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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



So, where does this leave us? 



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

A new study led by the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a> has shed light on the intriguing social dynamics of jackdaws.&nbsp;



The researchers discovered that jackdaws possess the strategic ability to prioritize food over friendships - but maintain an unyielding loyalty to family members.



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



The team, which also included experts from the University of Bristol and the University of Konstanz, conducted a unique experiment that presented wild jackdaws with a challenge.&nbsp;



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diving-birds-face-a-greater-risk-of-extinction/">birds</a> were given access to appetizing mealworms, but there was a catch. Their access to this treat depended on the company they kept. In order to feast, they had to be with specific companions.



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



What the researchers observed was remarkable. The jackdaws rapidly changed friends to maximize their rewards.&nbsp;



However, when it came to their offspring, siblings, and mating partners their allegiance never wavered, regardless of the potential mealworm reward.



<h2 id="h-cornish-jackdaw-project">Cornish Jackdaw Project&nbsp;</h2>



The study was led by Dr. Michael Kings and Dr. Josh Arbon, under the supervision of Professor Alex Thornton, as part of the Cornish Jackdaw Project. This project aims to improve our understanding of how animals navigate and manage their social interconnections.&nbsp;



“At the Cornish Jackdaw Project, we monitor hundreds of wild jackdaws, each of which is fitted with a tiny PIT tag – like the transponder chips used for pet cats and dogs – embedded in a leg ring," said Professor Thornton.



<h2 id="h-strategic-ability">Strategic ability&nbsp;</h2>



“In this experiment we randomly assigned jackdaws to two groups – A or B – and programmed a pair of automated PIT tag-detecting feeders to provide delicious mealworms only if individuals from the same group (AA or BB) visited together."



“The jackdaws turned out to be very strategic, quickly learning to hang out with members of their own group and ditching old ‘friends’ from the other group so they could get the best rewards. However, they made an exception when it came to their close relations.”



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



Dr. Kings noted that the results have important implications for our understanding of the evolution of intelligence as they show that being able to track and remember information about social partners can bring benefits.



“Our findings also help us to understand how societies emerge from individual decisions," said Dr. Arbon. "The balance between strategically playing the field for short-term benefits and investing in valuable long-term partners ultimately shapes the structure of animal societies, including our own.”



The research, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-40808-7">Nature Communications</a>, provides new insights on how animals manage social relationships.



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



Jackdaws are one of the smallest members of the crow family (Corvidae), and they are distributed across Europe and western Asia. They are easily identifiable by their silvery-blue eyes and the pale grey patch on the back of their head, which contrasts with the rest of their black plumage.



<h3 id="h-vocalization">Vocalization</h3>



Jackdaws are known for their distinctive "jack-jack" call, which is where their name originates from.



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



While they can be found in various habitats, including woodlands, coastal cliffs, and urban settings, they particularly favor older buildings and church steeples for nesting.



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



Their diet is varied and includes invertebrates, seeds, fruit, and even young birds or eggs when available. Being opportunistic feeders, they also scavenge on carrion and pick up scraps in urban environments.



<h3 id="h-social-behavior">Social behavior&nbsp;</h3>



Jackdaws are very social birds and are often seen in pairs or larger groups. They have a complex social structure, as highlighted in the study.&nbsp;



<h3 id="h-mating">Mating</h3>



Jackdaws mate for life, which means that once they form a pair bond, they usually stay together until one of the partners dies. They engage in mutual preening and other bonding behaviors.



<h3 id="h-nesting">Nesting</h3>



Jackdaws often use cavities, such as holes in trees or chimneys, for nesting. They've also been known to occupy abandoned nests of other birds, particularly larger species like raptors.



<h3 id="h-intelligence">Intelligence</h3>



Like other corvids, jackdaws are intelligent and display problem-solving abilities. They have been subjects of numerous studies examining avian cognition.



<h3 id="h-migration">Migration</h3>



While many jackdaws are sedentary and stay in the same location year-round, some populations migrate southwards in the winter, especially those from the colder northern parts of their range.



<h3 id="h-conservation-status">Conservation status</h3>



Jackdaws are currently not at significant risk, and they have a stable population. They are adaptable birds and can thrive in varied environments, including human-dominated landscapes.



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Jackdaws choose food over friends, but not over family

A new study led by the University of Exeter has...

In a new study from the <a href="https://ku.edu/">University of Kansas</a>, brands owned by tobacco companies have been shown to favor "hyperpalatable" foods more than their competitors. While most Americans label such products as "junk food," the scientific community designates these items as "hyperpalatable."&nbsp;



Characterized by their intentionally alluring combinations of salts, fats, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-type-of-sugar-that-kills-honeybees-could-help-fight-cancer/">sugars</a>, hyperpalatable foods are often hard to resist and even harder to stop consuming.



<h2 id="h-selective-dissemination">Selective dissemination </h2>



The intriguing connection between the tobacco industry and such foods has roots in the 1980s. During this period, tobacco firms heavily invested in the U.S. food sector.&nbsp;



Their influence is now being scrutinized, with recent findings suggesting a strategy of "selective dissemination of hyperpalatable foods" to the American masses.



The study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/add.16332">Addiction</a>, delves into the dynamics of the U.S. food system. Lead author Professor Tera Fazzino is the associate director of the Cofrin Logan Center for Addiction Research and Treatment at the KU Life Span Institute.



<h2 id="h-hyperpalatable-foods-are-irrestible">Hyperpalatable foods are irrestible</h2>



“We used multiple sources of data to examine the question, ‘In what ways were U.S. tobacco companies involved in the promotion and spread of hyperpalatable food into our food system?’” said Professor Fazzino.



“Hyperpalatable foods can be irresistible and difficult to stop eating. They have combinations of palatability-related nutrients, specifically fat, sugar, sodium or other carbohydrates that occur in combinations together.”



Professor Fazzino's earlier work reveals that 68% of the American food supply now qualifies as hyperpalatable.



<h2 id="h-startling-data">Startling data</h2>



Professor Fazzino and her team found startling data between 1988 and 2001 which shed light on the link between tobacco companies and hyperpalatable foods.



During this period, foods owned by tobacco companies were significantly more likely to be hyperpalatable, based on their nutrient compositions, than those without tobacco affiliations.&nbsp;



The researchers used multiple data sources, including internal tobacco industry documents and nutrition data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.



<h2 id="h-unclear-intentions">Unclear intentions</h2>



“The question about their intent - we can’t really say from this data,” said Professor Fazzino. “But what we can say is there’s evidence to indicate tobacco companies were consistently involved with owning and developing hyperpalatable foods during the time that they were leading our food system.&nbsp;



"Their involvement was selective in nature and different from the companies that didn’t have a parent tobacco-company ownership.”



<h2 id="h-lasting-influence-of-hyperpalatable-foods">Lasting influence of hyperpalatable foods</h2>



Building on work by Laura Schmidt at the University of California-San Francisco, the KU researchers found historical precedents.&nbsp;



Schmidt's team revealed that tobacco giants, like R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris, not only marketed sugary drinks to children but also employed tactics targeting racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. to promote their food products.



By the mid-2000s, tobacco firms began to withdraw from the U.S. food scene. Still, their influence appears lasting. The study indicates that hyperpalatable foods, regardless of tobacco affiliations, had firmly entrenched themselves in the American diet by 2018.



