On a crisp autumn night, far from city lights, you can witness one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the sky - the Andromeda Galaxy.



Just northeast of the Great Square of Pegasus, this celestial wonder appears as a faint, elongated smudge, easily visible to the naked eye. 



Despite its dim glow, this galaxy is the largest and closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way, spanning an astonishing 220,000 light-years across.



The light reaching your eyes tonight&nbsp;left Andromeda 2.5 million years ago. At that time, early human ancestors,&nbsp;Homo habilis, had just begun making stone tools on Earth.



That means when you look at Andromeda, you are gazing into the distant past - at a galaxy whose light began its journey long before modern humans even existed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-edwin-hubble-and-the-andromeda-galaxy">Edwin Hubble and the Andromeda Galaxy </h2>



For centuries, astronomers debated the nature of Andromeda. Was it merely a nearby&nbsp;"spiral nebula," a swirling cloud of gas and dust within the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-galaxy-shows-us-what-the-early-milky-way-looked-like/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>? Or was it something more? The answer arrived in the early&nbsp;20th century, thanks to the work of&nbsp;Edwin Hubble.



Using the&nbsp;Hooker Telescope&nbsp;at <a href="https://www.mtwilson.edu/100-telescope-observing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mount Wilson Observatory</a>, Hubble identified&nbsp;Cepheid variable stars&nbsp;in Andromeda - special stars whose brightness fluctuates predictably, allowing astronomers to calculate their distance.



Hubble’s calculations revealed something astonishing:&nbsp;Andromeda was far beyond the Milky Way, proving it was a separate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spiral-galaxy-with-quasar-jet-surprises-astronomers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxy</a> altogether. This revelation shattered the belief that the Milky Way encompassed the entire universe.



In the years that followed, our understanding of the cosmos expanded from a single galaxy to a vast universe teeming with billions of them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hubble-space-telescope-and-andromeda">Hubble Space Telescope and Andromeda</h2>



A century after Edwin Hubble’s remarkable discovery, the space telescope bearing his name set out to photograph Andromeda in&nbsp;unprecedented detail. 



The&nbsp;Hubble Space Telescope (<a href="https://hubblesite.org/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HST</a>), one of the most powerful astronomical tools ever built, spent over&nbsp;a decade capturing a high-resolution photomosaic of the Andromeda Galaxy.



This monumental survey required&nbsp;over 600 individual exposures, resulting in a final image containing&nbsp;2.5 billion pixels. The mosaic spans the full width of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxies-are-much-bigger-than-we-originally-believed-gas-clouds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxy</a>, covering an area&nbsp;six times larger than the full Moon&nbsp;in the night sky. 



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="FTThfGq0yb-4239179-12187" type="single"]</div>



Because Hubble is designed for pinpoint accuracy rather than wide-field imaging, assembling a complete portrait of Andromeda was an immense challenge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-millions-of-stars">Mapping millions of stars</h2>



The first phase of this project, known as the Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Treasury (PHAT), focused on Andromeda’s northern half. 



Using Hubble’s Advanced Camera for Surveys and Wide Field Camera 3, astronomers captured Andromeda’s stars at ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared wavelengths.



A decade later, this work was expanded with the&nbsp;Panchromatic Hubble Andromeda Southern Treasury (PHAST), a follow-up study led by&nbsp;Zhuo Chen&nbsp;at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washington.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Washington</a>. 



This program mapped an additional&nbsp;100 million stars&nbsp;in the&nbsp;southern half&nbsp;of Andromeda - an area particularly valuable for studying the galaxy’s&nbsp;merger history.



The combined PHAT and PHAST mosaics now encompass the entire disk of Andromeda, revealing stunning details of its structure and stellar population. 



Hubble’s high-resolution imaging allows astronomers to study individual stars in Andromeda just as easily as those within our own Milky Way.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-andromeda-s-violent-history">Andromeda’s violent history</h2>



While Andromeda and the Milky Way likely formed around the same time, their evolutionary paths have been strikingly different. 



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-ways-thin-disk-is-billions-of-years-older-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a> has experienced relatively stable growth, while Andromeda appears to have undergone a much more chaotic past, marked by violent interactions and mergers.



"Andromeda’s a train wreck," said&nbsp;Daniel Weisz&nbsp;of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.berkeley.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Berkeley</a>. "It looks like it has been through some kind of event that caused it to form a lot of stars and then just shut down."



A key clue to this turbulent history lies in the presence of&nbsp;coherent streams of stars - trails of ancient stellar material likely left behind by smaller galaxies that Andromeda absorbed over time.



One possible culprit is the compact satellite galaxy&nbsp;Messier 32, which astronomers suspect may be the stripped-down core of a once-larger spiral galaxy that was devoured by Andromeda in the distant past.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-the-andromeda-galaxy">What's next for the Andromeda galaxy</h2>



<a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Hubble_traces_hidden_history_of_the_Andromeda_Galaxy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The detailed stellar census provided by Hubble</a> helps astronomers reconstruct Andromeda’s merger history and predict its future evolution. 



The findings suggest that Andromeda is gradually transitioning from a star-forming spiral to a more elliptical structure, where star formation is winding down.



"Andromeda looks like a transitional type of galaxy that’s between a star-forming spiral and a sort of elliptical galaxy dominated by aging red stars," said&nbsp;Weisz.



However, Andromeda’s journey is far from over. In about&nbsp;4.5 billion years, it will&nbsp;collide with the Milky Way, triggering an immense cosmic event that will reshape both galaxies into a single, massive elliptical galaxy. 



This future merger - already set in motion by their mutual gravitational pull - will not be a destructive explosion but rather a slow gravitational dance that will mix and redistribute billions of stars over millions of years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-next-chapter-beyond-hubble">The next chapter: Beyond Hubble</h2>



Although the Hubble Space Telescope has provided humanity with an unprecedented view of Andromeda, its work is only the beginning. 



Future telescopes, such as&nbsp;NASA’s <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Webb Space Telescope</a>&nbsp;and the upcoming&nbsp;Nancy Grace <a href="https://roman.gsfc.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roman Space Telescope</a>, will take this research even further.



James Webb’s&nbsp;infrared vision&nbsp;will allow astronomers to peer through Andromeda’s&nbsp;dusty regions, uncovering details about star formation, planetary systems, and the galaxy’s hidden structure. 



Meanwhile, the Roman Space Telescope, often described as a&nbsp;"wide-angle version of Hubble," will capture panoramic views of Andromeda with&nbsp;100 times the field of view of Hubble. This will provide an even broader perspective of its vast stellar population.



The Andromeda Galaxy stands as one of the most important astronomical objects in human history. 



From ancient civilizations who saw it as a mysterious celestial cloud to the Hubble Space Telescope’s&nbsp;2.5-billion-pixel portrait - Andromeda has continuously reshaped our understanding of the cosmos.



With each new observation, we learn more about our&nbsp;neighboring galaxy’s past, present, and future. 



The study is published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ad7e2b" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal</a>. 



Video Credit: NASA, ESA, Greg Bacon (STScI)



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Best space photo ever? Hubble's masterpiece took 10 years to complete, capturing 200 million stars

On a crisp autumn night, far from city lights, you can witness one of the most awe-inspiring sights in the sky - the Andromeda Galaxy. Just northeast of the Great Square of Pegasus, this celestial wonder appears as a faint, elongated smudge, easily visible to the naked eye. Despite its dim glow, this galaxy is the largest and closest spiral galaxy to the Milky Way, spanning an astonishing 220,000 light-years across. The light reaching your eyes tonight&nbsp;left Andromeda 2.5 million years ago. At that time, early human ancestors,&nbsp;Homo habilis,...

With the average preteen spending more than five hours a day on screen time for non-educational purposes, the impact on their mental health is a growing concern.



