The existence of water on Mars has long been a subject of curiosity and debate. A recently published study presents compelling evidence of ancient "wave ripples" in rocks that were shaped by Martian water and winds billions of years ago.



These ripples, imprinted on the Martian surface, speak to a time when shallow bodies of water were open to the Martian air.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mysterious-ripples-on-mars">Mysterious ripples on Mars</h2>



The importance of these ripples cannot be overemphasized as they provide clear evidence of the existence of a standing body of water on Mars approximately 3.7 billion years ago.



This profound discovery paints a picture of a time when the Martian climate was seemingly warm enough to support liquid bodies water, not just frozen ice fields, that were open to the air.



"The shape of the ripples could only have been formed under water that was open to the atmosphere and acted upon by wind," observed Claire Mondro, a postdoctoral scholar from The California Institute of Technology (<a href="https://www.caltech.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CalTech</a>) and the study's first author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-mars-ripples-tell-us">What the Mars ripples tell us</h2>



Dr. Michael Lamb, a geology professor at Caltech, painstakingly created computer models based on these ripples to estimate the size of the ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/perseverance-rover-samples-bunsen-peak-rock-jezero-crater-martian-lake/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martian lake</a>.



Lamb’s extensive experience in studying sediment, water, and atmosphere interactions on Earth lent credibility to this model. 



The ripples, a mere 6 millimeters high and spaced 4 to 5 centimeters apart suggest the existence of a shallow lake, no deeper than about 2 meters (6.5 feet).



Mondro’s observations lend further weight to these inferences. “Extending the length of time that liquid water was present extends the possibilities for microbial habitability later into Mars's history,” she pointed out.



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



Discovering that Mars once had liquid water is a game-changer for our understanding of the planet and the broader possibilities of life beyond Earth. 



Water is a fundamental ingredient for life as we know it, so finding evidence of past liquid water raises exciting questions about whether Mars could have supported microbial life.



Beyond the search for life, knowing that Mars had liquid water has practical implications for future human missions. Water is a crucial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-radiation-levels-are-measured-for-the-first-time-and-will-help-astronauts-prepare/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resource for astronauts</a>, not only for drinking but also for producing oxygen and even rocket fuel. 



If remnants of ancient water sources or ice deposits exist on Mars, they could be tapped into to support long-term human habitation and exploration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-the-martian-surface">Exploring the Martian surface</h2>



These marvelous ripples went unnoticed until NASA's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/curiosity-mars-rover-finds-more-compelling-evidence-for-life-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Curiosity rover</a> documented them in 2022 during its expedition across the Gale Crater region of Mars, a region that was once home to wind-blown dunes.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/mars_lakes_ponds_ice-free_ripples_rock-formation_credit-Science-Advances_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/mars_lakes_ponds_ice-free_ripples_rock-formation_credit-Science-Advances_1s.webp" alt="Symmetric ripple marks in the AMB outcrop. Credit: Science Advances (2025)." class="wp-image-1957535"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Symmetric ripple marks in the AMB outcrop. Credit: Science Advances (2025).</figcaption></figure>



A nearby band of rock, the Amapari Marker Band, hinted at the existence of another lake, approximately 6.5 feet (2 meters) deep, that formed slightly later in Mars's history than the previous one.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-do-mars-ripples-matter">Why do Mars ripples matter?</h2>



“The discovery of wave ripples is an important advance for Mars paleoclimate science," noted John Grotzinger, the Harold Brown Professor of Geology at Caltech.



"The Curiosity rover discovered evidence for long-lived ancient lakes in 2014, and now, 10 years later, Curiosity has discovered ancient lakes that were free of ice, offering an important insight into the planet's early climate,” added Grotzinger, a former project scientist for Curiosity's Mars Science Laboratory (<a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/msl-curiosity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MSL</a>) mission.



It seems we are just scratching the surface of understanding the red planet’s past, and with each discovery, we inch closer to unraveling the mysteries of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alien-life-may-be-lurking-deep-underground-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars and its potential for supporting life</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clues-to-mars-climate-evolution">Clues to Mars' climate evolution</h2>



The discovery of these ancient ripples offers a crucial glimpse into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/was-mars-past-climate-supportive-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars's climate history</a>, providing scientists with valuable data to reconstruct the environmental conditions that existed billions of years ago.



The presence of liquid water suggests that Mars once had a significantly thicker atmosphere that was capable of sustaining warmer temperatures.



Over time, the planet's climate underwent drastic changes, leading to the loss of surface water and the thinning of its atmosphere. 



Understanding these transitions is key to determining how long Mars could have supported habitable conditions and whether it might have once harbored microbial life. 



Scientists believe that further exploration of ripple formations could shed light on the duration and stability of these ancient lakes, helping to piece together the timeline of Mars' environmental shifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-future-mars-missions">Implications for future Mars missions</h2>



The findings from Curiosity's observations could play a pivotal role in shaping the objectives of upcoming Mars missions. 



Future rovers and landers, equipped with more advanced instruments, may focus on analyzing ripple formations in greater detail, searching for chemical signatures that indicate past life-supporting conditions. 



The Perseverance rover, currently exploring <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lake-sediments-found-in-jezero-crater-hint-at-past-life-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jezero Crater</a>, has already been tasked with collecting samples that might contain traces of ancient microbial activity.



These efforts align with NASA's long-term goal of bringing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-seeks-a-faster-way-to-bring-mars-samples-to-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martian samples</a> back to Earth for comprehensive laboratory analysis.



The ripple evidence on Mars is also encouraging for future crewed missions, as understanding past water sources could help identify potential locations for human exploration and resource utilization.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adr0010" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Clear evidence of liquid water, not just frozen ice, discovered on Mars

The existence of water on Mars has long been a subject of curiosity and debate. A recently published study presents compelling evidence of ancient "wave ripples" in rocks that were shaped by Martian water and winds billions of years ago. These ripples, imprinted on the Martian surface, speak to a time when shallow bodies of water were open to the Martian air. Mysterious ripples on Mars The importance of these ripples cannot be overemphasized as they provide clear evidence of the existence of a standing body of...

The universe and its galaxies have always been a source of intrigue, a giant cosmic jigsaw puzzle. One significant piece of this puzzle that continues to stump scientists, and now AI algorithms, is dark matter. 



In fact, 85% of all matter and around 27% of the universe's contents are presumed to be made of this invisible substance.



And its existence? Well, scientists are still not 100% sure. We can't see it and, so far, it's been <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-holes-are-not-the-secret-source-of-dark-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">notoriously hard to detect</a>. 



But its fingerprint is everywhere. It has long been assumed that dark matter's gravitational pull is what keeps everything in the universe in place.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theories-surrounding-dark-matter">Theories surrounding dark matter</h2>



One of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/existence-of-dark-matter-confirmed-by-new-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">theories</a>, currently in the limelight, postulates that dark matter might be a particular kind of particle. 



These particles are kind of lone wolves, hardly interacting with anything else, apart from gravity.



But some think that these particles might have a social side. They might, on occasion, interact with each other, a phenomenon known as self-interaction. 



Detecting such interactions would be akin to finding breadcrumbs that lead us to understand more about dark matter's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-galaxy-jwst-er1g-dark-matter-einstein-ring-mystery-solved/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">characteristics</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-dark-matter-in-galaxies-with-ai">Detecting dark matter in galaxies with AI</h2>



However, differentiating these elusive traces of dark matter self-interactions from other cosmic phenomena isn't a walk in the park. 



