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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



These celestial showstoppers make for some spectacular photography opportunities. 



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

A recent study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antiox12030698">Antioxidants</a> suggests that eating peanuts and peanut butter could have a positive impact on vascular health in young and healthy individuals. The research was led by Rosa M. Lamuela, a professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences of the <a href="https://web.ub.edu/en/web/ub/">University of Barcelona</a> and a member of both the Institute for Nutrition and Food Safety Research (INSA-UB) and the Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBEROBN).



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/peanuts-lower-blood-pressure-and-promote-weight-loss/">Peanuts</a>, derived from the leguminous plant Arachis hypogaea, are categorized as nuts in terms of their nutritional composition. As the most widely consumed nuts globally, they are a convenient, nutrient-rich snack that contributes to a healthy lifestyle. Peanuts contain high levels of fatty acids, protein, fiber, and polyphenols.



Most nutritional studies typically focus on significant differences in populations with a high risk of developing a disease, especially older individuals. In this demographic, it is easier to observe the beneficial effects of modifying dietary patterns or incorporating healthy foods into a regular diet.



By contrast, this study involved 63 healthy young participants aged between 18 and 33, who included a daily portion of peanut products in their regular diet for six months. This research is the first nutritional intervention to confirm an improvement in vascular markers related to antithrombotic and vasodilator effects in healthy young people after consuming peanuts.&nbsp;



"In this study group, it is more difficult to see any effect of dietary changes on health," explained Professor Rosa M. Lamuela. "The results reveal a significant increase in urinary levels of phenolic metabolites in those young people who had eaten a daily dose of peanuts and peanut butter compared to the control group, which had eaten a cream without fiber or polyphenols."



Furthermore, participants who consumed peanuts or peanut butter demonstrated improved levels of prostacyclin I2 and the ratio between thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin I2. These lipid molecules, known as eicosanoids, are considered markers of vascular health.&nbsp;



"Interestingly, some phenolic metabolites that increased significantly after the consumption of peanut products - especially hydroxycinnamic acids - also correlated with the improvement in both markers," said study first author Isabella Parilli-Moser.



The study supports the hypothesis presented in previous research conducted by this group, which argued for the protective effect of polyphenols - the primary antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in the diet - on cardiovascular diseases in adults, as well as their antithrombotic and vasodilator effects.&nbsp;



Additionally, the consumption of nuts and peanuts has been linked to a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, primarily due to the protective effect of the polyphenols found in these foods.



The researchers emphasize that the study highlights one of the potential health benefits of including peanuts and peanut butter in our diet. However, they conclude that more studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms that explain the positive effects of peanut consumption on vascular health.



The study was conducted as part of the ARISTOTLE project, an initiative to analyze the prebiotic and postbiotic effects of consuming peanut products, promoted by The Peanut Institute (United States). It also received support from companies in the food sector, which did not participate in the experimental design or research protocol deployed in the study.



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Peanuts have a beneficial impact on vascular health

A recent study published in the journal Antioxidants suggests that...

A team of researchers led by Professor HU Sen from the <a href="https://english.cas.cn/">Chinese Academy of Sciences</a> (CAS) has discovered that impact glass beads in Chang'e-5 (CE5) lunar soils contain water. The study, published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41561-023-01159-6">Nature Geoscience</a>, suggests that these glass beads may represent a new water reservoir on the Moon that is responsible for the dynamic ingress and egress of solar wind-derived water, acting as a buffer for the lunar surface water cycle.



Although many lunar missions have confirmed the presence of structural water or water ice on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tonights-worm-moon-marks-the-beginning-of-spring/">Moon</a>, the exact amount and location of water on the lunar surface has been the subject of intense research. The lunar surface water has attracted much attention due to its potential for in-situ resource utilization by future lunar exploration missions and other space missions.&nbsp;



The surface water on the Moon displays diurnal cycles and loss to space, indicating that there should be a hydrated layer or reservoir at depth in lunar soils to sustain the retention, release, and replenishment of water on the surface of the Moon.



