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...

Neuron,Cell,Close-up,3d,Rendering,Illustration,With,Nervous,Impulses,Along

A new study reveals that brain cell components were forming in shallow seas around 800 million years ago. Experts at the <a href="https://www.crg.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Centre for Genomic Regulation</a> have traced brain cells back to placozoans, tiny marine animals, shedding light on the evolutionary journey of neurons.



Placozoans, roughly the size of a large grain of sand, feed on algae and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-found-that-can-digest-plastic-in-freezing-temperatures/">microbes</a> in warm, shallow waters. Along with ctenophores, sponges, cnidarians, and bilaterians, placozoans represent one of the five primary animal lineages, even though they lack organs or distinct body parts.



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



Central to the placozoans' existence are peptidergic cells which release peptides directing their feeding and movements. Through extensive molecular and computational analyses, the researchers crafted "cell atlases" to understand the evolution and function of these cells. They were found to be precursors to modern neurons.



The findings indicated a network of "in-between" cell types connecting the main nine cell types in placozoans.&nbsp;



The peptidergic cells, distinguishable from other cells, bore a surprising resemblance to neurons that emerged millions of years later in advanced organisms. This unique similarity to neurons was not observed in other early-branching species like sponges or ctenophores.



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



Three notable parallels between peptidergic cells and neurons emerged from the study. First, placozoan cells differentiate in a manner akin to neurogenesis observed in cnidarians and bilaterians.&nbsp;



Second, while these cells possess many components of a neuron's messaging end, they lack the attributes of a true neuron, such as conducting electrical signals.&nbsp;



Furthermore, using deep learning, it was found that these cells communicated through GPCRs (G-protein coupled receptors), which are initiated by neuropeptides, a feature of neuronal communication.



“We were astounded by the parallels," said Dr. Sebastián R. Najle, co-first author of the study. "The placozoan peptidergic cells have many similarities to primitive neuronal cells, even if they aren't quite there yet. It's like looking at an evolutionary stepping stone."



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



Highlighting the evolutionary timeline, the research indicates that the neuron's foundational components were taking shape in the ancient seas 800 million years ago.&nbsp;



Placozoans' peptidergic cells, with their neuropeptide communication, likely evolved to include features critical for neurons, such as ion channels and post-synaptic scaffolds, about a century after their ancestors first appeared.



The evolutionary narrative of the nervous system remains incomplete. While the first modern neuron is believed to have appeared around 650 million years ago, there are neuronal-like cells in ctenophores with distinct characteristics. Their existence raises significant questions about the evolutionary trajectory of neurons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-many-questions-remain">Many questions remain</h2>



“Placozoans lack neurons, but we’ve now found striking molecular similarities with our neural cells. Ctenophores have neural nets, with key differences and similarities with our own," explained Dr. Xavier Grau-Bové, co-first author of the study.



"Did neurons evolve once and then diverge, or more than once, in parallel? Are they a mosaic, where each piece has a different origin? These are open questions that remain to be addressed."



As genomic sequencing progresses, the evolutionary paths of neurons and other cell types are expected to become clearer.&nbsp;



“Cells are the fundamental units of life, so understanding how they come into being or change over time is key to explain the evolutionary story of life," said study co-author Professor Arnau Sebé-Pedro.&nbsp;



"Placozoans, ctenophores, sponges and other non-traditional model animals harbor secrets that we are only just beginning to unlock."&nbsp;



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2023.08.027" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell</a>.



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Brain cell origins traced to creatures that lived 800 million years ago

A new study reveals that brain cell components were forming...

Engaging in moderate to vigorous morning exercise between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. might be the most effective time to combat <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/obesity-impairs-the-brains-response-to-nutrient-intake/">obesity</a>.&nbsp;



This conclusion, drawn from a study published by <a href="https://www.obesity.org/">The Obesity Society</a>, offers a fresh perspective on how the timing of physical activity affects weight management and overall health outcomes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timing-of-physical-activity">Timing of physical activity</h2>



Previously, most research centered on the frequency, intensity, and duration of physical activities.&nbsp;



Few studies have explored the daytime patterns of accelerometer-measured physical activities to determine the specific times most associated with obesity.



Study co-author.Tongyu Ma, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Health Sciences Department at Franklin Pierce University. “Our study provided a novel tool to explore the diurnal pattern of physical activity and to investigate its impact on health outcomes,” said Ma.



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



The goal was to determine whether meeting the physical activity guidelines (150 minutes/week of moderate to vigorous activity) at varying times had different outcomes in terms of reducing obesity.



Using data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey cycles by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the team analyzed data from 5,285 participants.&nbsp;



Activity patterns were classified into morning, mid-day, and evening groups using the K-means clustering analysis.



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



The results were striking: there was a strong link between morning exercise and lower obesity rates. By comparison, midday and evening activity displayed a weaker connection.&nbsp;



Those in the morning cluster had better metrics such as lower body mass index and waist circumference.&nbsp;



Intriguingly, while they consumed a healthier diet and fewer calories relative to body weight, they also exhibited more extended sedentary behavior. However, the positive results in terms of weight persisted.



Demographics added another layer to the findings: participants in morning exercise group were predominantly older by about 10 to13 years, mostly female, highly educated, and refrained from tobacco and alcohol.



“Our findings propose that the diurnal pattern of moderate to vigorous physical activity could be another important dimension to describe the complexity of human movement,” wrote the study authors.



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



Dr. Rebecca Krukowski, a clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral weight management, highlighted the practical implications of the research, noting the benefits of morning exercise routines.&nbsp;



“This is exciting new research that is consistent with a common tip for meeting exercise goals - that is, schedule exercise in the morning before emails, phone calls or meetings that might distract you," said Dr. Krukowski.