For instance, let's consider active galactic nuclei (AGN), supermassive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-holes-are-not-the-secret-source-of-dark-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black holes</a> residing in the galaxy centers. 



They're like the bullies of the cosmic playground; AGN feedback can shove matter around, and the effects can mimic those of dark matter.



This confusion has posed a big challenge -- how do we <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gravitational-waves-dark-matter-big-bang-breakthrough/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">distinguish between </a>the impact of AGN feedback and self-interacting dark matter?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enlisting-ai-to-detect-dark-matter">Enlisting AI to detect dark matter</h2>



Cue in astronomer David Harvey from EPFL's <a href="https://www.epfl.ch/labs/lastro/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Laboratory of Astrophysics</a>. He decided to blend astronomy with artificial intelligence (AI) and created a deep-learning algorithm that could help unravel these complicated cosmic signals. 



His research, published in Nature Astronomy, introduces a whole new perspective to the study of dark matter.



Harvey's innovative AI-based approach is all about distinguishing between the effects of dark matter self-interactions and AGN feedback. 



It does this by scrutinizing images of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-matter-seen-separating-from-normal-matter-after-galaxy-cluster-collision/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxy clusters</a> -- enormous groups of galaxies held together by gravity. 



The beauty of this innovation is that it could boost the precision of dark matter studies significantly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-matter-galaxies-and-ai">Dark matter, galaxies, and AI</h2>



Let's delve into the specifics a little. Harvey trained a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), a kind of AI that excels at pattern recognition in images. 



He fed the CNN with images from the <a href="https://www.astro.ljmu.ac.uk/~igm/BAHAMAS/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BAHAMAS-SIDM</a> project, which simulates galaxy clusters under different dark matter and AGN feedback scenarios.



After digesting thousands of simulated galaxy cluster images, the CNN developed the ability to differentiate the signals caused by dark matter self-interactions from those caused by AGN feedback.



Among various CNN architectures tested, the most complex one, charmingly named "Inception," turned out to be the most accurate. 



Inception was trained on two main <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-matter-does-not-exist-universe-27-billion-years-old-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dark matter scenarios</a> with different levels of self-interaction. It validated its abilities on more complex models, including a velocity-dependent dark matter model.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impressive-results">Impressive results</h2>



The results? Spectacular. Inception exhibited an accuracy of 80% under ideal conditions, effectively identifying whether the influence on galaxy clusters was from self-interacting dark matter or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supermassive-black-holes-are-very-messy-eaters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AGN feedback</a>.



It held its ground even when faced with realistic observational noise, the kind we would expect from future telescopes like Euclid.



This means that Inception and similar AI approaches could become crucial tools in interpreting the vast amounts of data we collect from space. 



More importantly, Inception's ability to adapt to unseen data makes it reliable, marking it as a promising tool in the quest to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-matter-linked-to-supermassive-black-holes-in-early-universe-big-bang/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">better understand dark matter</a>.



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



The advancements brought forth by algorithms like Inception extend far beyond the realm of dark matter detection; they carry profound implications for our understanding of cosmology as a whole. 



By improving our ability to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-cosmic-object-detected-gravitational-wave-signal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">discern subtle signals</a> within the cosmic noise, these innovative technologies enable researchers to refine their models of galaxy formation and evolution.



Understanding the interplay between dark matter and visible matter will drive us closer to answering fundamental questions about the structure of the universe, its expansion, and ultimately, its fate. 



As we continue to probe the cosmos with ever-more sophisticated tools, the insights gleaned from such AI-driven analyses could reshape our narratives about the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/theory-gravity-exists-without-mass-so-dark-matter-does-not-exist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universe</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-quest-for-dark-matter-and-galaxies">Ongoing quest for dark matter and galaxies</h2>



With new telescopes on the horizon set to collect unprecedented amounts of data, methods like Inception could be game-changers. 



They could help scientists sift through data with speed and accuracy, potentially unmasking the true nature of the elusive dark matter.



This blend of astronomy and AI could open up a new era of understanding our universe. The hunt for dark matter continues, and it's definitely getting more exciting.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-024-02322-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Astronomy</a>.



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Separating dark matter from cosmic noise with the help of AI

The universe and its galaxies have always been a source...

Have you ever thought about what exactly goes into your skincare products? You might be familiar with aloe vera, lavender, and vitamins, but did you know snail slime is also an incredibly popular ingredient? Yet, researchers have recently discovered something perhaps even more bizarre that could revolutionize your skincare routine: molecules produced by fish gut bacteria.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-fish-to-skincare-routine">Ocean fish to skincare routine</h2>



The notion of sourcing cosmetic ingredients from fish guts may sound rather extreme. After all, there's hardly a less "glamorous" place.&nbsp;



But, remember, many life-saving drugs have been found in unexpected places. Penicillin, for instance, was discovered from a moldy petri dish.&nbsp;



Similarly, the current brain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/simple-lifestyle-changes-could-prevent-half-of-all-cancer-deaths/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer</a> <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/magic-mushrooms-are-the-most-popular-psychedelic-drug/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drug</a> candidate, Marizomib, has its roots in microbes found in the marine sediments at the bottom of the ocean.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seabream-microbes">Seabream microbes</h2>



The research takes us to the western Pacific Ocean, home to two types of seabream fish: the red seabream and the blackhead seabream.&nbsp;



Interestingly, their gut microbes, identified in 1992 and 2016, have not been thoroughly studied till now. Enter researchers Hyo-Jong Lee and Chung Sub Kim, who were intrigued by the potential of these bacteria.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gut-bacteria-of-fish-and-skincare">Gut bacteria of fish and skincare</h2>



After extensive research, Lee, affiliated with the Pukyong National University, and Kim, from the Korean Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, discovered 22 molecules produced by these gut bacteria.&nbsp;



But could any of these molecules benefit human skin? To answer this, they evaluated each molecule's ability to inhibit two enzymes: tyrosinase and collagenase.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fighting-wrinkles-and-dark-spots">Fighting wrinkles and dark spots</h2>



Tyrosinase is responsible for melanin production, which can lead to hyperpigmentation in aging skin. Collagenase, on the other hand, breaks down the structural protein collagen, causing wrinkles.&nbsp;



So, any molecule that effectively inhibits these enzymes could potentially help to keep our skin youthful and bright.



After extensive testing, Lee and Kim found their winners. Three molecules from the red seabream gut bacteria were able to inhibit both enzymes effectively without causing any harm to the cells. In essence, they found potential new stars for the world of anti-wrinkle and skin-brightening <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-anti-aging-drug-interleukin-11-boosts-lifespan-prevents-cancer-gray-hair/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">products</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-fish-molecules-work-in-skincare">How the fish molecules work in skincare</h2>



Understanding how these newly identified molecules interact with skin cells is crucial for future applications in skincare.&nbsp;



The research team employed molecular docking studies to elucidate the binding sites of the inhibitory molecules on both tyrosinase and collagenase enzymes.&nbsp;



By mimicking the natural substrates of these enzymes, the molecules were able to effectively obstruct their activity, thereby preventing excessive melanin production and collagen degradation.&nbsp;



This pattern at the molecular level underscores the potential of these compounds not merely as ingredients, but as targeted treatments that engage with the skin's biochemistry in meaningful ways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-implications-of-the-research">Further implications of the research </h2>



The discovery of natural molecules from seabream gut bacteria is opening up exciting new possibilities in cosmetic science. This could lead to more sustainable and effective ingredients in skincare products.&nbsp;



As researchers explore these bacteria further, consumers might enjoy not only better results but also a greater understanding of the ecological and biological connections that influence our health and beauty.&nbsp;



This could ignite a trend focused on harnessing ingredients sourced from deep-sea ecosystems, tapping into the unique properties of their diverse microbes. 



