The Universe contains many types of massive formations that shape our understanding of how stars and galaxies group together. Astronomers have long studied these sprawling patterns, which give valuable clues about where matter gathers and where it remains thinly spread. 



These features define how cosmic evolution unfolds and guide current theories of how the universe expands.



Recently, a team of experts announced a giant find. This collection of galaxy clusters surpasses previous giants by orders of magnitude.



This study adds fresh insights by demonstrating that our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/interstellar-tunnel-found-that-connects-our-solar-system-to-other-stars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmic neighborhood</a> can still surprise us with unexpected details about how matter arranges itself across unimaginable distances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-galaxy-clusters-distribution">Galaxy clusters distribution</h2>



Hans Böhringer from the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (<a href="https://www.mpe.mpg.de/main" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MPE</a>) coordinated the effort in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Physics (<a href="https://www.mpp.mpg.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MPP</a>) and teams in Spain and South Africa. 



Their work relied on the ROSAT X-ray satellite’s survey, which singled out clusters of galaxies by detecting the energetic radiation these huge clusters emit. 



These data allowed the researchers to build a three-dimensional map of our cosmic vicinity.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/quipo_superstructure_3D-model_credit-MPE_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/quipo_superstructure_3D-model_credit-MPE_1s.webp" alt="Three-dimensional representation of the Quipu superstructure. Credit: MPE" class="wp-image-1960534"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Three-dimensional representation of the Quipu superstructure. Credit: MPE</figcaption></figure>



“If you look at the distribution of the galaxy clusters in the sky in a spherical shell with a distance of 416 to 826 million light-years, you immediately notice a huge structure that stretches from high northern latitudes to almost the southern end of the sky,” explains Böhringer.



By tracing each cluster’s position in space, his team pinpointed how matter spreads out in swirling patterns of galaxies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-quipu-superstructure">The Quipu superstructure</h2>



The researchers named this discovery “Quipu,” taking inspiration from the knotted string recording system once used by the Incas. 



Observed as a long strand with smaller threads branching off, the Quipu superstructure contains 68 galaxy clusters with a combined mass of about 2.4 × 10^17 solar masses. 



Its size of roughly 1.4 billion light-years makes Quipu the largest superstructure ever accurately measured, surpassing the Sloan Great Wall’s 1.1 billion light-years.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/quipo_superstructure_illustration_credit-MPE_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/quipo_superstructure_illustration_credit-MPE_1s.webp" alt="Distribution of galaxies (color coding) and galaxy clusters (black dots) in a spherical shell with a distance of 416 to 826 million light years surrounding us. The five superstructures are marked: 1 Quipu, 2 Shapley, 3 Serpens-Corona Borealis and Hercules (overlapping in the sky), 4 Sculptor-Pegasus. The area enclosed by white lines is shadowed by the disk of the Milky Way. Credit: MPE" class="wp-image-1960536"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Distribution of galaxies (color coding) and galaxy clusters (black dots) in a spherical shell with a distance of 416 to 826 million light years surrounding us. The five superstructures are marked: 1 Quipu, 2 Shapley, 3 Serpens-Corona Borealis and Hercules (overlapping in the sky), 4 Sculptor-Pegasus. The area enclosed by white lines is shadowed by the disk of the Milky Way. Credit: MPE</figcaption></figure>



“This breaks the size record of all reliably measured cosmic structures,” note the researchers who compared the finding with other known formations. 



“The Quipu superstructure, end to end, is slightly longer than the <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/figure/SDSS-3D-Universe-Map-Credit-Sloan-Digital-Sky-Survey-Team-NASA-NSF-DOE_fig2_357328983" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sloan Great Wall</a>,” says J. Richard Gott III at Princeton University, who helped discover the Sloan Great Wall. “Congratulations to them for finding it.” 



The name also reflects a connection to Chile, where many distance measurements took place, and where ancient quipus are showcased in Santiago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quipu-and-cosmological-principle">Quipu and cosmological principle</h2>



Across extremely large distances, matter is believed to spread out nearly evenly. At smaller scales of about a billion light-years, it collects in superclusters and leaves behind voids. 



This balance underpins the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cosmic-order-or-chaos-universe-expansion-may-follow-a-hidden-pattern/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmological principle</a>, which suggests that if we look far enough, the universe should appear uniform in every direction. 



Some experts argue these huge arrangements question that principle’s validity, with past findings triggering debates. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/great-sloan-wall_superstructure_SDSS_credit-MIT_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/great-sloan-wall_superstructure_SDSS_credit-MIT_1s.webp" alt="Sloan Great Wall of galaxies. SDSS 3D Universe Map Credit: Sloan Digital Sky Survey Team, NASA, NSF, DOE." class="wp-image-1960531"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sloan Great Wall of galaxies is 1.1 billion light years long. SDSS 3D Universe Map Credit: Sloan Digital Sky Survey Team, NASA, NSF, DOE.</figcaption></figure>



“Making observations in too small a part of the universe, which has been done earlier on, can be misleading,” says Böhringer. 



Another point comes from an ambiguous definition of the principle. “There is not yet one definition of the cosmological principle that every cosmologist agrees on,” says Alexia Lopez at the <a href="https://www.uclan.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Central Lancashire</a> in the UK. 



Meanwhile, Seshadri Nadathur at the <a href="https://www.port.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Portsmouth</a> notes that “some of those galaxies may drift apart from each other instead of collapsing in on themselves, in which case, according to some interpretations, it’s not really a bound structure.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cosmic-measurements-and-consequences">Cosmic measurements and consequences</h2>



Quipu’s existence highlights how vast formations can shape calculations of cosmic expansion rates and the properties of primordial radiation left over from the early universe. 



Astronomers pay close attention to features like superclusters because they alter light paths and influence how we determine important parameters such as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unknown-factors-are-accelerating-the-expansion-of-the-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble constant</a>. 



Small discrepancies can add up when researchers aim for precise numbers in modern cosmological studies.



“Even if these are only corrections of a few percent, they become increasingly important as the accuracy of cosmological observations increases,” emphasizes Gayoung Chon from the Max Planck Institute for Physics. 



This structure offers a reminder that the cosmos presents patterns on many scales. Those patterns appear to affect how we interpret data on the universe’s origin and shape the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-galactic-explosion-provides-clues-about-galaxy-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution of galaxies</a> in our vicinity and beyond.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quipu-and-the-incas">Quipu and the Incas</h2>



The Incas once managed vast territories using quipus, a system of knotted strings that helped track resources and information. 



Each knot arrangement acted like a code, revealing essential data in a form that required no written script.



Quipu’s naming borrowed that image of intertwined threads. 



Researchers see it as a nod to humanity’s long history of gathering knowledge, whether through knotted strings or advanced telescopes that trace the distribution of galaxies across cosmic depths.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next?</h2>



The discovery underscores how ongoing surveys might uncover more structures. 



Scientists are keen to see if similar patterns exist in parts of the sky that remain less charted, which could either confirm current theories or reveal new gaps in our understanding.



Future maps will rely on technology to gather clearer data from remote regions. 



These efforts reflect a human wish to capture our place in the universe, searching for the patterns that connect everything from particles to vast congregations of galaxies.



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Featured image: The open cluster Westerlund 1 is located roughly 12,000 light-years away in the southern constellation Ara (the Altar) where it resides behind a huge interstellar cloud of gas and dust. Credit: <a href="https://www.esa.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.19236" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Astronomy and Astrophysics</a>.



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Largest structure ever found in the universe is 1.4 billion light years long

The Universe contains many types of massive formations that shape our understanding of how stars and galaxies group together. Astronomers have long studied these sprawling patterns, which give valuable clues about where matter gathers and where it remains thinly spread. These features define how cosmic evolution unfolds and guide current theories of how the universe expands. Recently, a team of experts announced a giant find. This collection of galaxy clusters surpasses previous giants by orders of magnitude. This study adds fresh insights by demonstrating that our cosmic...

In recent years, the method of fentanyl consumption has shifted significantly. Smoking fentanyl has become more common than injecting it, and with this change comes an increased risk of fatal overdose. 



A study by researchers has highlighted a critical new danger: the residue that accumulates in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quitting-smoking-greatly-reduces-the-risk-of-deadly-cancers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smoking</a> equipment. 



