Wandering salamanders, also known as "skydiving salamanders," have fascinated scientists for years with their ability to jump and glide effortlessly through the towering canopies of coastal redwood forests. 



Despite their small size, these amphibians navigate high-altitude branches with precision, sticking their landings and taking off with ease. 



Until recently, the mechanics behind their remarkable acrobatic movement remained a mystery. Now, a new study reveals a surprising answer: blood-powered toes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salamanders-that-control-blood-flow">Salamanders that control blood flow</h2>



Researchers at Washington State University discovered that wandering salamanders (Aneides vagrans) can rapidly control the blood flow in their toe tips.



This ability allows them to grip, detach, and move through their arboreal environment with remarkable efficiency. 



The study not only sheds light on an unknown aspect of salamander physiology but also has potential implications for technological advances in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/octopus-suckers-the-future-of-underwater-adhesives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adhesives</a>, prosthetics, and robotic limbs.



The research team found that salamanders can fill, trap, and drain blood within their toe tips. 



This process helps them fine-tune their attachment and detachment from surfaces, providing the grip necessary for climbing and the release required for efficient movement.



The discovery challenges previous assumptions about the function of the visible red “lakes” of blood in their translucent toes. These structures were long thought to aid in oxygenation, but no scientific evidence supported that claim.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advantages-of-the-control">Advantages of the control</h2>



The study suggests that controlling blood flow in the toes allows <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-salamander-like-beast-gaiasia-jennyae-top-predator-before-dinosaurs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salamanders</a> to adjust pressure asymmetrically.



 This fine-tuned control helps them navigate the irregular surfaces of tree bark. Surprisingly, the blood influx before “toe-off” does not aid in attachment but rather helps the salamanders detach. 



By slightly inflating their toe tips, they reduce the surface area in contact with the bark, minimizing the energy required to let go. This efficiency is crucial when gliding between branches and ensuring safe landings.



“Gecko-inspired adhesives already allow surfaces to be reused without losing stickiness,” said Christian Brown, lead author of the study, and a postdoctoral researcher in integrative physiology and neuroscience at <a href="https://wsu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington State University</a>.



“Understanding salamander toes could lead to similar breakthroughs in attachment technologies.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-documentary-shoot">A documentary shoot</h2>



The origins of this study trace back to an unexpected moment during the filming of the documentary The Americas, which will air on February 23, 2025 on NBC and Peacock.



Brown was assisting on set as a salamander expert when he noticed something unusual through the production team’s high-powered camera lenses.



Just before a wandering salamander took a step, blood appeared to rush into its toe tips. Brown and camera assistant William Goldenberg observed this phenomenon multiple times. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/salamandar-wandering_Aneides-vagrans_hindfoot_suction_blood-flow_credit-WSU_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/salamandar-wandering_Aneides-vagrans_hindfoot_suction_blood-flow_credit-WSU_1s.webp" alt="The hindfoot of a live wandering salamander (Aneides vagrans). In the background, blood can be seen filling a toe tip. Photo: William P. Goldenberg/WSU" class="wp-image-1958372"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The hindfoot of a live wandering salamander (Aneides vagrans). In the background, blood can be seen filling a toe tip. Photo: William P. Goldenberg/WSU</figcaption></figure>



The repeated occurrence caught their attention. “We looked at each other like, ‘Did you see that?’” Brown related.



Although the documentary team moved on to other subjects, Brown’s curiosity lingered. After filming wrapped, he reached out to Goldenberg and proposed an experiment. 



Using high-resolution film equipment, they would investigate whether salamanders consistently displayed this blood-powered toe mechanism under controlled conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salamanders-regulating-their-blood-flow">Salamanders regulating their blood flow </h2>



The research team conducted detailed video trials and microscopic analysis at Washington State University’s <a href="https://fmic.wsu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Franceschi Microscopy &amp; Imaging Center</a>. 



Their findings confirmed that wandering salamanders regulate blood flow to each individual toe tip, which allows them to modify grip strength as needed.



This discovery provides insight into how salamanders navigate the complex terrain of the redwood canopy. The ability to release their grip efficiently is particularly significant. 



“If you’re climbing a redwood and have 18 toes gripping bark, being able to detach efficiently without damaging your toe tips makes a huge difference,” Brown said. 



The research suggests that this mechanism plays a crucial role in the salamanders’ ability to thrive in the towering heights of their natural habitat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-beyond-one-species">Implications beyond one species</h2>



While this study focused on&nbsp;Aneides vagrans, the findings could have broader implications. Other salamander species, including aquatic ones, also have vascularized toe structures. 



These structures may serve different purposes depending on the environment, from regulating grip on wet surfaces to enhancing movement across diverse landscapes.



The discovery could also inspire <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-pushing-the-u-s-toward-an-unpredictable-transformation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">innovations</a> beyond biology. Scientists studying bioinspired design are particularly interested in nature’s solutions to movement and adhesion problems.



By understanding how salamanders control their grip with blood-powered toe tips, researchers may be able to develop new adhesives and prosthetics that mimic this ability.



Brown and his colleagues plan to expand their research to investigate how similar mechanisms function in other salamander species. 



“This could redefine our understanding of how salamanders move across diverse habitats,” Brown said. The findings could help explain how different species adapt to their environments and refine our knowledge of biomechanics in amphibians.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-perspective-on-salamander-movement">New perspective on salamander movement</h2>



The discovery of blood-powered toes in wandering salamanders challenges previous assumptions about their movement and grip strength. 



As scientists continue to study these remarkable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frogs-and-toads-face-new-risks-as-their-habitats-dry-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amphibians</a>, they may uncover even more secrets hidden within their physiology. 



For now, the ability of wandering salamanders to control their grip with precision remains an intriguing discovery in animal biomechanics.



The study is published in the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jmor.70026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Morphology</a>. 



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'Skydiving' salamanders can fully control blood flow in their toes

Wandering salamanders, also known as "skydiving salamanders," have fascinated scientists for years with their ability to jump and glide effortlessly through the towering canopies of coastal redwood forests. Despite their small size, these amphibians navigate high-altitude branches with precision, sticking their landings and taking off with ease. Until recently, the mechanics behind their remarkable acrobatic movement remained a mystery. Now, a new study reveals a surprising answer: blood-powered toes. Salamanders that control blood flow Researchers at Washington State University discovered that wandering salamanders (Aneides vagrans) can rapidly control...

Cast your mind back to the year 1988. The Koster archipelago, a cluster of islands off the Swedish west coast near Norway, suffered a harsh attack from a significant bloom of toxic algae. This occurrence left an indelible mark on the marine snail populations residing in these islands - driving an impact on their evolution, and pushing them to near extinction.



But why should this matter to anyone but marine biologists or environmentalists? Well, this unfortunate turn of events would provide an opportunity to observe the fascinating process of evolution in real-time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decades-long-experiment-with-snails">Decades-long experiment with snails</h2>



The Koster islands and the encompassing rocky islets known as skerries were habitats for dense and diverse populations of marine snails, specifically the species Littorina saxatilis. 



While the snail populations bounced back on the larger islands within two to four years, the populations on smaller skerries couldn't recover from this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pest-control-product-nemaslug-could-harm-beneficial-snails/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">catastrophic event</a>.



Kerstin Johannesson, a marine ecologist at the <a href="https://www.gu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Gothenburg</a>, Sweden, saw an opportunity amidst this disaster. In 1992, she reintroduced the L. saxatilis snails to their original skerry habitat, thus initiating an experiment with profound implications that researchers could witness over three decades later.



Ultimately, the experiment enabled an international team led by the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (<a href="https://ista.ac.at/en/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ISTA</a>) to observe and predict evolution of snails in real-time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-snails-evolved-to-fit-their-environment">Snails evolved to fit their environment </h2>



The marine snail species L. saxatilis is spread across the North Atlantic shores. Evolved to adapt to their environment, these snails exhibit differences in size, shell shape, shell color, and behavior. 



The two distinct types that develop, most prominently known as the Crab- and Wave-ecotype, are particularly intriguing. The Wave snails tend to be smaller, with thin shells of unique colors and patterns, a large and rounded aperture, and bold behavior. 



