Cancer is sometimes described as the unchecked growth of abnormal cells. It is linked to all sorts of health issues, and doctors have spent years trying to find better ways to tackle it.



In a recent study, investigators reported the discovery of a molecular “switch” that seems to reverse <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-cancer-cell-death-may-transform-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">damaged cells</a> back into a more helpful condition.



The research was led by <a href="https://scholar.google.co.kr/citations?user=nTrFoYIAAAAJ&amp;hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kwang-Hyun Cho</a> of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (<a href="https://www.kaist.ac.kr/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">KAIST</a>).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reprograming-cancer-cells">Reprograming cancer cells </h2>



Most therapies focus on destroying cancer cells or removing them. This new approach is different because it directs abnormal <a href="https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cells</a> to change course.



Scientists tested the plan on lab-grown <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/organoid#:~:text=An%20organoid%20is%20generally%20defined,From%3A%20Engineering%2C%202022" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organoids</a> made from colon tumors. They stopped the cells from going down the wrong path, which introduces the idea of an unexpected therapy option.



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



Experts say that too many cancer treatments harm healthy cells while trying to kill the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-lifetime-cancer-risk-may-be-established-before-we-are-born/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diseased ones</a>. The damage often leads to side effects and even long-term complications.



Dr. Tiffany Troso-Sandoval is a retired oncologist, formerly at <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center</a>, who was not involved in the study.



“This finding provides a new approach for cancer treatment by rewiring cancer cells rather than eliminating them,” said Dr. Troso-Sandoval. She believes this work might someday open safer treatment alternatives for those who need them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-normal-cells-can-change">How normal cells can change</h2>



Everything starts with DNA, the genetic code that tells cells how to function. When <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breakthrough-discovery-about-cell-migration-will-help-defeat-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changes</a> build up in DNA, cells can start acting oddly.



At a certain point, these cells can switch from normal to malignant. This shift might be driven by carcinogens like chemicals in cigarette smoke or other harmful exposures. Once it happens, the body faces new challenges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-short-window-to-reverse-cancer-cells">Short window to reverse cancer cells</h2>



The researchers found that there is a short interval when cells have both harmless and dangerous traits. During that moment, they are vulnerable to the right nudge.



The scientists observed a specific enzyme that stops certain proteins from breaking down. By interfering with that enzyme, the cells went back to operating as normal tissue.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-less-toxicity-fewer-worries">Less toxicity, fewer worries</h2>



Chemotherapy and radiation are still mainstays in cancer care. However, they come with fatigue, hair loss, and other problems that many people dread.



If future work confirms that targeting these transitional cells is a safe strategy, patients might avoid some of the harsh downsides of cancer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/video-games-could-accelerate-discoveries-in-cancer-research/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">therapy</a>. Lower toxicity may also mean a better quality of life.



This method could potentially slow or stop tumors before they truly get started. Some individuals with close relatives who have cancer might benefit from this discovery.



As soon as experts figure out how to track the early shifts in cells, doctors could potentially use this insight to steer risky tissues back to normal. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signals-that-control-cancer-cell-behavior">Signals that control cancer cell behavior</h2>



Cho’s team watched how colon cells changed in tiny 3D cultures. These samples allowed the scientists to see the subtle shift in cell identity.



The study also highlighted the genetic networks at play. The data offer a map of which molecules push cells down dangerous roads.



No one is suggesting that surgeons can ditch their operating rooms tomorrow. Additional research must confirm the safety of reversing tumor cells inside the human body.



Animal tests, and eventually clinical trials, are needed to see if this plan works in real life. In time, it could be used alongside current therapies, giving doctors more choices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-perspectives-in-modern-oncology">Perspectives in modern oncology</h2>



Scientists have learned a lot from advanced genetics tools. They can now see patterns in tumors that were invisible decades ago.



This has led to more refined solutions, including immunotherapies that harness the body’s own defenses. Reverting cells may add yet another tool to that kit, and each tool could serve a different need.



While the study was focused on colon tumors, the underlying process might affect other forms of the disease. 



If these molecular signals apply to lung, breast, or other types of cancer cells, doctors may soon have a fresh way to respond. Labs around the world will likely explore that angle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-switching-harmful-cells-to-a-friendly-state">Switching harmful cells to a friendly state</h2>



Scientists hope that mapping the triggers in each patient’s cells will yield precise <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-therapy-for-childhood-brain-cancer-halts-tumor-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">treatment options</a>.



When doctors can find the exact pathways that shift cells toward disease, they might dial those pathways back. As a result, the body may keep cells on a healthier track.



The researchers remain cautious about announcing any cures. They know from experience that early lab work can change once tested more broadly.



Regardless, there is much hope for a method that might switch harmful cells back to a friendlier state. It taps into a puzzle that scientists have studied for years.



Going forward, gathering more data on other cell types is a top priority. Scientists want to see if the same enzyme blockade works on different tissues.



They also aim to reveal more about how these transitional cells behave in diverse environments. Understanding that might help doctors find the perfect moment to act.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202412503" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Advanced Science</a>.



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Breakthrough: Cancer cells have a molecular 'switch' that could be rewired to behave normally

Cancer is sometimes described as the unchecked growth of abnormal cells. It is linked to all sorts of health issues, and doctors have spent years trying to find better ways to tackle it. In a recent study, investigators reported the discovery of a molecular “switch” that seems to reverse damaged cells back into a more helpful condition. The research was led by Kwang-Hyun Cho of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). Reprograming cancer cells Most therapies focus on destroying cancer cells or removing them....

Coral,Reef,At,Reef,Building,Coral,At,Bunaken,National,Marine

A recent study conducted by scientists at <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a> sheds light on the ability of certain coral species to withstand marine heat waves by "remembering" previous events. This phenomenon, known as ecological memory, appears to be intricately linked to the microbial communities living within the corals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-coral-resilience">Importance of coral resilience</h2>



Alex Vompe, the study's lead author and a doctoral student under microbiology professor Rebecca Vega Thurber, emphasized the importance of this finding. 



