When you think of macaws or parrots, the word "copycat" may come to mind. These charismatic birds have long been celebrated for their vocal mimicry skills, imitating human speech and other sounds with impressive accuracy.



An international team of researchers has recently uncovered an entirely new level to this mimicry. This time, it's about movement, not voice.



The study was led by Dr. Esha Haldar from the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence in collaboration with the Loro Parque Fundación.



The blue-throated macaw, a critically endangered species, turns out to be just as adept at copying physical actions as it is sounds. 



The scientists discovered this after testing the macaws' ability to imitate intransitive actions - movements that do not involve a physical object or specific outcome. Until now, this type of mimicry was thought to be unique to humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-imitation-and-cultural-evolution">Imitation and cultural evolution</h2>



Imitation of intransitive actions - those without specific goals - has long been a cornerstone of human cultural evolution.



From transmitting technical skills to adopting cultural conventions, humans excel at copying gestures with remarkable fidelity. This promotes social bonding and prosocial behavior.



Previous studies have shown automatic imitation in animals like dogs and budgerigars, but only in object-directed actions. 



The macaw study marks the first evidence of automatic imitation of intransitive actions in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-have-regional-accents-just-like-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">non-human species</a>, widening the lens on how imitation shapes social and cultural dynamics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-imitation-skills-of-macaws">Imitation skills of macaws </h2>



The researchers trained macaws to perform two specific actions - “lift leg” and “spread wings” - by responding to hand signals. After training, the birds were divided into two groups to test their ability to mimic or not mimic actions.



In the "compatible" group, macaws were rewarded when they copied the action of another macaw, such as lifting their leg when the demonstrator did so.



Macaws in the "incompatible" group were rewarded only when they performed the opposite action, such as spreading their wings when the demonstrator lifted its leg.



The results revealed a natural tendency for macaws to imitate others. Birds in the incompatible group struggled significantly to suppress their urge to mimic. They made more mistakes and took longer to respond compared to the compatible group, highlighting their instinct for automatic imitation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-automatic-imitation-and-mirror-neurons">Automatic imitation and mirror neurons </h2>



“The findings are remarkable because they show, for the first time, a non-human animal involuntary imitation of intransitive actions,” said Dr. Haldar.



In humans, automatic imitation is linked to&nbsp;mirror neurons, which are special brain cells that activate when a person observes an action and also when they perform the same action themselves. 



These neurons help humans understand and replicate behaviors, playing a key role in learning and social interactions.



Although this study does not directly prove that parrots, like macaws, have mirror neurons, their behavior strongly hints at it. The macaws' ability to mimic movements without conscious effort suggests that similar neural mechanisms might be at work, supporting their advanced imitation skills.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-macaw-imitation-and-conservation-efforts">Macaw imitation and conservation efforts</h2>



“These highly social animals live in dynamic groups. Automatic imitation may enhance integration into new groups and foster social cohesion. It could underpin the cultural transmission of group-specific behaviors,” noted Dr. Auguste von Bayern from <a href="https://www.bi.mpg.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence</a>.



Such mimicry likely evolved independently in distantly related species, driven by similar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/infanticide-or-adoption-why-parrots-kill-each-others-chicks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social and environmental needs</a>.



The blue-throated macaw’s ability to imitate has promising implications for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-have-relocated-caribbean-parrots-for-thousands-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation</a>.



With fewer than 350 individuals remaining in the wild, reintroduction projects could benefit from this trait. Captive-bred macaws might learn natural behaviors from wild conspecifics, accelerating adaptation to their natural environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-better-understanding-of-macaws">A better understanding of macaws</h2>



Loro Parque Fundación’s long-standing conservation efforts include raising 465 macaws in captivity and investing over $2 million in their protection. 



These findings add a new dimension to the foundation’s mission, paving the way for innovative strategies to ensure the survival of these stunning parrots.



This study highlights the macaws' cognitive brilliance and its potential role in shaping social and cultural behaviors. 



From conservation to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/elusive-bird-night-parrot-pezoporus-occidentalis-thought-to-be-long-extinct-rediscovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary biology</a>, the findings open new doors to understanding the intricate lives of parrots and their remarkable similarities to humans.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(24)02741-X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>.