In contrast, the Crab snails are noticeably larger, possess thicker shells without patterns, a smaller and more elongated aperture, and exhibit wary behavior due to their predator-filled environment.



Remarkably, the Koster archipelago served as a home to both these types of L. saxatilis. Following the deadly algae bloom, Wave snails perished, leaving the shores desolate. 



However, Crab snails were still abundant nearby. Capitalizing on this proximity, Johannesson decided to reintroduce the Crab snails to the wave snail’s old abode in 1992.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-snails-reclaim-lost-traits-through-evolution">Snails reclaim lost traits through evolution</h2>



Johannesson's decision turned out to be a masterstroke. With the snails churning out one to two generations every year, scientists could witness the Crab snails adapt to their new environment in real-time. 



“Our colleagues saw evidence of the snails’ adaptation already within the first decade of the experiment,” said Diego Garcia Castillo, a graduate student in the <a href="https://ista.ac.at/en/research/barton-group/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barton Group at ISTA</a> and a leading author of the study.



“Over the experiment’s 30 years, we were able to predict robustly what the snails will look like and which genetic regions will be implicated. The transformation was both rapid and dramatic."



But this evolution and transformation wasn't a case of the snails developing their traits from scratch. Some of the genetic diversity was already available in the starting Crab population, though at low prevalence. These findings indicate that access to a large gene pool can hasten the process of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/slugs-and-snails-prefer-los-angeles-city-life-over-rural-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-diversity-in-snail-evolution">Genetic diversity in snail evolution</h2>



Over the duration of the experiment, the team examined the snails' phenotype, individual gene variabilities, and larger genetic changes that affect entire regions of the chromosomes called "chromosomal inversions."



They observed a rapid selection of traits already present at a low frequency in the transplanted Crab snail population, which may be further bolstered by gene flow from neighboring Wave snails.



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



This research on snail evolution opens a window into understanding how species can adapt to modern environmental challenges such as pollution and climate change. Not all species have access to large gene pools, and evolving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deadly-snail-venom-possible-key-to-improving-diabetes-medicine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new traits</a> from scratch is slow. 



Anja Marie Westram, a former postdoc at ISTA, now a researcher at Nord University, expressed her hope for the future. "Perhaps this research helps convince people to protect a range of natural habitats so that species do not lose their genetic variation."



Fast forward to the present day, and the snails Johannesson brought to the skerry in 1992 now have a thriving population of around 1,000 individuals. These humble snails, once victims of an environmental catastrophe, are now helping us understand the wonders of nature and evolution.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adp2102" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Snails defy death and revive through evolution

Cast your mind back to the year 1988. The Koster...

Researchers have recently unlocked new insights into how the red milkweed beetle thrives on toxic plants, shedding light on the ecological, evolutionary, and potential economic impacts of insect-plant interactions.&nbsp;



While the relationship between the red milkweed beetle and milkweed plants has been studied for nearly 150 years, scientists have now taken a major step forward by sequencing the beetle’s genome and examining genes tied to plant-feeding and other biological traits.



The research was conducted by Rich Adams from the <a href="https://aaes.uada.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station</a>, in collaboration with colleagues from the <a href="https://www.memphis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Memphis</a> and the <a href="https://www.uwosh.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Wisconsin Oshkosh</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-red-milkweed-beetle-genome">Red milkweed beetle genome</h2>



The researchers set out to sequence and assemble the entire genome of the red milkweed beetle (Tetraopes tetrophthalmus), a host-specialist.&nbsp;



The research allowed them to compare the genome of this beetle with that of the Asian long-horned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis), a host-generalist and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/growing-threat-of-invasive-species-requires-immediate-action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invasive species</a> that feeds on a variety of important trees.



“From a biological standpoint, there is a lot of correspondence that suggests that longstanding interactions between milkweed beetles and their toxic milkweed hosts should influence the biology of both interacting partners,” explained Adams.&nbsp;



“But, to date, no one has assembled a milkweed beetle genome, which opens the door for targeting a lot of interesting questions at the interface between insect and plant.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-co-evolution-of-plants-and-insects">Co-evolution of plants and insects</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milkweed-gardens-are-needed-to-save-monarch-butterflies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milkweeds</a> and milkweed beetles have long been valuable models for studying ecology, evolution, developmental biology, and the biochemistry of toxins. They have also provided compelling evidence of co-evolution between insect and plant species. 



The timing of their evolutionary histories aligns, meaning that milkweed plants and their beetle counterparts evolved in tandem.



In their research, the team found that the red milkweed beetle has an expansion of genes from the ABC transport family, which may allow the beetles to feed on the toxic milkweed and sequester the plant's toxins within their tissues.&nbsp;



Milkweed plants are well-known for producing toxic latex cocktails that affect the balance of sodium, calcium, and potassium necessary for heart function.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-safe-interactions-with-a-toxic-plant">Safe interactions with a toxic plant</h2>



Adams emphasized that the genome analysis offers important insights into how the beetle has evolved to safely interact with its toxic host plants.



“Milkweeds produce a particularly nasty type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monarch-caterpillars-turn-milkweed-toxin-into-a-survival-tool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">toxin</a> called cardiac glycosides alongside other types of toxins that come with it,” Adams said. 



“For many insects that eat it, the toxin will block their sodium-potassium pumps. But this beetle developed a way to not only resist the toxin, but also sequester it, hold on to it, to keep the beetles themselves safe from would-be predators.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-specialized-diet-of-milkweed-beetles">Specialized diet of milkweed beetles</h2>



The experts also discovered variations in genes responsible for the beetle's sense of smell, taste, and the metabolic enzymes needed to break down plant cell walls.&nbsp;



This new understanding provides a fresh perspective for studying how beetles, particularly long-horned beetles and other plant-eating insects, have specialized their diets over time.



The findings could have significant applications in agriculture and forestry, particularly for managing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urgent-need-to-protect-earths-forests-from-non-native-pests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pests</a>. 



By identifying the genetic factors that allow agricultural and forestry pests to successfully feed on plants and evade control measures, researchers can develop better pest management strategies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-valuable-new-insights">Valuable new insights</h2>



Most animals capable of digesting woody plant material rely on gut microbes to help break down plant cell walls. However, many plant-eating beetles do not need these microbes.&nbsp;



Instead, they have evolved their own mechanisms, often acquiring the ability to break down plant material through horizontal gene transfers from microbes.



Adams pointed out that examining the diversity of proteins encoded within beetle genomes can provide valuable insights into the genomic basis of beetle biology, evolution, and interactions with plants.&nbsp;



“Nature has made an incredible diversity of genes and genomes already out there that we have not yet deciphered,” said Adams.&nbsp;



“Understanding this diversity holds great promise for informing agriculture, forestry, and human health. Herbivorous beetles would have a difficult time feeding on plants without their metabolic enzymes, because they can’t eat effectively without them.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-milkweed-beetles-sense-their-environment">How milkweed beetles sense their environment </h2>



In addition to studying the beetle’s genomic DNA, the team collected RNA from both male and female beetle antennae to explore how the beetles use chemosensation - the ability to detect chemical signals in their environment - to find mates and food.



“Learning more about chemosensory biology - how an organism senses its environment, like sensing a host plant or reproductive partner - has broad relevance for understanding insect-plant interactions, which is intensively relevant to agriculture and forestry,” Adams explained.



The team’s RNA profiling provided the first transcriptomic resource for Tetraopes, offering new insights into the genes that are expressed in specific tissues or cells.&nbsp;



As Adams noted, while DNA provides the gene sequence, RNA allows researchers to gain a clearer picture of how genes are expressed and how often a particular gene is activated.



This research opens new doors to understanding specialized plant-feeding in beetles and could eventually help in developing pest control strategies to protect crops and forests from invasive species.



The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jhered/esae049" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Heredity</a>.



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How does the milkweed beetle safely feed on a toxic plant?

Researchers have recently unlocked new insights into how the red...

Let's dive into a world that speaks a language of its own, one of "smiles" and mirrored facial expressions, captured in the playful banter of bottlenose dolphins. 



