attention shifted to other challenges: climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss. There's only so much environmental anxiety the public can absorb, and newer concerns replaced acid rain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mission accomplished</h2>



The primary reason is beautifully simple: interventions worked. EPA monitoring data shows sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990. Academic research published in environmental science journals confirms pH levels in formerly affected areas returned closer to normal. This represents one of history's most dramatic environmental recoveries. Studies by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation show fishless lakes now support healthy populations. Forests recovered, and building damage slowed dramatically.



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



The crisis is largely resolved, but monitoring data shows the problem isn't completely eliminated – it's managed to acceptable levels. Some areas still experience occasional events during high pollution periods. International environmental research indicates that rapidly industrializing Asian countries face similar problems to what we experienced decades ago, though they're implementing successful strategies.



EPA research shows nitrogen oxide emissions proved more challenging than sulfur dioxide, coming from vehicles and mobile sources. Climate science studies suggest changing weather patterns add complexity to how acid rain forms and falls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What this teaches us</h2>



The acid rain experience proves that seemingly intractable environmental problems can be solved with scientific understanding, political will, and technological innovation. Environmental monitoring data shows recovery speed was remarkable – within a decade, measurable improvements appeared in air quality and ecosystem health.



Success came from bipartisan support across party lines. Policy analysis studies show the market-based approach appealed to those preferring economic incentives while achieving environmental goals. This support created lasting policy surviving political changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2>



Acid rain's disappearance from public consciousness represents environmental science's greatest success stories. Through effective regulation, technological innovation, and international cooperation, we transformed an overwhelming crisis into a manageable challenge.



Today's silence isn't because we forgot – it's because we solved it. The 1990 Clean Air Act, combined with technology and energy market changes, reduced acid rain emissions over 90%, according to comprehensive EPA data analysis.



This success offers hope for current challenges. It proves complex problems can be solved when science, policy, and technology work together. As we face climate change and plastic pollution, acid rain reminds us that dramatic positive change is possible.



Next time someone asks whether environmental regulations work, remember acid rain. It's proof that sometimes, we get it right.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Sources: This article draws from EPA official documentation and progress reports, peer-reviewed research published in environmental and atmospheric science journals, historical data from the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation records, US Geological Survey publications, policy analysis studies, and environmental monitoring data collected over three decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



1. Is acid rain completely gone? No, but EPA monitoring shows it's reduced to manageable levels. US sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990, making acid rain much less severe than the 1980s crisis.



2. How long did solving take? Environmental monitoring data shows significant improvements began within 5-10 years of 1990s emission controls. Full ecosystem recovery took longer – some areas need 20-30 years for complete recovery.



3. What made the solution successful? Clear scientific understanding, visible damage motivating action, bipartisan support, available technology, and innovative market-based policies like cap-and-trade.



4. Do other countries have acid rain problems? Yes, particularly rapidly industrializing Asian countries. However, international environmental research shows many implement similar successful control strategies.



5. Could acid rain return? Potentially, if regulations weaken or we return to high-sulfur coal without controls, though effects would take years to become severe according to environmental projections.



6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"? The United States Environmental Protection Agency produced a wonderful teacher's guide for ages 14 and under that you can find on the EPA website here: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf</a>



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The environmental problem we actually solved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk Acid rain and a crisis solved. Why don't we...

Fresh,Radish,Harvest,On,Soil,In,Garden.

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Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving fall garden, and this guide lays out the best vegetables and herbs to plant now for a fruitful autumn harvest. 



Fast-growing leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, kale, and arugula perform especially well in the waning summer heat, with harvests beginning as soon as 30 days. 



These cool-season crops relish the transition into fall, offering repeated yields with cut-and-come-again methods.



Root vegetables like radishes, carrots, and beets also excel during this period. Radishes deliver satisfaction in under a month, while carrots and beets mature in about two months. Employing succession planting ensures a continuous stream of produce deep into the cooler months. 



For a boost of fresh flavor, herbs like cilantro, basil, dill, and chervil are excellent picks. These heat-loving varieties flourish in July’s warmth and are harvest-ready in about 30 days, especially when sown continuously.



