The influence of synthetic plastic on our planet is concerning, to say the least. It's everywhere - from the depths of our oceans to the food we eat, even finding its way into our bodies. But, Avinash Manjula-Basavanna, a seasoned research scientist at Northeastern University, sees "MECHS" as a solution. 



"The kind of impact that human-made materials are making on the living world is resulting in&nbsp;climate change, pollution and more," he says. 



"One of the ways that we are able to address this is to make materials sustainable and also make materials which are smart or intelligent."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birth-of-a-new-bioplastic">Birth of a new bioplastic</h2>



Joining forces with Neel S. Joshi, an associate professor of chemistry and chemical biology at Northeastern, Manjula-Basavanna gave birth to a new bioplastic named MECHS.



It stands for Mechanical Engineered Living Materials with Compostability, Healability, and Scalability.



The team recently showcased their discovery in the journal Nature Communications. Here, they articulated their unique work with engineered living materials, living cells that produce functional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-pollution-is-changing-the-entire-earth-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">materials</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wonders-of-bioplastic">Wonders of bioplastic</h2>



What makes MECHS stand out? Manjula-Basavanna and Joshi gave us two major reasons.



Firstly, MECHS exhibits the beauty of nature-inspired solutions, with the ability to regenerate, regulate themselves, and respond to external stimuli such as light. 



The second reason is even more significant in today's context. Unlike the harmful plastics choking our planet and bodies, MECHS is biodegradable in water and even in a compost bin. 



"Right now we use a lot of conventional nonbiodegradable plastics for applications they don't need to be used in at all," Joshi says. "If we replace that with our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/major-plastic-pollution-lurks-beneath-the-surface-of-rivers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic</a>, you could just flush it down the toilet and it would biodegrade."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-engineered-living-materials">Engineered living materials</h2>



Until now, such engineered living materials haven't been scalable for broad production. Enter MECHS.



Essentially, it's comprised of engineered E. coli bacteria intertwined with a fiber matrix, crafted into a paper- or film-like material. 



The fibrous structure gives MECHS some desirable properties. For instance, the bioplastic can stretch like plastic wrap and be genetically engineered for variable stiffness. And, quite fascinatingly, it has self-healing capabilities.



But the real cherry on top? MECHS is fully dissolvable, be it in large amounts of water or a compost bin. It dissolves rapidly, much faster than other existing biodegradable plastics. Plus, it can be mass-produced similarly to paper.



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



The scientific marvels envision MECHS as the solution to "primary packaging." This includes the plastic cover protecting your new iPhone or the detergent pods for your appliances. Imagine MECHS wrapped around a pot plant, slowly breaking down and releasing proteins to fertilize the plant!



Addressing the global problem of plastic pollution, Manjula-Basavanna sees a strong potential for MECHS in plastic packaging, which covers almost one-third of the plastic market. 



He observes that such packaging’s lifespan could last a few days to two years, but the petrochemical plastics used can take hundreds of years to biodegrade.



"For such a short lifespan of packaging, the petrochemical plastics that can take hundreds of years to biodegrade are unnecessary in many cases and thus a sustainable alternative like MECHS due to its biodegradability, flushability, and mechanical tunability could be a game changer," says Manjula-Basavanna.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-in-adopting-mechs">Challenges in adopting MECHS</h2>



While MECHS presents a revolutionary solution to the global plastic crisis, adopting this technology on a large scale is not devoid of challenges. One primary concern lies in the genomic stability of the engineered E. coli bacteria used in MECHS. 



Scientists must ensure that the bacteria remain safe and stable under various environmental conditions to avoid unintended consequences. Additionally, transitioning industries reliant on traditional plastics to MECHS involves overcoming significant economic and logistical barriers. 



Production facilities worldwide may need to adopt new techniques and infrastructure to accommodate this novel material, potentially incurring considerable costs in the short term. 



Furthermore, public perception and regulatory hurdles need to be navigated to gain trust and approval for its widespread use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-sustainable-materials">Future of sustainable materials</h2>



Looking to the future, the innovations around MECHS signal a burgeoning era of sustainable and adaptable materials capable of transforming industries. 



As research into living materials progresses, new possibilities emerge, such as enabling the development of dynamic, adaptable materials for technologies yet to be imagined. 



Building on their success with MECHS, Manjula-Basavanna and Joshi envision an expanding palette of biodegradable materials, each tailored for specific applications ranging from environmental conservation to health care. 



Their work emphasizes collaboration across disciplines - bridging biology, chemistry, and engineering - to advance sustainable solutions.



Ultimately, MECHS is a testament to how embracing nature-inspired innovation can lead to breakthroughs with the power to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-on-beaches-is-now-visible-from-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reshape our relationship with the materials</a> we use and the environment we inhabit.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-53052-4" 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.



-----

Nature-inspired solutions: New bioplastic dissolves rapidly in water

The influence of synthetic plastic on our planet is concerning, to say the least. It's everywhere - from the depths of our oceans to the food we eat, even finding its way into our bodies. But, Avinash Manjula-Basavanna, a seasoned research scientist at Northeastern University, sees "MECHS" as a solution. "The kind of impact that human-made materials are making on the living world is resulting in&nbsp;climate change, pollution and more," he says. "One of the ways that we are able to address this is to make materials...

"Go outside and play!" - a phrase many of us heard growing up and one that is echoing through the halls of schools across Quebec, with an unexpected twist. It's not just playtime that is being taken outdoors, but actual class time.



This approach was backed by research showing that spending time in natural settings bolsters mental health in children. This one-of-a-kind initiative is transforming the way we see education and childhood development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nature-as-a-teaching-tool">Nature as a teaching tool</h2>



This research was led by Sylvana Côté from the Observatoire pour l’éducation et la santé des enfants (<a href="https://www.observatoireenfants.ca/fr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OPES</a>) and a group of dedicated researchers from McGill and Université de Montréal. 



The fascinating study reveals that merely two hours of class time spent outdoors significantly reduces emotional distress among children aged 10-12 who previously struggled with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supportive-adults-help-protect-children-from-mental-health-issues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a> concerns.



These findings could not be more timely, considering a recent UNICEF report which emphasized the importance of green spaces for child development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-outdoor-classes">Impact of outdoor classes</h2>



The researchers studied the effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-environment-day-the-critical-role-of-nature-in-human-well-being/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nature time on the behavior</a> and mental health symptoms of over 500 Quebec schoolchildren in Spring 2023.



The transformation seen in children post-intervention confirm that nature operates as a unique form of therapy. 



The students who benefited the most were those grappling with severe issues earlier, including anxiety, depression, aggressivity, impulsivity, and social interaction problems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-calmness-and-attentiveness">Calmness and attentiveness </h2>



After the intervention, teachers noticed a pronounced calmness and attentiveness in their students, hinting at nature's role as a catalyst for mental quietude and focus.



Study senior author Marie-Claude Geoffroy is an associate professor in the McGill Department of Psychiatry and Canada Research Chair in Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention at the Douglas Research Centre.



"Children with higher mental health symptoms at baseline showed greater reductions in symptoms following the intervention," said Professor Geoffrey.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outdoor-classes-improve-mental-health">Outdoor classes improve mental health</h2>



"Nature-based programs may offer targeted benefits for children with higher levels of mental health vulnerabilities and potentially act as an equalizer of mental health among school-age children," noted Côté.



First, a randomized controlled trial was used to depict the genuine advantages children experience from spending time <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-health-the-hidden-casualty-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amidst nature</a>. Over a thousand children, ranging in age from 10 to 12 and from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, participated with a control group in the mix.



