Every living organism relies on a genetic blueprint encoded in its DNA, yet the amount of DNA - or genome size - varies dramatically across the tree of life.&nbsp;



In animals alone, genome sizes range from the minuscule genome of Intoshia variabili, a marine parasite - which is about 200 times smaller than the human genome - to the massive genome of the marbled lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus) - which is over 40 times larger than ours.&nbsp;



Plants exhibit a similar range, with the fork fern (Tmesipteris oblanceolata) setting the record with a genome size over 50 times larger than that of humans.



This diversity in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/genome-mapping-completed-for-dozens-of-common-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genome</a> size reveals the vast variety of life forms on Earth, but it also raises a fascinating question: If smaller genomes lead to faster, more efficient growth, why do some species have larger genomes?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advantages-of-smaller-genome-sizes">Advantages of smaller genome sizes</h2>



The replication of DNA is essential for cell production and growth, making smaller genomes more efficient as they require fewer resources and time to replicate.&nbsp;



Smaller genomes demand fewer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/excess-nutrients-are-creating-ocean-dead-zones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nutrients</a>, especially the DNA-building elements nitrogen and phosphorus, making them ideal for rapid growth and reproduction.



Because of these advantages, it’s not surprising that most species have evolved with relatively small genomes.&nbsp;



However, large genomes persist in some organisms, suggesting that these genomes may confer certain benefits in specific environments, where the costs of carrying extra DNA are outweighed by unique growth advantages.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-large-genome-benefits-in-grasses">Exploring large genome benefits in grasses</h2>



A research team led by the <a href="https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sheffield</a> has recently studied the potential benefits of large genomes in grass species. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fairy-circles-kill-all-newly-planted-grasses-deepening-their-mystery/">Grasses</a>, a vast plant family found worldwide from arctic tundras to tropical savannas, vary in genome size, making them an ideal group to examine how genome size affects growth in different conditions.



The study, published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.20150" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Phytologist</a>, examined the growth of various grass species under conditions mimicking their natural environments - high temperatures, low nutrients, and drought. 



The scientists compared growth rates to each species’ genome size and observed that while grasses with smaller genomes generally grew better across most conditions, larger genomes provided advantages in two specific scenarios.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-large-genomes-thrive-in-nutrient-rich-environments">Large genomes thrive in nutrient-rich environments</h2>



The first scenario where larger genomes proved beneficial was in nutrient-rich soils. While low nutrient levels slowed down large-genome grasses, those with large genomes thrived in high-nutrient environments.&nbsp;



Here, the extra DNA content meant larger cells that produced more biomass, such as leaves, which allowed these plants to outgrow and overshadow neighbors with smaller genomes.&nbsp;



In nutrient-poor areas, however, the demands of replicating additional DNA outweighed these benefits, making smaller genomes more favorable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growing-seasons-and-genome-sizes">Growing seasons and genome sizes</h2>



The second advantage for large-genome grasses occurred in cooler environments, such as temperate regions with lower growing season temperatures.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-plants-grow-more-branches-and-become-bushy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plant growth</a> typically has two stages: cell division, where new cells are generated, and cell expansion, where cells swell with water to help the plant grow taller or spread. 



Cool temperatures significantly slow down cell division, but they have less impact on cell expansion.&nbsp;



Consequently, grasses with larger cells, which accompany large genomes, can expand more rapidly by cell enlargement even in cooler weather, outpacing smaller-genome plants that rely on faster cell division in warmer temperatures.



This cell expansion process explains the early spring growth of plants like daffodils and bluebells, which also have large genomes.&nbsp;



These plants perform much of their cell division in warmer months, allowing them to use cell expansion to grow quickly in early spring, well before smaller-genome plants begin to compete for light and nutrients.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genome-size-diversity">Genome size diversity</h2>



The diversity in genome sizes among grasses may be one reason for their global success, as it allows them to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions.&nbsp;



While smaller genomes typically support efficient growth, larger genomes offer unique advantages in specific environments, enabling certain species to thrive where others cannot.&nbsp;



This genetic diversity in grasses underscores the importance of variation in supporting species’ survival and adaptability across ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genome-size-and-evolutionary-success">Genome size and evolutionary success</h2>



The relationship between genome size and survival is not limited to plants. Our own medium-sized genome has supported humanity’s adaptability, though we don’t face the same nutrient limitations as stationary plants.&nbsp;



Unlike grasses, humans can move to seek out food and resources, which may allow us to bear the metabolic costs associated with our DNA without significant limitation.&nbsp;



This mobility highlights how different species leverage their genetic make-up in conjunction with unique behaviors and environmental interactions to thrive across diverse habitats.



In summary, the role of genome size in evolutionary success is nuanced and complex.&nbsp;



From the efficient replication of small genomes to the adaptability enabled by larger ones, genome size continues to shape the ecological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asian-forests-proving-resilient-both-climate-change-human-actions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resilience</a> and global distribution of life on Earth.



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How does genome size impact evolutionary success?

Every living organism relies on a genetic blueprint encoded in its DNA, yet the amount of DNA - or genome size - varies dramatically across the tree of life.&nbsp; In animals alone, genome sizes range from the minuscule genome of Intoshia variabili, a marine parasite - which is about 200 times smaller than the human genome - to the massive genome of the marbled lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus) - which is over 40 times larger than ours.&nbsp; Plants exhibit a similar range, with the fork fern (Tmesipteris oblanceolata)...

Is there more to the phrase "you are what you eat" than we might think? Perhaps we should also be considering - not just what - but when we eat. The timing of meals plays a significant role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-protein-with-intermittent-fasting-better-weight-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overall health and well-being</a>. Recent research has shed light upon the benefits of intermittent fasting.



Dr. Krista Varady, a leading scientist in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition at the <a href="https://www.uic.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Illinois Chicago</a>, specializes in intermittent fasting with over fifteen years of research in weight management and metabolic diseases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-intermittent-fasting">Impact of intermittent fasting </h2>



Intermittent fasting is a structured eating pattern. It involves cycles of eating and not eating. This method is designed to manage calorie intake that works within specific timeframes.



The technique has garnered significant attention in the scientific community. In short, the method involves alternating periods of eating and fasting, which can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fasting-triggers-remarkable-changes-throughout-the-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">help regulate metabolism</a> and support weight management.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-for-thought">Food for thought</h2>



This special issue of research features several studies. One notable study, led by Dr. Alaina P. Vidmar from the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Keck School of Medicine of USC, focuses on type 2 diabetes in adolescents.



This condition is increasing in many communities. The study explores an 8-hour eating window for obese teenagers with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.



The results? Late time-restricted eating proved to be both safe and effective, leading to meaningful weight loss and a decrease in liver enzymes. Also, there were no negatives concerning sleep, eating behaviors or physical activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-night-owls-versus-early-birds">Night owls versus early birds</h2>



On another enlightening note, research from Dr. Jess A. Gwin at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine delves into our sleep patterns and our eating habits.



