For Neanderthals, the most advanced technology wasn't necessarily metal or stone; it could have been a simple piece of sticky plant matter.



This remarkable adhesive, used to bind tools or even chewed for health benefits, played a crucial role in daily life.



While it's long been known that Neanderthals relied on birch tar, the mystery of how they extracted and processed this valuable substance has remained unsolved - until now.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-forgotten-neanderthal-pit">The forgotten Neanderthal pit</h2>



A remarkable study involving researchers from the <a href="https://ics-seville.org/university-of-seville/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Seville</a> has offered the answers we've been looking for.



Inside the Vanguard Cave in Gibraltar, researchers unearthed a structure that aligns with theories about how the Neanderthals could have obtained the resinous tar from processing different plants.



The humble structure appears to be a simple pit, but it has monumental implications as a presumed anoxic heating chamber. Its simplicity meant that the pit's potential significance was overlooked.



However, this structure's discovery in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as Gorham’s Caves Complex, is foundational in our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-impacted-earth-than-previously-thought-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient human activities</a>.



The site's preservation is due to its swift encapsulation by a dune.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exceptional-cognitive-abilities-of-neanderthals">Exceptional cognitive abilities of Neanderthals </h2>



The discovery was not a one-man job. A team of 31 researchers, hailing from more than five countries and specializing in 15 different fields, collaborated to establish that this structure indeed dates back 60,000 years to Neanderthal times.



The University of Seville's own Fernando Muñiz clarifies that Neanderthals were not, as often depicted, crude and brutal beings.



In fact, the discovery reaffirms that they demonstrated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neanderthal-behavior-provides-clues-about-their-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exceptional cognitive abilities</a> as they were able to use chemical processes to create a resinous adhesive for their tools.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-smart-were-neanderthals">How smart were Neanderthals?</h2>



Neanderthals were smarter than many people give them credit for. They crafted sophisticated tools using the Mousterian technique, which shows they could plan and execute complex tasks. 



These early humans hunted large game together, suggesting they worked well in teams and communicated effectively. 



They also managed to control fire, build sturdy shelters, and make clothing from animal hides, which kept them warm in harsh climates. All these activities point to strong problem-solving skills and adaptability.



Beyond their practical skills, Neanderthals showed signs of creativity and social complexity. They buried their dead, which might indicate a sense of ritual or respect for others. 



Some archaeological finds suggest they created art or decorative items, hinting at symbolic thinking. Their brains were as large as or even larger than ours, which likely gave them the capacity for language and complex thought. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neanderthals-were-masters-of-technology">Neanderthals were masters of technology</h2>



According to Clive Finlayson, the excavation manager, creating this adhesive substance would have required a thoughtful process. This includes selecting the appropriate plants and extracting the resin without incinerating them.



To validate that the Neanderthals constructed the structure, the team developed methodologies and even completed an archaeological exercise. 



Evidence also suggests that the adhesive resin may have been extracted from the prickly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-plants-handle-competition-during-extreme-drought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rockrose plant</a>, a tree that was more prevalent in Mediterranean latitudes during Neanderthal times.



This transformative project sets a precedent in understanding the technological prowess and organizational capacity of the Neanderthals.



Led by the Gibraltar Museum, the University of Murcia, the Andalusian Earth Sciences Institute, and with contributions from the University of Seville, the project is shedding new light on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-provides-insights-into-the-lives-of-neanderthals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neanderthal life</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncovering-evidence-of-early-artistry">Uncovering evidence of early artistry</h2>



Finlayson's team also discovered a unique hashtag-like mark on a piece of limestone in 2012. This simple yet significant engraving is seen by experts as evidence of early artistry.



Neanderthals also collected feathers - specifically black ones - from a variety of birds, possibly for decorative or ceremonial purposes.



Neanderthals had an understanding of medicinal plants and even buried their dead. Jewelry-making and specialized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neanderthals-glue-created-and-used-underestimated-intelligence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tool creation</a> were also part of their innovation basket.



According to Muñiz, they could communicate vocally and possibly had high-pitched, hoarse voices.



As our understanding of these prehistoric humans deepens, it becomes increasingly clear that there was more to them than meets the eye. Through ingenuity, organization, and craft, they were indeed masters of their primitive world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-impressive-legacy-of-innovation">An impressive legacy of innovation</h2>



The discovery of the adhesive-making pit in Gibraltar challenges our modern perception of innovation. 



While technology today is often associated with complexity, the Neanderthals demonstrate that simplicity and ingenuity can coexist. 



Their ability to adapt natural resources to solve practical problems, like binding tools with resinous extracts, highlights an advanced understanding of materials science and environmental management.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-form-of-experimental-circumstances">Early form of experimental circumstances </h2>



Beyond practicality, their actions reveal a deeper connection to their environment. By selecting specific plants and mastering controlled heating techniques, Neanderthals showcased an early form of experimental learning that enabled them to refine processes through observation and iteration.



This suggests they not only developed innovative methods but also passed down this knowledge across generations, forming the building blocks of technological heritage.



This discovery also serves as a reminder of the fragility of human history. Structures like the resin pit are rare finds, preserved only under exceptional circumstances. 



The swift encapsulation of the site by sand dunes has protected a story that might otherwise have been lost to time. 



These ancient innovations, hidden beneath layers of sediment, remind us of the resilience and ingenuity of our distant relatives, and inspire us to look at innovation through a broader, more inclusive lens.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277379124005274?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quaternary Science Reviews</a>.



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How Neanderthals mastered the art of creating and using tape and glue

For Neanderthals, the most advanced technology wasn't necessarily metal or stone; it could have been a simple piece of sticky plant matter. This remarkable adhesive, used to bind tools or even chewed for health benefits, played a crucial role in daily life. While it's long been known that Neanderthals relied on birch tar, the mystery of how they extracted and processed this valuable substance has remained unsolved - until now. The forgotten Neanderthal pit A remarkable study involving researchers from the University of Seville has offered the...

The industrial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/echoes-of-the-past-whalings-long-term-impact-on-genetic-diversity/">whaling</a> of the 19th and 20th centuries left a lasting scar on the marine ecosystem, pushing several species towards the brink of extinction. However, even prior to this large-scale devastation, whaling's destruction had already begun.