According to Professor Geoffery, the motivation for this project arose during the height of the pandemic, when concerns regarding children's health risks from being confined indoors were soaring.



This prompted the idea of an intervention where school children could spend time in nature, with effects measured on their mood and behavior.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monitoring-changes-after-outdoor-classes">Monitoring changes after outdoor classes</h2>



Over a three-month period, changes in the behaviors of both the nature-intervention and control groups were evaluated using quick questionnaires. The goal was to gauge children's emotional and behavioral difficulties and their strengths.



The children were not merely frolicking in the park for two hours. Teachers conducted regular classes such as math, languages, or science outdoors.



A short, 10-15 minute activity designed to boost mental health was also integrated into these sessions using resources provided by the research team.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-impact-on-education-systems">Potential impact on education systems</h2>



<a href="https://www.umontreal.ca/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Université de Montréal</a> post-doctoral fellow Tianna Loose, the paper's first author, emphasizes the relevance of their results for educators, policy-makers, and mental health professionals. 



"The intervention was low-cost, well-received, and posed no risks, making it a promising strategy for schools with access to greenspaces," she said.



The research team is excited about designing a follow-up study on outdoor classes involving teenagers that will co-design an intervention in nature to enhance well-being, reduce climate anxiety, and promote a deeper <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natural-biodiversity-areas-have-greater-mental-health-impact/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">connection to nature</a>.



This transformation in classroom dynamics has opened up a new avenue not just in education but also in mental health interventions. It adds credence to the phrase "the best classroom is roofed only by the sky." 



As societies, we need to reevaluate and appreciate the boundless potential of nature, especially in nurturing the mental health of our younger generations. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2826214" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Network Open</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.



-----

Outdoor classes improve children's mental health

"Go outside and play!" - a phrase many of us...

Exercise is well known for its broad health benefits, from strengthening muscles and bones to supporting heart and immune health. Now, a team of engineers from MIT has uncovered a new benefit: exercise can directly promote neuron growth.



Led by <a href="https://www.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIT</a>’s Ritu Raman, a recent study shows that contracting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/muscles-defy-aging-with-remarkable-resilience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">muscles</a> release biochemical signals, or myokines, which significantly enhance neuron growth.&nbsp;



When neurons were exposed to these muscle-generated signals, they grew four times farther than those without exposure. This discovery could pave the way for new therapies focused on nerve repair and regeneration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muscle-nerve-communication">Muscle-nerve communication</h2>



This study provides the first evidence that physical activity itself can stimulate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-find-a-way-to-regenerate-old-neurons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neuron growth</a> as effectively as biochemical signals from muscles.&nbsp;



While prior research hinted at a connection between muscles and nerve growth, MIT’s study goes further, revealing the powerful role both biochemical and physical effects play.&nbsp;



The research, published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.202403712" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Advanced Healthcare Materials</a>, highlights the essential link between muscle and nerve health and could have applications for therapies aimed at restoring nerve function.



“Now that we know this muscle-nerve crosstalk exists, it can be useful for treating things like nerve injury, where communication between nerve and muscle is cut off,” said Raman, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at MIT.&nbsp;



“Maybe if we stimulate the muscle, we could encourage the nerve to heal, and restore mobility to those who have lost it due to traumatic injury or neurodegenerative diseases.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muscles-influence-nerve-growth">Muscles influence nerve growth</h2>



In previous work, Raman’s team helped restore mobility in mice with traumatic muscle injuries by implanting new muscle tissue at the site of the injury and then stimulating it with light.&nbsp;



Over time, this exercised muscle tissue produced certain biochemicals that promoted blood vessel and nerve growth, restoring function in injured areas. 



This finding suggested muscles could influence nerve growth, and it led Raman’s team to explore whether muscle-generated signals might directly support nerve growth.



To isolate muscle responses, they engineered mouse muscle tissue that would contract when exposed to light. 



Using a special gel mat that supports muscle tissue without detachment, the team stimulated muscle contractions, allowing the tissue to release a blend of myokines - biochemical messengers including proteins and RNA.



“Muscles are pretty much always secreting myokines, but when you exercise them, they make more,” Raman explained. After collecting this solution, the team introduced it to motor neurons to observe how they might respond.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biochemical-signals-and-neuron-growth">Biochemical signals and neuron growth</h2>



The team applied the myokine solution to motor neurons derived from mouse stem cells. 



Observing their behavior, the experts found that the neurons quickly extended, growing four times faster and farther than those not exposed to myokines.



“They grow much farther and faster, and the effect is pretty immediate,” Raman said.



A closer genetic analysis of the neurons showed that the myokines stimulated genes not only related to growth but also to neuronal maturation and function.



“We saw that many of the genes up-regulated in the exercise-stimulated neurons were not only related to neuron growth, but also neuron maturation, how well they talk to muscles and other nerves, and how mature the axons are,” Raman explained.&nbsp;



“Exercise seems to impact not just neuron growth but also how mature and well-functioning they are.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-physical-movement-alone-promotes-growth">Physical movement alone promotes growth</h2>



The researchers next wondered if neurons could respond similarly to exercise’s mechanical impacts without biochemical cues.&nbsp;



“Neurons are physically attached to muscles, so they are also stretching and moving with the muscle,” Raman said.&nbsp;



Using a gel mat embedded with tiny magnets, the team simulated mechanical stretching on a different set of neurons, “exercising” them by gently moving the mat back and forth.



Remarkably, this mechanical stimulation resulted in neuron growth similar to that induced by myokines. The findings suggest that exercise’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-in-a-pill-is-now-closer-to-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">physical impacts</a> may directly encourage neuron growth. 



“That’s a good sign because it tells us both biochemical and physical effects of exercise are equally important,” Raman said.



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



This breakthrough in understanding how muscles influence neurons opens new therapeutic possibilities for nerve repair and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coffee-grounds-could-help-prevent-neurodegenerative-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurodegenerative conditions</a>.&nbsp;



By using targeted muscle stimulation, researchers hope to develop treatments for conditions such as ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases that affect nerve function. 



“This is just our first step toward understanding and controlling exercise as medicine,” Raman said.



With growing evidence that exercise supports nerve health on multiple levels, researchers are now focused on exploring the potential for exercise-based therapies to restore function and mobility for those affected by nerve damage or degeneration.&nbsp;



These findings highlight the powerful role exercise could play in future neurotherapeutic approaches.



-----



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.



-----

Exercise fuels neuron growth through muscle signals

Exercise is well known for its broad health benefits, from...

The development of a big brain in humans and its connection to social bonding has been a hot topic of debate, and secrets found in fossil teeth may hold the answers.



Researchers have been studying the fossilized teeth of an early Homo from Georgia, dating back approximately 1.77 million years. The research was made possible by the European Synchrotron in Grenoble, France.



The findings suggest that despite having a small brain and reaching adulthood at a similar pace to great apes, these early humans had a prolonged childhood. 



This could mean that the large brain of modern humans resulted from an extended childhood along with cultural transmission across generations instead of vice versa.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-childhood-big-brains">Long childhood, big brains</h2>



A team of researchers - including specialists from Switzerland's <a href="https://www.uzh.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Zurich</a>, the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility and Georgia's National Museum - have challenged the theory that modern humans' extended childhood is directly linked to their large brains.



The team analyzed dental development in an early Homo that was almost an adult. The results suggest that though these early humans reached adulthood at a similar age as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/buronius-manfredschmidi-tiny-great-ape-species-lived-11-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">great apes</a>, their tooth development followed a longer timeline similar to modern humans.



