Tiny plastic fragments have turned up inside human beings, and it has rattled more than a few nerves. Nobody expects to find plastic in their blood or buried in important tissues, but recent <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165993624005971?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> has done exactly that.



These miniscule particles, often smaller than a grain of sand, have appeared in places once thought safe from contamination.



This poses some uncomfortable questions about the implications for long-term health and whether anyone has been paying attention to this hidden hazard that has been present in the environment for decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-infiltration-of-plastic-into-human-tissues">The infiltration of plastic into human tissues</h2>



Scientists have identified <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412022001258" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">micro- and nanoplastics</a> (MNPs) in human lungs, gut, reproductive organs, and skin, where they can stick around for far longer than most people would imagine.



Their presence has now been detected in blood, too, making it clear that these tiny, synthetic particles move through our bodies in surprising ways. They do not simply pass through and exit without causing harm, as was once thought. 



Instead, they take up residence. They linger, and they may be associated with some serious health issues.



This <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165993624005971?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a>, led by <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=bVDTB_gAAAAJ&amp;hl=zh-CN" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Yating Luo</a> at the School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, and a team of specialists, has revealed an unsettling new source of environmental exposure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-links-to-diseases">Potential links to diseases</h2>



Other researchers have begun piecing together how MNPs might be <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165993624003182" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">involved in a range of health problems</a>.



Studies have linked them to heart and blood vessel conditions, like atherosclerosis and thrombosis, as well as to intestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease.



Some work even connects them to changes in reproductive systems and the risk of conditions like cervical cancer. Nobody wants to consider <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-carry-toxic-chemicals-that-are-easily-absorbed-by-skin/">plastic dust</a> as a potential player in such serious illnesses, but the evidence is mounting.



Dr. Luo, lead author of the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165993624005971?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a>, which was published in Environment International, highlighted that the research strongly indicates MNPs are more than environmental contaminants - they are entering human tissues and may pose significant health risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-these-particles-break-through-barriers">How these particles break through barriers</h2>



Laboratory tests have <a href="https://particleandfibretoxicology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12989-020-00358-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shown</a> that these particles can cross protective hurdles, including the body’s natural filters. For example, the blood-brain barrier has long been thought of as a sturdy shield, but these tiny plastic pieces may pass through it.



This could set the stage for neurological issues. Researchers suspect that if these minute fragments of plastic move along the gut-brain axis, they may influence how nerve cells work. Early evidence suggests they might play a role in some degenerative conditions that affect the brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wider-implications-for-public-health">Wider implications for public health</h2>



Plastic pollution is not something that stays outside in the ocean or piled up at landfills. Studies show that even remote corners of the planet have tiny <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/surging-plastic-levels-found-in-the-north-pacific-garbage-patch/">plastic fragments</a> floating in the air. People breathe them in, ingest them through food and water, and may even absorb them through the skin.



<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28812686/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Tamara Galloway</a>, a leading expert on microplastics from the University of Exeter, emphasized that this study further supports the increasing evidence of microplastics being widespread in human tissues.



It is not just a problem for one region or for certain groups. It is a global phenomenon that affects everyone, everywhere. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-people-should-pay-attention">Why people should pay attention</h2>



Plastics have found their way into everyday life in a multitude of forms - containers, packaging, clothing, personal care products. As these items break down, tiny plastic fibers and fragments spread through land, water, and air. They turn up in fish and shellfish, which then end up <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.9b01517" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">on dinner plates</a>.



Waste management <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34492918/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">practices</a> in some places, such as open burning, add more plastic particles to the environment and harm people who live nearby.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-plastic-use-and-environmental-regulations">Rethinking plastic use and environmental regulations</h2>



There is growing pressure on governments to enforce stricter rules around plastic manufacturing, recycling, and disposal. A shift to responsible materials and less reliance on single-use plastics could help slow the spread of these particles in future.



Public health agencies may need to update guidelines to consider tiny <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/major-plastic-pollution-lurks-beneath-the-surface-of-rivers/">plastic fragments as contaminants</a>. If MNPs are linked to certain diseases, official policies may need to reflect that. Health professionals might soon discuss plastic exposure as they do other known factors like poor air quality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-comes-next-in-the-search-for-answers">What comes next in the search for answers</h2>



Scientists need to measure the full extent of the problem. More long-term <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34492918/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> could show exactly how much plastic accumulates in human tissues and pinpoint how these particles alter cells and organs at a microscopic level.



