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...

Childhood trauma, a pervasive issue worldwide, may have greater ramifications than previously believed.&nbsp;



A recent meta-analysis published by the <a href="https://www.aan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Academy of Neurology</a> reveals a potential connection between traumatic events experienced in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childhood-trauma-can-be-overcome-in-adulthood-even-in-the-animal-kingdom/">childhood</a>, such as abuse or household dysfunction, and the onset of headache disorders in adulthood.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clear-risk-factors">Clear risk factors</h2>



While the research does not provide evidence of a direct causal relationship, it clearly highlights an association.



“Traumatic events in childhood can have serious health implications later in life,” said study author Dr. Catherine Kreatsoulas of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.&nbsp;



“Our meta-analysis confirms that childhood traumatic events are important risk factors for headache disorders in adulthood, including migraine, tension headaches, cluster headaches, and chronic or severe headaches. This is a risk factor that we cannot ignore.”



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



The team analyzed the results of 28 studies across 19 countries involving over 150,000 participants. 



Overall, 31 percent (48,625 individuals) recounted at least a single traumatic event from their childhood. Meanwhile, 16 percent (24,956 individuals) were diagnosed with primary headaches.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-results-of-the-analysis">Results of the analysis</h2>



The analysis showed that, among the group with traumatic childhood events, 26 percent had a primary headache disorder. By contrast, only 12 percent from the non-traumatic group suffered from a headache disorder.



When the researchers took a closer look at the data, they found that individuals with one or more childhood traumas were almost 50 percent more prone to headache disorders than individuals without such traumas.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-traumatic-events-nbsp">Traumatic events&nbsp;</h2>



Furthermore, the risk escalated with the number of traumatic events: a single traumatic event resulted in a 24 percent increased risk, while experiencing four or more traumatic events doubled the likelihood of a headache disorder.



To refine their understanding, the team placed traumatic events into two categories: threat traumas (like abuse or witnessing violence) and deprivation traumas (such as neglect or living with a chronically ill family member).&nbsp;



Threat traumas increased the headache risk by 46 percent and deprivation traumas by 35 percent. Physical and sexual abuse escalated the risk of headache disorders by 60 percent. In the deprivation category, childhood neglect almost tripled the risk.



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



“This meta-analysis highlights that childhood traumatic events categorized as threat or deprivation traumas are important and independent risk factors for headache disorders in adulthood,” said Dr. Kreatsoulas.&nbsp;



“Identifying the specific types of childhood experiences may help guide prevention and treatment strategies for one of the leading disabling disorders worldwide. A comprehensive public health plan and clinical intervention strategies are needed to address these underlying traumatic childhood events.”



“It is important to note that the true estimate of the association is likely higher due to the sensitive nature of reporting childhood traumatic events."



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



Headache disorders, among the most common disorders of the nervous system, are pervasive conditions that can affect individuals across all age groups. Here are some of the most common types of headache disorders:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-migraines">Migraines</h3>



Characterized by throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head, accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tension-headaches">Tension headaches</h3>



Often described as a tight band around the head, they are typically a result of muscle tension or stress.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cluster-headaches">Cluster headaches</h3>



These headaches are extremely painful, and occur in cyclical patterns or clusters. They are one of the most severe types of headache disorders.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.neurology.org/">Neurology</a>.



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Childhood trauma could triple the risk of headache disorders

Childhood trauma, a pervasive issue worldwide, may have greater ramifications...

As climate change intensifies, so does the urgency to protect our planet's precious marine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-induced-changes-in-ocean-salinity-threaten-biodiversity-and-marine-ecosystems/">ecosystems</a>. An international team of experts has risen to the challenge by devising the first comprehensive framework for creating networks of marine protected areas (MPAs).



The goal of the research is to help protect vulnerable species amidst the pressures of climate change-induced habitat loss.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-timing">Critical timing</h2>



<a href="https://www.stanford.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford</a> marine conservation scientist Nur Arafeh-Dalmau led this ambitious project, which involved 50 scientists and practitioners from agencies in the U.S., Mexico, and Australia.



Their proposed guidelines arrive at a time when nearly every country around the world has committed to protecting 30% of both land and sea by 2030.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significant-oversight-nbsp">Significant oversight&nbsp;</h2>



While marine protected areas, and their terrestrial counterparts, aim to connect habitats fractured by human interference and the unpredictable ravages of climate events like wildfires, there has a significant oversight.&nbsp;



“Until now, marine protected areas have been designed for biodiversity conservation, but not necessarily for climate resilience,” said Arafeh-Dalmau. “They suffer from climate impacts but aren’t designed to endure them.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-southern-california-bight-nbsp">Southern California Bight&nbsp;</h2>



For a detailed case study, the team focused on the Southern California Bight. This region, marked by the gradual curve of California's coastline stretching into Baja California, Mexico, supports a rich ecosystem.&nbsp;



Its giant kelp forests, vital to numerous commercially and culturally significant species, are under threat from marine heatwaves and reduced oxygen levels. These factors have already impacted critical fisheries, such as the jumbo squid and abalone, threatening local communities' livelihoods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-under-protected-waters">Under-protected waters</h2>



While California boasts marine protected areas covering 16 percent of its state waters, with half being fully protected, Baja California's waters remain under-protected, with less than one percent prohibiting activities like fishing.&nbsp;



Moreover, current MPA networks don't adequately account for species migration across U.S. and Mexico boundaries, leading to potential losses in conservation efforts.



“We designed a systematic approach to help resource managers stay ahead of the curve and anticipate rather than react to climate change,” said co-lead author Adrian Munguia Vega, a genomics researcher at The University of Arizona.&nbsp;



“A big part of that is showing how entire marine ecosystems and the species that inhabit them are connected by ocean currents that do not stop at the international border. Thus, we need coordinated efforts and protections across political boundaries.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-redefining-marine-conservation">Redefining marine conservation</h2>



The authors advocate for the integration of climate adaptations into the MPA planning process. By factoring in anticipated climate scenarios, conservationists can create more resilient protections against worsening marine conditions.&nbsp;



In addition to habitat diversity, the researchers prioritized habitat persistence. These habitats, known as "climate refugia," can provide consistent relief for species faced with extreme thermal shocks.