This proposes the distinct possibility of a longer dependency on adults and an elongated childhood for these early humans.



Remarkably, the brain size of these early Homo specimens was only marginally larger than that of a chimpanzee. This made the researchers question the link between the prolonged development and cultural transmission across generations.



An extended childhood within a three-generation context might have allowed the immature members of the group to effectively assimilate growing amounts of knowledge. 



Eventually, this led to the development of larger brains and longer life spans, traits characteristic of modern humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dental-development-in-early-homo">Dental development in early Homo</h2>



An enduring assumption has been that humans' extended growth period is a consequence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-sizes-are-growing-possibly-lowering-dementia-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">increased brain volume</a> since a larger organ requires more energy resources to grow. But analysis of the fossil's dental growth has caused researchers to question this hypothesis.



The research team used synchrotron imaging to study the dental development of a near-adult fossil of early Homo from the Dmanisi site in Georgia, dated to around 1.77 million years ago. 



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="CWxiqQg039-4024544-12187" type="single"]</div>



“Childhood and cognition do not fossilize, so we have to rely on indirect information. Teeth are ideal because they fossilize well and produce daily rings, in the same way that trees produce annual rings, which record their development,” noted study first author Christoph Zollikofer from the University of Zurich.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-findings-and-a-new-perspective">Unexpected findings and a new perspective</h2>



“Dental development is strongly correlated with the development of the rest of the body, including brain development," explained study co-author Paul Tafforeau, scientist at the ESRF.



"Access to the details of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/search-results/?search=fossil%20hominid&amp;start=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossil</a> hominid's dental growth therefore provides a great deal of information about its general growth."



After almost two decades of research beginning in 2005, the initial results startled researchers. 



“We expected to find either dental development typical of early hominids, close to that of the great apes, or dental development close to that of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neanderthal-genes-still-influence-modern-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modern humans</a>," said Tafforeau.



"When we obtained the first results, we couldn’t believe what we saw, because it was something different that implied faster molar crown growth than in any other fossil hominin or living great ape."



In the following years, the team conducted five series of experiments and completed four full analyses, employing various methods as dental synchrotron imaging technology advanced.



As the consistent results suggested significant implications for the "big brain - long childhood" hypothesis, the scientists needed to think creatively to interpret this fossil's findings.



“It's been a slow maturation, both technically and intellectually, to finally arrive at the hypothesis we are publishing today,” said Tafforeau.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-longer-childhood-evolution-s-early-experiment">Longer childhood: Evolution's early experiment?</h2>



The dental development of the studied fossil suggested that milk teeth were used longer than in great apes, implying that early Homo children were dependent on adult care for a longer duration.



This could be the first experiment evolution took towards a prolonged childhood. Despite having brains only slightly larger than australopithecines or great apes, early Homo are believed to have lived longer.



The survival of a very old individual with no teeth for several years indicates that the group sufficiently cared for him. This alludes to a three-generation structure, a key aspect of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-started-cumulative-culture-around-600000-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cultural transmission in humans</a>.



The new hypothesis begins with children's growth slowing down as cultural transmission increased. 



The accumulation of information from older to younger individuals had an advantageous effect on resource utilization and the development of complex behaviors, thus favoring a longer childhood. 



Once this mechanism was established, natural selection acted on cultural transmission, not just biological traits. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-brains-and-delayed-adulthood">Big brains and delayed adulthood</h2>



As the volume of transferrable information grew, evolution supported a larger brain and delayed adulthood, enabling a longer learning period in childhood and time to grow a bigger brain despite limited food resources.



The large brain of modern humans could be attributed to an extended childhood and a three-generation structure encouraging bio-cultural evolution. These mechanisms may have led to increased brain size, delayed adulthood, and longer lifespan. 



The study of this exceptional fossil could motivate researchers to rethink the evolutionary mechanisms that led to Homo sapiens.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08205-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



Image &amp; Video Credit: ESRF/Paul Tafforeau, Vincent Beyrand



-----



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 did humans get big brains? Fossil teeth reveal new clues

The development of a big brain in humans and its...

Psychedelic substances, once the mainstay of counterculture, are steadily blending into mainstream recreational and therapeutic activities across North America. But are they safe?



A recent in-depth study offers some sobering new insights. The investigation reveals a worrying association between the use of hallucinogens - a category that includes substances such as psilocybin, LSD, DMT (Ayahuasca), and MDMA (Ecstasy) - and a heightened risk of developing schizophrenia.



The comprehensive study was conducted by researchers at ICES, The Ottawa Hospital, the Department of Family Medicine at the <a href="https://www.uottawa.ca/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Ottawa</a>, and Bruyère Health Research Institute.



Although the positive therapeutic potential of psychedelics has garnered significant enthusiasm lately, the research team cautions that usually, such celebration outpaces thorough understanding of the associated risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychedelic-use-and-schizophrenia">Psychedelic use and schizophrenia </h2>



The analytic foundation of the study relied on over a decade's health data of people aged 14 to 65 years living in Ontario, Canada. 



The researchers monitored changes in hallucinogen-related emergency department (ED) visits and ensuing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/owning-a-cat-before-age-25-doubles-the-risk-of-schizophrenia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">schizophrenia</a> diagnosis rates.



The results were astonishing: Relative to the general population, an individual with a hallucinogen-related visit to the emergency department had a staggering 21-fold increase in the likelihood of developing schizophrenia.



Even after factoring in co-occurring substance use and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-health-crisis-half-of-the-worlds-population-will-be-affected-by-age-75/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health disorders</a>, the risk remained 3.5 times higher.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarming-data-trends">Alarming data trends</h2>



The data, spanning from 2008 to 2021, also revealed another concerning trend. While the annual rates of ED visits associated with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-and-hallucinogen-use-are-at-historically-high-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hallucinogen use</a> were stable between 2008 and 2012, they saw a sudden 86% spike in the period from 2013 to 2021.



Within three years of an ED visit involving hallucinogens, 4% of individuals were diagnosed with schizophrenia. 



In comparison, the diagnosis rate for the general population was a meager 0.15% within the same timeframe - a difference that equates to an alarming 21 times higher risk for the former group.



When stacked against the risk associated with alcohol and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-potency-cannabis-use-linked-to-epigenetic-changes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis use</a>, hallucinogens still didn't fare well. 



Individuals with ED visits due to psychedelic use were at 4.7 and 1.5 times higher risk of schizophrenia, respectively, compared to alcohol and cannabis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risks-of-psychedelic-use">Risks of psychedelic use</h2>



Despite the study’s potentially alarming findings, the study authors emphasized that their findings do not establish a causal link between hallucinogen use and schizophrenia and that much more information is needed about risks associated with different types and use patterns of hallucinogens.



“Our findings underscore a concerning link between hallucinogen use that requires care in the emergency room and increased risk of schizophrenia,” said Dr. Daniel Myran, a Canada Research Chair in Social Accountability at the University of Ottawa.



“While there is enormous enthusiasm for psychedelic-assisted therapy as a new mental health treatment, we need to remember how early and limited the data remains for both the benefits and the risks,” noted Myran.



This highlights the urgency for more studies and improved public health measures to better comprehend and mitigate these risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-screening-and-monitoring">Screening and monitoring</h2>



In clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, experts integrate safeguards like excluding individuals with a personal or family history of schizophrenia and close monitoring,.



However, the study authors warn about the potential risks of hallucinogen use outside of these controlled settings.