"<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reefs-in-some-parts-of-the-world-actually-benefit-from-warming-el-nino-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coral reefs</a> are vital to our planet's ecosystem, but they face significant threats from various human-induced pressures, including climate change," Vompe stated. He highlighted the urgent need to understand how reefs adapt to increasing and repeated disturbances like marine heat waves, pointing out the potential role of coral microbiomes in this rapid adaptation process.



The study arrives at a critical time as marine heat waves are expected to become more frequent and severe due to climate change. Understanding and enhancing coral resilience is a key conservation goal. 



Vompe notes that recognizing the role microbes play in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recent-coral-recovery-in-the-great-barrier-reef-has-paused/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral adaptation</a> can significantly impact coral gardening and planting efforts. He also suggests that a deeper grasp of microbial processes and the organisms responsible for ecological memory could aid in developing probiotics or monitoring protocols to enhance coral health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-coral-microbiome">Understanding the coral microbiome</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-study-provides-answers-to-how-coral-reefs-can-survive-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Corals</a>, though occupying less than 1% of the ocean, are home to nearly a quarter of all marine species. They play a crucial role in regulating the sea's carbon dioxide levels and are invaluable for scientific research, particularly in medicine. 



These fascinating organisms, consisting of interconnected polyps, house not only microscopic algae but also a diverse array of bacteria, viruses, archaea, and microeukaryotes, collectively known as the coral microbiome.



The symbiotic relationships within the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-growth-cannot-keep-pace-with-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral reef ecosystem</a> are foundational. Microbes assist coral hosts in various vital functions, including cycling of essential elements and protection against pathogens. In return, the coral polyps provide nutrients and shelter to these microbes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coral-reefs-and-climate-change">Coral reefs and climate change</h2>



However, climate change poses a significant threat to these delicate relationships, with warming oceans potentially leading to the collapse of these symbiotic partnerships, a phenomenon known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deepest-known-coral-reef-bleaching-discovered-alarming-scientists/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral bleaching</a>. But, as Vompe points out, there is a glimmer of hope. 



"Acropora retusa, a prevalent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unexpected-coral-adaptations-challenge-conservation-plans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral</a> species in the Mo'orean coral reef, displays a powerful ecological memory response to heat waves, hinting at a greater resilience to climate change than previously thought," he explains.



This conclusion was drawn from a five-year study conducted by Vompe, Vega Thurber, and their colleagues from various universities. They examined 200 coral colonies in a reef on the north shore of Mo’orea, French Polynesia, which had undergone a drastic ecological reset in 2010 due to natural disasters. 



This unique setting allowed the researchers to closely observe the coral's response to consecutive heat waves in 2016, 2017, 2018-2019, and 2020.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-corals-survive-bleaching-by-remembering-0">Some corals survive bleaching by "remembering"</h2>



Vega Thurber noted that some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-skeletons-improve-reef-recovery-after-bleaching/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral</a> species seemed to maintain better health during subsequent heat waves, likely due to their exposure to past events. "The memory response of Acropora retusa was strongly linked to changes in its microbiome, supporting the idea that the microbial community plays a part in this process," she said.



Cauliflower corals in the genus Pocillopora also demonstrated resilience. Despite the initial disturbance caused by the 2019 heat wave, they recovered to their pre-disturbance state, even amidst the subsequent 2020 heat wave. The corals seemed to "remember" how to survive.



Vega Thurber attributes this resilience to the unique biological features of coral microbial communities. These include short generation cycles and large population sizes, which enhance adaptability and responsiveness to environmental change.



"In two of the three coral species we focused on, we observed initial microbiome resilience, host and microbiome acclimatization, or developed microbiome resistance to repeated heat stress," Vega Thurber concluded. "These patterns are consistent with the concept of ecological memory, highlighting the critical role of the microbiome in coral resilience."



In summary, this research not only sheds light on the complex interactions within coral ecosystems but also opens new avenues for conservation efforts and strategies to combat the effects of climate change on these vital organisms.



The full study, funded by the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Science Foundation</a>, was published in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.17088" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Change Biology</a>,



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Some corals survive warming waters by 'remembering' heat waves

A recent study conducted by scientists at Oregon State University...

Concept,Of,Social,Media,Communication,And,Digital,Online,,People,Use

In an increasingly digitized world, social media has become an integral part of many people's lives, spanning across generations. While some studies suggest that engaging with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-you-use-social-media-affects-your-sense-of-happiness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> can boost mood, others indicate that it may have a negative impact on mental health, leading to the phenomenon known as Fear of Missing Out (FoMO). 



In a recent study conducted by Associate Professor Julia Brailovskaia and her team from the Mental Health Research and Treatment Center at <a href="https://www.kli.psy.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/fbz/fbz-en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ruhr University</a> Bochum, Germany, and the <a href="https://www.leibniz-hki.de/en/german-centre-for-mental-health.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">German Center for Mental Health</a>, new evidence emerged regarding the effects of social media use on job satisfaction and mental health. The study revealed compelling insights into the relationship between social media use and overall well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-social-media-and-mood-swings">Studying social media and mood swings</h2>



The research team designed a one-week study involving 166 participants working in various sectors, who spent a minimum of 35 minutes a day engaging in non-work-related <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-use-is-not-an-addictive-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> use. 



The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group continued their usual social media habits, while the other group reduced their social media use by 30 minutes per day for seven days. 



The participants completed online questionnaires before the study, on the day after it commenced, and one week later. These questionnaires provided valuable data on workload, job satisfaction, commitment, mental health, stress levels, FoMO, and behaviors indicating addictive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-are-so-many-people-addicted-to-social-media/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-team-learned">What the team learned</h2>



The team's findings revealed that a mere 30-minute reduction in daily social media use had significant positive effects on job satisfaction and mental health. 



Julia Brailovskaia stated, "The participants in this group felt less overworked and were more committed on the job than the control group." 