Conventional wisdom, and most parents, will tell you not to eat just before bed. This study supports that, pointing out that breakfast skipping and late-night snacking could mess with our sleep quality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intermittent-fasting-and-fitness">Intermittent fasting and fitness</h2>



One particularly intriguing aspect of intermittent fasting is its impact on exercise performance. Dr. Mark Mattson, a neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins University, played a crucial role in the study.



How does this work? During fasting, the body shifts from using glucose-based energy to ketones, which has been shown to enhance muscle efficiency and reduce recovery times.&nbsp;



Moreover, fasting seems to stimulate the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), aiding mental clarity and cognitive function. This additional benefit is a welcome bonus to any fitness regimen.



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



"Many people stop adhering to standard diets that restrict calories because they become frustrated with having to regularly monitor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fasting-helps-the-body-fight-inflammation-and-chronic-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food intake</a> day in and day out. Intermittent fasting protocols can bypass this requirement by allowing participants to simply ‘watch the clock’ instead of monitoring calories, while still producing weight loss," said Dr. Varady.



Furthermore, she noted, intermittent fasting does not require the purchase of expensive food products and allows individuals to continue consuming familiar foods, making it a highly accessible diet, especially for lower resource patient groups. 



"Although fasting regimens are no more effective than other diet interventions for weight management, these protocols offer individuals an alternative, straightforward approach to addressing obesity by omitting the need for calorie counting." 



Dr. Varady pointed out that while weight loss is important, having a diet with a wide variety of nutrient dense foods such as fruits, vegetables and legumes is paramount in maintaining a replete nutritional status. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tips-to-get-started">Tips to get started</h2>



Starting intermittent fasting can be simple with these tips:



<ol>
<li>Pick a fasting schedule that works for you, like:</li>
</ol>



<ul>
<li>16/8 method: Fast for 16 hours and eat during an 8-hour window.</li>



<li>5:2 method: Eat normally for 5 days and cut calories for 2 days.</li>
</ul>



<ol start="2">
<li>Start slowly by gradually increasing your fasting time.</li>



<li>Stay hydrated with water and herbal teas.</li>



<li>Plan your meals to avoid impulsive eating and ensure they are balanced.</li>



<li>Listen to your body; if you feel dizzy or very tired, adjust your plan.</li>



<li>Consult a healthcare professional before starting, especially if you have health issues.</li>
</ol>



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.jandonline.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics</a>.



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Intermittent fasting could be the key to better health

Is there more to the phrase "you are what you...

Climate models are essential tools for scientists, providing a glimpse into how our climate might change due to human-induced global warming. 



As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-temperatures-increase-scientists-plan-slow-down-rising-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global temperatures</a> continue to rise, these models help us predict and prepare for the impacts of an imminent climate crisis. 



However, recent findings suggest that our trust in these models might be misplaced, as not all predictions are as accurate as we presume.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-ice-cold-miscalculation">An ice-cold miscalculation</h2>



Right at the center of the stage, in a recently published investigation, stands the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM). 



It is one of the common models employed by geoscientists, but recent research brings up substantial inaccuracies in its predictions. 



This research was led by scientists in the Department of Earth System Science at <a href="https://uci.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Irvine</a> and the University of Michigan Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering. 



The study revealed that the E3SM overestimates a critical component of our climate system – albedo, or the degree to which <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-slow-antarctica-ice-melt-with-sunlight-reflecting-particles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice reflects sunlight</a> back into space.



The researchers discovered that the E3SM incorrectly magnified the level of sunlight reflection from the ice, causing a miscalculation in predicting the planet's warming.



"We found that with old model versions, the ice is too reflective by about five percent," noted Chloe Clarke, the team's project scientist.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-ice-albedo-matter">Why does ice albedo matter?</h2>



The amount of sunlight received and reflected back by the Earth is paramount in determining the rate at which the planet will continue to heat up. 



The E3SM's overestimation of albedo stems from not considering what the team refers to as the "microphysical properties of ice." 



In simpler terms, these are factors such as algae and dust that can disrupt the ice's reflecting capabilities. Dark-colored algae and dust can decrease reflectivity, making ice less effective at reflecting sunlight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-ice-absorbs-more-sunlight">Dark ice absorbs more sunlight</h2>



"A large portion of melt from the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) comes from regions with dark bare ice, because dark ice absorbs more incoming sunlight than regions with bright snow," noted the study authors. 



The experts pointed out that Earth System Models, which simulate changes in the Earth's climate and the impacts of these changes, prescribe the reflectivity of these dark ice regions as a constant. 



"This work shows that treating bare ice as though it has a constant reflectivity is not a good approximation, because the dark ice regions change as the winter snowpack melts and impurities accumulate on the ice surface."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-estimates-of-sea-ice-melt">Estimates of sea ice melt</h2>



The team used satellite data to monitor the albedo of the Greenland Ice Sheet to demonstrate the inaccurate reflection rates in E3SM. 



"The model estimates less melt than what would be expected from the ice microphysical properties," stated Clarke. 



The discovery of a more accurate ice reflectivity measurement predicted that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-ice-sheet-is-approaching-a-critical-tipping-point/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland Ice Sheet</a> is melting at a rate of about six gigatons more than older model versions estimated.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ripple-effect-on-climate-modeling">The ripple effect on climate modeling</h2>



These seemingly small inaccuracies can have considerable implications. The team hopes their findings will bolster the efficiency of climate models, illuminating the significance of snow and ice-related climate feedbacks. 



The experts now plan to extend their research beyond Greenland. The goal is to get it functional globally and not just valid over Greenland, explained Clarke. This will include applying the findings to glaciers in other regions, such as the Andes and Alaska, to measure the accuracy of the new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-regions-are-rapidly-warming-with-global-consequences/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice albedo</a>.



Our understanding of the Earth's climate is intricate and ever-evolving. This important work allows us to inch closer to a more accurate prediction of our planet's future, unraveling the complexities of our changing climate one small step at a time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhancing-the-accuracy-of-climate-models">Enhancing the accuracy of climate models</h2>



As the science of climate modeling continues to advance, the focus on accuracy is more crucial than ever.



Enhancements in climate models, such as the improved understanding of ice albedo, provide more reliable data for predicting future climate scenarios. 



These enhancements allow policymakers and scientists to make more informed decisions about climate action. 



With continued research and collaboration, we can refine these models to reflect the complexities of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-play-an-overlooked-role-in-the-climate-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's climate system</a> more precisely, ensuring that our strategies to combat climate change are based on the best available science.



The study is published in the <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023JD040241" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres</a>.



Image Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab



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Climate models underestimate sea ice melt and global warming

Climate models are essential tools for scientists, providing a glimpse...

Flavor seems to vanish when you're floating in space far above the world - maybe even on your way to Mars. As an astronaut, you open your meal packet, anticipating a tasty repast, only to find that your food tastes bland.



This isn't just your imagination; space travelers have long reported that flavor diminishes in zero gravity. But why does this happen?



A new study from <a href="https://www.rmit.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RMIT University</a> may have uncovered some answers to this cosmic culinary conundrum.



The researchers have delved into the complex relationship between our environment, our senses, and our perception of flavor, shedding new light on why <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/watermeal-may-become-an-essential-food-for-astronauts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space meals</a> might be missing that certain zing.



