For decades, scientists have been grappling with what is considered to be the most fundamental question about the cosmos: How fast is our universe expanding? 



The rate of expansion influences everything from how galaxies form to how they might one day drift apart.



Determining the expansion rate of the universe, a number called the "Hubble constant," shapes our entire understanding of the cosmos, its age, and its ultimate fate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hubble-tension-expansion-conundrum">"Hubble tension" expansion conundrum</h2>



Unfortunately, though many brilliant minds have dedicated their lives to finding the answer to this riddle, all who have tried thus far have failed, running repeatedly into a brick wall that has come to be known as the "Hubble tension."



Adam Riess, a physicist at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins University</a> in Baltimore, has been at the forefront of this debate. "With measurement errors negated, what remains is the real and exciting possibility that we have misunderstood the universe," Riess admitted.



Riess, who won a Nobel Prize for discovering that the universe's expansion is accelerating due to dark energy, has been working tirelessly to resolve what's known as the Hubble Tension.



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



But before diving deeper, let's consider why the expansion rate -- called the Hubble constant -- is so crucial. 



Named after Edwin Hubble, who first observed that galaxies are moving away from us, this constant helps us map out the history and future of everything we see in the night sky. 



Determining it with precision has been a major goal of astronomers for decades.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/hubble-constant_3-steps_illustration_nasa_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/hubble-constant_3-steps_illustration_nasa_1s.webp" alt="This illustration shows the three basic steps astronomers use to calculate how fast the universe expands over time, a value called the Hubble constant. All the steps involve building a strong &quot;cosmic distance ladder,&quot; by starting with measuring accurate distances to nearby galaxies and then moving to galaxies farther and farther away. Credit: NASA" class="wp-image-1951709"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This illustration shows the three basic steps astronomers use to calculate how fast the universe expands over time, a value called the Hubble constant. All the steps involve building a strong "cosmic distance ladder," by starting with measuring accurate distances to nearby galaxies and then moving to galaxies farther and farther away. Credit: NASA</figcaption></figure>



When the <a href="https://hubblesite.org/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble Space Telescope</a> was launched in 1990, one of its main objectives was to pin down the universe's expansion rate. 



Before Hubble, estimates of the universe's age ranged wildly from 10 to 20 billion years -- a huge uncertainty. 



Thanks to Hubble's observations of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/expansion-rate-of-the-universe-confirmed-by-jwst/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cepheid variable stars</a> -- stars that pulsate at regular intervals and serve as cosmic mileposts -- we now have a more precise age of about 13.8 billion years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-telescope-to-the-rescue">Webb telescope to the rescue?</h2>



Some scientists wondered if the discrepancies in measurements were due to errors in Hubble's data. Maybe, they thought, the way Hubble measured distances had some hidden flaws. 



Then came the James Webb Space Telescope (<a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Webb</a>), launched to great fanfare as the successor to Hubble. Webb's infrared observations of Cepheids matched Hubble's optical data perfectly. 



"Combining Webb and Hubble gives us the best of both worlds. We find that the Hubble measurements remain reliable as we climb farther along the cosmic distance ladder," Riess explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hubble-vs-webb-vs-expansion">Hubble vs. Webb vs. expansion</h2>



Despite the new data, the tension between measurements remains. The Hubble and Webb telescopes confirm one universe expansion rate, based on observations of the local universe.



Meanwhile, observations from the early universe, like those from the Planck satellite's mapping of the cosmic microwave background radiation, suggest another. 



This leaves cosmologists scratching their heads. Is there something about the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/universe-expansion-rate-dark-energy-measured-11-billion-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fabric of space</a> we don't yet understand? Does resolving this discrepancy require new physics, or is there another explanation?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brenda-frye-tackles-hubble-and-expansion">Brenda Frye tackles Hubble and expansion</h2>



In October 2024, <a href="https://blogs.nasa.gov/webb/2024/10/01/webb-researchers-discover-lensed-supernova-confirm-hubble-tension/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">as reported by NASA</a>, Brenda Frye from the <a href="https://www.arizona.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Arizona</a> and an international team took a different approach. 



They used <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-telescope-finds-a-second-lensed-supernova-in-a-distant-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gravitationally lensed supernovae</a> to measure the Hubble constant -- a method independent of previous techniques. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/hubble-constant_galaxy-cluster-G165_supernova-H0pe_gravitational-lensing_jwst_UArizona_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/hubble-constant_galaxy-cluster-G165_supernova-H0pe_gravitational-lensing_jwst_UArizona_1s.webp" alt="NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) image of the galaxy cluster PLCK G165.7+67.0, also known as G165, on the left shows the magnifying effect a foreground cluster can have on the distant universe beyond. The foreground cluster is 3.6 billion light-years away from Earth. The zoomed region on the right shows supernova H0pe triply imaged (labeled with white dashed circles) due to gravitational lensing. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, B. Frye (University of Arizona)" class="wp-image-1951711"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) image of the galaxy cluster PLCK G165.7+67.0, also known as G165, on the left shows the magnifying effect a foreground cluster can have on the distant universe beyond. The foreground cluster is 3.6 billion light-years away from Earth. The zoomed region on the right shows supernova H0pe triply imaged (labeled with white dashed circles) due to gravitational lensing. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, B. Frye (University of Arizona)</figcaption></figure>



While observing a densely populated cluster of galaxies, they noticed something unusual. "What are those three dots that weren’t there before? Could that be a supernova?" the team wondered. 



It turned out to be a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-travels-back-in-time-to-better-understand-supernovae-science/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Type Ia supernova</a>, an explosion of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/white-dwarf-stars-may-be-billions-of-years-older-than-estimated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">white dwarf star</a>, magnified and split into multiple images by the gravitational lensing effect of the intervening galaxy cluster.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-gravitational-lensing">What is gravitational lensing?</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-carousel-lens-galaxy-alignment-reveals-dark-matter-secrets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gravitational lensing</a> is important to this experiment. The lens, consisting of a cluster of galaxies situated between the supernova and us, bends the supernova's light into multiple images. 



This effect not only magnifies the supernova but also allows scientists to measure the time delays between the images, providing another way to calculate the Hubble constant.



Their analyses confirmed that these dots corresponded to an exploding star with rare qualities. 



The team's work provided a Hubble constant value of 75.4 kilometers per second per megaparsec, plus 8.1 or minus 5.5. For context, one megaparsec is about 3.26 million light-years. 



"Our team’s results are impactful: The Hubble constant value matches other measurements in the local universe, and is somewhat in tension with values obtained when the universe was young," Frye concluded.



Another strikeout... add Brenda Frye to the long list of brilliant minds still probing the universe for an answer to Hubble tension.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-this-is-getting-sad-now-what">This is getting sad, now what?</h2>



So, where does this leave us? 



The Hubble Tension isn't going away. It might be telling us that there's new physics waiting to be discovered. 



Perhaps our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-energy-could-explain-the-rapid-expansion-of-the-early-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dark energy</a>, dark matter, or other fundamental forces needs to be revised. 



"We need to find out if we are missing something on how to connect the beginning of the universe and the present day," Riess pointed out. 