A recent study reveals that these playful creatures utilize an "open-mouth" expression, akin to a human smile, as their way of signaling fun during social play.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unveiling-of-the-dolphin-smile">Unveiling of the dolphin smile</h2>



There's a new conversation happening about the exclusive "open mouth" display of bottlenose <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dolphins-and-whales-got-new-backbones-for-life-in-the-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dolphins</a>.



As part of their playful antics, dolphins expertly utilize this display when they are within the field of view of their frisky counterparts.



What's more, when a dolphin perceives a fellow dolphin's open-mouth smile, it reciprocates with its own smile at least 33% of the time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-the-dolphin-smile">Evolution of the dolphin smile</h2>



The research was led by Dr. Elisabetta Palagi, an evolutionary biologist at the <a href="https://www.unipi.it/index.php/english" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Pisa</a>.



Through her extensive research, Dr. Palagi found that dolphins tend to mirror each other's expressions. The frequency of this mimicking behavior is not random but rather a specific response to the visual cue of an open-mouth display.



"Open-mouth signals and rapid mimicry appear repeatedly across the mammal family tree, which suggests that visual communication has played a crucial role in shaping complex social interactions, not only in dolphins but in many species over time," said Dr. Palagi.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-playful-expressions">Evolution of playful expressions</h2>



Taking a deep dive into the past, Dr. Palagi highlighted that the open-mouth gesture likely evolved from the action of biting.



The action was gradually diluted to leave only the intention to bite, without any actual contact. This open-mouth gesture, she explained, is a universal symbol of playfulness seen across social carnivores, monkeys, and even in human laughter.



It behaves as an effective signal to defuse possible confrontation, by clearly indicating intentions of fun rather than conflict. Thus, the dolphins' playfulness, which includes acrobatics, surfing, and playfighting, is not misconstrued as aggression.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dolphins-smiling-for-each-other">Dolphins smiling for each other</h2>



The research also revealed that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-dolphins-who-play-with-others-become-successful-adults/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dolphins</a> frequently use the open mouth expression when playing with other dolphins, but don't appear to use this form of communication when playing with humans or even by themselves.



In essence, the smile is a social cue primarily used in inter-species interactions. This was confirmed through meticulous observation of captive bottlenose dolphins.



Only one open mouth event was recorded during solitary play, while a substantial 1,288 open mouth events were recorded during social play sessions. As many as 92% of these events occurred during dolphin-dolphin play sessions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environment-s-role-in-dolphin-communication">Environment's role in dolphin communication</h2>



In further exploration of dolphin behavior and their expressive smiles, it becomes evident that the environment plays a pivotal role in the manifestation of these social cues.



The aquatic realm, with its propensity for sound to travel farther and clearer underwater, complements the visual signals dolphins employ. 



Spatial awareness and group dynamics are heavily influenced by the environments dolphins inhabit, such as open ocean or coastal areas, impacting their communication strategies. 



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



Understanding the specifics of dolphin communication can profoundly impact how humans engage with these intelligent marine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orcas-have-hunting-and-eating-habits-that-we-never-imagined/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mammals</a>.



With rising interest in dolphin-assisted therapy and ecotourism, comprehending dolphins' social cues becomes paramount to fostering ethical interactions. 



Humans must be cognizant of interpreting dolphin behaviors correctly to avoid misunderstanding playful gestures as signs of distress or vice versa. 



By respecting these natural communication channels and recognizing the boundaries of interspecies interactions, humans can ensure both the welfare of dolphins and the enrichment of their own experience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mimicry-or-chance">Mimicry or chance?</h2>



Can it be that dolphins are simply mimicking each other's open mouth expressions like smiling by mere chance? 



"This doesn’t explain why the probability of mimicking another dolphin’s open mouth within 1 second is 13 times higher when the receiver actually sees the original expression," said Dr. Palagi.



Research indicates that this rate of mimicry in dolphins aligns with behavior seen in certain carnivores like meerkats and sun bears, further solidifying the premise of intentional communication.



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



While our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammals-evolved-similar-inner-ears-despite-different-ancestry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dolphin communication</a> has been broadened, it's clear there's still a lot we don't know. 



Future research is needed to explore the realm of eye-tracking to understand how dolphins see their world. Studies may also investigate the possible role of vocalizations and tactile signals during playful interactions.



"Dolphins have developed one of the most intricate vocal systems in the animal world, but sound can also expose them to predators or eavesdroppers," noted study co-author and zoologist Livio Favaro. 



"When dolphins play together, a mix of whistling and visual cues helps them cooperate and achieve goals, a strategy particularly useful during social play when they’re less on guard for predators."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(24)02191-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>



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Dolphins 'smile' at each other when they play to avoid confusion

Let's dive into a world that speaks a language of...

Temperature is a key factor in determining where species can thrive and whether they are at risk from climate change.&nbsp;



While much research has focused on how heat tolerance affects survival, less attention has been paid to how thermal traits influence reproduction, which is directly connected to extinction risk.&nbsp;



Now, a team of researchers in the United States has explored whether male dragonflies with dark wing coloration, used as a sexual signal during mating, are more resistant to heat.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reproductive-traits-and-heat-tolerance-nbsp">Reproductive traits and heat tolerance&nbsp;</h2>



The findings, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fetho.2024.1447637" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Ethology</a>, provide new insights into the link between reproductive traits and heat tolerance.



“We show that dragonfly species that have evolved dark breeding coloration on their wings have also evolved the ability to tolerate high temperatures,” said lead author Noah Leith, a biologist at the University of Pittsburgh.&nbsp;



“This finding paves the way for a whole new field of research exploring interactions between thermal traits and sexual signals.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wing-coloration-and-mate-selection">Wing coloration and mate selection</h2>



In many animals, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dragonflies-hunt-perfectly-even-in-extreme-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dragonflies</a>, sexual signals like wing coloration play an important role in attracting mates, identifying species for reproduction, and deciding when to retreat from mating contests. However, these dark wing ornaments come with a downside.&nbsp;



Dark colors absorb more heat, raising the dragonflies' body temperature, which can result in physiological stress or cause males to abandon their reproductive territories.



“We see time and time again that animals will put their lives on the line to reproduce, even if it means encountering potentially lethal temperatures,” Leith said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wing-coloration-and-heat-stress">Wing coloration and heat stress</h2>



To investigate, the researchers analyzed 14 species of dragonflies living in tropical climates and five species from temperate regions.&nbsp;



They discovered that species with dark, heat-absorbing wing coloration had evolved to withstand higher <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/at-what-point-does-heat-stress-become-dangerous/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat stress</a> before reaching their critical thermal limits.&nbsp;



“This enhanced ability to tolerate high body temperatures is likely crucial for shaping how dragonflies may respond to the changing climates of the future,” Leith explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-wings-increase-body-temperature">Dark wings increase body temperature</h2>



The researchers found that dark wing ornaments can increase a dragonfly's body temperature by 1°C to 2°C, which is approximately the same as the increase in thermal tolerance observed in species with dark wing patterns.&nbsp;



The tropical species Tauriphila argo, also known as the arch-tipped glider, was found to have the highest heat tolerance among the species studied.&nbsp;



This dragonfly has very dark wing patches near its core body, which absorbs more heat. Overall, the pattern of co-evolution between dark coloration and heat tolerance was even stronger in tropical species, where high temperatures are a constant challenge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-heat-tolerance-nbsp">Evolution of heat tolerance&nbsp;</h2>



Previous research has shown that rising global temperatures are causing some dragonfly species to evolve with less wing coloration. 



However, the new findings suggest that even if these species lose some of their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dragonfly-wing-colors-driven-by-climate-and-sexual-selection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coloration</a> due to climate pressures, they will retain their ability to withstand hotter temperatures because they have already evolved this trait.



This study is one of the first to test whether thermal tolerance co-evolves with reproductive traits.&nbsp;



“Our finding is particularly exciting because dark sexual coloration has evolved over and over across the tree of life and causes a wide variety of other animals to absorb extra heat too - from reptiles to lions and fruit flies,” Leith said.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surviving-in-a-warming-world-nbsp">Surviving in a warming world&nbsp;</h2>



This discovery highlights how evolutionary adaptations in response to reproductive needs may also help species survive in a warming world.