Taking an extensive look into this issue, a recent study has confirmed a potential correlation between increased screen time and symptoms of depression and anxiety among adolescents.



The research, carried out by researchers at <a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC San Francisco</a>, is one of the first long-term studies to investigate this worrying trend.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-screen-time-and-depressive-symptoms">Screen time and depressive symptoms </h2>



The study followed a diverse selection of 9- and 10-year-olds from across the United States over a span of two years.



The results? A close tie was revealed between screen time and a myriad of symptoms, including more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ketamine-is-very-effective-in-treating-severe-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">severe depression</a>, aggression, hyperactivity, and inattention.



There was a clear link between engaging in screen activities - such as video chatting, texting, watching videos and gaming - and developing depressive symptoms. 



The researchers noted that the symptoms of depression differed in severity depending on the type of screen activity. Study lead author Dr. Jason Nagata pointed out that screen usage might be replacing essential activities too often.



“Screen use may replace time spent engaging in physical activity, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/getting-high-quality-sleep-helps-prevent-depression-and-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a>, socializing in-person and other behaviors that reduce depression and anxiety,” explained Dr. Nagata.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diverse-effects-by-race-but-not-gender">Diverse effects by race, but not gender</h2>



Interestingly, the study noted racial disparities in how excessive screen time affected adolescents, revealing nuances that extend beyond general findings.



The ties between increased screen time and symptoms of depression, hyperactivity, and opposition were notably stronger in white adolescents than in their Black or Asian peers. This finding suggests that cultural or environmental factors may influence how screen exposure impacts <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-health-crisis-half-of-the-worlds-population-will-be-affected-by-age-75/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a>. 



However, these effects were in no way influenced by the gender of the participant, indicating that screen time's mental health effects may transcend gender differences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-social-media-varies-by-background">Role of social media varies by background </h2>



A diverse group of study participants allowed for a more comprehensive understanding of how screen time might impact different racial groups - each with unique social dynamics and stressors.



According to Dr. Nagata, the results suggest that screens and social media can play various roles based on racial background.



“For minority adolescents, screens and social media may play a different role, serving as important platforms to connect with peers who share similar backgrounds and experiences,” said Dr. Nagata. 



“Rather than displacing in-person relationships, technology may help them expand their support networks beyond what’s accessible in their immediate environment.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-health-risks-of-screen-time">Mental health risks of screen time</h2>



Our increased concern about the mental health of adolescents is not unfounded. Unfortunately, as screen time has surged, the likelihood of adolescents experiencing major depressive episodes and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stock-market-volatility-increases-risk-of-heart-attacks-and-suicide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">suicide</a> has also seen an alarming rise.



It’s important to note that parents are not powerless to these effects. Engaging with tools such as the American Academy of Pediatrics' Family Media Use Plan, which considers the unique needs of each child, can help parents limit the negative effects of excessive screen time.



The study, which is published in the journal BMC Public Health, urges us to reassess the impact that screens are having on our younger generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-managing-screen-time-as-a-family">Managing screen time as a family</h2>



Dealing with screens in our daily lives can be tough for families, especially since they have become part of almost everything we do. But don't worry, even small changes can have a big impact.



Experts recommend setting up screen-free zones or times, like during meals or right before bed, to encourage healthier habits.



Talking openly about screen use can help preteens make better choices. Parents can set an example by showing that there's more to life than just screens. Instead, try filling that time with outdoor activities, hobbies, or family board games to build stronger bonds.



By making screen time a shared responsibility and a regular topic of conversation, families can find a balance that works for everyone. 



This type of team effort not only reduces the risks of excessive screen time but also teaches important life skills, like moderation and valuing real-world connections.



The study is published in the journal BMC Public Health.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

How does screen time affect preteens' mental health?

With the average preteen spending more than five hours a...

Scientists have uncovered one of the earliest examples of a winged seed, shedding light on the origins and early evolution of wind dispersal strategies in plants.&nbsp;



The study, published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.92962.3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eLife</a>, details the second-oldest known winged seed -- Alasemenia - from the Late Devonian epoch, which occurred roughly 360 to 385 million years ago. 



Through a solid mathematical analysis, the authors demonstrate that the three-winged seeds of Alasemenia were better adapted to wind dispersal compared to seeds with one, two, or four wings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wind-dispersal-of-plant-seeds">Wind dispersal of plant seeds</h2>



Wind dispersal is a natural mechanism by which plants spread their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-increase-forest-recovery-by-dispersing-seeds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seeds</a> to new areas using the air, helping to reduce competition for resources and improve survival chances.&nbsp;



Some common wind dispersal strategies include parachutes, like those used by dandelions and milkweeds, as well as winged seeds, such as the “helicopter” seeds from maple trees.



The earliest plant seeds date back to the Late Devonian epoch, a time marking a significant evolutionary shift.&nbsp;



“This period marks a significant evolutionary milestone in plant history, as they transitioned from spore-based reproduction, as with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-sheds-light-on-the-evolution-of-ferns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ferns</a> and mosses, to seed-based reproduction,” said lead author Deming Wang, a professor at <a href="https://english.pku.edu.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peking University</a>'s Department of Geology.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seed-wind-dispersal-mechanisms-nbsp">Seed wind dispersal mechanisms&nbsp;</h2>



However, little is known about wind dispersal mechanisms in seeds from this era, as many fossils are encased in a cupule, a protective cup-shaped structure that may suggest different dispersal methods, such as water transport.



To better understand how early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-plants-disperse-their-seeds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> used wind to disperse their seeds, Wang and colleagues examined seed fossils from the Late Devonian, sourced from the Jianchuan mine in China’s Anhui Province. Among these, they identified a new fossil species, Alasemenia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-helping-seeds-catch-the-wind">Helping seeds catch the wind</h2>



The team carefully analyzed the Alasemenia fossils, slicing them to study their internal structure.&nbsp;



The experts found that these seeds are about 25 to 33 millimeters long and lacked the cupule that was common in most seeds of the period, making Alasemenia one of the earliest known examples of a seed without such a structure -- 40 million years earlier than previously thought. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Alasemenia_winged-seed_plant-pollination_credit-elife-sciences_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Alasemenia_winged-seed_plant-pollination_credit-elife-sciences_1s.webp" alt="A fossil of the winged-seed, Alasemenia, sourced from the Jianchuan mine in Xinhang Town, China. Credit: Deming Wang" class="wp-image-1946919"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A fossil of the winged-seed, Alasemenia, sourced from the Jianchuan mine in Xinhang Town, China. Credit: Deming Wang</figcaption></figure>



Instead, Alasemenia had a seed coat, or integument, that extended outward to form three wing-like lobes. These wings, with their outward-curving, broad, flattened structures, would have helped the seeds catch the wind.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-wing-design-for-wind-dispersal-nbsp">Best wing design for wind dispersal&nbsp;</h2>



Next, the researchers compared Alasemenia to two other known winged seeds from the Late Devonian: Warstenia and Guazia, both of which had four wings. While Guazia's wings were broad and flat, Warstenia's were short and straight.&nbsp;



To determine which design was best suited for wind dispersal, the team conducted a quantitative mathematical analysis. Their results showed that Alasemenia’s odd number of wings provided a more stable and faster spin rate as the seed fell, allowing it to catch the wind more effectively and disperse farther from the parent plant.



“Our discovery of Alasemenia adds to our knowledge of the origins of wind dispersal strategies in early land plants,” said senior author Pu Huang, an assistant research fellow at the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology.&nbsp;



“Combined with our previous knowledge of Guazia and Warsteinia, we conclude that winged seeds as a result of integument outgrowth emerged as the first form of wind dispersal strategy during the Late Devonian, before other methods such as parachutes or plumes.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-progression-of-seeds-nbsp">Evolutionary progression of seeds&nbsp;</h2>



According to Wang, the evolutionary progression of winged seeds didn’t stop there.&nbsp;



“The three-winged seeds seen in Alasemenia during the Late Devonian would have subsequently been followed by two-winged seeds during the Carboniferous period, and then single-winged seeds during the Permian.”