This residue can be shared unintentionally, raising the risk of overdose, especially among individuals who are not tolerant to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/opioid-related-deaths-are-on-the-rise-among-young-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">opioids</a> like fentanyl.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overdose-risks-from-fentanyl-residue">Overdose risks from fentanyl residue</h2>



Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (<a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCSF</a>), led by Dr. Daniel Ciccarone, have found that both the deliberate sharing and accidental consumption of fentanyl residue are contributing to this risk. 



This is particularly dangerous for those who use the same equipment to smoke other drugs, such as methamphetamine, without realizing the potential for a lethal dose of fentanyl.



"The risk of overdose when sharing smoking devices with fentanyl resin is comparable to the risk of shared injection paraphernalia and HIV transmission," said Dr. Ciccarone. "We need harm reduction-based and culturally attuned education campaigns to address this new risk."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overdose-from-fentanyl-smoking">Overdose from fentanyl smoking</h2>



The study, published in PLOS ONE, is the first to examine fentanyl resin as a significant contributor to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fentanyl-can-easily-be-weaponized-nation-needs-emergency-response-plan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overdose</a>. 



It reveals a troubling trend: while fentanyl deaths in San Francisco reached an all-time high of 806 in 2023, with 653 attributed to fentanyl, nationwide deaths showed a slight decline but remained alarmingly high.



Additionally, fatal overdoses from psychostimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine are increasing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-behavioral-shifts-and-observations">Behavioral shifts and observations</h2>



The researchers conducted their study by observing individuals in their environments in 2022. 



They interviewed 34 participants from syringe service programs, inquiring about their substance use progression, modes of use, overdose experiences, and changes in the local drug supply. 



The study also included daily field notes, video recordings of smoking sessions, and photographs of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/illegal-drugs-can-now-be-detected-in-the-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drugs</a> and equipment.



They found that fentanyl was extremely cheap, sometimes as low as $10 a gram, and most users smoked it using foil, although glass bubbles, bongs, and dabbing devices were also popular. 



The quality of fentanyl varied widely, and users had no reliable method to determine potency. However, they could gauge it upon inhalation and had developed techniques to regulate their doses. Some participants reported using up to one or more grams daily.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-danger-of-shared-equipment">Danger of shared equipment</h2>



The shift from injecting to smoking fentanyl was driven by the difficulty of injecting and the fear of overdose. 



Smoking is more social, leading people to share equipment, drugs, and information. This sharing behavior introduces a significant risk, particularly for those with varying opioid tolerances.



The researchers observed interactions where individuals refused to share smoking devices to prevent unintentional overdoses. 



One participant refused to lend a glass pipe used for fentanyl to someone who only used <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mdma-and-methamphetamine-spark-human-connections-that-prove-beneficial-in-therapy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methamphetamine</a>, highlighting the similarity in appearance between smoked fentanyl and methamphetamine residues and the potential for confusion.



"The overdose risk arises when there is a mismatch between the potency of the residual drug and the recipient's tolerance," Dr. Ciccarone explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Other dangers of fentanyl</h2>



Fentanyl's extreme potency makes overdose easy, even with tiny amounts. It's often mixed with drugs like heroin or cocaine, increasing accidental overdose risks. Users can't gauge its strength, leading to unexpected, lethal doses. 



Rapid effects can cause respiratory failure, resulting in death within minutes. Fentanyl in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drugs-on-the-dark-web-often-contain-unidentified-ingredients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">counterfeit pills</a> poses a threat, as users may unknowingly consume it. High addiction potential and severe withdrawal symptoms complicate recovery. 



Accidental exposure can harm first responders and bystanders. Fentanyl’s impact extends to public health systems, straining resources and increasing healthcare costs. The synthetic nature of fentanyl also makes it easier to produce and distribute illicitly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-fentanyl-smoking-risks">Addressing the fentanyl smoking risks</h2>



Despite some participants taking precautions to prevent others from using their equipment, the shared smoking culture still poses increased risks due to high consumption rates. 



Dr. Ciccarone emphasized the need for harm reduction education that is sensitive to the perceptions of opioid users.



"Pacing, increasing awareness of dosages consumed, and checking the tolerance of residue recipients are potential interventions that deserve further exploration," he said.



The rise in fentanyl smoking presents a new, deadly risk for overdose. As the method of consumption shifts, so must the strategies for harm reduction. 



Educating users about the dangers of shared equipment and developing interventions to manage dosages and tolerance can help mitigate these risks and save lives.



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Smoking fentanyl has become a very disturbing trend in the US

In recent years, the method of fentanyl consumption has shifted...

No two <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-research-enhances-predictions-on-volcanic-eruptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volcanic eruptions</a> are exactly alike, but scientists now believe that a series of explosive eruptions at Kīlauea volcano fits into a whole new category. 



By analyzing the dynamics of 12 back-to-back explosions that happened in 2018, researchers from the <a href="https://www.uoregon.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oregon</a> (UO), <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United States Geological Survey</a>, and China’s <a href="https://en.scu.edu.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sichuan University</a> have described a new type of volcanic eruption mechanism. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-explosions-at-the-summit-of-kilauea-nbsp">Explosions at the summit of Kīlauea&nbsp;</h2>



The explosions were driven by sudden pressure increases as the ground collapsed, which blasted plumes of rock fragments and hot gas into the air, much like a classic stomp-rocket toy.&nbsp;



The particular string of explosions at the summit of Kīlauea was part of a sequence of events that included lava flows erupting from lower on the flank of the volcano. Those lava flows destroyed thousands of homes and displaced residents on the Island of Hawai’i for months.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hindcasting-volcanic-eruptions">Hindcasting volcanic eruptions</h2>



Understanding exactly what happened in past volcanic eruptions, colloquially called “hindcasting,” allows volcanologists to make better forecasts about future eruptions and give more accurate warnings to people in an eruption’s path.



For the most part, explosive volcanic eruptions are either primarily driven by rising magma, vaporized groundwater, or some combination of the two, according to Josh Crozier, who did this research as a doctoral student at the UO. But these eruptions didn’t quite fit the mold.&nbsp;



“These eruptions are quite interesting in that they don’t really seem to involve either of those,” Crozier said. “The eruptive material contained very little that looked like fresh magma that was blasted out, but there’s no evidence for significant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/groundwater-depletion-is-accelerating-but-it-is-not-inevitable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">groundwater</a> being involved, either.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unusual-pattern-of-kilauea-eruptions">Unusual pattern of Kīlauea eruptions</h2>



The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, part of the U.S. Geological Survey, keeps close tabs on Kīlauea. The volcano is covered with scientific instruments, from ground sensors that measure the shaking of the earth to tools that analyze the gasses released from the volcano.&nbsp;



“A cool thing about these eruptions is that there were a bunch of them in sequence that were remarkably similar; that’s relatively unusual,” said Leif Karlstrom, a volcanologist at the UO. “Typically, volcanic eruptions don’t happen with as much regularity.” So the team had more data than usual to work with, and they could dig deeper into the specific dynamics of the eruptions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happened-on-kilauea">What happened on Kīlauea?</h2>



Putting all that data into a variety of atmospheric and subsurface models, the scientists pieced together a new story about what happened on Kīlauea during the string of events in 2018.&nbsp;



Before each explosion at the summit, magma was slowly draining from an underground reservoir. (This magma was feeding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lava-hawaii-lake-evaporate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lava flows</a> 40 kilometers away, on the eastern flank of the volcano.) As the reservoir depleted, the ground above it - the crater within the caldera at the volcano’s summit - suddenly collapsed.



That quickly increased the pressure in the reservoir. And because there was a pocket of accumulated magmatic gas sitting at the top of this reservoir, the pressure increase squeezed the magmatic gas and bits of rubble through a conduit and blasted them out of a vent in Kīlauea’s crater.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stomp-rocket-mechanism-nbsp">Stomp-rocket mechanism&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers compared the Kīlauea eruption dynamic to a stomp-rocket toy, where stepping on an airbag connected to a hose launches a projectile into the air. 



“The ‘stomp’ is this whole kilometer-thick chunk of rock dropping down, pressurizing the pocket, and then forcing material directly up,” Crozier said. And the ‘rocket’ is the gas and rocks that are erupting from the volcano.



According to Crozier, caldera collapse is fairly common. So while this is the first time scientists have specifically spelled out this specific stomp-rocket mechanism, it’s probably not the only time it’s occurred. The study was able to link geophysical observations to the properties of the volcanic plume in the atmosphere.&nbsp;



“This link is very rare,” said Joe Dufek, a volcanologist at the UO. “It points to new ways for us to observe eruptions and to combine sensor measurements with computer simulations to better assess hazards from eruptions.”