“Climate extremes don’t stop at the boundary of a marine protected area,” said co-author Fiorenza Micheli, chair of the Oceans Department and co-director of the Center for Ocean Solutions. “If California’s network of marine protected areas had been designed with climate considerations, it would look different.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarming-potential-outcomes-nbsp">Alarming potential outcomes&nbsp;</h2>



For their study, the researchers analyzed satellite imagery spanning decades to gauge the persistence of giant kelp along the Southern California Bight. They discovered alarming potential outcomes: marine heatwaves in the upcoming five decades could drastically fragment suitable habitats for marine larvae.&nbsp;



As a result, ecological connectivity could plummet by 50 percent, with population densities witnessing a possible decline of up to 90 percent.



In a departure from conventional conservation strategies that focus on areas with maximum kelp species, the new framework prioritizes areas where kelp - and by extension, other marine life - has the highest survival likelihood.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stepping-stone-strategy-nbsp">Stepping stone strategy&nbsp;</h2>



The experts recommend a series of protected areas, or "stepping stones," that link isolated populations like beads of a necklace along the Southern California Bight.



“This stepping stone strategy can be very cost-effective and cheaper for everyone,” said Arafeh-Dalamu, who documented Mexico’s worst marine heat wave from 2014 to 2016.&nbsp;



“Maybe you need fewer areas to be protected if you are protecting the important areas.” Plus, the collaboration between countries can strengthen research capacity, and ideally, diplomacy, noted Arafeh-Dalamu.



“We have the information and tools to design and implement marine conservation in a way that explicitly and proactively accounts for climate change,” said Micheli. “Now is the time to understand where we strategically invest in expanding and strengthening protection so these ecosystems have a future.”



The study is published in the journal One Earth.&nbsp;



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Marine protected areas were not designed for climate resilience

As climate change intensifies, so does the urgency to protect...

Venus may have once been more dynamic and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-earth-like-planet-may-be-hiding-just-beyond-neptune/">Earth-like</a> than previously thought. A study led by researchers at <a href="https://www.brown.edu/">Brown University</a> reveals evidence suggesting that Venus exhibited Earth-like plate tectonics billions of years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tectonic-movements">Tectonic movements</h2>



The findings are based on simulations using atmospheric data from Venus. These simulations indicate that the existing composition of Venus’ atmosphere and its surface pressure could have evolved due to early plate tectonic activities. This geologic process, vital for life, consists of continental plates that move, collide, and slide beneath one another.



Such tectonic movements on Earth, intensified over billions of years, sculpted continents, mountain ranges, and triggered chemical reactions.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-sharp-detour-nbsp">A sharp detour&nbsp;</h2>



These reactions played a pivotal role in stabilizing Earth’s temperature, paving the way for life's development. However, Venus' fate took a sharp detour, leading to its present-day hostile conditions, with temperatures soaring high enough to melt lead.



The new study challenges the idea that Venus has always had a static single plate known as a "stagnant lid." The study suggests that Venus, around 4.5 billion to 3.5 billion years ago, underwent tectonic movements comparable to those on early Earth, but on a much more limited scale.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-similar-sister-planets-nbsp">Similar sister planets&nbsp;</h2>



Study lead author Matt Weller completed the work while he was a postdoctoral researcher at Brown and is now at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston.



“One of the big picture takeaways is that we very likely had two planets at the same time in the same solar system operating in a plate tectonic regime - the same mode of tectonics that allowed for the life that we see on Earth today,” said Weller.



This revelation highlights the potential of microbial life existing on ancient Venus, hinting that these sister planets were more similar in their early histories than previously assumed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plate-tectonics-and-habitability">Plate tectonics and habitability</h2>



The research not only reshapes our understanding of Venus but also underscores the temporality of plate tectonics and planetary habitability. Study co-author Professor Alexander Evans noted that planets might transit between various tectonic states.&nbsp;



“We've so far thought about tectonic state in terms of a binary: it’s either true or it’s false, and it's either true or false for the duration of the planet,” said Professor Evans.&nbsp;



“This shows that planets may transition in and out of different tectonic states and that this may actually be fairly common. Earth may be the outlier. This also means we might have planets that transition in and out of habitability rather than just being continuously habitable.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-the-surface-nbsp">Looking beyond the surface&nbsp;</h2>



The study began with a broader objective to discern how exoplanetary atmospheres could be markers of their early histories.&nbsp;



By using Venus as a reference, the team soon realized the mismatch between simulations based on the stagnant lid assumption and the actual atmospheric composition of Venus. A breakthrough came when the model incorporated limited early tectonic movement, mirroring Venus' current state.



“We’re still in this paradigm where we use the surfaces of planets to understand their history,” said Professor Evans. “We really show for the first time that the atmosphere may actually be the best way to understand some of the very ancient history of planets that is often not preserved on the surface.”



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



The implications of this research extend beyond Venus. Upcoming NASA DAVINCI missions will measure Venusian atmospheric gases, which might further support these findings. But a lingering question remains: What caused Venus' plate tectonics to cease?



“Venus basically ran out of juice to some extent, and that put the brakes on the process,” said study co-author Daniel Ibarra, a professor in Brown’s Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences.



The researchers said that the details of how this happened may hold important implications for Earth.



“That’s going to be the next critical step in understanding Venus, its evolution and ultimately the fate of the Earth,” said Weller. “What conditions will force us to move in a Venus-like trajectory, and what conditions could allow the Earth to remain habitable?”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41550-023-02102-w">Nature Astronomy</a>.



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Venus' secret past may have implications for Earth's future

Venus may have once been more dynamic and Earth-like than...

In an effort to understand the implications of marijuana use on adolescent brain development, researchers at <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins Medicine</a> have discovered alarming alterations in brain immune cells. 



Their findings suggest that THC, the primary psychoactive compound in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-number-of-americans-are-high-on-marijuana-at-work/">marijuana</a>, may have detrimental effects on these cells - which are crucial for teenage brain growth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microglial-cells-nbsp">Microglial cells&nbsp;</h2>



The team, led by Dr. Atsushi Kamiya, focused on the effects of THC on microglial cells. Microglia, a specialized subset of immune cells located in the central nervous system, play pivotal roles in neuron-to-neuron communication, immune response, and overall healthy brain development.



