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...

A recent study published in the journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/14/3181">Nutrients</a> suggests that regular cheese consumption may promote better cognitive health among older adults.&nbsp;



The research is part of a growing collection of evidence that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mediterranean-lifestyle-linked-to-a-30-percent-lower-risk-of-death/">dietary habits</a> are not just important for physical health, but also for mental well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-intake-and-cognitive-function-nbsp">Food intake and cognitive function&nbsp;</h2>



"In particular, there is increased interest in the relationship between food intake and cognitive function," wrote the researchers.



"Previous studies have shown that a dietary pattern characterized by a high intake of soybean products, vegetables, seaweed, milk, and dairy products, together with a low intake of grain products, is associated with reduced risk of developing dementia; moreover, a high intake of milk and dairy products reduces the risk of developing dementia, especially Alzheimer’s dementia."



However, lead author Hunkyung Kim of the <a href="https://cirb.icar.gov.in/mera-gaon-mera-gaurav/">Gaon Research Center</a> and co-authors noted that further studies are needed to determine the role of dairy intake in cognitive function.&nbsp;



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



The team analyzed data from a broader geriatric survey that the researchers conducted biennially. The study was focused on 1,504 older adults in Tokyo, Japan. 



The dietary habits of the participants were meticulously assessed, with cheese consumption being the focal point. Cognitive capabilities were evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), a popular tool for gauging cognitive function in older adults.&nbsp;



For this study, an MMSE score below 24 was considered a marker for diminished cognitive functioning.



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



Once variables such as age, physical activity, and overall diet were accounted for, it became apparent that participants who consumed cheese regularly were less likely to score 23 or below on the MMSE.&nbsp;



The data also showed that cheese consumers generally had more varied diets. Still, this dietary diversity did not invalidate the link between cheese consumption and cognitive health.



"In the present study, the cheese intake group had significantly higher dietary variety scores than the non-cheese intake group," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"This result may suggest that the inverse association between cheese intake and lower cognitive function may be due to the likelihood that subjects with cheese intake had a dietary habit of consuming a wide variety of foods rather than the specific nutrients contained in cheese."&nbsp;



"However, multiple logistic regression analysis uncovered that dietary variety score was not distinguished as a significant independent variable for lower cognitive function, indicating that the possibility that cheese contains specific nutrients which support cognitive function still cannot be denied."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dairy-products">Dairy products</h2>



The researchers detected no association between the frequency of milk consumption and MMSE scores of 23 or less. "On the other hand, cheese intake was found to be a factor that was inversely associated with lower cognitive function," they said.&nbsp;



"A previous study using logistic regression analyses showed that a 30 g increase in Dutch cheese intake was associated with a 33% lower probability of poor information processing speed, whereas dairy intake was not associated with attention and working memory or episodic memory."



The experts also noted that a large cohort study of community-dwelling older adults showed that cheese, among other dairy products, was positively associated with the executive function domain.



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



The study isn't without its limitations. Its cross-sectional nature means it captured data at only one specific time, making it hard to deduce cause-and-effect relationships.&nbsp;



The reliance on participants self-reporting their cheese intake also raises concerns about potential inaccuracies or recall biases. Moreover, the MMSE score threshold used to indicate reduced cognitive function might differ from other research standards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preliminary-findings">Preliminary findings</h2>



In their conclusion, the researchers stressed the preliminary nature of their findings:



“Although the present study was an analysis of cross-sectional data of Japanese community-dwelling older adults, the results suggest that cheese intake is inversely associated with lower cognitive function even after adjusting for multiple confounding factors."



The experts note that dementia prevention has become an urgent issue as the proportion of the older population with dementia continues to rise.



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Cheese may contain nutrients that prevent cognitive decline

A recent study published in the journal Nutrients suggests that...

As wildfires rage across Canada, a looming threat hangs over families in both Canada and the United States — deteriorating air quality. According to a new national survey conducted by the <a href="about:blank">University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital</a>, many parents worry about the impact of air <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-pollution-disorients-monarch-butterflies/">pollution</a> on their children’s health.&nbsp;



The poll revealed that two out of three parents have been confronted by at least one day of poor air quality in their area over the past two years. But what is more unsettling is the widespread uncertainty about how to combat these invisible threats.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protective-actions">Protective actions</h2>



Although a majority of parents instinctively shut their windows and limit their children’s outdoor exposure in response to poor air quality alerts, many seem to falter when it comes to further, more organized protective actions.&nbsp;



For instance, fewer parents thought about restricting rigorous outdoor activities, fewer still considered the use of home air filters, and an alarmingly small fraction opted for preventive measures like masks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-risks">Health risks</h2>



“Our report suggests poor air quality is a common issue for families. Local news and weather reports may help parents gauge their community’s air quality, but many seem unsure about how to protect their child when air quality worsens,” said poll co-director Susan Woolford, a pediatrician at U-M Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.



“Children's organs are still developing, making them more susceptible to health risks from exposure to polluted air caused by wildfire smoke and other pollutants. This makes it essential to take precautions to protect their well-being when the air is unhealthy,” she added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-information-sources">Information sources</h2>



The survey revealed that parents associate poor air quality predominantly with wildfires, with fewer attributing it to factors like excessive heat, pollen, or industrial pollution.&nbsp;



This perspective underscores the role of timely and accurate information dissemination. Over 90 percent of parents, as it stands, lean on news or weather reports as their primary air quality information sources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-action-policies">Action policies</h2>



Yet, information is just one part of the equation. Preparedness and action policies at community hubs like schools are also crucial. A concerning finding was that only 21 percent of parents are aware of any such policies in their children’s schools.&nbsp;



Highlighting the importance of outdoor activities for children’s holistic development, the experts underlined the balancing act parents and educators must perform. While exposure to the outdoors fosters both physical and mental growth, the perils of pollution cannot be dismissed.



“Being outdoors is generally good for children’s physical and mental health but parents must also consider the risks of exposure to pollution,” Woolford said.&nbsp;



“When air quality problems are expected to be temporary, moving activities indoors or planning outdoor events for early in the day when air quality tends to be better may be warranted to prevent high levels of exposure.”



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



According to Woolford and her colleagues, local and state policymakers are not exempt from responsibility.&nbsp;



Thus, measures such as zoning policies to divert heavy traffic away from schools or the provision of filters to purify the air in educational and community spaces are also necessary to protect children’s health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-guidelines-for-parents">Guidelines for parents</h2>



The report offers specific guidelines for parents worried about their community’s air quality, including:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understand-the-short-and-long-term-risks-of-exposure-to-air-pollution">Understand the short- and long-term risks of exposure to air pollution</h3>



Since children breathe faster than adults, their lungs are exposed to more pollution per pound of body weight than adults, making air quality particularly important for their health. Moreover, children usually spend more time outdoors than adults and their developing bodies are more susceptible to the long-term impact of pollution.&nbsp;



Although for children without a history of respiratory issues in their family, the threat might seem distant, small particles from pollution can still penetrate their lungs deeply, opening the door to severe health risks, such as childhood cancer and cardiovascular problems later in life.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stay-informed-and-being-watchful-for-symptoms">Stay informed and being watchful for symptoms</h3>



Staying updated on local air quality reports and wildfire alerts are crucial for making informed decisions about children’s outdoor activities. Parents should also engage in dialogue with healthcare providers, keeping an eye out for worrisome symptoms like wheezing or persistent coughing, which are hallmarks of conditions like asthma and bronchitis exacerbated by poor air quality.



