Every living organism relies on a genetic blueprint encoded in its DNA, yet the amount of DNA - or genome size - varies dramatically across the tree of life.&nbsp;



In animals alone, genome sizes range from the minuscule genome of Intoshia variabili, a marine parasite - which is about 200 times smaller than the human genome - to the massive genome of the marbled lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus) - which is over 40 times larger than ours.&nbsp;



Plants exhibit a similar range, with the fork fern (Tmesipteris oblanceolata) setting the record with a genome size over 50 times larger than that of humans.



This diversity in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/genome-mapping-completed-for-dozens-of-common-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genome</a> size reveals the vast variety of life forms on Earth, but it also raises a fascinating question: If smaller genomes lead to faster, more efficient growth, why do some species have larger genomes?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advantages-of-smaller-genome-sizes">Advantages of smaller genome sizes</h2>



The replication of DNA is essential for cell production and growth, making smaller genomes more efficient as they require fewer resources and time to replicate.&nbsp;



Smaller genomes demand fewer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/excess-nutrients-are-creating-ocean-dead-zones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nutrients</a>, especially the DNA-building elements nitrogen and phosphorus, making them ideal for rapid growth and reproduction.



Because of these advantages, it’s not surprising that most species have evolved with relatively small genomes.&nbsp;



However, large genomes persist in some organisms, suggesting that these genomes may confer certain benefits in specific environments, where the costs of carrying extra DNA are outweighed by unique growth advantages.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-large-genome-benefits-in-grasses">Exploring large genome benefits in grasses</h2>



A research team led by the <a href="https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sheffield</a> has recently studied the potential benefits of large genomes in grass species. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fairy-circles-kill-all-newly-planted-grasses-deepening-their-mystery/">Grasses</a>, a vast plant family found worldwide from arctic tundras to tropical savannas, vary in genome size, making them an ideal group to examine how genome size affects growth in different conditions.



The study, published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.20150" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Phytologist</a>, examined the growth of various grass species under conditions mimicking their natural environments - high temperatures, low nutrients, and drought. 



The scientists compared growth rates to each species’ genome size and observed that while grasses with smaller genomes generally grew better across most conditions, larger genomes provided advantages in two specific scenarios.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-large-genomes-thrive-in-nutrient-rich-environments">Large genomes thrive in nutrient-rich environments</h2>



The first scenario where larger genomes proved beneficial was in nutrient-rich soils. While low nutrient levels slowed down large-genome grasses, those with large genomes thrived in high-nutrient environments.&nbsp;



Here, the extra DNA content meant larger cells that produced more biomass, such as leaves, which allowed these plants to outgrow and overshadow neighbors with smaller genomes.&nbsp;



In nutrient-poor areas, however, the demands of replicating additional DNA outweighed these benefits, making smaller genomes more favorable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growing-seasons-and-genome-sizes">Growing seasons and genome sizes</h2>



The second advantage for large-genome grasses occurred in cooler environments, such as temperate regions with lower growing season temperatures.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-plants-grow-more-branches-and-become-bushy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plant growth</a> typically has two stages: cell division, where new cells are generated, and cell expansion, where cells swell with water to help the plant grow taller or spread. 



Cool temperatures significantly slow down cell division, but they have less impact on cell expansion.&nbsp;



Consequently, grasses with larger cells, which accompany large genomes, can expand more rapidly by cell enlargement even in cooler weather, outpacing smaller-genome plants that rely on faster cell division in warmer temperatures.



This cell expansion process explains the early spring growth of plants like daffodils and bluebells, which also have large genomes.&nbsp;



These plants perform much of their cell division in warmer months, allowing them to use cell expansion to grow quickly in early spring, well before smaller-genome plants begin to compete for light and nutrients.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genome-size-diversity">Genome size diversity</h2>



The diversity in genome sizes among grasses may be one reason for their global success, as it allows them to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions.&nbsp;



While smaller genomes typically support efficient growth, larger genomes offer unique advantages in specific environments, enabling certain species to thrive where others cannot.&nbsp;



This genetic diversity in grasses underscores the importance of variation in supporting species’ survival and adaptability across ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genome-size-and-evolutionary-success">Genome size and evolutionary success</h2>



The relationship between genome size and survival is not limited to plants. Our own medium-sized genome has supported humanity’s adaptability, though we don’t face the same nutrient limitations as stationary plants.&nbsp;



Unlike grasses, humans can move to seek out food and resources, which may allow us to bear the metabolic costs associated with our DNA without significant limitation.&nbsp;



This mobility highlights how different species leverage their genetic make-up in conjunction with unique behaviors and environmental interactions to thrive across diverse habitats.



In summary, the role of genome size in evolutionary success is nuanced and complex.&nbsp;



From the efficient replication of small genomes to the adaptability enabled by larger ones, genome size continues to shape the ecological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asian-forests-proving-resilient-both-climate-change-human-actions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resilience</a> and global distribution of life on Earth.



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How does genome size impact evolutionary success?

Every living organism relies on a genetic blueprint encoded in its DNA, yet the amount of DNA - or genome size - varies dramatically across the tree of life.&nbsp; In animals alone, genome sizes range from the minuscule genome of Intoshia variabili, a marine parasite - which is about 200 times smaller than the human genome - to the massive genome of the marbled lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus) - which is over 40 times larger than ours.&nbsp; Plants exhibit a similar range, with the fork fern (Tmesipteris oblanceolata)...

In the magical network of connections that is social media, there's an unexpected hero emerging: wildlife conservation. 



Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are offering a new way to boost conservation efforts by connecting people worldwide to the realities of animal life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-media-a-lifeline-for-caracals">Social media: A lifeline for caracals</h2>



As surprising as it sounds, it seems that our online addiction to cat videos, photos, and memes isn't just for mindless entertainment; it can also feed into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gen-ai-and-social-media-divert-peoples-attention-from-climate-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental awareness</a>. 



A recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Communication showed how social media has the immense potential of rallying support for wildlife.



And who's the internet's favorite feline this time around? It's the caracal - a wild cat native to Africa with whimsical tufted ears.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-so-special-about-the-caracal">What's so special about the caracal?</h2>



The caracal is known as a smaller yet "charismatic" mammal. This wild feline has managed to attract the gaze of the online world, especially on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spending-less-time-on-social-media-improves-your-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media channels</a>, thanks to its curious resemblance to our domestic kitty companions.



The study authors noted that caracals can be used as a "flagship species" to communicate the aims of scientific research in rapidly urbanizing landscapes.



“Using an aesthetic species such as the caracal is an effective way to capture public attention to communicate the importance of conserving urban wildlife,” noted Dr. Gabriella Leighton and Dr. Laurel Serieys from the <a href="https://uct.ac.za" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cape Town</a>.



However, it's not just about the caracal's looks. It's also a question of deeper human engagement and involvement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-media-and-caracals">Social media and caracals</h2>



Though their research, the experts are emphasizing the role that smaller carnivores play in igniting the public's interest in science and conservation.



A key takeaway from the study is the power of public participation in conservation efforts, where charismatic species can lend a hand in raising awareness about biodiversity in urban areas.



“The research demonstrates how a public interest in urban ecology and the global phenomenon of ‘cats on the internet' can be harnessed to leverage conservation action,” said the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-power-of-online-influence">Power of online influence</h2>



Undeniably, the success of conservation efforts relies heavily on public engagement, particularly in biodiversity hotspots that are increasingly becoming urbanized and are understudied.



A prime example of this is the Urban Caracal Project (<a href="http://www.urbancaracal.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCP</a>), initiated in December 2014 in Cape Town, a location within a biodiversity hotspot and home to the caracal.



The project aims to explore caracal ecology and use social media as a tool to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-trust-news-that-matches-their-political-views-even-when-its-fake/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shape perceptions</a> towards caracal conservation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-media-interactions">Social media interactions</h2>



The experts used Google Trends to examine the global popularity of caracals from 2004 to the present day. A comparison was also drawn against a similar African wildcat - the serval.