A new study from the <a href="https://www.ntnu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norwegian University of Science and Technology</a> shows that, despite the smaller scale of early whaling, at least two species were entirely wiped out from European waters.&nbsp;



“Whaling was widespread from a very early time. This had major consequences for species in Europe,” explained Youri van den Hurk, a former postdoctoral fellow at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) University Museum.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



To gain deeper insight, a team of archaeologists analyzed more than 700 whale bones, dating from around 900 BCE to 1500 CE. The bones were stored in various museum collections across Europe.&nbsp;



By analyzing the proteins in these bones, the experts determined the species of the whales. The research spanned from Norway in the north to Spain in the south. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intensive-whaling-activities-nbsp">Intensive whaling activities&nbsp;</h2>



The findings shed light on intensive early whaling activities conducted by many European nations, including Scandinavia, the British Isles, Belgium, France, and Spain.



In the past, every part of a whale had significant utility. Meat, blubber, bones, and oil were transformed into products ranging from food, trinkets, corsets, and even houses. 



“Historical sources show that the earliest whalers used harpoons with buoys attached to them. This enabled them to tire the animals out before using spears and lances to kill them. However, the methods may have varied from place to place," explained van den Hurk.&nbsp;



"Sources from Norway mention that spears tipped with poison were used, or that hunters cornered whales by chasing them into fjords."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-easy-targets-nbsp">Easy targets&nbsp;</h2>



The two species most affected by early whaling were those which resided close to the shores, making them easy targets.&nbsp;



“We know little about the aims and scope of this pre-industrial whaling. However, archaeology and historical sources give us a valuable opportunity to find out more about this early whaling,” said van den Hurk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grey-whales">Grey whales</h2>



Bones of grey whales (Eschrichtius robustus) were found in abundance. “The large prevalence surprised us, because grey whale bones have not been commonly identified in such large numbers during previous studies,” said Professor James H. Barrett.



Although the grey whale disappeared from the North Atlantic by the 18th Century, it survived in regions where whaling was not predominant.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-right-whales">Right whales</h2>



Another species, the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), was less fortunate. Characterized by its slow speed and its habit of floating after death, it made for easy prey.&nbsp;



“The species is therefore relatively easy prey for whalers. This is probably why North Atlantic right whale bones make up most of the material we find,” said Professor Barrett.



Now, right whales are on the brink of extinction, with only 300 to 400 individuals remaining, primarily along North America's coast.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blue-whales">Blue whales</h2>



In the 20th century, an astonishing 1.3 million whales were slaughtered in Antarctica alone. Whaling declined after the 1960s due to the scarcity of whales.



Before modern whaling, approximately 300,000 blue whales could be found in Antarctica. Today, there are no more than 25,000 blue whales left in the world.&nbsp;



Whaling continued in some countries despite the 1982 ban, with Japan and Norway often justifying it under the guise of research. Norwegian whaling remains a contentious issue internationally, even though their targets, minke whales, are not endangered.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications">Study implications</h2>



The past numbers of grey whales and North Atlantic right whales in Europe offer some hope for their eventual return.&nbsp;



“What I find particularly interesting and useful is that the grey whale and North Atlantic right whale were so widespread in Europe, perhaps the most common groups we had, and both were completely eradicated locally,” said van den Hurk.



With lone grey whales recently spotted again in Europe, the species could possibly make a comeback.&nbsp;



“Climate change has led to the Northwest Passage being ice-free for longer periods than previously. This makes it possible for grey whales to return to the North Atlantic," said van den Hurk.



"The Northwest Passage is the sea route between Asia and Europe, located to the north of North America. Seeing as we now know where the species used to be prevalent, we also know which areas we need to protect if the grey whale ever returns."



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Early whaling wiped out two species of whales in the eastern Atlantic

The industrial whaling of the 19th and 20th centuries left...

In a recent study of the Ngogo community in Uganda's Kibale National Park, <a href="https://www.ucla.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCLA</a> researchers have uncovered the first proof of menopause in wild <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-have-a-much-more-complex-language-than-we-thought/">chimpanzees</a>.&nbsp;



This finding is significant as it highlights that humans are not the only primates to experience a long post-fertile life stage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-menopause-observed-in-chimpanzees">Menopause observed in chimpanzees</h2>



The research team found that female chimpanzees in the Ngogo community went through a menopausal transition comparable to that of human females. The fertility of the chimpanzees waned past the age of 30 and completely ceased after age 50.&nbsp;



This discovery adds a new layer to our understanding of menopause and post-fertile survival in nature, and how such traits evolved in our species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-significance">Study significance</h2>



Prior to this study, signs of menopause had only been identified in a few species of toothed whales and, among primates, exclusively in humans.&nbsp;



This revelation will now aid in a more profound understanding of why menopause occurs in nature and its evolutionary trajectory in humans.



“In societies around the world, women past their childbearing years play important roles, both economically and as wise advisors and caregivers,” said study first author Professor Brian Wood. “How this life history evolved in humans is a fascinating yet challenging puzzle.”



Wood's team included Kevin Langergraber from Arizona State University, Jacob Negrey of the University of Arizona, and Ngogo Chimpanzee Project founders John Mitani and David Watts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-grandmother-hypothesis">The grandmother hypothesis</h2>



“The (study) results show that under certain ecological conditions, menopause and post-fertile survival can emerge within a social system that’s quite unlike our own and includes no grandparental support,” Wood said, referring to the grandmother hypothesis.



This theory suggests that postmenopausal survival in humans evolved because older women could increase their genetic legacy by aiding in raising their grandchildren.&nbsp;



While this has been observed in humans, the Ngogo chimpanzees present a different picture. Older female chimpanzees typically neither live near their daughters nor care for their grandchildren, yet they often outlive their reproductive years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-post-reproductive-life-spans">Post-reproductive life spans</h2>



Though other long-term studies of wild chimpanzees had not observed substantial post-reproductive life spans, such phases have been noted in captive primates provided with good nutrition and medical care.&nbsp;



One theory suggests the observed post-reproductive lifespan of the Ngogo chimpanzees could be attributed to favorable ecological conditions, including a bountiful food supply and minimal predation.&nbsp;



Another theory suggests this might be an inherent trait in chimpanzees, previously unobserved due to detrimental human impacts.