By exploring these untapped resources, the skincare industry can promote a more holistic approach to beauty, prioritizing sustainability and innovation. This shift may lead to groundbreaking products that nourish the skin while respecting our planet.



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



Following these promising results, the next steps will involve further research and development to see if these molecules from fish gut can be effectively and safely utilized in skincare <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-are-easily-absorbed-through-skin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">products</a>. Could these little molecules from fish guts be the next big thing in cosmetics? Only time will tell.



But isn't it fascinating how our quest for beauty and youthfulness leads us to the most unexpected corners of the world - even to the guts of a fish? 



Remember, next time you apply your favorite cream or serum, a similarly surprising journey might be behind its inception. After all, beauty can really be found anywhere - even in the unexpected depths of the ocean.



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.3c09585" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Omega</a>.



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Fish guts contain anti-wrinkle compounds for skincare products

Have you ever thought about what exactly goes into your...

Aspergillus fumigatus is a not-so-friendly mold that has secured a spot in every nook and corner of our world. While it may be just another mold species to some, it holds a rather notorious distinction for us humans - Aspergillus fumigatus is capable of causing grave and often fatal infections.



The culprit behind the lethal prowess of this particular mold? A unique enzyme on the surface of its spores known as glycosylasparaginase.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dangers-of-the-aspergillus-fumigatus-mold">Dangers of the Aspergillus fumigatus mold</h2>



The risky business of dealing with A. fumigatus is part of daily life for an international research team headed by Gustavo Goldman from the University of São Paulo in Brazil. 



Their mission? Uncovering the secrets that make this mold <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mold-burgers-fungi-aims-to-become-the-smart-food-of-the-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> deadly. Goldman's research primarily revolves around the surface proteins of these spores - the defense front that first encounters our immune system, usually through inhalation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spore-secrets-of-the-deadly-mold">Spore secrets of the deadly mold</h2>



What do these surface proteins reveal? Olaf Kniemeyer, a proteomics expert from the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology-Hans Knöll Institute (<a href="https://www.leibniz-hki.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leibniz-HKI</a>), shed some light on this question.



Kniemeyer's proficiency in mapping and assigning functions to all proteins in a cell have led to the identification of potential targets for new therapeutic substances.



With Kniemeyer and his team's expertise in phagocytosis - the process by which our immune cells engulf foreign invaders - the research team was able to closely observe the mold.



"Gustavo Goldman's group was particularly interested in the surface proteins on the spores, as these are the first to come into contact with the immune system - usually through inhalation," noted Kniemeyer.



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



To crack open the spore mysteries, the team employed a rather innovative approach known as trypsin shaving. 



This involved using trypsin, a protein-cleaving enzyme, to purge all proteins from the spore surface - think of it as exfoliating the surface of the spores. After this rigorous "cleanup," the team analyzed the protein fragments left behind using a mass spectrometer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mold-and-the-immune-system">Mold and the immune system</h2>



Upon comparing their findings to existing databases, the researchers discovered 62 proteins that were exclusively present on A. fumigatus spores and absent in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-fungi-diversity-can-be-pulled-out-of-thin-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">closely related species</a>. This hinted at some of these proteins' potential involvement in the infection process. 



The experts then created a library of 42 fungus mutants, with each mutant lacking a gene responsible for one of these proteins.



It was found that the mutant lacking glycosylasparaginase triggered an increased release of interleukin-1β - an ultra-potent protein that incites fever, inflammation, and an assortment of other immune responses - in immune cells.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taming-the-body-s-immune-response">Taming the body's immune response</h2>



The absence of glycosylasparaginase on the fungal spores allows the immune system to release more of this pro-inflammatory substance, thereby ramping up the body's defense against the pathogen. 



This suggests that the fungus normally produces glycosylasparaginase to tame the immune response, enabling it to infiltrate the body nearly unchecked. 



A study in mice supports this theory, showing that mice with an intact immune system launched a more vigorous attack against the fungus when the gene for glycosylasparaginase was switched off.



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



The insights gained from the study of glycosylasparaginase and its role in mediating immune responses opens a plethora of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungi-fusion-turning-food-waste-into-culinary-delights/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">avenues for future exploration</a>. 



Understanding how A. fumigatus manipulates host defenses equips researchers with the foundational knowledge needed to design effective therapeutic interventions. 



By identifying the specific interactions between this mold and the immune system, scientists can develop targeted drugs or vaccines that enhance immune recognition and response, potentially leading to breakthroughs in treating or preventing infections caused by this mold.



Indeed, the elusive glycosylasparaginase on A. fumigatus spores seems to play a key part in the fungus's standoff with our immune system. 



However, the exact workings of this mechanism remain wrapped in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mycocrete-new-material-made-of-fungi-hopes-to-replace-concrete-in-construction-projects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mystery</a>. Still, these findings open up avenues for developing new treatments for infections caused by A. fumigatus - an urgent need given the limited number of effective drugs currently available and the steadily spreading resistance to them.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-024-01782-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Microbiology</a>.&nbsp;



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How do deadly molds attack the immune system of humans?

Aspergillus fumigatus is a not-so-friendly mold that has secured a...

Wouldn't it be a surprise to learn that bats, often vilified in folklore as harbingers of the dark, are actually our silent sentinels? They play an essential ecological role as nature's pesticide-free pest control, and the sudden disappearance of bats could affect more than just your friendly neighborhood farmer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unseen-warriors-of-the-sky">Unseen warriors of the sky</h2>



Bats are nature's own pest managers, performing an admirable job of protecting crops from insects. This ecological role reduces the need for farmers to douse their fields in alarmingly toxic chemical pesticides. 



Since 2006, many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-bats-navigate-noisy-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bat populations</a> have seen their numbers dwindle in North America due to an encroaching fungus that causes white-nose syndrome. This pesky fungus cohabits caves where bats camouflage during the day and weather the winter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bats-reducing-pesticide-use">Bats reducing pesticide use</h2>



A recent study published in the journal Science took this sudden <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bats-can-ramp-up-their-heart-rate-to-900-beats-per-minute/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bat</a> collapse as a springboard to investigate whether farmers cranked up their pesticide use and the potential effects on human health. 



The findings were alarming. Farmers had amplified their pesticide use, which sadly translated to over 1,000 infant deaths.



"Despite the unfounded fear surrounding bats, especially after speculations of their ties with the origins of Covid-19, these creatures add substantial value to society as natural pesticides. Their decline can impact humans adversely," said study lead author Eyal Frank, an assistant professor at the <a href="https://harris.uchicago.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harris School of Public Policy</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bat-losses-and-pesticide-use">Bat losses and pesticide use</h2>



Frank's research dissected the impact of bat losses on pesticide use in counties affected by their drastic population decline compared to those unaffected by this wildlife disease. The data showed a staggering 31% rise in pesticide use aligned with a decrease in bat <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-waking-bats-up-too-early-from-hibernation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">populations</a>. 



Now, shifting the spotlight to human health, he studied if this escalated usage of potentially harmful pesticides corresponded with a hike in infant mortality rates, a common benchmark to gauge the health impacts of environmental pollution. 



The infant mortality rate shot up by almost 8%, contributing to an additional 1,334 infant deaths. This means that each 1% increase in pesticide use shoots the infant mortality rate up by 0.25%.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-pesticides-the-answer">Are pesticides the answer?</h2>



The study further revealed that pesticides are sorely lagging behind <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bats-experience-age-related-hearing-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bats</a> in the fight against pests. The crop quality suffered as a direct consequence. 



