This week, the October sky is treating us to a brilliant display that you won't want to miss -- the Hunter's supermoon, a rare comet, and the Orionids meteor shower. 



Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is a rare comet making its journey past Earth, offering a unique opportunity to witness its tail of icy particles glistening against the dark canvas of space.



In addition, this week features the biggest supermoon of the year, Hunter's supermoon, which will illuminate the night with a breathtaking orangish glow.



Since Tuesday, the moon has looked larger than usual, and it’ll keep that appearance through Friday. By Thursday morning, as people head out for their morning commute. Depending on the weather in your area, Thursday night being the best time to see the full Hunter's supermoon..



And let's not forget the dazzling Orionids meteor shower, where you can catch glimpses of shooting stars streaking across the sky, resulting from debris left by Halley's Comet.



There's truly something for everyone in this celestial display. So, grab a warm jacket, perhaps a pair of binoculars for a closer look.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-80-000-year-old-time-traveler">80,000-year-old time traveler</h2>



Meet <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-anticipated-comet-of-2024-returns-this-weekend-after-80000-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS</a>, a celestial wanderer that's been on an 80,000-year long odyssey. 



From the outermost regions of our solar system, this comet embarks on an interminable journey around the sun. The last time it paid us a visit, our ancestors were just crafting civilizations.



Although its closest Earth pass was on October 12, it remains visible for the remainder of the month. 



So, how do you spot it? An hour into the sunset, turn your sight to where the sun has sunk and voila. The elusive comet, while difficult to sight with the naked eye, could be seen with a pair of binoculars. 



Don't miss this rare chance to witness a phenomenon that won't return for another 80,000 years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hunter-s-supermoon">Hunter's Supermoon</h2>



Next up...mark your calendars for October 17, 2024. The night sky is all set to parade the Hunter's Moon, but this year it's not just a full moon -- <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hunters-supermoon-prepares-to-illuminate-the-october-skies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">it's a supermoon</a>! 



This phenomenon occurs when the moon is at its closest to Earth during its full phase, making it larger and brighter.



The Hunter’s Moon got its name from the historical practice of hunters utilizing the bright moonlight to track game and gather food in preparation for winter. This full moon rises soon after sunset, extending the period of illumination more than usual.



As it ascends, the Hunter’s Moon appears particularly large and orange, a visual effect produced by its lower position on the horizon and the scattering of light in the atmosphere.



This lunar phase holds cultural significance across various traditions, representing a time for preparation and gathering, underscoring the importance of readiness for the impending colder months.



The Hunter’s Moon is generally in October -- although once every four years it makes an appearance in November.



While contemporary life may not depend on this extra light to hunt or complete outdoor tasks, the Hunter’s Moon remains a fascinating reminder of nature’s rhythms and the cyclical changes of the seasons.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-puts-the-super-in-the-supermoon">What puts the 'super' in the supermoon?</h3>



So, you might ask, "What's so super about the supermoon?" As Anna Gammon-Ross, a seasoned astronomer from the <a href="https://www.rmg.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Museums Greenwich</a> explains, a supermoon occurs when a full moon is nearest to Earth in its orbit. 



This cosmic alignment results in a moon that's roughly 14% larger and 30% brighter than usual. On seeing the radiant orb hanging low in the sky, you'd agree that the supermoon does indeed earn its name.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shooting-stars-orionids-meteor-shower">Shooting stars: Orionids meteor shower</h2>



The Orionids meteor shower is one of the highlights of the October night sky. These meteors are actually tiny bits of dust left behind by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orionids-meteor-shower-peaks-this-weekend-heres-what-to-expect/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Halley's Comet</a> as it travels through the solar system. 



When Earth passes through this trail of debris, the particles slam into our atmosphere at incredible speeds -- up to 148,000 miles per hour! As they burn up, they create those bright streaks of light we love to watch.



What's cool about the Orionids is that they're known for their fast and bright meteors, often leaving glowing trails that last for a few seconds. 



The best time to catch them is in the early morning hours before dawn, when the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/betelgeuse-one-of-our-brightest-stars-will-vanish-from-sight-next-week/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">constellation Orion</a> (which gives the meteor shower its name) is high in the sky. 



Just find a comfy spot away from city lights, let your eyes adjust to the darkness, and enjoy the show -- no special equipment needed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skywatching-101">Skywatching 101</h2>



All set to behold these cosmic spectacles? Here are some tips to enhance your experience:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Search for a location far from city lights to escape light pollution. </li>



<li>Always check the weather. Clear skies are your best pals for skywatching. </li>



<li>Bring your binoculars. For the supermoon, they are optional, but they'll help with the comet and make meteor watching more fun. </li>



<li>Comfort is key. Dress warmly and consider bringing a blanket or a chair. </li>



<li>Patience is a virtue. Allow around 20 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness.</li>
</ul>



These celestial showstoppers make for some spectacular photography opportunities. 



For the supermoon, a camera with manual settings, plus a tripod for steadiness, can help capture stunning shots. 



For the meteors, a wide-angle lens with a long exposure setting can help you nab a shooting star.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-wonders-to-watch">More wonders to watch</h2>



October's skywatching doesn't end with the comet, supermoon, and meteor shower. 



Throughout the month, Venus brightly greets morning risers, while Saturn and Jupiter are earlier night visitors. 



Mars is a bit elusive but worth seeking out. Several constellations, such as Cassiopeia and Perseus, also adorn the night sky. 



If you're a novice stargazer, a smartphone app can help you navigate the starry expanse.



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Hunter's supermoon, a comet, and Orionids meteors are sharing the sky tonight

This week, the October sky is treating us to a brilliant display that you won't want to miss -- the Hunter's supermoon, a rare comet, and the Orionids meteor shower. Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS is a rare comet making its journey past Earth, offering a unique opportunity to witness its tail of icy particles glistening against the dark canvas of space. In addition, this week features the biggest supermoon of the year, Hunter's supermoon, which will illuminate the night with a breathtaking orangish glow. Since Tuesday, the...

Deforestation in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amazon-animals-will-suffer-as-the-rainforest-turns-into-savanna/">Amazon</a> is heating up land surfaces as far as 100 kilometers away, according to a new study led by Dr. Edward Butt at the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/">University of Leeds</a>.