This research offers key insights into the evolutionary timeline of wind dispersal strategies in plants, marking Alasemenia as a critical piece in understanding how plants first took advantage of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/understanding-how-wind-farms-interact-with-wind-can-optimize-their-power/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wind</a> to spread their seeds.



“These findings suggest that during the Famennian [belonging to the late Devonian] the outer layer of some seeds that lacked cupules evolved wings to help the seeds disperse in the wind,” noted the study authors.



“It also indicates that seeds with four or three wings evolved first, followed by other groups of seed plants with fewer seed wings.”



According to the researchers, future studies may find more winged seeds and further our understanding of their evolutionary roles in the early history of seed plants.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Fossil reveals how plants use winged seeds to expand their habitats

Scientists have uncovered one of the earliest examples of a...

New evidence from NASA's Curiosity rover shows that Mars experienced a huge climate shift, going from potentially life-friendly, water world conditions that could have supported microbial life to a harsh environment with extreme temperatures and tough atmospheric conditions.



This change brings up fascinating questions about the planet's past and its chances of hosting life. Curiosity's findings also help us understand the bigger picture of what life beyond Earth could look like.



Discovering some intriguing facts was none other than David Burtt, a researcher at NASA's <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goddard Space Flight Center</a>. 



He along with his team, have let their Curiosity run wild in Gale Crater, a massive basin sprawling 96 miles. Imagine an ancient lake that held crucial keys to unlock Mars' deep-seated secrets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-peeking-into-mars-past-life-potential">Peeking into Mars' past life potential</h2>



Gale Crater is no ordinary pothole. It serves as a unique time capsule, narrating Mars' ever-changing climatic saga. 



Thanks to the layered rocks and sediments, researchers like Burtt get to closely examine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/manganese-discovery-ancient-mars-earth-like-water-lake-habitable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the planet's past</a>.



Carbonates, carbon-rich minerals playing the hero in this Martian tale, have some interesting tales to whisper. 



By studying these, scientists are bringing into the limelight the climatic and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/was-mars-past-climate-supportive-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life-supporting conditions</a> that prevailed when these minerals formed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoding-climate-stories-with-isotopes">Decoding climate stories with isotopes</h2>



But what's so intriguing about these carbonates? Enter isotopes -- the unsung heroes of elemental science. These atomic variants, differing in mass, give us a window into environmental shifts over time.



When water evaporates, lighter isotopes put on their invisible cape and sneak into the atmosphere, leaving behind their heavier buddies. As time rolls on, these heavy isotopes find a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-surface-contains-more-organic-matter-than-previously-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">home in carbonates</a>. 



NASA scientists have done a fantastic job of measuring the ratios of these isotopes, giving us a climate diary penned by atoms themselves.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-roads-diverged-in-gale-crater">Two roads diverged in Gale Crater</h2>



The research paints two plausible scenarios. In the first, the carbonates formed due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-vanishing-water-mystery-new-insights-curiosity-rover/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wet-dry cycling</a> within the Gale Crater. 



Picture water filling and evaporating from the crater, leaving behind a mineral-rich residue, only to start all over again.



The second scenario is slightly more dramatic. Here, the carbonates took shape in extremely salty waters under freezing conditions. Think of brine pools defying low temperatures, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-mars-rocks-contain-signs-of-life-scientists-call-to-bring-them-back-to-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dropping mineral deposits</a> as they slowly freeze.



"The formation mechanisms represent vastly different climate regimes, providing different habitability scenarios," says Jennifer Stern of NASA Goddard, a co-author of the study. 



Stern explains that wet-dry cycling indicates fluctuation between more habitable and less habitable environments. 



On the contrary, extreme mid-latitude cryogenic temperatures on Mars suggest an inhospitable environment with most water trapped as ice. What little water remains is super salty, not the best cocktail for life as we know it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pondering-ancient-martian-life">Pondering ancient Martian life</h2>



And what does this spell for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insights-alien-life-mars-water-sulfur-discovered-gained-studying-extreme-life-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">potential life on ancient Mars</a>? The heavy isotope values hint at intense evaporation processes. 



As Burtt puts it, "These carbonates likely formed in a climate that could only support transient liquid water." 



While this doesn't exactly scream "life-friendly," it doesn't exclude the possibility of an underground biosphere or even a surface biosphere that lasted before the carbonates formed.



The spotlight here goes to Curiosity's onboard instruments. 



The <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/resource/schematic-of-sample-analysis-at-mars-sam-instrument/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM)</a> instrument and the Tunable Laser Spectrometer (TLS) are like a tag-team of aces on wheels, carrying out experiments from millions of miles away. 



They have been crucial in aiding Curiosity's mission since its touchdown on Mars in 2012.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-mars-matters">Why Mars matters</h2>



Understanding Mars' climatic history isn't just an exercise of cosmic curiosity. It grants us insight into planetary evolution and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-curiosity-rover-makes-surprising-find-under-martian-rock-sulfur-crystals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prerequisites for life</a>. 



If Mars experienced such climatic roller coasters, could Earth be the next on the ride? Peering into our neighboring planet offers valuable lessons for our own world's future.



<a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/msl-curiosity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Curiosity Rover</a> is not done yet. It's set on its journey up Mount Sharp, the central peak within Gale Crater, continuously dissecting rock layers representing different chapters of Mars' history. 



Concurrently, future missions like NASA's Perseverance Rover are combing Mars for signs of life that may have existed, gathering samples that might be safely returned to Earth someday.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-on-mars-the-search-continues">Life on Mars? The search continues</h2>



To sum it all up, these findings bring us a step closer to solving Mars' climatic puzzle. 



As we comprehend Mars' environmental evolution, we're inching closer to answering the million-dollar question: Could Mars have ever hosted life? 



Our sleuthing suggests that while the surface might not have been life-friendly, the possibility of life existing underground or in earlier periods keeps the door ajar.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

How Mars became uninhabitable after being a water world that could support life

New evidence from NASA's Curiosity rover shows that Mars experienced...

It's not uncommon to yearn for the benefits of a good workout while skipping the sweaty part. Medical scientists have been chasing this dream for a while now. Well, Danish researchers believe we've just moved a step closer to this reality, with a promising new exercise drug on the horizon.



This nifty invention claims to duplicate the benefits of exercising without the user breaking a sweat. It flushes toxins out of the body and strengthens the heart, all while you're just sitting there. Sounds too good to be true? Stick around.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exercise-drug-in-action">Exercise drug in action</h2>



In a study conducted on our furry friends, the rats, this drug showed promising results. 



Believe it or not, researchers said the drug prompted the same health benefits as running 10km (approximately 6.21 miles) at high speeds.



Now wouldn't we all love to reap the benefits of a 10km (6.21 miles) run <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-pill-can-mimic-the-health-benefits-of-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">without actually breaking a sweat</a>?



Dr. Thomas Poulsen, a chemist at <a href="https://international.au.dk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aarhus University</a>, was the guiding force behind this groundbreaking discovery. 



He acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining motivation to run several kilometers at high speeds and diet constraints.



"For people with physical ailments, such as a weak heart or general weakness, a nutritional supplement can be the key to better recovery," he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exercise-biology">Exercise biology</h2>



After a workout, your body enters an inflammation state with increased levels of lactate and ketones. 



When these substances are high, the body releases hunger-suppressing chemicals, and starts clearing the fatty acids in the blood, which are linked to health conditions like diabetes, cancer, and dementia.



The new exercise drug, currently named LaKe, can "artificially control the amounts of lactate and ketones safely," says the research team. 