Farmers saw their crop sales revenue plunge by almost 29%. When you add this revenue loss to the hefty bill of the pesticides, the farming communities reeling under the bat decline saw massive losses of up to $26.9 billion between 2006 and 2017. 



Infant mortality's toll added a whopping $12.4 billion, making the total societal cost of the bat die-offs in these affected communities a mind-boggling $39.6 billion.



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



The decline of bat populations extends beyond immediate agricultural impacts to reverberate through entire ecosystems. Bats play a crucial role in the pollination of various plants and the dispersal of seeds. Many fruit-bearing plants, including mangoes and bananas, rely on bat activity for reproduction. 



As these bats vanish, a cascading effect threatens the diversity of flora that supports diverse fauna, leading to an unravelling of ecological balance. 



This diminishment can unfurl over generations, revealing the interconnectedness of species and highlighting the warning signs of a fragile ecosystem that is increasingly under threat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-efforts">Conservation efforts</h2>



While the challenges posed by bat population declines are significant, there are pathways for mitigation and recovery. Conservationists are advocating for bat-friendly farming practices, such as organic farming, which helps reduce the unnecessary reliance on harmful pesticides. 



Initiatives to restore natural habitats, coupled with public education on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-pollution-is-harming-worms-and-bugs-to-an-unknown-degree/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecological value</a> of bats, can foster healthier coexistence. 



Moreover, the establishment of protected areas where bats can roost safely from the strains of urbanisation and pollution is imperative. 



By illuminating the roles these creatures play in our environment, communities can embark on a journey toward rehabilitation and sustainability, ensuring that these unsung heroes of the night continue to grace our skies for generations to come.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-value-of-bats-for-pesticide-free-crops">Value of bats for pesticide-free crops</h2>



"When bats are absent from the pest control scene, the costs to society are astronomical. However, the expense of preserving bat populations is relatively smaller," noted Frank.



The study highlights the profound value that wildlife brings to society and the pressing need to comprehend this value better. This understanding is crucial to shaping policies that champion wildlife protection.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adg0344" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Disappearance of bats linked to unexpected rise in infant deaths

Wouldn't it be a surprise to learn that bats, often...

Cancer treatment has reached a new milestone with the development of an innovative method to destroy cancer cells using molecular jackhammers, offering hope for more targeted and efficient therapies.



This cutting-edge approach utilizes advanced molecular science to disrupt cancer cells in a way that could minimize harm to healthy tissue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-side-effects-and-improving-recovery">Reducing side effects and improving recovery</h2>



A collaborative team of scientists has found that stimulating aminocyanine molecules with near-infrared light causes them to vibrate in sync, producing enough force to effectively rupture the membranes of cancer cells without invasive procedures. 



This breakthrough demonstrates the potential to tackle deep-seated cancers, including those in bones and organs, that are often challenging to treat with conventional methods.



The novel approach is set to revolutionize the way cancer is treated, offering a more direct and potentially non-invasive option for patients, with the hope of reducing side effects and improving recovery outcomes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advancing-cancer-treatments-with-molecular-machines">Advancing cancer treatments with molecular machines</h2>



Aminocyanine molecules, already a crucial component in bioimaging as synthetic dyes, have proven to be key players in this process. These molecules have a unique talent for adhering to cell exteriors while remaining steady in water.



The research team from <a href="https://www.rice.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rice University</a>, <a href="https://www.tamu.edu/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas A&amp;M University</a>, and the <a href="https://www.utexas.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Texas</a> notes that this method represents a marked improvement over earlier <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/are-mushrooms-a-cancer-fighting-superfood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer-fighting</a> molecular machines, specifically the Feringa-type motors.



"It is a whole new generation of molecular machines that we call molecular jackhammers. They are more than one million times faster in their mechanical motion than the former Feringa-type motors, and they can be activated with near-infrared light rather than visible light," said James Tour, a chemist from Rice University.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-advantage-of-near-infrared-light">Distinct advantage of near-infrared light</h2>



The use of near-infrared light is important because it allows scientists to penetrate deeper into the body, potentially <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-may-be-a-highly-effective-treatment-for-cancer-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">treating cancer</a> embedded in bones and organs without invasive surgery.



In lab tests, the molecular jackhammer method achieved a 99 percent success rate in obliterating lab-grown <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unique-fingerprint-of-cancer-cells-revealed-in-hydrogen-atoms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer cells</a>. In tests on mice with melanoma tumors, half of the animals became cancer-free.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-destruction-of-cancer-cells">Destruction of cancer cells</h2>



Drawing from the unique structure and chemical properties of aminocyanine molecules, they remain in sync when exposed to the correct stimulus, such as near-infrared light. 



"This is the first time a molecular plasmon is utilized in this way to excite the whole molecule and produce mechanical action to achieve a particular goal - in this case, tearing apart cancer cells' membrane," said Ciceron Ayala-Orozco, a chemist from Rice University.



The movement of the molecular plasmons, with an arm extending to attach to cancer cell membranes, leads to the destruction of the cells. 



While this research is still in its early stages, the findings offer a promising new approach that could avoid the resistance mechanisms commonly seen in cancer cells. 



"This study is about a different way to treat cancer using mechanical forces at the molecular scale," said Ayala-Orozco.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-alternative-cancer-treatment-options">Exploring alternative cancer treatment options</h2>



While the discovery of molecular jackhammers opens exciting new doors, traditional cancer treatment options continue to evolve. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cancer-cells-hibernate-like-bears-to-survive-chemotherapy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chemotherapy</a> and radiation therapy remain two of the most common treatments, targeting rapidly dividing cancer cells, but they often come with significant side effects, including damage to healthy cells.



In recent years, immunotherapy has gained prominence, harnessing the body’s own <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reprogramming-the-immune-system-to-attack-cancer-cells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">immune system to attack cancer cells</a>. By stimulating immune responses or using synthetic immune proteins, immunotherapy has shown success, particularly in treating cancers like melanoma and certain types of lung cancer.



Another promising avenue is targeted therapy, which uses drugs to block specific molecules involved in cancer growth and spread. Unlike chemotherapy, targeted therapy attacks only cancer cells, making it less harmful to healthy tissues. Similarly, precision medicine tailors treatment based on the patient’s genetic profile, offering a more personalized approach that is gaining traction in oncological research.



While these therapies offer hope to many, the molecular jackhammer approach stands out due to its mechanical precision and non-invasive potential. It could complement existing treatments, especially in cases where deep-seated tumors are difficult to access with surgery or radiation.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41557-023-01383-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Chemistry</a>.



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Molecular jackhammers: A breakthrough in cancer treatment

Cancer treatment has reached a new milestone with the development...

BurstCube, a shoebox-sized satellite designed by NASA, has made a historic breakthrough by detecting its first gamma-ray burst, one of the most powerful explosions in the universe. 



This achievement marks a significant step forward in the study of these cosmic phenomena, demonstrating the incredible potential of small satellite missions in space exploration.



According to NASA, while gamma rays are the most energetic form of light, they are difficult to detect because our eyes see only a narrow band of the electromagnetic spectrum



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-milestone-for-burstcube">A milestone for BurstCube </h2>



On June 29, in the southern constellation Microscopium, BurstCube observed GRB 240629A, marking a watershed moment for the mission. 



"We’re excited to collect science data," said Sean Semper, BurstCube’s lead engineer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. "It’s an important milestone for the team and for the many early career engineers and scientists that have been part of the mission." 



