Nuclear fission has powered our world and medical advancements for decades, yet some of its secrets have remained elusive. 



One of the biggest puzzles? What exactly happens when an atom's nucleus splits apart at its "neck rupture" point.



Aurel Bulgac, a physics professor at the <a href="https://www.washington.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Washington</a>, has been delving into this very question. He and his team set out to simulate the intricate particle dance during this critical moment of fission.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supercomputer-tackles-the-quantum-realm">Supercomputer tackles the quantum realm</h2>



To tackle this challenge, Bulgac's team collaborated with researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory (<a href="https://www.lanl.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LANL</a>). 



They harnessed the immense computing power of the Summit supercomputer at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (<a href="https://www.ornl.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ORNL</a>). 



This was the first fully microscopic, quantum many-body simulation of a nucleus's neck rupture.



"This is probably the most precise and most carefully obtained theoretical description of neck rupture, without any assumptions and simplification," Bulgac remarked. "We have a very specific prediction, which until now didn't exist."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rules-and-dynamics-of-nuclear-fission">Rules and dynamics of nuclear fission</h2>



For over 80 years, scientists have proposed various models to explain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/digital-misinformation-rumors-spread-like-nuclear-reactions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fission dynamics</a>. The classic "liquid drop" theory likened <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atomic-nucleus-made-of-quarks-and-gluons-reproduced-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the nucleus</a> to a charged fluid sphere that splits and sends out particles when disturbed. 



But Bulgac's findings suggest a different story.



First off, the team discovered that neck rupture isn't random. Instead, the spot where the nucleus eventually splits is determined well before the actual scission. 



Moreover, they found that the proton neck snaps earlier than the neutron neck, meaning neutrons hold the neck together just before it fully breaks.



Perhaps most intriguingly, they confirmed the existence of scission neutrons. These are neutrons emitted right as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-wobble-how-scientists-manipulated-the-nucleus-of-a-single-titanium-atom/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nucleus splits</a>. 



"There were people saying they exist, and others saying they don't exist. We see them, we don't see them, and so on," Bulgac noted. 



Their simulation not only showed that scission neutrons are real but also detailed where they go and how much energy they carry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nuclear-fission-and-scission-neutrons">Nuclear fission and scission neutrons</h2>



The team's simulation revealed that scission neutrons are emitted in two distinct ways. Some shoot out sideways, perpendicular to the direction the fission fragments move. 



Others emerge from the "noses" of the splitting fragments due to waves of matter sent during the neck's snap.



"After we put everything together and ran the simulation, we found out certain things that were totally unexpected: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/molten-salt-could-reshape-the-future-of-nuclear-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neutrons coming out</a> sideways and then in the direction of the moving fragments," Bulgac said. 



"These types of distinct spectra are something that none of the earlier models predicted. Moreover, they are very high energy, so they should have properties very distinct from thermal neutrons."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-very-super-computer-simulation">A very "super" computer simulation</h2>



Running such a detailed simulation wasn't easy. The team used the entire Summit supercomputer for almost 1 million node-hours. 



Each run took about 15 hours and covered nuclei like uranium-238, plutonium‑240, and californium-252 under various conditions.



"An absolutely crucial tool was the use of supercomputers at Oak Ridge, starting with Jaguar and Titan, then Summit," Bulgac explained. "Without them, all this would have been impossible. Absolutely impossible."



The mathematical framework behind the simulation is something Bulgac has been refining since the early 2000s. 



Instead of tracking every single particle, his approach focuses on the overall distribution of particles in space, making the complex problem more manageable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-nuclear-fission">What's next for nuclear fission?</h2>



The next big step is testing these predictions in the real world. Bulgac has already begun conversations with experimentalists eager to verify the findings.



"We used precise values for the parameters that describe this phenomenon -- and nothing else. And these are the results we got," he stated. "Now, if they are not true, then there is a very big question: what's wrong with the theory?"



It's a pivotal moment. If experiments confirm the simulation, it could reshape our understanding of nuclear fission. If not, it opens up new avenues of inquiry.



"At the moment, it's very hard to see what would be wrong, but we have to wait and see," Bulgac said. "If you make a prediction, it is confirmed or not confirmed, and then you must look and see. This is how physics proceeds."



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



Understanding the nuances of nuclear fission isn't just an academic exercise. It has practical implications for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tonga-eruption-had-the-energy-of-five-nuclear-explosions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nuclear energy</a> production, medical applications, and even our grasp of fundamental physics.



By shedding light on the scission process and the behavior of scission neutrons, Bulgac's work could lead to more efficient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-designs-nuclear-fission-reactor-to-provide-electricity-on-the-moon-and-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nuclear reactors</a> or new technologies harnessing fission.



The publication of the team's paper in the journal Physical Review Letters has already sparked interest. Scientists around the world are eager to see where this research leads.



For those of us outside the lab, it's a reminder of how much there still is to learn about the forces that shape our universe. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-chapter-in-nuclear-physics">New chapter in nuclear physics</h2>



As experiments get underway to test these findings, the scientific community watches with bated breath. 



Whether confirming or challenging Bulgac's simulation, the results will undoubtedly deepen our understanding of nuclear fission.



And perhaps, in the not-so-distant future, we'll look back on this research as a turning point -- a moment when we peeled back another layer of the atomic world and discovered something truly remarkable.



Who would have thought that after all these years, the simple act of an atom splitting could hold so many surprises?



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.242501" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physical Review Letters</a>.



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What exactly happens when the nucleus of an atom splits in two? Science just found out

Nuclear fission has powered our world and medical advancements for decades, yet some of its secrets have remained elusive. One of the biggest puzzles? What exactly happens when an atom's nucleus splits apart at its "neck rupture" point. Aurel Bulgac, a physics professor at the University of Washington, has been delving into this very question. He and his team set out to simulate the intricate particle dance during this critical moment of fission. Supercomputer tackles the quantum realm To tackle this challenge, Bulgac's team collaborated with researchers...

The most complete <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-skin-is-more-diverse-than-previously-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaur</a> fossil found in Mississippi, considered “incredibly unusual” by state officials, remains 85 percent buried since its discovery in 2007.



Paleontologists have identified the specimen as a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nearly-complete-duck-billed-dinosaur-fossil/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hadrosaur</a>, a family of duck-billed, herbivorous dinosaurs that lived over 82 million years ago. The hadrosaur family includes at least 61 identified species, with potentially hundreds more having once roamed the Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dinosaur-remains-in-mississippi">Dinosaur remains in Mississippi</h2>



Researchers have unearthed portions of the spinal vertebrae, forearm, feet, and pelvic bones of this specimen. However, extracting the rest of the fossil from its location near Booneville in northeast Mississippi has proven challenging.



“This thing sat for a while because we didn't have anybody to work on it,” said James Starnes, an official with the state's geology office.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3d-method-of-forensic-bone-analysis">3D method of forensic bone analysis</h2>



For nearly two decades, the specific species of this hadrosaur fossil remained unidentified. Researchers are now using a 3D method of forensic bone analysis called geometric morphometrics to solve the mystery before the fossil is fully unearthed.



Derek Hoffman, a geology graduate student at the <a href="https://www.usm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southern Mississippi</a> (USM), is analyzing the hadrosaur's remains with this method. “What geometric morphometrics does is it takes a shape-analysis approach,” he explained.



This method determines key features or 'landmarks' for a given bone sample and compares their distances and ratios via complex statistical models to identify differences and similarities with known bones.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mississippi-dinosaur-fossils">Mississippi dinosaur fossils</h2>



Hoffman's work is complicated by the fact that some pieces of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/preparing-fossils/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil</a> are in the hands of private collectors. His research primarily focuses on the bones held by the <a href="https://www.mdwfp.com/museum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mississippi Museum of Natural Science</a>. 



“We have quite a few of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-mammals-adaptable-backbones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vertebrae</a>,” said Museum paleontology curator George Phillips. “We have one humerus. We have one ulna. The ulna is the posterior of the forearm. We have some of the foot bones. Then we have the pubis.”



The adult hadrosaur's ulna measures about two feet long, and the humerus is around a foot and a half. A complete adult hadrosaur's foot bones can exceed 50 pounds in total weight. However, the dinosaur's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/puzzling-fossil-has-the-body-of-a-bird-skull-of-a-dinosaur/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">skull</a>, the most unique feature for differentiating hadrosaur species, has yet to be found.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hadrosaur-species-nbsp">Hadrosaur species&nbsp;</h2>



Different hadrosaur species evolved with a wide variety of crowns on their duck-billed heads, including structures like a rooster's comb. Paleontologists are still debating the biological purpose of these features, but their diversity has contributed to the recorded variety of the hadrosaur family.



