Who invented the wheel? This question has been a topic of debate for centuries. But because it predates recorded history, the exact inventor of the wheel has remained unknown.



Despite the wheel's undeniable importance in human history, its origins have been shrouded in mystery and speculation. What we do know is that the wheel likely evolved over time from simpler tools.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-redefining-the-origins-of-the-wheel">Redefining the origins of the wheel</h2>



A new study on the evolution of the wheel has pushed the clock back by 6,000 years, offering new and compelling insights into this fascinating puzzle.



This discovery represents an exciting development that shatters the conventional timeline, moving it far beyond the previously accepted era of 4000 BC in ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mesopotamian-bricks-reveal-anomaly-in-earths-magnetic-field-3000-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mesopotamia</a>.



It was during that period when the wheel was first recognized as an essential tool, initially used in pottery-making and preceding the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bronze-age-teeth-discovery-highlight-the-evolution-of-the-human-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bronze Age</a> innovation of wheeled vehicles by centuries.



This newfound understanding prompts a reevaluation of how early humans harnessed rotational technology and its transformative impact on the trajectory of human civilization.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-development-of-rotational-tools">Development of rotational tools</h2>



The spotlight is now shining on an archaeological discovery in Israel that has potentially rewritten this humble invention’s history and shifted our understanding of early human ingenuity.



Over a hundred perforated pebbles - primarily composed of limestone and bearing a circular shape with a central hole - were unearthed at the Nahal-Ein Gev II site, a location that has already provided valuable insights into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prehistoric-women-were-not-just-gatherers-they-were-hunters-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prehistoric</a> life.



This extraordinary find represents a key milestone in the development of rotational tools, including our beloved wheel, and emphasizes the sophisticated craftsmanship and resourcefulness of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kids-in-hunter-gatherer-stone-age-societies-had-better-parenting-than-modern-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early societies</a>.



It reveals not only the ingenuity behind these tools but also hints at the broader implications for the evolution of technology and innovation in human history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invention-of-a-wheel-shaped-tool">Invention of a wheel-shaped tool</h2>



What's astonishing is that these ancient stones date back to approximately 12,000 years, far surpassing any previously known examples. 



Scholars from the <a href="https://en.huji.ac.il/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hebrew University of Jerusalem</a> suggest that these stones served as spindle whorls - round weighted objects attached to a spindle stick.



This tool was instrumental in gathering fibers such as wool and spinning them into yarn, demonstrating the human use of rotation with a wheel-shaped tool.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-first-wheels-in-form-and-function">The first wheels in form and function </h2>



Professor Leore Grosman emphasized the importance of these artifacts, describing them as early examples of wheel-shaped tools connected to a rotating axle.



"These perforated stones are actually the first wheels in form and function - a round object with a hole in the center connected to a rotating axle, used long before the appearance of the wheel for transportation purposes," said Professor Grosman.



This early use eventually paved the way for more advanced wheel-based rotational inventions, including the renowned potter's wheel and, later, the significantly useful cart wheel.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fingerprints-of-prehistoric-innovation">Fingerprints of prehistoric innovation</h2>



"The most important aspect of the study is how modern technology allows us to delve deep into touching the fingerprints of the prehistoric craftsman, then learn something new about them and their innovativeness, and at the same time, about our modern technology and how we're linked," noted the researchers.



Their study embodies the "wheel and axle" concept, a revolutionary mechanism that triggered technology's transformation from linear to rotary motion.



The paper concludes that the ancient origins tied to the carts' prominence during the Bronze Age now focus on a much-earlier wheel-shaped tool.



So, the next time you marvel at the complexity of modern machinery, remember its connection to these humble stones from 12,000 years ago, and appreciate the role of human innovation throughout the ages.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-ingenuity-and-innovation">Human ingenuity and innovation</h2>



This discovery not only enriches our understanding of early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/400000-year-old-stone-tools-show-technological-adaptations-of-prehistoric-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">technological advancements</a> but also illustrates the seamless progression from simple tools to complex mechanisms.



The spindle whorls unearthed at Nahal-Ein Gev II showcase the fundamental principles of rotational technology, a concept that would eventually lead to the wheel's application in pottery, transportation, and machinery.



By examining these early developments, researchers draw parallels between ancient creativity and modern technology, highlighting the continuous thread of human ingenuity through the ages.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://search.app?link=https%3A%2F%2Fjournals.plos.org%2Fplosone%2Farticle%3Fid%3D10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0312007&amp;utm_campaign=aga&amp;utm_source=agsadl2%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plos One</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Who invented the wheel? It all started with stones

Who invented the wheel? This question has been a topic of debate for centuries. But because it predates recorded history, the exact inventor of the wheel has remained unknown. Despite the wheel's undeniable importance in human history, its origins have been shrouded in mystery and speculation. What we do know is that the wheel likely evolved over time from simpler tools. Redefining the origins of the wheel A new study on the evolution of the wheel has pushed the clock back by 6,000 years, offering new and...

A new study has explored the intriguing world of mice, including how they navigate social hierarchies and conflicts. 



The goal of the researchers, led by Joshua Neunuebel at the University of Delaware, was to understand how mice handle aggressive behavior from their peers.



And the best part is that they used machine learning to track mouse behavior. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mice-and-machine-learning">Mice and machine learning</h2>



If you're wondering how machine learning fits into this picture, let us walk you through it. Studying social interactions objectively can become quite a pickle. 



Enter machine learning -- our virtual Sherlock Holmes solving the mystery of mouse interactions.



The researchers watched the behavior of two male and two female <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/south-africa-will-bomb-invasive-mice-eating-seabirds-alive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mice</a> over five hours. And guess what they discovered? 



In almost each group observed, one alpha-male was significantly more aggressive towards the second male.



Hold on, you might say, mice have social hierarchies too? Indeed, much like many other animals, mice have their social pecking order. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-hierarchies-among-mice">Social hierarchies among mice</h2>



Now the real question is, how did the male mice handle this aggression? 



The answer lies in the fantastic findings of our researchers, who analyzed over 3,000 altercations between the male <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eco-friendly-pest-control-this-simple-cinnamon-trick-keeps-mice-away/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mice</a> using their machine learning model.



The study found that oftentimes, the male mouse who faced aggression would scamper off to a female mouse to deescalate the situation. 



This move could be seen as a 'bait-and-switch' tactic, where the alpha-male would follow the other male, only to end up interacting with the female mouse.



While some tactics might offer a momentary respite from aggression, they often led to a full-blown fight later on. 



However, the 'bait-and-switch' approach usually resulted in a much peaceful scenario -- the mice usually ended up farther apart, with the alpha-male interacting with the female mouse.



Now, while this may seem like an excellent way for the victims to defuse a heated situation, there's a catch -- it might cost them their quality time with the female mice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-predictions">Complex predictions</h2>



The utilization of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/not-so-dim-witted-pigeons-have-their-own-version-of-machine-learning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">machine learning</a> in this study transcends simple observation, going into complex calculations and predictions about mouse behavior.



By <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-computing-and-machine-learning-enhance-airplane-performance-and-safety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">applying algorithms</a> to parse through the data collected from over 3,000 encounters, researchers could identify patterns and predict potential future interactions.



The machine learning model proved instrumental in differentiating between mere skirmishes and those interactions that had the potential to escalate into more serious conflicts. 



As such, this study not only increases our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mice-make-it-a-priority-to-find-the-best-escape-route/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mouse behavior</a> but also showcases the power of machine learning in behavioral science research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-behavior-correlation">Human behavior correlation</h2>



The implications of this study extend beyond the world of mice, offering insights that could be applied to the study of social hierarchies and conflict resolution in other species, including humans. 



By understanding the methods and strategies employed by mice to manage aggressive behavior, researchers can draw parallels to human social interactions. 



This deepens our understanding of nature's primal strategies for conflict resolution and fosters a more comprehensive view of both animal and human sociology. 