“Chimpanzees are extremely susceptible to dying from diseases that originate in humans and to which they have little natural immunity,” said Langergraber. “Chimpanzee researchers, including us at Ngogo, have learned over the years how devastating these disease outbreaks can be to chimpanzee populations, and how to reduce their chances of happening.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-research-efforts-into-chimpanzee-menopause">Research efforts into chimpanzee menopause</h2>



An immense effort went into this research. The team examined data from 1995 to 2016, involving 185 female chimpanzees. They studied hormone levels in urine samples from 66 females ranging from 14 to 67 years.&nbsp;



The hormonal analysis mirrored the signs associated with human menopause, further confirming their findings.



“This study is the result of an extraordinary amount of effort,” said Negrey. “It’s only because our team has spent decades monitoring these chimpanzees that we can be confident some females live long after they’ve stopped reproducing. We also spent thousands of hours in the forest to collect urine samples from these chimpanzees with which to study hormonal signals of menopause.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-discovering-chimpanzee-menopause">Implications of discovering chimpanzee menopause </h2>



Fertility in the chimpanzees declined after age 30, and no females gave birth after 50 - the age when Ngogo females experienced a menopausal transition. The researchers noted that, like humans, it was not unusual for these female chimpanzees to live past 50.&nbsp;



“We now know that menopause and post-fertile survival arise across a broader range of species and socio-ecological conditions than formerly appreciated, providing a solid basis for considering the roles that improved diets and lowered risks of predation would have played in human life history evolution,” said Wood.



According to the researchers, it will also be critical to track the behavior of older chimpanzees and observe how they interact with and influence other group members. “To allow such work, it is essential to support the long-term study of primates in the wild,” said Wood.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.add5473" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



Image Credit: The Ngogo Chimpanzee Project



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Humans are not the only primates that experience menopause

In a recent study of the Ngogo community in Uganda's...

In the world of predator and prey, there a constant push and pull, where both sides continuously evolve to outwit each other. For example, bats evolved <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bats-use-different-inner-ear-structures-to-navigate/">echolocation</a> abilities and some insects developed ultrasound-sensitive ears to evade them.&nbsp;



However, a recent study has brought forth questions regarding this evolutionary arms race theory between bats and insects.



The study was conducted by Professor Lasse Jakobsen, a bat expert at the <a href="https://www.sdu.dk/en">University of Southern Denmark</a>, along with researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence and the University of Toronto.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-barbastelle-bats-nbsp">Barbastelle bats&nbsp;</h2>



Historically, the barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus) is known to be quieter than other bats that hunt flying insects. Emitting sounds approximately 20 dB quieter means they produce a sound pressure that is 10 times lower.&nbsp;



This feature has led many to believe that the barbastelle evolved to be quieter as a retaliatory move against insects with ultrasound-sensitive ears, labeling it as the bat that "struck back."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-discovery-nbsp">Surprising discovery&nbsp;</h2>



However, upon analyzing the barbastelle's close relatives, the researchers made a surprising discovery. Most of the bat's relatives are not in the business of catching flying insects. Instead, they feed on insects resting on surfaces like leaves and branches.&nbsp;



These species, known as "gleaning bats,' are all quieter compared to those that hunt flying insects called "hawking bats." The barbastelle, despite its quiet nature, is categorized as a hawking bat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-barbastelle-ancestors">Barbastelle ancestors</h2>



"If most of the barbastelle’s family are gleaners, then their ancestor was very likely also a gleaner," said Jakobsen.



This means that it's improbable for the ancestor of the barbastelle to have been a loud hawking bat that adapted into a whispering barbastelle due to insect evolution.



"A species does not have free choice when it evolves in a new direction. For example, it is a condition for mammals that their ancestor did not have feathers, so their descendants will never evolve a wing with feathers. Instead, they have found another solution for flying: modified skin between the fingers," explained Jakobsen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-coincidence-nbsp">Evolutionary coincidence&nbsp;</h2>



So, why is the barbastelle quieter when hunting in the air? "It is not an evolved ability. It just cannot produce louder calls than it does, because as a descendant of a gleaner it is probably morphologically limited," said Jakobsen.



"But it has found a niche, where it can use its low amplitude calls. It is an evolutionary coincidence; it sort of fell into this niche, where there was something to eat."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-inherent-trait-nbsp">An inherent trait&nbsp;</h2>



Interestingly, the prey in this niche consist of flying, nocturnal insects that, despite their ultrasound-sensitive hearing, fail to detect the barbastelle, making them easy targets.



Further insights revealed that many gleaning bats emit sound from their noses, leading to their calls being 20 dB lower, while most bats call out of their mouths, allowing for louder sounds.&nbsp;



This distinction clarifies that the barbastelle's soft calls aren't a result of an evolutionary arms race, but rather an inherent trait derived from its ancestors.



"So, the reason why the barbastelles are so quiet today is not an expression of an arms race between bats and insects, but rather simply an expression of the fact that it is descended from bats that cannot call as loudly as others," said Jakobsen.



Image Credit: Sherri and Brock Fenton



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Barbastelle bats inherited a unique hunting advantage

In the world of predator and prey, there a constant...

Intermittent fasting, specifically time-restricted eating, has gained prominence as an innovative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-dietary-changes-could-offset-carbon-emissions/">dietary</a> approach. 



A recent study from the <a href="https://www.uic.edu/">University of Illinois Chicago</a> (UIC) suggests that this method may not only be safe - but also highly effective - for individuals with Type 2 diabetes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beneficial-strategy">Beneficial strategy</h2>



The research highlights the benefits of consuming meals within an eight-hour window, specifically from noon to 8 p.m., as participants adhering to this regimen experienced more weight loss over a six-month period than those who decreased their calorie intake by 25 percent.&nbsp;



This is significant given that the traditional advice for diabetics often focuses on calorie reduction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blood-sugar-levels">Blood sugar levels</h2>



Moreover, despite the differences in dietary methods, both sets of participants showcased similar reductions in their long-term blood sugar levels.&nbsp;



This was determined through a hemoglobin A1C test, which offers insight into blood sugar levels spanning the last three months.