“If your child has preexisting respiratory conditions like asthma, consult their healthcare provider for advice on managing their condition during events that increase their risk of pollutant exposure,” Woolford said.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limit-outdoor-activities-and-using-masks">Limit outdoor activities and using masks</h3>



On days with poor air quality – particularly during wildfires – outdoor activities should be reduced or even completely halted. However, if such activities are inevitable, reducing strenuous activities and using KN95 masks are advised.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-create-a-safe-indoor-environment">Create a safe indoor environment</h3>



Parents should keep windows closed during periods with poor air quality in order to prevent pollutants from entering the home, and use filters and air purifiers to help reduce indoor pollution. Moreover, when air quality is severely compromised, they should also consider evacuating to an area with better air quality until conditions improve.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-school-and-youth-sports-policies">School and youth sports policies</h3>



On high pollution day, schools should take into consideration and implement guidelines to manage students’ exposure to pollutants based on the color-coded <a href="https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/">Air Quality Index</a>. In addition, school officials could ask parents not to idle during their drop-off and pick-up times. Finally, youth sports programs and other similar organizations should consider rescheduling or even canceling outdoor events.



“Schools play an important role in protecting children from the adverse effects of poor air quality. We found that most parents are supportive of protective actions, such as moving recess and physical education indoors,” Woolford concluded.



The full report can be found <a href="https://mottpoll.org/reports/protecting-children-poor-air-quality">here</a>.



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Parents worry about poor air quality, but don't know how to protect their children

As wildfires rage across Canada, a looming threat hangs over...

Tornado,In,Stormy,Landscape,-,Climate,Change,And,Natural,Disaster

Why do some societies crumble under environmental strain while others flourish? In today's rapidly changing world, the greatest challenge is not merely stopping the adverse effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indisputable-evidence-of-human-caused-climate-change/">climate change</a> but adapting to live with them.&nbsp;



To identify the best ways to endure environmental shocks, we must first understand our past. This perspective is highlighted in a special issue of <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2022.0402">The Royal Society</a>.&nbsp;



A study by the <a href="https://www.csh.ac.at/">Complexity Science Hub</a> has looked to historical lessons from our ancestors to identify potential strategies to address issues ranging from climate change and economic disparities to political divides.



<h2 id="h-historical-database">Historical database</h2>



The Crisis Database (CrisisDB) is an ambitious project by CSH researchers Peter Turchin and Daniel Hoyer. Together with a diverse team, they cataloged over 150 past crises spanning various epochs and regions.&nbsp;



This extensive data set offers insights into how societies responded to significant challenges such as earthquakes, droughts, and floods.



Some societies crumbled under the strain, descending into civil unrest or even collapsing entirely. Others, however, displayed remarkable resilience, maintaining their core social structures or even evolving positively.&nbsp;



"What we observe is that not every ecological shock or climatic anomaly leads to collapse or even a severe crisis, and not every crisis involves a major environmental stressor," explained Hoyer. But what factors determine a society's trajectory?



<h2 id="h-lessons-from-diverse-societies">Lessons from diverse societies</h2>



To illustrate the divergent dynamics experienced by past societies, the researchers provide three examples of societies which faced environmental shocks.



<h3 id="h-southern-mexico">Southern Mexico</h3>



In southern Mexico, the Zapotec settlement of Monte Albán was once a beacon of civilization. But following an extreme drought in the 9th century, this city, along with others, was abandoned.&nbsp;



However, this wasn't a total collapse – many inhabitants moved to nearby communities, preserving significant elements of their culture.



<h3 id="h-qing-dynasty">Qing Dynasty&nbsp;</h3>



The Qing Dynasty of China, despite its vast wealth, eventually succumbed to internal and external pressures.&nbsp;



Initially resilient against environmental adversities, by the 19th century, social tensions made them vulnerable to the very same challenges. This culminated in the devastating Taiping Rebellion and their eventual downfall in 1912.



<h3 id="h-ottoman-empire">Ottoman Empire&nbsp;</h3>



The Ottoman Empire, meanwhile, defied persistent environmental challenges in the 16th century.&nbsp;



Despite facing droughts and the Little Ice Age, they staved off total collapse, continuing their dominion for centuries more.



<h2 id="h-underlying-patterns">Underlying patterns</h2>



Unlike studies that focus on specific events, Turchin emphasizes the importance of examining multiple societies affected by similar environmental shocks.&nbsp;



The goal is to discern underlying patterns, determining why societies react differently to similar challenges.



“Many studies typically concentrate on a single event or a specific society. However, it is only by exploring the responses of all, or at least many, societies affected by a particular climate 'regime' that we can ascertain the causal influence and overall effectiveness of the environmental stressor,” said Turchin.



<h2 id="h-interplay-of-factors">Interplay of factors</h2>



It would be simplistic to assume that environmental shocks alone dictate societal outcomes. These challenges intersect with cultural, political, and economic dynamics.&nbsp;



Through the CrisisDB program, the researchers aim to uncover these complexities, understanding what strengthens or weakens societal resilience.



<h2 id="h-social-cohesion">Social cohesion</h2>



A major takeaway from their initial findings is the destructive role of social inequality. Societies riddled with inequality often lack cohesion, making them vulnerable to crises.&nbsp;



"Dealing with large-scale threats demands considerable societal cohesion," said Hoyer pointing to the Covid pandemic as an example.&nbsp;



He noted that societies with higher levels of cohesion and the capacity for collective action before Covid broke out navigated the pandemic more effectively and successfully implemented the necessary distancing measures.&nbsp;



"Given that we reside in an era marked by increasing ecological shocks, economic disruptions, inequality, and major conflicts, our focus should be on reducing these structural pressures to build this kind of cohesion and resilience," said Hoyer.



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Past lessons can help us face environmental shocks

Why do some societies crumble under environmental strain while others...

Cordyceps,Parasitic,Fungus,Growing,On,An,Ant,,Also,Known,As

In a bizarre twist of nature, ants are finding themselves at the mercy of a parasite called the lancet liver fluke – a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/two-new-species-of-invasive-flatworms-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flatworm</a> with an uncanny ability to control its host and turn ants into zombies.



A recent study from the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a> has unveiled that the flatworm’s manipulation of ant behavior is far more complex than previously understood.