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



The fact that this was a series of smaller eruptions may have made it easier to see the underlying mechanism, Dufek said. Other complex processes weren’t overshadowing the stomp-rocket component. But that’s not to say that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-rainfall-triggered-the-2018-kilauea-eruption/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kīlauea</a> is simple. 



A typical textbook drawing of a volcano shows <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yellowstones-supervolcano-holds-a-surprising-amount-of-magma/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magma</a> moving upwards through chambers at different depths. But it’s rarely that straightforward, and a volcano like Kīlauea, decked out in scientific instruments, provides an opportunity to dig into the details.



“This is an example, and there’s an increasing number of these, where the pathways of magma ascent are quite geometrically complex. It gives us a much more nuanced picture of what volcanic plumbing systems look like,” Karlstrom concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41561-024-01442-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>.



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Kīlauea eruptions are unlike anything we have ever seen

No two volcanic eruptions are exactly alike, but scientists now...

The dawn of artificial intelligence (AI) has ushered in a transformative era, promising to reshape every facet of our lives. Now, AI has moved off-world, helping NASA scientists unlock the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-there-really-life-beyond-earth-ai-will-soon-solve-this-mystery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">secrets of the cosmos</a>, including the location of gamma ray <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-clues-about-the-brightest-gamma-ray-burst-of-all-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bursts</a> (GRBs).



This exciting intersection of technology and astronomy is now a reality,&nbsp;thanks to recent research led by Maria Dainotti,&nbsp;a visiting professor at UNLV's <a href="https://ncfa.physics.unlv.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nevada Center for Astrophysics</a>.



Dainotti and her teams have harnessed the power of AI to delve into the enigmatic world of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) – the most luminous and violent explosions in the universe.&nbsp;



By leveraging machine learning models,&nbsp;they have achieved unprecedented precision in measuring the distances of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cosmic-glitch-in-gravity-expands-the-theory-of-general-relativity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmic</a> behemoths.&nbsp;This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for our understanding of the universe's evolution and the life cycles of stars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-gamma-ray-bursts-grbs">What are gamma-ray bursts (GRBs)?</h2>



Imagine an explosion so powerful that it releases as much energy in a few seconds as our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/team-creates-video-showing-the-sun-in-gamma-rays-over-a-14-year-period/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sun</a> does in its entire lifetime. That's the awe-inspiring power of a GRB.&nbsp;



These cataclysmic events are visible across vast cosmic distances,&nbsp;even at the very edge of the observable universe.&nbsp;Their brilliance makes them invaluable tools for astronomers seeking to study the most ancient and distant stars.



But there's a catch: current observational technology limits our ability to gather the necessary data for calculating the distances of all known GRBs.&nbsp;This is where Dainotti's ingenious approach comes in.&nbsp;



By combining gamma ray bursts data from NASA's Neil Gehrels <a href="https://swift.gsfc.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swift Observatory</a> with multiple machine learning models, she has overcome these limitations, enabling far more accurate distance estimations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-used-as-a-cosmic-detective">AI used as a cosmic detective</h2>



"This research pushes forward the frontier in both gamma-ray astronomy and machine learning," says Dainotti.&nbsp;



"Follow-up research and innovation will help us achieve even more reliable results and enable us to answer some of the most pressing cosmological questions,&nbsp;including the earliest processes of our universe and how it has evolved over time."



One of Dainotti's studies focused on using machine learning methods to determine the distances of GRBs observed by the Swift UltraViolet/Optical Telescope (<a href="https://swift.gsfc.nasa.gov/about_swift/uvot_desc.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UVOT</a>) and ground-based telescopes. 



The results were remarkably precise, allowing researchers to estimate the number of GRBs in a given volume and time with astonishing accuracy.



In another study,&nbsp;Dainotti and her collaborators employed a powerful machine learning technique called Superlearner to measure GRB distances using data from NASA's <a href="https://www.swift.psu.edu/xrt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swift X-ray Telescope</a>.&nbsp;



Superlearner combines multiple algorithms, assigning weights based on their predictive power.&nbsp;This innovative approach significantly improved the reliability of distance estimations for a large sample of GRBs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-illuminating-the-origins-of-gamma-ray-bursts">Illuminating the origins of gamma-ray bursts</h2>



But the discoveries didn't stop there.&nbsp;A <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/ad2763" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">third study</a>,&nbsp;led by <a href="https://www.stanford.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford University</a> astrophysicist Vahé Petrosian and Dainotti, used Swift X-ray data to shed light on the puzzling question of how GRBs are formed.&nbsp;



Their findings challenged conventional wisdom, suggesting that some long GRBs may originate from the fusion of incredibly dense objects like neutron stars, rather than the collapse of massive stars.



"This opens the possibility that long GRBs at small distances may be generated not by a collapse of massive stars but rather by the fusion of very dense objects like neutron stars," explains Petrosian.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-era-of-cosmic-exploration">New era of cosmic exploration</h2>



The implications of this research are vast and profound.&nbsp;By enhancing our ability to measure GRB distances,&nbsp;scientists can gain deeper insights into the evolution of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dying-stars-may-be-a-source-of-gravitational-waves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stars</a> and the overall structure of the universe.&nbsp;



The discovery of alternative formation mechanisms for long GRBs opens up new avenues for investigation into the most extreme cosmic phenomena.



Dainotti and her colleagues are now working to make their machine learning tools accessible to the wider scientific community through an interactive web application. 



This will empower astronomers worldwide to build upon their groundbreaking work and further our understanding of the cosmos.



The marriage of AI and astronomy has ushered in a new era of cosmic exploration.&nbsp;With each new discovery,&nbsp;we inch closer to unraveling the mysteries of the universe and our place within it.&nbsp;The future of astronomy is bright,&nbsp;and AI is illuminating the path forward.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/ad4970" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal Letters</a>.



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AI is helping NASA pinpoint the most violent explosions in the universe

The dawn of artificial intelligence (AI) has ushered in a...

New images reveal the birth of a massive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/iceberg-that-weighs-more-than-the-eiffel-tower-is-floating-freely/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iceberg</a> in the Antarctic, comparable in size to the Isle of Wight. The iceberg, named A-83, spans 146 square miles (380 square km) and is about 490 feet (150 meters) thick.&nbsp;



The iceberg separated from the Brunt Ice Shelf last week, following the appearance of a new crack spotted in satellite images. According to the <a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Antarctic Survey</a> (BAS), ocean currents now control A-83's movement.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cracks-in-the-brunt-ice-shelf">Cracks in the Brunt Ice Shelf</h2>



The Brunt Ice Shelf, named after Welsh meteorologist David Brunt, has experienced several icebergs breaking away in recent years. This latest iceberg calved after a vertical crack merged with an existing horizontal crack, resembling scissors cutting paper.&nbsp;



The horizontal crack, known as Halloween Crack, was discovered on October 31, 2016, while the vertical crack, 8.6 miles long (14 km), was only spotted on April 26 this year. BAS experts, using satellite and GPS data, confirmed the final separation in the early hours of Monday, May 20.



“This calving was expected since the appearance of Halloween Crack eight years ago,” said Oliver Marsh, a glaciologist at BAS. “It reduces the total area of the ice shelf to its smallest extent since monitoring began.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-natural-processes-nbsp-formed-the-cracks">Natural processes&nbsp;formed the cracks </h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-shelves-are-fracturing-from-meltwater-weight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ice shelves</a> are floating ice platforms connected to a landmass, found in polar regions like Antarctica and Greenland. Although ice shelf melting is linked to global warming, BAS notes that the cracks leading to iceberg A-83 formed through natural processes.



According to Marsh, the iceberg's detachment resulted from the Brunt Ice Shelf's movement towards the McDonald Ice Rumples, a fixed point on the seafloor.&nbsp;



“Over time this created a bending stress in the ice to the north of Halloween Crack which increased until it exceeded a critical value,” said Marsh. “This type of calving is just one of the mechanisms through which the ice sheet loses mass to stay in balance with the year-round <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snow-cover-has-decreased-in-recent-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">snowfall</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-research-monitoring-station">Research monitoring station</h2>



The Brunt Ice Shelf also hosts BAS's Halley VI research station, crucial for monitoring. Halley VI comprises eight units on skis, allowing relocation from the ice shelf edge when necessary.&nbsp;



In 2016, BAS experts moved the base 14 miles inland to avoid it drifting away on an iceberg that later broke off in January 2023. Currently unstaffed, a new team will return to Halley VI in November.



