This,Man-made,Vehicle,Reached,A,Record,Speed,Of,635,Thousand

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is set to achieve its most dangerous feat yet tomorrow, December 24, 2024. After a six-year journey of spiraling closer to the star at the heart of our solar system, the spacecraft is expected to come within 3.8 million miles of the Sun’s surface. 



This tiny distance in cosmic terms lets scientists capture a new type of information, revealing secrets about solar winds, extreme heat, and magnetic fields.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-probe-on-the-sun-s-doorstep">Solar probe on the Sun's doorstep</h2>



Engineers have spent years carefully adjusting <a href="https://blogs.nasa.gov/parkersolarprobe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parker’s flight path</a> using multiple Venus gravity assists. These flybys reshape the spacecraft’s orbit and tighten its looping path around the Sun. “This is one example of NASA’s bold missions, doing something that no one else has ever done before to answer longstanding questions about our universe,” explained <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/people/dr-arik-posner/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arik Posner</a>, Parker Solar Probe program scientist at NASA Headquarters, describing this mission’s significance.



Ever since the launch in 2018, Parker’s main goal has been to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona. Tomorrow’s approach, often called <a href="https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/glossary/perihelion.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">perihelion</a>, marks a new milestone in that quest. The probe moves at speeds around 430,000 miles per hour, faster than any other spacecraft. At such high velocity, it can swing around our star without getting swallowed. Even so, mission managers won’t receive immediate updates once Parker hits its closest point because signals cannot travel through the intense solar environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-heat-and-lasting-protection">Extreme heat and lasting protection</h2>



What sets Parker apart is its resilient heat shield. This 4.5-inch-thick carbon-composite barrier enables the spacecraft’s instruments to continue functioning in an environment where temperatures can reach roughly 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite the harsh surroundings, the precious science instruments remain near room temperature, thanks to expert engineering by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (<a href="https://parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">APL</a>).



During every close approach, Parker is pelted by gusts of solar wind and bathed in radiation. Still, it keeps sending back readings about magnetic fields, <a href="https://www.plasmacoalition.org/plasma_writeups/solar_plasmas.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plasma</a> behavior, and energetic <a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/solar-radiation-storm#:~:text=Solar%20radiation%20storms%20occur%20when,of%20the%20speed%20of%20light." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particles</a>. The probe’s data illuminates reasons behind the corona’s blazing heat, which can climb into the millions of degrees, significantly hotter than the visible surface of the Sun. Such puzzling behavior has fascinated scientists for decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chasing-the-solar-wind-s-origins">Chasing the solar wind’s origins</h2>



Solar wind, a stream of charged particles flowing away from the Sun at speeds topping one million miles per hour, plays a major role in <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/sun/what-is-the-solar-wind/">space weather</a>. 



By skimming through the corona, Parker records fresh evidence of how these particles speed up and scatter across the solar system. The answers may help experts forecast disturbances that affect satellites and astronaut safety. Surges of these charged particles can disable communication systems or even disrupt power grids on Earth.



For researchers, big questions remain. How does the <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/sun/what-is-the-solar-wind/">solar wind</a> pick up its pace so dramatically? Is there a specific region in the corona that triggers bursts of fast-moving particles? 



Parker’s measurements bring us closer to unraveling these mysteries. Officials at NASA say that by tomorrow’s approach, new layers of data will help them see patterns not possible to detect from a greater distance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-probe-and-the-sun-s-active-cycle">Solar probe and the Sun's active cycle</h2>



The Sun moves through an 11-year activity cycle. Right now, it is in an active phase, meaning increased sunspots, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secondary-peak-extreme-geomagnetic-solar-storm-expected-today/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar flares</a>, and <a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/coronal-mass-ejections" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coronal mass ejections</a>. 



Researchers are tracking not only Parker’s journey but also the Sun’s changing patterns. Sometimes these outbursts interact with Earth’s magnetosphere and spark colorful auroras, even in places unused to such displays. And although most solar weather events are harmless for life on Earth, severe storms can interfere with GPS systems or satellites.



This is why Parker’s findings are so relevant. Gaining a better understanding of how energetic solar events begin could lead to timelier warnings, giving operators on Earth a heads-up to power down sensitive instruments or adjust satellite orbits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paying-tribute-to-eugene-parker">Paying tribute to Eugene Parker</h2>



In 2017, NASA renamed the probe after <a href="https://news.uchicago.edu/story/eugene-parker-legendary-figure-solar-science-and-namesake-parker-solar-probe-1927-2022">Dr. Eugene N. Parker</a>, the first person to predict the solar wind in the 1950s. He introduced key ideas about how stars interact with their surroundings. The mission’s name honors his influential work. Dr. Parker passed away in 2022, but his legacy continues. 



The data this spacecraft is sending back not only expands knowledge of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tracing-solar-wind-directly-to-its-source-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar physics</a> but also shows how correct Dr. Parker’s early theories were.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-record-setting-solar-probe-flyby">Record-setting Solar Probe flyby</h2>



Mission operations expect Parker to reach perihelion at 6:53 a.m. EST on December 24. 



At that time, the spacecraft will run autonomously, and engineers at APL will wait until December 27 for a beacon tone confirming a safe passage around the Sun. “No human-made object has ever passed this close to a star, so Parker will truly be returning data from uncharted territory. We’re excited to hear back from the spacecraft when it swings back around the Sun,” explained <a href="https://parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu/News-Center/Show-Article.php?articleID=205" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nick Pinkine</a>, Parker Solar Probe mission operations manager. 



When that update arrives, scientists will study Parker’s recent measurements to identify potential clues about solar wind origins and coronal heating. Each orbit is another chance to witness the scorching conditions near our star. At the same time, the probe helps refine predictions about solar eruptions that might drive future storms toward Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



Beyond the scientific breakthroughs, Parker’s success can have practical benefits for technology we rely on every day. Our society depends on GPS signals and stable power systems, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/team-creates-video-showing-the-sun-in-gamma-rays-over-a-14-year-period/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">major solar events</a> can disrupt both. By learning how to anticipate strong solar winds or flares, experts might one day keep satellites out of harm’s way or shield power grids from unexpected surges.