The data showed a significant surge in searches for the term "caracal," doubling since the launch of UCP.



This substantial growth of 91%, compared to a 76% increase in searches for "servals," highlights the project's success in raising global awareness about caracals.



Additionally, the project has amassed more than 16,800 Facebook followers and over 7,300 followers on Instagram. These growing numbers have granted the project a "micro-influencer" status, attracting people not just from South Africa but also the UK, India, and the US.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-platform-for-public-engagement">Platform for public engagement </h2>



The experts found that social media also presented a valuable platform for direct public engagement, such as reported sightings of caracals, their rescues, or distressing reports of their deaths.



This interaction on social media has allowed the authors to conduct post-mortems, thereby assessing threats to the caracal population and analyzing roadkill patterns.



Moreover, exchanging information on the platform provides conservationists with valuable insights into how caracals respond to humans. Most encounters happen on roads or paths where caracals are described as "calm" or "chilled" before swiftly moving away.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-media-for-caracal-welfare">Social media for caracal welfare</h2>



The common adjectives used in Facebook comments were "beautiful" for positive posts and "sad" for negative ones, usually related to a death or threat to the population.



This observation points towards the fact that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-likes-have-a-strong-emotional-effect-on-young-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media engagement</a> has indeed led to people caring about caracal welfare, a breakthrough in the world of wildlife conservation that we have in part to thank our "cats on the internet" obsession for.



Ultimately, these findings offer compelling reasons to embrace social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram as powerful tools in wildlife conservation. 



After all, there's no stopping the internet's love affair with cats, so why not use it for a greater cause?



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17524032.2024.2402466" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Communication</a>.



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Social media is helping save wild animals like caracals

In the magical network of connections that is social media,...

Have you ever wondered what gives an Australian finch's bill its vivid hues? The range of colors - from striking red and stunning yellow to brilliant orange - has remained a mystery, until now.



A significant study has demystified this puzzle, revealing the discrete genetic triggers that govern these fascinating colorations.



The study unveils how the long-tailed finch's red and yellow bill colors sprouted from slight changes in a few <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/finch-beaks-and-bird-songs-a-new-story-of-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vital genes</a>. 



The genes are intricately involved in how birds process dietary yellow pigments. This discovery opens an exciting chapter in our understanding of natural coloration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observing-the-bills-of-australian-finches">Observing the bills of Australian finches</h2>



The species under investigation, the long-tailed finch, is endemic to Australia. Conducted by experts from eight institutions across five countries, this research peels back layers on the genetic makeup of these captivating creatures.



"Modern genomic techniques provide us with incredible insight into how relatively subtle genetic changes can lead to profound changes in things like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/zebra-finch-female-birds-choose-mates-who-can-sing-most-complex-songs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal color</a>," said study senior author Professor Simon Griffith from Macquarie University's <a href="https://www.mq.edu.au/faculty-of-science-and-engineering/departments-and-schools/school-of-natural-sciences" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Natural Sciences</a>.



The study was focused on two subspecies of the long-tailed finch. One flaunts a yellow bill and calls the Kimberley region of Western Australia home while its counterpart with a red bill hails from the Northern Territory. 



In the event of these subspecies mating, they yield hybrid offspring adorned with orange bills.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bill-colors-of-australian-finches">Bill colors of Australian finches </h2>



The red-billed finches owe their crimson "smile" to carotenoid pigments, sourced from the seeds they munch. Through the course of their lives, they create enzymes that alter the yellow pigments from their dietary intake into the red pigment deposited in their growing bills.



The spectrum of eye-catching bill colors among the Finch family results from the genetic variations that halt this color conversion.



"This discovery helps us understand how animals can evolve different color signals, contributing to the amazing colors of nature," said Professor Griffith.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-natural-selection">The role of natural selection</h2>



The study suggests that the yellow bill tint, which first emerged roughly 100,000 years ago, might have offered an evolutionary edge.



This advantage could have led to the proliferation of genes responsible for yellow bills within populations of red-billed finches. 



"While red-colored bills were the ancestral state for these finches, we can see natural selection has favored the yellow coloration as these populations have mixed," noted Professor Griffith.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-bird-s-eye-view">A bird's eye view</h2>



Birds utilize carotenoid pigments for ornamental feather, skin, and bill colors. But, these pigments also play a crucial role in bird vision. 



Nestled in their retinas, these oil droplets laden with carotenoids filter light, enabling color vision.



Interestingly, although yellow-billed finches cannot produce red carotenoids in their bills, they can still manufacture them in their retinas. 



This intriguing fact suggests that the birds don't lack the genes for creating red pigments. Instead, they regulate these genes uniquely in different body parts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mechanisms-behind-unique-coloration">Mechanisms behind unique coloration</h2>



The unraveling of the genetic map responsible for color traits in the long-tailed finch provides a broader vantage point for understanding avian diversity. 



The researchers sequenced the genomes of various finches, comparing gene expressions in red and yellow-billed birds.



By pinpointing the genes responsible for converting dietary carotenoids into distinctive color pigments, scientists are unraveling the mechanisms behind unique coloration in numerous bird species. 



This genetic cartography not only enriches our knowledge of avian biology but also serves as a template for future research into genetic determinants of coloration across the animal kingdom.



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



The insights gleaned from this research extend beyond mere academic curiosity - they bear significant implications for conservation efforts. 



Understanding the genetic basis of coloration aids in comprehending how environmental pressures influence species' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-have-regional-accents-just-like-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary trajectories</a>.



In conservation biology, such information can guide strategies to preserve threatened populations by identifying genetic variations necessary for adaptation to changing habitats. 



As biodiversity faces unprecedented challenges, studies like these emphasize the need to protect genetic diversity essential for species' survival and the vibrancy of their assorted color palettes in nature.



This exploration of the finches' color code offers fresh insights into the evolution of animal coloration. It may also shed light on similar color variations in bird species worldwide. 



The story of nature's paintbrush is as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/darwins-finches-reveal-how-one-species-becomes-many/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vibrant and varied</a> as the colors it creates.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(24)01373-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Why do Australian finches have bright red and yellow bills?

Have you ever wondered what gives an Australian finch's bill...

Wild,Elephant,Playing,With,Water

When we think of animals using tools, creatures like crows, chimpanzees, and dolphins might come to mind. But have you ever considered elephants in that mix? Turns out, some of the tools that elephants use might just surprise you.



Michael Brecht, one of the senior authors of a recent study, was amazed by what elephants can do with a simple garden hose. 



"Elephants are amazing with hoses," he said. "As it is often the case with elephants, hose tool use behaviors come out very differently from animal to animal; elephant Mary is the queen of showering."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mary-s-unique-shower-routine">Mary's unique shower routine</h2>



So, what's so special about Mary? 



This Asian elephant has developed a knack for showering herself using a hose. In the study conducted at the <a href="https://www.zoo-berlin.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berlin Zoo</a>, researchers observed Mary coordinating the hose with her limbs to wash different parts of her body. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/elephants_pranking_water-hose_video-grab_credit-Current-Biology_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/elephants_pranking_water-hose_video-grab_credit-Current-Biology_1s.webp" alt="This is a video abstract of the elephant named Mary showering with a water hose for the 2024 Current Biology paper on elephant water hose tool use. Credit: Urban et al./Current Biology" class="wp-image-1949883"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This is a video abstract of the elephant named Mary showering with a water hose for the 2024 Current Biology paper on elephant water hose tool use. Credit: Urban et al./Current Biology</figcaption></figure>



She usually grabs the hose just behind the tip, turning it into a makeshift shower head. To reach her back, she switches things up by holding the hose further along and swinging it over her body like a lasso.