The research conducted here is critical, contributing to our understanding of climate change, sea level rise, and the atmospheric phenomena.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feeling-the-pressure">Feeling the pressure</h2>



“Although iceberg calving is normal, the Brunt Ice Shelf is feeling the same pressures as elsewhere around Antarctica, including low sea ice conditions. When less sea ice is present, ice shelves are more exposed to destabilizing wind and wave action,” noted <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/152848/antarctic-ice-shelf-spawns-iceberg-a-83" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.



“The remainder of the Brunt is still holding on to the McDonald Ice Rumples. But the new Iceberg A-83, along with icebergs A-74 and A-81 that broke off in recent years, have greatly diminished the ice shelf’s area since early 2021.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-the-brunt-ice-shelf-nbsp">The future of the Brunt Ice Shelf&nbsp;</h2>



Christopher Shuman is a University of Maryland glaciologist based at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.



“As ice shelves get smaller and smaller, they become more vulnerable to extreme events that can, as in the case of the Glenzer/Conger Ice Shelf, lead to destabilization and total loss of the floating glacial ice area,” said Shuman.



NASA noted that the Brunt Ice Shelf still has fractures on its surface, such as Chasm 2, that will continue to play a role in the evolution of the ice platform. “Data from Landsat collected year-round, along with insights from other sensors, will help scientists make sense of that future.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-the-brunt-ice-shelf-nbsp">More about the Brunt Ice Shelf&nbsp;</h2>



Brunt Ice Shelf is located off the coast of Antarctica in the Weddell Sea. It extends from Coats Land in the west to Queen Maud Land in the east.&nbsp;



The ice shelf is particularly interesting to scientists because of its dynamic nature. It is constantly changing due to processes such as calving, and the formation of icebergs such as A-83.



These events could potentially alter the landscape of the shelf dramatically and have implications for global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-rise-will-cost-coastal-cities-over-1-trillion-in-damages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea levels</a>, although the ice shelf itself, being already afloat, does not contribute to sea level rise when ice breaks off.



Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 



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Birth of an iceberg: A-83 breaks free from Antarctica

New images reveal the birth of a massive iceberg in...

A recent study highlights the urgent need for ambitious targets to combat ocean <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastic-pollution-found-in-every-aquatic-species-tested/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastics pollution</a> by the end of this century. 



The collaborative research, conducted by scientists from <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imperial College London</a> and <a href="https://www.gns.cri.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GNS Science</a>, indicates that a yearly reduction of plastic pollution by 5% could stabilize the levels of microplastics in the oceans. 



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



Microplastics severely impact oceans and marine life. They harm marine organisms when ingested, causing physical damage and exposure to toxic chemicals. 



The plastic particles can also transport harmful pollutants through the water, leading to bioaccumulation in the food chain. This contamination affects fish and other seafood, posing health risks to humans. 



Microplastics disrupt ecosystems by interfering with reproduction, growth, and behavior of marine species. They degrade habitats like coral reefs and seafloor sediments, leading to biodiversity loss. 



Overall, microplastics threaten marine biodiversity, ecosystem health, and human well-being, and urgent action is needed to mitigate their presence in the oceans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-persistence-of-microplastics-in-the-ocean">Persistence of microplastics in the ocean</h2>



Despite potential reductions in pollution, the study reveals that even a 20% annual decrease would not significantly reduce existing microplastic levels, which will likely persist in our oceans beyond 2100. 



These tiny <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-particles-travel-in-the-air-across-entire-continents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic particles</a> have been detected in all of the Earth's oceans, often accumulating in remote areas far from land. 



They pose severe hazards to marine life and eventually enter human food systems, creating a widespread environmental and health issue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-united-nations-initiative">United Nations initiative</h2>



The United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) aims to adopt a legally binding resolution to eradicate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-plastic-pollution-has-become-a-global-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic pollution</a>, including ocean microplastics, by 2040. 



The researchers developed a model predicting the impact of eight different plastic pollution reduction scenarios over the next century, starting in 2026 and extending to 2100. 



The study shows that more than a 5% yearly reduction in plastic pollution could stabilize the amount of microplastics in the ocean, halting their continued increase.



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



Zhenna Azimrayat Andrews completed this work for her MSc in Environmental Technology at Imperial College London. She emphasized the ubiquity of plastic in the environment. 



"Plastic is now everywhere in the environment, and the ocean is no exception. Whilst our results show that microplastics will be around in the oceans past the end of the century, stabilizing their levels is the first step towards elimination," said Azimrayat Andrews.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-removing-microplastics-from-the-ocean-s-surface">Removing microplastics from the ocean's surface</h2>



Microplastics are particularly dangerous when they accumulate in the surface waters of the ocean, where they can be ingested by marine life, including fish that humans consume. 



One natural removal process involves microplastics clumping together with organic debris or animal droppings, which can then sink to the deep ocean. 



However, the study's calculations - supported by real-world observations - suggest that the buoyancy of microplastics often prevents these clumps from sinking, and they are trapped near the surface.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-and-implications">Challenges and implications</h2>



The persistence of microplastics near the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-floor-harbors-up-to-11-million-tons-of-plastic-debris/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean surface</a>, despite reduced pollution levels, means they will remain a concern for centuries. Once they do sink, they can last much longer in deeper ocean layers, where their impacts are not well understood. 



"There can never be a completely successful removal of microplastics from all depths of the ocean; we kind of just need to live with it now. But the current global output of plastic pollution is so great that even a 1% annual reduction in pollution would make a big difference overall," said Azimrayat Andrews.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-setting-realistic-and-ambitious-goals">Setting realistic and ambitious goals</h2>



The study is the first to examine the effectiveness of plausible <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-plastics-treaty-tackles-the-pollution-problem-directly-at-the-source/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">treaty</a> reduction targets. 



The significant reductions needed to lessen contamination require a coordinated international policy, rather than the UN's proposed goal of zero plastic pollution by 2040. 



"If we want to move towards a lower plastic society, change needs to happen at a higher level. These changes should happen on an industrial level, as no single individual should have the weight of the world on their shoulders," noted Azimrayat Andrews.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-systemic-changes-needed-to-address-microplastics">Systemic changes needed to address microplastics</h2>



According to the researchers, we must integrate sustainable lifestyles and systemic changes in commercial and industrial sectors. They believe these steps are vital to effectively address environmental challenges. 



The team also aims for their analysis to impact upcoming UN negotiations. They hope the study findings will drive global efforts to combat the plastic pollution crisis. 



By highlighting the urgency of the issue, the researchers seek to influence policymakers and stakeholders. The goal is to ensure that solutions are both practical and impactful, in an effort to create a more sustainable future for all.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ad472c" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Research Letters</a>.



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Ocean microplastics are here to stay, so what can we do now?

A recent study highlights the urgent need for ambitious targets...

In recent years, tattoos have become increasingly popular, yet their long-term health effects, including the potential risk of lymphoma, remain largely unknown. 



A research group at <a href="https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lund University</a> has recently delved into the potential association between tattoos and lymphoma. 



This investigation is shedding light on an area with limited research and providing new insights into how tattoos might impact health.



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



Lymphoma is a type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cancer-thrives-on-human-stress-as-it-spreads-throughout-the-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer</a> that originates in the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's immune system. It primarily affects lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps fight infections. 



There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Symptoms can include swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue. 



The exact cause of lymphoma is unknown, but factors like genetic mutations, infections, and weakened immune systems can contribute to its development. Treatment options vary and may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or stem cell transplants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tattoos-and-lymphoma-risk">Tattoos and lymphoma risk </h2>



The researchers identified individuals diagnosed with lymphoma through population registers. These individuals were matched with a control group of the same sex and age but without lymphoma. Participants completed a questionnaire about their lifestyle factors, including whether they had <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-can-now-put-nanoscale-tattoos-onto-individual-cells-inside-your-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tattoos</a>.



The study encompassed 11,905 people, including 2,938 individuals diagnosed with lymphoma between the ages of 20 and 60. Among these, 1,398 responded to the questionnaire. 



The control group consisted of 4,193 participants. In the lymphoma group, 21% (289 individuals) had tattoos, while 18% (735 individuals) in the control group were tattooed.



