While a mosquito bite may often be just a temporary nuisance, it can be a serious concern in many parts of the world. Some mosquitoes, such as Aedes aegypti, are responsible for spreading viruses that cause over 100 million cases of diseases like dengue, yellow fever, and Zika each year.&nbsp;



Another species, Anopheles gambiae, spreads the parasite that causes malaria, leading to more than 400,000 deaths annually, according to the <a href="https://www.who.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Health Organization</a>. These figures have earned mosquitoes the title of the deadliest animals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-mosquitoes-locate-their-hosts">How mosquitoes locate their hosts</h2>



Male mosquitoes are harmless, but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquito-habitats-are-expanding-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">female mosquitoes require blood</a> for egg development. Given this, scientists have dedicated over a century to understanding how mosquitoes locate their hosts.



Through this research, experts have discovered that mosquitoes don’t rely on a single cue; instead, they use a combination of different senses at various distances to find their targets.



A team led by researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara (<a href="https://www.ucsb.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCSB</a>) has now added a new sense to the mosquito’s known capabilities: infrared detection. 



They found that infrared radiation from a source at roughly the temperature of human skin doubles the mosquitoes’ host-seeking behavior when combined with CO2 and human odor.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strong-preference-for-the-infrared-source">Strong preference for the infrared source</h2>



The mosquitoes showed a strong preference for the infrared source during their host-seeking activities. The researchers also identified where this infrared detection occurs and uncovered how it functions at the morphological and biochemical levels.&nbsp;



“The mosquito we study, Aedes aegypti, is exceptionally skilled at finding human hosts,” said Nicolas DeBeaubien, co-lead author of the study and a former graduate student and postdoctoral researcher at UCSB in Professor Craig Montell’s laboratory. “This work sheds new light on how they achieve this.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-new-hosts-from-a-distance-nbsp">Detecting new hosts from a distance&nbsp;</h2>



It is well known that mosquitoes like Aedes aegypti use multiple cues to home in on their hosts from a distance. 



“These include CO2 from our exhaled breath, odors, vision, (convection) heat from our skin, and humidity from our bodies,” explained Avinash Chandel, co-lead author and current postdoc at UCSB in Montell’s group. “However, each of these cues have limitations.”&nbsp;



The insects have poor vision, and strong winds or rapid movements can disrupt their ability to track <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquitoes-are-attracted-to-specific-scents-and-colors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemical signals</a>.



Given these limitations, the researchers wondered if mosquitoes could detect a more reliable directional cue, like infrared radiation.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/mosquitoes_thermal-infrared_track-humans_UCSB_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/mosquitoes_thermal-infrared_track-humans_UCSB_1s.webp" alt="Loose fitting clothing lets through less IR, as demonstrated in this image. Photo Credit DeBeaubien and Chandel et al." class="wp-image-1942526"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Loose fitting clothing lets through less IR, as demonstrated in this image. Photo Credit DeBeaubien and Chandel et al.</figcaption></figure>



Within about 10 centimeters, mosquitoes can detect the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bad-news-mosquitoes-prefer-heat-and-thrive-in-the-warming-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat</a> radiating from our skin. They can also sense the temperature of our skin once they land on it. 



These abilities correspond to two of the three types of heat transfer: convection (heat carried away by air) and conduction (heat through direct contact).&nbsp;



However, heat energy can also travel longer distances when converted into electromagnetic waves, typically in the infrared (IR) spectrum. 



Animals like pit vipers can detect thermal IR from warm prey, so the team wondered if mosquitoes, like Aedes aegypti, could do the same.



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



The researchers placed female mosquitoes in a controlled environment and measured their host-seeking behavior in two zones.&nbsp;



Both zones were exposed to human odors and CO2 at concentrations similar to what we exhale. However, only one zone was also exposed to IR from a source at skin temperature.&nbsp;



A barrier was used to prevent heat exchange through conduction and convection. The researchers then counted how many mosquitoes began probing as if searching for a vein.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-infrared-radiation-and-mosquito-behavior-nbsp">Infrared radiation and mosquito behavior&nbsp;</h2>



Adding thermal infrared radiation from a 34º Celsius source (about skin temperature) doubled the mosquitoes' host-seeking activity, identifying infrared radiation as a newly documented sense mosquitoes use to locate humans. The team discovered that this sense remains effective up to about 70 centimeters (2.5 feet).



“What struck me most about this work was just how strong of a cue IR ended up being,” DeBeaubien said. “Once we got all the parameters just right, the results were undeniably clear.”



Previous studies didn’t observe any effect of thermal infrared on mosquito behavior, but senior author Craig Montell suspects this is due to differences in methodology.&nbsp;



“Any single cue alone doesn’t stimulate host-seeking activity. It’s only in the context of other cues, such as elevated CO2 and human odor, that IR makes a difference,” Montell said. Indeed, his team found that infrared alone has no impact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-mosquitoes-detect-infrared-radiation">How do mosquitoes detect infrared radiation?</h2>



It’s impossible for mosquitoes to detect thermal infrared radiation the same way they detect visible light because the energy of IR is far too low to activate the rhodopsin proteins that detect visible light in animal eyes.&nbsp;



Electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than about 700 nanometers won’t activate rhodopsin, and the IR generated from body heat is around 9,300 nm. 



No known protein is activated by radiation with such long wavelengths, Montell said. However, there is another way to detect infrared radiation.



Consider heat emitted by the sun: it’s converted into IR, which streams through space and, when reaching Earth, warms the planet by interacting with atoms in the atmosphere.&nbsp;



“You have heat converted into electromagnetic waves, which is being converted back into heat,” Montell explained, noting that the IR coming from the sun has a different wavelength from the IR generated by our body heat, as the wavelength depends on the temperature of the source.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-body-heat-and-mosquito-neurons-nbsp">Human body heat and mosquito neurons&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers hypothesized that our body heat, which generates IR, might hit certain neurons in the mosquito, activating them by heating them up. This would enable mosquitoes to detect the radiation indirectly.



Scientists have known that the tips of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mating-secrets-of-mosquitoes-may-help-us-gain-control-of-them/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mosquito’s antennae</a> contain heat-sensing neurons. The team found that removing these tips eliminated the mosquitoes’ ability to detect infrared radiation.



Another lab had identified the temperature-sensitive protein TRPA1 at the end of the antenna. The UCSB team observed that mosquitoes without a functional TRPA1 gene, which codes for the protein, couldn’t detect infrared radiation.



The tip of each antenna has peg-in-pit structures well-suited for sensing radiation. The pit shields the peg from conductive and convective heat, allowing highly directional IR radiation to enter and warm up the structure. The mosquito then uses TRPA1 - a temperature sensor - to detect infrared radiation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mosquito-ir-detection-range">Mosquito IR detection range</h2>



The heat-activated TRPA1 channel alone might not fully explain the range over which mosquitoes can detect IR. A sensor that exclusively relied on this protein may not be useful at the 70 cm range the team observed. 



At this distance, there likely isn’t sufficient IR collected by the peg-in-pit structure to heat it enough to activate TRPA1.



Fortunately, Montell’s group had previously discovered in fruit flies that some rhodopsin proteins are quite sensitive to small increases in temperature.&nbsp;



Although rhodopsins were originally thought to be light detectors, Montell’s group found that certain rhodopsins can be triggered by a variety of stimuli. 



They discovered that proteins in this group are versatile, involved not only in vision but also in taste and temperature sensing.&nbsp;



Upon further investigation, the researchers discovered that two of the 10 rhodopsins found in mosquitoes are expressed in the same antennal neurons as TRPA1.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mosquito-sensitivity-to-infrared-radiation-nbsp">Mosquito sensitivity to infrared radiation&nbsp;</h2>



Knocking out TRPA1 eliminated the mosquito’s sensitivity to infrared radiation. But mosquitoes with defects in either of the rhodopsins, Op1 or Op2, were unaffected.&nbsp;



Even knocking out both rhodopsins together didn’t entirely eliminate the mosquitoes’ sensitivity to IR, although it significantly weakened it.



The results indicated that more intense thermal IR - like what a mosquito would experience at closer range (about one foot) - directly activates TRPA1.&nbsp;



Meanwhile, Op1 and Op2 can be activated by lower levels of thermal IR and then indirectly trigger TRPA1. Since our skin temperature is constant, extending the sensitivity of TRPA1 effectively extends the range of the mosquito’s IR sensor to around 2.5 feet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-study-nbsp">Broader implications of the study&nbsp;</h2>



Half the world’s population is at risk for mosquito-borne <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-may-slow-the-spread-of-dengue-fever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diseases</a>, and about a billion people are infected each year, Chandel said.&nbsp;



Moreover, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquito-habitats-are-expanding-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> and global travel have expanded the range of Aedes aegypti beyond tropical and subtropical countries, bringing these mosquitoes to areas in the U.S., such as California, where they were not found just a few years ago.