Researchers are developing new technology to track these fragments and understand how they behave inside the body. Improved tools might help uncover the chemical reactions triggered by plastic fragments. With that information, they could figure out why certain tissues are more at risk than others.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-ways-to-reduce-the-danger">Finding ways to reduce the danger</h2>



None of this is a reason to give up the fight against plastic pollution. People can reduce their own exposure by avoiding products that shed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-are-able-to-travel-thousands-of-miles-because-of-their-shape/">plastic fibers</a>, pushing for cleaner water sources, and supporting brands that move away from plastic use.



Communities that suffer from poor waste management can advocate for better facilities, cleaner streets, and safer disposal methods.



Officials can encourage companies to design products with health and the environment in mind. Better filters and barriers could help keep these particles out of water supplies and the foods people rely on every day.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-reason-to-stay-informed">A reason to stay informed</h2>



Nobody likes to think about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-migrate-from-the-gut-to-other-organs/">foreign particles</a> building up in their body. For many, this may spark frustration or fear. The good news is that awareness can help drive action. If people know that these small bits of plastic may affect their health, they might push for meaningful changes.



More funding, better research, and stricter oversight may keep these hidden threats in check. As scientists learn more, the public can stay informed and join conversations that shape future policies.



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Tiny plastic bits are now found hiding deep inside the human body

Tiny plastic fragments have turned up inside human beings, and it has rattled more than a few nerves. Nobody expects to find plastic in their blood or buried in important tissues, but recent research has done exactly that. These miniscule particles, often smaller than a grain of sand, have appeared in places once thought safe from contamination. This poses some uncomfortable questions about the implications for long-term health and whether anyone has been paying attention to this hidden hazard that has been present in the environment for...

The internet may be forever changing the nature of many people’s relationship with religion, according to a new study by Paul M McClure, a sociologist, and researcher. 

McClure, a doctoral student at <a href="https://www.baylor.edu/">Baylor University</a>, found that smartphone and internet use has led more people to pick and choose what parts of a religion they wish to follow, rather than sticking exclusively to one specific set of beliefs.

This à la carte way of looking at <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/religion-trumps-politics-when-it-comes-to-the-environment/">religion</a> is known as “religious tinkering,” and it’s a concept that’s been studied before.  

“Tinkering means that people feel they’re no longer beholden to institutions or religious dogma,” explained McClure. “Today, perhaps in part because many of us spend so much time online, we’re more likely to understand our religious participation as free agents who can tinker with a plurality of religious ideas.” 

The study, “Tinkering with Technology and Religion in the Digital Age,” was published in the  Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion.

McClure collected data from the Wave III of Baylor Religion Survey to show how the internet, social media, and smartphones had influenced religious habits and preferences. 

The nationwide survey included 1,714 adults ages 18 and older, and took into account TV use and internet habits. Respondents were also asked about religious affiliation and how much time was spent on religious activities. 

The results show that the more time spent on the internet, the less likely it is for a person to claim to be exclusive to a single religion or be affiliated with a formal religion. 

The findings also show that TV watching was linked to less time spent on religious activities, but internet use did not affect religious activities. 

According to McClure, the internet is drastically changing religious beliefs and how people perceive and understand religion. He also notes that this study presents an opportunity for future research on how the internet shapes religion.  

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By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com </a>Staff Writer

The internet has led people to mix and match religious beliefs

The internet may be forever changing the nature of many...

Many see the age of exploration as part of a romanticized past, something dead and gone.  We have maps of the world that are seemingly very complete.  Satellite photos of any part of Earth are not uncommon.  Long gone are the times when an explorer could set sail in a ship without any idea of what was to be encountered.  All the continents have been found, the islands where no one’s yet set foot are small and remote.  In fact it’s almost impossible to know if someone has visited a place or not unless like a mountain summit it’s exceedingly hard to reach.

