Researchers recently revealed a stunning new species of sea slug glowing in the ocean's darkest depths. Known as the "mystery mollusk" or&nbsp;Bathydevius caudactylus, this nudibranch inhabits the ocean's midnight zone, one of Earth's least-explored realms.



This discovery is more than just a new name on a species list - it's an illuminating dive into our planet's vast, hidden ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mystery-mollusk-in-the-midnight-zone">Mystery mollusk in the midnight zone</h2>



The "mystery mollusk," Bathydevius caudactylus as the scientists officially named it, inhabits the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/highly-unusual-bacteria-discovered-in-deep-sea-corals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean's deep abyss</a>, also known as the midnight zone.



But this isn't just about a new species - it's about an exciting lifeline into understanding our planet's largest habitat in more depth.



Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (<a href="https://www.mbari.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MBARI</a>) Senior Scientist Bruce Robison steered this explorative venture.



“Thanks to MBARI’s advanced underwater technology, we were able to prepare the most comprehensive description of a deep-sea animal ever made," noted Robison.



"We've invested more than 20 years in understanding the natural history of this fascinating species of nudibranch. Our discovery is a new piece of the puzzle that can help better understand the largest habitat on Earth."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identifying-the-mystery-mollusk">Identifying the mystery mollusk</h2>



This unusual sea creature was first spotted in the year 2000, during an expedition using the institute's remotely operated vehicle (ROV) named Tiburon. It was found gliding through the waters offshore of Monterey Bay at a depth of 2,614 meters (8,576 feet).



Confusion arose when the team initially struggled to identify this creature due to its anomalous appearance - a voluminous hood, a flat tail fringed with numerous, finger-like projections, and a set of colorful internal organs.



But after years of research and countless ROV sightings, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-pigs-unicumbers-strange-stunning-creatures-discovered-abyssal-plains-ccz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mystery</a> was solved - this strange creature is, in fact, a nudibranch or sea slug.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="rLItWTv9qr-4019991-12187" type="single"]</div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-nudibranch-unlike-any-other">A nudibranch unlike any other</h2>



The mystery mollusk isn't your ordinary nudibranch. It's the first of its kind known to dwell in the immense open waters of the bathypelagic zone, a region 1,000 to 4,000 meters (3,300 to 13,100 feet) below the ocean surface.



Also, the sightings of this fascinating creature span the Pacific coast of North America, from Oregon to as far south as Southern California. Plus, similar creatures spotted by NOAA researchers in the Mariana Trench hint at the mollusk's potentially widespread existence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-survival-techniques-of-the-sea-slug">Survival techniques of the sea slug</h2>



Surviving in such harsh environments is no easy feat. How does the mystery mollusk manage? Interestingly, it has evolved unique survival strategies.



For instance, unlike most sea slugs that feed by rasping prey off the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-life-100-new-sea-creatures-found-in-chile/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seafloor</a>, it uses its cavernous hood to trap crustaceans, much like a Venus flytrap plant would do.



Moreover, to avoid predators, it has a clear body that blends with the surrounding waters and can emit a bright bioluminescence to deter and distract hungry predators. 



“When we first filmed it glowing with the ROV, everyone in the control room let out a loud ‘Oooooh!’ at the same time. We were all enchanted by the sight,” said MBARI senior scientist Steven Haddock.



“Only recently have cameras become capable of filming bioluminescence in high-resolution and in full color. MBARI is one of the only places in the world where we have taken this new technology into the deep ocean, allowing us to study the luminous behavior of deep-sea animals in their natural habitat.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nudibranch-family-tree-expands">Nudibranch family tree expands</h2>



Beyond its captivating appearance and survival tactics, what really stood out during the research was the mollusc's genetic uniqueness. 



Detailed examination of specific gene sequences emphasized that the mystery mollusk is distinct enough from other known nudibranchs to merit the creation of a new family, Bathydeviidae.



"What is exciting to me about the mystery mollusk is that it exemplifies how much we are learning as we spend more time in the deep sea, particularly below 2,000 meters," said Haddock.



"For there to be a relatively large, unique, and glowing animal that is in a previously unknown family really underscores the importance of using new technology to catalog this vast environment. The more we learn about deep-sea communities, the better we will be at ocean decision-making and stewardship.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wealth-of-deep-sea-discoveries">Wealth of deep-sea discoveries</h2>



This discovery is just one exciting piece in the puzzle of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-species-of-deep-sea-squid-discovered-that-broods-giant-eggs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deep-sea exploration</a>. MBARI's state-of-the-art technology has unveiled over 250 previously unknown deep-sea species to date, encouraging us to plunge deeper into these fascinating, otherworldly realms.



“Deep-sea animals capture the imagination. These are our neighbors that share our blue planet. Each new discovery is an opportunity to raise awareness about the deep sea and inspire the public to protect the amazing animals and environments found deep beneath the surface,” said Robison.



Indeed, each new discovery brings us one step closer to fully understanding and protecting our fascinating blue planet. And with this latest revelation of the mystery mollusk, we get to marvel at another fascinating dweller of the deep.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0967063724001845?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deep Sea Research</a>.



Image/ Video Credit: MBARI



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Mystery mollusk: Glowing sea slug found in the deep sea

Researchers recently revealed a stunning new species of sea slug glowing in the ocean's darkest depths. Known as the "mystery mollusk" or&nbsp;Bathydevius caudactylus, this nudibranch inhabits the ocean's midnight zone, one of Earth's least-explored realms. This discovery is more than just a new name on a species list - it's an illuminating dive into our planet's vast, hidden ecosystems. Mystery mollusk in the midnight zone The "mystery mollusk," Bathydevius caudactylus as the scientists officially named it, inhabits the ocean's deep abyss, also known as the midnight zone....

Is the love of dogs universal, surpassing that for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cats-can-learn-the-names-of-their-companions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cats</a>? A scientific investigation spanning three nations has recently revealed that while pet owners might favor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-live-longer-and-happier-lives-when-they-get-to-socialize-often/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a> over cats, the extent of this preference can drastically differ based on the cultural context.



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



A group of researchers led by Dr. Peter Sandøe from the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a> has embarked on a journey to delve deeper into this topic. “We and others have found that people are willing to spend much less on their cats than on their dogs,” Sandøe said. “We wanted to find out whether cats could eventually end up having the same high status as dogs do today.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



In their pursuit of answers, the team collaborated with a survey company, which helped them gather a representative sample of adult pet owners from Denmark, Austria, and the United Kingdom. Each of these countries has experienced urbanization at different historical points, potentially influencing current attitudes towards pets.