The team’s discovery could help improve methods for controlling mosquito populations. For example, incorporating thermal IR from sources around skin temperature could make mosquito traps more effective.&nbsp;



The findings also help explain why loose-fitting clothing is particularly good at preventing bites. Loose clothing not only blocks mosquitoes from reaching our skin but also allows the IR to dissipate between our skin and the clothing, making it harder for mosquitoes to detect.



“Despite their diminutive size, mosquitoes are responsible for more human deaths than any other animal. Our research enhances the understanding of how mosquitoes target humans and offers new possibilities for controlling the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases,” DeBeaubien concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07848-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Mosquitoes use infrared vision to track and bite humans

While a mosquito bite may often be just a temporary nuisance, it can be a serious concern in many parts of the world. Some mosquitoes, such as Aedes aegypti, are responsible for spreading viruses that cause over 100 million cases of diseases like dengue, yellow fever, and Zika each year.&nbsp; Another species, Anopheles gambiae, spreads the parasite that causes malaria, leading to more than 400,000 deaths annually, according to the World Health Organization. These figures have earned mosquitoes the title of the deadliest animals. How mosquitoes locate...

Honey bees may play a significant role in increasing virus levels in wild bumblebees each spring, according to a study conducted by researchers at the Pennsylvania State University.&nbsp;



By analyzing seasonal trends in the transmission of parasites and viruses among bees, the experts found that honey bees consistently carried higher levels of viruses compared to bumblebees.&nbsp;



Additionally, while both bee species showed lower virus prevalence during the winter, only bumblebees experienced negligible virus levels by spring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-honey-bees-may-reinfect-bumblebees-in-spring">Honey bees may reinfect bumblebees in spring</h2>



Heather Hines, an associate professor of biology and entomology at Penn State’s <a href="https://agsci.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">College of Agricultural Sciences</a> and the study's corresponding author, suggested that these results indicate honey bees might be reinfecting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bumblebees-increasingly-stressed-over-the-past-century/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bumblebees</a> in the spring, a time when bumblebees would otherwise have very low virus prevalence.



“Our data suggests that healthy wild bee communities require healthy honey bee colony management,” Hines said.&nbsp;



“Practices that help reduce disease loads in honey bees include ensuring cross-season high-quality nutrition, reducing pesticides and mitigating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breeding-cleaner-bees-may-stop-varroa-mites-in-their-tracks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Varroa mites</a>, which are known to be responsible for higher late-season viral loads.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-honey-bee-colony-management-nbsp">Importance of honey bee colony management&nbsp;</h2>



According to Hines, while the study highlights honey bees as spring viral reservoirs, this does not imply that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bees-face-a-multitude-of-complex-stressors-in-the-field/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">honey bees</a> are detrimental. Rather, it underscores the importance of good honey bee colony management for the overall health of pollinator communities.



Pollinators are vital for the reproduction of many food crops and wild plants worldwide. Managed honey bee colonies significantly benefit agriculture by pollinating plants, while native bee species like bumblebees and solitary bees provide natural pollination services that can enhance fruit set and are essential for many plant species.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dynamics-of-parasite-and-virus-spread">Dynamics of parasite and virus spread</h2>



Bumblebees, native to the United States, are particularly important for pollinating crops like blueberries and cranberries, while honey bees, originally from Asia, excel in pollinating most orchard crops due to their ability to recruit large numbers of foragers.



Hines argued that although honey bees and bumblebees share many traits, they also have differences that influence the dynamics of parasite and virus spread.&nbsp;



“Honey bees are managed bees that are perennial, while bumblebees are annual - overwintering as new queens and starting and growing their colonies in the following spring,” she explained. These differing colony dynamics likely impact how diseases are transmitted between managed and native bees.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bee-viruses-across-seasons">Bee viruses across seasons</h2>



The study focused on the spread of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honeybees-may-be-superspreaders-of-plant-viruses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">viruses</a> and parasites across seasons, particularly examining deformed wing virus (DWV) and black queen cell virus (BQCV), which are harmful to both honey and bumblebees and can spread between species. 



The researchers collected both types of bees at multiple time points across four years from six sites in Center County. They then screened the bees for viruses using molecular biomarkers and for protozoan pathogens and parasites using a microscope, comparing virus and pest prevalence across different seasons.



The results showed that both DWV and BQCV were common in honey and bumblebees, with DWV levels peaking in the fall and BQCV in mid-season.&nbsp;



However, honey bees consistently harbored higher levels of these viruses throughout the year. The most significant seasonal difference was observed in the spring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-honey-bees-as-a-viral-reservoir-nbsp">Honey bees as a viral reservoir&nbsp;</h2>



“Bumblebees had negligible levels of viruses in the spring, suggesting queens are either resistant or die during overwintering if infected,” Hines said.&nbsp;



“Honey bee colonies tend to have lower viral prevalence by spring as well; however, they still retain fairly high viral levels compared to bumblebees. This means that honey bees serve as a viral reservoir that can reinfect native bee communities that would naturally purge these viruses in the spring.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-study-nbsp">Broader implications of the study&nbsp;</h2>



The study contributes to the growing body of research on the impact of managed honey bees on disease levels in bee communities.&nbsp;



The Hines Lab has been particularly involved in exploring how landscapes in the eastern United States affect bumblebee pathogen loads, aiming to identify manageable factors that can most effectively reduce disease in these bees.



Looking forward, the researchers plan to conduct further studies on queen immunity and vulnerability to pathogens, which could provide deeper insights into these patterns and help inform strategies for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bee-conservation-relies-on-plant-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bee conservation</a>.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4883" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecosphere</a>.



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Honey bees spread viruses to bumblebees in the spring 

Honey bees may play a significant role in increasing virus...

As the global human population continues to grow, more than half of Earth's land is expected to see an increasing overlap between humans and animals by 2070, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan (U-M).&nbsp;



This growing human-wildlife interaction could lead to heightened conflicts between people and animals.&nbsp;



However, understanding where these overlaps will occur and which species will interact with humans is crucial for urban planners, conservationists, and countries committed to international conservation efforts.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-populations-of-humans-and-wildlife-nbsp">Populations of humans and wildlife&nbsp;</h2>



Study lead author Deqiang Ma is a postdoctoral research fellow at the <a href="https://seas.umich.edu/globalchangebiology#:~:text=The%20IGCB's%20Mission,our%20climate%20and%20sustainability%20crises)." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U-M Institute for Global Change Biology</a> in the School for Environment and Sustainability.



“We found that the overlap between populations of humans and wildlife will increase across about 57% of the global lands, but it will decrease across only about 12% of the global lands,” noted Ma.&nbsp;



“We also found that agricultural and forest areas will experience substantial increases of overlap in the future.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-driving-the-human-wildlife-overlap">What is driving the human-wildlife overlap?</h2>



The study revealed that this increasing human-wildlife overlap will be driven primarily by human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-population-will-peak-at-10-3-billion-by-2085/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">population growth</a> rather than by climate change.&nbsp;



In other words, the expansion of human settlements into previously undeveloped areas will be the main driver of this overlap, rather than climate change causing animals to shift their habitats.



Neil Carter is the study's principal investigator and an associate professor of environment and sustainability.&nbsp;



“In many places around the world, more people will interact with wildlife in the coming decades and often those wildlife communities will comprise different kinds of animals than the ones that live there now,” said Carter.&nbsp;



“This means that all sorts of novel interactions, good and bad, between people and wildlife will emerge in the near future.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-calculating-future-human-wildlife-overlap-nbsp">Calculating future human-wildlife overlap&nbsp;</h2>



To calculate future human-wildlife overlap, the researchers developed an index that combined estimates of where human populations are likely to grow and the spatial distributions of 22,374 species of terrestrial amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles.&nbsp;



The experts based their projections on previously published data that forecasted species distributions based on their climatic niches and on projections of economic development, global society, and demographics.



