The vaquita (Phocoena sinus) is the world’s rarest marine mammal, with fewer than 10 surviving in the wild. It faces grave challenges, from illegal fishing nets to black-market demand for totoaba swim bladders. 



Experts worry that this unique creature could disappear before most people even learn it exists.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vaquitas-a-species-in-peril">Vaquitas: A species in peril</h2>



<a href="https://seashepherd.org/2024/06/11/2024-vaquita-survey/#">Populations</a> of this small porpoise have plummeted at an astonishing rate since the late 1990s.



Vaquitas inhabit the northern Gulf of California, and are restricted to an area of roughly 1,500 square miles (3,900 square kilometers). This small region, combined with the pressures of organized poaching activity, has given vaquitas little <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/endangered-lemurs-millions-of-years-of-diversity-at-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">room for recovery</a>. 



Jamie Knaub from Florida Atlantic University (<a href="https://www.fau.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FAU</a>) and her colleagues believe that drastic measures are necessary to preserve any record of these animals for generations to come.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rescuing-a-rare-vaquita-skeleton">Rescuing a rare vaquita skeleton</h2>



A complete <a href="https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/photos-san-diego-researchers-scan-rare-skeleton-of-worlds-smallest-endangered-porpoise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vaquita skeleton</a> in the United States is hard to find. Such a specimen recently appeared at SeaWorld San Diego, with ties to the San Diego Natural History Museum.&nbsp;



“We are delighted to collaborate with likeminded organizations to make our collections as useful and accessible as possible,” said Phil Unitt, curator of birds and mammals at the San Diego Natural History Museum.&nbsp;



“A complete skeleton of a vaquita is an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/public-concern-over-species-extinctions-fades-quickly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extremely rare specimen</a>, so we’re thrilled to learn its replica will be available to the public.”



<a href="https://www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/fau-high-school-opens-one-of-a-kind-owls-imaging-lab.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FAU’s High School Owls Imaging Lab</a> carried out micro-CT scans on the skeleton. Knaub transported it back to Florida as precious carry-on luggage.&nbsp;



She spent 165 hours conducting high-resolution scans, gathering nearly three terabytes of data. When finished, Knaub carefully returned the vaquita remains to SeaWorld.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-hopes-for-the-tiniest-porpoise">High hopes for the tiniest porpoise</h2>



Researchers are eager to share 3D scans of this delicate skeleton on the <a href="https://www.morphosource.org/docs/about" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MorphoSource</a> online repository. The goal is to let educators and researchers worldwide access and learn from the files.&nbsp;



With vaquitas vanishing at a high rate, preserving their anatomy through digital replicas could be the only way to keep them on the radar.&nbsp;



“At the rate that vaquita’s are disappearing, it’s extremely important to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/are-we-failing-the-worlds-most-threatened-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preserve</a> as much about this species as we can. They are very elusive and not many physical specimens from this species exist,” said Knaub.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-education-and-replication-efforts">Education and replication efforts</h2>



The experts hope that these skeleton scans, once turned into models, can be placed in museums or classrooms. Brittany Aja Dolan from SeaWorld San Diego, who pushed this plan forward, wants everyone to see the small porpoise up close.&nbsp;



“We hope that by creating replicas, which will be available worldwide, and hopefully on display at SeaWorld San Diego in the near future, everyone will have the opportunity to learn about the world’s most endangered marine mammal and what we can all do to help,” explained Dolan.



Some genetic <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abm1742" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> suggests the surviving vaquitas retain enough diversity to bounce back if threats cease. However, rapid action is crucial.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-vaquita-data-for-future-research">Preserving vaquita data for future research</h2>



FAU’s advanced imaging technology captured the skeleton’s intricate details. 



The lab’s <a href="https://www.microphotonics.com/what-is-micro-ct-an-introduction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">micro-CT machine</a> is known for its ability to scan minute structures within skeletal fragments. Knaub, along with her mentors, previously used similar equipment to study thresher shark vertebrae, a study that is published in <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.231473" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Society Open Science</a>.&nbsp;



The same techniques have now preserved the precise shape of each vaquita bone, thus mapping out a piece of history that might soon be gone if illegal nets continue to harm the species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-unique-laboratory-environment">A unique laboratory environment</h2>



FAU’s Owls Imaging Lab attracts student researchers from across various disciplines. This facility contains tools like scanning electron microscopes and microtomes, and offers early exposure to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-is-tracking-endangered-animal-habitats-from-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">high-level projects</a>.&nbsp;



“The primary aim of our open-access research hub is to create a dynamic environment that promotes meaningful collaborations between our students and university mentors," said Tricia Meredith, director of research for FAU’s on-site lab schools.