The research sample comprised 2,117 individuals, with a breakdown of 844 dog owners, 872 cat owners, and 401 who had both cats and dogs. The participants were asked to respond to a series of questions, evaluating various aspects of pet care, including their emotional connection to their pets and their financial commitment to their pets’ health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



Across all three nations, the study found a consistent trend: dogs were the favored pets. Owners displayed a stronger emotional bond with their dogs, were more likely to insure them, had higher expectations of medical treatments available for them, and were willing to invest more in their healthcare.



However, the magnitude of this preference varied significantly across countries. “While people care more about their dogs than their cats in all countries, the degree of difference varied dramatically between countries,” Sandøe observed. In the UK, the preference for dogs was subtle, but in Austria, it was more pronounced, and in Denmark, the disparity was even more substantial.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-factors-nbsp">Cultural factors&nbsp;</h2>



This pattern of preference was evident in other aspects of pet care as well. For instance, Danish pet owners demonstrated a significantly lower likelihood of insuring their cats compared to their dogs, and they were also less willing to spend on medical treatments for their cats.



“There seems to be no natural limit to how much people will end up caring about their cats compared to their dogs,” Sandøe said, highlighting that cultural factors, such as the history of human-animal interactions and the role of pets in households, play a crucial role in shaping these attitudes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications">Study implications </h2>



“Our study only looks at three countries located in central and western Europe,” cautioned co-author Clare Palmer, a professor of Philosophy at <a href="https://www.tamu.edu/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas A&amp;M University</a>. “It raises intriguing questions regarding what comparative studies of other countries might find. Perhaps there are countries where the level of care for and attachment to cats is, in fact, higher than dogs?”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1237547" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Veterinary Science</a>.



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Do pet owners care more for their dogs than they care for their cats?

Is the love of dogs universal, surpassing that for cats?...

A recent study from <a href="https://dornsife.usc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USC Dornsife</a> has revealed some unexpected details about the effects of global warming on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-are-some-corals-more-resilient-to-climate-change-than-others/">corals</a>. According to the research, the adaptations of a common Caribbean coral could have significant implications for our approach to conserving these vital marine ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mountainous-star-coral">Mountainous star coral</h2>



The study was focused on the mountainous star coral, Orbicella faveolata, a species frequent in Caribbean waters. The goal was to determine whether coral populations that had endured increased temperatures could pass this heat resilience to their progeny.&nbsp;



"Orbicella faveolata, commonly known as the mountainous star coral, is a dominant reef-building species in the Caribbean, but populations have suffered sharp declines since the 1980s due to repeated bleaching and disease-driven mortality," wrote the researchers.



"Prior research has shown that inshore adult O. faveolata populations in the Florida Keys are able to maintain high coral cover and recover from bleaching faster than their offshore counterparts. However, whether this origin-specific variation in thermal resistance is heritable remains unclear."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-tolerant-corals-nbsp">Heat-tolerant corals&nbsp;</h2>



The popular assumption among scientists has been that heat-tolerant coral parents would produce offspring with similar adaptations for heat resistance.



However, Professor Carly Kenkel and her team discovered a contradiction. They found that the offspring of a population less acclimated to heat showed better resilience when subjected to higher temperatures compared to those from a heat-tolerant lineage.



“The study findings have significant implications for how we think about saving coral reefs," said Professor Kenkel. "It’s not as simple as just breeding more heat-tolerant corals.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



For the investigation, the scientists collected gametes (reproductive cells) from coral reefs in two distinct sites in the Florida Keys. They then crossbred the corals in controlled conditions, and exposed the larvae to elevated temperatures.



The team also examined the genes of these corals to detect signs of stress under heightened temperature conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-limitations">Study limitations</h2>



The results of the study suggest that the ability of coral offspring to withstand heat may be determined by a range of factors. This includes the frequency with which their parent corals may have bleached or faced other environmental challenges.



However, it is important to note that this research was focused on a single coral species. Other coral species might respond differently, and the study's controlled lab setting does not capture the myriad factors that impact coral reefs in natural habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-nbsp">Future research&nbsp;</h2>



The scientists plan to delve deeper into coral adaptation mechanisms, factoring in their historical experiences and interactions with other organisms, as well as the overall health of the reef system.



Professor Kenkel noted that coral rescue may require a more comprehensive approach. “Instead of focusing solely on breeding more heat-tolerant corals, we might need to consider other factors affecting coral survival and more diverse interventions.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



"The documented resilience of adult corals to recurrent heat stress and bleaching in environments with high and variable temperatures may come with highly consequential trade-offs," wrote the researchers.



"In this study, we show that larvae from a site that routinely experiences and recovers from heat-induced bleaching significantly underperformed relative to larvae from a cooler, less variable reef site."&nbsp;



"The unexpected outcome that more thermally tolerant O. faveolata produced poorer quality offspring challenges the prevailing paradigm that breeding vulnerable populations with thermally tolerant individuals can contribute to genetic rescue."



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16977" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Change Biology</a>.



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Unexpected coral adaptations challenge conservation plans

A recent study from USC Dornsife has revealed some unexpected...

Invasive species are often brought into new regions unintentionally through human activities, posing a threat to native wildlife. If they become established, invasive species can outcompete, prey on, or bring diseases to native species, which might lead to their decline or even extinction. This disrupts the balance of the ecosystem.



The cost of controlling invasive species, and the economic losses they create, can be immense. Some invasive species carry diseases that affect human health.&nbsp;



It is important to understand how these species are introduced, and why they establish in new places, in order to help prevent their destructive impacts. However, there remains a lack of research in this domain, and many questions remain.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biological-hazards-nbsp">Biological hazards&nbsp;</h2>



In a collaboration between <a href="https://www.agresearch.co.nz/">AgResearch</a> and Better Border Biosecurity (B3), researchers set out to investigate the biological hazards presented by soil found on the external surfaces of sea freight. These included shipping containers and machinery at New Zealand's sea ports.



The goal was not only to understand this potential biosecurity threat but also to fine-tune measures to prevent the entry and spread of invasive organisms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



The study revealed that soil was present on almost all sea freight, regardless of its origin. This is troubling because soil is a potential carrier of harmful microbes including plant pathogens.