“The index we created showed that the majority of global lands will experience increases in human-wildlife overlap, and this increasing overlap is the result of the expansion of human population much more so than changes in species distributions caused by climate change,” Ma explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-major-areas-of-concern">Major areas of concern</h2>



The researchers found that areas with high current and projected human-wildlife overlap, such as China and India, are already densely populated.&nbsp;



However, they also identified forests in Africa and South America as major areas of concern due to the expected significant increase in overlap in these regions. “The reason that is concerning is because those areas have very high biodiversity that would experience greater pressure in the future,” Carter said.



The study also projected a decrease in median <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/environmental-changes-put-a-cap-on-species-richness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species richness</a> - meaning the variety of species - in many forests across Africa and South America.&nbsp;



In South America, mammal richness is projected to decline by 33%, amphibian richness by 45%, reptile richness by 40%, and bird richness by 37%. In Africa, mammal richness is expected to decline by 21%, and bird richness by 26%.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-pronounced-human-wildlife-interactions-nbsp">More pronounced human-wildlife interactions&nbsp;</h2>



According to Carter, preserving biodiversity in these overlapping zones is vital. He noted that there are cases of human-wildlife interactions that are both good and bad, but we anticipate that they're going to become more pronounced.&nbsp;



“For example, COVID-19 was the result of human contact with wild animals, and there is concern that new diseases will emerge from greater encounters between people and certain wildlife species,” said Carter. “But you also have species that provide important benefits to people, like reducing the abundances of pests.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-study-nbsp">Broader implications of the study&nbsp;</h2>



Ma's analysis showed that birds that consume insects in agricultural areas may decline in croplands experiencing increased human-wildlife overlap by 2070, which could affect pest control.&nbsp;



“What we're doing is finding those areas and saying, if you have cropland or pastures here, are you going to have species move into those areas or species moving away from those areas,” Carter said.&nbsp;



“Are those new croplands or pastures going to be an additional threat to the species or could there be ecosystem services harnessed for free?”



Carter also highlighted the critical role of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scavengers-clean-up-wetlands-and-boost-their-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scavengers</a>, such as vultures and hyenas, in cleaning waste from urban areas and other landscapes, which helps reduce the prevalence of diseases like rabies, anthrax, and bovine tuberculosis.&nbsp;



“Hyenas and other species that are vilified or persecuted because they are scavengers provide a lot of disease reduction benefits. On one hand, they're viewed as a threat, but on the other hand, they're providing free health benefits,” explained Carter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-creative-conservation-planning-is-needed">Creative conservation planning is needed</h2>



According to the researchers, conservation strategies will need to evolve, particularly in regions that have not seen significant human settlement in the past.&nbsp;



Traditional conservation methods, such as establishing protected areas with restricted human access, may become increasingly difficult to implement as more areas of the world are shared by both humans and wildlife.



“There's also a significant environmental justice argument around the validity of telling communities that may have lived in a certain area for generations that they have to move,” Carter added.&nbsp;



“Our study suggests that with more areas of the world expected to be shared both by people and wildlife, conservation planning will have to get more creative and inclusive.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-engaging-local-communities-in-conservation-efforts">Engaging local communities in conservation efforts</h2>



The researchers advocate for engaging local communities in the conservation process to build interest and improve outcomes. 



This could involve establishing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildlife-corridors-habitat-fragmentation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife corridors</a> to connect existing protected areas with new ones, creating temporary protected areas during critical wildlife periods like breeding seasons, and exploring other innovative conservation strategies.



“We care a lot about which areas can support populations of endangered species, like tigers, and how human communities interact with these species,” said Carter.



“In some places it's going to be really hard to do everything at once: to grow crops and have urban areas and protect these species and their habitats. But if we can start planning now, we have a lot of tools to help us promote sustainable coexistence.”



The study was published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adp7706" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Human-wildlife overlap is rapidly rising across the globe

As the global human population continues to grow, more than...

When you think about accents, you'd probably consider the charming lilt of an Irish brogue or the smooth drawl of a Southern twang. But have you ever thought that birds might have accents too?



Birds, just like us, have their own unique dialects. This fascinating fact was unveiled by researchers who monitored the dialects of the yellow-naped amazon parrot in Costa Rica for 22 years. It's an example of how rich and diverse the language of nature can truly be.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-accents-in-birds">Different accents in birds</h2>



Parrots aren't just colorful and charming creatures. They're complex and highly social animals, particularly the yellow-naped amazons. 



These large parrots form long-term pair bonds, roost in large flocks at night, and forage in smaller groups during the day. 



They communicate using a variety of calls that they learn from each other. The most common of these calls are contact calls, and it's these calls that display the distinct geographic differences characteristic of dialects. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tale-of-three-dialects">Tale of three dialects</h2>



In 1994, a dedicated team of researchers embarked on an exciting and wild adventure to explore the intricacies of language and communication. 



Their initial surveys revealed three distinct types of contact: North, South, and Nicaraguan, each utilized in specific geographic areas, showcasing the rich linguistic diversity of the region. As the years progressed, the researchers continued to gather data and analyze patterns. 



By 2005, their findings indicated that both the acoustic structure of these dialects and the boundaries that defined them had remained fundamentally unchanged. This stability over the years highlights the resilience of these linguistic features in the face of social and cultural shifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sound-of-change-in-birds-accents">Sound of change in birds' accents</h2>



The year 2016, however, painted a different picture. In this latest 11-year stretch, the team discovered distinct cultural changes. 



The boundary between the North and South dialects shifted, and new call variants appeared within the area that originally only used the South dialect. In the North dialect, they saw many more bilingual birds adopting North and South dialects.



The researchers also noticed dramatic disruptions in the parrot population during this period. Population decline, increased land clearance for agriculture, and the uplisting of the species' status to critically endangered by the IUCN - all of these changes were happening simultaneously.



And it's believed that these cultural shifts in the birds' dialects are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-feeding-pollutes-local-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adaptive responses</a> to their changing circumstances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-cultural-change">Implications of cultural change</h2>



The alterations observed in the yellow-naped amazon’s dialects raise significant questions about the interplay between language and environment. 



These cultural shifts could signal not just adaptations to habitat loss and population decline but also broader implications for the survival of these avian populations. 



The ability to modify communication strategies in response to external pressures may enhance social cohesion among flocks, thereby increasing their resilience in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-behavior-productivity-being-directly-impacted-by-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">uncertain times</a>. 



Furthermore, understanding these dialectal changes provokes deeper reflections on how social dynamics within animal species can mirror human cultural evolution - highlighting an intricate linkage between communication and survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-targeted-conservation-efforts-are-needed">Targeted conservation efforts are needed</h2>



As the plight of the yellow-naped amazon becomes increasingly urgent, targeted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-birds-are-at-great-risk-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation initiatives</a> are essential. 



The interplay of acoustic cultural shifts with environmental pressures underscores the importance of habitat preservation. 



Conservationists must not only focus on mitigating habitat loss but also promote research that further investigates the implications of these dialectal changes. 



Engaging local communities and leveraging citizen science can enhance awareness and support for these initiatives, while ongoing studies will contribute valuable insights into the evolutionary biology of communication. 



By fostering a collaborative approach to conservation, we can aim to safeguard the future of these remarkable parrots and their rich linguistic heritage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-forces-that-drive-evolution">The forces that drive evolution</h2>



While more research is needed to directly link the cultural changes observed in the parrots' dialects to the demographic disruptions they've experienced, one thing is clear. 



The data underscores the importance of long-term studies for understanding how culture evolves and what forces drive this evolution. It also highlights how the vocal learning ability of parrots may indeed serve an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-flocking-dynamics-inspire-advancements-in-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adaptive role</a> in the wild.



So, the next time you hear a parrot squawking, take a moment to listen. Remember, you're hearing not just a bird call, but a dialect - an ever-evolving language that may be adapting to the world around it, just as we do with ours.



The torchbearers of this unique journey are Dr. Christine Dahlin from the <a href="https://www.pitt.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Pittsburgh</a> at Johnstown, and Dr. Timothy Wright, Grace Smith-Vidaurre, and Molly K. Genes from <a href="https://www.nmsu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Mexico State University</a>. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.0659" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences</a>.



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Birds have regional accents, just like humans

When you think about accents, you'd probably consider the charming...

Sponges in the deep waters of the Gulf of Eilat harbor a remarkable secret: they have evolved to be toxic in a heavy metal way. 



In a groundbreaking study conducted at Tel Aviv University, researchers have uncovered that these seemingly ordinary sponges contain an extraordinarily high concentration of the toxic mineral molybdenum (Mo), using it as a unique defense mechanism to ward off predators. 