The team from <a href="https://www.hu-berlin.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humboldt University of Berlin</a> noticed that when given a larger and heavier hose, Mary opted to use her trunk to wash instead. 



The bulkier hose just wasn't as effective for her needs. This shows that she doesn't just use tools; she understands which tools work best in different situations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elephant-named-anchali-and-her-tool">Elephant named Anchali and her "tool"</h2>



But Mary's not the only star of this story. Enter Anchali, another Asian elephant at the zoo who seems to have a bit of a mischievous streak.



The researchers noticed some tension between Mary and Anchali, especially when Mary was enjoying her showers.



At one point, Anchali began pulling the hose away from Mary, lifting and bending it to stop the water flow. 



"The surprise was certainly Anchali's kink-and-clamp behavior," Brecht shared. "Nobody had thought that she'd be smart enough to pull off such a trick."



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="sU8Xeb9vrB-4000216-12187" type="single"]</div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elephant-s-water-tool-prank">Elephant's water tool prank</h2>



Anchali didn't stop there. She devised another method to disrupt Mary's shower time. This time, she placed her trunk on the hose and lowered her body onto it, effectively stopping the water. 



The researchers called this the "trunkstand." Since elephants at the zoo are trained not to step on hoses to avoid being scolded by keepers, Anchali's workaround was both clever and deliberate.



"When Anchali came up with a second behavior that disrupted water flow to Mary, I became pretty convinced that she is trying to sabotage Mary," Brecht admitted. 



It sparked quite a debate among the team about Anchali's true intentions. Was she being playful, or was there some elephant rivalry at play?



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



These observations highlight not just the intelligence of elephants but also their ability to understand and manipulate tools in complex ways. 



The researchers are now curious about what this could mean for wild elephants.



"Do elephants play tricks on each other in the wild?" Brecht wondered aloud. 



"When I saw Anchali's kink and clamp for the first time, I broke out in laughter. So, I wonder, does Anchali also think this is funny, or is she just being mean?"



It's a fascinating question. If elephants in captivity can display such nuanced behavior, perhaps their wild counterparts engage in similar antics. 



Maybe they have their own ways of teasing each other or competing for resources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glimpse-into-elephant-intelligence">Glimpse into elephant intelligence</h2>



This study highlights the extraordinary manipulative skills elephants possess, thanks to their versatile trunks. 



Their ability to use tools isn't just about survival; it seems to encompass social interactions and maybe even a sense of humor.



"I had not thought about hoses as tools much before, but what came out from Lea's work is that elephants have an exquisite understanding of these tools," Brecht mentioned. 



It's clear that there's still so much we can learn from these majestic creatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elephant-intelligence-and-society">Elephant intelligence and society</h2>



Elephants are known for their extraordinary intelligence, which is evident in many aspects of their behavior. 



They have large brains relative to their body size, and their cerebral cortex has as many neurons as that of a human brain. This brainpower enables them to solve problems, use tools, and exhibit complex social interactions.



Elephant social structures are intricate and deeply emotional. They live in tight-knit family groups led by a matriarch, and they form bonds that can last a lifetime. 



Elephants also display empathy by comforting distressed members of their herd and have been seen mourning the loss of a family member. 



Their ability to recognize themselves in a mirror indicates a high level of self-awareness, a trait rare in the animal kingdom.



Communication among elephants is also highly advanced. They use a range of vocalizations, from trumpets to low-frequency rumbles that can travel miles underground. This allows them to coordinate movements and stay connected even when they are far apart.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-elephants-tools-and-social-dynamics">Elephants, tools, and social dynamics</h2>



To sum it all up, the clever behaviors of Mary and Anchali at the Berlin Zoo offer a fascinating glimpse into the intelligence and social dynamics of elephants.



Mary's ability to use a hose to shower herself shows not just tool use, but a deep understanding of how to manipulate objects to meet her needs. 



Her adaptability in choosing different techniques based on the hose's size highlights her problem-solving skills.



Anchali's actions add another layer to this story, revealing possible elements of rivalry or playfulness among elephants.



By cleverly disrupting Mary's showers, she demonstrates that elephants may engage in complex social interactions, perhaps even mischief.



These observations raise intriguing questions about elephant behavior in the wild and remind us just how remarkable these gentle giants truly are.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S096098222401371X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



Video Credit: Urban et al./ Current Biology 



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Elephants captured on video "pranking" each other using water hoses

When we think of animals using tools, creatures like crows,...

Aging gracefully might just have a secret ally that we often overlook- a good night's sleep - which plays an essential role in overall health and well-being.



In a world where everyone is striving for success and juggling numerous responsibilities, it turns out that the same principle of prioritizing wellness applies to aging.



According to a recent study, consistently clocking more than seven hours of quality sleep could be the solution to achieving this, helping individuals maintain their physical vitality, cognitive sharpness, and emotional stability as they grow older.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-behavior-and-aging-outcomes">Sleep behavior and aging outcomes </h2>



The study was focused on a cross-section of people who have crossed the threshold of 45 years.



More than 3,300 participants had their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-color-has-no-impact-on-our-internal-clocks-or-sleep-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep patterns</a> carefully monitored over a span of four years from 2011 to 2015, capturing variations in their nightly routines and consistency. 



Five years later, a comprehensive health assessment was conducted to evaluate the long-term impacts of their sleep behaviors on aging outcomes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-much-sleep-for-healthy-aging">How much sleep for healthy aging?</h2>



The data was analyzed by scholars from <a href="https://en.wmu.edu.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wenzhou Medical University</a> in China. The researchers found that individuals who invest at least seven hours in sleep tend to enjoy a healthier life as they age.



"Successful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-tea-every-day-proven-to-delay-biological-aging-in-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging</a> was evaluated in 2020 and was defined as being free of major chronic diseases, no physical impairment, high cognitive function, good mental health, and active engagement with life," explained the study authors.



At the end of this inquisitive journey, 13.8% of the participants were deemed to have aged "successfully." Of these, approximately two-thirds had been clocking more than seven hours of sleep each night consistently.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stable-sleep-patterns-promote-healthy-aging">Stable sleep patterns promote healthy aging </h2>



Based on their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-jet-lag-sleeping-in-on-the-weekends-impacts-your-gut-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleeping schedules</a>, the participants were classified into five groups: long stable, normal stable, decreasing, increasing, and short stable.



The chance of successful aging was found to be more prominent among the long and normal stable groups. Those with erratic patterns of rest durations didn't fare as well in the age test.



"Relative to participants with the normal stable sleep duration trajectory, those with the low stable and increasing trajectory had 36 percent and 52 percent lower odds of successful aging, respectively," noted the researchers.



The enigma of sleep's impact doesn't end there. The findings also revealed that consistent extended sleep contributes to the battle against an array of physical and mental health concerns.



While the research was conducted in China, which is home to one of the fastest aging populations globally, the findings have a universal application. As the world ages, it presents an imperative need for a healthy global society.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-key-to-aging-well">The key to aging well</h2>



"These findings underscore that chronic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-deprivation-increases-the-risk-of-stroke-by-70-percent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep deprivation</a>, as well as the patterns of increasing and decreasing sleep duration, are not mere age-related changes," wrote the study authors. "Rather, they emerge as pivotal indicators of obstacles in the pursuit of successful aging." 



So, next time you consider skimping on sleep, remember that every hour of sleep is a stepping stone to a healthier and more fulfilling life as you age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-research">Broader implications of the research </h2>



While this study shines a spotlight on the importance of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/consistent-sleep-slows-down-aging-at-a-cellular-level/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consistent sleep</a> for aging gracefully, it also raises awareness about the wider societal impacts of sleep habits. 



Poor quality of rest and inconsistent routines are linked not just to aging challenges but to a host of physical and mental health issues such as cardiovascular disease, weakened immune response, and cognitive decline. 



This highlights the critical need for public health initiatives that promote sleep education and better sleep hygiene.