The average amount of soil detected on a single sea container was 5.3 kg, whereas the overall mean weight was 417g. Surprisingly, the majority of this soil was located on the underside of the sea freight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invasive-organisms-nbsp">Invasive organisms&nbsp;</h2>



Mark McNeill of AgResearch, who led the study, noted that while the presence of soil is perhaps not surprising, the presence of live bacteria, fungi, worms, seeds and insects associated with the soil was of greater concern.&nbsp;



"Various regulated biosecurity organisms were recovered from the samples, including plant-parasitic worms, seeds, insects and spiders that were not recorded as being present in New Zealand."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



“Not only does the spread of exotic species through these networks represent significant environmental, economic and social costs to natural and agricultural environments if invasive alien species were to establish, a loss of biodiversity is also an expected consequence of invasive alien species establishment," wrote the researchers.



"For islands, the implications can be significant, as they have high levels of endemism and invasive alien species establishment can lead to extinction of species as well as biodiversity declines."



An interesting comparison was made to a prior study examining soil contamination on footwear carried by international airline passengers. The comparison revealed that soil on sea freight, although less diverse, still presents a tangible biosecurity threat.



The study highlights the importance of sea freight as a notable entry route for invasive species. Preventative measures, such as pre-departure container cleaning and thorough border inspections are recommended to curb the potential spread of these harmful organisms.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.88.98440">NeoBiota</a>.



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Biological hazard: Soil on sea freight loaded with invasive species

Invasive species are often brought into new regions unintentionally through...

The <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a> (CDC) has recently highlighted an alarming development. A tropical disease called leishmaniasis, once associated with Americans returning from overseas trips, now has a unique strain in the United States.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-genetic-fingerprint-nbsp">Distinct genetic fingerprint&nbsp;</h2>



“There have been previous indications of local transmission based on a small number of case reports, but now, for the first time, we have a distinct genetic fingerprint from a relatively large cluster, providing further evidence that leishmaniasis may be well-established in some parts of the United States,” said Dr. Mary Kamb, an expert in the Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria at CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infections.&nbsp;



“While most of these infections were in people living in Texas, sand flies that can transmit leishmaniasis are found in many parts of the country and especially in the southern United States.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sand-flies-and-leishmaniasis">Sand flies and leishmaniasis</h2>



While <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parasites-make-dogs-smell-enticing-to-infectious-sand-flies/">sand flies</a> are largely confined to tropical regions, they are expanding their range as temperatures rise. Climate change is predicted to expand the habitats of sand flies further north and increase the reach of leishmaniasis, which affects humans as well as other mammals like woodrats.



As the evidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in American sandfly populations grows, there's heightened concern about a more severe form of this disease surfacing in the country.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-are-the-primary-host">Dogs are the primary host</h2>



The experts report that the Leishmania parasite could go undetected in dogs that are brought into the United States. Currently, the country lacks sufficient screening measures for this parasite.



“Domestic dog imports from abroad, for breeding or via dog rescue organizations, have jumped sharply, to the point that about a million dogs enter the U.S. every year - most without receiving proper screening for infectious diseases,” explained Dr. Christine Petersen, director of the Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases at the University of Iowa. Petersen.



“Dogs are the primary host for this disease, and there are dogs now regularly coming into the U.S. that have lived in areas where Leishmania parasites circulate in animals and people."



“That’s why we need a better system in the United States for guarding against the risk of introducing Leishmania infantum, one of the world’s deadliest tropical parasites, into U.S. sand fly populations.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-parasitic-strain-of-leishmaniasis">New parasitic strain of leishmaniasis</h2>



The findings from the CDC show that the disease, specifically the milder form known as cutaneous leishmaniasis, has evolved from a slightly different American parasitic strain. The researchers found that this strain differs from the Leishmania mexicana typically found in Mexico and Central America.



The disease manifests as skin ulcers, which may appear weeks or even months after a sandfly bite. These ulcers can leave lasting scars that, in low-income nations, often come with a societal stigma.



Dr. Kamb said that in Texas there is growing awareness of leishmaniasis as a potential diagnosis for skin lesions - in part due to a history of cases in people returning from Mexico, but also due to increasing recognition of the possibility of locally acquired cases.



The World Health Organization has estimated that nearly a million people contract cutaneous leishmaniasis annually, mainly in warmer regions like the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Latin America.



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



The CDC recently presented its research at the <a href="https://www.astmh.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene</a>’s annual conference in Chicago. The study spanned cases sent to CDC labs for testing between 2005 to 2019. Out of the over 2,000 cases, 86 of the individuals had not traveled overseas before contracting the disease.&nbsp;



Dr. Bridget McIlwee, while training in Texas, encountered a patient with no travel history who had contracted leishmaniasis. In a 2018 study, she discovered that a significant percentage of the cases in Texas over a decade had patients without a history of international travel in the previous 10 years.&nbsp;



However, very few of these diagnosed cases were reported to health officials, emphasizing the need for a national reporting mechanism.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-visceral-leishmaniasis">Visceral leishmaniasis</h2>



A major revelation from the study is the role of dogs in transmitting the disease. Visceral leishmaniasis, a more severe form, can spread within local insect populations from imported dogs.&nbsp;



Also transmitted through sandfly bites, Visceral leishmaniasis is associated with a related parasite (Leishmania infantum). This disease impacts the organs and kills thousands of people each year in regions where the parasite thrives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



While there is no human vaccine for leishmaniasis, dog vaccines are accessible in Europe and Brazil. The aim is to strengthen screenings at ports of entry.



Dr. Vitaliano Cama is a senior advisor with CDC’s Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria who was closely involved with the study.&nbsp;



“A number of factors might be contributing to the increasing number of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases sent to CDC for testing," said Dr. Cama.&nbsp;



"Among these is the speculation that that changes in climate conditions may lead to suitable environments for sand fly survival and reproduction, and that could enable the transmission of leishmaniasis to emerge in new areas."&nbsp;



"There are still a lot of questions about where this disease is going and why.”



The research, led by CDC scientist Marcos de Almeida, is published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.&nbsp;



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Dogs are primary host of flesh-eating parasitic disease called leishmaniasis

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently...

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/origins-cannabis-tibetan-plateau/">Cannabis</a>, a plant often acclaimed for its potential therapeutic effects, may actually be causing some users to fall ill. A recent study reveals that cannabis use - even for medical purposes - could make some people sick due to harmful fungi that contaminate the plants.



The research was led by Kimberly Gwinn, a professor of Entomology and Plant Pathology at the University of Tennessee <a href="https://utia.tennessee.edu/">Institute of Agriculture</a>.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eye-opening-research">Eye-opening research</h2>



The team examined data, previous studies, and international regulations related to the cannabis and hemp industry in the United States.