Previous studies have been unable to explain the retention, release, and replenishment of water on the lunar surface, suggesting that there must be a yet-unidentified water reservoir in lunar soils that has the capacity to buffer the lunar surface water cycle.&nbsp;



Under the guidance of Professor HU Sen, doctoral student HE Huicun proposed that impact glass beads, a ubiquitous component in lunar soils with an amorphous nature, were a potential candidate for investigation of the unidentified hydrated layer or reservoir in lunar soils.



To identify and characterize the missing water reservoir on the Moon's surface, the researchers systematically characterized the petrography, major element composition, water abundance, and hydrogen isotope composition of the impact glass beads returned by the CE5 mission.&nbsp;



The CE5 impact glass beads have homogeneous chemical compositions and smooth exposed surfaces, characterized by water abundance up to about 2,000 μg.g-1, with extreme deuterium-depleted characteristics. The negative correlation between water abundance and hydrogen isotope composition reflects the fact that water in the CE5 impact glass beads comes from solar winds.



The researchers also analyzed water abundance along six transects in five glass beads, which showed the hydration profiles of solar wind-derived water. Some glass beads were overlapped by a later degassing event. The impact glass beads acted as a sponge for buffering the lunar surface water cycle. The researchers estimate that the amount of water contributed by impact glass beads to lunar soils varies from 3.0 × 1011 kg to 2.7 × 1014 kg.



"These findings indicate that the impact glasses on the surface of the Moon and other airless bodies in the solar system are capable of storing solar wind-derived water and releasing it into space," said Professor HU.



The discovery of a new water reservoir on the Moon provides important information for future lunar exploration missions and other space missions, as it may represent a valuable resource for sustained human presence on the Moon and beyond.



NASA's plan for a sustained presence on the Moon is part of the Artemis program, which aims to land the first woman and the next man on the Moon by 2024. However, this timeline has recently been pushed back due to funding and technical challenges, and the new target date for the Artemis III lunar landing mission is 2025.



The Artemis program is not just about landing humans on the Moon, but also establishing a sustainable presence there. NASA's long-term plan is to use the Moon as a testbed for technologies and systems that will be necessary for future crewed missions to Mars and other destinations.



To achieve this goal, NASA plans to build a Lunar Gateway, a small space station in orbit around the Moon, which will serve as a command center for human and robotic missions on the lunar surface. The agency is also developing a new lunar lander called the Human Landing System (HLS), which will transport astronauts from the Lunar Gateway to the surface of the Moon.



NASA aims to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon by 2028, which includes building a lunar base and conducting a range of scientific experiments and technology demonstrations. The agency also plans to work with international partners and commercial companies to achieve this goal.



This study was a collaboration with Nanjing University, The Open University, The Natural History Museum, The University of Manchester, and the University of Science and Technology of China.&nbsp;



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New water reservoir found on the Moon’s surface

A team of researchers led by Professor HU Sen from...

Big,Eye,Trevally,-,Caranx,Sexfasciatus

Social animals improve their safety when they suppress their individual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-select-their-dogs-according-to-their-own-personality/">personalities</a> and conform with the group, according to a study from the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/">University of Bristol</a>. The research suggests that simple rules can drive conformity behavior in social groups. 



“Personality suppression may be a common strategy in group-living animals, and in particular, we should tend to see the behaviors of the most adventurous or shy individuals shifting towards what the majority of the group are doing," said study lead author Dr. Sean Rands.



The researchers noted that the movement of a group can be strongly influenced by "leaders" who stand out as different. "A major source of differences between individuals is the repeatability and consistency of their behavior, commonly considered as their ’personality,’ which can influence both their position within a group as well as their tendency to lead."&nbsp;



"However, links between personality and behavior may also depend upon the immediate social environment of the individual; individuals who behave consistently in one way when alone may not express the same behavior socially, when they may be conforming with the behavior of others," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



To investigate, the team developed a model to represent a small group of animals who differ in their tendency to perform risky behaviors.&nbsp;



The experts looked at how these individuals would complete a foraging task while traveling away from a safe home site versus how they would complete the same task in a group setting. The results showed that the "group-aware" individuals spent longer in a safe space and moved more quickly to the foraging spot.