<h2 id="h-prevalence-of-the-issue">Prevalence of the issue</h2>



“The majority of what’s out there in our food supply falls under the hyperpalatable category. We don’t really have many choices when it comes to picking between foods that are fresh and enjoyable to eat and foods that you just can’t stop eating.”



For Professor Fazzino, understanding hyperpalatability could be instrumental in regulating food composition.



<h2 id="h-implications-of-hyperpalatable-foods">Implications of hyperpalatable foods</h2>



“These foods have combinations of ingredients that create effects you don’t get when you eat those ingredients separately,” the KU researcher said. “And guess what? These combinations don’t really exist in nature, so our bodies aren’t ready to handle them. They can excessively trigger our brain’s reward system and disrupt our fullness signals, which is why they’re difficult to resist.”



This means that consumers of hyperpalatable foods are more prone to obesity and related health consequences, even when they don’t intend to overeat.



“These foods may be designed to make you eat more than you planned,” said Professor Fazzino. “It’s not just about personal choice and watching what you eat – they can kind of trick your body into eating more than you actually want.”



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Tobacco companies pushed addictive "hyperpalatable" foods into US markets

In a new study from the University of Kansas, brands...

In a world with over seven billion individuals, is it truly possible to trace a social connection between any two random people within just six steps? An international team of mathematicians has put the “six degrees of separation” theory to the test, and the results are amazing.&nbsp;



Kevin Bacon, the unofficial representative of this quirky social concept, may be just as surprised as the rest of us: The experts have confirmed that it really does take an average of six handshakes to connect any two individuals.



<h2 id="h-origins-of-the-theory">Origins of the theory</h2>



This mathematical revelation traces its origins back to 1967 when Professor Stanley Milgram of Harvard University conducted an innovative experiment.&nbsp;



Professor Milgram mailed 300 identical letters with similar instructions across the United States. The letters were intended to traverse specific social circles until they reached their named recipient.&nbsp;



The experiment unveiled a startling reality: the paths which criss-crossed and connected people across American society were astonishingly short, with the letters reaching their destination within about six exchanges.



<h2 id="h-multiple-investigations">Multiple investigations&nbsp;</h2>



In the decades since the experiment, multiple "six degrees of separation" investigations focused on subjects ranging from actor networks to Facebook friendships have produced the same results, showing that the average number of handshakes to link any two individuals is six.&nbsp;



But the pressing question remained: Why six? The answer has finally been revealed in a paper published in the journal <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prx/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevX.13.021032">Physical Review X</a>. The study authors include researchers from Israel, Spain, Italy, Russia, Slovenia, and Chile.&nbsp;



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



The team looked into the dynamic equilibrium of human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caribou-migratory-behavior-is-reflected-in-their-genes/">behavior</a>, where there is a clash between the desire for social prominence and the associated costs of forming and maintaining social connections.



The researchers explained that people naturally gravitate towards central roles in social networks, carefully selecting associations that propel them into these positions. Yet, every new relationship demands an investment of time and energy, setting a tangible price on every connection.



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



The study paints the picture of a network filled with nodes or “rational agents” who continuously gauge the costs and benefits of their connections.&nbsp;



Each agent in this networked world is in a perpetual state of evaluation, constantly weighing the pros and cons of forging new connections versus maintaining existing ones, all in a bid to amplify their influence.



<h2 id="h-cost-benefit-game">Cost-benefit game&nbsp;</h2>



A press release from <a href="https://www.biu.ac.il/en">Bar-Ilan University</a> said the research shows that social networks are a "dynamic beehive of individuals constantly playing the cost-benefit game, severing connections on the one hand, and establishing new ones on the other."&nbsp;



"It's a constant buzz driven by the ambition for social centrality. At the end, when this tug-of-war reaches an equilibrium, all individuals have secured their position in the network, a position that best balances between their drive for prominence and their limited budget for new friendships."



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



“When we did the math, we discovered an amazing result: this process always ends with social paths centered around the number six. This is quite surprising. We need to understand that each individual in the network acts independently, without any knowledge or intention about the network as a whole," explained study lead author Professor Baruch Barzel.



"But still, this self-driven game shapes the structure of the entire network. It leads to the small world phenomenon, and to the recurring pattern of six degrees."



<h2 id="h-six-step-ripple-effect">Six-step ripple effect</h2>



In the midst of a global health crisis like the COVID pandemic, understanding this six-step ripple effect can be pivotal. Consider the terrifying potential of a virus that, in just six infection cycles, could engulf the entire planet.



Interestingly, this research itself is a product of six nations converging in academic unity - a testament to our interconnected global fabric.



The study was funded by the Israel Science Foundation, the Israel-China ISF-NSFC joint research program, and the Bar-Ilan University Data Science Institute.&nbsp;



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"Six degrees of separation" theory has been confirmed by experts

In a world with over seven billion individuals, is it...

Astronomical,Scientific,Background,-,Bright,Comet,Approaching,To,Planet,Earth

Skywatching this week promises to be a captivating. There is much to offer for both casual observers and astronomers, as the night sky unveils a series of celestial spectacles, according to this month's <a href="https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/resources/2989/whats-up-september-2023-skywatching-tips-from-nasa/">skywatching tips</a> from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a>.



<h2>Comet Nishimura makes closest approach</h2>



The "ghostly green" <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ghostly-green-comet-is-now-visible-to-the-naked-eye/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Comet Nishimura</a> distinguishes itself as more than a typical space rock. With its enigmatic origins, it now nears its closest point to Earth, visible even without a telescope.



We won't see Nishimura again until 2317, marking this sighting as a unique "once in a lifetime" event.



Just a month ago, Comet Nishimura's discovery surprised the astronomical community. Rather than leisurely drifting, the comet zooms at an astonishing 240,000 miles per hour while it whirls around the Sun.



On the morning of September 12, experts anticipate the comet's nearest approach to Earth, just 78 million miles away. Your best chances to spot it are in the hour following sunset or the hour preceding dawn, directing your gaze to the east-north-east.



Currently, Nishimura resides between the constellations Cancer and Leo. By around 4 am, you can spot the comet slightly above and to the left of the "morning star."



<h2>Skywatching Saturn this week</h2>



This week, Saturn and Jupiter remain prominent for observation. Look for Saturn towards the southeast shortly after the sun sets, followed by Jupiter making its appearance a few hours later. Saturn dips below the horizon a couple of hours before dawn, giving Jupiter the spotlight in the sky until sunrise.



<h3>Saturn</h3>



In early to mid-September, Saturn showcases its splendor. It recently moved past opposition on August 27 and dominates the Aquarius night sky. 



The ringed planet gleams at magnitude 0.4, but dims to 0.3 magnitude this week. Look for it in the southeastern sky after sunset; it rises to its zenith due south by local midnight on September 1. By September's end, Saturn achieves this position two hours sooner.



On September 26, a bright gibbous Moon sits roughly 3° beneath Saturn. As the autumn sun sets increasingly earlier, the growing darkness offers optimal conditions for late-evening observations.



When viewed through a telescope, sunlight illuminates the northern side of the rings, tilting towards us at 9° in early September. This angle expands to 10° by September 30. The outer A ring's muted hue contrasts sharply with the brighter B ring, with the dark Cassini Division separating them. Meanwhile, the inner C ring appears fainter and translucent.