Tomorrow’s close approach continues a streak of remarkable achievements for NASA. As Parker zips through the corona, it gathers observations that no other mission could obtain. The craft appears ready for another sizzling pass, thanks to the robust thermal design and careful planning. 



Whether it’s helping forecast solar tempers or refining our knowledge of basic astrophysical processes, Parker remains on track to change the way we see the Sun.



Learn more about <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/parker-solar-probe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA's Parker Solar Probe here...</a>



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Spacecraft flew through the Sun's atmosphere today for the first time ever

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is set to achieve its most dangerous feat yet tomorrow, December 24, 2024. After a six-year journey of spiraling closer to the star at the heart of our solar system, the spacecraft is expected to come within 3.8 million miles of the Sun’s surface. This tiny distance in cosmic terms lets scientists capture a new type of information, revealing secrets about solar winds, extreme heat, and magnetic fields. Solar probe on the Sun's doorstep Engineers have spent years carefully adjusting Parker’s flight path...

Scientists at the <a href="https://www.unil.ch/central/en/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Lausanne</a>'s Department of Fundamental Microbiology (DMF) in Dorigny, led by Professor Philipp Engel, have embarked on an intriguing study using western honey <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/clues-to-bee-health-found-in-their-gut-microbiome/">bees</a> (Apis mellifera) to answer a fundamental question about gut microbiota: Do hosts provide essential nutrients to their native bacteria, enabling colonization? 



The research, published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41564-023-01572-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Microbiology</a> on January 15, 2024, uncovers fascinating insights into the symbiotic relationship between bees and their gut bacteria.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simple-microbiome-nbsp">Simple microbiome&nbsp;</h2>



The bee, known for producing honey, presents a simpler system for studying gut microbiota compared to humans, with a microbiome consisting of only about twenty bacterial species.&nbsp;



In the Engel group’s laboratory, bees are raised without gut bacteria and then introduced to specific bacterial species to colonize their gut.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-snodgrassella-alvi">Snodgrassella alvi</h2>



In their study, Dr. Andrew Quinn and PhD candidate Yassine El Chazli investigated how gut bacteria fare when bees are fed only sugar water, lacking other nutrients. They focused on a particular bacterium, Snodgrassella alvi, which can't metabolize sugar yet still colonized the bee gut under these conditions.



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



Proving the hypothesis that bees directly provide essential nutrients to S. alvi was challenging. Collaborating with Professor Anders Meibom's team, experts in NanoSIMS (Nanoscale Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry) technology, they conducted an experiment using glucose with 13C isotopes.&nbsp;



The bees were then colonized with S. alvi, and the fixed guts were examined using electron microscopy and NanoSIMS. This process allowed them to create a 2D image showing that S. alvi cells were enriched in 13C, indicating the bees were synthesizing food for their gut bacteria.



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



This research highlights a complex metabolic synergy between bees and their gut microbiota, which could be crucial in understanding bees' vulnerability to climate change, pesticides, or new pathogens. For instance, exposure to glyphosate has been shown to make bees more susceptible to pathogens and reduce S. alvi abundance in the gut.



"This is a wonderful example of cutting-edge, truly interdisciplinary scientific collaboration," said Meibom. "When we work together in this way, there are not many academic environments in the world that have more to offer."



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



Dr. Quinn, co-lead author of the study, suggests that this approach could extend to other gut microorganisms, potentially feeding on compounds derived from their hosts. He further speculates that these findings might explain the specialized and conserved nature of bees’ gut microbiota. The team's research sheds light on the potential impact of environmental stressors on the delicate balance between bees and their gut bacteria, which may contribute to their increasing vulnerability.



Thus, the study represents a significant advancement in understanding the complex interactions within gut microbiota ecosystems. It opens new avenues for research into how similar mechanisms operate in other species, including humans, and how these interactions affect the overall health and resilience of the host organisms.



This groundbreaking research not only deepens our understanding of the symbiotic relationships in nature but also underscores the importance of preserving these delicate ecosystems amidst growing environmental challenges. The insights gained from this study could lead to more effective strategies for protecting bee populations, which are crucial for biodiversity and agricultural productivity worldwide.



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Bees synthesize nutrients to nourish their gut microbiota

Scientists at the University of Lausanne's Department of Fundamental Microbiology...

"Dark energy" is ripping the universe apart, but we aren't exactly sure how

For the past quarter of a century, scientists have been...

Cute,Girl,Eating,Spinach,And,Broccoli,At,The,Table.,Child

Humans are inherently social creatures, often learning and drawing conclusions from observing others. This is particularly true in the realm of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-will-eat-more-vegetables-if-they-see-adults-enjoy-them/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eating habits</a> and food preferences. 



A concept known as social modeling plays a crucial role in shaping our dietary choices, where we often look to others as benchmarks for what and how much to eat. But how deep does this influence go?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-facial-expressions-and-food-preferences">Facial expressions and food preferences</h2>



A recent UK study delved into this question, examining the impact of observing facial expressions on food preferences, specifically regarding raw <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-confirms-that-broccoli-is-a-superfood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">broccoli</a>. 



Dr. Katie Edwards from <a href="https://www.aston.ac.uk/hls/school-of-psychology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aston University School of Psychology</a>, the study's lead author, emphasized the findings in the journal Frontiers in Psychology. 



“We show that watching others eating a raw vegetable with a negative facial expression reduces adult women’s liking of that vegetable, but not their desire to eat it,”  Edwards explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-negative-vs-positive-facial-expressions">Negative vs. positive facial expressions</h2>



Involving over 200 young women, the study showed participants videos of various adults consuming raw <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/broccoli-sprouts-have-more-nutritional-value-than-mature-broccoli/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">broccoli</a> with varying facial expressions -- positive, neutral, and negative. 



This focus on women was due to potential gender differences in how eating behaviors are modeled. The findings were somewhat surprising: negative expressions significantly lowered the vegetable's liking, but positive expressions didn't enhance it.



“Watching others eating a raw <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-carrots-and-colorful-veggies-really-can-improve-your-eyesight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vegetable</a> with a positive facial expression did not increase adults’ vegetable liking or eating desire.”



Edwards offered potential reasons for this. Avoidance of foods shown with disgust could be a natural defense against harmful or unpalatable foods. 