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



The comprehensive study was focused on 75 participants, who were distributed into three distinct groups: time-restricted eating, calorie reduction, and a control group.&nbsp;



Over half a year, the research team meticulously measured the participants' weight, waist circumference, blood sugar levels, among other critical health indicators.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-ease">Surprising ease</h2>



Study senior author Krista Varady, a professor of Kinesiology and Nutrition at UIC, said the time-restricted eating group adapted to this regimen with surprising ease.&nbsp;



By contrast, many individuals in the calorie-reducing group struggled to follow the dietary recommendations.&nbsp;



The researchers believe this is partly because patients with diabetes are generally told to cut back on calories by their doctors as a first line of defense, so many of these participants likely had already tried - and struggled with - that form of dieting.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-effective-alternative-nbsp">Effective alternative&nbsp;</h2>



Notably, although the participants practicing time-restricted eating weren't specifically advised to cut calories, the defined eating window inadvertently led them to do so.



“Our study shows that time-restricted eating might be an effective alternative to traditional dieting for people who can’t do the traditional diet or are burned out on it,” said Professor Varady. “For many people trying to lose weight, counting time is easier than counting calories.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



Importantly, the six-month study did not report any adverse events. Both occurrences of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) remained consistent across the diet and control groups.



Given that an estimated 1 in 10 U.S. residents is diagnosed with diabetes - a figure projected to escalate to 1 in 3 by 2050 - the need for alternative dietary solutions is pressing.&nbsp;



While the study serves as an initial step in establishing the safety of intermittent fasting for Type 2 diabetics, Professor Varady emphasized the need for larger follow-up studies. She also noted that people with diabetes should consult their doctors before starting a time-restricted diet.&nbsp;



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.39337">JAMA Network Open</a>.



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Tired of dieting? Time-restricted eating is a safe alternative

Intermittent fasting, specifically time-restricted eating, has gained prominence as an...

The interplay between heat, carbon, and the broader climate is significantly influenced by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/machine-learning-can-more-accurately-predict-ocean-currents/">oceans</a>, which act as both a repository and a source of heat, mitigating the impacts of global warming and shaping climate patterns.&nbsp;



Additionally, the ocean plays a crucial role in carbon sequestration, with currents distributing it throughout the marine ecosystem, where it is utilized by phytoplankton at the base of the marine food web, enhancing marine biodiversity.&nbsp;



Moreover, sequestering carbon in the ocean removes it from the atmosphere for extended periods, thus contributing to climate change mitigation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-whirls-project-nbsp">The WHIRLS project&nbsp;</h2>



Aiming to delve deeper into the finer details of these oceanic processes, the WHIRLS project, backed by a Synergy Grant from the European Research Council (ERC), is set to make significant advances in understanding of the oceans’ smaller circulation patterns known as “whirls.”&nbsp;



“WHIRLS is basically about fine-scale processes having large-scale impacts,” explained project leader Arne Biastoch, a scientist at the <a href="https://www.geomar.de/en/">GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel</a>.&nbsp;



“Whirls refer to processes on scales of less than 100 kilometers. This might still sound large, but such patterns are small in the context of the global ocean, and are currently poorly resolved in ocean observations and climate models.”



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



The project, set to receive almost 12 million Euros funding over six years, will leverage state-of-the-art observational tools, ranging from ship-based measurements to satellites, aiming for a three-dimensional, comprehensive understanding of oceanic processes.&nbsp;



The Agulhas Current System near South Africa, known for its dynamic nature and significant influence on regional and global climate, will be at the forefront of this research.



“The Agulhas system is not only unique in terms of its vigorous circulation, intense air-sea heat and carbon uptake and the particularly high productivity and diversity of its marine ecosystem,” said Sarah Fawcett, a biogeochemical oceanographer at the <a href="https://www.uct.ac.za/">University of Cape Town</a>. “It also plays a key role in the global ocean circulation and strongly influences regional and global climate.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-project-nbsp">Significance of the project&nbsp;</h2>



Underlining the significance of WHIRLS, GEOMAR Director Dr. Katja Matthes has expressed her pride in the project’s coordination and the international collaboration it entails.&nbsp;



“GEOMAR is proud to coordinate WHIRLS as another project funded by an ERC Synergy Grant, and thus contribute to a better understanding of future changes in the ocean and the climate system. The funding underlines our leading role in cutting-edge research and recognises Arne Biastoch’s internationally renowned expertise in ocean and climate modeling," said Dr. Matthes.



"I am particularly pleased about the international cooperation that involves experts from four different countries on two continents. This impressively underlines the internationality of GEOMAR research. Congratulations to the four principal investigators.”



In conclusion, WHIRLS stands poised to unravel the complexities of the ocean’s influence on our climate, contributing to global scientific priorities and the pursuit of sustainable development.



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WHIRLS: Small ocean swirls have big impacts

The interplay between heat, carbon, and the broader climate is...

Making small dietary changes could be the first step towards reducing carbon emissions and improving our health, suggests a new study co-authored by a researcher from <a href="https://tulane.edu/">Tulane University</a> and published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-023-00864-0">Nature Food</a>.&nbsp;



The study indicates that straightforward alterations, such as opting for chicken over beef or choosing plant-based milk instead of cow’s milk, can potentially diminish the average American’s food-related carbon footprint by 35 percent, and enhance <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-healthy-diet-can-reduce-brain-aging/">diet</a> quality by four to ten percent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-changes">Small changes</h2>



This research underscores the viability of a “small changes” methodology, which the authors believe might persuade more individuals to embrace eco-friendly dietary practices.&nbsp;



Since food production contributes to 25-33 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions - with beef production identified as a major source - such changes could be crucial for mitigating pollution and thus climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simple-swaps">Simple swaps</h2>



“This study shows that cutting dietary carbon emissions is accessible and doesn’t have to be a whole lifestyle change,” said senior author Diego Rose, the director of the nutrition program at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.&nbsp;



“It can be as simple as ordering a chicken burrito instead of a beef burrito when you go out to eat. When you’re at the grocery store, move your hand one foot over to grab soy or almond milk instead of cow’s milk. That one small change can have a significant impact.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