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



However, she noted that since this is a cross-sectional study, it is not known whether people who exercise consistently in the morning may be systematically different from those who exercise at other times, in ways that were not measured in this study.&nbsp;



"For example, people who exercise regularly in the morning could have more predictable schedules, such as being less likely to be shift workers or less likely to have caregiving responsibilities that impede morning exercise," said Dr. Krukowski.



"Predictable schedules could have other advantageous effects on weight that were not measured in this study, such as with sleep length/quality and stress levels. In addition, the ‘morning larks’ who consistently rise early enough for morning exercise may be biologically different from their ‘night owl’ counterparts.”&nbsp;&nbsp;



The study is published online in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/1930739x">Obesity</a>.



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Morning exercise may be the best way to lose weight, study reveals

Engaging in moderate to vigorous morning exercise between 7 a.m....

In an extraordinary accomplishment, NASA's <a href="https://mars.nasa.gov/msl/">Curiosity Mars rover</a> has successfully navigated its way to Gediz Vallis Ridge, an area believed to be the remnants of powerful ancient debris flows on the Red Planet.&nbsp;



This significant achievement offers an intriguing glimpse into Mars's watery history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-valuable-clues">Valuable clues</h2>



Approximately three billion years ago, during one of Mars's last wet phases, powerful debris flows transported mud and boulders down a massive mountain.&nbsp;



This material then settled into a fan formation, which, over time, was eroded by Martian winds into the ridge that stands today. The ridge now holds valuable clues about the past existence of water on the planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-treacherous-terrain">Treacherous terrain</h2>



The journey to Gediz Vallis Ridge wasn't without challenges. Curiosity made three attempts to reach this elusive destination.&nbsp;



Its previous endeavors were thwarted by treacherous "gator-back" rocks and prohibitively steep terrains.&nbsp;



However, on August 14, after one of its most arduous climbs, Curiosity finally stationed itself at an area offering a prime view of the ridge. From here, the rover could expertly study the area using its 7-foot robotic arm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thrilling-accomplishment">Thrilling accomplishment</h2>



"After three years, we finally found a spot where Mars allowed Curiosity to safely access the steep ridge," said Ashwin Vasavada, Curiosity’s project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.&nbsp;



"It’s a thrill to be able to reach out and touch rocks that were transported from places high up on Mount Sharp that we’ll never be able to visit with Curiosity."



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



Since 2014, the rover has been on a scientific trek, ascending the 3-mile-tall Mount Sharp, unearthing evidence of ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alarming-study-most-of-the-worlds-largest-lakes-are-quickly-losing-water/">lakes</a> and streams during its journey.&nbsp;



Each layer of this mountain symbolizes distinct periods in Martian history. Gediz Vallis Ridge, one of the last formations on the mountain, offers an invaluable snapshot of one of the youngest Martian epochs.



Curiosity's 11-day expedition at the ridge was nothing short of prolific. The rover photographed and analyzed the composition of dark rocks that unmistakably came from other regions of the mountain.&nbsp;



The debris flows responsible for shaping Gediz Vallis Ridge transported these rocks, some as gigantic as automobiles, from the higher terrains of Mount Sharp, offering an unparalleled peek into the upper mountain's material.



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



Intriguingly, the rover’s presence at the ridge also provided scientists with the first intimate views of a geologic formation called a debris flow fan.&nbsp;



While such features are prevalent on both Mars and Earth, the precise mechanics of their formation remain a subject of study.



“I can’t imagine what it would have been like to witness these events,” said William Dietrich, a mission team member at the University of California, Berkeley, who has helped lead Curiosity’s study of the ridge.&nbsp;



“Huge rocks were ripped out of the mountain high above, rushed downhill, and spread out into a fan below. The results of this campaign will push us to better explain such events not just on Mars, but even on Earth, where they are a natural hazard.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-curiosity-s-journey">Curiosity's journey</h2>



On August 19, Curiosity’s Mastcam captured 136 images at Gediz Vallis Ridge. When assembled into a mosaic, these images present a comprehensive 360-degree panorama of the vicinity, chronicling Curiosity's journey, including its passage through the "Marker Band Valley" where traces of an ancient lake were found.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="6nqt33xOEz-3008632-12187" type="single"]</div>



As scientists continue to sift through the extensive data and imagery from Gediz Vallis Ridge, Curiosity is already gearing up for its next mission: pinpointing a route to the channel atop the ridge to further unravel the mysteries of water's past presence on Mount Sharp.



Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ESA/University of Arizona/JHUAPL/MSSS/USGS Astrogeology Science Center



Video Credit: Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/UC Berkeley



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NASA's Curiosity Rover explores Mars ridge with intriguing watery past

In an extraordinary accomplishment, NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has successfully...