“This might imply that watching someone eating a raw vegetable with positive facial expressions does not seem an effective strategy for increasing adults’ vegetable consumption,” said Edwards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-implications-for-food-preferences">Future implications for food preferences</h2>



This study highlights the complexity of the relationship between apparent enjoyment and actual food preferences. 



While the focus was on adult reactions, these insights might <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/picky-eating-habits-in-childhood-have-lingering-effects-in-adulthood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extend to children</a>, who are generally more hesitant to try vegetables. 



“For example, if a child sees their parent showing disgust whilst eating vegetables, this could have negative consequences on children’s vegetable acceptance,” Edwards pointed out.



A unique aspect of this study was the use of video clips instead of live demonstrations or static images, providing a more realistic view of dynamic facial reactions. 



However, Edwards notes that future research should explore the effects of witnessing live eating experiences and how these findings translate to actual vegetable intake among adults.



“We also need more research to see whether the findings from this study translate to adults’ actual intake of vegetables,” Edwards concluded.



In summary, while we understand the powerful role of social modeling in shaping eating behaviors, much remains to be discovered about the nuances of this influence, especially in live settings and across different age groups.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1252369/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Psychology</a>.



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Why do so many kids dislike vegetables? A new study found out

Humans are inherently social creatures, often learning and drawing conclusions...

While many people harbor fears about sharing incriminating secrets with others, a new study from the <a href="https://www.utexas.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Texas at Austin</a> suggests that these fears are unfounded.



Researchers in the McCombs School of Business set out to investigate the dynamics of revealing negative personal information, both in personal and professional settings.



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



The experts found a significant discrepancy between individuals' fears and the actual response they receive upon sharing a secret. Contrary to expectations, the confidants exhibited a more charitable response than anticipated.



“When we’re thinking about conveying negative information about ourselves, we’re focused on the content of the message,” said study co-author Amit Kumar, assistant professor of marketing at Texas McCombs. “But the recipients are thinking about the positive traits required to reveal this secret, such as trust, honesty, and vulnerability.”



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



The experiments revealed a consistent trend where participants expected harsher judgments than what they actually received upon revealing a dark secret.



"Keeping negative interpersonal secrets can diminish well-being, yet people nevertheless keep negative information secret from friends, family, and loved ones to protect their own reputations," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"Twelve experiments suggest these reputational concerns are systematically miscalibrated, creating a misplaced barrier to honesty in relationships."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-honesty-and-trustworthiness-nbsp">Honesty and trustworthiness&nbsp;</h2>



The decision to conceal or reveal information is largely influenced by the expectations of others' judgments. However, the study showed that revealing secrets often led to higher ratings of honesty and trustworthiness.



The consistency of miscalibrated expectations persisted across different types of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/for-men-relationship-satisfaction-can-prevent-workplace-burnout/">relationships</a>, including strangers and close family members.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychological-relief-nbsp">Psychological relief&nbsp;</h2>



The participants' fears were amplified with the severity of the secrets, but the team found that even for darker secrets, the impact was overestimated.



“The magnitude of what you’re revealing can impact people’s evaluations, but it also impacts your expectations of those evaluations,” said Professor Kumar.



The research indicates that honesty not only improves perceptions among others but also provides psychological relief to the individual.



"Overestimating the reputational costs of disclosing negative information might leave people carrying a heavier burden of secrecy than would be optimal for their own well-being," wrote the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-workplace-interactions-nbsp">Workplace interactions&nbsp;</h2>



“There’s a psychological burden associated with secrecy,” said Professor Kumar. “If we can alter people’s expectations to make them more in line with reality, they might be more transparent in their relationships.”



Although none of the experiments were conducted in business settings, Professor Kumar noted that the lessons can be applied there.



“Any comprehensive understanding of how to navigate the workplace includes a better understanding of how people think, feel, and behave,” said Professor Kumar. “When workplace transgressions arise, people could be wise to consider that they also reveal warmth, trust, and honesty when they are open and transparent about revealing negative information.”



The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000441" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Personality and Social Psychology</a>.



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Sharing dark secrets can build trust in relationships

While many people harbor fears about sharing incriminating secrets with...

Researchers from the <a href="https://illinois.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign</a> have identified a significant association between the use of acetaminophen during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pregnancy-brain-how-neurons-get-rewired-to-prepare-for-motherhood/">pregnancy</a> and language delays in children.&nbsp;



Acetaminophen, widely recognized as the safest over-the-counter pain reliever and fever reducer for pregnant women, is used by 50 to 65 percent of women in North America and Europe. However, this study challenges the idea of its harmlessness during pregnancy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-acetaminophen-and-child-development-nbsp">Acetaminophen and child development&nbsp;</h2>



Megan Woodbury, who is now a postdoctoral researcher at Northeastern University, led the study with Professor Emerita Susan Schantz as part of the Illinois Kids Development Study (IKIDS). The goal of IKIDS is to explore how environmental exposures during pregnancy affect child development.



Compared to previous research, the team used a different approach. “The previous studies had only asked pregnant people at most once a trimester about their acetaminophen use,” said Woodbury. “But with IKIDS, we talked to our participants every four to six weeks during pregnancy and then within 24 hours of the kid’s birth, so we had six time points during pregnancy.”



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



The researchers focused on 298 children, who were monitored prenatally and then assessed at the ages of two and three. At these ages, children undergo a period known as "word explosion," making it an ideal time to evaluate language development.



The team utilized the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories for assessing 2-year-olds. This involved parents reporting on their child's vocabulary, language complexity, and the average length of their longest utterances. At age three, parents compared their child's language skills to their peers.



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



Significantly, the research linked increased acetaminophen use, especially during the third trimester, to modest but meaningful delays in early language development.&nbsp;



“We found that increased use of acetaminophen – especially during the third trimester – was associated with smaller vocabulary scores and shorter ‘mean length of utterance’ at two years,” said Woodbury.



“At age three, greater acetaminophen use during the third trimester was related to parents ranking their kids as lower than their peers on their language abilities,” said Schantz. “That outcome was seen primarily in male children.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-new-insight-nbsp">Critical new insight&nbsp;</h2>



One of the study's most striking findings is that each instance of acetaminophen use in the third trimester was linked to an almost two-word reduction in the vocabulary of 2-year-olds.&nbsp;



“This suggests that if a pregnant person took acetaminophen 13 times – or once per week – during the third trimester of that pregnancy, their child might express 26 fewer words at age 2 than other children that age,” said Woodbury.



