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...

A study from <a href="https://www.ncsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NC State</a> has revealed that neighborhood greenspaces have a positive impact on a genetic marker associated with stress exposure. However, the experts report that these positive effects are not enough to compensate for environmental hazards like air pollution.



“There’s a lot of research that talks about the various ways in which greenspace is beneficial, and a lot of research that talks about adverse health effects associated with pollution, racist segregation in housing, and other social and environmental challenges,” said study co-author Aaron Hipp.&nbsp;



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



Hipp noted that this study was an attempt to quantify the beneficial impacts of greenspace at the cellular level, and the extent to which greenspace can help to offset environmental harms.



"The role our environment plays in health is important to understand as many areas of the world continue to urbanize. One pathway that natural and social environments can influence health is through the exposome," explained the researchers.



"The exposome encompasses the various experiences and exposures faced throughout the lifecourse and can shape health outcomes by causing changes in the human body, including at the cellular and genetic level."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-telomere-health">Telomere health</h2>



The study revealed that neighborhood greenspaces such as yards, parks, and other public areas are particularly beneficial to our telomeres. These are repetitive DNA sections situated at each end of a chromosome, playing a crucial role in safeguarding chromosome ends from potential damage.&nbsp;



With every cell division, these telomeres reduce a bit in size. When they become exceedingly short, the cell can no longer divide and ultimately dies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biological-age-nbsp">Biological age&nbsp;</h2>



“This makes telomeres important markers of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-induced-increases-in-biological-age-can-be-reversed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biological age</a>, or how worn down our cells are,” explained study co-author Scott Ogletree. “And we know that many variables - such as stress - can influence how quickly our telomeres wear down.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study-nbsp-0">Focus of the study&nbsp;</h2>



The study was focused on data from the CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which was conducted from 1999-2002.&nbsp;



The researchers analyzed data from 7,827 individuals, taking into account factors like their demographic details, telomere length, and residence. They evaluated the neighborhood greenspaces in each person's vicinity and related this information to telomere size.&nbsp;



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



According to Hipp, the findings show a direct correlation between increased neighborhood greenspace and extended telomeres. This correlation was found regardless of an individual's racial background, economic status, drinking or smoking habits.



“That’s the good news,” said Ogletree. “However, when we accounted for other characteristics of each neighborhood – air pollution, segregation, or ‘deprivation’ – the positive effect of the greenspace essentially disappeared."



"Deprivation, in this context, was an overarching variable that included the neighborhood-level data on income, education, employment status, and housing conditions. In other words, while greenspace seems to help protect telomere length, the harm from other factors appears to offset that protection.”



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



“Greenspace is tremendously valuable for a community, but it is not enough to overcome systemic racism and the effects of economic segregation and environmental justice challenges on its own,” said Hipp.&nbsp;



“This study drives home the idea that creating greenspace in a community is important, but it’s as crucial – or more crucial – for us to address environmental harms, particularly those tied to systemic racism.”



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167452">Science of The Total Environment</a>.



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Neighborhood greenspaces boost health on a cellular level

A study from NC State has revealed that neighborhood greenspaces...

Researchers have unearthed the most complete <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sabertooth-skull-offers-new-clues-about-the-extinct-mammal/">skeleton</a> of a saber-toothed marsupial in the Tatacoa Desert, Colombia. This discovery will dramatically improve our understanding of these mysterious creatures, which lived approximately 13 million years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anachlysictis-gracilis">Anachlysictis gracilis</h2>



The saber-toothed marsupial, Anachlysictis gracilis, was part of the sparassodonts group, predatory mammals that roamed South America in the post-dinosaur Cenozoic era.&nbsp;



The skeleton was found in an area known to paleontologists as "La Venta," which is now the La Tatacoa desert. According to Dr. Catalina Suarez, the region was once a tropical rainforest, reminiscent of the modern-day Amazon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extinct-predators">Extinct predators</h2>



Previous encounters with this species were limited. Only fragments of a mandible and few additional remains had been discovered, so this recent find bridges a significant gap in our knowledge about saber-toothed marsupials.



“Thanks to this discovery, we were able to learn new details about this fascinating species,” said Dr Suarez, who led the analysis of the remains. “The analyses allowed us to understand what these extinct predators were like and how they lived in Neotropical South America millions of years ago.”



While Dr. Suarez started her journey with the A. gracilis during her time at the <a href="https://stri.si.edu/">Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute</a>, she has now become a specialist in metatherians, a group encompassing marsupials and their extinct relatives. Notably, the A. gracilis fossil is a part of the Thylacosmilidae family, known for their curved, saber-like canines.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thylacosmilidae">Thylacosmilidae</h2>



“Our research confirms that this Colombian fossil ‘saber-tooth marsupial’ A. gracilis, is closely related to Thylacosmilus, which is the most widely recognized ‘saber-tooth marsupial,” said Dr. Javier Luque.



“Both groups, together with Patagosmilus (another one of these ‘saber-tooth marsupials’), form their own family in the mammal tree of life, known as Thylacosmilidae."&nbsp;



"This family is characterized by its long and enormous curved and saber-shaped upper canines, and by an extension of the anterior part of the jaw that looks like the sheath of said 'sabers.'”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hypercarnivores-nbsp">Hypercarnivores&nbsp;</h2>



By examining the remains' molar teeth and mandible, researchers deduced A. gracilis's diet and weight. Weighing roughly 23 kg, which is comparable to a modern lynx, this marsupial was a hypercarnivore that preyed on various smaller mammals that inhabited its realm.



According to the study authors, its potential prey would have included small mammals that inhabited the area, such as marsupials, spiny rats, porcupines, rodents of various sizes and even primates.