It's possible that new theories or modifications to existing ones could bridge the gap.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shaking-things-up-with-new-theories">Shaking things up with new theories</h2>



Could the solution lie in something entirely unexpected? Perhaps there's a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-matter-may-consist-of-particles-that-travel-faster-than-light/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new particle or force</a> that affects the expansion rate. Or maybe the nature of dark energy changes over time. 



Some theories even propose the existence of extra dimensions or modifications to gravity at large scales. It's also worth considering that the universe might not be uniform in all directions. 



If there are variations in the density of matter and energy across vast distances, this could affect expansion rates in ways we haven't fully accounted for. 



Maybe everyone is completely off base and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-dark-matter-does-not-exist-and-the-universe-is-27-billion-years-old/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dark matter doesn't even exist</a>? Or maybe we're looking in the wrong place -- what if the answers can be found by looking for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-are-now-searching-for-dark-matter-inside-old-earth-rocks-minerals-crystals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dark matter in rocks on Earth</a>?



One thing's for sure: the cosmos isn't giving up its secrets easily. But that's part of the thrill of science. Every answer leads to new questions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hubble-constant-hubble-tension-mysterious-universe">Hubble constant, Hubble tension, mysterious universe</h2>



In the end, the universe is reminding us that there's still so much we don't know. The quest to figure out how fast our universe is expanding has led to some fascinating discoveries and even more intriguing questions. 



Scientists like Adam Riess and Brenda Frye have used powerful tools like the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes to measure the Hubble constant with increasing precision. 



Their efforts confirm that the local universe is expanding at a certain rate, but this doesn't quite line up with measurements from the early universe.



This mismatch, known as the Hubble Tension, suggests there might be something we’re missing in our understanding of the cosmos. Maybe there are new physics to uncover, or perhaps our current models need some tweaking. 



What's clear is that the universe isn't giving up its secrets easily, and that keeps things exciting for astronomers and physicists alike.



As we look ahead, upcoming missions like NASA's <a href="https://roman.gsfc.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope</a> and ESA's <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Euclid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Euclid mission</a> offer hope for new insights. Until then, we can marvel at the fact that we're part of an ever-expanding universe that's still full of surprises.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/ad1ddd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Astrophysical Journal Letters</a>.



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Webb telescope confirms: What we think we know about the universe is very wrong

For decades, scientists have been grappling with what is considered to be the most fundamental question about the cosmos: How fast is our universe expanding? The rate of expansion influences everything from how galaxies form to how they might one day drift apart. Determining the expansion rate of the universe, a number called the "Hubble constant," shapes our entire understanding of the cosmos, its age, and its ultimate fate. "Hubble tension" expansion conundrum Unfortunately, though many brilliant minds have dedicated their lives to finding the answer to...

Genuine,Mined,Natural,Pink,Sapphire,Oval,Shape,Cutting,For,Design

Western Australian scientists have recently unearthed a tantalizing story behind the formation of pink diamonds, connecting it to the ancient supercontinent, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/australia-north-america-supercontinent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nuna</a>, and the mysterious geological activities it experienced over 1.3 billion years ago. 



The detailed study, showcased in the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-40904-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Natural Communications</a>, brings to light the secrets behind the coveted pink diamond.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-pink-diamond-enigma">The pink diamond enigma</h2>



Pink diamonds, with their mesmerizing hue, are not only rare but also different in nature compared to their blue or yellow counterparts. 



While the latter derive their colors from impurities like nitrogen and boron, the allure of pink diamonds stems from their uniquely bent crystalline structure. This very aspect makes them one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world, with prices for the highest grade reaching into the tens of millions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-depths-of-the-argyle-deposit">The depths of the Argyle Deposit</h2>



The <a href="https://www.gia.edu/doc/Discovery-and-Mining-of-the-Argyle-Diamond-Deposit-Australia.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Argyle diamond deposit</a> in Western Australia served as the playground for this groundbreaking research. The lead study author, Dr. Hugo Olierook, from Curtin University's <a href="https://jdlc.curtin.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">John de Laeter Center</a>, shared intriguing insights into the discovery. 



"The area where Argyle is situated underwent stretching during the continent's formative years," he said. This stretching along scars created openings in the Earth's crust, through which magma surged upwards, bringing the precious pink diamonds to the surface.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collision-and-transformation">Collision and transformation</h2>



The study posits that the reason behind the pink coloration of these diamonds is linked to a monumental collision. 



Around 1.8 billion years ago, Western Australia and Northern Australia collided in a cataclysmic event. This impact is believed to have been the catalyst that transformed once-colorless diamonds into their pink variants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-age-new-pink-diamond-findings">New age, new pink diamond findings</h2>



Utilizing advanced laser technology, the scientists analyzed minerals and rocks from the Argyle deposit. Their research pinpointed the formation of the pink-diamond site to the period when Nuna was breaking apart. 



This discovery also corrected a previously held belief. Olierook mentioned, "Our findings indicate that Argyle is 1.3 billion years old, which is a hundred million years older than what was previously estimated."



In the quest to understand the age of these rocks, researchers in the 1980s attempted studies, but technical limitations led them to an approximated age of 1.2 billion years. 



Interestingly, Olierook's team, equipped with cutting-edge technology, found resonating similarities with this older study. This lends credence to both sets of findings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-treasures-await">Hidden treasures await</h2>



One of the most captivating revelations from Dr. Olierook's research pertains to the Argyle deposit's unique position. "Argyle is situated at the meeting point of two ancient continents," Olierook explains. 



These boundaries are often obscured by sand and soil, suggesting that more pink diamond-laden volcanoes might remain hidden, waiting to be discovered, perhaps even within Australia.



The allure of pink diamonds has always been entwined with tales of luxury and rarity. But now, thanks to the relentless pursuits of scientists like Dr. Hugo Olierook and his team, we also understand the profound geological tapestry behind these gems, weaving a story that began over a billion years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-supercontinent-nuna">More about supercontinent Nuna</h2>



Long before our current continents took shape, Nuna, an ancient supercontinent, graced our planet's surface. Scientists believe Nuna existed around 1.6 to 2.5 billion years ago, predating even the famous Pangea by a considerable margin.



Researchers actively map Nuna's formation by piecing together geological and paleomagnetic data. These clues suggest that Nuna brought together fragments of what we now identify as North America, northern Europe, and parts of Siberia.



What makes Nuna's story especially captivating is its dynamic nature. Throughout its lifespan, the supercontinent experienced multiple cycles of coming together and breaking apart. Each phase of assembly and dispersal reshaped the Earth's surface. These changes gave rise to new geological formations, laying the groundwork for subsequent continents.



One of the most intriguing findings about Nuna lies in its connection to Earth's atmospheric evolution. As Nuna formed, volcanic activities increased. These volcanoes released vast amounts of carbon dioxide, playing a pivotal role in shaping the planet's early atmospheric conditions and potentially influencing the course of life.



Today, researchers continue to uncover Nuna's secrets, hoping to gain deeper insights into our planet's formative years. Every discovery not only reshapes our understanding of Earth's history but also underlines the ever-evolving nature of our home planet.



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Pink diamonds were formed when supercontinent Nuna broke up

Western Australian scientists have recently unearthed a tantalizing story behind...