I would argue that as the classical, romanticized era of exploration ends, so begins a new golden age of exploration.  Exploring can mean discovering new animals, plants, fossils or intimate geographic features that can’t be seen (yet) from a satellite image.  There are fossil remains buried everywhere, even on private ranches in the US, sometimes one comes to light from simple highway construction digging it up.  A New ant species was once discovered in an office in Harvard.  There are wonders unknown to science all around us.  To me even these common place discoveries are a form of real exploration.

The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/public-agrees-oceans-trouble/">ocean</a> of course is a mystery lapping at every land mass in the world; a dark abyss filled with an alien geology and biology.  Exploration of the ocean will still take many years of submarine, SCUBA and boat work.  There is little known about the deepest parts of the sea and many nooks and crannies are equally open for exploration.

What I mainly want to talk about is a form of exploration I know even better than the paleontology work I’ve done.  I want to talk about a form of exploration that any brave soul with a reasonable fitness level could carry out.  Caves lie hidden throughout the US and the world.  Caves can be everything from aquifers full of live giving water to pockets full of ancient crystals discovered by mine excavation.  There are tiny caves that can barely fit a human to caves hundreds of miles long.  What is it like exploring caves?

Cave exploration is often casual.  Many cave maps are made by National Speleological Society members creating maps for little more than their own recreation.  This doesn’t mean that cave surveying isn’t precise.  The same techniques I learned to survey mudstone caves in western Colorado applied to surveying as a volunteer for the National Park Service in South Dakota or for Northern Arizona University near the Grand Canyon.  There just isn’t a huge demand for most cave maps and there isn’t a lot of organization put into cataloging cave surveys or maps.  Most cave mapping work is unpaid and carried out by dedicated volunteers who find fulfillment in the work itself.  Making the first summit of a mountain peak is more glamorous than exploring a virgin cave passage but not necessarily more exciting.  Mountains are obvious to those who don’t climb them; sometimes you can see a peak rising through snow and fog, beckoning.  Caves look like little more than dark holes from the outside, no one knows how far or how hard they are to explore until they go in.  

Cave exploration is dark.  Turn off all the lights in your house on the darkest night.  Caves are darker.  Close your eyes and stand in an empty closet with all the lights off in your house on the darkest night; that’s about as dark as a cave with no flashlight.  We are used to needing to bring food and water (or a way to obtain these) with us on outdoor excursions.  Often maps, compasses and/or a GPS are essential to safely travelling out of doors.  In a cave, a light source is as essential as water, food or a good map.  Without a light, you won’t usually find your way out of a cave of any length; things can quickly become confusing to the uninitiated even with a light source.  Cave explorers who have been underground for long periods sometimes report vivid hallucinations in the dark.  Laying in a small crack hidden in the back of a lava tube cave in Northern Arizona, I turned off my light for thirty minutes, after a while I almost believed I could see dots of light that weren’t there.  Reality seems to become porous in dark silence by yourself, separated from the world above by solid, thick, sound-swallowing stone.

Cave exploration is exhausting.  Imagine crawling for hours, squeezing through tiny tubes of stone, elbowing your way up, over, down, and around boulders.  Imagine pulling yourself up a hundred feet of rope with a small device that slides up but not down.  Imagine hunching and walking as quickly as you can down a small passageway, ducking sharp rock formations.  Time can be of the essence in cave exploration, especially in the larger caves where you have to travel a long distance to get to the unexplored “frontier” with only the supplies you can carry.  In Jewel Cave, when I was practicing/training to make a long exploration expedition, we travelled for over 12 exhausting hours just to map small side passageways that didn’t go much of anywhere.  One passage we travelled through in Jewel was called “The Miseries” you can imagine why.

Cave exploration is rewarding.  I spent days digging mud from the bottom of a cave passage with my friend Matt.  In the end we were rewarded by discovering a small but gorgeous room.  Long, delicate soda straws hung from the ceiling, dripping water on a floor where no humans had set foot before.

Cave exploration can also damage caves if one is not careful or adequately trained.  I’ve seen my share of graffiti in caves but even touching a wall with a bare hand can leave oils that destroy cave formations.  Moving from one cave to another without properly disinfecting equipment can spread White Nose Syndrome, a disease deadly to already imperiled bats.

The best way to learn about cave exploration and participate is to look up a local grotto (cave club) in your area online, as there are more grottos out there than you may imagine.    

--     

By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Caves and the new age of exploration

Many see the age of exploration as part of a...

