Chocolate is a comfort food for many people and a symbol of happiness in countless cultures. For years, farmers and scientists have collaborated to refine this treasured <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sustainable-farming-could-save-the-future-of-chocolate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a>, but new evidence shows there is more to its story than meets the eye.



Experts have been analyzing genetic details that trace the cacao tree’s past to a surprising point in time. <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Daniel-Tineo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daniel Tineo</a>, from the National University Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza, led a study that used chloroplast genome data to examine when and how Theobroma cacao diversified.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chocolate-s-place-in-nature">Chocolate’s place in nature</h2>



Cacao belongs to the Malvaceae family, which also includes hibiscus and cotton. This group of plants has a history going back millions of years, and reflecting a long process of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chocolate-and-cocoa-prices-have-doubled-in-the-past-year-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adaptation</a> and survival.



“It can be inferred that T. cacao diverged at approximately 7.55 Ma, and it is highly likely that T. cacao populations diversified during the Pliocene or Miocene,” explained Tineo. 



Two main factors appear to have played a role in shaping the trees we see today. First, their <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/chloroplast-genome" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chloroplast genomes</a> carry signs of gradual change, which is common in species that extend across tropical regions. Second, environmental pressures likely promoted different genetic traits in various localities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-insights-to-save-chocolate">Genetic insights to save chocolate </h2>



The chloroplast genome, often called <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/chloroplast-dna" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cpDNA</a>, is inherited in a predictable way in most plants. This trait gives scientists a clear view of family relationships, even within the same species.



One gene, named <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/srep08348" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ycf1</a>, turned out to be important because it showed more differences among cacao plants than other commonly studied genetic regions. By examining these differences, researchers hope to spot unique traits that may improve the flavor, resilience, or productivity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cocoa-production-in-africa-is-under-extreme-climate-pressure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cacao varieties</a>.



This approach might help breeders develop trees that survive better in changing climates. It may also allow them to detect disease-resistant lines, thus cutting down on the need for chemical treatments and on farm losses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-past-matters">Why the past matters </h2>



Farmers today face pests, diseases, and market uncertainty. Learning about cacao’s ancient lineage is not just for academic interest; it can also guide solutions that reduce farming risks.



The deeper a plant’s genetic roots, the more variation it hides in its DNA. This variation supplies fresh building blocks for traits like drought tolerance, flavor, and disease resistance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-benefits-for-farmers">Practical benefits for farmers</h2>



Thousands of smallholders grow cacao as a main or side income. When farmers tap into genetically diverse planting materials, their crops can adapt more effectively to different environments.



A broader gene pool also lowers the chance that a single disease outbreak will devastate cacao plants in an entire region. Strengthening genetic tools for farmers promotes stable harvests and consistently better beans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-breeding-methods">Modern breeding methods</h2>



Classic breeding methods rely on observing which trees yield the best crops. Now, molecular tools add a scientific boost by marking the genes that truly matter.



When breeders target specific genes - like ycf1 - they can make more precise matches between strong, disease-tolerant varieties and those with desired flavors. This level of detail speeds up the long process of developing improved trees.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-tradition-with-discovery">Balancing tradition with discovery</h2>



Farmers in Latin America, Africa, and Asia have nurtured cacao for generations. Their local expertise is valuable when it comes to spotting subtle differences among trees.



Collaboration between traditional growers and research institutions bridges technology and cultural wisdom. This approach promotes new partnerships that benefit everyone, from growers to chocolate enthusiasts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-the-future-of-chocolate">Protecting the future of chocolate </h2>



Scientists still do not fully understand how <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05288-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nuclear or mitochondrial data</a> compare with chloroplast results. More work is needed to fill the gaps left by incomplete samples from various parts of the tropics.



Some lines may carry rare genetic elements waiting to be explored. Locating these hidden genes could reveal new ways to manage diseases and keep farms flourishing.



Cacao stands at a crossroads of heritage, commerce, and science. Studies suggest that this plant’s DNA is more varied and ancient than was once believed, hinting that there may be more secrets in its cells.



Ongoing research may answer questions about how different cacao types emerged and how they can be preserved. The bigger picture promises a future where growers and chocolate lovers share the rewards of knowledge-driven innovation.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0316148" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS One</a>.