A new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/wmon.1078">Wildlife Monographs</a> is shedding light on the most critical considerations for grizzly bear conservation.&nbsp;



The research explores the intricate relationship between grizzly bears, their habitat, and human-induced challenges, painting a comprehensive picture of the elements threatening their survival.



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



The greatest human impact on grizzly bear populations has been identified in two predominant forms: top-down influences and bottom-up effects.&nbsp;



Top-down impacts include bear fatalities associated with illegal killings or direct conflict with humans. Road density and the amount of secure <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lynx-habitat-selection-is-heavily-influenced-by-human-disturbance/">habitat</a> away from roads are also top-down influences on grizzlies.&nbsp;



On the other hand, bottom-up effects are related to the indirect effects of human activities, such as a decline in food resources.



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



"The influence of bottom-up food resources and top-down mortality risk underlies the demographic trajectory of wildlife populations. For species of conservation concern, understanding the factors driving population dynamics is crucial to effective management and, ultimately, conservation," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"In southeastern British Columbia, Canada, populations of the mostly omnivorous grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) are fragmented into a mosaic of small isolated or larger partially connected sub-populations. They obtain most of their energy from vegetative resources that are also influenced by human activities."



"Roads and associated motorized human access shape availability of food resources but also displace bears and facilitate human-caused mortality. Effective grizzly bear management requires an understanding of the relationship between habitat quality and mortality risk."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-top-bottom-factors-nbsp">Top-bottom factors&nbsp;</h2>



During the study, the researchers radio-collared and meticulously followed several grizzly bears for multiple years in southeastern British Columbia.&nbsp;



The findings revealed a significant interaction between the top-bottom factors, particularly the availability of huckleberry patches (a crucial food source for grizzlies) and the risk posed by the dense network of forestry roads.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forestry-roads-nbsp">Forestry roads&nbsp;</h2>



The study demonstrated that the mere existence of forestry roads not only increases the mortality risk for grizzly bears but also restricts their access to vital food sources.&nbsp;



Consequently, the fitness and population density of female grizzlies was diminished - which is similar to the detrimental effects of direct habitat loss.&nbsp;



This two-fold negative impact highlights the adverse consequences of forestry roads for grizzly bear populations across western North America.



"At the intersection of top-down and bottom-up influences, we found that areas of higher road density offset food resources even if abundant, preventing effective use of the resource," said the researchers.



"With the omnivorous grizzly bear, top-down influences in our study area were not only associated with mortality risk, but they limited contributions of food resources to fitness and density, in essence having a similar effect as habitat loss."



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



“The securing of important food resources to make them accessible to bears is accomplished through some degree of restriction of human access,” said study lead author Dr. Michael Proctor of Birchdale Ecological Ltd. “Our results suggest that benefits of critical bear foods are not satisfactorily realized unless human access to nearby roads is reduced.”



This research emphasizes the intertwined relationship between human activities and grizzly bear protection. The preservation of this species depends not only on safeguarding their habitats but also on understanding and mitigating how humans influence their chances of survival.



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Grizzly bear conservation must focus on habitat quality and mortality risk

A new study published in the journal Wildlife Monographs is...

A recent study claims that a child's emotional well-being is crucial for their physical development. The research suggests that children don't just require proper genetics, diet, or exercise to grow tall - they also need the psychological support of love, hope, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-is-the-path-to-happiness-the-science-is-still-not-clear/">happiness</a>.&nbsp;



The implications of this research extend far beyond individual households, suggesting that societal well-being and stability can have direct impacts on the physical stature of its citizens.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-toxicity-of-emotional-stress">The toxicity of emotional stress</h2>



Professor Barry Bogin, a biological anthropologist from <a href="https://www.lboro.ac.uk/">Loughborough University</a>, has been exploring human growth for almost fifty years. He recently shed light on the detrimental effects of feeling unloved and hopeless on young individuals.&nbsp;



Professor Bogin says that such emotions culminate in "toxic emotional stress" which not only harms the body but also interferes with essential hormones required for growth and height.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-and-emotional-attachments-nbsp">Social and emotional attachments&nbsp;</h2>



"The human species requires strong social and emotional attachments, that is love, between younger and older people and indeed between people of all ages," said Professor Bogin.



"These attachments are required to promote nearly all biological functions, such as food digestion and absorption into the body, a good immune system, and an overall happiness and positive outlook on life."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-height-and-societal-well-being">Height and societal well-being</h2>



To further illustrate his point, Professor Bogin compared the average heights of people in two contrasting nations: Guatemala and the Netherlands.&nbsp;



In Guatemala, where residents frequently experience political unrest, uncertainty, and exposure to violence, the average height for men is 163cm (5'4), and 149cm for women.&nbsp;



Conversely, in the Netherlands, which prides itself on policies that bolster the social care and security of its citizens, men stand at an average of 183cm (6 feet) and women at 169cm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-impacts-on-growth">Economic impacts on growth</h2>



Professor Bogin didn't just rely on present-day comparisons. He also used historical records to examine height data from the 1800s through the 1990s.&nbsp;



He highlighted the impact of the Long Depression, which spanned from 1873 to 1879. This economic downturn had discernible effects on the average height of men in the US and the UK.



However, Professor Bogin noted that other periods of global crisis, such as the Great Depression of the 1930s as well as the First and the Second World War did not have a similar impact on height, possibly because the UK and US governments put “massive public works programs that put people to work."



“They didn’t make a lot of money but having a job and a livelihood is essential to self-esteem, and hope for the future. So I think there was an enlightened attitude towards those governments," he said.&nbsp;



The research suggests that societal structures, economic stability, and emotional wellness play a pivotal role in the physical development of future generations.



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



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-biology-of-growing-taller">The biology of growing taller</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nbsp-0">&nbsp;</h2>



Height is a combination of genetics, nutrition, and overall health. While there's a limit to how much one can influence their height, it's essential to focus on overall health, well-being, and maintaining a balanced lifestyle for optimal growth during the growing years.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growth-plates">Growth plates</h3>



These are areas of cartilage located at the ends of our long bones. As we grow, these plates are responsible for bone elongation. Once we reach a certain age, these plates close, and our bones can no longer grow in length.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-growth-hormone-hgh">Human growth hormone (HGH)</h3>



Produced by the pituitary gland, HGH is crucial for growth. It helps in cell regeneration and growth of bones and muscles.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-factors-influencing-height">Factors influencing height</h3>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetics">Genetics</h4>



The height of our family members plays a significant role in determining our potential stature.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nutrition">Nutrition</h4>



Proper nutrition, particularly during the growth spurts of childhood and adolescence, can optimize height. This includes sufficient intake of proteins, vitamins, and minerals.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-physical-activity">Physical activity</h4>



Regular exercise, especially activities that involve jumping or stretching (like basketball or swimming), can stimulate the release of growth hormone and support healthy bone development.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep">Sleep</h4>



During deep sleep, the body releases growth hormone, which is why adequate sleep is essential, especially during teenage years.



The study is published in the <a href="https://jphysiolanthropol.biomedcentral.com/">Journal of Physiological Anthropology</a>.



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Love, hope, and happiness help children grow taller

A recent study claims that a child's emotional well-being is...