The drug is now progressing into human trials to test whether it is safe before evaluating its effects on us, humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-far-are-we-from-the-exercise-drug">How far are we from the exercise drug?</h2>



If everything goes well, the molecule could potentially be developed into a supplement for human consumption. 



But don't get your hopes too high just yet. Scientists warn that it would <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-in-a-pill-is-now-closer-to-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">most likely take years</a> before it becomes available. Patience is key here.



"We've developed a molecule that can mimic the body's natural metabolic response to strenuous exercise and fasting," Dr. Poulsen enthused. 



"In practice, the molecule brings the body into a metabolic state corresponding to running 10 kilometers at high speed on an empty stomach."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-benefits-of-exercise-drug">Health benefits of exercise drug</h2>



"When lactate and ketone levels in the blood increase, the production of an appetite-suppressing hormone increases, and the level of free fatty acids in the blood decreases," Poulsen explained. 



As a result, the risk of developing metabolic syndrome (a cluster of conditions that increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes) reduces.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ethical-considerations">Ethical considerations</h2>



As we stand on the brink of potentially transformative health solutions like the LaKe drug for exercise, ethical considerations come into sharp focus. 



The prospect of a pill that replaces physical exertion raises questions about the societal implications of such advancements. 



Could this lead to an increased dependency on pharmaceuticals, diminishing the inherent value we place on physical activity? 



Moreover, concerns arise regarding equitable access -- whether this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-drug-tricks-the-body-into-burning-fat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">futuristic wellness interve</a><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-drug-tricks-the-body-into-burning-fat/">ntion</a> will be available to all or limited to those with the resources to afford it.



To navigate these questions, a comprehensive dialogue among ethicists, policymakers, and scientists is imperative to ensure this development benefits a wide spectrum of society without perpetuating inequality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-outlooks-and-beyond">Future outlooks and beyond</h2>



As researchers go deeper into the potential of the LaKe drug for exercise, their eyes are fixed on the horizon of future applications. 



Beyond the immediate promise of exercise-mimicking benefits, there lies the potential to expand this drug’s application to individuals with disabilities, elderly populations, and those recovering from severe illnesses, significantly improving quality of life. 



Meanwhile, the scientific community remains vigilant, welcoming <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/emotionally-intelligent-vr-will-change-the-way-you-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">critical evaluation</a> and peer review to ensure both safety and efficacy. 



As we await the results of ongoing trials, a cautious optimism prevails -- this innovative approach could very well redefine the paradigms of health and wellness in the years to come.



These findings have been published in the <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jafc.4c04849" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry</a>. 



-----



Like what you read?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>&nbsp;for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a>&nbsp;and Earth.com.



-----

New drug mimics exercise benefits without breaking a sweat

It's not uncommon to yearn for the benefits of a...

NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications tech demo continues to break records and defy expectations. This advanced communication technology has achieved several key milestones, the latest being the successful transmission of a laser signal to NASA's Psyche spacecraft from Earth.



Remarkably, this distance is equivalent to the maximum separation between Earth and Mars, a distance of about 290 million miles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deep-space-laser-communication">Deep space laser communication</h2>



The significant achievement of this milestone on July 29 marked the culmination of the technology demonstration's first operational phase since <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/successful-launch-for-nasas-psyche-mission-to-study-an-asteroid-worth-10000-quadrillion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Psyche’s launch</a> in October 2023.



"The milestone is significant. Laser <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-just-streamed-a-4k-video-to-the-space-station-and-back/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">communication</a> requires a very high level of precision, and before we launched with Psyche, we didn’t know how much performance degradation we would see at our farthest distances,” noted Meera Srinivasan, one of the project’s operations leads at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.



These results now confirm that optical communications stand as a robust and transformative means of exploring the solar system.



Managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/deep-space-optical-communications-dsoc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deep Space Optical Communications</a> experiment consists of a laser transceiver and two ground stations. 



The historic 200-inch Hale Telescope at Palomar Observatory acts as the downlink station, while the Table Mountain facility serves as the uplink station, capable of transmitting up to 7 kilowatts of laser power.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exceeding-expectations-with-laser-communication">Exceeding expectations with laser communication</h2>



By utilizing laser technology, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-sent-pet-photos-to-the-space-station-using-lasers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data transmission</a> rates can reach levels up to 100 times higher than those achievable with radio frequencies. 



This offers the incredible potential to transmit complex scientific data, high-definition imagery, and even video footage, opening up new avenues for human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-spirit-and-opportunity-rovers-celebrate-20-years-on-the-red-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exploration of Mars</a> and beyond.



The technology demo's data is sent to and from Psyche as bits encoded in near-infrared light, which has a higher frequency than radio waves, allowing for much higher rates of data transfer. 



Even at the astounding distance of 33 million miles away, the technology demonstration was capable of transmitting data at speeds akin to broadband internet.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="ywSPOUItih-3902380-12187" type="single"]</div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transmitting-data-at-high-speeds">Transmitting data at high speeds</h2>



The ultimate goal of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/deep-space-optical-communications-dsoc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deep Space Optical Communications</a> and laser technology is to demonstrate the capability of transmitting data at higher speeds than traditional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psyche-mission-paves-a-revolutionary-path-toward-deep-space-communication/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space communication</a> technologies.



In reaching this goal, the project has had the unique opportunity to test the transmission of various data sets including artwork, high-definition video, and engineering data from the Psyche spacecraft.



A significant triumph came on December 11, 2023, when the tech demo beamed the first ultra-high-definition video from space to Earth from a distance of 19 million miles. 



The video included digital versions of artwork, images of the team's pets, and spoof television test patterns from the previous century along with scenes from Earth and space.



The flight transceiver will be powered back up on November 4, marking an important test of the flight hardware's longevity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-deep-space-communication">Future of deep space communication</h2>



This demonstration is just one in a series funded by the Space Technology Mission Directorate's Technology Demonstration Missions Program and the agency's SCaN program. 



Many institutions and businesses have offered their support for the development of the flight laser transceiver and the ground systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-the-horizons-of-space-exploration">Expanding the horizons of space exploration</h2>



NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications project not only sets a new benchmark for communication distances but also lays the groundwork for future missions to Mars and beyond. 



As human missions venture further into space, the need for reliable and rapid communication will only grow. 



This laser-based technology offers the promise of transmitting vast amounts of scientific data back to Earth, including complex research findings and high-definition video that could be vital for monitoring astronaut health, habitat conditions, and geological discoveries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-laser-communication-missions">Laser communication missions</h2>



Furthermore, the success of this technology opens doors for the potential use of laser communications in missions to distant planets or even interstellar space. 



As part of NASA's larger strategy, this tech demonstration aligns with the agency's goals to establish a sustained human presence on Mars by the 2030s. 



High-speed, high-capacity communication could support these long-duration missions by enabling real-time updates, efficient mission control, and enhanced communication between crew members and Earth. 



By proving that laser communications can operate effectively over such great distances, NASA is setting the stage for future interplanetary networks that could one day make space as connected as our own planet.



Video Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

NASA's laser breakthrough: A new era of cosmic communication

NASA’s Deep Space Optical Communications tech demo continues to break...

You may have felt the comforting chill of fall rolling in this September, but not everyone was sharing the same sentiment.



Taking a peek into official documents from the European Union's Climate Change Programme, the global average temperature for September 2024 stood at a staggering 61.1°F (16.17°C). This makes it the second-hottest September that we have on record. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-september-2024-record-in-the-making">September 2024: Record in the making</h2>



In fact, this temperature was a hair's breadth away from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-just-experienced-its-hottest-day-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">record set</a> in September 2023, which read a blistering 61.4°F (16.38°C). The scientists point unerringly at human-induced greenhouse gas emissions as the chief culprit.