Hoffman is focusing on the dinosaur's pubis, a bone from the front of the pelvis, as the next best choice for identifying the fossil's species.&nbsp;



Although differences between hadrosaur species' pubis bones are often too subtle for the naked eye, rigorous mathematical approaches like geometric morphometrics can reveal hidden distinctions. With these methods, Hoffman hopes to narrow down the potential species of this Mississippi fossil.



The hadrosaur likely measured about 25-26 feet long and stood around 16 feet tall when perched on its hind legs.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-well-represented-dinosaurs-in-the-fossil-record-nbsp">Well-represented dinosaurs in the fossil record&nbsp;</h2>



Researchers believe that the hadrosaur lineage started in North America and eventually migrated globally, with fossils found in Asia, South America, Europe, and North Africa. “They're the most well-represented dinosaurs in the fossil record, without a doubt,” Hoffmann said.



Hadrosaurs, whose name comes from the Ancient Greek for “stout lizard," ranged from about 2.2 to 4.4 tons. Examples of hadrosaur species include the Parasaurolophus, known for its long, backward-curving crest, and the Edmontosaurus, which had a crest made from soft tissue like a rooster.



Starnes described the 2007 hadrosaur discovery near Booneville as “incredibly unusual.”&nbsp;



“We just don't have a lot of skeletons. We have pieces and parts, but not a skeleton,” he said. Despite the nearly two decades it has taken to unearth just a fraction of the fossil, he hopes the project will eventually be completed.



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‘Incredibly unusual’ dinosaur unearthed in Mississippi

The most complete dinosaur fossil found in Mississippi, considered “incredibly...

Have you ever wondered about the secrets of the universe? Dark <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/existence-of-dark-matter-confirmed-by-new-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">matter</a>, dark energy, particles that move with lightning speed - these are the central focus of recent cosmic mysteries. Imagine we've been sharing our universe with particles that travel faster than light, known as tachyons.



This is the audacious new theory presented by scientists Samuel H. Kramer from the<a href="https://www.wisc.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> University of Wisconsin–Madison</a> and Ian H. Redmount from <a href="https://www.slu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saint Louis University</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-matter-and-dark-energy">Dark matter and dark energy</h2>



Dark matter and dark energy have been the "elephant in the universe" for scientists. These entities make up about 95% of the universe, but much about them remains a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coldest-quantum-detectors-in-the-world-enlisted-to-search-for-dark-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mystery</a>.



Dark matter, making up 27%, is like the universe's invisible hand, influencing the movement of galaxies and galaxy clusters.



Dark energy, making up 68%, is like the universe's hidden fuel, driving the accelerated expansion of the universe. The new theory surrounding tachyons might shed some light on these enigmatic parts of our cosmos.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-race-against-light">The race against light</h2>



In the world of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-matter-does-not-exist-universe-27-billion-years-old-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hypothetical</a> particles, tachyons are the rebels, the non-conformists. Einstein's theory of relativity made the speed of light the cosmic speed limit, but tachyons laugh at these rules. 



They supposedly travel faster than light. Kramer's and Redmount's paper suggests a universe dominated by these cheeky particles might still fit within the framework of modern physics. 



If tachyons exist, they would possess properties that could influence <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-matter-influence-cosmos-galaxies-extends-much-farther-than-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmic phenomena</a> in ways we haven't imagined yet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-peculiar-properties-of-tachyons">The peculiar properties of tachyons </h2>



The experts propose a new model where the universe initially slows down before speeding up, a process they call "inflected expansion."



This shakes up the standard Lambda Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) model, which attributes acceleration to dark energy. 



In this new model, the pace of the universe's expansion is influenced by the peculiar properties of tachyons. 



Their speed, faster than light, gives them a unique form of kinetic energy that causes the shift from deceleration to acceleration.



To provide proof, the team used data from Type Ia supernovae, the "standard candles" of the universe. Their consistent luminosity makes them a reliable measure of distances across the universe.



Fitting their model to observed supernova data, the researchers found that a tachyonic universe could explain the observed acceleration.



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



The study examined two datasets of Type Ia supernovae to test a new cosmological model. The Hubble parameter (H0) measures the universe's expansion rate. It's expressed in kilometers per second per megaparsec (km/s/Mpc). 



The smaller dataset had 186 supernovae. It showed an H0 value of 66.6 ± 1.5 km/s/Mpc. This means the universe expands by 66.6 kilometers per second for every megaparsec of distance, with a margin of error of ±1.5 km/s/Mpc. The age of the universe from this dataset is about 8.35 ± 0.68 billion years.



The larger dataset had 1048 supernovae. It showed a slightly higher H0 value of 69.6 ± 0.4 km/s/Mpc. This suggests a faster expansion rate, with a smaller margin of error of ±0.4 km/s/Mpc. The universe's age from this dataset is about 8.15 ± 0.36 billion years.



These findings align with existing models like the Lambda Cold Dark Matter model. This agreement means the new tachyon-based model could be a valid alternative. 



The new theory suggests that tachyons, particles moving faster than light, might make up dark <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-holes-are-not-the-secret-source-of-dark-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">matter</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-if-tachyons-are-real">What if tachyons are real?</h2>



If tachyons are proven real, it would revolutionize our understanding of physics, potentially upending existing theories and unveiling new avenues for research. 



Despite criticism and skepticism from the scientific community, the duo's model aligns well with current supernova data.



The implications could extend beyond cosmology, impacting fields like particle physics and general relativity. 



However, the tachyonic model must endure further testing and rigorous peer review before gaining acceptance.



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



Future research will compare this model with other cosmological data, including the cosmic microwave background and quasar microlensing. 



This explorative journey will help determine if tachyons can truly explain the universe's accelerated expansion.



The discovery of tachyons could have implications far beyond cosmology. It might even lead to new technologies based on faster-than-light travel, though that's purely speculative. 



Theoretical physicists would need to rewrite many principles, and new frameworks might emerge.



As with any revolutionary theory, it's essential to get everyone on board. Researchers across various fields will need to test and refine the tachyonic model. 



Collaborative efforts would result in designing new experiments and observations to detect tachyons or their effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-validating-the-tachyon-model">Validating the tachyon model</h2>



The research will need rigorous scrutiny by other experts in the field through the peer-review process. This crucial step will determine the credibility of the new theory. 



If validated, this model could revolutionize our understanding of the universe's past and future. It might reveal the nature of dark matter and its role in forming galaxies. It could also clarify anomalies in the cosmic microwave background and galaxy distribution.



The study is published in <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.13859" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arXiv</a>.



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Dark matter may consist of particles that travel faster than light speed

Have you ever wondered about the secrets of the universe?...

Earth's history is filled with marvelous creatures, some of which still leave experts baffled today, such as pseudosuchians. 



An example of one such creature is the new predatory reptile species discovered recently, located in the heart of Brazil, making a noteworthy addition to the tales of the Triassic period. 



This latest find sheds light on an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-and-ecology-shaped-250-million-years-of-crocodile-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient lineage</a> of crocodile-like reptiles known as pseudosuchians, named Parvosuchus aurelioi. Now, let's go on a journey to truly understand these "false crocodiles" and their role in our planet's past.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-triassic-tales-of-pseudosuchians">Triassic tales of pseudosuchians</h2>



Before dinosaurs took the stage, pseudosuchians strutted across Earth's surface for all to see. Inhabiting our planet approximately 252 to 201 million years ago, during the Triassic period, they were some of the most common quadruped reptiles of the time. 



Their existence is best depicted by those who were at the top of the food chain - the massive carnivorous pseudosuchians. 



Meanwhile, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/parvosuchus-aurelioi_ancient-crocodile-species_Matheus-Fernandes_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gracilisuchids</a>, smaller relatives to these apex predators, shared this period, with known traces of them in regions like China and Argentina.



Our tale's hero, Rodrigo Müller, a scientist from Brazil, has added color to our understanding of pseudosuchians. Let's delve deeper.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pseudosuchians-were-a-fascinating-clan">Pseudosuchians were a fascinating clan</h2>



The pseudosuchians, or "false crocodiles", belonged to an diverse clade of archosaurs, siblings to modern birds and crocodiles and their extinct kin. 



They thrived, diversified, and adapted, showing a range of sizes, shapes, and lifestyles that were as varied as the environments they called home. They can be classified into a few notable groups:



<ul>
<li>Aetosauria: Heavily armored, plant-eating creatures, most noted for their wide, flat bodies and short legs. </li>



<li>Ornithosuchidae: The "bird crocs", an interesting mix of bird and crocodile features, and likely were active predators. </li>



<li>Rauisuchidae: The true titans of their time, being large predators with robust limbs, and a fearsome bite. </li>



<li>Crocodylomorpha: The ancestors of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-croc-day-embracing-the-mighty-reptile/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">today's crocodiles</a>, which were at first small and terrestrial, but later evolved semi-aquatic capabilities.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anatomy-of-ancient-adaptability">Anatomy of ancient adaptability</h2>



Pseudosuchians showcased a stunning array of anatomical features that embodied their adaptability and evolutionary success. Their skull shapes and teeth hinted at their varied diets and ways of life. 