Clostridium,Difficile,Bacteria,(isolated),,3d,Illustration

Hospitals have always been at the forefront of infection prevention. Now, a study from <a href="https://www.uofmhealth.org/">Michigan Medicine</a> suggests that some of the most common hospital infections are not spreading the way we thought.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hospital-infections">Hospital infections</h2>



Every year, nearly half a million Americans become infected with Clostridioides difficile, more commonly known as C. diff. Hospitals use many precautionary measures - from rigorous hand hygiene practices to specialized isolation rooms - to prevent these infections.



The new research, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02549-4">Nature Medicine</a>, suggests that these hospital-onset infections may not be primarily due to hospital transmission as previously believed. Instead, the primary cause could be patient-specific characteristics.



The study was led by Dr. Evan Snitkin and Dr. Vincent Young of the University of Michigan Medical School and Dr. Mary Hayden of Rush University Medical Center.&nbsp;



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



The team analyzed data from ongoing studies focused on hospital-acquired infections. This allowed them to closely monitor every patient in Rush University Medical Center's ICU over nine months, collecting daily fecal samples.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-learned-nbsp">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



Of the 1,100 patients observed, study co-author Arianna Miles-Jay discovered that just over 9% were carriers of C. diff.&nbsp;



However, when these strains were genetically sequenced and compared, an unexpected pattern emerged: these infections weren't spreading from patient to patient within the hospital at the rate previously assumed.



Only six instances of genomically supported transmissions were identified over the entire study duration. This means that the vast majority of infections weren't acquired from the hospital environment or from other patients.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-c-diff-has-an-unknown-trigger">C. diff has an unknown trigger</h2>



Dr. Snitkin summarized the team's surprise, stating that something still unknown triggers C. diff to transition from a dormant state in the gut to an active infection.



“By systematically culturing every patient, we thought we could understand how transmission was happening. The surprise was that, based on the genomics, there was very little transmission.”



“Something happened to these patients that we still don’t understand to trigger the transition from C. diff hanging out in the gut to the organism causing diarrhea and the other complications resulting from infection,” said Dr. Snitkin.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prevention-measures">Prevention measures</h2>



This doesn’t invalidate current hospital infection prevention measures. Dr. Hayden emphasized that the strict precautions at Rush ICU likely contributed to the low in-hospital transmission.&nbsp;



Yet, the study indicates the necessity for additional measures, especially for identifying and safeguarding colonized patients.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-does-c-diff-come-from">Where does C. diff come from?</h2>



C. diff is more common in our surroundings than one might think. “They are sort of all around us,” said Dr. Young. “C. diff creates spores, which are quite resistant to environmental stresses including exposure to oxygen and dehydration…for example, they are impervious to alcohol-based hand sanitizer.”



However, only about 5% of the population outside of a healthcare setting has C. diff in their gut - where it typically causes no issues.



“We need to figure out ways to prevent patients from developing an infection when we give them tube feedings, antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors - all things which predispose people to getting an actual infection with C. diff that causes damage to the intestines or worse."



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



The team's findings suggest a paradigm shift in approach. As Dr. Young noted, the next challenge is to discern how common medical practices, such as antibiotics or tube feedings, might inadvertently activate a C. diff infection.



Moving forward, the research team plans to use artificial intelligence to predict which patients are most at risk. By redirecting some resources, they hope to not only prevent infections but also optimize medical procedures and identify potential triggers for these infections.



“A lot of resources are put into gaining further improvements in preventing the spread of infections, when there is increasing support to redirect some of these resources to optimize the use of antibiotics and identify other triggers that lead patients harboring C diff and other healthcare pathogens to develop serious infections," said Dr. Snitkin.



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Deadly C. diff hospital infections have a mysterious trigger

Hospitals have always been at the forefront of infection prevention....

A groundbreaking study led by <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/">Northwestern University</a> has recently reshaped astrophysicists’ understanding of the “feeding habits” of supermassive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-closest-black-hole-has-been-discovered/">black holes</a>.&nbsp;



Contrary to earlier beliefs that these black holes “eat” slowly, new high-definition 3D simulations suggest a much quicker consumption rate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consumption-cycle">Consumption cycle</h2>



According to new high-resolution 3D simulations, spinning black holes contort the surrounding space-time, ultimately ripping apart the gas whirlpool - known as the accretion disk - that orbits and nourishes them. This tumult results in the formation of inner and outer subdisks.&nbsp;



The black holes voraciously consume the inner subdisk first. Subsequently, debris from the outer subdisk cascades inward, filling the void left by the ingested inner ring, marking the beginning of another consumption cycle.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-erratic-behavior-nbsp">Erratic behavior&nbsp;</h2>



Although scientists have long thought that this process spans hundreds of years, this new study shows that eating and refilling happens surprisingly quickly, taking just a few months.&nbsp;



Such rapid cycles might elucidate the erratic behavior of some of the brightest objects in the night sky, such as quasars, which abruptly flare up and then disappear without explanation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drastic-variation-nbsp">Drastic variation&nbsp;</h2>



“Classical accretion disk theory predicts that the disk evolves slowly,” said lead author Nick Katz, a graduate student in astronomy at Northwestern. “But some quasars - which result from black holes eating gas from their accretion disks - appear to drastically change over time scales of months to years."



"This variation is so drastic. It looks like the inner part of the disk - where most of the light comes from - gets destroyed and then replenished."



"Classical accretion disk theory cannot explain this drastic variation. But the phenomena we see in our simulations potentially could explain this. The quick brightening and dimming are consistent with the inner regions of the disk being destroyed.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-past-theories">Past theories</h2>



Historically, understanding the physics of accretion disks - the orbiting gas structures that feed black holes – has been extremely challenging. Past theories struggled to delineate the intermittent brightness and sudden dimming of these disks.&nbsp;



As a consequence, previous research has often oversimplified their structure and behavior, treating them as much more orderly structures as they actually are. The longstanding assumption was that gas and particles orbited black holes in the same plane as the black hole and in the same direction as the black hole’s spin.&nbsp;



“For decades, people made a very big assumption that accretion disks were aligned with the black hole’s rotation,” Katz said. “But the gas that feeds these black holes doesn’t necessarily know which way the black hole is rotating, so why would they automatically be aligned? Changing the alignment drastically changes the picture.”



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



In one of the most detailed simulations of its kind, the researchers found that the region around black holes is in fact highly chaotic and tumultuous.&nbsp;



Using Summit, a leading supercomputer at <a href="https://www.ornl.gov/">Oak Ridge National Laboratory</a>, they crafted a realistic model that factored in gas dynamics, magnetism, and general relativity.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-researchers-discovered-nbsp">What the researchers discovered&nbsp;</h2>



The results highlighted the effects of frame-dragging, a phenomenon where spinning black holes drag surrounding space, creating an environment where gas from different parts of the disk collide, driving material closer to the black hole.