In the context of rapid global warming, being able to predict which species are vulnerable to extinction is crucial for preserving biodiversity. The researchers emphasize the importance of examining not just survival traits, but reproductive traits as well, to get a more comprehensive understanding of how animals respond to environmental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-earths-temperature-has-changed-over-500-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changes</a>.&nbsp;



“Looking at vulnerability in only one aspect of animals' lives is insufficient. We need a more nuanced understanding of how animals respond to changing environments as whole, complex organisms, in which their reproductive traits might influence their chances of surviving a heat wave, and vice versa,” Leith said.



Although the study analyzed 19 species, the researchers point out that there are thousands of dragonfly species worldwide. Future research could explore whether similar patterns exist across other species and types of animals.&nbsp;



“It would be fantastic to someday test if heat tolerance co-evolves with sexual traits across life on Earth,” Leith concluded.



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Wing coloration helps dragonflies withstand heat

Temperature is a key factor in determining where species can...

They say hindsight is 20/20, and while the theory of ecological speciation - the idea that new species emerge due to ecological changes - makes sense in retrospect, it has been challenging to demonstrate experimentally.&nbsp;



However, a recent study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.adj4478" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a> by biologists from the <a href="https://www.umass.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Massachusetts Amherst</a> has managed to achieve this. 



The researchers identified a critical link between ecology and speciation in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/darwins-finches-reveal-how-one-species-becomes-many/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Darwin’s finches</a>, the iconic birds of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finch-beaks-in-changing-environments-nbsp">Finch beaks in changing environments&nbsp;</h2>



Previous work had established that the finches' beaks adapt to changing environments, and these changes influence how they sing. But until now, no one had experimentally shown that such adaptations could drive the formation of new species.



The new research demonstrates how changes in finch beaks, driven by environmental factors, also alter their songs, which in turn affects how the birds recognize their own species - a crucial factor in the speciation process.&nbsp;



“I started working with these birds 25 years ago,” said Jeffrey Podos, a professor of biology at UMass Amherst and the study’s senior author.&nbsp;



“In my very first publication on the finches, back in 2001, I showed that changes in the beaks of Darwin’s finches lead to changes in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-songs-human-speech-common-vocal-genetic-origin-syrinx/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">songs</a> they sing, and I speculated that, because Darwin’s finches use songs to attract mates, then song changes related to beak evolution could perhaps catalyze ecological speciation.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-formation-of-new-species">Formation of new species</h2>



However, Podos lacked direct experimental evidence to support his hypothesis that environmentally driven changes to beak shape were pushing the finches toward the formation of new species.&nbsp;



The difficulty lies in the fact that speciation is a historical process, making it incredibly hard to observe in real-time. “Catching it as it happens,” Podos said, “would be like catching lightning in a bottle.”



To overcome this challenge, Podos devised a clever experiment based on simulations, aided by leads from decades of research on Darwin’s finches.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-closer-look-at-changing-finch-beaks-nbsp">A closer look at changing finch beaks&nbsp;</h2>



Scientists already knew that finch beaks either evolve to become strong enough to crush tough seeds or remain more delicate to facilitate intricate song patterns.&nbsp;



“It takes serious motor performance to sing an intricate song, like that of the swamp sparrow,” Podos explained. “And a big, powerful beak is just too clunky to manage the movements required.”



Thanks to the wealth of data gathered by the wider biological community about how finch beaks change in response to environmental pressures, Podos realized he could model future beak changes.&nbsp;



He chose drought as the ecological driver for his study because droughts tend to select for finches with thicker beaks.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simulating-songs-of-future-finches">Simulating songs of future finches</h2>



Podos also knew he could predict how these thicker-beaked finches would sing after successive drought events and simulate the songs of these future finches. "Essentially, we engineered the calls of future finches,” Podos said.



In general, thicker beaks produce slower songs with a narrower range of frequencies. Each successive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-extreme-weather-events-are-escalating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drought</a> is predicted to result in thicker beaks, which in turn would further slow down the songs and reduce their bandwidth. 



Armed with this knowledge, Podos and his team simulated the calls of future finches based on these beak changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-shifts-and-finch-responses">Environmental shifts and finch responses</h2>



Next, the researchers played these modified calls to a specific population of Darwin’s medium ground finches to see how they responded.&nbsp;



“We found that there were no changes in the finches’ responses to our modified calls even when the simulated songs had changed by the equivalent of three drought events,” said Katie M. Schroeder, co-author of the study and a former doctoral student of Podos.&nbsp;



“But by six drought events, the songs had changed so much that the finches barely responded at all.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connection-between-finch-beaks-and-songs-nbsp">Connection between finch beaks and songs&nbsp;</h2>



This result suggests that because of the connection between beak shape and song, Darwin’s medium ground finches could potentially evolve into a new species after experiencing six major droughts on the Galápagos Islands.



“Our research is not a conceptual revolution, but it is an empirical, experimental confirmation of ecological speciation and its plausibility,” Podos explained.



This study provides critical evidence that ecological factors, such as droughts that alter beak shape, can indeed drive the emergence of new species by changing how birds communicate and recognize one another.&nbsp;



The findings offer a compelling experimental demonstration of ecological speciation in action, shedding new light on the mechanisms that contribute to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/maps-of-bird-populations-can-help-protect-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>, particularly in iconic species like Darwin's finches.



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Finch beaks and bird songs: A new story of evolution

They say hindsight is 20/20, and while the theory of...

Beekeeping in vibrant urban cityscapes has brought bees, including nearly 4,000 native species, into the spotlight. These native bees, residing across the United States, are largely responsible for pollination in our agricultural, urban, and natural landscapes.



However, the narrative becomes more complex when non-native honey bees, managed and domesticated, are added to the equation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-beekeeping-and-native-populations">Urban beekeeping and native populations</h2>



Initial concerns were that managed honey bee populations may have negative impacts on native wild bees, mainly due to potential resource competition and disease sharing.



However, a comprehensive study by researchers at the <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pennsylvania State University</a> points to a different pattern - one that might not be as adverse.



The findings reveal that out of 33 genera of native bees studied, only a few showed any negative impact triggered by the presence of honey bees.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vulnerable-bee-species-identified">Vulnerable bee species identified </h2>



The research sheds light on the groups of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bees-prefer-flowers-with-large-bullseyes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a> that are potentially more vulnerable to the effects of urban beekeeping, which will aid in devising conservation strategies.



The researchers identified a correlation between managed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bee-colonies-are-collapsing-as-climate-change-progresses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">honey bee</a> apiaries, urban land, and the reduced number of bees from six of 33 wild bee genera. The team set out to disentangle the relative influence of apiary density versus developed land.



The six bee genera responded differently to apiary density and urbanization. Long-horned bees in the genus Svastra were most affected by apiary density, whereas Florilegus, another breed of long-horned bees, was most negatively impacted by urbanization. 



Other affected genera included green bees (Agapostemon and Augochlora), sweat bees (Lasioglossum) and long-horned bees (Melissodes).



A deeper analysis of the data revealed that the bees most disrupted by apiaries and land development share some common traits: they tend to nest in the ground, forage later in the season and, in some instances, specialize in specific seasonal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-of-life-created-for-flowering-plants-using-400-million-specimens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flowering plants</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-challenges-for-bees">Urban challenges for bees</h2>



Study lead author Gabriela Quinlan is a U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) postdoctoral research fellow in Penn State’s Center for Pollinator Research and the College of Agricultural Sciences.



“Urban environments can be especially challenging for ground-nesting bees because the hardscaping - asphalt and concrete - can make it difficult to find bare ground for <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1946960&amp;action=edit" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nesting</a>,” said Quinlan. 



“Small bees can’t fly very far, so they may have trouble finding nesting and flowering resources within their flight range. Moreover, specialist bees require very specific flowers, which may be difficult to find in urban settings.”