-----



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Can chocolate survive? DNA research may help save cacao trees

Chocolate is a comfort food for many people and a symbol of happiness in countless cultures. For years, farmers and scientists have collaborated to refine this treasured plant, but new evidence shows there is more to its story than meets the eye. Experts have been analyzing genetic details that trace the cacao tree’s past to a surprising point in time. Daniel Tineo, from the National University Toribio Rodríguez de Mendoza, led a study that used chloroplast genome data to examine when and how Theobroma cacao diversified. Chocolate’s...

A new study from the <a href="https://english.cas.cn/">Chinese Academy of Sciences</a> has revealed that a tropical rainforest in southeast China contained a remarkable level of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodiversity-supports-healthier-seafood/">biodiversity</a> during the Middle Miocene 14.7 million years ago. 

The experts analyzed material preserved in amber and sedimentary rocks to describe the wildlife of the ancient seasonal rainforest in Fujian Province.

"During the Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum, global temperatures were similar to predicted temperatures for the coming century," explained the researchers. "Limited megathermal paleoclimatic and fossil data are known from this period, despite its potential as an analog for future climate conditions."

Led by Professor Bo Wang and Professor Gongle Shi, an international team of experts collected approximately 25,000 fossil-containing amber samples and about 5,000 fossil plants to study Zhangpu biota.

The leaves of 78 different broadleaf trees show that tropical seasonal rainforests once extended farther north than today, which provides new insight into what changes could take place as a result of future warming.

The amber from Zhangpu contains diverse, well-preserved fossils of arthropods, fungi, snails, flowering plants, and even feathers.

According to the researchers, the arthropod fossils include more than 250 families of spiders, mites, and millipedes, and at least 200 families of insects in 20 orders. This extremely high diversity makes the Zhangpu collection one of the four richest records preserved in amber in the world. 

The insects contained in Zhangpu amber include many ants, bees, lacewings, stick insects, termites, and grasshoppers that are today restricted to tropical Southeast Asia and New Guinea.

"The most unexpected finding is that the high diversity of ants and springtails all belong to living genera," said Professor Wang. "In addition, the vast majority of previously identified insects in Zhangpu amber, such as bark lice, grasshoppers, beetles, and bees, also belong to living genera."

The results suggest that Asian rainforest insect communities have remained stable since the middle Miocene, at least 15 million years ago.

"Our results not only highlight the role of tropical rainforests acting as evolutionary museums for biodiversity at the generic level but also suggest that the MMCO probably strongly shaped the East Asian biota via the northern expansion of the megathermal rainforest biome," wrote the study authors. "The Zhangpu biota provides an ideal snapshot for biodiversity redistribution during global warming."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/">Science Advances</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Extraordinary biodiversity found in ancient Asian rainforest

A new study from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has...

Scientists at the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/">University of Cambridge</a> are describing how a plant's ability to tell time could be exploited for more sustainable food production. According to the experts, circadian clock genes could be targeted in agriculture and crop breeding for higher yields.

"Circadian biology might have translational impact in crop science through the practice of 'chronoculture,' in which the daily timing of agronomic interventions and the genetic basis of circadian rhythms are targets for crop improvements and reduced inputs," wrote the study authors.

Just like humans, plants have an internal clock that detects daily rhythms in the surrounding environment. Now that there are genetic tools to modify this circadian system, the clock should be exploited in agriculture, explained the researchers.

"We live on a rotating planet, and that has a huge impact on our biology - and on the biology of plants," said study senior author Professor Alex Webb. "We've discovered that plants grow much better when their internal clock is matched to the environment they grow in."

The circadian clock plays an important role in regulating photosynthesis, flowering time, and many other functions that affect plant yield. Crop breeders could target tie circadian clock genes to gain control of these functions.

For example, the researchers said the simplest and easiest approach would be to use knowledge of a crop's internal clock to apply water, herbicides, or pesticides at the most effective time of day or night. 

"We know from lab experiments that watering plants or applying pesticides can be more effective at certain times of day, meaning farmers could use less of these resources. This is a simple win that could save money and contribute to sustainability."

Professor Webb said that indoor "vertical farming" could also be improved using chronoculture. Using this approach, crops like leafy greens are grown under highly controlled light and temperature conditions that can be very energy intensive. By genetically modifying the plants' circadian clock, the most efficient lighting and heating cycles could be identified. 

"In vertical farming, chronoculture could give total control over the crop," explained Professor Webb. "We could breed specific crop plants with internal clocks suited to growing indoors, and optimize the light and temperature cycles for them."