Gentoo,Penguin,Runs,Over,The,Snow,In,Antarctica

Antarctica, often referred to as Earth's final frontier, has been making alarming headlines. The latest comes from the <a href="https://nsidc.org/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Snow and Ice Data Center</a> (NSIDC), which reports that sea ice levels in the region have plunged to an unprecedented low this year.&nbsp;



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



This decline in sea ice levels is so significant that even seasoned experts find it hard to comprehend. Walter Meier, a senior research scientist at the NSIDC, described these figures to the BBC as "almost mind-blowing."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-patterns">Climate patterns</h2>



Sea ice, which forms on the sea's surface in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-arctic-dipole-the-atmospheric-pattern-shaping-our-future-climate/">Arctic</a> and Antarctic regions, plays a crucial role in regulating our planet's climate. Its white surface reflects sunlight back into space, which cools the Earth.&nbsp;



Less sea ice means more dark water surfaces to absorb the sun's heat, leading to warmer temperatures. Therefore, a drop in sea ice levels has repercussions beyond just the polar areas; it affects global climate patterns and weather events.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deteriorating-situation">Deteriorating situation</h2>



This isn't the first time Antarctica has raised alarms regarding sea ice levels. The region witnessed similar lows in 2017 and 2022.&nbsp;



While the sheer size of Antarctica, roughly 1.5 times that of the US, has made it challenging for scientists to gauge the extent of the climate crisis, it's clear that the situation is deteriorating.&nbsp;



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



Professor Martin Siegert, a glaciologist at the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a>, told the BBC: "When I started studying the Antarctic 30 years ago, we never thought extreme weather events could happen there."



Antarctica's climate patterns have been significantly influenced by global warming. Since the 1950s, the continent has recorded temperature increases of 3.2°C (37.76°F), a rate that's more than triple the global average.&nbsp;



Furthermore, the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition states that the region's oceans are heating faster than the global norm and that its ice shelves are dissolving six times quicker than they did in the 1980s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inconsistent-sea-ice-behavior-nbsp">Inconsistent sea ice behavior&nbsp;</h2>



The behavior of sea ice in Antarctica, however, hasn't always been consistent. There was a notable decline in the early 20th century, followed by an increase in later years.&nbsp;



Some parts even gained ice as recently as 2018, according to a report from NASA. Nevertheless, the most recent record lows underscore the gravity of the current situation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-permanent-changes">Permanent changes</h2>



A study published in the journal Nature connects these sea-ice level declines to escalating ocean temperatures, suggesting that ice is melting from beneath.&nbsp;



Study co-authors Ed Doddridge and Ariaan Purich pointed out to Australia's ABC News that this year's sea ice coverage was approximately 930,000 square miles less than the typical maximum observed in September. Disturbingly, they believe these alterations might be permanent.



The plummeting sea ice levels in Antarctica serve as a shocking reminder of the need to combat climate change. As these changes become potentially irreversible, the study highlights the immediate necessity for policy changes and global action.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-antarctica-and-climate-change">More about Antarctica and climate change</h2>



Climate change profoundly affects our world, and nowhere do its effects manifest more starkly than in the Polar Regions. In Antarctica, sea ice levels play a critical role in the global climate system and host unique ecosystems. 



As global temperatures rise, these sea ice levels are undergoing significant changes. As mentioned above, melting sea ice has major consequences for the world at large.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sea-ice-levels-a-snapshot">Sea ice levels: A snapshot</h3>



Antarctica's sea ice is different from its land ice. While land ice comprises the glaciers and ice sheets that sit on the continent itself, sea ice forms when the ocean surrounding Antarctica freezes. 



This frozen layer expands during the colder months and contracts in the warmer months. However, climate change is altering this pattern.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-declining-sea-ice-extent">Declining sea ice extent</h3>



Over the past few decades, scientists have observed an overall decrease in the extent of Antarctic sea ice. Rising global temperatures, driven by increased greenhouse gas emissions, are causing this decline. 



Each year, less sea ice re-forms in winter, and more of it melts in summer. This trend threatens to disrupt the balance of the region's ecosystems and the global climate.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consequences-for-global-sea-levels">Consequences for global sea levels</h3>



You might wonder: if sea ice melts, wouldn't it simply return to the ocean without affecting sea levels? This is a common misconception. While it's true that the melting of sea ice doesn't directly raise sea levels, it has an indirect effect. 



When sea ice melts, it reduces the albedo effect — the reflection of sunlight back into space. Darker ocean waters absorb more sunlight, leading to warmer ocean temperatures. Warmer waters accelerate the melting of Antarctica's land ice, which, when it flows into the sea, does raise global sea levels.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-on-marine-ecosystems">Impact on marine ecosystems</h3>



The decline in sea ice affects Antarctica's unique marine ecosystems. Many species, like the iconic krill, depend on sea ice to survive. Krill feed on the algae that grow under the sea ice. 



As sea ice diminishes, so does the krill's food source. This decline in krill populations impacts the entire food chain, from fish to seals to whales, many of which rely on krill as a primary food source.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disruption-of-ocean-currents">Disruption of ocean currents</h3>



Sea ice also influences ocean currents. The formation and melting of sea ice help drive the Antarctic's dense, cold water deep into the ocean, a process known as "oceanic convection." 



This process is essential for the circulation of the world's oceans. As sea ice levels change, so do these currents, with potential effects on global climate patterns, including temperature and precipitation.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-for-research-and-monitoring">Challenges for research and monitoring</h3>



The changing sea ice conditions in Antarctica pose challenges for researchers. As ice becomes more unpredictable and unstable, it becomes harder for scientists to access research sites. This change hampers our ability to gather data, understand the full extent of changes, and predict future trends.



In summary, the effects of climate change on sea ice levels in Antarctica are profound and far-reaching. Beyond the visible loss of ice, the impacts ripple through ecosystems, global ocean currents, and sea levels. It underscores the urgent need for global action to address climate change. 



By understanding and communicating these changes, we can hope to galvanize efforts to protect the fragile beauty and balance of Antarctica and, by extension, our world.



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"Mind-blowing" decline in sea ice levels recorded in Antarctica

Antarctica, often referred to as Earth's final frontier, has been...