Implementing changes at both individual and community levels - like establishing regular sleep routines, limiting blue light exposure before bedtime, and advocating for work-life balance - can have far-reaching benefits.



As society grapples with longer life expectancies and an aging population, prioritizing sleep becomes not just a personal goal but a collective strategy for healthier communities and reduced healthcare costs.



By recognizing sleep as a foundational pillar of wellness, people can take proactive steps to ensure they don’t just live longer but live better - with vitality and independence in their later years.



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Experts reveal how much sleep you need for 'successful aging'

Aging gracefully might just have a secret ally that we...

For more than six decades, Antarctica and its resources have stood as a symbol of peace and cooperation. This vast wilderness, untouched by war and unspoiled by human hands, has been a sanctuary for scientific curiosity and discovery.



<a href="https://www.ats.aq/e/antarctictreaty.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Antarctica Treaty</a>, established in 1961, provided a framework that has maintained this delicate balance. 



It encouraged peaceful exploration, enabling nations such as Britain, Argentina, Australia, Norway, France, New Zealand, and Chile to lay claim to territory, yet restricted these claims in favor of scientific research. 



The treaty has endured because defying it was simply too difficult or costly, noted Tom Sharpe, a former Royal Navy icebreaker captain.



However, Sharpe pointed out that as soon as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-are-intense-heat-waves-affecting-life-in-antarctica/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctica's</a> vast resources become economically worth the risk of exploiting, things will change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-controlling-antarctica-s-resources">Controlling Antarctica's resources</h2>



For years, the Antarctic Treaty served as an exemplar of effective global cooperation. But now, this time-tested model is showing signs of wear and tear. 



Emerging heavyweights like China, Russia, and other nations are nudging the Antarctic Treaty into uncharted waters, threatening a new scramble for control of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ozone-hole-may-fully-recover-by-2066/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resource-rich continent</a>.



The United States, although still boasting the primary footprint in Antarctica, is seeing rapid competition from China. Just recently, China completed its fifth base on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctica-is-greening-at-an-unprecedented-rate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">continent</a>, purportedly dedicated to 'scientific purposes'.



Meanwhile, Russia seems equally intent on increasing its presence. This move, according to Dr. Lyn Goldsworthy from the University of Tasmania, is part of their broader strategy to shake up the world's rule-based order.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-loopholes-and-ambitions">Loopholes and ambitions</h2>



Despite a ban on mining until 2048, these new players are publicly advertising their ambitious plans for resource extraction from Antarctica.



Yet, what truly matters, as Sharpe warns, isn't just the overt ambitions. It's the more subtle maneuvers, such as using military personnel for peaceable purposes, that might one day translate into property rights. 



With countries like Russia, China, and India capitalizing on this - alongside Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Iran keen on securing a foothold - the Antarctic landscape is changing fast.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modernizing-the-treaty">Modernizing the treaty</h2>



These unfolding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-ice-sheet-past-present-and-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dynamics</a> have led to calls for modernizing the Antarctic Treaty. Yet achieving the unanimous support needed for this overhaul seems a far cry away, considering the geopolitical stakes and reach of nations like Russia and China.



A coherent strategy, bolstered by people, inspectors, ships, and enforcement mechanisms, is needed more than ever to uphold the existing treaty.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-antarctica-s-resources">Protecting Antarctica's resources</h2>



Amid growing geopolitical tensions, it is crucial not to overlook the pressing environmental concerns facing Antarctica. 



The continent is home to unique ecosystems and wildlife that are highly sensitive to human activities and climate change. The melting ice sheets are a stark reminder of the broader implications of global warming. 



Research indicates that Antarctica's ice holds enough water to raise global sea levels by several meters, emphasizing the urgent need for international collaboration in mitigating climate change effects. 



Sustainable environmental policies and practices must be prioritized to preserve Antarctica's pristine environment for future generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quest-for-peaceful-exploration">Quest for peaceful exploration </h2>



Science has long served as a unifying force in Antarctica, offering a neutral ground for collaboration and knowledge exchange. As geopolitical ambitions intensify, scientific cooperation assumes even greater significance. 



Research initiatives, such as climate studies and biodiversity assessments, provide invaluable insights while promoting diplomatic relations between countries. Strengthening scientific partnerships in Antarctica can serve as a pivotal means to diffuse tensions and refocus efforts on shared goals. 



By championing science-driven diplomacy, nations can uphold the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty and ensure that peaceful exploration and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-will-the-antarctic-ice-sheet-collapse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation</a> triumph over rivalry and exploitation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-lies-ahead">What lies ahead?</h2>



The need for consensus, however, extends beyond the physical landscape. As Sharpe notes, if consensus seems elusive for issues like Ukraine, Gaza, the Arctic and the China Sea, how can we hope to achieve it for the remote, inaccessible Antarctic? 



Despite its flaws, the Antarctic Treaty has managed to keep the peace for more than 60 years. But the waters are getting murky, threatening a collapse that could trigger chaos in the polar south.



Only time will tell what lies ahead for Antarctica. For now, it remains a symbol of what we can achieve when we let shared curiosity and respect for our planet take precedence over national interests and territorial ambitions.



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Antarctica’s peace is at risk as nations race for resources

For more than six decades, Antarctica and its resources have...

Vampire bats are the only mammals that live solely off blood. Their feeding habits may be the stuff of horror stories, but they have an interesting form of metabolism that sets them apart from other vertbrates.



Most vertebrates, including humans, use carbohydrates and fats for a source of energy. But these nutrients are in short supply in blood, the only food eaten by vampire bats. 



Researchers Ken Welch, from the <a href="https://learn.utoronto.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Toronto</a>, and Giulia Rossi who is now at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, wondered how vampire bats actually get the energy they need for survival, when they have such a simple diet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eating-habits-of-the-night-stalker">Eating habits of the night stalker</h2>



Vampire bats can fly from place to place, like other bats, but they also do a lot of walking. In particular, they are known to creep silently up to a sleeping animal, like a cow, in the dark of night. For this, they walk along the ground on all four limbs. 



They have razor-sharp teeth that cut into the sleeping host without causing any pain. The incision, along with the bat's anticoagulant saliva, cause blood to ooze out. This is lapped up by the bat. 



Rossi and Welch wondered how vampire bats can survive on such a simple <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bats-diets-offer-clues-on-how-to-protect-them/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diet</a> that is apparently deficient in carbohydrates and fats. To investigate, they caught 24 vampire bats while on location in Belize, Central America.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-innovative-approach-to-studying-metabolism">Innovative approach to studying metabolism</h2>



Revealing how vampire bats manage their metabolism comes with significant challenges, as traditional equipment for tracking metabolism in flying animals is cumbersome and awkward. This can interfere with natural movement and skew the results.



To overcome this, Rossi and Welch capitalized on the fact that vampire bats stalk their prey by walking or running along the ground. The researchers set the bats on a specially-designed bat treadmill that was placed inside a small enclosure. 



The speed of the treadmill was increased gradually, until the bats were running along at around 30 meters per minute. With this method, the researchers could accurately measure metabolism without influencing the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-bats-and-human-infants-engage-in-similar-babbling-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bats' behavior</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-source-of-energy-for-vampire-bats">Source of energy for vampire bats </h2>



Sensors monitored oxygen intake and carbon dioxide released in the bat's breath, while the source of the energy for respiration was determined using isotopically labeled cow blood.



The results revealed that the vampire bats were using amino acids for energy, rather than metabolizing carbohydrates or fats. Amino acids derive from the digestion of proteins and are a common component in blood.



This discovery indicates that the bats get their energy from their recent blood meal, similar to the way that blood-feeding tsetse flies or mosquitoes do.&nbsp; 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-metabolic-miracles-of-vampire-bats">Metabolic miracles of vampire bats</h2>



Most mammals can use amino acids as a source of energy if they are short on carbohydrates and fats, so the basic bat chemistry isn’t that unusual. 