The predator species had sharp, serrated teeth for tearing flesh, while those that were herbivores had flatter teeth for grinding plant material.



Similarly, their limb structures differed dramatically based on their lifestyle. For instance, the rauisuchids had strong, pillar-like limbs befitting their ground-dwelling predatory lifestyle. On the other hand, early crocodylomorphs had finer limbs, suited for both land and water.



Another significant feature seen in many pseudosuchians, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-identify-a-new-aetosaur-that-lived-200-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">especially aetosaurs</a>, was the presence of extensive body armor composed of bony plates, or osteoderms. This armor not only provided protection but may have also played a part in heat regulation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-triassic-ecosystem-and-pseudosuchian-roles">Triassic ecosystem and pseudosuchian roles</h2>



Pseudosuchians not only survived but thrived in various ecological niches. Species like the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vivaron-haydeni-new-species-of-reptile-from-212-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rauisuchids</a> ruled as dominant terrestrial predators, while aetosaurs served as their ecosystem's primary herbivores. Some pseudosuchians even enjoyed an omnivorous or generalist diet. 



Unfortunately, most pseudosuchians disappeared at the close of the Triassic period, succumbing to a cocktail of volcanic activity, climate change, and competition with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/armor-was-a-boomerang-trait-in-the-story-of-dinosaur-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emerging archosaurs</a> like early dinosaurs. 



However, the crocodylomorphs' lineage persisted and evolved into the variety of crocodilians we see today.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-brazilian-discovery-parvosuchus-aurelioi">New Brazilian discovery: Parvosuchus aurelioi</h2>



Let's return to our recent discovery by Rodrigo Müller. He found a new species of gracilisuchid from a specimen located in the Santa Maria Formation in Brazil. 



Aged around 237 million years old, the partial skeleton consists of a full skull, 11 dorsal vertebrae, a section of the pelvis, and partially preserved limbs. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/parvosuchus-aurelioi_ancient-crocodile-species_Matheus-Fernandes_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/parvosuchus-aurelioi_ancient-crocodile-species_Triassic_Matheus-Fernandes_1s.jpg" alt="Ancient crocodile-like reptile called Parvosuchus aurelioi, a pseudosuchian. Credit: Matheus Fernandes" class="wp-image-1937783"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ancient crocodile-like reptile called Parvosuchus aurelioi, a pseudosuchian. Credit: Matheus Fernandes</figcaption></figure>



Christened Parvosuchus aurelioi, the name is a tribute to the amateur paleontologist Pedro Lucas Porcella Aurélio, who chanced upon the fossil materials.



This small croc-like creature is estimated to have been less than one meter in length, sporting long slender jaws filled with pointy teeth that curved backward. 



This fascinating find marks the first such species confirmed from Brazil and brings attention to the incredible diversity among pseudosuchians during the Triassic period.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-triassic-times-to-modern-day">From Triassic times to modern day</h2>



This journey through the Triassic period and the world of pseudosuchians serves as a testament to Earth's rich and diverse history. 



The discovery of Parvosuchus aurelioi in Brazil marks a significant milestone in unraveling the vast legacy of these ancient reptiles. It reminds us of the magnificent biodiversity that once painted our planet's landscapes, with creatures both great and small.



The understanding gleaned from studying pseudosuchians provides insights into our world's ecological past, showcasing the adaptability and resilience of life. 



As we continue unearthing the archives of Earth's past, every new discovery, like Parvosuchus aurelioi, brings us one step closer to understanding life's magnificent tapestry and how it has evolved over millions of years.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-63313-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Ancient crocodile-like reptile roamed Earth 250 million years ago

Earth's history is filled with marvelous creatures, some of which...

Microscopic organisms might be our new secret weapon in the war against <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/major-plastic-pollution-lurks-beneath-the-surface-of-rivers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic pollution</a>.



Recent studies have revealed that certain bacteria can disintegrate plastic into small particles, which can then find their way back into the recycling process. 



This promising discovery offers fresh hope in combating plastic waste, which is one of the most pronounced environmental crises of the 21st century.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-titans-of-plastic-consumption">Tiny titans of plastic consumption</h2>



The groundbreaking research originated from <a href="https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leiden University</a>, where scientists had compiled a vast repository of Streptomyces bacteria.



Initially intended as a resource for the discovery of novel antibiotics, PhD candidate Jo-Anne Verschoor found another compelling use for these microorganisms.



As she neared the completion of her doctorate program, Verschoor embarked on a unique exploration into how the microscopic organisms could tackle our macroscopic plastic problem.



She discovered that a substantial 20% of the bacterial strains could degrade specific forms of plastic. This groundbreaking finding reinforces the idea of turning <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-found-that-can-digest-plastic-in-freezing-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbes</a> into environmental allies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neutral-set-of-bacteria">Neutral set of bacteria</h2>



Importantly, this scientific breakthrough didn’t emerge out of nowhere. Verschoor's prior research had led her to suspect that these bacteria could potentially digest plastic. 



However, much like us, these bacteria don’t perform tasks in a vacuum - they require the right conditions. The bacteria analyzed in the study were not initially collected with plastic degradation in mind.



This neutral set of bacteria offered an opportunity to observe the effects of various substances and conditions on their ability to break down <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-can-break-down-pet-pollution-in-ocean-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PET plastic</a>, which is commonly found in food packaging and drink bottles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hungry-bacteria-have-motivation">Hungry bacteria have motivation </h2>



A plastic bottle doesn't just disappear when left in the soil. Much like humans, bacteria require motivation to exert effort. This means that the external conditions are crucial for bacteria to initiate the breakdown process.



"Bacteria are just like people," said Verschoor. An example of this is our natural reaction to run from danger. Similarly, the bacteria in this study showed a heightened level of activity when "hungry."



This behavior was observed in lab settings as the researchers introduced plastic models to bacteria-filled plates. The results were pretty clear - starving bacteria would indeed devour plastic pieces presented to them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-puzzle-solved">Plastic puzzle solved</h2>



In a pivotal step in her research, Verschoor made two major discoveries. First, she found that 18% of the bacterial strains could degrade plastics if the conditions were right.



Interestingly, the presence of a gene called Lipase A boosted this process significantly. Organisms with abundant Lipase A were seen breaking down plastic more quickly.



In light of these findings, the horizon of bacteria-based plastic recycling looks pretty promising. 



The extensive gamut of bacteria that can ingest plastic is now expanded exponentially, paving the way for innovative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-find-cheaper-method-of-recycling-plastics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic recycling</a> methods.



An exemplar of this promising future is the French enterprise Carbios, embarking on a pioneering voyage to test large-scale recycling of plastics using bacteria and their enzymes. 



As this method is further developed, we can envision a future where plastic pollution is not an insurmountable challenge, but a problem with a tangible and biological solution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-the-lab-to-the-real-world">From the lab to the real-world </h2>



While these lab-based discoveries are groundbreaking, translating them into real-world applications presents its own set of challenges. 



The transition from controlled environments to dynamic and variable conditions in nature requires meticulous planning and testing. Scaling up bacterial plastic degradation involves scientific innovation as well as logistical and economic considerations.



To bridge this gap, interdisciplinary collaborations are key. Engineers, environmental scientists, and policymakers need to work hand-in-hand to create effective systems for deploying these bacteria on a large scale. 



Potential applications include introducing these bacteria into waste management facilities, creating bio-reactors designed for plastic breakdown, and developing consumer products that incorporate bacterial enzymes.



Moreover, public awareness and education are crucial. For these innovations to be effective, societies must be informed about the benefits and limitations of bacteria-based plastic degradation. 



While the journey from lab to landfills is fraught with complexities, the potential for bacteria to revolutionize plastic recycling is immense. 



With continued research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and public support, we might soon witness a significant leap towards a cleaner, more sustainable planet.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-024-06414-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Biology</a>.



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'Hungry' bacteria will devour plastic waste

Microscopic organisms might be our new secret weapon in the...

In the southern fringes of Israel, the arid plains of the Negev Desert cradle a precious cache of history. For millennia, the region's roving hunters, shepherds, and traders carved their stories on the rock canvases of this desert.



Their work, ancient petroglyphs, carved meticulously on a thin, naturally formed black coating known as 'desert varnish,' is a remarkable sight.