"After accounting for factors such as smoking and age, we found that the risk of developing lymphoma was 21% higher among those who were tattooed. It is important to remember that lymphoma is a rare disease, and our results apply at the group level. The results now need to be verified and investigated further in other studies, and such research is ongoing," noted Christel Nielsen, who led the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-tattoo-size-on-lymphoma-risk">Impact of tattoo size on lymphoma risk</h2>



The experts initially hypothesized that the size of the tattoo would influence lymphoma risk. They speculated that a full-body tattoo might be associated with a greater cancer risk compared to a small butterfly on the shoulder. 



However, the study revealed that the area of the tattooed body surface did not significantly impact the risk of developing lymphoma.



"We do not yet know why this was the case. One can only speculate that a tattoo, regardless of size, triggers a low-grade inflammation in the body, which in turn can trigger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vitamin-d-influences-gut-bacteria-to-help-fight-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer</a>. The picture is thus more complex than we initially thought," explained Nielsen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-health-impacts">Long-term health impacts</h2>



Most people get their first tattoo at a young age, exposing them to tattoo ink for much of their lives. Despite this, research into the long-term <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tattoos-health-risks-immune-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health</a> effects of tattoos is still in its early stages.



"We already know that when tattoo ink is injected into the skin, the body interprets this as something foreign that should not be there, activating the immune system. A large part of the ink is transported away from the skin to the lymph nodes where it is deposited," said Nielsen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-tattoo-related-health-concerns">Unraveling tattoo-related health concerns</h2>



The research group plans to continue studying the potential association between tattoos and other types of cancer. They also aim to investigate links between tattoos and inflammatory diseases.



"People will likely want to continue to express their identity through tattoos, and therefore it is very important that we as a society can make sure that it is safe," said Nielsen.



"For the individual, it is good to know that tattoos can affect your health, and that you should turn to your healthcare provider if you experience symptoms that you believe could be related to your tattoo."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-on-tattoos-and-health">Future research on tattoos and health</h2>



While the study highlights a potential link between tattoos and an increased risk of lymphoma, it also underscores the need for further research. 



Understanding the long-term health effects of tattoos is crucial as their popularity continues to rise. This study is a significant step towards uncovering the complex relationship between tattoos and health, paving the way for more comprehensive future investigations.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(24)00228-1/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EClinicalMedicine</a>.



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Tattoos increase the risk of developing cancer

In recent years, tattoos have become increasingly popular, yet their...

Heart failure is a severe condition that leaves lasting effects on the body, leading to recurrent episodes and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-vaccines-linked-to-neurological-blood-and-heart-related-issues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health issues</a>. Recent research has uncovered that it creates a "stress memory" in the body, marked by changes in DNA modifications of hematopoietic stem cells. 



These stem cells are crucial for producing blood and immune cells, known as macrophages, which protect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-environments-and-sidewalks-improve-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart health</a>. 



However, during this condition, a vital signaling pathway called transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is suppressed in these stem cells, leading to dysfunctional macrophage production.



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



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxytocin-holds-the-keys-to-both-your-heart-and-your-memory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heart</a> failure occurs when the heart can't pump blood efficiently, leading to insufficient blood flow to meet the body's needs. Various conditions can cause heart failure, which often develops over a prolonged period.



Coronary artery disease is a primary cause, where plaque buildup narrows the arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle. High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder, eventually weakening it. Heart attacks can damage the heart muscle, impairing its ability to pump.



Other causes include cardiomyopathy, where the heart muscle itself is damaged by factors like genetics, infections, or alcohol abuse. Valve diseases, where heart valves don't function properly, can also contribute. Arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats, can disrupt heart function. Chronic conditions like diabetes, obesity, and thyroid disorders increase the risk.



Infections, such as myocarditis, and lifestyle factors like smoking, poor diet, and lack of exercise further exacerbate the likelihood of heart failure. Effective management of these risk factors is crucial in preventing heart failure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-memory-of-stem-cells-after-heart-failure">Stress memory of stem cells after heart failure</h2>



The United Nations’ global Sustainable Development Goals emphasize healthier lives and improved well-being. 



A recent study projects an increase in global life expectancy by about 4.5 years by 2050, attributed to public health efforts and improved survival from illnesses, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/depression-and-cardiovascular-diseases-are-genetically-linked/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular</a> disorders.



Despite these advances, heart disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, affecting approximately 26 million people with heart failure - which is associated with a high risk of relapse.



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ja/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tokyo</a> sought to understand the causes of heart failure recurrence, and whether it can be prevented.



"Based on our earlier research, we hypothesized that recurrence may be caused by stress experienced during heart failure accumulating in the body, particularly in hematopoietic stem cells," explained Professor Katsuhito Fujiu. 



Hematopoietic stem cells, located in bone marrow, are responsible for producing blood cells and macrophages, which are essential for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/finasteride-regrows-hair-heals-prostate-boosts-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart health</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-imprinting-on-the-epigenome">Stress imprinting on the epigenome</h2>



By studying mice, researchers discovered that stress imprints on the epigenome, causing chemical changes to their DNA. The suppression of the TGF-β signaling pathway in the hematopoietic <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/what-are-stem-cells-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stem cells</a> of affected mice resulted in the production of dysfunctional immune cells.



This change persisted over time. When the researchers transplanted bone marrow from the affected mice into healthy ones, the stem cells continued to produce dysfunctional immune cells, leading to heart problems and organ damage in the healthy mice.



"We termed this phenomenon stress memory because the stress from heart failure is remembered for an extended period and continues to affect the entire body. Although various other types of stress might also imprint this stress memory, we believe that the stress induced by heart failure is particularly significant," noted Professor Fujiu.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preventing-heart-failure-stress-in-stem-cells">Preventing heart failure stress in stem cells</h2>



The identification and understanding of changes to the TGF-β signaling pathway open new possibilities for future treatments. 



"Completely new therapies could be considered to prevent the accumulation of this stress memory during hospitalization for heart failure," stated Professor Fujiu. 



In animal studies, supplementing additional active TGF-β has shown potential as a treatment. Correcting the epigenome of hematopoietic stem cells might also help eliminate stress memory.



This research offers hope for developing innovative therapies to prevent the recurrence of heart failure and improve overall heart health. 



By addressing the root cause of stress memory, new treatments could significantly enhance the quality of life for those affected by heart failure.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciimmunol.ade3814" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Immunology</a>.



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Heart failure creates a lasting 'stress memory' in the body

Heart failure is a severe condition that leaves lasting effects...

Earth's magnetic <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/earths-magnetic-field-origin-structure-and-impact-on-humanity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">field</a>, our silent guardian against harmful solar radiation, is a fickle protector. It fluctuates in strength and location, leading to issues in our navigation systems and a deeper understanding of our planet's complexities. 



If you've ever used a compass,&nbsp;GPS,&nbsp;or even flown in an airplane,&nbsp;you've relied on this invisible force.&nbsp;But recent research reveals that our understanding of this field may need a tune-up.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wandering-poles-of-earth-s-magnetic-field">Wandering poles of Earth's magnetic field</h2>



Think of Earth's magnetic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/powerful-magnetic-fields-may-be-key-features-of-black-holes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">field</a> as a giant bar magnet within our planet, with lines of force extending from the North and South poles. But unlike a bar magnet, our planet's magnetic field is anything but static. It's constantly changing, thanks to the churning molten iron and nickel in Earth's outer core.



Changes in Earth's magnetic field pose significant challenges for scientists and engineers alike. The fluctuations, often triggered by solar storms and changes in the solar wind, are playing havoc with our geomagnetic field models. These models are crucial for everything from satellite navigation to airplane flight paths.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-igrf-13-model-mismatch">IGRF-13 model mismatch</h2>



A recent <a href="https://umich.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a> study delved into these discrepancies. The research team compared satellite observations with the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (<a href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/international-geomagnetic-reference-field" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IGRF-13</a>), a standard model used to track Earth's magnetic field.



"We often assume a nearly symmetrical magnetic field between the northern and southern polar regions, but they are actually very different," said study co-author Yining Shi.



The researchers discovered that the discrepancies weren't just due to space weather, as previously thought. A major factor was an asymmetry between the North and South poles, both in terms of magnetic field strength and their mapping to geographic coordinates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-polar-problems-in-earth-s-magnetic-field">Polar problems in Earth's magnetic field</h2>



The North and South poles are not mirror images of each other when it comes to their magnetic fields.&nbsp;This asymmetry, combined with the fact that satellites often collect more data around the geographic poles,&nbsp;creates a bias that further exaggerates the differences between models and reality.



"Understanding that what has been attributed to geophysical disturbances is really due to the asymmetry of the Earth's magnetic field will help us better create geomagnetic field models as well as help with satellite and aviation navigation," said study co-author Professor Mark Moldwin.