This discovery not only sheds light on the fascinating survival strategies of sponges but also reveals a symbiotic relationship with bacteria that enables them to manage such lethal amounts of this metal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-s-toxic-tale-how-sponges-harness-molybdenum">Nature's toxic tale: how sponges harness molybdenum</h2>



Sponges, the earliest multicellular organisms known to science, inhabit <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-sponges-play-a-critical-role-in-the-ocean-and-they-are-rapidly-vanishing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine ecosystems</a> and play a crucial role in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-sponge-gardens-found-deep-in-the-arctic-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet’s carbon</a>, nitrogen, and silicon cycles. 



Remarkably, a single sponge can process and filter a volume of seawater 50,000 times its body weight daily. 



With such vast quantities of water flowing through them, sponges inevitably gather various trace elements, prompting scientists to question how they handle potentially lethal amounts of substances like arsenic and molybdenum.



“Twenty to thirty years ago, researchers from our lab collected samples of a rare sponge called Theonella conica from the coral reef of Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean and found in them a high concentration of molybdenum,” explains Shoham. “Molybdenum is a trace element, important for metabolism in the cells of all animals, including humans, and widely used in industry. In my research, I wanted to test whether such high concentrations are also found in this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-sponges-discovered-in-unexplored-deep-sea-habitats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sponge species</a> in the Gulf of Eilat, where it grows at depths of more than 27 meters. Finding the sponge and analyzing its composition, I discovered that it contained more molybdenum than any other organism on Earth: 46,793 micrograms per gram of dry weight.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-the-molybdenum-mystery">Unraveling the molybdenum mystery</h2>



As intriguing as this find was, it raised a critical question: How does the sponge survive the toxic accumulation of molybdenum? 



The answer lies with the bacteria Entotheonella sp., which plays a key role in the clever <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/remarkable-symbiotic-relationship-found-in-the-deep-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">symbiotic relationship</a> between the sponge and its microbiome.



Shoham adds, “Like all trace elements, molybdenum is toxic when its concentration is higher than its solubility in water. But we must remember that a sponge is essentially a hollow mass of cells with no organs or tissues. Specifically in Theonella conica, up to 40% of the body volume is a microbial society—bacteria, viruses, and fungi living in symbiosis with the sponge. One of the most dominant bacteria, called Entotheonella sp., serves as a ‘detoxifying organ’ for accumulating metals inside the body of its sponge hosts. Hoarding more and more molybdenum, the bacteria convert it from its toxic soluble state into a mineral. We are not sure why they do this. Perhaps the molybdenum protects the sponge by announcing: ‘I’m toxic! Don’t eat me!,’ and in return for this service, the sponge does not eat the bacteria and serves as their host.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tomorrow-s-solutions-today">Tomorrow's solutions today</h2>



While enticing, the prospect of extracting molybdenum from these sponges is impractical due to their scarcity, fragility, and the minimal weight of molybdenum they carry. 



“The concentration is very high,” says Shoham, “but when translated into weight, we could only get a few grams from every sponge, and the sponge itself is relatively rare. Sponges are grown in marine agriculture, mostly for the pharmaceutical industry, but this is quite a challenging endeavor. Sponges are very delicate creatures that need specific conditions.”



However, their unique bacterial companions, Entotheonella sp., hold the potential for future research with their metal-accumulating abilities. 



Previous studies from the same <a href="https://english.tau.ac.il/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tel Aviv University</a> lab found immense concentrations of other toxic metals like arsenic (As) and barium (Ba) in a close relative of Theonella conica, named Theonella swinhoei. “In this case too,” Shoham notes, “Entotheonella was found to be largely responsible for hoarding the metals and turning them into minerals, thereby neutralizing their toxicity. Continued research on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-microbes-discovered-destroys-pfas-forever-chemicals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria</a> can prove useful for treating water sources polluted with arsenic, a serious hazard that directly affects the health of 200 million people worldwide.”



In the end, what started as a dive into the intriguing sponge's world led scientists on a voyage of discovery, revealing the power of symbiosis and the potential for new technological advancements rooted in the secrets of our ocean’s depths.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adn3923" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Sponges accumulate toxic metals as a survival strategy

Sponges in the deep waters of the Gulf of Eilat...

Organic farming and flower strips are extremely beneficial for honey bee health, helping colonies that live in their vicinity grow stronger and more resilient. This happens most likely because the honey bees have a continuous and diverse food supply there, while being less exposed to pesticides.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farming-styles-impact-honey-bee-health">Farming styles impact honey bee health</h2>



To reach this conclusion, a team of scientists from <a href="https://www.uni-halle.de/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg</a> (MLU) and the <a href="https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/1.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Göttingen</a> analyzed data from 32 bee colonies at 16 locations in Germany with various proportions of organic fields, flower strips and semi-natural habitats.



About half of Germany’s land is used for agriculture, according to the <a href="https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">German Environment Agency</a> (UBA). “The way that farmers cultivate their land has a major impact on nature. Intensively farmed fields, pesticides and monocultures pose a threat to many animal and plant species. This is particularly true for pollinators, which include honey bees,” said Robert Paxton, a bee researcher at MLU. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mitigating-the-effects-of-intensive-farming-nbsp">Mitigating the effects of intensive farming&nbsp;</h2>



Some important measures counteracting this trend include increasing the proportion of organic farming, planting more flower strips, and devising perennial semi-natural areas near crop fields.&nbsp;



“In theory, these measures all make sense. However, we know little about how each of these affect insects, especially honey bees,” Paxton said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-organic-farming-and-honey-bee-health">Organic farming and honey bee health</h2>



To clarify these issues, the scientists carried out research at 16 locations in Lower Saxony, Germany. Each of these locations were different in the proportion of organic fields, flower strips and perennial semi-natural habitats surrounding them.&nbsp;



The experts placed honey bee colonies at each of these sites and observed them for a year. They took into consideration colony growth and parasite infestation, paying special attention to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/varroa-mites-honey-bees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">varroa mite</a>, an extremely dangerous pest of honey bees that can transmit lethal viruses. 



Then, they compared data regarding the colonies. “Organic farming had the greatest impact - the larger the proportion of these areas, the lower the parasite infestation of a colony. This improved colony growth,” explained lead author Patrycja Pluta from MLU.&nbsp;



Most likely, this occurred since organic farming uses fewer pesticides, employing alternative plant protection measures.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flower-strips-and-honey-bee-health">Flower strips and honey bee health</h2>



Flower strips appeared particularly advantageous to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-honey-bee-day-protecting-our-vital-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">honey bees</a>. For instance, the number of Varroa mites was found to be lower in areas with many flower strips. “This could be due to the fact that a diverse and rich food supply strengthens the honey bees’ immune system,” Pluta said. 



However, perennial semi-natural habitats turned out to be disadvantageous for honey bees, since  larger areas usually meant a greater infestation of varroa mites. In addition, unlike flower strips, such areas are not designed to offer abundant supplies of food for honey bees and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollinators-face-extinction-risk-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinators</a>. 



“Perennial semi-natural landscapes are an important tool for promoting biodiversity and they serve as a habitat for many animals. Honey bees, that are managed by humans, are the exception,” Paxton said.&nbsp;



This study, published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14723" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Applied Ecology</a>, is an important step forward in improving agricultural landscape management for bees and other pollinators.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threats-to-the-survival-of-honey-bees">Threats to the survival of honey bees</h2>



The research is particularly important, as honey bees face a combination of threats that create a challenging environment which makes it difficult for them to thrive and sustain the essential pollination services they provide to agriculture and natural ecosystems.&nbsp;



One of the most well-known threats is the widespread use of pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids, which can impair bees' ability to navigate, forage, and reproduce. Exposure to these chemicals can weaken bees and make them more susceptible to diseases and parasites.&nbsp;



Speaking of parasites, the Varroa destructor mite is another significant threat to honeybees. This tiny parasite feeds on the blood of bees and can transmit deadly viruses, weakening the colony over time.



In addition to these direct threats, honeybees are also affected by habitat loss due to urbanization, agriculture, and climate change. The loss of wildflowers and other foraging resources reduces the availability of nectar and pollen, which bees need to survive.&nbsp;



Climate change further exacerbates these issues by altering flowering times and creating mismatches between when bees are active and when flowers are available. This can lead to poor nutrition for bees, which makes them less resilient to other stresses.



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Organic farming and flower strips improve honey bee health

Organic farming and flower strips are extremely beneficial for honey...

Today, let's address the elephant in the room. Or rather, the tiny terror, the midnight mischief-maker, the one that has us all jumping onto chairs at the dead of night, our uninvited roommates -- mice. 