Researchers at <a href="http://www.ncl.ac.uk/">Newcastle University</a> have identified a collection of small adaptations in our bodies that may help to explain how humans have evolved to live longer. The study is focused on the significance of a protein called p62.

There are many cells, such as those that reside within the human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-records-body-weight/">brain</a>, which need to last an entire lifetime. In order to survive, our cells have developed ways of defending themselves. A process called autophagy, for example, collects and removes damaged cell components.

“As we age, we accumulate damage in our cells and so it is thought that activating autophagy could help us treat older people suffering from dementia,” said lead author Dr. Viktor Korolchuk. “In order to be able to do this we need to understand how we can induce this cell cleaning.”

The research team managed to demonstrate how a protein called p62 is triggered to start the process of autophagy. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are byproducts of our metabolism that cause damage in the cell, can activate p62. The protein senses ROS and removes the damage it leaves behind, allowing the cell to survive the stress.

Although fruit flies do not naturally have p62, the researchers modified fruit flies with a human form of p62 for their study. These “humanized” flies survived longer in conditions of stress. 

“This tells us that abilities like sensing stress and activating protective processes like autophagy may have evolved to allow better stress resistance and a longer lifespan,” said Dr. Korolchuk.

The study revealed that certain mutations in human p62 can prevent activation of p62 by ROS, leaving the cells unable to induce autophagy. According to the researchers, this may be the underlying cause of the premature death of neurons in patients with a neurodegenerative disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

The discovery of human adaptations like p62 help to explain how humans are living longer lives, and allows for a better understanding of how we can protect against age-related diseases.

The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/ncomms/">Nature Communications</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

How humans evolved to live longer lives

Researchers at Newcastle University have identified a collection of small...

Research scientist Emile Bruneau observed many reactions toward Muslims following the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, and set out to determine which tactics could effectively demonstrate that Muslims as a group cannot be blamed for such tragedies. Bruneau discovered that exposing hypocrisy was the best approach to help reduce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/economic-hardship-racial-discrimination/">prejudice</a>.

“People tend toward sharing empathy-inducing techniques on social media,” said Bruneau, “because we think that the best way to change someone's opinion is to pull on their heart strings. However, our research indicates that the best way to change someone's heart is to change their mind first.”

Bruneau and his colleagues at the <a href="https://www.asc.upenn.edu/">University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication</a> evaluated 60 real-world video clips that had been used on social media to combat collective blame. The team narrowed this collection down to 8 video clips and presented them to 2,000 non-Muslim Americans. The study participants were first questioned on their beliefs about Muslims and their collective responsibility.

The researchers found that the most effective video was an Al Jazeera interview with a Muslim woman who said that blaming all Muslims for a terror attack is like blaming all Christians for the actions of Westboro Baptist Church or the KKK. Participants who viewed this clip were the only ones to report a significant reduction in collective blame.

Bruneau pointed out that accusing people of hypocrisy outright will usually result in a “defensive backlash right away.” Because of this, the researchers developed a second phase of the study in which they designed a method to help people recognize their own hypocrisy.

Participants were asked to read short biographies of three American white supremacists and mass murderers and then report on how responsible they felt that white Americans are for their actions. The individuals then read short biographies of individual Muslims and were ultimately asked, “How responsible should all Muslims be for an individual's act of terror?”

Compared to the control group, 50 percent fewer participants blamed all Muslims after completing the activities

“This activity is very gentle, and it allows people to come to a conclusion on their own, without setting off their brain's threat sensors,” said Bruneau.

“Although the conventional wisdom is that attitude change is difficult to achieve and even harder to maintain, these interventions suggest that when people are provided with the awareness of their own inconsistencies and the tools to change their minds, they can readily do so.”

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/earth/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Calling out hypocrisy could help change prejudiced attitudes

Research scientist Emile Bruneau observed many reactions toward Muslims following...

Wildfires, extreme storms, and major weather events are happening much more frequently as the Earth’s climate changes. Researchers at the <a href="http://www.arizona.edu/">University of Arizona</a> set out to determine how people's perception of global climate change is affecting their mental health.

The study revealed that some people are not impacted much by the threat of global climate change, yet others are dealing with high levels of stress and even depression.