According to Professor Webb, there are many opportunities for chronoculture to make food production more sustainable. The specifics would be different for every location and crop, and more research is needed. 

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/">Science</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Plant circadian systems may be key to sustainable farming

Scientists at the University of Cambridge are describing how a...

In a new study from the <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/">University of Southampton</a>, experts have discovered that the rate at which plant life changes throughout an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/few-of-earths-wilderness-areas-remain-ecologically-intact/">ecosystem</a> increases significantly after human settlement. The most dramatic changes were found in locations that have been settled within the last 1,500 years.

The researchers analyzed fossilized pollen samples dating back 5,000 years, which were extracted from sediments on 27 islands. 

Through their analysis, the experts were able to determine the composition of each island's vegetation, including how plant life changed from the oldest to the most recent pollen samples.

"Islands provide the ideal environment to measure human impact as most were settled in the past 3,000 years when climates were similar to today's conditions," said study lead author Dr. Sandra Nogué.

"Knowing when the settlers arrived on an island means that scientists can study how the composition of its ecosystem changed in the years before and after."

For 24 out of 27 islands, there was a consistent pattern in which human arrival accelerated the turnover of vegetation by an average factor of eleven. 

The most rapid changes in plant life occurred on islands that were settled more recently, such as the Galápagos, which were first inhabited during the 16th century. Islands that were settled more than 1,500 years ago saw a slower rate of change.

"This difference in change could mean that the islands populated earlier were more resilient to human arrival but it is more likely that the land-use practices, technology and introduced species brought in by the later settlers were more transformative than those of the earlier settlers," explained Dr. Nogué.

The vegetation trends were observed across a range of locations and climates. For example, islands like Iceland had results similar to tropical islands like Tenerife.

There are a number of natural factors that drive ecosystem changes, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, extreme weather, and changing sea levels. However, the researchers found that human disturbance surpasses all of these events, and anthropogenic changes are often irreversible. 

With this in mind, the study authors advise that conservation strategies must account for the long-term impact of humans and the degree to which ecological changes today differ from prehuman times.

"Whilst it is unrealistic to expect ecosystems to return to their pre-settlement conditions, our findings may help to inform targeted restoration efforts and provide greater understanding into the islands' responsiveness to change," said Dr. Nogué.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/">Science</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

How much have humans impacted the world's plant life?

In a new study from the University of Southampton, experts...

Flowers that bloom in the forest in early spring are key to bumble <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-social-life-of-bees-was-driven-by-maternal-insincts/">bee</a> survival, according to a new study from the <a href="https://illinois.edu/">University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign</a>.

Bumble bee populations have been declining for more than a decade across North America, primarily due to habitat loss. 

While efforts to support wild bees in the Midwest often focus on the native flowers found in prairies, the new study suggests that bumble bees largely depend on springtime flowers in forests. The experts found that these flowers are steadily declining.

The researchers explained that the scarcity of early season flowers in forests - a primary food source for bumble bees at this time of year - likely endangers the queen bees' ability to start their nesting season and survive until other floral resources become available.

"We went through long-term vegetation data from 262 random sites across Illinois, most of them privately owned," said study co-author David Zaya. The vegetation data was collected through the Critical Trends Assessment Program, which began in 1997 at the Illinois Natural History Survey.

"We filtered our data to look at two subsets of plants: those used by bumble bees generally, and those thought to be preferred by the endangered rusty patched bumble bee, Bombus affinis," said study lead author John Mola. "We then looked at how the abundance and richness of these bumble bee food sources either increased, decreased or stayed the same since 1997."

The team also used historical records to map the availability of floral resources throughout the year for each habitat type: forest, grassland and wetland. 

"We found that bumble bee food-plant cover has increased within Illinois grasslands by about 7% since 1997," said Mola. "This is great because it suggests that restoration or management actions by landowners is succeeding."

Over the same time period, however, satellite data revealed that total acreage devoted to grassland in the state shrank by about 7.5 percent. "It may not matter much that the typical grassland is better if there's less of it," said Mola.

The study showed that the richness of floral resources in grasslands increased, but there was an opposite trend in forested areas. Since 1997, food plants for bees in forests have declined by three to four percent.