<h3>Jupiter</h3>



Jupiter rises around 10 p.m. in early through mid-September and stands 20° high in the east at the same time on Sept. 30. It starts the month at magnitude –2.6 and is an unmistakable object in the faint constellation Aries. 



The best views of the giant planet are in the early-morning hours, when Jupiter stands more than 60° high in the southern sky. Binoculars will reveal some of its moons as well as the 6th-magnitude star Sigma (σ) Arietis. 



The star stands due north of Jupiter on the 18th. Jupiter is a favorite of observers because of the wealth of detail in its atmosphere. Skywatchers this week can see Jupiter's dark equatorial belts, the Great Red Spot, and an ever-changing view as new features regularly appear. This is due to its fast rotation period of less than 10 hours.



<h2 id="h-venus-in-the-early-morning-hours">Venus in the early morning hours</h2>



Venus, the second planet from the Sun, is also known as the "Evening Star" or the "Morning Star" depending on when it is visible in the sky. This brilliant world shines with a steady, silvery-white light and is often considered one of the most beautiful objects in the nighttime sky. Let's dive into the specifics of what to expect from Venus in September 2023.



<h3>Position and visibility</h3>



Venus is currently in the constellation of Cancer. The current Right Ascension of Venus is 08h 53m 56s and the Declination is +11° 10’ 30” (topocentric coordinates computed for the selected location: Telluride, CO (US). The current magnitude of Venus is -4.77 (JPL). This weekend, Venus will rise at approximately 4:13 AM in the US Mountain time zone.



After moving between the Earth and the sun on August 13, 2023, radiant Venus will emerge in the predawn sky of September just before the sun rises. Around September 19, 2023, Venus will shine at its brightest in the morning sky, and by month's end, it will have achieved an elongation of 44 degrees from the sun. 



On September 11 and 12, the moon will be positioned close to Venus. At the month's start, Venus will ascend approximately 2 hours before the sun and by the conclusion of the month, around 3.5 hours prior.



<h3>Greatest elongation</h3>



One key event to anticipate in September is Venus's greatest eastern elongation, which is the point when Venus appears as far from the Sun as it will get for this cycle in the evening sky. At greatest elongation, Venus will be positioned at its maximum angular distance from the Sun, which makes it more visible after sunset. The farther away it is from the Sun's glare, the longer it can be observed in the darkening sky.



<h3>Brightness and magnitude</h3>



Skywatching this week, viewers will notice that Venus' brightness will increase from magnitude -4.6 to -4.8. This makes Venus brighter than any other planet or star in the night sky, except for the Moon. Its brightness is attributed to the thick atmosphere of Venus, which is primarily composed of carbon dioxide with clouds of sulfuric acid, that reflects sunlight efficiently.



Its peak luminosity this month extends from September 16 to September 26. Observing through a telescope during September reveals a magnificent crescent that grows in phase throughout the month, even as its size diminishes.



At the dawn of September, Venus was illuminated at just 12 percent. However, by the close of the month, this number will rise to 36 percent. Despite this increase in illumination, due to its retreat of 17 million miles (27 million km) from Earth, Venus will look over a third smaller than its appearance at the month's onset.



<h3>Telescopic observations</h3>



For those using a telescope while skywatching this week, observing Venus can be quite the treat. Throughout September, the phase of Venus will change. Early in the month, it will resemble a half-lit phase. Towards the end of the month, it will wane into a crescent shape. The apparent size of Venus will also grow slightly over the month as it moves closer to Earth in its orbit.



<h3>Pairings and conjunctions</h3>



During September 2023, keep an eye out for days when Venus pairs closely with other celestial bodies:



The Moon: Around mid-September, a slender crescent Moon will appear in close proximity to Venus in the early morning sky. This pairing is not only a treat for the eyes but also a favorite for photographers.



Spica: Venus will also have a close encounter with the star Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo. When these two celestial bodies come close, they'll form a bright and beautiful pair, visible to the naked eye.



September 2023 is set to be a rewarding month for observers and enthusiasts keen on witnessing the splendor of Venus in the night sky. Its brilliance, paired with other celestial events, promises a month filled with astronomical delights. Whether you're an experienced stargazer with a telescope or someone who just enjoys glancing up at the night sky, be sure not to miss the dazzling display of our sister planet this month.



<h2>Waning crescent moon</h2>



The Moon has been a constant source of wonder and intrigue throughout human history. Its cyclical phases provide not just illumination at night but also rhythms that have deep cultural, spiritual, and practical significance to civilizations across the globe.



If you are skywatching this week, one of the Moon's more subtle phases -- the waning crescent -- will grace the pre-dawn skies, setting the stage for the New Moon. Let's explore this enchanting phase in more detail.



<h3>What is the waning crescent phase?</h3>



The waning crescent phase occurs after the Last Quarter Moon and before the New Moon. During this phase, the lit portion of the Moon visible from Earth decreases each day. 



The term "waning" refers to the decreasing amount of the Moon's illuminated face. The word "crescent" refers to the thin sliver of light visible as the Moon approaches the New Moon phase.



<h3>Key dates in September 2023</h3>



Last Quarter Moon: Early in September, the Moon enters its Last Quarter phase. At this point, the left half of the Moon (for Northern Hemisphere observers) will be illuminated.



Waning Crescent Visibility: Following the Last Quarter Moon, the lit portion visible will progressively diminish, presenting a thinner and thinner crescent each day until the New Moon.



New Moon: By the end of this waning cycle in September, the New Moon will emerge, signaling the start of the next lunar cycle.



<h3>Observing the waning crescent</h3>



Best Time: Skywatching this week of September 10, 2023, the waning crescent is visible in the early morning hours, around midnight in the U.S. Mountain Time zone. As the month progresses and the crescent wanes, you'll need to rise earlier to catch a glimpse before it is too close to the rising Sun.



Location: A clear eastern horizon will give the best view. Try to find a location away from city lights and tall buildings.



Brightness: The waning crescent can be quite dim, especially as it gets closer to the New Moon phase. Darker environments will provide a clearer view.



<h3>The waning crescent moon and celestial pairings</h3>



In September 2023, the waning crescent Moon will have a few notable celestial encounters:



Planetary Conjunctions: Planets occasionally wander near the Moon in the sky. In September 2023, observers might get to see a close pairing between the Moon and planets like Venus or Mercury. This is especially true given their position in the pre-dawn sky.



Deep Sky Objects: The reduced moonlight during the waning crescent phase is ideal for spotting deep-sky objects. These include such as galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae. If you have a telescope or binoculars, this can be an opportune time to skywatch.



<h3>Cultural and spiritual significance</h3>



Various cultures and religions attach significance to the Moon's phases. For instance:



In Islam, the waning crescent Moon, especially when it is a very thin crescent, signals the end of the lunar month and the imminent sighting of the New Moon. This period marks the beginning of a new month in the Islamic calendar.



Some pagan traditions associate the waning crescent with a time of release, reflection, and a period to banish negative energies or habits.



Skywatching this week promises to deliver a beautiful display of the waning crescent Moon. It will set the stage for a serene and peaceful stage for early risers and avid skywatchers. 



Whether you observe the Moon for its aesthetic beauty, its astronomical significance, or its spiritual meanings, the waning crescent phase offers a quiet moment of reflection before the hustle and bustle of the day begins.