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Blue-throated macaws have human-like imitation skills

When you think of macaws or parrots, the word "copycat" may come to mind. These charismatic birds have long been celebrated for their vocal mimicry skills, imitating human speech and other sounds with impressive accuracy. An international team of researchers has recently uncovered an entirely new level to this mimicry. This time, it's about movement, not voice. The study was led by Dr. Esha Haldar from the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence in collaboration with the Loro Parque Fundación. The blue-throated macaw, a critically endangered species,...

Have you ever noticed how flocks of birds and schools of fish manage to seamlessly change direction despite their size? A new study has shed light on how that group coordination occurs within a school of fish. 

The study was conducted by researchers from <a href="http://english.bnu.edu.cn/">Beijing Normal University</a> in China and published in the journal<a href="http://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005822"> PLOS Computational Biology. </a>

According to the researchers, group coordination depends on each fish changing which of its fellow fish it pays attention to. The group movement occurs more seamlessly because each fish alternates which of its neighbors it watches. If a fish is looking at its neighbor and that fish changes direction, then the other fish will change direction as well. 

Scientists have been familiar with this neighborly interaction in birds and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pacific-islands-losing-fish/">fish</a>, but this new study examines how many fish need to focus on a single neighbor to move direction.

The tetras were placed in small groups and put in ring-shaped tanks. The size and shape of the tank allowed the researchers to note the directional shifts as either clockwise or counterclockwise. 

The researchers were able to then identify which fish were guided by which of their neighbors when the group changed direction. 

The study also used a computational model of the directional changes in the groups of fish. This model helped rule out coincidental directional shifts in the group. 

The results found that when the group changed direction, it was because one or two neighbors influenced other fish in the group. Group coordination, according to the study, happens because the fish in the group are constantly changing which neighbor fish they pay attention to. 

The researchers say this is a necessary survival tactic, as the leader can be determined at any time depending on what threats the group comes across. 

“The ability to coordinate movements across a group without a leader confers some advantages, including efficient task partitioning and resilience to loss of a leader,” said  Li Jiang, one of the authors of the study. “The rummy-nose tetra appears to have opted for a coordination strategy whereby any individual may become a leader depending on the need.” 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The key to swimming in a school of fish is focusing on neighbors

Have you ever noticed how flocks of birds and schools...

Homeopathic treatments are killing animals with preventable diseases. Experts from the <a href="https://www.rcvs.org.uk/">Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons</a> (RCVS) warn that some vets are promoting “unscientific" treatments, and more than 3,300 vets signed a petition voicing their mutual concern over homeopathic remedies for animals.

Chris Tufnell is the senior vice-president of RCVS. Tufnell raised a red flag about one popular homeopathic remedy in particular called nosodes, which is an alternative to traditional vaccinations in the form of sugar-coated pills containing diseased matter from other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/concerns-reptiles-amphibians-pets/">animals</a>.

<a href="http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/">Dogs Naturally</a> magazine says, “The alarming increase in autoimmune conditions, allergies, cancer and other canine health issues due to vaccine reactions is a known fact. Pet owners are now seeking alternatives to keep their dogs healthy while preventing disease and illness. The growing interest in nosodes comes at a time when the safety and efficacy of vaccines are being questioned.”

However, Mr. Tufnell said that the use of this unproven treatment is “entirely unnecessary.” 

“I have seen dogs die from completely preventable conditions such as parvovirus, which is extremely unpleasant and preventable,” said Tufnell.

Tufnell added that depriving pets of much-needed painkillers by replacing them with homeopathic remedies leaves the animals in unacceptable pain.

Some doctors and vets believe that homeopathic treatments, which are highly-diluted substances, can enable the body to heal itself. Yet many of the remedies are no more than a sugar pill, containing no active ingredients whatsoever.

Many studies have proven that the remedies perform no better than placebos, which is a treatment that only works because the patient believes it will.