"By providing opportunities for hands-on teaching, innovative demonstrations, experimentation, and robust data collection, the hub seeks to enhance the educational experience and advance research excellence.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-the-brink">Looking beyond the brink</h2>



Those involved in the vaquita project see it as a chance to save the species in some form, even if the real animals fade away. There is also motivation to rescue any remaining individuals in the Gulf of California.&nbsp;



Organizations like FAU, SeaWorld San Diego, and the San Diego Natural History Museum keep shining a light on this small porpoise, stressing that the vaquita’s future rests on determined human intervention.&nbsp;



Until effective solutions disrupt the illegal fishing trade, digital scans and educational displays might be the closest many of us will ever come to encountering the vaquita in real life.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://phys.org/journals/royal-society-open-science/">Royal Society Open Science</a>.



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Vaquitas may disappear before most people know they exist

The vaquita (Phocoena sinus) is the world’s rarest marine mammal, with fewer than 10 surviving in the wild. It faces grave challenges, from illegal fishing nets to black-market demand for totoaba swim bladders. Experts worry that this unique creature could disappear before most people even learn it exists. Vaquitas: A species in peril Populations of this small porpoise have plummeted at an astonishing rate since the late 1990s. Vaquitas inhabit the northern Gulf of California, and are restricted to an area of roughly 1,500 square miles (3,900...

The popular tourist destination of Santorini, Greece is iconic for its striking, stark white buildings scaling up the mountainside. Tourists visiting the island often jump on the opportunity to have donkeys transport them up and down the steep slopes. But now, the “In Their Hooves” <a href="https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/what-we-do/issues/donkeys-in-tourism-and-leisure/in-their-hooves">campaign</a> is urging tourists to think before they support this practice.

Local merchants sell donkey rides to help carry passengers and their luggage from the island’s port to its capital, some<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/02/tourists-avoid-riding-donkeys-santorini-steps"> 600 steep steps up</a>. Working donkeys are at risk of spinal injuries, sores and exhaustion, but as prey animals, they naturally hide signs of distress. Heartbreaking online videos have shown the donkeys working with open wounds, struggling to carry heavy loads and being beaten by their handlers.

With around <a href="https://news.gtp.gr/2018/10/29/thira-mayor-santorini-365-day-tourism-destination/">two million visitors a year</a>, there is no shortage of demand for the donkey rides. The donkeys often work twelve hour days, making four to five trips up the stairs, according to<a href="https://www.cntraveler.com/story/tourists-are-injuring-santorinis-overworked-donkeys"> local animal advocates.</a>

When the donkeys become too old to continue working, they may be abandoned, killed or even pushed off the cliff, <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/996150/donkeys-crippled-heavyweight-tourists-Greece-Santorini-nature-animals-holiday-health">local animal advocates</a> say.

This is why the campaign, launched by the local government, animal welfare group The Donkey Sanctuary and Cruise Line International Association, asks travelers to put themselves in the hooves of the estimated 360 donkeys lugging tourists and their bags up and down the island without access to water or shade.

[caption id="attachment_1870999" align="aligncenter" width="650"]<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/donkey-taxi.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1870999" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/donkey-taxi.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="432" /></a> Donkeys carry tourists up the steep steps of Santorini, Image Credit: Marco Bicci/Shutterstock[/caption]

The campaign pinpoints a problem that has existed for years in animal tourism and entertainment. Well-meaning people visit and partake in animal attractions because they love animals or want to enjoy a fun experience but they often fail to consider the welfare of the animals who are entertaining them. By asking tourists to think “in their hooves”, the campaign is driving people to empathize with the animals.

Slowly, the public’s view of animals has been moving this way in recent years. While people used to happily visit <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/scotland-bans-animals-circuses/">circuses</a>, orca shows and roadside zoos without any ethical qualms, many are now questioning the effect these attractions have on animal welfare.

The Santorini donkeys have benefited from this recent change in mindset. In 2018, photos of overweight tourists riding donkeys caused international backlash. In response, Santorini passed a law prohibiting animals from carrying any load exceeding one-fifth of their body weight and requiring animals be provided with food, water and shade. Additionally, cruise liners joined the “In Their Hooves” campaign after hearing from multiple passengers who were upset by the condition of the donkeys, The Guardian<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/02/tourists-avoid-riding-donkeys-santorini-steps"> reports</a>.

The “In Your Hooves” campaign asks tourists to be on the lookout for signs of poor welfare such as lack of shelter and water, abusive handling practices and open wounds. But the layman may not always be able to recognize animal abuse.