The announcement came on August 29, following BurstCube's deployment into orbit on April 18 from the International Space Station.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-galactic-gold-rush">The galactic gold rush</h2>



The mission’s objective extends beyond simply detecting and locating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recent-gamma-ray-burst-was-70-times-brighter-than-any-cosmic-explosion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gamma-ray bursts</a>; it seeks to uncover the underlying mechanisms behind short gamma-ray bursts - brief but intense flashes of high-energy light that occur when superdense cosmic objects, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neutron-stars-may-hold-the-key-to-understanding-dark-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neutron stars</a>, collide.



These cataclysmic events are not only among the most powerful explosions in the universe, but they also provide a unique opportunity to study the extreme conditions present during these rare occurrences.



When these massive cosmic bodies merge, they release a vast amount of energy, which results in the production of heavy elements such as gold, platinum, and iodine. 



These exotic elements, forged in the heart of such violent collisions, play a critical role in the cosmic cycle, contributing to the formation of planets and even life itself. 



Gold and iodine, for instance, are essential components for technological applications and biological processes, making these bursts not only fascinating from an astrophysical standpoint but also relevant to our understanding of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-the-building-blocks-of-life-form/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">building blocks of life</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-specialized-communication-satellite-system">Specialized communication satellite system</h2>



BurstCube has pioneered the use of NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system among CubeSats. 



This constellation of specialized communications spacecraft assists in coordinating rapid follow-up measurements by relaying data to other observatories via NASA's General Coordinates Network (GCN). 



Additionally, BurstCube regularly beams <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/voyager-1-resumes-sending-data-to-earth-from-interstellar-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data back to Earth</a> using the Direct to Earth system, with both TDRS and Direct to Earth forming part of NASA's Near Space Network.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-navigating-hurdles-in-orbit">Navigating hurdles in orbit</h2>



Despite the initial setback of one solar panel failing to extend fully - obscuring the spacecraft’s star tracker and troubling its orientation - the team remains undeterred.



Increased drag caused by the panel issue may hasten BurstCube's re-entry into the atmosphere, which was initially planned for 12–18 months of operation. 



"I’m proud of how the team responded to the situation and is making the best use of the time we have in orbit," said Jeremy Perkins, BurstCube’s principal investigator at Goddard. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaborative-team-behind-the-success">Collaborative team behind the success</h2>



BurstCube is the result of a collaborative effort led by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, and funded by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate’s Astrophysics Division. 



The project has been an invaluable opportunity for early-career engineers and scientists to develop cutting-edge technologies like the mission’s gamma-ray detector. 



The mission is supported by partners from the <a href="https://stories.ua.edu/graduateschool/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=performance_max&amp;utm_campaign=jumpstart_2025&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwiuC2BhDSARIsALOVfBLcyi9HuxfVnMLxd7gT4pyuWf2cTDtU09o1U7y8VxjuNYcObGtoAQUaAvskEALw_wcB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Alabama</a> in Huntsville, the <a href="https://umd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maryland</a>, College Park, the Universities Space Research Association in Washington, the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-burstcube">The future of BurstCube</h2>



Despite the challenges faced during its mission, BurstCube’s initial success opens new doors for future advancements in gamma-ray burst research. 



As scientists continue to analyze the data collected, there is great potential to unlock further insights into the origins of these powerful cosmic events and their role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-holes-shaped-the-universe-before-galaxies-existed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shaping the universe</a>. 



BurstCube’s innovative use of CubeSat technology also sets the stage for future small-satellite missions to explore even more complex astrophysical phenomena. 



The lessons learned from this mission will undoubtedly guide the development of next-generation space exploration tools, enabling researchers to study the most energetic events in the universe with increasing precision.



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Shoebox-sized satellite detects a gamma-ray explosion

BurstCube, a shoebox-sized satellite designed by NASA, has made a...

It's time we tackle the elephant in the room - greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Sure, we've heard these terms tossed around in the news, environmental forums, and even in our daily conversations, but have we ever taken a moment to ponder over its association with something as common as the food on our plates, specifically beef?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emissions-from-the-beef-industry">Emissions from the beef industry</h2>



A significant chunk of the blame for increasing greenhouse gas emissions since the mid-20th century falls on human activities, with agriculture being a major contributor. 



In fact, did you know just the US beef industry is responsible for a startling 3.3% of the nation's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-records-shatter-2024-set-to-be-hottest-year-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">total emissions</a>? 



Although there have been noteworthy reduction efforts and advancements over the last half-century, the intricately-woven supply chain poses a monumental hurdle.



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



In a fresh wave of research detailed in the journal Nature Food, scientists from the University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment (<a href="https://environment.umn.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IonE</a>) and The Nature Conservancy have proposed effective measures that the U.S. beef industry could take to cut down greenhouse gas <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-temperatures-increase-scientists-plan-slow-down-rising-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emissions</a> by a whopping 30 percent.



Study lead author Rylie Pelton and her team conducted the first-ever county-level, location-specific assessment of the environmental impact of the beef industry.



This meticulous approach has unveiled geographic emission hotspots scattered along the supply chain.



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



Take a look at the staggering findings:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>The US beef industry alone propels approximately 258 million metric tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere annually.</li>



<li>Emissions from feed production - specifically beef sourcing and confinement like feedlots - are primarily concentrated in the Midwest and the Great Plains. On the other hand, emissions from grazing seem to be quite evenly scattered across the West.</li>



<li>The silver lining? Nearly one-third of these emissions could be controlled through the integration of alternative practices in grazing, feed production, confinement, and processing. The researchers investigated 42 such alternative strategies, which include innovative methods like cover cropping, feed additives, and energy management.</li>
</ul>



"The beef supply chain is one of the country's most intricate food production systems, making it difficult for beef processors to identify opportunities for reducing their emissions," said Pelton. 



"Our highly-tailored assessment offers distinct recommendations for different parts of the country, including concrete steps the beef industry can take to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and increase the carbon sequestration in soils and working lands."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-the-path-forward">Mapping the path forward</h2>



As we navigate the complex web of the beef supply chain, it becomes essential to not only identify solutions but also to map out clear pathways for implementation.



Stakeholder engagement is crucial; from farmers and ranchers to industry leaders and policymakers, collective action can drive meaningful change. Educational initiatives and workshops can empower producers with the knowledge and tools needed to embrace these sustainable practices. 



Furthermore, financial incentives can act as a catalyst, encouraging the adoption of alternative practices that are both environmentally beneficial and economically viable. In this way, we can leverage both the scientific findings and the long-standing traditions of farming to forge a more sustainable future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-charting-a-sustainable-course">Charting a sustainable course</h2>



Identifying immediate, feasible actions that the beef industry can take to start reducing their emissions is crucial. 



For instance, Pelton and her team have found a significant opportunity to store more carbon in grazing areas by adding trees to pasturelands in the Southeast. In contrast, mending degraded wetland areas in the Northern Great Plains could yield similar results.



"Sustainability needs to be business-as-usual in the U.S. beef industry to ensure stable, long-term food production and economic security for ranchers and their communities as well as a healthy environment for us all," said Kris Johnson, director of The Nature Conservancy's North America Agriculture program.



"This research helps the industry and other decisionmakers identify actionable steps to achieve climate targets while delivering a product that meets consumer expectations."



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



The study isn't just a road map for the beef industry emissions; it's a call-to-action for everyone involved in the decision-making process, helping them identify <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frankenfood-beef-grown-inside-rice-cells-that-is-tasty-healthy-and-affordable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">actionable steps</a> to hit their climate targets while delivering a product that aligns with consumer expectations.