Among these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stone-age-artists-carved-incredibly-detailed-animal-tracks-onto-rocks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enduring illustrations</a>, representations of ibexes, goats, horses, donkeys, and domestic camels are common. They're not alone, though; abstract symbols and figures also make appearances.



However, a recent study featured in reveals an invisible threat to these invaluable artifacts: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/desert-grass-survives-by-capturing-moisture-from-fog/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">desert</a>-adapted fungi and lichens.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungi-and-lichens-on-rock-carvings">Fungi and lichens on rock carvings</h2>



The author of the study is Laura Rabbachin, a PhD student at the <a href="https://www.akbild.ac.at/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Academy of Fine Arts Vienna</a> in Austria.



"These fungi and lichens could significantly contribute to the gradual erosion and damage of the petroglyphs,” warns Rabbachin.



 “They are able to secrete different types of acids that can dissolve the limestone in which the petroglyphs are carved. In addition, the fungi can penetrate and grow within the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stone-tool-discovery-challenges-entire-theory-of-human-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stone</a> grains, causing additional mechanical damage.”



Rabbachin and her team embarked on a field trip to the central-western highlands of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negev" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Negev Desert</a>, where the climate is as harsh as it gets. 



Here, annual rainfall barely crosses 87mm (3.4 inches), and rock surfaces can reach a sweltering 56.3 °C (133.3 °F) in summer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungi-impact-the-rock-carvings">Fungi impact the rock carvings</h2>



For their research, the team took various samples from rocks bearing petroglyphs, unadorned rocks, and surrounding soil. 



They also collected airborne spores, casting a wide net in their quest to understand the nature and diversity of the fungi and lichen species involved.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/negev-petroglyphs_desert-loving-fungi_erosion_credit-Laura-Rabbachin_2s.jpg" alt="Negev petroglyph rock carvings are eroding from fungi and lichen. Credit: Laura Rabbachin" class="wp-image-1938417"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Negev petroglyph rock carvings are eroding from fungi and lichen. Credit: Laura Rabbachin</figcaption></figure>



Their research revealed that only a few species can survive in extreme conditions. They found several fungi on the rock carvings, specifically from the genera Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Coniosporium. 



These fungi are known for their resilience and ability to thrive in harsh environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lichens-deterioration-of-the-carvings">Lichens deterioration of the carvings</h2>



Additionally, they identified various lichens from the genus Flavoplaca. Lichens are symbiotic organisms composed of fungi and algae or cyanobacteria, which allows them to survive in conditions that are too extreme for most other organisms.



This combination of fungi and lichens illustrates a diverse but limited group of species capable of enduring such challenging environments.



Rabbachin's study noted that the greatest threat to the rock carvings comes from a group known as microcolonial fungi. 



“Microcolonial fungi are considered highly dangerous for stone artifacts. They have been implicated as a probable cause of the deterioration of stone cultural heritage in the Mediterranean,” she reported.



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



The sobering conclusion from the research team is that halting these natural weathering processes is unlikely. “Their speed of the weathering process depends heavily on whether and how the climate will change in the future,” says Prof Katja Sterflinger, the study’s senior author.



Instead, the team suggests a different approach. Document these valuable works of art in detail, including their materials, techniques, and historical significance. Monitor the microbial communities over time to understand their impact and evolution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-strategies-and-future-directions">Conservation strategies and future directions</h2>



While eradicating the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungi-in-boreal-forests-are-sensitive-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungi</a> and lichens is not feasible, there are strategies that can be implemented to slow down their damaging effects. 



Conservationists are exploring the use of biocides that are effective against these microorganisms but safe for the environment and the artifacts. 



Another approach involves environmental management, such as controlling the microclimate around the rock carvings to make it less conducive for fungi and lichen growth.



These methods require ongoing research and funding, but they offer a potential way to mitigate the impact of these natural processes. 



Looking ahead, a multi-disciplinary approach involving mycologists, archaeologists, and conservation scientists will be crucial in developing sustainable strategies to protect these irreplaceable cultural treasures.



This tale of the Negev Desert’s rock carvings is a humbling reminder of our tenuous hold on the past. Our ancestors’ stories, lovingly carved on stone, might be wearing away under nature's relentless forces. Yet, we can still preserve their memory in our shared histories and narratives.



The study has been published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/fungal-biology/articles/10.3389/ffunb.2024.1400380/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Fungal Biology</a>.



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Ancient desert rock carvings face erosion from fungi and lichens

In the southern fringes of Israel, the arid plains of...

Picture Japan in the year 1181, just as the Genpei War (1180-85) was taking root. As political power was being redefined, an unexpected guest star, SN 1181, appeared in the sky. 



How do we know? The Azuma Kagami, an ancient diary, recounted not just the details of daily human lives and key events but also these celestial sightings, including the supernova.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-guest-star-sn-1181">Guest star (SN) 1181</h2>



Fast forward to the present day, and that once temporary guest star, now known as supernova (SN) 1181, is back in the spotlight. 



But not because it shone brightly in the sky, but rather because Takatoshi Ko, a doctoral student from the Department of Astronomy at the <a href="https://www.ioa.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tokyo</a>, and his team of researchers have pieced together a mystery that has lasted for centuries.



"There are many accounts of this temporary guest star in historical records from Japan, China and Korea. At its peak, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/t-coronae-borealis-nova-explosion-nearby-star-light-up-earths-skies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star's brightness</a> was comparable to Saturn's," explained Ko.



"It remained visible to the naked eye for about 180 days, until it gradually dimmed out of sight. The remnant of the SN 1181 explosion is now very old, so it is dark and difficult to find."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-dwarf-stars-created-sn-1181">Two dwarf stars created SN 1181</h2>



SN 1181 may have faded from view around 840 years ago, but it's leaving a big impression today. It's the result of a rare and dramatic event - two <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/white-dwarf-stars-may-be-billions-of-years-older-than-estimated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">white dwarf stars</a> collided, leading to a supernova.



The remnant of this supernova was then left behind as a single, bright, and fast-rotating white dwarf, a cosmic wonder that has piqued the interest of modern astrophysicists.



The SN 1181 remnant presented a perplexing puzzle. Its remnant has two shock regions, but how did they form? 



Enter the power of computer modeling and observational analysis. With this tech, the University of Tokyo research team was able to recreate the remnant's structure and solve this cosmic conundrum.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tale-of-stars-and-supernova">Tale of stars and supernova</h2>



Traditional wisdom led them to believe that when two white dwarfs crash into each other, they should explode and vanish. 



But this collision left a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/t-coronae-borealis-blaze-star-explosion-visible-one-week/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">white dwarf spinning</a> in space. Was there a stellar wind involved, and if so, when did it start? Their adventurous exploration of space led them to fascinating findings.



According to their calculations, the wind might have started blowing within the last 20-30 years.



"If the wind had started blowing immediately after SNR 1181's formation, we couldn't reproduce the observed size of the inner shock region," said Ko.



"However, by treating the wind's onset time as variable, we succeeded in explaining all of the observed features of SNR 1181 accurately and unraveling the mysterious properties of this high-speed wind. 



The astronomers were also able to simultaneously track the time evolution of each shock region, using numerical calculations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-history-meets-astronomy">History meets astronomy</h2>



The tale of the SN 1181 is more than just a scientific discovery. It represents a fascinating blend of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-travels-back-in-time-to-better-understand-supernovae-science/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">historical records</a> and modern astronomical techniques. But how does this work?



To begin with, the Azuma Kagami provided invaluable observational data. By analyzing these historical records, astronomers were able to gather crucial information about the appearance and timing of the supernova SN 1181.



In modern times, researchers used this historical data in conjunction with advanced astronomical tools and methods. They could cross-reference the ancient observations with current astronomical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/star-collapse-black-hole-instead-of-supernova-vanish-from-sky/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data</a>. 



As a result, studies successfully pinpointed the exact location of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pillars-of-creation-new-3d-video-nasa-created-as-never-seen-before/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova remnant</a> within the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cassiopeia-a-resembles-a-shiny-christmas-ornament-in-this-webb-telescope-photo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">constellation Cassiopeia</a>.



This fusion of history and modern science showcases the importance of preserving and studying historical texts. Through such collaborative efforts, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the universe and its history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-on-to-the-next-chapter">On to the next chapter</h2>



"The ability to determine the age of supernova remnants or the brightness at the time of their explosion through archaeological perspectives is a rare and invaluable asset to modern astronomy," said Ko. 



"Such interdisciplinary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unraveling-the-mysterious-origins-of-the-crab-nebula/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> is both exciting and highlights the immense potential for combining diverse fields to uncover new dimensions of astronomical phenomena."



