A new study reveals that rat infestations in many cities worldwide are on the rise, with Washington, D.C. emerging as the biggest hotspot. 



The study, which was focused on rat sighting reports from 16 global cities, attributes the increasing rat populations to warming temperatures, urbanization, and other human activities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rat-sightings-on-the-rise">Rat sightings on the rise</h2>



The researchers conducted a first-of-its-kind analysis using publicly submitted rat complaint data. They discovered that in 11 of the 16 cities analyzed, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rats-have-a-very-complex-social-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rat</a> sightings have increased in recent years. 



Based on individual city trends, Washington D.C. led the pack, followed by San Francisco, Toronto, New York City, and Amsterdam. According to the study, the rat reporting trend in Washington D.C. was three times greater than that of Boston. 



Only three cities - New Orleans, Louisville, and Tokyo - experienced significant decreases in rat reports, with New Orleans showing the largest drop. The experts suggest that New Orleans’ strategies could serve as a model for other cities seeking to control rat populations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-drivers-of-rat-population-growth">Key drivers of rat population growth </h2>



The research team performed statistical analyses of rat sighting reports and concluded that a little over 40% of the rising trend is due to warming temperatures. 



This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rapid-surge-in-global-warming-may-have-an-unexpected-source/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming</a> is primarily a result of burning coal, oil, and natural gas, which leads to milder winters and longer foraging periods for rats. 



Study lead author Jonathan Richardson, a biologist at the <a href="https://www.richmond.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Richmond</a>, explained the mechanism.



“We're seeing these increasing trends in rats in cities that are warming the fastest, probably because this is a small mammal that has physiological challenges in the cold weather months,” said Richardson.&nbsp;



“If we're warming the climate and winter starts a week or two later and spring arrives a week or two earlier, that's one, two, maybe even three or four weeks across the entire year where those rats can be above ground foraging, acquiring more food and maybe squeezing out one or two more reproductive cycles.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urbanization-and-higher-population-density">Urbanization and higher population density </h2>



Even a few extra weeks of activity can have a dramatic effect, given that female rats can produce a litter every month. With each litter consisting of eight to 16 pups, this additional time significantly accelerates population growth.



In addition to the effects of warming, the study identified increased <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urbanization-is-a-threat-to-78-of-the-worlds-bird-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urbanization</a> and higher population densities as major factors. Rats thrive in built environments where food waste is abundant and human activity creates numerous shelters.&nbsp;



The experts note that these conditions allow rats to flourish in areas where people and their refuse provide a constant source of sustenance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rats-nature-s-ultimate-urban-survivors">Rats: Nature’s ultimate urban survivors</h2>



Rats have evolved to be remarkably adaptive in urban settings. New York City rat czar Kathleen Corradi stated during a conference that the rat is the third most successful mammal behind humans and house mice. So it evolved and engineered to live alongside us.&nbsp;



“They followed humans, Homo sapiens, across the continents and are in every single continent except Antarctica. So it's considered a wicked problem.”



Their ability to adapt and survive in close proximity to humans explains why rat populations are expanding even as cities implement various control measures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consequences-of-rising-rat-populations">Consequences of rising rat populations</h2>



While rats are undeniably adaptable, their increasing numbers pose serious risks. When rodent populations soar, public health and urban infrastructure can suffer. 



"When rodent populations are high, people get sick, motor vehicles become disabled, mental health declines, fires are started and foods fouled," said Houston rat expert Michael Parsons, who was not involved in the study.



This statement captures the multifaceted impact of rat infestations. High rat populations can lead to increased transmission of diseases, disruption of transportation systems, and other societal challenges. 



People are understandably disturbed by rats, primarily due to an instinctive fear of creatures that can transmit disease.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantifying-city-rats">Quantifying city rats</h2>



Rats are notoriously difficult to count accurately due to their secretive and elusive nature. The study did not count rats directly; instead, it analyzed rat sighting complaints submitted by city residents. 



Although these reports may not reflect the actual number of rats, they provide valuable insight into trends over time. Richardson emphasized that the long-term consistency of the reporting methods used in the study lends credibility to the observed trends.



Even though Washington D.C. exhibited the highest rate of increase, Richardson clarified that this does not necessarily mean the city has the most rats overall - it simply indicates that the number of rat complaints is rising faster than in other cities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prevention-over-poison">Prevention over poison</h2>



The study's findings suggest that traditional methods of rat control, such as poisoning and trapping, may not be sufficient to combat the escalating problem. 



Instead, prevention measures appear to be more effective. In cities like New Orleans, public authorities are taking proactive steps. 



For instance, educational workshops and community campaigns focus on reducing conditions that attract rats, such as improper waste management and excess food availability.



“In New Orleans they make a big effort to get out into neighborhoods and do educational workshops and campaigns to talk to residents about what makes a property less likely to have rats,” Richardson said.



Similarly, New York City has initiated innovative strategies, including replacing street garbage bags with rat-resistant containers and forming an elite volunteer group known as the “NYC rat pack.” 



Early results from these initiatives are promising, although comprehensive data have yet to fully reflect their impact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-complex-urban-challenge">A complex urban challenge</h2>



While it is possible to better manage rat populations through improved urban planning and public education, complete eradication is unrealistic. 



As <a href="https://umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a> conservation scientist Neil Carter pointed out, we can fight them better, but in the end “people need to coexist with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-addresses-the-global-need-for-human-wildlife-coexistence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a> in urban environments, even with rats.”



“Zero rats is impossible," noted Richardson. “But I think an expectation that we need to live with the number of rats that we're seeing in many of these cities is also an unhealthy perspective on this problem.”



In conclusion, this study offers a critical, data-driven look at the complex factors driving rat population growth in urban environments. 



As cities continue to warm, expand, and densify, the challenge of managing rat populations will require innovative and sustainable approaches that focus on prevention and public awareness.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ads6782" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



Image Credit: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer



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Rat populations are increasing in cities as temperatures rise

A new study reveals that rat infestations in many cities worldwide are on the rise, with Washington, D.C. emerging as the biggest hotspot. The study, which was focused on rat sighting reports from 16 global cities, attributes the increasing rat populations to warming temperatures, urbanization, and other human activities. Rat sightings on the rise The researchers conducted a first-of-its-kind analysis using publicly submitted rat complaint data. They discovered that in 11 of the 16 cities analyzed, rat sightings have increased in recent years.  Based on individual city...

About 10,000 years ago, a small population of woolly mammoths were isolated on Wrangel Island off the Siberian coast. This isolation was a result of rising sea levels, a phenomenon that's all too familiar today.&nbsp;



Within just two generations, the woolly mammoth population on Wrangel Island exploded from a mere eight <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/woolly-mammoths-had-testosterone-driven-aggression-during-mating-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">individuals</a> to as many as 300 members.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contradicting-assumptions-about-woolly-mammoths-nbsp">Contradicting assumptions about woolly mammoths&nbsp;</h2>



In a fascinating study, a genomic analysis was conducted on these mammoths, dispelling the long-believed notion that inbreeding and low genetic diversity could be blamed for their ultimate demise.&nbsp;



Love Dalén, an evolutionary geneticist at the Center for Paleogenetics, a joint initiative of the <a href="https://www.nrm.se/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swedish Museum of Natural History</a> and Stockholm University, sheds light on this topic.