Quinlan explained that some wild bees also forage later in the season, which happens to be when honey bee colonies are at their peak size and competing for limited floral resources.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solutions-for-urban-beekeeping-challenges">Solutions for urban beekeeping challenges</h2>



“Planting late-season forage and leaving bare ground as nesting resources in urban gardens could help alleviate some of the stressors that developed land and urban beekeeping can put on these bee groups,” noted Quinlan.



For the investigation, the researchers used the locations of nearly 4,000 registered apiaries across Maryland to build a state map of apiary density. They then compared this with data on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flower-strips-can-boost-wild-bee-populations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wild bee populations</a> within the state, collected by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bee Monitoring and Identification Lab.



A declining number of pollinators - linked to pesticide use, pathogens, poor nutrition, and climate change - has caused global concern in recent years. 



There is also increased attention focused on how honey bees, carrying pathogens and heightening resource competition, might be affecting wild, native bees.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-beekeeping-and-wild-bee-abundance">Urban beekeeping and wild bee abundance </h2>



Despite these concerns, evidence to show how honey bees affect the abundance of wild bees has been scarce. The Penn State study sought a deeper understanding of how the presence of managed honey bee populations may relate to reductions in wild bee abundance.



The interconnectedness highlighted by the research prompts a shift in perspective - instead of focusing on individual species, it's crucial to consider bees as communities.



Nonlethal, automated monitoring systems for bees are being developed by the new INSECT NET graduate training program at Penn State for future studies.



In the meantime, one of the best ways to support both wild and managed bees is to bolster our landscapes with more flowering plants, including city streets and backyards.



Beekeepers can boost honey bees' resilience to climate variation by skillfully managing pests and diseases within their colonies, consequently reducing the odds of honey bees spreading diseases to wild bees.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0048969724059394" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science of The Total Environment</a>.



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How does urban beekeeping affect native wild bees?

Beekeeping in vibrant urban cityscapes has brought bees, including nearly...

On a crisp fall morning, a team of scientists ventured into a Danish forest with an unusual mission: to "vacuum" animal DNA straight from the air. Among them was Christina Lynggaard, a dedicated researcher intrigued by the invisible clues floating around us.



Carrying plastic boxes equipped with DNA air samplers, the researchers carefully attached them to tree trunks. 



Once powered on, these devices began to hum softly, pulling in air through filters designed to capture tiny particles. 



Over the next three days, the team from the Globe Institute at the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a> made several trips back to the forest to replace the filters, each time eager to see what secrets the air had given up.



"We saw relatively few animals in the short time we spent in the forest when we changed the air filters. A squirrel, the sound of a woodpecker, a pheasant squawking, and a white-tailed eagle flying above us one day," Lynggaard recounted



Despite the serene and seemingly quiet woods, the DNA they collected painted a picture of a bustling ecosystem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vacuum-dna-reveals-hidden-world">Vacuum DNA reveals hidden world</h2>



By sequencing the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-day-of-forests-2024-new-solutions-for-a-better-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deep forest</a> DNA particles trapped in the filters, the team identified traces from 64 different animal species in an area roughly the size of a football field. 



Domestic animals like cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, and dogs made the list, as did exotic pets such as parakeets and peacocks. 



More remarkably, they detected DNA from about 50 wild species, including red deer, roe deer, Eurasian badgers, red foxes, various vole species, Eurasian red squirrels, common toads, smooth newts, cranes, great spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches, grey herons, marsh tits, woodcocks, and more.



This wasn't the first time the team experimented with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-can-now-collect-human-dna-from-water-air-and-basically-everywhere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">airborne DNA</a>. Earlier, they had successfully detected animal DNA in the air at a zoo, mapping out many of its inhabitants. 



"In a zoo, the animals are present in large numbers in a relatively small area, while in nature they are much less concentrated," Professor Kristine Bohmann pointed out. 



"Therefore, we were unsure how well we could make the method work in nature. And that is where we have to get it to work if we want to use it to monitor biodiversity." 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-monitoring-with-vacuum-dna">Biodiversity monitoring with vacuum DNA</h2>



The ability to detect so many species without direct observation is a game-changer. 



"We are in a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity crisis</a>, and tools are needed to understand how ecosystems change as a result of human impacts, to guide management strategies and to assess the risk of the spread of diseases in areas where animals can come into contact with people," Lynggaard explained. 



This method offers a non-invasive way to monitor wildlife populations and could be crucial for conservation efforts.



Working with airborne environmental DNA isn't without its challenges. The team had to ensure that their findings were accurate, especially when unexpected results appeared. 



When the DNA of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/peacock-feathers-evade-predators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">peacocks</a> showed up in their samples, they questioned whether it was a mistake. 



However, further investigation revealed that local residents occasionally spotted peacocks during their walks, confirming the DNA results. This validation emphasized the method's sensitivity and accuracy.



"It's absolutely crazy! Although we have worked hard to optimize the method, we did not dare to hope for such good results. We didn't think we would succeed so well in the very first attempt in nature," exclaimed Professor Bohmann. 



Their enthusiasm reflects the potential this technique has for future research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-behind-environmental-dna-edna">Science behind environmental DNA (eDNA)</h2>



Animals constantly shed DNA into their environment through hair, feathers, skin cells, and other biological materials. These tiny fragments become part of the surrounding ecosystem, including the air. 



By capturing and analyzing these particles, scientists can identify the species present in an area without needing to see or disturb the animals themselves. 



This approach is particularly valuable for studying elusive or nocturnal species that are hard to observe directly.



The success of this method highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in tackling environmental challenges. 



By combining expertise in genetics, ecology, and technology, the team has developed a tool that could revolutionize how we <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-day-using-technology-to-protect-our-natural-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">monitor and protect wildlife</a>. It emphasizes that innovation often comes from thinking outside traditional boundaries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-engaging-communities-and-citizen-science">Engaging communities and citizen science</h2>



There's also potential for this technique to involve local communities in scientific research. Imagine hikers or nature enthusiasts equipped with portable air samplers, contributing to a global database of biodiversity. 



This citizen science approach could vastly expand the reach of environmental DNA sampling and foster a greater connection between people and nature.



As habitats shrink and species face increasing threats, understanding the dynamics of ecosystems becomes ever more critical. 



Traditional methods of wildlife monitoring can be time-consuming, expensive, and sometimes disruptive to the animals themselves. 



Airborne DNA sampling offers a less invasive alternative that can provide comprehensive data more efficiently.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-vacuum-dna">What's next for vacuum DNA?</h2>



The team plans to test the method in different environments and refine the technology to detect even more species. 



They are exploring the possibilities of scaling up the approach, potentially using drones to collect air samples over larger areas. This could transform conservation efforts on a global scale.



The idea that we can "vacuum" the air to uncover the hidden tapestry of life is both astonishing and inspiring. It reminds us that innovation can come from the simplest observations -- like realizing that the air itself holds the secrets of the forest. 



As we look to the future, methods like this give us hope that we can rise to the challenges facing our planet.



So, the next time you take a deep breath of fresh air, consider the invisible connections it carries. The air isn't just empty space; it's a living library of the world around us.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(23)00515-8">Current Biology</a>.



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Vacuuming animal DNA from the air in a forest yields surprising results

On a crisp fall morning, a team of scientists ventured...

We all love a good mystery, don't we? But when it comes to the mysteries of our vast oceanic realm, they may not always have a comforting conclusion. A recent conundrum involving the disappearance of sperm whales has been puzzling marine scientists.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disappearing-act-of-gulf-sperm-whales">Disappearing act of Gulf sperm whales</h2>



A study in the acclaimed scientific journal PeerJ Life and Environment has uncovered a strange occurrence; the sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) are making a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blue-whales-continue-their-battle-for-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">swift exit</a> from the central part of the Gulf of California.



So what's driving them away, you might wonder? It seems the jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) population collapse has a part to play in this aquatic drama.