<h2>Journey from ant to grazing animals</h2>



The lancet liver fluke’s life cycle is a marvel of evolution. The process begins when an infected ant, driven by the parasite residing in its brain, latches onto the tip of a blade of grass. This strategic position ensures that the ant will be consumed by grazing animals, such as cattle and deer, thereby allowing the fluke to move onto its next host.



However, it's not just about climbing up. Researchers have observed that the fluke can influence the ant to move back down the blade of grass when temperatures soar. 



Associate Professor Brian Lund Fredensborg, who led the study, commented, “Our discovery reveals a parasite that is more sophisticated than we originally believed it to be." He captured this photograph showing the <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ant_zombie_parasite_credit-Brian-Lund-Fredensborg_1medium-scaled.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parasite and the zombie ant</a>.



<h2>The ants' "Zombie Switch"</h2>



To investigate this behavior, researchers glued colors and numbers to infected ants in the Bidstrup Forests, Denmark. By tracking these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-have-a-communications-system-that-closely-resembles-mental-telepathy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ants</a>, they discerned a clear relationship between temperature and the ant's position on the grass.



"At lower temperatures, the ants clung to the grass tops. But as it warmed up, they descended," Fredensborg remarked. The amusing analogy they derived from this was finding the ants’ “zombie switch” which the liver fluke seemingly toggles depending on the temperature.



<h2>Sacrifice for the swarm</h2>



The intricacies don’t end here. Although hundreds of parasite liver flukes reside in an infected ant, only one ventures into the brain, turning the ants into zombies.



This sole fluke dictates the ant's behavior and eventually sacrifices itself during the transition to the next host. The remaining flukes, protected within capsules, are poised for the next stage of their journey after being ingested by a grazer.



<h2>Parasites: The unsung pioneers</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crazy-ants-carry-the-key-to-their-own-population-control/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parasites</a>, as Fredensborg notes, play a substantial role in the food chain by manipulating their host's behavior. Despite their significance, they remain a relatively unstudied area due to their elusive nature.



"Parasitism is the most widespread life form," he says, emphasizing the need for further studies. The influence of parasites on ecosystems is profound, affecting interactions between species and the broader balance of nature.



<h2 id="h-the-life-cycle-of-a-parasitic-maestro">The life cycle of a parasitic maestro</h2>



To better understand the liver fluke's life cycle:



<h3>Turning ants into zombies</h3>



The fluke takes control of the ant, driving it to latch onto grass to be consumed by a grazer. Concurrently, a multitude of flukes in the ant's abdomen await their turn.



<h3>The Grazer</h3>



Upon consuming the infected ant, the grazer becomes the fluke’s next host. While the controlling fluke succumbs to the grazer's stomach acid, its brethren, protected by capsules, navigate to the liver to mature and reproduce.



<h3>The Snail</h3>



The cycle continues when a snail consumes the fluke eggs excreted by the grazer. Inside the snail, the flukes proliferate.



<h3>The Slime Ball</h3>



In a bid to infect ants again, the flukes induce the snail to produce a mucus ball, a delicacy for ants, ensuring their ingestion and restarting the cycle.



As researchers continue to decipher the chemical concoctions the fluke uses to turn <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fungus-farming-ants-work-hard-to-maintain-healthy-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ants</a> into zombies, one thing remains clear: the parasitic world holds mysteries waiting to be unraveled, revealing nature's intricate and sometimes eerie strategies for survival.



The study of the parasite has just been <a href="https://academic.oup.com/beheco/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/beheco/arad064/7250300" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">published in the scientific journal&nbsp;Behavoral Ecology</a>.



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A thing of nightmares: Parasite turns ants into zombies at dawn and dusk

In a bizarre twist of nature, ants are finding themselves...

On September 17th, people around the globe unite to celebrate <a href="https://www.worldmantaday.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Manta Day</a>. This special day is dedicated to manta and devil rays, which are facing multiple threats such as unsustainable tourism, entanglement, and climate change.



World Manta Day was established to increase awareness about these majestic marine animals. The goal is share comprehensive knowledge about manta rays, their kin, and the habitats they occupy. 



As the saying goes, knowledge is power, and through increased awareness, we can aspire to protect these magnificent creatures for future generations.



<h2 id="h-cultural-significance-of-manta-rays">Cultural significance of manta rays</h2>



Manta rays have been admired and respected by various cultures throughout history, holding a special place in the spiritual traditions of many coastal communities. 



In some cultures, manta rays are symbols of good luck and prosperity. Other cultures believe that manta rays have supernatural powers and are associated with creation myths and folklore.&nbsp;



In Hawaii, for example, manta rays are considered to be the physical embodiment of powerful spirits and are revered as aumakua, or ancestral guardians.&nbsp;



Many Hawaiian people believe the manta represents wisdom, grace, strength, and flow.



<h2 id="h-the-manta-mystery">The manta mystery</h2>



Mantas are intriguing not just for their size, but also their complex biology and behavior. They are close relatives of sharks and rays, boasting a cartilaginous skeleton.&nbsp;



Despite their imposing size - some stretching up to seven meters wingtip to wingtip - they feed primarily on microscopic zooplankton.&nbsp;



Their bellies display a unique spot pattern, equivalent to our fingerprints, which can be used to identify individual rays.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-big-brains">Big brains</h2>



Intriguingly, mantas possess one of the largest brains among fish, suggesting a high degree of intelligence and intricate social behaviors.



These creatures are known for their intelligence, displaying a higher brain-to-body ratio than any other fish species studied thus far.&nbsp;



Social creatures, they can often be found in sizable groups, frequenting cleaning stations in shallow waters during the day and delving into deeper realms at night to feed.



<h2 id="h-concerns-about-mantas">Concerns about mantas</h2>



Sadly, their majestic presence hasn't shielded them from threats. The giant manta ray's reproduction rate is alarmingly low, with a single female producing an estimated 4-7 offspring throughout her lifetime.&nbsp;



A burgeoning demand for their gill plates has resulted in targeted fishing. Given their low reproductive rate, recovery from overexploitation would be a long, challenging process.&nbsp;



Reflecting this concern, the IUCN has classified the giant manta ray as endangered and its cousin, the reef manta ray, as vulnerable.



<h2 id="h-more-about-manta-rays">More about manta rays&nbsp;</h2>



<h2 id="h-manta-rays-are-among-the-most-majestic-and-graceful-marine-creatures-in-the-world">Manta rays are among the most majestic and graceful marine creatures in the world.&nbsp;</h2>



<h3 id="h-species">Species</h3>



There are two main species of manta rays: the giant manta ray (Manta birostris) and the reef manta ray (Manta alfredi).



<h3 id="h-appearance">Appearance</h3>



Manta rays are characterized by their large, flat bodies with triangular pectoral fins. They possess two horn-like cephalic lobes on their heads, which gives rise to their common nickname "devil rays."



<h3 id="h-size">Size</h3>



The giant manta ray is the larger of the two species, reaching wing spans (from tip to tip of their pectoral fins) of up to 7 meters (23 feet) or more. The reef manta ray is smaller, with a wingspan of up to 3.5 meters (11.5 feet).