Ultimately, the researchers found that the contaminants present in cannabis and hemp flowers could pose significant health risks, especially for those with compromised immune systems.&nbsp;



The experts strongly advocate for a more in-depth investigation and reevaluation of the standards set for the medical use of cannabis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-research-gaps">Research gaps</h2>



“Hemp and cannabis are new crops, and we are in the early stages of understanding relationships with their pathogens," noted Professor Gwinn.



"Several pathogens produce mycotoxins, compounds that negatively impact human health and are regulated in other crops."



"In this review, we summarize the current literature on mycotoxins in hemp and cannabis products, identify research gaps in potential mycotoxin contamination in hemp and cannabis, and identify potential developments based on research in other crop systems."



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



For the investigation, Professor Gwinn collaborated with Maxwell Leung and Ariell Stephens from Arizona State University, and Zamir Punja from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia.



Cannabis research has mostly focused on the substance and medical uses of the plant, but with the increased legalization of cannabis for various uses, this article addresses the need for more study of potential health risks.



“Although fungi and mycotoxins are common and well-studied contaminants in many agricultural crop species, they have been generally under-studied in cannabis and hemp. This is partly because human health risk assessment methodologies used to regulate food and pharmaceuticals have yet to become standard for the emerging cannabis and hemp industries," wrote the study authors.



"Additionally, the wide range of consumer uses of cannabis and hemp flowers, including for medical use by patients with susceptible conditions, makes it uniquely challenging to assess and manage human health risk of these contaminants."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-risk-from-harmful-fungi">Cannabis risk from harmful fungi </h2>



The research sheds light on various fungi such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Mucor, among others, that can infect the plants and produce harmful mycotoxins.&nbsp;



The location where these plants are cultivated, whether indoor or outdoor, and the medium in which they grow, whether soil or soilless, play a crucial role in determining the type of contaminants and the associated health risks.



According to the studies examined by the researchers, some fungi can lead to infections in lung and skin tissues, with infections being more common in smoked cannabis than in edibles.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caution-urged-for-some-groups">Caution urged for some groups</h2>



Certain groups, including cancer patients using cannabis for nausea relief, organ transplant recipients, HIV patients, and those with type 1 diabetes, may be especially vulnerable. The researchers also identified risks for those involved in the harvesting of cannabis.



Given the lack of comprehensive data on the prevalence of these contaminants - along with the varying state-to-state legalization levels and regulations of cannabis products - consumers face some important unknowns.&nbsp;



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



The study identifies challenges in testing for pathogens using methods like culture-based assays, immuno-based technologies, and more advanced techniques.&nbsp;



The experts emphasize the critical need to bridge the gap between production issues and human safety concerns in the cannabis and hemp industries.



“We wrote this article to bring these issues to the attention of the scientific, medical, and regulatory communities," said Professor Gwinn.



"We hope to encourage further research in this area, particularly in the areas of mycotoxins in product. Better data and public access to data will allow us to fully evaluate these risks and subsequently ensure safe products for consumers."



The full study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1278189/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Microbiology</a>.



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Cannabis poses health risks due to harmful fungi that often contaminate the plants

Cannabis, a plant often acclaimed for its potential therapeutic effects,...

Fossils dating back to 170 million years have been identified as belonging to the oldest-known mega-predatory pliosaur from the Age of Dinosaurs.&nbsp;



This discovery not only improves our understanding of these ancient marine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-reptile-rhynchosaur-died-off-before-the-dinosaurs-due-to-weak-teeth/">reptiles</a>, but also provides significant insights into the evolution of plesiosaurs.



The remains of this ancient sea monster were originally discovered 40 years ago in northeastern France. Now, these fossils have been meticulously analyzed by an international team of paleontologists.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-pliosaur-genus-nbsp">New pliosaur genus&nbsp;</h2>



The combined efforts have led to the classification of these remains under a new pliosaur genus named Lorrainosaurus.



Pliosaurs, a type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plesiosaur-fossils-are-the-first-evidence-of-jurassic-vertebrates-in-texas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plesiosaur</a> known for their short necks and massive skulls, have been around for over 200 million years. Yet, they became dominant apex marine predators only after a global decline of other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/liopleurodons-that-once-swam-the-jurassic-seas-were-80-feet-long/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine reptiles</a> over 170 million years ago. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-huge-pliosaurs-nbsp">Huge pliosaurs&nbsp;</h2>



“Lorrainosaurus was one of the first truly huge pliosaurs. It gave rise to a dynasty of marine reptile mega-predators that ruled the oceans for around 80 million years,” explained Sven Sachs, a researcher at the <a href="https://namu-ev.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Naturkunde-Museum Bielefeld</a> who led the study.



Lorrainosaurus, which is the oldest large-bodied pliosaur represented by an associated skeleton, boasted of jaws extending over 1.3 meters with large conical teeth. The creature's body resembled a bulky torpedo propelled by four flipper-like limbs.&nbsp;



It is estimated that this massive reptile spanned over 6 meters from snout to tail and roamed the oceans during the early Middle Jurassic period. Interestingly, this is a period from which very little is known about plesiosaurs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mega-predatory-pliosaurs-nbsp">Mega-predatory pliosaurs&nbsp;</h2>



“Our identification of Lorrainosaurus as one of the earliest mega-predatory pliosaurs demonstrates that these creatures emerged immediately after a landmark restructuring of marine predator ecosystems across the Early-to-Middle Jurassic boundary, some 175 to 171 million years ago," explained Daniel Madzia from the <a href="https://www.paleo.pan.pl/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Paleobiology</a> of the Polish Academy of Sciences.



"This event profoundly affected many marine reptile groups and brought mega-predatory pliosaurids to dominance over ‘fish-like’ ichthyosaurs, ancient marine crocodile relatives, and other large-bodied predatory plesiosaurs."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-successful-marine-predators-nbsp">Successful marine predators&nbsp;</h2>



Benjamin Kear from The Museum of Evolution at <a href="https://www.uu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uppsala University</a> provided context on the dominance of pliosaurs, which were some of the most successful marine predators of their time.



“Famous examples, such as Pliosaurus and Kronosaurus – some of the world’s largest pliosaurs – were absolutely enormous with body-lengths exceeding 10 m," said Kear.