Shantz noted that fetal brain development occurs throughout pregnancy, but the second and third trimesters are especially critical times.&nbsp;



“Hearing is developing in the second trimester, but language development is already starting in the third trimester before the baby is even born," said Shantz.



“It’s thought that acetaminophen exerts its analgesic effect through the endocannabinoid system, which is also very important for fetal development,” said Woodbury.



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



While the findings are significant, the researchers caution against alarm and emphasize the need for further, larger studies. They advise that acetaminophen should not be avoided for managing serious pain and fever during pregnancy, as conditions like high fever can be harmful.&nbsp;



“There aren’t other options for people to take when they really need them,” said Schantz. “But perhaps people should use more caution when turning to the drug to treat minor aches and pains.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41390-023-02924-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pediatric Research</a>.&nbsp;



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Acetaminophen use during pregnancy linked to language delays in children

Researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have identified a...

Scientists from the <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of New South Wales</a> (UNSW) Sydney have developed a comprehensive plan to cool off one of the world’s hottest cities. The researchers outlined a strategy to lower the temperature of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by as much as 4.5°C. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-extreme-heat-nbsp">Reducing extreme heat&nbsp;</h2>



In collaboration with the Royal Commission of Riyadh, the experts present a multi-faceted approach combining "super cool" building materials, expanded green spaces, and energy-efficient retrofitting to tackle extreme urban heat.



The study was led by Professor Mattheos Santamouris, who is renowned for his work in developing strategies to reduce urban heat. The research is especially relevant as over 450 cities struggle with extreme heat, exacerbating energy consumption and posing severe health risks.



“The project demonstrates the tremendous impact advanced heat mitigation technologies and techniques can have to reduce urban overheating, decrease cooling needs, and improve lives,” said Professor Santamouris.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-heat-island-nbsp">Urban heat island&nbsp;</h2>



Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, is a prime example of an urban heat island. Encircled by desert, the city often experiences <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-temperatures-linked-to-vision-impairment/">temperatures</a> soaring above 50°C during summer months. 



Contributing factors include limited vegetation, heat-trapping conventional building materials like asphalt and concrete, and additional heat from vehicles and industrial activities. This scenario is further intensified by climate change and rapid urbanization.



The UNSW team conducted extensive simulations in Riyadh's Al Masiaf precinct, analyzing the energy performance of 3,323 urban buildings under eight different heat mitigation scenarios. These scenarios combined various super cool materials, vegetation types, and energy retrofitting levels to identify the most effective strategies for cooling the city and reducing its energy requirements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pinpointing-the-optimal-approach-nbsp">Pinpointing the optimal approach&nbsp;</h2>



The simulations revealed that it's possible to lower outdoor temperatures by nearly 4.5°C during summer months, while also conserving up to 16% in cooling energy. The optimal approach for Riyadh includes the implementation of super cool materials on building roofs and more than doubling the number of irrigated trees to enhance transpiration cooling.



The study warns against the indiscriminate application of urban cooling techniques without detailed scientific optimization. For instance, using non-irrigated greenery could inadvertently increase the city's temperature.



“By implementing the right combination of advanced heat mitigation technologies and techniques, it is possible to decrease the ambient temperature at the precinct scale,” said Professor Santamouris. “For a sweltering city the size of Riyadh, significantly reducing cooling needs is also tremendous for sustainability.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-far-reaching-benefits-nbsp">Far-reaching benefits&nbsp;</h2>



Professor Santamouris noted that lowering the temperature of the city will help increase thermal comfort for people as well as reduce health issues from severe heat, decrease the concentration of pollutants, and improve human productivity.



Although not directly addressed in this study, previous research indicates that such cooling strategies can also reduce heat-related mortality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-energy-impact">Energy impact</h2>



The researchers examined the energy impact of retrofitting all 3,323 buildings in the precinct, in conjunction with the proposed urban-scale heat mitigation technologies.&nbsp;



By optimally combining cooling technologies with retrofitting measures – like better windows, insulation, and cool roofs – the cooling demand could be slashed by up to 35 percent.&nbsp;



“This represents a substantial reduction to the energy needs for Riyadh that would help further reduce costs associated with cooling for the city while improving the quality of life for the local population,” said Professor Santamouris.



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



The researchers now hope to work with the Royal Commission of Riyadh to begin implementing their heat mitigation plan, which will be the largest of its kind in the world.



“Once implemented at the city scale, these advanced heat mitigation technologies will deliver important health, sustainability and economic outcomes for the city for years to come,” said Professor Santamouris.&nbsp;



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s44284-023-00005-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Cities</a>. 



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Tackling urban heat: Experts plan to cool a desert city by 4.5°C

Scientists from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney...

Southern,Elephant,Seal,And,King,Penguins,In,South,Georgia,Island

New research from the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado Boulder</a> has unveiled alarming projections for acidity levels of Antarctic coastal waters.



By the century's end, the acidity in these waters could surge by over 100% compared to the 1990s, posing a grave threat to diverse marine life including whales, penguins, and numerous other species in the Southern Ocean.



Nicole Lovenduski, co-author of the study and interim director of CU Boulder’s Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (<a href="https://www.colorado.edu/instaar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">INSTAAR</a>), emphasized the importance of these findings. 



“The findings are critical for our understanding of the future evolution of marine ecosystem health,” she stated. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looming-acidity-crisis-in-antarctic-waters">Looming acidity crisis in Antarctic waters</h2>



The study highlights a worrying trend. The upper 650 feet (200 meters) of the ocean, a critical habitat for many marine organisms, is expected to experience this sharp increase in acidity.



Oceans worldwide act as buffers against climate change by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-carbon-dioxide-sink/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">absorbing</a> nearly 30% of CO2 emissions. However, this comes at a cost. 