The research highlights the pivotal role tropical forests play in land surface cooling, an effect observed over significant distances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-amazon-deforestation">Studying Amazon deforestation</h2>



While it has been previously recognized that clearing tropical forests leads to immediate climate warming in the vicinity, the researchers wanted to investigate the climate impact of Amazon <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-deforestation-crisis-how-can-we-stop-massive-forest-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deforestation</a> in more distant regions. 



The study specifically gauged the climate effects in areas up to 100 kilometers from the deforestation sites.



Dr. Butt emphasized the urgent need to understand the impact of Amazon's forest loss.



“The world is getting warmer as a result of climate change. It is important that we understand how deforestation of the Amazon ecosystem is contributing to climate warming," said Dr. Butt. "If deforestation is warming surrounding regions, this would have big implications for people living in those areas."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



The experts integrated satellite data to track land surface temperature changes and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brazilian-amazon-crisis-deforestation-is-escalating-in-indigenous-territories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon forest loss</a> from 2001 to 2020. 



With data from 3.7 million locations across the Amazon basin, the researchers compared warming that had occurred over regions with varying amounts of local and regional deforestation.



For clarity, the scientists categorized deforestation within two kilometers of a data point as "local." Beyond this, land up to 100 kilometers away, was deemed "regional."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



The data revealed that in zones with minimal local and regional deforestation, the average land temperature change from 2001 to 2021 was just 0.3°C.&nbsp;



By contrast, areas subjected to both local and regional deforestation witnessed an average temperature surge of 4.4°C.



“The regional warming due to Amazon <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deforestation-linked-to-irreversible-transition-in-the-amazon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deforestation</a> will have negative consequences for the 30 million people living within the Amazon basin, many of whom are already exposed to dangerous levels of heat," wrote the study authors. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-warming-scenarios">Potential warming scenarios</h2>



The team also projected the potential warming of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/rio-negro-is-shrinking-as-drought-strikes-the-brazilian-amazon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brazilian Amazon</a> in the next 30 years based on two scenarios of future deforestation. 



In the first scenario, the Forest Code is ignored and protected areas not safeguarded. The second scenario anticipates some level of forest protection.&nbsp;



The findings suggest that in Mato Grosso state, located in the southern Amazon where forest loss is rampant, reducing deforestation could mitigate future warming by over 0.5°C.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amazon-deforestation-implications">Amazon deforestation implications </h2>



“It is well known that protecting tropical forests is crucial in the fight against global climate change. Our work shows that protecting forests will also have big benefits at a local, regional and national scale," said Professor Dominick Spracklen from the University of Leeds.



“We show that reducing deforestation would reduce future warming across the southern Amazon. This would benefit people living across the region through reducing heat stress and reducing the negative impacts on agriculture.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



Study co-author Dr. Celso von Randow is a researcher from the Brazilian <a href="https://www.gov.br/inpe/pt-br" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Institute for Space Research</a>.



“In Brazil, studies on the importance of conserving forests for carbon storage are common, but we still lack studies on their biophysical effects. This is important because the Amazon is warming rapidly due to climate change, and now exacerbated by deforestation," said Dr. von Randow.&nbsp;



“New efforts to control deforestation across the Brazilian Amazon have been successful and deforestation rates have declined over the last year, and now we see benefits of possibly reducing the warming affecting people living in this region. Recognizing such benefits will hopefully result in more widespread support for continued efforts to reduce deforestation and protect forests.” 



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2309123120">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Amazon deforestation has far-reaching impacts

Deforestation in the Amazon is heating up land surfaces as...

Scientists have uncovered a new species of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sarabosaurus-dahli-a-newly-discovered-mosasaur-species-provides-incredible-evolutionary-insights/">mosasaur</a>, a marine lizard that thrived during the late Cretaceous. The 24-foot beast offers intriguing clues about the evolution of these ancient creatures.



The species has been named Jormungandr walhallaensis in reference to the Norse sea serpent and the North Dakota city of Walhalla near its discovery site.&nbsp;



“The tale of Jormungandr paints a wonderful picture and helps contribute to our understanding of the northernmost regions of the interior seaway, especially with the mosasaurs, and discoveries such as these can pique scientific curiosity," said study co-author Nathan Van Vranken from Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College.



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



Mosasaurs, as large carnivorous aquatic lizards, have long captivated the scientific community. The very term "mosasaur" even predates "dinosaur."&nbsp;



The discovery of the first mosasaur more than 200 years ago sparked numerous queries. Among them: their evolutionary journey towards developing flippers and full aquatic adaptation, which is believed to have occurred three or perhaps even four times.&nbsp;



Another mystery revolves around their kinship – are they more closely related to monitor lizards or snakes? The recent study is helping to answer these questions.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-awe-inspiring-fossil">Awe-inspiring fossil</h2>



In 2015, experts unearthed an awe-inspiring fossil in northeastern North Dakota. This specimen includes an almost intact skull, jaws, cervical spine, and several vertebrae.



Amelia Zietlow, the study's lead author and a PhD student at the <a href="https://www.amnh.org/">American Museum of Natural History</a>’s Richard Gilder Graduate School, provides a vivid description: “If you put flippers on a Komodo dragon and made it really big, that’s basically what it would have looked like."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-iconic-mosasaurs-nbsp">Iconic mosasaurs&nbsp;</h2>



A detailed examination revealed that Jormungandr possessed characteristics found in two iconic mosasaurs: Clidastes, the more primitive and smaller variant, and Mosasaurus, a formidable creature stretching nearly 50 feet, which existed alongside the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex.&nbsp;



Notably, this new species, estimated at 24 feet, boasted flippers, a shark-like tail, "angry eyebrows" due to a bony ridge on its skull, and a somewhat stumpy tail, shorter than its body.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giant-sea-monsters-nbsp">Giant sea monsters&nbsp;</h2>



“As these animals evolved into these giant sea monsters, they were constantly making changes,” said Zietlow. “This work gets us one step closer to understanding how all these different forms are related to one another.”



The study suggests that Jormungandr existed about 80 million years ago and was an evolutionary precursor to the colossal Mosasaurus.