"The biggest finding of this study was that forest plants that bloom in spring appear to be declining, and the timing of those flowers matches up almost perfectly with when queens are out and foraging," said Zaya. "We can't say for sure, but if declining food is contributing to bumble bee declines, it is most likely related to when the queens are trying to establish nests."

The abundance of forest flowers is known to be influenced by deer and invasive shrubs. Meanwhile, climate change is altering the flowering times for many plants, which could deprive bees of food at a critical time. 

"The forest is a really important habitat for bees early in the season that often gets overlooked in pollinator conservation planning," said Mola. "This has me thinking very carefully about the role of forests in bumble bee conservation."

The study is published in the <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/13652664">Journal of Applied Ecology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Forest flowers are critical for the survival of bumble bees

Flowers that bloom in the forest in early spring are...

Grass crops steal genes from their neighbors to gain a competitive advantage, according to a new study from the <a href="https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/">University of Sheffield</a>. The research is the first to show that grasses can incorporate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/environmental-dna-can-be-used-to-monitor-grass-pollen/">DNA</a> from other species into their genomes through lateral gene transfer.

The stolen genes help the grass crops to speed up their own evolution by growing faster or stronger, or by adjusting to their surroundings faster. The findings could ultimately lead to the development of crops that are more resistant to the effects of climate change.

"We still don't know how this is happening or what the full implications are. But, we know it is widespread in grasses, a family of plants that provide a majority of the food we eat," said study first author Samuel Hibdige.

"We detected foreign DNA in a wide range of grasses with all kinds of life history strategies indicating it is not restricted to those with a specific trait. However, we did detect a statistical increase in species which possess certain kinds of modified stems called rhizomes."

The experts studied grasses that include some of the world's most cultivated crops - wheat, maize, rice, and barley.

"Grasses are taking an evolutionary shortcut by borrowing genes from their neighbors. By using genetic detective work to trace the origin of each gene, we found over 100 examples where the gene had a significantly different history to the species it was found in," said study senior author Dr. Luke Dunning.

"The findings may make us as a society reconsider how we view GM technology, as grasses have naturally exploited a very similar process. If we can determine how this process is happening it may allow us to naturally modify crops and make them more resistant to climate change."

"What we are seeing is not hybridization, but the consequences are similar. Lateral gene transfer can move genetic information across wider evolutionary distances, which means it can potentially have even bigger impacts."

"Whilst only a relatively small proportion of genes are transferred between species, this process potentially allows grasses to cherry pick information from other species. This likely gives them huge advantages and may allow them to adapt to their surrounding environment quicker."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14698137">New Phytologist</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Grass crops steal genes from their neighbors to evolve faster

Grass crops steal genes from their neighbors to gain a...

The waste from harvested corn could be very useful for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunlight-may-provide-millions-with-safe-drinking-water/">water</a> treatment, according to a new study from <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/">UC Riverside</a>. The experts demonstrated that corn waste can be transformed into activated carbon to filter pollutants out of drinking water.

After corn is stripped from cobs, the remaining stalks and other material become waste. These leftovers, also known as corn stover, have no commercial or industrial use. 

Kandis Leslie Abdul-Aziz is an assistant professor of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at UC Riverside's Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering. Her lab is devoted to upcycling plastic and plant waste into valuable commodities.

"I believe that as engineers we should take the lead in creating approaches that convert waste into high-value materials, fuels and chemicals, which will create new value streams and eliminate the environmental harm that comes from today's take-make-dispose model," said Professor Abdul-Aziz.

Activated carbon (AC) has several uses, explained the researchers, especially as an adsorbent for wastewater treatment. "Wastewater treatment plants utilize AC to remove pollutants, such as dyes, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and organic contaminants. The removal of industrial phenolic waste such as vanillin is especially important because it has adverse environmental effects."

The experts compared methods for producing activated carbon from charred corn waste. They found that processing the biomass with hot compressed water - known as hydrothermal carbonization - produced activated carbon that absorbed 98 percent of the water pollutant vanillin.

When compared with a process where corn waste is charred at increasing temperatures over a long period of time, hydrothermal carbonization created a biochar with higher surface area and larger pores.

"Finding applications for idle resources such as corn stover is imperative to combat climate change. This research adds value to the biomass industry which can further reduce our reliance on fossil fuels," said study co-author Mark Gale.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/journal/acsodf">ACS Omega</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Corn waste can be transformed into powerful water filters

The waste from harvested corn could be very useful for...