This exploration not only furthers our understanding of white dwarf collisions but also sets the stage for unraveling other historical celestial events. 



The interdisciplinary nature of this research underscores the importance of preserving ancient records, which serve as invaluable assets in modern scientific inquiries.



But the tale of the guest star (now known as supernova) isn't over yet. 



The team is now gearing up for more observations using the <a href="https://public.nrao.edu/telescopes/vla/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Very Large Array radio telescope</a> and the 8.2 meter-class <a href="https://subarutelescope.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subaru Telescope</a>. They're ready to delve deeper into the mysteries of the universe and hold the cosmos up to a mirror of the past.



Is there more to the tale of SN 1181? Time will tell.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ad4d99" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal</a>.



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Bright star documented in the year 1181 was actually a supernova

Picture Japan in the year 1181, just as the Genpei...

Have you ever gazed up at the night sky and wondered if humans are the only intelligent life in this vast universe? The twinkling stars, distant galaxies, and the sheer expanse above us evoke a sense of mystery and awe.



It's a question that has intrigued humanity for centuries, driving scientists, philosophers, and dreamers to explore the cosmos and seek answers to one of our most profound questions. 



What lies beyond Earth in our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newly-discovered-stars-milky-way-are-old-as-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way galaxy</a>? Are there other forms of life out there, sharing the same curiosity and wonder?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-intelligent-life-need">What does intelligent life need?</h2>



New research brings us closer to understanding why we lack evidence of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations. 



Dr. Robert Stern, a geoscientist at the <a href="https://nsm.utdallas.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Texas at Dallas</a>, and Dr. Taras Gerya from the <a href="https://ethz.ch/en.html">Swiss Federal Institute of Technology</a> in Zurich, led the study.



“Life has been around on Earth for about 4 billion years, but complex organisms like animals didn’t appear until about 600 million years ago, which is not long after the modern episode of plate tectonics began,” said Stern. “Plate tectonics really jump-starts the evolution machine, and we think we understand why.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-drake-equation">Understanding the Drake Equation</h2>



In the 1960s, Dr. Frank Drake, a pioneer in the search for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aliens-dont-exist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extraterrestrial intelligence</a>, developed an equation to estimate the number of intelligent civilizations in our galaxy capable of communication.



N = R*&nbsp;x&nbsp;fp&nbsp;x&nbsp;ne&nbsp;x&nbsp;fl&nbsp;x&nbsp;fi&nbsp;x&nbsp;fc&nbsp;x&nbsp;L



N:&nbsp;The number of civilizations in the Milky Way galaxy whose electromagnetic emissions (radio waves, etc.) are detectable.



R*:&nbsp;The number of stars formed annually.



fp: The fraction of those stars with planetary systems.



ne: The number of planets per solar system with an environment suitable for life.



fl: The fraction of suitable planets on which life actually appears.



fi: The fraction of life-bearing planets on which intelligent life emerges.



fc: The fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that produces detectable signs of their existence.



L: The average length of time (years) such civilizations produce such signs.



The above equation is known as the Drake Equation. Now famous in both scholastic and scientific circles, it considers variables like the rate of star formation and the fraction of stars with life-supporting planets.



Despite its optimistic predictions, we still have no contact with extraterrestrial civilizations. This mystery is called the Fermi Paradox. Named after nuclear physicist Dr. Enrico Fermi, it asks, "Where is everyone?"



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prerequisites-for-intelligent-life">Prerequisites for intelligent life</h2>



Dr. Stern and Dr. Gerya suggest that the Drake Equation may have overlooked the vital role that large oceans and continents play in fostering intelligent life.



According to their research, active, communicative civilizations (ACCs) not only need a stable environment but also long-term geological processes that shape and sustain their planet's surface.



Specifically, they argue that plate tectonics, the slow but powerful movement of a planet's outer shell, is crucial for the evolution of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alien-life-could-reside-in-dyson-spheres-across-1000-galaxies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex life forms</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deconstructing-plate-tectonics">Deconstructing plate tectonics</h2>



Plates aren’t just for dinner. In the realm of geosciences, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-lost-mega-plate-pontus-resurfaces-after-160-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plate tectonics</a> refers to the Earth's crust and upper mantle, which are fragmented into pieces that move ever-so-slowly over geological time scales.



Imagine continents as colossal rafts, floating and colliding, causing mountains to rise and oceans to form.



“It is much more common for planets to have an outer solid shell that is not fragmented, which is known as single-lid tectonics,” Stern said.



“But plate tectonics is much more effective than single-lid tectonics for driving the emergence of advanced life-forms.”



Without such dynamic processes, life may struggle to evolve beyond simple, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbial-life-thats-8-billion-years-old-may-exist-on-nearby-exoplanets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbial forms</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-refurbishing-the-drake-equation">Refurbishing the Drake Equation</h2>



In their study, Stern and Gerya suggest refining a Drake equation factor, fi. This factor represents the fraction of life-bearing planets where intelligent life emerges.



They argue it should consider the necessity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroid-bennu-hints-at-the-possibility-of-life-on-an-ancient-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">large oceans</a>, continents, and plate tectonics for over 500 million years on those planets.



“In the original formulation, this factor was thought to be nearly 1, or 100% - that is, evolution on all planets with life would march forward and, with enough time, turn into an intelligent civilization,” Stern said. “Our perspective is: That’s not true.”



To put it simply, not every planet with life will necessarily develop an intelligent civilization. They suggest that the factor should consider the presence of significant continents, oceans, and long-lived plate tectonics.



This adjustment could drastically alter our estimates of the number of planets where advanced civilizations might arise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intelligent-life-and-galactic-conditions">Intelligent life and galactic conditions</h2>



Their revised formula starkly shrinks the potential fraction of exoplanets with optimal conditions for advanced life.



According to Stern, the fraction of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-finds-17-exoplanets-that-have-oceans-and-possibly-alien-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exoplanets with enough water</a> and prolonged plate tectonics is likely much tinier than previously thought.



How tiny? Well, they estimate the values range from as low as 0.0002 to 0.01 for the volume of water and less than 0.17 for the duration of lasting plate tectonics.



“When we multiply these factors together, we get a refined estimate of fi&nbsp;that is very small, between 0.003% and 0.2%, instead of 100%,” Stern said.



“This explains the extreme rareness of favorable planetary conditions for the development of intelligent life in our galaxy and resolves the Fermi paradox.”



These numbers imply that the conditions necessary for the emergence of intelligent life are exceedingly rare.



Our role in the cosmos might just be a stroke of extraordinary luck. Stern's research suggests that the perfect alignment of geographical and geological factors required to birth intelligent life forms like us is more of a rare cosmic jackpot than a universal rule.



This understanding could potentially solve the Fermi Paradox by explaining why we haven't encountered other advanced civilizations despite the vast number of stars and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pluto-may-not-be-real-planet-but-has-real-big-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planets in the universe</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-searching-the-galaxy-for-intelligent-life">Searching the galaxy for intelligent life</h2>



NASA has confirmed well <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alien-worlds-unraveling-the-mysteries-of-exoplanets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">over 5,000 exoplanets</a> in the Milky Way alone, but currently, we aren't equipped to detect plate tectonics on these alien worlds.



Despite this limitation, scientists, including UT Dallas planet hunter Dr. Kaloyan Penev, continue their relentless pursuit of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-identified-85-new-exoplanets-that-could-harbor-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitable planets</a>.



The findings of Stern and Gerya might just shine a new light on their search, offering new parameters and considerations for identifying planets that could host advanced life.



“Biogeochemistry posits that the solid Earth, particularly plate tectonics, speeds up the evolution of species,” Stern said. 



“Studies like ours are useful because they stimulate thinking broadly about larger mysteries and provide an example of how we can apply our knowledge of Earth systems to interesting questions about our universe.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-our-cosmic-comprehension">Expanding our cosmic comprehension</h2>



This research reminds us how much we still have to learn about the universe. It encourages us to think beyond Earth and consider how our planet's geological systems can offer insights into cosmic mysteries. 



Earth's history, with its tectonic movements, volcanic eruptions, and changing atmosphere, reflects processes that might happen on faraway worlds. 



By studying our planet, we learn about the potential for life and the workings of other planets.



The next time you look at the stars, remember that each one might have its own world, full of stories to tell. 



Picture the possibilities: planets with unique landscapes, climates, and maybe even life forms different from ours. The universe is vast and full of wonders. 



Our journey to understand it has just begun. As we learn more, we find more questions and discover that the cosmos is more complex and beautiful than we ever imagined.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-54700-x">Scientifi</a><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-54700-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">c</a><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-54700-x"> Reports</a>.



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New theory claims humans are 'probably' the only intelligent life in our galaxy

Have you ever gazed up at the night sky and...