<h3 id="h-diet">Diet</h3>



Manta rays are filter feeders. They consume large quantities of zooplankton, including tiny shrimp, krill, and microscopic plankton. The cephalic lobes help channel water and plankton into their mouths.



<h3 id="h-habitat">Habitat</h3>



While manta rays can be found in tropical, subtropical, and temperate oceans worldwide, they are often associated with coastal areas, coral reefs, and seamounts.



<h3 id="h-reproduction">Reproduction</h3>



Manta rays give birth to live young, typically producing one or two pups every few years. The gestation period can be over a year.



<h2 id="h-why-manta-conservation-matters">Why manta conservation matters</h2>



Manta rays are more than just oceanic wonders; they are integral to marine ecosystems' health. As filter feeders, they play a pivotal role in maintaining the marine food chain's balance.&nbsp;



They also hold significant economic value for coastal communities, especially in places like the Maldives, where manta ray tourism is a major revenue source.



<h2 id="h-ways-to-celebrate-world-manta-day">Ways to celebrate World Manta Day</h2>



<h3 id="h-educate-spread-awareness">Educate &amp; spread awareness</h3>



Utilize platforms like the World Manta Day and MarAlliance websites to arm yourself with knowledge. Then, share this information on social media, amplifying the manta rays' plight.



<h3 id="h-support-conservation">Support conservation</h3>



Pledge to consume only sustainably sourced seafood. Seek out and support manta ray-centric charities and research initiatives.



<h3 id="h-be-a-mindful-tourist">Be a mindful tourist</h3>



Adhering to local codes is crucial when diving or snorkeling near these creatures. Remember, despite their size, mantas are harmless and are a favorite among divers.



<h3 id="h-contribute-to-research">Contribute to research</h3>



Your manta ID photos can be a goldmine for researchers, assisting them in understanding these creatures better.



<h3 id="h-symbolic-adoptions">Symbolic adoptions</h3>



By <a href="https://www.mantatrust.org/adopt-a-manta">adopting a manta</a> through certain organizations, you can aid in funneling resources toward conservation and research.



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World Manta Day: Celebrating our majestic ocean giants

On September 17th, people around the globe unite to celebrate...

A new virtual reality study reveals that humans can feel empathic embarrassment for robots that are in embarrassing situations. The results also suggest that humans have cognitive empathy - the ability to understand another's feelings - for humiliated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-will-humans-react-to-coexisting-with-robots/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robots</a>.&nbsp;



The research offers a deeper understanding of the emotional dynamics that characterize our interactions with artificial entities.



The study was conducted by researchers at <a href="https://www.tut.ac.jp/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Toyohashi University of Technology</a>, including Harin Hapuarachchi and Professor Michiteru Kitazaki.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



The goal was to discern if humans showcase empathic reactions towards robots in situations of discomfort or embarrassment.



"Humans feel empathic embarrassment by witnessing others go through embarrassing situations. We examined whether we feel such empathic embarrassment even with robot avatars," explained the researchers.



<h2 id="h-humans-empathize-with-robot-pain">Humans empathize with robot pain</h2>



The experts noted that previous studies have provided evidence of humans’ ability to empathize with pain experienced by robots.



"These studies suggest that during painful scenarios or mistreatment, people do show a tendency of showing empathy for robots as well even though it is lower compared to the level of empathy felt with other humans," wrote the researchers.



"Since these previous studies on empathy for robots are focused on mistreatment or pain, in this study we focused on another emotion, 'empathic embarrassment' felt with robots compared to humans."



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



For the current study, participants were placed in virtual environments where they observed both human and robot avatars navigating either mildly embarrassing or non-embarrassing scenarios.&nbsp;



These situations were meticulously crafted to induce feelings of discomfort or the sense of making a mistake.



"We utilized virtual reality (VR) to simulate a virtual environment in which participants were immersed with a robot character or a human character going through embarrassing situations among a crowd of people (virtual human avatars)," wrote the researchers.



"As a control condition, we also created non-embarrassing scenes for the same situations and compared with the subjective ratings and skin conductance responses collected in the embarrassing condition."



<h2 id="h-empathic-responses">Empathic responses&nbsp;</h2>



To capture the participants' genuine reactions, the study integrated both subjective ratings on a 7-point Likert scale and physiological measurements via skin conductance responses - a known indicator of emotional arousal.&nbsp;



The participants were required to gauge their own feelings of empathic embarrassment and also estimate the avatar's feelings in each situation.



The results were intriguing. The study participants reported experiencing empathic embarrassment and cognitive empathy for both human and robot avatars.&nbsp;



Notably, these empathic feelings spiked in embarrassing contexts, regardless of whether the protagonist was a human or a robot.



<h2 id="h-self-embarrassment">Self-embarrassment&nbsp;</h2>



"The empathic embarrassment was not only cognitive inference, but also felt as self-embarrassment," noted the study authors.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"Thus, humans can empathize with robots in embarrassing situations, suggesting that humans assume the robots can be aware of being witnessed and have some degree of self-consciousness based on self-reflection and self-evaluation."



<h2 id="h-cognitive-empathy">Cognitive empathy&nbsp;</h2>



When the researchers compared responses towards human and robot avatars, they found that cognitive empathy was stronger when the antagonist was human.&nbsp;



This divergence in cognitive empathy levels indicates that while humans can empathize with robots, our understanding of their emotions might not mirror that of our fellow humans.



<h2 id="h-valuable-insights">Valuable insights&nbsp;</h2>



"Our study provides valuable insights into the evolving nature of human-robot relationships. As technology continues to integrate into our daily lives, understanding the emotional responses we have towards robots is crucial," said Hapuarachchi, the lead researcher.



"This research opens up new avenues for exploring the boundaries of human empathy and the potential challenges and benefits of human-robot interactions."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-41042-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Humans feel empathic embarrassment for humiliated robots

A new virtual reality study reveals that humans can feel...

People can recall death experiences for up to an hour after their hearts have stopped beating, according to new research from the <a href="https://med.nyu.edu/our-community/about-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NYU Grossman School of Medicine</a>.&nbsp;



Some patients revived by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) had clear memories of experiencing death. While unconscious, these individuals had brain patterns linked to thought and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lack-of-sexual-satisfaction-linked-to-rapid-memory-decline/">memory</a>, the researchers found.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



The study, known as the AWAreness during REsuscitation (AWARE)-II, was focused on 567 cardiac arrest patients in hospitals between May 2017 and March 2020.&nbsp;



The standardized conditions, which included CPR and resuscitation methods, were carefully monitored to ensure accuracy. Only 10% of the patients recovered sufficiently for discharge after receiving in-hospital CPR.&nbsp;



The experts also analyzed insights from 126 community survivors of cardiac arrest with self-reported memories. The goal was to better understand the themes linked to the vivid experience of death.



<h2 id="h-some-degree-of-consciousness">Some degree of consciousness&nbsp;</h2>



Remarkably, 40% of survivors recalled some degree of consciousness during CPR, an experience that previously went unnoticed by conventional measures.