Msc. Héctor Pérez-Puig from <a href="https://prescott.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prescott College</a> and Dr. Alejandro Arias Del Razo from Universidad de las Américas Puebla (<a href="https://www.udlap.mx/web/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UDLAP</a>) are the dynamic duo leading the investigation, unravelling this marine mystery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-survey-of-sperm-whales-in-the-gulf">Survey of sperm whales in the Gulf</h2>



Over 9 years, these committed researchers scoured the eastern Midriff Islands Region of the Gulf of California, using a combination of survey data and photo-identification techniques to follow the trail of the disappearing sperm whales. 



Their findings? A strong link between the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jumbo-squid-declines/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vanishing jumbo squid</a> and the sperm whales' departure. The whales were nowhere to be seen from 2016 to 2018.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-jumbo-squid">Understanding jumbo squid</h2>



Jumbo squid, or Humboldt squid, are remarkable and formidable marine creatures inhabiting the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean, particularly along the coasts of Mexico and Peru. 



Growing up to seven feet in length and weighing as much as 100 pounds, they rank among the largest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/octopus-suckers-the-future-of-underwater-adhesives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">squid species known</a>. 



Equipped with sharp beaks and strong tentacles lined with serrated suckers, these squids are adept hunters, preying on fish, shrimp, and even smaller squid. 



They often hunt in large, coordinated groups, referred to as "squid squads." When they detect prey, their quick reflexes allow them to ambush and overpower it, showcasing a surprising level of intelligence.



In addition to their size and aggressive hunting tactics, jumbo squids possess a fascinating ability to communicate through color. By flashing different hues, such as red and white, across their skin, they signal to one another or deter potential threats. 



Their increasing prevalence in recent years, including sightings along the California coast, raises intriguing questions about ecological shifts. Scientists hypothesize that this migration may be influenced by changes in ocean temperatures and fishing pressures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sperm-whale-population">Sperm whale population</h2>



From 2009 to 2015, the sperm whale population in the central Gulf fluctuated between a modest 20 to a whopping 167, with a "super population" peaking at 354. 



But between 2016 to 2018, things took a downturn; no sightings of sperm whales were recorded at all. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-are-what-we-eat">We are what we eat</h2>



There's a positive relationship between squid landings and whale sightings (R² = 0.644). Essentially, this means as the squid population dwindled, so did the presence of sperm <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flexible-diets-are-key-to-killer-whale-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whales</a> in the Gulf.



And what's the culprit behind this calamity? 



Well, it's none other than environmental changes. Sustained ocean warming and intense El Niño events have thrown the Gulf's ecosystem balance off-kilter.



And this is bad news for the jumbo squid, which shows a shift towards smaller sizes, possibly too scrawny to feed our large predator friends, the sperm whales.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bigger-picture">Bigger picture</h2>



Let's take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Sperm whales, as the top-dogs of the ocean food chain, control the energy flow within marine ecosystems. 



Their exit from the Gulf of California paints a distressing image of wider environmental changes and raises alarm bells about the region's long-term health.



"The departure of sperm whales from the Gulf of California serves as a sentinel signal, reflecting significant shifts in marine ecosystems. As the environment changes, so too does the delicate balance between predators and prey," noted Héctor Pérez-Puig, the lead investigator.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-call-to-action">A call to action</h2>



So where do we go from here? This study urges for a more detailed analysis to fully grasp the movement patterns of sperm whales and their prey. 



Especially considering the ongoing "tropicalization" of the Gulf of California, it's crucial to keep monitoring these changes and evaluate their impact on marine life and overall <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/first-ever-footage-of-a-blue-whale-nursing-its-calf-captured/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystem health</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-impact">Human impact</h2>



Natural phenomena are important for ecosystem dynamics, but human activities also greatly affect marine life. 



Overfishing, especially of jumbo squid, along with pollution and boat traffic, puts extra stress on fragile ecosystems. These actions disturb sperm whales and threaten their food sources. 



To create effective conservation strategies, we need to understand our impact. By adopting sustainable fishing practices and cutting down on pollution, we can help restore balance in the Gulf of California’s marine environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ripple-effect">Ripple effect</h2>



This isn't just a whale of a tale. The research plays a key part in the field of marine biology and ecology, with potential repercussions for conserving both the sperm whales and the broader marine environment in the Gulf of California. 



It underscores the crucial role long-term data collection plays in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/language-like-patterns-decoded-in-sperm-whale-communication/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">understanding population trends</a> and the effects of climate change on marine species.



In conclusion, the story of the vanishing sperm whales is an eerie reminder of how our actions can tip the balance of nature. While we've taken a glimpse into this marine mystery, it's clear there's still much to uncover. 



Will we be able to turn the tide in time? Or will the tale of the sperm whales become a cautionary echo in our oceanic depths? The future of the Gulf of California hangs in the balance, and we hold the scales.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://peerj.com/articles/18117/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PeerJ</a>.



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Where have all the sperm whales gone? Scientists think they know

We all love a good mystery, don't we? But when...

The Hell Creek Formation, spanning what are now the Dakotas, Montana, and Wyoming, is best known for housing some of the most famous dinosaurs, such as Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus rex. 



In particular, this site was home to SUE, one of the largest and most complete T. rex fossils ever discovered.&nbsp;However, these iconic dinosaurs weren't the only creatures inhabiting this prehistoric world.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skilled-predatory-birds-nbsp">Skilled predatory birds&nbsp;</h2>



In a recent study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0310686" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLoS ONE</a>, scientists have described two newly identified species of birds that coexisted with these dinosaurs approximately 68 million years ago.&nbsp;



Remarkably, the researchers were able to name these species based on just one bone each -- specifically, a sturdy foot bone, which suggests that these birds were skilled <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/two-new-species-of-ancient-saber-toothed-predators-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predators</a> capable of capturing and carrying off prey.



“Based on clues in their foot bones, we think these birds would have been able to catch and carry prey, similar to what a modern hawk or owl does,” said lead author Alex Clark, a PhD student at the <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Field Museum</a> and the <a href="https://www.uchicago.edu/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Chicago</a>.&nbsp;



“While they might not be the first birds of prey to ever evolve, their fossils are the earliest known examples of predatory birds.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wealth-of-information-in-foot-bones">Wealth of information in foot bones</h2>



The three fossil specimens Clark analyzed for this study were collected in recent years by other researchers but had not received much detailed attention.&nbsp;



At first glance, Clark recalls that the fossils weren’t particularly remarkable -- each was a single foot bone, known as a tarsometatarsus, to which the bird’s toes would have been attached. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/bird_Avisaurus-darwini_predatory_cretaceous-period_credit-Ville-Sinkkonen_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/bird_Avisaurus-darwini_predatory_cretaceous-period_credit-Ville-Sinkkonen_1s.webp" alt="Reconstruction of an avisaurid (e.g., Avisaurus darwini). Morphology of the tarsometatarsus suggests that these large birds engaged in raptorial behavior and could carry proportionally large prey. Illustration done by Ville Sinkkonen." class="wp-image-1947059"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Reconstruction of an avisaurid (e.g., Avisaurus darwini). Morphology of the tarsometatarsus suggests that these large birds engaged in raptorial behavior and could carry proportionally large prey. Illustration done by Ville Sinkkonen.</figcaption></figure>



These bones were found without more eye-catching body parts like claws or skulls, and while they were considered large for bird foot bones, they were still only about the size of an adult human thumb.&nbsp;



However, these unassuming bones turned out to hold a wealth of information about the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-bird-fossil-flight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient birds</a>’ lives and behaviors.



“Every nook and cranny and bump that occurs on a bone can tell us something about where the muscles or tendons attached and how big they were,” Clark explained.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-features-of-predatory-birds-nbsp">Unique features of predatory birds&nbsp;</h2>



One particularly interesting feature on these bones was a large bump, known as a tubercle, which is a muscle attachment point. 



The size and location of this tubercle were unusual -- it was much larger and positioned farther down the bone than is typical in most birds. 