The study also highlights the need to identify those at higher risk of developing serious adverse events from hallucinogens, facilitating safe recruitment practices in future trials.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychedelic-safety-in-clinical-settings">Psychedelic safety in clinical settings</h2>



The implications of this study are very critical both to public health and to policy development. As psychedelics become more accepted for therapeutic and recreational use, understanding the associated risks becomes increasingly crucial.



Initiatives for public health education should include specific education on the dangers of hallucinogen use - particularly in cases where there is known predilection to a mental health disorder.



This awareness can be created with targeted community outreach, evidence-based medical guidelines, and collaboration among healthcare providers and mental health specialists.



Another proactive strategy could be mental health checkups for patients before <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychedelic-drug-therapy-could-help-treat-alcoholism/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psychedelic therapy</a>. This would allow experts screen for people with a greater risk of an adverse reaction.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2825649" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Psychiatry</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.



-----

Psychedelic use linked to higher risk of schizophrenia

Psychedelic substances, once the mainstay of counterculture, are steadily blending...

The scorching heatwaves we experience, the wildfires that rage across nations, and the invisible carbon dioxide that fills the air are severely impacting our planet.



In 2023, the world saw extreme heatwaves that fueled substantial wildfires and induced severe droughts across the globe. 



What's more, these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fast-wildfires-are-gaining-even-more-speed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adverse conditions</a> significantly weakened the land's ability to absorb atmospheric carbon. 



The result? A notable surge in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, growing the scale of concern about accelerating climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heat-and-atmospheric-carbon">Heat and atmospheric carbon </h2>



Data from Hawaii's <a href="https://gml.noaa.gov/obop/mlo/aboutus/aboutus.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mauna Loa Observatory</a> showed that atmospheric carbon concentrations skyrocketed by an alarming 86% in 2023 compared to 2012. This increase sets a new record high since tracking of these levels began in 1958.



Interestingly, the rise in carbon dioxide levels cannot solely be pointed towards fossil fuel emissions. These, it seems, only rose by roughly 0.6 percent.



So, what's the primary culprit behind the spike in emissions? It's likely due to weakened <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-fire-risk-has-grown-exponentially-in-a-hotter-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon absorption</a> by natural ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weakened-carbon-sink">Weakened carbon sink </h2>



An international team of scientists backed by the <a href="https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Extreme_heat_weakens_land_s_power_to_absorb_carbon" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a> Science for Society Near-Realtime Carbon Extremes project - along with the Climate Change Initiative RECCAP-2 project - set out to investigate the root causes of this event.



The experts used global vegetation models and satellite data to expedite a carbon budget report for 2023.



Land typically absorbs about one-third of human-generated carbon dioxide emissions. However, in 2023, this absorption capacity fell to a mere one-fifth of its usual level, marking the weakest performance by land carbon sink in two decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-heat-and-carbon-storage-capacity">Extreme heat and carbon storage capacity </h2>



“Our research shows that 30% of this decline was driven by the extreme heat of 2023, which fueled massive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ultrafine-particles-in-wildfire-smoke-change-weather-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfires</a> that ravaged vast areas of Canadian forest and triggered severe drought across parts of the Amazon rainforest," said Philippe Ciais, a scientist from France’s Laboratory for Climate and Environmental Sciences.



"These fires and droughts led to substantial vegetation loss, weakening the land ecosystem’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide. This was further compounded by a particularly strong El Niño, which historically reduces the carbon absorption capacity in the Tropics." 



The situation was made worse by a particularly potent El Niño, which historically reduces carbon absorption capacity in the tropics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-emitted-from-wildfires">Carbon emitted from wildfires</h2>



Widespread wildfires across Canada and droughts in the Amazon in 2023 released nearly the same amount of carbon to the atmosphere as North America's total fossil fuel emissions. 



This finding highlights the severe impact of climate change on natural ecosystems.



The Amazon rainforest, one of the planet's most essential carbon sinks, is showing signs of long-term distress. Some regions of the Amazon that no longer absorb carbon have shifted into net sources of carbon emissions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-s-declining-capacity-to-absorb-carbon">Earth's declining capacity to absorb carbon </h2>



The declining capacity of Earth's land ecosystems to absorb carbon dioxide may signify that these natural carbon sinks are nearing their limits. 



They won't be able to continue to provide the mitigation service of absorbing half of human-induced carbon dioxide emissions.



"Consequently, achieving safe global warming limits will require even more ambitious emission reductions than previously anticipated," Ciais adds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-earth-s-carbon-cycle">Saving Earth's carbon cycle</h2>



The study also highlights that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-models-underestimate-sea-ice-melt-and-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">current climate models</a> might be underestimating the pace and impact of extreme events such as droughts and fires on the degradation of these crucial carbon reservoirs.



"Understanding the knock-on effects of climate change on the carbon cycle is imperative, and the two ESA study projects demonstrate the importance of Earth observation in developing methodologies to provide rapid assessment of these impacts globally," said Stephen Plummer, <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a> Earth Observation Applications Scientist.



"These results are particularly alarming, especially considering the difficulty the world is having limiting warming to 1.5°C, as laid out in the Paris Agreement," noted Clement Albergel, ESA’s Acting Head of the Actionable Climate Information Section.



Given these alarming revelations, it's vital that we ask ourselves: how can we contribute to mitigating these effects? Can we consume less, recycle more, and seek out greener alternatives in our daily lives? The need for climate action could not be more urgent.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/nsr/advance-article/doi/10.1093/nsr/nwae367/7831648?login=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Science Review</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.



-----

Extreme heat of 2023  weakened Earth's carbon storage capacity

The scorching heatwaves we experience, the wildfires that rage across...

Desolate, arid and virtually lifeless - that's how one would traditionally describe the Atacama Desert. Stretching across the Pacific coast in Chile, this unforgiving territory is known as the driest spot on our planet. It's no surprise that the desert is deemed hostile to most forms of life.



Yet, a closer look at the sandy soil reveals a perfect paradox - a diverse community of resilient microorganisms, thriving in the seeming desolation.



Investigating the function of these microorganisms can be challenging. Modern science tools often hit a wall while trying to separate the genetic material of the living from the dead in this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saharan-dust-supports-ocean-life-far-from-the-desert/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbial community</a>.



But now, a promising solution to this mystery is at hand.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identifying-the-desert-microbes">Identifying the desert microbes </h2>



Presented this week in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, an international team of researchers announces a novel separation technique. 



This innovative method distinguishes extracellular (eDNA) from intracellular (iDNA) genetic material, casting a spotlight on the living members of the elusive microbial community.



The technique is a game-changer in studying microbial life in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/floods-are-becoming-more-deadly-in-the-desert/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">low-biomass environments</a> - an area where conventional DNA extraction methods have been falling short.



The research was led by Dr. Dirk Wagner from the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam. He believes this development could usher in a new era in microbial research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-active-life-in-arid-regions-of-desert">Active life in arid regions of desert</h2>



The microbiologists put their novel method to practice on soil samples collected from the Atacama Desert, running along a west-to-east path from the ocean's edge to the foothills of the Andes mountains. 



What they found was intriguing: a variety of potentially active microbes were discovered in the most arid regions of the desert.



"Microbes are the pioneers colonizing this kind of environment and preparing the ground for the next succession of life," said Dr. Wagner. He noted that these processes aren't exclusive to desert lands.



"This could also apply to new terrain that forms after earthquakes or landslides where you have more or less the same situation, a mineral or rock-based substrate."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-approach-to-dna-extraction">New approach to DNA extraction</h2>



Conventional tools for DNA extraction from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/desert-grass-survives-by-capturing-moisture-from-fog/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">soils</a> often present a blend of living, dormant and dead cells from microorganisms.