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



The question of why astronauts report that their meals taste bland in space has been a hard nut to crack. With this latest study, we might just be a step closer to finding the answers. 



The research focused on common <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-microbes-may-shape-the-flavor-of-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food aromas</a> - essentially, the cues our brains use to anticipate how food will taste - and how their perception changes in isolated environments like space.



The research team conducted an experiment using vanilla and almond extracts and lemon essential oil. The participants experienced a simulated version of the International Space Station (ISS) environment, replete with virtual reality goggles. 



The results were intriguing: participants found the vanilla and almond aromas more intense in the simulated space environment, while the lemon scent remained steady.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changes-in-aroma-perception">Changes in aroma perception </h2>



According to Dr. Julia Low, the lead researcher from the School of Science, these changes in aroma perception could be traced back to a specific sweet chemical found in vanilla and almond aromas, called <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-strawberry-flavor-for-foods-from-a-fungus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">benzaldehyde</a>.



The experts found that a person’s sensitivity to this specific smell and their spatial perception significantly influenced their taste experience.



"A greater sense of loneliness and isolation may also play a role, and there are implications from this study around how isolated people smell and taste food," said Dr. Low.



Interestingly, this is the first study of its kind to include a large sampling size - 54 adults - to capture the variation in personal experiences with taste and aroma in isolated environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-personalized-diets-on-earth">Personalized diets on Earth</h2>



But the study's findings aren't limited to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-astronauts-exercise-stay-fit-healthy-space-missions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">astronauts</a> and future space tourists. There's a broader impact, as these findings can help craft personalized diets for people living in relative isolation on Earth, such as residents of nursing homes.



“One of the long-term aims of the research is to make better tailored foods for astronauts, as well as other people who are in isolated environments, to increase their nutritional intake closer to 100 percent," said Dr. Low.



The study also provides new insights into the issue of fluid shift. This is a phenomenon where weightlessness in space causes body fluids to shift from lower to upper parts of the body, causing facial swelling and nasal congestion that can affect smell and taste.



Understanding this phenomenon is important if we want to improve the dining experience of our space explorers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-gateway-to-future-space-nutrition">A gateway to future space nutrition</h2>



Professor Gail Iles from RMIT, a former astronaut instructor and co-researcher, believes this research is crucial for the future of space travel, especially for long-term missions.



“What we’re going to see in the future with the Artemis missions are much longer missions, years in length, particularly when we go to Mars, so we really need to understand the problems with diet and food and how crew interact with their food,” said Professor Iles.



“If astronauts are still not enjoying their food even after fluid shift effects have gone, suggesting that there’s something more to this,” noted Dr. Low.



The study could pave the way for more research into the way we perceive food - both on Earth and beyond.



By fully understanding how isolation and space travel affect our sense of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/taste-buds-are-the-first-line-of-defense-against-eating-too-much-and-too-fast/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">taste</a>, we can begin to create personalized diets that not only satisfy our astronauts but also help them meet their nutritional needs. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://ifst.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijfs.17306" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Journal of Food Science</a>.



Image Credit: NASA



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Why do astronauts’ meals lose flavor in space?

Flavor seems to vanish when you're floating in space far...

An,Asteroid,In,Open,Space.,Elements,Of,This,Image,Were

Scientists are making discoveries in the cosmic realm, probing deep into the universe's dense cloud cores and uncovering secrets of interstellar ice and "dangling OH" that were once unobservable.



And who's to thank for these revelations? None other than the James Webb Space Telescope (<a href="https://webb.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JWST</a>).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interstellar-ice-and-stars">Interstellar ice and stars</h2>



The team, comprising researchers from Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (<a href="https://www.mpe.mpg.de/main" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MPE</a>), conducted a pioneering study in the Chamaeleon I region.



Here, they harnessed the power of JWST's Near Infrared Camera (<a href="https://webb.nasa.gov/content/observatory/instruments/nircam.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NIRCam</a>) to measure spectroscopic lines toward hundreds of stars behind the cloud, a technique previously thwarted by high extinction within dense cloud cores.



The study, recently published, divulged a fascinating discovery -- detection of 'dangling OH' spectroscopic features for the first time.



These features indicate that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-molecules-discovered-on-an-asteroid-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water molecules</a> aren't fully bound in the ice. They could trace the porosity and evolution of icy grains from molecular clouds to protoplanetary disks, offering significant insights into ice grain structure and its vital role in planet formation.



Thanks to the unprecedented sensitivity of the JWST, we are able to probe ices deep within dense cloud cores, where extinction is so high that they eluded previous observatories.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-sense-of-the-spectroscopic-lines">Making sense of the spectroscopic lines</h2>



The probing of dense cloud cores in the Chamaeleon I region, a close section of the Milky Way, revealed starlight interacting with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-collided-with-an-interstellar-cloud-millions-of-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">icy grains</a> before being collected by JWST's large mirror.



Until now, scientists had only observed major, intense absorption features tied to significant species in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-korolev-crater-holds-a-50-mile-wide-sheet-of-solid-ice-that-is-one-mile-thick/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice</a>, including water, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methanol, and ammonia.



However, the new JWST era, armed with the telescope's large mirror, allows the measurement of much weaker features. 



Detailed examinations of these weak spectroscopic features provide insights into the physical conditions of the object.



One such breakthrough has been the first-ever detection of a particular set of very weak bands linked to a small fraction of the water molecules in the ice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoding-dangling-oh">Decoding 'dangling OH'</h2>



This 'dangling OH' feature, named by laboratory astrophysicists, corresponds to unbound water molecules within the ice. 



These features could trace surfaces and interfaces within the icy grains or denote the intimate mix of water with other molecular species in the interstellar ice.



Interestingly, these 'dangling OH' features had been actively searched for since the 1990s, but space observatories lacked the required spectral resolution and sensitivity. 



It was hoped that their detection could be used to trace the porosity of the ices. Their presence could signal fluffy grains with high porosity, while their absence could indicate compaction and aggregation.



"The detection of the water dangling bond feature in the ice mantles demonstrates the importance of laboratory astrophysics to interpret JWST data," says Barbara Michela Giuliano, one of the authors of the study.



Giuliano further emphasized the need for extensive lab support to disentangle the spectral properties observed within dense regions of the interstellar medium and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-stars-shape-planetary-systems-like-ours-with-ultraviolet-radiation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protoplanetary disks</a>.



"The high sensitivity of JWST, together with impressive advancements in laboratory astrophysics, is finally allowing us to study in detail the physical structure and chemical composition of interstellar ices," noted Paola Caselli, who also contributed to the paper. "It is exciting to be part of this endeavor."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interstellar-ice-dangling-oh-and-planets">Interstellar ice, dangling OH, and planets</h2>



The study confirmed the presence of potentially 'fluffy' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extraterrestrial-life-moons-planets-detected-single-grain-ice-floating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">icy grains</a> in the cloud, characterized by their porous and loosely bound structure, which significantly impacts the chemistry and degree of chemical complexity that can build up in these regions. 