“We can now confidently reject the idea that the population was simply too small and that they were doomed to go extinct for genetic reasons,” said Dalén. “This means it was probably just some random event that killed them off, and if that random event hadn't happened, then we would still have mammoths today.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-woolly-mammoths-and-modern-conservation-nbsp">Woolly mammoths and modern conservation&nbsp;</h2>



The research does not just provide insights into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammoths-were-wiped-out-by-climate-change-not-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extinction</a> of woolly mammoths. It also holds valuable lessons for modern-day conservation strategies and the battle against the ongoing biodiversity crisis.



“Mammoths are an excellent system for understanding the ongoing biodiversity crisis and what happens from a genetic point of view when a species goes through a population bottleneck because they mirror the fate of a lot of present-day populations,” said study lead author Marianne Dehasque, also a scientist at the Center for Paleogenetics.



Dehasque and her team conducted extensive genomic analyses of 21 woolly mammoths, including 14 from Wrangel Island and 7 from the mainland that lived before the population bottleneck. Their analysis spanned roughly 50,000 years of mammoth <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-made-woolly-mammoths-unique/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">history</a>, tracing the genetic diversity over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-the-genetic-journey">Tracing the genetic journey</h2>



The results of the analyses were intriguing. The Wrangel Island mammoths exhibited signs of inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity.&nbsp;



However, this decrease in diversity was a slow process, visible over the 6,000 years they inhabited the island. This suggests that the population remained stable until their sudden disappearance.



“If an individual has an extremely harmful mutation, it's basically not viable, so those mutations gradually disappeared from the population over time, but on the other hand, we see that the mammoths were accumulating mildly harmful mutations almost up until they went extinct,” explained Dehasque.&nbsp;



“It’s important for present day conservation programs to keep in mind that it’s not enough to get the population up to a decent size again; you also have to actively and genetically monitor it because these genomic effects can last for over 6,000 years.”



This gives us an important lesson for current conservation efforts, indicating it’s not just about increasing the population size, but also actively monitoring the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/south-africas-leopards-have-the-highest-genetic-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genomic health</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mystery-of-the-mammoths">Mystery of the mammoths</h2>



The team didn’t include genomes from the final 300 years of the mammoths' existence in their study. However, they plan to sequence fossils from this period to understand the extinction event even better.



“What happened at the end is a bit of a mystery still - we don't know why they went extinct after having been more or less fine for 6,000 years, but we think it was something sudden,” said Dalén. “I would say there is still hope to figure out why they went extinct, but no promises.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2024.05.033" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell</a>.



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Genetic twist in the tale of the last woolly mammoths

About 10,000 years ago, a small population of woolly mammoths...

SuperAnimal, a revolutionary deep learning model, has been developed to detect animal motion across various species and environments.



Understanding animal behavior offers critical insights into their health and motivations. This "foundational model" is set to revolutionize animal conservation, biomedicine, and neuroscience research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-analyze-animal-behavior">Why analyze animal behavior?</h2>



Animal behavior, encompassing interactions with others, the environment, and different organisms, is a crucial field of study. 



This field explores activities such as foraging, mating, parenting, social interactions, and communication, all of which are shaped by genetic and environmental factors. 



Understanding these behaviors provides valuable insights into animal health,&nbsp;welfare,&nbsp;and ecological roles,&nbsp;enabling better conservation efforts and animal care practices.&nbsp;



Furthermore, research into animal behavior can&nbsp;ultimately improving human-animal interactions and promoting sustainable ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoding-animal-emotions-through-movement">Decoding animal emotions through movement</h2>



Animals can't verbally communicate their feelings, but their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cats-use-nearly-300-facial-expressions-to-communicate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">movements</a> tell a story. Imagine using <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-can-monitor-biodiversity-through-animal-sounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI</a> to analyze these movements for a wide range of animals, including cows, dogs, cats, and mice.



This would eliminate observer bias and enhance the accuracy and efficiency of behavioral analysis.



A team at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (<a href="https://www.epfl.ch/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EPFL</a>), led by Dr. Mackenzie Mathis, has introduced a groundbreaking tool for posture analysis in behavioral phenotyping.



Detailed in a recent Nature Communications article, this open-source tool, named SuperAnimal, requires no human annotations to track <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-disturbances-are-globally-restructuring-animal-movement/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal movements</a>.



It can automatically identify keypoints (joints) in over 45 animal species, including mythical ones, without human intervention.



"The current pipeline requires human effort to identify keypoints on each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-ai-system-detects-animals-on-roads-to-prevent-accidents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal</a>, creating a training set," explains Dr. Mathis.



"This results in duplicated labeling efforts and inconsistent semantic labels, complicating the training of large foundation models. Our new method standardizes this process and makes labeling 10 to 100 times more efficient than current tools."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advancing-from-deeplabcut-to-superanimal">Advancing from DeepLabCut to SuperAnimal</h2>



SuperAnimal is an evolution of a pose estimation technique previously known as DeepLabCut.



The new tool compiles a large set of annotations from various databases, training the model to learn a harmonized language -- a process called pre-training the foundation model.



"Users can deploy our base model or fine-tune it with their data for further customization," says Shaokai Ye, a PhD student and first author of the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhancing-superanimal-with-natural-language-interfaces">Enhancing SuperAnimal with natural language interfaces</h2>



SuperAnimal has a broad range of applications. Veterinarians and biomedical researchers, especially those studying laboratory mice, will find it invaluable. 



Its potential also extends to neuroscience and analyzing athletic performance in animals. Future versions of the model aim to include birds, fish, and insects.



"We plan to integrate these models with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/environmental-health-ai-can-identify-insects-based-on-their-sounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural language interfaces</a> to create more accessible next-generation tools," states Dr. Mathis.



"For instance, we recently developed AmadeusGPT, which allows for video data queries through written or spoken text. Expanding this capability for complex behavioral analysis is very exciting."



Now available to researchers worldwide through its open-source distribution, SuperAnimal promises to transform the field of automated animal behavior analysis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-applications-of-superanimal">Potential applications of SuperAnimal</h2>



SuperAnimal has diverse applications across multiple fields. In veterinary medicine, it can help monitor animal health and detect early signs of illness. Conservationists can study endangered species' behavior to develop better protection strategies. 



Additionally, neuroscientists may benefit by analyzing animal models to understand brain functions and behaviors. 



In agriculture, farmers can use it to monitor livestock, improving welfare and productivity. 



Sports scientists can analyze athletic performance in animals, leading to better training methods. 



In biomedical research, SuperAnimal can be used to enhance the accuracy of experiments with laboratory animals, reducing human error and improving data reliability, ultimately advancing various scientific and medical fields.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-more-about-earth-s-other-animals">Learning more about Earth's other animals</h2>



In summary, the integration of AI into behavioral studies represents a significant leap forward. Traditional methods rely heavily on human observation, which can introduce biases and inconsistencies.



SuperAnimal eliminates these issues by providing an objective, automated analysis of animal movements. This capability is especially valuable in large-scale studies where manual tracking would be impractical. 



With careful oversight, SuperAnimal could pave the way for a new era of ethical and effective animal research.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-48792-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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AI tool 'SuperAnimal' can accurately analyze animal behavior

SuperAnimal, a revolutionary deep learning model, has been developed to...

“Climate change” is no longer a distant concept; it's an ongoing reality with tangible consequences. A manifestation of this can be seen in marine heatwaves that are altering the traditional coastal safe havens, making survival difficult for young Pacific cod in the Gulf of Alaska.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cod-population-hit-hard-by-heat-waves-nbsp">Cod population hit hard by heat waves &nbsp;</h2>



With a focus on the marine heat waves in 2014-16 and 2019, researchers have discovered that young Pacific cod, who have traditionally found safety around Kodiak Island, no longer enjoy the defenses these near-shore nurseries used to offer.&nbsp;



Instead, they're undergoing significant alterations in their abundance, growth rates, and diet. It's estimated that only the top 15 to 25 percent of Kodiak Island's cod population with the largest size endured the summer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-heat-waves-are-persisting-in-the-u-s-even-in-winter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat waves</a>. 