Some spots on our planet bore the brunt of this heat in September 2024 more than others. When we compare these temperatures to records of the last three decades, the upward trajectory of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-is-likely-the-hottest-year-in-recorded-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global temperatures</a> is all too clear.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historic-temperature-perspective">Historic temperature perspective</h2>



The EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service (<a href="https://climate.copernicus.eu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">C3S</a>) - a dedicated climate watchdog located in Bonn, Germany - has a few stark figures to share. 



The September 2024 temperature rose a scary 2.77°F (1.54°C) above the average temperature noted between 1850-1900. Given that we consider this period the "pre-industrial" era, these numbers tell a sobering story of our rapidly changing climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-rainfall-in-september-2024">Extreme rainfall in September 2024 </h2>



"September 2024 was the second warmest both globally and for Europe," said Samantha Burgess, deputy director of C3S.&nbsp;



Moreover, the escalation in global air temperatures kicked off a series of unusually wet weather. This phenomenon is tied to a warmer atmosphere's capacity to hold more moisture. But what does this mean in our daily lives?



"The extreme rainfall events of this month, something we are observing more and more often, have been made worse by a warmer atmosphere, leading to more intense rainfall with months’ worth of rain falling in just a few days," said Burgess. 



"The risk of extreme rainfall will continue to increase with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scorching-summer-of-2024-could-make-it-the-hottest-year-on-record/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rising temperatures</a>; the sooner we reach net zero emissions, the sooner we can mitigate this risk."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-year-of-extremes">A year of extremes </h2>



The comprehensive temperature readings from C3S suggest that 2024 was a year of extremes. The first half of the year, from January to June, saw each month outdoing its predecessor to become the hottest for that period. 



However, July 2024 dialled it down a notch, falling short of its record-breaking counterpart from 2023. And while September 2024 did not break any records, it was still considerably warmer than what we were used to 20-30 years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-thermometer">Rising thermometer</h2>



Taking stock of the situation, C3S emphasizes a trend that is perhaps the most troubling - the sustained increase in the global average temperature.



Looking at the data from October 2023 to September 2024, we find the global average temperature to be the second-highest on record for any 12-month period. 



The last 12 months were a heated 1.33°F (0.74°C) above the average temperature between 1991 and 2020 and an alarming 2.91°F (1.62°C) above the pre-industrial average of 1850 to 1900.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-and-rain-in-europe">Heat and rain in Europe </h2>



Europe had its own unique brush with extreme weather. September 2024 was the second warmest on record for the continent, just trailing September 2023. 



Along with the heat wave, the continent also saw a surge in rainfall, culminating in flooding and significant damage in Central and Eastern Europe.



Beyond the borders of Europe, excessive temperatures were noted in Canada, the central and western United States, South America, northeast Africa, China, and Japan.



The global average sea surface temperature was pinned at 20.83°C in September 2024, making it the second highest for that month (after September 2023).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uk-s-weather-story-in-september-2024">UK’s weather story in September 2024</h2>



The UK experienced variable temperatures and continuous showers in September, starting off warm and sticky but taking a cooler turn by the 11th. While it was the wettest September for some counties, including Bedfordshire and Oxfordshire, no national monthly records were broken.



The facts lay it bare - our planet is heating up at an alarming pace, fueled by human activities. It's time we <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indoor-heating-and-cooling-systems-affect-city-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">take action to rein in emissions</a> and put the brakes on global warming.



-----



Like what you read?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>&nbsp;for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a>&nbsp;and Earth.com.



-----

September 2024 was the second-hottest month ever recorded

You may have felt the comforting chill of fall rolling...

In the current environmental crisis, how valid is the old saying: There are plenty more fish in the sea?



Well, this perennial fish tale might have a fresh twist. A recent study reveals that environmental conservation efforts have made a significant contribution to the amount of fish on coral reefs.



The international research team used survey data to estimate fish abundance on 2,600 tropical reef locations. Fish biomass is an important indicator of the health of coral reefs.



The experts developed a model which indicated nearly 10% of reef fish biomass can be attributed to environmental protection measures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threat-of-overfishing">Threat of overfishing </h2>



The research was led by Professor Joshua Cinner in the School of Geosciences at the University of Sydney, who worked closely with lead analyst Dr. Iain Caldwell from the Wildlife Conservation Society.



Professor Cinner emphasized the issue of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-and-habitat-degradation-have-devastated-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overfishing</a>, a threat to the livelihoods of coastal communities worldwide.



"Millions of people depend on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-coral-reef-fish-survive-in-the-worlds-warmest-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reef fish</a> for their livelihoods and nutrition. Overfishing is severely threatening the well-being of coastal communities right across the globe. Protection can help boost fish stocks and have flow-on benefits for people," said Professor Cinner. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-coral-conundrum">The coral conundrum</h2>



Coral reefs, the vibrant underwater ecosystems, are buckling under human-induced pressures including climate change, pollution, and overfishing. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-protected-areas-improve-well-being-in-coastal-communities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine protected areas</a> (MPAs) have been established by several governments. These areas restrict human activities to preserve marine habitats. However, currently only about 8% of the world’s oceans are covered by MPAs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bolder-framework-for-fish-conservation">Bolder framework for fish conservation </h2>



In a refreshing commitment towards preserving biodiversity, at the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference, 196 countries pledged to protect 30% of the world’s terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine areas by 2030. 



This initiative, referred to as 30x30, is expected to significantly expand the reach of marine protected areas.



Professor Cinner elaborated on the enormous potential of the 30x30 initiative. "Our modeling showed that we could get up to 28 percent more fish on coral reefs globally by increasing the coverage of fully protected reefs to 30 percent - but only if these reefs are chosen strategically.”



On the other hand, Dr. Caldwell believes no-take zones aren't the only solution. "No-take zones are punching above their weight, especially when they are well complied with, but they aren't the only way to increase <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-are-quickly-losing-ability-to-support-fish-due-to-plankton-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish populations</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increasing-coral-reef-fish-stocks">Increasing coral reef fish stocks</h2>



The study revealed that more than half of the coral reefs surveyed had no fishing constraints. The research team estimated the potential benefits of fishing restrictions on these reefs.



The predictive model indicated that the implementation of fishing restrictions on all currently unmanaged <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reefs-could-vanish-if-temperatures-continue-to-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral reefs</a> could further increase global coral reef fish stocks by an additional 10.5 percent.



"Fisheries restrictions aren’t as effective as no-take MPAs on a per area basis, but they tend to be less controversial with fishers, which means compliance can be better, and they can be implemented at very large scales," said Professor Cinner. "Sustaining coral reef fish populations will require using every tool in the toolbox.”



Can we, then, truly claim that there are still plenty more fish in the sea? The answer lies in strategic environmental protection measures, balanced fishing practices, and a collective commitment to marine conservation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-empowering-local-communities">Empowering local communities </h2>



Local communities play a vital role in marine conservation, especially in regions where fishing is a primary livelihood. In many tropical areas, coastal communities depend heavily on fish not only for food but also as a source of income.



Recognizing the importance of sustainable practices, several conservation programs now include community-led initiatives to monitor and manage fish stocks effectively.



Community-managed marine areas (CMMAs) have proven successful in regions like the Pacific Islands, where local fishers actively enforce sustainable fishing practices. 



These initiatives are designed to complement marine protected areas (MPAs), allowing communities to take an active role in preserving their marine resources while ensuring their livelihoods.



Incorporating local knowledge and building a sense of ownership can lead to higher compliance rates and more effective conservation outcomes. 



As the global push towards marine biodiversity gains momentum, community-driven solutions could be crucial for protecting fish populations.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Plenty more fish in the sea? This depends on conservation efforts

In the current environmental crisis, how valid is the old...