During the adolescent years, microglial cells are particularly significant. They assist in brain maturation, impacting social and cognitive functions through synapse pruning and the release of chemical transmitters.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-structural-changes-nbsp">Structural changes&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers theorized that any structural changes to these cells could disrupt the brain’s intricate wiring and messaging system, especially in teenagers.



To investigate, the team used genetically engineered mice that mirrored human genetic risks for psychiatric disorders. Alongside a control group of normal mice, both sets were either administered daily injections of THC or a benign saline solution.&nbsp;



Following 30 days of injections and a three-week rest period, behavioral tests were conducted to evaluate the mice's psychosocial development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-programmed-cell-death-nbsp">Programmed cell death&nbsp;</h2>



The study revealed that mice exposed to THC underwent a spike in microglial apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death. More notably, genetically modified mice treated with THC showed a 33% higher reduction in microglial cells compared to the normal mice injected with THC.&nbsp;



The brain’s prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for memory, social behavior, and decision-making, was the most affected region.



The team concluded that a decrease in healthy microglia might elevate abnormal cell signaling and communication. Supporting this theory, genetically altered mice exposed to THC scored 40% lower in social memory tests than their saline-injected counterparts.



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



The implications of the study are vast, especially considering the surge in both recreational and medical marijuana usage in recent years.&nbsp;



“This kind of study is critical right now because marijuana is becoming more mainstream, and we are just beginning to understand how it affects the brain immune cells,” said study lead author Dr. Yuto Hasegawa.



Dr. Kamiya said that while the study results from genetically engineered mice cannot be applied directly to what happens in a human brain, studies in animals suggest there may be long lasting and negative effects of marijuana use during adolescence.



“More research is needed, but we strongly advise caution in marijuana use by teenagers,” said Dr. Kamiya.



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



According to the researchers, the next step for these studies is to pinpoint exactly how microglial abnormality affects neuron function at the molecular level. From a clinical perspective, they hope to use these findings to explore how marijuana exposure contributes to schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.



This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Welfare Foundation, the Brain &amp; Behavior Research Foundation, and the Korea Brain Research Institute.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/ncomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Marijuana use may change brain structure in adolescents

In an effort to understand the implications of marijuana use...

In an amazing discovery, scientists have observed the creation of rare chemical elements following a massive star explosion.&nbsp;



The research, led by the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/index.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Birmingham</a>, sheds new light on the source of the heavy elements that are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-create-hundreds-of-recipes-for-alien-life-in-new-chemical-cookbook/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crucial for life</a>. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gamma-ray-burst">Gamma-ray burst</h2>



The monumental event, named GRB 230307A, is the second-brightest gamma-ray burst ever recorded.&nbsp;



The observation of this event was made possible through a combination of ground and space-based telescopes, including NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, and Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.



The cause behind the brilliant gamma-ray burst was identified as a neutron star merger. In the wake of the explosion, scientists detected the presence of the heavy chemical element tellurium.&nbsp;



In addition, elements like iodine and thorium, indispensable for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/building-blocks-of-life-found-in-a-galaxy-12-billion-light-years-away/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustaining life</a> on Earth, are believed to be part of the material ejected during this explosion, also known as a kilonova.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-explosion-of-colliding-stars-creates-elements">Explosion of colliding stars creates elements</h2>



Study co-author Dr. Ben Gompertz is an assistant professor of Astronomy at the University of Birmingham.



“Gamma-ray bursts come from powerful jets traveling at almost the speed of light – in this case driven by a collision between two neutron stars. These stars spent several billion years spiraling towards one another before colliding to produce the gamma-ray burst we observed in March this year," explained Dr. Gompertz.



"The merger site is the approximate length of the Milky Way (about 120,000 light-years) outside of their home galaxy, meaning they must have been launched out together."



“Colliding neutron stars provide the conditions needed to synthesise very heavy elements, and the radioactive glow of these new elements powered the kilonova we detected as the blast faded. Kilonovae are extremely rare and very difficult to observe and study, which is why this discovery is so exciting.”



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



This event is monumental, with GRB 230307A shining over a million times brighter than the entire Milky Way Galaxy combined. This marks only the second instance where individual heavy elements have been identified through spectroscopic observations post a neutron star merger.&nbsp;



The discovery offers profound insights into the formation of these essential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-the-building-blocks-of-life-form/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life-building blocks</a>. Study lead author Andrew Levan is a professor of Astrophysics at <a href="https://www.ru.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Radboud University</a> in the Netherlands.



“Just over 150 years since Dmitri Mendeleev wrote down the periodic table of elements, we are now finally in the position to start filling in those last blanks of understanding where everything was made, thanks to the James Webb Telescope," said Professor Levan.



Interestingly, GRB 230307A persisted for 200 seconds, classifying it as a long-duration gamma-ray burst. Typically, neutron star mergers result in short gamma-ray bursts lasting under two seconds, while the longer bursts like GRB 230307A generally originate from the explosive demise of a colossal star.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-element-producing-explosions">Implications of element-producing explosions</h2>



The researchers are eager to delve deeper into understanding neutron star mergers and the mechanisms that fuel these massive element-producing explosions.



“Just a few short years ago discoveries like this one would not have been possible, but thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope we can observe these mergers in exquisite detail," said study co-author Dr. Samantha Oates.



“Until recently, we didn’t think mergers could power gamma-ray bursts for more than two seconds," said Dr. Gompertz. "Our next job is to find more of these long-lived mergers and develop a better understanding of what drives them - and whether even heavier elements are being created. This discovery has opened the door to a transformative understanding of our universe and how it works.”



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06759-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Massive star explosion created elements essential for life

In an amazing discovery, scientists have observed the creation of...

In the persistent quest to comprehend our cosmic neighborhood, scientists have reached a revelation concerning <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moxie-has-successfully-extracted-oxygen-from-mars-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a>, the enigmatic Red Planet. A recent study has illuminated details of a molten layer within Mars' core, compelling scientists to rethink previous conceptions of its internal structure and geological history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-subsurface-sea-of-molten-rock">Subsurface sea of molten rock</h2>



This research, spearheaded by an international consortium, has identified a thin, previously undetected layer of molten silicates, essentially liquid rock, situated between Mars' mantle and core.