“If you extract all the DNA, you have DNA from living organisms and also DNA that can represent organisms that just died or died a long time ago," explained Dr. Wagner.



The formidable challenge, especially in low-biomass environments, is securing sufficient good-quality DNA for metagenomic sequencing to unravel specific microbes and their processes. 



Dr. Wagner and his team have found a way around this by creating a process that filters out intact cells from a mixture, leaving behind eDNA genetic fragments from dead cells.



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



The significance of this research extends far <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/this-desert-moss-might-help-humans-live-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beyond Earthly environments</a>. 



The techniques developed for distinguishing living microbial communities in the Atacama Desert could offer a tantalizing approach to astrobiology, a field dedicated to exploring life beyond our planet. 



Mars, with its barren and inhospitable terrain, presents a setting not unlike parts of the Atacama. Here, scientists speculate that if life ever arose, it might have persisted in microbial form beneath the surface. 



By applying this novel genetic separation technique, future missions to Mars could possibly identify signs of life that traditional methods might overlook, thus advancing our understanding of life's potential in the cosmos.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-charting-future-research">Charting future research</h2>



The advent of this cutting-edge method represents a paradigm shift in microbial ecology and environmental microbiology. 



It opens up new avenues for research, not only in desolate regions like the Atacama Desert but also in other extreme environments such as Antarctic ice, deep-ocean vents, and arid regions worldwide. 



By accurately categorizing active microorganisms, we can better understand their roles in nutrient cycling, climate change, and biogeochemical processes. 



This refined approach provides a critical tool for scientists aiming to unravel the life forms that have evolved to thrive against the odds. It also lays the groundwork for future discoveries at the intersections of life, earth, and space sciences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vibrant-life-beneath-atacama-desert">Vibrant life beneath Atacama Desert</h2>



Dr. Wagner plans to extend the study's methodology to other hostile environments. He believes that this technique, which focuses on active microorganisms (iDNA), can provide deeper insights into the active part of the community.



By examining the vibrant life thriving beneath the surface of the Atacama Desert, we are slowly unearthing the secret resilience of microbes in the most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oases-grow-by-human-effort-but-face-threats-from-desertification/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arid of environments</a>. 



As we continue to witness the incredible adaptation and survival of life in the harshest of conditions, the lines of possibility for microbial life continue to expand, taking us one step deeper into unraveling the mysteries of life itself.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://search.app?link=https%3A%2F%2Fjournals.asm.org%2Fdoi%2F10.1128%2Faem.01443-24&amp;utm_campaign=aga&amp;utm_source=agsadl2%2Csh%2Fx%2Fgs%2Fm2%2F4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Applied and Environmental Microbiology</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.



-----

Living microbes found in the driest desert on Earth

Desolate, arid and virtually lifeless - that's how one would...

Pando, an extraordinary organism residing in Utah, quietly stands out among the myriad of living beings that inhabit our planet, captivating scientists and nature enthusiasts alike. 



This remarkable colony of quaking aspen trees (Populus tremuloides) stretches across 106 acres, and is connected by an extensive underground root system that forms a single, unified organism rather than just a forest of unrelated individuals.



With its remarkable size and age, Pando dwarfs its fellow inhabitants, holding the potential to be not only the oldest living being but also the largest organism on Earth. It is a symbol of nature's resilience and complexity over millennia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-utah-s-pride-the-incredible-pando">Utah's pride: The incredible Pando</h2>



A group of American researchers has suggested that this 106-acre woodland in the heart of Utah could have originated from a single seedling, which sprouted 34,000 years ago, pre-dating the end of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/disastrous-climate-changes-of-the-last-ice-age-could-happen-again/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">last ice age</a>.



Even bolder estimates propose that this clonal organism, which appears to consist of 47,000 separate trees, might have been present tens of thousands of years earlier.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-astonishing-life-of-clonal-organisms">The astonishing life of clonal organisms</h2>



Pando (which means "I spread" in Latin) is intriguing because of its massive size, but it also boasts a unique genetic identity shared by all its individual parts that are linked together through one vast network of roots.



This form of asexual reproduction makes Pando a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/listening-to-the-largest-and-oldest-tree-on-earth-what-does-it-have-to-say/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clonal organism</a>, with each 'tree' being a part of the whole, rooted and growing from the same entity. 



There are other life forms, including fungi and the bristlecone pines on the White Mountains in eastern California, that display similar capabilities. They survive through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-had-a-breakthrough-in-cloning-coconut-trees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cloning</a> methods for hundreds, or even thousands of years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unlocking-pando-s-historical-tales">Unlocking Pando's historical tales</h2>



To discern Pando's true age more accurately, the research team meticulously collected around 500 samples, including root, leaf, and bark, from different parts of this giant organism.



They also obtained specimens from other, unrelated aspens and embarked on a journey to sequence their DNA.



The scientists identified 4,000 genetic variations within these samples, and the mutation patterns narrated a captivating story that dates back potentially between 16,000 and 80,000 years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-the-genetic-enigma">Unraveling the genetic enigma</h2>



The researchers, led by Rozenn Pineau of the <a href="https://www.uchicago.edu/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Chicago</a>, noted that they had initially expected a close genetic correlation between trees that are physically near each other.



"You would expect that the trees that are spatially close are also closer genetically," Pineau told Helena Kudiabor at Nature. "But this is not exactly what we find. We found a spatial signal, but that is much weaker than what we expected."



Those trees that were in close proximity did share more similar mutations than those that were far apart - but only slightly more.



This discovery adds a new layer of complexity to understanding Pando's genetic structure and resilience.



Additional research focusing on Pando's mutation history and its genomic protection methods could provide insights into how this plant (and other similar organisms) has managed to survive for millennia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ensuring-pando-s-enduring-legacy">Ensuring Pando's enduring legacy</h2>



Concerns are mounting over the longevity of Pando. Ensuring its survival will require a deep understanding of this ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-use-dna-duplication-to-increase-their-resilience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant's resilience</a> against the assaults of man and nature.



Moreover, similar investigations into other clonal organisms elsewhere may offer Pando competition for its venerable title. 



One competitor lies in a patch of Posidonia oceanica seagrass off the Spanish island of Formentera, which some believe to be more than 200,000 years old.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ecological-significance-of-pando">The ecological significance of Pando</h2>



Pando is more than just a marvel of age and size; it plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem. 



This vast network of quaking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aspen-forests-could-reverse-biodiversity-loss-in-europe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aspens</a> supports a diversity of wildlife by providing habitat and food for numerous species, from insects and birds to larger mammals such as deer and elk.



The interconnected root system of Pando also aids in soil stabilization, which prevents erosion and supports the health of the surrounding environment.



However, understanding Pando's ecological contributions has become more urgent than ever, as climate change and human activities threaten its survival. 



Efforts to study and preserve this unique organism are now critical, not only to protect its ancient legacy but also to help maintain the delicate balance of the ecosystem it anchors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-enduring-hymns-of-pando">The enduring hymns of Pando</h2>



Pando's survival through the ages is a tribute to time itself. It stands as a constant reminder of the ancient world, sharing with us stories of an era long gone. 



As we continue to unravel the mysteries of Pando, we can only hope that this ancient marvel stands tall and flourishes in the years to come.



The research is published in <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.10.19.619233v2">BioRxiv</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.



-----

The world's largest living organism consists of 47,000 trees

Pando, an extraordinary organism residing in Utah, quietly stands out...

Our world is changing. The ocean is on the rise, threatening to disrupt the lives of coastal communities.