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Look up! Skywatching this week offers many beautiful celestial sights

Skywatching this week promises to be a captivating. There is...

Cactus,Arizona,Desert,Sun.,A,Saguaro,Cactus,In,The,Foreground

According to the <a href="https://www.weather.gov/">National Weather Service</a> (NWS), on Saturday, September 9, the temperatures in Phoenix, Arizona set a new heat record, continuing to rise as the city broke its previous record of the most days at or above 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 Celsius).&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-new-heat-record">New heat record</h2>



This was the 54th day this year that the temperatures in Phoenix surpassed 110F – one day more than the heat record of 53 days set in 2020. Moreover, the daily average temperature of 97F (36.1C) in June, July, and August surpassed the previous record of 96.7 (35.9) set three years ago.



As the weekend highs were expected to range between 108F and 114F (with night temperatures between 80F and 88F), NWS issued an excessive heat warning until 8pm on Sunday.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-historic-heat-wave">Historic heat wave</h2>



Today, the temperature is expected to be slightly lower (106F). This historic heat wave from this year’s summer stretched from Texas to New Mexico and Arizona and deep into California’s desert.



According to experts from NWS, such temperatures significantly increase the risk of heat stress and illnesses for both humans and animals, making it crucial for residents to stay hydrated, avoid sun exposure from 10am to 6pm, wear light and loose-fitting clothing, use air conditioning, and make sure to keep their pets safe.



<h2 id="h-heat-related-deaths">Heat-related deaths</h2>



On Wednesday, officials from Maricopa county (which is home to Phoenix) reported that there have been 194 confirmed heat-related deaths this year, occurring mostly among people between 50 and 64 years of age. Moreover, 59 percent of these deaths have been among white non-Hispanics, making it the most number of deaths by race and ethnicity.



According to <a href="https://public.wmo.int/en">World Meteorological Organization</a>, last month was the hottest Augustt ever recorded worldwide, and the second hottest month ever measured, after July 2023.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-anthropogenic-climate-change">Anthropogenic climate change&nbsp;</h2>



The scientists blame anthropogenic climate change correlated to the advent of El Nino (a temporary warming of parts of the Pacific Ocean impacting weather all over the globe). However, since this natural phenomenon is expected to peak at the beginning of next year, 2024 will most likely break all the heat records set this year.



“The dog days of summer are not just barking, they are biting,” warned United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “Climate breakdown has begun.”



<h2 id="h-heat-and-human-health">Heat and human health</h2>



Heat can have various effects on human health, ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening conditions



<h3 id="h-heat-exhaustion">Heat exhaustion</h3>



This occurs after exposure to high temperatures, especially when combined with high humidity and strenuous physical activity. Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, and headache. Without intervention, it can progress to heat stroke.



<h3 id="h-heat-stroke">Heat stroke</h3>



A severe and potentially life-threatening condition. The body loses its ability to regulate temperature, causing the body temperature to rise to dangerous levels. Symptoms include hot, dry skin, rapid heartbeat, confusion, and unconsciousness. Immediate medical attention is necessary.



<h3 id="h-dehydration">Dehydration</h3>



Heat can increase the rate at which the body loses fluid through sweating, leading to dehydration. This can result in dry mouth, fatigue, dark yellow urine, and dizziness.



<h3 id="h-heat-cramps">Heat cramps</h3>



Muscle pains or spasms that can occur during heavy exercise in a hot environment, usually due to loss of salt and water from sweating.



<h3 id="h-heat-rash">Heat rash</h3>



Skin irritation caused by excessive sweating. It appears as a cluster of red pimples or small blisters.



<h3 id="h-chronic-illnesses">Chronic illnesses</h3>



Heat can exacerbate conditions like heart disease, kidney disease, and respiratory illness.



<h3 id="h-effects-on-vulnerable-populations">Effects on vulnerable populations</h3>



Elderly individuals, children, and those with chronic illnesses are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.



<h3 id="h-mental-health-impacts">Mental health impacts</h3>



Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can lead to mental health challenges, including increased stress, anxiety, and other mood disorders.



<h3 id="h-medication-effects">Medication effects</h3>



Some medications can impair the body's ability to regulate temperature or inhibit perspiration, making individuals more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.



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"Climate breakdown" has begun as Phoenix breaks another heat record

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), on Saturday, September...

A new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mec.17118">Molecular Ecology</a> has confirmed that two species of sea stars are crossbreeding in the North Atlantic Ocean.



The study reveals genomic evidence of hybridization between two closely related sea star species: Asterias rubens, or the common starfish, and Asterias forbesi, known as Forbes’ sea star.



According to the researchers, hybrid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-protect-corals-by-feeding-on-crown-of-thorns-starfish/">starfish</a> are now thriving from the shores of New England to the Canadian Maritimes.



<h2 id="h-first-genomic-evidence">First genomic evidence&nbsp;</h2>



“It is the first genome-wide evidence of extensive hybridization in an ecologically important coastal species,” said study co-author Melina Giakoumis, a PhD candidate with the <a href="https://www.gc.cuny.edu/">CUNY Graduate Center</a>’s Biology program and associate director of the Institute for Comparative Genomics at the American Museum of Natural History.



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



In this investigation, the experts set out to answer a twofold question. First, were these sea stars engaging in crossbreeding in their natural habitats? And what environmental conditions might be driving this phenomenon?&nbsp;



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



The team obtained DNA samples from both starfish species at 33 sites in the North Atlantic for an in-depth DNA sequencing process.&nbsp;



The researchers also incorporated samples from Asterias amurensis, a sea star native to the Northern Pacific, serving as a control group.



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



The genomic analysis revealed undeniable hybridization between the two sea star species stretching from Cape Cod to Nova Scotia.&nbsp;



Yet, what is even more fascinating is how the environmental preferences of each species, mirrored in their genomes, played a pivotal role.&nbsp;



A. forbesi, with its limited geographic span, has evolved to suit local environments, whereas A. rubens boasts a broader stretch reaching as far as western Europe.&nbsp;



Researchers have pinpointed the Gulf of Maine as a hotspot for hybridization, primarily where the habitats of these two species intersect.



<h2 id="h-new-questions-arise">New questions arise</h2>



Michael Hickerson is a biology professor with the CUNY Graduate Center and City College of New York.



“Two questions arise from this study,” said Hickerson. “Will the hybrids’ move to follow the changes in sea surface temperatures accelerate to the point of one species replacing the other?"&nbsp;



"Or will they rescue the two species by being a source of gene combinations that allow greater resilience to climatic changes due to increased adaptive variation."



“Since sea stars preferentially eat dominant competitors, they provide stability to the ecosystem. These species are therefore crucial to study for marine conservation, as they have rippling effects throughout the rest of the community.”



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



As "keystone species," these sea stars play a vital role in sustaining marine ecosystems. Their absence from intertidal communities - the regions between high and low tide - can have catastrophic consequences.&nbsp;



Giakoumis noted that the Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the global ocean. “Our results imply that the distribution of genomic variation in North Atlantic sea stars is influenced by the environment, which will be crucial to consider as the climate changes."



The results of the study have far-reaching implications, potentially guiding conservation strategies and the protection of the North Atlantic's intertidal zones.