Sabrina Helm is an associate professor of Family and Consumer Science and an author of the study. Helm pointed out that while extensive research has explored the environmental impacts of climate change,  few studies have investigated the psychological impacts.

The research team discovered that the psychological effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-humidity/">climate change</a> directly corresponded with how much people cared about the environment. People with the highest concern for the planet's species were found to be experiencing the most stress.

The researchers identified three different types of environmental concern. Egoistic concern is based on how the environment directly affects the individual. Altruistic concern is a general concern for humanity, including future generations. Biospheric concern is that for nature, including plants and animals.

An online survey of 342 parents with young children revealed that biospheric concern corresponded with the highest rates of stress. Those participants with altruistic or egoistic concerns did not report feeling stressed regarding climate change. Those with biospheric concern were also found to be more likely to experience depression in response to the changing environment.

“People who worry about animals and nature tend to have a more planetary outlook and think of bigger picture issues,” said Helm. 

“For them, the global phenomenon of climate change very clearly affects these bigger picture environmental things, so they have the most pronounced worry, because they already see it everywhere. We already talk about extinction of species and know it's happening. For people who are predominantly altruistically concerned or egoistically concerned about their own health, or maybe their own financial future, climate change does not hit home yet.”

Hound said that climate change has more obvious physical and mental health impacts after extreme events like hurricanes, but that more attention needs to be given to the mental health of people in everyday life.

“Understanding that there are differences in how people are motivated is very important for finding ways to address this, whether in the form of intervention or prevention,” said Helm.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.journals.elsevier.com/global-environmental-change">Global Environmental Change</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/earth/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Climate change impacting mental health across the globe

Wildfires, extreme storms, and major weather events are happening much...

Bikram yoga is an extremely popular form of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yoga-effective-tool-fight-depression/">yoga</a> practiced around the world. It involves 26 poses performed in a room at the sweltering temperature of 40°C. Although Bikram yoga is practiced by millions of people, little is known about the health benefits associated with it, or if there really is any advantage to it being performed in a hot environment.

New research published in <a href="http://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1469-445X/">Experimental Physiology</a> is the first publication to isolate the effects of heat in Bikram yoga. Researchers from <a href="http://www.txstate.edu/">Texas State University</a> and the <a href="https://www.utexas.edu/">University of Texas at Austin</a> enrolled 80 participants in Bikram yoga classes. The subjects were randomized into one of three study groups after preliminary. Screening. One group performed Bikram yoga in a heated room, the other in room temperature, and the third was a control group. The study lasted for 12 weeks, with participants attending 3 Bikram yoga classes per week.

The results showed that Bikram yoga can reduce changes in the lining of blood vessels that are involved in the progression and development of heart disease. It was also found that these exercises can delay the progression of atherosclerosis – the disease in which plaque builds up within arteries, causing a heart attack or stroke. 

However, the results also showed that it is not necessary for participants to perform this yoga at a hot temperature, as the benefits were also observed at room temperature. Thus, the heated environment did not play a significant role in improving vascular health.

Based off this new research, if you’re doing Bikram yoga for the vascular health benefits, you can save on your heating bill and maybe save some sweat as well, all without compromising the benefits these exercises provide.

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By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Study: Hot temps not needed to feel the effects of Bikram yoga

Bikram yoga is an extremely popular form of yoga practiced...

Megacities are defined as cities that contain at least 10 million people, and while that may seem like an overwhelming place to live, almost 10 percent of the world’s population lives in megacities. Dominated by skyscrapers and concrete, these cities are testaments to man’s triumph over nature. But could nature make these megacities a better place to live?

Many modern megacities use a good portion of their land to contain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-grow-faster-cities/">urban forests</a>. These forests can be as small as a few trees in someone’s backyard, or a major park in the middle of a city. Roughly 20 percent of the area in each of the world’s megacities today is urban forest. But a recent study in <a href="https://www.journals.elsevier.com/ecological-modelling">Ecological Modelling</a> finds that planting just 20 percent more trees in megacities would serve to double the benefits that urban forests provide.