Among a subset of patients who underwent brain monitoring during CPR, nearly 40% displayed brain activity that revived to almost normal states from a "flatline" status, sometimes as long as an hour into CPR.&nbsp;



Using EEG technology, experts observed notable spikes in gamma, delta, theta, alpha, and beta waves associated with higher mental functions.



<h2 id="h-death-experiences">Death experiences&nbsp;</h2>



Survivor accounts of heightened awareness, powerful experiences, and a perception of separation from the body have long been reported.&nbsp;



These experiences include observing events without pain or distress and a profound evaluation of their actions and relationships.&nbsp;



Crucially, the study distinguished these death experiences from dreams, hallucinations, and other similar states.



<h2 id="h-new-dimensions-of-reality">New dimensions of reality</h2>



According to the researchers, death experiences might be linked to the disinhibition process, where the dying brain removes natural inhibitory systems.&nbsp;



The researchers suggest that this type of disengagement might allow access to "new dimensions of reality," potentially including clear recollection of all memories from early childhood to death, as seen from a moral perspective.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-electrical-recovery">Electrical recovery&nbsp;</h2>



Study senior author Dr. Sam Parnia is an associate professor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Langone Health and director of critical care and resuscitation research at NYU Langone.



"Although doctors have long thought that the brain suffers permanent damage about 10 minutes after the heart stops supplying it with oxygen, our work found that the brain can show signs of electrical recovery long into ongoing CPR," said Dr. Parnia.



"This is the first large study to show that these recollections and brain wave changes may be signs of universal, shared elements of so-called near-death experiences."



"These experiences provide a glimpse into a real, yet little understood dimension of human consciousness that becomes uncovered with death. The findings may also guide the design of new ways to restart the heart or prevent brain injuries and hold implications for transplantation."



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers emphasize that the findings neither validate nor negate the experiences' reality or meaning associated with death and call for further research on the subject.&nbsp;



They say the recalled experience surrounding death merits further empirical investigation and plan to conduct studies that more precisely define biomarkers of clinical consciousness and that monitor the long-term psychological effects of resuscitation after cardiac arrest.



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People reporting near-death experiences have often been "dead" for an hour

People can recall death experiences for up to an hour...

Selfie,Portrait,Of,Young,Colombian,Latina,Woman,,With,Her,Border

The connections between public perceptions of human vaccines and the views on vaccinating pets have come under scrutiny. New research reveals that dog owners in the U.S. who are skeptical about the safety and efficacy of childhood and adult vaccines also display hesitancy towards canine vaccines.



This fresh insight, derived from a study led by <a href="https://www.bu.edu/sph/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boston University School of Public Health</a> (BUSPH), throws a light on the possible wider repercussions of the declining trust in vaccines, especially during the era of COVID-19.



Throughout the pandemic, skepticism regarding vaccines, especially the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/many-parents-worry-about-potential-effects-of-the-covid-vaccine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID-19 shot</a>, has surged. This new study, featured in the esteemed <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0264410X23010150" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">journal Vaccine</a>, shows that this distrust doesn't stop at human vaccines.



<h2 id="h-dog-vaccinations-in-the-u-s">Dog vaccinations in the U.S.</h2>



Alarmingly, it seems to have pervaded the realm of pet vaccinations as well. After examining a nationally representative sample of US adults, the study discovered that a staggering majority -- over half of dog owners, to be precise -- harbor <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1532673X211022639" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reservations about canine vaccines</a>.



These vaccines, crucial in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dog-flu-outbreaks-spiking-across-the-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">safeguarding pets</a> against ailments like rabies, are now seen by many as either unsafe, ineffective, or even medically superfluous.



These findings carry tremendous weight given that <a href="https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2021-12-01/pet-population-still-rise-fewer-pets-household" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">45% of US households</a> are home to a canine friend. Delving deeper into the survey results paints an even more concerning picture: nearly 40% of these dog-owning households believe that vaccines for their pets are unsafe.



In addition, over 20% think the vaccines won't work, while 30% deem them medically unnecessary. Perhaps most surprising of all, roughly 37% think there's a link between canine vaccines and autism in dogs. This is a notion for which there's <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/autism.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">no scientific backing</a>, for either animals or humans.



<h2>Communities at risk from "spillover" effect</h2>



<a href="https://www.bu.edu/sph/profile/matthew-motta/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Matt Motta</a>, the assistant professor of health law, policy &amp; management at BUSPH, emphasizes the gravity of the situation. 



“The vaccine spillover effects that we document in our research underscore the importance of restoring trust in human vaccine safety and efficacy,” Motta states. He further warns that increased non-vaccination could mean exposing not just our pets, but our families and the larger community to preventable diseases.



Interestingly, these findings highlight a clear COVID vaccine “spillover” effect. Individuals skeptical of human vaccines display parallel reservations about canine vaccinations. Such <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-do-small-dogs-live-longer-than-large-breeds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dog</a> owners often resist policies promoting rabies vaccination and show reluctance in getting their pets vaccinated.



But there's a legal and public health paradox here. Almost every state in the US mandates rabies vaccinations for dogs. Given rabies' near <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/">100-percent fatality rate</a> and the significant number of global deaths due to canine-transmitted rabies (over 59,000 annually), these vaccines are more than just a procedural norm; they're a critical health measure.



<h2>Misconceptions persist over vaccinating pets</h2>



Yet, despite the overwhelming proof of the efficacy and safety of the rabies vaccine, misconceptions persist. Dr. Gabriella Motta, a veterinarian at Glenolden Veterinary Hospital (and Dr. Matt Motta's sibling), confronts vaccine-hesitant pet owners daily. 



She elaborates on the risks veterinarians face when dealing with unvaccinated animals. "When a staff member is bitten by an animal, the severity of the situation intensifies if the animal hasn't been vaccinated," she warns.



Such incidents are also mentally taxing for the victim and the entire veterinary team, already grappling with industry challenges like burnout and high job turnover. However, Dr. Gabriella Motta firmly reassures that the rabies vaccine is undeniably safe and effective. She advises cost-wary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-and-wolves-have-social-learning-ability-and-can-remember-where-people-hid-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pet owners</a> to explore affordable vaccination options available at local veterinary clinics.



It's paramount that public trust in vaccines, both for humans and pets, is reinforced with robust scientific data. As Dr. Matt Motta cautions, the once-unthinkable opposition to essential vaccines like the MMR is now a reality. Thus, continuous research and dissemination of credible information have become crucial.



The study also credits Dominik Stecula, an assistant professor of political science at <a href="https://www.colostate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado State University</a>, as its senior author.



<h2>More about dog vaccinations</h2>



Every responsible <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mischievous-dogs-experts-reveal-the-top-ten-naughtiest-breeds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dog</a> owner knows that vaccinations play a pivotal role in ensuring the health and well-being of their furry friend. Just like human vaccines protect us from severe diseases, dog vaccinations shield our pets from various ailments. Here's a concise guide to understanding the significance and types of dog vaccinations.