“This fossil is coming from a geologic time in the United States that we don’t really understand,” said study co-author Clint Boyd from the North Dakota Geological Survey. “The more we can fill in the geographic and temporal timeline, the better we can understand these creatures.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://digitallibrary.amnh.org/items/13b0485f-c73f-47f9-8d1d-0d4ab6aaedfb">Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History</a>.



Image Credit: © Henry Sharpe



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Jormungandr: 24-foot lizard is a new link in mosasaur evolution

Scientists have uncovered a new species of mosasaur, a marine...

A recent study highlights the crucial role played by Earth's upper atmosphere in shaping large geomagnetic storms. The study underscores the profound influence these storms can have on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/communications-satellites-may-disrupt-astronomical-observations/">satellite</a> communications, with potential disruptions to power grids, radio signals, and GPS.



The international collaborative study was led by <a href="https://en.nagoya-u.ac.jp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nagoya University</a> in Japan and the University of New Hampshire in the United States. The research offers intriguing new insights into the development of geomagnetic storms.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-wind">Solar wind</h2>



Historically, the Sun has been perceived as the primary driver of geomagnetic storms. The Sun's outer layer, composed of hot charged particles, emits a solar wind which interacts with Earth's magnetosphere.&nbsp;



These interactions with the magnetic field around our planet are known to influence space weather, affecting both Earth and our technological assets in space.



Central to the magnetosphere is the magnetotail, which extends in the direction of the solar wind. Within it lies the plasma sheet region, dense with charged particles or plasma. This region acts as a reservoir for particles that infiltrate the inner magnetosphere, triggering the currents behind geomagnetic storms.



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



The goal of the study was to determine the proportion of plasma in the magnetosphere originating from Earth, especially during geomagnetic storm events.&nbsp;



The team focused on a significant geomagnetic storm that occurred between September 7-8, 2017, caused by a huge coronal mass ejection from the Sun. This storm disrupted the magnetosphere, leading to interference with crucial communication systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ion-transport-dynamics-nbsp">Ion transport dynamics&nbsp;</h2>



To understand the ion transport dynamics during the storm, the team leveraged data from various space missions, like the NASA/Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, the Japanese Arase mission, the ESA/Cluster mission, and the NASA/Wind mission.&nbsp;



By distinguishing ions from the solar wind and the ionosphere, the experts identified significant changes in the near-earth plasma sheet's composition and characteristics, which directly influence the progression of a geomagnetic storm.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



“The most important discovery was that at the beginning of the geomagnetic storm, the plasma changed from mostly solar to mostly ionospheric,” explained study lead author Lynn Kistler. “This shows that the geomagnetic storm drives more outflow from the Earth’s ionosphere, and that the ionospheric plasma can move quickly throughout the magnetosphere.”&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Overall, our research contributes to understanding the development of geomagnetic storms by showing the importance of Earth’s ionospheric plasma."



“We found compelling evidence that plasmas from not only the Sun but also the Earth drive a geomagnetic storm. In short, the properties of the plasma sheet (the density, the particle energy distribution, the composition) will affect geomagnetic storms, and these properties are different for different sources.”&nbsp;



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-41735-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Geomagnetic storms are influenced by Earth's atmosphere

A recent study highlights the crucial role played by Earth's...

A study led by researchers at <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imperial College London</a> reveals that if immediate measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions are not taken, the world is on track for 1.5°C of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/limiting-global-warming-to-1-5-degrees-celsius-would-save-billions-of-lives/">warming</a> before 2030. 



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



The research is the most recent and detailed analysis of the global carbon budget. The carbon budget is essentially an estimate of how much carbon dioxide we can emit while still limiting global warming to specific temperature increases.



The Paris Agreement, an international treaty signed by 196 countries, established a goal of capping the global temperature rise to well below 2°C above preindustrial levels. The greater goal is to limit this temperature increase to 1.5°C. Progress on these targets is often measured using the remaining carbon budget.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dwindling-carbon-budget-nbsp">Dwindling carbon budget&nbsp;</h2>



The Imperial study has discovered that the carbon budget is significantly smaller than prior estimates. The researchers estimate that for a 50% chance of limiting warming to 1.5°C, there are less than 250 gigatons of carbon dioxide left in the global carbon budget.



The experts warn that if carbon dioxide emissions remain at 2022 levels of about 40 billion gigatons per year, the carbon budget will be exhausted by around 2029, committing the world to warming of 1.5°C above preindustrial levels.



This dwindling carbon budget is attributed to two main factors: the relentless rise in global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from burning fossil fuels, and a refined understanding of the cooling effect of aerosols, which has been decreasing globally.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-are-not-doing-enough">We are not doing enough</h2>



Dr Robin Lamboll, the study's lead author, highlighted the severity of the situation. “Our finding confirms what we already know – we’re not doing nearly enough to keep warming below 1.5°C."



“The remaining budget is now so small that minor changes in our understanding of the world can result in large proportional changes to the budget. However, estimates point to less than a decade of emissions at current levels."



"The lack of progress on emissions reduction means that we can be ever more certain that the window for keeping warming to safe levels is rapidly closing."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-un-climate-report">UN Climate Report</h2>



Dr Joeri Rogelj, a professor of Climate Science &amp; Policy at the Centre for Environmental Policy at Imperial College London, noted that these findings align with the UN Climate Report from 2021.&nbsp;



“That report from 2021 already highlighted that there was a one in three chance that the remaining carbon budget for 1.5°C could be as small as our study now reports," said Dr. Rogelj.



“This shows the importance of not simply looking at central estimates, but also considering the uncertainty surrounding them.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-definitive-answers">Definitive answers</h2>



For those wondering about the 2°C target, the study estimates the carbon budget for that is around 1,200 gigatons. Without intervention, this budget could be expended by 2046.



While there's been debate about the precise remaining carbon budget due to various influencing factors, this research is more definitive. The experts used advanced climate modeling to address uncertainties, which means their estimates more reliable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-net-zero">Net zero</h2>



One of the key takeaways is the concept of net zero, which refers to balancing out emissions produced with those removed from the atmosphere. The study suggests there's a lot we don’t know about how the climate will react as we approach net zero.&nbsp;



For instance, while factors like melting ice might cause further warming, increased vegetation growth could absorb significant carbon dioxide, leading to a cooling effect.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



Dr. Lamboll said these uncertainties further highlight the urgent need to rapidly cut emissions. “At this stage, our best guess is that the opposing warming and cooling will approximately cancel each other out after we reach net zero."