These silicates are integral components of terrestrial planets, forming much of their crust and mantle. The revelation of their molten state within Mars is not just a geological curiosity. It demands a reevaluation of established models concerning the planet's formation, evolution, and current state.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-mars-core">Rethinking Mars' core</h2>



According to the team's findings, the Red Planet's core is denser and more compact than formerly believed. This discovery necessitates adjustments in correlated geophysical data and interpretations drawn from Martian meteorites.



Vedran Lekic, a professor of geology at the <a href="https://umd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maryland</a> and the paper’s co-author, elucidates the role of this molten layer. He likened it to a "heating blanket" for Mars' core. 



This 'blanket' performs a dual function, both insulating the core, thus preventing heat loss, and concentrating radioactive elements that produce heat through their decay.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mars-core-and-habitability-implications">Mars' core and habitability implications</h2>



One of the most consequential aspects of this discovery is its potential explanation for why Mars lacks a significant magnetic field. The heat preservation caused by the molten silicate layer may have rendered the core unable to generate the convective motions necessary for magnetic field creation, Lekic explains.



The absence of a protective magnetic field had profound implications for Mars. Without this shield, the planet became susceptible to solar winds. As a result, Mars eventually lost its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-evidence-found-for-life-on-mars-where-ancient-rivers-once-flowed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surface water</a> and, with it, any capability for sustaining life as we understand it.



Drawing parallels between Earth and its planetary cousin, Lekic highlights the divergent evolutionary paths reflected in their respective internal structures. The differences could account for the disparate geological developments and magnetic properties between the two worlds.



Henri Samuel, lead author and researcher at the <a href="https://www.cnrs.fr/en/cnrs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">French National Center for Scientific Research</a>, adds depth to this discussion. He suggests that external forces might have been indispensable in generating Mars' erstwhile magnetic field, evidenced in its crust. These forces could range from high-energy impacts to gravitational interactions with now-vanished Martian satellites.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rewriting-the-red-planet-s-geological-story">Rewriting the Red Planet's geological story</h2>



The team's findings lend credence to the hypothesis that early Mars was enveloped by a molten ocean. This magma ocean would have crystallized over time, creating a silicate layer rich in iron and radioactive materials at the mantle's base. 



The thermal emissions from these materials would have significantly influenced Mars' thermal evolution and cooling trajectory, setting it on its current barren course.



These insights not only highlight the molten layer's importance, but also portend its broader implications for planetary science. "Understanding these layers can provide insights into planetary magnetic field generation, cooling processes, and internal dynamics across cosmic time," Lekic asserts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-insight-mission-s-legacy-continues">The InSight mission's legacy continues</h2>



Though NASA’s <a href="https://mars.nasa.gov/insight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">InSight mission</a> concluded in December 2022, its scientific contributions persist. The mission’s extensive data continue to fuel new hypotheses and discoveries about Martian geology. This is demonstrated by the work of Samuel, Lekic, and colleagues.



Their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-mars-seismic-discoveries-and-the-quest-for-past-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seismic investigations</a> from InSight are validating. They enrich our knowledge of Mars’ structure and its chaotic past, shaping objectives and methodologies for future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/could-a-nuclear-powered-spacecraft-shorten-the-trip-to-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extraterrestrial missions</a>.



Reflecting on the mission's enduring influence, Lekic anticipates that their seismic research will inform future exploratory ventures to other celestial bodies. The data could potentially unlock further cosmic secrets hidden beneath the surfaces of the moon, Venus, or even more distant planets.



In shedding light on these buried Martian layers, scientists have not only reimagined the internal world of Mars but also underscored the dynamic, evolving nature of planetary science itself. With each discovery, we redraw the maps of our understanding, charting an ever-compelling journey through the mysteries of the cosmos.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03271-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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The internal structure of Mars' core is finally revealed

In the persistent quest to comprehend our cosmic neighborhood, scientists...

Pig,On,A,Pig,Farm,In,Dalarna,,Sweden

In the contemporary realm of food production, ethical considerations are becoming as substantial as taste and tradition. A new study dives into consumer attitudes, revealing that while climate impact is a concern, animal welfare significantly leads buyer priorities. This revelation poses new challenges and directions for producers, retailers, and policymakers in the pork industry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-animal-welfare-and-the-environment">Balancing animal welfare and the environment</h2>



Pork, a staple in many diets worldwide, is under scrutiny for various reasons. These include antibiotic use, infectious diseases, animal welfare, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-welfare-is-essential-to-sustainable-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental implications</a>. Despite the notable climate footprint of industries like beef, coffee, and chocolate, pork consumption contributes significantly to global CO2 emissions.



Researchers from the <a href="https://ifro.ku.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a>’s Department of Food and Resource Economics sought to understand consumers' willingness to pay for 'improved' pork. This improvement encompasses better animal welfare, reduced climate impact, minimized antibiotics usage, assurance against harmful bacteria, and avoiding feed that contributes to deforestation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-price-of-ethical-consumption">The price of ethical consumption</h2>



The study, conducted across Denmark, Germany, the UK, and Shanghai, China, indicates a readiness among consumers to pay more for enhanced pork. However, when it comes to prioritizing where their money goes, European consumers, in particular, demonstrate a clear preference for improved animal welfare.



Professor Peter Sandøe, the study’s senior author, notes, "The responses confirm that a narrow focus on climate-friendly pork production doesn't align with primary consumer concerns. They deem the pigs' quality of life crucial, overshadowing the importance of reducing the product's environmental footprint."



This sentiment isn't isolated to a few eco-conscious individuals. A majority of the participants across all surveyed countries placed improved pig welfare above lowering the climate footprint. This fact highlights a direct, empathetic connection with animals' living conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consumer-climate-paradox">Consumer climate paradox</h2>



Despite the surge in global climate-centric dialogues, consumers seemed to undervalue the climate impact of their dietary choices, especially concerning pork. Associate Professor Thomas Bøker Lund, a co-author of the study, shares the surprise in discovering that consumers gave "relatively low priority" to reducing pork's climate footprint.