Japan mushrooms set

In a new study from <a href="https://www.pennstatehealth.org/locations/penn-state-cancer-institute?utm_source=local-listing&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_campaign=website-link">Penn State Cancer Institute</a>, researchers have found that daily mushroom consumption is associated with a 45 percent lower risk of developing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/koalas-are-infected-with-a-virus-that-causes-cancer/">cancer</a>. 

The experts set out to investigate the relationship between mushroom consumption and cancer risk by analyzing previous research.

The meta-analysis was focused on 17 cancer studies published from 1966 to 2020, including data from more than 19,500 cancer patients.

Mushrooms are considered to be a superfood because they are loaded with vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. While they are known to promote a healthy immune system and boost bone health, the results of the new study suggest that mushrooms may also help guard against cancer. 

The researchers found that people who incorporated any variety of mushrooms into their daily diets had a lower risk of cancer. 

"Mushrooms are the highest dietary source of ergothioneine, which is a unique and potent antioxidant and cellular protector," said study lead author Djibril M. Ba. "Replenishing antioxidants in the body may help protect against oxidative stress and lower the risk of cancer."

Shiitake, oyster, maitake, and king oyster mushrooms were found to have the highest amounts of ergothioneine.

The experts determined that individuals who consumed 18 grams of mushrooms daily had a 45 percent lower risk of cancer compared to those who did not eat mushrooms.

When specific cancers were examined, the researchers found the strongest associations with breast cancer. Ba explained that this could be because many of the studies were focused on breast cancer, and not other cancers. 

"Overall, these findings provide important evidence for the protective effects of mushrooms against cancer," said study co-author Professor John Richie. "Future studies are needed to better pinpoint the mechanisms involved and specific cancers that may be impacted."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.journals.elsevier.com/nutrition">Nutrition</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Mushroom consumption linked to 45 percent lower cancer risk

In a new study from Penn State Cancer Institute, researchers...

The residue from wine grapes could be beneficial to human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/household-chores-can-improve-brain-health-in-older-adults/">health</a>, according to a new study from <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/">UC Davis</a>. The researchers have discovered a wealth of potentially health-enhancing compounds and sugar molecules called oligosaccharides in the remains of wine grapes.

Oligosaccharides are a source of nutrition found in many plant and animal tissues, including human breast milk. 

In California alone, about four million tons of wine is produced each year, which also creates thousands of tons of residue like grape skins, seeds, and pulp.

Wine grape remains, also known as marc, make up about 30 percent of the original grape material, and much of it is left behind to decompose in the sun.

The researchers analyzed the molecular composition of chardonnay residue provided by Jackson Family Wines and Sonomaceuticals.

"We were surprised by the diversity of the oligosaccharides in the chardonnay wine grapes, including the presence of structural elements found in mother's milk," said study lead author Amanda Sinrod.

"It's all about sustainable wine production and finding a second life for wine grapes," said Professor Daniela Barile. "Up to this point, chardonnay marc has been regarded as a byproduct of winemaking with little or no value. Early results are encouraging that marc could be a valuable source for oligosaccharides and other compounds that support health and nutrition."

In previous work, UC Davis researchers helped to decode the magic of oligosaccharides in mother's milk. The sugar molecules do not nourish the baby directly, but feed a strain of bacteria in the infant's intestines that helps build immunity against illness and disease. The breakthrough is helping scientists develop products to improve human health.

While the current study is focused on chardonnay, Professor Barile's team previously discovered oligosaccharides in both red and white wine residue. 

"There is more research to be done, but early results are promising that chardonnay marc can become a source for developing supplements and other food products to support health," said Professor Barile.

Oligosaccharides were found to be particularly abundant in the grape skins. The chardonnay marc samples were also rich in flavonoids, healthy compounds found in fruits and vegetables. The team is studying how growing conditions and processing may affect the health potential of viticulture waste.

"We observed significant differences in the relative abundance and type of oligosaccharides in different parts of the marc, so further research is needed to maximize their potential in food product design," said Sinrod.

The study is published in the journal 

<a href="https://www.journals.elsevier.com/lwt">LWT-Food Science and Technology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Wine grape residue may be very beneficial to human health

The residue from wine grapes could be beneficial to human...

The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-has-worsened-covid-19-outcomes/">COVID-19</a> pandemic has served as a painful reminder that the world is in urgent need of more resilient food systems. For years to come, setbacks resulting from the pandemic will threaten food security and nutrition, particularly in developing countries that were already struggling with hunger and poverty.