Cara Nissen, the paper’s lead author and a research scientist at INSTAAR, pointed out, “Human-caused CO2 emissions are at the heart of ocean acidification,”



Particularly vulnerable is the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-southern-ocean-is-a-critically-important-carbon-sink/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southern Ocean</a> around Antarctica, where colder waters absorb more CO2 and unique ocean currents contribute to already acidic conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-study-was-conducted">How the study was conducted</h2>



Nissen, Lovenduski, and their team used computer models to simulate how the Southern Ocean's seawater might change throughout the 21st century. 



They discovered that without significant emission cuts, acidification would escalate drastically, affecting the entire water column, from surface to seabed.



The team's focus also included Antarctica’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-protected-areas-improve-well-being-in-coastal-communities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine protected areas</a> (MPAs), zones where human activities like fishing are limited to conserve biodiversity. 



Despite these protections, both existing and proposed MPAs in Antarctic waters are likely to suffer significant acidification. 



Under a high-emission scenario, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarcticas-ross-sea-sanctuary-greenlighted/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ross Sea region</a> -- the world's largest MPA -- could witness a 104% rise in water acidity by 2100 compared to the 1990s. Even under a moderate emission scenario, a 43% increase is expected.



Nissen expressed her astonishment at the severity of potential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/preparing-for-ocean-acidification-a-silent-killer-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean acidification</a> in these areas. “It’s surprising to me how severe ocean acidification would be in these coastal waters,” Nissen said. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harm-caused-by-acidic-waters">Harm caused by acidic waters</h2>



Water acidity in Antarctica hamper the growth of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/warmer-water-and-ocean-acidification-harm-important-plankton/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phytoplankton</a>, crucial to the marine food chain, and weaken the shells of organisms like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-high-temperatures-affect-young-sea-snails/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea snails</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-urchins-are-struggling-to-survive-because-they-cant-get-a-grip/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea urchins</a>, which could have cascading effects up to top predators.



The team also examined the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a23a-worlds-largest-iceberg-is-moving-after-30-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weddell Sea</a>, one of the proposed MPAs. Known for its extensive sea ice coverage, which currently shields the region from warming and CO2 absorption, the area is seen as a potential climate change sanctuary. 



“The result shows that establishing the Weddell Sea region as a protected area should have high priority,” Nissen said. 



However, the study indicates that as global warming progresses, melting sea ice will lead to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-icefish-have-developed-alien-like-superpowers-to-survive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">acidification</a> similar to other MPAs, albeit slightly delayed. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reverse-antarctica-water-acidity-is-crucial">Reverse Antarctica water acidity is crucial</h2>



Nissen emphasized the urgency of establishing the Weddell Sea as a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-protected-areas-are-not-immune-to-ocean-heatwaves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protected area</a>.



"This study reminded me that these dynamic Antarctic coastal areas are also themselves capable of rapid change,” Lovenduski said, reflecting on the study's implications.



“As a scientist who typically studies the open ocean, I tend to think of Antarctic coastal areas as a conduit for climate signals to reach the global, deep ocean,"  Lovenduski concluded.



The research concludes with a stark warning: only an aggressive reduction in CO2 emissions can prevent severe <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crabs-are-losing-their-sense-of-smell-and-vanishing-due-to-ocean-acidification/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean acidification</a> in the Southern Ocean. 



“We still have the opportunity to choose our path regarding emissions, but time is running out,” Nissen cautions. 



In summary, this study serves as a critical call to action, underscoring the urgent need for global cooperation in reducing emissions to protect these vital ecosystems.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-44438-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



-----



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-----

Antarctic water acidity levels will soon double, greatly harming marine life

New research from the University of Colorado Boulder has unveiled...

In the realm of crime-solving, from television dramas like "Law and Order" and "CSI" to real-world investigations, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/limb-development-genes-connected-to-fingerprints/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fingerprints</a> have long been the cornerstone for linking suspects to crimes. Now, AI may put an end to fingerprint convictions.



Fingerprinting has its limitations. Particularly challenging is the scenario where a criminal leaves prints from different fingers at separate crime scenes, making it difficult to connect these scenes and often leading investigations to a dead end.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenging-traditional-forensic-beliefs">Challenging traditional forensic beliefs</h2>



Conventional wisdom in forensic science has always held that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brainprints-new-fingerprints/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fingerprints</a> from different fingers of the same individual are distinct and cannot be matched. 



This belief, however, has been fundamentally challenged by a fascinating study led by an unexpected source -- Gabe Guo, a senior undergraduate at <a href="http://engineering.columbia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Columbia Engineering</a> with no prior experience in forensics.



Guo's journey began with a public database from the U.S. government, containing around 60,000 fingerprints. 



By employing an artificial intelligence-based system known as a deep contrastive network, he analyzed these prints in pairs -- some from the same individuals (but different fingers), others from different individuals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-approach-to-fingerprint-analysis">AI approach to fingerprint analysis</h2>



The AI system, enhanced by the team through modifications to a state-of-the-art framework, gradually improved its ability to discern whether seemingly unique fingerprints actually belonged to the same person. 



Astonishingly, the accuracy of the system for single pairs of fingerprints reached 77%. This figure soared when multiple pairs were analyzed, suggesting a potential to revolutionize forensic efficiency by more than tenfold.



This breakthrough didn't come without its initial setbacks. When the team first submitted their findings to a well-established forensics journal, they faced rejection. 



The reviewers, anchored in the belief that every fingerprint is unique, dismissed the possibility of detecting similarities between fingerprints from the same individual.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overcoming-academic-rejection-and-perseverance">Overcoming academic rejection and perseverance</h2>



Undeterred, the team, comprising members from both Columbia Engineering's <a href="http://creativemachineslab.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Creative Machines lab</a> and the <a href="https://www.buffalo.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University at Buffalo</a>, SUNY's Embedded Sensors and Computing lab, persisted. 



They refined their AI system with more data, and despite the forensics community's skepticism, sought a broader audience for their manuscript.



Their perseverance paid off. After an appeal by <a href="https://www.engineering.columbia.edu/faculty/hod-lipson" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hod Lipson</a>, the James and Sally Scapa Professor of Innovation and co-director of the Makerspace Facility at Columbia, emphasizing the importance of their findings, the paper was accepted by Science Advances.



Lipson highlighted the potential of this discovery in solving cold cases and exonerating innocent individuals, although he acknowledged that the system's current accuracy level is not yet sufficient to decisively conclude a case.