This attitude reflects a prevalent consumer belief. Most people feel that individual choices at the meat counter may not significantly impact broader climate issues. 



Lund explains, "When purchasing meat, consumers feel empowered to improve a specific animal’s welfare. However, the climate impact of these choices seems more abstract, and many prefer addressing climate concerns through alternative actions."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-holistic-approaches-to-animal-welfare">Holistic approaches to animal welfare</h2>



The findings serve as a clarion call for a comprehensive approach in the pork industry. Sandøe stresses the dilemma facing producers and policymakers, "Labeling pork as 'climate-friendly' won't suffice, as it doesn't meet consumer demand. Moreover, prioritizing climate-centric production could mean sacrificing animal welfare, potentially worsening their living conditions."



There's an inherent need to balance CO2 reduction with ethical animal treatment. Sandøe continues, "<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cowspiracy-film-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cattle farming</a> significantly overshadows pork in CO2 emissions, so substituting beef with pork or chicken is beneficial. However, we must collectively gravitate towards a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/increasing-plant-based-food-production-would-have-extremely-positive-impact/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant-forward diet</a>."



The financial aspect, too, cannot be overlooked. While consumers expressed willingness to pay up to 20% more for 'ethical pork,' this premium falls short of covering the costs of substantial welfare improvements, according to the research team's calculations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-retail-and-regulation">Rethinking retail and regulation</h2>



Innovative strategies are necessary to reconcile consumer preferences with economic and ethical realities. The researchers suggest streamlining retail offerings, reducing product variety to achieve economies of scale and savings. Doing so would subsequently enable retailers to meet higher welfare standards without astronomical costs.



A regulatory overhaul, Sandøe suggests, could also drive industry-wide change. Drawing parallels with past successful interventions in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-can-now-decipher-the-emotional-states-of-chickens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">poultry welfare</a>, he proposes establishing minimum animal welfare standards for pork, enforced at a national level.



"In numerous countries, piglet mortality rates are unacceptable, and many sows are overburdened by intensive production demands," Sandøe points out. He advocates for a halt in ramping up production pressures for the sake of climate concerns alone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animal-welfare-policy-change">Animal welfare policy change</h2>



The research underscores an urgent need for updated regulations, particularly since there have been no significant reforms in welfare regulations since the late 1990s. Sandøe concludes, "Rather than exacerbating production strains in the name of climate protection, we need stringent welfare standards. It's high time for decisive, compassionate action in the realm of animal welfare."



In summary, the implications of this study are clear. The road to a sustainable, ethical food industry requires walking the tightrope between environmental responsibility and animal welfare, all while keeping consumer preferences and awareness at the forefront.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2023.105337" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Livestock Science</a>.



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Animal welfare concerns more people than climate change

In the contemporary realm of food production, ethical considerations are...

Recent studies from <a href="https://dornsife.usc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USC Dornsife</a> have raised alarms about a massive number of undiagnosed cases of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in America.&nbsp;



The research suggests that among the 8 million Americans who have mild cognitive impairment, more than 90 percent are unaware of their condition.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mild-cognitive-impairment">Mild cognitive impairment</h2>



While many people dismiss forgetfulness as a normal sign of aging, it could be an indicator of mild cognitive impairment.&nbsp;



This condition is a precursor to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bodybuilding-supplement-called-helps-prevent-alzheimers-disease/">Alzheimer’s</a> disease, which makes early diagnosis vital for taking preventative measures or benefiting from treatments.&nbsp;



However, most cases of mild cognitive impairment remain undetected, as highlighted by two parallel studies from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences.



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



In the first study, published in the journal Alzheimer’s Research &amp; Therapy, data from 40 million Medicare beneficiaries showed that less than eight percent of MCI cases had been diagnosed. This means that out of the predicted 8 million MCI cases, about 7.4 million remain undiagnosed.



“This study is meant to raise awareness of the problem,” said Soeren Mattke, director of the Brain Health Observatory at USC Dornsife’s Center for Economic and Social Research, who led the investigations.&nbsp;



“We want to say, ‘Pay attention to early changes in cognition, and tell your doctor about them. Ask for an evaluation.’ We want to reach physicians to say, ‘There’s a measurable difference between aging and pathologic cognitive decline, and detecting the latter early might identify those patients who would benefit from recently approved Alzheimer’s treatments.'"&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-socioeconomic-factors-nbsp">Socioeconomic factors&nbsp;</h2>



The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment is associated with socio-economic and clinical factors. Conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes heighten the MCI risk.&nbsp;



Unfortunately, these health issues are more prevalent among members of historically disadvantaged groups, including those with less education. These groups also face poorer MCI detection rates, leading to a double jeopardy of higher risks and lower diagnoses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-underdiagnosed-cases">Underdiagnosed cases</h2>



The second study, published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.14283/jpad.2023.131" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease</a>, found that a staggering 99 percent of the 200,000 surveyed primary care clinicians underdiagnosed mild cognitive impairment.&nbsp;



“There’s really just a tiny fraction of physicians in a position to diagnose MCI who would find these cases early enough for maximum therapeutic potential,” explained Mattke.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Understanding mild cognitive impairment is crucial because it refers to cognitive functioning levels and not a disease.&nbsp;



With MCI, challenges to everyday functioning tend to be more sporadic, said Soo Borson from the Keck School of Medicine. She noted that mild cognitive impairment can come in various forms, and forgetfulness is the most familiar form.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-in-diagnosis">Challenges in diagnosis</h2>



Several barriers contribute to the underdiagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, including the patient’s lack of awareness and the potential for a doctor to miss the signs. Also, clinical visits often neglect brain health discussions.



Mattke believes in risk-based MCI detection. Focusing on high-risk individuals could make the diagnosis process more efficient. Detection rates may be improved by digital tests administered prior to clinical visits.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-treatment">Early treatment</h2>



Early treatment is vital, said Mattke, because the brain is limited in its ability to recover - brain cells, once lost, do not grow back, and any damage can no longer be repaired.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“For MCI caused by Alzheimer’s disease, the earlier you treat the better your outcomes. This means even though the disease may be slowly progressing, every day counts.”&nbsp;&nbsp;



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Millions of Americans have mild cognitive impairment and don't know it

Recent studies from USC Dornsife have raised alarms about a...