As we continue to integrate technology such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/machine-learning-can-more-accurately-predict-ocean-currents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">machine learning</a> into social behavior studies, the potential for discoveries expands, offering promising new pathways for exploring the intricacies of social dynamics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ethical-considerations">Ethical considerations</h2>



As with any innovation, the application of machine learning in this study necessitates careful consideration of ethical principles. 



The deployment of automated behavioral tracking systems poses questions about the treatment and observation of animal subjects. 



Ensuring the welfare of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/domesticated-house-mouse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mice</a> during experiments is paramount, and researchers are required to adhere strictly to ethical guidelines that prioritize humane treatment.



The use of technology must not compromise the well-being of experimental subjects, and methodologies should be designed to minimize distress and ensure that all interactions are as natural as possible. 



Moreover, transparency in methodology and findings is essential to foster trust and accountability within the scientific community and the public.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-behavioral-science-and-mice-social-life">Behavioral science and mice social life</h2>



The integration of machine learning in behavioral studies represents just the beginning of a transformative era in scientific research. 



Moving forward, the continuous advancement of algorithms and computational power promises to deepen our insight into complex social behaviors across a wide range of species. 



As data collection methods become more sophisticated, researchers can analyze interactions on a scale and with a precision that was previously unattainable. 



This trajectory not only enriches our comprehension of animal ecology but may also inspire novel approaches to addressing social challenges in human populations.



By bridging technology and ethology, the potential for important discoveries remains vast, charting a promising course for future research endeavors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-study-the-social-lives-of-mice">Why study the social lives of mice?</h2>



This study from the <a href="https://www.udel.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Delaware</a> not only illuminates the behavior of mice but also demonstrates how machine learning can be harnessed to study animal behavior. 



It opens up avenues for potential research into how other socially hierarchical species manage aggression.



Remember, as our researchers highlight, "Using artificial intelligence, we found that male mice turn to nearby females to distract aggressors and de-escalate conflicts. 



After an aggressive encounter, the aggressed male briefly engages with a female before quickly escaping, as the aggressor's focus shifts to her."



So, the next time you're in a tense situation, remember the mice -- a little distraction might just be the key!



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3002496" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLoS Biology</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Male mice turn to the ladies to avoid fights and keep social peace

A new study has explored the intriguing world of mice,...

An international team of researchers has discovered seven new species of tree frogs in Madagascar's rainforests, notable for their otherworldly, high-pitched whistling calls that resemble sound effects from the sci-fi series Star Trek.&nbsp;



Inspired by this uncanny resemblance, the scientists have named the new species after seven of the series' most iconic captains.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whistling-tree-frog-species">Whistling tree frog species </h2>



Contrary to the common belief that all <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-frog-day-addressing-environmental-threats-to-frogs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frogs</a> croak, these newly identified species from the tree frog genus Boophis communicate using bird-like whistling sounds. Found throughout Madagascar's rainforests, these frogs use these unique calls to interact with one another.



These whistling sounds reminded the research team, led by professor Miguel Vences of the <a href="https://www.tu-braunschweig.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technische Universität Braunschweig</a> in Germany, of Star Trek, where similar whistle-like sound effects are frequently used. 



“That’s why we named the frogs after Kirk, Picard, Sisko, Janeway, Archer, Burnham, and Pike - seven of the most iconic captains from the sci-fi series,” Vences said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tree-frogs-and-star-trek-sound-effects">Tree frogs and Star Trek sound effects </h2>



Study senior author Mark D. Scherz, an assistant professor at the Natural History Museum of Denmark at the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a>, elaborated on the Star Trek connection.



“Not only do these frogs sound like sound-effects from Star Trek, but it seems also fitting that to find them, you often have to do quite a bit of trekking!”&nbsp;



“A few species are found in places accessible to tourists, but to find several of these species, we had to undertake major expeditions to remote <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dwarf-hippos-of-madagascar-were-forest-dwellers-not-grazers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest</a> fragments and mountain peaks. There’s a real sense of scientific discovery and exploration here, which we think is in the spirit of Star Trek,” said Professor Scherz.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tree-frogs-in-a-noisy-environment">Tree frogs in a noisy environment</h2>



The frogs' unusual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-altering-the-calls-and-voices-of-frogs-around-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">calls</a>, known as “advertisement calls,” serve as a form of self-promotion that may convey information about a male's suitability as a mate to females. 



Living along fast-flowing streams in Madagascar's mountainous regions - a loud backdrop - the frogs likely evolved their high-pitched whistles to be heard over the ambient noise.



For fans of Star Trek, some of the frog calls might evoke sounds from the “boatswain whistle” or the “tricorder.” To others, they might resemble the calls of birds or insects. Jörn Köhler, Senior Curator of Vertebrate Zoology at the <a href="https://www.hlmd.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt</a> in Germany, played a key role in analyzing the frogs' calls. 



“If the frogs just croaked like our familiar European frogs, they might not be audible over the sound of rushing water from the rivers they live near. Their high-pitched trills and whistles stand out against all that noise,” said Köhler.



“The appearance of the frogs has led to them being confused with similar species until now, but each species makes a distinctive series of these high-pitched whistles that has allowed us to tell them apart from each other, and from other frogs.”&nbsp;The calls corresponded with the genetic analyses performed by the team.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-madagascar-a-haven-for-biodiversity">Madagascar: A haven for biodiversity </h2>



Madagascar is renowned for its immense <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vanilla-cultivation-can-boost-biodiversity-in-madagascar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>, and ongoing research in its rainforests continues to uncover hidden species, making it a true paradise for frogs. The island, roughly the size of France, is home to about 9% of all the world’s frog species.



“We’ve only scratched the surface of what Madagascar’s rainforests have to offer,” said co-author Andolalao Rakotoarison of the Université d’Itasy in Madagascar.&nbsp;



“Every time we go into the forest, we find new species, and just in terms of frogs, there are still several hundred species we haven’t yet described.” In the last ten years alone, she and her team have described around 100 new species from the island.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urgent-need-for-conservation-efforts">Urgent need for conservation efforts</h2>



The researchers hope that this new knowledge will strengthen <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/effective-conservation-efforts-key-to-saving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation efforts</a> in Madagascar’s rainforests. 



The species often live in close geographic proximity but at different altitudes and in varied microhabitats. This separation makes them particularly vulnerable to climate change and environmental disturbances.



Thus, the research team urges greater awareness around the conservation of Madagascar’s biodiversity to ensure that these unique species and their habitats are preserved for the future. They also hope to continue exploring, to seek out new species in forests where no scientist has gone before.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Seven new tree frogs named after Star Trek captains

An international team of researchers has discovered seven new species...

Our climate is changing, temperatures are rising, and research reveals that it's affecting two-thirds (66%) of the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in Earth's tropical forests. 



Sounds worrying, right? These KBAs are critical spots on our globe that harbor and nurture various species along with their habitats.



This profound study analyzed three decades of temperature conditions tucked beneath the forest canopies in these world-wide tropical KBAs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shift-in-kba-temperature">Shift in KBA temperature</h2>



The results might raise your eyebrows. A whopping 66% of these tropical KBAs have started flirting with new temperature regimes. 



That means over 40% of the temperature measurements now fall outside the range previously recorded there.



Meanwhile, the remaining 34% of these locations still enjoy their old temperature regimes. These places could turn into crucial hideaways for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-light-sustains-biodiversity-over-millions-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>, the researchers conjecture.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-in-tropical-forests">Biodiversity in tropical forests</h2>



The research, published right on the heels of the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (<a href="https://www.cbd.int/conferences/2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COP16</a>) in Colombia, sheds some light on this critical matter.



“Beneath the canopy of tropical forests, a wealth of biodiversity exists in a very stable climate,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://biosciences.exeter.ac.uk/staff/profile/index.php?web_id=Brittany_Trew" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr Brittany Trew</a>, from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/esi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environment and Sustainability Institute</a>&nbsp;on Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall.