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



“In a future study we will address all the other bones in its body, which include various sections of the spine, ribs, hip, scapulae - what we call 'shoulder blades' for humans - and bones in its legs," said Dr. Suarez.&nbsp;



"This will allow us to explore aspects of how it moved, the position in which its neck held its head, whether it was a runner, whether it could climb, whether its hands could hold objects more easily, as many marsupials do when feeding, or whether it was a bit more difficult, as it is for example for a dog or a cat.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-remarkable-discoveries-nbsp">Remarkable discoveries&nbsp;</h2>



The extraordinary fossil now resides in the La Tatacoa Natural History Museum, in La Victoria, Colombia, amongst other remarkable discoveries from this paleontological goldmine.



"The fossil specimen of A. gracilis that we describe in this research constitutes an iconic fossil because of its excellent preservation, three-dimensionality, and importance for understanding the paleobiological aspects of this predatory marsupial that roamed the forests of northern South America approximately 13 million years ago,” said Dr. Edwin Cadena.



“With this finding we show the importance of continuing to support paleontological scientific activity in the Neotropics, in order to be able to make new discoveries that will help us understand the evolutionary history and paleobiodiversity of this part of the continent.”



The <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.5252/geodiversitas2023v45a18">research</a> was a collaborative effort involving institutions from countries like Argentina, Colombia, the US, Japan, Panama, and the UK.&nbsp;



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Extraordinary discovery: Saber-toothed marsupial fossil found in the Tatacoa Desert

Researchers have unearthed the most complete skeleton of a saber-toothed...

The <a href="https://www.fws.gov/">U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service </a>delivered disheartening news on Monday: 21 species, once featured on the national list of threatened and endangered species, have now vanished from our world. The list of the now-<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-predict-a-new-mass-extinction-that-will-wipe-out-humans-and-all-mammals/">extinct</a> species includes:



<ul>
<li>Eight distinct varieties of Hawaiian honeycreeper birds </li>



<li>The bridled white-eye bird from Guam </li>



<li>The Mariana fruit bat (also from Guam) </li>



<li>The San Marcos gambusia, a tiny fish native to Texas </li>



<li>The Scioto madtom, a small catfish found exclusively in the Big Darby Creek in Ohio </li>



<li>The Bachman’s warbler, a melodic black and yellow songbird seen in various Southern states and Cuba </li>



<li>Eight freshwater mussels, including the flat pigtoe, the green-blossom pearly mussel, the southern acornshell, the stirrupshell, the tubercled-blossom pearly mussel, the turgid-blossom pearly mussel, the upland combshell, and the yellow-blossom pearly mussel.</li>
</ul>



“Our determinations of whether the best available information indicates that a species is extinct included an analysis of the following criteria: detectability of the species, adequacy of survey efforts, and time since last detection,” experts from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-u-s-has-lost-hundreds-of-species">U.S. has lost hundreds of species</h2>



Proposals to delist these species from the endangered and threatened list were already made in 2021, driven by the unfortunate reality that some of these species had not been observed since dates ranging from 1899 to 2004.



Current data from the <a href="https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/">Center for Biological Diversity</a> reveals a grim picture: the U.S. has now lost 650 species to extinction. Such loss can be attributed to multiple factors, including the impacts of climate change, rampant pollution, and the introduction of invasive species.



Between 2004 and 2022, climatic changes led to a staggering 39 percent of amphibian species edging closer to extinction. Moreover, an alarming figure reveals that approximately three billion birds have disappeared from North America since 1970.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recovery-efforts">Recovery efforts</h2>



However, 99 percent of species on the endangered and threatened list have evaded extinction until now. Thanks to concerted recovery efforts, 54 species have been removed from the list, while another 56 have seen their status improved from endangered to threatened.



“Federal protection came too late to reverse these species’ decline, and it’s a wake-up call on the importance of conserving imperiled species before it’s too late,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Director Martha Williams.&nbsp;



“As we commemorate 50 years of the Endangered Species Act this year, we are reminded of the Act’s purpose to be a safety net that stops the journey toward extinction. The ultimate goal is to recover these species, so they no longer need the Act’s protection.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hawaiian-honeycreepers">Hawaiian honeycreepers</h2>



One poignant example, the Hawaiian honeycreepers, suffered extinction due to massive deforestation for development and agriculture. Exacerbating their decline, non-native mosquitoes introduced to Hawaii transmitted avian pox and avian malaria.



The Center for Biological Diversity has highlighted the precarious situation of other Hawaiian avian species. The ‘akikiki,’ for instance, is teetering on the edge of extinction with a mere five pairs identified in their natural habitat.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-habitat-destruction-nbsp">Habitat destruction&nbsp;</h2>



The Bachman's warbler’s tragic disappearance, the Center notes, is a result of rampant habitat annihilation. Meanwhile, the bridled white-eye and the Mariana fruit bat fell prey to the predatory brown tree snake, an invasive species.&nbsp;



Additionally, the Mariana fruit bat faced threats from agricultural encroachments and its over-exploitation as a food source.&nbsp;



The San Marcos gambusia was imperiled by excessive water utilization affecting the groundwater reserves and the flow of springs. Dam-related runoff and sediment accumulation contributed to the vanishing of the Scioto madtom.



If concerted efforts to protect the currently threatened and endangered species are not urgently made, many others could soon be lost too, further diminishing our planet’s biodiversity&nbsp;



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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service declares 21 species extinct

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service delivered disheartening news on...

The European Alps have witnessed the advance and retreat of glaciers for over 115,000 years. Fluctuating ice during the last glacial period significantly shaped the region, carving out valleys and leaving imprints on the landscape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-visualizing-alpine-ice-evolution">Visualizing Alpine ice evolution</h2>



A new computer model has reconstructed the evolution of Alpine ice cover over the last 120,000 years with "unprecedented precision." This innovation offers a captivating visual experience, and marks a significant advancement in the realm of glaciology and climatology.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="AyqnzVGbjG-3079653-12187" type="single"]</div>



The research project was conducted by experts from the Universities of Lausanne, Bern, and Zürich. The computer model makes it possible to understand the past distribution of snowfall in Alpine valleys, as well as the evolution of glaciers, the researchers noted.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-model-complexity">Model complexity</h2>



"There are geomorphological clues in the field, such as moraines and erratic boulders, which bear witness to the past imprint of glaciers on the lowlands," explained study first author Guillaume Jouvet, a glaciologist at the <a href="https://www.unil.ch/central/en/home.html">University of Lausanne</a>.