“However, it’s only when we only when we cut emissions and get closer to net zero that we will be able to see what the longer-term heating and cooling adjustments will look like."



“Every fraction of a degree of warming will make life harder for people and ecosystems. This study is yet another warning from the scientific community. Now it is up to governments to act.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41558-023-01848-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Climate Change</a>.



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Window to avoid 1.5°C warming is nearly closed, study reveals

A study led by researchers at Imperial College London reveals...

A new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.123.066017">Circulation</a> has found that cardiovascular fatalities attributed to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scorching-reality-extreme-heat-worsens-cognitive-decline/">extreme heat</a> in the United States are on a trajectory to potentially more than double by the mid-21st century.&nbsp;



“Climate change and its many manifestations will play an increasingly important role on the health of communities around the world in the coming decades,” said lead author Sameed Khatana, an assistant professor of Medicine at the <a href="https://www.upenn.edu/">University of Pennsylvania</a> and a staff cardiologist at the <a href="https://www.va.gov/philadelphia-health-care/">Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center</a>.&nbsp;



“Climate change is also a health equity issue as it will impact certain individuals and populations to a disproportionate degree and may exacerbate preexisting health disparities in the U.S.”



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



By employing county-level data from 2008-2017, the experts established a correlation between increased extreme heat days and cardiovascular deaths.&nbsp;



This analysis set the stage for projections into the future, incorporating anticipated demographic changes and greenhouse gas emissions scenarios.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



The investigations revealed a 162 percent increase in excess cardiovascular deaths due to extreme heat by 2036-2065, even if proposed emissions reductions are achieved. Without these reductions, the increase could reach 233 percent.



The key findings of the study include:



<ul>
<li>From 2008 to 2019, extreme heat was linked to an average of 1,651 additional cardiovascular deaths annually.</li>



<li>A projected 162 percent increase in excess cardiovascular deaths due to extreme heat is expected by mid-century, even with proposed greenhouse gas emissions reductions.</li>



<li>If greenhouse gas emissions reductions are not implemented, the increase in excess cardiovascular deaths could reach 233 percent.</li>



<li>Adults aged 65 and older may face a 2.9 to 3.5 times greater increase in heat-related cardiovascular deaths compared to adults aged 20-64.</li>



<li>Non-Hispanic Black adults are projected to experience a 3.8 to 4.6 times greater increase in cardiovascular deaths due to extreme heat compared to non-Hispanic white adults.</li>



<li>Projected increases in deaths due to extreme heat were not significantly different among adults in other racial or ethnic groups, or between men and women.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-multifaceted-issue">Multifaceted issue</h2>



“The magnitude of the percent increase was surprising. This increase accounts for not only the known association between cardiovascular deaths and extreme heat, but it is also impacted by the population getting older and the proportionate increases in the number of people from other races and/or ethnicities in the U.S.,” Khatana explained, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the issue.



Study co-author Robert Brook from <a href="https://www.med.wayne.edu/">Wayne State University School of Medicine</a> echoed these concerns and emphasized the urgent need for action. “Even under the more optimistic moderate scenario of this study, greenhouse gas emissions will increase for some time before tapering down. Moreover, most of the pollutants persist in the atmosphere for numerous years, and as such, the long-term trend is for significant increases in the frequency of extreme heat events despite near-term actions.”



“In conjunction with the growth of more susceptible and vulnerable populations - aging adults and people relocating to warmer locations - heat-related cardiovascular disease deaths are expected to increase over the coming decades. Nevertheless, the study shows that the magnitude of adverse cardiovascular disease effects may be somewhat mitigated by taking earlier action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-underestimated-projections-nbsp">Underestimated projections&nbsp;</h2>



As Brook further explained, although such projections are alarming, they are most likely underestimations of what may actually happen. “The projections of this study focus on cardiovascular disease deaths, and, therefore, they represent conservative estimations of the adverse effects on cardiovascular health due to extreme heat,” he said.&nbsp;



“Nonfatal heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure hospitalizations outnumber fatal events and are also highly likely to be linked with extreme heat days. The full extent of the public health threat, even just due to cardiovascular death, is likely much greater than presented in this study. “



The forecasts bring to light the potential of infrastructural changes, like enhancing greenery in communities, to mitigate the impact of extreme heat on individuals in the U.S. While certain European studies provide some evidence supporting this approach, there is a noticeable gap in similar research within the United States.



Finally, Brook also stressed the role of pollution linked to extreme heat. “Fine particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5) causes more than 6 million deaths per year. This study adds to the evidence that the full extent of the harmful effects posed by air pollutants extends beyond PM2.5. By substantially increasing extreme heat days, greenhouse air pollutants pose yet further threats to our well-being,” he concluded.



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Heat-related cardiovascular deaths may double in the coming decades

A new study published in the journal Circulation has found...

Experts at the <a href="https://www.ualberta.ca/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Alberta</a> have discovered that taurine may hold the key to predicting and possibly treating long <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-who-dont-get-sick-from-covid-19-may-have-a-genetic-mutation/">COVID</a>. The research offers new insights into the biological basis of this debilitating condition.&nbsp;



“This research helps us understand what’s happening in the bodies of people with long COVID and could lead to better treatments and tests for them in the future,” said principal investigator Professor Gavin Oudit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-long-covid-nbsp">Predicting long COVID&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers have developed a predictive test to determine which patients with COVID-19 will have lingering symptoms. Next, the team will conduct a clinical trial to further investigate taurine as a potential treatment for reducing long COVID symptoms.



"An estimated 10–30 percent of individuals convalescing from SARS-CoV-2 infection continue to experience post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) or long COVID, characterized by fatigue, sleep disturbance, confusion, and dyspnea, alongside many other debilitating symptoms resulting in significant impairments in their quality of life," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



For the investigation, the team followed 117 patients admitted to hospitals with acute COVID-19 symptoms. Blood samples were collected from the individuals at the beginning of their admission and then again after six months. 