<h3>Why vaccinate your dog?</h3>



Vaccinations prepare your dog's immune system to fend off disease-causing organisms. When we vaccinate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-dog-day-celebrating-all-the-ways-that-dogs-make-life-better/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our dogs</a>, we introduce them to a mild form of a particular disease, often termed an antigen. 



This doesn't cause the illness but prompts the dog's immune system to produce antibodies to fight it. If the dog ever encounters the actual disease, its immune system recognizes and combats it effectively.



<h3>Core vs. Non-Core Vaccines</h3>



Dog vaccines fall into two primary categories: core and non-core.



<h4>Core Vaccines</h4>



Veterinarians recommend these for all dogs, regardless of their location, lifestyle, or breed. They protect against more common and severe diseases.



Rabies: A fatal virus that affects the central nervous system. Most states mandate rabies vaccinations.



Distemper: A contagious and severe viral illness with no known cure.



Parvovirus: A highly contagious viral disease that causes severe gastrointestinal problems.



Adenovirus (Hepatitis): This virus affects the liver, kidneys, lungs, and eyes.



<h4>Non-core vaccines</h4>



These depend on a dog's risk factors like location and activity level.



Bordetella (Kennel Cough): Especially recommended for dogs that board or visit dog parks.



Lyme Disease: Important for dogs living in or visiting tick-infested areas.



Leptospirosis: A bacterial disease that can also affect humans.



Canine Influenza: Protects against the dog flu.



<h3>Vaccination schedule</h3>



Puppies generally start their vaccinations at 6-8 weeks of age and follow up with booster shots throughout their first year. After this initial series, dogs typically need annual or triennial boosters, depending on the vaccine and the dog's risk factors.



<h3>Side effects and concerns</h3>



While most dogs tolerate vaccinations well, some might exhibit mild symptoms like soreness at the injection site, mild fever, or decreased appetite. Serious side effects remain rare, but always monitor your dog after vaccinations and consult your vet if you observe any alarming symptoms.



Vaccinating your dog not only protects them but also contributes to the overall health of the pet community by preventing potential outbreaks. Regular check-ups and discussions with your veterinarian will ensure your dog remains updated on its vaccinations and stays healthy for years to come.



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Over 50% of all dog owners do not vaccinate their pets

The connections between public perceptions of human vaccines and the...

Scientists have identified what may be considered as COVID's ultimate weakness: the virus's reliance on essential human proteins to replicate and, subsequently, its ability to make individuals ill.



<h2 id="h-the-dependence-on-sumoylation">The dependence on SUMOylation</h2>



In a recently published paper in the journal '<a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/7/1600" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Viruses</a>,' the research team led by <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Riverside</a> laid bare an essential mechanism by which the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-who-dont-get-sick-from-covid-19-may-have-a-genetic-mutation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID</a> virus reproduces. The virus's protein known as 'N,' which allows COVID to replicate, is heavily dependent on specific human cell processes. These processes, post-translation modifications like SUMOylation, ensure that proteins in our bodies perform their designated functions optimally.



To provide context, our body's genetic instructions shift from DNA to messenger RNA, which then gets converted into functional proteins. These proteins, post their translation, frequently need additional tweaks by various enzymes to ensure they function as intended.



Here's where the crux of the discovery, and COVID's weakness, lies: the COVID virus hijacks the SUMOylation process in humans. This maneuver ensures that the N protein of the virus is directed to the ideal location within the human cell, post which it packages its genome. 



Once positioned correctly, the protein can then start creating copies of its genetic material into new virus particles, increasing the infection and disease severity.



Quanqing Zhang, the co-author of this important study and also the manager of UCR's Institute for Integrative Genome Biology’s proteomics core laboratory, explains the significance, "In the wrong location, the virus cannot infect us."



<h2>A unique visualization technique</h2>



To understand this process in-depth, the researchers employed a distinct approach. They engineered experiments which allowed them to visualize the post-translational modifications of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-masks-may-expose-users-to-harmful-chemicals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID</a> proteins clearly. 



By employing a fluorescence mechanism, the team could visibly identify interactions between human proteins and the virus, thus mapping the creation of new virions or infectious virus particles.



This method, according to UCR bioengineering professor Jiayu Liao, is superior in sensitivity when compared to other techniques. It offers a more holistic view of the interplay between human and viral proteins.



Moreover, it was found that two prevalent types of the flu virus, Influenza A and B, mirror this dependency on the SUMOylation process for their replication.



<h2>New class of antiviral medications</h2>



Identifying COVID's weakness might herald the birth of a new generation of antiviral medicines. The dependency of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-lockdowns-had-unexpected-impacts-on-wildlife-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID</a> on the SUMOylation proteins is akin to that seen in flu viruses. By blocking the virus's access to these human proteins, our immune system could potentially overpower and destroy the virus.



Currently, the most effective treatment for COVID is Paxlovid, which halts the virus's replication. However, its efficacy is most potent within the first three days of infection. Professor Liao believes that the recent discovery can pave the way for a medication that assists patients at all infection stages.



The parallels drawn between different viruses based on this study could potentially usher in novel antiviral medicines. Liao is optimistic, estimating that with adequate resources and backing, such treatments could be a reality within five years.



In a broader perspective, Liao envisions these findings to be instrumental in combatting other virulent strains, like RSV and Ebola, apart from the flu and COVID. "We are making new discoveries to help make this happen," concludes Liao, hinting at an exciting phase of antiviral research on the horizon.



<h2>More about SUMOylation</h2>



SUMOylation, a significant post-translational modification (PTM) mentioned above, has captured the attention of many researchers due to its fundamental role in the regulation of numerous cellular processes. Now we will delve into the world of SUMOylation, exploring its mechanisms, functions, and potential clinical implications.



<h3>What is SUMOylation?</h3>



SUMOylation refers to the covalent attachment of Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO) proteins to target proteins. Just as ubiquitination attaches ubiquitin to proteins to mark them for degradation, SUMOylation modifies proteins by attaching SUMO, but often with very different outcomes. These modifications can dramatically alter a protein's function, localization, and interactions.



<h3>The Mechanics of SUMOylation</h3>



Let's examine the step-by-step process of how SUMOylation occurs:



<h4>Activation</h4>



At the start, an enzyme called E1 (SUMO-activating enzyme) activates SUMO in an ATP-dependent manner. This process involves the formation of a thioester bond between the E1 enzyme and the SUMO protein.



<h4>Conjugation</h4>



Next, SUMO transfers from the E1 enzyme to an E2-conjugating enzyme called UBC9. This transfer ensures the precise pairing of SUMO with its target protein.



<h4>Ligation</h4>



The final step involves the direct transfer of SUMO from UBC9 to the target protein. This transfer happens with the assistance of E3 ligases, although UBC9 can sometimes directly SUMOylate substrates without their help.