Entertaining as our tiny friends might be in animated tales, they are not as charming when discovered darting across your kitchen floor or gnawing on your pizza leftovers, especially when the solution could be as simple as cinnamon.



Not a fan of its warm aroma, our tiny roommates leave their homes in search of a scent-free environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seed-of-the-problem">Seed of the problem</h2>



Mice have long roamed our homes, causing chaos with their nocturnal antics. They pose health risks by carrying and transmitting various diseases, and their gnawing habits can lead to substantial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bats-assist-farmers-by-consuming-harmful-pests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">property damage</a>.



Cinnamon, well known for adding a festive touch to our cookies and hot beverages, has been hiding a secret superhero identity. It turns out, this versatile spice does not just enhance our culinary delights but is also a potent deterrent for mice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cinnamon-strategy-against-mice">Cinnamon strategy against mice</h2>



Deploying this strategy is straightforward and effective. Simply take cinnamon sticks and place them around food storage areas, or soak cotton balls in cinnamon oil and scatter them around your home. 



This natural method can help deter <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insects-boost-plant-evolution-in-surprising-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pests</a> while leaving a pleasant aroma. Regularly refresh the cinnamon to maintain its effectiveness.



What's even better, using cinnamon is a humane way of dealing with our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cockroaches-became-global-pests-cleverly-hitching-rides-with-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">little invaders</a>. It allows us to protect our homes without resorting to methods that cause harm to these tiny creatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fragrant-side-effects">Fragrant side-effects</h2>



Let’s remember that while we’re quietly battling pests, our home can be filled with an amazing aroma that feels like a dream. 



The lovely scent of cinnamon doesn’t just make the place feel cozy; it also has a practical side. This powerful spice helps keep those pesky rodents away.



Imagine welcoming friends into your home, where the warm fragrance of cinnamon greets them right at the door. 



It’s the perfect mix of charm and usefulness, creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes everyone feel comfortable while <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cockroaches-have-evolved-developed-resistance-to-common-insect-sprays/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">keeping pests at bay</a>.



The potent smell of cinnamon, primarily from its essential oil called cinnamaldehyde, is oppressively strong for rodents, given their highly sensitive olfactory receptors. Turns out, our home invader's natural aversion to strong smells is our gain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cinnamon-and-mice-a-holistic-perspective">Cinnamon and mice: A holistic perspective</h2>



As we deal with our uninvited mouse guests, it's important to take a balanced approach that focuses on both keeping them out and understanding them better.&nbsp;



We can start by making our homes less inviting for mice -- this means sealing up any gaps, storing food properly, and keeping things tidy. But let’s not forget that mice play a role in our ecosystem. 



They’re food for a variety of predators and help keep nature in balance. By learning more about their behaviors and needs, we can find <a href="https://www.usda.gov/oce/pest/integrated-pest-management" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ways to coexist peacefully</a>, respecting both their place in the world and our need for a comfortable home.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fellow-warriors">Fellow warriors</h2>



Essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender are great allies in this fight. Peppermint oil smells amazing and gives your space a fresh vibe while deterring bugs.&nbsp;



Eucalyptus has a nice scent and helps clean the air too. And we can’t forget lavender. Its calming aroma not only relaxes the atmosphere but also keeps those annoying insects at bay.&nbsp;



By bringing these lovely scents into your home, you can create a welcoming and healthier space for everyone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cinnamon-for-mice-mother-earth-approves">Cinnamon for mice: Mother Earth approves</h2>



This natural strategy is not only effective but also environmentally friendly. It provides a balanced approach, enabling us to coexist harmoniously with these small creatures.&nbsp;



By adopting this method, we can protect their habitats while ensuring our own needs are met. Such coexistence fosters biodiversity and supports a healthier ecosystem for future generations.



So, are we ready to try out this homemade solution? Perhaps it's time to redecorate our homes with a dash of warm, inviting cinnamon and declare victory over our furry invaders in the most organic, aromatic way possible. After all, who said war couldn't smell sweet?



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Eco-friendly pest control: This simple trick keeps mice away

Today, let's address the elephant in the room. Or rather,...

Cockroach infestations are a persistent problem for many households, but a recent study reveals that commonly used sprays are not as effective as consumers believe.



The study sheds light on the limited efficacy of these popular products, particularly against the notorious German cockroach, raising concerns about their role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natural-pest-control-the-hidden-power-of-aloe-vera-peels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pest control</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cockroach-residual-insecticides">Cockroach residual insecticides</h2>



The premise behind residual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/butterfly-decline-in-american-midwest-linked-to-insecticides/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insecticides</a> is simple. Spray them onto surfaces where cockroaches are expected, and the toxic residue would poison them once they traverse the treated areas.



However, a new study published in the Journal of Economic Entomology paints a different picture.



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uky.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Kentucky</a> and <a href="https://www.auburn.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Auburn University</a> found that these residual insecticides were largely futile against German cockroaches (Blattella germanica), a notorious species globally known for infesting homes and buildings. 



Laboratory testing revealed that liquid and aerosol sprays using pyrethroid insecticides killed less than 20% of German cockroaches exposed to sprayed surfaces for 30 minutes. 



Even when confined to sprayed areas, most products took between eight and 24 hours to kill the cockroaches, with some requiring up to five days.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-problem-with-pyrethroids">The problem with pyrethroids</h2>



The results were derived from cockroaches collected from real-world infestations, where the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-insect-decline-what-are-the-causes-and-consequences/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insects</a> have evolved resistance to pyrethroids, the primary ingredient in these sprays.



"Due to the frequent use of pyrethroid-based residual products, it is very likely that German cockroaches inside of homes will have some degree of pyrethroid resistance," noted study lead author Johnalyn Gordon, a postdoctoral associate at the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Florida</a>.



"To the best of our knowledge, a pyrethroid-susceptible German cockroach population has not been documented from the field in decades."



Gordon conducted the study while a graduate research assistant at the University of Kentucky in the lab of Professor Zach DeVries, the study's senior author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lack-of-effective-cockroach-sprays">Lack of effective cockroach sprays</h2>



The research highlights a significant issue. "If residents do not have access to effective professional pest control or consumer solutions, they continue to be impacted by the effects of an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fir-trees-are-severely-threatened-by-an-unwelcome-insect-guest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infestation</a>, including the health risks associated with cockroach allergens. Home is where people should be able to relax and feel comfortable," explained Gordon.



Despite this alarming revelation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently does not require insecticide products to be tested on field-collected cockroaches or those demonstrating insecticide resistance. 



"Hopefully studies like this one can drive changes in product testing and evaluation, so that labels accurately reflect the level of control these products can provide," Gordon continued.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stricter-standards-for-cockroach-sprays">Stricter standards for cockroach sprays</h2>



Along with the ingredient composition, other factors might contribute to the faltering efficiency of these sprays, such as surface type and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cockroaches-became-global-pests-cleverly-hitching-rides-with-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cockroach behavior</a>.



Additional testing on painted drywall, ceramic tile, and stainless steel surfaces revealed that the sprays were significantly less effective on drywall. 



"Given common applications of residual insecticides along baseboards, reduced efficacy on painted drywall was a particularly striking finding," noted Gordon.



Even in populations without resistance to pyrethroids, the residual sprays had minimal effects on painted drywall. 



This suggests that the porous nature of a surface may significantly impact product efficacy. Furthermore, cockroaches are unlikely to remain on insecticide-treated surfaces for extended periods, either because they are always on the move or actively avoid them.



A separate study from DeVries' lab, published in 2023, found that resistant German cockroaches avoid pyrethroid-treated surfaces when given the choice. Combined, these factors paint a dim picture for cockroach control via insecticide sprays.



"Based on our results, pyrethroid-based DIY products are likely to fail against German cockroaches inside the home, especially if they are being used as residual products," said Gordon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-cockroach-control">Future of cockroach control</h2>



These findings cast a dismal shadow on the use of DIY insecticide sprays for cockroach control. Yet, other more promising DIY alternatives exist, such as gel or liquid baits that lure roaches with a food source laced with slow-acting insecticides.



Ideally, consumers could also have access to affordable professional pest-control services that take a multipronged approach known as integrated pest management (IPM). 



However, this is often not the case for residents of low-income, multi-family housing, where cockroach infestations are stubbornly persistent. 



"There is a strong base of knowledge and research on how we can control cockroaches, but there are numerous economic and procedural barriers that mean that this control is not occurring in these areas, arguably where it is the most needed," said Gordon.