The research team analyzed dietary data from over 7,700 Americans to identify high-impact foods and propose lower-emission, nutritionally comparable alternatives.&nbsp;



“For us, substitutes included swapping a beef burger for a turkey burger, not replacing your steak with a tofu hotdog,” explained lead author Anna Grummon, an assistant professor of Pediatrics and Health Policy at <a href="https://www.stanford.edu/">Stanford University</a>. “We looked for substitutes that were as similar as possible.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-substantial-reductions">Substantial reductions</h2>



The most substantial reductions in emissions were observed in mixed dishes like burritos and pastas, where substituting beef with a less impactful protein is relatively straightforward.&nbsp;



The study also incorporated dietary data for children, highlighting that plant-based milk alternatives can significantly reduce carbon footprints and establish positive habits from an early age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dietary-improvements-nbsp">Dietary improvements&nbsp;</h2>



Although the study wasn’t primarily focused on identifying healthier alternatives to high-carbon foods, the switches to lower-carbon options resulted in considerable dietary improvements.&nbsp;



“There is overlap between sustainable diets and healthy diets. Our study shows that changing just one ingredient, making one swap, can be a win-win, resulting in meaningful changes in both climate outcomes and how healthy our diets are,” Grummon concluded.



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Small dietary changes could offset carbon emissions

Making small dietary changes could be the first step towards...

The pull of your smartphone isn’t just driven by endless streams of information. A new study suggests it's all about our craving for novelty.



The world of online information can be very distracting, and many people blame tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Apple for our dwindling attention spans.



However, in a recent paper, philosopher Jelle Bruineberg from the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/english/">University of Copenhagen</a> presents a different perspective. He suggests that the real issue might not be the abundance of digital information, but our intrinsic human desire for novelty. And if it's novelty the brain craves, digital technology is certainly able to deliver.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-checking-habits-nbsp">Checking habits&nbsp;</h2>



"When we get this inner urge to check our email or the latest notifications on Facebook, it is not because we are overwhelmed by information; often, we are not even engaging with our mobile phone when the urge comes. But the action of checking our phone affords us easy access to a very satisfying reward: a piece of novel information. This craving for novelty is, according to cognitive neuroscience, a basic aspect of the way our minds work," explained Bruineberg.



"Digital technologies provide us with the means to achieve this reward with hardly any effort. We only need to move a couple of fingers around on our phone."&nbsp;



"If I were in a library, which also contains vast amounts of information, it would not make sense for me to develop a checking habit with respect to a particular book. It would be too much of a hassle, but moreover the information in a book is static, it does not suddenly change in the way that information in the digital realm changes. It is the combination of effortless access and changing content, that makes us so susceptible to develop 'checking habits.'"



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historical-perspective">Historical perspective</h2>



Bruineberg also questions the modern narrative around the attention economy. The prevailing belief is that in a bygone era, when information was sparse, people could focus better. Today, we're inundated with information, leading to our current attention crisis.&nbsp;



Bruineberg challenges this view, noting that maintaining focus has historically been a challenge. As evidence, he cites religious groups' emphasis on meditation and contemplation, designed to aid individuals in gaining control over their wandering minds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-profound-mismatch-nbsp">A profound mismatch&nbsp;</h2>



"The idea I put forward in this article is that there is a profound mismatch between the way our minds work and the structure of modern digital technologies. But it is not about us getting swamped by loads of information," said Bruineberg.



"What it boils down to is that we – and our minds – are not equipped to deal with environments that allow for frictionless engagement and task-switching, practically infinite amounts of easily available novelty and rewards. And the only way to counter this development is to heavily constrain our digital environments."



"For example, receiving emails only twice a day guarantees that there is no novelty to be found in your inbox in between those moments. 50 years from now, we probably look back in horror at how complex and unconstrained our current digital environments are."



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/nc/niad019">Neuroscience of Consciousness</a>.



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Digital distraction: Our phones are irresistible because we crave novelty

The pull of your smartphone isn’t just driven by endless...

Navigating the world around us might seem like a complex task, but it turns out, we all have something in common with an electric knifefish. Whether it's a dog sniffing around or a human glancing in a new setting, the core behavior of trying to understand one's surroundings remains the same.



Recent research reveals that such <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/machine-learning-may-solve-the-mystery-of-bird-movements/">movements</a> aren't unique to humans or even larger animals. It extends across a wide spectrum of organisms, from single-celled amoeba to complex beings like us.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-solution">Evolutionary solution</h2>



“Amoeba don’t even have a nervous system, and yet they adopt behavior that has a lot in common with a human’s postural balance or fish hiding in a tube,” said study co-author Noah Cowan, a professor of mechanical engineering at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins</a>.&nbsp;



“These organisms are quite far apart from each other in the tree of life, suggesting that evolution converged on the same solution through very different underlying mechanisms.”



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



This fascinating discovery originated from a study that was focused on the workings of the nervous system during movement to enhance perception. Observations of the electric knifefish, a creature emitting weak electric discharges to sense its location, were key.&nbsp;



In darkness, the fish shimmied back and forth more frequently than in the light. The darkness made the fish increase their movement, mimicking a rapid ‘explore mode’ to understand their environment better.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-sensing-behaviors-nbsp">Key sensing behaviors&nbsp;</h2>



The concept of switching between an "explore mode" during uncertainty and an "exploit mode" when familiar with the environment isn't restricted to these fish.&nbsp;



“We found that the best strategy is to briefly switch into explore mode when uncertainty is too high, and then switch back to exploit mode when uncertainty is back down,” said study first author Debojyoti Biswas, a Johns Hopkins postdoctoral researcher.



Supported by a model simulating these key sensing behaviors, the team identified similar patterns in amoeba, moths, cockroaches, moles, bats, mice, and even humans.&nbsp;



“Not a single study that we found in the literature violated the rules we discovered in the electric fish, not even single-celled organisms like amoeba sensing an electric field,” said Cowan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maintaining-a-stable-balance-nbsp">Maintaining a stable balance&nbsp;</h2>



To further illustrate the ubiquitous nature of these movements, Cowan related it to everyday human behavior.&nbsp;



“If you go to a grocery store, you’ll notice people standing in line will change between being stationary and moving around while waiting,” said Cowan.&nbsp;



“We think that’s the same thing going on, that to maintain a stable balance you actually have to occasionally move around and excite your sensors like the knifefish. We found the statistical characteristics of those movements are ubiquitous across a wide range of animals, including humans.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



Beyond just understanding the natural world, the implications of this research are vast. The findings have the potential to revolutionize robotics, especially in applications like search and rescue drones and space rovers.