<h2 id="h-more-about-sea-stars">More about sea stars</h2>



Sea stars, commonly known as starfish, are iconic marine animals recognized worldwide. Here are some fascinating insights about these sea creatures:



<h3 id="h-anatomy">Anatomy</h3>



Despite the name "starfish," sea stars aren't fish. They belong to the class Asteroidea in the phylum Echinodermata. Unlike fish, they don't have gills, fins, or scales. Instead, they have a hard, calcified outer skeleton and a unique water vascular system that powers their tube feet, aiding in movement and feeding.



<h3 id="h-regeneration">Regeneration</h3>



One of the most astounding abilities of sea stars is regeneration. If they lose an arm, they can grow it back. Some species can even regenerate a whole new sea star from just a fragment of a lost limb.



<h3 id="h-diversity">Diversity</h3>



There are about 2,000 known species of sea stars worldwide. They come in various colors, sizes, and shapes. Some have more than the typical five arms. For instance, the sun star can have up to 40 arms.



<h3 id="h-feeding">Feeding</h3>



Sea stars are carnivorous and primarily feed on bivalves like clams and mussels. They have an interesting feeding mechanism where they can eject their stomach out of their body to envelop and digest their prey, after which the stomach is retracted back into the body.



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



While many sea stars live in shallow tidal waters, some species can be found in deep-sea habitats. They are commonly found on rocky shores, in the sand, and amidst seagrass beds.



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



Many sea stars release eggs and sperm into the water, where fertilization occurs. Some species also practice brooding, where the eggs are kept with the parent until they hatch.



<h3 id="h-threats">Threats</h3>



Starfish face several threats, primarily from habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. A notable example is the sea star wasting disease that has affected multiple sea star species, causing lesions and eventual disintegration.



<h3 id="h-ecological-role">Ecological role</h3>



Sea stars play a crucial role in marine ecosystems. They're considered keystone species, meaning they have a disproportionately large impact on their environment. By feeding on mussels and other creatures, they maintain the balance of marine ecosystems, ensuring biodiversity.



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North Atlantic sea stars are crossbreeding, and it may help them survive

A new study published in the journal Molecular Ecology has...

The ability to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-delays-visual-inputs-by-15-seconds-to-keep-us-stable/">visualize</a> things such as the faces of our loved ones, objects, landscapes, or even past memories varies greatly among individuals.&nbsp;While most people take this ability for granted, there is a segment of the population that cannot conjure up vivid images on demand. These individuals live with a blank mental canvas that lacks visual imagery, which is a condition known as aphantasia.



One surprising aspect of aphantasia -&nbsp; especially in cases where it's congenital and not a result of any brain injury, stroke, or psychiatric illness - is that many individuals remain unaware of this trait for a significant portion of their lives.&nbsp;



This is because it doesn’t interfere with their day-to-day functioning. In fact, some people with aphantasia have no idea that they deviate from the norm.



On the opposite end of the spectrum, there is a group of individuals known as hyperphantasics. Their minds work like high-resolution canvases, capable of producing mental images as sharp and clear as illustrations in a book.



<h2 id="h-aphantasia-and-visual-information">Aphantasia and visual information&nbsp;</h2>



Paolo Bartolomeo, a renowned neurologist and researcher at the <a href="https://sante.sorbonne-universite.fr/en/structures-de-recherche/paris-brain-institute" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paris Brain Institute</a>, shared his fascination with these cognitive variations.



"Talking to these people is fascinating. We tend to think that access to visual perception, conceptualization, and memory is the same for everyone. Nothing could be further from the truth," said Bartolomeo.



“Aphantasics cannot mentally picture what their parents, friends, or partner look like when they are away. But they can still describe the physical characteristics of their loved ones: this visual information has been stored, in one way or another."



<h2 id="h-how-researchers-studied-aphantasia">How researchers studied aphantasia&nbsp;</h2>



The origin of aphantasia remains a topic of debate among researchers. Is it a perceptual deficit? Could emotional and psychological factors be at play? Or does it stem from difficulty in accessing sensory information?



To investigate, Bartolomeo teamed up with Jianghao Liu, a doctoral student specializing in Neurophysiology and Functional Neuroimaging at the Paris Brain Institute.&nbsp;



The experts embarked on a study with 117 volunteers, including 44 aphantasics, 31 hyperphantasics, and 42 individuals with average mental imagery capabilities.&nbsp;



The research involved a mental imagery and visual perception test termed the "Imagination Perception Battery (BIP)."



"Our test...is designed to assess the link between perception and mental imagery through the different visual qualities that enable a scene to be described - such as shape, color, position in space, presence of words or faces," said Liu.



The scientists exposed participants to a multi-modal test. This required them to visualize concepts based on auditory cues and then match them with appropriate qualifiers. They recorded their speed, accuracy, and self-assessed quality of visualization.



In addition, the team conducted a perception test, presenting stimuli visually, eliminating the need for mental visualization.



<h2 id="h-phenomenal-consciousness">Phenomenal consciousness</h2>



“Our results indicate that the performance of people with aphantasia is equivalent to other groups in terms of perception and the ability to associate a concept with its representation,” said Liu.&nbsp;



“With one exception! Aphantasics are, on average, slower than hyperphantasics and typical imagers when it comes to processing visual information, particularly shapes and colors. They also have little confidence in the accuracy of their answers."



“Participants in the aphantasic group perceive elements of reality accurately and show no deficits in memory and language processing. We believe that they present a slight defect of what we call phenomenal consciousness," explained Bartolomeo.



"This means that they have access to information about shapes, colors, and spatial relationships - but that this visual information does not translate into a visual mental image in conscious experience."



“This peculiarity is probably compensated by other cognitive strategies, such as mental lists of visual characteristics, which allow aphantasics to remember everything they have seen.”



<h2 id="h-looking-ahead">Looking ahead</h2>



While the aphantasia study provides intriguing insights, it's essential to note its limitations. Primarily, the reliance on an online questionnaire for data collection. However, it has paved the way for further exploration into understanding the complexities of visual mental imagery.



Potential future studies could explore the neural mechanics behind these observations. This would shed light on specific visualization deficits experienced by stroke patients.



“We also hope to develop interventional tools for certain psychiatric illnesses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is characterized by the eruption of images from traumatic memories. If we could rid patients of these intrusive mental images, it would greatly promote their recovery," said Liu.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2023.06.003" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cortex</a>.



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When the mind's eye is blind: What causes aphantasia?

The ability to visualize things such as the faces of...

The 2015 Paris Agreement was a landmark moment in international climate action, bringing countries together with a shared commitment to combat the existential threat of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indisputable-evidence-of-human-caused-climate-change/">climate change</a>.&nbsp;



Since its inception, nations across the globe have been proactive in taking measures to mitigate its impacts. Yet, a new technical report on the global stocktake highlights an urgent need to expedite ambition and implementation.



<h2 id="h-global-stocktake">Global stocktake&nbsp;</h2>



Established as an integral part of the Paris Agreement, the global stocktake is an assessment that is conducted every five years. The evaluation is used to gauge humanity's collective response to the mounting climate crisis and pave a strategic path ahead.&nbsp;



The primary goal is to inform the forthcoming round of nationally determined contributions, slated for presentation in 2025.