This discovery not only alters our understanding of the microphysical properties of interstellar ice but also offers a fresh perspective on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-formation-new-insights-mechanics-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet formation</a>. 



By revealing the intricate processes that govern the spatial distribution and evolution of ices, researchers can now better comprehend how these ices transition from molecular clouds to protoplanetary disks and ultimately integrate into forming planets. 



This enhanced understanding is crucial for developing more accurate models of planetary system formation and the potential for habitability on newly formed planets.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-024-02307-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Astronomy</a>.



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'Dangling OH' discovered within interstellar ice in deep space

Scientists are making discoveries in the cosmic realm, probing deep...

As we peel back the pages of our global narrative, we find a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-glaciers-are-hidden-sources-of-greenhouse-gases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recurring theme</a> - climate change. Recently, scientists bring to light another chapter in this ongoing saga; the diminishing cooling power of sea ice and its melting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tale-of-the-melting-sea-ice">Tale of the melting sea ice</h2>



Sea ice possesses an inherent cooling power. Yet, according to researchers from the <a href="https://umich.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a>, this cooling power is not as potent as it once was.



Satellite measurements of cloud cover and the solar radiation reflected by sea ice were compared between 1980 and 2023. 



The researchers discovered that the decrease in the cooling power of sea ice is almost double the annual average decrease in sea ice extent across the Arctic and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-sheet-melting-new-tipping-point-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctic</a>. This adds a warming impact that looms towards the higher strata of climate model estimates.



"We're now reaching the point where we have a long enough record of satellite data to estimate the sea ice climate feedback with measurements," said study co-author Dr. Mark Flanner.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-abrupt-change-in-melting-sea-ice">Abrupt change in melting sea ice</h2>



Once heralded as more resistant to climate change, Antarctic ice faced a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-days-getting-longer-rotation-slows-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">jarring setback</a> in 2016. An area larger than Texas melted on one of the continent's largest ice shelves, leading to a significant loss in sea ice and a decrease in its cooling prowess.



The seven years following this event witnessed the weakest global sea ice cooling effect since the 1980s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-than-just-shrinking-ice">More than just shrinking ice</h2>



Warming temperatures and augmented rainfalls are not only shrinking sea ice but also making it less reflective. 



This is due to the formation of thinner, wetter ice and more melt ponds that reflect less solar radiation. This is a particularly worrying trend in the Arctic and could also become a significant factor in the Antarctic.



"The changes to Antarctic sea ice since 2016 boost the warming feedback from sea ice loss by 40 percent. By not accounting for this change in the radiative effect of sea ice in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-low-antarctic-sea-ice-and-rapid-melting-pace-stuns-climate-scientists/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctica</a>, we could be missing a considerable part of the total global energy absorption," explained study first author and doctoral student Alisher Duspayev.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ripple-effects-of-melting-sea-ice-on-ecosystems">Ripple effects of melting sea ice on ecosystems</h2>



The decline in sea ice not only poses a direct impact on global temperatures but also sends ripples throughout marine ecosystems. Sea ice serves as a habitat for various organisms, from tiny algae that form the base of the marine food web to larger species like seals and polar bears.



The thinning and reduction of sea ice disrupt these habitats, leading to shifts in species distribution and abundance, and ultimately altering the ecological balance. 



For instance, the loss of ice platforms affects polar bears’ ability to hunt seals, which can lead to nutritional stress and a decline in bear populations. 



Similarly, changes in sea ice can affect the timing of algal blooms, impacting the entire food web. This cascading effect underscores the interdependence of climate systems and biodiversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-call-to-action">Global call to action</h2>



Addressing the decline in sea ice requires a concerted global effort. Climate policy must prioritize the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to slow down warming trends. 



International cooperation is crucial as the ramifications of melting ice are not confined to polar regions alone; they have far-reaching effects including rising sea levels and altered weather patterns worldwide.



"Climate change adaptation plans should bring aboard these new numbers as part of the overall calculus on how rapidly and how widely the impacts of cryospheric radiative cooling loss will manifest on the global climate system," said study co-author Aku Riihelä, a research professor at the Finnish Meteorological Institute.



Substantial investment in renewable energy sources, stringent emissions regulations, and increased funding for climate research are essential steps forward. 



Furthermore, raising public awareness about the importance of sea ice and its impacts on the global climate could catalyze community action and advocacy.



Mitigating these changes will require immediate and sustained action at both local and global levels. The future of our planet's climate depends on it.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024GL109608" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.



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Sea ice is losing its cooling power,  making the Earth even warmer

As we peel back the pages of our global narrative,...

Say you're sipping on your morning cup of coffee, or quenching your thirst with a glass of crisp, cool water. Hidden within this seemingly harmless act is a persistent threat. This threat comes in the form of ‘forever chemicals,' or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and scientists have discovered they are vulnerable to some bacteria.



But, before your sip becomes a gulp of fear, there is a promising solution – a team of tenacious bacteria that seem to have a knack for getting under these stubborn PFAS ‘forever chemicals’.



The heroes of our story are bacteria from the genus Acetobacterium. This research was led by Yujie Men, an associate professor at <a href="https://www.ucr.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Riverside</a>. How and why are bacteria important in the battle against PFAS?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breaking-the-unbreakable">Breaking the unbreakable</h2>



PFAS are dubbed ‘forever chemicals’ due to their extremely strong carbon-fluorine bonds, making them incredibly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-boar-found-with-alarming-levels-of-forever-chemicals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">persistent in the environment</a>. 



As you can guess, this persistence presents a significant challenge when it comes to treating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/epa-reveals-new-evidence-of-forever-chemicals-in-drinking-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polluted water sources</a>.



However, the Acetobacterium bacteria, commonly found in wastewater environments worldwide, have shown a unique ability to break these obstinate bonds. 



This ability was revealed in a study by the UCR research team published in the journal Science Advances.



"This is the first discovery of a bacterium that can do reductive defluorination of PFAS structures," stated Yujie Men, the study’s corresponding author. 



However, he did point out one limitation - these bacteria were effective only on unsaturated PFAS compounds, which contain double carbon-to-carbon bonds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enzymes-bacteria-and-pfas">Enzymes, bacteria, and PFAS</h2>



It's not just the bacteria that are the heroes here - their weapons have names too. These weapons, or enzymes, are the real game changers. Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts for biochemical reactions. 



After closely examining our microbial friends, the scientists were able to identify the specific enzymes responsible for cleaving carbon-fluorine bonds.



This finding is nothing short of exciting, as it could pave the way for creating more effective enzymes. 



"If we can understand the mechanism, maybe we can find similar enzymes based on the identified molecular traits and screen out more effective ones,” Men shared his optimism.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-removing-pfas-in-water-with-bacteria">Removing PFAS in water with bacteria</h2>



Using bacteria to treat groundwater is not only possible but cost-effective as well. 



This process involves injecting the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pfas-forever-chemicals-sent-to-land-ocean-waves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polluted</a> groundwater with the preferred bacteria species along with nutrients to increase their population. 



This approach sees the microorganisms destroy pollutants before the water reaches our taps and wells.