Targeting improved technologies that can close these management gaps is critical to achieving accessible pest management, whether that is through different active ingredients and modes of action, formulations, or product-deployment strategies.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jee/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/jee/toae158/7731102?redirectedFrom=fulltext&amp;login=false">Journal of Economic Entomology</a>.



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Cockroaches have evolved and developed resistance to common insect sprays

Cockroach infestations are a persistent problem for many households, but...

Who doesn't love a good tale about whales? Humpback whales, in particular, continue to astound with each new revelation. Scientists recently discovered that humpback whales are not only capable of using tools but are also adept at creating and altering them to enhance their hunting prowess.



This remarkable behavior sheds light on their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-20-minute-conversation-with-a-humpback-whale-named-twain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intelligence and social structures</a>, revealing a level of cognitive ability that challenges our understanding of marine life.



These magnificent creatures are not merely gigantic inhabitants of our oceans; they are active participants in their intricate marine habitats, playing vital roles in the ecosystem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-humpback-whales-use-tools-for-hunting">Humpback whales use tools for hunting</h2>



At the forefront of this startling revelation is Professor Lars Bejder, the esteemed Director of the Marine Mammal Research Program (<a href="https://www.mmrphawaii.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MMRP</a>) at the <a href="https://www.himb.hawaii.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Hawai'i</a>.



Bejder, along with his dedicated and diligent team of researchers and marine biologists, had been conducting extensive studies on the humpback whales in the southeast (SE) region of Alaska.



This area is known to be a vital feeding hub for these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humpback-whales-felt-less-stressed-during-the-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnificent marine animals</a>, rich in the nutrients and prey they rely on for sustenance.



What they discovered was nothing less than dramatic and groundbreaking: humpback whales aren’t merely surviving in this environment – they are actively shaping it.



Their feeding habits and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humpback-whales-have-moved-their-singing-rituals-away-from-shorelines/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social behaviors</a> play a crucial role in the local ecosystem, influencing everything from the distribution of prey species to the overall health of marine habitats.



The scientists uncovered the whales' extraordinary technique of creating complex "bubble nets" to trap their prey.



The whales control the size, depth, and distance between these bubbles, making their hunting process efficient and energy-conserving. This ingenious strategy allows them to capture seven times more prey in a single dive.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-bubble-nets">Significance of "bubble nets"</h2>



Humpback whales are known for their complex songs and acrobatic breaches, which mesmerize anyone fortunate enough to witness them. 



However, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humpback-whales-fail-to-respond-to-vessel-noise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">survival in the vast ocean</a> demands efficient hunting and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-a-warming-climate-will-change-the-humpback-whales-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strategic adaptability</a>, even for humpback whales.



These magnificent creatures embark on an incredible migration, traveling thousands of miles to overwinter in the warm, inviting waters of Hawaiʻi, where they can breed and nurture their young.



The calories they accumulate during their feeding season are utterly crucial, as they must rely on this energy to sustain them throughout their long journey.



According to Professor Bejder, a leading expert in marine biology, "Success in hunting is key for the whales' survival."



This success is largely attributed to their remarkable bubble-netting strategy, where groups of whales work collaboratively to create a stunning visual display of bubbles that traps schools of fish.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-humpback-whales-and-their-tools">Studying humpback whales and their tools</h2>



Our understanding of animals using tools isn't new, but what sets humpback whales apart is their ability to create and modify these tools. 



This exceptional ability gives us an insight into their intelligence and adaptability in their natural habitat.



Studying these underwater behemoths is no cakewalk. However, thanks to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/acoustic-tagging-helps-decode-whale-communication/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">technological advancements</a>, scientists are able to witness their behavior like never before.



William Gough from MMRP and his team used non-invasive suction-cup tags and drones to track the whales’ movements and gather data.



"We deployed non-invasive suction-cup tags on whales and flew drones over solitary bubble-netting humpback whales in SE Alaska," Gough explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-conservation-in-the-face-of-threats">Future of conservation in the face of threats</h2>



While we marvel at the whales' intelligence, let's not lose sight of the big picture: the vital need for their conservation.



The study's much-needed revelations help pave the path for effective conservation strategies by deciphering the feeding behaviors of these creatures, thereby ensuring the preservation of their feeding grounds.



"This little-studied foraging behavior is wholly unique to humpback whales," notes Gough.



Dr. Andy Szabo, the Executive Director of the Alaska Whale Foundation (<a href="https://www.alaskawhalefoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AWF</a>), emphasized the remarkable adaptability of humpback whales in the face of environmental challenges.



Even as threats to our marine ecosystems persist, the whales' behavioral flexibility may be their saving grace.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-lies-ahead-in-humpback-whale-research">What lies ahead in humpback whale research</h2>



The discovery of tool use in humpback whales marks a significant development in marine biology, leading the way for further exploration.



By collaborating with research institutions like the MMRP and AWF and harnessing the power of cutting-edge technology, we are on the brink of uncovering even more about these fascinating creatures and their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/conversation-with-humpback-whale-gives-seti-team-ideas-on-how-to-talk-to-aliens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex interactions</a> with the marine ecosystem.



In the end, the ultimate goal is to protect these incredible beings. Only by understanding their behaviors and ingenuity can we equip ourselves with the knowledge and tools needed to protect them.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.240328" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Society Open Science</a>.



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Add humpback whales to the list of animals that build and use tools

Who doesn't love a good tale about whales? Humpback whales,...

Spiders have long been known for their cunning hunting strategies, but recent research has uncovered a new level of deceit when it comes to firefly signals. 



In the captivating world where bioluminescent signals light up the night, communication is everything. Male fireflies from the species Abscondita terminalis use multi-pulse flashes from dual lanterns to attract females, who respond with single-pulse flashes from a single lantern.



However, an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spiders-use-their-webs-to-detect-sounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">orb-weaving spider</a> has been found to manipulate these signals, using them to lure unsuspecting fireflies into its deadly web.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unmasking-the-orb-weaving-spider-s-trap">Unmasking the orb-weaving spider’s trap</h2>



Scientists from <a href="https://www.hzau.edu.cn/en/HOME.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Huazhong Agricultural University</a> in China were intrigued when they uncovered evidence of a spider skillfully twisting this bioluminescent communication to its advantage.



The research shows that the orb-weaving spider (Araneus ventricosus) cunningly manipulates male fireflies trapped in its web to mimic the flashes of a female. This deceptive practice ultimately lures more male fireflies into the fatal web, cunningly expanding the spider's menu.



"Drawing from extensive field observations, we propose that Araneus ventricosus practices deceptive interspecific communication by first ensnaring firefly males in its web and then predisposing the entrapped male fireflies to broadcast <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bioluminescence-emerged-in-animals-540-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bioluminescent signals</a> that deviate from female-attracting signals typically made by A. terminalis males and instead mimic the male-attracting signals typically made by females," noted the researchers.



The spider's act of false signals deceives other male fireflies, who unknowingly fly straight into the deadly trap.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spiders-manipulate-firefly-signals">Spiders manipulate firefly signals </h2>



The revelation came to light when Xinhua Fu, the lead author of the study, observed multiple male fireflies ensnared in the webs of orb-weaving spiders. However, the absence of female fireflies in these webs was notably unusual.



This observation sparked a theory that the crafty spiders might be influencing the fireflies' flashing behavior to allure males to their webs.



To validate this hypothesis, behavioral ecologists Daiqin Li and Shichang Zhang from Hubei University, along with Fu, engaged in field experiments that closely monitored the spiders' behavior and the shifted fireflies’ signals. 



The team discovered that male fireflies were more frequently trapped in the spiders' web when the spider was present.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spiders-deceptive-strategy-using-firefly-signals">Spiders' deceptive strategy using firefly signals </h2>



After a deep inspection, the researchers found that male fireflies trapped in the spider-infested webs exhibited signals similar to free females.



Strikingly, these males used single-pulse signals from a single lantern, contrary to their normal dual lantern, multi-pulse signals. When these trapped males were alone in the web, they rarely attracted other males.



From the data gathered, it was clear that the male fireflies were not altering their signals as a distress call. Rather, it was the spiders that were manipulating the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-hints-at-a-secret-musical-battle-between-fireflies-and-bats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fireflies' communication</a>.



"Upon detecting the bioluminescent signals of ensnared male fireflies, the spider deploys a specialized prey-handling procedure involving repeated wrap-bite attacks," explained Li.



The researchers believe that this research has opened a window into how predators can use indirect yet dynamic signaling to target a specific category of prey. 