The <a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/home">World Bank Group</a> reports that 124 million people were pushed into poverty and hunger in 2020, with 163 million more at risk in 2021.

"COVID-19 impacts have led to severe and widespread increases in global food insecurity, affecting vulnerable households in almost every country, with impacts expected to continue through 2021 and into 2022," World Bank said in a news brief.

According to the report, global food prices rose by nearly 20 percent from January 2020 to January 2021, which is consistent with trends in other commodity prices.

The brief states that the primary risks to food security are at the country level - higher retail prices combined with reduced incomes means that more households are having to cut down on the quantity and quality of their food. 

World Bank conducted phone surveys in 48 countries and found that a significant number of people are running out of food or reducing their consumption. 

"Reduced calorie intake and compromised nutrition threaten gains in poverty reduction and health and could have lasting impacts on the cognitive development of young children," said World Bank.

"Some food producers also face losses on perishable and nutritious food as consumption patterns shift towards cheaper staples. Though current food insecurity is by and large not driven by food shortages, supply disruptions and inflation affecting key agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and seeds, or prolonged labor shortages could diminish next season’s crop." 

"If farmers are experiencing acute hunger, they may also prioritize consuming seeds as food today over planting seeds for tomorrow, raising the threat of food shortages later on." 

Global food insecurity was already an urgent issue before the pandemic. The <a href="http://www.fao.org/home/en/">Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations</a> estimates that the number of undernourished people increased from 624 million in 2014 to 688 million in 2019. This trend was largely driven by extreme climate events. 

To tackle rising food insecurity, the World Bank’s <a href="http://ida.worldbank.org/">International Development Association</a> is working with a diverse coalition of partners, including UN agencies, humanitarian organizations, and research institutions.

<a href="https://www.feedthefuture.gov/">Feed the Future</a>, an initiative launched in 2010 by the United States government and the Obama Administration, is also working to address global hunger and food insecurity.

The agency is taking action to prevent widespread hunger, malnutrition, and poverty by helping partner countries mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. To learn more about how you can join Feed the Future in helping to end hunger, check out these <a href="https://www.feedthefuture.gov/get-involved/">volunteer opportunities</a>.

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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

Earth Day Initiative: Food Systems

The COVID-19 pandemic has served as a painful reminder that...

The adoption of biotechnologies to improve crop production has stalled, which threatens global food security, according to a new study from the <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/index.aspx">University of Birmingham</a>.

The researchers are urging the scientific community to work harder to raise awareness on the value of biotechnology in the face of climate change. Plant breeding technologies are urgently needed to create crops that can endure global warming. 

The interdisciplinary research team, which includes economists, plant breeders and plant scientists, is calling on governments worldwide to establish policies and regulations that will drive progress in biotechnology.

In an article published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/trends/plant-science/home">Trends in Plant Science</a>, the experts noted that societal acceptance of technologies such as gene editing is a big barrier to adoption. 

"Plant science has advanced rapidly over the past 25 years. Adopting these new technologies would enable us to make huge advances in reducing agricultural emissions, improving agricultural sustainability and productivity and increasing the nutritional value of plants," said Professor Christine Foyer.

"Despite this, public acceptance has been slow. This is partly because the benefits are not sufficiently widely recognized, and partly because of historic fears and misconceptions around genetically modified plants."

"Learning from the harsh lessons of past failures, plant scientists must now be advocates for their achievements in order to gain public confidence in new and emerging technologies."

Study co-author Professor Wallace Cowling explained that future food security depends on accelerating crop genetic improvement using all sources of valuable genes.

"Breeding for complex traits, such as heat or drought tolerance, will require optimized breeding strategies in a more rapid and sustainable form of plant breeding," said Professor Cowling.

"Modeling suggests that we can keep pace with climate change and improve crop yields long into the future if we integrate genes derived from biotechnology into improved breeding schemes."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/trends/plant-science/home">Trends in Plant Science</a>,

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Biotechnology must be embraced to protect food security

The adoption of biotechnologies to improve crop production has stalled,...

A new study from the <a href="https://www.jic.ac.uk/">John Innes Centre</a> explains why some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alpine-plants-are-gradually-losing-their-protective-snow-cover/">plants</a> grow tall, yet have relatives that stay close to the ground. The researchers set out to investigate the various growth habits of plants, including differences that exist even among closely related species. 