Next, the experts will test whether their insights hold true for other living things, including plants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-electric-knifefish-nbsp">More about electric knifefish&nbsp;</h2>



Electric knifefish are a diverse group with over 200 species that are found primarily in Central and South America. These fish are known for their ability to generate electric fields, which they use for navigation, communication, and sometimes for capturing prey.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-electric-organ">Electric organ</h3>



Electric knifefish have an organ that produces weak electric discharges. This is distinct from the strong electric discharges produced by electric eels, a different group of fish.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-electrolocation">Electrolocation</h3>



They use their electric field to sense their surroundings. Objects around them distort this field, and the fish can detect these distortions to understand their environment, much like a sonar.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-communication">Communication</h3>



Different species, and even individual fish, may have unique electric organ discharge patterns. This allows them to communicate and recognize each other.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-habitat">Habitat</h3>



They are primarily found in freshwater environments, especially in slow-moving or stagnant waters like swamps, ponds, and riverbanks.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nocturnal-behavior">Nocturnal behavior</h3>



Electric knifefish are typically nocturnal, using their electric fields to navigate in the darkness.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s42256-023-00745-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Machine Intelligence</a>.&nbsp;



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Shimmying like electric fish is a universal movement across species

Navigating the world around us might seem like a complex...

Childhood trauma, a pervasive issue worldwide, may have greater ramifications than previously believed.&nbsp;



A recent meta-analysis published by the <a href="https://www.aan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Academy of Neurology</a> reveals a potential connection between traumatic events experienced in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childhood-trauma-can-be-overcome-in-adulthood-even-in-the-animal-kingdom/">childhood</a>, such as abuse or household dysfunction, and the onset of headache disorders in adulthood.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clear-risk-factors">Clear risk factors</h2>



While the research does not provide evidence of a direct causal relationship, it clearly highlights an association.



“Traumatic events in childhood can have serious health implications later in life,” said study author Dr. Catherine Kreatsoulas of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.&nbsp;



“Our meta-analysis confirms that childhood traumatic events are important risk factors for headache disorders in adulthood, including migraine, tension headaches, cluster headaches, and chronic or severe headaches. This is a risk factor that we cannot ignore.”



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



The team analyzed the results of 28 studies across 19 countries involving over 150,000 participants. 



Overall, 31 percent (48,625 individuals) recounted at least a single traumatic event from their childhood. Meanwhile, 16 percent (24,956 individuals) were diagnosed with primary headaches.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-results-of-the-analysis">Results of the analysis</h2>



The analysis showed that, among the group with traumatic childhood events, 26 percent had a primary headache disorder. By contrast, only 12 percent from the non-traumatic group suffered from a headache disorder.



When the researchers took a closer look at the data, they found that individuals with one or more childhood traumas were almost 50 percent more prone to headache disorders than individuals without such traumas.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-traumatic-events-nbsp">Traumatic events&nbsp;</h2>



Furthermore, the risk escalated with the number of traumatic events: a single traumatic event resulted in a 24 percent increased risk, while experiencing four or more traumatic events doubled the likelihood of a headache disorder.



To refine their understanding, the team placed traumatic events into two categories: threat traumas (like abuse or witnessing violence) and deprivation traumas (such as neglect or living with a chronically ill family member).&nbsp;



Threat traumas increased the headache risk by 46 percent and deprivation traumas by 35 percent. Physical and sexual abuse escalated the risk of headache disorders by 60 percent. In the deprivation category, childhood neglect almost tripled the risk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



“This meta-analysis highlights that childhood traumatic events categorized as threat or deprivation traumas are important and independent risk factors for headache disorders in adulthood,” said Dr. Kreatsoulas.&nbsp;



“Identifying the specific types of childhood experiences may help guide prevention and treatment strategies for one of the leading disabling disorders worldwide. A comprehensive public health plan and clinical intervention strategies are needed to address these underlying traumatic childhood events.”



“It is important to note that the true estimate of the association is likely higher due to the sensitive nature of reporting childhood traumatic events."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-headache-disorders">More about headache disorders</h2>



Headache disorders, among the most common disorders of the nervous system, are pervasive conditions that can affect individuals across all age groups. Here are some of the most common types of headache disorders:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-migraines">Migraines</h3>



Characterized by throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head, accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tension-headaches">Tension headaches</h3>



Often described as a tight band around the head, they are typically a result of muscle tension or stress.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cluster-headaches">Cluster headaches</h3>



These headaches are extremely painful, and occur in cyclical patterns or clusters. They are one of the most severe types of headache disorders.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.neurology.org/">Neurology</a>.



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Childhood trauma could triple the risk of headache disorders

Childhood trauma, a pervasive issue worldwide, may have greater ramifications...

As climate change intensifies, so does the urgency to protect our planet's precious marine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-induced-changes-in-ocean-salinity-threaten-biodiversity-and-marine-ecosystems/">ecosystems</a>. An international team of experts has risen to the challenge by devising the first comprehensive framework for creating networks of marine protected areas (MPAs).



The goal of the research is to help protect vulnerable species amidst the pressures of climate change-induced habitat loss.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-timing">Critical timing</h2>



<a href="https://www.stanford.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford</a> marine conservation scientist Nur Arafeh-Dalmau led this ambitious project, which involved 50 scientists and practitioners from agencies in the U.S., Mexico, and Australia.