"We used these traces to validate our simulation, and everything matched. Because of the complexity of the modeling, it took us 6 years to correctly set up our climate and glaciological models, and finally get the right climate and glaciers that match what we observe in reality."&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-verifying-the-model">Verifying the model</h2>



A challenge arises when attempting to verify the model beyond 24,000 years. This limitation is due to the glacial maximum during that period, which eradicated all prior evidence, making validation difficult.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-nbsp">Climate change&nbsp;</h2>



The simulation is a powerful tool for framing our understanding of global warming. A comparison of past and present reveals a stark difference.&nbsp;



"The image of the different glacial cycles is quite telling," said Jouvet. "24,000 years ago, we can see that cities such as Lausanne were covered by more than one kilometer of ice. It's obvious that past cycles, caused by orbital variations of the Earth, are nothing like what's happening now, where greenhouse gases play an active role in glacier melt."



"What is most striking is the speed of current climate change (barely a few decades) compared with the infinitely long time span of the ice ages."



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



One limitation is the model's resolution, which might overestimate the ice cover due to an inability to replicate the intricate topography of high mountains, but the scientists are already addressing this issue.&nbsp;



"We have just started a new project using artificial intelligence, which will be used to speed up our models and reach a necessary resolution of 200m," said Jouvet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-the-european-alps-nbsp">More about the European Alps&nbsp;</h2>



The European Alps, often simply referred to as the Alps, is a prominent mountain range stretching across Central Europe.&nbsp;



Covering an area of approximately 200,000 square kilometers, these mountains are known for their breathtaking landscapes and towering peaks.&nbsp;



The Alps are also known for their influence on the cultures, economies, and environments of the countries they span. These countries include Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia, and Switzerland.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-formation">Formation</h3>



The Alps were formed millions of years ago by the collision of the African and European tectonic plates. This collision caused the land to buckle and fold, resulting in the majestic mountain range we see today.



Mont Blanc, located on the French-Italian border, is the highest peak in the Alps, reaching an elevation of 4,809 meters (15,777 feet).



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-and-ecology">Climate and ecology</h3>



The Alpine region experiences varied weather conditions, ranging from an oceanic climate at the foothills to a polar climate at its highest elevations. These diverse conditions support a wide variety of plants and animals, with many species being endemic to the region.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-importance">Economic importance</h3>



The Alps play a vital role in the European economy. They are a hub for tourism, particularly skiing and snowboarding in the winter and hiking, mountain biking, and paragliding in the warmer months. The region is also rich in minerals, and historically, mining was a significant industry.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-influence">Cultural influence</h3>



The Alps have played a crucial role in shaping the cultures of the peoples who live in and around them. From Alpine music and yodeling to fondue and other mountain foods, the influence of the Alps is deeply rooted in European traditions.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation">Conservation</h3>



Given their ecological importance, many parts of the Alps are protected areas. The Alpine Convention, an international treaty signed in 1991, aims to promote sustainable development in the Alpine region and protect it from environmental degradation.



Video Credit: UNIL



The research is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/jog.2023.74">Journal of Glaciology</a>.



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Simulation reveals the evolution of Alpine ice over 120,000 years

The European Alps have witnessed the advance and retreat of...

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-respond-to-rising-co2-levels-by-conserving-water/">Water conservation</a> and management have always been central to agriculture, with irrigation being the primary consumer of this resource.&nbsp;



A report from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/How_much_water_do_we_use_for_irrigation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Agency</a> notes that we use more water for irrigation than for any other single purpose, yet lack global monitoring of these practices.



As the global demand for water surges, predominantly due to increasing populations and the climate crisis, scientists are exploring innovative solutions to this challenge.&nbsp;



One promising solution involves using satellite data to measure how much water is utilized for irrigation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eyes-in-the-sky">Eyes in the sky</h2>



More than 70% of the water extracted from Earth's surface or underground resources is used for irrigation. Surprisingly, there's limited monitoring of this massive water diversion, especially when it's a direct interaction with Earth's natural water cycle.&nbsp;



Recent advancements in satellite technology might be the answer to this oversight, according to a recent study published in the journal <a href="https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/15/1555/2023/essd-15-1555-2023-discussion.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth System Science Data</a>.&nbsp;



The report reveals that ESA’s Science for Society Irrigation+ project has shown potential in using space-based information to measure irrigation levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-valuable-satellite-data-nbsp">Valuable satellite data&nbsp;</h2>



The research, led by the National Research Council and the University of Perugia, expands on previous studies that used soil moisture data from satellite missions, such as ESA’s SMOS, as well as evapotranspiration information.&nbsp;



The experts used an "inversion technique" that transforms these broad satellite data into the first regional high-resolution irrigation water datasets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-irrigation-estimates-nbsp">Irrigation estimates&nbsp;</h2>



“We developed these datasets for three major river basins that are irrigated differently and have different climatic conditions," explained study co-author Jacopo Dari.



“Using data from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 radar mission and a soil-moisture inversion technique, we achieved irrigation estimates with 1 km resolution over the semi-arid Ebro river basin in northeast Spain and the wetter Po valley in northern Italy.



“Over the Murray-Darling basin pilot site in southeast Australia, which is also semi-arid, we achieve irrigation estimates of 6 km resolution using soil moisture data from NASA’s Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invaluable-datasets-nbsp">Invaluable datasets&nbsp;</h2>



The datasets derived from this research, spanning from 2016 to 2020 for the European regions and from 2017 to 2020 for the Murray–Darling basin, provide detailed insights into current irrigation practices.&nbsp;



They also lay the groundwork for improved water resource management in the face of increasing demands and potential scarcity.