<h3>Functions and Roles</h3>



The process of SUMOylation can influence a diverse range of cellular activities, including:



<h4>Transcriptional regulation</h4>



SUMOylation can alter the activity of transcription factors and chromatin remodeling enzymes. This modification, in turn, changes the way genes are expressed in the cell.



<h4>Protein stability</h4>



By SUMOylating specific proteins, their stability might either increase or decrease, affecting their half-life and function within the cell.



<h4>Nuclear-cytosolic transport</h4>



SUMOylation often regulates the movement of proteins between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. This transport plays a critical role in ensuring proteins are in the right cellular compartment to perform their functions.



<h4>Signal transduction</h4>



Many signaling pathways, especially those responding to environmental stresses or changes, involve SUMOylated proteins. The modification can either activate or repress signal transduction, depending on the context.



<h4>DNA repair</h4>



SUMOylation plays a role in DNA damage response. It assists in the recruitment of repair factors to sites of DNA damage, ensuring genomic integrity.



<h3>Clinical Implications</h3>



Given its vital role in cellular processes, it's unsurprising that irregularities in SUMOylation can result in diseases. Researchers have linked aberrant SUMOylation to:



<h4>Cancer</h4>



The misregulation of SUMOylation can lead to unchecked cell proliferation or resistance to apoptosis, both of which contribute to tumorigenesis.



<h4>Neurological disorders</h4>



Anomalies in SUMOylation have associations with conditions like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease.



<h4>Heart diseases</h4>



Altered SUMOylation can affect cardiac function and has implications in conditions such as heart failure.



With this knowledge, scientists are exploring therapeutic interventions targeting the SUMOylation pathway. Inhibitors or activators of specific enzymes in the pathway can potentially offer new treatment avenues for various diseases.



In summary, SUMOylation stands as a testament to the complexity and sophistication of cellular regulation. By understanding the intricacies of this post-translational modification, researchers not only gain insights into fundamental cellular processes but also open doors to new therapeutic strategies. As studies progress, it's evident that SUMOylation will remain a hot topic in molecular and clinical research.



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Scientists discover COVID’s weakness

Scientists have identified what may be considered as COVID's ultimate...

New technology from <a href="https://www.utexas.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Texas at Austin</a> can transform hot summer air into drinkable water, a potential game-changer for regions of the world dealing with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/despite-record-snowpack-in-the-west-early-melting-could-lead-to-water-scarcity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water scarcity</a>.



Over the years, the researchers have focused on exploiting the moisture in the air as a viable drinking water source for populations enduring droughts.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-hydrogel-device">Hydrogel device</h2>



The research, which is documented in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2308969120" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>, has resulted in a notable achievement: a molecularly engineered hydrogel capable of generating pure water using sunlight.



The team successfully extracted atmospheric moisture and converted it into drinking water using solar power.&nbsp;



Impressively, this conversion can happen in temperatures as low as 104 degrees, which is comparable to the summer climate of Texas and other regions.



The hydrogel device could be simply placed outside, requiring no further human intervention, to spontaneously generate drinkable water.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-remarkable-capability">Remarkable capability&nbsp;</h2>



“With our new hydrogel, we’re not just pulling water out of thin air. We’re doing it extremely fast and without consuming too much energy,” said Guihua Yu, a professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering’s Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering and Texas Materials Institute.&nbsp;



“What’s really fascinating about our hydrogel is how it releases water. Think about a hot Texas summer - we could just use our temperatures’ natural ups and downs, no need to crank up any heaters.”



The device's capability is remarkable, yielding between 3.5 and 7 kilograms of water for each kilogram of gel materials, depending on humidity.



<h2 id="h-rapid-water-capture">Rapid water capture</h2>



Another crucial development is the hydrogel's transformation into "microgels" or microparticles. This conversion boosts the device's performance, making water capture and release incredibly rapid.&nbsp;



“By transforming the hydrogel into micro-sized particles, we can make the water capture and release ultrafast,” said study lead author Weixin Guan, a graduate student in Yu’s lab.



“This offers a new, highly efficient type of sorbents that can significantly enhance the water production by multiple daily cycling.”



<h2 id="h-revolutionizing-water-access">Revolutionizing water access&nbsp;</h2>



Efforts are underway to refine the technology, especially optimizing the microgel engineering to elevate efficiency.&nbsp;



The broader objective is to realize a scalable, cost-effective, and portable solution, potentially revolutionizing water access in nations like Ethiopia, where nearly 60% of residents don’t have clean water access.



“We developed this device with the ultimate goal to be available to people around the world who need quick and consistent access to clean, drinkable water, particularly in those arid areas,” said study co-author Yaxuan Zhao, who is also a graduate student in Yu’s lab.



<h2 id="h-further-exploration">Further exploration&nbsp;</h2>



The team is exploring organic material-based versions of the device to ensure affordability during mass production. These innovations aim to maintain product durability and facilitate absorption of moisture.&nbsp;



The research is also focused on making the devices portable for various applications.



<h2 id="h-significance-of-the-study">Significance of the study</h2>



"With increasing global demand for freshwater and the concurrent dwindling of traditional water resources, it’s imperative to explore sustainable alternatives for water supply," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



"Atmospheric water harvesting (AWH), a potential solution, faces challenges due to the energy-intensive release of captured water."



"Addressing this issue, our study introduces the concept of molecularly confined hydration in thermoresponsive hydrogels, enabling more efficient water release at lower temperatures. This technique, when coupled with photothermal absorbers, harnesses solar energy, bolstering the sustainability of AWH."&nbsp;



"This advancement contributes to our understanding of hydrogel design for AWH and signifies a crucial step in the global efforts to mitigate the intensifying water scarcity crisis."



The project is supported by the Norman Hackerman Award in Chemical Research from The Welch Foundation and the Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award.



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Breakthrough hydrogel device turns hot summer air into drinkable water

New technology from The University of Texas at Austin can...

Our world is in a state of change, and as global temperatures rise, they cause ripple effects throughout our natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-induced-changes-in-ocean-salinity-threaten-biodiversity-and-marine-ecosystems/">ecosystems</a>. Some of these effects - like animals shifting northward to seek ideal temperatures - are easy to observe, but others are much less obvious.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-plant-decomposition">Plant decomposition</h2>



One important ecosystem process that is often overlooked is plant litter decomposition. Dead plant material is broken down by animals, fungi, and microbes, which in turn releases essential nutrients back into the ecosystem for the next generation of plants.&nbsp;



The speed of plant decomposition plays a crucial role in determining the carbon storage capacity of an ecosystem. Furthermore, the storage capacity of ecosystems directly affects the levels of carbon dioxide, a leading greenhouse gas responsible for current warming trends.



Just as different plant species possess distinct nutrient profiles, the decomposition products vary depending on the plant species. But it's not just about the plants. Microbes in the soil, responsible for most of the decomposition, are also influenced by warming temperatures.