Moreover, the participants' sense of FoMO decreased, indicating reduced anxieties associated with missing out on important events in their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-behavior-groups-people-into-opposing-networks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">networks</a>. These improvements persisted for at least a week after the end of the study and, in some instances, even increased over time. 



Encouragingly, participants who voluntarily reduced their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-causes-depression-in-adults-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> use continued to maintain the habit even after the study's conclusion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-media-and-work-performance">Social media and work performance</h2>



The study suggests that the observed improvements can be attributed to reduced feelings of being overworked and increased attention focused on job tasks. 



Brailovskaia explains, "Our brains can't cope well with constant distraction from a task. People who frequently stop what they're doing to catch up on their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-over-social-media-less-stress-more-life-satisfaction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> feed find it more difficult to focus and achieve poorer results." 



By freeing up time from social media use, participants had more opportunity to prioritize their work responsibilities and avoid divided attention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-media-and-personal-relationships">Social media and personal relationships</h2>



Another significant finding from the study emphasized the potential negative impact of excessive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/does-social-media-cause-depression-in-children-a-new-study-says-no/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> use on interpersonal relationships in the workplace. 



Spending excessive time on social media may hinder face-to-face interaction with colleagues, potentially leading to feelings of alienation. Limiting social media use could help mitigate this effect and encourage real-life interactions among colleagues, fostering a more supportive work environment.



The study's results align with <a href="https://news.rub.de/wissenschaft/2022-04-20-psychologie-weniger-smartphone-mehr-wohlbefinden" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">previous research</a> conducted by the team. It suggests that even a modest reduction of 20 to 30 minutes in daily social media consumption can alleviate depressive symptoms and improve overall mental health. 



Julia Brailovskaia suggests that incorporating a reduction in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-impacts-boys-and-girls-at-different-ages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> use as a component of business coaching training, mental health programs, and psychotherapeutic interventions could yield valuable benefits for individuals' well-being and job performance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-a-healthy-balance">Finding a healthy balance</h2>



As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/goldilocks-amount-of-social-media-time-may-protect-teens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a> continues to permeate our daily lives, it is crucial to understand its potential impacts on job satisfaction and mental health. The study conducted by Associate Professor Julia Brailovskaia and her team highlights the positive effects of reducing social media use by just 30 minutes per day on job satisfaction and mental health. 



In summary, by affording individuals more focused work time, reducing stress levels, and fostering authentic interpersonal connections, limiting social media use can enhance the overall well-being and performance of employees. These findings underline the significance of addressing social media use as a factor in promoting employee mental health and job satisfaction.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0144929X.2023.2286529" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Behavior and Information Technology</a>.



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Spending less time on social media improves your mental health

In an increasingly digitized world, social media has become an...

In an effort to understand the ecological impact of climate change on aardvarks, researchers from <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a> embarked on a unique study in sub-Saharan Africa.



The goal was to collect and analyze aardvark feces, providing insights into the species' adaptation and survival in a changing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-disrupts-communication-among-animals/">environment</a>.



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



“Everyone had heard of aardvarks and they are considered very ecologically important but there has been little study of them,” said wildlife biologist Clint Epps, who led the study with wildlife geneticist Rachel Crowhurst. “We wanted to see if we could collect enough data to begin to understand them.”



Epps had previously acquired skills in identifying aardvark tracks and feces during postdoctoral research in Tanzania. For the current study, the team collected 253 fecal samples, of which 104 were used for genetic analysis.



“During times of rapid environmental change, evaluating and describing changes in the landscape where a species lives is important for informed conservation and management decisions,” said Crowhurst.



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



Aardvarks are nocturnal and burrowing mammals that weigh up to 180 pounds and are distinct in their ecology. With long snouts and claws used for digging out ant and termite hills, aardvarks are the sole members of the order Tubulidentata, distantly related to golden moles, elephants, and manatees.&nbsp;



Despite being categorized as "least concern" by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the actual distribution and population trends of aardvarks remain largely unknown. This lack of knowledge is attributed to their nocturnal habits, low population densities, and expansive, often remote habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aardvarks-are-understudied-animals">Aardvarks are understudied animals</h2>



“I wanted to work on a system that was understudied, where anything I learned would likely be truly new information to the scientific community,” said Epps. “I also wanted to work over large landscapes, on foot, alone or with a friend or with guards when needed, in protected areas, with minimal logistical support and little cost.”



By analyzing the genetic data from the fecal samples, the researchers inferred the distribution and range of aardvark movements. For instance, they could identify if fecal samples from different locations belonged to the same individual, which helped in estimating the scale of their movements.



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



In South Africa, the findings revealed three distinct regional groups of aardvarks, suggesting some degree of isolation among populations in the western, central, and eastern regions.&nbsp;



The results further indicated that aardvarks could travel up to 55 kilometers from their birthplace, with closely related individuals found as far as 44 kilometers apart.&nbsp;



Interestingly, the genetic differentiation was more pronounced in arid landscapes, implying that such environments hinder aardvark movement, potentially affecting their gene flow.



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



The researchers plan to continue the research with genomic analyses and field work across a wider area of sub-Saharan Africa.



“Our initial findings suggest that climate change will increase habitat fragmentation and limit gene flow for aardvarks, particularly where precipitation is expected to decrease and temperature increase,” said Epps. “With aridity expected to increase in southern-most Africa under most climate change scenarios, the need for further research is clear.”



Despite their extensive fieldwork, Epps and his team have yet to see an aardvark in the wild, and hope to do so in the near future.&nbsp;



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ddi.13792" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diversity and Distributions</a>.



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How will climate change affect elusive aardvarks? 

In an effort to understand the ecological impact of climate...

The <a href="https://www.iucn.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Union for Conservation of Nature</a> (IUCN) has raised an alarm about the risk of extinction facing a significant number of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/value-freshwater-fish/">freshwater fish</a> species. 