Gardeners in zones 6 through 9 can benefit from planting bush beans and snap peas, which don’t require trellising and are ideal for compact plots. 



Maturing in 50–60 days, they’re a smart choice for quick, protein-rich harvests. For those in hotter regions, heat-tolerant crops such as okra and southern peas provide reliable yields and thrive in scorching conditions.



This guide emphasizes more than crop selection—it highlights the importance of timing, soil preparation, and ongoing sowing techniques. 



With thoughtful planning and attention to regional climate needs, even late-summer gardeners can enjoy fresh salads, hearty stews, and the satisfaction of a robust, homegrown harvest well into fall.



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving...

Green,Ecoduct,Over,An,Empty,Highway,During,Sunset.

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A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that wildlife tunnels significantly reduce amphibian road mortality during seasonal migrations. 



Frogs and salamanders often cross roads to reach breeding ponds each spring, but many are killed by vehicles. 



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a>, in collaboration with local citizens and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, installed two underpass tunnels in 2015. 



Over a 12-year monitoring period, they observed an 80.2% reduction in amphibian deaths, and up to 94% for non-climbing species like salamanders. 



The study used a before-after-control-impact design and documented more than 5,200 amphibians, highlighting the tunnels’ effectiveness even in nearby buffer zones.



Funded at $342,397 - far cheaper than wildlife crossings for large mammals - the project showcased the power of community-led conservation.



Local groups initiated the effort after observing mass amphibian deaths. Wildlife cameras later captured over 2,200 amphibians using a tunnel in just one spring, along with other species like raccoons and bobcats, indicating wider ecosystem benefits.



This marks the first peer-reviewed, long-term data set in the northeastern U.S. confirming amphibian-specific underpasses work. 



The study urges transportation departments to incorporate these designs into road planning and highlights how community action, thoughtful infrastructure, and persistence can make a real difference for biodiversity.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1617138125000780" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal for Nature Conservation</a>.



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-----

Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that...

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing it with probiotics and prebiotics, aiming to create a treat that satisfies cravings while supporting gut health. 



The challenge lies in maintaining chocolate's beloved texture and flavor while adding health benefits.



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



Prebiotics act as food for these microbes, helping them thrive. Together, they form "synbiotics," a powerful health combination.



Researchers Smriti Gaur and Shubhi Singh from India's Jaypee Institute of Information Technology took an innovative approach, using natural prebiotics like corn and honey instead of complex processing methods. 



They created five chocolate varieties: a control and four synbiotic versions containing different combinations of prebiotics, probiotics (Lactobacillus strains), and flavor enhancers (cinnamon or orange).



Laboratory simulations of human digestion showed the probiotics remained viable for over five hours, suggesting they could survive long enough to benefit gut health.



Taste tests were positive, with researchers particularly enjoying the orange-flavored variety, describing it as having "vibrant citrus notes" complementing the "rich cocoa" with a "luxurious" texture.



This research represents just the beginning. With further refinement of strains, textures, and flavors, chocolate could evolve beyond mere indulgence to become a functional food that nourishes while it delights.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c00741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Food Science &amp; Technology</a>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



---



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> explores the ability of salt to transform the way that foods and beverages taste. Salt is known to cover up undesirable flavors, such as bitterness in coffee or beer, but how exactly does sodium chloride change the taste of other compounds?



One previous study showed that, not only does salt suppress bitterness, but also enhances sweetness and sourness. Another study revealed that bitterness reduction by salt seems to be happening at the tongue receptor level as well as in the brain.&nbsp;



While it is known that salt taste is mediated by the presence of sodium channels in the form of taste buds, experts believe that there is also an unknown receptor responsible for how we taste salt that has not yet been identified.&nbsp;



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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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.

How does salt makes things taste better?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" 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 Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;



'The weather of Santiago resembles the Mediterranean climate with dry and warm summers with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (from October to March) and cool and humid winters that can drop to 0°C (from April to September)."



"The city lies in the centre of the country’s central valley around 80 km from the Pacific Ocean to the west and borders Argentina to the east. A tiny part of Argentina is visible in the top-right corner of the image where the mountain crest of the Andes Mountains acts as a divider between the two countries," says ESA.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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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.