As the water inches its way into people's lives, various agencies and organizations are making strides to prepare for this new reality. Right in the heart of these efforts is NASA, offering critical insights on rising sea levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sea-level-data-is-accessible-to-the-public">Sea-level data is accessible to the public</h2>



NASA's extensive global data is now accessible to the public in the brand-new sea level section of the Earth Information Center. 



This comprehensive global sea level <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-sea-levels-spiked-dramatically-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">change</a> website is the product of a collaboration between <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>, the U.S. Department of Defense, the World Bank, the U.S. Department of State, and the UN Development Programme.



The site presents comprehensive projections of expected sea level rise through the year 2150 for coastlines around the globe. It also provides estimates of anticipated flooding for coastal communities or regions over the coming three decades. 



The projections draw on diverse sources such as data gathered by NASA and its collaborators, computer models of ice sheets and the ocean, the latest sea level assessment from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and more.



"NASA innovates for the benefit of humanity. Our cutting-edge instruments and data-driven information tools help communities and organizations respond to natural hazards and extreme weather, and inform critical coastal infrastructure planning decisions,” said Karen St. Germain, the director of the Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-sea-level-changes">Global sea level changes</h2>



Major global organizations like the World Bank are set to utilize the valuable data from the global sea level change site for creating Climate Risk Profiles for countries particularly susceptible to sea level <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pacific-sea-levels-are-rising-faster-than-anywhere-in-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rise</a>.



The Defense Department will consistently feed sea level rise data into its plans to help predict - and possibly avoid - hazards caused to its facilities by rising oceans.



Similarly, the State Department will use the data for a range of activities, from disaster preparedness to long-term adaptation planning, and supporting partners globally in related efforts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moment-of-truth-in-our-climate-fight">Moment of truth in our climate fight</h2>



Assistant Secretary-General Selwin Hart, special adviser to the United Nations secretary-general on climate action and just transition, stresses the significance of the current period. 



“We are at a moment of truth in our fight against the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-shatters-heat-records-earths-hottest-year-is-here/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate crisis</a>. The science is unequivocal and must serve as the bedrock upon which decision-making is built," said Hart.



"With many communities around the world already facing severe impacts from sea-level rise, this new resource provides a vital tool to help them protect lives and livelihoods."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-faster-than-ever">Rising faster than ever</h2>



NASA-led data has revealed that between 1970 and 2023, 96% of countries with coastlines have experienced sea level rise. Furthermore, the rate of this global rise has doubled, from 0.08 inches (0.21 centimeters) per year in 1993 to about 0.18 inches (0.45 centimeters) per year in 2023.



As the rate of sea level rise increases, millions could face the linked effects earlier than anticipated, including larger storm surges, more saltwater intrusion into groundwater, and additional high-tide flood days.



“This new platform shows the timing of future floods and the magnitude of rising waters in all coastal countries worldwide,” said Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer, director of the ocean physics program at NASA Headquarters in Washington.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clear-data-for-unclear-times">Clear data for unclear times</h2>



Earlier data released this year shows that Pacific Island nations will face at least 6 inches (15 centimeters) of sea level rise over the next 30 years. Moreover, the number of high-tide flood days will increase significantly for nearly all Pacific Island nations by the 2050s.



Ben Hamlington is a sea level researcher at NASA’s <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> in Southern California and head of the agency’s sea level change science team.



“The data is clear: Sea levels are rising around the world, and they’re rising faster and faster. Having the best information to make decisions about how to plan for rising seas is more crucial than ever,” concluded Hamlington.



While the future remains uncertain, one thing stays clear - the importance of accurate, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2023-climate-change-report-record-high-temperatures-greenhouse-gases-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reliable data</a> to guide our decisions. 



-----



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.



-----

Sea level warnings: What coastal cities must prepare for

Our world is changing. The ocean is on the rise,...

Microplastics and nanoplastics have emerged as pressing global concerns, capturing significant scientific attention and driving advancements in nanotechnology that is aimed at addressing their pervasive presence in the environment.



These minute <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hundreds-of-thousands-of-nanoplastics-found-in-bottled-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particles</a> infiltrate our air, water, and soil, and even make their way into the bodies of animals and humans.



Originating from everyday consumer products and the breakdown of larger plastic materials, they represent an unseen environmental foe with potentially far-reaching impacts on ecosystems and human health.



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



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-pose-a-greater-threat-to-some-ocean-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microplastics</a>, defined as fragments smaller than 5 mm in diameter, are already recognized as a major issue.



However, nanoplastics, which are nearly a thousand times smaller, pose an even more insidious threat. 



These particles can bypass biological barriers and infiltrate the vital organs of living creatures. Alarmingly, recent research has even detected nanoplastics in the human brain.



Study senior author Henrique Eisi Toma is a professor in the Institute of Chemistry at the University of São Paulo (IQ-USP).



"Nanoparticles aren't visible to the naked eye or detectable using conventional microscopes, so they’re very hard to identify and remove from water treatment systems," said Professor Toma.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nanotechnology-solutions-for-plastic-pollution">Nanotechnology solutions for plastic pollution</h2>



Researchers at USP, with support from FAPESP, have developed a novel solution using nanotechnology.



The team, led by Professor Toma, created a low-cost method employing magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with polydopamine (PDA), a polymer derived from dopamine which is a neurotransmitter present in the human body.



These nanoparticles bind to micro- and nanoplastic waste, allowing for their removal through the application of a magnetic field.



“Polydopamine is a substance that mimics the adhesive properties of mussels, which cling very tenaciously to many surfaces," noted Toma. 



"It adheres firmly to fragments of plastic in water and enables the magnetic nanoparticles to capture them. This undesirable material can then be removed from the water with a magnet."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-striving-for-plastic-degradation">Striving for plastic degradation</h2>



The research team aims for more than just the removal of these particles; they are also exploring methods for sustainable degradation. 



By immobilizing lipase, an enzyme capable of breaking down <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-can-break-down-pet-pollution-in-ocean-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polyethylene terephthalate</a> (PET), the team decomposes PET and other plastics into their basic components, such as terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, which can be reused in the production of new plastics.



"Our goal isn't just to remove plastic from water but also to contribute to its recycling in a sustainable manner," Toma emphasized.



PET is a significant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollutants-from-fossil-fuels-are-embedded-in-coral-skeletons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollutant</a> due to its prevalence in plastic bottles and other common items.



The degradation process developed by Toma's team breaks PET down into monomeric forms, enabling the reuse of these components in new manufacturing processes.



"Our study focused on PET, but other researchers can include other specific enzymes to process different plastics, such as polyamide or nylon, for example," he noted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-and-complexities">Challenges and complexities</h2>



Addressing the micro- and nanoplastics problem is far from straightforward. 



While <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yale-scientists-are-turning-wood-into-high-quality-bioplastic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bioplastics</a> offer a potential solution as they come from renewable sources, they too can fragment into micro- and nanoplastics before fully degrading.



"Being biocompatible, they’re even more insidious because they can interact more directly with our organisms and trigger biological reactions," Toma explained.



An additional concern raised by Professor Toma is the contamination of bottled mineral water. While mineral water is often valued for its taste and mineral content, it can contain higher levels of micro- and nanoplastics than treated tap water.



"Treated potable water undergoes processes such as filtration, coagulation and flotation to eliminate most residues, whereas mineral water, which is better in some ways - it’s lighter, contains more salts and tastes better, for example - isn't processed in any of these ways because that would destroy its properties," said Toma.



"If the environment from which it's collected is contaminated by bioplastics, these particles will reach the consumer."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advancing-solutions-with-nanotechnology">Advancing solutions with nanotechnology</h2>



The scale of this environmental challenge demands continuous innovation and policy intervention. 