"They were ecological equivalents of today’s Killer whales and would have eaten a range of prey including squid-like cephalopods, large fish and other marine reptiles. These have all been found as preserved gut contents."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



After their discovery near Metz in Lorraine by paleontology enthusiasts, the fossils examined for the study were donated to the <a href="https://www.mnhn.lu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Natural History Museum in Luxembourg</a>. 



A brief report on Lorrainosaurus was published in 1994. Otherwise, the fossils remained largely unexplored until this study.



According to the researchers, Lorrainosaurus indicates that the reign of gigantic mega-predatory pliosaurs must have commenced earlier than previously thought, and was locally responsive to major ecological changes.



“Lorrainosaurus is thus a critical addition to our knowledge of ancient marine reptiles from a time in the Age of Dinosaurs that has as yet been incompletely understood," said Kear.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43015-y">Scientific Reports</a>.



Image Credit: Joschua Knüppe



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Massive pliosaur gave rise to a dynasty of mega-predators

Fossils dating back to 170 million years have been identified...

The sudden and dramatic disappearance of billions of snow crabs around Alaska is a disturbing indication of the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems.&nbsp;



A study from the <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA) study has linked the disappearance of the snow crabs to marine heat waves in the eastern Bering Sea. The experts say that warmer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-temperatures-hit-a-record-high-this-week-with-the-worst-heat-still-to-come/">ocean temperatures</a> likely caused the crabs to starve to death.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-iconic-species-nbsp">Iconic species&nbsp;</h2>



"The snow crab is an iconic species in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/phytoplankton-bloom-bering-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bering Sea</a> that supports an economically important fishery and undergoes extensive monitoring and management. Since 2018, more than 10 billion snow crabs have disappeared from the eastern Bering Sea, and the population collapsed to historical lows in 2021," wrote the study authors. 



"We link this collapse to a marine heatwave in the eastern Bering Sea during 2018 and 2019. Calculated caloric requirements, reduced spatial distribution, and observed body conditions suggest that starvation played a role in the collapse."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crab-harvest">Crab harvest </h2>



Due to the decline, the <a href="https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alaska Department of Fish and Game</a> has canceled the snow crab harvest season for two consecutive years.



Study lead author and NOAA fishery biologist Cody Szuwalski told CNN: “When I received the 2021 data from the survey for the first time, my mind was just blown."



“Everybody was just kind of hoping and praying that that was an error in the survey and that next year you would see more crabs. And then in 2022, it was more of a resignation that this is going to be a long road."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dramatic-collapse-nbsp">Dramatic collapse&nbsp;</h2>



While overfishing was initially suspected as the culprit, it doesn't explain the dramatic collapse. The researchers considered two primary explanations for the crabs' disappearance: they either moved to another location, or they died.&nbsp;



After analyzing various areas and factors, they concluded that a mass mortality event was the primary reason for the loss of the crabs.



"Our results do not support a strong connection between variability in snow crab mortality and indices of trawling, predation, cannibalism, or disease," wrote the researchers.



"All of these forces must contribute to underlying mortality to some degree, but several observations corroborate the idea that temperature and population density were the key variables in the recent collapse."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hungrier-crabs">Hungrier crabs</h2>



Warmer waters affect the metabolism of snow crabs, increasing their caloric needs. With disrupted food webs due to the heat, the crabs couldn't find enough food to meet their increased energy demands.



The absence of a temperature barrier allowed Pacific cod to enter the crabs' habitat during the heat wave, further decimating the crab population.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-warming">Rapid warming</h2>



The Arctic region, especially the Bering Sea, has experienced rapid warming and a dramatic loss of sea ice. This accelerates global warming and has direct implications for marine life.



“This was a huge heat wave effect,” study co-author Kerim Aydin told CNN. “When the heat wave came through, it just created a huge amount of starvation."



"Other species may have moved in to take advantage of it, and then when the heat wave passed, things are maybe a bit more back to normal - although the crabs have a long road to getting past that even in normal times.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



The disappearance of snow crabs around Alaska is a distressing sign of how marine life is being affected by climate change.&nbsp;



Szuwalski told CNN what's happening with Alaska’s crabs is proof that the climate crisis is rapidly accelerating and impacting livelihoods.



“The big take home for me from the paper, and just the whole experience in general, is that historically, fishery scientists had been very worried about overfishing - this has been our white whale, and in a lot of places we really solved that with management,” Szuwalski said.&nbsp;



“But climate change is really throwing a wrench into our plans, our models and our management systems.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adf6035" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Snow crab season is canceled again as billions of them have simply disappeared

The sudden and dramatic disappearance of billions of snow crabs...

The idea that "a dog is a man’s best friend" takes on a deeper meaning when it comes to Australia's wild dingoes. Historically maligned and feared in Australia, dingoes might have once held a place of reverence, according to a new study from <a href="https://www.anu.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Australian National University</a>.



The research sheds light on a previously understudied aspect of pre-colonial Australian history. It suggests that these wild <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-use-their-tails-more-for-communication-than-movement/">canines</a> were not just tolerated but perhaps even domesticated by the First Nations people before European settlers arrived on the continent.



The study was based on an in-depth analysis of remains discovered at the Curracurrang archaeological site, situated to the south of Sydney.&nbsp;



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



"Dingo burial is a tradition that began from the time of, or within about 1,000 years of, the dingo’s arrival in Australia, and appears to have been a widespread cultural practice," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"Both written and Indigenous oral historical records indicate that the practice was widely distributed throughout Australia at the time of European invasion."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dingo-burials">Dingo burials</h2>



Radiocarbon dating techniques applied to the excavated dingo bones indicate that these animals were buried alongside humans nearly 2,000 years ago.



Dr. Loukas Koungoulos, the lead researcher, emphasized the significance of this ritualistic burial.&nbsp;



“Not all camp dingoes were given burial rites, but in all areas in which the burials are recorded, the process and methods of disposal are identical or almost identical to those associated with human rites in the same area,” said Dr. Koungoulos. “This reflects the close bond between people and dingoes and their almost-human status.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-possible-co-burials">Possible co-burials</h2>



"Both male and females, and individuals of all ages are represented in archaeological dingo burials. Dingo burials frequently or even mostly occur in sites where people are also buried," wrote the researchers.