“When we see tubercles this large and this far down in modern birds, they're in birds of prey like owls and hawks,” noted Clark.&nbsp;



“That’s because when they hunt and pick up their prey with their feet, they're lifting proportionally heavy things and holding them close to their bodies to stay as aerodynamically efficient as possible. These fossil ankle bones look like they're built to do something similar.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predatory-birds-with-strong-feet-nbsp">Predatory birds with strong feet&nbsp;</h2>



To further investigate their hypothesis, Clark and his team conducted biomechanical analyses of the fossilized foot bones, comparing them to the bones of various <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-skull-dinosaurs-birds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modern birds</a>.&nbsp;



“The muscles and bone of the ankle work like a lever, and by comparing how far down on the bone the muscle attaches, we can get a good idea of how it would have moved and how strong it would have been,” explained Clark.&nbsp;



The findings confirmed that the structure of these birds' feet would have been strong enough for them to grasp and carry off small mammals and even baby dinosaurs, similar to modern hawks and owls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-new-bird-species-named">Two new bird species named</h2>



From these three foot bones, Clark and his team identified and named two new species: Avisaurus darwini, named after Charles Darwin, and Magnusavis ekalakaenis, named in honor of the town of Ekalaka, Montana, where one of the fossils was discovered.&nbsp;



The third bone may represent another new species, but its degraded condition made it difficult to draw firm conclusions.&nbsp;



These birds belong to a group called avisaurids, which are part of a larger extinct group of birds known as enantiornithines. 



Like most of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaurs-are-helping-astronomers-in-the-search-for-extraterrestrial-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaurs</a>, the enantiornithines went extinct when the asteroid struck Earth 66 million years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diversity-of-ancient-bird-species">Diversity of ancient bird species</h2>



Study co-author Jingmai O’Connor is the associate curator of fossil reptiles at the Field Museum and Clark’s advisor.



“These discoveries have effectively doubled the number of bird species known from the Hell Creek Formation and will be critical for helping us to better understand why only some birds survived the mass extinction that wiped out T. rex and the avisaurids described here,” said O’Connor.



The findings shed new light on the diversity of ancient bird species that lived alongside dinosaurs and highlight the important role that even isolated fossils can play in understanding ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-sea-creatures-built-ecosystems-that-diversified-ocean-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a>.&nbsp;



While the bones may have seemed unimpressive at first glance, they have provided a fascinating glimpse into the lives of some of the earliest predatory birds.



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Earliest known predatory birds lived alongside dinosaurs 

The Hell Creek Formation, spanning what are now the Dakotas,...

We all know geckos for their sticky feet and ability to climb walls, but it turns out they have another secret up their scaly sleeves. Scientists have discovered that these little reptiles possess a hidden "sixth sense" that's reshaping our understanding of how animals hear.



Catherine Carr and her team at the <a href="https://umd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maryland</a> found that geckos use a part of their inner ear called the saccule to detect low-frequency vibrations. 



Traditionally, the saccule is associated with balance and body positioning, not hearing.



The researchers published their findings in the journal Current Biology. 



Their study reveals that this "sixth sense" plays a complementary role to the geckos' normal hearing, offering new insights into how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cnemaspis-vangoghi-new-gecko-species-discovered-india-named-after-van-gogh/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">these creatures</a> sense the world around them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-gecko-hearing-pathway">Ancient gecko hearing pathway</h2>



"The ear, as we know it, hears airborne sound. But this ancient inner pathway, which is typically linked to balance, helps geckos detect vibrations that travel through mediums like the ground or water," said Carr. 



"This pathway exists in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/inaudible-screams-amphibians-use-ultrasound-to-deter-predators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amphibians</a> and fish, and now it's proven to be preserved in lizards as well. Our findings shed light on how the auditory system evolved from what you see in fish to what you see in land animals including humans."



So, what's so special about the saccule? It can pick up faint vibrations ranging from 50 to 200 Hz, well below what geckos usually hear <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-species-of-leaf-tailed-gecko-discovered-in-madagascar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">through their ears</a>. 



This suggests that the saccule isn't just a backup system but serves a unique function that complements their regular hearing.



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



While geckos can hear airborne sounds, many of their reptilian cousins can't. This discovery hints that other reptiles might also use similar mechanisms to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/geckos-can-recognize-their-own-scent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">perceive their environment</a>.



"A lot of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sandy-soil-reptiles-face-extinction-threat-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">snakes and lizards</a> were thought to be 'mute' or 'deaf' in the sense that they do not vocalize sounds or hear sounds well," explained Dawei Han, the study's lead author and a postdoctoral researcher at UMD. 



"But it turns out they could potentially be communicating via vibrational signals using this sensory pathway instead, which really changes the way scientists have thought about animal perception overall."



This shared sensory pathway in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/did-the-reptile-or-the-egg-come-first-scientists-have-changed-their-minds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reptiles</a> offers a peek into the evolutionary journey of how vertebrates sense the world. 



It suggests that the move from water to land involved more intricate and gradual changes in hearing mechanisms than we previously thought.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-connection">Human connection?</h2>



Even though these findings aren't directly linked to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spatial-hearing-how-humans-know-where-sounds-come-from/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">how humans hear</a>, they remind us that there's often more going on than we realize.



"Think about when you're at a live rock concert. It's so loud that you can feel your whole head and body vibrate in the sound field. You can feel the music, rather than just hearing it," Carr explained.



"That feeling suggests that the human vestibular system may be stimulated during those loud concerts, meaning our sense of hearing and balance may also be linked closely."



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



Carr and Han hope their work will inspire more studies into how mammals hear, especially regarding this sensory pathway. 



They believe that understanding the link between hearing and balance could lead to new research avenues, including exploring connections between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hearing-loss-linked-to-a-greater-risk-of-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human hearing</a> and balance disorders.



"The implications of this research extend beyond the world of reptiles," Han said. "As we uncover these hidden mechanisms, we're also gaining a richer and more nuanced picture of how animals perceive and interact with their environments -- and potentially, new insights into our own sensory experiences."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gecko-hearing-and-the-bigger-picture">Gecko hearing and the bigger picture</h2>



So next time you see a gecko scurrying up a wall, remember that there's a lot more to these creatures than meets the eye -- or ear. 



Who knows what other hidden talents they might have?



This discovery not only changes how we think about geckos but also opens up new questions about the evolution of hearing in all animals. 



It shows that sometimes, the answers to big questions can come from the smallest and most unexpected places.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0960982224012272" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Geckos have a hidden 'sixth sense' that's challenging our grasp of animal perception

We all know geckos for their sticky feet and ability...

Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed an adhesive inspired by octopus suckers, capable of quickly gripping and releasing challenging underwater objects. 



This breakthrough, detailed in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/advs.202407588" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Advanced Science</a>, could potentially revolutionize underwater salvage, rescue operations, and even technological applications that require manipulating difficult objects in wet environments.



The development team, which was led by Professor Michael Bartlett, included undergraduate researchers Austin Via, Aldo Heredia, and Daniel Adjei, as well as first author Chanhong Lee.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenge-of-underwater-adhesive-nbsp">Challenge of underwater adhesive&nbsp;</h2>



The primary goal of the study was to overcome the longstanding challenge of creating an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-mussels-make-underwater-glue/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">underwater adhesive</a> that can both hold onto objects securely and release them instantly - just as an octopus can.



“I am fascinated with how an octopus in one moment can hold something strongly, then release it instantly. It does this underwater, on objects that are rough, curved, and irregular - that is quite a feat,” Bartlett said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-anatomy-of-octopus-suckers">Unique anatomy of octopus suckers</h2>



To solve the challenge of gripping underwater, the team turned to the unique anatomy of an octopus’s sucker, particularly focusing on a structure called the infundibulum.&nbsp;



This outer section of the sucker allows the octopus to grasp and manipulate objects with incredible precision and strength.&nbsp;



By mimicking this structure, the researchers developed an adhesive featuring an elastic, curved stalk and an active, deformable membrane that changes shape to achieve adhesion across multiple surfaces.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-incredibly-efficient-adhesive">Incredibly efficient adhesive</h2>



The octopus-inspired adhesive significantly improves adaptability. Its curved stalk can attach to large-scale curvatures while its deformable membrane accommodates smaller surface irregularities.&nbsp;



This combination allows the adhesive to maintain a strong grip on objects that vary in texture, shape, and size.&nbsp;



The result is an adhesive that is 1,000 times stronger when activated compared to its easy-release state. 