Conceptual,Illustration,Of,Vaccination,Against,Coronavirus,,Syringe,Stabs,Into,Sars-cov-2

Amidst the ebb and flow of the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmaceutical companies are making calculated decisions based on a predicted decline in demand for COVID vaccinations this fall. Pfizer, one of the major players in the vaccine market, has revealed that it expects a 24% vaccination rate for its COVID-19 vaccines in the United States during the upcoming fall season.



This projection was shared by Pfizer's Chief Financial Officer, David Denton, at a conference on Monday, drawing attention to the waning demand for COVID-19 shots since their debut in 2021.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-updated-wave-of-vaccines">Updated wave of vaccines</h2>



As the US prepares for its fall COVID vaccination drive, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval to updated COVID-19 shots from Pfizer, BioNTech, and Moderna. Additionally, Novavax has entered the queue, submitting its vaccine for FDA review.



Moderna, another major name in the vaccine race, has forecasted that the demand for its vaccines in the fall will range between 50 million and 100 million doses.



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



Federal statistics paint a clearer picture of the scenario, with data showing that only about 56.5 million Americans opted for the updated booster shots in the last re-vaccination drive. This was a time when a significant portion of the US populace had either already contracted the COVID virus or had been vaccinated.



However, contrasting this, a Reuters/Ipsos survey from the previous week has indicated that about 50% of Americans are now contemplating getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine. This could suggest a shift in the public's sentiment towards re-vaccination.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tackling-the-declining-covid-vaccination-demand">Tackling the declining COVID vaccination demand</h2>



Recognizing the shift in demand from the initial rush in 2021, pharmaceutical companies have been continuously revising their strategies. Pfizer has stated its intention to introduce cost-cutting measures. This is especially true if the demand for its COVID-19 vaccination declines, and their antiviral treatments don't meet their projections in the upcoming months.



Denton emphasized the company's intention to make thoughtful investments, stating, "We want to make sure that we're investing appropriately based on our R&amp;D pipeline and the investments that we're making and bets that we made ... are aligned to the revenue performance of the company long term."



Meanwhile, Moderna is considering streamlining its supply chain in response to the decreasing demand. Nevertheless, the company maintains an optimistic financial outlook, predicting sales to be between $6 billion to $8 billion.



In conclusion, as the pandemic continues to unfold and evolve, vaccine producers are grappling with changing demands, while also ensuring their strategic and financial decisions align with the broader goal of global health and safety.



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Pfizer predicts 24% COVID vaccination decline this fall

Amidst the ebb and flow of the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmaceutical...

American multinational medical technology company, GE Healthcare, has received a significant financial boost with a grant of over $44 million from the esteemed <a href="https://www.gatesfoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation</a>. This grant aims to pave the way for the development of AI-assisted ultrasound technology. 



The primary focus of this technology will be on addressing pivotal issues related to maternal and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brainteaser-how-can-a-mothers-diet-protect-the-brain-health-of-their-grandchildren/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fetal health</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-increases-the-risk-of-non-lung-cancers-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">respiratory diseases</a>.



Adding an AI component to ultrasound can be a game-changer for medical professionals and even those without specialized training. It promises to provide more comprehensive information, thereby ensuring more effective ultrasound scans.



<a href="https://www.gehealthcare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GE Healthcare</a> has emphasized that the ultimate goal is to augment the access to top-notch care, especially in regions that are economically challenged, including middle and low-income countries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaborative-technological-endeavor">Collaborative technological endeavor</h2>



Caption Health, an AI company recently incorporated under the GE Healthcare umbrella, has been entrusted with the task of developing this advanced technology. The company is aiming for broad applicability, designing the technology to be compatible across an array of ultrasound devices and probes. Notably, this includes the more economical handheld devices, making the technology more accessible.



It's worth noting that Caption Health is no stranger to such ambitious projects or the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation's support. Back in 2020, the foundation awarded them a $4.95 million grant, which was instrumental in Caption Health's endeavors to develop an AI algorithm tailored for lung ultrasound scans. This innovation was primarily geared toward enhancing the screening processes for potentially fatal respiratory diseases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-voices-from-the-leadership">Voices from the leadership</h2>



Roland Rott, the President and CEO of GE Healthcare, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We are proud and excited to have received this grant from the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation to make ultrasound more accessible in low-and-middle income countries."



Rott highlighted a pressing challenge, "However, a key limitation is the guidance of lesser-skilled users to effectively apply affordable point-of-care ultrasound in their care environment." He believes that the grant will bridge this gap by customizing Caption Health’s pioneering AI technology for a broader user base, ensuring increased access to superior medical care.



Karley Yoder, the General Manager and Chief Digital Officer at GE Healthcare, also shed light on Caption Health’s prowess. "Caption Health AI applications are meticulously crafted to guide healthcare professionals step-by-step during an ultrasound exam. This ensures they can capture and interpret high-quality ultrasound images."



Ending on a note of gratitude, Yoder remarked, "We are thankful for the continued support of the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation. Their support not only bolsters our existing lung ultrasound project but also magnifies the potential of this groundbreaking technology, especially in offering care to mothers and children."



As GE Healthcare embarks on this new venture, the medical world watches with bated breath, anticipating transformative changes in the realm of ultrasound technology.



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AI ultrasound technology gets investment from the Gates Foundation

American multinational medical technology company, GE Healthcare, has received a...