“As such, species there are at particularly high risk from new annual temperature regimes because they have evolved under a narrow range of conditions. They may only be able to tolerate a small margin of warming above what they’re used to.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-call-to-action-in-kbas">Call to action in KBAs</h2>



Dr. Alexander Lees, a biodiversity expert at <a href="https://www.mmu.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Manchester Metropolitan University</a>, took a firm stand. 



"The amount of political and economic capital dedicated to safeguarding biodiversity is woefully inadequate," Dr. Lees explained.



"Our findings show that the painful process of conservation triage -- selecting new protected areas -- must therefore consider the impact of ongoing climate changes on those sites in prioritization assessments," he continued.



The Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework is one step towards acknowledging this problem. It proposes to conserve at least 30% of the global land area by 2030, with a special emphasis on our precious KBAs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-loopholes-in-protection">Loopholes in protection</h2>



Here's another nugget of truth -- KBAs do not automatically receive formal protection. That decision rests with the national governments in those respective locations.



This research uncovers that, among the 34% of tropical forest KBAs not yet facing new temperature regimes, over half currently fall short of protection. 



Dr. Trew presses on the need for 'climate-smart' policies to safeguard these valuable refuges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-outlook">Global outlook</h2>



To capture the ground reality on tropical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-are-the-biggest-drivers-of-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a>, researchers made use of temperature measurements, satellite data, and a microclimate model. 



The change is more apparent in some regions than others. It's pretty high in Africa and Latin America, with 72% and 59% of KBAs entering new temperature regimes. Asia and Oceania have shown a lower shift, with only 49% of KBAs experiencing the transition. 



A minor percentage of KBAs in Latin America and a few in Asia and Oceania have almost fully embraced the new temperature regimes.



In Latin America, these crucial areas sprawl across Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and Panama, with the tropical Andes feeling the heat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-communities-and-kba-protection">Local communities and KBA protection</h2>



Local communities play an instrumental role in the stewardship of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs). 



These communities, often residing in or near tropical forests, possess invaluable traditional knowledge and practices that can contribute to effective biodiversity <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/effective-conservation-efforts-key-to-saving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation strategies</a>.



Their involvement in conservation initiatives ensures that protective measures are culturally relevant and sustainable. 



Collaborations between local communities, scientists, and policymakers can foster a more inclusive approach to safeguarding KBAs, empowering those who are most affected by environmental changes to participate actively in decision-making processes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tropical-biodiversity-conservation">Tropical biodiversity conservation</h2>



Innovative solutions are crucial in addressing the challenges posed by emerging temperature regimes and ensuring the protection of biodiversity. 



Technological advancements, such as remote sensing and machine learning models, can enhance our ability to monitor and predict changes within KBAs with increased precision. 



Moreover, global networks and partnerships can facilitate the exchange of knowledge and resources needed to implement adaptive management practices. 



By embracing both cutting-edge technologies and integrative conservation approaches, we can develop robust strategies that balance ecological preservation with the needs of society, driving forward a sustainable future for tropical forests and their irreplaceable ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-kbas-in-tropical-forests">The future of KBAs in tropical forests</h2>



Now that we know the temperature beneath our tropical canopies is undergoing a significant upheaval, the question remains: What do we do about it? 



This study is more than just a collection of statistics - it's a stepping stone towards proactive conservation efforts and climate-smart policies. 



The shift in temperature regimes may be invisible to our eyes but has a profound impact on our KBAs and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-ocean-day-a-unified-approach-to-protect-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> they house. The ball is now in our court!



The study is a timely reminder for us to align our actions with the needs of our planet. As we forge ahead, the hope is to strike a balance between human progress and the wellbeing of our natural world. 



-----



This research was spearheaded by leading brains from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a>, <a href="https://www.mmu.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Manchester Metropolitan</a>, and the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a>.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/conl.13050" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Conservation Letters</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Climate change is altering the temperature in 66% of tropical forests

Our climate is changing, temperatures are rising, and research reveals...

You've probably heard the age-old belief that if your partner garners attention from others, it'll make them seem more attractive to you and save your relationship, right? 



But what if this notion is a tad off the mark? That's exactly what new research discovered -- the reaction to third-party interest in our partners might not be what we'd expect.



In a deeply insightful study conducted by Prof. Gurit Birnbaum and Prof. Doron Friedman, affiliated with the Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology at <a href="https://www.runi.ac.il/en/schools/psychology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reichman University</a>, a new perspective on relationship dynamics is unveiled.



The focus? How your partner's popularity with others can influence your level of attraction, commitment, and competitiveness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-choosing-relationship-partners">Choosing relationship partners</h2>



Picking a life partner is, without a doubt, one of the most critical decisions we ever make. It's like signing up for a marathon -- influencing the course of your life profoundly, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/self-compassion-enhances-relationship-satisfaction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shaping your happiness</a>, and directing your journey.



Naturally, humans have devised strategies overtime to ease this process -- like observing how others react to potential partners.



This is what scientists refer to as "mate-choice copying," a phenomenon witnessed across numerous species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-partners-attention-in-relationship">Partners attention in relationship</h2>



Previous research confirms that witnessing others' desire for a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dating-apps-make-it-difficult-to-find-true-love/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">potential mate</a> tends to enhance their appeal in our eyes. Interestingly, this doesn't end once we've cuffed up. 



The evaluations continue, with our view of our partners significantly influenced by how attractive others find them. 



But here's the catch -- this external attention can stir different reactions, depending on whether you're scouting for a partner or already in a relationship.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-current-partner-conundrum">Current partner conundrum</h2>



The experiment sought to unpack what happens when the attention is shifted towards our current partners. 



Specifically, how does observing others flirt with our partner influence our perception of their attractiveness, the effort to maintain the relationship, and the instinct to ward off competing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-brain-literally-changes-based-on-daily-activities-and-lifestyle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">attention</a>? 



Does it fan the flames of desire, or does it make us insecure?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-study-was-conducted">How the study was conducted</h2>



The research involved three separate experiments. 



Participants in committed relationships were walked through scenarios where their partner either received unwanted attention or had a neutral interaction with a third party. 



The participants then rated their sexual desire for their partner, their willingness to make sacrifices for the relationship, and their urge to ward off the competitor.



In each attempt, the exposure to external attention directed at the partner was manipulated differently. 



The first experiment used the power of imagination, the second leveraged the immersive nature of virtual reality, while the third delved into participants' real-life experiences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revealing-results">Revealing results</h2>



Across all the experiments, a recurring theme emerged: when participants observed others showing interest in their partner, their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-does-love-live-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">desire for their partner</a> declined. 



Their inclination to make sacrifices for the relationship also decreased, while their urge to drive off competitors intensified.



“We were in Tel Aviv, when suddenly this guy shows up and asks for my girlfriend's number. I got annoyed, like, who does he think he is?! My girlfriend quickly brushed him off, but my mind was already racing with questions: What if she finds him attractive? Might I lose her? Would she be happier with him?” one participant noted.



"While some people might attempt to make their partner jealous by attracting attention from others, hoping to feel more desirable or secure, research indicates that this tactic can backfire. Rather than strengthening the relationship, it may undermine the very bond it seeks to enhance," states Prof. Gurit Birnbaum of Reichman University.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-relationship-dynamics-from-partners">Relationship dynamics from partners</h2>



The findings from this study challenge traditional assumptions about jealousy and attraction towards your partner within romantic relationships. 



By revealing that external interest can diminish a partner's allure rather than enhance it, the research prompts a reevaluation of how jealousy is perceived. 



An overreliance on provoking jealousy as a method of increasing desirability could, in fact, result in emotional detachment and questioning of relational stability.



This apprehension suggests that cultivating a secure, affirming environment may be a more effective strategy for fostering long-term relational health. 



Understanding these dynamics is crucial for therapists and counselors guiding couples through relationship challenges, helping them navigate beyond potentially harmful tactics in search of genuine intimacy and connection.



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



The groundbreaking results from the <a href="https://www.runi.ac.il/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reichman University</a> study open new avenues for research in the field of psychology, specifically concerning mate-choice dynamics and relationships. 