A 2010 review from the  <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/science-and-technology-committee/">Science and Technology Committee</a> determined that the principles upon which homeopathy is based are “scientifically implausible.” Experts at RCVS agree, stating that there is no "recognized body of evidence" to support homeopathy.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Pets are harmed by some homeopathic treatments, scientists say

Homeopathic treatments are killing animals with preventable diseases. Experts from...

After reviewing the findings of recent studies on antibiotic use in animals, researchers have determined that the overuse of antibiotics is directly contributing to increased antibiotic resistance in soil.

The research team collected data on the concentrations of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antibiotics-responsible-bee-deaths/">antibiotics</a> as well as the diversity of antibiotic resistance genes in animal manure, which is deposited into soil as fertilizer.

Antibiotics are used by veterinarians and livestock owners to prevent, treat, and control diseases. In some countries, antibiotics are used to increase the growth rates of livestock and other farm animals. 

These practices are causing growing concern that the drugs will appear in human food. There are also concerns of increasing antibiotic resistance in animals. But beyond the potential issues in animals or humans, resistance can also be passed between bacteria in our surrounding environment, such as in the soil. 

For a study published in <a href="http://aem.asm.org/">Applied and Environmental Microbiology</a> earlier this year, researchers from <a href="https://www.ncsu.edu/">North Carolina State University</a> sampled soil on a farm before and after a manure spread. 

The team had tested the manure three weeks prior, and found antibiotic-resistant strains of salmonella. The salmonella bacteria was also present in the soil samples collected from the farm after the fertilizer was spread, which means that it had survived for 21 days on the manure.

As a result of the current study, researchers are urging for stricter regulations on the use of veterinary antibiotics. Dr. Fang-Jie Zhao of <a href="http://english.njau.edu.cn/">Nanjing Agricultural University</a> is a co-author of the research.

"Recycling of animal manures to soil is good for soil quality, but the spread of antibiotic resistance needs to be tackled urgently," said Dr. Zhao.

The review, which is published in the <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1365-2389?">European Journal of Soil Science</a>, also discusses plans for future research to address the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and resistance management.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The use of antibiotics on animals is contaminating soil

After reviewing the findings of recent studies on antibiotic use...

Researchers with the group <a href="http://www.caninemind.co.uk/">Canine Mind</a> examined how the hormone oxytocin affected the behavior of dogs. The team found that oxytocin altered the emotional states of the dogs, making them feel more relaxed and less threatened. The dogs also became much more interested in looking at happy human faces as opposed to angry ones.

For the study, the research team showed the images of smiling and angry human faces to 43 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-expressive-looking/">dogs</a>. Each dog was analyzed once after oxytocin had been administered and once without oxytocin. The researchers used an eye-tracking device to monitor the dog's gaze and pupil size. 

According to the experts, emotions and attentiveness control the dog's gaze and regulate pupil size, so eye tracking can provide insight into the minds of dogs. 

Dogs usually focus on the most exceptional condition of any given situation. For example, in a frightening setting, dogs typically focus on threatening activity. Recognizing threats as quickly as possible is important for the animals’ survival. However, the study revealed that dogs under the influence of oxytocin were much more drawn to smiling faces than angry ones.

"It seems that the hormone oxytocin influences what the dog sees and how it experiences the thing it sees," explained Sanni Somppi, a doctoral student at the <a href="https://www.helsinki.fi/en">University of Helsinki</a>.

Oxytocin was also found to influence the emotional states of the dogs, which was reflected in their pupil size.

"We were among the first researchers in the world to use pupil measurements in the evaluation of dogs' emotional states,” said lead researcher Professor Outi Vainio. “This method had previously only been used on humans and apes.”


When the dogs were not under the influence of oxytocin, their pupils were largest while looking at angry faces, indicating that angry faces would normally evoke the strongest emotional reaction in the dogs. But under the influence of oxytocin, smiling faces affected the emotional states of the dogs more than angry ones. 

The researchers explained that oxytocin most likely made the angry faces seem less threatening while the smiling faces seemed more appealing.

--
By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Your dog loves when you smile. Here’s why!

Researchers with the group Canine Mind examined how the hormone...