“Black holes are extreme general relativistic objects that affect space-time around them. So, when they rotate, they drag the space around them like a giant carousel and force it to rotate as well - a phenomenon called ‘frame-dragging.’ This creates a really strong effect close to the black hole that becomes increasingly weaker farther away,” Katz explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-violent-shocks-nbsp">Violent shocks&nbsp;</h2>



Frame-digging makes the entire disk wobble in circles, in a similar way in which a gyroscope precesses. However, since the inner disk attempts to wobble much faster than the outer parts, this mismatch of forces causes the entire disk to warp, making gas from different parts of the disk to collide. These collisions create bright shocks which violently drive material increasingly closer to the black hole.



As the warping becomes more pronounced, the accretion disk’s innermost region continues to wobble increasingly faster until it separates from the rest of the disk. Afterwards, the subdisks start evolving independently from one another at different speeds and angles like the wheels in a gyroscope.



“When the inner disk tears off, it will precess independently. It precesses faster because it’s closer to the black hole and because it’s small, so it’s easier to move,” Katz said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feeding-frenzy">Feeding frenzy</h2>



In the simulation, the “feeding frenzy” truly begins in the tearing region, where the inner and outer subdisks split.&nbsp;



“There is competition between the rotation of the black hole and the friction and pressure inside the disk. The tearing region is where the black hole wins. The inner and outer disks collide into each other. The outer disk shaves off layers of the inner disk, pushing it inwards,” Katz explained.



The subdisks now meet at varying angles. Material from the outer disk cascades onto the inner disk. This additional weight propels the inner disk closer to the black hole, leading to its consumption. Subsequently, the gravitational force of the black hole attracts gas from the outer section to replenish the previously emptied inner area.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-look-quasars-nbsp">Changing-look quasars&nbsp;</h2>



According to the experts, the rapid sequences of eat-refill-eat might provide insights into the mysterious “changing-look” quasars.&nbsp;



Defined by their intense luminosity, quasars release energy that is about 1,000 times greater than the cumulative energy of the 200 billion to 400 billion stars in the Milky Way. Changing-look quasars take this extremity a notch higher.&nbsp;



Remarkably, these celestial objects seem to switch between their bright and dark states in just a few months - quite a short time span for a regular quasar.



While classical theories present certain assumptions about the rate at which accretion disks brighten or dim, the observed behaviors of changing-look quasars hint at an even brisker transformation pace.



“The inner region of an accretion disk, where most of the brightness comes from, can totally disappear - really quickly over months,” Kaaz said.&nbsp;



“We basically see it go away entirely. The system stops being bright. Then, it brightens again and the process repeats. Conventional theory doesn’t have any way to explain why it disappears in the first place, and it doesn’t explain how it refills so quickly.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enduring-mysteries-nbsp">Enduring mysteries&nbsp;</h2>



However, these novel simulations offer more than just a better understanding of quasars. They might also unravel some of the enduring mysteries surrounding black holes.



“How gas gets to a black hole to feed it is the central question in accretion-disk physics. If you know how that happens, it will tell you how long the disk lasts, how bright it is and what the light should look like when we observe it with telescopes,” Katz concluded.



The study is published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/0004-637X">The Astrophysical Journal</a>.



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Feeding frenzy: Study reveals the eating habits of black holes

A groundbreaking study led by Northwestern University has recently reshaped...

The Brazilian wandering spider is known to be one of the most dangerous arachnids, due to the extreme potency of its venom.&nbsp;



Bites can cause extreme pain and inflammation, loss of muscle control, and breathing problems, potentially leading to paralysis and suffocation if not treated immediately.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-erectile-dysfunction-nbsp">Erectile dysfunction&nbsp;</h2>



However, according to a team of scientists led by the <a href="https://ufmg.br/international-visitors">Federal University of Minas Gerais</a>, one unusual effect of this venom – the fact that men who are bitten can experience unwanted erections lasting for hours – could make this venom an effective treatment against <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/car-exhaust-erectile-dysfunction/">erectile dysfunction</a>.



After already completing a phase one safety trial, the Brazilian experts are now preparing to launch a phase two clinical trial to test whether a part of the spider venom called BZ371A could work as a treatment for erectile dysfunction by boosting blood flow across the body in men who underwent the surgical removal of their prostate due to cancer.&nbsp;



The previous trials aimed to make sure that this compound, isolated from other dangerous parts of the venom, did not cause any severe side effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pre-existing-health-conditions">Pre-existing health conditions</h2>



Although medications for treating erectile dysfunction already exist – such as the well-known Viagra – it is estimated that about one out of three men cannot take them due to pre-existing health conditions.&nbsp;



Scientists working on BZ371A hope that this compound will help these men in particular.



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



According to Maria Elena de Lima, a biochemist at Minas Gerais, these findings could also boost efforts to protect species such as the Brazilian wandering spider.&nbsp;



“This helps demonstrate why our fauna must be preserved: it is an inexhaustible source of bioactive molecules, and we do not know even one percent of this potential.”



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



While erectile dysfunction is a common problem in men - particularly over 40 years of age – beings caused by a variety of triggers, such as stress, tiredness, alcohol consumption, or as a side effect of some medicines, many women also struggle with sexual dysfunction.&nbsp;



Thus, the scientists hope that BZ371A from spider venom could also be used one day to help women suffering from such conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brazilian-wandering-spider-nbsp">Brazilian wandering spider&nbsp;</h2>



The Brazilian wandering spider (genus Phoneutria) is a group of large and aggressive spiders found primarily in tropical South America. They are sometimes called "armed spiders" or "banana spiders" due to their occasional appearance in shipments of bananas.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-venom">Venom</h3>



They are considered to be one of the world's most venomous spiders based on the potency of their venom. A bite can be deadly to humans, especially children, but fatalities are rare due to the spider's tendency not to deliver a full envenomation and the availability of antivenom.



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



Unlike typical spiders that stay in their webs, Brazilian wandering spiders are active hunters, primarily at night, hence the name "wandering" spider.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-appearance">Appearance</h3>



They are relatively large, with a body length of up to 5 cm (2 inches) and a leg span of up to 15 cm (6 inches).



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



Wandering spiders are typically found in the tropical regions of South America, especially Brazil. They inhabit a range of environments, from forests to urban areas.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bite-symptoms">Bite symptoms</h3>



Symptoms from a bite can include severe pain, inflammation, increased heartbeat, and difficulty breathing. In some cases, victims can also experience paralysis or death if not treated promptly.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-treatment">Treatment</h3>



If you are bitten by a Brazilian wandering spider, seek medical attention immediately. Antivenom is available in areas where these spiders are found.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warning">Warning</h3>



Although they can be aggressive if threatened, Brazilian wandering spiders tend to avoid human interaction when possible. It's essential to be cautious and avoid handling them.



Remember, while they are dangerous, encounters with these spiders are relatively rare, and bites are even rarer. It's always good to be informed and take precautions if in an area where they could be present.



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Spider venom might soon be the new Viagra

The Brazilian wandering spider is known to be one of...

Recent studies have shown that women prefer funny men, and that this sense of humor increases their attractiveness as a long-term mate.&nbsp;



The research was conducted by Dr. Mitch Brown from the <a href="https://www.uark.edu/">University of Arkansas</a>, who set out to explore the role of humor in romantic contexts.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science-of-humor-nbsp">The science of humor&nbsp;</h2>



“What got me interested in this topic was a combination of wanting to understand the science of humor as a (mediocre) standup comedian and being dissatisfied with the manner in which seemingly complementary approaches to studying the function of humor mating domains did not integrate as clearly as they could have,” said Dr. Brown.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sexual-selection">Sexual selection</h3>



“First, the sexual selection approach to humor focuses almost entirely on mating domains with less concern about how humor is such a ubiquitous process."