The most concrete way a tourist can ensure they are not supporting an exploitative animal attraction is to simply refuse the attraction. As the campaign states, “If you have doubts about any of these questions and still use a donkey then you could be contributing to the animal’s suffering.”

--

By <a href="mailto:brianna.grant134@gmail.com">Brianna Lynne</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

Main Image Credit: Oleg Voronische/Shutterstock

Campaign urges tourists to think before supporting donkey taxi rides

The popular tourist destination of Santorini, Greece is iconic for...

3D images of a 335-million-year-old <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sharks-adapted-changing-world/">shark</a> fossil still encased in rock show that some ancient sharks were suction feeders like modern day bass, perch, and nurse sharks.

Researchers from the<a href="https://www.uchicago.edu/"> University of Chicago</a> used CT scans to analyze an ancient shark fossil for the first time in a new study. 

The researchers found that the shark was capable of suction feeding, and the age of the fossil is 50 million years older than some of the earliest suction feeding bony fish ever discovered. 

“Among today’s aquatic vertebrates, suction feeding is widespread, and is often cited as a key factor contributing to the spectacular evolutionary success of ray-finned fishes,” said Michael Coates, Ph.D., the senior author of the new study. “But here we show that high-performance aquatic suction feeding first appeared in one of the earliest known sharks.”

Shark fossils are few and far between since shark skeletons are made up of cartilage which rots before it can be fossilized. 

Occasionally, shark teeth or fin spines will show up in the fossil record or researchers will discover a complete skeleton encased in rock. 

With this study, the researchers worked with one such enclosed specimen. The fossil belonged to the species Tristychius arcuatus, which was first discovered in 1837. 

The researchers used CT scanning to create 3D images of the fossilized cartilage within the rock which provided an inside look at the fossil without potentially damaging the specimen by breaking open the rock. 

Modeling software was then used to show how the jaws of the fossil relate to modern fish. The researchers were able to model a complete skeleton of the fossil revealing important information about the ancient species. 

“These new CT methods are releasing a motherlode of previously inaccessible data,” Coates said. “We realized that when we got all the parts out [virtually], we had the complete construction kit to rebuild our shark in 3D.”

Tristychius had jaws capable of suction feeding and was able to filter in water and food thanks to a set of cartileges that expanded and contracted to control suction. Its mouth was pushed forward like today’s nurse sharks.

This specialized feeding apparatus gave the species an edge over other toothier ancient sharks that roamed the ocean alongside Tristychius as suction feeding allowed the shark to feed on prey that its competitors could not.

“The combination of both physical and computational models has allowed us to explore the biomechanics in a Paleozoic shark in a way that’s never been done before,” Coates said. “Here we have the earliest evidence of this key innovation that’s been so important for multiple groups of fishes and has evolved repeatedly.”

The researchers published their findings in the journal Science Advances. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Kristen Tietjen, UChicago

What did ancient sharks feed on when there were few fish in the sea?

3D images of a 335-million-year-old shark fossil still encased in...

Edible insects set to become an $8 billion industry in the next few years. A growing collection of research has shown that <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/edible-insects-grasshoppers-antioxidants/">insects</a> have enormous potential to provide protein and other important nutrients as a sustainable food source. Identifying alternative protein sources is more important now than ever before, as the global food supply faces the challenge of feeding a booming human population while also being severely threatened by climate change. 

Researchers and industry leaders are exploring the use of insects for both human consumption and as feed for livestock. Some regions of the world have embraced the idea of edible insects for a long time, while other regions are coming around more slowly. 

The latest studies on insect agriculture have been published in a new issue of the <a href="https://academic.oup.com/aesa">Annals of the Entomological Society of America</a>. Dr. Jeffery Tomberlin is a professor of Entomology at Texas A&amp;M University who specializes in the study of black soldier flies. He also served as co-lead editor for the journal's special research collection, which highlights the diversity of the entomophagy movement. 

"I am thrilled to see the development of this new sector in agriculture," said Dr. Tomberlin says. "While the industry is less than 20 years old as related to mass production, its value is expected to exceed $8 billion within the next few years. In fact, I would not be surprised to see the industry increase in value beyond $50-100 billion by 2050. I truly believe this industry will not only bolster the global ag sector but also protect the environment while creating jobs and saving lives."

In one of the featured studies, "The Cultural Importance of Edible Insects in Oaxaca, Mexico," a team of experts from San Diego State University traveled to rural and urban areas of Oaxaca to investigate various edible insect practices. 