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



As the world faces the increasing challenges of balancing food production and environmental sustainability, tools such as these satellite-based monitoring systems become indispensable.&nbsp;



The ultimate goal is for global water usage - especially for agriculture - is not just an estimate but a measurable and manageable figure.



“We are delighted that our Science for Society Irrigation+ project has yielded 23 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and the first regional-scale gridded irrigation datasets retrieved from satellite observations at a spatial resolution suitable for water resource management in agriculture," said ESA expert Espen Volden.



“They could lay the foundation for developing a system for monitoring water irrigation in high-resolution from space, which is much-needed given the pressure that our freshwater supplies are under now and the fact that they will be under even more pressure in the future.”



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Satellites can show us how much water is used for irrigation

Water conservation and management have always been central to agriculture,...

Every few years, you can hear the distinctive chirping of cicadas from sunrise to sunset. Among these, periodical cicadas of the genus Magicicada are known for making an appearance just once every 13 or 17 years.&nbsp;



While much is known about the biology, life cycle, and even mating behavior of periodical cicadas, a crucial question regarding their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-do-elephants-eat-study-shows-they-have-unique-dietary-preferences/">dietary habits</a> has been the subject of a long debate. Once they are above ground, do these cicadas feed on anything?



The answer to this question is yes, according to a new study conducted by the <a href="https://www.ars.usda.gov/">Agricultural Research Service</a> (USDA-ARS) at West Virginia's Appalachian Fruit Research Station.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-agricultural-concern">Agricultural concern</h2>



The significance of this discovery extends beyond mere curiosity. Periodical cicadas, especially Magicicada, are a concern for U.S. agriculture due to the potential damage they cause to orchard trees by laying their eggs on branches.&nbsp;



This process can prove lethal to young trees. As a result, many growers and nurseries strategically avoid planting new trees in the years corresponding with a Magicicada emergence.



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



The debate surrounding the feeding habits of adult cicadas stems from the elusive nature of their feeding signs. Unlike chewing insects, the needle-like mouthparts of cicadas leave almost no trace. Furthermore, their digestive systems are notoriously hard to study.&nbsp;



"The historical belief that adult cicadas in general do not feed on plants can likely be attributed to their lack of recognizable mandibular mouthparts and the inconspicuous nature of cicada feeding damage," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"This Old World perception was apparently extended to Magicicada spp. upon the European colonization of North America, with the earliest literature repeating that adult cicadas do not feed at all, feed only on dew, or feed only rarely."



"Further complicating the subject, one early work reported a distinction between the sexes in gut morphology and feeding habits, concluding that adult female Magicicada feed but males do not."



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



To investigate, the USDA-ARS researchers examined adult male and female Magicicada from Brood X during their 2021 emergence across Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.



Their findings, published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/iead082">Journal of Insect Science</a>, have uprooted the longstanding myth that adult cicadas do not feed.&nbsp;



In the guts of adult cicadas, the researchers found predominantly woody plant and apple tree DNA. Furthermore, 54 percent of the cicadas had DNA from more than one plant species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-authenticating-the-results">Authenticating the results</h2>



To ensure that the plant DNA was not residual from the cicadas' nymph stage, the team studied "teneral adults" – newly emerged cicadas that hadn't fed yet.&nbsp;



"We tested teneral adults, or brand new adult Magicicada that had not had a chance to feed yet, to check for any leftover plant DNA," said USDA-ARS research team leader Dr. James Hepler.&nbsp;



"We couldn't find any plant DNA in the guts of teneral adults, so we can be reasonably sure that the DNA found in mature adult Magicicada was eaten during the adult stage, since no DNA carries over from the nymph stage."



The cicada's unique exoskeleton, which permits extensive water loss, coupled with the presence of amino acid-producing endosymbionts in adult Magicicada guts, indicates that they obtain nutrition as they feed on plant species.



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



With the mystery surrounding the cicada's feeding habits resolved, USDA-ARS plans to delve deeper into the life cycle of Brood X and address other agricultural challenges related to their above-ground lifespan.&nbsp;



Additionally, future studies aim to explore the potential impacts of periodical cicadas on tree physiology.



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Do periodical cicadas actually eat anything above ground?

Every few years, you can hear the distinctive chirping of...

A,Pretty,Young,Girl,And,Her,A.i.-equipped,Domestic,Robot,,Choose

The advent of technology has seen robots transition from isolated operational entities to becoming team members in human workspaces. This integration has led to a fascinating psychological dynamic called social loafing. As humans begin to perceive their mechanical counterparts as teammates, they rely on them to do most of the work.



This shift in perception, along with the phenomenon known as social loafing, is commonly seen in human teams. Now, however, this concept is being studied in the context of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-will-humans-react-to-coexisting-with-robots/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human-robot interaction</a>, particularly its impact on workplace efficiency and safety.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-loafing-in-human-robot-teams">'Social loafing' in human-robot teams</h2>



'Social loafing' is a term used in social psychology to describe the tendency of individuals to exert less effort when they work in groups than when they work alone. This is particularly evident when individual contributions are less noticeable, leading to some team members riding on the coattails of their more industrious colleagues.



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.tu.berlin/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Berlin</a> embarked on an intriguing study to explore whether this phenomenon extends to human-robot collaboration. Dietlind Helene Cymek, the study's first author, highlighted the complexity of teamwork's psychological underpinnings. 



"Working together can motivate people, but it can also lead to a loss of motivation because the individual contribution is not as visible," Cymek explains. She further emphasizes the curiosity about whether such motivational dynamics occur when robots are involved in the team.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simulating-robot-work-environments">Simulating robot work environments</h2>



The study involved a simulated industrial scenario where participants inspected circuit boards for defects. This actually mimicked a quality assurance task common in manufacturing sectors. The controlled setting allowed the scientists to track the engagement and performance of each participant meticulously.