"Spatial arrangements suggest some dingo burials from southeastern Australia could be co-burials with particular individual people, but possible cases remain to be verified with radiocarbon dating."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-evidence-nbsp">Critical evidence&nbsp;</h2>



Intriguingly, burials were not the sole evidence pointing towards the domestication of dingoes. The site also yielded dingo remains with notably worn teeth, suggestive of a diet rich in large bones.&nbsp;



This characteristic wear pattern is likely a result of the animals consuming leftovers from human meals, hinting at a relationship far more intimate than mere coexistence.&nbsp;



Furthermore, the dingo remains range from young pups to those aged six to eight years. According to the researchers, this shows that First Nations people didn’t just care for young dingoes before they returned to the wild, but that they built much more substantial relationships.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-lasting-bonds">Long-lasting bonds</h2>



“These findings mark an important development in our understanding of the relationship between Australia’s First Peoples and dingoes,” said co-author Professor Susan O’Connor.&nbsp;



“By the time Europeans settled in Australia, the bond between dingoes and Indigenous people was entrenched. This is well known by Indigenous people and has been documented by observers."&nbsp;



“Our work shows that they had long-lasting relationships prior to European colonization, not just the transient, temporary associations recorded during the colonial era.”&nbsp;



The research is published in the journal PLOS One.&nbsp;



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Dingoes were once regarded as "almost human" in Australia

The idea that "a dog is a man’s best friend"...

A new study is shedding light on the mysterious disappearance of certain marine animals at the South Pole between 390 to 385 million years ago. The research illustrates the profound impacts of climate and sea-level changes on marine ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-setting-the-stage-nbsp">Setting the stage&nbsp;</h2>



Gondwana, a vast landmass encompassing parts of modern-day Africa, South America, and Antarctica, was uniquely positioned near the South Pole during the Early-Middle Devonian period.&nbsp;



Contrary to the icy landscape we associate with Antarctica today, this ancient supercontinent experienced warmer climates and higher <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-last-ice-age-shows-how-rising-sea-levels-will-transform-coastal-habitats/">sea levels</a>, resulting in the flooding of vast areas of land.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-malvinoxhosan-biota">The Malvinoxhosan biota</h2>



For nearly two centuries, scientists have been perplexed by the emergence and eventual disappearance of the Malvinoxhosan biota - a group of marine animals that thrived in cooler waters. This group included various types of shellfish, many of which are now extinct.&nbsp;



"The origin and disappearance of these animals have remained an enigma for nearly two centuries until now," said study lead author Dr. Cameron Penn-Clarke, an expert in the Evolutionary Studies Institute at the <a href="https://www.wits.ac.za/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of the Witwatersrand</a>.



To investigate, the researchers collected and analyzed an extensive amount of fossil data. Using advanced analytical methods, they sifted through layers of ancient rock, each bearing its own unique set of fossils.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disturbing-discovery-nbsp">Disturbing discovery&nbsp;</h2>



The analysis identified 7 to 8 distinct layers, each progressively showing a decline in marine animal diversity.&nbsp;



By comparing these layers with ancient environmental data and global temperature records, the researchers found a disturbing correlation: the decline in marine species coincided with fluctuating sea levels and climate changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cooling-phase-nbsp">Cooling phase&nbsp;</h2>



After over a decade of intensive research, Dr. Penn-Clarke and his team believe that the Malvinoxhosan biota thrived during a prolonged global cooling phase.&nbsp;



Cooler conditions fostered circumpolar thermal barriers, such as ocean currents near the poles. This isolation facilitated their specialization. However, as temperatures began to rise, these animals vanished, replaced by marine species better suited to warmer waters.



Alterations in sea levels during this period likely broke natural ocean barriers, allowing equatorial warm waters to permeate the South Pole. Consequently, these warm-water species dominated, signaling the decline of the Malvinoxhosan marine creatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-catastrophic-breakdown-nbsp">Catastrophic breakdown&nbsp;</h2>



The demise of the Malvinoxhosan biota resulted in a catastrophic breakdown of polar ecosystems - a damage that was irreversible.&nbsp;



"This suggests a complete collapse in the functioning of polar environments and ecosystems to the point that they could never recover," said Dr. Penn-Clarke.&nbsp;



“It's a 390-million-year-old murder mystery. We now know that the combined effects of changes in sea-level and temperature were the most likely 'smoking gun' behind this extinction event."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-global-phenomenon">A global phenomenon?</h2>



While this extinction event may have corresponded with known extinction events during the Early-Middle Devonian, researchers do not have adequate age inferences.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"This research is important when we consider the biodiversity crisis we are facing in the present day," said Dr. Penn-Clarke. "It demonstrates the sensitivity of polar environments and ecosystems to changes in sea level and temperature. Any changes that occur are, unfortunately, permanent."



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Disappearance of the Malvinoxhosan biota linked to climate change

A new study is shedding light on the mysterious disappearance...

Portrait,Of,Three,Chickens,Isolated,On,White,Background

In an industry often criticized for its environmental impact, a creative solution for clean electricity emerges from an unexpected source: chicken feathers. 



Typically, these by-products contribute significantly to the waste in poultry production, with an astonishing 40 million ton globally being incinerated annually. This disposal method not only exacerbates CO2 emissions but is also responsible for releasing harmful gases, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/short-term-exposure-to-air-pollution-increases-stroke-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sulfur dioxide</a>, making it an environmentally detrimental practice.



However, a collaborative venture between researchers at <a href="https://ethz.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ETH Zurich</a> and <a href="https://www.ntu.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nanyang Technological University Singapore</a> (NTU) promises a revolutionary repurposing for these feathers, potentially transforming a substantial environmental liability into a pioneering energy solution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-converting-keratin-to-energy">Converting keratin to energy</h2>



The innovation hinges on an intricate understanding of the composition of chicken feathers. Recognizing that the feathers are composed of 90% keratin, a protein also found in human hair and animal fur, the researchers developed a process to extract this protein and convert it into ultra-fine fibers known as amyloid fibrils. 



These fibrils present a remarkable application: forming the membrane of a fuel cell, a device that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, heat, and water, thereby <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/chicken-feathers_electricity_diagram_credit-ETH-Zurich_1medium.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">generating CO2-free electricity</a>.



In stark contrast to conventional methods, this approach circumvents the use of toxic "forever chemicals" in fuel cell membranes. These traditional materials pose substantial environmental and health risks due to their non-biodegradable nature and high costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inside-the-fuel-cell">Inside the fuel cell</h2>



Fuel cells function through a delicate balance of chemical reactions, at the heart of which lies a semipermeable membrane. This membrane's critical role is to allow protons to pass while blocking electrons, thereby directing these electrons through an external circuit, generating an electric current.