All animals – including humans – have <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-moonlight-affects-the-circadian-clocks-of-animals/">circadian clocks</a> that are regulated by cues from their environment.&nbsp;



However, according to a recent study led by the <a href="https://www.stir.ac.uk/">University of Stirling</a> in Scotland, animals in zoos can be exposed to highly different cues than their counterparts in the wild.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giant-pandas">Giant pandas</h2>



Since animals’ circadian clocks are tightly linked to their physiology and behavior, changes in these clocks can impact their welfare, which is crucial to maintaining captive populations at high risk of extinction in the wild, such as giant pandas.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jet-lag">Jet lag</h2>



To better understand this phenomenon, the experts examined how the “jet lag” of living in high latitudes may affect captive giant pandas. Since the animals did not evolve or live at high latitudes, their circadian clocks do not match their environment.



“Animals, including humans, have evolved rhythms to synchronize their internal environment with the external environment,” said lead author Kristine Gandia, a PhD student in Behavior and Evolution at Stirling. 



“When internal clocks are not synchronized with external cues like light and temperature, animals experience adverse effects. In humans, this can range from jet lag to metabolic issues and seasonal affective disorder.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seasonal-patterns">Seasonal patterns</h2>



Since giant pandas have highly seasonal lives, they are an ideal case study for understanding how circadian clocks affect behavior and wellbeing.&nbsp;



Pandas prefer to eat specific species of bamboo and love new shoots, which triggers seasonal migration patterns as these shoots emerge in the spring.&nbsp;



Moreover, since finding mates is easier when all pandas follow the same nutritious shoots, the migratory season is also the breeding season.



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



Recently, pandas became so popular that many zoos housing them maintain public webcams, which makes it easier for behavior to be monitored around the clock.&nbsp;



In addition, since many pandas live in zoos located outside their normal range – where important cues such as daylight and temperature ranges are different from those in their natural habitats – zoos provide unique opportunities to understand why the circadian clock matters for their wellbeing.



According to the researchers, changes in the daylight and temperature ranges of the pandas could potentially leave them “jet lagged,” particularly since their circadian rhythms are highly dependent on seasonality. Moreover, pandas in captivity also appear to be frequently affected by anthropogenic cues, like zoo keepers’ regular visits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



For the present study, the scientists used webcams to monitor 11 giant pandas at six zoos located both inside and outside the animals’ natural latitudinal range.&nbsp;



Every month for a year, the researchers conducted a day’s worth of hourly focal sampling to understand how pandas’ behavior changed across a day, as well as how those patterns changed across a full year, by monitoring variables such as general activity, sexual behavior, and atypical behavior.



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



The investigations revealed that daylight and temperature were particularly important cues for pandas, being closely associated with general activity in latitudes matching their natural range in China.&nbsp;



Just like their wild counterparts, captive pandas showed three peaks in activity over 24 hours, including a peak at night. Moreover, adult pandas only engaged in sexual behavior during the daytime, which makes it easier to find mates in the wild.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-behavioral-changes">Behavioral changes</h2>



Pandas outside their natural latitudes were less active, most likely because daylight and temperature cues were different – a finding also supported by the fact that the behaviors of pandas in mismatched latitudes differed from those in matched latitudes the most when the pandas in mismatched latitudes were exposed to more divergent daylight and temperature cues.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-seasons">Extreme seasons</h3>



“When giant pandas are housed at higher latitudes - meaning they experience more extreme seasons than they evolved with - this changes their levels of general activity and atypical behavior,” Gandia explained.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-zoo-specific-cues-nbsp">Zoo-specific cues&nbsp;</h3>



The experts also discovered that captive pandas reacted to zoo-specific cues, becoming extremely active in the morning and displaying abnormal behaviors in anticipation with keepers providing them food in the first part of the day.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sexual-behaviors-nbsp">Sexual behaviors&nbsp;</h3>



Finally, the animals’ abnormal and sexual behaviors were found to fluctuate at similar points, suggesting that they might be frustrated because they cannot migrate or mate as they would normally do.&nbsp;



Thus, pandas living at mismatched latitudes performed fewer abnormal behaviors, most likely because they were not getting the same cues for sexual behaviors.



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



“To expand on this research, we would want to incorporate cycles of physiological indicators. Importantly, we would want to assess sexual hormones to understand the effects the environment may have on the timing of release," said Gandia.



"This could help us further understand how to promote successful reproduction for a vulnerable species which is notoriously difficult to breed."



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1188566" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Psychology</a>.



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Captive pandas become jet lagged outside of their natural environment 

All animals – including humans – have circadian clocks that...

A recent study has unveiled a startling revelation that over 56 million Americans - which accounts for more than half of the adult population - have unknowingly been exposed to the harmful effects of secondhand tobacco smoke.&nbsp;



This significant exposure to toxic secondhand smoke was discovered by researchers from the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/">University of Florida</a> (UF).



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



Secondhand smoke, also known as passive smoke, is known to have no safe levels of exposure.&nbsp;



Persistent exposure to it can significantly increase the risk of various chronic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/40-percent-diseases-genetics/">diseases</a> like coronary heart disease, respiratory disorders, and even certain types of cancers.&nbsp;



“There is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure, and long term exposure can increase the risk of many chronic conditions, such as coronary heart disease, respiratory disease, and cancers. We want people to be aware of their exposure so they can take protective actions,” said study lead author Ruixuan (Roxanne) Wang, a doctoral candidate in the UF College of Public Health and Health Professions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted-nbsp">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers relied on the presence of cotinine in the blood to determine exposure to tobacco products. Cotinine, a result of nicotine exposure in recent days, is the standard for such detections.&nbsp;



The team analyzed data from the U.S. National Health and Examination Survey, conducted by the CDC from 2013 to 2020, which encompassed over 13,000 American adults.&nbsp;



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



The analysis revealed that the blood of 51% of these individuals contained a byproduct of nicotine, indicating exposure to secondhand smoke.&nbsp;



Astonishingly, less than half of the affected individuals claimed to have been exposed to smoke, revealing a massive gap in awareness about secondhand smoke exposure.