These benefits include pollution reduction, carbon sequestration, and energy reduction. “By cultivating the trees within the city, residents and visitors get direct benefits," says Theodore Endreny, Ph.D., PH, PE, lead author of the paper and a professor in the Department of Environmental Resources Engineering at the <a href="http://www.esf.edu/">State University of New York ESF</a> campus. “They’re getting an immediate cleansing of the air that’s around them. They’re getting that direct cooling from the tree, and even food and other products. There’s potential to increase the coverage of urban forests in our megacities, and that would make them more sustainable, better places to live.”

The study took place at <a href="https://www.uniparthenope.it/">Parthenope University</a> of Naples in Italy, and utilized a tool called i-Tree Canopy to estimate the tree coverage in cities, and the potential for more urban forest cover. In ten megacities across five continents, the researchers analyzed current tree cover, as well as the benefits of urban forests. They estimate that these benefits carry a monetary value of more than $500 million per year.

Researchers also found that each city they assessed had the potential to host 20 percent more forest canopy coverage. However, city planners and local authorities will have to change their perception of the natural resources that are currently available to cities in order to see the true benefits of building up nature within a metropolitan area.

“Everyone can take action to increase the urban forest areas in our cities, not just city planners,” says Dr. Endreny. “You can visit the free resource itreetools.org to find out how much coverage there is in your city now, find out where you could plant more trees in your area and see how the benefits of the urban forest increase as more trees are planted.” You too can feel the power of environmental benefits in your own hands, and it feels a lot like soil and seeds.

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By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Quality of life improves if megacities add 20 percent more trees

Megacities are defined as cities that contain at least 10...

What do we appreciate from nature? Most people would likely answer the food we eat, water we drink, and air we breathe. But this type of thinking is what has led to the potentially shortsighted idea that nature is solely a source of services or commodities.

In a new publication in the journal <a href="http://www.sciencemag.org/journals">Science</a>, thirty international experts associated with the <a href="https://www.ipbes.net/">Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services</a> (IPBES), present a new approach to our thinking. They outline the idea of using all of nature’s contributions to people in order to inform policies and decisions.

“For more than a decade, policies about nature have been dominated by knowledge from the natural sciences and economics,” says Professor Sandra Diaz. “The vibrant research developed from this ‘ecosystem services’ approach - popularized by the landmark 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment - has advanced sustainability, but largely excluded insights and tools from the social sciences, humanities and other key worldviews.”

Diax believes that by broadening our notion of nature’s contributions to our society, we see that culture is the consistent factor linked to people and nature. Thinking in this manner also allows us to recognize other “knowledge systems,” like those of local communities and indigenous peoples.

In both developed and developing countries, people rely on nature’s contributions – whether they’re rich or poor. But in order to ensure that we are using our natural resources sustainably, we need to change the way we value nature. 

“This new inclusive framework demonstrates that while nature provides a bounty of essential goods and services, such as food, flood protection and many more, it also has rich social, cultural, spiritual and religious significance - which needs to be valued in policymaking as well,” says Sir Robert Watson, IPBES Chair and former co-chair of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.

One example of this new way of thinking revolves around <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-junk-food-tax/">food</a>. Obviously, food comes from nature and food security is an important part of any nation, with policies implemented and contested around the world. But food is also a major factor in cultural identities, art, and basic human festivities. This new approach to thinking would better represent these more abstract concepts.

While this all sounds slightly abstract, one concrete application for this approach is its uptake in large-scale expert assessments and how they are conducted. Overall, the researchers believe it will increase the effectiveness and legitimacy of policies and decisions about nature. “This inclusiveness and equity among knowledge systems and perspectives will not only make assessment processes more legitimate; it will also lead to better policy results because we will be drawing from a much richer and wider information base,” the authors say.

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By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Changing the way we think about nature to inform policies

What do we appreciate from nature? Most people would likely...

The hunter-gatherer lifestyle is something that the vast majority of us can’t relate to. For most of us, our hunting and gathering happens in the aisles of grocery stores – or at it’s most adventurous, in an apple orchard. This has led to numerous anatomical and physiological changes over the many generations between us and our early ancestors. But hunter-gatherers do still exist on our planet, and they have some special traits.

A new study reported in <a href="http://www.cell.com/current-biology/home">Current Biology</a> details how the Jahai people, a group of hunter-gatherers on the Malay Peninsula, are able to name odors as easily as we name colors, and how this relates to their unique lifestyle.