Santiago, Chile in South America

[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Spiral,Galaxy,,Illustration,Of,Milky,Way

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Astronomers at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/">Johns Hopkins University</a> have created an interactive map of the universe, including the actual position and real colors of 200,000 galaxies. The map allows the public to access data that was previously only available to scientists.



The map was developed using data collected by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. For over two decades, a telescope in New Mexico was aimed at slightly different locations to capture the night sky.&nbsp;



"Growing up I was very inspired by astronomy pictures, stars, nebulae and galaxies, and now it's our time to create a new type of picture to inspire people," said map creator Brice Ménard, a professor at Johns Hopkins. "Astrophysicists around the world have been analyzing this data for years, leading to thousands of scientific papers and discoveries. But nobody took the time to create a map that is beautiful, scientifically accurate, and accessible to people who are not scientists. Our goal here is to show everybody what the universe really looks like."



"In this map, we are just a speck at the very bottom, just one pixel. And when I say we, I mean our galaxy, the Milky Way which has billions of stars and planets. We are used to seeing astronomical pictures showing one galaxy here, one galaxy there or perhaps a group of galaxies. But what this map shows is a very, very different scale."



"From this speck at the bottom, we are able to map out galaxies across the entire universe, and that says something about the power of science."



The <a href="https://mapoftheuniverse.net/">interactive map</a> is available online, where it can be downloaded for free.



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&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.

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"] Astronomers at Johns Hopkins University have created...

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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features northwest Lesotho in South Africa.



According to ESA, Lesotho is the only nation in the world that lies completely above 1,000 m in elevation. The country is famous for its tall mountains and narrow valleys, and is known as Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky."



Out of a population of around two million people, about 80 percent live in rural areas. More than 75 percent of these people are engaged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-have-a-global-impact-on-agriculture/">agriculture</a>, including rainfed cereal production and animal grazing.&nbsp;



ESA reports that the country’s agricultural system faces a growing number of issues, with climate-related vulnerabilities such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures occurring more frequently. 



Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable, and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: 'Muso oa Lesotho) is an enclaved country in southern Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population of around 2 million.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&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> Staff Writer 



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.

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"] Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Dublin, the capital and largest city of Ireland. Beyond its pub culture, Dublin is known as a modern culinary destination and a UNESCO City of Literature.



"Dublin is located near the midpoint of Ireland’s east coast in the province of Leinster. The city, which covers an area of around 115 square kilometers, is bordered by the Dublin Mountains, a low mountain range to the south, and is surrounded by flat farmland to the north and west," says ESA.



"The city straddles the River Liffey, which rises in the Wicklow Mountains and flows around 80 kilometers eastwards through the city of Dublin, in which it is canalised and bordered with quays. It then empties into Dublin Bay, an arm of the Irish Sea."



Dublin has an abundance of green spaces, including one of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital city. Phoenix Park, which was originally formed as a royal hunting park in the 1660s, includes 707 hectares of green space.



Video Credit: ESA&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.

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" 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 the province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.



"Together with the provinces of Huesca and Teruel, Zaragoza formed the old kingdom of Aragon. Its capital, also called Zaragoza (not visible in this image) is home to around half of Aragon’s population," says ESA.



"The Ebro River can be seen winding its way through the province from west to east in this image. Between its source in the Cantabrian Mountains in the northwest and its delta on the Mediterranean coast, the Ebro River is fed by more than 200 tributaries as it flows 910 km across much of northern Spain."



Since rainfall is very scarce in this region, irrigation in the Ebro basin is critically important. In the valleys surrounding the Ebro River, many fields are used for growing crops such as corn, wheat, and barley.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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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.

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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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.

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Pyrenees Mountains, which form a natural boundary between France and Spain in southwest Europe.



The mountain range is 430 kilometers in length. It stretches from the Mediterranean Sea on the east to the Atlantic Ocean on the west.



At an elevation of 3404 meters, Pico de Aneto is the highest mountain peak in the Pyrenees, and the third-highest peak in Spain. Pico de Aneto is located in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, which spans more than 82,000 acres.&nbsp;



"Geological studies have revealed that the Pyrenees Mountains have been around for longer than the Alps, with their sediments first deposited in coastal basins during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras," reports ESA.