In a new study that transforms our understanding of the Martian landscape, researchers led by Benjamin Cardenas, assistant professor of geosciences at <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State</a>, have unveiled evidence suggesting that the red planet was once abundant with rivers. The research team paints a picture of a Martian past that could have <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/curiosity-mars-rover-finds-more-compelling-evidence-for-life-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">harbored life</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mars-a-planet-of-rivers">Mars: A planet of rivers</h2>



The study indicates that numerous craters on Mars, previously overlooked in this context, may have once been active riverbeds. 



"We’re finding evidence that Mars was likely a planet of rivers," Cardenas explains, alluding to the widespread signs across the Martian surface pointing towards an aqueously abundant past.



This revelation challenges the long-standing perceptions of Mars as a largely dry and barren landscape, reinvigorating the scientific community's pursuit to uncover the planet's enigmatic past.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-peering-into-the-martian-past">Peering into the Martian past</h2>



The cornerstone of this pioneering study is the innovative use of numerical models to simulate the erosion patterns on Mars. The research team delved into the erosion processes that have shaped the Martian surface over millennia. They discovered that the commonly found crater formations, known as bench-and-nose landforms, are likely the remnants of ancient riverbeds.



This technique marked the first instance of using a combination of satellite data, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasas-curiosity-rover-explores-mars-ridge-with-intriguing-watery-past/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Curiosity rover</a> images, and 3D scans of stratigraphy (rock layers deposited over millions of years) beneath the Gulf of Mexico seafloor. Combined, these data sources offer a comprehensive view of Martian geological history. 



Through this intricate analysis, the team unearthed a new interpretation for these Martian crater formations, associating them with <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Curiosity-rover_Selfie_at_Mont_Mercou-Mars_1medium.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eroded river deposits</a>.



Cardenas highlights the significance of this stratigraphic interpretation, stating, "This analysis is not a snapshot, but a record of change. What we see on Mars today is the remnants of an active geologic history, not some landscape frozen in time."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fluvial-ridges-and-mars-river-deposits">Fluvial ridges and Mars river deposits</h2>



Previous Martian studies identified certain erosional landforms, known as fluvial ridges, as potential candidates for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-look-to-mars-to-help-clarify-how-river-paths-change-over-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient river deposits</a>. However, this new study broadens the scope of investigation. The team recognized signs of river deposits in bench-and-nose landforms that have never before been connected to ancient rivers.



Cardenas enthuses, "This suggests that there could be undiscovered river deposits elsewhere on the planet, and that an even larger section of the Martian sedimentary record could have been built by rivers during a habitable period of Mars history."



Reflecting on the implications for life, he adds, "On Earth, river corridors are so important for life, chemical cycles, nutrient cycles, and sediment cycles. Everything is pointing to these rivers behaving similarly on Mars."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-s-stratigraphy-sheds-light-on-mars">Earth’s stratigraphy sheds light on Mars</h2>



In a creative twist, the research team repurposed 25-year-old scans of Earth’s stratigraphy from beneath the Gulf of Mexico, collected by oil companies, for their Martian studies. These scans, Cardenas notes, provided an "ideal comparison to Mars," aiding in the simulation of Mars-like erosion.



The team's simulations revealed Martian landscapes shaped into topographic benches and noses, mirroring the landforms observed by the Curiosity rover inside Gale crater, rather than the fluvial ridges previously associated with such features.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hopeful-horizon-ancient-life-on-mars">Hopeful horizon: Ancient life on Mars</h2>



This study does more than reconstruct the ancient Martian environment. It also ignites new hope for uncovering signs of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-may-have-finally-discovered-life-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">past life on the red planet</a>. 



"Our research indicates that Mars could have had far more rivers than previously believed, which certainly paints a more optimistic view of ancient life on Mars," asserts Cardenas.



The discovery, suggesting that most of the Martian landscape once possessed the right conditions for life, marks a monumental stride in planetary science, reshaping our understanding of our celestial neighbor.



The research, co-authored with Kaitlyn Stacey, a doctoral candidate in planetary geosciences at Penn State, received funding from a <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/solicitations/roses-2020/subject-c3-solar-system-workings-and-c12-planetary-instrument-concepts-advancement-solar-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA Solar System Workings Grant</a>, underscoring its significance in the continued exploration of our solar system.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL103618" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.



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Mars was once a "planet of rivers" that could have easily harbored life

In a new study that transforms our understanding of the...

Hamadryas,Baboon,,Papio,Hamadryas,,From,Ethiopia,In,Africa.,Wild,Mammal

In the pantheon of ancient Egyptian gods, Thoth, the deity of wisdom and learning, held a unique connection with the animal kingdom. His association with the hamadryas baboon not only underscores the religious complexity of the time but also presents a puzzle that has long perplexed historians and biologists alike: the journey of baboons to Egypt. 



Researchers recently unraveled this mystery, nestled at the intersection of biology, anthropology, and Egyptology. The findings shed light on early globalization, human-wildlife interactions, and the cultural significance of these sacred animals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sacred-baboons-of-egypt-and-thoth">Sacred baboons of Egypt and Thoth</h2>



Historical records well-document the ancient Egyptians' veneration of animals. Various deities portray creatures that were, in many cases, foreign to the Nile Valley. Thoth, revered for his knowledge, often appeared in the form of a hamadryas baboon, a species not native to Egypt.



Ancient Egyptians imported, mummified, and offered these baboons as votive tokens. They served as a tangible link between the populace and their gods. However, the origins of these sacred animals, how they were transported to Egypt, and the reasons for their divine status have been subjects of scholarly debate for years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-the-origins">Tracing the origins</h2>



Biologist Gisela Kopp's intriguing research took on these enigmatic questions. The study is emblematic of interdisciplinary collaboration. It brought together biologists, anthropologists, and Egyptologists in a collective effort to trace the geographic origins of mummified baboons found in Egypt.