Illegal plant and animal trafficking poses a major problem for both the safety of animals and the surrounding environments. Not only do some traffickers move parts from threatened or endangered animals, but wildlife traffickers also risk introducing invasive species to non-native habitats.

To further complicate matters, customs officials cannot always immediately identify the animals or plants that are making their way out of the country. 

“Many threatened animals and plants are trafficked out of developing countries, which do not have adequate resources to combat these crimes,” said Mr. Sujeevan Ratnasingham, Informatics Director at the <a href="http://biodiversitygenomics.net/">Centre for Biodiversity Genomics</a>. 

Wildlife traffickers are also as evasive as possible so as not to get caught.

When it comes to organic material, often customs officials send samples to a laboratory to tell what animal or plant it is, but getting the results can take days.

Rapid identification of plants and animals at ports of entry could have a significant impact in reducing illegal wildlife trafficking and keeping invasive species out.

<a href="http://ibol.org/">The International Barcode of Life</a> project identified the need for quick and accurate identification at ports of entry and have developed the LAB-IN-A-BOX portable DNA barcoding Kit. 

“By coupling the power of DNA barcoding to identify species with portability, LAB-IN-A-BOX makes it possible for anyone to identify any species anywhere,” said Paul Herbert, Founder of the International Barcode of Life (iBOL) Project. “It is certain to improve our capacity to care for the species that not only enliven our planet, but provide essential ecosystem services.” 

The LAB-IN-A-BOX has two goals, to provide customs officials with a means of rapid detection of plants and animals, and to help implement swifter enforcement and prosecution for those who traffick in illegal wildlife. 

The LAB-IN-A-BOX uses a database of DNA barcodes that officials can compare samples to and identify what the sample is. It can even identify samples within just a few hours. 

The project will first be introduced at ports of entry in Africa, and the creators are hopeful about the kit’s impact on reducing wildlife trafficking and improving species conservation. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: David Dennis, at WikiMedia Commons

Portable DNA lab kits can help stop illegal wildlife trafficking

Illegal plant and animal trafficking poses a major problem for...

Scientists have discovered that blue whales are essentially either “right-handed” or “left-handed” just like humans. Most of the animals were found to have a right-side bias.

The researchers used tags to track the movement of more than 60 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-whale-tagging-technology/">blue whales</a> off the coast of California. The team was not surprised to find that blue whales were more inclined to their right sides because the left side of the brain controls predictive motor control and connects with the right eye.

There was one move, however, that made right-side biased whales switch to the left side.

When they rise up from underwater toward a krill patch near surface waters, the blue whales maneuver 360-degree barrel rolls and almost always roll to the left. 

Ari Friedlaender is a cetacean expert at <a href="http://oregonstate.edu/">Oregon State University</a> who led the study.

"The patches of prey near the surface, between 10 and 100 feet deep, are usually smaller and less dense than prey patches found deeper and the blue whales showed a bias toward rolling left - presumably so they can keep their right eye on the prey patch and maximize their effort," said Friedlaender.

"These are the largest animals on the planet and feeding is an extraordinarily costly behavior that takes time, so being able to maximize the benefit of each feeding opportunity is critical. And we believe this left-sided rotation is a mechanism to help achieve that."

Blue whales are massive animals, weighing as much as 25 elephants and reaching the length of nearly three school buses. However, most of their diet is comprised of krill, which are tiny shrimp-like creatures.

"Most of the movements we tracked that involved 'handedness' - perhaps as much as 90 percent - involved 90-degree side rolls, which is how they feed most of the time," said Friedlaender. "Blue whales approach a patch of krill and turn on their sides. We found many of them exclusively rolled to their right, fewer rolled just to their left, and the rest exhibited a combination.”

Friedlaender explained that this was the first time that such lateralization bias had been documented in blue whales. The researchers pointed out that a left lateralization bias is unusual.


"The most curious aspect was how so many of the whales exhibited lateralization to the left when swimming upwards at a steep angle to get prey,” said Friedlaender.

The research, which was primarily funded by the <a href="https://www.onr.navy.mil/">U.S. Office of Naval Research</a>, is published in <a href="http://www.cell.com/current-biology/home">Current Biology</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Whales are mostly right-handed, with one exception

Scientists have discovered that blue whales are essentially either “right-handed”...