"In rural communities where access to other animal-based foods has been limited, insects provided important nutritional value that today also translates into important economic value," wrote the researchers.

"Community members know the habits of the insects and are skilled at collecting them using sophisticated techniques."

The study authors found that the importance of edible insects in Oaxacan cuisine "cannot be overestimated."

"Chapulines, chicatanas, and maguey worms are key ingredients in many spice mixes, salsas, and mole sauces. Cochineal is used as a food colorant. These insects are also found in a variety of foods, both sweet and savory, including omelets, tamales, quesadillas, chocolate truffles, and sorbets. As evidenced by the culinary uses of insects in Oaxaca, there is substantial potential for edible insects to become a delicacy in Western cultures."

The special collection published in the Annals of the Entomological Society of America is called "Insects as Food and Feed."

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org

Edible insects set to become an $8 billion industry in the next few years

Edible insects set to become an $8 billion industry in...

A team of researchers at <a href="http://www.auburn.edu/">Auburn University</a> has found that domestic cats who spend time outdoors are three times more likely to pick up contagious diseases compared to indoor-only cats. The study has also revealed that this risk is increased in countries at higher latitudes, where there are higher rates of parasites among wildlife.

Some infections that lead to disease, such as the parasite Toxoplasma Gondii, can even affect pet owners. This particular parasite has been linked to schizophrenia and depression in humans. In addition, outdoor cats are more likely to acquire roundworms, which can cause fever, stomach pain, and seizures if transmitted to children. 

According to the researchers, restricting the movement of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/cats-recognize-name/">cats</a> outdoors is also necessary for protecting the wildlife that they may come into contact with. They added that kittens should be particularly monitored due to the fact they are more susceptible to infection. 


The investigation into the infection risk among outdoor cats was focused on 19 different pathogens. After conducting a review of 21 other scientific studies, the team found that outdoor cats are 2.77 times as likely as indoor-only cats to be infected with pathogens.

According to the research, bacterial or viral infections are all likely to develop into illnesses in cats regardless of whether they were obtained through touch, saliva, or from the air.

“Outdoor access is a significant risk factor for parasitic infection in pet cats,” wrote the study authors. “Cats are common as pets around the world with an estimated 89 - 90 million in the USA alone.”

“While we do not necessarily advocate that all domestic animals be restricted indoors, determining routes and risk factors of transmission with respect to environmental contact may be useful in mitigating parasitic infection in domestic animals.”

The research is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/journal/rsbl">Biology Letters</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Outdoor cats are 3 times more likely to carry infections that cause disease

A team of researchers at Auburn University has found that...

New research from the <a href="https://international.univ-rennes1.fr/welcome-universite-de-rennes-1">The University of Rennes</a> shows that dogs can sniff out impending epileptic seizures. Evidence shows that <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/dogs-adopt-same-personality-owners/">dogs</a> are able to detect a scent given off by epileptic human breath pre- and mid-seizure.

When exposed to odors collected during an epileptic episode, trained dogs were able to detect the scents from patients up to 100% of the time.

In order to test the theory that a specific scent is emitted by epileptic patients just before and during a seizure, scientists collected breath samples from five epileptic participants. 

One sample was collected mid-seizure, and another was collected while the participant was engaged in a calm activity. Participant sweat was also collected during both activities.

Then, these odors were “canned” and exposed to trained dogs that have the ability to sniff out cancer and diabetes. In the test, one out of every seven cans contained said odor, and out of nine tests, the dogs identified the correct can between 67% and 100% of the time. 

Although more research is needed to figure out the exact chemical that’s released via breath during a seizure, researchers hope that this current discovery will help epilepsy patients seek safe spaces — either with the help of trained dogs or “e-noses.”

“We know dogs can predict seizures, which is why Support Dogs train them,” said a spokesperson for <a href="https://www.epilepsy.org.uk/">Epilepsy Action</a>, published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/srep/">Scientific Advances</a>. “We still don't know whether they do that by smell or some other sense. So this research is interesting and could be a next step in understanding how dogs can further support people living with uncontrolled epilepsy.”

--

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Dogs can detect impending epileptic seizures

New research from the The University of Rennes shows that...

Researchers from <a href="http://www.anu.edu.au/">The Australian National University</a> have found that a serious fungal disease is responsible for the population drop of over 500 amphibian species, including 90 <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/fossils-link-mysterious-amphibians/">amphibian</a> extinctions within the last five decades. The study is published in <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/">Science</a>.