The keratin-based membrane, born from repurposed waste, is not only a more environmentally friendly option but also significantly cheaper. Laboratory demonstrations indicate that these new membranes are up to three times less costly than their conventional counterparts, presenting an economically appealing alternative.



Professor Raffaele Mezzenga, a pivotal figure in this research from ETH Zurich, explains the profound environmental implications of their findings. He said, “Our latest development closes a cycle: we’re taking a substance that releases CO2 and toxic gases when burned and using it in a different setting. With our new technology, it not only replaces toxic substances but also prevents the release of CO2, decreasing the overall carbon footprint.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hydrogen-production-challenges">Hydrogen production challenges</h2>



Despite the promise of hydrogen as a clean energy source, its widespread adoption faces significant hurdles. One primary challenge is the scarcity of naturally occurring hydrogen on Earth, necessitating energy-intensive production processes.



Here, the novel keratin membrane again demonstrates its potential. The membrane's unique properties make it suitable for water electrolysis, a process where water is split into oxygen and hydrogen using an electric current. While traditional electrolysis methods require certain additives to enhance water's conductivity, the keratin-based membrane facilitates efficient water splitting even in pure water, eliminating the need for these potentially harmful additives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-electricity-from-chicken-feathers-the-path-ahead">Electricity from chicken feathers: the path ahead</h2>



While the research has provided promising results, further investigations are necessary to determine the long-term stability and durability of the keratin membranes in real-world applications. Addressing these and other technical challenges is crucial for transitioning from laboratory success to full-scale commercial viability.



The team, driven by the potential global impact of their discovery, has filed a joint patent for the keratin-based membrane technology. They are actively seeking partnerships with investors and forward-thinking companies willing to join their quest in pioneering a cleaner, sustainable energy future. This collaboration will be essential for refining the technology, scaling up production, and eventually introducing these innovative fuel cells to the market.



In transforming poultry waste into an opportunity, the researchers are not just proposing a more sustainable form of energy production; they are reimagining global resources management and setting the stage for a more sustainable industrial future.



The full study was published by the <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.3c10218" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Chemical Society</a>.



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New tech uses chicken feathers to generate clean electricity

In an industry often criticized for its environmental impact, a...

A new study indicates that marine mammals in modern zoos and aquariums are now living longer and healthier lives. This trend is a result of advances in animal care practices centered on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cat-contraception-using-gene-therapy-could-revolutionize-animal-welfare/">animal welfare</a>, according to the researchers.



The research was led by <a href="https://species360.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Species360</a>, in collaboration with an international team of dozens of experts.



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



The study was focused on life expectancy and lifespan equality as indicators of population welfare among marine mammals.



Interestingly, the findings show that marine mammals in zoological environments tend to live longer than those in the wild.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



To investigate, the researchers used the Species360 Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) – the world's most comprehensive database on wildlife in human care.&nbsp;



The experts processed an enormous cache of data, spanning 200 years, starting from the early 1800s up to 2020.&nbsp;



The primary focus was on four marine mammal species: harbor seal, California sea lion, polar bear, and common bottlenose dolphin.&nbsp;



The goal was to estimate the improvement in their living conditions and verify it by the increasing number of individuals attaining old age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



In a comparative analysis, the team examined data from wild populations of the same species. The study revealed that, remarkably, the life expectancy of the captive mammal species has surged by more than threefold.&nbsp;



Furthermore, the mortality rate in the first year of life has plummeted by up to 31% in the past century in the studied zoos and aquariums. Currently, these species enjoy a life expectancy that is two to three times higher in zoos and aquariums than in the wild.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quality-of-life">Quality of life</h2>



The study also incorporated an analysis to gauge the quality of extended lives and the mitigation of unpredictable early deaths.&nbsp;



The results showed that there has been an upward trajectory in lifespan equality for all four species in captive environments. This means that not only are these animals living longer, but their quality of life has also improved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-zoological-practices-nbsp">Zoological practices&nbsp;</h2>



A pivotal turning point was observed from the 1990s onwards, which the researchers attribute to enhancements in zoological practices.&nbsp;



These include advanced veterinary care, improved environmental conditions, enriched nutrition, and the inclusion of positive reinforcement training in routine animal examinations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transformative-journey-nbsp">Transformative journey&nbsp;</h2>



Study lead author Dr. Morgane Tidière of the <a href="https://www.sdu.dk/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southern Denmark</a> emphasized the transformative journey of zoological institutions.



“Our findings indicate that significant progress has been made in enhancing the welfare of marine mammals in zoological institutions, as a result of improvements in management practices in progressive zoos and aquariums. Professional zoos and aquariums of today cannot be compared to zoos 30 years ago," said Dr. Tidière.



“This kind of research is possible as a result of the standardized data collected and shared by Species360 member zoos and aquariums around the world.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



The study authors emphasize that these findings predominantly represent the average welfare standards of marine mammals in Species360 member institutions, but not necessarily the global standards of all zoos and aquariums.&nbsp;



The hope is that these results will motivate other establishments to refine their animal management practices.



The study stands as a significant contribution to the debate on animal welfare in zoos and aquariums, highlighting the critical role of scientific research in shaping the future of animal care in these institutions.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2023.1895" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences</a>.&nbsp;



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Marine mammals in zoos are now living longer, healthier lives

A new study indicates that marine mammals in modern zoos...

Western,,Bluebird,,Bird,,Couple,Male

North America is currently facing a significant and rapid decline in bird populations, a situation that has been exacerbated by various factors, including the drastic impacts of climate change. The consequences of rising temperatures on these fragile ecosystems are profound, influencing bird reproduction and survival rates. 



Recent findings from a study conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Davis</a>, highlight the multifaceted challenges birds encounter and the varying degrees of these challenges depending on their habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-impact-on-bird-reproduction">Climate impact on bird reproduction</h2>



The team illuminated how climate change, particularly the phenomenon of extreme temperatures, affects bird reproduction differently across diverse environments. These revelations are crucial in understanding how combined stressors, such as habitat degradation and climate-induced heat, influence bird populations throughout the United States.



One of the critical discoveries was the detrimental effect of extreme high temperatures on bird reproductive success within agricultural landscapes. Birds residing near farmlands experience a significant reduction in fledgling success during temperature spikes, with their chances of successful reproduction being halved compared to more temperate conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protective-role-of-forest-habitats">Protective role of forest habitats</h2>



Contrastingly, forest environments appear to serve as sanctuaries against the harsh temperatures. The natural canopy cover and shaded areas within these forests contribute significantly to nesting success, thereby offering a crucial climate refuge for various bird species.