The saying "you are what you eat" is more relevant than ever. New research reveals the health benefits of reducing processed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/12-of-americans-are-responsible-for-over-half-of-all-u-s-beef-consumption/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meat consumption</a>. 



In the United States alone, a reduction in the consumption of processed meat could potentially prevent hundreds of thousands of cases of chronic disease within a decade.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-processed-meat-and-health">Processed meat and health</h2>



In a recent study, experts designed an innovative simulation tool that projects the health impacts of lowering processed meat and red meat consumption.



The research team, hailing from the <a href="https://www.ed.ac.uk/global-agriculture-food-systems" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Edinburgh's Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems</a> and the <a href="https://www.unc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill</a>, used the tool to predict multiple health outcomes.



The team's microsimulation, the first of its kind, utilized data from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) national health survey. 



The simulation estimated the health effects of a range of meat consumption reduction -from five to 100 percent - on the U.S. adult population.



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



“Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the two most common causes of death in the USA, including during the COVID-19 pandemic,” wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



“High processed meat consumption is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease; type 2 diabetes, and some cancers, particularly colorectal cancer.”&nbsp;



The researchers noted that in 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified consumption of processed meat as “carcinogenic to humans,” the same classification as tobacco and asbestos.&nbsp;



“The association of processed meat consumption with these chronic diseases is thought to be due to high haem iron, sodium, nitrites, nitrates, and saturated fat.”



“Compounds generated from high-temperature cooking - namely advanced glycation-end products, heterocyclic aromatic amines, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - have also been implicated in chronic disease outcomes.”



Despite these findings, intake of processed meat in the United States has not been reduced over the past 20 years, said the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-benefits">Potential benefits</h2>



The findings of the study are nothing short of impressive. The experts found that a 30 percent reduction in processed meat intake would have significant health benefits over a decade. 



This level of change would prevent more than 350,000 cases of diabetes. Additionally, it would result in 92,500 fewer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/red-meat-consumption-linked-with-poorer-heart-function/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular disease</a> cases. There would also be 53,300 fewer colorectal cancer cases.



The microsimulation suggests that the health benefits of this scenario are very significant. White males would experience the most considerable benefits. Individuals with an annual household income of $25,000 to $55,000 would also see substantial health improvements.



Furthermore, the researchers considered the impact of cutting unprocessed red meat consumption alone, as well as reducing both processed and unprocessed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dietary-shift-to-forage-fish-could-prevent-millions-of-deaths/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">red meat intake</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-processed-meat-reduction">Impact of processed meat reduction</h2>



The study shows that empowering the public to reduce red meat consumption by 30 percent could have significant health benefits. 



A reduction in both processed and unprocessed red meat could result in 1,073,400 fewer diabetes cases. There would also be 382,400 fewer cardiovascular disease cases. Additionally, it could lead to 84,400 fewer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seven-major-risk-factors-predict-colorectal-cancer-in-men/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">colorectal cancer</a> cases.



Moreover, reducing unprocessed red meat intake by 30 percent has a simple implication. It would mean eating around one less quarter-pound beef burger each week.



Interestingly, more disease cases were prevented by reducing unprocessed red meat compared to processed meat. This observation is attributed to the higher daily consumption of unprocessed red meat at 47g a day, compared to the 29g a day of processed meat.



The researchers caution that less is known about the effect of eating unprocessed red meat on chronic disease risk. They recommend interpreting these estimates with care and advocate for more research on the subject.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-climate-and-meat-consumption">Health, climate, and meat consumption</h2>



This research goes beyond the realm of public health, according to Professor Lindsay Jaacks, Personal Chair of Global Health and Nutrition at the University of Edinburgh.



"Cutting consumption of meat has been recommended by national and international organizations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including the Climate Change Committee here in the UK and the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change or IPCC," said Professor Jaacks.



"Our research finds that these changes in diets could also have significant health benefits in the U.S., and so this is a clear win-win for people and planet."



This study presents a compelling case for individuals to consider less meat in their diets. The potential rewards are two-fold, promising a healthier population and a healthier planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-encouraging-healthier-dietary-choices">Encouraging healthier dietary choices</h2>



Beyond individual efforts, public policy can play a crucial role in guiding healthier dietary choices. Implementing educational campaigns about the benefits of reducing meat consumption, along with incentives for choosing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-diets-lower-the-risk-of-major-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant-based</a> alternatives, could amplify the positive health outcomes detailed in the study.



Governments should consider adopting policies like meat taxes and subsidies for healthier food options. These measures can make it easier for people to make beneficial dietary changes.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(24)00118-9/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lancet Planetary Health</a>.



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Diseases linked to processed meat could easily be prevented

The saying "you are what you eat" is more relevant...

Ever been caught in a web of confusion when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/we-usually-end-up-with-partners-who-look-as-attractive-as-we-are/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deciding on a date</a> for Friday night? You're not alone! A recently surfaced sociological study suggests that the majority of young adults feel perplexed about their dating decisions due to social media influence.



Over half of our youth are scratching their heads when it comes to choosing a life-partner. Surprisingly, women seem to be more baffled than men.



The primary suspect causing all this hullabaloo? It's the omnipresent social media and the myriad of digital dating platforms. With a plethora of potential suitors at your fingertips, courtesy of popular dating apps, the line between reality and illusion in the dating world has never been blurrier.



The study was led by Chayan Munshi, founder and executive director of the Ethophilia Research Foundation in Santiniketan, India.&nbsp;



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



"Human mate selection is a complicated psychological process, which is effectively influenced by multiple societal factors including appearance, personality and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/personality-is-more-important-than-finances-when-it-comes-to-dating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">financial situation</a>," said Munshi.



"More recently, this has become significantly influenced by&nbsp;social media, where constant exposure to sexually stimulating or attractive content creates certain perceptions of reality in the young mindset, which ultimately creates confusion in terms of selecting potential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/having-a-sense-of-purpose-makes-you-more-likely-to-find-love/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mating partners</a>."



Taking the digital bull by the horns, the Ethophilia Research Foundation is now researching how our increasingly digitized society is sculpting human behavior.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-romantic-partner-selection">Romantic partner selection</h2>



The initial findings emerging from this ongoing project are based on a survey of young adults in India, most of whom are between 18 and 30 years old. 



The questionnaire delved into the nitty-gritty of romantic partner selection, asking questions like, "Do you feel confused when selecting a life-partner?" and "Do you like to switch to a 'better option' when selecting a life-partner?"



The preliminary results bring to light a potentially significant trend. People's perception of potential mate availability, influenced by the omnipresence of social media and dating platforms such as Tinder, Bumble, and Match.com, seems to be skewing how they judge their life-partner options.



The shift in perception might lead individuals to hold unrealistic expectations about relationships. This change can result in people continuously searching for better options. Consequently, this behavior affects long-term relationship satisfaction and stability.



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



Constant exposure to endless choices might influence how people make decisions. This exposure could impact their decision-making processes. As a result, the dynamics of modern romantic relationships might undergo significant changes.&nbsp;



This altered decision-making can lead to difficulties in maintaining stable, satisfying long-term relationships. For example, when someone is constantly exposed to a variety of potential partners through dating apps, they may struggle to commit to one person, always thinking there might be someone better out there.



Therefore, the abundance of choices and heightened expectations might negatively affect modern romantic relationships by causing individuals to be less satisfied with their current partners and more prone to looking for alternatives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-price-of-impulsiveness">Price of impulsiveness</h2>



Interestingly, young people are increasingly showing impulsive behavior, with a drop in face-to-face social interactions.



"Our hypothesis strongly indicates that the 'pleasure index' or 'adrenaline rush' of relationships is taking more prime importance in the younger generation over long-term stability," noted Munshi.&nbsp;



"It is alarming that impulsiveness or confusion can lead to instability in the human relation-maintaining behavior, which is actually affecting the normal social behavior in humans."



"The pattern now is notable enough to indicate that this might modify the social norms of partner choice behavior in young humans, which might have significant effect on the brain-behavior circuit."



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



As these new social norms evolve, we may observe changes in relationship dynamics, communication styles, and emotional connections among the younger generation. 



Understanding these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gen-ai-and-social-media-divert-peoples-attention-from-climate-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trends</a> is crucial for comprehending the broader implications on societal and individual levels.



"In the long-run, this may eventually alter the fundamental protocol of evolutionary mating strategies," said Munshi.



So, the next time your fingers itch to swipe right on that dating app, remember that a moment's decision could have more far-reaching implications than you ever imagined.



The research was presented at the annual meeting of the <a href="https://www.sebiology.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Society for Experimental Biology</a>.



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Dating apps make it difficult to find true love

Ever been caught in a web of confusion when deciding...