This extensive review commenced with a rigorous data collection phase in 2021. Contributions for the assessment came from many sources including international organizations, non-party stakeholders, and the parties to the Agreement itself.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-comprehensive-dialogue">Comprehensive dialogue&nbsp;</h2>



Over the course of 2022 and 2023, a comprehensive technical dialogue was organized by two distinguished co-chairs, Farhan Akhtar and Harald Winkler.



With the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange">UN Climate Change</a> secretariat's support, the dialogue spanned various pivotal domains – from mitigation and adaptation to loss, damage, and response measures.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-inspiring-global-action">Inspiring global action</h2>



“The technical dialogues were based on the best available science, drawing on the latest findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other sources of knowledge, with broad participation of experts and non-Party Stakeholders with diverse backgrounds," said Akhtar.



"Across the discussions it was clear that the Paris Agreement has inspired widespread action that has significantly reduced forecasts of future warming. This global stocktake is taking place at a crucial moment to inspire further global action in responding to the climate crisis."



<h2 id="h-cop28">COP28</h2>



The <a href="https://unfccc.int/documents/631600">global stocktake report</a> unveils 17 technical findings from these discussions. The report underscores the strides made thus far but also magnifies the immense work that lies ahead. It meticulously points out the evident gaps but also illuminates the opportunities and solutions to bridge them.&nbsp;



All eyes are now set on Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, where the first global stocktake's culmination will transpire at the <a href="https://unfccc.int/">UN Climate Change Conference</a> COP28.&nbsp;



“More than 137 non-Party stakeholders submitted input on their actions and support for the Paris Agreement goals, in total over 170,000 pages of written submissions were received, and we had over 252 hours of meetings and discussions over the three meetings of the technical dialogue – in plenaries, roundtables and world café formats," said Winkler.&nbsp;&nbsp;



"As the report’s technical findings show, much more is needed now, on all fronts and by all actors to meet the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement."



<h2 id="h-ambition-and-urgency">Ambition and urgency&nbsp;</h2>



As the stocktake progresses into its final phase, a series of high-level events will be held to discuss the implications of these technical findings. These discussions will assist in identifying opportunities, good practices, and challenges to enhance climate action and support.



“This global stocktake report provides clear direction on how we can meet the expectations of the Paris Agreement by taking decisive action in this critical decade,” said COP28 President-Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber.&nbsp;



“To keep 1.5 within reach we must act with ‘ambition and urgency’ to reduce emissions by 43% by 2030. That is why the COP28 Presidency has put forward an ambitious action agenda centered around fast- tracking a just and well managed energy transition that leaves no one behind, fixing climate finance, focusing on people's lives and livelihoods, and underpinning everything with full inclusivity."&nbsp;



"I believe we can deliver all of this while creating sustainable economic growth for our people, but we must urgently disrupt business as usual and unite like never before to move from ambition to action and from rhetoric to real results.”



<h2 id="h-actionable-commitments">Actionable commitments</h2>



Dr. Al Jaber says he is calling on leaders from both the public and private sector to come to COP28 with real and actionable commitments to address climate change.&nbsp;



"We need to rapidly decarbonize both the supply side and demand side of the energy system at the same time. We need to triple renewable energy by 2030, commercialize other zero carbon solutions like hydrogen and scale up the energy system free of all unabated fossil fuels, while we eliminate the emissions of the energies we use today," noted Dr. Al Jaber.



"We need to protect and enhance nature, safeguard carbon sinks and transform food systems that account for one third of emissions. And we need fundamental reform of the international financial architecture that was built for the last century.”



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Global stocktake report: Ambition and urgency needed to meet Paris goals

The 2015 Paris Agreement was a landmark moment in international...

The red wolf, a carnivore native to the southeastern United States, has historically been a vital component of this region’s ecosystem. Renowned for its reddish-tan fur and notable hunting capabilities, the red wolf plays a crucial role in maintaining a balanced environment by regulating the populations of smaller mammals.&nbsp;



Yet, despite its significance, the&nbsp; century has witnessed the wolf’s numbers plummet, a decline largely attributed to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unseen-crisis-37000-alien-species-have-been-introduced-by-human-activities/">human activities</a>. By the 1980s, the repercussions of these activities were so severe that the red wolf was deemed extinct in the wild.



<h2 id="h-fragmented-habitats">Fragmented habitats</h2>



Human actions primarily caused the red wolf's decline. As settlements expanded and natural habitats were encroached upon, the spaces where these wolves once roamed became fragmented and diminished.&nbsp;



The reduced habitat not only meant limited territory for the wolves but also a decline in the prey base, resulting in less food availability. Moreover, wolves became targets due to misinterpretations and vilifications in folklore and popular culture.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-unregulated-hunting">Unregulated hunting&nbsp;</h2>



Unregulated hunting further exacerbated the situation, pushing the red wolf to the brink of extinction by the late 20th century. Such dire circumstances necessitated immediate conservation actions.



<h2 id="h-reintroduction">Reintroduction&nbsp;</h2>



Recognizing the urgency, the <a href="https://www.fws.gov/">U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service</a> (FWS) initiated a comprehensive recovery program in the latter part of the 1980s. The multi-faceted strategy employed by the FWS included a captive-breeding program, where wolves were bred in a controlled environment to boost their numbers.&nbsp;



This approach ensured the creation of a healthy population ready for reintroduction into the wild. Subsequent reintroductions targeted specific natural habitats that historically were part of the wolf’s range, with wildlife refuges such as the Pocosin Lakes playing a pivotal role.



<h2 id="h-conservation-challenges">Conservation challenges</h2>



Yet, conservation, while hopeful, is not without its own set of challenges. Even as efforts to reintroduce the wolves intensified, several roadblocks emerged.&nbsp;



<h3 id="h-fatal-encounters">Fatal encounters&nbsp;</h3>



First, human-induced mortality continued to be a significant problem. People often mistakenly shot wolves, thinking they were their distant cousins, the coyotes.



In an attempt to reduce such incidents, the FWS took the measure of equipping the reintroduced wolves with orange, reflective collars, signaling their protected status.&nbsp;



However, even with such precautions, fatal encounters persisted, hinting at a more deep-rooted issue tied, perhaps, to long-standing prejudices.



<h3 id="h-coyotes">Coyotes</h3>



Another significant challenge arises from the burgeoning coyote population in the southeastern United States.&nbsp;



Coyotes not only vie for the same resources as the red wolves, creating competition, but also pose a genetic threat. Interbreeding between coyotes and red wolves could dilute the pure genetic lineage of the latter.&nbsp;



As a countermeasure, the FWS adopted a novel approach: sterilizing coyotes while leaving them hormonally intact. This would allow these coyotes to defend territories, thus minimizing intrusion from fertile coyotes, yet without adding to the gene pool.



<h3 id="h-vehicle-collisions">Vehicle collisions&nbsp;</h3>



Vehicle collisions further threaten the wolf’s survival. High-speed roads traversing through or alongside wolf habitats have resulted in numerous fatalities. Recognizing this danger, authorities have placed warning signs, especially in regions known for wolf activity, urging motorists to drive with caution.



<h3 id="h-lack-of-space">Lack of space</h3>



However, the most formidable challenge lies in securing enough space for the wolves. Despite the vastness of the refuges, the territorial nature of red wolves means that each pack requires considerable space.&nbsp;



A single pack’s territory can span up to 80 square miles, depending on prey availability. Given this, the existing refuges are inadequate to support a growing population. The realization underscores the necessity of incorporating private lands into the conservation strategy.