The nanotechnology developed by Toma and his colleagues represents a significant advancement, showcasing how science can address complex environmental issues. 



Professor Toma calls for persistent research efforts and urges public administrators to recognize and tackle the problem, stressing the need for collective action to safeguard the planet.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0968432824001392" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Micron</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 nanotechnology is fighting microplastic pollution

Microplastics and nanoplastics have emerged as pressing global concerns, capturing...

Predicting extreme weather is one of the challenges that has consistently daunted meteorologists and scientists all over the world. 



Weather events, especially in a time of increasing climate volatility, can be unpredictable and have far-reaching impacts. However, the weather forecasting puzzle may have a new piece, thanks to a recent study on electric fields.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-electric-field-during-severe-weather">Electric field during severe weather</h2>



The study was led by Dr. Roy Yaniv and Dr. Assaf Hochman from The Hebrew University, and Professor Yoav Yair from Reichmann University.



The team investigated how atmospheric electric field measurements can help predict severe weather events.



The experts closely examined "Cyprus Lows," which are low-pressure winter <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-shatters-heat-records-earths-hottest-year-is-here/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weather systems</a> in southern Israel's arid Negev Desert.



The goal was to understand how the electric field plays a role in anticipating heavy precipitation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-electric-fields-relate-to-weather">How do electric fields relate to weather?</h2>



During weather events known as "wet" Cyprus Lows - when rain falls as a cold front passes - the researchers observed considerable increases in the potential gradient of the electric field.



They found that the typical fair-weather levels (100–200 volts per meter) could skyrocket to hundreds or even thousands of volts per meter during rainfall.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-all-clouds-created-equal">Are all clouds created equal?</h2>



Interestingly, these electric surges occurred as convective clouds passed overhead, suggesting that different cloud types produce unique electric field patterns. 



And, surprisingly, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scorching-summer-of-2024-could-make-it-the-hottest-year-on-record/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">factors</a> other than rain intensity, such as the structure of a cloud and the electrical charge of rain droplets, played influential roles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-weather-saving-lives">Predicting weather, saving lives</h2>



The ability to correlate electric field variations with specific weather conditions could be a significant step towards improving nowcasting systems for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/distress-signals-earths-water-cycle-is-becoming-more-erratic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predicting extreme weather</a>. 



This advancement is especially crucial for regions prone to flash floods and sudden weather changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weather-and-electric-field-variations">Weather and electric field variations</h2>



In a country like Israel, where desert and Mediterranean climates collide, slight shifts in a low-pressure system's location can cause dramatic local weather changes. 



Thus, maintaining a watchful eye on electric field dynamics could be an early warning system for severe weather, enhancing community preparedness in our rapidly changing climate.



"This research demonstrates how electric field variations can serve as indicators of shifting weather patterns, allowing us to anticipate severe weather events in real-time," explained Dr. Yaniv. 



"The ability to identify these changes early is especially important in vulnerable regions like Israel, where even minor shifts in climate conditions can lead to significant local impacts."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technology-in-weather-forecasting">Technology in weather forecasting</h2>



Recent advancements in technology have had profound effects on the field of meteorology, offering promising tools to further understand and predict <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snowflake-patterns-can-help-predict-rainfall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weather phenomena</a>. 



The integration of satellite imagery, high-performance computing, and machine learning algorithms provides meteorologists with unprecedented data precision. 



These technologies enable the development of dynamic weather models that can simulate complex atmospheric processes with greater accuracy. 



By incorporating the latest data from atmospheric electric fields, alongside traditional meteorological inputs, forecasting models can offer more timely and reliable predictions, potentially saving lives and safeguarding property in hazard-prone areas.



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



The implications of the research from <a href="https://en.huji.ac.il" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hebrew</a> and <a href="https://www.runi.ac.il/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reichmann</a> Universities extend beyond the borders of Israel, offering a blueprint for tackling similar issues worldwide. 



As climate change continues to challenge the predictability of weather systems globally, understanding electric field variations could offer a universal tool for improving nowcasting capabilities. 



Future research could focus on integrating this approach into global weather prediction systems, enabling countries with diverse climates to enhance their adaptive strategies. 



Furthermore, collaboration between meteorologists, engineers, and policy-makers will be crucial in operationalizing these findings, ensuring that the benefits are disseminated at local, regional, and global scales. 



Ultimately, as research continues to evolve, it provides hope for more effective responses to the complex challenges posed by our changing climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-electric-fields-and-weather-monitoring">Electric fields and weather monitoring</h2>



The study highlights the importance of incorporating electric field observations into weather monitoring systems.



The implications are particularly relevant for arid and semi-arid regions increasingly exposed to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cities-experience-more-rainfall-than-surrounding-areas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change impacts</a>. 



The ability to anticipate and predict severe weather events can make the difference between life and death, especially in regions highly susceptible to weather changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-dawn-in-weather-predictions">New dawn in weather predictions</h2>



While scientists and meteorologists will need to further investigate how electric field variations could be efficiently integrated into weather prediction systems, this study provides important insights.



It presents a new perspective, shining a light on the countless benefits of looking skywards and understanding the electric dynamics at play in our atmosphere.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169809524005398?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atmospheric 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.



-----

Electric field signals can help us predict extreme weather

Predicting extreme weather is one of the challenges that has...

Our bodies need movement, starting from a young age. A recent study confirms this, linking prolonged sitting with a spike in blood pressure.



The study suggests that for every six hours of sedentary behavior per day from childhood through young adulthood, a 4 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure may occur. Simply put, prolonged sitting and inactivity can raise your blood pressure from childhood all the way into your early adult years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sitting-time-and-blood-pressure">Sitting time and blood pressure</h2>



The study, conducted by the Universities of <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bristol</a> and <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Exeter</a> in the UK and the University of Eastern Finland, tracked the activities and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sitting-too-much-can-cause-premature-aging-even-if-you-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health outcomes</a> of 2,513 children from ages 11 to 24 years. 



The children’s activities were broken down into sedentary periods, periods of light physical activity (LPA), and intervals of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA).



As the children grew older, an increase in sedentary time and a decrease in LPA were recorded. When comparing the changes in the subjects' blood pressure rates from childhood to adulthood, a persistent rise in sedentary time was linked with an average 4 mmHg excess spike in systolic blood pressure. 



Interestingly, while moderate-to-vigorous physical activity did not lower blood pressure, participation in light physical activity from childhood reduced the final level by 3 mmHg.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-less-sitting-time-for-healthy-blood-pressure">Less sitting time for healthy blood pressure</h2>



Andrew Agbaje, a physician and associate professor of Clinical Epidemiology and Child Health at the <a href="https://www.uef.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Eastern Finland</a>, highlights the significance of these findings.



“When 10 minutes out of every hour spent sedentary was replaced with an&nbsp;equal amount of LPA from childhood through young adulthood in a simulation model, systolic blood pressure decreased by 3 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 2 mmHg," said Agbaje.



"This is significant, as it has been reported in adults that a systolic blood pressure reduction of 5 mmHg decreases the risk of heart attack and stroke by ten percent.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-world-s-longest-follow-up">World's longest follow-up</h2>



This study is the world's largest and longest follow-up of accelerometer-measured movement behavior and blood pressure progression in youth. 



The research not only took into account blood pressure, sitting time, LPA, and MVPA, but it also included repeated measures of fasting blood samples at ages 11, 15, and 24 years. 



Additionally, socio-economic status, family history of cardiovascular disease, and smoking status were accounted for in the analyses.