Ever wondered where your favorite chocolate comes from? A consortium of scientists from around the globe have discovered three new species closely linked to the cherished chocolate plant, Theobroma cacao.



This research not only broadens our understanding of plant biodiversity but could also swing open the door to climate-resistant cocoa - a vital ingredient for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthier-chocolate-created-by-using-the-entire-cocoa-fruit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chocolate</a> lovers.



This operation has been spearheaded by Dr. James Richardson from the <a href="https://www.ucc.ie/en/bees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University College Cork</a> School of Biological, Earth &amp; Environmental Sciences and the Environmental Research Institute, along with other notable experts from the <a href="https://www5.usp.br/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of São Paulo</a> and the <a href="https://www.nybg.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York Botanical Garden</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cacao-plant-species">Cacao plant species</h2>



The newly unveiled <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cacao-trees-5000-year-odyssey-global-domestication/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> - T. globosum, T. nervosum, and T. schultesii - are residents of the lush South American rainforests. They belong to the section Herrania, closely related to the Theobroma cacao, the cocoa-bearing tree revered for its economic impact.



"These new species were discovered as a result of studying specimens in herbaria and demonstrate the importance of maintaining these natural history collections as many more species remain to be discovered within them,” said Dr. Richardson.



"That there were recently unknown species closely related to Theobroma cacao, which is of huge importance for the production of chocolate and other products, shows how much more work there is to be done to catalog the vast amount of unknown biodiversity across our planet."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-silver-lining-for-the-chocolate-lining">A silver lining for the chocolate lining</h2>



With climate change looming like a dark cloud over global industries, the cocoa sector is no exception. However, each silver cloud has a chocolate lining. 



This scientific breakthrough could lead to the development of more climate-resilient cocoa trees, promising a more sustainable future for our beloved chocolate production.



"Cacao prices have trebled in recent months due to low production as a result of a prolonged period of drought in West Africa, which is the area of greatest production," noted Dr. Richardson.



"The discovery of new species, in addition to those already known, expands the genetic resources available to us that might allow us to produce drought-tolerant or disease-resistant cocoa trees."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-and-potential-innovations">Future research and potential innovations</h2>



The discovery of these new species opens numerous avenues for future research. Scientists are now keen to sequence the genomes of T. globosum, T. nervosum, and T. schultesii to uncover genetic markers for traits such as drought resistance and disease tolerance.



The research team conducted meticulous examinations of leaves, flowers, and fruits and liaised with multiple botanical institutions on their quest to uncover these new species. 



Like detectives leafing through a case file, they scanned through samples, cross-reference data, and eventually hit the jackpot.



Such knowledge and techniques could be instrumental in breeding programs aimed at developing robust cocoa varieties. 



Collaborative projects are expected to spring up between institutions worldwide, driven by a collective goal: to secure the future of chocolate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deadly-virus-threatens-global-chocolate-supply/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">production</a> in the face of climatic and environmental changes.



The journey of these new species from the hidden depths of herbaria to the forefront of scientific progress exemplifies the limitless potential of human curiosity and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chocolate-with-less-sugar-still-tastes-great-with-a-secret-ingredient/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">innovation</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-on-theobroma-cacao-species">More on Theobroma Cacao species</h2>



Theobroma cacao, often hailed as the "food of the gods," is more than just a plant. It's a cornerstone of global agriculture and culture. 



Native to tropical regions of Central and South America, this evergreen tree produces cacao beans. These beans are the heart of the chocolate-making process. 



They undergo a fascinating journey of fermentation, drying, roasting, and grinding to become the chocolate we love.



Botanically, Theobroma cacao is a marvel. Its flowers bloom directly on the trunk and branches, a rare phenomenon called cauliflory. This leads to pods filled with prized seeds. 



With a diverse range of flavors and pest resistances, cacao presents exciting opportunities and challenges. Researchers aim to unlock its full potential.



So, what's next for the team? There's plenty more to explore in this green-and-brown world of chocolate. Who knows, maybe next time you bite into a chocolate bar, you'll be tasting the sweet success of scientific discovery. After all, science is a lot like chocolate – the more you know, the more you enjoy it!



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12225-024-10171-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kew Bulletin</a>.



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New discovery will help 'climate-proof' chocolate

Ever wondered where your favorite chocolate comes from? A consortium...

As we navigate life, our habits and lifestyle choices in early adulthood, including those that affect inflammation, may have more bearing on future health than once believed. 



In particular, decisions made during our 20s could play a significant role in our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mediterranean-diet-keeps-the-brain-sharp-even-in-old-age/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental acuity</a> during middle age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hidden-consequences-of-inflammation">The hidden consequences of inflammation</h2>



Obesity, physical inactivity, chronic illness, stress, and smoking in our youth do not just affect our physical health, they are also linked with inflammation. 



What's more, a recent study out of <a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC San Francisco</a> has discovered a connection between higher levels of inflammation in young adulthood and reduced cognitive function in midlife.



Historically, scientific research has connected higher inflammation in older adults with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/anti-inflammatory-foods-lower-the-risk-of-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dementia</a>. However, this groundbreaking study is one of the earliest to draw a link between early-adult inflammation and middle-aged cognitive abilities.



"Late-life inflammation has been linked to dementia risk and preclinical cognitive decline, but less is known about early adult inflammation and whether this could influence cognition in midlife," wrote the researchers.



"We aimed to identify inflammation levels through early adulthood and determine association of these trajectories with midlife cognition."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-slow-march-of-cognitive-decline">The slow march of cognitive decline</h2>



"Brain changes leading to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias may take decades to develop," noted study first author Dr. Amber Bahorik of the UCSF Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences



It is suggested that health and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lifespan-is-influenced-more-by-lifestyle-than-genetics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lifestyle habits</a> formed in early adulthood could potentially affect cognitive skills in midlife that may later influence the incidence of dementia in one's senior years.



The study revealed that only 10% of participants with low inflammation performed poorly on tests measuring processing speed and memory. Comparatively, about 20% of participants with moderate or higher levels of inflammation scored poorly on the same tests.



Even when the researchers factored in variables such as age, physical activity, and total cholesterol, the disparities in processing speed remained. They also discovered differences in executive functioning, which includes capabilities like working memory, problem-solving, and impulse control.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-study-a-long-term-view">The study: A long-term view</h2>



The study followed 2,364 adults in the CARDIA study, which focuses on identifying factors in young adulthood that could lead to cardiovascular disease later in life. 



Participants were aged between 18 to 30 years old at the start of the study and tested four times over an 18-year period for the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP). 



Their cognitive tests were taken five years after their last CRP measurement when most participants were in their forties and fifties.



The experts concluded that inflammation plays a significant role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/daily-multivitamins-slow-cognitive-aging-and-improve-memory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive aging</a> and may begin in early adulthood.



It was also discovered that higher levels of inflammation were correlated with physical inactivity, high BMI, and current smoking habits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-inflammation-for-a-healthier-future">Reducing inflammation for a healthier future</h2>



The silver lining in this study is the potential for prevention. By reducing inflammation through healthier lifestyle choices like increased physical activity and eliminating smoking, individuals may be able to protect their cognitive abilities later in life.



"Fortunately, there are ways to reduce inflammation that might be promising paths for prevention," said study senior author Dr. Kristine Yaffe, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, neurology, and epidemiology and biostatistics at UCSF.



So even facing these findings, there's hope for us all to age with grace and mental clarity by making mindful decisions in our youth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-stimulation-and-social-engagement">Mental stimulation and social engagement</h2>



Mental stimulation and social interaction are other significant factors that contribute to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-for-the-aging-brain-mediterranean-diet-protects-cognitive-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive health</a> as we age.



Engaging in intellectually challenging activities such as learning a new language, solving puzzles, or playing musical instruments can enhance cognitive reserve - the brain's ability to improvise and find alternative ways of completing tasks.



Social engagement acts as a protective barrier against cognitive decline by reducing stress, fostering emotional support, and promoting neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to adapt and reorganize itself.



Studies have found that individuals who maintain strong social ties and participate in community activities tend to exhibit better cognitive performance in midlife. 



Therefore, nurturing a socially active and mentally stimulating lifestyle in young adulthood could be a decisive factor in sustaining cognitive health in later years.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000209526" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neurology</a>.



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Lifestyle choices in young adulthood impact cognitive ability in midlife

As we navigate life, our habits and lifestyle choices in...

Imagine a world where gold is not just found on the surface, but also deep below the ocean floor. This idea may sound straight out of a fantasy novel, but recent research hints at this fascinating possibility. 