To add another layer of complexity, Earth's magnetic poles are not stationary. They drift, and in recent years, the North Pole's movement has accelerated. This poses an additional challenge for creating accurate models and ensuring reliable navigation.



"This adds further complexity to creating accurate magnetic field models," noted Moldwin.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-stakes-are-high">The stakes are high</h2>



The implications of these findings are far-reaching.&nbsp;Accurate magnetic field models are essential for a wide range of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/desert-ants-use-earths-magnetic-field-for-navigation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">applications</a>,&nbsp;including:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Satellite navigation</h3>



Accurate magnetic field models are crucial for satellite navigation. Satellites rely on precise geomagnetic data to maintain their correct orbits and ensure proper functioning. 



Any discrepancies in the magnetic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-magnetic-field-much-older-than-previously-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">field</a> models can lead to errors in satellite positioning, which can affect communication, weather forecasting, and GPS services. Satellites operating in low Earth orbit are particularly sensitive to these changes, making accurate models indispensable for their operation.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Aviation</h3>



In aviation, reliable magnetic field models are vital for safe navigation. Airplanes use geomagnetic data to determine their heading and ensure they follow the correct flight path. 



This is especially important in polar regions, where the magnetic field is more variable and can deviate significantly from standard navigation charts. Accurate models help pilots navigate safely, avoiding potential hazards caused by unexpected magnetic variations.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Shipping</h3>



For maritime navigation, magnetic field models guide ships across the oceans. Ships use magnetic compasses to determine their direction, and any inaccuracies in the magnetic field can lead to navigational errors. 



This is particularly critical for vessels operating in remote areas with limited access to other navigational aids. Accurate magnetic models ensure that ships can traverse the seas safely and efficiently, reducing the risk of accidents and improving overall maritime safety.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Scientific research</h3>



In addition, accurate magnetic field models are essential for scientific research, particularly in understanding Earth's magnetosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere. These layers of the atmosphere play a crucial role in protecting the planet from solar radiation and cosmic rays. 



By studying these regions, scientists can gain insights into space weather phenomena, such as solar storms, which can impact satellite operations, power grids, and communication systems on Earth. Reliable magnetic field models help researchers predict these events and develop strategies to mitigate their effects.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Space weather prediction</h3>



Understanding and predicting space weather is another critical application of accurate magnetic field models. Space weather events, such as solar flares and geomagnetic storms, can disrupt communication networks, damage satellites, and even affect power grids on Earth. 



The models enable scientists to monitor changes in the Earth's magnetic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strong-magnetic-fields-leave-marks-on-nuclear-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">field</a> and provide early warnings of potential space weather events. This helps in taking preventive measures to protect critical infrastructure and minimize the impact of these events on everyday life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-refining-earth-s-magnetic-field-models">Refining Earth's magnetic field models</h2>



The study highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of Earth's magnetic field.&nbsp;By accounting for the asymmetry between the poles and refining our data collection methods,&nbsp;we can develop more accurate models that will benefit navigation,&nbsp;scientific research,&nbsp;and our overall understanding of our planet's dynamic electromagnetic shield.



Earth's magnetic field is a complex and ever-changing phenomenon. While it continues to protect us from harmful solar radiation, its wandering ways remind us that our planet is a dynamic entity, full of surprises and challenges yet to be unraveled. 



The research conducted by the University of Michigan team is a significant step towards unraveling these mysteries and ensuring that our navigation systems remain accurate and reliable in the face of an increasingly unpredictable magnetic field.



The study is published in the <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023JA032092" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Geophysical Research:&nbsp;Space Physics</a>.



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Earth's magnetic field is shifting and putting navigation at risk

Earth's magnetic field, our silent guardian against harmful solar radiation, is a...

The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/raw-milk-may-transmit-bird-flu-virus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recent detection</a> of bird flu (H5N1) in U.S.&nbsp;dairy cows isn't just a headline – it's a wake-up call.&nbsp;While news outlets focus on the economic impact on our milk supply,&nbsp;the bigger picture is far more unsettling.&nbsp;This isn't an isolated incident, but a sign of a rapidly evolving global health crisis.



"We have moved into new territory," warned Thomas Gillespie,&nbsp;a disease ecologist at <a href="https://www.emory.edu/home/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emory University</a>.&nbsp;The current strain of bird flu, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deadly-bird-flu-outbreak-requires-urgent-coordinated-response/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">H5N1</a>, is exceptionally adaptable and aggressive. Unlike previous versions, it infects a wide range of animals.



Since 2022,&nbsp;H5N1 has been leaping across species barriers at an unprecedented rate. This isn't just a bird problem anymore.



From foxes and otters in Europe to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-flu-is-killing-thousands-of-seals-and-sea-lions-globally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seals and sea lions</a> in South America,&nbsp;bird flu has&nbsp;infected a staggering range of mammals worldwide.&nbsp;Even a polar bear in Alaska has succumbed to the virus.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consequences-of-bird-flu">Consequences of bird flu</h2>



While the immediate risk to humans remains low, the virus's ability to mutate rapidly poses a significant threat. Each new species it infects acts like a genetic lottery, increasing the chances of creating a strain that's more transmissible and deadly to humans. 



The spread of bird <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cattle-may-become-a-permanent-host-for-bird-flu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flu</a> virus to diverse animals highlights the need for vigilant surveillance and sustainable practices to control the virus and prevent potential pandemics. Understanding these risks and taking proactive measures can help mitigate the impact of this evolving virus.



"Each time H5N1 infects a new animal host,&nbsp;it gives the virus a chance to mix with other flu strains and rearrange its genetic material," explained Gillespie.&nbsp;The stakes?&nbsp;A potential pandemic with far-reaching consequences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-are-animals-getting-bird-flu">Why are animals getting bird flu?</h2>



Why are these animals getting sick with bird flu? The answer lies in human activities. Deforestation, industrialized animal farming, and climate change are disrupting ecosystems and creating conditions for pathogens to jump between species. 



These disruptions force animals into new environments, increasing their exposure to bird <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gentoo-penguins-are-the-latest-victims-of-bird-flu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flu</a> viruses like H5N1. For instance, the massive die-offs of seals and sea lions are likely linked to changes in their food sources. 



As their natural habitats are destroyed or altered, these animals must search for food in areas contaminated with the virus. This situation illustrates how our actions can have far-reaching impacts on wildlife and contribute to the spread of diseases. 



Addressing these issues requires sustainable practices and greater environmental stewardship to protect both animal and human health.



"The resulting cheap meat that we buy does not reflect the true costs to the ecosystems that sustain us," said Gillespie.&nbsp;Our insatiable appetite for animal products is fueling a cycle of environmental destruction - creating conditions ripe for new diseases to emerge and spread.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-health-solution-against-bird-flu">"One Health" solution against bird flu</h2>



The good news?&nbsp;We're not powerless against bird flu.&nbsp;Gillespie is a strong advocate for the "One Health" approach,&nbsp;recognizing the interconnectedness of human,&nbsp;animal,&nbsp;and environmental health.&nbsp;The campaign promotes a collaborative, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deadly-bird-flu-outbreak-requires-urgent-coordinated-response/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">multi-disciplinary effort</a> to achieve optimal health outcomes. This approach involves:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Protecting ecosystems</h3>



Healthy ecosystems provide a natural buffer that minimizes the overlap between human activities and wildlife habitats. Protecting natural habitats - such as forests, wetlands, and grasslands - ensures that wildlife can thrive without encroaching into human-populated areas. This separation reduces the likelihood of diseases jumping from animals to humans.



High biodiversity within ecosystems can dilute the prevalence of pathogens like bird flu virus. In diverse ecosystems, the spread of diseases is less likely because pathogens encounter a variety of hosts, many of which may not be suitable for their survival and reproduction.