Called chytridiomycosis, the fungal infection eats away at amphibians’ skin. It’s posited to be responsible for the largest loss of biodiversity due to a disease and has been found in over 60 countries. Amphibians located in Australia, Central America and South America have suffered the brunt of the infection.

"The disease is caused by chytrid fungus, which likely originated in Asia where local amphibians appear to have resistance to the disease," said lead researcher Dr. Ben Scheele from the <a href="https://fennerschool.anu.edu.au/">ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society</a>. "[Chytridiomycosis] has caused mass amphibian extinctions worldwide. We've lost some really amazing species."

In Australia, more than 40 frog species have declined during the last 30 years due to chytridiomycosis. Seven of those species have gone extinct, Dr. Scheele notes.

"Globalisation and wildlife trade are the main causes of this global pandemic and are enabling the spread of disease to continue," he said. "Humans are moving plants and animals around the world at an increasingly rapid rate, introducing pathogens into new areas."

And because chytridiomycosis is so hard to remove from an area, mostly because some species can live with it and therefore carry it, once it affects a single population, it’s only a matter of time before another amphibian species catches it.

Improved biosecurity and wildlife trade regulation are a must in order to thwart the disease from spreading further, and to prevent other diseases from taking hold. "We've got to do everything possible to stop future pandemics, by having better control over wildlife trade around the world,” Dr. Scheele said.

Furthermore, knowing what species are at risk for catching the fungal disease can aid future conservation efforts to better protect these amphibians from extinction.

--

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Aldemar Acevedo Rincon

Fungal disease caused global amphibian mass extinction

Researchers from The Australian National University have found that a...

The harmful relationship between sea turtles and light pollution has emerged as an important consideration in <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/baby-sea-turtles-dying-plastic/">sea turtle</a> conservation. What is less known is the relationship between sea turtles and the tourists who visit them, and subsequently encourage increased development along pristine shorelines.

Light is an important navigation tool for sea turtles. But human interference through artificial light threatens to distort sea turtles’ ability to navigate and survive.

When newborn sea turtles first hatch on the beach they will stay beneath the sand and wait to emerge until nighttime after the temperature has cooled down, according to the<a href="https://myfwc.com/research/wildlife/sea-turtles/threats/artificial-lighting/"> Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission</a>.

Hatchlings will instinctively move towards the brightest area, which would naturally be the ocean, glowing from the reflection of the night sky. In an era of rapid human expansion, this is often not the case. Turtles may mistakenly follow the light shining from street lights and buildings where they are at an increased risk of mortality from fatigue, predation, dehydration, and collision with vehicles.

Light pollution may also impact mother sea turtles as they attempt to nest. In 2014, a<a href="https://conserveturtles.org/lights-out-for-sea-turtles/"> loggerhead turtle</a> looking to nest became disoriented by lights from a nearby condo and wandering into a street where she was struck and killed by a vehicle. Mothers may also refuse to nest on beaches where there are high levels of light pollution making it more difficult for her to successfully nest.

Similar to the glow of artificial lights, the scale of this problem is wide-reaching. It is<a href="https://www.darksky.org/our-work/sea-turtle-conservation/"> estimated</a> that millions of sea turtle hatchlings die as a result of light pollution every year in Florida alone. Sea turtles are considered among the<a href="https://www.fws.gov/home/feature/2007/seaturtles2.pdf"> world’s most imperiled wildlife</a> and six of the seven species are at risk of extinction.

Despite the dire state of the world’s sea turtles, light pollution is becoming increasingly more prevalent. A 2019<a href="https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/acv.12480"> study</a> found that less than one-third of the world’s Key Biodiversity Areas have completely pristine night skies and around one-half lie entirely under artificially bright skies.

Light pollution may be especially exacerbated near coastal destinations where tourists flock to visit sea turtles in person. Although many tourists likely visit sea turtles for altruistic reasons, the boom of this industry encourages increased development along shorelines. With urbanization comes lights from hotels, condos, restaurants, street lights and vehicles.

Compounding the issue further is the fact that many sea turtles hatch during the peak tourist season of summer and early fall.

Researchers examining the effect of tourism on sea turtle conservation on the island of Sal, Cape Verde Islands<a href="http://193.136.21.50/bitstream/10961/1547/1/Taylor%20%26%20Cozens%20Tourism-Turtles%20Sal.pdf"> found</a> a marked increase in the percentage of nests that needed to be moved each year due to light pollution. At one popular tourist spot, all of the sea turtle nests needed to be moved for two consecutive years.

In the United States, sea turtle tourism is prevalent in Florida, the home to<a href="https://conserveturtles.org/information-sea-turtles-threats-artificial-lighting/"> over 90%</a> of all sea turtle nesting in the continental United States and the largest population of loggerheads in the Western Hemisphere.