“In most of us mammals, some kind of biochemical pathways can break down amino acids for fuel or some other use, but they’re built to slowly churn along in the background," explained Ken Welch. 



Unlike fats that can be stored and used when needed, amino acids cannot be stored as an energy reserve. These bats must therefore feed daily to avoid starvation - a characteristic that gives them the reputation for being voracious blood-suckers.



Yet, they manage to navigate this challenge, surviving each night with precision and resilience one drop of blood at a time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bat-adaptations-beyond-metabolism">Bat adaptations beyond metabolism</h2>



While this unique metabolic activity of vampire bats is fascinating, their survival relies on more than just physiology. These creatures have evolved impressive adaptations to ensure their nightly success. One of the key adaptations is their highly developed sensory system.



Vampire bats possess specialized heat sensors, located on their noses, that allow them to detect the blood vessels of their prey with pinpoint accuracy.



This enables them to make precise incisions, ensuring minimal disturbance to the host and a steady <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vampire-bats-hunt-for-food-with-their-friends/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food</a> supply.



Moreover, their sharp teeth and anticoagulant saliva play crucial roles in their feeding process. The bat's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolutionary-secrets-how-bat-teeth-adapted-to-their-diverse-diets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">teeth</a> are so fine and sharp that their bite is virtually painless, while their saliva contains a compound called draculin that prevents blood from clotting, ensuring a continuous flow while they feed. 



These adaptations highlight that vampire bats are highly specialized creatures that rely on a suite of traits extending beyond their metabolic feats to master their environment and thrive against the odds.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2024.0453" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biology Letters</a>.



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Vampire bats get energy from an unusual source

Vampire bats are the only mammals that live solely off...

Closeup,Woman's,Hands,Cutting,Philodendron,White,Wizard,Plant,Stem,For

Have you ever talked or sang to a plant or a tree? Or maybe walked through a garden and wondered if the flowers were trying to tell you something? Fascinating new research suggests that plants seem to be emitting sounds and engaging in unheard conversations, especially when they're stressed.



Lilach Hadany, an evolutionary biologist and theoretician, led a team that uncovered this surprising phenomenon. 



They found that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tomatoes-acylsugars-parallel-universe-plant-kingdom-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants like tomatoes</a> and tobacco emit sounds when they're stressed, such as when they're dehydrated or their stems are cut.



"Even in a quiet field, there are actually sounds that we don't hear, and those sounds carry information," says Hadany. 



"There are animals that can hear these sounds, so there is the possibility that a lot of acoustic interaction is occurring."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-emit-sounds-when-they-re-stressed">Plants emit sounds when they're stressed</h2>



Using sensitive microphones, the researchers at <a href="https://english.tau.ac.il/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tel Aviv University</a> recorded these plants in both soundproof chambers and noisier greenhouses. 



They discovered that stressed plants emit sounds resembling pops or clicks -- imagine the sound of bubble wrap being popped. 



In fact, a single <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-plants-respond-to-specific-stress-situations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stressed plant</a> can produce about 30 to 50 of these clicks every hour.



"When tomatoes are not stressed at all, they are very quiet," Hadany notes. What's fascinating is that these sounds are at frequencies too high for human ears to detect. 



However, they are comparable in volume to normal human conversation and could potentially be heard by insects, mammals, and perhaps <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-capture-plant-communication-on-video/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">even other plants</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-hear-sounds-from-plants">How to hear sounds from plants</h2>



To delve deeper, the team trained a machine-learning algorithm to differentiate between the sounds of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sensors-that-detect-plant-stress-could-revolutionize-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unstressed plants</a>, thirsty plants, and those that had been cut. 



They found that not only do <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-have-a-secret-weapon-for-surviving-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stressed plants</a> emit more sounds, but the types of sounds also vary depending on the kind of stress.



Water-deprived plants began making noises even before showing visible signs of dehydration. 



The frequency of their sounds peaked after five days without water and then decreased as the plants <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tomato-plants-use-their-roots-to-ration-water-during-drought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dried up completely</a>.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="sBuOk5UI4R-4000606-12187" type="single"]</div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-there-a-universal-plant-language">Is there a universal plant language?</h2>



While the study focused on tomatoes and tobacco due to their ease of cultivation, the team didn't stop there.



"We found that many plants -- corn, wheat, grape, and cactus plants, for example -- emit sounds when they are stressed," says Hadany.



This raises the possibility that emitting sounds under stress might be a common trait among plants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-does-this-happen">How does this happen?</h2>



The exact reason plants produce these noises is still a mystery. One theory is that the sounds result from cavitation -- the formation and bursting of air bubbles in the plant's vascular system.



But are plants <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-emit-faint-glow-sif-when-flash-droughts-imminent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intentionally communicating</a> with these sounds?



"It's possible that other organisms could have evolved to hear and respond to these sounds," Hadany suggests. 



"For example, a moth that intends to lay eggs on a plant or an animal that intends to eat a plant could use the sounds to help <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-plants-make-life-and-death-decisions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">guide their decision</a>."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-the-natural-world">Implications for the natural world</h2>



If insects or other animals can detect these sounds, it could have significant ecological implications. Other plants might also be listening in.



"If other plants have information about stress before it actually occurs, they could prepare," says Hadany.



Previous studies have shown that plants can respond to sounds and vibrations. For instance, some plants increase the sugar concentration in their nectar when they "hear" the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stressed-out-bees-get-depressed-and-make-bad-decisions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">buzz of pollinators</a>.



Yossi Yovel, a neuro-ecologist at Tel Aviv University and co-senior author of the study, is excited about the potential applications of this discovery.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/plants-make-sounds_stress_screams_credit-Tel-Aviv-Uni_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/plants-make-sounds_stress_screams_credit-Tel-Aviv-Uni_1s.webp" alt="Plants heard making &quot;screaming&quot; sounds, likely from stress, for the first time ever. Credit: Tel Aviv University" class="wp-image-1950033"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Plants heard making "screaming" sounds, likely from stress, for the first time ever. This photo shows the recording equipment used in the experiment. Credit: Tel Aviv University</figcaption></figure>



"We know that there's a lot of ultrasound out there -- every time you use a microphone, you find that a lot of stuff produces sounds that we humans cannot hear -- but the fact that plants are making these sounds opens a whole new avenue of opportunities for communication, eavesdropping, and exploitation of these sounds," Yovel explains.



Understanding these plant sounds could revolutionize how we approach agriculture. Farmers might one day use sound recordings to monitor crop hydration and stress levels, leading to more efficient water use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps-in-plant-sound-research">Next steps in plant sound research</h2>



"So now that we know that plants do emit sounds, the next question is -- 'who might be listening?'" says Hadany. 



"We are currently investigating the responses of other organisms, both animals and plants, to these sounds, and we're also exploring our ability to identify and interpret the sounds in completely natural environments," Hadany concluded.



To sum it all up, by discovering that stressed plants emit sounds, researchers like Lilach Hadany and Yossi Yovel have unveiled a hidden layer of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-rhythms-inspire-a-new-approach-to-energy-efficiency/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">communication in nature</a>. 



These ultrasonic clicks and pops, though inaudible to us, could be influencing how insects, animals, and even other plants interact with their environment.



This finding change our understanding of plant behavior while opening practical applications in agriculture. 



By listening to these silent signals, farmers could monitor crop stress levels and optimize watering, leading to more efficient farming practices. 



As we continue to explore this unseen world of plant acoustics, we're reminded of how much there is still to learn about the silent conversations happening all around us.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0092867423002623" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell</a>.



Video Credit: Tel-Aviv University



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Plants heard making 'screaming' sounds for the first time ever

Have you ever talked or sang to a plant or...

Mars, our celestial neighbor, has been hiding a secret for billions of years. Thanks to the relentless efforts of scientists and advanced technology, we now have more evidence supporting a long-debated theory about an ancient and vast ocean on Mars.