The need for such solutions becomes even more critical with recent restrictions imposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA.) 



The EPA now limits the presence of certain PFAS compounds in tap water to only four parts per trillion. This new regulation has water providers scrambling for PFAS cleanup solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-dawn-for-pfas-cleanup">New dawn for PFAS cleanup</h2>



The success of bacteria and microbiological solutions in neutralizing PFAS has opened doors to exploring the potential of these resilient microbes against other persistent chemicals.



For instance, consider polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins, two notorious environmental pollutants. 



PCBs, historically used in various industrial applications, are known to resist natural degradation, posing significant hazards to both human health and ecosystems.



Similarly, dioxins, byproducts of various industrial processes, are highly toxic and have been linked to severe health effects including cancer and reproductive issues.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-trains-to-treat-forever-chemicals">Other trains to treat forever chemicals</h2>



Just as Acetobacterium has shown promise against PFAS, research teams worldwide are investigating other microbial strains that might prove effective against PCBs and dioxins. 



By deciphering the enzymatic pathways and genetic traits that enable these microbes to attack such sturdy chemical structures, scientists are optimistic about developing innovative and sustainable methods for decontaminating polluted sites. 



The amalgamation of microbiology and environmental science thus heralds a promising future where natural organisms play a pivotal role in restoring and maintaining the purity of our water sources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-significance">Study significance</h2>



Men’s research doesn’t stop at identifying the bacteria and their enzymes. He has been proactive in his approach to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toxic-pfas-forever-chemicals-released-by-dupont-and-chemours-caused-significant-harm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tackling PFAS pollution</a>. 



Last year, Men had identified other microorganisms that cleave the carbon-chlorine bond in chlorinated PFAS compounds, leading to pollutant destruction. 



His recent discovery expands the range of PFAS compounds that can be biologically destroyed using certain kinds of bacteria.



In a world where chemicals underpin our lifestyle but also <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/creators-of-forever-chemicals-covered-up-the-toxic-dangers-for-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pose invisible threats</a>, it's vital that we keep pushing the boundaries of science for solutions. 



As we continue sipping our water and basking under the sun, let's appreciate the unseen heroes - like the Acetobacterium bacteria and researchers like Yujie Men - who are tirelessly working to ensure our water remains safe.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ado2957" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Bacteria discovered that destroys PFAS 'forever chemicals'

Say you're sipping on your morning cup of coffee, or...

Have you ever wished you could slow down the ticking clock of aging? Science might have come a smidgen closer to granting your wish. Researchers have developed a new anti-aging drug that claims to significantly increase lifespan, adding up to 25% more healthy, vibrant years.



The brain behind this exciting development is none other than Professor Stuart Cook from the UK's Medical Research Council Laboratory of Medical Science (<a href="https://lms.mrc.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MRC LMS</a>).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fighting-age-with-interleukin-11">Fighting age with interleukin-11</h2>



Cook, along with a team of scientists, discovered that a protein we inherited from fish 450 million years ago called interleukin-11 might be the cause of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discrimination-speeds-up-aging-molecular-level/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">age-accelerating effects </a>in our body.



"These findings are very exciting. The treated mice had fewer cancers, and were free from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-tea-delays-biological-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">usual signs</a> of aging and frailty, but we also saw reduced muscle wasting and improvement in muscle strength," Professor Cook declared. 



The potential of this elaboration could eventually benefit humans as well!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protein-of-interest-interleukin-11">Protein of interest: Interleukin-11</h2>



Interleukin-11 has been linked to a host of health woes, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fasting-helps-the-body-fight-inflammation-and-chronic-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chronic inflammation</a>, organ tissue scarring, metabolism disorders, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/resistance-exercise-in-the-evening-can-improve-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">muscle wasting</a>, and cardiac fibrosis.



By switching off this protein, scientists found that the lifespan of rats could be extended by 25%.



In the experiments conducted, the treated rats displayed not just longevity but also a lower risk of cancer, no gray hair, improved vision, and better muscle functionality. 



These rats, equivalent to a 55-year-old human, lived for an average of 155 weeks, compared to the 120 weeks for those not treated. Who wouldn't want an extra 35 weeks of life?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interleukin-11-impact-on-aging-and-lifespan">Interleukin-11 impact on aging and lifespan</h2>



While these findings are only confined to rats at the moment, Cook tantalizingly suggests that the results have the potential to be replicated in humans.



"Anti-IL-11 treatments are currently in human clinical trials for other conditions, potentially providing exciting opportunities to study its effects in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/harvard-scientists-fountain-of-youth-pill-sparks-controversy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging humans in the future</a>," Cook commented.



Cook's ambitious endeavors aim to make anti-IL-11 therapy widely available worldwide, ensuring healthier and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-aging-discovered-in-plant-leaves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prolonged lives</a> for people. 



However, he admits the road ahead is fraught with obstacles as raising funds for clinical trials in this area and getting approvals for drugs to treat aging is an uphill task.



Assistant Professor Anissa Widjaja from <a href="https://www.duke-nus.edu.sg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duke-NUS Medical School</a>, Singapore, also played a vital role in the project.



"This project started back in 2017 when a collaborator of ours sent us some tissue samples for another project," Widjaja recounts. 



Out of curiosity, she tested the samples for IL-11 levels and found that these levels increased with age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-road-to-human-trials">Road to human trials</h2>



Transitioning from promising results in rodents to successful human trials involves a meticulous process. 



Although anti-IL-11 treatments are being tested in humans for other ailments, applying this therapy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-blood-pressure-drug-called-rilmenidine-dramatically-slows-aging-in-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">specifically for aging</a> poses new challenges.



Researchers must navigate regulatory landscapes, ensure the safety and efficacy of treatments, and verify that the benefits observed in rats translate effectively to humans. 



Despite these hurdles, the scientific community remains optimistic that this breakthrough could eventually revolutionize how we approach aging.



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



This pioneering work opens up numerous avenues for further research. Scientists are eager to explore how IL-11 interacts with other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pregnancy-may-speed-up-aging-in-women/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proteins and pathways</a> associated with aging. 



Furthermore, the quest to develop drugs targeting IL-11 could pave the way for combination therapies, where multiple aspects of the aging process are addressed simultaneously. 



As research progresses, the goal is not just to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/anti-aging-molecule-extends-lifespan-by-improving-cellular-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extend lifespan</a> but to enhance the quality of life during those added years, bringing us closer to a future where aging can be managed with the same precision as many chronic diseases today.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-healthier-lives-not-just-longer-lives">Healthier lives, not just longer lives</h2>



Their research has provided an important leap toward a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/muscles-defy-aging-with-remarkable-resilience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">better understanding</a> of aging. The therapy could potentially extend not just longevity but also reduce frailty and physiological manifestations of aging. The future indeed looks promising.



In conclusion, while the road to unlocking the secret to youth may still be long and winding, recent advancements do provide a glimmer of hope. 



So, fingers crossed, who knows the day we <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/harvard-scientists-fountain-of-youth-pill-sparks-controversy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drink from the fountain of youth </a>may not be as far off as we think!