Future studies might explore the psychological mechanisms behind mate-choice copying and its variance across different cultures and relationship contexts. 



Additionally, there is potential to delve deeper into virtual reality's role as a tool for simulating and studying complex social interactions that impact relationship psychology. 



Such explorations can further elucidate the nuanced interplay between individual psychological processes and the external social environment driving attraction and commitment. 



By continuing to investigate these elements, future research can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of human relational behavior and promote strategies for nurturing healthier, more resilient partnerships.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-is-this-important">Why is this important?</h2>



Sure, witnessing others' interest in a potential partner might make them more attractive initially, but in a committed relationship, the same attention might have the opposite effect. 



It seems the fear of losing a partner might drive us to create an emotional distance and limit our investment in the relationship. 



Meanwhile, any aggression towards the rival is not so much about preserving the relationship but more about the natural human desire for revenge. 



The study is published in <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00224499.2024.2391105" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Journal of Sex Research</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Making a partner jealous hurts relationships much more often than it helps

You've probably heard the age-old belief that if your partner...

When we think about the developmental stages of human life, we often picture our genes, or genetics, calling the shots. Now we've learned that's simply not true. Something called "selfish dna," or transposons, are in control of early human development.



These tiny DNA elements, known for their ability to hop around the genome, have recently been revealed as key regulators in early human development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprise-element">Surprise element</h2>



Transposons have historically been thought of as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-dna-secrets-revealed-by-genomic-time-machine-and-transposable-elements/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA</a> interlopers -- virus-like entities that hijack our cells to reproduce themselves.



Yet, recent research flips this understanding on its head. What if these supposed intruders are not only harmless but indispensable for our early development?



Dr. Miguel Ramalho-Santos, Senior Investigator at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (<a href="https://www.lunenfeld.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LTRI</a>), part of <a href="https://www.sinaihealth.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sinai Health</a>, and Professor at the Department of Molecular Genetics at the <a href="https://www.utoronto.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Toronto</a>, and the study’s senior co-author, makes a fascinating revelation.



"But here we have discovered that these elements are not mere genomic parasites but are essential for early development,” he informs us.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transposons-in-human-development">Transposons in human development</h2>



The research team focused their investigation on a particular type of transposon called LINE-1. While our genes make up less than 2% of our genome, LINE-1 elements account for an astounding 20%.



They found that these LINE-1 elements are critical to ensuring human embryonic cells proceed normally through early development. If inhibited, it would transport cells back to a more primitive stage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caught-in-between">Caught in between</h2>



Although LINE-1 elements have been branded as 'selfish <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dna-mystery-50000-knots-found-in-the-human-genome/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA</a>' due to their ability to disrupt normal gene functions, the question arises -- why are these supposedly dangerous elements active in the early embryo?



Dr. Juan Zhang, a senior co-author, and postdoctoral fellow at LTRI, who spearheaded the research, echoes this sentiment.



“If transposons are bad and dangerous, why do we see them active in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fathers-diet-impacts-the-health-of-his-future-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early embryo</a>? This is an embryo that's just beginning its formation," Dr. Zhang explained. 



"Any dangerous insertion into the genome at this point is going to be propagated throughout the rest of the development of the individual."



Further investigation unveiled that LINE-1 messages function as a framework to organize DNA in a cell's three-dimensional space. 



They ensure the smooth progression of the embryo to subsequent stages by moving chromosome 19 to a gene-silencing region of the nucleus.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-altering-discovery">Life-altering discovery</h2>



Dr. Zhang adds that the activity of LINE-1 at a critical juncture in embryonic development is far from random. 



On the contrary, it's a crucial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dna-secret-code-called-spatial-grammar-may-rewrite-genetics-textbooks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary mechanism</a>. Instead of wreaking genomic havoc, LINE-1 elements promote developmental progression. 



“We show that LINE-1 regulates gene expression at a crucial turning point where the embryo starts to specialize its cells for various functions. Our results indicate that this not an accidental occurrence but a vital evolutionary mechanism,” Dr. Zhang continued.



This research could potentially redefine fertility treatments and the use of stem cells in regenerative medicine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-research-on-transposons-for-humans">Research on transposons for humans</h2>



As we go deeper into the enigmatic role of transposons, particularly LINE-1 elements, new vistas of scientific exploration open up. 



The potential implications of this research are vast and inspiring. For instance, understanding the orchestrated dance of LINE-1 elements with our genomic architecture could revolutionize how we approach <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-technology-could-safely-treat-hundreds-of-genetic-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic disorders</a>.



By manipulating these elements, we could develop novel therapies to correct genetic anomalies that arise during embryonic development. 



Moreover, the insight into the function of LINE-1 could lead to breakthroughs in regenerative medicine, where steering stem cell behavior is pivotal.



These findings lay the groundwork for future studies aiming to harness the power of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lungfish-genome-discovery-explains-how-fish-first-walked-onto-land/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genomic elements</a> for medical innovation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-debate-on-transposons">Debate on transposons</h2>



The discovery that LINE-1 transposons play a vital role in human development not only enriches our understanding of genetics but also challenges longstanding scientific dogmas. 



Historically viewed with skepticism due to their parasitic nature, the role of transposons now invites reevaluation of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cracking-the-code-of-life-the-secret-language-of-dna/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intricate dynamics within the human genome</a>. 



This paradigm shift implores scientists to reconsider the balance between genomic stability and flexibility. It brings to light questions about the evolutionary benefits of maintaining such seemingly 'self-serving' elements.



As this research continues to stir discussions and fuel debates within the scientific community, it also reinforces the importance of revisiting and challenging established perspectives in the pursuit of knowledge. 



The line between genetic recklessness and regulatory precision continues to blur, fostering a fertile ground for future inquiry and discovery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transposons-role-in-human-life">Transposons role in human life</h2>



“This research underscores just how much more there is to learn, not only about human development but also about these enigmatic genome elements whose roles are only beginning to emerge," said Dr. Anne-Claude Gingras, Director of LTRI and Vice President of Research for Sinai Health.



"I congratulate my colleagues on breaking new ground with this fascinating insight into human biology, and I eagerly anticipate further discoveries as they continue their work,” 



So, next time you ponder on the marvel that is human life, spare a thought for the tiny DNA elements we call transposons. They might just be more important than we ever imagined.



-----



This important research was funded by the <a href="https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/193.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canadian Institutes for Health Research</a>, the <a href="https://www.charitydata.ca/charity/the-great-gulf-homes-charitable-foundation/123813800RR0001/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great Gulf Homes Charitable Foundation</a> and the <a href="https://mbd.utoronto.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Medicine by Design initiative</a> at the University of Toronto.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1534580724005744" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Developmental Cell</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

'Selfish DNA' controls early human development, not our genes

When we think about the developmental stages of human life,...

Researchers are on track to develop a new method to counteract jet lag. The experts have unlocked the mystery of a specific protein that regulates our body clock - Casein Kinase 1 delta (CK1δ).



Circadian rhythms are the inherent 24-hour cycles affecting our sleep-wake patterns and overall daily functions. The research may ultimately allow us to adjust these biological rhythms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jet-lag-and-the-body-clock-protein">Jet lag and the body clock protein</h2>



Led by experts at <a href="https://www.duke-nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duke-NUS Medical School</a> and the University of California, Santa Cruz, the study could open new avenues of treatment related to the body's circadian rhythm.



The research sheds light on the potential for alternative and more effective interventions for disorders tied to the biological clock.



The goal is to develop innovative treatments that help realign circadian rhythms, providing relief for those affected by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-who-watch-screens-in-bed-have-the-most-disrupted-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep disruptions</a> and improving overall health outcomes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proteins-that-run-the-body-clock">Proteins that run the body clock</h2>



CK1δ governs our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/syncing-brain-muscle-circadian-rhythms-slows-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">circadian rhythm</a> by tagging other proteins that play a part in our biological clock. This protein network essentially fine-tunes the timing of our circadian rhythms.