Even more impressively, this switch between gripping and releasing occurs in about 30 milliseconds, making the adhesive incredibly efficient for rapid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robots-will-soon-be-able-to-use-air-to-move-objects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">object manipulation</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-remarkable-precision-for-grip-and-release-nbsp">Remarkable precision for grip and release&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers demonstrated this adhesive’s capabilities across a range of surfaces and fluids. The tool provides a powerful way to grip and release slippery underwater objects, such as heavy rocks or soft, jelly-like beads, without the need for excessive force.&nbsp;



Divers using this technology could snatch up objects quickly and with precision, a significant advancement for underwater operations.



One key demonstration of the adhesive’s abilities involved constructing an underwater cairn - a carefully balanced pile of rocks. These rocks varied in size, shape, and roughness, and required careful manipulation to stack without tipping over.&nbsp;



The octopus-inspired adhesive allowed the researchers to grab and release the rocks with precision, mimicking how an octopus arranges objects in its environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-manipulating-difficult-objects-underwater-nbsp">Manipulating difficult objects underwater&nbsp;</h2>



“These types of manipulations are performed by an octopus as they arrange objects around their den,” said Lee. “This demonstration highlights the ability of the octopus-inspired adhesive to precisely manipulate difficult underwater objects.”



The adhesive also proved durable in long-term tests. It maintained consistent attachment strength over 100 cycles and was able to hold a rough, curved rock underwater for more than seven days, releasing it on demand.&nbsp;



This kind of performance is especially critical in salvage operations, where holding objects over extended periods is necessary before release.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technology-inspired-by-octopus-suckers-nbsp">Technology inspired by octopus suckers&nbsp;</h2>



Bartlett and his team have previously developed the <a href="https://news.vt.edu/articles/2022/07/eng-bartlett-octaglove.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Octa-Glove</a>, an octopus-inspired glove equipped with LIDAR sensors that detect nearby objects and use a similar adhesive to capture and release them. 



Described in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/sciadv.abq1905?adobe_mc=MCMID%3D90780648708216300104417575982572668868%7CMCORGID%3D242B6472541199F70A4C98A6%2540AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1728551990" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>, the Octa-Glove allows for strong, gentle bonding to objects without the need for excessive force, making it ideal for rescue divers, underwater archaeologists, and health care workers needing to manipulate wet or underwater objects.



The new research could make this technology even more versatile. “We hope to utilize our new adhesive design to further improve Octa-Glove,” Bartlett said. "Underwater environments present a long list of challenges, and this advance gets us over another hurdle." 



"We’re now closer than ever to replicating the incredible ability of an octopus to grip and manipulate objects with precision, opening up new possibilities for exploration and manipulation of wet or underwater environments.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-applications-in-diverse-fields-nbsp">Potential applications in diverse fields&nbsp;</h2>



This new adhesive technology holds immense promise not only for underwater work but also for a variety of fields that require the manipulation of difficult-to-grip materials.&nbsp;



With its ability to quickly grip, hold, and release diverse objects - including those with smooth, rough, or curved surfaces - the octopus-inspired adhesive could be used in a variety of environments where traditional adhesives or mechanical grips fail.&nbsp;



It offers potential applications in fields as diverse as underwater exploration, salvage, medical technology, and robotics.



With the ability to grip objects securely without relying on excessive pressure, the technology may also reduce the risk of damaging delicate materials - a significant advantage in fields like archaeology, where the recovery of fragile artifacts is crucial.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-octopus-inspired-adhesives-nbsp">The future of octopus-inspired adhesives&nbsp;</h2>



The team’s future plans include scaling up their experimental circuits and embedding them in larger, more complex <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robots-with-space-to-think-will-become-more-useful/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robots</a> that can operate in challenging conditions, such as monitoring power plants or exploring underwater environments.



By mimicking nature’s design of octopus suckers, Bartlett’s team has taken another step toward creating more dexterous, adaptive, and powerful robots. 



As technology advances, the potential for these octopus-inspired adhesives to transform how we interact with the underwater world and beyond is increasingly clear.



The research was supported by the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Science Foundation</a> through its Designing Materials to Revolutionize and Engineer our Future program. 



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Octopus suckers: The future of underwater adhesives

Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed an adhesive inspired by...

Endangered species in Australia’s waters are facing imminent peril. From coral reefs bleaching and marine habitats deteriorating to dwindling fish populations, the state of our oceans is worsening at an alarming rate.



Yet, despite these dire conditions, some of Australia’s most endangered fish species are legally exported, exposing critical flaws and loopholes in existing environmental protections.



New research raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of current laws in safeguarding the future of endangered fish, particularly those that continue to be exported.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exposing-the-legal-loophole">Exposing the legal loophole</h2>



A team of researchers from the <a href="https://uq.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Queensland</a> has identified four threatened species - the orange roughy, blue warehou, school shark, and southern bluefin tuna - that are still finding their way into international markets.



This is despite that fact that these species are listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, legislation the was designed to protect threatened species. 



"Since the inception of the Act, 10 percent of all Australian seafood exports, or 107 kilotons, have been of these four listed threatened species," said study lead author Rosa Mar Dominguez-Martinez.



"You might naively believe that there are plenty more fish in the sea, but these species, are in real danger."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-endangered-fish-being-exported">Endangered fish being exported</h2>



In fact, Australia's Threatened Species Scientific Committee, the expert group responsible for providing listing advice and recovery strategies, found that all of these species were eligible for listing in higher threat categories. 



But how did these endangered species end up being sold internationally? The researchers identified a loophole within the legislation that allows this to happen.



The EPBC Act includes a category unique to Australia, known as "Conservation Dependent," which applies only to marine fish species. Eight species are listed under this category, and all are caught in commercial fisheries.



"When a species is listed as threatened under the EPBC Act, conservation advice and in some cases a recovery plan, are developed to assist its recovery," noted the researchers. "However, Conservation Dependent species are not eligible for recovery plans, and currently none have conservation advice."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protection-for-commercial-fish-species">Protection for commercial fish species</h2>



The status of these species, except for the southern bluefin tuna, has not improved. They either remain overfished or are unassessed in Australia.



"While the EPBC Act is under federal review, we're calling for Australia's new legislation to treat commercially harvested threatened species the same as other threatened species," said Dominguez-Martinez.



Their current classification exempts the species from the stricter regulations that would apply if they were listed under standard threat categories such as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regular-reviews-for-threatened-species">Regular reviews for threatened species</h2>



Study senior author Professor Carissa Klein recommends two significant changes that could be made to better protect Australia’s threatened marine species.



"Australia’s new environmental protection legislation must mandate regular review of the conservation status of all threatened species," said Professor Klein.



If more regular reviews were conducted, species like the southern bluefin tuna would be de-listed from the EPBC Act more swiftly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threatened-species-legislation">Threatened species legislation </h2>



Professor Klein also suggests that species acknowledged as threatened under international listings, such as the IUCN Red List or global conventions, should be assessed in Australia’s new threatened species legislation. 



According to Professor Klein, these recommendations are nonnegotiable to prevent further extinctions in Australian waters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-law-reform">Environmental law reform </h2>



As the call for environmental law reform amplifies, we are reminded that protecting our marine biodiversity is not merely a moral obligation but also an economic necessity.



Preserving endangered species goes beyond saving individual creatures - it's about protecting entire ecosystems.



Each species contributes to the delicate balance of marine environments, which are vital for biodiversity, climate regulation, and the resources people rely on. 



When species like the orange roughy or southern bluefin tuna dwindle in numbers, the impact ripples through the ocean, affecting other marine life and even human livelihoods.



Ensuring the survival of these species is essential to keeping our oceans healthy. By closing legal loopholes and bolstering environmental protections, we can help secure vibrant, diverse seas for future generations.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44183-024-00085-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">npj Ocean Sustainability</a>.



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How are endangered fish being legally exported?

Endangered species in Australia’s waters are facing imminent peril. From...

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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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



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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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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 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

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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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



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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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



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The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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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



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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



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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...