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New anti-aging drug boosts lifespan by 25% while preventing cancer and gray hair

Have you ever wished you could slow down the ticking...

The simple act of a tree drawing carbon dioxide from the air serves as an overlooked hero in our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/single-degree-temperature-warming-boreal-forests-wreak-havoc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ongoing battle</a> against climate change. Surrounded by threats like deforestation and wildfires, our guardians, the world's forests, have stood resilient for more than three decades, absorbing harmful carbon dioxide even in the face of adversity.



Our source of this fresh perspective on forests' resilience is a study led by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (<a href="https://iiasa.ac.at" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IIASA</a>), involving researchers from 11 countries, including IIASA Distinguished Emeritus Research Scholar Anatoly Shvidenko.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-vs-climate-change">Forests vs. climate change</h2>



The recent study enhances our understanding of forests' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-day-of-forests-2024-new-solutions-for-a-better-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">indispensable role</a> in mitigating climate change, even as disruptive elements attempt to dismantle their capabilities.



Delving deep into the study reveals a groundbreaking discovery. Researchers, relying on a combination of on-the-ground measurements and remote sensing data, found that forests absorb, on average, 3.5 billion metric tons of carbon annually. 



That's nearly half the carbon dioxide emissions generated from burning fossil fuels over the past three decades.



"While the overall global picture is encouraging, there are large areas with problematic trends and forecasts," noted Shvidenko.



"This primarily concerns the central and eastern parts of northern Eurasia continent, where global warming has already led to an unprecedented spread of wildfires and the death of 33 million hectares of forests in Russia alone between 2010 and 2019."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-on-the-ground-data-collection">On-the-ground data collection </h2>



Yude Pan, senior research scientist at the US Department of Agriculture (<a href="https://www.usda.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USDA</a>) Forest Service Northern Research Station and co-lead author of the study, provides interesting insights.



"Our research team analyzed data from millions of forest plots around the globe. What sets this study apart is its foundation in extensive ground measurements - essentially, a tree-by-tree assessment of size, species, and biomass," noted Pan.



"While the study also incorporates remote sensing data, a common tool in national forest inventories and land surveys, our unique strength lies in the detailed on-the-ground data collection."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-across-different-forests">Climate change across different forests </h2>



As we zero in on different regions, we find that the Northern Hemisphere's Boreal forests across Alaska, Canada, and Russia have seen their carbon sink capacity fall by 36% due to wildfires, insect outbreaks, and soil warming. 



The scenario is similar for tropical forests, with deforestation leading to a 31% decline in their carbon-absorption capacity.



However, thanks to regrowth in areas previously abandoned for agriculture or logging activities, they maintain a near-neutral net carbon flux. In contrast, Temperate forests have experienced a 30% surge in their carbon sink capacity, largely due to extensive reforestation, especially in China.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-balancing-act">The balancing act</h2>



Richard Birdsey, a senior scientist at <a href="https://www.woodwellclimate.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Woodwell Climate Research Center</a> and co-lead author of the study, sheds light on the surprising nature of the team's discoveries.



"The persistence of the global forest carbon sink was a surprise given global increases in wildfire, drought, logging, and other stressors. But it turns out that increasing emissions in some regions were balanced by increasing accumulations in other regions, mainly re-growing tropical forests and reforestation of temperate forests," said Birdsey.



"These findings support the potential for improving protection and management of forests as effective natural climate solutions."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-land-management-policies">Land management policies</h2>



Emerging from these revelations comes a renewed sense of urgency to rethink our<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-destruction-of-tropical-forests-is-much-worse-than-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> land management policies</a> and practices. 



The study underscores the paramount need to reduce deforestation across all forest biomes, promote restoration of lands unsuitable for agriculture, and enhance timber harvesting practices to lower emissions from logging and related activities. 



The researchers also emphasize the need for more ground sampling plots in tropical regions to improve our understanding of the global carbon budget.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-way-forward">The way forward</h2>



"Global forests can continue to efficiently sequester and store carbon, while simultaneously providing numerous other benefits that humans receive from the natural environment and properly functioning ecosystems," noted IIASA senior research scholar Dmitry Schepaschenko, who contributed to the study.



"However, with increasing human pressure and a rapidly changing climate, adaptive and regionalized forest management is needed now more than ever."



To conclude, the study resoundingly endorses forests as crucial allies in our fight against climate change. However, we have a responsibility to adapt our practices to keep these vital ecosystems thriving for the benefit of our planet and generations to come.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07602-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Forests are still fighting climate change, against all odds

The simple act of a tree drawing carbon dioxide from...

New insights from marine scientists are shedding light on an unexpected <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/clear-lake-turns-green-with-algal-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">underwater phenomenon</a>. It involves <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crown-of-thorns-starfish-gene-expression-may-help-protect-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral-destroying</a> crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS), their larvae, and their unexpected diet of "sea sawdust."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-underwater-feast-sea-sawdust">Underwater feast: Sea sawdust</h2>



The story starts with Dr. Benjamin Mos, a renowned researcher in the School of Environment at <a href="https://www.uq.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Queensland</a>.



Dr. Mos found himself working alongside a team of experts from <a href="https://www.scu.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southern Cross University</a>. The scientists made an unexpected discovery, observing how this notorious reef pest feeds on a peculiar item.



Scientifically known as Trichodesmium, sea sawdust is a type of blue-green <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-algae-play-an-unexpected-role-in-cooling-the-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algae</a> bacteria. It often forms large slicks, floating on the ocean's surface, hardly touched due to its toxicity and poor nutritional value. So how does this come into play with the crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS)?



"Until now, not much has been known about sea sawdust as a food source," said Dr. Mos. "So we were certainly surprised to say the least." It turns out, COTS larvae thrive on a diet exclusively made up of this bacteria.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sea-sawdust-and-coral-predation">Sea sawdust and coral predation</h2>



Sea sawdust, which is named after the way it floats in large rafts on the water's surface, is a critical player within marine ecosystems. Besides its newfound status as a meal for starfish larvae, it also makes nitrogen from the atmosphere available to other sea life.



"Our findings suggest this could help explain the increase in COTS populations, which have devastated our coral reefs for decades,” explained Dr. Mos. 



The nitrogen in sea sawdust moves into the tissues of COTS larvae, acting as a sustenance source. With the recent rise in sea sawdust blooms, this could fuel the growth of COTS populations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-human-activities">The role of human activities </h2>



Investigations into this underwater diet unravel further implications. Previous research has linked human activities to the proliferation of blue-green algae blooms, which create sea sawdust. 



Fertilizer usage, sewage treatment, and stormwater runoff have been implicated in the surge of these blooms.



There's a ripple effect here that we cannot ignore. "It’s important we understand the flow-on effect of how human impacts in one ecosystem might flow on to other seemingly unrelated ecosystems," noted Dr. Mos.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-curbing-the-spread-of-cots">Curbing the spread of COTS</h2>



Addressing the growing issue of COTS populations and their destructive impact on coral reefs requires a multifaceted approach. 



Scientists and environmentalists suggest that mitigating human-induced causes of sea sawdust blooms, such as reducing agricultural runoff and improving sewage treatment processes, could be a key step. 