“Groups are usually made up of individuals who are different to each other in the way that they normally behave - these consistent individual differences are what determines the personality of the individual," explained study co-author Professor Christos Ioannou.



“Experimental evidence for this comes from animals like the stickleback fish that we study in our lab. We can measure the personality of individual fish when they are given a food-finding task on their own, and compare it to what happens when they are put in a group of mixed personalities and given the same task."



“When faced with a social task, we find that the fish tend to suppress their own behavior, and instead conform with what other fish in the group are doing.”



Overall, the researchers concluded that when animals pay attention to the other group members, this has an overall impact on the efficiency of the group, and demonstrates that simple social behaviors can result in the suppression of individual personalities.



The study is published in the journal&nbsp; <a href="https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010908">PLoS Computational Biology</a>.



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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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Social animals suppress their personalities for safety

Social animals improve their safety when they suppress their individual...

Due to industrialization, humans are now enjoying greater access to food, less physical toil, and better access to quality health care services than ever before. However, since many people are currently eating more and exercising less, sedentary lifestyles and obesity have led to smaller brain volumes and faster cognitive decline in a significant part of the western population.



Now, a team of researchers led by the <a href="https://www.usc.edu/">University of Southern California</a> (USC) has discovered that some of the lowest rates of heart and brain disease ever reported are found among Indigenous communities from the tropical forests of lowland Bolivia, suggesting that there are optimal levels of food consumption and exercise that can maximize healthy brain aging and decrease the risk of disease.&nbsp;



The scientists enrolled 1,165 participants from two Indigenous societies - the Tsimané and Mosetén – and measured their brain volume by age, along with their body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, and other markers of energy and overall health.&nbsp;



The analysis revealed that the Tsimané and Mosetén experienced better cardiovascular health and less brain atrophy than U.S. and European populations, and were thus less likely to develop heart disease or neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.



“The lives of our pre-industrial ancestors were punctured by limited food availability,” said&nbsp;study senior author Andrei Irimia, an assistant professor of Gerontology, Biomedical Engineering, and Neuroscience at USC. “Humans historically spent a lot of time exercising out of necessity to find food, and their brain aging profiles reflected this lifestyle.”



Since the Mosetén are more exposed to modern technology, medicine, infrastructure, and education than the Tsimané, they served as an important intermediary population, allowing researchers to compare a variety of lifestyle and health care factors. While both communities showed better health than industrialized populations, the Mosetén fared a bit worse than the Tsimané, reinforcing the hypothesis that industrialized or semi-industrialized societies fail to achieve a healthy balance between daily exertion and food consumption.



“During our evolutionary past, more food and less calories spent in getting it resulted in improved health, well-being, and ultimately higher reproductive success or Darwinian fitness,” said study lead author Hillard Kaplan, a professor of Health Economics and Anthropology at <a href="https://www.chapman.edu/">Chapman University</a>. “This evolutionary history selected for psychological and physiological traits that made us desirous of extra food and less physical work, and with industrialization, those traits lead us to overshoot the mark.”



According to Professor Irimia, the best way to improve brain health and reduce the risk of disease is to have neither too little nor too much food and nutrients, along with a vigorous amount of exercise. “This ideal set of conditions for disease prevention prompts us to consider whether our industrialized lifestyles increase our risk of disease,” he concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2205448120">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Indigenous communities provide clues to healthy brain aging

Due to industrialization, humans are now enjoying greater access to...

Drifting along in marine currents, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jellyfish-eyes-catch-a-glimpse-of-evolutionary-history/">jellyfish</a> can be both predator and prey, eating nearly anything they can capture, but also being consumed by larger marine predators. According to a recent study led by the <a href="https://www.ubc.ca/">University of British Columbia</a> (UBC) investigating the relationship between jellyfish size, diet, and nutritional quality, jellyfish may get more nutritious as they grow and are able to consume a larger variety of prey.