On most sunny days, the sight of bees buzzing around flowers brightens our day. They fly around with a certain zest, full of purpose. 



But what if these hardworking bees can feel the weight of the world like we do? Fascinating new research reveals that bees experience stress, and it drives them to make pessimistic choices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-and-its-influence-on-bees">Stress and its influence on bees</h2>



Scientists at Newcastle University have discovered that bees, just like us humans, exhibit emotion-like responses to stressful events.



What does this mean? Well, the research findings tell us that when stressed, bees lower their expectations of rewards, which eventually influences how they approach <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-honey-bee-day-protecting-our-vital-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollination</a>.



So, how did the researchers find this out? The team trained the bees to decipher whether a specific color signaled a good or bad outcome.



The bees learned to associate different colors with different outcomes. One color pointed to a location full of sweet rewards, while another led them to a location with fewer rewards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-induced-pessimism-in-bees">Stress-induced pessimism in bees</h2>



The experiment further divided the bees into different groups where some experienced a simulated predatory attack, a cause of stress, while others did not. The results were intriguing



"Our study shows that bees are more pessimistic after stress as their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/good-nutrition-is-key-to-honey-bee-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behavior</a> suggests that they do not expect to get rewards," explained study co-author Dr. Vivek Nityananda.



“Emotions are complex states and in humans involve a subjective understanding of what you are feeling. We might never know if bees feel something similar, however, what this research can say is that bees have similar responses when they are stressed and make pessimistic choices.



“The best explanation for their behavior is that they expect high rewards to be less likely and exhibit traits of pessimistic people.”



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



Why does this matter? Well, it matters a lot, especially for our ecosystem. Stress can impact how bees approach flowers and pollinate plants, and their ability to access high-quality rewards.



So, this stress-induced shift in behavior can potentially affect the entire pollination process.



On the brighter side, this research broadens our understanding of emotions, as we found similar traits in an organism as different as an insect.



"Our research suggests that, like other animals including humans, bees may experience emotion-like states when stressed, as demonstrated by a clear shift towards pessimism," noted Dr. Olga Procenko, who led this research at <a href="https://www.ncl.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newcastle University</a> and is currently a researcher at the University of Birmingham.



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



The fascinating findings of this study certainly pave the way for further exploration. The experts still need to investigate how this phenomenon may affect the pollination of flowers and plants.



"We need to figure out how bees evaluate rewards when stressed and whether these states in bees show other properties we see in emotions. We also need to investigate the neural mechanisms involved and see if bees in the wild show similar responses," noted Dr. Nityananda.



Certainly, the road to understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bees-face-a-multitude-of-complex-stressors-in-the-field/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our buzzing friends</a> better is filled with many more questions to answer. Perhaps in unraveling the mystery of the bees' world, we might also gain a better understanding of our own.



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



Understanding the emotional states of bees offers profound insights not just on a theoretical level but also in practical applications affecting agriculture and ecology. 



Bees play a crucial role in pollinating approximately 80% of flowering plants and a staggering one-third of the human food supply is dependent on bee pollination. 



Recognizing how stress influences their foraging patterns could lead to improved strategies for managing bee populations and mitigating the adverse effects of environmental stressors. 



Enhanced satellite monitoring of bee habitats, development of stress-reducing habitats, and focused conservation efforts could be devised to maintain vital bee populations, thereby ensuring the stability and sustainability of many ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotional-capacities-of-insects">Emotional capacities of insects</h2>



The findings from Newcastle University serve as a springboard for further studies, encouraging scientists to explore the emotional capacities of insects.



The next phase of research could focus on the long-term effects of stress on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bee-colonies-are-collapsing-as-climate-change-progresses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bee populations</a> and analyze whether similar emotional responses are evident in other arthropods.



Additionally, interdisciplinary approaches involving neuroscience, ethology, and environmental science might uncover the neural pathways and physiological mechanisms driving these emotion-like states in bees. 



By expanding research to include varied environmental conditions, scientists can develop a comprehensive understanding of how these emotion-like states might influence ecological interactions, ultimately helping to devise better conservation strategies to protect these vital pollinators in an increasingly changing world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.0512" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences</a>.



-----



Like what you read?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>&nbsp;for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a>&nbsp;and Earth.com.



-----

Stressed out bees get depressed and make bad decisions

On most sunny days, the sight of bees buzzing around...

The catastrophic event that wiped out the dinosaurs some 66 million years ago wasn’t all doom and gloom - it also set the stage for a remarkable mutualistic relationship between certain ants and fungi.&nbsp;



The meteor impact that led to mass extinctions created an environment ripe for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungi-may-communicate-using-up-to-50-words/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungi</a> that thrive on organic matter, which was in abundance as plants and animals perished. 



This opened the door for the ancestor of modern leafcutter ants to begin cultivating fungi, according to a new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.adn7179" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-origin-of-ant-agriculture">Origin of ant agriculture </h2>



“The origin of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungus-farming-ants-work-hard-to-maintain-healthy-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungus-farming ants</a> was relatively well understood, but a more precise timeline for these microorganisms was lacking,” explained André Rodrigues, a professor at the <a href="https://www.ibb.unesp.br/#!/english" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Biosciences at São Paulo State University</a> (IB-UNESP). 



“The work provides the smallest margin of error to date for the emergence of these fungal strains, which were previously thought to be more recent.”



Rodrigues coordinates the project “Collaborative research: Dimensions US-São Paulo: integrating phylogeny, genetics, and chemical ecology to unravel the tangled bank of the multipartite fungus-farming ant symbiosis,” supported by the <a href="https://fapesp.br/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">São Paulo Research Foundation</a> (FAPESP) collaboration with the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. National Science Foundation</a> (NSF). 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-line-of-fungi">Evolutionary line of fungi</h2>



The research team made their breakthrough by analyzing ultraconserved elements (UCEs) in the genomes of 475 fungal species cultivated by ants. UCEs are genetic regions that remain stable across species, allowing scientists to trace evolutionary paths.



“In this case, we were interested in the regions close to these elements. They show the most recent differences between species and allow us to trace a fairly accurate evolutionary line,” explained co-author Pepijn Wilhelmus Kooij, a researcher at IB-UNESP.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungi-farmed-by-ants">Fungi farmed by ants</h2>



This method enabled the researchers to establish that two distinct fungal lineages, now cultivated by today’s leafcutter ants (known as Attini), emerged almost simultaneously 66 million years ago.&nbsp;



This discovery provides a clearer timeline for the development of this remarkable mutualism - where ants and fungi depend on each other for survival - occurring tens of millions of years before human agriculture.



The study also identified a second group of fungi, known as coral fungi, which began to be cultivated by ants around 21 million years ago. These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-transfer-massive-amounts-of-carbon-to-fungi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungi</a> form structures resembling tiny coral colonies and represent a fascinating diversification of this ancient relationship.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ant-agriculture-expanded-under-pressure">Ant agriculture expanded under pressure </h2>



The research supports the idea that the fungi were already somewhat adapted for mutualism before ant agriculture began.&nbsp;



“It is likely that the ancestor of the leafcutter ant group lived in close proximity to fungi, possibly feeding on them or their byproducts,” Rodrigues said.&nbsp;



However, the intense environmental pressure from the meteor impact may have transformed this casual relationship into a full-blown mutual dependency, where the fungi relied on ants for survival and reproduction, while the ants depended on the fungi as a primary food source.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ants-influence-the-growth-of-fungi">Ants influence the growth of fungi</h2>



Today, four different groups of ants cultivate four types of fungi. Some ants even influence the growth of the fungi to ensure they receive specific nutrients.&nbsp;



“When we cultivate them in the lab, the fungi take the expected form of hyphae. However, inside the colony, one of these hyphae types becomes swollen and forms structures similar to grape clusters, rich in sugars. We still don’t know how the ants do this,” Kooij said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nutritional-crisis-after-meteor-impact-nbsp">Nutritional crisis after meteor impact&nbsp;</h2>