The researchers also examined the patients' clinical records for a span of 18 months.&nbsp;Ultimately, 55 of the patients developed what is commonly known as long COVID or severe post-COVID conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predictive-model-nbsp">Predictive model&nbsp;</h2>



The team analyzed the blood samples for changes in proteins, metabolites, and signs of inflammation. By using machine learning to review these changes, the researchers created a predictive model comprising 20 molecules.&nbsp;



With an accuracy rate of 83 percent, the model predicted the chances of adverse clinical outcomes once the patients were discharged.



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



The researchers said the most striking difference they found among patients was in plasma levels of taurine.&nbsp;



“Patients with lower levels of taurine had a lot more symptoms, more of them were hospitalized and there was an increased risk for mortality,” explained Oudit. “Patients that had high levels of taurine and maintained high levels of taurine in their blood had much fewer ongoing symptoms and did better.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taurine-supplementation-nbsp">Taurine supplementation&nbsp;</h2>



Taurine is an amino acid that can be found in dietary sources such as meat and fish. It is also naturally produced by the human liver. Beyond its role in various physiological functions, it plays a role in regulating the immune system.



While the potential of taurine supplementation seems promising for treating a spectrum of long COVID symptoms, Oudit advises patients against self-medication. He emphasizes that more research is needed - specifically human trials on the impact of taurine supplementation.&nbsp;



“Patients should not go out and start consuming taurine in high levels to help with long COVID,” said Professor Oudit. “Taurine supplements are relatively safe, but we need to get that evidence from a clinical trial.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101254" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell Reports Medicine</a>.



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Long COVID breakthrough: Taurine levels may play a key role

Experts at the University of Alberta have discovered that taurine...

Hurricanes with the ability to rapidly intensify under unknown conditions have long been a cause for concern. Swift escalations from simple tropical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/storms-are-a-major-source-of-forest-mortality-in-the-amazon/">storms</a> or depressions to major hurricanes can be catastrophic, given the violent winds and deadly surges they bring.&nbsp;



However, new research suggests that hurricane unpredictability is due to not just one, but two distinct mechanisms that cause rapid intensification.&nbsp;



This is the conclusion of a computer modeling study conducted by scientists from the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Science Foundation</a> (NSF) and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR).



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



The knowledge of two unique modes associated with hurricane intensification will enhance our understanding and prediction of these hazardous events.



“Trying to find the holy grail behind rapid intensification is the wrong approach because there isn’t just one holy grail,” said NCAR scientist Falko Judt, lead author of the new study. “There are at least two different modes or flavors of rapid intensification, and each one has a different set of conditions that must be met in order for the storm to strengthen so quickly.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modes-of-rapid-intensification">Modes of rapid intensification</h2>



The first type is when a hurricane intensifies symmetrically due to optimal environmental conditions, such as warm surface waters and low wind shear. Historical examples of this type include Hurricanes Andrew, Katrina, and Maria.&nbsp;



The most recent example is Hurricane Otis, which unexpectedly grew by 110 miles per hour within a day, evolving into a category 5 hurricane before hitting Mexico's west coast.



The second type, which previously went unnoticed due to the peak winds not being as destructive, is linked to significant bursts of thunderstorms distant from the hurricane's center.&nbsp;



These bursts rearrange the cyclone's circulation, enabling it to rapidly amplify, often reaching category 1 or 2 intensity in mere hours. Astonishingly, this form of intensification can occur even under unfavorable conditions, such as opposing upper-level winds.



“Those storms are not as memorable and they’re not as significant. But forecasters need to be aware that even a storm that’s strongly sheared and asymmetric can undergo a mode of rapid intensification," said Judt.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-discovery-nbsp">Unexpected discovery&nbsp;</h2>



Judt’s discovery emerged unexpectedly during an unrelated project, where he conducted a comprehensive 40-day simulation of the global atmosphere.&nbsp;



Upon analyzing the data, Judt discerned that the rapid intensification occurred in two distinctive manners. Such findings were previously elusive due to models focusing on isolated regions, rather than a global perspective.



Real-world tropical cyclone observations further corroborated both modes of rapid intensification.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-serendipitous-finding">Serendipitous finding</h2>



"It was kind of a serendipitous finding,” Judt said. “Just by looking at the storms in the simulation and making plots, I realized that storms that rapidly intensify fall into two different camps. One is the canonical mode in which there’s a tropical storm when you go to bed and when you wake up it’s a category 4."



"But then there’s another mode that goes from a tropical storm to a category 1 or 2, and it fits the definition of rapid intensification. Since nobody has those storms on their radar, that mode of rapid intensification went undetected until I went through the simulation.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



Concluding their research, the team theorized that many cases of rapid intensification could fall between these two modes. A storm might start with the "sprint" mode but gradually transition to the "marathon" mode.&nbsp;



According to Judt, a question for future research is why bursts of thunderstorms can cause about 10% of storms in an unconducive environment to rapidly intensify, even though the other 90% do not.



“There could be a mechanism we haven’t discovered yet that would enable us to identify the 10 from the 90,” said Judt. “My working hypothesis is that it’s random, but it’s important for forecasters to be aware that rapid intensification is a typical process even in an unfavorable environment.”



The research, funded by the U.S. Navy Office of Naval Research and the U.S. National Science Foundation, appeared in the Monthly Weather Review, a journal of the American Meteorological Society.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-23-0038.1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monthly Weather Review</a>.



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What causes the rapid intensification of hurricanes?

Hurricanes with the ability to rapidly intensify under unknown conditions...

Anti-aging,Hand,Care.,Smiling,African,Woman,Touching,Her,Soft,Body

Scientists have unveiled a fascinating discovery about the sense of touch, identifying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-body-parts-hair/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hair follicles</a> as previously unrecognized touch receptors. This breakthrough offers new insight into our sensory experience and might reshape our understanding of certain skin conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-twist-in-sensory-biology">Surprising twist in sensory biology</h2>



Researchers from <a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imperial College London</a> recently discovered that cells within <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breakthrough-gray-hair-will-soon-be-a-thing-of-the-past/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hair follicles</a>, previously acknowledged solely for their role surrounding hair fiber, possess the ability to sense touch directly. This finding counters the traditional understanding that only specific nerve endings in the skin are responsible for sensing touch.