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



According to the researchers, it is unclear why the level of underreported exposure was so high. Cotinine measurements are very sensitive and can detect low levels of smoke exposure.



“It could be the case that for low-level exposure, maybe you don’t notice it. You’re in a public setting, and maybe you’re not even aware someone is using tobacco around you. Maybe it’s so minor you forgot,” said study senior author Professor Jennifer LeLaurin.&nbsp;



“There’s also the possibility that some of the respondents were aware of some secondhand smoke exposure but chose not to report it due to the stigma.”



Wang hopes that these revelations will pave the way for targeted interventions for at-risk groups.



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



"Understanding the extent of underreported nicotine exposure is crucial for developing effective public health strategies and interventions," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"It is imperative to bolster public consciousness about the risks associated with secondhand smoke."&nbsp;



"Additionally, surveillance tools should also incorporate measures of exposure to outdoor secondhand smoke and e-cigarette vapor to enhance the quality of data monitoring."



"Findings from this study can guide tobacco control initiatives and inform smoke-free air legislation."



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntad165">Nicotine and Tobacco Research</a>, and was supported by the Florida Health Policy Leadership Academy and the Florida Department of Health.



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Millions of Americans are unknowingly exposed to secondhand smoke

A recent study has unveiled a startling revelation that over...

In an era where technology is pushing the boundaries of what's possible, California-based Squishy Robotics is breaking new ground with a robot designed to aid first responders in dangerous and high-risk situations.



Originally conceptualized for missions on Mars or the Moon, Squishy's robot has found a life-saving purpose here on Earth. This versatile device can gauge environmental hazards and provide a strategic approach for first responders before they delve into situations like wildfires, car crashes, and even war zones. The idea behind this, as expressed by co-founder and CEO Alice Algino, is to prioritize human safety and ensure the best possible outcomes during rescue missions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-squishy-robots-from-space-to-land">Moving squishy robots from space to land</h2>



The journey of <a href="https://squishy-robotics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Squishy Robotics</a> from an outer space concept to a terrestrial lifesaver is remarkable. Back in 2014, the company received a grant of $500,000 from NASA for research. 



The study focused on the robot's mobility in zero gravity or low gravity environments using gas thrusters. Such thrusters enable the robot to leap to regions in space inaccessible to astronauts.



Fast forward to recent times, and the robot has been making waves in on-ground operations. With a weight of under three pounds, it can be seamlessly <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/squishy-robotics_haz-mat-situation_Drone-drop_2medium-scaled.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">attached to drones</a> for aerial missions. 



This feature was displayed in February when a drone deployed the robot to inspect derailed propane tanks in Florida. Squishy's robot did more than just a visual inspection. It actively monitored air quality and successfully detected gas leaks, potentially averting a major disaster.



The resilience of the Squishy robot was put to the test in various challenging scenarios. In one such test, it was airdropped from an airplane at a staggering height of 1,000 feet. In another, it was squeezed into a compact space beneath a rubble pile to simulate a rescue scenario. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-squishy-robots-are-very-durable">Squishy robots are very durable</h2>



Remarkably, the robot even withstood an intentional explosion within a testing chamber. Through all these trials, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-robots-can-help-you-find-objects-that-youve-lost-or-misplaced/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robot</a> not only survived but continued to record videos and stream data, showcasing its robust build and dependable functionalities.



The secret behind its durability lies in its unique web-like structure. This design ensures that the force from any impact is evenly distributed, safeguarding its sensitive central sensors. These sensors are vital for capturing and relaying real-time information to first responders.



Recognizing the potential of the Squishy robot, the company engaged with 300 first responders. These interviews were conducted to glean insights into how the robot could be further optimized for rescue operations.



In summary, Squishy Robotics has emerged as a beacon of innovation, pivoting from space exploration to life-saving terrestrial applications. With its advanced capabilities and potential for further optimization, this robot represents a promising future for emergency response technology.



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Squishy robot designed for space now assists emergency workers on Earth

In an era where technology is pushing the boundaries of...

A new study led by researchers from the <a href="https://ki.se/en">Karolinska Institutet</a> has revealed that treating child obesity at an early stage can produce effective results in both the short and long term. The findings were recently published in the <a href="https://www.nature.com/ijo/">International Journal of Obesity</a>.



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



The experts followed over 170 young Swedish children between the ages of four and six, who were diagnosed with obesity.&nbsp;



The participants were enrolled through children's clinics in Region Stockholm and were randomly assigned to one of three treatment modalities:



<ul>
<li>Standard treatment focusing on diet and exercise with the guidance of healthcare professionals.</li>



<li>A parental support group teaching parents how to encourage healthy lifestyles within their families without causing conflict.</li>



<li>A parental support group paired with follow-up phone support.</li>
</ul>



The children and parents in the standard treatment group had meetings focusing on diet and exercise with a doctor.&nbsp;



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



The two parental support groups did not involve the children and focused on how the parents could promote healthy lifestyles in the family in a positive way and without conflict.



“Such conversations can center on how to set boundaries, how to teach children new behaviors and how to communicate with preschools, grandmothers, neighbors and other adults in the children’s world,” said principal investigator Paulina Nowicka.



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



She emphasized the importance of their long-term approach. After attending the parental support groups, half of the participants were then randomly assigned a follow-up phone call.&nbsp;



"Studies have been done on children who have been treated for obesity before,” said Professor Nowicka. “But most of them have only been followed up after six months or a year, so we have no data on how the children fared over a longer period than that.”