“There has been a long-standing consensus that ‘smell is the mute sense, the one without words,’ and decades of research with English-speaking participants seemed to confirm this,” says Asifa Majid of <a href="http://www.ru.nl/english/">Radboud University</a> in the Netherlands. “But, the Jahai of the Malay Peninsula are much better at naming odors than their English-speaking peers. This, of course, raises the question of where this difference originates.”

To determine whether it was the Jahai who have this ability to detect odors or whether English speakers are simply incompetent, the researchers analyzed two related, yet previously unstudied, groups of people in the tropical rainforest of the Malay Peninsula. These groups were the hunter-gatherer Semaq Beri and the non-hunter-gatherer Semelai. The Semelai are horticulturists, combining shifting rice cultivation and the collection of forest products for trade.

These other groups live in a similar environment to the Jahai, and speak in closely related languages. But how are they are naming <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-sense-smell-dogs/">odors</a>? 

“If ease of olfactory naming is related to cultural practices, then we would expect the Semaq Beri to behave like the Jahai and name odors as easily as they do colors, whereas the Semelai should pattern differently,” the researchers hypothesized.

They found exactly that. Through testing the color- and odor- naming abilities of 20 Semaq Beri and 21 Semelai people using sixteen odors and twenty color hues, the researchers found that the Semaq Beri and Jahai were extremely similar. However, the Semelai performed just like English speakers, having much more difficulty naming odors.

These findings point towards a downgrading in the importance of smells relative to other senses as a result of cultural adaptation. “Hunter-gatherers’ olfaction is superior, while settled peoples’ olfactory cognition is diminished,” says Majid.

The researchers believe that their results challenge the idea that differences in neuroarchitecture alone are behind differences in olfaction. Instead, cultural variation may play an even more prominent role. The next step for the researchers is to determine whether these groups of people have underlying genetic differences related to sense of smell.

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Hunter-gatherers have a superior sense of smell

The hunter-gatherer lifestyle is something that the vast majority of...

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is discreetly changing its system of approving new chemicals, according to a report from <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/">NBC News</a>. While the previous safety review process was criticized for being too slow, experts are saying that the new approach will not be as thorough.

In 2016, The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act was passed, which required the EPA to systematically review the safety of commercial chemicals. But now, former <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pruitt-clean-power-plan/">EPA</a> officials are claiming that some critical steps of the chemical review process are being eliminated, raising concerns about whether the new approach will effectively protect Americans from exposure to hazardous chemicals.


One of the biggest changes the EPA is making is the elimination of consent orders. This means that manufacturers will no longer have to sign a legal agreement that they will not use the chemicals under certain conditions. Consent orders will now only be given if the EPA believes that the intended use of a chemical poses a public health or environmental risk.

Experts explain that, under the new system, a new commercial chemical may be approved for one purpose and then end up being used later for other manufacturing purposes without a comprehensive review. The modified safety review process undermines the legislation passed with widespread approval by Congress in 2016.

Under the Obama administration, Bob Sussman served as co-chair of the Transition Team for the EPA and then as senior policy counsel to the EPA administrator.

“EPA is explicitly disavowing and downplaying a tool that’s really been a cornerstone of new chemical regulation,” Sussman told NBC News. “We believe EPA is taking a big step backward in the protection of health and the environment without an offsetting benefit.”

As an alternative to consent orders, the EPA will now put their confidence into a measure known as “significant new-use rules” to regulate chemicals that may pose a public risk if used for different purposes. Critics say there is a major difference between the former standards and the use of significant new-use rules, which often do not require testing.  

The 2016 legislation not only gave the EPA the authority to enforce a stricter review of commercial chemicals, but also required the EPA to reevaluate the safety of chemicals already in use by a certain deadline.

“What I’m observing is an effort by the agency and also some in the industry to turn back the clock and behave as though the Lautenberg Act was never passed in the first place,” former EPA official Lynn Goldman told NBC News. “The agency has been granted more authority to do testing, then it put hands in its pockets and said it doesn’t want to use this authority.”
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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

EPA’s new approach to approving chemicals causing big concerns

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is discreetly changing its system...

A new study has found that women experience higher levels of brain activity during sexual arousal than men do.

Researchers from <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/">McGill University in Montreal</a> set out to examine the differences in neurological processing between men and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rural-women-sex-younger/">women</a> when sexually aroused.