Even as temperatures recede, these cod are still struggling to return to their pre-heat wave size and diet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unreliable-safe-havens-nbsp">Unreliable safe havens&nbsp;</h2>



Study lead author Hillary Thalmann is a graduate student in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences at <a href="https://fwcs.oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a>. 



“These coastal habitats aren’t supporting fish in the same way that they used to as a result of marine heat waves,” said Thalmann.



“That’s a novel finding, because we don’t always look at the nurseries as a place where size-selective mortality could be occurring rapidly.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ripple-effects-of-climate-change-nbsp">Ripple effects of climate change&nbsp;</h2>



The evidence gathered from these observations could potentially have widespread implications for marine fish populations across the globe, as climate change causes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-heatwaves-are-causing-massive-seabird-mortality-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine heatwaves</a> to become lengthier and more frequent. 



The Pacific cod, a favorite choice for fish and chips, is the second-largest commercial groundfish fishery off the coast of Alaska.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-struggles-of-the-pacific-cod">Struggles of the Pacific cod</h2>



The coastal nurseries traditionally act as safe havens for young Pacific cod, who begin feeding and growing in these areas from around three months of age.&nbsp;



However, the heatwaves recorded water temperatures of 58 degrees Fahrenheit, nearly 6 degrees above normal, making survival a challenge. These two heatwaves are considered the most extreme warming events in the Northeast Pacific Ocean's records.&nbsp;



The impact on the cod population was so severe that the fishery had to close in 2020, leading to a federal disaster declaration in 2022.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-research-nbsp">Focus of the research&nbsp;</h2>



In this study, the focus was on the physiological disruptions that young cod faced while inhabiting the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-protected-areas-are-not-immune-to-ocean-heatwaves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastal nurseries</a>. 



To investigate, the researchers analyzed juvenile Pacific cod collected from 16 sites around Kodiak Island during the summers of 2006-2019.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-size-selective-mortality-of-pacific-cod">Size-selective mortality of Pacific cod</h2>



The analysis of the samples revealed that the August fish were 30% larger than the projected size based on the July growth rate, with almost no small fish present in the August sample.&nbsp;



The only viable explanation for this was to consider only the top 15-25% of the July sample and project their growth to August. It's probable that the size-selective mortality was a significant factor in what the researchers witnessed.



“If we removed the little guys and grew the big guys - the top 15-25% - through to August based on the growth rates we saw earlier in the summer, then we got the size range that we see in those heat wave years,” noted Thalmann.&nbsp;



“It’s important to show that with heat events like this, size-selective mortality can continue in the cod population beyond just their early life in the open water.”



“We saw these differences in size in the nursery, and we tried to explain them with growth rates and tried to explain them with diet, but we couldn’t explain it all.”



“There was something out there, probably size-selective mortality, that was the major driver for what we were seeing.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cautionary-tale-for-climate-change-nbsp">Cautionary tale for climate change&nbsp;</h2>



Changing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frequent-heatwaves-have-become-the-norm-in-the-arctic-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean conditions</a> may result in Pacific cod moving further north to find suitable growth environments, or there may be a shift towards larger cod being the sole survivors who pass on their genetic information. 



“If the marine heat waves continue, there will probably be some changes in both the distribution and the quality of these populations,” said Thalmann. “I don’t think it’s the end of fish and chips, but I do think it’s a cautionary tale for climate change and the shifting dynamics of fisheries in warm temperatures.”



The study was a collaboration with co-authors Zoe Almeida, Kaitlyn Osborne, Kaylee Marshall, and Jessica Miller at the Oregon State University, and Benjamin Laurel at the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Centre in Newport, Oregon.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-63897-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Coastal safe havens may no longer protect Pacific cod

“Climate change” is no longer a distant concept; it's an...

In a discovery that's shaking up our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-reveals-the-first-ancestors-of-scorpions-and-spiders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient life</a>, scientists have unearthed incredibly well-preserved trilobite fossils in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. 



Due to their remarkable preservation in volcanic ash, scientists are calling them "Pompeii" trilobites, drawing parallels to the Roman city buried by Mount Vesuvius.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-record-of-trilobites">Record of trilobites</h2>



Trilobites lived in ancient oceans from around 521 to 252 million years ago. They ate a variety of foods, including plankton, algae, and small marine organisms. Some trilobites were scavengers, feeding on dead material, while others were predators, hunting small prey.



Trilobites shared their habitat with various marine life forms. They coexisted with early mollusks, brachiopods, sponges, and primitive fish. They lived on the sea floor, often burrowing into the sediment or crawling over rocks.



Trilobites had a wide range of sizes and shapes, allowing them to occupy different ecological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-dinosaur-species-discovered-zimbabwe-named-musankwa-sanyatiensis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">niches</a>. They played a crucial role in their ecosystems, contributing to the marine food web as both predators and prey.



The fossil record of trilobites helps scientists understand ancient marine environments, shedding light on the diversity and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-with-huge-blade-like-horns-discovered-in-montana/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complexity</a> of early life on Earth. Their well-preserved fossils continue to fascinate researchers and collectors alike.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paleozoic-era">Paleozoic Era</h2>



Trilobites were marine arthropods that thrived during the Paleozoic Era, a span of nearly 300 million years. Their remarkable diversity is evident in the over 20,000 identified species, highlighting their significance in Earth's ancient ecosystems.



While trilobites are well-represented in the fossil record due to their hard exoskeletons, these remains often offer limited insights into the intricacies of their anatomy and behavior. 



Crucial details about soft tissues and delicate appendages were often lost to decomposition, leaving scientists with an incomplete understanding of these fascinating creatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossil-in-volcanic-ash-nbsp">Fossil in volcanic ash&nbsp;</h2>



The Moroccan trilobite fossils, in contrast, offer a level of preservation rarely seen. A volcanic eruption over 500 million years ago resulted in these creatures being encased in volcanic ash, leading to extraordinary preservation of their soft tissues and delicate appendages. 



This exceptional fossilization provides scientists with a wealth of information, allowing them to study the trilobites' legs, antennae, digestive systems, and even minute details like the tiny hairs that once lined their appendages.



"I've been studying trilobites for nearly 40 years, but I never felt like I was looking at live animals as much as I have with these ones. I've seen a lot of soft anatomy of trilobites, but it's the 3D preservation here that is truly astounding," said Dr. Greg Edgecombe, a trilobite expert at the <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Natural History Museum</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trilobite-anatomy-and-behavior-nbsp">Trilobite anatomy and behavior&nbsp;</h2>



Using CT scanning and computer modeling,&nbsp;researchers have been able to digitally dissect these trilobite fossils,&nbsp;revealing details that were previously hidden from view.&nbsp;



They've discovered new appendages near the mouth,&nbsp;a fleshy lobe covering the mouth (called a labrum),&nbsp;and specialized leg pairs that give clues about how trilobites fed.