In a report presented at the United Nations climate conference in Dubai (COP28) on Monday, the IUCN’s assessment of nearly 15,000 species revealed that about 25 percent are on the brink of extinction, with climate change affecting at least 17 percent of these threatened species.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contributing-factors">Contributing factors</h2>



Rising sea levels are pushing seawater into rivers, exacerbating the threat to freshwater species. Additionally, these species are endangered by factors such as pollution, overfishing, invasive species, diseases, dams, and water extraction. According to the IUCN, pollution affects 57 percent of the at-risk freshwater fish species.



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



Kathy Hughes, co-chair of the IUCN freshwater fish specialist group, highlighted the critical role of these species in ecosystems, noting their importance to billions of people dependent on freshwater ecosystems and the millions who rely on fisheries for their livelihood.&nbsp;



“Ensuring freshwater ecosystems are well managed, remain free-flowing with sufficient water, and good water quality is essential to stop species declines and maintain food security, livelihoods, and economies in a climate resilient world,” said Hughes.



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



In 2021, the <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Wildlife Fund</a> reported that at least 200 million people globally depend on freshwater fish as their primary protein source. The IUCN assessment also pointed to a decline in the global population of Atlantic salmon, classified as near threatened, with a 23 percent decrease from 2006 to 2020. 



Atlantic salmon, which inhabit both freshwater and saltwater, are adversely affected by climate change across their life cycle, including developmental challenges, reduced prey availability, and the expansion of invasive species. Additionally, human-made barriers like dams hinder their access to vital spawning and feeding grounds, while pollution and sedimentation from activities like logging and agriculture increase young salmon mortality.



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



The threat is not limited to freshwater species alone. The IUCN’s updated <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Red List of Threatened Species</a> now includes 157,190 species, with 44,016 facing the threat of extinction. “Climate change is menacing the diversity of life our planet harbors, and undermining nature’s capacity to meet basic human needs,” said IUCN Director General Dr. Grethel Aguilar.



Climate change poses several significant threats to freshwater species through various mechanisms. Protecting freshwater species from these threats requires global efforts to mitigate climate change and local conservation actions to preserve and restore freshwater habitats.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temperature-changes-nbsp">Temperature changes&nbsp;</h3>



Increasing water temperatures can disrupt the life cycles and breeding patterns of many species. Some species will not survive if the water becomes too warm for their physiological processes.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-altered-water-levels">Altered water levels</h3>



Climate change causes changes in precipitation patterns, resulting in altered river flows, lake levels, and wetland areas. This can destroy or reduce habitats for many freshwater species.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increased-pollution">Increased pollution</h3>



Higher temperatures can exacerbate pollution issues by increasing the concentration of pollutants and reducing the water's capacity to dissolve oxygen, leading to hypoxic conditions.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changes-in-seasonality">Changes in seasonality</h3>



The timing of seasonal events, like spring thaw or seasonal rains, is shifting due to climate change. This can affect breeding and migration patterns of aquatic species.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invasive-species-and-diseases">Invasive species and diseases</h3>



Warmer temperatures may allow invasive species and new pathogens to thrive in areas where they were previously unable to survive, outcompeting or infecting native species.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-acidification">Ocean acidification</h3>



While primarily an issue for marine ecosystems, the increasing acidity of oceans can affect freshwater systems as well, especially in coastal and estuarine areas.



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



Extreme weather events like droughts and floods, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change, can lead to habitat fragmentation, isolating populations and reducing genetic diversity.



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One quarter of freshwater fish species face extinction

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has raised...

In a breakthrough study, astronomers have harnessed asteroseismology - the study of stellar oscillations - to measure the distance between stars and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-ancient-ocean-floor-surrounds-the-earths-core/">Earth</a> with remarkable accuracy. The experts compare this technique to using the "music" of stars.



The team applied this method to thousands of stars, cross-verifying measurements from the Gaia mission's exploration of the near Universe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gaia-mission">Gaia mission</h2>



The night sky is a mosaic of celestial bodies - stars, planets, distant suns, and galaxies billions of light years away. Discerning their exact distances from Earth is a significant challenge and a key objective for astronomers.&nbsp;



This pursuit led to the launch of the European Space Agency's Gaia mission a decade ago. Gaia's satellite has since provided astronomical data on nearly two billion stars, improving our understanding of their positions, distances, and movements.



At the <a href="https://www.epfl.ch/en/">Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne</a> (EPFL), Professor Richard Anderson's research group is focused on measuring the expansion of the Universe using Gaia as an instrumental tool.



"Gaia increased by a factor of 10,000 the number of stars whose parallaxes are measured thanks to a massive gain in accuracy over its predecessor, the ESA Hipparcos mission," said Professor Anderson.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parallax-measurements">Parallax measurements</h2>



Parallaxes are fundamental in calculating star distances. This technique involves triangulating Gaia's location in space, the Sun, and the star in question. However, measuring parallax becomes increasingly challenging with distant stars.



Despite Gaia's success, its parallax measurements are complex and subject to small systematic errors. To address this, the research team conducted calculations on over 12,000 oscillating red giant stars, creating the most extensive and accurate sample to date.



"We measured the Gaia biases by comparing the satellite's parallax reports with those we determined using asteroseismology," explained study lead author Saniya Khan, a scientist in Anderson's group. This research, published in the journal <a href="https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2023/12/aa47919-23/aa47919-23.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics</a>, marks a significant leap in celestial measurements.



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



Asteroseismology functions similarly to how geologists use earthquakes to understand Earth's structure. Astronomers analyze stars' vibrations and oscillations, which manifest as variations in light intensity. These are translated into sound waves, forming a frequency spectrum of the oscillations.



"The frequency spectrum lets us determine how far away a star is, enabling us to obtain asteroseismic parallaxes," said Khan. "In our study, we listened to the 'music' of a vast number of stars - some of them 15,000 light-years away!"



This process involves understanding the propagation speed of sound waves in space, which varies based on the star's interior temperature and density.