A Chinese rover has brought forth evidence that hints at the likelihood of a massive ocean, covering almost a third of the Red Planet, that existed billions of years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chinese-rover-makes-a-huge-discovery">Chinese rover makes a huge discovery</h2>



In 2021, China made an impressive stride in space exploration. Its Zhurong rover landed on Mars' northern hemisphere, specifically the Utopia region. 



This area had previously shown signs of ancient water presence, and now, it was time for a closer investigation.



The rover has been examining <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/does-life-exist-below-the-icy-surface-of-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a>' intriguing red terrain and its latest findings are truly mind-blowing. 



According to the study, the rover's landing area was riddled with “pitted cones, polygonal troughs, and etched flows" -- features that indicate the presence of an ocean in the past.



The possibility of mud volcanoes forming those crater-like pitted cones has been suggested. These are often seen in areas where water or ice existed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-ocean-on-mars">Ancient ocean on Mars</h2>



The research was led by Bo Wu, a scientist at <a href="https://www.polyu.edu.hk/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hong Kong Polytechnic University</a>. According to the findings, the Martian ocean might have been created from a massive flood about 3.7 billion years ago.



Over time, the ocean froze, carving out a coastline, and around 3.4 billion years ago, it disappeared.



Bo Wu, however, maintained an open stance on these findings. He stated that the team does not claim their findings definitively prove that there was an ocean on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-mars-became-uninhabitable-after-being-life-supporting-ocean-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a>. Martian rocks may be required for a more detailed study to settle the debate.



Benjamin Cardenas, a scientist from <a href="https://www.psu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pennsylvania State University</a>, expressed skepticism about the new study. 



He felt the research had not factored in the impact of the Martian wind, which could have significantly altered the planet's terrain over billions of years.



Despite his skepticism, Cardenas is not entirely dismissive of the ocean theory. "I tend to think there was an ocean on Mars," he stated.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-an-ocean-on-mars">Implications of an ocean on Mars</h2>



The discovery of a potential ancient ocean on Mars has profound implications for the ever-evolving search for extraterrestrial life. 



Liquid water is considered one of the essential prerequisites for life, and the existence of a vast ocean significantly increases the possibility that primitive life forms could have once inhabited the Red Planet. 



Understanding the duration and conditions of this ocean can provide vital clues about whether Mars had the right environment to support microbial life. 



While no direct evidence of life has been found, this latest revelation strengthens the case for continued exploration and study. 



There is particularly a need for missions focused on collecting and analyzing Martian soil and rock samples.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-critical-site-for-future-exploration">A critical site for future exploration</h2>



Looking ahead, the findings encourage a renewed focus on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-curiosity-rover-makes-surprising-find-under-martian-rock-sulfur-crystals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a> as a critical site for future exploration. 



Space agencies like NASA, ESA, and CNSA are already planning ambitious missions to further investigate the mysteries that the Martian surface holds.



One key objective is to obtain more conclusive evidence of past oceans and other potential water sources, which could further validate the likelihood of life. 



New technologies, such as more advanced rovers and possibly even manned missions, are being designed to unlock Mars' secrets and bring us closer to answering one of humanity's most profound questions: 



Are we alone in the universe? As these missions progress, the Red Planet continues to captivate scientists and enthusiasts alike, offering an unyielding promise of discovery and wonder.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-was-there-life-on-mars">Was there life on Mars?</h2>



The potential discovery of an ancient ocean on Mars opens up a thrilling possibility - could there have been life on Mars?



"Most scientists think life on Earth sprung up either under the ocean where hot gases and minerals from the subsurface came to the seafloor, or very close to the interface of water and air, in little tidal pools," noted Cardenas. "So, evidence for an&nbsp;ocean&nbsp;makes the planet appear more hospitable."



Did our neighbor Mars harbor life billions of years ago? The answer to this question might lie beneath the intriguing red surface of the Martian land.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-75507-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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China's Zhurong Mars rover finds evidence of a vast Martian ocean

Mars, our celestial neighbor, has been hiding a secret for...

Researchers have unveiled an exceptional golden fossil from an ancient era. It is beautifully preserved and frozen in time, yet appears ready to spring into life at any moment.



This 450-million-year-old, 3D-preserved entity is not just any fossil. The original living animal came to rest where pyrite (fool's gold) was present in the water, and this mineral entered the tissues, resulting in a fossil that glows golden. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-golden-arthropod">A golden arthropod</h2>



"As well as having their beautiful and striking golden color, these fossils are spectacularly preserved. They look as if they could just get up and scuttle away," noted <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a> Professor Luke Parry.



The specimen, a new species named Lomankus edgecombei, is related to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spiders-turn-to-cannibalism-when-food-sources-are-limited/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spiders</a>, centipedes, scorpions, and horseshoe crabs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intriguing-origin-and-evolution">Intriguing origin and evolution</h2>



Lomankus belongs to a group of arthropods known as megacheirans, which are characterized by the presence of a large, modified leg - or "great appendage" -- for seizing prey.



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-did-the-first-animals-appear-on-earth-we-are-now-one-step-closer-to-knowing-the-answer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cambrian Period</a>, which spanned between 538 and 485 million years ago, was rife with megacheirans. They were thought to be predators mostly, using their unusual great appendage to secure prey. 



But most of the species died off and disappeared from the fossil record by the Ordovician Period (485 - 443 million years ago).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-golden-piece-of-the-arthropod-puzzle">Golden piece of the arthropod puzzle</h2>



The discovery of Lomankus is like unearthing a golden piece of a giant puzzle -- it provides crucial insights into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-fossil-sheds-light-on-arthropod-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution</a> of the specialized head appendages of arthropods.



All arthropods have one or more pairs of legs at the front of their bodies that are modified for special functions, like sensing the surroundings or catching prey. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ancient-insect_fools-gold_Lomankus-edgecombei_credit-Luke-Perry_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ancient-insect_fools-gold_Lomankus-edgecombei_credit-Luke-Perry_1s.webp" alt="The holotype specimen of Lomankus edgecombei. Photograph at left, other images at right are 3D models from CT scanning. Credit: Luke Parry (photograph), Yu Liu, Ruixin Ran (3D models)." class="wp-image-1950019"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The holotype specimen of Lomankus edgecombei. Photograph at left, other images at right are 3D models from CT scanning. Credit: Luke Parry (photograph), Yu Liu, Ruixin Ran (3D models).</figcaption></figure>



Such appendages include the antennae of insects and <a href="https://search.app?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.earth.com%2Fnews%2Fmeet-melita-panda-the-black-and-white-crustacean-shrimp%2F&amp;utm_campaign=aga&amp;utm_source=agsadl2%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crustaceans</a>, and the pincers and fangs of spiders and scorpions.



"Today, there are more species of arthropod than any other group of animals on Earth. Part of the key to this success is their highly adaptable head and its appendages, that has adapted to various challenges like a biological Swiss army knife," said Professor Parry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whip-like-appendages-for-navigation">Whip-like appendages for navigation </h2>



The head appendages of Lomankus tell an interesting tale. Unlike its megacheiran relatives who used their great appendages primarily for hunting, Lomankus had reduced claws and was equipped with long, whip-like feelers that could have had a sensory, rather than a predatory role.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ancient-insect_fools-gold_Lomankus-edgecombei_head_scans_credit-Luke-Perry_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ancient-insect_fools-gold_Lomankus-edgecombei_head_scans_credit-Luke-Perry_1s.webp" alt="The head of Lomankus edgecombei. From left to right: photograph of a specimen preserved so that the head is viewed from the top; 3D model of the same specimen rotated so that the underside is visible; photograph of the head of the holotype specimen; digital 3D model of the head of the holotype specimen. Credit: Luke Parry (photograph), Yu Liu, Ruixin Ran (3D models)." class="wp-image-1950021"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The head of Lomankus edgecombei. From left to right: photograph of a specimen preserved so that the head is viewed from the top; 3D model of the same specimen rotated so that the underside is visible; photograph of the head of the holotype specimen; digital 3D model of the head of the holotype specimen. Credit: Luke Parry (photograph), Yu Liu, Ruixin Ran (3D models).</figcaption></figure>



Moreover, unlike other megacheirans, Lomankus didn't seem to have eyes, suggesting it lived in the depths and relied on its front appendages to navigate around the sediment in the dark.