For example, plants belonging to the Brassica family include a widely variable assortment of heights, ranging from the compressed rosette growth of cabbages to tall crops such as oilseed rape.

The experts have identified the genes that control changes in growth habits. Using genetic analysis, microscopy, and a technique called ChIP sequencing, the team linked compact growth to two different types of genes, ATH1 and DELLA, which work in tandem.

When both types of genes are turned off, compact growth is converted to elongated growth. On the other hand, when the genes are active, either can stop the activity of well-known genes that normally promote elongated growth.

"It is well known that the way plants grow depends heavily on the environment. At the same time, each species of plant keeps its recognizable shape. We know a little about how responses to the environment are integrated with the genetic mechanisms that give plants their basic, characteristic shape, or morphology. Thanks to this study, we now understand how responses to the environment can be modified in specific parts of the plant to produce their characteristic shape," explained study co-author Professor Robert Sablowski.

"It was exciting to see that a relatively small number of genetic changes can convert the plant's growth habit from one like cabbage to one like oilseed rape. It remains to be seen whether comparable changes explain the differences in growth habit we see in nature."

Previous research has shown that there is a similar mechanism of two genes that work together to control the growth habits of rice, which indicates this may be a common tool that controls plant architecture.

Genes that control plant height are important in agriculture. DELLA genes have been used extensively in crop breeding to improve yields.

By understanding the genes that regulate how tall a plant grows, experts can develop more reliable ways to improve the shape of crop plants. Going forward, the researchers are planning to explore how ATH1 is regulated.

"If we can alter the location or time when ATH1 is active, this could lead to useful ways to modify plant height and shape," said study first author Dr. Mahwish Ejaz.

"We have shown that ATH1 and DELLA genes prevent stem growth in part by stopping the activity of genes that cause stems to elongate in response to light. But this is not the whole story - there are many other genes and processes that ATH1 and DELLAs regulate to change the growth habit, most of which remain unstudied."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.

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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

What makes plants change their growth habits?

A new study from the John Innes Centre explains why...

The world is losing millions of hectares of forest to deforestation each year. According to the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/">United Nations</a> (UN), almost two billion hectares of forest are also impacted by land degradation, which affects the well-being of 3.2 billion people.

“Every year, seven million hectares of natural forests are converted to other land uses such as large-scale commercial agriculture, and other economic activities," said Liu Zhenmin, head of the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).

"And while the rate of deforestation has slowed over the past decade, tree cover loss has continued unabated in the tropics - largely due to human and natural causes."

The UN reports that nearly a third of emerging infectious diseases like COVID-19 are linked to land-use changes, such as deforestation.

Last month, during a virtual event to commemorate the International Day of Forests, Zhenmin said that recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic should lead to stronger action to safeguard the world’s forests. He pointed out how natural resources have helped to protect health and well-being during the global crisis. 

Green spaces, parks, and forests became much-needed refuges during times of social distancing. Furthermore, healthy forests act as natural buffers against zoonotic diseases, lowering the risk of future pandemics. 

“Yet, despite their obvious importance, forests continue to be under threat," said Liu. He noted that while COVID-19 has been “a harsh wake-up call," it also presents a unique opportunity to recover better and stronger.

Qu Dongyu is the Director-General of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). He emphasized that restoring forests, and managing them sustainably, benefits both people and the planet.   

This investment will also contribute to economic recovery from the pandemic, Dongyu added, as forest restoration activities create green jobs, generate incomes, improve human health, and increase human security.

Individual countries have already made commitments under the <a href="https://www.bonnchallenge.org/">Bonn Challenge</a>, which is a global goal to bring 150 million hectares of degraded and deforested landscapes into restoration by 2020 and 350 million hectares by 2030.

According to WWF, every forest in the world today is affected by human disturbance - either directly by destruction or indirectly by the impacts of climate change. 

Forest restoration involves improving soils, protecting wildlife habitats and corridors, managing land sustainably, and - of course - planting trees.

To learn more about how you can get involved in the restoration of forests, visit <a href="https://trees.org/">Trees.org</a> as the nonprofit agency celebrates Earth Month 2021.

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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

Earth Day Initiative: Forest Restoration

The world is losing millions of hectares of forest to...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[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

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

[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

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