While smaller jellyfish eat phytoplankton, microzooplankton, and eggs, larger ones can also eat shrimps and even fish. Yet, since they are easy to catch and digest due to their high water content, these animals are also an important nutritional source in marine food webs. For instance, in Heriot Bay, British Columbia, the moon jellyfish&nbsp;(Aurelia labiata) are frequently eaten by other jellyfish, fish, and various invertebrates.



“Our study looked more closely to see if there was any information we could draw about nutrition in jellyfish,” said lead author Jessica Schaub, a PhD student in Oceanography at UBC. “This information helps us understand the true value of jellyfish as food. We looked at how the energy that moves through a food web might look as it moves through jellyfish. What they eat, what they are composed of, and how this might affect what eats them.”&nbsp;



The scientists collected 150 moon jellyfish and measured their size, along with specific compositional elements. The analysis revealed that jellyfish eat bigger prey as they grow, which leads to higher concentrations of healthy fats. 



“We found some evidence that these changes might be influenced by their diet, and as they feed on bigger prey with higher levels of fatty acids, the jellyfish accumulate more of these fatty acids. This means bigger jellyfish might be considered more nutritious,”&nbsp;Schaub explained.



“Our recommendation for future studies on jellyfish predators is to consider size more thoroughly. Feeding on a young, small jellyfish is different than feeding on a larger and older jellyfish,” she concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4430">Ecosphere</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Larger jellyfish are more nutritious

Drifting along in marine currents, jellyfish can be both predator...

According to a team of experts from the <a href="http://www.earth4all.life/">Earth4All</a> initiative, global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-population-10-9-billion/">population</a> could peak at 8.5 billion people by mid-century if the world takes a “giant leap” in investment in economic development. This new projection is significantly lower than other prominent population estimates, including those conducted by the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/">United Nations</a>. 



By using a new system dynamics model, the researchers explored two possible scenarios for population growth. In the first scenario – which they call “Too Little Too Late,” and assumes that the world continues to develop in the same way as it had over the past half a century, with many of the poorest countries breaking free from extreme poverty – the global population is expected to peak at 8.6 billion in 2050, before declining to seven billion in 2100.&nbsp;



In the second one – called the “Giant Leap” and achieved through massive investments in poverty alleviation (mainly through developments in education and health), together with major policy turnarounds on issues related to food and energy security, inequality, and gender equity -poverty is eliminated in a generation (by 2060), and global population will peak at 8.5 billion by 2040 and decline to six billion by the end of the century.



By contrast to scenarios developed by other researchers, these ones take into account the critical importance of rapid economic development. “We know rapid economic development in low-income countries has a huge impact on fertility rates. Fertility rates fall as girls get access to education and women are economically empowered and have access to better healthcare,” said Per Espen Stoknes, Earth4All’s project lead and the director of the Center for Sustainability at the <a href="https://www.bi.edu/?_ga=2.85242906.2056089187.1679897437-779628527.1679897437&amp;_gl=1*1t23jlz*_ga*Nzc5NjI4NTI3LjE2Nzk4OTc0Mzc.*_ga_SY3KTJF2RZ*MTY3OTg5NzQzNy4xLjAuMTY3OTg5NzQzNy4wLjAuMA..">Norwegian Business School</a>.



“Few prominent models simulate population growth, economic development, and their connections simultaneously,”&nbsp;added Beniamino Callegari, an economist at the <a href="https://www.kristiania.no/en/">Kristiania University College</a>.&nbsp;



The analysis revealed that population growth is currently the highest in some nations in Africa and Asia, including Angola, Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Afghanistan. “If we assume these countries adopt successful policies for economic development then we can expect population to peak sooner rather than later,”&nbsp;Callegari said.