A striking revelation in the study was that previous attempts to lower blood pressure in young individuals through MVPA-based randomized controlled trials were unsuccessful. An increase in muscle mass due to MVPA, it seems, merely enhances a physical increase in blood pressure. 



This finding shows how crucial it is to focus on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walking-can-counteract-the-health-risks-of-sitting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">light physical activities</a>, rather than high-intensity workouts, in controlling blood pressure in young individuals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-to-healthy-blood-pressure">Key to healthy blood pressure</h2>



The World Health Organization estimates that physical inactivity-related diseases could cause 500 million new cases by 2030. Half of these cases might be linked to high blood pressure, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures to reduce sitting time.



"At least three hours of LPA per day is critical to preventing and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/just-5-minutes-of-daily-exercise-can-lower-blood-pressure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reversing elevated blood pressure</a> and hypertension. Examples of LPA are long walks, house chores, swimming, and bicycling," said Dr. Agbaje.



"We all, parents, paediatricians and policymakers included, should encourage children and adolescents to participate in LPA to keep their blood pressure in a healthy range."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technology-and-light-physical-activity">Technology and light physical activity </h2>



Technology offers both challenges and opportunities for getting kids active. While screens can lead to less outdoor play, we can use tech to promote movement and reduce sitting time. 



Wearable fitness trackers and apps help kids stay active by tracking their steps, reminding them to move, and providing fun challenges. 



Schools and communities can make a difference by using these tools to inspire kids to engage in activities through games and rewards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supporting-the-research">Supporting the research</h2>



Dr. Agbaje's research group, urFIT-child, is backed by grants from multiple esteemed foundations, including the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, the Finnish Cultural Foundation Central Fund, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation, among others.



Their work continues to shed light on the importance of reducing sitting and promoting light physical activity to maintain healthy blood pressure in our growing generation.



Remember – sit less, move more. Your blood pressure, your <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sedentary-time-in-childhood-linked-to-heart-enlargement/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart</a>, and ultimately, your health, will thank you for it.



The study is published in the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jcsm.13639" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Cachexia Sarcopenia and Muscle</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.



-----

Sitting too much can raise blood pressure, even in kids

Our bodies need movement, starting from a young age. A...

Turtles are fascinating reptiles known for their distinctive shells, which serve as both armor and protection. They've been around for over 200 million years, making them some of the oldest living creatures on Earth. 



You can find turtles in a variety of environments, from the depths of the ocean to freshwater ponds and even on land. Their ability to adapt to different habitats has allowed them to thrive across the globe, with hundreds of species showcasing a wide range of sizes, colors, and behaviors.



And where does this impressive ability to adapt come from? Apparently, it's their genome, which is proving to be very different from that of most other animals studied so far.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-into-genetic-blueprints">Insights into genetic blueprints</h2>



DNA molecules, with their long strands of nucleotides, carry extensive genetic data essential for life. How this genetic blueprint is stored in cells influences how it is read and used.&nbsp;



During cell division, DNA is tightly coiled around proteins, forming chromatin structures within chromosomes. 



After division, the chromosomes relax, and chromatin loosens, creating unique folding and looping patterns that determine which genes are activated or repressed. 



New research led by <a href="https://www.iastate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Iowa State University</a> offers insights into these processes, with implications for understanding evolution and potentially aiding biomedical research.



Study senior author Nicole Valenzuela is a professor of ecology, evolution, and organismal biology at Iowa State University.&nbsp;



“The three-dimensional structure of the chromatin when it’s folded matters for gene regulation. Where chromatin physically sits in the nucleus matters,” said Valenzuela.



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-animals-balance-their-sex-chromosomes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chromosome</a> folding remains a bit of a black box. We’ve learned a lot about it, but it’s still just the tip of the iceberg.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-chromatin-in-gene-regulation">Role of chromatin in gene regulation</h2>



In the post-division interphase stage of the cell cycle, the chromatin’s shape and location impact gene expression by bringing distant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-use-dna-duplication-to-increase-their-resilience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA</a> regions into close contact.&nbsp;



For example, enhancers (DNA segments that promote gene expression) and gene promoters (regions that initiate transcription) can interact more readily in open, accessible regions of chromatin.&nbsp;



On the other hand, DNA in tightly packed chromatin regions remains less active. 



Through analyzing these contact points, researchers have developed models to map chromatin configurations across various species, such as humans, mice, birds, and more recently, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turtles-with-unique-features-are-most-likely-to-go-extinct/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">turtles</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-discovery-in-turtle-genomes">Unique discovery in turtle genomes</h2>



In a recent paper published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/gr.279443.124" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Genome Research</a>, Valenzuela’s team described the chromatin arrangement in the genomes of two turtle species, the spiny softshell and northern giant musk turtles, uncovering a structure previously unobserved in other organisms.&nbsp;



Chromosomes have two essential elements: the centromere, a constriction point, and telomeres, which cap each chromosome end. In humans, chromosomes occupy separate regions in the nucleus.&nbsp;



However, in some animals, like marsupials, centromeres cluster, while in birds, telomeres come together.&nbsp;



Turtles, interestingly, are the first species where both telomeres and centromeres align near each other, suggesting a unique chromatin arrangement.



“It’s possible this is the ancestral condition of amniotes, from which mammals, birds, and reptiles evolved in different patterns,” Valenzuela noted.&nbsp;



“The turtles may be showing us what existed at the beginning, shedding light on the evolution of vertebrate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/genome-mapping-completed-for-dozens-of-common-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genomes</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turtle-genomes-and-biomedical-science">Turtle genomes and biomedical science</h2>



Uncovering the chromatin structure in turtles and how it adapts to environmental changes could be valuable for biomedical science.&nbsp;



For example, some turtle species can survive weeks without oxygen, which could have implications for treating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/could-blood-type-determine-your-stroke-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strokes</a>. 



Similarly, understanding how certain turtles withstand extreme cold might inform techniques for cryogenic preservation of human tissues.



“We want to understand more about why different lineages are different in some aspects and why they’re the same in others, what parts we share and what parts differ,” Valenzuela explained.&nbsp;



“If we can reconstruct the evolutionary history of the changes that have taken place, we will be able to tell much more about how the differences in the packaging of the DNA and the folding of chromosomes might be affecting the traits we’re interested in, how genes are regulated, and how vertebrate genomes evolve.”



Additionally, understanding turtles’ chromatin structure could aid conservation efforts, offering insights into how environmental changes impact their biology and potential adaptations.



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



Valenzuela’s lab plans to extend their research to study more turtle species, adding to the current work on spiny softshell and northern giant musk turtles. 



Her team has already gathered data on four additional species, aiming to see if similar chromatin structures appear in genomes across different turtle lineages. 



The researchers are also interested in comparing turtle chromatin organization to that of other reptiles, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-and-ecology-shaped-250-million-years-of-crocodile-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crocodiles</a>, lizards, and snakes, to explore whether they share structural patterns.



To gain deeper insights, the team will study liver organoids - lab-grown tissue mimics they have developed for three turtle species. 



These organoids offer a simplified view of liver tissue, allowing the researchers to observe how chromatin folding might influence cellular function. 



Future work will include advanced mapping techniques that provide high-resolution chromatin data, helping to clarify how 3-D chromatin structures change over time and under various environmental conditions.



“To really do genotype-to-phenotype mapping, we have to get to this level of complexity,” Valenzuela 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.



-----

Turtles have genomes unlike any other animal studied so far

Turtles are fascinating reptiles known for their distinctive shells, which...

<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...