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



"By analyzing the frequency spectrum of stellar oscillations, we can estimate the size of a star, much like you can identify the size of a musical instrument by the kind of sound it makes -- think of the difference in pitch between a violon and a cello," said study co-author Professor Andrea Miglio from the University of Bologna.



The team then compared the luminosity of stars with perceived luminosity on Earth, coupling this with temperature and chemical composition data obtained through spectroscopy. Sophisticated analyses of these data allowed them to calculate star distances accurately.



"Asteroseismology is the only way we can check Gaia's parallax accuracy across the full sky - that is, for both low- and high-intensity stars," explained Anderson.



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



Going forward, missions like TESS and PLATO will use asteroseismology for exoplanet detection and survey, expanding dataset coverage across vast sky regions.&nbsp;



"Methods similar to ours will therefore play a crucial role in improving Gaia's parallax measurements, which will help us pinpoint our place in the Universe and benefit a plethora of subfields of astronomy and astrophysics," said Khan.



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-----

"Music" from stars can be used to measure distances in space

In a breakthrough study, astronomers have harnessed asteroseismology - the...

Whilst,Their,Mates,Incubate,Their,Eggs,,These,Arctic,Terns,Head

The annual migration of billions of birds, a journey spanning thousands of miles, has long fascinated and puzzled ornithologists. A critical aspect of this phenomenal journey is where these birds rest and refuel. This question is now being addressed in a new study by Fengyi Guo, a Ph.D. student at <a href="https://www.princeton.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Princeton</a>, and her team.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-study-bird-migration">How to study bird migration</h2>



Fengyi Guo, along with colleagues from Princeton and the <a href="https://www.udel.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Delaware</a>, has published a paper that utilizes weather radar imagery to map the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/surprising-discovery-behind-long-distance-bird-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migratory</a> stopover sites of birds in North America. This innovative approach has enabled the team to identify over 2.4 million hectares of crucial stopover hotspots across the eastern United States.



Guo explains the methodology, stating, “Most landbirds migrate at night, lifting off from stopover sites after sunset. Weather radar captures this movement, but interpreting the data requires extensive processing.” The radar, sampling the atmosphere every 6-10 minutes, detects bird take-offs within an 80 km radius, providing intricate details of stopover habitats.



David Wilcove, a co-author and C-PREE faculty member, highlights the significance of this research. “Fengyi’s work gives us the first accurate picture of key stopover sites for birds across the eastern United States,” he says. This information is vital for identifying and protecting these critical sites to ensure safe passage for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/migratory-birds-have-new-strategy-to-cope-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migrating</a> birds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identifying-resting-spots-for-migrating-birds">Identifying resting spots for migrating birds</h2>



The study reveals that these hotspots are predominantly deciduous forests, including fragments in deforested regions. These areas are essential resting points for numerous landbirds annually. However, bird <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/geomagnetic-disturbances-throw-nocturnal-birds-off-course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migration challenges</a> remain. Only half of these protected hotspots are free from extractive resource use, and two-thirds lack formal protection.



Interestingly, the study found substantial seasonal differences in hotspot locations. The places where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/migratory-birds-take-breaks-to-boost-their-immune-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds rest</a> in the fall often differ from those used in the spring. With only 17% of hotspots being used in both seasons, the need for protecting a vast number of sites across the eastern U.S. becomes apparent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-decline-of-migratory-bird-populations">The decline of migratory bird populations</h2>



Since 1970, migrating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-radio-waves-disrupt-the-magnetic-compass-of-migratory-birds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird populations</a> in the U.S. have declined by over a quarter, primarily due to human-induced factors such as habitat loss, overexploitation, and climate change. The authors of the paper emphasize the importance of protecting key habitats, noting higher stopover densities in protected areas.



The paper states, “A well-distributed network of well-protected stopover areas is essential to sustaining healthy populations of migratory landbirds in North America.” This network would complement conservation efforts on breeding and wintering grounds.



In summary, this study by Guo and her team marks a significant advancement in understanding and conserving migratory bird pathways. By leveraging the power of weather radar, this research provides a foundation for targeted conservation efforts, ensuring the survival and health of migratory bird populations in North America.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(23)01583-X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Where do migrating birds stop to rest and refuel?

The annual migration of billions of birds, a journey spanning...

Drift,Ice,In,Baltic,Sea

The debate over the first human settlement of America has long captivated the archaeological community. Traditional theories posited that early humans arrived in American through an ice-free corridor around 13,000 years ago. 



However, recent archaeological and genetic discoveries, such as the 23,000-year-old human footprints found in New Mexico, challenge this timeline, suggesting an earlier arrival.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-americans-traveled-on-ice">First Americans traveled on ice</h2>



Increasing evidence indicates that the first Americans might have traversed the Pacific coastline from Beringia, a land bridge connecting Asia and North America. This route became accessible during the last glacial maximum as ice sheets trapped vast water amounts, lowering sea levels.



At the American Geophysical Union Annual Meeting (<a href="https://www.agu.org/Fall-Meeting" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AGU23</a>) in San Francisco, researchers presented paleoclimate reconstructions of the Pacific Northwest. These findings suggest that sea ice might have facilitated southward migration.



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



The idea of coastal migration isn't novel. Scientists speculate that early Americans were south of the continental ice sheets at least 16,000 years ago, long before the ice-free corridor opened. 



The "kelp highway" theory proposes that these individuals traveled in boats down into North America, exploiting coastal waters' rich resources.



Archaeological evidence from western Canada indicates coastal settlements dating back to 14,000 years ago. However, a 2020 study highlighted potential challenges to coastal migration, such as strong currents from glacial meltwater.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-conditions-for-the-first-americans">Ocean conditions for the first Americans</h2>



Summer Praetorius from the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US Geological Survey</a> and colleagues turned to climate proxies in ocean sediment to understand ocean conditions during these migration periods. By analyzing fossilized plankton, they reconstructed past ocean temperatures, salinity, and sea ice cover.