Coyotes on the East Coast are beginning to look more like wolves and are even sometimes referred to as “coywolves.” 

Eastern coyotes have adapted many wolf-like traits, and new genetic testing has revealed that the species is now more of a mixture of wolf, coyote, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-red-green-colors/">dog</a>. 

The coyote’s adaptability has only helped it survive in urban areas along the east coast. People have reported coyote sightings in Central Park, within city limits in Boston, and even in parts of Florida. 

The term “coywolf” makes sense as eastern coyotes are some of the largest in the 19 subspecies of coyotes, and they could very well get bigger over the years, making them formidable predators for deer. 

Eastern coyotes could even replace wolves at the top of the food chain. 

Genetic testing has shown that Eastern coyotes are eight to twenty-five percent genetically similar to wolves, and eleven percent similar to dogs. Evolving to be more wolf-like is part of why the coyote has been able to flourish in Eastern parts of the United States. 

Even though the Eastern coyote is wolf-like and could increase its size over the years, scientists say that they will not start attacking people or become more dangerous to humans

Eastern coyotes are incredibly adaptable, but even though they share wolf DNA, researchers say there is not enough evidence to support the idea that they are their own species, rather they are considered a hybrid carnivore. 

Gerry Lavigne, a retired Maine wildlife biologist, told the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5091763/Getting-wolflike-key-future-coyotes.html">Daily Mail</a> that Eastern coyotes were not distinct enough genetically from other coyote subspecies. 

The adaptability of the Eastern coyote bodes well for its continued survival, and researchers say there may be more than a million Eastern coyotes in the United States today. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Eastern coyotes are becoming more like wolves

Coyotes on the East Coast are beginning to look more...

More than 400 million years ago, Earth saw an unprecedented explosion of new life. In a new study, geologists have added to the growing mountain of evidence connecting this burst of biodiversity to rising oxygen levels on the planet.

A team of scientists led by Dr. Cole Edwards of <a href="http://www.appstate.edu/">Appalachian State University</a> found that oxygen levels spiked at around the same time that life began diversifying during the Ordovician Period, between 445 and 485 million years ago.

"This oxygenation is supported by two approaches that are mostly independent from each other, using different sets of geochemical records and predicting the same amount of oxygenation occurred at roughly the same time as diversification," Edwards said in a press release about the study.

The researchers made use of geochemical proxies, high-resolution data and chemical signatures preserved in rocks to identify when oxygen levels rapidly increased during the Middle and Late Ordovician Period. Their discovery of a nearly 80 percent oxygen increase during that period coincides with what’s become known as the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event.

The explosion of life led to enormous changes in existing species and a spike in new marine life.

Previous studies have estimated that Earth’s oxygen levels spiked to nearly modern levels during the Cambrian Period from 485 to 541 million years ago. However, measuring prehistoric oxygen levels is difficult because there’s no way to directly measure ancient seabeds or atmospheric makeup. The new study shows oxygen levels may not have peaked until the Ordovician Period.

"This study suggests that atmospheric oxygen levels did not reach and maintain modern levels for millions of years after the Cambrian explosion, which is traditionally viewed as the time when the ocean-atmosphere was oxygenated," Edwards said. "In this research, we show that the oxygenation of the atmosphere and shallow ocean took millions of years, and only when shallow seas became progressively oxygenated were the major pulses of diversification able to take place." 

However, it still remains unclear what effect higher oxygen levels may have had on animal life, the researchers said.

The study has been published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/ngeo/">Nature Geoscience</a>.

—

By <a href="mailto:kcathey@earth.com">Kyla Cathey</a>, <a href="http://www.earth.com">Earth.com</a> staff writer

Image credit: luisrsphoto, <a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/">Shutterstock.com</a>

Study: Biodiversity on Earth connected to oxygen levels

More than 400 million years ago, Earth saw an unprecedented...

There are many reasons why animals species become <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trump-refuses-list-endangered/">endangered</a>. Some animals are disappearing as a result of hunting and poaching, while many others are being pushed out of their natural habitats for industrial and agricultural expansion. The following are the most endangered species on the planet.