“I don’t normally argue editorial decisions, but this finding was too important to ignore,” Lipson said. “If this information tips the balance, then I imagine that cold cases could be revived, and even that innocent people could be acquitted.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovering-new-forensic-markers">Discovering new forensic markers</h2>



The most intriguing aspect of this research was uncovering what new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-forensic-intelligence-tool-will-help-combat-terrorism/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forensic</a> markers the AI used, ones that had eluded experts for decades. 



As Guo revealed, the AI didn't rely on traditional minutiae -- the branchings and endpoints in fingerprint ridges -- but rather on the angles and curvatures of the central swirls and loops in fingerprints.



“The AI was not using ‘minutiae,’ which are the branchings and endpoints in fingerprint ridges – the patterns used in traditional fingerprint comparison,” said Guo, who began the study as a first-year student at Columbia Engineering in 2021. 



“Instead, it was using something else, related to the angles and curvatures of the swirls and loops in the center of the fingerprint.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-this-ai-fingerprint-revelation">Implications of this AI fingerprint revelation</h2>



The implications of this study are vast, extending beyond <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forensic-genealogy-cold-cases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forensics</a>. Aniv Ray, a senior at Columbia Engineering, and Judah Goldfeder, a PhD student, anticipate even <a href="https://youtu.be/s5esfRbBc18" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">more significant results</a> once the AI is trained on a larger dataset. 



“Just imagine how well this will perform once it’s trained on millions, instead of thousands of fingerprints,” said Ray.



The team is also conscious of potential biases in their data and acknowledges the need for further validation across diverse demographics for practical application.



This discovery stands as a testament to the untapped potential of AI in scientific discovery. Lipson notes that AI, even in its simpler forms and with accessible datasets, can uncover insights that have eluded experts for decades. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-ai-in-non-expert-scientific-discovery">Future of AI in non-expert scientific discovery</h2>



Lipson further underscores the democratization of scientific discovery, evidenced by an undergraduate student's ability to challenge long-held beliefs using AI.



“Many people think that AI cannot really make new discoveries–that it just regurgitates knowledge,” Lipson said. 



“But this research is an example of how even a fairly simple AI, given a fairly plain dataset that the research community has had lying around for years, can provide insights that have eluded experts for decades.” 



Lipson added, “Even more exciting is the fact that an undergraduate student, with no background in forensics whatsoever, can use AI to successfully challenge a widely held belief of an entire field. We are about to experience an explosion of AI-led scientific discovery by non-experts, and the expert community, including academia, needs to get ready.”  



In summary, as AI continues to evolve, it presents a new frontier in scientific inquiry, opening doors for non-experts to contribute to groundbreaking discoveries. 



This case serves as a harbinger for an imminent surge in AI-driven scientific breakthroughs, urging the expert community and academia to prepare for a new era of innovation.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adi0329">Science Advances</a>.



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AI proves that human fingerprints are NOT unique, sparking legal conundrum

In the realm of crime-solving, from television dramas like "Law...

Waterfall,Hidden,In,The,Tropical,Jungle

Researchers on Barro Colorado Island in the Panama Canal have unearthed a lost <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mangrove-forest-reveals-ancient-climate-change-effects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mangrove</a> forest, estimated to be over 22 million years old. 



This revelation was made possible through the identification of the fossilized Sonneratioxylon barrocoloradoensis, a mangrove species previously unknown to science.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-find-a-lost-mangrove-forest">How to find a lost mangrove forest</h2>



The study, conducted by experts at the <a href="https://stri.si.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute</a>, utilized radiometric analysis to date the forest and its 121 fossilized wood specimens back to the Aquitanian stage of the Early Miocene. 



During this era, central Panama was a narrow peninsula, bridging North America and separated from South America, with high volcanic activity.



It's this volcanic activity that likely led to the forest's destruction. Analyses of sediment and rock indicate that these trees thrived in river or ocean environments until a volcanic event abruptly buried them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-mangroves">Understanding mangroves</h2>



Intriguingly, the wood anatomy of the newly discovered <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/machine-learning-could-help-save-mangrove-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mangroves</a> bears similarity to a type found in Southeast Asia. 



The researchers named this species after its discovery site, Barro Colorado Island, and estimate that these trees reached heights of up to 82 feet.



The tallest specimens measured beyond 131 feet, surpassing the height of contemporary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/restoring-mangroves-could-help-countries-meet-their-climate-goals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mangrove</a> forests.



The authors note, "The fossil wood assemblage on Barro Colorado Island likely represents a mangrove forest along the coast of central Panama's volcanic chain."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-lost-mangrove-forest-in-a-tropical-forest">A lost mangrove forest in a tropical forest</h2>



This finding underscores the adaptability of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mangroves-and-coral-reefs-provide-critical-protection-from-storms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mangrove</a> forests, which thrive in tropical and subtropical regions, enduring saltwater environments and fluctuating tides due to their dense, entangled root systems.



Barro Colorado Island's significance extends beyond this discovery. Formed in 1913 during the Panama Canal's construction, this 9-square-mile island is a hub for tropical research, boasting one of the oldest stations globally. 



Known as a "rainforest-covered living laboratory," it offers unparalleled opportunities to study biology, ecology, and animal behavior.



The discovery of the Sonneratioxylon barrocoloradoensis adds a new chapter to Barro Colorado Island's rich history of over a century, and opens a window into the world of ancient forests, highlighting the island's continued importance in the realm of scientific discovery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-barro-colorado-island-a-jewel-of-scientific-discovery">Barro Colorado Island: A jewel of scientific discovery</h2>



As discussed above, Barro Colorado Island, nestled in the heart of the Panama Canal, stands as a testament to the wonders of nature and the advancements of science. 



This 9-square-mile island, formed during the Panama Canal's construction in 1913, has transformed into one of the world's most significant hubs for tropical research.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birth-of-a-research-oasis">Birth of a research oasis</h3>



The creation of Lake Gatun in 1913 gave rise to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solving-the-mystery-of-how-zamias-live-in-the-forest-canopy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barro Colorado Island</a>. This event inadvertently created a unique ecosystem, isolating a section of rainforest that has since become a living laboratory for scientists from around the globe. 