Praetorius' presentation is part of a <a href="https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm23/meetingapp.cgi/Session/207108#isCurrent" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">session</a> focusing on the Pleistocene climate history and geology of Beringia and the North Pacific. The AGU23 conference, attracting over 24,000 experts, explores various Earth and space science topics.



Praetorius' team used climate models and discovered that, around 20,000 years ago, ocean currents were over twice as strong as today, making boat travel challenging. However, their records also indicated significant winter sea ice presence until about 15,000 years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-sea-ice-highway-concept">The sea ice highway concept</h2>



Praetorius suggests that early Americans, adapted to cold environments, might have used sea ice as a platform for migration, similar to how Arctic people today use dog sleds and snowmobiles. 



This "sea ice highway" could have been a viable route between 24,500-22,000 and 16,400-14,800 years ago.



While proving sea ice travel remains challenging due to underwater archaeological sites, this theory offers a new perspective on how humans might have reached North America. 



Praetorius emphasizes that various migration methods, including sea ice and later coastal boat travel, are not mutually exclusive. Praetorius concludes, "Nothing is off the table. We will always be surprised by ancient human ingenuity." 



This statement encapsulates the ongoing quest to understand the complex and ingenious ways early humans conquered new frontiers.



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The first American settlers traveled there on an "ice highway"

The debate over the first human settlement of America has...

Viking,Warrior,With,Sword,Standing,Near,Drakkar,On,The,Seashore.

Recent research at the University of Gothenburg has shed light on surprising dentistry practices among the Viking Age population in Varnhem, Västergötland, Sweden. The study, which involved a comprehensive examination of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vikings-landed-in-the-americas-500-years-before-columbus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Viking</a> teeth, reveals not only widespread dental problems but also evidence of advanced dentistry, including tooth filing and treatment of infections.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extensive-research-on-viking-teeth">Extensive research on Viking teeth</h2>



The research team, consisting of experts from the University of Gothenburg’s <a href="https://www.gu.se/en/odontology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Odontology</a> and an osteologist from <a href="https://vastergotlandsmuseum.se/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Västergötland’s Museum</a>, conducted an in-depth study of <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Viking-teeth_Credit-Carolina-Bertilsson-and-Henrik-Lund_1medium.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">3,293 teeth from 171 individuals</a>. These teeth, extracted from well-preserved skeletons found in Viking and medieval tombs in Varnhem, were subjected to clinical examinations using modern dentistry tools and X-ray techniques.



The findings are quite revealing. Almost half (49%) of the Viking population studied had one or more caries lesions, with 13% of adult teeth affected, mainly at the roots. Intriguingly, children with milk teeth or a mix of milk and adult teeth showed no signs of caries. 



Tooth loss was a common phenomenon, with adults losing about 6% of their teeth, excluding wisdom teeth, over their lifetimes. The risk of tooth loss correlated with age, indicating a pattern of dental deterioration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evidence-of-viking-dental-care">Evidence of Viking dental care</h2>



Despite these dental issues, the study also uncovered evidence of dental care practices. Carolina Bertilsson, a dentist and Associate Researcher and the study’s lead author, noted signs of dental hygiene and treatment efforts. 



"There were several signs that the Vikings had modified their teeth, including evidence of using toothpicks, filing front teeth, and even dental treatment of teeth with infections,” she stated.



The research highlighted parallels between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-vikings-had-the-worlds-deadliest-virus-1400-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Viking</a> and contemporary dental practices. Some molars showed filed holes leading into the tooth pulp, likely done to alleviate severe toothache caused by infection. 



"This is very exciting to see, and not unlike the dental treatments we carry out today when we drill into infected teeth," Bertilsson remarked. The study suggests that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vikings-brought-their-horses-and-dogs-to-britain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vikings</a> might have possessed substantial dental knowledge, though it's unclear whether these procedures were self-administered or performed by others.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-significance-of-viking-dentistry">Cultural significance of Viking dentistry</h2>



The study also touches on the cultural aspects of dental practices among the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vikings-settled-warmer-greenland/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vikings</a>. The filing of front teeth, observed primarily in males, might have served as an identity marker in Viking society. 



Bertilsson added, "This study provides new insights into Viking oral health and indicates that teeth were important in Varnhem’s Viking culture. It also suggests that dentistry in the Viking Age was probably more sophisticated than previously thought.”



In summary, the research conducted at the University of Gothenburg opens a new window into the Viking Age, challenging previous assumptions about dental care during this period. 



The findings highlight the prevalence of dental issues among the Vikings and underscore their efforts at dental care and treatment, drawing surprising parallels with modern dentistry. This study significantly contributes to our understanding of Viking culture and their approach to health and hygiene.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0295282" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLoS ONE</a>.



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Vikings had surprisingly advanced dentistry skills 1000 years ago

Recent research at the University of Gothenburg has shed light...

Bowl,And,Spoon,With,Chia,Seeds,,Closeup

Scientists at <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a> have made a significant advancement in the field of agricultural genomics by sequencing the genome of chia seeds. This research, detailed in their latest publication, offers a comprehensive blueprint that could revolutionize future studies focusing on the nutritional and health benefits of the chia plant.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sequencing-the-chia-genome">Sequencing the chia genome</h2>



The research team, led by Pankaj Jaiswal, a professor in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University, has delved into the chia genome, uncovering genes linked to nutrition and pharmaceutical properties. These discoveries hold the potential for developing treatments for a range of ailments, including cancer and high blood pressure.



Chia seeds have garnered increasing attention for their nutritional value. High in fiber, healthy fats, and proteins, they are a popular ingredient in various health foods like smoothies, yogurt, and granola bars. This study marks a deeper exploration into the molecular aspects of chia, emphasizing its health benefits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-cultivation-and-global-impact">Local cultivation and global impact</h2>



While other researchers have sequenced the chia genome, the team at Oregon State University provides a more detailed molecular analysis. Sushma Naithani, an associate professor and senior researcher in the Department, emphasized the importance of diversifying the human diet through breeding and genetic improvement of nutrient-rich, minor crops like chia.