The scientists also analyzed the connection between population and exceeding planetary boundaries, and found that, contrary to popular beliefs, population size is not the prime driver of exceeding planetary boundaries such as climate change. Instead, the enormous material footprint levels among the world’s richest ten percent plays the highest role in destabilizing the planet.



Thus, according to the researchers’ demographic projections, with an equal distribution of resources, the entire population could achieve living conditions exceeding UN’s minimum threshold without significant changes in developmental trends. “A good life for all is only possible if the extreme resource use of the wealthy elite is reduced,” concluded Jorgen Randers, one of leading modelers at Earth4All.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Global population could peak below nine billion by 2050

According to a team of experts from the Earth4All initiative, global population...

In a new study from the <a href="https://www.europsy.net/">European Psychiatric Association</a>, experts have found that odors from human sweat may be helpful in treating mental health disorders. In particular, the researchers demonstrated that social anxiety can be substantially reduced through exposure to human "chemo-signals," or body odor.



Lead researcher Elisa Vigna of the Karolinska Institute will present the study results at the European Congress of Psychiatry in Paris.



“Our state of mind causes us to produce molecules (or chemo-signals) in sweat which communicate our emotional state and produce corresponding responses in the receivers," said Vigna. "The results of our preliminary study show that combining these chemo-signals with mindfulness therapy seem to produce better results in treating social anxiety than can be achieved by mindfulness therapy alone."



Overall, the team found that individuals who undertook one treatment session of mindfulness therapy together while being exposed to human body odors showed about 39 percent reductions in anxiety scores, explained Vigna.



Social anxiety is a fear of being around people in social situations, whether it's at work or holiday gatherings. This type of anxiety makes it difficult to live a normal life without excessive worrying.



For the investigation, the experts exposed patients to the sweat samples while they were being treated for social anxiety with mindfulness therapy. The sweat samples were collected from volunteers who were watching short clips from movies that induced specific emotions, such as fear or happiness. The goal was to examine whether these emotions had an effect on the treatment.



"We found that the women in the group exposed to sweat from people who had been watching funny or fearful movies, responded better to mindfulness therapy than those who hadn’t been exposed," said Vigna.



"We were a little surprised to find that the emotional state of the person producing the sweat didn’t differ in treatment outcomes - sweat produced while someone was happy had the same effect as someone who had been scared by a movie clip.&nbsp; So there may be something about human chemo-signals in sweat generally which affects the response to treatment."



It may be that simply being exposed to the presence of someone else has this effect, noted Vigna.&nbsp;



"In fact, that is what we are testing now in a follow-up study with a similar design, but where we are also including sweat from individuals watching emotionally neutral documentaries."



"This should allow us to tease out whether any potential therapy benefits stem from the unconscious perception of specific emotional signals, or whether it is simply to do with human presence, irrespective of emotion.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&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> Editor



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Human sweat could be used to treat mental health problems

In a new study from the European Psychiatric Association, experts...

In the Chesapeake Bay wetlands, evolution has occurred faster than previously thought. This may be minimizing the chance that coastal marshes can withstand future sea level rise.



Researchers at the <a href="https://www.nd.edu/">University of Notre Dame</a> evaluated the role evolution plays in the Chesapeake Bay by studying a type of grass-like plant called chairmaker’s bulrush.&nbsp;



The research team used historical seeds, modern plants, and computational models to demonstrate that “resurrected” plants were allocating more resources in their roots below ground, allowing them to store carbon more quickly than modern plants. This provides evidence that supports assumptions about evolutionary change.



“We think this surprising reduction in below-ground growth might be a response to increased pollution in Chesapeake Bay,” said Professor Jason McLachlan.



“Decades of pollution have resulted in higher levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in the waters, and since these are plant nutrients, evolution might now favor plants that ‘invest’ less in expensive roots.”&nbsp;&nbsp;



The seeds from the historical plants had remained underground since the mid-1900s. Using resurrection ecology, the historical plants were collected to germinate and grow.&nbsp;



While modern plants and samples from the mid-1900s grew above ground, they invested less into rooting deeper below ground. This created less biomass below ground and could reduce the capacity of wetlands to withstand flooding.