Interestingly, the twist in this experiment was the introduction of 'Panda', a robot that participants believed was part of their team. While the human participants didn't interact directly with Panda, its presence was felt through sounds, and its perceived performance was presented to the participants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-initial-social-loafing-observations">Initial social loafing observations</h2>



At a glance, Panda's presence seemed to make no difference in human performance. No substantial variances were observed in the time and effort the participants reported. Both groups, those working with Panda and those working alone, exhibited similar patterns in handling the task.



However, a deeper dive into the data revealed a subtle but critical pattern. Participants in the Panda team were less accurate in identifying defects as the task progressed. This was especially true after observing that Panda had consistently marked numerous errors correctly. 



Lapses such as these suggest a psychological shift. This is a phenomenon possibly akin to 'looking but not seeing', where humans become complacent. They begin to subconsciously rely on their robotic partner's competence.



Dr. Linda Onnasch, the study's senior author, notes the complexity of interpreting these findings. "It is easy to track where a person is looking, but much harder to tell whether that visual information is being sufficiently processed at a mental level," she points out. All indications showed that human participants may not have been as mentally engaged with the task as they believed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-real-world-implications">Potential real-world implications</h2>



The implications of this study are particularly significant for industries reliant on meticulous quality control. The authors caution that even short-term lapses in human attention -- possibly due to overreliance on robotic accuracy -- could compromise safety. 



"In longer shifts, when tasks are routine and the working environment offers little performance monitoring and feedback, the loss of motivation tends to be much greater," Onnasch explains. She further stressed the potential dangers in safety-critical areas like manufacturing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limitations-of-the-social-loafing-study">Limitations of the social loafing study</h2>



Despite its insights, the study acknowledges its constraints. These included the artificial laboratory setting and the lack of direct interaction between humans and Panda. Additionally, simulating social loafing in such environments is challenging because participants are aware of ongoing monitoring.



Cymek underscores the need for more expansive research. She surmised, "To find out how big the problem of loss of motivation is in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/should-robots-be-programmed-to-have-human-consciousness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human-robot</a> interaction, we need to go into the field and test our assumptions in real work environments, with skilled workers who routinely do their work in teams with robots."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dynamics-of-human-robot-synergy">Dynamics of human-robot synergy</h2>



The journey into understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-feel-empathic-embarrassment-for-humiliated-robots/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human-robot</a> team dynamics is just beginning, with studies like these paving the way. As robots become commonplace collaborators in various industries, comprehending and navigating the psychological and practical dynamics of these relationships will be crucial. 



Addressing these subtleties will not only help in harnessing the full potential of human-robot teams, but also in safeguarding the standards and safety protocols essential in industrial settings. The future of teamwork is here, and it's a blend of human intelligence and robotic precision.



The full study was published in Frontiers in Robotics and AI under the title “<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frobt.2023.1249252/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lean Back or Lean In? Exploring Social Loafing In Human-Robot Teams</a>”



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Humans engage in social loafing when they have robot team members

The advent of technology has seen robots transition from isolated...

The intrusion of microplastics, minute but insidious pollutants, is no longer just a concern for densely populated or industrial regions. Microplastics have breached the remote sanctity of the Arctic, threatening its intricate ecosystem.



In a revealing journey into the cold waters of the Barents Sea, scientists shed light on this modern crisis unfolding in the depths of one of the world's most productive and biodiverse marine environments. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-fragile-arctic-invaded-by-microplastics">The fragile Arctic invaded by microplastics</h2>



Microplastics, tiny plastic fragments less than 5 millimeters in length, have been spotlighted as a growing environmental threat. These particles have infiltrated even the most remote oceanic realms, raising alarm about their impact on marine ecosystems. 



This is particularly true in the context of the Arctic's climatic and ecological sensitivity. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/turquoise-bloom-in-the-barents-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barents Sea</a>, an area of rich biological diversity and high marine productivity, hasn't escaped this global environmental trespass.



The region, critical for various species and a significant influencer of the Arctic climate, faces potential ecological upheaval due to the increasing microplastic contamination. This pollution is exacerbated by various factors, including ice melts, tourism, inadequate waste management practices, and maritime activities such as shipping and fishing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-microplastic-distribution">Studying microplastic distribution</h2>



A team of researchers from <a href="https://www.pml.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plymouth Marine Laboratory</a> and the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a> embarked on an investigative voyage, collecting sub-surface water samples across extensive transects of the Barents Sea. 



Their mission was multifaceted: quantify, characterize, and map the distribution of microplastics. They also sought to understand their potential implications, particularly on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-sea-ice-algae-heavily-contaminated-with-microplastics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">zooplankton communities</a>, a foundational element in the marine food web.



Zooplankton's potential ingestion of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-inhale-the-equivalent-of-a-credit-card-in-microplastics-each-week/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastics</a> poses serious concerns. By mistaking these particles for food, these organisms introduce synthetic materials into the food chain. This impacts not only their health and reproductive success, but also potentially alters essential biogeochemical cycles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microplastics-pervade-the-arctic">Microplastics pervade the Arctic</h2>



The study’s findings were sobering. The scientists quantified an average microplastic concentration of 0.011 per cubic meter in the eastern Barents Sea, with noticeable variability in distribution. Concentrations spiked nearer to land masses and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/citizen-scientists-uncover-microplastics-in-the-remote-arctic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">areas of ice melt</a>, indicating these as major contributors to the problem.



These microplastics were predominantly fibrous (92.1%) and conspicuously colored, mostly blue (79%) or red (17%). Analyzing the composition revealed them to be mostly modified cellulose compounds like rayon. They also found traces of polyester, elastomers, and acrylics, pointing to anthropogenic sources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-activities-amplify-the-issue">Local activities amplify the issue</h2>



The research underscored the role of local human activities in escalating this environmental issue. The growing tourism industry in regions like Svalbard, coupled with insufficient waste management infrastructures, likely contributes significantly to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-found-embedded-in-tissues-of-whales-and-dolphins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine microplastic</a> concentrations. 