"The results revealed in exquisite detail a clustering of specialised leg pairs around the mouth, giving us a clearer picture of how trilobites fed. The head and body appendages were found to have an inward-facing battery of dense spines, like those of today's horseshoe crabs," noted Harry Berks from the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-volcanic-ash-a-goldmine-for-fossil-preservation-nbsp">Volcanic ash: A goldmine for fossil preservation&nbsp;</h2>



The discovery of these Pompeii trilobites fossil highlights volcanic ash's crucial role in preserving ancient life. While volcanic eruptions are typically seen as destructive, they can also create unique conditions for fossilization. 



When organisms are rapidly buried in ash, the details of their bodies are locked in before decay can set in. This rapid preservation process captures delicate features that would otherwise be lost over time. As a result, scientists gain valuable insights into the distant past. 



These well-preserved trilobites offer a rare glimpse into ancient ecosystems, allowing researchers to study the morphology and behavior of creatures that lived hundreds of millions of years ago. 



This find underscores the dual nature of volcanic activity, showcasing its ability to both destroy and preserve, contributing significantly to our understanding of Earth's prehistoric life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-chapter-in-the-fossil-record">New chapter in the fossil record</h2>



The study of these Moroccan fossils is just beginning,&nbsp;but it's already clear that they have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of trilobites and their place in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nothosaur-polar-sea-reptile-fossil-oldest-ever-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">history of life</a>.&nbsp;



By peering into this ancient Pompeii,&nbsp;we are gaining new insights into the anatomy,&nbsp;behavior,&nbsp;and evolution of these fascinating creatures.



"I think pyroclastic deposits should become new targets for study, given their exceptional potential for trapping and preserving biological remains, including delicate soft tissues," said study lead author Professor Abderrazak El Albani. 



"These findings are anticipated to lead to significant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/feathered-dinosaurs-had-scaly-skin-like-modern-day-lizards/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">discoveries</a> about the evolution of life on our planet Earth."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adl4540" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



Image Credit: © Prof. A. El Albani, Univ. Poitiers.



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500-million-year-old trilobites fossils preserved in volcanic ash

In a discovery that's shaking up our understanding of ancient...

Research is underway to decipher the motor circuits in the central nervous system that control the movements of a fruit fly. Quite surprisingly, this seemingly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insect-flight-is-powered-by-an-extraordinary-structure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">simple creature</a> harbors an unexpected level of complexity in its neurons and motor system.



A closer look into their motor neurons has revealed that thousands of synapses are received from hundreds of presynaptic premotor neurons. 



Quite astonishingly, this is similar to the scale of synaptic integration in pyramidal cells of the rodent cortex. This observation opens up immense possibilities for advanced studies in neuroscience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-motor-circuits">Motor circuits</h2>



Motor circuits in the central nervous system are networks of neurons that control muscle movements. These circuits include motor neurons that send signals from the brain and spinal cord to muscles, telling them when to contract or relax. 



This network helps us perform actions like walking, talking, and writing by coordinating different muscle groups. Motor circuits ensure our movements are smooth and precise.



The circuits work together with sensory neurons, which provide feedback to adjust and refine our actions. Understanding motor circuits helps scientists learn how our bodies move and how to treat movement disorders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complexity-of-a-fruit-fly-s-motor-skills">Complexity of a fruit fly's motor skills</h2>



The findings provide further insights into how animals' central nervous systems coordinate individual muscles to execute a range of behaviors.



Consider a fruit fly: it uses its legs for a variety of tasks, from leaping and walking to grooming, fighting, and courtship. It can even adjust its gait to handle different terrains like house plants, walls, damp surfaces, and even ceilings.



The remarkable part? All these movements, whether it's maintaining a steady position or changing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-flying-insects-fight-the-wind-to-reach-food-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flight direction</a>, are controlled via electrical signals from motor neurons. These signals traverse threadlike projections from the motor neuron to stimulate the muscles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mighty-motor-neurons-in-fruit-flies">Mighty motor neurons in fruit flies</h2>



A fruit fly's six legs are powered by just 60 to 70 motor neurons. In contrast, a cat's single calf muscle is served by around 600 motor neurons. It's even more striking when you realize that a fruit fly's wing - responsible for power and steering - is governed by a mere 29 motor neurons.



Despite having so few motor neurons, flies demonstrate extraordinary aerial and terrestrial feats. How do they manage this? 



The answer lies in motor units, which are made up of a single motor neuron and the muscle fibers it can stimulate. 



Various motor units, activated in different combinations and sequences, work together to cover a wide range of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fruit-flies-use-their-eyes-to-control-flight-at-incredible-speeds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">movement behaviors</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-premotor-circuits">Premotor circuits</h2>



The researchers from the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle sought to understand how the fly's nervous system coordinates these motor units to accomplish different tasks.



Using state-of-the-art tools, machine learning, and cell-type annotation, they identified roughly 14,600 neuronal cell bodies and about 45 million synapses within the ventral nerve cord of a female fruit fly. 



They then employed deep learning to reconstruct the anatomy of the neurons and their connections throughout the fly's body.



The results? A comprehensive map of the muscles targeted by leg and wing motor neurons, and an atlas of the circuits that coordinate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insect-flight-is-powered-by-an-extraordinary-structure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flight</a> initiation and mid-air movements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mystery-of-multiple-innervations">Mystery of multiple innervations</h2>



Interestingly, some muscle fibers in adult flies are innervated by several motor neurons – a feature that appears in some mammals as newborns but usually disappears by adulthood. 



The team theorizes that this could offer greater flexibility and explain why <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amazing-fact-insect-wings-flap-faster-than-their-brain-speed-can-command/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insects</a>' limbs operate with such precision despite having so few motor neurons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wing-it-like-a-fly">Wing it like a fly</h2>



The researchers also looked into the fruit fly's wing motor system, divided mainly into three functional sections: powering the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/universal-equation-predicts-the-flapping-frequency-of-birds-insects-and-even-whales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wing flapping</a>, steering, and adjusting wing motion.



The study led to a comparison of the organization of premotor circuits for two types of limbs with distinct evolutionary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungi-eating-orchids-assist-fruit-flies-with-reproduction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">paths</a> and biomechanics.



These studies are crucial for developing connectomes, which are offering groundbreaking insights into neural circuit functionality.



The future looks promising, with the upcoming reconstruction of a male fruit fly's central nerve cord potentially revealing differences between sexes.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07600-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Fruit flies can walk, jump, and dance using the same motor neurons

Research is underway to decipher the motor circuits in the...

We all know insects are resourceful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/edible-ants-art-science-sustainable-food-source-ant-cuisine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">critters</a>.&nbsp;They fly,&nbsp;crawl,&nbsp;swim,&nbsp;and burrow...&nbsp;but hitchhike?&nbsp;It turns out,&nbsp;our cars are becoming the latest Ubers for invasive ant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/there-are-2-5-million-ants-for-each-human-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>,&nbsp;and scientists are sounding the alarm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stowaways-with-six-legs">Stowaways with six legs</h2>



Scotty Yang, an acclaimed entomologist from <a href="https://www.vt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Tech</a>, has been closely observing an intriguing pattern unfolding before our eyes. And no, it's not about an occasional ant making its way into your picnic basket. 



We're talking about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/edible-ants-art-science-sustainable-food-source-ant-cuisine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">entire colonies</a> of ants, queens and all, view our cars as their personal Uber. Yang's research is pioneering in its focus on this fascinating phenomenon.



Scotty observed, "We saw social media posts where people were devastated about finding their cars covered in ants. Although we felt sorry for them, we wanted to examine whether these events had anything in common." 



This quest for answers led him to Taiwan, where he conducted a study involving nine different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/there-are-2-5-million-ants-for-each-human-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ant species</a> using vehicles as their own personal vans. 