Using computational models, the researchers showed that the modern plants store carbon in soils 15 percent slower than the plants did in the mid-1900s.



“The research shows the role evolution plays as ecosystems are increasingly stressed by the impacts of human society,” said Professor McLachlan.&nbsp;



It can't be said with certainty that plants are investing more of their energy above ground because of pollution. However, the experts believe that the combination of their research techniques can support novel predictions of the impact of evolution. This could motivate others to further study the causes that drive evolutionary change.



“For reasons of inconvenience, science has often ignored what happens below ground. But we have learned so much in this study; there are so many secrets happening below ground," said study first author Megan Vahsen.



According to Professor McLachlan, the research further demonstrates the role evolution plays as ecosystems are increasingly stressed by the impacts of human society.&nbsp;



“Evolutionary change over almost a century played a destabilizing role for coastal ecosystems. Other species in other ecosystems might have responded differently to human environmental impact, perhaps providing more resilience to ecosystems, or perhaps having no impact at all."



The researchers hope that others will consider how evolutionary change can affect ecosystem resilience during future studies on the biological response to environmental change.&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:katherinebucko@gmail.com">Katherine Bucko</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.

Can coastal marshes withstand future sea level rise?

In the Chesapeake Bay wetlands, evolution has occurred faster than...

For the first time in 43 years, the presence of the southern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newest-species-flying-squirrel/">flying squirrel&nbsp;</a>(Glaucomys volans) was documented in Honduras in a site of the forest management plan Las Lechuzas in the municipality of Concordia, department of Olancho. This makes Honduras the southernmost distribution currently known for this flying squirrel species.



This discovery was made possible due to a project of <a href="http://www.sansone.hn/">El Aserradero Sansone</a>, a company conducting sustainable forestry activities in Honduras, which confirmed that there is at least one population of G. volans in the country, at the Las Lechuzas site. 



Although this species has been classified as “Least Concern” by the <a href="https://www.iucn.org/">International Union for the Conservation of Nature</a> (IUCN) - meaning it has stable populations - it is considered “Data Deficient” on the Red List of Honduras species. Thus, due to the low number of records and the currently high rate of destruction of pine forests in the country, this squirrel should be a priority for conservation.&nbsp;



The southern flying squirrel is at greater risk when its nests are disturbed, so scientists from Sansone are considering the use of artificial nests to protect this population. The experts will also increase efforts to improve the quantity and quality of tree seedlings, while educating people in the community about the urgent need to protect pine ecosystems and the rare animals they shelter. 



Furthermore, since there is no record of G. volans in any protected area from Honduras, 836.63 of the 3,139.62 hectares of the management plan of Las Lechuzas have been declared as hydrological protection zones.&nbsp;



“As a professional with an experience of 43 years, I capitalize on the detection of the flying squirrel as an event that opens the doors to the true dimension posed by the Honduran forest law in the proper administrative management,” said study co-author José Muñoz, a researcher at Sansone.



“That includes biodiversity conservation and protection and rationality of the protection of natural resources. The latter turns out to be of greater importance in view of the strong social pressures in favor of the conversion of the use of forest land destined for extensive agriculture and livestock, as well as the environmental impacts caused by climate change that are being sustained by the mismanagement of our resources.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.15560/19.1.133">Check List</a>.



—



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</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.

Southern flying squirrel spotted after more than four decades

For the first time in 43 years, the presence of...

According to a recent study led by the <a href="https://www.ncsu.edu/">North Carolina State University</a> (NC State), droughts and heatwaves are likely to make <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-will-increase-dramatically-in-a-hotter-climate/">air pollution</a> worse for Californian communities that already have a high pollution burden, thus deepening pollution inequality along racial and ethnic lines. However, the experts argued that financial penalties for power plants could significantly reduce people’s exposure to air pollution, except during extreme heatwaves.