Scientists have discovered a vital role that seawater plays in the formation of gold, one of our planet's most precious <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/golds-glow-luminescence-caused-quantum-realm-effects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">materials</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-the-ocean-soil-gold-link">Exploring the ocean-soil-gold link</h2>



A team of scientists journeyed to the isolated Brucejack gold deposit in northwestern British Columbia, where they set out to gather and study ancient ore-bearing rocks. 



The deposit, now on land as a result of plate tectonic processes, originally formed in a submarine oceanic island arc about 183 million years ago. The rigorous analysis revealed that these valuable geological relics bore the mark of the mighty seas.



The team discovered that seawater had seeped into the Earth’s crust, mingling with ore fluids and eventually leading to the formation of gold.



Study co-author Anthony Williams-Jones is a professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/eps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McGill University</a>.



"These rocks, dating back to the Early Jurassic period, are hosted in volcanic and sedimentary formations," said Professor Williams-Jones.



"Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, we decoded their unique chemical signatures. The finding of seawater-triggered gold deposition is novel and surprising."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-gold-in-curdled-milk">Finding gold in curdled milk</h2>



This discovery is not a standalone revelation. It builds upon earlier research that drew an unexpected parallel between gold formation and the everyday process of milk curdling. 



The researchers found that gold nanoparticles clump together, similar to proteins in milk, forming gold deposits.



The cause of this golden congregation, it turns out, can be traced to sodium ions present in seawater. The ions provoke the gold nanoparticles to merge, akin to the action of acid in souring milk.



"In our new study, we discovered that sodium ions in seawater cause gold nanoparticles to clump together, acting like the acid in souring milk and eventually forming gold veins," noted lead author Duncan McLeish.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-golden-opportunities-below-the-sea-surface">Golden opportunities below the sea surface</h2>



This revolutionary research was carried out in collaboration with experts from the University of Alberta. The study offers new insights into how gold forms and opens up exhilarating prospects for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/illegal-gold-mining-dumps-mercury-in-the-peruvian-rainforest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gold mining</a>.



The work suggests that veins of gold could develop in the seabed, indicating that submarine island arcs and deep ocean trenches ideal for gold formation might be home to unexplored gold resources.



Gold holds immense value - not just for its age-old status as a precious metal - but also for its role in modern applications such as green-energy technologies, electronic devices, and medical equipment.



Land-based mines often offer low-grade ore that demands intensive processing, posing significant environmental costs. Discovering high-grade deposits in the ocean's depths could help mitigate the environmental effects of gold mining.



"Our findings suggest it may be easier to form the rare but spectacular concentrations of gold found in high-grade gold veins in sub-seafloor settings," said Professor Williams-Jones.



"With recent interest in mining submarine mineral deposits, our research suggests that Earth's oceanic crust may indeed contain resources, many of which are required for the green-energy transition, at a level never before appreciated."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-of-deep-sea-mining">Challenges of deep-sea mining</h2>



While the potential for discovering high-grade gold deposits under the sea is thrilling, it also comes with significant challenges and ethical considerations. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/search-results/?search=Deep%20sea%20mining%20&amp;start=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deep-sea mining</a> poses risks to marine ecosystems, which are often less understood than terrestrial ones. The disruption of the sea floor could affect the habitats of various <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-mining-has-deadly-consequences-for-marine-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine species</a>, many of which are yet to be studied.



Additionally, the logistics of extracting minerals from such remote and harsh environments present technical and financial hurdles.



Environmentalists urge caution, emphasizing the need for comprehensive impact assessments and stringent regulations to protect marine biodiversity. 



As we advance toward potential underwater mining, balancing technological progress with environmental stewardship will be crucial. 



The dialogue between scientists, environmentalists, policymakers, and industry stakeholders will shape the future of this burgeoning field, ensuring that the treasures of the deep are managed responsibly for generations to come.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2402116121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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The secret role of seawater in gold formation

Imagine a world where gold is not just found on...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Kainji Lake, a reservoir on the Niger River.



In 1968, Kainji Lake was created by the construction of the Kainji Dam. The Niger River, the third longest in Africa, enters the lake in the north.&nbsp;



According to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rivers-in-the-american-west-are-a-lifesaving-resource-for-birds/">ESA</a>, the creation of the lake submerged Foge Island and the town of Bussa and permanently flooded other riverine settlements, leaving around 50,000 people displaced.&nbsp;



Large parts of Foge Island are temporarily exposed during low water tides, and the land is often used by migrating fishermen. Kainji Dam is a dam across the Niger River in Niger State of Central Nigeria. 



Wild mammals occur at relatively low densities due to illegal hunting. Lake Kainji has suffered a dramatic decline as a fishery due to the high numbers of artisanal and subsistence fisherfolk using the lake. It has been suggested that a period of closure, together with controlled fishing rights may help improve fish stocks.



Kainji Lake National Park is the oldest of its kind in Nigeria. The park contains three distinct areas: a part of the Kainji Lake, the Borgu Game Reserve to the west of the lake, and the Zugurma Game Reserve to the southeast. The park is home to around 65 mammal species, 350 bird species, and 30 species of reptiles and amphibians. 



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a> reveals how scientists can modify common crops like soybean, rice, and wheat to protect them from heat stress.



“We need to double crop production by 2050 to feed a growing global population, and not only are we not on track to do that, but climate change is further complicating things,” said Amanda Cavanagh, a lecturer at the University of Essex. 



The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.



“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;



“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”



The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;



The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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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.

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes the first comprehensive estimate of carbon density in the Saharan, Sahel, and Sudanian zones of Africa. In an effort to measure the amount of carbon stored across these drylands, a team of scientists used high-resolution satellite images and artificial intelligence to map nearly 10 billion individual trees. 



"The high spatial resolution (50 cm) combined with AI and field measurements used in this study is key to improving tree inventories in drylands," said Pierre Hiernaux, a French researcher working for NASA. "The ever-increasing availability of very high-resolution satellite imagery will make it possible to assess carbon pools and their dynamics at the individual tree level on a global scale."



"This study is exceptional because it is pioneering a type of approach that will revolutionize the monitoring of trees and forests on a global scale: in the short term, it will be possible to map the world's trees from the centre of the Amazon to our schoolyards," said <a href="https://www.inrae.fr/en">INRAE</a> researcher Jean-Pierre Wigneron.



"Many fields of application will become much more efficient and accurate, such as tracking carbon stocks, biodiversity, monitoring logging and protection against illegal forest degradation, in near real time.”



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.

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> features a visual dataset of.methane emissions from wetlands across the globe. Atmospheric methane levels have reached record highs in recent years, and wetlands are a major source of these emissions.&nbsp;



"Methane is an important greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming. On a molecule by molecule basis, methane is much more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, the main driver of warming," says NASA.



"Though human activities, including agriculture, oil and natural gas production and use, and waste disposal, collectively contribute the majority of methane to the atmosphere, about a third of total methane emissions comes from wetlands."&nbsp;



According to NASA, understanding methane emissions from wetlands and other natural sources is critically important for scientists and policymakers who are working to combat climate change by reducing emissions from human activities.



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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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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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.stowers.org/">Stowers Institute for Medical Research</a> describes why experts are studying zebrafish to gain a better understanding of how the immune system responds to injury. Zebrafish have the ability to repair and regenerate organs.



“Organ regeneration offers an exciting opportunity for studying the immune system and to inquire why some species can regenerate organs like the heart or missing limbs while others like humans cannot,” explained Dr. Tatjana Piotrowski.



Zebrafish sensory organ hair cells are an ideal system to investigate the pathways and cell types involved in regeneration since they are easily destroyed with antibiotics and begin regenerating within five hours. This enabled the researchers to identify the exact timing and genetic programs for each anti-inflammatory macrophage activation state.&nbsp;



“Our hypothesis is that human macrophages do not receive the proper chemical activation 'cocktail' to instruct pro-regenerative processes,” said Dr. Nicolas Denans. “Identifying the molecular recipe of macrophage activation in zebrafish may one day enable us to design regenerative immunotherapies in humans.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



“The new evidence is a valuable resource for comparative studies on the genetic programs involved in macrophage-mediated repair and regeneration. In other words, different types of injuries may induce different kinds of inflammatory responses. We want to decipher whether this 'language' is universal or if there are a variety of dialects."



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



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



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How the immune system responds to injury

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes how record-breaking heat expressed itself around the world in 2022.



Scientists have determined that 2022 was the 5th warmest year since 1880. Furthermore, the last nine consecutive years have been the warmest on record.



From devastating floods and wildfires to natural disasters like Hurricane Ian, 2022 showed us yet again how a warming climate affects people across the globe.&nbsp;



"As we look back at 20:22 and years past, we see that each year we better understand the challenges we face and how important it is to meet them," says NASA.



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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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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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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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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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...