Employing advanced genetic analysis techniques, Kopp and her team examined the mitochondrial genomes of the baboon mummies. She compared them with contemporary samples from various regions in Africa. This extensive comparison, facilitated by the consistent genetic variance among baboon populations over time, enabled researchers to pinpoint the baboons’ original habitat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unearthing-historical-trade-routes">Unearthing historical trade routes</h2>



Anthropologist Nathaniel Dominy contributed earlier research using stable isotopes to trace the baboons' geography. The combined insights from genetic analysis and chemical signatures led the team to an astonishing discovery. The baboons were native to the Horn of Africa, specifically a region within modern-day Eritrea.



This finding resonates with historical accounts of the ancient port of Adulis. This popular destination gained its reputation from flourishing trade in luxury goods and rare animals, including baboons. The revelation gains significance against the backdrop of Punt, a legendary land referenced in ancient Egyptian texts as a source of precious commodities.



The precise location of Punt has eluded historians. However, its importance as a possible lynchpin in early global maritime trade networks is undebatable. 



Gisela Kopp's research intriguingly suggests that Punt and Adulis could represent the same geographical location. It was simply known by different names across eras. The convergence of biological data with historical analysis provided the key to linking these two places.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-baboons-egypt-and-cultural-context">Baboons, Egypt, and cultural context</h2>



The representation of baboons in Egyptian lore, exclusive to the region, raises compelling cultural questions. They are considered pests in societies where they naturally occur due to their crop-damaging behavior. In ancient Egypt, however, these animals were revered and symbolically linked to the divine.



The reasons behind this cultural dichotomy remain speculative. However, the practice of mass mummification of baboons highlights the sophisticated interaction between humans and wildlife during that period. It also points to a complex coexistence that extended beyond domestication.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-dna-offers-new-avenues">Ancient DNA offers new avenues</h2>



Remarkably, Kopp's research marks a pioneering venture in the field of biology. It represents the first successful analysis of ancient DNA extracted from mummified non-human primates. This achievement paves the way for new studies into the historical dynamics of human-wildlife engagement, genetic diversity, and disease transmission patterns.



The interactions of ancient Egyptians with rare animals, evidenced through mummification, underscore the intricate relationships that humans have shared with the wild. These practices, extraordinary for their time, open a window into understanding the environmental, social, and possibly even epidemiological aspects of human history.



In summary, the journey of baboons in ancient Egypt, from sacred deities to a scientific enigma, traverses through various facets of human knowledge. As we unravel these mysteries, we gain more than just historical insight. We also uncover layers of our relationship with nature, trade, culture, and technology. 



Gisela Kopp's study, thus, stands as a testament to the power of interdisciplinary research in rewriting history, offering new perspectives on our shared past, and inspiring a deeper exploration into the annals of human civilization.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://elifesciences.org/articles/87513" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eLife</a>.



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Mummified baboons in Egypt: Where did they come from and how did they get there?

In the pantheon of ancient Egyptian gods, Thoth, the deity...

A team of scientists from the <a href="https://uwaterloo.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Waterloo</a> in Canada has successfully developed advanced, plant-based materials that lay the groundwork for a new generation of soft medical microrobots.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-based-robots">Plant-based robots</h2>



The tiny <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-crab-robot-is-smaller-than-a-flea/">robots</a> are designed to perform medical tasks such as biopsies and the transport of cells and tissues, in a manner that is minimally invasive. They can navigate through tight and fluid-filled environments, similar to the human body, and can precisely deliver delicate and light cargo, like cells or tissues, to a specific destination.



With a maximum length of one centimeter, these plant-based robots are biocompatible and non-toxic. They are crafted from sophisticated hydrogel composites that incorporate environmentally-friendly cellulose nanoparticles derived from plants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-microrobots-nbsp">Revolutionary microrobots&nbsp;</h2>



Leading this groundbreaking research is Hamed Shahsavan, a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Waterloo. The project represents a comprehensive approach to the design, synthesis, formation, and control of microrobots.&nbsp;



The hydrogel utilized in this research has the ability to change its shape when it comes into contact with external chemical stimuli. Controlling the orientation of cellulose nanoparticles allows the researchers to program these shape changes, which is crucial for the creation of functional soft robots.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-innovative-technology-nbsp">Innovative technology&nbsp;</h2>



“In my research group, we are bridging the old and new,” said Shahsavan. “We introduce emerging microrobots by leveraging traditional soft matter like hydrogels, liquid crystals, and colloids.”



Another innovative aspect of this smart material is its self-healing capacity, which enables the programming of a wide range of robot shapes. The material can be cut and reattached without the need for glue or other adhesives, allowing for the formation of various shapes tailored to different medical procedures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-magnetic-properties-nbsp">Magnetic properties&nbsp;</h2>



Moreover, the material can be augmented with magnetic properties to aid in the movement of the soft robots within the human body. To showcase how the robot would maneuver through the body, the researchers demonstrated its movement through a maze using a magnetic field.



“Chemical engineers play a critical role in pushing the frontiers of medical microrobotics research,” Shahsavan explained. 



“Interestingly, tackling the many grand challenges in microrobotics requires the skillset and knowledge chemical engineers possess, including heat and mass transfer, fluid mechanics, reaction engineering, polymers, soft matter science, and biochemical systems. So, we are uniquely positioned to introduce innovative avenues in this emerging field.”



The researchers’ next objective is to reduce the robot’s size to submillimeter dimensions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-plant-based-materials">More about plant-based materials</h2>



Plant-based materials have gained increasing importance due to their sustainable and renewable nature. These materials often have a reduced carbon footprint, utilize fewer resources in their production, and can be biodegradable, making them preferable for a range of applications as the world seeks more sustainable solutions.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bio-plastics">Bio-plastics</h3>



These are derived from renewable sources like corn starch, potato starch, and sugarcane. They serve as an alternative to petroleum-based plastics and are used in packaging, agriculture, and consumer goods.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hemp">Hemp</h3>



Used for thousands of years, hemp fibers can be utilized in textiles, papers, and building materials like "hempcrete". The seeds can be processed into oil or used in foods.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bamboo">Bamboo</h3>



A rapid-growing grass, bamboo is used in construction, furniture, textiles (like bamboo rayon), and even disposable items such as cutlery.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cellulose">Cellulose</h3>



Found in the cell walls of plants, it's the basis for materials like rayon, cellophane, and cellulose acetate. Cellulose-based textiles like Tencel (lyocell) are known for their softness and sustainability.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cork">Cork</h3>