Their proposed guidelines arrive at a time when nearly every country around the world has committed to protecting 30% of both land and sea by 2030.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significant-oversight-nbsp">Significant oversight&nbsp;</h2>



While marine protected areas, and their terrestrial counterparts, aim to connect habitats fractured by human interference and the unpredictable ravages of climate events like wildfires, there has a significant oversight.&nbsp;



“Until now, marine protected areas have been designed for biodiversity conservation, but not necessarily for climate resilience,” said Arafeh-Dalmau. “They suffer from climate impacts but aren’t designed to endure them.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-southern-california-bight-nbsp">Southern California Bight&nbsp;</h2>



For a detailed case study, the team focused on the Southern California Bight. This region, marked by the gradual curve of California's coastline stretching into Baja California, Mexico, supports a rich ecosystem.&nbsp;



Its giant kelp forests, vital to numerous commercially and culturally significant species, are under threat from marine heatwaves and reduced oxygen levels. These factors have already impacted critical fisheries, such as the jumbo squid and abalone, threatening local communities' livelihoods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-under-protected-waters">Under-protected waters</h2>



While California boasts marine protected areas covering 16 percent of its state waters, with half being fully protected, Baja California's waters remain under-protected, with less than one percent prohibiting activities like fishing.&nbsp;



Moreover, current MPA networks don't adequately account for species migration across U.S. and Mexico boundaries, leading to potential losses in conservation efforts.



“We designed a systematic approach to help resource managers stay ahead of the curve and anticipate rather than react to climate change,” said co-lead author Adrian Munguia Vega, a genomics researcher at The University of Arizona.&nbsp;



“A big part of that is showing how entire marine ecosystems and the species that inhabit them are connected by ocean currents that do not stop at the international border. Thus, we need coordinated efforts and protections across political boundaries.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-redefining-marine-conservation">Redefining marine conservation</h2>



The authors advocate for the integration of climate adaptations into the MPA planning process. By factoring in anticipated climate scenarios, conservationists can create more resilient protections against worsening marine conditions.&nbsp;



In addition to habitat diversity, the researchers prioritized habitat persistence. These habitats, known as "climate refugia," can provide consistent relief for species faced with extreme thermal shocks.



“Climate extremes don’t stop at the boundary of a marine protected area,” said co-author Fiorenza Micheli, chair of the Oceans Department and co-director of the Center for Ocean Solutions. “If California’s network of marine protected areas had been designed with climate considerations, it would look different.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarming-potential-outcomes-nbsp">Alarming potential outcomes&nbsp;</h2>



For their study, the researchers analyzed satellite imagery spanning decades to gauge the persistence of giant kelp along the Southern California Bight. They discovered alarming potential outcomes: marine heatwaves in the upcoming five decades could drastically fragment suitable habitats for marine larvae.&nbsp;



As a result, ecological connectivity could plummet by 50 percent, with population densities witnessing a possible decline of up to 90 percent.



In a departure from conventional conservation strategies that focus on areas with maximum kelp species, the new framework prioritizes areas where kelp - and by extension, other marine life - has the highest survival likelihood.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stepping-stone-strategy-nbsp">Stepping stone strategy&nbsp;</h2>



The experts recommend a series of protected areas, or "stepping stones," that link isolated populations like beads of a necklace along the Southern California Bight.



“This stepping stone strategy can be very cost-effective and cheaper for everyone,” said Arafeh-Dalamu, who documented Mexico’s worst marine heat wave from 2014 to 2016.&nbsp;



“Maybe you need fewer areas to be protected if you are protecting the important areas.” Plus, the collaboration between countries can strengthen research capacity, and ideally, diplomacy, noted Arafeh-Dalamu.



“We have the information and tools to design and implement marine conservation in a way that explicitly and proactively accounts for climate change,” said Micheli. “Now is the time to understand where we strategically invest in expanding and strengthening protection so these ecosystems have a future.”



The study is published in the journal One Earth.&nbsp;



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Marine protected areas were not designed for climate resilience

As climate change intensifies, so does the urgency to protect...

In an unprecedented move that marks a significant shift in the global health discourse, over 200 health journals worldwide have collectively published a seminal editorial. 



This concerted effort urgently calls upon global leaders and health professionals to acknowledge and confront the intertwined nature of the climate crisis and biodiversity loss. This coalition of publications asserts that these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-planet-faces-six-risk-tipping-points-with-irreversible-impacts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">twin crises</a> constitute a single, immediate global health emergency that demands a unified and robust response.



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



This rare collaborative editorial underscores the grievous error of addressing climate change and biodiversity loss as isolated events. It emphasizes the urgency for the <a href="https://www.who.int" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Health Organization</a> (WHO) to officially declare this intertwined crisis as a global health emergency. The scientists highlight the direct and devastating impacts of these environmental catastrophes on human health.



Featured in renowned journals such as The BMJ, The Lancet, JAMA, and several regional titles like the Medical Journal of Australia, the East African Medical Journal, the National Medical Journal of India, and Dubai Medical Journal, the editorial marks a milestone in a unified global health message.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vulnerable-populations">Vulnerable populations</h2>



The authors point out that the most impoverished and vulnerable populations often shoulder the heaviest burden. The editorial elaborates on global health threats magnified by climate change, including rising temperatures, increasingly severe weather events, escalating air pollution, and the spread of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodiversity-loss-could-promote-the-spread-of-viruses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infectious diseases</a>.



One of the profound examples provided is the fundamental human reliance on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tackling-the-worlds-climate-driven-water-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clean water</a>. The editorial explains how pollution compromises water quality, leading to a surge in water-borne diseases. Concurrently, <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/ocean-acidification/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean acidification</a> is causing a detrimental decrease in both the quality and availability of seafood, a primary food source and income for billions globally.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-loss-a-multifaceted-threat">Biodiversity loss: A multifaceted threat</h2>



The crisis extends beyond immediate global health impacts. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-deforestation-crisis-how-can-we-stop-massive-forest-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biodiversity loss</a> drastically undermines nutritional health and hampers the discovery of new, nature-derived medicines. Alterations in land use are bringing thousands of species into closer contact. This heightens the exchange of pathogens and the potential emergence of novel diseases and pandemics.