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interest-indicator-model-nbsp">Interest indicator model&nbsp;</h3>



Nonetheless, whereas the interest indicator model can address humor’s dynamic function in forming social bonds, this approach has a challenge by itself in looking at the very apparent sex differences in humor production and quality that favor men due to women’s greater judiciousness in what they view as funny from a prospective mate.”



“I wanted to integrate these two approaches by specifically pitting attempts at humor production with whether the humor was actually funny itself. I did not think either the sexual selection or interest indicator approach to humor was more correct than the other, just that the role of their complementarity deserved an empirical test.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-four-studies">Four studies</h2>



The research comprised four separate studies, each of which utilized different sample groups of women and presentation methods.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-1-nbsp">Study 1&nbsp;</h3>



For this study, 162 women evaluating six men during hypothetical speed dating sessions based on a facial image and a corresponding statement (either a joke or a control statement).&nbsp;



Participants gauged humor, potential attraction, friendliness, and willingness to share contact details.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-2-nbsp">Study 2&nbsp;</h3>



This research engaged 81 women who were introduced to eight men with accompanying statements, funny or not.&nbsp;



Here, the women assessed the funniness of each joke, the man’s dating success, intelligence, child-rearing skills, and earning potential.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-3-and-4-nbsp">Study 3 and 4&nbsp;</h3>



These two studies took things a step further. Involving 109 and 141 women respectively, they rated the humor quality, the man's attractiveness for both short- and long-term relationships, and compared attractive and unattractive faces in association with humorous content.



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



Dr. Brown highlighted that while merely attempting humor signifies friendliness, a genuinely funny attempt results in stronger attraction.&nbsp;



This finding was particularly pronounced when assessing men for long-term relationships and was more significant if the man was deemed attractive.&nbsp;



According to the research, successful humor not only conveys friendliness but also competence, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-monkeys-are-much-smarter-than-we-thought-they-were/">intelligence</a>, and the potential for a higher earning capacity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-mates">Long-term mates</h2>



“In this work, the mere display of humor connotes friendliness to a prospective mate, which provides continued evidence for the interest indicator model of humor," said Brown.&nbsp;



“However, a failed attempt at humor from a man elicits no greater attraction than a control statement not intended to be funny. A humorous display that is actually funny will elicit both perceptions of friendliness and attraction from women, an effect that replicated through these studies."



"Given the competence that successful humor use conveys, subsequent studies showed that this preference for actually funny men over unfunny men was most apparent in long-term mating contexts and when the funny man was most attractive.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unanswered-questions">Unanswered questions</h2>



Dr. Brown's studies are just the tip of the iceberg. Key questions remain, including how men evaluate humor from women, and the potential impact of different joke content on humor appreciation.



Moreover, while the studies focused on men producing humor and women evaluating it, Dr. Brown emphasized the need to avoid generalizations. Differences observed at a group level don’t necessarily apply to individuals.&nbsp;



“Allow me to make this a bit of a PSA against the naturalistic fallacy… Even though women are more likely to evaluate humor while men produce it, these are merely descriptive differences and not prescriptive," said Dr. Brown.&nbsp;



"That is, I’m not saying that these sex differences should exist and be codified. People of either sex can be funny and judicious and group-level differences may not generalize to specific individuals.”



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Febs0000338">Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences</a>.



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Men with a sense of humor are perceived as being more attractive mates

Recent studies have shown that women prefer funny men, and...

Human,Heart,,3d,Rendering,,Medically,Accurate,Illustration,Of,The,Human

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new report that underlines the critical issue of poor hypertension care, which affects nearly 80% of those diagnosed with the condition. The report was released during the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly and posits that more effective treatment could prevent over 76 million deaths globally by 2050.



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



According to <a href="https://www.who.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WHO</a> data, one in three adults around the world suffers from hypertension -- a condition often associated with other serious health issues like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heatwaves-and-air-pollution-may-double-fatal-heart-attack-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart attack</a>, kidney damage, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-americans-are-at-risk-of-a-stroke-from-intense-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stroke</a>. 



The data further showed that the number of hypertension cases doubled from 650 million in 1990 to 1.3 billion in 2019. Worryingly, almost half of the people with hypertension are unaware that they have the condition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cost-effective-yet-underprioritized">Cost-effective yet underprioritized</h2>



Despite the alarming numbers, hypertension management remains one of the most cost-effective interventions in healthcare. 



Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, stated that hypertension care can be effectively managed with "simple, low-cost medication regimens," but only about one in five people with the condition has it under control. Dr. Tedros further pointed out that hypertension control programs are "neglected, under-prioritized, and vastly underfunded."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-call-for-universal-health-coverage">Call for universal health coverage</h2>



Dr. Tedros argued that stronger hypertension control must be an integral part of every nation's journey toward universal health coverage. This initiative should focus on "well-functioning, equitable, and resilient health systems" founded on primary healthcare.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-and-health-benefits">Economic and health benefits</h2>



Michael R. Bloomberg, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries, also emphasized the importance of treating hypertension. He pointed out that "most heart attacks and strokes in the world today can be prevented with affordable, safe, accessible medicines and other interventions, such as sodium reduction." 



According to Bloomberg, focusing on primary healthcare can not only save lives but also result in "billions of dollars a year" in savings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-impact-of-hypertension-care">Potential impact of hypertension care</h2>



The WHO report suggests that the impact of effective treatment could be staggering. Over the next 27 years, adequate hypertension management could prevent:



<ul>
<li>76 million deaths </li>



<li>120 million strokes </li>



<li>79 million heart attacks </li>



<li>17 million cases of heart failure</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conclusion">Conclusion</h2>



The WHO report serves as a dire warning and a call to action for governments and healthcare systems worldwide. Despite being one of the most cost-effective conditions to treat, hypertension remains shockingly under-managed. 



Policymakers and healthcare providers need to prioritize hypertension management to avert a looming healthcare crisis that could result in millions of preventable deaths and billions of dollars in avoidable healthcare costs.



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76 million deaths per year can be prevented with effective hypertension care

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new report...