"These are our first published results that feature location-specific data on emissions in the animal stage of the supply chain," said study co-author Jennifer Schmitt.



"We are excited to share how our model can bring increased transparency to U.S. agricultural supply chains and identify steps companies and industry can take <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/python-meat-is-a-more-sustainable-food-than-chicken-or-beef/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">to reduce their carbon footprint</a>."



The next time you bite into your favorite steak, remember that we all have a role to play in steering our planet towards a healthier future. It's not about giving up on beef entirely, but about recognizing the impact of our choices and making more informed, conscious decisions. So, are you ready to chew on these food-for-thought facts and be part of the change?



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-024-01031-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Food</a>.



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Beef industry can cut emissions by 30% with sustainable practices

It's time we tackle the elephant in the room -...

Climate change is more than a buzzword; it's transforming landscapes across the globe, and North America is no exception. 



As weather extremes become more frequent, the impact on ecosystems and human infrastructure is becoming impossible to ignore.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-fuels-extreme-weather">Climate change fuels extreme weather</h2>



According to new research from <a href="https://www.osu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ohio State University</a>, extreme weather patterns - severe droughts in the American Southwest and Mexico, alongside more intense wet years in the Northeast - are the modern norm. The analysis also suggests these seasonal patterns will become more severe in the future.



The study highlights that the central United States can expect bigger swings between pluvials, or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heavy-rainfall-events-in-the-northeast-are-set-to-increase-by-over-50-percent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">high-rainfall</a> years, and drier summers through the rest of this century. 



The findings, based on precipitation data, historical tree rings, and climate models stretching from 850 to 2100, suggest that climate change has pushed North America's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-warming-influences-us-weather-patterns-ai-machine-learning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weather patterns</a> toward extremes unseen before the industrial era.



"It’s very much a tale of the Southwest versus the Northeast for most of the seasons," said study senior author Professor James Stagge. 



"Mexico and the American Southwest tend to get drier across more or less all seasons, whereas we’re seeing in the Northeast – and Ohio is included in that - a trend toward wetter, particularly in the winter and early spring."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dissecting-the-data">Dissecting the data</h2>



The study doesn’t just document the present-day shift but traces the pre-industrial patterns to predict future extremes. 



“The scale of the change we’re seeing now and into the future is dramatically larger in many areas than any natural climate variability we saw prior,” said study lead author Kyungmin Sung.



This variability is particularly concerning as it introduces unpredictability to weather management. 



"You might be going from, say, this year’s drought being really bad, and in five years, we might see the wettest pluvial we’ve had in a while," noted Professor Stagge. "That variability is concerning because it changes how we might need to manage water to prepare for more extremes in both ways."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-precipitation">The future of precipitation</h2>



The research team merged data from five sources: two modern precipitation datasets, tree ring reconstructions, and two <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weather-in-dry-regions-isnt-behaving-as-climate-models-predict/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate models</a>. 



"A benefit of having very different types of data is they can fill in each other’s gaps," said Professor Stagge. "We consider trends to be significant only when they’re showing up across multiple datasets - so that increases our confidence."



This holistic approach paints a clear picture of the future: the Southwest will continue to experience worsening droughts, while the Northeast will face wetter winters and springs. 



At the same time, the central U.S. will see more dramatic swings between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/expect-more-extreme-wet-and-dry-seasons-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wet and dry</a> periods.



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



The implications of these findings reach beyond weather prediction - they affect sectors from agriculture to city planning.



"In the Southwest, you’re going to have less water to deal with, and if you’re managing a farm in the middle of the country, you might be seeing wider swings between droughts and pluvials," noted Professor Stagge.



The study, published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023GL107400" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>, emphasizes the urgency of proactive planning to deal with the ongoing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-impacts-on-waterways-contribute-to-the-climate-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate crisis</a>. 



"Certainly, we’d like to arrest further climate change, but it takes a long time to turn that ship. In the meantime, we should be planning on where we’re headed to decrease impacts on people, the economy, and the environment," said Professor Stagge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapting-to-climate-change">Adapting to climate change</h2>



As the data points to worsening weather extremes, the urgency to address climate change grows ever more pressing. 



The combination of drier droughts and wetter pluvials presents significant challenges not only for managing water resources but also for sustaining agricultural productivity and protecting infrastructure. 



These shifts in weather patterns can strain ecosystems, create economic burdens, and increase the vulnerability of communities across North America.



While curbing climate change is a global priority, local and regional efforts to adapt to these emerging conditions are equally important. Preparing for the inevitable changes is critical to mitigating the impacts on people and industries alike. 



From investing in sustainable water management practices to rethinking urban planning and agricultural strategies, adaptation must be part of the solution.



By taking proactive steps now, governments, businesses, and communities can lessen the blow of future climate extremes, ensuring a more resilient and sustainable future for the next generations.



The research was supported by the National Science Foundation, the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center, and the Ohio Supercomputer Center..



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Droughts and extreme weather events are escalating

Climate change is more than a buzzword; it's transforming landscapes...

Thermogenesis, the ability of plants to generate their own heat, is a remarkable survival tool that has evolved in certain plant species. 



While commonly associated with animals, this process plays a crucial role in helping plants like cycads and select flowering varieties attract pollinators. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-heat-attracts-pollinators">Plant heat attracts pollinators</h2>



By producing heat, these plants can volatilize their fragrances more effectively, dispersing chemical compounds that enhance their chances of attracting a wide variety of pollinators, including beetles, flies, and thrips. 



This thermal boost not only makes the plants more appealing to insects but also plays a crucial role in the timing and success of pollination.



Additionally, this internal heat supports the development and growth of reproductive organs, such as flowers and pollen tubes, especially in cooler climates where warmth is scarce, giving thermogenic plants a distinct evolutionary advantage over non-thermogenic species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thermogenesis-and-plant-evolution">Thermogenesis and plant evolution</h2>



Tracking heat generation in plants is challenging because thermogenesis cannot be directly preserved in the fossil record. This forces scientists to rely on indirect evidence, such as fossilized anatomical structures that may have supported heat production. 



Without physical traces of heat itself, researchers must study plant morphology and compare ancient plants with modern thermogenic species to infer how this process may have operated in the past. 



By examining anatomical similarities between ancient and present-day thermogenic plants, scientists can better understand how thermogenesis played a role in plant evolution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-heat-and-evolutionary-success">Plant heat and evolutionary success</h2>



An intriguing study was recently conducted by a group of researchers at the Botanical Institute of Barcelona (IBB), in a collaborative effort with several esteemed institutions including the <a href="https://www.ucm.es/english" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Complutense University of Madrid</a>, the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain (IGME–CSIC), the <a href="https://www.si.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smithsonian Institution</a>, the <a href="https://web.ub.edu/en/web/ub/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Barcelona</a>, and the Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney.



The experts diligently examined the characteristics of present-day thermogenic plants and compared them with fossil plant lineages.



The research led to a surprising conclusion. "Our findings suggest that thermogenesis in plants is an older phenomenon than previously thought," said David Peris, a researcher at the IBB.



According to Peris, thermogenesis may have played a pivotal role in the evolutionary success of seed and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-of-life-created-for-flowering-plants-using-400-million-specimens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flowering plants</a>, as well as their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hornets-are-the-most-important-pollinators-for-some-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinators</a>, as far back as 200 million years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-evolutionary-edge">An evolutionary edge</h2>



The presence of female structures maturing before male structures in thermogenic plants to prevent self-fertilization is a fascinating trait that is closely associated with early lines of divergence among flowering plants.