Tweaking the ordinary by a notch, seven of these species were invasive, making themselves at home in new environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-ants-travel-in-cars">How ants travel in cars</h2>



Scotty's research compiled reports from individuals across Taiwan who had seen ants on their vehicles. The citizen-led approach allowed him to gather data on a significant scale. 



His study revealed that ants are not picky about their choice of vehicle -- they have been seen inside and outside cars, and even under the hood. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impressive-climbing-ability">Impressive climbing ability</h3>



Common traits among these hitchhiking ants were their climbing ability, foraging habits, and temperature tolerance.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/determining-sex-of-ants-possess-unique-genetics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Small but mighty</a>, ants are remarkable climbers. Their feet come equipped with claws for gripping uneven surfaces like metal or plastic, and adhesive pads that create a temporary bond allowing them to walk on smooth surfaces like glass. 



This makes it possible for ants to navigate different parts of a vehicle, increasing their hitchhiking success.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-foraging-and-colonizing">Foraging and colonizing</h3>



When food sources are scarce, ants tend to explore new areas, making them more likely to turn vehicles into their means of transport. 



Overcrowded colonies or those facing resource limitations are more prone to start new nests. The scout ants could encounter vehicles during their search for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fire-ants-can-teach-us-how-to-create-stronger-materials/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new nesting sites</a>, turning them into moving homes.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-temperature-tolerance">High temperature tolerance</h3>



Cars, due to weather conditions, can exhibit wide temperature variations. Ants, being ectothermic creatures, rely on external sources for body temperature regulation. 



They survive based on their ability to find suitable areas providing the right temperature for their physiological processes. Thus, their assessment of the microclimates within cars is crucial to their survival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invasive-ants-in-cars">Invasive ants in cars</h2>



This is more than just an annoyance on your commute. Invasive insects can outcompete native species, harm crops, and disrupt ecosystems. 



"Tracking invasive insects and how they spread is an important subject for entomologists because these creatures can represent threats to native species of plants and animals," Scotty emphasizes. 



What was once limited to logs and soil for their spread, now includes our daily commutes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-ants-choose-cars">Why ants choose cars</h2>



Overcrowding seems a key factor leading ants to seek new habitats by hitching rides. Invasive species are particularly prone to this behavior, which has implications worldwide. The U.S, for instance, wrestles with invasive ants like the<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invasive-red-fire-ants-have-made-their-way-to-europe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> infamous fire ant</a>.



Scotty shares, "Of the 100 worst invasive species in the world, five are species of ants, and two of these are already established in Virginia: the red imported fire ant and the Argentine ant." 



By hitchhiking, these ants are getting a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-are-shifting-to-new-habitats-to-cope-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fast track to new territories</a>. Scotty hopes to start a similar citizen science project in the U.S. to track ant spread. 



As per his advice, while there's no need for alarm, if you find unexpected passengers, consider it a reminder of our world's interconnectedness and perhaps give your car a good vacuuming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ants-live-life-in-the-fast-lane">Ants live life in the fast lane</h2>



Scotty Yang's fascinating research into the hitchhiking behavior of ants sheds light on an overlooked aspect of invasive species' expansion. His findings also underscore the impact of human activities on natural ecosystems. 



This surprising ant-car relationship reinforces our awareness of the world's interconnectivity and the significant, albeit often unseen, role even the smallest creatures play in shaping our environment.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/een.13336" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecological Entomology</a>.



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Ants are now using cars to travel and spread to new locations

We all know insects are resourceful critters.&nbsp;They fly,&nbsp;crawl,&nbsp;swim,&nbsp;and burrow...&nbsp;but hitchhike?&nbsp;It...

The ocean's depths are an inhospitable environment with no light, freezing temperatures, and crushing pressure. However, certain marine organisms, such as ctenophores (commonly known as comb jellies), have evolved unique adaptations to survive these extreme conditions.



A team of researchers led by Itay Budin, an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the <a href="https://ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California San Diego</a>, explored these adaptations, focusing on the cell membranes of ctenophores.&nbsp;



The analyses revealed that these organisms possess unique lipid structures that help them withstand high pressure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pressure-adaptation-in-comb-jellies-nbsp">Pressure adaptation in comb jellies&nbsp;</h2>



Unlike <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-invasion-jellyfish-are-moving-north-in-a-warming-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">jellyfish</a>, comb jellies can grow as large as a volleyball, living in oceans globally at varying depths. Their cell membranes, which consist of thin sheets of lipids and proteins, need to maintain specific properties to function correctly. 



While some organisms have long been known to adapt their lipids to maintain fluidity in extreme cold through homeoviscous adaptation, the adaptation to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-fish-survive-the-intense-pressure-of-deep-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pressure</a> in deep-sea organisms was not well understood.



“Hydrostatic pressure increases with depth in the ocean, but little is known about the molecular bases of biological pressure tolerance,” wrote the study authors. “We describe a mode of pressure adaptation in comb jellies (ctenophores) that also constrains these animals’ depth range.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-lipid-structures-nbsp">Unique lipid structures&nbsp;</h2>



Budin's team examined comb <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/comb-jellies-use-cannibalism-to-survive-long-winters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">jellies</a> from different environments, including those from the bottom of the ocean in California and the surface of the Arctic Ocean, to study whether these organisms adapted to cold and pressure through the same mechanism. 



They found that comb jellies have developed unique lipid structures, known as “homeocurvatures,” which are distinct from those used to adapt to cold.&nbsp;



The lipids in deep-sea ctenophores evolved into exaggerated cone shapes, counteracted by ocean pressure, maintaining the normal lipid shape only at extreme depths. When these creatures are brought to the surface, their cell membranes split apart, and the animals disintegrate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comb-jellies-and-human-brains">Comb jellies and human brains</h2>



The researchers discovered that these exaggerated cone-shaped molecules are a type of phospholipid called plasmalogens, which are also abundant in human brains.&nbsp;



The study revealed that plasmalogens make up as much as three-quarters of a deep-sea ctenophore’s lipid count. Given the significant role of plasmalogens in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-health-may-literally-be-a-state-of-mind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain health</a> and their association with neurodegenerative diseases, this finding is particularly intriguing.



Further experiments with E. coli in high-pressure chambers demonstrated that bioengineered bacteria synthesizing plasmalogens thrived under high pressure, while unaltered bacteria did not.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-plasmalogens-in-brain-health">The role of plasmalogens in brain health</h2>



Budin hopes that this discovery will lead to further research on the role of plasmalogens in brain health and disease.&nbsp;



“I think the research shows that plasmalogens have really unique biophysical properties. So now the question is, how are those properties important for the function of our own cells? I think that’s one takeaway message.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.adm7607" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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How do comb jellies survive crushing pressure in the deep ocean?

The ocean's depths are an inhospitable environment with no light,...

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have mapped the astonishing 4,200-kilometer transatlantic flight of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-butterfly-migration-sparked-by-a-surge-in-vegetation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Painted Lady butterfly</a>.



This unprecedented journey challenges our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-insects-migrate-through-the-pyrenees-each-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insect migration</a> and showcases the remarkable capabilities of these delicate creatures.



The study, led by Gerard Talavera from the <a href="https://www.ibb.csic.es/ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institut Botànic de Barcelona</a>, along with an international team of researchers, unravels the mystery of Painted Lady butterflies found on the Atlantic beaches of French Guiana in October 2013.