&nbsp;

Ivory-Billed Woodpecker

This huge woodpecker is found in the southeastern United States and in Cuba. It was thought to be extinct at one time, and now there are only a handful left.

&nbsp;

The Amur Leopard

This rare Russian leopard used to roam Korea and China, yet Amurs have now vanished from these regions. This animal is extremely endangered, with only around 20 adult Amurs left in the world.

&nbsp;

Lemur

Found on the southeastern coast of Africa in Madagascar, there are very few of these animals living today. There are over 100 species of Lemurs, and they are all endangered.

&nbsp;

The Javan Rhinoceros

Hunters pursue these animals for their horns, which is most likely why they are nearly extinct. There are approximately 50 Javan rhinoceroses left in existence.

&nbsp;

Northern Right Whale

Found along the Atlantic coast, this is the most endangered whale species. There are an estimated 350 still living.

&nbsp;

Black Rhinoceros

The black rhinoceros is predicted to become extinct, and this is largely due to hunting, poaching, and climate change.

&nbsp;

Mountain Gorilla

There are only between 300 and 400 mountain gorillas left in the world. They were thought to be dangerous at one time due to their aggressive nature, and they were hunted and killed.

&nbsp;

The Saola

This animal is so rarely spotted that it is known as the Asian unicorn. This critically endangered species exists between Laos and Vietnam.

&nbsp;

Cross River Gorilla

Mainly due to climate change and illegal hunting, there are only around 300 cross river gorillas left. They are mostly found near the Cameroon-Nigerian border.

&nbsp;

Leatherback Sea Turtle

This is the world's largest turtle, and it is critically endangered due mainly to illegal hunting and theft of the eggs. There are about 20,000 leatherback sea turtles left, but their populations are steadily declining. 

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The 10 most endangered animals

There are many reasons why animals species become endangered. Some...

A coastal survey team came upon an unexpected discovery in Russia’s Kamchatka Territory late last week: the headless remains of a Pleistocene sea monster.

The massive skeleton once belonged to a creature known as Steller’s sea cow. While the species had an extensive range during the Pleistocene epoch, by the time they were discovered by European explorers in 1741, they lived only around the Commander Islands in the Bering Sea. 

The explorers hunted them, finding that they had few defenses against harpoons. Just one massive, nearly 10-ton sea monster could feed a 30-person ship’s crew for a month, and the fat made an excellent substitute for butter, according to primary sources shared by Jacob Mikanowski in <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/04/pleistoseacow/522831/">The Atlantic</a>. 

The sea cows’ run-in with the expedition, led by their namesake Georg Steller, spelled their demise. The species was extinct just 27 years after its discovery. Scientists suspect needless overhunting of the creatures contributed to their disappearance.

The skeletal remains found by the coastal surveyors would have been about 20 feet long, if the skull had been present. The manatee-like sea creatures could grow to nearly 30 feet. The researchers excavated 45 vertebrae, 27 ribs, a left shoulder blade and several other bones, the <a href="http://www.mnr.gov.ru/news/detail.php?ID=343860">Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology</a> reported. 

The remains are missing a skull, the cervical vertebrae, the right scapula, and a few other vertebrae and small bones.

“The discovery of such a sufficiently complete skeleton of Steller's sea cow is an extremely important event not only for the <a href="http://www.travelkamchatka.com/komandorsky.htm">Komandorsky reserve</a>, but for science in general,” the ministry said.

The find is one of the most complete skeletons found since the 19th century. The last discovery of a full Steller’s sea cow skeleton was in 1987. That set of remains, found on Bering Island, was around 9 feet long.

“The found skeleton will become one of the central exhibits of the visitor center of the Komandorsky reserve,” the ministry said.

—

By <a href="mailto:kcathey@earth.com">Kyla Cathey</a>, <a href="http://www.earth.com">Earth.com</a> staff writer

Image credit: <a href="http://komandorsky.ru/было-бы-чудом.html">Commander State Biosphere Reserve</a>

Skeletal sea monster found on Russian island – without its head

A coastal survey team came upon an unexpected discovery in...