It is important to note that CK1δ itself can be tagged - which can alter its ability to control the proteins that run the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercising-shift-internal-clock/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">body's internal clock</a>.



In previous work, scientists identified two distinct versions of CK1δ, known as isoforms δ1 and δ2. While these protein variants contain very few differences - a mere 16 building blocks or amino acids - these differences critically influence the function of CK1δ.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-controlling-the-protein-and-jet-lag">Controlling the protein and jet lag</h2>



Using advanced spectroscopy and spectrometry techniques, the researchers studied the tails of the proteins. The experts concluded that the unique tail sequences determine how the proteins are tagged.



Study co-author Carrie Partch is a professor in the Department of Chemistry &amp; Biochemistry at the University of California, Santa Cruz. 



"Our findings pinpoint to three specific sites on CK1δ's tail where&nbsp;phosphate groups&nbsp;can attach, and these sites are crucial for controlling the protein's activity," said Professor Partch.



"When these spots get tagged with a phosphate group, CK1δ becomes less active, which means it doesn't influence our circadian rhythms as effectively. Using high-resolution analysis, we were able to pinpoint the exact sites involved - and that's really exciting."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protein-variants-may-influence-jet-lag">Protein variants may influence jet lag </h2>



Professor David Virshup, director of the Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program at Duke-NUS, discovered that the δ1 tail interacts more with the main part of the protein, leading to greater self-inhibition compared to δ2.



"When these sites are mutated or removed, δ1 becomes more active, which leads to changes in circadian rhythms. In contrast, δ2 does not have the same regulatory effect from its tail region," said Professor Virshup.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-applications-beyond-jet-lag">Applications beyond jet lag</h2>



CK1δ plays a significant role in other crucial processes, including cell division, cancer development, and certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coffee-grounds-could-help-prevent-neurodegenerative-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurodegenerative diseases</a>. 



With the newfound understanding of CK1δ's activity, new strategies could be developed for not just circadian rhythm disorders but also for a range of conditions.



Professor Patrick Tan from Duke-NUS elaborated on the broader implications that this research could have on our health and well-being.



"Regulating our internal clock goes beyond curing jet lag - it's about improving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gardening-significantly-improves-sleep-quality-in-adults/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep quality</a>, metabolism and overall health," said Professor Tan.



Going forward, the researchers will explore how real-world factors such as diet and environmental changes can influence the tagging sites on CK1δ.



This could potentially shed light on how these elements affect our circadian rhythms and might be a stepping stone to practical solutions for managing disruptions caused by jet lag.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-resetting-the-body-clock">Resetting the body clock</h2>



The implications of this discovery extend well beyond basic sleep regulation. For frequent travelers, overcoming jet lag has long been a challenge. 



By targeting the CK1δ protein, the researchers are optimistic about developing treatments that can reset the body’s internal clock faster and more effectively.



This could mean adjusting to new time zones with ease, reducing the usual symptoms of fatigue, and enhancing overall well-being. 



As these findings advance, the potential for creating accessible, targeted therapies that specifically address jet lag grows, offering new hope to those who are constantly on the move.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2415567121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Goodbye jet lag: Using a protein to reset the body clock

Researchers are on track to develop a new method to...

In a rapidly growing and changing world, the need to produce enough food for everyone has become more urgent than ever.&nbsp;



Pesticides have played a significant role in enabling large-scale farming, but they come with harmful side effects on both humans and wildlife, and pests are increasingly developing resistance to them.&nbsp;



To address these challenges and pave the way for sustainable and resilient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-and-agriculture-are-locked-in-a-destructive-feedback-loop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agriculture</a>, a study published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fsci.2024.1407410" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Science</a> explores the potential of induced resistance. 



This technique, similar to a vaccine for plants, activates a plant's immune system so it can respond more effectively to similar stresses in the future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vaccinating-plants-for-resistance">Vaccinating plants for resistance</h2>



Induced resistance, though studied for decades, is only now beginning to gain traction as a method for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/engineered-plant-microbiomes-the-future-of-crop-protection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crop protection</a>. 



“We argue in favor of a holistic approach to crop protection, which combines multiple strategies to deliver tailored solutions. Induced resistance sits in the heart of such an integrated approach,” said lead author Brigitte Mauch-Mani, a biologist at the <a href="https://www.unine.ch/etudier/en/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Neuchâtel</a>.



Currently, most crops are protected by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pesticides-travel-far-and-wide-endangering-aquatic-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pesticides</a> or are bred to have resistance genes. However, pests can out-evolve these solutions over time. 



Induced resistance, by contrast, strengthens a plant’s natural defenses, offering more sustainable, long-lasting protection that could target multiple pests and pathogens simultaneously.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-induced-resistance-works">How induced resistance works</h2>



Induced resistance comes in several forms, one of which includes plants releasing compounds that attract predators of harmful herbivores.&nbsp;



The most well-known and studied form is defense priming. In defense priming, when a part of the plant is exposed to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-have-a-secret-weapon-for-surviving-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a>, it partially activates its defense mechanisms. 



When the plant is attacked again, these defenses are fully triggered. This form of resistance can be passed on to the next generation, potentially through epigenetic mechanisms, offering a long-term benefit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-induced-resistance-and-careful-management-nbsp">Induced resistance and careful management&nbsp;</h2>



However, induced resistance doesn’t provide complete protection on its own and must be used alongside other agricultural practices. It also requires careful management to ensure the plant’s growth isn’t compromised by diverting too many resources to defense.



Mauch-Mani explained that induced resistance is the result of a complex network of developmental and environmental pathways in the plant.&nbsp;



“Safe and efficient exploitation of induced resistance is not as straightforward as the introgression of a single gene or spraying a single pesticide.”&nbsp;



The implementation of induced resistance needs to be customized based on specific crops, growing conditions, and agricultural practices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vaccinating-plants-for-healthier-food">Vaccinating plants for healthier food</h2>



The "vaccinating" effects of induced resistance could offer benefits beyond protecting plants from pests. 



Some of the compounds that plants produce in response to induced resistance are linked to health benefits and improved nutritional quality, which could lead to healthier food.&nbsp;



Additionally, induced resistance can adapt more quickly to changing environmental conditions compared to traditional breeding methods, making it harder for pests to develop resistance.



When combined with integrated pest management, which uses natural enemies of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urgent-need-to-protect-earths-forests-from-non-native-pests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pests</a> as part of crop protection, induced resistance has the potential to significantly reduce the reliance on pesticides.



This could lead to more sustainable agricultural practices and longer-lasting crop protection. Further research into the epigenetic transmission of defense priming could enhance these benefits for future generations of crops.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-induced-resistance-a-reality">Making induced resistance a reality</h2>



To make induced resistance a viable option for farmers and food scientists, more research is urgently needed. 



This research should focus on understanding how induced resistance works in real-world conditions, outside of controlled environments, and on developing methods that can be scaled up for use in field trials and full-scale agriculture. 



The researchers also called for legislative support to establish quality standards that would protect both producers and consumers.



“We strongly believe that fundamental research into induced resistance will be critical for the transition towards a truly sustainable food supply,” said Mauch-Mani.&nbsp;



However, she emphasized the need for improved communication between researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to turn scientific discoveries into practical solutions.



“Governments need to create a research environment and funding climate that allows for more efficient knowledge exchange between scientists, policymakers, and industry. Like the biology underpinning it, successful exploitation of induced resistance relies on a multifaceted effort,” she concluded.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

‘Vaccinating’ plants could boost global food security

In a rapidly growing and changing world, the need to...

Do you recall who taught you in the second year of school? Some memories last a lifetime, while others are just a fleeting moment.



About 50 years back, a considerable leap was made in cognitive science. Scientists discovered that a particular region of our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-brains-create-three-copies-of-every-memory-we-make/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a>, the medial temporal lobe (MTL), stood guard over our long-term declarative memories - those of explicit details like names, dates, and events.