Home to one of the oldest tropical research stations in the world, the island offers an unparalleled environment for the study of biology, ecology, and animal behavior.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hotspot-for-biodiversity">Hotspot for biodiversity</h3>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/in-tropical-forests-lightning-strikes-the-most-resilient-trees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barro Colorado Island</a> boasts an incredible array of biodiversity. Researchers meticulously study its rich flora and fauna, providing insights into the complexities of tropical ecosystems. 



The island serves as a safe haven for numerous species, offering a unique opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lost-mangrove-forests-and-other-discoveries">Lost mangrove forests and other discoveries</h3>



The island has been the site of numerous groundbreaking discoveries, including the recent unearthing of a 22-million-year-old mangrove forest, discussed earlier in this article. 



This discovery involved the fossilized remains of a previously unknown species, Sonneratioxylon barrocoloradoensis. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-education-and-conservation">Education and conservation</h3>



Barro Colorado Island has become a melting pot for scientists from various disciplines and countries, fostering international collaboration. 



The research conducted here transcends borders, contributing significantly to our global understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-trees-use-social-distancing-to-promote-forest-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tropical environments</a> and their conservation.



The island also plays a vital role in education and conservation efforts. By hosting students and researchers, it promotes environmental awareness and encourages the development of conservation strategies. 



The research conducted here has profound implications for understanding and preserving tropical ecosystems worldwide.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glimpse-into-the-future">Glimpse into the future</h3>



As we face increasing environmental challenges, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/woody-vines-amplify-the-effects-of-lightning-in-tropical-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barro Colorado Island</a> stands as a beacon of hope and a source of invaluable information. 



The research here not only helps us understand our planet's past but also guides us in making informed decisions for its future.



In summary, Barro Colorado Island is a cornerstone of scientific discovery, a haven for biodiversity, and a catalyst for future conservation efforts. Its continued study is essential for advancing our understanding of the natural world.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0031018223006247" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology</a>.



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Lasers and AI locate forest that was lost for 22 million years

Researchers on Barro Colorado Island in the Panama Canal have...

A recent study has revealed alarming findings regarding the treatment of patients with broken heart syndrome, also known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy.&nbsp;



This condition, which is often triggered by extreme <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/managing-negative-emotions-may-prevent-dementia/">emotional distress</a>, has been shown to have a higher mortality rate than previously understood, with current treatments proving to be ineffective.



The study was conducted by a team of experts led by Professor Dana Dawson from the <a href="https://www.abdn.ac.uk/">University of Aberdeen</a> Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research Unit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ineffective-treatment-nbsp">Ineffective treatment&nbsp;</h2>



The findings highlight a critical gap in the medical understanding and treatment of broken heart syndrome.&nbsp;



Professor Dawson said the data shows “quite starkly” that takotsubo syndrome, which is more common in women, is not being treated correctly and more research is needed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-emotional-distress-nbsp">Extreme emotional distress&nbsp;</h2>



“Takotsubo cardiomyopathy can be triggered by extreme emotional distress, leading to its nickname of broken-heart syndrome," said Professor Dawson.



"It happens as a reaction to upsetting events such as the death of a family member, the ending of a relationship, or illness, when distress signals travel from the brain to the heart. But understanding is growing and there is evidence that it can be caused by other factors, including physical trauma or no incident at all."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complications-and-symptoms">Complications and symptoms</h2>



“Takotsubo cardiomyopathy happens when one of the heart’s chambers, the left ventricle, suddenly balloons and weakens. The heart then can’t pump blood around the body as before and the extra stress leads to heart failure. It can develop at any age, and typically affects more women than men."



“Symptoms can appear like a heart attack including shortness of breath and chest pain. But takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a different condition entirely and, unlike a heart attack, patients don’t suffer from a blockage of the arteries that supply the heart with blood.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-survival-rate-nbsp">Survival rate&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers analyzed data from 3,720 individuals, including 620 with takotsubo syndrome, spanning from 2010 to 2017.&nbsp;



The results of the study are particularly concerning as they show that patients with takotsubo have a worse survival rate than the general population and are just as vulnerable as those who have had a heart attack.



Among the participants, 153 with takotsubo died over the median follow-up of 5.5 years, a mortality rate exceeding that of the general population.&nbsp;



The experts found that takotsubo patients were often prescribed the same medication as those who suffered heart attacks. However, these treatments did not improve survival rates and had uncertain benefits. This indicates an urgent need to reevaluate the treatment approaches for broken heart syndrome.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-research-is-needed-nbsp">Further research is needed&nbsp;</h2>



Professor Dawson said researchers were surprised that takotsubo patients were medicated in the same way as heart attack patients.



“These patients have increased mortality compared to the general population, an increased vulnerability to developing heart conditions, and as much chance of dying from this as people who have suffered heart attacks. It is vital that we identify precise ways to treat this unique group of people, and that is what we plan to do as we continue our research," said Professor Dawson.



“This study has identified one drug as a potential breakthrough with promising therapeutic benefit, however further research is needed to establish if this is the key to treating this devastating illness.”



The study was funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and is published in <a href="https://www.jacc.org/journal/jacc-advances">JACC: Advances</a>.



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Broken heart syndrome can be as deadly as a heart attack 

A recent study has revealed alarming findings regarding the treatment...

HD 63433 Side View DUPE

Astronomers recently unveiled the discovery of an Earth-like planet, younger and closer than any previously identified, named HD 63433d.



This exceptionally hot world offers an unparalleled opportunity to study planetary evolution, given its proximity to our planet and a sun-like star.



<a href="https://www.astro.wisc.edu/staff/soares-furtado-melinda/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Melinda Soares-Furtado</a>, a NASA Hubble Fellow at the <a href="https://www.wisc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Wisconsin–Madison</a> soon to be an astronomy professor, and <a href="https://astro.ufl.edu/directory/ben-capistrant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benjamin Capistrant</a>, a recent graduate now studying at the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Florida</a>, led this extraordinary study. 



Their findings, detailed in The Astronomical Journal, were supported by a global team of co-authors.



Soares-Furtado highlights the significance of HD 63433d, stating, “It’s a useful planet because it may be like an early Earth.”