As an ecologically significant sea turtle hot-spot, the government and conservation groups have worked to control the state’s light pollution. These programs look to use the latest technology to mitigate the glow of artificial lights or simply encourage private properties to use less light altogether. To date,<a href="https://f50006a.eos-intl.net/ELIBSQL12_F50006A_Documents/TR-2Rev2.pdf"> at least 82 municipalities</a> in Florida have adopted lighting ordinances to regulate artificial lighting.

<a href="https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/rse2.12">Research</a> shows that these conservation initiatives have successfully reduced light pollution on beaches despite Florida’s expanding coastal development.

Mitigating light pollution can be an opportunity for the tourism sector to attract eco-conscious travelers and create a cozy and intimate environment by using soft lighting and candles at night.

Tourists can help encourage sustainable tourism by enquiring about light pollution before booking a stay at a coastal hotel. Additionally, local governments should not wait on private businesses to address light pollution and should designate priority areas for sea turtle conservation and adopt lighting ordinances.

--

By <a href="mailto:brianna.grant134@gmail.com">Brianna Lynne</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

Tourism can worsen deadly light pollution in sea turtle habitats

The harmful relationship between sea turtles and light pollution has...

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/epa-plan-mercury-emissions/">Mercury contamination</a> has spread to peregrine falcons both in the United States and worldwide, according to new research.

Joe Barnes, a <a href="http://www.ndow.org/">Nevada Department of Wildlife</a> biologist, has spent the past decade testing peregrines for mercury contamination in Nevada, Washington, Maryland, and along the Gulf Coast of Texas.

So far, over 700 birds have been tested by Barnes, and every single one showed signs of mercury contamination.

At Lake Mead in Nevada, adult peregrines had mercury levels of 17 parts per million, and along the west coast of Washington state, peregrines had mercury levels of 23 parts per million.

Falcons that typically migrate from remote regions like Greenland or Alaska still contained lower levels of mercury in their feathers despite being far away from cities and pollution.

“Every single one of them was impacted, regardless of whether they live in wide-open desert or Lake Mead or Greenland or coastal British Columbia,” Barnes told the <a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-nevada/peregrine-falcons-act-as-mercury-bellwether-nevada-study-shows-1640798/">Las Vegas Review-Journal</a>.

Barnes published his latest findings in a new study in the Journal of Raptor Research.

Trapping falcons to test their feathers for mercury levels is not an easy feat, and Barnes has to use live pigeons to snare one of nature’s fastest predators. Barnes also analyzes feathers left behind in falcon nests from a meal.

Peregrines are raptors and ingest mercury through their prey which includes almost anything that flies. According to Barnes, they are one of the most impacted species when it comes to mercury contamination.

Mercury is a naturally occurring heavy metal, but industrial operations have increased mercury pollution drastically over the years.

The widespread contamination of mercury in peregrines is especially problematic because mercury levels between five and 15 parts per million have been shown to impact breeding.

So far, peregrine populations seem unaffected by mercury contamination but continued monitoring and reducing mercury exposure is necessary for future ecosystem health.

“Mercury pollution is a global issue, and even low levels of exposure can impact human and wildlife health,” Ryan Bourbour, a biologist at the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/">University of California, Davis</a>, told the <a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-nevada/peregrine-falcons-act-as-mercury-bellwether-nevada-study-shows-1640798/">Las Vegas Review-Journal</a>.  “So assessing exposure levels in top predators, such as peregrine falcons, can help us biomonitor mercury pollution trends, which may have conservation implications and even human health implications.”

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By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com </a>Staff Writer

Peregrine falcons from both coasts found contaminated with mercury

Mercury contamination has spread to peregrine falcons both in the...

An international research team led by the <a href="https://www.umass.edu/">University of Massachusetts Amherst</a> has conducted the first global assessment of the impacts to native species by <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/invasive-rusty-crayfish-demise/">invasive species</a>. The experts wanted to measure the extent of the damage as invaders become more widespread and abundant. 

“What surprised me most was the magnitude of some of these effects,” said study lead author and invasion ecologist Professor Bethany Bradley. “Invasive animal pests, like Emerald Ash Borer or lionfish, cause nearly a 50 percent decline in native populations. That's the average case - on average, invasive pests will cut the populations of native species in half if we don't prevent or control those invasions.”

According to Professor Bradley, as alien garlic mustard invades forest understory in New England, the number of native sugar maple seedlings declines. Across the region’s wetlands, invasive purple loosestrife is linked to declines in native red-winged blackbirds and song sparrows.