This unusual sighting sparked a scientific investigation that would reveal an extraordinary tale of endurance and adaptation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-journey-of-painted-lady-butterflies">The journey of Painted Lady butterflies</h2>



The research team employed a unique combination of cutting-edge techniques to trace the origin and journey of the Painted Lady butterflies. The methods included wind trajectory reconstruction, genome sequencing, pollen DNA analysis, and isotope geolocation.



This innovative approach allowed the researchers to piece together the puzzle of the butterflies' remarkable journey.



Dr. Clément Bataille, a professor at the University of Ottawa, emphasized the significance of this approach: "It is the first time that this combination of molecular techniques including isotope geolocation and pollen metabarcoding is tested on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bats-feast-on-migrating-insects-in-the-pyrenees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migratory insects</a>."



"The results are very promising and transferable to many other migratory insect species. The technique should fundamentally transform our understanding of insect migration."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-astonishing-feat-of-nature">Astonishing feat of nature </h2>



The study's findings unveil an astonishing feat of nature. Wind trajectory analysis identified conditions conducive to a transatlantic crossing from western Africa. Genetic studies revealed a closer relationship to African and European populations, eliminating the possibility of North American origin. 



Intriguingly, pollen DNA analysis detected traces of plants native to tropical Africa, providing a crucial link to the butterflies' journey. Meanwhile, isotope analysis pointed to a potential birthplace in western Europe. 



These diverse and complementary lines of evidence converged to support an extraordinary conclusion: the Painted Lady butterflies had indeed accomplished a long-distance, intercontinental flight across the Atlantic Ocean.



"We usually see butterflies as symbols of the fragility of beauty, but science shows us that they can perform incredible feats. There is still much to discover about their capabilities," said study co-author Roger Vila, a researcher at the <a href="https://www.ibe.upf-csic.es/presentation">Institute of Evolutionary Biology</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favorable-wind-conditions">Favorable wind conditions </h2>



The researchers assessed the viability of this transatlantic flight by analyzing energy expenditure. They concluded that the journey, lasting 5 to 8 days without stops, was possible due to favorable wind conditions.



"The butterflies could only have completed this flight using a strategy alternating between active flight, which is costly energetically, and gliding the wind," explained study co-author Eric Toro-Delgado.



"We estimate that without wind, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/butterflies-use-visual-and-behavioral-mimicry-to-avoid-predators/">butterflies</a> could have flown a maximum of 780 km before consuming all their fat and, therefore, their energy."



The study highlights the importance of the Saharan air layer as a significant aerial route for dispersion. These wind currents, known for transporting Saharan dust to the Amazon, are now recognized as potential highways for living organisms.



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



This discovery suggests the existence of natural aerial corridors connecting continents, potentially facilitating species dispersal on an unprecedented scale.



"I think this study does a good job of demonstrating how much we tend to underestimate the dispersal abilities of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-flightless-stick-insects-spread-their-populations-over-vast-regions/">insects</a>," noted study co-author Megan Reich, a postdoctoral fellow at the <a href="https://www.uottawa.ca/en">University of Ottawa</a>.



"Furthermore, it's entirely possible that we are also underestimating the frequency of these types of dispersal events and their impact on ecosystems."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-painted-lady-s-flight-into-the-future">The Painted Lady's flight into the future</h2>



As our climate continues to change, researchers anticipate more long-distance dispersal events, which could significantly impact global biodiversity and ecosystems.



"It is essential to promote systematic monitoring routines for dispersing insects, which could help predict and mitigate potential risks to biodiversity resulting from global change," said Gerard Talavera, the study's lead researcher.



This groundbreaking research not only reveals the extraordinary capabilities of the Painted Lady butterfly but also opens new avenues for understanding insect migration in the face of global environmental changes. 



As we continue to unlock the secrets of these remarkable creatures, we may find that they have much to teach us about resilience, adaptation, and the interconnectedness of our world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-49079-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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The incredible transatlantic journey of the Painted Lady

In a groundbreaking discovery, researchers have mapped the astonishing 4,200-kilometer...

Human-caused mass extinctions can be prevented if we take action now, according to an international coalition of ecologists and conservationists.&nbsp;



In a new study published in the  journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fsci.2024.1349350" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Science</a>, the experts identified crucial biodiversity hotspots that house rare wildlife and outlined an achievable plan to protect endangered species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-safeguarding-the-last-wilderness-areas-nbsp">Safeguarding the last wilderness areas&nbsp;</h2>



Incorporating these “Conservation Imperatives" into the 30 by 30 initiative, which aims to protect 30% of the Earth’s surface by 2030, could safeguard the world's last wilderness areas and maintain essential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-are-the-biggest-drivers-of-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>.



The article, authored by representatives from 20 organizations including the <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of East Anglia</a> (UEA) in the UK, shows that preserving Earth's remaining biodiversity requires conserving just a small percentage of the planet's surface. 



This plan would help save the most endangered species from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountain-building-triggered-a-mass-extinction-event/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extinction</a>, securing Earth’s wildlife for future generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preventing-the-sixth-mass-extinction-nbsp">Preventing the sixth mass extinction&nbsp;</h2>



“Most species on Earth are rare, meaning that species either have very narrow ranges or they occur at very low densities or both,” said lead author Eric Dinerstein, a scientist at the NGO <a href="https://www.resolve.ngo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Resolve</a>. 



“And rarity is very concentrated. In our study, zooming in on this rarity, we found that we need only about 1.2% of the Earth’s surface to head off the sixth great extinction of life on Earth.”



“There is a dwindling window of opportunity to protect what is left of the wild across Earth's ecoregions,” added co-author Carlos Peres, a professor of conservation ecology at UEA.&nbsp;



“Our analysis shows that setting aside a critical threshold of only 1.2% of all terrestrial areas - identified as nearly 17,000 sites - to ensure the persistence of endemic, threatened, and rare species is a financially viable proposition, but I'm afraid this viability will rapidly decline over time.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-remaining-habitats-for-rare-species">Remaining habitats for rare species</h2>



Between 2018 and 2023, an additional 1.2 million square kilometers of land were protected.&nbsp;



However, Dinerstein and his colleagues estimated that this expansion only included 0.11 million square kilometers with range-limited and threatened species. Effective planning for protected areas is essential to ensure resources are used effectively.



The scientists used six layers of global biodiversity data to map the entire world. By combining these layers with maps of existing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protected-areas-are-failing-to-safeguard-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protected areas</a> and a fractional land cover analysis, they identified remaining habitats for rare and threatened species. 



This enabled them to pinpoint the most critical, currently unprotected biodiversity areas, termed Conservation Imperatives, which serve as a global blueprint for local-level conservation planning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-sites-to-prevent-mass-extinctions">Key sites to prevent mass extinctions</h2>



Protecting these 16,825 sites, covering approximately 164 million hectares, could prevent all predicted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extinction-crisis-entire-branches-of-earths-tree-of-life-are-vanishing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extinctions</a>. 



Moreover, protecting the sites in the tropics alone could prevent most predicted extinctions. Some 38% of Conservation Imperatives are near already-protected areas, which could facilitate their integration into existing conservation zones.



“These sites are home to over 4,700 threatened species in some of the world's most biodiverse yet threatened ecosystems,” said co-author Andy Lee, a manager at Resolve.&nbsp;



“These include not only mammals and birds that rely on large intact habitats, like the tamaraw in the Philippines and the Celebes crested macaque in Sulawesi Indonesia, but also range-restricted amphibians and rare plant species.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cost-of-avoiding-mass-extinctions">The cost of avoiding mass extinctions </h2>



The researchers estimated the cost of this protection using data from hundreds of land protection projects over 14 years, considering the type and amount of land and country-specific economic factors.&nbsp;



The figures are approximate, as various land purchase or long-term lease options might be suitable for protecting Conservation Imperatives.