"Our findings are quite surprising," explains Dr. Claire Higgins, lead author of the study from Imperial’s Department of Bioengineering. "We're venturing into uncharted territory by discovering this unique role of hair follicle cells in processing light touch, an area traditionally reserved for specific nerve endings."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-delving-into-the-science-of-touch">Delving into the science of touch</h2>



The sense of touch has always been believed to be processed through various complex mechanisms:



<ol type="1" start="1">
<li>Sensory nerve endings in the skin: These nerve endings detect touch and relay these signals to the brain for interpretation. </li>



<li>Hair follicles: These structures, rich with nerve endings, sense the movement of hair fibers. </li>



<li>Special sensory nerves in hairy skin (C-LTMRs): These nerves process the emotional aspect or the 'feel-good' sensation associated with touch.</li>
</ol>



The new research indicates an additional, unexpected participant in this sensory experience: the hair follicles themselves.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-innovative-methodology">Innovative methodology</h2>



The team's journey to this discovery involved analyzing single-cell RNA sequencing data from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-bioprinted-fully-functional-human-skin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human skin</a> and hair follicles. Astonishingly, they noticed that hair follicle cells contained a significantly higher percentage of touch-sensitive receptors compared to their counterparts in the skin.



To further investigate, the researchers established co-cultures of human hair follicle cells and sensory nerves. Upon mechanically stimulating the hair follicle cells, they observed an activation of the adjacent sensory nerves. This was a crucial indication that hair follicle cells themselves could respond to touch stimuli.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neurotransmitters-and-the-sense-of-touch">Neurotransmitters and the sense of touch</h2>



Seeking to understand the communication between hair follicle cells and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/if-you-feel-more-pain-sensitivity-than-others-blame-your-neanderthal-genes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sensory nerves</a>, researchers employed a technique known as fast scan cyclic voltammetry. They discovered that when stimulated, hair follicle cells released two key neurotransmitters: histamine and serotonin.



"These neurotransmitters were crucial in the signalling process," Dr. Higgins notes. "When we inhibited their receptors on the sensory neurons, the neurons ceased to respond to hair follicle cell stimulation."



Additionally, interference with the synaptic vesicle production in hair follicle cells disabled these cells from signalling the sensory nerves, further confirming the integral role of these neurotransmitters.



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



In parallel experiments involving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/harvard-scientists-fountain-of-youth-pill-sparks-controversy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">skin cells</a>, researchers found that while these cells released histamine in response to light touch, they did not release serotonin. This revelation has significant implications, especially in understanding skin conditions such as eczema traditionally linked with histamine release.



"We always presumed immune cells were the sole histamine contributors in conditions like eczema," Dr. Higgins remarks. "Identifying this new role of skin cells could be a game-changer for dermatological research."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-digging-deeper-ito-the-sense-of-touch">Digging deeper ito the sense of touch</h2>



While these findings from cell cultures mark a significant step forward, replicating them in living organisms is the next critical phase. The team is also curious about exploring whether hair follicles activate specific types of sensory nerves, particularly since C-LTMRs are exclusive to hairy skin.



"We're on the brink of potentially uncovering a unique signaling mechanism," Dr. Higgins anticipates. "There's a whole new exciting path of research ahead of us."



In summary, this study not only broadens our comprehension of sensory biology but also opens up new avenues for therapeutic research, particularly concerning skin disorders. The touch, one of the fundamental senses, still holds many secrets. Studies like this are key to unlocking them.



The full study can be downloaded from <a href="https://imperialcollegelondon.box.com/s/l4ctp0bd7kuadpxzxi6yh4kyi4stjww0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imperial College London</a>.



---



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Scientists discover a hidden way that humans feel and sense touch

Scientists have unveiled a fascinating discovery about the sense of...

The importance of sunscreen has been emphasized by health campaigns worldwide. Its popularity is on the rise, with more people than ever relying on sunscreen to protect their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-does-skin-become-leathery-after-too-much-uv-light-from-sun-exposure/">skin</a>.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sunscreen-paradox-nbsp">Sunscreen paradox&nbsp;</h2>



However, recent findings suggest that this growing trust might be misplaced, hinting at what experts call the "sunscreen paradox." This unsettling concept suggests that the rising use of sunscreen correlates with increasing melanoma and skin cancer rates.



Dr. Ivan Litvinov, Chair of the Dermatology Division at <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McGill University</a>, together with a team of researchers including Dr. Sandra Peláez, Dr. Richie Jeremian, and Dr. Pingxing Xie, have published two studies that delve into the sunscreen paradox.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-misguided-belief-nbsp">Misguided belief&nbsp;</h2>



A concerning revelation from the research is the way that sunscreen is viewed by the general public. “The problem is that people use sunscreen as a ‘permission slip’ to tan,” said Dr. Litvinov. “People think they are protected from skin cancer because they are using a product marketed to prevent a condition.”&nbsp;



Many people assume that sunscreen application offers complete protection. The result is a false sense of security, the researchers noted. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skin-cancer">Skin cancer</h2>



While sunscreen is essential, it is not a guaranteed way to protect yourself from skin cancer.&nbsp;



“Sunscreen is important, but it is also the least effective way to protect your skin when compared to sun protective clothing, rash guards, and sun avoidance. People can and should enjoy the outdoors, but without getting a sun burn or a suntan,” said Dr. Litvinov.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-melanoma-incidence">Melanoma incidence</h2>



In the first study, the team investigated the melanoma incidence rates in the Atlantic provinces of Canada.&nbsp;



Here, residents of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, despite being better informed about sun protection and more proactive in monitoring the UV index, showed higher melanoma incidence rates.



"Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer, with a propensity for metastasis and poor prognosis," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



Higher melanoma rates were attributed to increased sun exposure due to higher temperatures and a preference for outdoor activities.



"Within the Canadian population, several sociodemographic variables have been associated with sun exposure rates and subsequent CM development, including geographic latitude, climate, vegetation, genetic predisposition, Fitzpatrick skin phototype, socioeconomic status, occupation, and behavioral habits," explained the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarming-discovery">Alarming discovery</h2>



The second study, focused on the UK Biobank, unearthed a startling correlation: sunscreen use is linked with more than double the risk of skin cancer development.&nbsp;



“These combined findings suggest a sunscreen paradox, whereby individuals with higher levels of sun exposure also tend to use more but not an adequate quantity of sunscreen or other sun-protection measures, providing a false sense of security,” explained Dr. Litvinov.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



This growing body of evidence highlights a necessary shift in the global understanding and application of sun protection. We must adopt a comprehensive approach to sun safety, which includes awareness, the right sun-protective attire, and limited sun exposure.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/cancers15194726" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cancers</a>.