When MTL is damaged, these long-term memories get lost, leaving victims living a life of moments, unable to recall information just a minute or two beyond the arena of the present conversation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-memories-of-motor-skills">Memories of motor skills</h2>



Interestingly, those very people with a damaged MTL were observed to possess the capability of learning new motor skills, not only learning them but retaining these skills for days, months, or even more. This gave a clear indicator that MTL damage did minimal to no harm to the memories of motor skills.



This discovery prompts an intriguing question: Where in the human brain are these long-term motor skill memories, like riding a bike or tying a shoelace, stored?



Is it so that our brain compartmentalizes short and long-term sensorimotor memories in distinct, specialized regions?



These questions have baffled researchers for years, provoking curiosity and investigations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mysteries-of-motor-skills-and-memory">Mysteries of motor skills and memory</h2>



Researchers from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (<a href="https://seas.harvard.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SEAS</a>), have found that similar to declarative memories, the memories of short-term and long-term motor skills are also stored in separate regions of our brain. 



The experts determined that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-specialized-regions-develop-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cerebellum</a> is the central hub for the storage of long-term skill memories.



The research, offering new perspectives on the role of the cerebellum in sensorimotor learning, was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).



Maurice Smith is the Gordon McKay Professor of Bioengineering at SEAS and the principal investigator of the study.



“This work advances our understanding of the role of the cerebellum in sensorimotor learning and points towards the role of the cerebellum as a gateway to the formation of stable memories for sensorimotor skills, largely independent of the short-term memory systems,” said Smith.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-motor-memories-and-the-cerebellum">Motor memories and the cerebellum </h2>



Past studies have shown the crucial role the cerebellum plays in motor learning, but how it contributes to the formation of short-term and long-term skill memory was blurry. 



To look deeper into the relationship, Smith and Alkis Hadjiosif, a postdoctoral fellow at SEAS and <a href="https://www.massgeneral.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Massachusetts General Hospital</a>, reviewed previous studies on motor learning in patients with cerebellar damage.



There were disparities in the severity of motor learning impairments among patients with cerebellar damage across different studies. Smith and Hadjiosif theorized that these discrepancies were due to the subtle differences in the time between trials, the "memory window."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cerebellar-damage-and-motor-memories">Cerebellar damage and motor memories</h2>



The hypothesis was based on the idea that cerebellar damage specifically impairs long-term sensorimotor memory. Therefore, longer memory windows would increase dependency on the impaired long-term memory.



To test their theory, Smith and Hadjiosif explored unreported data from previous studies, specifically the intertrial intervals. They discovered that studies with shorter intertrial intervals reported only minor impairments in learning for patients with severe cerebellar diseases.



Upon further analysis, they found that patients displaying near-normal performance on short interval trials were significantly impaired on long interval trials. This observation held true across the data from different studies.



The finding shed light on the importance of time in understanding the degradation of memory in patients with cerebellar degeneration. This solves the puzzle of varying results across different studies involving cerebellar damage's effects on sensorimotor learning ability.



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



This nuanced understanding of the cerebellum's role in sensorimotor memory formation could have profound implications for rehabilitation strategies in patients suffering from cerebellar damage. 



The research suggests that traditional approaches that do not differentiate between short and long-term memory strategies may need to be reconsidered.



Therapeutic practices could be adapted to prioritize shorter training intervals, leveraging preserved short-term memory capabilities to compensate for long-term memory impairments. 



These adaptive strategies could enhance rehabilitation outcomes, offering a tailored approach designed to exploit the intact facilities of sensorimotor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/zombie-neurons-shed-new-light-on-learning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">learning</a>.



By focusing on modifying the temporal dynamics of rehabilitation exercises, clinicians might significantly improve motor recovery and skill retention in affected individuals.



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



The discovery opens numerous avenues for future research on motor skill memories, looking beyond traditional paradigms of memory storage and retrieval. One significant pathway involves exploring how neural plasticity can be harnessed to aid long-term skill formation despite cerebellar deficits. 



Additionally, researchers are interested in unraveling how other brain regions might compensate for cerebellar impairments, possibly through the recruitment of alternative neural pathways. 



Moreover, understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes could unlock new therapeutic targets to enhance cognitive and motor recovery. 



Finally, interdisciplinary collaborations encompassing neuroscience, bioengineering, and clinical therapy are likely to propel advancements in this field, providing new insights into the brain's remarkable ability to adapt and reorganize itself.



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



“These findings highlight how important time is to understanding memory degradation in patients with cerebellar degeneration and solve the mystery of the trial-to-trial and study-to-study variability in the effects of cerebellar damage on sensorimotor learning ability,” said Smith. 



“Our research usually involves designing new experimental manipulations to acquire novel data sets that can provide insight into the mechanisms for learning and memory, but sometimes simply looking at old data through the right lens can be even more illuminating.”



As we progress in our journey to understand the human brain’s intricate mechanisms, every piece of data counts. Sometimes, a new perspective on old data can lead to breakthroughs in our grasp of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-is-essential-for-memory-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">learning</a>, motor skills and memory.



Such is the nature of research - a relentless cycle of question and discovery, an eternal quest for understanding.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2411459121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

How do we remember how to ride a bike?

Do you recall who taught you in the second year...

For a moment, let's imagine a hectic, pressure-filled day in your life. You're wrestling with a looming deadline, a difficult boss, or perhaps an argument with a friend. Now, imagine experiencing that level of stress constantly, for an extended period. Not a pleasant thought, right? 



Well, it turns out that such chronic stress may have more adverse effects on your health than you might think.



In a game-changing study, a group of researchers have discovered how sustained stress has the potential to upset the balance of gut microbiota, accelerating the progression of a common and dangerous type of cancer - colorectal cancer (CRC).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-gut-bacteria-and-cancer">Stress, gut bacteria, and cancer</h2>



To begin with, we're not alone in our bodies. Our guts are bustling metropolises of bacteria. These microscopic citizens, collectively known as gut microbiota, help steer our immune response, and their imbalance can make us vulnerable to diseases.



Building on this understanding, the recent study unmasked a rather sinister nexus. It revealed how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cancer-thrives-on-human-stress-as-it-spreads-throughout-the-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chronic stress</a> can upset the gut microbiota balance and speed up CRC progression.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chronic-stress-and-tumor-growth">Chronic stress and tumor growth </h2>



At the center of the stage is Dr. Qing Li, the study's lead researcher from <a href="https://en.scu.edu.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sichuan University</a> of China. With her team, she adopted a hands-on approach to explore the stress-microbiota-CRC relationship. The team started by using antibiotics to dispose of gut microbiota in test subjects. 



“In our study, we used an antibiotic cocktail (vancomycin, ampicillin, neomycin, and metronidazole) to eradicate gut microbiota, followed by faecal microbiota transplantation to investigate whether gut microbiota was necessary for chronic stress to accelerate CRC progression," explained Dr. Li.



The results were startling. The researchers found that chronic stress not only fueled tumor growth but also slashed the number of beneficial gut bacteria, especially the Lactobacillus genus.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reduction-in-beneficial-gut-bacteria">Reduction in beneficial gut bacteria</h2>



“Stress-related CRC progression can be attributed to a reduction in beneficial gut bacteria, as this weakens the body’s immune response against cancer," noted Dr. Li. 



"Lactobacillus, being sensitive to vancomycin and ampicillin, was depleted in both the control and stress groups by the antibiotic cocktail. This depletion highlights its crucial role in maintaining gut health and its potential association with CRC progression under chronic stress.”



These friendly bacteria play a crucial role in keeping our guts healthy. They are also instrumental in defending our bodies against cancer. However, they are sensitive to antibiotics and can be <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ptsd-cancer-heart-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">depleted by stress</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fighting-cancer-with-gut-bacteria">Fighting cancer with gut bacteria</h2>



Interestingly, the role of beneficial bacteria doesn't stop there. The researchers found that when they supplemented these bacteria during chronic stress, they observed reduced tumor formation.



"Through faecal analysis, we found that Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) specifically regulated bile acid metabolism and enhanced the function of CD8+ T cells. This indicates how Lactobacillus may enhance anti-tumour immunity," said Dr. Li.