"Rather than representing a 'dead end,' Lomankus shows us that megacheirans continued to diversify and evolve long after the Cambrian, with the formerly fearsome great appendage now performing a totally different function," said Professor Parry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intriguing-features-of-lomankus">Intriguing features of Lomankus</h2>



Other intriguing features of Lomankus offer further evidence of its evolutionary journey and contribution to the existing fauna.



"These beautiful new fossils show a very clear plate on the underside of the head, associated with the mouth and flanked by the great appendages," noted Professor Yu Liu from Yunnan University.



"This is a very similar arrangement to the head of&nbsp;megacheirans&nbsp;from the early Cambrian of China except for the lack of eyes, suggesting that&nbsp;Lomankus&nbsp;probably lived in a deeper and darker niche than its Cambrian relatives." 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-time-capsule-in-fool-s-gold">A time capsule in fool’s gold</h2>



The fossil was discovered in a New York area famous for its "Beecher’s Trilobite Bed," a unique rock layer that is rich in trilobites.



A hostile, low oxygen environment led to the remarkable preservation of these creatures by replacing their bodies with pyrite, or the glittering <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fools-gold-may-be-a-valuable-source-of-lithium/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fool’s gold</a>, resulting in stunning 3D fossils.



The pyrite-adorned treasures can be examined using a CT scan, which reveals hidden anatomical features preserved in exceptional detail.



Professor Derek Briggs, a co-author of the study from Yale University, noted that the fossils show how the rapid replacement of delicate anatomical features in pyrite (before they decay) preserves critical evidence of the evolution of life in the oceans 450 million years ago.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0960982224013678" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



Image Credit: Illustration by Xiaodong Wang



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Golden fossil: 450-million-year-old arthropod found inside a block of fool’s gold

Researchers have unveiled an exceptional golden fossil from an ancient...

The complex web of life holds countless mysteries and its origins inspire endless queries. The question of which came first - the chicken or the egg - is a classic example. 



This biological conundrum has been debated for centuries, perplexing philosophers, biologists, and curious minds alike.



But, we might finally be close an answer, thanks to an unexpected source - a single-celled species discovered just a mere four years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-chicken-or-the-egg">The chicken or the egg?</h2>



The name of this remarkable species is Chromosphaera perkinsii. In an expedition around Hawaii in 2017, scientists discovered the species in marine sediments.



Surprisingly, the first signs of its presence on Earth trace back to over a billion years ago. This is well before the emergence of the first animals, let alone <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chicken-domestication-humans-timeline-silk-road-evidence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chickens</a> or their eggs.



This long timeline of existence has allowed C. perkinsii to bear witness to some of the most monumental shifts in life as we know it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-multicellular-structures">Multicellular structures</h2>



A team of researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE), led by Professor Omaya Dudin, has been studying C. perkinsii. They have made a striking observation - this unicellular species forms multicellular structures that are eerily similar to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chick-emotions-shed-new-light-on-animal-welfare/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal</a> embryos.



In the grand story of evolution, the transition from solitary, unicellular life forms (like yeast or bacteria) to complex, multicellular organisms (like animals) is a significant chapter.



This turns out to be a complex process, which starts with a single cell, the egg, and develops into complex beings. And believe it or not, this embryonic development process is remarkably similar across varied animal species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-roots-of-multicellularity">The roots of multicellularity</h2>



Upon observing C. perkinsii, the UNIGE team made a startling discovery. Once these cells reach their maximum size, they divide without any further growth. 



The result? Multicellular colonies. These colonies, which resemble a chicken egg structure, persist for a substantial part of their life cycle and bear a striking resemblance to the early stages of animal embryonic development.



So, does this mean that the researchers have stumbled onto the roots of multicellularity?



"Although C. perkinsii is a unicellular species, this behavior shows that multicellular coordination and differentiation processes are already present in the species, well before the first animals appeared on Earth," said Professor Dudin.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threads-of-evolution">Threads of evolution</h2>



Not only are the cells' divisions and the three-dimensional structure they form similar to the early stages of animal embryonic development, but their genetic activity is in sync with it too. 



In collaboration with Dr. John Burns at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, the UNIGE team noticed intriguing similarities between the genetic activity within these colonies and that observed in animal embryos. 



This implies that the complex genetic programs governing multicellular development, like those seen in the chicken and egg, may have already been in place over a billion years ago. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-chicken-and-egg-mystery">The chicken and egg mystery</h2>



Marine Olivetta, the first author of the study and a laboratory technician at the Department of Biochemistry in the UNIGE Faculty of Science, emphasized the significance of C. perkinsii.



"It's fascinating, a species discovered very recently allows us to go back in time more than a billion years," said Olivetta.



The profoundly interesting take-away from the study is that either the principle of embryonic development existed before animals, or multicellular development mechanisms evolved separately in C. perkinsii. 



This discovery could shed a whole new light on a long-standing scientific debate concerning 600 million-year-old fossils that resemble embryos and could challenge certain traditional conceptions of multicellularity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chicken-egg-or-c-perkinsii">Chicken, egg, or C. perkinsii?</h2>



So, did the chicken come first, or the egg? According to the UNIGE team, it's possible that the building blocks of female reproductive cells, or eggs, appeared long before <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chickens-faces-change-color-depending-on-their-emotions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chickens</a> evolved. 



Nature, therefore, could have possessed the genetic tools to create eggs long before chickens came along. 



This unassuming, single-celled species might just have handed us a key piece of the evolutionary puzzle, improving our understanding of the origins of life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-perspective-on-evolution">New perspective on evolution</h2>



Life is a complex tapestry woven with the threads of countless organisms - each contributing to the multitude of species that inhabit our planet today.



The discovery of C. perkinsii and its fascinating developmental mechanisms challenges our conventional take on evolution, pushing us to rethink and reassess.



Who knows what other secrets are hidden within the depths of our vast oceans? Only time and relentless scientific pursuit will tell. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08115-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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The chicken or the egg? We may finally know which came first

The complex web of life holds countless mysteries and its...

When you think of a brainy creature, a bumblebee probably isn't the first thing that pops into your mind. But did you know that these small wonders are actually quite adept learners? Surprisingly, bees have incredible cognitive abilities.



Felicity Muth, an assistant professor in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior at UC Davis, has dedicated her research to understanding the cognitive capacities of these tiny powerhouses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bees-performing-cognitive-tasks">Bees performing cognitive tasks</h2>



Bumblebees, despite having brains smaller than a sesame seed, can outperform many vertebrates when it comes to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bees-build-symmetrical-nests-not-for-beauty-but-for-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive tasks</a>, as Professor Muth's research has shown.



She initially explored the behavior of birds, but her curiosity led her to investigate the thought processes of bumblebees. Muth's research looks into how bumblebees learn, choose flowers to visit, and what motivates them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bees-caffeine-and-mind-games">Bees, caffeine, and mind games</h2>



Professor Muth's studies go beyond the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-honey-bee-day-protecting-our-vital-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a> and examine the fascinating dynamics that unfold between bumblebees and the plants they frequent.



It's a known fact that plants reward bees with nectar rich in sugar to encourage them to visit more flowers of the same type, helping in pollination. But plants also use some cunning tricks to garner the attention of these buzzing visitors.



Many plants infuse their nectars with caffeine and other chemicals like octopamine and tyramin, which function as hormones and neurotransmitters in brains of bees. 