Additionally, other sources such as wastewater discharge, shipping operations, and fishing activities compound the issue, particularly near the coastline.



Lead author Heather Emberson-Marl emphasized the need for more extensive research in this field, considering the scarcity of data regarding microplastics in the Arctic. She stressed the importance of standardized sampling protocols to enhance the comparability and reliability of future studies.



Co-author Dr. Rachel Coppock echoed these concerns. She added a poignant reminder of the far-reaching influence of human activities on the environment. The journey of microplastics from populated regions to the remote Arctic exemplifies the extensive impact of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastic-exposure-linked-to-changes-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human behavior</a> on distant ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ecological-wake-up-call">Ecological wake-up call</h2>



This study is not just a revelation of a hidden crisis but a call to action. The presence of microplastics in a region as remote as the Barents Sea is a stark reminder of the longevity and pervasiveness of plastic pollution. The implications of these findings are far-reaching. They underscore the urgency for global strategies to mitigate plastic waste and safeguard vulnerable marine ecosystems.



With funding from the UK’s <a href="https://www.ukri.org/councils/nerc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Natural Environment Research Council</a> (NERC), among others, this research marks a critical step in understanding and ultimately curbing the microplastic menace. The ultimate goal is ensuring the preservation of the Arctic's pristine marine environment for future generations.



The full study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1241829" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers of Science</a>.



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What is driving the surge of microplastics found in the Arctic?

The intrusion of microplastics, minute but insidious pollutants, is no...

Solar,Panels.,Power,Station.,Blue,Solar,Panels.,Alternative,Source,Of

Scientists suggest that the world has reached a crucial juncture in energy usage patterns, indicating that solar power is poised to become the predominant energy source by the middle of this century. However, the transition is fraught with challenges that need immediate attention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-power-reaches-tipping-point">Solar power reaches tipping point</h2>



The research, collaboratively conducted by teams from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a> and <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University College London</a>, presents compelling evidence that solar photovoltaics (PV) are on track to dominate the global energy mix. This monumental shift, experts argue, is feasible without relying solely on more aggressive climate policies.



Dr. Femke Nijsse of Exeter’s Global Systems Institute underscores the significance of this shift. She stated, “The recent progress of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-worlds-renewable-energy-capacity-will-take-a-record-leap-this-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">renewables</a> means that fossil fuel-dominated projections are no longer realistic. We have avoided the ‘business as usual’ scenario for the power sector."



The study's confidence in solar energy stems from an innovative model that captures the dynamic relationship between technology deployment and cost reductions, recognizing the virtuous cycle propelling the rapid growth of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/growing-crops-at-solar-farms-increases-panel-efficiency/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar</a> power.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overcoming-solar-power-transition-barriers">Overcoming solar power transition barriers</h2>



Despite this optimistic projection, the transition to a solar-powered future is not without its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bat-activity-is-significantly-lower-at-solar-farm-sites/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">obstacles</a>. Researchers pinpoint four primary barriers that could impede progress.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ensuring-grid-resilience">Ensuring grid resilience</h3>



A pivotal aspect of this transition is the need for electricity grids to adapt to the variable nature of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-harness-plant-energy-to-improve-solar-panels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar</a> power generation. Dr. Nijsse warns of the risks of over-reliance on fossil fuels if these variances aren't managed effectively. 



Strategies for resilience could include diversified renewable energy sources, interconnected regional grids, substantial electricity storage, and demand management policies. Early-stage government subsidies and funding are crucial for these infrastructural shifts.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-access-to-solar-energy-finance">Access to solar energy finance</h3>



The global disparity in low-carbon finance availability presents a formidable challenge. Currently, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-net-zero-world-will-require-75-trillion-of-investment-and-1-billion-electric-cars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">investments</a> are heavily skewed towards high-income countries, with middle-income nations marginally benefiting at the international level. The study highlights an acute deficiency in financing for solar projects in lower-income countries, especially in Africa, despite their immense potential.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-supply-chains">Expanding supply chains</h3>



The research draws attention to the increased demand for critical minerals essential for a solar-intensive future. The burgeoning need for materials like lithium and copper, pivotal for electrification and battery technologies, suggests a future where renewable technologies will drive substantial portions of global mineral demand. This surge underscores the urgency for robust and sustainable supply chains.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-navigating-political-resistance">Navigating political resistance</h3>



The transition's socio-economic dimensions, particularly the resistance from industries set to decline due to this shift, pose another complex challenge. The potential economic fallout for millions employed within the fossil fuel sector worldwide necessitates comprehensive regional development strategies to address inequities and mitigate industrial opposition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strategies-for-global-decarbonization">Strategies for global decarbonization</h2>



Addressing these barriers requires a concerted global effort, particularly in rethinking financial approaches to support this energy transition. 



Dr. Nadia Ameli from UCL’s Institute for Sustainable Resources emphasizes this point. She said, “There is a growing belief that, with the dramatic decline in the global average cost of renewables, it will be much easier for the developing world to decarbonize. Our study reveals persistent hurdles, especially considering the challenges these nations face in accessing capital under equitable conditions."



The findings underscore the necessity of strategic financial support mechanisms to expedite the decarbonization agenda globally. This approach may be more effective than traditional price instruments like carbon taxes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustainable-transition-policies-needed">Sustainable transition policies needed</h2>



The study culminates in a call to action for policy-makers. By focusing on these four critical areas, governments can accelerate the shift towards a solar-dominated energy landscape. This involves proactive engagement with grid adaptation strategies, equitable financial structures, sustainable resource management, and socio-political considerations.



As the world teeters on the brink of significant energy paradigm shifts, the actions taken now will determine whether the transition to solar energy contributes to a resilient and sustainable future. The research by the University of Exeter and University College London offers not just a roadmap but also a warning: the path to harnessing the sun's power is not without its shadows.