Katherine Lauck, the study’s co-lead author and a Ph.D. candidate in ecology at UC Davis, emphasizes the disparity in heat effects between agricultural and forest-nesting birds. She suggests that canopy cover could be a decisive factor in providing much-needed climate refuges, crucial for the survival of diverse bird species that thrive in these habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-areas-unexpected-safe-havens">Urban areas: Unexpected safe havens?</h2>



Interestingly, the study found that urban settings, contrary to popular belief, had less negative impact on bird nesting success during heat waves compared to agricultural landscapes. Urban nests, often located in city parks or residential areas with significant tree cover, seemed to benefit from these “mini-forests,” providing a buffer against temperature extremes.



Lauck points out that common cityscapes like backyards and parks could play a vital role as bird habitats, offering a degree of protection against future climate extremes. These findings indicate the importance of urban green spaces for wildlife conservation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bird-reproduction-and-citizen-science">Bird reproduction and citizen science</h2>



The project, initiated by Associate Professor Daniel Karp and his students from the Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, was a response to keep the lab connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. They leveraged data from <a href="https://nestwatch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NestWatch</a>, a citizen science program by Cornell University’s <a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Laboratory of Ornithology</a>.



This large-scale initiative involves volunteers across the country monitoring local bird nests and recording valuable data. The extensive dataset, encompassing over 152,000 nesting records from nearly 60 bird species across various habitats over 23 years, provided a unique insight into bird reproduction trends and the challenges posed by climate change and habitat loss.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-most-vulnerable-species">The most vulnerable species</h2>



The research delved into the species most affected by temperature extremes in agricultural settings. It was observed that the impact was broad, significantly affecting all studied bird species, including western bluebirds and tree swallows, common inhabitants of farms.



The vulnerability was even more pronounced in threatened birds and those that construct open-cup nests, exposing them directly to the elements. According to Karp, the alarming decline in nesting success becomes even more concerning for species already under conservation scrutiny.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead-predictions-and-conservation">Looking ahead: Predictions and conservation</h2>



The implications of the study are far-reaching, predicting a further 5% decline in nesting success in agricultural landscapes by 2100 if current greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated. This forecast underscores the urgent need for measures to counteract these effects.



The research advocates for immediate action, such as reducing emissions and creating or preserving natural vegetation patches to serve as thermal refuges. These steps are essential for bird conservation, especially in urban and agricultural settings.



Karp suggests practical interventions, such as strategically placing nest boxes in shaded areas and maintaining native vegetation to provide the necessary cover and protection from heat. These actions could significantly influence the survival of bird populations in the coming years, ensuring these crucial members of the ecosystem continue to thrive.



The full study was published in the renowned journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.add2915" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Bird reproduction suffers greatly during heat waves

North America is currently facing a significant and rapid decline...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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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;



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



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Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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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 



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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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

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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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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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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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



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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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

[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"] Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected...

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

[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" 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> describes a new map of Mars that is providing insight into the planet’s watery past. The map also reveals where future missions could safely land on Mars.&nbsp;



The map has been created over the last decade using observations of water-rich rocks and mineral deposits. The images were captured by ESA’s Mars Express and NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.



"A big surprise is the prevalence of these minerals, with the map revealing hundreds of thousands of water-affected locations in the oldest parts of the planet," says ESA. "The new data will help answer exciting questions about Mars’ climate history, whether water was globally persistent or confined to short, intense episodes, and whether the conditions were ever suitable for life."



"Specifically, the map shows the locations and abundances of aqueous minerals. These are from rocks that have been chemically altered by the action of water in the past, and have typically been transformed into clays and salts."



According to John Carter of the Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale (IAS), our collective understanding of Mars has been oversimplified. He explained that planetary scientists have tended to think that only a few types of clay minerals on Mars were created during its wet period, then as the water gradually dried up, salts were produced across the planet.



The new map shows that the composition of Mars is much more complicated than what we thought. For example, while many salts formed after Martian clays, there are some salts that are presumed to be older than some of the clays.&nbsp;



“The evolution from lots of water to no water is not as clear cut as we thought, the water didn’t just stop overnight. We see a huge diversity of geological contexts, so that no one process or simple timeline can explain the evolution of the mineralogy of Mars. That’s the first result of our study. The second is that if you exclude life processes on Earth, Mars exhibits a diversity of mineralogy in geological settings just as Earth does,” said Carter.



Video 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 history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" 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.stowers.org/">Stowers Institute for Medical Research</a> describes how cavefish adapted to a sedentary lifestyle over tens of thousands of years. 



The experts found that the muscle metabolism of cavefish has been genetically reprogrammed over time. As a result, the animals have experienced major changes in their morphology and behavior. Despite these changes, however, the cavefish remain healthy and fit.



The research may provide new clues about the evolutionary consequences of prolonged physical inactivity in humans.&nbsp;



“It’s no surprise that people are moving less and less as technology has advanced,” said Rohner. “With cavefish, we have a unique system where we can study what might happen if people remained couch potatoes over very, very long periods of time.”



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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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.

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" 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> some of the most incredible waves in the world, as seen by Landsat satellites.



"With more than 370,000 miles of coastline on Earth, there are plenty of places where epic waves build up, curl over, and hurtle toward the shore.- much to the thrill of surfers," says NASA. "There are some places where these waves are so magnificent that they can be seen from space."



"With the broad perspective of satellites, we can see how these iconic waves develop into the world’s tallest, longest, fastest, and heaviest."



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&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 capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

[sendtonews key="MHyhtebibJ-2200368-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes why satellite images and measurements of our planet have become "essential to our survival, offering a new outlook of our world."&nbsp;



Rising sea levels pose one of the biggest societal threats associated with climate change. According to ESA, satellite altimeter missions such as Copernicus Sentinel-6 are essential in monitoring global and regional changes in sea level.



"Unbeknown to many, the island of Crete, Greece, plays an important role in the Copernicus satellite altimetry constellation and on an international stage," reports ESA.



"Satellite altimetry data have to be continuously monitored at the ESA’s Permanent Facility for Altimetry Calibration where different techniques have pioneered the use of transponders to provide the best measurements to validate satellite altimeters in space soon after launch."



Dr. Craig Donlon explains that, by understanding planet Earth through satellite measurements, we are able to find evidence of change.&nbsp;



Video Credit: European Space Agency&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

Satellites have become essential to our survival

[sendtonews key="761m2QQvR1-2035772-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...