Healthy ecosystems maintain balanced predator-prey relationships, which control the population of species that might carry diseases. For example, predators keep rodent populations in check, reducing the risk of rodent-borne diseases.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Promoting sustainable agriculture</h3>



Sustainable agriculture involves methods that protect the environment, public health, human communities, and animal welfare. Key practices include:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eco-friendly-techniques">Eco-friendly techniques</h3>



Techniques such as crop rotation, agroforestry, and organic farming enhance soil health, reduce the need for chemical inputs, and promote biodiversity. Healthier soils and diverse crops are less prone to pests and diseases, decreasing the need for harmful pesticides.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animal-welfare">Animal welfare</h3>



Providing animals with humane living conditions reduces stress and the incidence of disease. For instance, animals raised in spacious, clean environments with proper nutrition and veterinary care are less likely to contract and spread diseases.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-integrated-pest-management-ipm">Integrated pest management (IPM)</h3>



IPM strategies combine biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools to manage pests in an environmentally and economically sustainable way. By reducing the reliance on synthetic pesticides, IPM helps maintain ecological balance and reduces chemical residues in the environment.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Reducing reliance on animal products</h3>



Industrialized farming, or factory farming, often leads to significant environmental degradation and increased disease risk.



Encouraging the consumption of plant-based foods can significantly lower the demand for meat and animal products. This shift reduces the pressure to clear land for grazing or feed crops, preserving natural habitats and biodiversity.



Supporting farms that use ethical and sustainable practices helps promote better animal welfare and environmental stewardship. These farms often implement practices that reduce disease risk and environmental impact.



Lastly, promoting the development and consumption of alternative proteins, such as plant-based meats and lab-grown meats, provides nutritious options without the negative impacts associated with traditional animal farming. These alternatives can be produced with a lower environmental footprint and reduced disease risk.



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



The bird flu outbreak in dairy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cattle-may-become-a-permanent-host-for-bird-flu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cows</a> is a stark reminder that we are not separate from the natural world.&nbsp;Our actions have consequences,&nbsp;and the health of our planet is inextricably linked to our own.&nbsp;



The next pandemic may not start in a bat cave,&nbsp;but in a feedlot or a deforested landscape.&nbsp;The choice is ours:&nbsp;continue down the path of ecological destruction or embrace a more sustainable way of life.



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The next pandemic? Bird flu is evolving as it infects new species

The recent detection of bird flu (H5N1) in U.S.&nbsp;dairy cows...

Researchers have documented the most extensive migration ever recorded for a silky <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sharks-important-deserve-protections/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shark</a> (Carcharhinus falciformis). 



The study reveals critical insights into the behavior of this severely overfished species and emphasizes the urgent need for cooperative international management measures to prevent further population declines.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-epic-migration-by-genie">Epic migration by Genie </h2>



An adult female silky shark, nicknamed “Genie” in honor of late shark ecologist Eugenie Clark, was tagged with a fin-mount satellite transmitter near Wolf Island in the northern Galapagos Marine Reserve in July 2021.&nbsp;



Genie embarked on a vast journey, covering more than 27,666 kilometers over 546 days. This epic voyage, equivalent to crossing the United States from coast to coast approximately four times, included two significant westerly migrations halfway to Hawaii, extending as far as 4,755 kilometers from the tagging site into international waters – areas of high fishing pressure and minimal regulation.



Genie shattered previous movement records almost six-fold, illustrating the shark's extensive use of the open ocean, far beyond national jurisdictions. This discovery demonstrates the urgent need to establish regulations to conserve <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/environmental-stability-helped-ocean-biodiversity-flourish/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean biodiversity</a> beyond areas of national jurisdiction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-migration-of-silky-sharks">Understanding the migration of silky sharks</h2>



Study lead author Dr. Pelayo Salinas de León is the co-principal investigator of the shark ecology project at the <a href="https://www.darwinfoundation.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Charles Darwin Foundation</a> (CDF).



“Understanding the migratory pathways of silky and other threatened pelagic sharks is crucial for developing effective management strategies to revert ongoing global population declines,” said Dr. Salinas de León.



“Sharks have been roaming the world’s oceans for hundreds of millions of years, and the map boundaries we humans have established on paper mean nothing to them. Their long migrations through heavily fished international waters expose them to significant risks, highlighting the need for a coordinated global response to ensure the survival of this highly threatened group of species.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vulnerability-of-silky-sharks">Vulnerability of silky sharks</h2>



Silky sharks are particularly vulnerable to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/endangered-sharks-study-reveals-hidden-crisis-of-overfishing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overfishing</a> due to their slow growth, late maturity, and high demand in the global shark fin trade. Classified as “vulnerable” on the <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN Red List of Threatened Species</a>, they are frequently caught in both artisanal and industrial fisheries, making them a conservation priority for CDF and other organizations.



Remarkably, more than 99% of the time Genie was tracked occurred within international waters to the west and south, far outside the Ecuador-managed Exclusive Economic Zone around the Galapagos Islands. This highlights the critical need for international cooperation in the protection of these long-distance traveling oceanic sharks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-this-iconic-species-nbsp">Protecting this iconic species&nbsp;</h2>



“Obtaining shark tracks with good location resolution for over a year is difficult at best. In this case, we were able to track Genie for 1.5 years, revealing unexpectedly consistent, repeated travel pathways of massive distances going far offshore, well beyond national management and current <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-protected-areas-fall-short-on-2030-biodiversity-targets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine protected areas</a>,” said study co-author Mahmood Shivji.



“This finding is a call to action for all stakeholders involved in marine conservation and fisheries management to work together to protect these iconic species and the oceanic ecosystems they inhabit.”



Published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15788" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Fish Biology</a>, this study serves as a crucial reminder of the interconnectedness of our global marine environments and the collective action required to safeguard ocean biodiversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-silky-sharks">More about silky sharks</h2>



Silky sharks, named for their smooth skin texture, are a species of pelagic shark commonly found in tropical and subtropical waters around the globe.&nbsp;



These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiger-sharks-that-interact-with-tourists-exhibit-physical-changes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sharks</a> are medium-sized and can be recognized by their streamlined bodies and elongated, rounded snouts. They are typically a dark gray color with a lighter underside, which helps them blend into the ocean depths when viewed from above or below.



Silky sharks are highly mobile, as demonstrated by Genie, and primarily feed on fish and squid, using their acute sense of smell and hearing to locate prey. They are considered to be one of the more aggressive shark species, particularly when bait is present.



The research was conducted by researchers from the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF), the <a href="https://ghriresearch.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Guy Harvey Research Institute</a> (GHRI), the <a href="https://saveourseas.com/sosf-shark-research-center/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center</a> (SOSF-SRC) at Nova Southeastern University in Florida, and the <a href="https://www.imo-oceanum.org/partner/galapagos-national-park-directorate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Galapagos National Park Directorate</a> (GNPD). 



Image Credit: Pelayo Salinas de León



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Silky shark shatters records by swimming over 17,000 miles

Researchers have documented the most extensive migration ever recorded for...

Mental disorders - particularly mood, anxiety, and eating disorders - can spread within teen social groups, according to a recent study led by the <a href="https://www.helsinki.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Helsinki</a>. 



"Previous research indicates that mental disorders may be transmitted from one individual to another within social networks. However, there is a lack of population-based epidemiologic evidence that pertains to the full range of mental disorders," noted the study authors.



The research team set out to investigate this phenomenon by examining social networks formed in school classes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-rise-of-mental-disorders">The rise of mental disorders</h2>



Mental disorders can significantly affect a person's thinking, feeling, behavior, or mood. Such illnesses may have a profound impact on daily functioning and relationships. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-common-mental-disorders-in-teens">Common mental disorders in teens</h3>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Depression</h4>



Depression is characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, and a significant change in appetite or sleep patterns.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Anxiety disorders</h4>



Generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic attacks involve excessive worry, nervousness, or fear.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)</h4>



Symptoms of ADHD include difficulty staying focused, paying attention, controlling behavior, and hyperactivity.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eating-disorders">Eating disorders</h4>



Anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge-eating disorders involve serious disturbances in eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Bipolar disorder</h4>



This disorder is associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-development-of-mental-disorders">Development of mental disorders </h3>



Teens can develop mental disorders due to various factors. Genetics play a crucial role, as mental disorders often run in families. Environmental factors, including stressful life events, trauma, abuse, and neglect, can trigger mental health issues. 



Biological factors like brain chemistry imbalances and hormonal changes during puberty also contribute. Social factors, such as peer pressure, academic stress, and social media influence, can affect mental health. 



Additionally, substance abuse and chronic health conditions can increase the risk of developing mental disorders. 



Signs of mental disorders in teens include sudden changes in behavior or mood, withdrawal from friends and activities, a decline in academic performance, excessive worry or fear, and changes in eating or sleeping patterns. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mental disorders and adolescent social networks</h2>



This study is the largest and most detailed of its kind, involving over 700,000 ninth-grade students from 860 Finnish schools. These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-forest-bathing-fresh-breath-for-teen-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adolescents</a> were tracked from the end of ninth grade for a median period of 11 years. 