Mauricio Bacci Junior, a professor at IB-UNESP and co-author of the paper, noted that the origin of this fungus-farming practice was likely an adaptation to a nutritional crisis faced by the ants after the meteor impact.&nbsp;



“With the abundance of fungi and fewer food options, ants that already had some relationship with fungi found them to be useful when cultivated,” he explained.&nbsp;



The fungi decompose organic matter brought by the ants, which in turn consume the substances produced by the fungi that they cannot obtain from other sources. “It’s as if the fungus were the insect’s external stomach,” Bacci said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dynamic-evolutionary-partnership-nbsp">Dynamic evolutionary partnership&nbsp;</h2>



After the ants began farming fungi, another evolutionary shift occurred around 27 million years ago with the expansion of the Cerrado, a savanna-like biome.&nbsp;



The expansion opened more arid areas, which provided a second selective pressure and led to the diversification of leafcutter ants. This adaptation also likely spurred the fungi to evolve and become more efficient at both producing food for the ants and decomposing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-matter-in-a-crater-sparks-new-questions-about-life-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organic matter</a>.



Today, enzymes produced by the fungi cultivated by ants are being studied for their biotechnological potential. These enzymes not only break down organic material but are also being researched for their ability to degrade other substances, including plastics.



The study sheds new light on the complex and ancient relationship between ants and fungi, revealing a dynamic evolutionary partnership that has existed for millions of years.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Dinosaur extinction led to the emergence of ‘ant agriculture’

The catastrophic event that wiped out the dinosaurs some 66...

New research from the University of British Columbia (UBC) confirms that distracted pedestrians are at a significantly higher risk of injury compared to those who remain attentive while navigating busy streets,&nbsp;



The research provides concrete evidence that pedestrians distracted by activities such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/texting-pain-neck-literally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">texting</a> or talking on the phone face a greater danger of vehicle interaction, validating prior assumptions about the risks of distracted walking.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-issue-of-road-safety-nbsp">Global issue of road safety&nbsp;</h2>



The study authors noted that road safety continues to be a pressing global issue, with pedestrians accounting for 23% of traffic fatalities worldwide.



“Pedestrians are considered vulnerable road users who have little to no protection when interacting with vehicles, which makes crashes involving them considerably more severe.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distracted-pedestrians-at-risk">Distracted pedestrians at risk</h2>



“Several studies have developed pedestrian-vehicle interaction models. However, these studies failed to consider pedestrian distraction, which considerably influences the safety of these interactions,” noted the study authors.&nbsp;



“Utilizing data from two intersections in Vancouver, Canada, this research uses the Multi-agent Adversarial Inverse Reinforcement Learning (MA-AIRL) framework to make inferences about the behavioral dynamics of distracted and non-distracted pedestrians while interacting with vehicles.”&nbsp;



The research shows that distracted pedestrians often remain unaware of their surroundings, making fewer adjustments to their path or speed. This lack of awareness increases the likelihood of a more severe interaction with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/direct-evidence-electric-vehicles-measurably-reduce-carbon-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vehicles</a>, resulting in a 45% higher chance of close calls or near misses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-walking-without-distraction-nbsp">Walking without distraction&nbsp;</h2>



“Non-distracted pedestrians made safer choices when interacting with vehicles,” explained Tarek Sayed, the lead researcher, a civil engineering professor and transportation safety expert in UBC’s Faculty of Applied Science.&nbsp;



“They maintained greater distances from vehicles, yielded more frequently to oncoming traffic, and adjusted their speed when necessary.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-drivers-respond-to-distracted-pedestrians-nbsp">How drivers respond to distracted pedestrians&nbsp;</h2>



The study also found that drivers behaved differently when encountering distracted pedestrians. Drivers tended to slow down as they approached these individuals, recognizing the unpredictable behavior that comes with distraction.



The research used advanced tools like a computer vision system developed at UBC and artificial intelligence simulation models to analyze video data from two bustling intersections in downtown Vancouver.&nbsp;



The analysis focused on distracted pedestrians - those using their phones to text, talk, or listen to music - and pedestrians who were not distracted, as well as traffic conflicts where road users are on a collision course.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pedestrian-safety-interventions-nbsp">Pedestrian safety interventions&nbsp;</h2>



The study’s findings could be crucial in shaping pedestrian safety interventions and traffic models.&nbsp;



Study co-author Tala Alsharif, a graduate student in civil engineering at UBC, suggests that this data could be used to adjust crosswalk signal cycles or introduce audio signals to alert distracted pedestrians when it’s time to cross the street.&nbsp;



“City planners could also display warnings specifically for pedestrians distracted by their phones - perhaps even introduce mobile notifications that prevent pedestrians from using their phones while crossing,” Alsharif said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strategies-to-reduce-pedestrian-risks">Strategies to reduce pedestrian risks</h2>



The study also proposes solutions for improving infrastructure design. For example, identifying high-risk zones where pedestrian distraction is common could allow for the implementation of sensor-based alert systems. Raised crosswalks might also make pedestrians more visible to drivers in such areas.



“By incorporating our findings into future research and traffic management approaches, we’ll be better able to assess pedestrian risks and develop strategies to improve <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/traffic-robot-designed-to-help-children-cross-roads-safely/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">road safety</a>,” said co-author Gabriel Lanzaro, a graduate student at UBC.



The study highlights the growing need to address distracted walking as cities continue to expand, and traffic interactions become more complex.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-effective-safety-interventions-nbsp">More effective safety interventions&nbsp;</h2>



The insights gained from this research could pave the way for smarter infrastructure design and more effective safety interventions aimed at keeping pedestrians safer in increasingly busy urban environments.



“These findings emphasize the importance of refining pedestrian simulation models to include the unique behavioral patterns from pedestrian distractions. This should assist in further examining the safety impacts of pedestrian distraction on the road environment,” the authors concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2024.107789" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Accident Analysis and Prevention</a>



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Distracted walking: Texting puts pedestrians at risk

New research from the University of British Columbia (UBC) confirms...

Comb,Jelly,Drifting,Underwater,In,The,Ocean,Water,Column

In a captivating intersection of science and the oddities of nature, researchers have discovered that the comb jellyfish has an incredible ability to fuse with another individual after injury.



This species pushes the boundaries of what we understand about survival mechanisms, regeneration, and the very concept of individuality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comb-jellyfish-fuse-for-healing">Comb jellyfish fuse for healing</h2>



We are all familiar with the concept of healing. A cut finger knits itself back together, while a broken bone grows new threads of cells that gradually mend the fracture. But this regeneration, scientists have found, can take a more startling form in the world of comb jellies.



Imagine two injured jellies, each struggling to recover on their own. But now, put them together and watch the magic. They begin to fuse, and before you know it, two entities have become one. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-killifish-regeneration-may-help-us-heal-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healing</a> here is not just mutual - it's shared.



This intriguing observation was made by Kei Jokura and his team at the University of Exeter. The researchers have found that the synchronization extends not only to muscle contractions but also to their digestive systems, enabling them to feed together.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shocking-discovery-in-the-lab">Shocking discovery in the lab </h2>



It all started in a lab, with a population of comb jellies housed in a seawater tank. The researchers noticed that one unusually large jelly sported two sets of sensory apparatus where it should have had only one.



This odd sight led them to suspect that this individual might be a marvel of two injured jellies that had fused together.