Muth meticulously studies these interactions in the lab by filling artificial flowers with nectar concoctions. "The plants are actually manipulating the insects," noted Professor Muth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bees-consuming-caffeine">Bees consuming caffeine</h2>



The research sheds light on the intriguing effects these chemical-imbued nectars have on bees.



When bees consume nectar laced with caffeine, they behave as if it is sweeter than it actually is, thus making them more inclined to remember and revisit those flowers. 



The caffeine also amps up their flower-visiting rate. However, when the nectar contains octopamine and tyramine, it nullifies the effect of caffeine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenge-of-being-a-bumblebee">Challenge of being a bumblebee</h2>



Professor Muth and her students spend much of the summer outdoors, particularly in California's Sierra Nevada.



The team catches wild-foraging <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-bee-day-2024-bee-engaged-with-youth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bumblebees</a> in nets and test their learning and memory capacities. They employ colored tabs soaked in sugar water or plain water to examine the bees' ability to associate specific colors with food.



In a 2021 study by Professor Muth and her former postdoc mentor, Anne Leonard of the <a href="https://www.unr.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Nevada</a>, it was found that both female worker bees and male drones learned equally well, albeit the males were slower to make decisions.



The real revelation came from the queen bumblebees they tested, which turned out to be significantly faster learners than the other bees.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-abilities-of-queen-bees">Learning abilities of queen bees </h2>



"Queens are much more elusive than workers. They are much less studied, and that's what drew me to them," said Professor Muth.



The fact that they have only a limited period to forage adds more pressure on them to be quick and efficient.



The need to forage, find mates, and choose nesting sites likely leads to cognitive specialization in queen bees. Research suggests that caffeine in nectar may further enhance these bees' learning and memory, aiding them in these crucial tasks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neural-mechanisms-of-learning">Neural mechanisms of learning</h2>



Going deeper into the intellectual wonders of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bees-do-not-learn-to-be-cooperative-it-is-in-their-genes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bumblebees</a>, Muth's research progresses into the neural pathways that govern learning and memory in these insects. 



Utilizing advanced imaging techniques, her team maps the neural circuitries involved in processing sensory inputs and forming associative memories. 



Through controlled experiments, they seek to uncover the neural basis for the bees' ability to learn from their environment, adapt to new situations, and make choices benefiting their survival. 



Understanding these processes not only enriches our knowledge of caffeine's effects on bee cognition but also provides insights into the complex neural architectures shared across animal species.



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



The explorations into bumblebee cognition have far-reaching implications for biodiversity and conservation efforts. Given their pivotal role in pollination, understanding the subtleties of their behavior and learning can aid in crafting effective conservation strategies.



Professor Muth advocates for preserving natural habitats and reducing pesticide use, strategies that are essential for fostering healthy bee populations.



By drawing correlations between cognitive science and environmental impact, her research serves as a foundation for interdisciplinary approaches to safeguarding the myriad of ecological roles bumblebees fulfill.



The interplay between research and conservation efforts highlights the urgency of protecting these "brainy" bees to maintain ecosystem balance and agricultural productivity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birds-bees-and-caffeine">Birds, bees, and caffeine</h2>



The ultimate goal of Muth's research is to understand how the challenges faced by different animals shape their specific cognitive traits.



This understanding could illuminate how intelligence evolved in animals, even extending to birds, mammals, and humans. If we can comprehend this, Muth added, we could understand ourselves better.



As our journey into the microscopic world of bumblebees comes to a close, we are left with a rekindled fascination for these small creatures. 



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Flowers use caffeine to 'trick' bees into coming back to them

When you think of a brainy creature, a bumblebee probably...

Brain aging has been a subject of fascination and inquiry for decades, and a 25-year research program has now unveiled critical insights into what influences cognitive performance throughout life.



The study was focused on data from the Lothian Birth Cohorts (LBC), which uniquely tracked participants' cognitive abilities from childhood into their eighth decade.



This long-term research, led by Professor Ian Deary and Dr. Simon Cox from the <a href="https://www.ed.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Edinburgh</a>, challenges conventional beliefs and provides new perspectives on brain aging.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-aging-tracing-cognitive-roots">Brain aging: Tracing cognitive roots</h2>



The researchers found that nearly half of the variations in intelligence test scores in old age can be traced back to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/video-games-do-not-harm-childrens-cognitive-abilities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">childhood cognitive abilities</a>, highlighting the profound and lasting impact of early cognitive development on later life. 



"What's particularly fascinating is that even after seven decades, we found correlations of about 0.7 between childhood and older-age cognitive scores. This means that just under half of the variance in intelligence in older age was already present at age 11," noted Professor Deary.



This revelation opens up questions surrounding the age-old nature versus nurture debate. It sparks renewed interest in understanding how genetics and environmental influences intertwine to shape cognitive trajectories over a lifetime.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-redefining-brain-aging">Redefining brain aging</h2>



The research presents several key insights that challenge the conventional understanding of age and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vitamin-d-in-the-brain-linked-to-better-cognitive-function/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive function</a>, revealing a nuanced picture of how our brains change over time. 



One significant finding is that brain aging varies dramatically even among individuals of the same age, indicating that biological, environmental, and lifestyle factors may play critical roles in influencing cognitive trajectories. 



Additionally, the study found that DNA methylation patterns can serve as predictive markers for mortality risk, offering a potential window into understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-transfer-longevity-gene-hoping-to-extend-human-lifespan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">longevity</a> and health outcomes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-childhood-intelligence-and-brain-aging">Childhood intelligence and brain aging</h2>



Another key insight highlights the strong correlation between higher childhood intelligence and better survival rates in later life. 



This suggests that cognitive abilities developed early on may have a lasting impact on overall well-being and lifespan, reinforcing the importance of early education and intellectual stimulation.



Finally, the research shows that genetics exert different influences on intelligence in childhood compared to older age, implying that the factors shaping cognitive abilities shift over a lifetime.



These findings open new avenues for exploring how genetic predispositions interact with life experiences to shape the aging brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-historic-survey">A historic survey</h2>



The vital element that set this study apart was its use of the Scottish Mental Surveys from 1932 and 1947, which included almost every child born in Scotland in 1921 and 1936. 



This thorough baseline enabled the researchers to track cognitive changes across entire lifespans and discover patterns previously unseen by science.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-structure-and-function">Brain structure and function</h2>



Another aspect of the research highlighted significant differences in brain health among people of the same age.



This leads us to ask: what factors contribute to these differences, and can they be modified by lifestyle adjustments?



The research also dispelled several misconceptions about brain aging, reshaping our understanding of how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predicting-the-rate-of-cognitive-decline-in-alzheimers-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive decline</a> is perceived and pointing to new directions for more effective strategies and preventive measures.



“We've learned that what we often assume are 'causes' of cognitive decline in older age are sometimes actually 'outcomes' of earlier cognitive differences. This fundamentally changes how we think about brain health interventions," said Dr. Cox



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-directions-in-brain-research">Future directions in brain research</h2>



The findings have set the stage for future exploratory questions such as the following: How does early-life cognitive ability influence lifestyle choices that affect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ultrasound-waves-can-enhance-mindfulness-and-brain-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain health</a>? What role do environmental factors play in maintaining cognitive abilities? Can interventions in midlife help preserve cognitive function in later years?



Addressing these questions could pave the way for targeted strategies that promote lifelong cognitive health and resilience. 



Such insights may also lead to personalized approaches in brain health management, tailoring interventions to individuals based on their cognitive histories and environmental exposures.



The effects of this research will be felt for years to come, potentially transforming how society approaches cognitive health from childhood through old age and inspiring innovative practices in preventive care and mental wellness.



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What 25 years of research revealed about brain aging

Brain aging has been a subject of fascination and inquiry...

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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

[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" 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> (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

[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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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



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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



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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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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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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...