However, there's a twist in the tale. Contrary to their initial hypothesis, the experts found that L. plantarum might not boost the anti-tumor immune function of CD8+ T cells by producing metabolites.



The research offers hope for future treatments, particularly among patients under chronic stress. "Combining traditional anti-tumour drugs with L. plantarum supplementation could be a viable therapeutic strategy for patients with stress-related CRC," said Dr. Li.



It is indeed a significant finding, considering CRC is the second most prevalent cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death in Europe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-stress-and-cancer">Beyond stress and cancer</h2>



Eager to build upon their findings, the research team plans to examine fecal and tumour samples from CRC patients. They aim to understand the variations in gut microbiota among individuals exposed to stress and those who aren't.



They intend to verify if L. plantarum is indeed reduced in patients under stress and explore its relationship with anti-tumor immune cells.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-personalized-medicine">Importance of personalized medicine</h2>



The emerging evidence from this study highlights the importance of personalized medicine in the treatment of CRC. 



Understanding the unique microbiota profile of each patient could pave the way for tailored interventions that specifically target their distinct microbiota alterations. This precision approach could involve customizing probiotic or dietary interventions to enhance gut health and bolster immune responses.



With advances in metagenomics and microbiota analysis, healthcare providers may soon have tools at their disposal to offer bespoke treatments that integrate microbiota modulation as part of a comprehensive cancer care strategy. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bacteria-and-anti-tumor-immune-cells">Bacteria and anti-tumor immune cells</h2>



Dr. Li and her team foresee a future where interventions are not only cancer-specific but also aligned with the individual's microbiome composition, maximizing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-brain-literally-changes-based-on-daily-activities-and-lifestyle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">therapeutic efficacy</a>.



"Our aim is to verify if L. plantarum is significantly reduced in stressed CRC patients and to explore its relationship with anti-tumor immune cells," noted Dr. Li.



Could a proactive approach to gut health be the next big thing in cancer care and prevention? 



The study was presented at <a href="https://ueg.eu/a/358" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UEG Week 2024</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Chronic stress disrupts gut bacteria and fuels cancer progression

For a moment, let's imagine a hectic, pressure-filled day in...

A new dawn, a fresh perspective, and a revolution in scientific research. That’s what a team of dedicated experts at Newcastle University are bringing to the world of marine biology and coral conservation. 



The researchers have made an exhilarating breakthrough in selective breeding to combat the devastating effects of climate change on coral reefs. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breeding-corals-for-survival">Breeding corals for survival</h2>



The experts have achieved the world's first successful selective breeding of adult corals for enhanced heat tolerance.



The team adjusted the thermostat on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-corals-can-survive-high-ocean-heat-which-could-save-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">corals</a>' survival, proving that our marine buddies can acclimatize better to harsh heatwaves, albeit in modest amounts.



However, the researchers emphasize that this victory isn't a one-size-fits-all solution to wiping out the impacts of future marine heatwaves under climate change.



It's a startling wake-up call that we need to slam the brakes on global greenhouse gas emissions. As this research confirms, these harmful emissions are the real villains putting corals on thin ice - or rather, in hot water.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maximizing-breeding-outcomes">Maximizing breeding outcomes</h2>



The research is the culmination of a five-year collaboration between the <a href="https://www.uvic.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Victoria</a>, Horniman Museum and Gardens, Palau International Coral Reef Center, <a href="https://www.derby.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Derby</a>, and the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a>.



With funding from the European Research Council, the study was led by Dr. James Guest, an expert in coral reef ecology at Newcastle University’s School of Natural and Environmental Sciences.



“This work shows that selective breeding is feasible but not a silver bullet solution and that more research is needed to maximize breeding outcomes," said study lead author, Liam Lachs, a postdoctoral research associate at <a href="https://www.ncl.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newcastle University</a>.



“In parallel, rapid reductions of global greenhouse gas emissions are an absolute requirement to mitigate warming and give corals an opportunity to adapt."



Dr. Guest emphasized the challenges that lie ahead - from balancing the needs of wild populations to avoiding dilution of selected traits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coral-breeding-trials">Coral breeding trials</h2>



Going back in time, we find that selective breeding was a strategy adopted by humans thousands of years ago to coax desired characteristics out of animals and plants. Today, it’s playing a pivotal role in saving our precious coral reefs from the wrath of climate change and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/feeding-corals-can-help-them-recover-from-heat-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine heatwaves</a>.



The team carried out breeding trials targeting two distinct traits. One focused on tolerance to short, intense heat exposure while the other dealt with a less intense but long-term heatwave exposure.



Both trials showed promise as parent colonies selected for high heat tolerance passed this trait to their offspring, thus offering a glimmer of hope for future generations of corals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-research-is-needed">Further research is needed</h2>



Despite the promising results, the journey is not yet complete. The team discovered no evidence that breeding for short-stress tolerance boosted the offspring's ability to survive long-term heat stress exposure.



This conundrum, coupled with the lack of a genetic correlation, implies that each trait might be independently controlled genetically - a puzzle piece that needs more exploration.



Study lead author Dr. Adriana Humanes highlighted the road ahead, stating that we still have a long way to go before selective breeding can be successfully implemented.



"Considerable work remains before selective breeding can be successfully implemented. A deeper understanding is needed to determine which traits to prioritize and how these traits are genetically correlated,” said Dr. Humanes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-selective-coral-breeding-is-achievable">Selective coral breeding is achievable </h2>



So, where does this leave us? Undoubtedly, the excitement behind breeding of coral reefs is justifiable. This study takes us one step closer towards securing a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/60-percent-global-coral-reefs-face-bleaching-rising-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">future for coral reefs</a>. 



The work confirms that selective breeding for adult heatwave survival is achievable. However, the researchers are quick to point out there's still a long journey ahead. 



The experts are rallying the troops, asking the global community to invest more in research and development to understand how to effectively implement breeding interventions.



The mission is clear - we must limit levels of global warming, which is achievable through urgent climate action.



After all, in the fight against climate change, every contribution counts - every study, every intervention, and every degree of heat that we manage to prevent.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-52895-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Can we save coral reefs with selective breeding?

A new dawn, a fresh perspective, and a revolution in...

For as long as we can remember, a coin toss has been the go-to method for settling disputes, making decisions, or even determining the winner of sports events. 



It's considered a classic example of randomness -- a true 50/50 outcome where heads or tails each have an equal shot. 



But according to a recent study, it might be time to reconsider how random that toss actually is. It turns out, the side facing up before the toss might have a slight advantage.



The study, led by František Bartoš, a researcher at the <a href="https://www.uva.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Amsterdam</a>, challenges our traditional view of coin tosses as pure chance. 



According to his team's findings, there's a small but measurable "same-side bias." 



Essentially, the coin is slightly more likely to land on the same side that was facing up before the toss. So, if you start with heads, there's a slightly better chance you'll end up with heads.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-same-side-bias-explained">"Same-side bias" explained</h2>



For years, we've accepted the idea that a coin toss represents <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-circuit-strength-predicts-math-learning-ability-in-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">true randomness</a>. But Bartoš and his team set out to test that assumption. 



Their research, which builds on a physics model proposed in 2007 by Persi Diaconis, Susan Holmes, and Richard Montgomery, shows that the side facing up before the toss can influence the result. 



The researchers call this phenomenon the "same-side bias."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-physics-influences-coin-tossing">How physics influences coin tossing</h2>



The research team analyzed the mechanics of coin tossing and found that the way we flip a coin isn't as random as it seems. 



Their model showed that when people toss a coin naturally, the force and spin they apply tend to favor the coin landing on the same side that started face up.



The 2007 model, now known as the D-H-M model, explained that the bias stems from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/manipulating-quantum-dance-of-spinning-electrons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">angular momentum</a> of the coin during the flip. 



Essentially, the coin's spin makes it more likely to return to its starting position. The chance of this happening was estimated at about 51% -- a number eerily close to the 50.8% result found by Bartoš's team in their recent study.