They propose that many more examples could exist in nature, where predators use mimicry to manipulate prey behavior. The research continues to explore whether the spider’s venom or its bite influences the changes in the ensnared males’ flashing pattern.



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



This newly uncovered deception strategy of the orb-weaving spider highlights the complexity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/danger-zones-climate-change-is-altering-predator-prey-dynamics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predator-prey</a> interactions in nature.



Understanding these interactions is crucial for ecological research, as it can provide insights into the adaptive strategies species develop for survival. 



Furthermore, the discovery emphasizes the importance of bioluminescence in ecological communication and the potential vulnerabilities it creates for certain species.



For conservationists, this finding emphasizes the intricate balance within ecosystems and the potential impact human activities could have on these delicate dynamics.



Preserving natural habitats is essential to maintain the diversity of interactions that contribute to ecosystem stability. By studying these interactions, conservation efforts can be better informed to protect not just individual species, but the complex web of life.



As researchers continue to uncover more about mimicry and deception in nature, the knowledge gained can drive more effective conservation policies and practices.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(24)00914-X?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS096098222400914X%3Fshowall%3Dtrue" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Spiders mimic firefly signals to lure prey

Spiders have long been known for their cunning hunting strategies,...

A,Pair,Of,Bowhead,Whales,Off,The,Coast.,View,From

Bowhead whales, the silent giants of the Arctic, play a crucial role in the ocean's ecosystem. These amazing creatures can grow up to 60 feet long and have fascinated scientists for years with their unique behaviors and impressive lifespans.



A recent study has shed light on their lives, uncovering patterns that boost our understanding of marine life and shake up some of our old ideas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bowhead-whales-majestic-and-mysterious">Bowhead whales: Majestic and mysterious</h2>



Bowhead whales are truly amazing creatures. Known for their massive size and sturdy build, they have the largest mouth of any animal, which they use to filter-feed on tiny organisms like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plankton-help-predict-ocean-biodiversity-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">zooplankton</a>.



Their thick blubber helps them survive in the icy Arctic waters, and their strong, curved skulls allow them to break through sea ice to breathe.



Plus, bowhead whales are some of the longest-living mammals, with some living over 200 years.



But even with their incredible resilience, these whales face big challenges from climate change and human activities, like increased shipping traffic and habitat disruption.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-research-team-applies-chaos-theory">Research team applies chaos theory</h2>



Figuring out how bowhead whales behave is quite a challenge, especially since a lot of their lives happen under the icy surface.



A recent study led by Associate Professor Evgeny A. Podolskiy from the <a href="https://www.arc.hokudai.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic Research Center</a> at Hokkaido University takes a fresh approach by using chaos theory to understand how these amazing creatures dive.



The research team, which included respected Professors Jonas Teilmann from <a href="https://international.au.dk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aarhus University</a> and Mads Peter Heide-Jørgensen from the <a href="https://natur.gl/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland Institute of Natural Resources</a>, spent 144 days carefully analyzing the diving data of 12 bowhead whales tagged in Disko Bay, West Greenland.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chaos-theory-and-bowhead-whales">Chaos theory and bowhead whales</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chaos-theory-may-help-protect-narwhals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chaos theory</a> looks at how tiny changes in a system's initial conditions can lead to very different outcomes, making it tough to predict things in the long run for certain systems.



It shows us that what we often think of as random -- like weather patterns or a dripping faucet -- actually follows complex but predictable rules.



But here’s the twist: this sensitivity to initial conditions, often called the "butterfly effect," makes these systems seem unpredictable.



At its heart, chaos theory shakes up the traditional idea of cause and effect. It reveals that even simple systems can act in ways that are both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-rule-of-biology-instability-key-to-evolution-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organized and unpredictable</a>.



This has big implications for how we understand natural phenomena, suggesting that what looks like randomness might actually be following a hidden pattern -- one that's just super sensitive to starting conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chaotic-symphony-of-bowhead-whale-dives">Chaotic symphony of bowhead whale dives</h2>



Applying chaos theory to their study of bowhead whales, this team of researchers found an unexpected application in marine biology through this study.



The researchers treated the bowhead whales' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-unexpected-behavior-among-beaked-whales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diving behavior</a> as a self-sustained oscillation -- a balance between hunting for food at great depths and surfacing for oxygen.



This approach revealed underlying patterns in what initially appeared to be random movements.



One of the most striking discoveries was a 24-hour diving cycle observed during the spring. The whales exhibited a remarkable synchronization with their environment, diving deepest in the afternoon to follow the daily movement of their prey, a behavior known as diel vertical migration.



Professor Heide-Jørgensen commented on this discovery, stating, “We find that foraging whales dive deeper during the daytime in spring, with this diving behavior being in apparent synchrony with their vertically migrating prey.”



This insight into their daily rhythm is significant, as it sheds new light on how bowhead whales adapt their foraging strategies to seasonal changes, ensuring their survival in the harsh <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/beluga-whales-are-losing-their-social-bonds-as-temperatures-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic environment</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-distance-synchronization-mystery">Long-distance synchronization mystery</h2>



While the 24-hour diving cycle was a crucial finding, the research team stumbled upon another phenomenon that was both surprising and intriguing -- <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/language-like-patterns-decoded-in-sperm-whale-communication/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">long-range synchronization</a> between two bowhead whales.



Over a week, two whales, one female and one of unknown sex, displayed synchronized diving patterns despite being nearly 100 kilometers apart. 



This synchronization persisted even when the whales were hundreds of kilometers away from each other, though at different depths.



The team hypothesized that this synchronization might be linked to acoustic communication, as bowhead whales are known for their long-range vocalizations, which can travel over 100 kilometers underwater.



However, without direct recordings of the whales' sounds, confirming this theory remains challenging. Professor Teilmann remarked, "Without direct observations, such as recordings of the two whales, it isn’t possible to determine that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-20-minute-conversation-with-a-humpback-whale-named-twain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">individuals were exchanging calls</a>.”



Despite the uncertainty, the observed behavior aligns with the acoustic herd theory of long-range signaling in baleen whales, a concept first proposed by Payne and Webb in 1971.



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



The findings from this study open up new avenues for research into the social behaviors of bowhead whales and other marine animals. 



The possibility that whales, appearing to dive alone, may actually be coordinating their movements over vast distances is a profound revelation.



"The possibility of acoustically connected whales, which seem to be diving alone but are actually together, is mind-bending," said Associate Professor Podolskiy.



He emphasized the importance of further research, urging the scientific community to gather more simultaneous tag data to confirm these observations.



This study not only provides a framework for studying the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/acoustic-tagging-helps-decode-whale-communication/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sociality and behavior</a> of bowhead whales but also highlights the potential for chaos theory to uncover hidden patterns in the natural world.



The chaotic, unrestrained movements of these whales, when viewed through the lens of dynamical systems, reveal a structured yet complex interaction with their environment and each other.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-and-marine-life-resilience">Climate change and marine life resilience</h2>



While this research sheds light on the diving behavior of bowhead whales, it also raises broader questions about the adaptability and resilience of marine life in the face of environmental changes.



The synchronization observed in the whales’ diving patterns suggests a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sperm-whales-learn-the-vocal-styles-of-their-neighbors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">highly evolved strategy</a> for survival, one that could be disrupted by shifts in oceanic conditions due to climate change.



Understanding these behaviors is crucial not only for the conservation of bowhead whales but also for preserving the delicate balance of the Arctic ecosystem.



Moreover, the application of chaos theory in this context serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of natural systems.



What appears chaotic and random may, upon closer examination, reveal a deeper order -- a concept that could be applied to various fields of study, from ecology to climate science.



The study of bowhead whales in Disko Bay offers a glimpse into the complex and fascinating world beneath the Arctic waters. 



The discoveries made by Professor Podolskiy and his team challenge us to rethink our understanding of marine life and consider the broader implications of their findings.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prresearch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physical Review Research</a>.



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Bowhead whales dive at the same time despite distances of over 60 miles

Bowhead whales, the silent giants of the Arctic, play a...

Scientists have discovered promising clues for treating diabetes and hormone disorders in an unexpected source: the venom of one of the world’s most toxic creatures, the marine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cone-snail-venom-could-be-used-to-produce-painkillers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cone snail</a>. 