The Hintereisferner, a sentinel <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-the-doomsday-glacier-is-melting-from-below/">glacier</a> nestled at the rear of the Tyrolean Ötztal in the Alps, has been monitored for more than 100 years.&nbsp;



There are continuous records of the glacier's mass balance dating back to 1952, and these records have been the focus of decades of climate research at the <a href="https://www.uibk.ac.at/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Innsbruck</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scanning-technology">Scanning technology</h2>



What sets apart the research at Hintereisferner from other glacier studies is the technology used by scientists.&nbsp;



Since 2016, a unique system - a terrestrial laser scanner - has been scanning the glacier's surface daily, registering real-time elevation changes. This provides experts with a precise record of its volume fluctuations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glacier-loss-day-nbsp">Glacier Loss Day&nbsp;</h2>



Annelies Voordendag, the lead glaciologist from Innsbruck, introduced a term that represents the balance of the glacier: "Glacier Loss Day" or GLD. This term symbolizes the day when the ice accumulated during winter begins to melt.&nbsp;



"Tracking the volume and mass changes of a glacier in daily time steps allows a nearly instant evaluation of the state of a glacier in a particular year," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"We introduce the Glacier Loss Day (GLD) as being the day in the hydrological year on which the mass accumulated during winter is lost, and the glacier loses mass irrecoverably for the rest of the mass balance year."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-snapshot-of-the-glacier-s-health">Snapshot of the glacier's health</h2>



The researchers said it became clear early in the summer of 2022 that Glacier Loss Day would be reached very soon. They compared GLD to the Earth Overshoot Day, which marks the date when we use up more natural resources than the Earth can renew in a year.



According to the experts, monitoring this Glacier Loss Day provides a snapshot of the Hintereisferner's health each year.



"The earlier the GLD is reached, the higher the probability of massive mass loss. The key to interpreting and using the GLD as a near-real-time gross but expressive indicator for a glacier's state of 'illness' is to record its progressing volume and mass loss during an ablation season at a daily resolution," explained the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-negative-balances-nbsp">Extreme negative balances&nbsp;</h2>



In 2022, the GLD for the Hintereisferner was recorded as early as June 23rd. By contrast, the Glacier Loss Day in the preceding two years was not reached until mid-August.&nbsp;



Even during years with extreme negative balances, like 2003 and 2018, this date was not recorded until July's end.&nbsp;



The premature Glacier Loss Day indicates that the Hintereisferner spends a larger portion of the year losing mass rather than staying balanced or gaining.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anthropogenic-climate-change">Anthropogenic climate change</h2>



"These are clear signals of anthropogenic climate change. The consequences of our greenhouse gas emissions are already hitting us hard today," said glaciologist Rainer Prinz.



The repercussions of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions are manifesting now, and the trend only seems to escalate. The team's study paints a grim future - projecting that in a span of 10 to 20 years, only half of the Hintereisferner will remain.



"These are clear climate change signals that are due to anthropogenic global warming and the consequences of our greenhouse gas emissions, which are already fully affecting us today," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/tc-17-3661-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cryosphere</a>.



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Hintereisferner glacier: A tale of human-induced climate change

The Hintereisferner, a sentinel glacier nestled at the rear of...

Thylacine,Was,The,Largest,Carnivorous,Marsupial.,Now,Extinct,,The,Last

In a groundbreaking new study, scientists have sequenced RNA from a Tasmanian tiger specimen that is over a century old, bringing the goal of resurrecting extinct species closer to reality. 



The specimen, preserved at room temperature in the <a href="https://www.nrm.se/en/16.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swedish Museum of Natural History</a>, has allowed researchers to reconstruct the skin and skeletal muscle transcriptomes from this extinct species, marking a first in the scientific community.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-tasmanian-tiger-a-look-back">The Tasmanian tiger: A look back</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tasmanian-tigers-aboriginals-extinct/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tasmanian tiger</a>, or thylacine, stands as a symbol of human-induced extinction. This carnivorous marsupial, once reigning as an apex predator across Australia and the island of Tasmania, faced its downfall post-European colonization. 



Deemed an agricultural nuisance, the government set bounties on these creatures in the late 19th century. This resulted in their rapid decline. The last recorded thylacine died in captivity in 1936, but its memory still haunts the conservationist community.



Today, there are renewed efforts to bring the Tasmanian tiger back. Its native Tasmanian habitat remains largely intact, suggesting that its reintroduction could restore past ecosystem balances disrupted by its absence. But reviving the thylacine requires more than just its DNA; scientists must understand its gene expression and regulatory mechanisms, which is where transcriptome (RNA) research comes in.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monumental-achievement">Monumental achievement</h2>



Emilio Mármol, the lead author of the study, highlights the challenges of de-extinction, stating, “Resurrecting the Tasmanian tiger or the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-made-woolly-mammoths-unique/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">woolly mammoth</a> requires a deep knowledge of both the genome and transcriptome regulation.” This sentiment underscores the significance of their research, published in the <a href="https://genome.cshlp.org/content/early/2023/07/18/gr.277663.123.abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Genome Research journal</a>, as they've provided the first detailed look into the Tasmanian tiger’s RNA.



The team's ability to sequence the transcriptome from <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tasmanian-tiger_Thylacine_Specimen_2medium.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">130-year-old tissue samples</a>, and identify tissue-specific gene expressions akin to extant marsupials and mammals, is a monumental achievement. Moreover, the quality of the recovered transcriptomes allowed for the annotation of previously undiscovered ribosomal RNA and microRNA genes, adhering to MirGeneDB recommendations.



Marc R. Friedländer, an Associate Professor at <a href="https://www.su.se/cmlink/stockholm-university" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stockholm University</a>, commented on the revolutionary nature of the study. He stated that it offers a first look at “thylacine-specific regulatory genes, such as microRNAs, that got extinct more than one century ago.”



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



This research doesn't just hold promise for the Tasmanian tiger. It points to the vast potential locked away in museum specimens worldwide. These treasure troves could hold the keys to understanding, and likely resurrecting, extinct species and even ancient RNA viruses.



Love Dalén, Professor of evolutionary genomics at Stockholm University, foresees a future where scientists could potentially recover RNA from ancient RNA viruses like SARS-CoV2, or even their evolutionary ancestors, from preserved specimens like bat skins.



As we move forward, the interplay of genomics and transcriptomics could usher in a golden age of paleogenetics, going far beyond just DNA. The authors of this study stand at the forefront of this brave new world, anticipating the holistic research developments that await.



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



De-extinction, a fascinating frontier in modern biology, seeks to resurrect extinct species using advanced scientific techniques. But how does this process work, and what are its implications?



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science-behind-de-extinction">The science behind de-extinction</h3>



At the heart of de-extinction lies DNA. Scientists extract and sequence DNA from preserved specimens of extinct species, often from museum samples or frozen remains. Once they've obtained a clear genetic blueprint, they undertake the process of cloning.



Cloning involves implanting the DNA of the extinct species into the egg of a closely related living species. The living species then acts as a surrogate, carrying the embryo to term and giving birth. If successful, the result is a living, breathing animal of a previously extinct species.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-success-stories-and-challenges">Success stories and challenges</h3>



The <a href="https://rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/tran.12478" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pyrenean ibex</a>, extinct since 2000, briefly touched the world of the living in 2003 when scientists successfully cloned a calf. Sadly, the calf lived for only a few minutes due to lung defects, but the experiment proved de-extinction's potential.



However, challenges abound. Cloning remains an imperfect science, often leading to birth defects. Additionally, even if scientists achieve de-extinction, the reborn species might not exhibit the same behaviors or fulfill the same ecological roles as their predecessors.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ethical-and-ecological-considerations">Ethical and ecological considerations</h3>



De-extinction raises important ethical questions. Is it right to bring back a species that nature, or human interference, has eradicated? And if we do, where will these animals live? Many extinct species lost their habitats long ago, and reintroducing them might disrupt current ecosystems.