The researchers found a significant association between the number of classmates diagnosed with a mental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-circadian-disturbances-trigger-mental-health-disorders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disorder</a> and the increased risk of these students receiving a similar diagnosis later in life.



"The observed link was the strongest during the first year of follow-up in the study," noted Professor&nbsp;Christian Hakulinen. "This was not explained by factors related to parents, school, and residential area. The link was most pronounced in the case of mood, anxiety, and eating disorders."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-finnish-registers">The power of Finnish registers</h2>



The study's depth and accuracy were made possible by the comprehensive Finnish registers. 



Unlike previous studies where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-network-interventions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social networks</a> were chosen by the research subjects themselves, leading to potential bias, this research utilized school classes as predefined social networks. 



This method ensures a more accurate depiction of the social influence on mental health.



"Defining the social networks and following adolescents were made possible by extensive Finnish registers. The findings significantly deepen our understanding of how mental health problems develop and affect others in our social networks," said Professor Hakulinen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contagion-of-mental-disorders">Contagion of mental disorders </h2>



While the study reveals a strong association, it does not necessarily imply a direct causal relationship. The study did not investigate how mental disorders might be transmitted between individuals.



"It may be possible, for instance, that the threshold for seeking help for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childhood-maltreatment-fuels-mental-health-crisis-in-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental</a> health issues is lowered when there are one or more people in your social network who have already sought help for their problems. In fact, this kind of normalization of diagnosis and treatment can be considered a beneficial contagion of mental disorders," Hakulinen explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-growing-challenge-of-mental-disorders">The growing challenge of mental disorders</h2>



Mental disorders pose a significant global challenge, impacting individuals, society, and the economy. Moreover, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chemical-found-in-cannabis-plants-can-actually-reduce-cannabis-induced-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anxiety</a> and mood symptoms, in particular, have been on the rise among young people in recent years. 



Previous research indicates that the onset of mental disorders in adulthood often occurs before the age of 18.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-need-for-preventive-measures">The need for preventive measures</h2>



Given the potential for mental disorders to spread within adolescent social networks, preventive measures and early intervention are crucial. 



"When taking preventive measures, it’s worthwhile considering that mental disorders can spread from one adolescent to another," noted Professor Hakulinen.



This groundbreaking study sheds light on the social dynamics of mental health among adolescents. By understanding the potential for mental disorders to spread within social networks, we can better <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supportive-adults-help-protect-children-from-mental-health-issues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">address</a> this growing concern and implement effective preventive strategies.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2818735" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Psychiatry</a>.



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Mental disorders can be contagious among teens

Mental disorders - particularly mood, anxiety, and eating disorders -...

COVID-19 breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals may offer an unexpected benefit: heightened immunity against future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sars-cov-2-can-survive-on-frozen-meat-for-up-to-a-month/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SARS-CoV-2</a> infections. 



Research from <a href="https://www.lji.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Jolla Institute for Immunology</a> (LJI) reveals that those who experience breakthrough infections develop a more robust immune response, particularly through improved T cell recognition and targeting of the virus.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-covid-19-breakthrough-infections">COVID-19 breakthrough infections </h2>



The LJI scientists analyzed blood samples from vaccinated volunteers who had breakthrough infections. 



The team discovered that these individuals developed T cells capable of recognizing multiple parts of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including its variants like Omicron and Delta. This enhanced ability is referred to as an "immunity wall."



"The virus evolves, but, importantly, so does the immune system. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/t-cells-could-be-used-to-slow-down-or-even-reverse-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">T cells</a> do not sit idle. Instead, they learn to recognize the parts of the virus that mutate," explained Professor Alessandro Sette, who co-led the study.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-findings">Key Findings</h4>



<ul>
<li>Symptomatic Breakthrough Infections: Volunteers who experienced these infections developed T cells that recognized various targets on the SARS-CoV-2 virus.</li>



<li>Improved T Cell Recognition: These T cells were better equipped to identify and respond to mutated regions on new variants.</li>



<li>Asymptomatic Breakthrough Infections: Even without symptoms, these infections boosted T cell responses, though less significantly.</li>



<li>B Cell Response: Breakthrough infections led to the production of cross-reactive antibodies, targeting both the new variants and the original vaccine antigens.</li>



<li>No T Cell Exhaustion: There was no evidence that repeated vaccinations and infections caused harmful T cell exhaustion.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-t-cells-gain-fighting-power">T cells gain fighting power</h2>



Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 provides significant protection against <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/severe-covid-survivors-face-long-term-impairments/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">severe disease</a>. LJI studies show that this protection is long-lasting and effective against new viral variants. 



The researchers focused on how breakthrough infections impact T and B cells by tracking a group of vaccinated volunteers who later contracted COVID-19.



"With this study volunteer cohort, we were in a unique position to see how the immune system looked before and after a breakthrough infection," noted Professor Alba Grifoni.



Breakthrough infections prompted T cells to expand their repertoires, meaning they could recognize multiple features of SARS-CoV-2. This broadening was due to the combination of vaccination and infection. 



Vaccines taught T cells to recognize the spike protein, while infections helped them recognize additional viral proteins. As a result, T cells could target SARS-CoV-2 even if it mutated.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breakthrough-infections-and-b-cell-responses">Breakthrough infections and B cell responses</h2>



Breakthrough infections also stimulated B cells to produce diverse <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-have-found-powerful-antibodies-that-neutralize-all-covid-variants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antibodies</a> targeting common epitopes between the vaccine and the infecting variant. These new antibodies were effective against both the vaccine's antigens and the viral variants.



"New B cell responses that are only specific to the infecting variant, but not the vaccine, are very rare," said study co-author Parham Ramezani-Rad.



Another significant finding was the location of immune cell development. COVID-19 vaccines are typically administered in the upper arm, while SARS-CoV-2 infects the upper respiratory tract. This discrepancy can delay the immune response. A breakthrough infection can add an extra layer of protection by initiating immune cells closer to the infection site.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-impact-of-asymptomatic-infections">The impact of asymptomatic infections</h2>



The experts identified markers of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection in about 30% of volunteers who never showed symptoms, suggesting they had asymptomatic infections. 



"Our study suggests most people who never thought they got a breakthrough infection actually did," explained Professor Grifoni. "The majority of the population appears to be affected by a combination of vaccination and one or more breakthrough infections."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-evidence-of-t-cell-exhaustion">No evidence of T cell exhaustion</h2>



The research also dispels concerns about T cell exhaustion from repeated vaccinations and infections. Instead, breakthrough infections prompted T cells to produce more cytokines, enhancing their infection-fighting capabilities.



"After the breakthrough infection, the same cells produce multiple types of cytokines, making them more efficacious," noted Professor Grifoni. "Not only are our T cells not exhausted, but they are actually improving their capabilities."



However, the "immunity wall" has its limits. Following an asymptomatic breakthrough infection, T cell abilities were found to plateau with subsequent symptomatic infections, although B cells continued producing neutralizing antibodies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-importance-of-booster-vaccines">The importance of booster vaccines</h2>



Despite the benefits of breakthrough infections, the researchers emphasize the importance of following current CDC guidelines for booster vaccines. SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, and COVID-19 can still cause serious illness, especially in immunocompromised individuals.



This research provides crucial insights for developing new vaccines against future SARS-CoV-2 variants and other potential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/influenza-is-considered-the-biggest-pandemic-threat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pandemic viruses</a>. Researchers are keen to explore how future variants or new vaccine designs might further enhance the immune response.



"Studies of local B cell responses in the upper airway - where the infection occurs - will also be informative on how B cells responses are induced, particularly after breakthrough infection," said Ramezani-Rad.



The ultimate goal is to train T cells to recognize multiple types of coronaviruses simultaneously, potentially leading to a "pan-coronavirus" vaccine. This breakthrough study marks a significant step in understanding how to protect against viral infections and future pandemics.



"We're very interested to see if this phenomenon could be exploited in general to prepare against other potential pandemic threats," said Sette. "This is a step in a journey to help us protect against viral infections and potential pandemics."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2666379124002751" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell Reports Medicine</a>.



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COVID-19 breakthrough infections build an 'immunity wall'

COVID-19 breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals may offer an unexpected...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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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

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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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

[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" 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> describes a new map of Mars that is providing insight into the planet’s watery past. The map also reveals where future missions could safely land on Mars.&nbsp;



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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

Satellites have become essential to our survival

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