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Sunscreen gives us a false sense of security

The importance of sunscreen has been emphasized by health campaigns...

Rooster,Looking,At,Mirror

In a remarkable study that challenges long-standing assumptions about avian intelligence, researchers from the Universities of <a href="https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/university" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bonn</a> and <a href="https://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bochum</a> and the <a href="https://www.medicalschool-hamburg.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MSH Medical School Hamburg</a> have delved into understanding self-awareness in chickens. Their findings suggest that <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/rooster_mirror_credit-University-of-Bonn_1medium.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">roosters</a> might possess the ability to recognize themselves in a mirror, depending on the conditions of the test conducted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-roosters-and-the-mirror-mark-test">Roosters and the mirror "Mark Test"</h2>



The collaborative efforts of the research team aimed to understand one of behavioral research's central questions. "Do animals possess the capability of self-recognition, indicative of self-awareness?"



The standard measure of self-recognition among animals has typically been the "Mark Test." This test involves placing a colored mark on an animal in a location only visible through mirror reflection. 



If the animals, in this case roosters, indicate awareness of the mark via the mirror, it suggests a level of self-recognition. However, this method has had inconsistent results, often influenced by the artificiality of the experimental environment, leading the researchers to seek a more ecologically relevant approach.



Sonja Hillemacher, a doctoral student, and Dr. Inga Tiemann, both of whom have extensively studied chicken husbandry at the University of Bonn, embarked on this investigative journey under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Onur Güntürkün from the Department of Biopsychology at Ruhr University in Bochum.



"The existing methods might not be sufficient or suitable for all animals, particularly in species that might feel uneasy in these contrived test conditions," explains Dr. Inga Tiemann. This notion prompted the researchers to consider the natural behaviors of roosters in devising a more suitable test environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarm-calls-natural-behavior-indicator">Alarm calls: Natural behavior indicator</h2>



Prof. Onur Güntürkün introduced an innovative idea, leveraging the natural behavior of roosters to issue warning calls, alerting their friends to potential predators. These alarm calls are less likely when roosters are alone, as drawing attention could turn them into prey. "Integrating this behavior could lead to a more relevant and indicative test of self-awareness," Güntürkün posited.



To confirm the reliability of this behavior, the researchers established a controlled environment where roosters could visually perceive each other, separated by a grid. The team simulated a predator threat and observed the roosters' reactions. The results were promising, showing a significant difference in the number of alarm calls issued when the roosters were "together" compared to when they were alone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mirror-test-roosters-and-self-awareness">Mirror test: Roosters and self-awareness</h2>



Following the initial success, the team introduced a mirror to the test environment. The pivotal question was whether roosters, faced with their reflections in a mirror and a simulated predator threat, would respond with alarm calls as they would in the presence of other roosters. 



The results were intriguing. The roosters emitted drastically fewer calls, suggesting they didn't perceive their reflections as another bird.



Sonja Hillemacher reflects on the findings. She said, "This behavior indicates that roosters might recognize their reflection, although we must consider the possibility that they see this 'mimicking' entity as a non-threat, hence the reduced calls." 



These results contrasted with the traditional Mark test, where roosters demonstrated no clear behavior indicative of self-recognition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-animal-rights-and-welfare">Implications: Animal rights and welfare</h2>



The research underscores the importance of contextually relevant conditions in behavioral tests. "Our work suggests that traditional tests may undervalue the cognitive abilities of animals like roosters," explains Onur Güntürkün. "By considering their natural behaviors and ecological aspects, we might reveal surprising facets of animal psychology."



Moreover, these findings fuel a larger discussion about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/penguins-may-have-a-degree-of-self-awareness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal self-awareness</a>. This topic is deeply intertwined with animal rights and welfare. Recognizing self-awareness in more species could revolutionize how they are treated in various sectors, including farming and research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-horizons-in-behavioral-research">Broader horizons in behavioral research</h2>



While the mirror study sheds light on roosters' potential self-recognition, the team acknowledges that further research is needed. "It's crucial to explore other indicators of self-awareness and perhaps consider more nuanced interpretations of these behaviors," suggests Inga Tiemann.



This research opens new doors in understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-confirms-that-fish-can-recognize-themselves-in-a-mirror/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal cognition</a>, advocating for a shift in perspective and methodology in behavioral studies. By aligning test conditions more closely with animals' natural environments and behaviors, scientists could uncover unprecedented levels of animal intelligence. This will have far-reaching implications for numerous species' welfare and rights.



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Roosters can recognize themselves in the mirror, demonstrating self-awareness

In a remarkable study that challenges long-standing assumptions about avian...

In a recent study of the Ngogo community in Uganda's Kibale National Park, <a href="https://www.ucla.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCLA</a> researchers have uncovered the first proof of menopause in wild <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-have-a-much-more-complex-language-than-we-thought/">chimpanzees</a>.&nbsp;



This finding is significant as it highlights that humans are not the only primates to experience a long post-fertile life stage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-menopause-observed-in-chimpanzees">Menopause observed in chimpanzees</h2>



The research team found that female chimpanzees in the Ngogo community went through a menopausal transition comparable to that of human females. The fertility of the chimpanzees waned past the age of 30 and completely ceased after age 50.&nbsp;



This discovery adds a new layer to our understanding of menopause and post-fertile survival in nature, and how such traits evolved in our species.



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



Prior to this study, signs of menopause had only been identified in a few species of toothed whales and, among primates, exclusively in humans.&nbsp;



This revelation will now aid in a more profound understanding of why menopause occurs in nature and its evolutionary trajectory in humans.



“In societies around the world, women past their childbearing years play important roles, both economically and as wise advisors and caregivers,” said study first author Professor Brian Wood. “How this life history evolved in humans is a fascinating yet challenging puzzle.”