In fact, evidence of independent closing of stamens and carpels in floral chambers exists in fossil plants that could have trapped pollinating insects, hinting at their thermogenic past.



The researchers discovered that large reproductive structures, such as perianths or cones, could also indicate thermogenesis, thanks to their heat-retaining abilities.



These structures suggest that thermogenesis could have given certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-survived-the-dinosaur-extinction-by-pulling-nitrogen-from-the-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mesozoic plants</a> a competitive edge over non-thermogenic equivalents more than 200 million years ago. 



This heat-generating capacity, coupled with other attractive traits like flower color and fragrance emission, could have been instrumental in their reproductive success.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diversification-of-plants-and-pollinators">Diversification of plants and pollinators </h2>



"Thermogenesis in plants is not just a botanical curiosity," said study co-author Iván Pérez-Lorenzo. He noted that this unique ability has strongly influenced the success of two diverse and populated groups: insects and flowering plants.



The findings open up exciting avenues for further inquiry into how such interactions may have influenced the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-evolved-in-two-dramatic-bursts-250-million-years-apart/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diversification of plants</a> and their pollinators throughout evolutionary history.



There is much more to learn from the world of plants, and this study has provided us with a fascinating glimpse into the world of thermogenesis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-in-a-changing-climate">Plants in a changing climate</h2>



The discovery of thermogenesis as a key factor in early plant survival offers exciting insights into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-evolution-drastically-changed-earths-composition/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary journey of plants</a>. 



As scientists continue to investigate how heat generation has shaped plant-pollinator relationships over millions of years, new questions arise about its role in future evolutionary pathways. 



Could thermogenesis have been a pivotal trait that allowed certain species to outcompete others in harsh environments? 



Understanding this process may reveal how plants have adapted and diversified in response to changing climates and ecological pressures throughout history, and how they may continue to evolve in the face of future environmental shifts.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-024-01775-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Plants</a>.



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Some plants generate heat to attract pollinators

Thermogenesis, the ability of plants to generate their own heat,...

Alzheimer's disease, a leading cause of cognitive decline, may have an unexpected link to a widespread environmental issue - light pollution.



As artificial illumination continues to fill our cities and suburbs, researchers are now exploring how constant exposure to nighttime light may influence public health. 



While streetlights and neon signs enhance safety and urban beauty, this constant glow could have hidden consequences, potentially contributing to an increased risk of Alzheimer's.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-light-pollution-and-alzheimer-s-disease">Light pollution and Alzheimer's disease</h2>



In the US, several states have implemented measures to mitigate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-light-pollution-disrupts-entire-ecological-networks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">light pollution</a>. Yet, some parts of the country continue to bathe in high levels of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-light-exposure-is-extremely-harmful-to-our-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial night light</a>.



Suspecting a possible connection between this incessant light exposure and public health, researchers embarked on a study to investigate the association between outdoor light pollution and Alzheimer's disease prevalence.



"We show that in the US there is a positive association between AD prevalence and exposure to light at night, particularly in those under the age of 65," noted study lead author Dr. Robin Voigt-Zuwala, a professor at <a href="https://www.rush.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rush University Medical Center</a>.



"Nightly light pollution - a modifiable environmental factor - may be an important risk factor for Alzheimer's disease."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-higher-the-intensity-the-greater-the-risk">The higher the intensity, the greater the risk?</h2>



The investigative team scrutinized light pollution maps of the continental United States and considered various medical data known to influence Alzheimer's disease risk. 



They produced data reflecting the nighttime light intensity for each state, categorizing them into five groups based on the intensity level.



Among individuals aged 65 and older, the findings revealed a stronger correlation between Alzheimer's disease prevalence and nightly light pollution than with other established disease indicators such as alcohol abuse, chronic kidney disease, depression, and obesity.



While other risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke did display a higher association with Alzheimer's disease, the impact of light pollution was undeniable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increased-vulnerability-in-younger-people">Increased vulnerability in younger people</h2>



Interestingly, this association was even more pronounced in the population under 65, indicating a higher sensitivity to the effects of nighttime light exposure. The reason behind this age-related sensitivity to light pollution remains unclear.



"Certain genotypes, which influence early-onset AD, impact the response to biological stressors which could account for increased vulnerability to the effects of nighttime light exposure," said Voigt-Zuwala.



"Additionally, younger people are more likely to live in urban areas and have lifestyles that may increase <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exposure-to-light-during-sleep-can-damage-your-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exposure to light at night</a>."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prevention-and-mitigation-techniques">Prevention and mitigation techniques</h2>



As a result of their findings, the researchers advocate for increased public awareness regarding the potential effects of light pollution.



"Awareness of the association should empower people – particularly those with risk factors for Alzheimer's disease – to make easy lifestyle changes,” said Voigt-Zuwala. Changes may include the use of blackout curtains or sleeping with eye masks, especially for those residing in high light pollution areas.



Moreover, internal light exposure would be as significant in this discourse. Although not examined in this study, the researchers pointed out that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-term-effects-of-artificial-blue-light-remain-unknown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blue light</a>, in particular, disrupts sleep. 



The usage of blue light filters, transition to warm light, and installation of dimmers could effectively reduce light exposure within households.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alzheimer-s-and-the-path-forward">Alzheimer's and the path forward</h2>



The team acknowledges that their study is based on a subsection of the U.S. population and that not everyone resides in areas with high light pollution throughout their lives. 



The experts noted that further research is needed to explore the complex relationship between nighttime light exposure and Alzheimer's disease.



As research continues to uncover the potential connections between Alzheimer's and light pollution, experts emphasize the importance of taking preventative steps. 



Communities can work to reduce outdoor light pollution by using shielded streetlights and promoting darker night skies, which may help minimize the risk of Alzheimer's disease in the population. 



On an individual level, simple adjustments such as reducing blue light exposure in the evening and prioritizing quality sleep can be vital in protecting long-term <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walking-is-a-powerful-tool-to-boost-brain-health-and-overall-well-being/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain health</a>. 



By addressing both external and internal sources of light pollution, there is hope for mitigating one of the many factors linked to Alzheimer's disease.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2024.1378498/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Neuroscience</a>.



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Light pollution increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease, a leading cause of cognitive decline, may have...

Ever wondered about the countless mysteries lurking beneath Utah’s Great Salt Lake? As the lake shrinks and exposes more of its hidden wonders, one aspect has been grabbing the attention of scientists lately: the dust released from the dried lakebed.



This is not ordinary dust. It carries certain elements that have been raising eyebrows and, more importantly, concerns. Scientists from the <a href="https://www.utah.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Utah</a> have investigated what pollutants may be lurking within these airborne <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drying-lake-beds-are-a-major-source-of-harmful-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sediments</a>.



And what do their findings suggest? These sediments could potentially be more harmful than other significant dust sources that affect air quality in the Wasatch Front.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-composition-of-the-salt-lake-dust">Composition of the Salt Lake dust</h2>



What exactly is in these sediments? When these particles become airborne or aerosolized, they exhibit higher levels of reactivity and bioavailability than sediments from other places upwind of Utah's major population center. 



Chemical analysis has helped uncover the presence of numerous metals and levels of arsenic and lithium exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's soil residential regional screening levels.



“You’re talking about a very large dust source located next to a very large population, and you’ve got elevated levels of manganese, iron, copper and lead. Lead is a concern for developmental reasons,” said senior author&nbsp;Kerry Kelly, a professor of chemical engineering.