Stakeholders worldwide, including indigenous peoples, communities with jurisdiction over Conservation Imperative sites, and other civil society members, will need to decide which options work best for them.



“Our analysis estimated that protecting the Conservation Imperatives in the tropics would cost approximately $34 billion per year over the next five years,” Lee said.&nbsp;



“This represents less than 0.2% of the United States' GDP, less than 9% of the annual subsidies benefiting the global fossil fuel industry, and a fraction of the revenue generated from the mining and agroforestry industries each year.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-earth-for-future-generations">Protecting Earth for future generations </h2>



Preserving wildlife is also crucial for addressing the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-crisis-global-supply-chains-face-25-trillion-in-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate crisis</a>. Biodiversity conservation means protecting Earth's forest cover, which acts as a carbon sink. 



By conserving carbon-rich, wildlife-rich forested regions, we protect both threatened species and humans. Securing Conservation Imperatives is only the first critical step in this effort, as further actions are needed to address issues like poaching.



“What will we bequeath to future generations? A healthy, vibrant Earth is critical for us to pass on. So we’ve got to get going. We’ve got to head off the extinction crisis. Conservation Imperatives drive us to do that,” Dinerstein concluded.



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Mass extinctions can be prevented by protecting key sites

Human-caused mass extinctions can be prevented if we take action...

Bees, the unsung heroes of our agricultural systems, are facing a dietary crisis. As critical pollinators, they keep our food supply buzzing, but human-caused changes to the environment have left them with limited and often unhealthy foraging options. A new study is shedding light on the specific nutritional needs of bees and the plants that can provide them with a well-rounded diet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-buzz-on-bee-nutrition">Buzz on bee nutrition</h2>



Bees, like humans, require a balanced diet to thrive. While they get their energy from nectar, pollen is their primary source of proteins, lipids, and other essential nutrients. But not all pollen is created equal.



"Despite public interest and a rise in pollinator plantings, little is known about which plant species are best suited for bee health," said Dr. Sandra Rehan of <a href="https://www.yorku.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">York University</a>, the senior author of the study.



The research team, led by Dr. Rehan, analyzed the nutritional value of pollen from 57 plant species commonly found in North America. They focused on two key components of bee nutrition: non-esterified fatty acids (like omega-6 and omega-3) and essential amino acids.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fuel-from-plants-for-bee-health">Fuel from plants for bee health</h2>



Fatty acids play a vital role in the overall health and well-being of bees. These essential nutrients are the building blocks of cell membranes, contributing to a robust immune system that protects bees from diseases and parasites. 



Additionally, fatty acids act as an energy source, fueling bees' activities and extending their lifespan. However, maintaining the right balance of fatty acids is crucial. An imbalance can disrupt various physiological processes in bees.



For instance, insufficient levels of omega-3 fatty acids can impair bees' cognitive functions, affecting their ability to learn, navigate, and communicate effectively. 



Conversely, excessive amounts of omega-6 fatty acids can trigger inflammation and oxidative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bees-face-a-multitude-of-complex-stressors-in-the-field/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a>, leading to various health problems and potentially shortening their lifespan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amino-acids-the-building-blocks-of-bee-life">Amino acids: The building blocks of bee life</h2>



Essential amino acids are the fundamental building blocks of proteins, which are essential for various physiological processes in bees. 



In the realm of cognitive function, these amino acids support the development and maintenance of the nervous system, facilitating learning, memory, and decision-making abilities in bees. 



Additionally, they play a crucial role in reproduction, contributing to the production of eggs and sperm, as well as the overall development of bee larvae.



However, while essential amino acids are vital, overconsumption can have negative consequences. An excess of these amino acids can create an environment within the bee's body that is more favorable to parasites. 



This can increase the susceptibility of bees to parasitic infections, potentially leading to health issues and decreased overall fitness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diverse-diet-from-plants-is-key">Diverse diet from plants is key</h2>



The study found that no single plant species provides the optimal balance of nutrients for bees. Instead, bees need to forage from a variety of plants to get the right mix of fatty acids and amino acids.



"There is a potential tradeoff between fatty acid and amino acid content within pollen, suggesting that a diverse floral diet may benefit bees more than a single pollen source," explained Dr. Rehan. "No one plant species is optimal for generalist wild bee health."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-plants-for-bees">Best plants for bees</h2>



While variety is important, the study did identify several plant families that are particularly nutritious for bees. These include roses, clovers, red raspberry, and tall buttercup.



"Based on their ideal protein to lipid ratios for wild bee nutrition, we recommend that pollen species from roses, clovers, red raspberry, and tall buttercup should be emphasized in wildflower restoration projects," said Dr. Rehan.



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



This research has important implications for bee <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bee-colonies-are-collapsing-as-climate-change-progresses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation</a> efforts. By understanding the specific nutritional needs of bees, we can create more effective pollinator gardens and habitat restoration projects.



"We hope this work will help inform flowering plant selections for pollinator gardens," said Dr. Rehan.



The study also highlights the importance of preserving native <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-diversity-may-never-fully-recover-from-agriculture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant diversity</a>. While the research found no significant nutritional difference between native and introduced plant species, maintaining a diverse array of native plants ensures that a wide range of bees, including specialist species, have access to the specific pollen they need.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bee-nutrition-and-plant-research">Bee nutrition and plant research</h2>



The study is just the beginning of our understanding of bee nutrition. With thousands of plant species yet to be analyzed, there is much more to learn about the complex relationship between bees and their floral food sources.



"We hope this will inspire future similar research as well as follow up studies on the preference and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/winter-poses-a-challenge-to-the-survival-of-honey-bees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">survival of bees</a> on different diets," noted Dr. Rehan.



As we continue to explore the intricate world of bee nutrition, one thing is clear: a diverse and balanced diet is essential for the health and well-being of these vital pollinators. 



By creating a smorgasbord of floral options, we can help ensure that bees continue to buzz, thrive, and play their crucial role in our ecosystems and food systems.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1411410" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems</a>.



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Bees need a balanced diet from various plants for optimal health

Bees, the unsung heroes of our agricultural systems, are facing...

Giant lizards known as heath goannas could potentially save Australian sheep farmers millions each year by controlling blowfly populations.



A recent study from the <a href="https://www.zoo.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a> reveals that heath goannas, a species of scavenging lizards, serve as natural cleanup crews by removing maggot-infested carcasses from the environment.



This activity significantly reduces the number of blowflies, which are known to lay eggs on sheep, leading to the costly and devastating disease known as 'fly strike.'



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



"Human-induced environmental change has caused widespread loss of species that support important functions for ecosystems and society," noted the study authors.



"For example, vertebrate scavengers contribute to the functional health of ecosystems and provide services to agricultural landscapes by removing carcasses and associated pests." 



"Widespread extirpation of native Australian mammals since the arrival of Europeans in Australia has removed many scavenging species from landscapes, while scavenging mammals such as European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have been introduced."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heath-goannas-vs-european-invaders">Heath goannas vs. European invaders </h2>



The study was conducted at 18 sites across the Marna Banggara Rewilding Project area on Australia's southern Yorke Peninsula. 



The results highlight the effectiveness of heath goannas in controlling blowfly populations compared to introduced European species.