<h3 id="h-addressing-these-challenges">Addressing these challenges</h3>



Programs such as “<a href="https://ncwf.org/blog/prey-for-the-pack/">Prey for the Pack</a>” were devised to address this spatial challenge. Introduced in 2020, this initiative incentivizes landowners to make habitat improvements favorable for the wolves, offering reimbursements for such efforts. In return, the FWS gets the requisite access to these lands for conservation activities.&nbsp;



Yet, gaining widespread acceptance for such programs remains problematic, as illustrated by public meetings where sentiments against the wolves and conservation efforts come to the fore.



<h2 id="h-updated-recovery-plan">Updated recovery plan&nbsp;</h2>



Despite the challenges, the fight for the red wolf's survival remains a testament to human responsibility. As with many endangered species, it is a stark reminder that while human actions might have caused their decline, similar actions, if channeled correctly, can also facilitate their recovery. The story of the red wolf emphasizes the delicate balance of our ecosystems and the importance of each species within it.



For the first time in three decades, the FWS is preparing to release an updated recovery plan for this iconic species. According to a recently released <a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fecos.fws.gov%2Fdocs%2Frecovery_plan%2FDraft_Revised_Recovery_Plan_Red_Wolf_2022_1.pdf&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cabreed%40ap.org%7Ccd88a1f16bdc4623257c08dba8d0bade%7Ce442e1abfd6b4ba3abf3b020eb50df37%7C1%7C0%7C638289386796002920%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=Qj3X%2BJGNm9g6wGTrCNpaR2UpjqeSy3b6qwn%2FGjvVu64%3D&amp;reserved=0">draft</a>, the agency will spend a quarter billion dollars over the next half a century to rebuild and expand the wild wolf population.



“It was done once before,” said Joe Madison, the North Carolina manager for the <a href="https://www.fws.gov/project/red-wolf-recovery-program">Red Wolf Recovery Program</a>. “And we can do it again.”



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Fatal encounters: The future of the red wolf remains unclear

The red wolf, a carnivore native to the southeastern United...

When astronauts set foot on the barren landscape of Mars for the first time, they may owe their survival to a machine no bigger than a household microwave.&nbsp;This relatively diminutive device, MOXIE (Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment), has just finished its 16th and final oxygen-producing run aboard NASA’s Perseverance rover.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-impressive-performance">Impressive performance&nbsp;</h2>



The results have surpassed even the most optimistic expectations of its creators at the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> (MIT).



<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a> Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy commented on the device's significance, stating: “MOXIE’s impressive performance shows that it is feasible to extract oxygen from Mars’ atmosphere – oxygen that could help supply breathable air or rocket propellant to future astronauts.”&nbsp;



Melroy emphasized the importance of harnessing the resources of space bodies like the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/days-are-getting-longer-as-the-moon-drifts-away-from-earth/">Moon</a> and Mars to facilitate sustainable human exploration.



<h2 id="h-moxie-s-achievements">MOXIE's achievements&nbsp;</h2>



Since the Perseverance rover's 2021 landing, the device has synthesized a total of 122 grams of oxygen. To put that in perspective, it's roughly the amount a small canine would consume in 10 hours.&nbsp;



Impressively, at its peak efficiency, MOXIE produced 12 grams of oxygen an hour, which is a full 100% more than what NASA had originally targeted.&nbsp;



During its last run on August 7, MOXIE pumped out 9.8 grams of oxygen. All of these feats were accomplished while maintaining a purity level of 98% or even higher.



<h2 id="h-how-does-it-work">How does it work?</h2>



MOXIE crafts molecular oxygen through a complex electrochemical process. It isolates an oxygen atom from each molecule of carbon dioxide derived from Mars' atmosphere.&nbsp;



As these gases weave their way through the system, they undergo rigorous analysis to ascertain the quality and volume of the produced oxygen.



<h2 id="h-human-exploration">Human exploration&nbsp;</h2>



While Perseverance hosts myriad experiments, MOXIE stands apart, laser-focused on enabling future human ventures on the Martian expanse.&nbsp;



As the pioneering technology of its kind, MOXIE paves the path for future astronauts to harness Martian resources for sustenance and, crucially, for creating rocket fuel to facilitate their journey back to Earth.



<h2 id="h-next-big-leap">Next big leap</h2>



Michael Hecht from MIT, who led the MOXIE project, noted its role as a beacon for future space resource endeavors.



“MOXIE has clearly served as inspiration to the ISRU community. It showed NASA is willing to invest in these kinds of future technologies. And it has been a flagship that has influenced the exciting industry of space resources."



Hecht emphasized that the next big leap isn't necessarily a MOXIE upgrade. The focus would likely shift to a full-scale system amalgamating an oxygen generator like MOXIE with mechanisms to liquefy and store the generated oxygen.&nbsp;



But for Hecht, the real victory lies in MOXIE paving the way for other innovative technologies to shine on Mars.



<h2 id="h-perseverance-s-mission">Perseverance’s mission</h2>



A key objective for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/curiosity-mars-rover-finds-more-compelling-evidence-for-life-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Perseverance’s mission</a> on Mars, and for the MOXIE instrument, is astrobiology, including the search for signs of ancient microbial life, according to NASA.



Apart from hunting for these elusive life signs, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-sunspot-may-soon-disrupt-earths-power-grids/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Perseverance</a> plays a pivotal role in understanding Mars's geological tapestry and its climatic past. Its findings are expected to lay the groundwork for future human expeditions to this alien world.



The broader Mars 2020 Perseverance mission lies within NASA’s grander Moon to Mars exploration blueprint. This grand vision encompasses the Artemis missions to our moon, serving as the rehearsal stage for human exploration of the Red Planet.



Behind the scenes, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has been the force powering the construction and operations of the Perseverance rover.



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Oxygen is created on Mars using MOXIE, paving the way for humans

When astronauts set foot on the barren landscape of Mars...

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kindergarten-conduct-childhood-behavioral-problems-will-cost-society-later/">Childhood</a> is a crucial period of growth and development, with nutrition playing a central role in the trajectory of a child's health and well-being.&nbsp;



In a recent study published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195666323017427">Appetite</a>, researchers have explored the issue of picky eating - a common childhood challenge - and its potential long-term impacts.



<h2 id="h-picky-eating-habits">Picky eating habits</h2>



Often labeled as "fussy eating," it encompasses behaviors like refusal to eat specific foods, limited dietary variety, and hesitation in trying unfamiliar foods – known as "food neophobia."



Picky eating is also characterized by slower eating habits, and a unique combination of less enjoyment from eating and feeling fuller quicker.



While children’s growth and immunological defenses rely heavily on adequate nutrition, picky eating can introduce barriers.&nbsp;



This behavior can lead to skewed intake, with children consuming fewer fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins. Instead, their diet might become dominated by snacks.&nbsp;



The researchers set out to investigate the implications of such dietary restrictions. "Deficiencies in minerals and vitamins, or constipation, are some of the effects of such restrictions in food intake," they noted.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-persistent-picky-eaters">Persistent picky eaters&nbsp;</h2>



Interestingly, the researchers found that the prevalence of picky eating changes as children grow. The research suggests that over a quarter of two-year-olds can be termed fussy eaters, but this number drops by 50% by age six. However, those who remain particular about their food preferences are labeled as persistent picky eaters.