“Our principal finding is that if the invasive species is at a higher trophic level, that is, they are likely eating the native species, then just a few invasive individuals can cause a sharp decline in native populations,” said Professor Bradley. “Once those invaders reach higher abundance, the damage has long ago been done. This has big implications for management. Early detection becomes critical.”

The investigation was based on the analysis of 1,258 case studies from 201 published research papers. Professor Bradley said that one of the primary goals was to understand how impacts accumulate during an invasion in order to support evidence-based management.

“We know that invasive species have negative impacts, but past meta-analyses have only looked at studies where invaders were absent vs. present.”

Professor Bradley explained that for native species faced with an invader at the same trophic level, where the two are likely competing for resources, there is a “strong negative linear response," but no sharp initial decline. “As you increase invasive species' abundance, the native species decline in abundance and in community diversity. The management implications are that if you control the invasion at any point, it's a win for ecosystems.”

On the other hand, when an invader enters at a lower trophic level than the native species, the results were not as clear.

“It could be creating new resources or it could compete against resources that the natives need. It's not clear whether the effects will be positive or negative, unless you're talking about terrestrial plants. Invasive plants are likely to have negative effects on native insects.”


Ultimately, the study authors concluded that “increasing the abundance of invasive alien species has pronounced negative impacts on native species populations and communities.” They said the fact that rapid declines in native populations have been found to occur at initial stages of the invasion process “highlights the increasing need for early detection and rapid response (EDRR) to new invasive alien species.”

“Avoiding the ecological impacts of invasive species will require a much stronger commitment to proactive policies designed to prevent novel introductions as well as increased management targeting the early stages of invasion.”

The study is published in the <a href="https://www.pnas.org/">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.

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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

Image Credit: CJB Sorte/UC Irvine

Early detection is key to preventing damage from invasive species

An international research team led by the University of Massachusetts...

A new study led by <a href="https://www.rutgers.edu/">Rutgers University</a> has revealed that <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-antarctica-green/">global warming</a> has caused twice as many ocean-dwelling species to disappear from their habitats compared to terrestrial species. According to the researchers, the greater vulnerability of marine animals may significantly impact coastal communities that rely on fish for food and economic security. 

The research is the first of its kind to compare the susceptibility of cold-blooded marine and land animals to global warming. The team also investigated the ability of various species to remain in their natural habitats while finding refuge from the heat.

The researchers reviewed studies on nearly 400 species such as fish, lizards, and spiders. They estimated safe conditions for 88 marine and 294 land species and examined the coolest temperatures available to them during the hottest parts of the year.

“We find that, globally, marine species are being eliminated from their habitats by warming temperatures twice as often as land species,” said lead author Professor Malin Pinsky. “The findings suggest that new conservation efforts will be needed if the ocean is going to continue supporting human well-being, nutrition and economic activity.”

The experts determined that marine species are more likely to experience dangerously high temperatures. Furthermore, many land animals can hide from the heat in forests or underground, which is not an option for most sea creatures. 

The study authors noted that past extinctions have often been concentrated at specific latitudes when the climate changed rapidly. As global warming continues, more  species will vanish from their local ocean habitats, which will have cascading impacts across other marine ecosystems. 

“Understanding which species and ecosystems will be most severely affected by warming as climate change advances is important for guiding conservation and management,” wrote the researchers.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/">Nature</a>.

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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

Paid for by <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a>

Image Credit: Malin Pinsky/Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Marine species are vanishing twice as fast as land species

A new study led by Rutgers University has revealed that...

Deep ocean animals are eating radioactive carbon from nuclear bomb tests. A new study has revealed that even the most remote and deep regions on Earth are not isolated from <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/mariana-trench-plastic-trash/">human activities</a>. According to the research, radioactive carbon leftover from nuclear bomb tests in the 1950s and 1960s has made its way to the bottom of the ocean. 

Researchers have discovered that crustaceans that live at the bottom of the ocean are eating radioactive carbon that has passed through the food web. 

A study detailing the findings was published in the <a href="https://sites.agu.org/">American Geophysical Union’s</a> journal Geophysical Research Letters. 

“Although the oceanic circulation takes hundreds of years to bring water containing bomb [carbon] to the deepest trench, the food chain achieves this much faster,” said Ning Wang, the lead author of the new study.

Nuclear bomb tests in the 50s and 60s released radioactive carbon-14 into the atmosphere. Once nuclear tests ended, the amount of carbon-14 or “bomb carbon” in the atmosphere dropped, and the carbon left the atmosphere to settle on the ocean’s surface.