Update: In a rare move, President Trump tweeted Friday night that the plan to allow the import of elephants hunted in Africa would be halted, saying, "Put big game trophy decision on hold until such time as I review all conservation facts." 

Hunters may soon be allowed to bring trophies of African elephants back to the United States, and the news is sparking outrage. A <a href="https://www.fws.gov/">U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service</a> official confirmed to <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/">ABC News</a> that President Trump plans to reverse a ban put in place by the Obama administration in 2014. 

Chelsea Clinton tweeted, “Infuriating. Will increase poaching, make communities more vulnerable &amp; hurt conservation efforts.”

According to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service spokesperson, lifting the restrictions will allow U.S. sport hunting in Zimbabwe and Zambia. The spokesperson defended the move by saying that it will put "much-needed revenue back into conservation."

Despite the fact that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/elephants-missing-poached/">elephants</a> are an endangered species, hunting can be permitted if evidence shows that hunting benefits the conservation of the animals.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said, “Legal, well-regulated sport hunting as part of a sound management program can benefit the conservation of certain species by providing incentives to local communities to conserve the species and by putting much-needed revenue back into conservation.”

The <a href="http://www.greatelephantcensus.com/">Great Elephant Census</a> reports that African elephants are vanishing at an alarming rate and the rate is continuing to gain speed. The census estimates that the elephant population in Africa is now dropping by 8 percent a year, primarily due to poaching.

Between 2007 and 2014, elephant populations declined by 30 percent across 18 African countries. In Zimbabwe, the population dropped by 6 percent overall, yet one region in particular lost 74 percent of its elephants.

Ellen DeGeneres said, “I love elephants. And if you take the time to learn about elephants, you would love them too.”

She also remarked, “Elephants show compassion, sympathy, social intelligence, self-awareness. They’re excellent at learning abilities — all the things I have yet to see in this president.”

Degeneres posted an illustration of an elephant on her Twitter and Instagram pages. For every retweet and like received by the posts, Degeneres will make a donation to the <a href="https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/">David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust</a>, a foundation that rescues orphaned elephants in Kenya.

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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

Outrage after Trump reverses ban on elephant trophies

Update: In a rare move, President Trump tweeted Friday night...

Scientists have found that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-tap-water-contains-plastics/">microplastics</a> are infiltrating the Pacific Ocean at its farthest depths. An unprecedented study has revealed that crustaceans living nearly seven miles deep in the ocean are ingesting plastic fibers.

The study was led by Dr. Alan Jamieson from <a href="http://www.ncl.ac.uk/">Newcastle University</a>. 

“These observations are the deepest possible record of microplastic occurrence and ingestion, indicating it is highly likely there are no marine ecosystems left that are not impacted by anthropogenic debris,” said Dr. Jamieson.

Using deep-sea landers, the researchers collected samples from 90 crustaceans in trenches that span the entire Pacific Ocean. These included the New Hebrides, Mariana, Japan, and Kermadec trenches. The deepest region is the bottom of the Mariana Trench, which is 6.7 miles down. 

“The deep sea is not only the ultimate sink for any material that descends from the surface, but it is also inhabited by organisms well adapted to a low-food environment and these will often eat just about anything,” said Dr. Jamieson. “This study has shown that manmade microfibers are culminating and accumulating in an ecosystem inhabited by species we poorly understand.”

The study revealed that every crustacean sampled from the Mariana Trench had ingested plastic fragments including polyethylene, polyvinyls, and nylon. At least 50 percent of sea creatures had swallowed microplastics in the other trenches as well.

Dr. Jamieson explained, “This type of work requires a great deal of contamination control but there were instances where the fibers could actually be seen in the stomach contents as they were being removed.”

“We felt we had to do this study given the unique access we have to some of the most remote places on earth, and we are using these samples to make a poignant statement about mankind's legacy,” said Dr. Jamieson.

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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

Crustaceans ingesting plastic at the deepest depths of the ocean

Scientists have found that microplastics are infiltrating the Pacific 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

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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?

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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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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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...