The findings could also inspire the cultivation of chia in Oregon, with its climate conditions resembling those of South America, where chia is primarily grown. This approach follows the successful example set by researchers in Kentucky, who have encouraged local chia seed farming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-benefits-of-chia-seeds">Health benefits of chia seeds</h2>



Traditionally considered an orphan or minor crop, chia has not received as much scientific attention as staples like rice, wheat, and maize. However, its role in mitigating global hunger and contributing to food security is increasingly recognized, especially as it thrives on marginal lands.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nutritional-properties">Nutritional Properties</h3>



<ul>
<li>Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: These are known to improve cardiovascular health and have anti-cancer properties. </li>



<li>High Fiber Content: Beneficial for stabilizing blood glucose levels in type-2 diabetes and aiding gastrointestinal health. </li>



<li>Protein Content: Holds potential in treating cancer, high blood pressure, and boasts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties.</li>
</ul>



Chia seeds, when soaked in water, form a gel used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals as a texture modifier, emulsifier, and gelling agent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhancing-chia-seed-variety">Enhancing chia seed variety</h2>



Parul Gupta, a research associate in the <a href="https://www.jaiswallab.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jaiswal laboratory</a> and the first author of the study, reported the identification of specific genes in chia. These include:



<ul>
<li>29 genes involved in the biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids. </li>



<li>93 genes contributing to the gel-forming property of chia seeds. </li>



<li>2,707 genes highly expressed in the seed, linked to the production of bioactive peptides with potential health benefits.</li>
</ul>



In summary, this study marks the first plant genome analysis with direct implications for human health. It opens new avenues for scientific exploration in improving human health through diet and holds promise for agricultural advancements in breeding chia with amplified health benefits.



The researcher team released the chia genome data via its genome portal <a href="https://salviagdb.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://salviagdb.org</a>.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2023.1272966/full">Frontiers in Plant Science</a>.



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Chia seeds have great potential to improve human health

Scientists at Oregon State University have made a significant advancement...

A new study has linked the second plague <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-19-pandemic-was-especially-damaging-to-the-mental-health-of-college-students/">pandemic</a>, infamously known as the Black Death, with shifts in human oral microbiomes.&nbsp;



The research suggests that the long-term consequences of the plague may reach far beyond what we initially understood, possibly shaping our current struggle with chronic diseases.



"The prevalence of chronic, non-communicable diseases has risen sharply in recent decades, especially in industrialized countries. While several studies implicate the microbiome in this trend, few have examined the evolutionary history of industrialized microbiomes," wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-black-death">Black Death</h2>



The second plague pandemic was a catastrophic event in the mid-14th century that killed 30 to 60 percent of the European population.&nbsp;



The repercussions of this mass mortality event are well-documented, but a recent study from <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State</a> and the University of Adelaide sheds new light on the legacy of the Black Death.



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



The researchers found that the plague may be associated with a shift in the composition of the human oral microbiome due to the resulting changes in diet and hygiene.



“Modern microbiomes are linked to a wide range of chronic diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular disease and poor mental health,” said study co-author Professor Laura Weyrich. “Uncovering the origins of these microbial communities may help in understanding and managing these diseases.”



According to Professor Weyrich, dietary changes are believed to have influenced oral microbiome evolution through time, but few studies have directly examined the history of human oral microbiomes in a single population.&nbsp;



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



Weyrich noted that some studies have used the microbiomes of living Indigenous people who practice traditional subsistence lifestyles as a proxy for the microbiomes of pre-industrialized peoples.&nbsp;



Yet, this strategy is faulty, said Weyrich, because modern-day populations may not have microbes that accurately reflect those that existed in the ancestors of industrialized peoples.&nbsp;



“This research places unnecessary responsibilities and obligations on Indigenous communities to participate in microbiome research, where the benefits of these studies may not directly serve Indigenous peoples."



Comprehensive analysis&nbsp;



The team examined dental calculus from 235 individuals spanning from 2200 B.C. to A.D. 1853 across 27 archaeological sites in England and Scotland.&nbsp;



The researchers identified 954 microbial species, falling into two distinct bacterial communities: one dominated by Streptococcus, common in modern industrialized populations, and the other by Methanobrevibacter, now nearly extinct in healthy industrialized people.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dietary-influence">Dietary influence</h2>



The research team explored how dietary changes, possibly following the Black Death, could have influenced these microbiome shifts.&nbsp;



The experts found that the Streptococcus-dominated group aligns with modern diets that are high in carbohydrates and low in fiber, while the Methanobrevibacter group lacked traits associated with such diets.



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



The experts discovered that the Streptococcus group is associated with periodontal disease, which has far-reaching health implications. Conversely, the Methanobrevibacter group correlated with skeletal pathologies.&nbsp;



This indicates that changes in diet, potentially stemming from the Black Death, might reflect in today's oral microbiomes, influencing the prevalence of chronic diseases.



“Our research suggests that modern-day oral microbiomes may reflect past changes in diet, resulting from the second plague pandemic,” Weyrich said. “Importantly, this work helps to inform our understanding of modern-day chronic, noncommunicable diseases.”



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-023-01527-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Microbiology</a>.



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Diet changes following Black Death linked to chronic diseases 

A new study has linked the second plague pandemic, infamously...

The issue of heavy metals in our food supply has gained significant attention, especially following a 2021 US Congressional Report which revealed alarming levels of the toxic substances in infant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tobacco-companies-pushed-addictive-hyperpalatable-foods-into-us-markets/">food products</a>. The discovery of lead in children's fruit puree pouches has only heightened concerns.



Two recent studies investigated the correlation between heavy metal consumption and severe health risks, including cancer.&nbsp;



The research, which highlights an urgent need for more stringent food safety regulations, will be presented at the <a href="https://www.sra.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Society for Risk Analysis</a> Annual Conference.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contaminated-crops">Contaminated crops</h2>



The studies were led by Felicia Wu, a food scientist at Michigan State University. They were focused on the health implications of lead, arsenic, and cadmium found in everyday foods.&nbsp;



These heavy metals are absorbed by food crops from contaminated sources like soil, air, and water, and pose significant risks to human health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dietary-risks">Dietary risks</h2>



The first study, conducted by Wu along with Charitha Gamlath and Patricia Hsu, was a comprehensive evaluation of health risks from dietary exposure to heavy metals. 