A research team led by scientists from the <a href="https://www.utah.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Utah</a> has identified a component in the venom of the geography cone, a species of cone snail, that mimics a human hormone known as somatostatin. This hormone regulates <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evening-workouts-are-best-for-blood-sugar-control/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blood sugar</a> levels and various hormones in the body. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-snail-venom-as-a-blueprint-nbsp">Snail venom as a blueprint&nbsp;</h2>



The snail’s venom, which has evolved to assist in hunting prey, could potentially offer a blueprint for developing more effective drugs to treat diabetes and hormone-related conditions, which can be severe and life-threatening.



The venom component identified by the researchers, named consomatin, could be key to improving medications for managing diabetes and hormone disorders.&nbsp;



In humans, somatostatin acts as a regulator, preventing blood sugar and hormone levels from rising to dangerous levels. The cone snail’s consomatin behaves similarly but is more stable and precise than the human hormone, making it a promising model for drug development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-precise-targeting-of-snail-venom">Precise targeting of snail venom</h2>



The researchers conducted experiments to see how consomatin interacts with somatostatin’s targets in human cells. They discovered that while somatostatin interacts with multiple proteins, consomatin specifically targets only one.&nbsp;



This precise targeting means that the toxin from the cone snail can influence hormone and blood sugar levels without affecting many other molecules in the body.



Notably, consomatin’s precision surpasses even the most advanced synthetic drugs currently used to regulate hormone levels, such as those used to control growth hormone. These drugs are vital for treating individuals whose bodies produce excessive growth hormone.&nbsp;



While consomatin’s effect on blood sugar might make it unsuitable for direct therapeutic use, its structure could inspire the creation of drugs for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/contaminants-water-supply-endocrine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">endocrine disorders</a> with fewer side effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-valuable-insights-for-drug-development-nbsp">Valuable insights for drug development&nbsp;</h2>



Moreover, consomatin has another advantage: it remains active in the body much longer than human somatostatin due to the presence of an unusual amino acid that makes it resistant to breakdown. This durability is a valuable trait for pharmaceutical researchers aiming to develop drugs that provide prolonged benefits.



The idea of finding new drugs by studying deadly venoms might seem counterintuitive. However, the precision of these venoms in targeting specific molecules can be highly useful in treating diseases, noted Helena Safavi, an associate professor of biochemistry at the University of Utah’s Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine (SFESOM) and the senior author of the study.



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dangerous-desert-creatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Venomous animals</a> have, through evolution, fine-tuned venom components to hit a particular target in the prey and disrupt it,” said Professor Safavi. This specificity, when isolated and studied, often reveals pathways that are highly relevant in disease treatment. For medicinal chemists, this can serve as a significant shortcut in drug development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-snail-venom-and-blood-sugar-regulation-nbsp">Snail venom and blood sugar regulation&nbsp;</h2>



Consomatin, while related to somatostatin, has been modified by millions of years of evolution to serve as a potent weapon for the cone snail. The snail uses this toxin to disrupt its prey’s blood sugar regulation, rendering the prey incapacitated.



The research team had previously discovered that the cone snail’s venom includes another toxin similar to insulin, which rapidly lowers blood sugar levels, making the prey unresponsive. Consomatin then keeps the blood sugar levels low, preventing recovery.



“We think the cone snail developed this highly selective toxin to work together with the insulin-like toxin to bring down blood glucose to a really low level,” said Ho Yan Yeung, a postdoctoral researcher at SFESOM and the study’s first author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-study-nbsp">Broader implications of the study&nbsp;</h2>



The presence of multiple toxins in the snail’s venom that target blood sugar regulation suggests that there may be even more compounds with similar properties waiting to be discovered. These could potentially be used to design better medications for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-can-counteract-the-genetic-risk-for-diabetes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diabetes</a>.



It might be surprising that a snail can outperform human chemists in designing effective drugs, but as Professor Safavi points out, the cone snails have had millions of years to perfect their biochemistry.&nbsp;



“We’ve been trying to do medicinal chemistry and drug development for a few hundred years, sometimes badly,” she said. “Cone snails have had a lot of time to do it really well.”



Or, as Yeung aptly concludes, “cone snails are just really good chemists.”



The study was published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-50470-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Deadly snail venom could be key to improving diabetes medicine

Scientists have discovered promising clues for treating diabetes and hormone...

In the bustling world of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-biodiversity-crisis-is-actually-worse-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>, ants have long been the missing piece in a puzzle we've been assembling for nearly 150 years. 



While it's a well-established fact that species distribution around the globe is influenced by a blend of evolutionary mechanisms and environmental factors, our understanding has been based exclusively on vertebrates and plants - until now.



These "little things that run the world" have finally taken center stage, revealing new insights into the biogeographic realms that shape life on Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biogeographic-realms-in-biodiversity">Biogeographic realms in biodiversity</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-temperature-extremes-change-the-distribution-of-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">distribution of species</a> around the globe is not a random process but an outcome of evolutionary mechanisms and environmental limitations, both past and present. 



Since the mid-19th century, biologists have identified key regions, known as biogeographic realms, that depict these large ensembles of species around the world. 



These realms represent one of the most fundamental descriptions of biodiversity on Earth and are commonly used across various biological fields.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-filling-the-insect-knowledge-gap">Filling the insect knowledge gap</h2>



However, for nearly 150 years, the characterization of these biogeographic units has been based solely on vertebrates (e.g., birds, mammals) and plant groups. 



These groups represent only a small fraction of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sounding-the-alarm-half-of-earths-species-are-experiencing-rapid-population-decline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's species</a>, leaving hyperdiverse organisms like insects largely out of the picture. 



This gap in knowledge has posed a significant challenge for conservation planning and understanding biodiversity distribution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-the-biodiversity-of-ants">Mapping the biodiversity of ants</h2>



Recently, ecologists from <a href="https://www.hku.hk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Hong Kong</a> (HKU) and their collaborators in Japan took a major step to fill this gap by mapping the global biogeographic regions for ants. 



This work, published in Nature Communications, provides the first comprehensive effort to include insects in such studies and offers new approaches to understanding their distribution. The study marks a significant milestone in global conservation efforts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ants-the-little-giants-of-biodiversity">Ants: The little giants of biodiversity</h2>



Insects make up over 55% of all described species, yet the knowledge gap regarding their distribution has hindered scientists' ability to map their biogeographic regions. 



"A first step to protect species, and thus biodiversity, is to understand where those are located," noted Professor Benoit Guénard, senior author of the study and head of the Insect Biodiversity and Biogeography Laboratory at HKU’s School of Biological Sciences (SBS).



To tackle this challenge, Professor Guénard has led an international team for more than a decade to assemble distribution data for nearly 16,000 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newly-discovered-leptanilla-ant-named-after-harry-potter-villain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ant species</a>.



Ants are among the most widespread and ecologically dominant insects, with a combined mass that exceeds that of all wild birds and mammals, as shown in a previous study by Professor Guénard's team.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-global-biogeographic-map-of-ants">First global biogeographic map of ants</h2>



For an insect group, ants are relatively well-documented. The team's extensive work, compiling data from over 300 years of ant research, enabled them to use advanced techniques, including bioinformatics and machine learning, to predict and analyze their distribution.



This effort culminated in the creation of the first-ever biogeographic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/treasure-map-will-help-experts-find-new-ant-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">map of ants</a>. The map reveals the division of ants' global territory into nine large biogeographic realms.



"Interestingly, when I was comparing this map with those for vertebrates and plants, I saw so many similarities," said study first author Runxi Wang, a PhD candidate in HKU’s School of Biological Sciences. "Ants and plants share several regions that are not found in vertebrates."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-relationship-of-ants-and-plants">Ecological relationship of ants and plants </h2>



Further analysis confirmed these observations - the biogeographic regions are strikingly similar across different taxa, but ants and plants share a closer resemblance than any vertebrate groups.



"It's not very surprising because we know that ants and plants have very close ecological and evolutionary relationships," explained Professor Guénard.



"For instance, ants help tens of thousands of plants to disperse their seeds and protect many more from herbivores. They have co-evolved for millions of years, but this is one of the first pieces of evidence showing such significant biogeographic consequences."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ants-and-future-biodiversity-research">Ants and future biodiversity research </h2>



The results of the study suggest that many similarities between animals and plants might not be captured by looking only at vertebrates.



"Ants alone cannot represent the hyperdiversity of all insects, but their similarities to plants are probably not an exception," said Wang. "We certainly need greater efforts to include more insect groups in the future to depict the global picture of biodiversity."



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-49918-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Ants fill a 150-year gap in biodiversity research

In the bustling world of biodiversity, ants have long been...

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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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

[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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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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

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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

Satellites have become essential to our survival

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