“We have known that air pollution disproportionally impacts communities of color, the poor, and communities that are&nbsp;already more likely to be impacted by other sources of environmental pollution,” said study lead author Jordan Kern, an assistant professor of Forestry and Environmental Resources at NC State. “What we know now is that drought and heatwaves make things worse.”



The experts estimated emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, and fine particulate matter from power plants in California across 500 different climate scenarios that could occur in future years, based on historical wind, air, temperature, and solar radiation values on the West Coast between 1953 and 2008. Then they estimated air pollution within individual counties by using data about the location of power plants in California and the amount of electricity they would be generating under different climate scenarios.



The analysis revealed that pollution will be worse in the hottest and driest years, most likely due to increased demands in the use of air conditioning. Moreover, since droughts can impact the availability of hydropower, the excess electricity that will be necessary will rely on highly polluting fossil fuel plants.



“One of the things we were interested in was teasing apart the relative roles of drought, which can be chronic, lasting for months or years, versus heatwaves, which can happen like a flash in a pan,” Kern explained. “We found drought is a driver of chronic pollution exposure, but heatwaves are responsible for these incredible spikes in emissions in a short period of time.”



In addition, counties with a higher existing pollution burden, along with those more diverse in terms of race and ethnicity were more likely to be significantly impacted by a rise in emissions during droughts and heatwaves.



When they simulated the impact of three policies which taxed power generators for increasing air pollution, they found that such penalties could be highly efficient in reducing pollution during droughts, but unfortunately not during massive heatwaves.&nbsp;



“Penalties make the more damaging power plants more expensive to operate, while it makes clean power plants comparatively less expensive. It incentivizes the system to switch to rely on more clean power plants, but that stops happening during really massive heatwaves. The power operators have no choice but to turn on every power plant. They can’t switch from the dirty power plants to the clean ones,” Kern concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-37080-0">Nature Communications</a>.



—



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</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.

Heatwaves will exacerbate air pollution inequalities

According to a recent study led by the North Carolina...

The Salish Sea surrounding the San Juan Islands has traditionally been a hotspot for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/southern-resident-killer-whales-are-undernourished/">Southern resident killer whales</a>, which would spend the summers feeding on Chinook salmon belonging to the Fraser River stock that passes through the islands on its way to spawning grounds upriver. However, based on 17 years of whale sighting data, a team of scientists led by <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/">Oregon State University</a> (OSU) has found that, as salmon populations dropped, the time spent by Southern residents around the San Juan Islands decreased by more than 75 percent.&nbsp;



Since the whales’ main summer feeding grounds are becoming less productive and reliable, they have to search for prey elsewhere, raising concerns about the health of an already threatened species.



“This is an endangered population that is in decline with only 73 whales remaining, and prey limitation appears to be an important factor. A huge part of these whales’ time used to be spent feeding in this area,” said study lead author Joshua Stewart, an assistant professor of Quantitative Ecology at OSU.



The Southern resident killer whale population consists of three matriarchal pods – known as J, K, and L – which have traditionally been spotted in the Salish Sea between April and October. While the K and L ponds usually covered a wider geographic range, especially in winter and spring, the J pod was frequently seen in the Salish Sea to feed on returning salmon.



This iconic whale species has declined since 1995 and is currently officially listed as endangered. Previous studies have argued that the possible drivers of their decline include limited availability of their preferred prey, vessel disturbance in the Salish Sea, and high levels of pollutants in their core habitat.



As Chinook salmon populations were becoming less abundant around the San Juan Islands during summer, the number of days each pod of Southern residents was present in the area declined each year from 2004 to 2017. While the J pod was present in the region more frequently – with a high of 164 days in 2005 and a low of 36 days in 2017 – the L pod was spotted there for just 10 days in 2019, compared to a high of 103 days in 2004.