The team analyzed various data sources to investigate the relationship between metal consumption and health effects, both cancerous and non-cancerous.



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



Lead is often found in old paint, water pipes, and contaminated soil, and also lurks in food items like root vegetables.&nbsp;



The experts found that lead poses a moderate to high risk of causing several cancers, including lung, kidney, and brain cancer. Non-cancer risks such as neurological and respiratory effects also scored moderately to highly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arsenic">Arsenic</h2>



Arsenic is a natural element that contaminates water and food, particularly in areas with high soil arsenic levels. Foods like rice and leafy greens are common sources.&nbsp;



The study showed that arsenic is associated with a moderate to high risk for various cancers, including skin and lung cancer, and non-cancer risks like cardiovascular disease and developmental effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cadmium">Cadmium</h2>



Found in nuts, potatoes, and tobacco smoke, cadmium also emerges from fertilizers and industrial emissions.&nbsp;



Cadmium was found to pose a moderate to high risk for cancers like breast and pancreatic cancer and non-cancer risks, including renal and reproductive effects.



Previously, Wu co-authored a study which revealed that infants and young children are exposed to cadmium through common foods. This research underscored the vulnerability of children, with their cadmium exposure often exceeding safe levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arsenic-exposure">Arsenic exposure</h2>



In the second study, the team assessed the cancer risks associated with inorganic arsenic in U.S. food products.&nbsp;



The preliminary results suggest that every year, more than 6,000 additional cases of bladder and lung cancers and over 7,000 cases of skin cancers can be attributed to the consumption of inorganic arsenic in the United States.



The researchers also found that certain food products can be associated with higher cancer risks than others. These include rice, wheat, and leafy green vegetables.&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



The findings of these studies highlight the need for stricter food safety regulations and heightened public health policies.&nbsp;



More importantly, the research emphasizes the need for consumer awareness about the potential dangers lurking in everyday foods.



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Heavy metals in food pose a threat to children's health

The issue of heavy metals in our food supply has...

In the icy expanse of the Arctic winter, where the landscape is cloaked in snow and darkness, reindeer possess a remarkable adaptation that aids in their survival: the ability to see <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-does-skin-become-leathery-after-too-much-uv-light-from-sun-exposure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ultraviolet light</a>. 



This unique trait enables reindeer to locate their primary food source, lichen, in the harsh winter months.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arctic-survival">Arctic survival</h2>



Researchers from <a href="https://home.dartmouth.edu/dartmouth">Dartmouth</a> and the University of St. Andrews in Scotland have shed light on the long-standing mystery of why reindeer, including the legendary Rudolph, can perceive ultraviolet (UV) light. The study, led by Professor Nathaniel Dominy, reveals a fascinating aspect of reindeer biology.



"Reindeer are so cool, but many people think about them only at Christmas," said Dominy. "Now is a good time to alert people to their extraordinary visual system."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lichen-connection">The lichen connection</h2>



Reindeer moss, or Cladonia rangiferina, is not moss but a type of algae-fungus fusion known as lichen. This lichen forms extensive mats across northern latitudes and is critical for reindeer survival, so much so that its name is derived from the scientific term for reindeer, Rangifer.



In the Cairngorms mountains of the Scottish Highlands, home to Britain's only reindeer herd, the researchers observed the reindeer's reliance on C. rangiferina, especially during winter. This preference for a singular food source is uncommon among large mammals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ultraviolet-light">Ultraviolet light</h2>



The researchers discovered that C. rangiferina and a few other lichen species absorb UV light.&nbsp;



While invisible to the human eye against the snowy backdrop, these lichens appear as distinct, dark patches in reindeer vision, making them more identifiable in the vast white landscape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-reindeer-see-the-world">How reindeer see the world</h2>



"Getting a visual approximation of how reindeer might see the world is something other studies haven't done before," said Dominy, who published a paper in 2015 on how Rudolph's red nose would have acted as an effective foglamp in the haze of winter.



"If you can put yourself in their hooves looking at this white landscape, you would want a direct route to your food."



"Reindeer don't want to waste energy wandering around searching for food in a cold, barren environment. If they can see lichens from a distance, that gives them a big advantage, letting them conserve precious calories at a time when food is scarce."



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



Reindeer not only have unique visual capabilities but also undergo seasonal changes in their eyes. During winter, their tapetum (a light-reflecting layer) shifts from a golden to a vivid blue hue. This transition is thought to enhance low light visibility in polar winters.&nbsp;



"If the color of the light in the environment is primarily blue, then it makes sense for the eye to enhance the color blue to make sure a reindeer's photoreceptors are maximizing those wavelengths," explained Dominy.



The blue tapetum also allows about 60% of UV light to reach the retina, painting the winter world in shades of purple, akin to a room under a black light.



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



This study offers an answer to why reindeer, despite being diurnal Arctic animals, have evolved to perceive UV light. It seems their vision is specially adapted to distinguish food sources like lichen from the reflective snow-covered surroundings.



Given the importance of lichens in their diet, it is possible that reindeer eyes are optimized to single out this food staple at the time of year it would be most difficult to find, noted the researchers.



While the red-nosed reindeer may guide Santa's sleigh with his luminous nose, it is, in fact, the blue eyes of reindeer that play a crucial role in their survival. These eyes, attuned to a world beyond human perception, allow them to efficiently locate their food in a landscape where every calorie counts.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20416695231218520" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">i-Perception</a>.



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Reindeer use ultraviolet vision to find food in the winter

In the icy expanse of the Arctic winter, where the...

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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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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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Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



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



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

How the immune system responds to injury

[sendtonews key="0dEcERCq61-2283382-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Stowers...

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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