The paper, published in the journal Nature Communications, is entitled: <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-41971-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“The momentum of solar energy.”</a>



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Solar power has won the prize to become Earth’s main source of energy

Scientists suggest that the world has reached a crucial juncture...

Little,Fat,Pug,Sitting,On,Sidewalk,In,Summer,Park.

As the global veterinary community grapples with the rising epidemic of obesity in domestic animals, particularly dogs, a new study spearheads the exploration of how factors like sterilization influence this health concern. 



The research underscores a nuanced pattern linking obesity rates in sterilized dogs with their breed sizes, unveiling complex health implications that pet owners, veterinarians, and researchers must understand.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sterilization-a-double-edged-sword">Sterilization: A double-edged sword</h2>



Sterilization, a standard practice for controlling the pet population and reducing unwanted births, sees its application in an estimated 70-80% of dogs in the United States. 



Valerie Benka, a leading figure in the study and Program Director at the <a href="https://www.acc-d.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alliance for Contraception in Cats &amp; Dogs</a>, emphasizes the procedure's benefits. However, she also flags the necessity to investigate its broader health and behavioral impacts. Her cautious tone is primarily due to the alarming obesity trends among domestic dogs globally.



“Obesity complicates a dog’s health matrix, affecting their comfort, mobility, and overall lifespan while predisposing them to additional health issues,” Benka explains, spotlighting the urgency of addressing this multifaceted problem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-obesity-risk-size-matters">Dog obesity risk: Size matters</h2>



The surprising aspect of the study is the revelation that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overweight-dogs-shorter-lifespans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">obesity</a> risk post-sterilization is not uniform across all dogs -- it notably fluctuates based on the dog's body size. Small breeds are most vulnerable, whereas giant breeds seem somewhat shielded from this concern. 



Intriguingly, certain large breeds, including popular ones such as Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, and golden retrievers, parallel small dogs in their heightened obesity rates post-neutering.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timing-is-everything">Timing is everything</h2>



Another pivotal discovery is the timing of sterilization. The research denotes a safer window around one year of age, within which the procedure could mitigate the risk of subsequent obesity. 



Yet, this timeframe is not a one-size-fits-all solution -- it notably shifts with breed sizes. Early sterilization at just three or six months elevates obesity risk. This is especially true in large breeds, marking a critical consideration for pet healthcare decisions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gender-assumptions-and-dog-obesity">Gender assumptions and dog obesity</h2>



Challenging widely held beliefs, the study finds that gender plays a unique role in post-sterilization obesity risks. Male dogs, when variables like breed, size, and sterilization age are constant, are more prone to obesity compared to their female counterparts. This insight not only defies common assumptions but also invites a more in-depth consideration of biological and behavioral factors at play.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leveraging-unprecedented-data-scope">Leveraging unprecedented data scope</h2>



What sets this study apart is its extensive and representative dataset, encompassing over 155,000 dog records from <a href="https://www.banfield.com/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Banfield Pet Hospital</a> clinics. The <a href="https://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Morris Animal Foundation</a>, a key contributor to this research, enabled the analysis of not just purebreds but also mixed breeds, offering a panoramic view of the canine demographic.



“Our collaboration with the Morris Animal Foundation significantly enhanced our research scope and depth, allowing us to navigate through a more extensive data pool and draw comprehensive insights,” Benka remarks, appreciating the Foundation's substantial support for this innovative project.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-the-research-horizon">Expanding the research horizon</h2>



With these findings providing a new understanding, Benka and her team are setting their sights on further research dimensions. Their forthcoming publication intends to delve deeper into specific breed outcomes and probe the intricate relationship between sterilization, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-diet-rich-in-fiber-and-protein-can-help-overweight-dogs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">obesity</a>, and cranial cruciate ligament injuries, a common canine health issue.



“This study is a stepping stone towards a broader narrative in canine health, and our future endeavors aim to unravel more layers of this narrative,” Benka asserts, signifying the ongoing commitment to enhancing life quality for man's best friend.



In summary, this important research recalibrates existing knowledge about canine sterilization and obesity. It calls for the veterinary community, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overweight-people-dogs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pet owners</a>, and researchers to engage in a more nuanced dialogue, considering breed-specific guidelines and personalized healthcare strategies for our beloved canine companions.



This full study was published in the <a href="https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/261/9/javma.22.12.0596.xml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association</a>.



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Surprising new insights into link between dog sterilization and obesity

As the global veterinary community grapples with the rising epidemic...

A <a href="https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-releases/2023/october/penn-study-finds-serotonin-reduction-causes-long-covid-symptoms" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> from the Perelman School of Medicine at the <a href="https://www.upenn.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Pennsylvania</a> has brought to light new information regarding long COVID, a condition that leaves patients with lingering symptoms such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-19-may-have-long-term-effects-on-the-brain/">brain fog</a>, fatigue, and memory loss after recovering from a COVID-19 infection.&nbsp;



This research, published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(23)01034-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell</a>, reveals that a decrease in circulating levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin might be a key factor contributing to these prolonged symptoms.



According to the CDC, almost 20% of American adults who were infected with COVID-19 report symptoms consistent with long COVID.&nbsp;



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



Symptoms commonly reported include brain fog, difficulty focusing, memory lapses, general fatigue, and headaches. The exact mechanisms behind long COVID remain largely unknown, and effective treatments are yet to be identified.



“Many aspects of the basic biology underlying long COVID have remained unclear. As a result, we are lacking effective tools for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease,” said study senior author Dr. Maayan Levy.&nbsp;



“Our findings may not only help to untangle some of the mechanisms that contribute to long COVID, but also provide us with biomarkers that can help clinicians diagnose patients and objectively measure their response to individual treatments.”



In collaboration with various departments, the research team studied the impact of long COVID on blood and stool samples from clinical studies and small animal models.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-findings-nbsp">Key findings&nbsp;</h2>



A subset of long COVID patients still had traces of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in their stool samples months after the acute phase of the infection.