“We found that Australia’s native scavengers like heath goannas are much more effective in removing blowflies from the landscape than invasive scavengers like European foxes and cats," said Tom Jameson, a PhD researcher in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Zoology.



The impact of blowflies on sheep farming is severe, costing the industry an estimated $280 million annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-fly-strike">What is fly strike?</h2>



Fly strike, also known as myiasis, is a condition where flies lay their eggs on an animal's skin or in wounds. When these eggs hatch, the larvae (maggots) burrow into the skin, feeding on the animal's tissue. This can cause severe irritation, pain, and secondary infections. 



Fly strike is particularly common in sheep and rabbits, but it can affect any animal with open wounds or soiled fur. Warm, humid conditions and poor hygiene increase the risk. 



When blowfly maggots burrow into sheep, in particular, the results include painful wounds, decreased market value, reduced breeding success, and often death.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scavenging-activities-of-various-species">Scavenging activities of various species</h2>



Jameson's research involved comparing the scavenging activities of various animals in southern Australia.



Hundreds of dead rats were placed at feeding stations equipped with camera traps. After five days, the remaining carcasses were examined for blowfly maggots. 



The footage revealed that native <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scavengers-clean-up-wetlands-and-boost-their-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scavengers</a> consumed more carcasses and maggots than their European counterparts.



“It was disgusting – we were counting maggots. After five days we’d find over 1,000 maggots in one rat if a scavenger hadn’t found it. Those maggots produce blowflies that can spread up to 20 kilometers in a week, putting local sheep flocks at risk of fly strike,” noted Jameson.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heath-goannas-and-ecosystem-restoration">Heath goannas and ecosystem restoration</h2>



The study underscores the importance of boosting populations of native large <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/past-climate-change-drove-the-rapid-evolution-of-reptiles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reptiles</a> like heath goannas for ecosystem restoration.



“The results suggest that conservation work in southern Australia to remove <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invasive-species-have-racked-up-390-billion-bill-in-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invasive species</a> should also focus on boosting the population of heath goannas and other native species because they’re really important for the wider ecosystem,” said Jameson.



Besides benefiting native wildlife, this approach could provide significant advantages for the agricultural industry and attract more wildlife tourism.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-heath-goannas-nbsp">More about heath goannas&nbsp;</h2>



The heath goanna, also known as the Rosenberg's monitor, is a species of monitor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-lizards-have-evolved-to-resist-deadly-snake-venom/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lizard</a> found in southern Australia. It primarily inhabits heathlands, woodlands, and grasslands, often preferring sandy or rocky areas where it can dig burrows. 



This reptile is known for its distinctive appearance, featuring a long neck, a robust body, and a powerful tail, which it uses for balance and defense.&nbsp;



Heath goannas are carnivorous, feeding on a variety of prey, including insects, small mammals, birds, and other reptiles. They are also known to scavenge carrion.&nbsp;



Active during the day, these lizards are skilled hunters and climbers, using their sharp claws and strong limbs to navigate their environment. Reproduction involves laying eggs, which are typically deposited in burrows or other protected sites.&nbsp;



Heath goannas are currently endangered. As one of Australia's largest remaining native scavengers, conserving them is crucial for ecosystem health and local agriculture.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.11535" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology and Evolution</a>.



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How lizards are saving Australian sheep farms

Giant lizards known as heath goannas could potentially save Australian...

In a significant finding, an international team of scientists has discovered that non-native species are expanding their ranges at a rate 100 times faster than native species, largely due to inadvertent human assistance. 



This rapid expansion is crucial as climate change accelerates, affecting habitats and necessitating swift adaptation by flora and fauna.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-speed-matters-in-climate-change-adaptation">Speed matters in climate change adaptation</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/invasive-species-plants-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plants and animals</a> need to shift their ranges by 3.25 kilometers per year to keep pace with rising temperatures and climate shifts. Unfortunately, native species are struggling to meet this demand without human help.



By contrast, even seemingly sedentary non-native plants are moving three times faster than their native counterparts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-activity-boosts-non-native-species">Human activity boosts non-native species</h2>



The research, led by a team from the <a href="https://www.umass.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Massachusetts Amherst</a>, includes contributions from scientists in New Jersey, Michigan, Colorado, Hawaii, Sevilla, and Zaragoza.



The experts conducted an extensive review of previously published papers and datasets to determine how far and fast both native and non-native species are moving.



The study highlighted how human activities, whether accidental or intentional, are accelerating the spread of non-native species.



"We know that the numbers of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invasive-plants-alter-the-soundscape-of-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invasive plant species</a> are increasing exponentially worldwide," said study lead author Professor Bethany Bradley.



"<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-nurseries-are-the-primary-pathway-for-introducing-invasive-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plant nurseries</a> are exacerbating this spread, and confronting invasives is a critical step in preparing for climate change. We wanted to quantify the current movement rates of both native and non-native species."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-influence-on-species-movement">Human influence on species movement</h2>



The researchers determined that land-based species need to move at a rate of more than 3.25 kilometers per year to stay ahead of climate change, while marine species need to move at a rate of at least 2.75 kilometers per year.



According to the study, native species are only managing to move an average of 1.74 kilometers per year. Non-native species, on the other hand, are naturally spreading at a rate of about 35 kilometers per year.



With human intervention, the movement rate of alien species skyrockets to 1,883 kilometers per year - 1,000 times faster than native species.



"Essentially, there's no chance for native species to keep up with climate change without human help," spots Bradley.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-implications-for-non-native-species">Future implications for non-native species</h2>



The team also explored how far species might spread in a warming world. Although non-native species are likely to find more suitable habitats, they also risk losing territories as some regions become unsuitable.



"Non-native species might gain more territory with climate change, but they also have more to lose," noted Bradley. 



"We need to consider and implement <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/assisted-migrations-could-help-species-survive-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">assisted migration</a> - deliberately helping native species move to more suitable locations - if our native plants and animals are to stand a chance."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proactive-measures-to-support-native-species">Proactive measures to support native species</h2>



The findings underscore the critical role that humans play in species distribution and highlight the need for proactive measures to support native species in the face of climate change.



Assisted migration could be a vital strategy in ensuring the survival of native flora and fauna as they struggle to keep pace with rapidly changing environments.



This comprehensive research offers a sobering reminder of the interconnectedness of human actions and ecological outcomes, urging immediate attention to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-chorus-invasive-plants-change-the-soundscape/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invasive species</a> management and climate adaptation strategies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-examples-of-fast-spreading-non-native-species">Examples of fast-spreading non-native species</h2>



Non-native species that spread rapidly can significantly impact ecosystems, economies, and human health. 



One of the most notorious examples is the zebra mussel, native to Eurasia, which has spread throughout North American waterways, causing extensive ecological and economic damage by clogging water intake pipes and outcompeting native mussel species. 



Another fast-spreading species is the cane toad, originally introduced to Australia to control pests but now proliferating uncontrollably, preying on native species and poisoning predators. 



The Asian carp, introduced to the United States for aquaculture purposes, has spread throughout the Mississippi River Basin, outcompeting native fish for food and habitat. 



The emerald ash borer, an insect native to Asia, has devastated ash tree populations in North America since its accidental introduction, leading to significant ecological and economic consequences. 



The kudzu vine, native to Asia, was introduced to the southern United States for erosion control but has since spread aggressively, smothering native vegetation and altering ecosystems.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-102722-013135" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics</a>.



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Non-native species are spreading at an exponential rate

In a significant finding, an international team of scientists has...

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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

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" 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> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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

Satellites have become essential to our survival

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