Harvested from the cork oak tree, this material is used in flooring, bulletin boards, and, most commonly, wine stoppers.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mycelium-leather">Mycelium leather</h3>



Derived from the root system of fungi, mycelium can be cultivated to create a leather-like material, which is biodegradable and can be used in fashion and upholstery.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pinatex">Piñatex</h3>



A type of leather alternative derived from the fibers of pineapple leaves. It's used in fashion, accessories, and upholstery.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flax">Flax</h3>



This plant's fibers can be used to produce linen, a textile known for its durability and comfort. Flax seeds are also a nutritional food source.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-agar">Agar</h3>



A gelatinous substance derived from red algae, it's used in culinary applications as a vegetarian gelatin substitute and in biotechnology for culturing purposes.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chitosan">Chitosan</h3>



Derived from the shells of crustaceans and certain fungi, it's used in medical applications, water purification, and cosmetics.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seaweed">Seaweed</h3>



Apart from culinary uses, seaweed can be transformed into bioplastics, textiles, and biofuels.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-41874-7">Nature Communications</a>.



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Plant-based materials could revolutionize medical microrobots

A team of scientists from the University of Waterloo in...

The human body is a complex ecosystem, hosting trillions of bacteria that significantly influence our well-being. The diversity of this community of microorganisms, particularly in our gut, plays a pivotal role in our overall health. However, the sources contributing to this diversity have long been a subject of scientific curiosity and investigation.



Historically, research has underscored the importance of maternal microbiomes being passed on to infants during birth and through breastfeeding. Yet, the journey of understanding doesn't stop there, as researchers continue to unearth further sources that contribute to our bacterial diversity.



An important study led by Wisnu Adi Wicaksono and Gabriele Berg from the Institute of Environmental Biotechnology at Graz University of Technology (<a href="https://www.tugraz.at" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TU Graz</a>) has shed light on a previously underexplored source of gut microbiome diversity. 



The research focused on the microorganisms derived from plant matter, specifically fruits and vegetables. Findings from the study reveal a direct connection between our diet's plant content and the composition of our gut bacterial community.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dietary-habits-influencing-gut-microbes">Dietary habits influencing gut microbes</h2>



Frequent fruit and vegetable consumption has a significant impact on enhancing the population of fruit- and vegetable-associated bacteria within the human gut. Remarkably, early childhood emerges as a critical period for these plant-associated bacteria to settle in the gut. This discovery hints at long-term health implications based on dietary habits formed during the early years of life.



Furthermore, the study highlights the beneficial characteristics of these plant-origin microorganisms, noting their probiotic nature and health-promoting properties. This finding not only advocates for a plant-rich diet, but also opens up new avenues for nutritional strategies aimed at improving gut health. Furthermore, by extension, strategies aimed at the individual's overall health status.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-microbiomes-to-human-gut-health">Plant microbiomes to human gut health</h2>



Understanding the interconnectedness between various microbiomes is a nuanced and complex task. The team's achievement in proving that microorganisms from fruits and vegetables can indeed colonize the human gut marks a first in the scientific community, elucidating the intricate relationship between what we consume and how our gut microbiome is shaped.



This revelation carries profound implications for human health, particularly concerning the immune system's development in the early stages of life and the overall resilience and wellness of individuals.



Gabriele Berg, head of the Institute, sums up the phenomenon succinctly. She says, "Diversity influences the resilience of the whole organism; higher diversity conveys more resilience." This statement encapsulates the broader health implications of a diverse gut microbiome, reflecting its capacity to impact every aspect of human health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-microbiome-data">Unraveling microbiome data</h2>



To substantiate their findings, the researchers embarked on a meticulous process of analyzing extensive metagenome data from roughly 2500 stool samples, involving several billion sequences. They established a comprehensive catalogue of microbiome data associated with fruits and vegetables. This step was instrumental in identifying corresponding bacteria within human gut flora.



Their analysis incorporated data from the <a href="https://teddy.epi.usf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TEDDY project</a>, focusing on infants, and the <a href="https://www.mymicrobiome.info/en/news-reading/the-american-gut-project" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Gut Project</a>, examining adults' intestinal microbiomes. Both studies also provided crucial insights into the participants' dietary patterns, fortifying the research framework.



The findings significantly bolster the WHO's <a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/one-health" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">One Health concept</a>, which advocates for an integrated perspective on health that encompasses human, animal, and environmental facets. Recognizing the presence of plant microflora within the human gut reinforces this holistic view, acknowledging the seamless interplay between dietary, ecological, and health factors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-and-applications-for-gut-health">Implications and applications for gut health</h2>



Gabriele Berg's team, in collaboration with international peers, is delving deeper into these connections through the EU-funded <a href="https://www.hedimed.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HEDIMED project</a>. This ambitious intervention study involves participants from three continents adhering to identical diets for a specific period. This allows researchers to analyze the resulting effects on their gut microbiomes.



The implications of this research transcend academic interest, bearing significant consequences for various sectors. These include agriculture, food production, and healthcare. 



Berg emphasizes the influence of soil, fertilizers, and pesticides on the plant microbiome, advocating for fresh produce consumption. Furthermore, she underscores the necessity for a paradigm shift in how food storage and processing are approached, given their impact on the food's microbial content.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gut-health-and-personalized-nutrition">Gut health and personalized nutrition</h2>



Envisioning the future, the findings pave the way for innovative applications in personalized nutrition. The unique microbiome of each fruit and vegetable type offers the tantalizing possibility of customizing diets to optimize individual gut health. Overall, personalized nutrition could potentially revolutionize our relationship with food and well-being.



In summary, the study by Wicaksono, Berg, and their colleagues at TU Graz marks a monumental step in understanding the gut microbiome and its myriad influences. 



By unveiling the significant role of fruits and vegetables as contributors to our internal bacterial universe, the research not only encourages a plant-forward diet but also beckons a new era of health-conscious living. In such a world, the choices we make significantly shape our body's microscopic inhabitants and, ultimately, our health.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19490976.2023.2258565" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gut Microbes</a>.



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Eating fruits and vegetables improves overall gut health

The human body is a complex ecosystem, hosting trillions of...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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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...