That's not a huge difference, but it's enough to challenge the idea of a coin toss being a purely random event.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-over-350-000-coin-flips">Over 350,000 coin flips</h2>



To test their hypothesis, Bartoš and his team conducted a massive experiment. They gathered a group of 48 people (almost all of whom were co-authors of the study) and asked them to flip coins from 46 different currencies a total of 350,757 times. 



The sheer volume of flips allowed the researchers to observe subtle patterns that would be invisible in smaller experiments.



Their findings were clear: the "same-side bias" holds up across different coin types and human tossers. While the bias is small -- just 0.8% over the expected 50% -- it was consistent enough to suggest that coin tosses aren't as random as we've believed.



Interestingly, the study also revealed that people vary in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quick-decisions-are-often-biased-and-misleading/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">how much bias</a> they introduce when flipping coins. Some individuals showed a stronger same-side bias than others, suggesting that personal flipping style might also play a role.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-this-mean-for-gambling">What does this mean for gambling?</h2>



This discovery has some interesting implications, particularly for gambling, where even a slight advantage can make a big difference. 



In a series of social media posts, Bartoš pointed out that if you knew the starting position of a coin in 1,000 tosses, betting $1 per toss, you could potentially earn $19 -- more than the casino advantage in six-deck blackjack against an optimal player, which is about $5.



While the bias is small, it's still enough to matter in games of chance. In fact, the study shows that knowing the starting side of a coin can give you an edge that’s greater than most players have in blackjack or even some types of roulette.



However, it’s important to note that this bias won’t drastically change the outcome of casual coin tosses. The difference is small enough that it’s unlikely to affect day-to-day decisions made by flipping a coin --whether you're picking teams or choosing who pays for dinner.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coin-tossing-still-a-useful-tool">Coin tossing: Still a useful tool?</h2>



So, should we stop using coin tosses for decisions? Not necessarily. 



While the bias exists, it’s minimal. In practical terms, for the average person, a coin toss remains a fair and simple way to settle disputes. The 50.8% bias is unlikely to significantly sway outcomes in most everyday scenarios.



Still, this research provides a fascinating insight into the mechanics of what we’ve always considered a random process. It shows how even the simplest actions, like flipping a coin, can be influenced by physics. 



And while the bias is small, it serves as a reminder that even when things seem random, there’s often a deeper explanation behind them.



In the end, while your coin toss might not be as random as you thought, it’s still close enough that you can trust it for most decisions. But if you're ever at a casino, you might want to pay attention to which side of the coin is facing up.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2310.04153" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">journal arXiv</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

'Flipping a coin' is not a 50/50 random toss up as most people think

For as long as we can remember, a coin toss...

Let's dig into the past, where around two decades ago, a giant fossil skull of an extinct elephant was discovered in the pristine terrains of the northern Indian Kashmir Valley. 



This remarkable finding would soon send shockwaves through scientific communities. It would not just tell us more about this extinct elephant, but would also shine a light on a dimly lit chapter in elephant evolutionary history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovering-the-elephant-skull">Discovering the elephant skull</h2>



Dr. Ghulam Bhat from the <a href="https://www.jammuuniversity.ac.in" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Jammu</a> led a team of experts in excavating the elephant skull. It was found lying in unison with 87 stone tools, possibly used by prehistoric humans, providing an eerie testimony to human-<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/megafauna-extinction-dwarf-elephants-and-hippos-cyprus-directly-linked-to-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">elephant</a> interactions of the bygone era.



Recently, scientists from around the globe embarked on a quest to unravel the secrets locked in the Kashmir skull. 



The team included experts from the Florida Museum of Natural History, the British Museum, the University of York, and the Natural History Museum. 



Dr. Steven Zhang, a paleontologist in the Department of Geosciences and Geography at the University of Helsinki, also participated in the study.



"From the general shape of the skull, it's quite apparent that the elephant belonged to Palaeoloxodon, or straight-tusked elephants, among the largest land mammals that ever lived," said Dr. Zhang. "Full-grown adults easily stood around 4m tall at the shoulder and weighed 9-10 tons."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tree-of-elephant-evolution">Tree of elephant evolution </h2>



However, the skull's lack of a thickened, forward-projecting crest, a feature typical of other Palaeoloxodon skulls found in India, left the scientists intrigued.



In recent times, the extent of this crest's development among different Palaeoloxodon species and their relative position on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-elephants-got-their-incredible-iconic-trunks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">elephant evolution</a> tree has sparked controversy. 



However, some findings hint at the crest becoming more pronounced with developmental and sexual maturity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-majestic-elephant-skull">Majestic elephant skull</h2>



"From the size, the wisdom teeth and a few other telltale features of the skull, it is evident that the animal was a majestic bull elephant in the prime of its life, but the lack of a well-developed skull crest, particularly in comparison with other mature male skulls from Europe and from India, tells us we have a different species on our hands here," noted Dr. Zhang.



The research team, unperturbed by the lack of the prominent skull crest, turned their attention to an obscure skull discovered in Turkmenistan during the 1950s, which was thought to represent a distinct species, Palaeoloxodon turkmenicus.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-species-with-a-broad-distribution">Distinct species with a broad distribution </h2>



"What's always been puzzling about the Turkmen skull is that, besides the lack of a prominent crest at the skull roof, its other features are highly similar to the already well-known European species, P. antiquus," said Dr. Zhang. 



"And this led a number of experts to suggest that the Turkmen specimen is simply an aberrant individual of the European species."



However, when the Kashmir skull was uncovered, the theory of a distinct species with a broad distribution became more plausible.



"But with the Kashmir skull added to the mix, it becomes clear now that the two specimens can be theorized to represent a distinct species that we previously knew very little about, with a broad distribution from Central Asia to the northern Indian Subcontinent," noted Dr. Advait Jukar, the study's lead author who is currently based at the <a href="https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Museum of Natural History</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dating-the-elephant-skull">Dating the elephant skull</h2>



Using advanced techniques to measure protein decomposition in the tooth enamel of the Kashmir Palaeoloxodon skull, the experts dated the skull to the Middle Pleistocene period, around 300,000–400,000 years ago.



An analysis of the stone tools found alongside the elephant remains further bolstered their conclusion. This age estimate matched that of the Turkmen skull, further strengthening the theory that these two skulls represent a unique species distinct from the other Eurasian Palaeoloxodon.



Deeper investigations revealed that Palaeoloxodon first evolved in Africa about a million years ago, presenting a narrow, convex forehead and slight underdevelopment of the skull crest. 



The later Palaeoloxodon, best known from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gigoutella-mauretanica-best-preserved-trilobite-fossils-ever-found/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossils</a> discovered in Europe and India, sported a very wide, flattened forehead often associated with a thick crest that jutted forward from the roof of the skull.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-missing-link-in-elephant-evolution">Missing link in elephant evolution </h2>



The researchers concluded that with a wide, flat forehead and only a faint trace of a skull crest, the P. turkmenicus species might represent a missing link in our understanding of how these enormous prehistoric megaherbivores evolved.



So, there you have it - a thrilling saga of scientific sleuthing and discovery. The story of the mysterious extinct elephant skull unfolds, promising to unlock further secrets and deepen our understanding of the epic journey of elephant evolution.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02724634.2024.2396821" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology</a>. 



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Elephant skull found in India adds a piece to the evolutionary puzzle

Let's dig into the past, where around two decades ago,...

<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



---



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="iuA5mpp3jv-1641775-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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.

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

[sendtonews key="iuA5mpp3jv-1641775-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"] Astronomers at Johns Hopkins University have created...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="f8fukm28Vz-2491833-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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.

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

[sendtonews key="f8fukm28Vz-2491833-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0dEcERCq61-2283382-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

How the immune system responds to injury

[sendtonews key="0dEcERCq61-2283382-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Stowers...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="3UUsNkFOuS-2487333-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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.

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

[sendtonews key="3UUsNkFOuS-2487333-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"]</div>



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)



---



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



---



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...