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



Remarkably, children across all three groups displayed lasting improvements in their weight statuses and reductions in their obesity degrees.&nbsp;



However, children whose parents participated in the support groups, especially those who also benefited from follow-up phone calls, exhibited the most significant results.&nbsp;



“The children in all three groups improved their weight status and saw a reduction in their degree of obesity,” said Professor Nowicka.&nbsp;



“The children whose parents received parental support had the best results, especially so those who also received follow-up phone calls. We also found that more children in this third group showed a clinically relevant improvement of their weight status associated with better metabolic health, by which I mean better levels of blood lipids and glucose.”



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



Professor Nowicka further emphasized that many parents already have an understanding of proper <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nutrition-for-neurons-the-role-of-breast-milk-in-shaping-our-brains/">nutrition</a>, but the real challenge is managing a child's relationship with food.&nbsp;



“They usually know this – but what do you do with a child who loves food and always wants to eat, or one that’s always hungry? How do you go about it without making a taboo of food?”&nbsp;



“You have to try to build a clear structure at home, one that makes the child know that lunch is on its way and know that they’ll be getting supper.”



“But you also need to do things together to strengthen family bonds, like getting the child involved in the cooking, giving the child vegetables if they’re hungry and not rewarding them with food. It’s also important to make sure that food isn’t associated with emotions and achievement.”



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



The evidence strongly suggests that tackling obesity in pre-schoolers can produce fat better outcomes than waiting until the adolescent years.



“Treating children at that age is much more effective than if you start treating them in their teens. Some adolescents are looking at possible bariatric surgery and we hope that this can be avoided with earlier treatment.”&nbsp;



This study was a collaboration between Karolinska Institutet, Uppsala University, Warwick Medical School, and Oxford University, and was funded by the Centrum for Innovative Medicine (CIMED) and the Masonic Home for Children in Stockholm Foundation. 



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Early treatment of child obesity yields lasting results

A new study led by researchers from the Karolinska Institutet...

The ever-growing pursuit of sustainable energy solutions has been propelled into a new frontier – space. Tim Peake, a prominent figure in the realm of space exploration and the first British astronaut from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Agency</a> (ESA) to board the International Space Station, believes that space-based solar farms may soon become a reality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-falling-costs-rising-possibilities">Falling costs, rising possibilities</h2>



One of the primary factors making space solar farms increasingly viable is the decreasing cost of launching heavy payloads into space. For decades, the prohibitive costs of space missions were a significant roadblock for such innovative ideas. However, recent advancements, particularly in reusable rocket technology, have substantially lowered these costs.



Peake provides insight into the monetary figures, highlighting that the costs have shifted from a staggering $2,700 per kilo to a far more palatable $1,500 with SpaceX's Falcon Heavy. The emergence of the "Starship" further revolutionizes this, bringing the cost down to an astonishing $300 per kilo.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-solaris-initiative">The Solaris initiative</h2>



The ESA hasn't been a mere spectator in these developments. Under the <a href="https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/SOLARIS/SOLARIS2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Solaris</a> program, the agency is fervently working on the conceptualization and implementation of space-based solar power plants. 



Their goal is to present a business case to the European Union by 2025. This strategy, backed by both Peake's insights and the ESA's dedication, paints an optimistic picture for <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2022/08/SOLARIS_Preparing_for_Space-Based_Solar_Power" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space solar farms</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-funding-and-development">Funding and development</h2>



Recognizing the potential of this venture, the British Government made a significant investment earlier this year. They pledged £4.3 million in funding for tech companies and UK universities. Their goal is to spearhead the development of space-based <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-harness-plant-energy-to-improve-solar-panels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar technology</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-solar-farms-in-space-work">How do solar farms in space work?</h2>



For many, the idea of beaming energy from space may seem outlandish. Not so, says Peake. Solar panels, once sent into space under the Solaris initiative, can be interlinked to form expansive solar farms. 



These farms can harness the sun's energy unceasingly, without the limitations of night or adverse weather conditions that terrestrial solar farms face.



The energy collected would then be transmitted to Earth using microwave technology. Peake envisions this as "clean, limitless energy" - a potential game-changer in the global quest for renewable energy solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-farms-in-space-a-beacon-of-hope">Solar farms in space -- a beacon of hope</h2>



Space-based solar farms offer an opportunity to harness <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-worlds-renewable-energy-capacity-will-take-a-record-leap-this-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">renewable energy</a> in a manner previously considered the domain of science fiction. As technology continues to advance and the barriers of cost and feasibility diminish, the dream of tapping into the endless energy of space moves ever closer to reality.



While challenges remain, with pioneers like Tim Peake championing the cause and significant investments being made, the prospect of clean, infinite energy from space is no longer just a vision but an attainable future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-orbiting-solar-farms">More about orbiting solar farms</h2>



Space-based solar farms are transforming the way we think about renewable energy. Instead of installing solar panels on Earth, engineers and scientists are launching them into space. 



Why? As discussed previously in this article, in space, solar panels can capture the sun's energy around the clock. This power source would be free from the limitations of night, atmospheric interference, or weather conditions.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-they-work">How do they work?</h3>



At their core, space-based solar farms operate similarly to their ground counterparts. However, the environment they work in offers distinct advantages. Once engineers place these solar panels in orbit, the panels continuously harvest sunlight. They then convert this sunlight into electricity.