By comparing the whales’ presence with data on returning Chinook salmon, the experts identified a strong correlation between the whales’ presence and the salmon returns. “They went from spending the majority of their time in this habitat, to just a fraction of their summer. This shift is likely an effort to find alternative food sources,” Stewart explained.



According to co-author John Durban, a population ecologist at OSU, this lack of salmon is already impacting whales’ health. “This further suggests that lack of prey is likely the biggest stressor for these whales. The other stressors – pollutants and vessel disturbances – are compounded by the lack of prey. If there are fewer fish, disturbance by vessels may become more disruptive to their foraging success,” he concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/17487692">Marine Mammal Science</a>.



—



By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</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.

Lack of prey is changing the behavior of killer whales

The Salish Sea surrounding the San Juan Islands has traditionally...

Earth,Hour,2023,Event.,Planet,Earth,With,Sunlight,In,Dark

Did you know that every year, millions of people around the world join together to save energy and protect our planet? Earth Hour is a special event that helps raise awareness about climate change and encourages people to take action. In this article, we'll explore what Earth Hour is, why it's important, and how you can join the cause!



What is Earth Hour?



Earth Hour is an annual event organized by the <a href="https://support.worldwildlife.org/site/Donation2?df_id=14650&amp;14650.donation=form1&amp;s_src=AWE2010OQ18507A04091RX&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwlPWgBhDHARIsAH2xdNdGipaUbBibJeT4nCRMjFXavXPCisV4Ve63fIJVLxsFJ7ItleFx3NoaAg0GEALw_wcB">World Wildlife Fund</a> (WWF). It started back in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, and has since grown into a global movement. The main idea behind Earth Hour is for people to turn off their lights and electronic devices for one hour. This usually happens on the last Saturday of March, from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM local time. This year, the date is Saturday, March 25.



Why is Earth Hour Important?



<ol>
<li>Raising Awareness</li>
</ol>



Earth Hour helps to raise awareness about climate change and the need to save energy. By turning off our lights and electronics for just one hour, we can show our commitment to protecting the environment. This event gets people talking about important issues and helps to spread the word about saving energy.



<ol start="2">
<li>Reducing Energy Consumption</li>
</ol>



Even though it's just for one hour, Earth Hour can make a big difference in our energy use. When millions of people around the world participate, it adds up to a lot of energy saved. This helps reduce the demand for electricity, which can help lower greenhouse gas emissions.



<ol start="3">
<li>Strengthening Communities</li>
</ol>



Earth Hour brings people together. When we all take part in this event, we are working as a team to help protect our planet. This can help build stronger communities and create a sense of unity in the fight against climate change.



How Can You Get Involved?



<ol>
<li>Turn Off Your Lights</li>
</ol>



The easiest way to participate in Earth Hour is to simply turn off your lights from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM on Saturday, March 25, 2023. This small act can make a big difference when millions of people join in.



<ol start="2">
<li>Spread the Word</li>
</ol>



Tell your friends, family, and neighbors about Earth Hour. The more people who know about the event, the bigger the impact we can make. You can also use social media to help spread the word.



<ol start="3">
<li>Organize an Event</li>
</ol>



Get your community involved by organizing an Earth Hour event. This could be a candlelit dinner, a stargazing party, or a neighborhood gathering in the dark. Be creative and have fun while raising awareness for the environment!



<ol start="4">
<li>Make Energy-Saving Changes</li>
</ol>



Use Earth Hour as a starting point to make lasting changes in your life. Try to be more energy-efficient by turning off lights when you leave a room, using energy-saving light bulbs, or unplugging electronics when they're not in use.



Conclusion



Earth Hour is an important event that helps raise awareness about climate change and encourages us to take action. By simply turning off our lights for one hour, we can make a difference in the fight against climate change. So, mark your calendars and join millions of people around the world in celebrating Earth Hour. Together, we can protect our planet for future generations!



—



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.

Earth Hour: Saving our planet one light switch at a time

Did you know that every year, millions of people around...

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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



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.

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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.

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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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 rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> 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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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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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



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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...