This comparison paves the way for understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/theia-ancient-planet-buried-inside-of-earth-may-be-the-origin-of-our-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early planetary conditions</a> and evolutionary processes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-characteristics-of-earth-like-planet-hd-63433d">Characteristics of Earth-like planet HD 63433d</h2>



HD 63433d is the<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Earth-sized-planet_HD-63433d_Ursa-major-constellation_Credit-Alyssa-Jankowski_2m.webp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> third planet orbiting a star</a> named HD 63433. Its orbit is remarkably short, completing a full revolution around its star every 4.2 days. This proximity has intriguing implications. 



“Even though it's really close-orbiting, we can use follow-up data to search for evidence of outgassing and atmospheric loss that could be important constraints on how terrestrial worlds evolve,” explains Soares-Furtado. 



However, she notes, “that’s where the similarities [with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-earth-will-meet-its-demise-astronomers-witness-a-star-devour-a-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>] end — and end dramatically.”



The planet is likely tidally locked, meaning one side perpetually faces the star. This results in extreme conditions: one side may reach temperatures up to 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit.



At these temperatures, HD 63433d could possibly host <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strange-lava-worlds-magma-oceans-affect-the-evolution-of-hot-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flowing lava</a>, while the other remains in eternal darkness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hd-63433-the-star-of-the-show">HD 63433: The star of the show</h2>



The star HD 63433 shares similarities with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sun-dies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our sun</a> in size and type but is significantly younger, at roughly 400 million years old. 



It's located about 73 light years away, in the constellation <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursa_Major" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ursa Major</a>, which includes the Big Dipper. 



“On a dark night in Madison, you could see [HD 63433] through a good pair of binoculars,” Soares-Furtado remarks.



HD 63433d's discovery is a part of the <a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20210015717" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">THYME</a> planet-hunting project. Utilizing data from NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (<a href="https://tess.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TESS</a>), the team initially identified two mini-Neptune-sized planets in 2020. 



Continued observations led to the detection of HD 63433d as it transited between its star and the satellite.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-in-the-study-of-hd-63433d">What’s next in the study of HD 63433d</h2>



The research team, including UW–Madison’s Andrew C. Nine, Alyssa Jankowski, and Professor Juliette Becker, is enthusiastic about the future study of HD 63433d. 



Its young, vibrant star is visible from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, allowing for extensive observation using various instruments like the South African Large Telescope and the WIYN Observatory in Arizona, projects UW–Madison played a role in developing.



The proximity of HD 63433d offers unique opportunities for studying gas escape from the planet and possibly measuring its magnetic field. 



Soares-Furtado emphasizes the excitement of this discovery, “This is our solar backyard, and that's kind of exciting. What sort of information can a star this close, with such a crowded system around it, give away? How will it help us as we move on to look for planets among the maybe 100 other, similar stars in this young group it’s part of?”



This fascinating discovery sheds light on a new world, while opening doors to a deeper understanding of the cosmos, especially regarding young, Earth-like planets.



The full study was published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-3881/ad1039" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astronomical Journal</a>.



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New Earth-like planet discovered in Big Dipper constellation

Astronomers recently unveiled the discovery of an Earth-like planet, younger...

Global warming demands immediate and effective actions. One critical aspect of tackling this challenge is the reduction of greenhouse gas <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/epa-plans-to-eliminate-greenhouse-gas-emissions-from-power-plants-by-2040/">emissions</a>, specifically carbon dioxide (CO2).&nbsp;



Traditional approaches are not sufficient to meet the ambitious climate targets set by the global community. Consequently, there is a growing emphasis on innovative methods to capture CO2 directly from the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-capture-technologies-nbsp">Carbon capture technologies&nbsp;</h2>



Current carbon capture technologies are energy-intensive and costly. This limitation highlights the urgent need for alternative, efficient methods.&nbsp;



A team of researchers at <a href="https://ethz.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ETH Zurich</a> led by Professor Maria Lukatskaya has developed a novel approach to direct CO2 capture by harnessing the power of sunlight.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemical-phenomenon-nbsp">Chemical phenomenon&nbsp;</h2>



In acidic aqueous solutions, CO2 exists in its original state, while in alkaline solutions, it converts to carbonates. This reaction is reversible, depending on the solution's acidity.



To manipulate this acidity, the ETH team introduced photoacids into the solution. These special molecules respond to light. In the presence of light, they acidify the liquid, and in darkness, they revert, making the liquid more alkaline.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breakthrough-technique-nbsp">Breakthrough technique&nbsp;</h2>



The process begins by passing air through an alkaline solution containing photoacids in the dark, causing CO2 to react and form carbonates.&nbsp;



Once a significant amount of carbonates accumulate, the solution is exposed to light, turning acidic and releasing CO2 gas, similar to the effervescence observed in a cola bottle. The released CO2 is then collected in gas tanks. After most CO2 is expelled, the light is turned off, and the cycle restarts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overcoming-challenges-nbsp">Overcoming challenges&nbsp;</h2>



Initially, the researchers found that the photoacids were unstable in water. “In the course of our earliest experiments, we realized that the molecules would decompose after one day,” said study lead author Anna de Vries.



To overcome this, the team experimented with a mix of water and an organic solvent, eventually finding an optimum ratio that stabilized the photoacids for nearly a month and allowed the required reversible reaction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advantages-over-traditional-methods">Advantages over traditional methods</h2>



The new technique stands out from existing carbon capture processes, which typically involve cyclical temperature-based systems requiring significant energy for heating and cooling.&nbsp;



By contrast, the ETH Zurich method is more energy-efficient as it eliminates the need for heating, potentially operating solely on sunlight.



“Another interesting aspect of our system is that we can go from alkaline to acidic within seconds and back to alkaline within minutes. That lets us switch between carbon capture and release much more quickly than in a temperature-​driven system,” explained de Vries.



Looking ahead, the researchers aim to enhance the stability of photoacid molecules and optimize the process parameters for potential market application.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.3c02435" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chemistry of Materials</a>.&nbsp;



Image Credit: ETH Zurich



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Sunlight may be the secret weapon for direct CO2 capture 

Global warming demands immediate and effective actions. One critical aspect...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[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?

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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



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.

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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



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 province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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...