But how do we get this energy back to Earth? Engineers have found a solution. They convert the electrical energy into microwaves, beam these microwaves towards Earth, and then ground-based stations collect and convert them back into electricity. This transmission process, while complex, has the potential to deliver consistent and uninterrupted power to our planet.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-are-they-advantageous">Why are they advantageous?</h3>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-continuous-energy-collection">Continuous energy collection</h4>



Unlike terrestrial solar panels that rely on daily sunlight and favorable weather conditions, space-based solar farms have an uninterrupted view of the sun. This means they can produce energy 24/7.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increased-efficiency">Increased efficiency</h4>



Without the Earth's atmosphere to scatter and absorb sunlight, space solar panels can capture more energy, making them significantly more efficient than their terrestrial counterparts.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limitless-potential">Limitless potential</h4>



Space offers an almost infinite area to install solar farms, unhindered by the land constraints we face on Earth. This vast expanse can potentially host solar farms that can power entire countries.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-and-considerations">Challenges and Considerations</h3>



While the idea sounds promising, we're also tackling numerous challenges. The costs associated with launching and maintaining these solar farms in space are significant, even with the advent of more affordable space transport options. Additionally, engineers must ensure that the transmission of energy from space to Earth is both safe and efficient.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-forward">Moving forward</h4>



With advancements in space technology, the decreasing costs of launches, and increasing global demand for renewable energy, space-based solar farms are gaining traction. Scientists and engineers, like Tim Peake mentioned earlier in this article, are collaborating, researching, and innovating to turn this ambitious concept into a reality. As we look to the future, the sky is not the limit -- it's just the beginning.



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Space-based solar farms are now financially viable

The ever-growing pursuit of sustainable energy solutions has been propelled...

Australian koalas, already battling diminishing numbers due to widespread <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/australian-bushfires-triggered-rare-multi-year-la-nina/">bushfires</a> in recent years, face an escalating threat. According to a new study led by <a href="https://www.flinders.edu.au/">Flinders University</a>, nearly half of the vital koala habitats in Australia will be at a high risk of bushfires by 2070.



Further studies by the team show that, by 2070, suitable habitats for koalas might shrink by a staggering 62 percent without even accounting for the impact of fires. These findings collectively highlight the challenges ahead for koala conservation efforts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-multiple-threats">Multiple threats</h2>



The increasing threat of bushfires only adds to the pressures of climate change and human activities, which are already placing enormous strain on koala populations.&nbsp;



"In addition to being highly sensitive to changes in climate, habitat reduction and fragmentation arising from land clearing for development has placed more koalas in close proximity to humans. This has escalated mortality rates of koalas due to domestic animal predation and road-kill," wrote the researchers.&nbsp;



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



The experts noted that koalas are dependent on eucalyptus for both shelter and food. This means that their survival depends on a minimum level of Eucalyptus forest cover.



The researchers evaluated the effects of climate change on fire risk across the forests that provide crucial habitats for koalas. The findings reveal a distressing surge in the vulnerability of these habitats to wildfires.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-highly-susceptible-habitats">Highly susceptible habitats</h2>



Currently, 39.56 percent of the koala habitat in Australia is deemed highly susceptible to bushfires. This is projected to climb to 44.61 percent by 2070. The prediction represents a broader rise in the vulnerability of all Australian vegetation to these fires.



“Wildfires will increasingly impact koala populations in the future. If this iconic and vulnerable marsupial is to be protected, conservation strategies need to be adapted to deal with this threat,” said lead author Professor Farzin Shabani, who now works in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Qatar University.



“It is crucial to strike a balance between ensuring that koala habitats and populations are not completely destroyed by fire while also allowing for forest rejuvenation and regeneration through periodic burns.”



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



The researchers used the dynamic Decision Tree machine learning algorithm to develop fire susceptibility maps.&nbsp;



These maps vividly depict an increase in Australia's regions with "high" or "very high" fire susceptibility, rising from the current 14.9 percent to an anticipated 15.66 percent by 2070. For areas conducive to koala-sustaining plants, the vulnerability is set to leap from the 39.56 to 44.61 percent.



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



The models revealed that koala habitats in South Australia and Queensland will face a more pronounced threat compared to other states.&nbsp;



By 2070, a staggering 89.11 percent of koala habitats in South Australia and 65.24 percent in Queensland will be exposed to high or extremely high fire susceptibility.



“Koalas may still be able to survive in areas highly susceptible to bushfires if their food sources can also withstand the fire-prone conditions, and if koalas can re-populate previously burnt-out areas from neighboring habitat - but this task is becoming more difficult due to habitat fragmentation and the increasingly large areas being burnt,” explained study co-author Dr. John Llewelyn, an expert in the Global Ecology Lab at Flinders University.



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



Dr. Llewelyn emphasized the urgency of devising strategies to safeguard koalas and other fire-sensitive species, while also facilitating forest rejuvenation through controlled burns.&nbsp;



“While many of the affected tree species have an inherent resilience to fire, the massive biogeographic and demographic impact of widespread wildfires may leave ecosystems declining across landscapes, increasing susceptibility to regeneration failure,” says Dr Llewelyn.



“Fires of greater severity - megafires - will likely reduce the quality of koala habitats, increase habitat fragmentation, make it harder for koalas to recolonize areas, and directly kill more koalas, leading to increasingly isolated and smaller populations that are vulnerable to local extinction."



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2023.103331">Environmental Technology &amp; Innovation</a>.&nbsp;



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Shrinking koala habitats face an escalating threat of bushfires

Australian koalas, already battling diminishing numbers due to widespread bushfires...

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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

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" 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 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



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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



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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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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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

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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...