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



In a study led by <a href="https://holdenfg.org/">Holden Arboretum</a> ecologists, researchers set out to investigate the interactions between plants, microbes, and increasing temperatures.&nbsp;



“Our study is exciting because scientists haven’t extensively explored how changes in the plant and decomposer communities will interact under climate warming,” said study lead author Emma Dawson-Glass.



“Studying how decomposition is impacted by warming can help us better understand how the function of our environment is being altered by climate change. By improving our understanding of the changes caused by climate warming, we can also help to better inform climate intervention strategies.”



<h2 id="h-evolving-microbial-communities">Evolving microbial communities&nbsp;</h2>



Building on prior research, the team recognized that while warming temperatures expedited microbial decomposition, they also shifted plant communities in ways that slowed the process. The team conducted lab experiments to take a closer look at these responses.



The researchers found that the presence of Indian grass, a slower-decomposing grass, generally hampered decomposition. However, the delay was nullified when soil microbes were accustomed to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;



This indicated that microbial communities had evolved under warmer conditions, becoming more efficient at decomposing Indian grass, which also proliferates in such conditions.



<h2 id="h-simultaneous-shifts">Simultaneous shifts&nbsp;</h2>



The findings suggest that adjustments in microbial and plant communities might actually balance out the changes in decomposition due to global warming. This realization emphasizes the need for a multifaceted approach when assessing global warming's impact on ecosystems.



“The impacts of global warming are pervasive, but so incredibly nuanced,” said study senior author Katie Stuble. “The response of one element of the environment to warming is almost certainly influenced by simultaneous shifts in other elements. Sometimes these confounding changes may exacerbate the impacts of warming, but they may also mitigate the impacts.”&nbsp;



“Unpacking the intricate ways in which warming will modify various aspects of the environment, but also how these changes will interact with one another, will be a critical step in understanding how climate change is reshaping the world now, as well as into the future."



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14404">Functional Ecology</a>.



<h2 id="h-more-about-plant-decomposition">More about plant decomposition&nbsp;</h2>



Plant decomposition refers to the breakdown of dead plant materials, such as leaves, stems, and roots, into simpler organic and inorganic compounds.&nbsp;



This process is primarily driven by physical factors (like temperature and moisture), chemical factors (like the material's composition), and biological agents, notably microbes (bacteria and fungi), as well as larger decomposers like insects and earthworms.



<h3 id="h-why-is-plant-decomposition-important">Why is plant decomposition important?&nbsp;</h3>



<h4 id="h-nutrients">Nutrients</h4>



Decomposition releases nutrients that were previously locked up in plant tissues. This provides essential nutrients for other plants and organisms in the ecosystem.



<h4 id="h-soil-structure">Soil structure</h4>



As plant materials decompose, they enrich the soil and help in forming humus. This improves soil's water retention, aeration, and overall health.



<h4 id="h-carbon-cycle">Carbon cycle</h4>



Decomposition plays a significant role in the carbon cycle. Plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) during photosynthesis and store it as carbon. When plants die, this carbon is returned to the environment as CO2 through decomposition.



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Balancing act: Microbes speed up plant decomposition in a warming world

Our world is in a state of change, and as...

A melting ice sheet is the most likely cause of a major climate change event that transpired over 8,000 years ago, according to a new study.



This revelation, based on geological samples extracted from the Ythan Estuary in Scotland, could provide crucial insights into our current global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-hit-a-record-high-this-month-and-theres-more-to-come/">warming</a> predicament and its potential consequences.



The study involved a team of geo-scientists from four prominent Yorkshire universities. It was led by Dr. Graham Rush, a distinguished scholar affiliated with both the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/">University of Leeds</a> and Leeds Beckett University.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



Over 8,000 years ago, the North Atlantic and Northern Europe experienced dramatic cooling. This was attributed to alterations in a dominant system of ocean currents known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).&nbsp;



The AMOC plays a pivotal role in regulating the Earth's climate by redistributing heat across the globe. When its typical flow is disrupted, significant climate changes can emerge, affecting ecosystems, sea levels, and weather patterns.



<h2 id="h-breakdown-of-the-amoc">Breakdown of the AMOC</h2>



The researchers propose that the melting of an expansive ice sheet was the primary catalyst for the changes in AMOC, leading to an intense cooling event.&nbsp;



According to the experts, an influx of a massive amount of freshwater into the salt-water seas of the North Atlantic may have caused the AMOC to breakdown.



<h2 id="h-alarming-discovery">Alarming discovery</h2>



To investigate, the research team extracted core samples from the sediment of the Ythan Estuary in Scotland.&nbsp;



The analysis of microfossils and sediment revealed startling findings: sea levels had surged at rates far exceeding typical background fluctuations of about two millimeters per year, spiking at 13 millimeters annually.&nbsp;



Individual sea-level events likely caused water levels to rise by approximately 2 meters in the Ythan Estuary.



<h2 id="h-new-theory-emerges">New theory emerges</h2>



Traditionally, scientists believed that a giant freshwater source responsible for the disruption of the AMOC was Lake Agassiz-Ojibway. Located near present-day northern Ontario, this lake was roughly the size of the Black Sea.&nbsp;



However, Dr. Rush's team found that while this lake was undoubtedly substantial, it alone couldn't account for the vast influx of freshwater that their core samples indicated.



Instead, the team proposes an alternative source: the melting of the Hudson Bay Ice Saddle. This ancient ice sheet covered a vast region spanning eastern Canada to the northeastern United States.



“We have shown, that although huge, the lake was not large enough to account for all that water going into the ocean and causing the sea-level rise that we observed," said Dr. Rush.



<h2 id="h-global-impacts">Global impacts</h2>



Disruptions in ocean circulation have profound implications for our global climate. The historical climate event caused major drops in temperatures. 



In the North Atlantic and Europe, temperatures plummet between 1.5 and 5 degrees C, and persisted for approximately 200 years.&nbsp;



This temperature drop also resulted in increased rainfall across Europe. Conversely, other regions, such as parts of Africa, suffered extended drought periods.



<h2 id="h-a-cautionary-tale">A cautionary tale&nbsp;</h2>



The research team believes their findings provide crucial insights into our current era, where Greenland's melting ice sheets may influence global climate systems.&nbsp;



The ancient cooling event serves as a reminder of the delicate balance within our planet's climate and the potential ramifications of major shifts in oceanic and atmospheric conditions.



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



“We know that the AMOC is currently slowing down and, although still debated, some forecasts indicate it could shutdown altogether," said Dr. Rush.&nbsp;



“However, by looking at past events we can learn more about what causes these changes and their likelihood."&nbsp;



"We have shown that rapid ice-sheet retreat, which may occur in Greenland depending on the path of future fossil fuel emissions, can cause a range of significant climatic effects that would have very worrying consequences.”&nbsp;



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.qsa.2023.100119">Quaternary Science Advances</a>.



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Cascading climate event 8,000 years ago was caused by a melting ice sheet

A melting ice sheet is the most likely cause of...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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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?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" 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 Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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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



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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



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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



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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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