Over time, marine organisms incorporated this carbon into their cells and researchers observed elevated levels of carbon-14 in marine animals after nuclear bomb testing started. 

Because carbon-14 is also created naturally when cosmic rays interact with nitrogen in the atmosphere, nearly all living things on Earth have some amounts of radioactive material in their systems. 

Carbon-14 is also a useful measure of dating geological and archeological samples. 

In a new study, researchers used bomb carbon to study and analyze organisms that thrive in the deepest parts of the ocean. 

Samples were collected from as deep as seven miles below the surface where temperatures are freezing and pressures high. 

Amphipod specimens, which are crustaceans that scavenge along the deep ocean floor and eat waste and dead organisms, collected in 2017 from the Mariana, Mussau, and New Britain Trenches in the tropical West Pacific Ocean were analyzed for the study. 

The amphipods had unusually high levels of carbon-14 in their stomachs and muscles, and the levels were similar to those found in surface marine organisms, suggesting that deep ocean organisms are eating carbon-14 contaminated waste and dead organisms that sink from the surface. 

The study sheds insight on the eating habits and lifespan of organisms that thrive in extreme and nutrient-poor environments, and the results show how human activities impact the environment. 

“There’s a very strong interaction between the surface and the bottom, in terms of biologic systems, and human activities can affect the biosystems even down to 11,000 meters, so we need to be careful about our future behaviors,” said Weidong Sun, a co-author of the study. “It’s not expected, but it’s understandable, because it’s controlled by the food chain.”

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By<a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com"> Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Deep ocean animals are eating radioactive carbon from nuclear bomb tests

Deep ocean animals are eating radioactive carbon from nuclear bomb...

Even <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-white-sharks-mercury-arsenic/">great white sharks</a>, an apex predator of the ocean, would rather not face off against orca whales, according to a new study.

Researchers from the <a href="https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/">Monterey Bay Aquarium</a> observed interactions between great white sharks and orcas off the coast of San Francisco in the <a href="https://farallones.noaa.gov/">Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary</a> and found that great whites surrender their territory as soon as orcas are spotted in the area. 

“When confronted by orcas, white sharks will immediately vacate their preferred hunting ground and will not return for up to a year, even though the orcas are only passing through,” said Dr. Salvador Jorgensen, lead author of a study documenting the new findings published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports. 

Altercations between top predators on land are a well-documented occurrence, but little research has extended to top marine predators. 

At the Farallones, great white sharks prey on vulnerable elephant seals between September and December each year. 

For the study, the researchers were lucky enough to document four encounters between sharks and orcas in the region. 

Data from 165 tagged white sharks from 2006 through 2013 as well as 27 years of seal, shark and orca surveys from the Farallones were reviewed and analyzed for the study. 

“The research in this paper combines two really robust data sources,” said Jim Tietz, co-author of the study. “By supplementing the Aquarium's new shark tagging data with Point Blue's long-term monitoring of wildlife at the Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, we were able to conclusively show how white sharks clear out of the area when the orcas show up.”

As soon as orcas arrived, the researchers found that white sharks fled and only returned the next season. In some cases, the sharks left minutes after the arrival of orcas in the area and moved to elephant seal colonies farther along the coast. 

It’s hard to believe that a predator as massive and ferocious as the great white would swim away from orcas rather than risk an altercation, but that’s precisely what happens. 

“These are huge white sharks. Some are over 18 feet long (5.5 meters), and they usually rule the roost here,” said Anderson. “We've been observing some of these sharks for the past 15 to 20 years -- and a few of them even longer than that.”

Interestingly, despite being hunted by orcas, elephant seals benefit from having orcas in the area, and the researchers found that there were fewer elephant seal deaths when great whites vacated their hunting grounds. 

The study adds an important new element to consider when studying predator-prey relationships. 

“We don't typically think about how fear and risk aversion might play a role in shaping where large predators hunt and how that influences ocean ecosystems,” said Jorgensen. “It turns out these risk effects are very strong even for large predators like white sharks -- strong enough to redirect their hunting activity to less preferred but safer areas.”

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Even great white sharks flee from orcas

Even great white sharks, an apex predator of the ocean,...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes a new map of Mars that is providing insight into the planet’s watery past. The map also reveals where future missions could safely land on Mars.&nbsp;



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.stowers.org/">Stowers Institute for Medical Research</a> describes how cavefish adapted to a sedentary lifestyle over tens of thousands of years. 



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> some of the most incredible waves in the world, as seen by Landsat satellites.



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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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...