Moreover, the scientists underscore the intrinsic health benefits of high-quality <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-greening-projects-can-dramatically-boost-urban-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green spaces</a>. These areas contribute to air purification, temperature reduction, encouragement of physical activity, and improvement in mental health. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-expansion-linked-to-global-decline-of-wild-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Urbanization</a> poses a relentless threat to these critical advantages.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unfulfilled-promises-harm-global-health">Unfulfilled promises harm global health</h2>



Reflecting on the biodiversity conference (<a href="https://www.unep.org/un-biodiversity-conference-cop-15" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COP 15</a>) of December 2022, where an agreement was reached on conserving 30% of the world's land, coastal areas, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/historic-treaty-adopted-to-protect-biodiversity-in-the-high-seas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oceans</a> by 2030, the editorial voices concern. The conference inadvertently created a segmentation of climate and nature scientists. 



This separation has led to unmet commitments. Ecosystems have been pushed to the verge of collapse, heightening the risk of catastrophic global health implications. Whether or not global warming can be kept below a 1.5°C increase has no relevance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-calling-out-the-world-health-organization">Calling out the World Health Organization</h2>



Given the dire circumstances and the tangible health impacts already underway, the authors urge the WHO to officially declare the combined climate and nature crises as a global health emergency. This pivotal step, they advocate, should occur before or during the World Health Assembly in May 2024.



The resolution of this emergency, the editorial suggests, necessitates a harmonization of the COP processes. The initial move in this direction would require an enhanced integration of national climate plans with their biodiversity counterparts.



Furthermore, global health professionals are called upon to be vigorous advocates for restoring biodiversity and combating climate change. They must utilize their unique positions of public trust to influence political action. 



The editorial concludes with a powerful message, emphasizing the necessity for global recognition of this dual crisis as the profound health emergency it is.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uniting-voices-for-collective-action">Uniting voices for collective action</h2>



Kamran Abbasi, Editor-in-Chief of <a href="https://www.bmj.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The BMJ</a>, echoed the sentiments of the collective. He stressed the intrinsic link between human health, climate, and biodiversity, criticizing the current compartmentalized approach to these urgent issues. Abbasi highlighted the crucial role of health professionals in conveying this critical message and advocating for urgent political action.



In unison, these health journals are sending an unequivocal message to the world. The time for recognizing and robustly addressing the intertwined global health emergency of climate crisis and biodiversity loss is NOW. 



This collaborative stand serves as a beacon, rallying health professionals, policymakers, and individuals worldwide to take concerted, meaningful action towards safeguarding our collective future.



The full editorial was published in the <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/383/bmj.p2355" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMJ</a>.



---



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Climate change and biodiversity loss are one indivisible global health crisis

In an unprecedented move that marks a significant shift in...

Venus may have once been more dynamic and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-earth-like-planet-may-be-hiding-just-beyond-neptune/">Earth-like</a> than previously thought. A study led by researchers at <a href="https://www.brown.edu/">Brown University</a> reveals evidence suggesting that Venus exhibited Earth-like plate tectonics billions of years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tectonic-movements">Tectonic movements</h2>



The findings are based on simulations using atmospheric data from Venus. These simulations indicate that the existing composition of Venus’ atmosphere and its surface pressure could have evolved due to early plate tectonic activities. This geologic process, vital for life, consists of continental plates that move, collide, and slide beneath one another.



Such tectonic movements on Earth, intensified over billions of years, sculpted continents, mountain ranges, and triggered chemical reactions.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-sharp-detour-nbsp">A sharp detour&nbsp;</h2>



These reactions played a pivotal role in stabilizing Earth’s temperature, paving the way for life's development. However, Venus' fate took a sharp detour, leading to its present-day hostile conditions, with temperatures soaring high enough to melt lead.



The new study challenges the idea that Venus has always had a static single plate known as a "stagnant lid." The study suggests that Venus, around 4.5 billion to 3.5 billion years ago, underwent tectonic movements comparable to those on early Earth, but on a much more limited scale.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-similar-sister-planets-nbsp">Similar sister planets&nbsp;</h2>



Study lead author Matt Weller completed the work while he was a postdoctoral researcher at Brown and is now at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston.



“One of the big picture takeaways is that we very likely had two planets at the same time in the same solar system operating in a plate tectonic regime - the same mode of tectonics that allowed for the life that we see on Earth today,” said Weller.



This revelation highlights the potential of microbial life existing on ancient Venus, hinting that these sister planets were more similar in their early histories than previously assumed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plate-tectonics-and-habitability">Plate tectonics and habitability</h2>



The research not only reshapes our understanding of Venus but also underscores the temporality of plate tectonics and planetary habitability. Study co-author Professor Alexander Evans noted that planets might transit between various tectonic states.&nbsp;



“We've so far thought about tectonic state in terms of a binary: it’s either true or it’s false, and it's either true or false for the duration of the planet,” said Professor Evans.&nbsp;



“This shows that planets may transition in and out of different tectonic states and that this may actually be fairly common. Earth may be the outlier. This also means we might have planets that transition in and out of habitability rather than just being continuously habitable.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-the-surface-nbsp">Looking beyond the surface&nbsp;</h2>



The study began with a broader objective to discern how exoplanetary atmospheres could be markers of their early histories.&nbsp;



By using Venus as a reference, the team soon realized the mismatch between simulations based on the stagnant lid assumption and the actual atmospheric composition of Venus. A breakthrough came when the model incorporated limited early tectonic movement, mirroring Venus' current state.



“We’re still in this paradigm where we use the surfaces of planets to understand their history,” said Professor Evans. “We really show for the first time that the atmosphere may actually be the best way to understand some of the very ancient history of planets that is often not preserved on the surface.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications-nbsp">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



The implications of this research extend beyond Venus. Upcoming NASA DAVINCI missions will measure Venusian atmospheric gases, which might further support these findings. But a lingering question remains: What caused Venus' plate tectonics to cease?



“Venus basically ran out of juice to some extent, and that put the brakes on the process,” said study co-author Daniel Ibarra, a professor in Brown’s Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences.



The researchers said that the details of how this happened may hold important implications for Earth.



“That’s going to be the next critical step in understanding Venus, its evolution and ultimately the fate of the Earth,” said Weller. “What conditions will force us to move in a Venus-like trajectory, and what conditions could allow the Earth to remain habitable?”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41550-023-02102-w">Nature Astronomy</a>.



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Venus' secret past may have implications for Earth's future

Venus may have once been more dynamic and Earth-like than...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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...

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



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



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...

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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