"The entire mountain range formed due to the upwelling of large sedimentary rocks by the collision of the Iberian and the Eurasian plate around 100 to 150 million years ago, followed by intense erosion from ice and water."



The western Pyrenees receive more precipitation due to moisture blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean. The mountain range contains many lakes, several small glaciers, and some of the highest waterfalls in Europe.



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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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.

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes two exoplanets that are orbiting a star 218 light-years away. A team of researchers led by the University of Montreal has found evidence that these planets are "water worlds."



The experts used data from NASA’s Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes. They discovered that exoplanets Kepler-138 c and Kepler-138 could be composed largely of water.



"We previously thought that planets that were a bit larger than Earth were big balls of metal and rock, like scaled-up versions of Earth, and that's why we called them super-Earths," explained study co-author Björn Benneke.&nbsp;



"However, we have now shown that these two planets, Kepler-138 c and d, are quite different in nature and that a big fraction of their entire volume is likely composed of water. It is the best evidence yet for water worlds, a type of planet that was theorized by astronomers to exist for a long time."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and Leah Hustak (STScI)



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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.

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes Earth’s interconnected systems, and how this network is affected by rising temperatures.&nbsp;



During 2020, average global temperatures matched the hottest year on record. The hurricane season was also record-breaking, with many of the storms intensifying at extraordinary speeds. Hot water in the ocean is fuel for hurricanes. The satellite data shows that it's all one interconnected system showing how Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected.



According to NASA, dust swept up from Northern Africa plays a major role in the formation of hurricanes, and is also a key source of fertilization in the Amazon rainforest. As a result of<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/"> climate</a> change, dust plumes are expected to decline, which will have an effect on vegetation far away.&nbsp;



Images from Earth-observing satellites show how the world’s plant life is affected by natural disasters, fires, and deforestation. Satellites also reveal how widespread changes in vegetation impact waterways,&nbsp; the climate, air quality. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennas on the Earth. "Earth From Space" is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&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.

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/">University of Miami</a> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science explores how changes in water temperatures have affected tiger shark habitats and movements in the North Atlantic Ocean. The study reveals that rising temperatures have caused the sharks to shift toward the poles over the past 40 years.



“Tiger shark annual migrations have expanded poleward, paralleling rising water temperatures,” explained study lead author Neil Hammerschlag. “These results have consequences for tiger shark conservation, since shifts in their movements outside of marine protected areas may leave them more vulnerable to commercial fishing.”



The researchers analyzed nine years of tracking data from satellite-tagged tiger sharks, combined with four decades of conventional tag and recapture data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Shark Tagging Program.



The experts found that during the last decade of record heat, for every one-degree Celsius increase in water temperatures, tiger sharks migrated further poleward by over 400 kilometers. They also migrated two weeks earlier than usual to waters off the northeastern coast of the United States.



“Given their role as apex predators, these changes to tiger shark movements may alter predator-prey interactions, leading to ecological imbalances, and more frequent encounters with humans,” concluded Professor Hammerschlag.



Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science



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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.

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

Today’s Video of the Day from the University of Miami...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> is focused on the melt ponds that emerge during the spring and summer on the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the largest ice mass in the northern hemisphere.



"Melt ponds are vast pools of open water that form on both sea ice and ice sheets and are visible as turquoise-blue pools of water in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image," says ESA.



"When snow and ice melts atop glaciers, water flows in channels and streams and collects in depressions on the surface. These melt ponds can speed up the melting of the surrounding ice since they greatly reduce the ice’s ability to reflect sunlight."



"This can create a positive feedback where an increasing number of melt ponds absorb more heat which causes ice cover to melt even faster."



According to ESA, Greenland has been hit with a late-season heatwave that began in early September. This caused the type of melt event that usually occurs in the middle of summer.



"In a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change, scientists found that major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now ‘inevitable’ even if the burning of fossil fuels were to halt overnight," says ESA. "Using satellite observations of Greenland ice loss and ice cap from 2000 to 2019, the team found the losses will lead to a minimum rise of 27 cm regardless of climate change."



Video Credit: ESA&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.

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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