Wood's team included Kevin Langergraber from Arizona State University, Jacob Negrey of the University of Arizona, and Ngogo Chimpanzee Project founders John Mitani and David Watts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-grandmother-hypothesis">The grandmother hypothesis</h2>



“The (study) results show that under certain ecological conditions, menopause and post-fertile survival can emerge within a social system that’s quite unlike our own and includes no grandparental support,” Wood said, referring to the grandmother hypothesis.



This theory suggests that postmenopausal survival in humans evolved because older women could increase their genetic legacy by aiding in raising their grandchildren.&nbsp;



While this has been observed in humans, the Ngogo chimpanzees present a different picture. Older female chimpanzees typically neither live near their daughters nor care for their grandchildren, yet they often outlive their reproductive years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-post-reproductive-life-spans">Post-reproductive life spans</h2>



Though other long-term studies of wild chimpanzees had not observed substantial post-reproductive life spans, such phases have been noted in captive primates provided with good nutrition and medical care.&nbsp;



One theory suggests the observed post-reproductive lifespan of the Ngogo chimpanzees could be attributed to favorable ecological conditions, including a bountiful food supply and minimal predation.&nbsp;



Another theory suggests this might be an inherent trait in chimpanzees, previously unobserved due to detrimental human impacts.



“Chimpanzees are extremely susceptible to dying from diseases that originate in humans and to which they have little natural immunity,” said Langergraber. “Chimpanzee researchers, including us at Ngogo, have learned over the years how devastating these disease outbreaks can be to chimpanzee populations, and how to reduce their chances of happening.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-research-efforts-into-chimpanzee-menopause">Research efforts into chimpanzee menopause</h2>



An immense effort went into this research. The team examined data from 1995 to 2016, involving 185 female chimpanzees. They studied hormone levels in urine samples from 66 females ranging from 14 to 67 years.&nbsp;



The hormonal analysis mirrored the signs associated with human menopause, further confirming their findings.



“This study is the result of an extraordinary amount of effort,” said Negrey. “It’s only because our team has spent decades monitoring these chimpanzees that we can be confident some females live long after they’ve stopped reproducing. We also spent thousands of hours in the forest to collect urine samples from these chimpanzees with which to study hormonal signals of menopause.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-discovering-chimpanzee-menopause">Implications of discovering chimpanzee menopause </h2>



Fertility in the chimpanzees declined after age 30, and no females gave birth after 50 - the age when Ngogo females experienced a menopausal transition. The researchers noted that, like humans, it was not unusual for these female chimpanzees to live past 50.&nbsp;



“We now know that menopause and post-fertile survival arise across a broader range of species and socio-ecological conditions than formerly appreciated, providing a solid basis for considering the roles that improved diets and lowered risks of predation would have played in human life history evolution,” said Wood.



According to the researchers, it will also be critical to track the behavior of older chimpanzees and observe how they interact with and influence other group members. “To allow such work, it is essential to support the long-term study of primates in the wild,” said Wood.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.add5473" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



Image Credit: The Ngogo Chimpanzee Project



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Humans are not the only primates that experience menopause

In a recent study of the Ngogo community in Uganda's...

In the world of predator and prey, there a constant push and pull, where both sides continuously evolve to outwit each other. For example, bats evolved <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bats-use-different-inner-ear-structures-to-navigate/">echolocation</a> abilities and some insects developed ultrasound-sensitive ears to evade them.&nbsp;



However, a recent study has brought forth questions regarding this evolutionary arms race theory between bats and insects.



The study was conducted by Professor Lasse Jakobsen, a bat expert at the <a href="https://www.sdu.dk/en">University of Southern Denmark</a>, along with researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence and the University of Toronto.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-barbastelle-bats-nbsp">Barbastelle bats&nbsp;</h2>



Historically, the barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus) is known to be quieter than other bats that hunt flying insects. Emitting sounds approximately 20 dB quieter means they produce a sound pressure that is 10 times lower.&nbsp;



This feature has led many to believe that the barbastelle evolved to be quieter as a retaliatory move against insects with ultrasound-sensitive ears, labeling it as the bat that "struck back."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-discovery-nbsp">Surprising discovery&nbsp;</h2>



However, upon analyzing the barbastelle's close relatives, the researchers made a surprising discovery. Most of the bat's relatives are not in the business of catching flying insects. Instead, they feed on insects resting on surfaces like leaves and branches.&nbsp;



These species, known as "gleaning bats,' are all quieter compared to those that hunt flying insects called "hawking bats." The barbastelle, despite its quiet nature, is categorized as a hawking bat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-barbastelle-ancestors">Barbastelle ancestors</h2>



"If most of the barbastelle’s family are gleaners, then their ancestor was very likely also a gleaner," said Jakobsen.



This means that it's improbable for the ancestor of the barbastelle to have been a loud hawking bat that adapted into a whispering barbastelle due to insect evolution.



"A species does not have free choice when it evolves in a new direction. For example, it is a condition for mammals that their ancestor did not have feathers, so their descendants will never evolve a wing with feathers. Instead, they have found another solution for flying: modified skin between the fingers," explained Jakobsen.



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



So, why is the barbastelle quieter when hunting in the air? "It is not an evolved ability. It just cannot produce louder calls than it does, because as a descendant of a gleaner it is probably morphologically limited," said Jakobsen.



"But it has found a niche, where it can use its low amplitude calls. It is an evolutionary coincidence; it sort of fell into this niche, where there was something to eat."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-inherent-trait-nbsp">An inherent trait&nbsp;</h2>



Interestingly, the prey in this niche consist of flying, nocturnal insects that, despite their ultrasound-sensitive hearing, fail to detect the barbastelle, making them easy targets.



Further insights revealed that many gleaning bats emit sound from their noses, leading to their calls being 20 dB lower, while most bats call out of their mouths, allowing for louder sounds.&nbsp;



This distinction clarifies that the barbastelle's soft calls aren't a result of an evolutionary arms race, but rather an inherent trait derived from its ancestors.



"So, the reason why the barbastelles are so quiet today is not an expression of an arms race between bats and insects, but rather simply an expression of the fact that it is descended from bats that cannot call as loudly as others," said Jakobsen.



Image Credit: Sherri and Brock Fenton



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Barbastelle bats inherited a unique hunting advantage

In the world of predator and prey, there a constant...

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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

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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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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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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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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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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

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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

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