“Manganese, iron and copper, these are transition metals and are known to be very irritating to your lungs. Once you get irritation, that can lead to this whole inflammatory response. And that’s part of the problem with particulate matter and it’s adverse health effects like asthma.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harmful-dust-pollution">Harmful dust pollution </h2>



The Great Salt Lake is not a solitary entity; it receives runoff from a considerable drainage basin spread across northern Utah and parts of three other states.



Metals, both from natural sources and human disturbances, are pushed into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-salt-lake-drying-up-causing-major-dust-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lake</a> from inflows or atmospheric deposition, accumulating in the lakebed. 



This potential for harmful dust pollution has caught the attention of Utah state officials, resulting in a set of priority goals to tackle the issue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-impacts-of-the-dust">Social impacts of the dust</h2>



Dr. Sara Grineski, a professor of sociology, led another recent study which revealed that dust from the lakebed disproportionately impacts disadvantaged neighborhoods in Salt Lake County. It's not just about environmental impacts, but social ones too.



In a separate forthcoming study led by Michael Werner, a biologist at the University of Utah, a second team of researchers dug into the history of the lakebed. They surveyed levels of toxic metals in submerged lakebed sediments from the lake's record low-water year of 2021 and noticed changes from Utah's mining era years.



While concentrations of some metals, such as lead and zinc, appear to have decreased, mercury levels have strangely increased.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-are-the-pollutants-going">Where are the pollutants going?</h2>



However, here's a twist in the tale. Experts cannot conclusively say if these pollutants are being swept into populated areas during high-wind events. Why? The answer lies in the lack of sufficient monitoring equipment to capture the dust downwind of the lake.



Researchers in Dr. Kelly’s lab, who specialize in air quality, set out to unravel this mystery. They teamed up with colleagues in the U’s College of Science.



The experts analyzed sediment samples from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/restoring-the-great-salt-lake-is-a-matter-of-environmental-justice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great Salt Lake</a>, comparing them with sediments from other dust sources in the Great Basin. Interestingly, only a small fraction of the exposed lakebed, around 9%, emits dust from areas where the lakebed crusts have been disturbed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threat-level-of-salt-lake-dust">Threat level of Salt Lake dust</h2>



So, should we be worried? The initial findings suggest that the broken layers of the lakebed reset fairly easily, implying that the threat to air quality might not be as severe as previously assumed.



However, the latest study brings forth a new perspective. It explores the dust's "oxidative potential," a measure of its ability to react with oxygen. "When you breathe in something that’s really reactive, it’s going to interact with the cells inside your lungs and cause damage," explained Dr. Kelly.



In the lab, the team aerosolized the sediment samples to isolate particles small enough to inhale and lodge in lung tissue. Further analyses showed high oxidative potential associated with certain metals, including copper, manganese, iron, and aluminum.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1352231024004035?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atmospheric Environment</a>.



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Great Salt Lake is shrinking and releasing harmful dust

Ever wondered about the countless mysteries lurking beneath Utah’s Great...

Let's face it, the world is warming up, and climate change, whether we like it or not, is affecting everything around us. Birds from North America are quite alarmingly showing us how they're feeling the heat rise. 



Their response? Well, birds have three main tricks up their wings: trotting towards the north, soaring up to higher altitudes, and tweaking their annual breeding cycles, or what we scientists prefer calling - making phenological changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bird-s-eye-view-of-climate-change">Bird's eye view of climate change</h2>



Researchers at UCLA set out to study the issue from all angles. They have spent 27 years examining data from 311 land-based species to understand how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-behavior-productivity-being-directly-impacted-by-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> deal with climate change. 



The results were startling, especially when they saw how these species were using all three strategies collectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adaptation-but-at-what-pace">Adaptation, but at what pace?</h2>



While our avian friends seem to be taking a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-birds-are-at-great-risk-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">similar approach to change</a> - moving away from the heat, they aren't adapting fast enough. 



According to the study, the adjustments made by these creatures barely cover a mere one-third of what's necessary to cope with the speed at which our world is warming up.



The research was led by Monte Neate-Clegg, an ecologist at <a href="https://www.ucla.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCLA</a> who sheds some light on the findings. "The amount of temperature tracking in birds that we've seen, 64% is due to phenology tracking alone," he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-breeding-due-to-climate-change">Early breeding due to climate change</h2>



On average, our feathered friends have started breeding 0.08 days earlier. That's their way of dealing with a rise of one degree Celsius.&nbsp;



The experts believe this is easier and more efficient than moving 1,000 kilometers up north or climbing a few hundred meters in elevation every time there's a change in their habitat.



"This is a response we've hypothesized before, particularly for birds from California," said Morgan Tingley, a UCLA professor of ecology and evolutionary biology. 



"But now, for the first time, we can see how animals are using multiple ways simultaneously to adapt to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-birds-can-handle-climate-variability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>, and shifting the timing of key life events may just be one of the first and easiest options."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birds-moving-in-climate-change">Birds moving in climate change</h2>



The study found that on average, birds are moving a small distance spatially: just 1.1 kilometers per year towards the north and 1.2 meters per year upward. But of course, such averages always hide surprising variations.



Here are the odd ones out in the flock: the lesser goldfinch is on a faster track north and breeding earlier than most. And then we have the black phoebe, oddly shifting south and downward, probably due to urbanization, precipitation changes, and habitat availability. 



So, while some are keeping up with the temperature changes completely, others are partially doing so, and some are even moving counterintuitively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-habitat-in-bird-adaptation">The role of habitat in bird adaptation</h2>



Habitat plays a crucial role in how birds adapt to climate change. The availability of suitable environments can either facilitate or hinder their ability to move northward or gain altitude. 



For example, many birds are limited by urban development, which fragments their habitats and can make it challenging for them to find new nesting grounds. 



Additionally, alterations in vegetation due to changing temperatures affect food sources, thereby impacting breeding success. As habitats shift, so too must birds, but this transition is fraught with obstacles, leading to concerns about future population viability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-impact-a-double-edged-sword">Human impact: A double-edged sword</h2>



While birds are showing remarkable adaptability in response to climate change, human actions often complicate these efforts. Factors such as deforestation, pollution, and climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions exacerbate the challenges that birds face. 



Notably, habitat conservation and restoration efforts can bolster bird populations and provide the necessary resources they need to thrive amid changes. 



Yet, these initiatives must be implemented swiftly and on a large scale, as the rate of environmental change continues to outpace the natural adaptive capacities of avian species. 



It is imperative that we take action to mitigate these effects and support birds in their struggle for survival in an increasingly hostile environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapting-for-survival-a-lesson-from-birds">Adapting for survival: A lesson from birds</h2>



How birds adapt to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-species-are-shifting-their-habitats-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate changes</a>&nbsp;is crucial to their survival, and it is equally essential for our conservation efforts.&nbsp;



The fact that birds are altering their breeding season timings means that we need to shift our focus not just to protect their habitats but also consider the timing of ecological events and how individual species are changing.



"In order to best target our conservation efforts, we need to know how species are and are not adapting to ongoing climate change," noted Tingley. "While shifting the timing of nesting may help <a href="https://phys.org/tags/birds/">birds</a> in the short term, if they do not move in the long term, greater conservation efforts are likely to be necessary."



So, our winged friends are giving us not just a bird's eye view of the ongoing climate change but also a peek into their world of adaptation under pressure. Can we, as humans, take a leaf, or rather, a feather out of their book? 



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-024-02536-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</a>.



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Birds are moving north and breeding earlier in a changing climate

Let's face it, the world is warming up, and climate...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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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

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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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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