The lingering virus, known as a "viral reservoir," prompts the immune system to produce interferons, proteins that combat the virus. This results in inflammation that diminishes the absorption of the amino acid tryptophan in the GI tract.



Tryptophan plays a crucial role as it's a precursor for neurotransmitters, including serotonin. This neurotransmitter is mainly produced in the GI tract and mediates various functions like memory, sleep, digestion, and wound healing.&nbsp;



Furthermore, serotonin regulates the vagus nerve, which bridges the communication between the body and the brain. The study found that the depletion of serotonin due to diminished tryptophan absorption can lead to disrupted vagus nerve signaling, resulting in symptoms consistent with long COVID.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-treatments-nbsp">Potential treatments&nbsp;</h2>



The research further examined the potential treatment avenues for long COVID. “Clinicians treating patients with long COVID have been relying on personal reports from those patients to determine if their symptoms are improving," explained co-senior author Dr. Sara Cherry.



"Now, our research shows that there are biomarkers we may be able to use to match patients to treatments or clinical trials that address the specific causes of their long COVID symptoms, and more effectively assess their progress."



The team tested if replenishing tryptophan or serotonin could alleviate long COVID symptoms. In small animal models, they found that treatment with serotonin precursors or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) restored serotonin levels and reversed memory impairment.



“There has been some evidence to suggest that SSRIs could be effective in preventing long COVID, and our research now presents an opportunity for future studies to select specific patients for a trial who exhibit depleted serotonin, and to be able to measure response to treatment,” said co-senior author Dr. Benjamin Abramoff.



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



The research suggests that further exploration into how viral infections influence tryptophan absorption could unlock more answers, especially since tryptophan is integral to other processes, such as the production of niacin and melatonin.



“Long COVID varies from patient to patient, and we don’t fully understand what causes the differences in symptoms,” said co-senior author Dr. Christoph Thaiss.&nbsp;



“Our study provides a unique opportunity for further research to determine how many individuals with long COVID are affected by the pathway linking viral persistence, serotonin deficiency, and dysfunction of the vagus nerve and to uncover additional targets for treatments across the different symptoms patients experience.”



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What causes long Covid? Penn Medicine study solves the mystery

A study from the Perelman School of Medicine at the...

Adult,Shetland,Sheepdog,Seen,From,Above,Looking,Up,With,On

In an insightful delve into canine behavior, researchers from the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Florida</a> have revealed that the way to a dog's heart might indeed be through its stomach with food rather than enticing them with toys. The study, a pioneer in examining dogs' preferences in rewards, brings new insights that could significantly impact methods of dog training and interaction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-canine-behavior">Studying canine behavior</h2>



Under the guidance of Nicole Dorey, a lecturer at the UF Department of Psychology, and her team, the study embarked on uncharted territory by investigating whether <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-dog-day-celebrating-all-the-ways-that-dogs-make-life-better/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a> have a stronger inclination towards food or toys. The revelation was startling but clear: a staggering majority of dogs involved in the study exhibited a preference for food over their favorite toys, even within a training simulation context.



Dorey expressed surprise at these findings, acknowledging that prior to this, there had been no significant look into how dogs evaluate toys versus food as rewards. The study's innovative approach sheds light on a crucial aspect of understanding canine motivation and behavior.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-or-toys-dogs-given-a-choice">Food or toys: Dogs given a choice</h2>



The study was meticulously structured to ensure a fair assessment of the dogs' choices. Researchers enlisted 10 pet <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/typical-american-dog-knows-18-words-and-love-is-at-the-top-of-the-list/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a> from the local vicinity, presenting them with an array of six food items and six toys. The variety ensured a wide representation of commonly used treats and toys, ranging from cheese and hot dogs to tennis balls and squeaky toys.



Following the initial selection phase where dogs identified their <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/can-dogs-eat-bananas-and-other-fruits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">favorite food</a> and toy, the experiment escalated, requiring the dogs to exert more effort to receive their reward. The response was telling, as most participants demonstrated a quicker surrender when striving for toys compared to treats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-human-interaction">Role of human interaction</h2>



While the study offers substantial evidence highlighting food as a primary motivator, it also recognizes the potential complexity of canine preference. Other research in the field has suggested that human attention might rival food in its value to dogs.



Dorey recommends an expanded approach for future research, incorporating attention, food, and toys to obtain a more holistic view of what drives dogs, especially in training scenarios. This comprehensive perspective could revolutionize training methodologies and improve human-canine relationships.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-food-when-training-dogs">Using food when training dogs</h2>



The findings challenge some conventional dog training techniques, where toys are often advocated as rewards to circumvent issues like overfeeding. Dorey and her team suggest that if trainers prefer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/playfulness-is-a-key-personality-trait-of-gifted-dogs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">using toys</a>, these should not be in direct competition with food rewards.



Drawing parallels with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mischievous-dogs-experts-reveal-the-top-ten-naughtiest-breeds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">training protocols</a> for search and rescue dogs, Dorey mentions that starting early with toys as a form of positive reinforcement can indeed be effective. This adaptation requires a strategic approach, ensuring that the dog’s motivation is correctly aligned with the reward system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-continued-research">Continued research</h2>



The significant contributions of undergraduate students, notably Xenabeth Lazaro and John Winter, were instrumental in the study's success, demonstrating the value of academic collaboration and student involvement in research. Expertise from other esteemed institutions, including the <a href="https://www.fit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Institute of Technology</a> and <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins University</a>, further enriched the research.



This study marks a critical step forward in behavioral psychology concerning domestic pets. It invites further exploration while providing current dog owners and trainers with profound insights into more effective training and stronger bonding strategies. As our understanding of canine preferences evolves, it paves the way for enhanced welfare and happiness for our four-legged companions.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/19/3073" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Animals</a>.



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Do dogs prefer food or toys? Scientists conducted a study to find out

In an insightful delve into canine behavior, researchers from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features 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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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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 



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.

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



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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...