Additionally, initiatives like manual removal of COTS, breeding natural predators like the giant triton snail, and implementing marine protected areas are being considered to combat the coral crisis. 



Dr. Mos and his team are hopeful that with increased awareness and coordinated efforts, it might be possible to curb the spread of COTS and safeguard the delicate balance of our marine ecosystems for future generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-next-steps-a-puzzle-to-crack">The next steps: A puzzle to crack</h2>



Are sea sawdust blooms leading to more adult crown-of-thorns starfish on coral reefs? For now, the matter remains unresolved. 



Professor Symon Dworjanyn from Southern Cross University's National Marine Science Centre acknowledges the need for more research. “Our findings could be an important part of cracking that puzzle,” he added.



The goal now is to identify how to tone down the impact of COTS. After all, any measure that gives coral reefs a little more time is worth exploring. 



The relationship of COTS larvae and sea sawdust has become an intriguing piece of the bigger puzzle that is our complex marine ecosystem.



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



When crown-of-thorns starfish larvae feast on sea sawdust, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/killing-crown-of-thorns-starfish-cots-could-save-great-barrier-reef/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">they’re doing much more</a> than grabbing a quick snack. They are tapping into a food source with deep implications for the future of our oceans and esteemed marine life.



As marine scientists continue to unravel these unexpected mysteries of the deep, their finds remind us all of the interconnectedness of life on our planet. From the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-emerged-zygnema-star-algae-conquer-earths-landmass/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smallest algae</a> to the most massive coral reef, every little piece matters.



This study is published in&nbsp;the journal Science Advances.



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Sea sawdust: Unexpected diet of crown-of-thorns starfish

New insights from marine scientists are shedding light on an...

Recent research from the <a href="https://www.unl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Nebraska–Lincoln</a> has provided significant insights into mammalian ecosystems and species diversity in North America by examining the fossil record from 66 million years ago. 



The study, led by Alex Shupinski and co-authored by Kate Lyons, was published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.0778" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B</a>. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mammalian-species-diversity-nbsp">Mammalian species diversity&nbsp;</h2>



The research delves into how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-geographic-isolation-shaped-global-species-habitat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mammalian species</a> diversity has evolved over the first 65 million years of the Cenozoic era, up until the arrival of humans, and investigates how climate and environmental changes have influenced animal life on the continent.



“Beginning 66 million years ago, we go from a completely sub-tropical environment across North America to grasslands to a frozen savanna, and finally, reaching the Ice Age,” said Shupinski.&nbsp;



“It's showing how species changed through time, through many ecological, environmental and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-climate-change-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climatic changes</a> and it allows us to compare across those events and at different spatial scales.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-functional-diversity-of-mammals-nbsp">Functional diversity of mammals&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers divided the fossil record into million-year increments and used three indices of functional diversity to examine mammalian communities on local and continental scales. Functional diversity quantifies changes in community structures using mammalian traits.&nbsp;



The study revealed that, for most of the Cenozoic era, local and continental measures of functional diversity differed. However, during the first 10 million years of the era, immediately following the extinction of non-avian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaurs-were-going-strong-when-the-deadly-asteroid-struck/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaurs</a>, all measures of functional diversity, both locally and across the continent, increased.



“That was fascinating to see, that for most of the Cenozoic, functional diversity was uncoupled across time and spatial scales, except this one time,” said Shupinski.&nbsp;



“For 10 million years, all the measures are changing in the same way. Then, around 56 million years ago, we get this massive immigration of mammals into North America from other continents, and at that point, we see a divergence of functional diversity.”



“Communities are changing at different times, at different rates and in different directions. We might see locally, the diversity of roles increasing, but continentally, they’re decreasing.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changes-among-mammalian-species">Changes among mammalian species</h2>



Lyons pointed out that some changes among mammalian species can be attributed to environmental changes, such as cooling and warming periods or the transition from forested areas to grasslands. However, these changes were not as disruptive as the mass extinction of dinosaurs.&nbsp;



“That is why this could potentially be a way to pinpoint areas of the globe or communities that are under particular stress.”



Lyons further noted that we may be entering a sixth mass extinction event, and if so, we might expect to see communities that are on the vanguard of that extinction respond in a similar way, based on the patterns we see after the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-for-mammal-conservation-nbsp">Insights for mammal conservation&nbsp;</h2>



The study offers a thorough analysis of the age of mammals, which is valuable for the field of conservation paleobiology.&nbsp;



Tracking past changes in ecosystems over long periods helps scientists and the public better understand the current <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-biodiversity-crisis-is-actually-worse-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity crisis</a>. 



“If we are looking at the modern (crises) and we see a similar response in the functional diversity of modern community structures, it may be a conservation tool as we can highlight some of these communities that are experiencing the most disturbance and that are at highest risk of change and disturbance in their ecological services and function,” Shupinski said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-resilience-of-mammalian-communities-nbsp">Resilience of mammalian communities&nbsp;</h2>



The research highlights the resilience and adaptability of mammalian communities in the face of environmental challenges and mass extinction events.&nbsp;



By examining the fossil record and understanding how species diversity has evolved, scientists can gain insights into how current and future biodiversity crises might unfold and develop strategies to mitigate their impacts.



The study's findings underscore the importance of understanding historical biodiversity patterns to better address present and future ecological challenges.&nbsp;



By investigating the fossil record and analyzing changes in species diversity, researchers can provide valuable information that informs conservation efforts today.&nbsp;



The work of Shupinski, Lyons, and their colleagues serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of ecosystems and the ongoing need to study and preserve the diversity of life on Earth.



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How mammals have evolved over 66 million years

Recent research from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has provided significant...

Ever found yourself certain of a memory that later turned out to be a tad off the mark? While we're known as species capable of 'distorted' recall, it turns out we're not alone in the animal kingdom. A surprising entrant in this league of "detours from accuracy" in memory is the humble cuttlefish.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-memory-of-cuttlefish">Memory of cuttlefish</h2>



We start by throwing the spotlight on the star of our story -- the cuttlefish. More specifically, the research by Dr. Christelle Jozet-Alves and her team from the <a href="https://www.unicaen.fr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Caen in Normandy</a>, France. 



Their astounding discovery? Cuttlefish, like us, can form false memories.



“Forming false memories is different from making memory errors,” Jozet-Alves clarifies.&nbsp;



Indeed, their findings imply that cuttlefish do not record events like a reel of film, but rather reconstruct incidents in their minds, associating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-songbirds-are-masters-of-memory-and-adaptation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diverse elements</a> present at the time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-memory-masters">Unexpected memory masters</h2>



Cuttlefish were already recognized for having <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cuttlefish-camouflage-is-much-more-complex-and-mind-boggling-than-initially-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">episodic-like memory</a>, a trait only found in higher order animals. 



They can recall what happened to them in the past. But the fascinating part is how they recall these memories.



Is it a replay or a reconstruction? The answer would determine their susceptibility to memory distortions. With this question in mind, Jozet-Alves and her team embarked on their investigation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cuttlefish-memory-manipulation">Cuttlefish memory manipulation </h2>



The researchers designed a series of events that shared many common features to induce false memories in the cuttlefish. 