Moreover, some argue that funds and energy spent on de-extinction could better serve efforts to prevent currently endangered species from going extinct.



Despite its challenges and controversies, de-extinction captivates the scientific community and the public alike. As laboratory techniques improve, such as extinct RNA extraction discussed in this article, and ethical debates continue, we may yet see lost species roam the Earth once again.



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Huge progress made in the race to resurrect extinct species

In a groundbreaking new study, scientists have sequenced RNA from...

Bio-computing, a concept once confined to the pages of a sci-fi novel, is now a burgeoning reality.&nbsp;



Breakthroughs in this field of technology could redefine our understanding of intelligence, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-in-the-brain-does-consciousness-reside-scientists-think-they-might-know/">consciousness</a>, and moral rights.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dishbrain">DishBrain</h2>



The biotech start-up <a href="https://corticallabs.com/">Cortical Lab</a> has pioneered a fascinating development: the DishBrain.&nbsp;



This remarkable innovation comprises 800,000 living brain cells that have demonstrated the ability to learn to play the game Pong.&nbsp;



Led by Dr. Brett Kagan, the team believes that the fusion of biological neural systems with silicon could bring about intelligence-like behavior.&nbsp;



However, with such breakthroughs come the critical questions of sustainability and ethics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-does-a-brain-in-a-dish-have-moral-rights">Does a brain in a dish have moral rights?</h2>



Study co-author Professor Julian Savulescu, warns of the urgency to determine practical answers to the question of what makes us human or conscious.



“We haven’t adequately addressed the moral issues of what is even considered ‘conscious’ in the context of today’s technology,” said Savulescu.



“As it stands, there are still many ways of describing consciousness or intelligence, each raising different implications for how we think about biologically based intelligent systems.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moral-status-consciousness-or-suffering">Moral status: Consciousness or suffering?</h2>



The researchers draw inspiration from Jeremy Bentham. He argued that, with respect to the moral status of animals, “the question is not, ‘can they reason?’ nor, ‘can they talk?’ but, ‘can they suffer?’”



Dr. Tamra Lysaght from the National University of Singapore said that even if bio-computers exhibited human-like intelligence, their moral rights aren't automatically ensured.



“Our paper doesn’t attempt to definitively answer the full suite of moral questions posed by bio-computers, but it provides a starting framework to ensure that the technology can continue to be researched and applied responsibly,” said Dr Lysaght.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-medicine-s-new-frontier">Medicine’s new frontier</h2>



Beyond ethical considerations, the DishBrain also presents tangible advancements in medical research. The technology could potentially revolutionize our understanding of conditions like epilepsy and dementia.&nbsp;



“Current cell lines used in medical research predominately have European-type genetic ancestry, potentially making it harder to identify genetic-linked side effects,” said study co-author Dr Christopher Gyngell from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and The University of Melbourne.



“In future models of drug screening, we have the chance to make them more sufficiently representative of the real-world patients by using more diverse cell lines, and that means potentially faster and better drug development.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-green-promise-of-bio-computing">The green promise of bio-computing</h2>



Another compelling reason to explore bio-computing is its potential environmental impact. The researchers noted that it is worth working through moral issues, as this potential impact is significant.



“Silicon-based computing is massively energy-hungry with a supercomputer consuming millions of watts of energy. By contrast, the human brain uses as little as 20 watts of energy – biological intelligences will show similar energy efficiency,” said Dr Kagan.



“As it stands, the IT industry is a massive contributor to carbon emissions. If even a relatively small number of processing tasks could be done with bio-computers, there is a compelling environmental reason to explore these alternatives.”



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108233">Biotechnology Advances</a>.



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Bio-computing: Should a brain in a dish have moral rights?

Bio-computing, a concept once confined to the pages of a...

In the battle against garlic breath, yogurt is now a strong contender. According to a recent study, whole milk plain yogurt is exceptionally effective in preventing the release of volatile compounds responsible for garlic’s distinctive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crabs-are-losing-their-sense-of-smell-and-vanishing-due-to-ocean-acidification/">smell</a>.



The research team, led by Professor Sheryl Barringer at <a href="https://www.osu.edu/">The Ohio State University</a>, examined the ability of yogurt and its components - water, fat, and protein - to neutralize garlic odor.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-protein-foods">High-protein foods</h2>



Impressively, both fat and protein emerged as strong adversaries of garlic's scent. This discovery has raised prospects of developing high-protein foods that can double as garlic breath combatants.



With the rising popularity of high-protein diets, Professor Barringer is optimistic about these findings.&nbsp;



“High protein is a very hot thing right now - generally, people want to eat more protein,” said Professor Barringer. “An unintended side benefit may be a high-protein formulation that could be advertised as a breath deodorizer in addition to its nutritional claims."



“I was more excited about the protein’s effectiveness because consumer advice to eat a high-fat food is not going to go over well.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deodorizing-potential">Deodorizing potential</h2>



Previous studies by Professor Barringer identified foods like apples, mint, lettuce, and milk as potential odor-fighting agents against garlic breath. The current study was prompted by speculations regarding yogurt's deodorizing capabilities.



To gauge the deodorizing potential, equal amounts of raw garlic were placed in glass bottles, ensuring the release of recognizable concentrations of sulfur-based volatiles.&nbsp;



Post-treatment measurements revealed a staggering 99% reduction of major odor-producing raw garlic volatiles by yogurt. While all components of yogurt showcased some deodorizing effect, fat and protein outperformed water.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flavor-binding-proteins">Flavor-binding proteins</h2>



Further studies revealed the superior performance of a casein micelle-whey protein complex. “We know proteins bind flavor - a lot of times that’s considered a negative, especially if a food with high protein has less flavor. In this case, it could be a positive,” said Professor Barringer.



The researchers also evaluated the impact of pH levels on yogurt's deodorizing efficacy. A reduced deodorizing effect was observed as the yogurt's acidity was decreased. Interestingly, water's deodorizing effect remained unchanged despite alterations in pH.&nbsp;



“That’s telling me it goes back to those proteins, because as you change pH you change the configuration of proteins and their ability to bind. That said we definitely should be looking at these proteins,” explained Professor Barringer.&nbsp;



“It probably depends on the protein, as well, because different proteins react differently to pH. So that may be an important thing as we look at other proteins for their garlic deodorization effect.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-promising-results">Promising results</h2>



Yogurt's efficiency was also tested on fried garlic. The results indicated a substantial reduction in garlic’s odor-causing volatile compounds upon frying. Though yogurt and its components demonstrated reduced efficacy on fried compared to raw garlic, the results were still promising.



Barringer foresees the potential of Greek yogurt, given its higher protein content, as an even more potent remedy for garlic breath. She advises immediate consumption post garlic intake for optimal results.



“With apples, we have always said to eat them immediately,” she said. “The same with yogurt is presumed to be the case – have your garlic and eat the yogurt right away.”



While these findings lay a solid groundwork, the next phase involves verifying yogurt's effectiveness against actual garlic breath in humans.&nbsp;



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Yogurt may be the perfect cure for garlic breath

In the battle against garlic breath, yogurt is now a...

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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

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

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features 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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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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

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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



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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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"

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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...