To investigate, the team conducted an experiment where they removed partial lobes from individual comb jellies and placed them close together. In 9 out of 10 instances, the injured comb jellies fused into one entity, which lived for at least 3 weeks post <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-zebrafish-heart-regeneration-could-transform-human-cardiac-care/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fusion</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-fusion-of-comb-jellies">Rapid fusion of comb jellies</h2>



Interestingly, this fusion didn't take months or weeks - it was a matter of just one night. The two original individuals became a single entity, with no apparent separation. When stimulated, the whole body reacted, indicating a complete fusion of their nervous systems as well.



“Resulting in a synchronized muscle contraction on the other side when mechanical stimulation is applied to one side of the fused ctenophore," explained Jokura.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="RWNOzoIYTC-3900257-12187" type="single"]</div>



Detailed observations revealed that the newly fused comb jellies spent their first hour exploring spontaneous individual movements. 



However, within two hours, their muscle contractions started to sync up. Astonishingly, 95% of the fused animal’s muscle contractions were completely synchronous.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-do-comb-jellyfish-fuse">Why do comb jellyfish fuse?</h2>



Even their digestive systems weren’t left out of this merger. When one of the fused entity's mouths consumed labeled brine shrimp, both sections of the body processed and expelled the food, although not simultaneously.



Despite these fascinating observations, the reasons behind this fusion remain a mystery. How does becoming one serve as a survival strategy? With further research, the scientific community hopes to unravel this mystery and shed light on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/axolotls-regeneration-powers-critically-endangered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deeper mechanisms</a> at play.



“The allorecognition mechanisms are related to the immune system, and the fusion of nervous systems is closely linked to research on regeneration,” said Jokura. “Unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying this fusion could advance these crucial research areas.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-implications-of-fusion">Evolutionary implications of fusion</h2>



The phenomenon of fusion in comb jellies may hold profound evolutionary implications. Such intricate interactions could provide insights into how organisms negotiate individuality versus communal living, a balance pivotal to understanding multicellular life.



Theories suggest that this ability to merge may be a primitive evolutionary trait, which in certain environments could confer significant adaptive benefits, such as enhanced mobility or shared metabolic processes. 



Further genetic studies may reveal whether this ability is conserved across other species, potentially unveiling a deep-rooted ancestral trait that challenges conventional views on organism development and identity.



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



The potential applications of understanding comb jelly fusion extend into various scientific domains, ranging from regenerative medicine to robotics. 



By uncovering the molecular and genetic factors that enable such seamless integrations, researchers hope to draw parallels that could enhance tissue engineering and wound healing processes.



The regenerative capacity displayed by comb jellies might inspire new methodologies for repairing or replacing human tissues. Furthermore, the robotics industry could design systems with autonomous repair capabilities, mimicking biological systems.



As the scientific community continues to probe these fascinating occurrences, collaborations across disciplines will be crucial to harnessing the full potential of these findings and translating them into tangible innovations. 



Ultimately, this discovery opens up a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-find-a-way-to-regenerate-old-neurons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">world of potential implications</a> for regenerative research.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(24)01023-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Comb jellyfish can 'fuse' with a friend and become one creature after injury

In a captivating intersection of science and the oddities of...

As we edge into the latter half of 2024, an unsettling trend has taken hold around the globe. Temperatures have soared to unseen heights, pushing the global average to an unprecedented 17.16°C (62.89°F) in July and intensifying drought conditions worldwide.



This blazing escalation in global heat is not an isolated even t- its implications reverberate through ecosystems, economies, and the everyday lives of millions of people.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-of-global-drought">Impacts of global drought</h2>



Such extreme heat has culminated in the accelerated evaporation of soil water, leaving vegetation in a fragile state and stressing biodiversity in numerous regions worldwide.&nbsp;



Coupled with atypically low rainfall, major river basins like the Amazon, La Plata, and Zambezi have witnessed dwindling water flows - greatly impacting the broader ecosystems and economies tied to them.



A bizarre fusion of climate factors, namely El Niño, the positive phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole, and the warm phase of the Tropical North Atlantic, has exacerbated drought conditions in select regions.&nbsp;



Consequently, South America, southern Africa, and parts of Mediterranean and eastern Europe are grappling with severe water scarcity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-widespread-temperature-anomalies">Widespread temperature anomalies </h2>



The European Commission's Joint Research Center&nbsp;(<a href="https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/departments-and-executive-agencies/joint-research-centre_en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JRC</a>) recently published a report entitled "Global Drought Overview.- September 2024," which offers a detailed analysis of temperature and rainfall anomalies. 



The paper reveals that several regions of the world have experienced very pronounced warm temperature anomalies. 



In July 2024, temperature anomalies exceeded 3°C in north-western North America, eastern Canada, the Mediterranean, eastern Europe, south-eastern and central Africa, Iran, western and central Russia, Japan, and Antarctica.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prolonged-drought-events">Prolonged drought events</h2>



The time period from August 2023 to July 2024 witnessed 52 individual prolonged meteorological drought events. 



The most grievous and enduring droughts coursed through South America, central and eastern Asia, central Africa, and North America.



With droughts, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-activities-are-fueling-more-extreme-heatwaves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heatwaves</a>, and warm spells plaguing many parts of the world, crop productivity has taken a significant hit. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ripple-effects-of-drought">Ripple effects of drought</h2>



Drought-stricken areas are now contending with dwindling crop yields and outright crop failures, influencing income levels and local economies.



This domino effect has dangerously ramped up food stress to crisis levels across the world. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-help-reduce-food-insecurity-in-rural-communities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scarcity of food</a>&nbsp;leaves the most vulnerable populations exposed to heightened hunger and malnutrition risks.&nbsp;



In southern Africa, for instance, millions are likely to rely on food aid in the near future. The lethal combination of a prolonged lack of rain and high evaporation has sent water sources such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs on a steep descent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-power-and-water-shortages">Power and water shortages</h2>



The Amazon River's alarmingly low water levels are threatening agriculture, drinking water supplies, transportation, and hydropower production in South America.&nbsp;



Simultaneously, southern Africa is grappling with power shortages and blackouts courtesy of the extremely low water flow of the Zambezi River.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/running-dry-water-shortages-in-the-colorado-river/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Water shortages</a>&nbsp;have forced governments in Morocco, Spain, Italy, and South Africa to implement water use restrictions.&nbsp;



As a result, disputes over water rights in the Nile Basin and some parts of South America are pressing issues.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urgent-need-for-adaptation">Urgent need for adaptation</h2>



Despite predictions that Central Africa and northern Europe could experience wetter-than-average conditions in the coming months, the general trend will be persistent dry and warmer-than-average conditions across the majority of the affected regions. This is likely to further reduce&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-may-have-altered-river-flow-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">river flows</a>&nbsp;and strain water resources.



Efficient water management, which includes reducing water loss throughout grid pipelines, sustainable irrigation systems, and investing in rainwater harvesting and desalination, can contribute to building water resilience in these trying times.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-need-for-proactive-measures">Need for proactive measures </h2>



Such a grim forecast highlights the urgent need for international cooperation and swift interventions, particularly in the most affected regions. 



For example, more than 30 million people - primarily in southern Africa - will require food assistance between October 2024 and March 2025.



Proactive measures like drought monitoring can equip farmers and policymakers with crucial evidence to anticipate and prepare for drought events. 



The use of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/common-weed-may-lead-to-drought-resistant-crops/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drought-resistant crops</a>, which require less water and have a higher tolerance for heat, can also help reduce food loss.&nbsp;



Additional proactive measures include agricultural practices like agroforestry techniques, conservation tillage, and crop rotation.



The report is published by the <a href="https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC139423" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Commission</a>.



-----



Like what you read?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>&nbsp;for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a>&nbsp;and Earth.com.



-----

Global drought has caused crisis levels of food and water scarcity

As we edge into the latter half of 2024, an...

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

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

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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"

[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"] Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"]</div>



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)



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="MHyhtebibJ-2200368-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="761m2QQvR1-2035772-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

Satellites have become essential to our survival

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