Their results were published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 

The study included 20 men and 20 women ages 18-31, all of whom were heterosexual, able to become aroused by heterosexual porn, and had previously engaged in sex at least once. 

The participants were shown both adult films and clips of the popular TV show Modern Family while undergoing MRI scans. The Modern Family clips were used to show the differences between neural responses to humor and arousal. 

Thermal imaging cameras were placed near the subjects’ genitals which gave the researchers a way to monitor arousal and sexual stimulation. 

While watching both the adult film and TV show, each participant had to press a button on a fiber optic response box that indicated an increase or decrease in sexual arousal. 

After analyzing the MRI scans the researchers found that genital arousal was linked to more changes in brain activity, indicated by blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) responses.

“There were no brain regions in men with stronger brain-genital correlations than in women,” the researchers said. “Specific visual features of erotic stimuli could play a stronger role in female sexual arousal responses compared with male responses.” 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com </a>Staff Writer

Women show higher levels of neural activity when sexually aroused

A new study has found that women experience higher levels...

The use of primates in movies may seem like a fun way to raise awareness and goodwill about the animals, but new research has found it may be doing more harm than good.

More often than not, movies misrepresent how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/primates-danger-extinction/">primates</a> interact and behave in the wild, and do little to educate audiences on their endangered status.

A new study led by Brooke Aldrich, the trustee of the <a href="http://www.neoprimate.org/">Neotropical Primate Conservation</a> charity,  reveals how portraying primates as pets or sidekicks in movies has many negative consequences. 

In short, using primate actors trivializes important issues including conservation and welfare concerns.

Aldrich and colleagues analyzed two decades worth of English speaking movie trailers from 1993 through 2013, where primates were a part of the film. Some instances of films that feature primates include The Hangover Part 2, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Dunston Checks In. 

Over half of the films analyzed had primates interacting with their cast members and often performing “human” behaviors, like smiling, for much of the trailer. 

While filmgoers may find it entertaining, it goes directly against the natural behaviors of the primates. For example, smiling is often an indicator of submission or fear in many primate species. 

The study also shows that primates in movies can cause ignorance about the endangered status of primates in the world. 

A previous study found that 35% of those surveyed didn’t realize that chimpanzees were endangered because of how often they appeared in film and television. 

The results are troubling because films reach audiences of millions and if they misrepresent the true nature of primates, more of the public become misinformed.

“Far too often, well-meaning, animal-loving people fail to recognize the suffering of wild primates in captivity,” said Aldrich. “Given how often people see images of "smiling" chimps or capuchin monkeys, apparently happy to be wearing a pirate suit or brushing their teeth, it's not surprising. As long as monkeys, apes and other primates continue to be depicted in this way, such misunderstandings are likely to continue.”

--

By<a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com"> Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Taylor &amp; Francis

The use of primates in movies is miseducating audiences

The use of primates in movies may seem like a...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> some of the most incredible waves in the world, as seen by Landsat satellites.



"With more than 370,000 miles of coastline on Earth, there are plenty of places where epic waves build up, curl over, and hurtle toward the shore.- much to the thrill of surfers," says NASA. "There are some places where these waves are so magnificent that they can be seen from space."



"With the broad perspective of satellites, we can see how these iconic waves develop into the world’s tallest, longest, fastest, and heaviest."



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes why satellite images and measurements of our planet have become "essential to our survival, offering a new outlook of our world."&nbsp;



Rising sea levels pose one of the biggest societal threats associated with climate change. According to ESA, satellite altimeter missions such as Copernicus Sentinel-6 are essential in monitoring global and regional changes in sea level.



"Unbeknown to many, the island of Crete, Greece, plays an important role in the Copernicus satellite altimetry constellation and on an international stage," reports ESA.



"Satellite altimetry data have to be continuously monitored at the ESA’s Permanent Facility for Altimetry Calibration where different techniques have pioneered the use of transponders to provide the best measurements to validate satellite altimeters in space soon after launch."



Dr. Craig Donlon explains that, by understanding planet Earth through satellite measurements, we are able to find evidence of change.&nbsp;



Video Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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

Satellites have become essential to our survival

[sendtonews key="761m2QQvR1-2035772-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...