The plan was to convince these creatures they'd seen their favorite snack - shrimp - in a specific tube when they hadn't.



Here's how they went about it. They started off by showing the cuttlefish three different tubes - one with the coveted shrimp, one with a less-preferred crab, and an empty one. 



Each tube had a unique visual pattern. Next, they exposed the cuttlefish to a 'misleading event' where they made the contents of the shrimp and the empty tube invisible. The visual patterns and odors, however, overlapped.



Now the real test. Would the cuttlefish falsely remember the presence of shrimp in the otherwise empty tube due to its second appearance along with the shrimp tube?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revealing-results">Revealing results</h2>



The scientists then put this question to the test. They allowed the cuttlefish to choose between the crab tube and the supposedly-empty tube, both with their content hidden. 



The consensus? The cuttlefish often chose the empty tube over the crab-filled one.



 This choice indicated that the misleading information had indeed altered their memories, making them believe the empty tube contained shrimp.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cuttlefish-variation-in-memory">Cuttlefish variation in memory</h2>



“What was surprising was that the susceptibility to form false memories seems different between individuals,” Jozet-Alves said.&nbsp;



“Some appeared unaffected when exposed to a misleading event while other did form false memories. This phenomenon is commonly found in our own species in which this susceptibility varies among individuals and within <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forgetting-things-is-a-natural-part-of-the-memory-process/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">individuals</a>.”



While there is need for more research, the evidence suggests that cuttlefish can store fragments of memory and reconstruct them, potentially optimizing memory storage. 



However, some cuttlefish did not seem to form false memories, indicating a level of resistance. 



Further research will delve into why all individuals are not sensitive to the formation of false memory and whether it could change within an individual.



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



The discovery of false memories in cuttlefish provides a valuable perspective on the study of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bigger-animals-do-not-always-have-bigger-brains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory in humans</a>. By understanding how these cephalopods process and potentially distort their memories, researchers can draw parallels and contrasts with human memory mechanisms. 



This could provide insights into why certain individuals are more susceptible to false memories and how such memories can be manipulated or controlled. 



The implications extend to various fields such as psychology, neurology, and even artificial intelligence, where understanding memory formation and retrieval is critical.



Furthermore, by studying memory errors in cuttlefish, new strategies could emerge to address memory-related disorders in humans, offering hope for enhanced cognitive therapies and interventions.



So, next time you're second-guessing a memory, pause for a moment and think of our new friends, the cuttlefish. It seems that a "recollective detour" isn't a flaw exclusive to us but a fascinating feature present in even our underwater counterparts.



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(24)01547-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>.



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Cuttlefish form false memories of events similar to humans

Ever found yourself certain of a memory that later turned...

A recent study led by researchers at the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a> reveals that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mindfulness-protects-against-work-stress-burnout/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mindfulness</a> training may induce altered states of consciousness, such as disembodiment and unity. 



The researchers emphasize the importance of awareness among mindfulness teachers and students about these potential side effects.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mindfulness-training-and-altered-states-nbsp">Mindfulness training and altered states&nbsp;</h2>



The study involved a randomized controlled trial conducted from September 2015 to January 2016, assessing the effectiveness of mindfulness training in managing examination <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/look-at-stress-as-a-challenge-rather-than-a-threat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a>. 



Participants who received mindfulness training were more likely to experience these altered states compared to those in the control group. The findings are detailed in a paper published in the journal PLoS ONE.



Mindfulness-based programs have surged in popularity, with 15% of UK adults having learned some form of mindfulness, often to manage stress, depression, or anxiety.&nbsp;



Anecdotal evidence suggests mindfulness can alter sensory perceptions, self, and body boundaries, similar to effects induced by psychotropic drugs.&nbsp;



The study's lead author, Dr. Julieta Galante, noted the challenge of discerning whether these experiences result from mindfulness practice or if individuals prone to such experiences are more likely to practice mindfulness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-experiencing-unity-and-disembodiment-nbsp">Experiencing unity and disembodiment&nbsp;</h2>



During the follow-up study, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire exploring 11 dimensions of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meditation-reveals-common-altered-states-of-consciousness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">altered states of consciousness</a>, including spiritual experiences, blissful states, disembodiment, and unity. 



Unity experiences involve a dissolution of borders, integrating perception of time and space, while disembodiment includes sensations of floating or dissolved body boundaries.&nbsp;



Of the 670 participants in the trial, about a third completed the questionnaire. The results showed that mindfulness-trained individuals were twice as likely to experience unity and disembodiment compared to the control group.&nbsp;



Additionally, the more hours spent on mindfulness practice, the higher the likelihood of experiencing unity, disembodiment, or blissful states.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-results-align-with-previous-research">Results align with previous research</h2>



“Although we can’t say definitively, our results at least suggest the possibility that mindfulness training causes these experiences of unity and disembodiment,” said Dr. Galante.



She noted that the research aligns with other studies showing that people who practice mindfulness training are more likely to describe experiencing a sense of relaxed self-boundaries and broadening their spatial awareness beyond the physical body.



“I’ve benefited a lot personally from meditation and mindfulness and I’ve also had many of these experiences,” said Dr. Galante.&nbsp;



“They were intense, and at first I found it difficult to share them with my meditation teacher. I didn’t know if they were normal or desirable or if they were a sign of problems with my <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-americans-have-lost-years-of-time-to-poor-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meditation-and-insightful-experiences-nbsp">Meditation and insightful experiences&nbsp;</h2>



The study found that 43% of participants who meditated in the six months prior reported unity experiences, 47% reported blissful states, 29% reported disembodiment experiences, and 25% reported insightful experiences.&nbsp;



While many altered states are pleasant, some can be startling or alarming. Dr. Galante highlighted the importance of informing individuals about the possibility of encountering these experiences during mindfulness practice.&nbsp;



If participants are aware, they are less likely to be disturbed and can discuss any concerns with their mindfulness teacher or doctor.



“There may be nothing wrong with their experience, but it may be useful for them to check in with their mindfulness teacher, and if the experience was negative, to also consider discussing it with their doctor,” noted Galante.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-effects-of-mindfulness-training-nbsp">Effects of mindfulness training&nbsp;</h2>



The study provides valuable insights into the effects of mindfulness training, emphasizing the need for awareness and open communication about potential altered states of consciousness.&nbsp;



It underscores the mental and physical health benefits of mindfulness while recognizing and managing its potential side effects.&nbsp;



The findings enhance the understanding of how mindfulness training can affect individuals, providing a foundation for future research and better-informed mindfulness practices.



According to the study authors, the results provide a novel suggestion of causal links between mindfulness practice and specific altered states of consciousness.&nbsp;



“To optimize their impact, practitioners and teachers need to anticipate and handle them appropriately,” said the researchers. “Future studies need to confirm findings and assess mechanisms and clinical implications.”



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Mindfulness can lead to altered states of consciousness

A recent study led by researchers at the University of...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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

Satellites have become essential to our survival

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