The trajectory of picky eating varies. Some toddlers display this behavior temporarily, while others may develop it later or maintain it throughout life.&nbsp;



Past studies have hinted at the long-term impacts of picky eating, drawing correlations between this early childhood behavior and a poorer diet, decreased weight, and stunted growth during adolescent years.



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



Building on this knowledge, the team investigated the prolonged effects of picky eating on both food consumption and the body mass index (BMI) in young adulthood.



The researchers relied on the data from the Dutch KOALA Birth Cohort, an extensive longitudinal study. The cohort, representing a Dutch acronym which translates to Child, Parents, and Health, focuses on lifestyle and predisposition factors.



Parents filled out questionnaires about their children's health and behavior when they were between the ages of 3-6.&nbsp;



A subsequent survey was conducted when these children reached 18 to understand their current food habits and physical parameters. The results, derived from over 800 participants, were enlightening.



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



The analysis revealed compelling findings: for every one-point increase in the picky eating score, adults consumed raw vegetables or fruit 0.14 days less per week. A similar decline was observed in the consumption of cooked vegetables and dairy products.&nbsp;



However, intake patterns of snacks, meat, eggs, and sugary drinks were not significantly impacted by early childhood eating behaviors. BMI in adulthood also didn't show a significant correlation with picky eating tendencies during childhood.



This comprehensive research stands out as the first major cohort study to delve into the link between early childhood picky eating and its repercussions on dietary habits in adulthood.&nbsp;



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



"The study results indicate that long-term eating patterns are related to picky eating in young children," the researchers state.



However, it's crucial to remember that many factors, like regional food availability and cultural preferences, can influence dietary choices. Additionally, varying data collection methods between studies can impact the results, underlining the need for standardized norms in the field.



The researchers emphasize the importance of addressing and rectifying picky eating habits as early as possible. By doing so, we can pave the way for healthy nutrition throughout both childhood and adulthood.&nbsp;



Importantly, the strategies should not only target the child but also consider parental eating patterns, which can inadvertently influence the child's behavior. With further research, there's hope to better understand and address this widespread issue.



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Picky eating habits in childhood have lingering effects in adulthood

Childhood is a crucial period of growth and development, with...

A new study led by <a href="https://english.tau.ac.il/">Tel Aviv University</a> (TAU) has found that the extinction of large prey, upon which human nutrition depended hundreds of thousand years ago, compelled prehistoric humans to develop improved <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-masters-woodworking-crafting-wooden-hunting-weapons/">weapons</a> to help them hunt smaller prey, thus driving significant evolutionary adaptations.&nbsp;



By examining the evolution of hunting weapons from wooden- and stone-tipped spears to sophisticated bows and arrows, the experts found significant correlations with changes in prey size and human physiology and culture.



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



“This study was designed to examine a broader unifying hypothesis, which we proposed in a previous paper published in 2021. The hypothesis explains the cultural and physiological evolution of prehistoric humans – including increased cognitive abilities - as an adaptational response to the need to hunt progressively smaller and quicker prey,” the authors wrote.



“So far such a unified hypothesis was lacking in professional literature, with the prevailing hypothesis maintaining that the changes in hunting weapons were a reflection of an essentially unexplained cognitive improvement.”



The researchers analyzed findings from nine prehistoric archaeological sites from South Africa, East Africa, Spain, and France. Early humans inhabited the sites about 300,000 years ago, during the transition from the Lower to the Middle Stone Age (Paleolithic). This was a period in which Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens first emerged.



<h2 id="h-decline-in-size-of-large-prey">Decline in size of large prey</h2>



The analysis of animal bones and stone tools used to hunt and process prey revealed a strong correlation between the emergence of stone-tipped spears, and the progressive decline in prey size.



“Specifically, we examined the emergence of a sophisticated stone-knapping method known as the Levallois technique, which is especially indicative of cognitive development: unlike earlier knapping methods, here the craftsman first prepares a core of good-quality stone, then cuts a pointed item off with one stroke – a process that requires him/her to imagine the final outcome in advance," said the researchers.



"We found that in all cases, at all sites, stone tips made with the Levallois technology appeared simultaneously with a relative decrease in the quantity of bones of large prey."



<h2 id="h-wooden-spears">Wooden spears&nbsp;</h2>



According to lead author Miki Ben-Dor, an archeologist at TAU, studies of contemporary hunter-gatherers suggest that wooden spears are sufficient for hunting large prey such as elephants.&nbsp;



After first limiting the animal’s mobility - for instance, by driving it into a swamp or digging a trapping pit and concealing it with branches – the hunters can then thrust a spear into it and wait for it to bleed. However, middle-sized animals such as deer, are much more difficult to trap, and if hit by a wooden spear, they have more chances to run away.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-stone-tipped-spears">Stone-tipped spears&nbsp;</h2>



Thus, more substantial wounds induced by stone-tipped spears are likely to slow them down and reduce the distance they can run before collapsing.



Archeological evidence suggests that prehistoric humans began to manufacture stone tools about three million years ago, and started to hunt about two million years ago.&nbsp;



While Homo Erectus (the ancestor of all later types of humans) used wooden spears, Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens upgraded their spears around 300,000 years ago by adding stone tips produced with the more sophisticated Levallois method.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-more-complex-hunting-systems">More complex hunting systems&nbsp;</h2>



Around 50,000 years ago, people developed more complex hunting systems. Homo Sapiens began using bows, arrows, and spear throwers. Finally, at the end of the Upper Paleolithic (approximately 25,000 years ago), new hunting aids emerged, including dogs, traps, and fishing hooks.&nbsp;



While facts about this continual evolution of hunting weapons – accompanied by improvements in human cognition and skills – have been known for a long time, no unifying hypothesis for explaining them has been proposed.



<h2 id="h-evolution-of-prehistoric-humans">Evolution of prehistoric humans&nbsp;</h2>



“For the past ten years we have been searching for a unified explanation for focal phenomena in the cultural and biological evolution of prehistoric humans," said co-author Ran Barkai, an archeologist at TAU.



"Our excavations at the Qesem Cave site led us to conclude that elephants, a major component of the human diet in our region for a million years, disappeared about 300,000 years ago, as a result of overhunting and climate change. With the huge elephants gone, humans had to find ways for obtaining the same amount of calories from a larger number of smaller animals."



“Ultimately, we hypothesized that prey size had played a major part in human evolution: at the beginning the largest animals were hunted, and when these were gone humans went on to the next in size, and so on. Finally, when hunting was no longer energetically viable, humans began to domesticate animals and plants. That’s how the agricultural revolution began.”



<h2 id="h-large-prey-decline-and-hunting-weapons">Large prey decline and hunting weapons&nbsp;</h2>



In 2021, Barkai and Ben-Dor first proposed their unified hypothesis on the cultural and physiological development of Paleolithic humans, by connecting advancements in hunting weapons to decreases in prey size.&nbsp;



Their recent research supports this theory and builds upon a previous 2022 study they conducted alongside zoologists Jacob Dambitzer and Shai Meiri from TAU. This study examined archaeological data spanning 1,500,000 to 20,000 years ago, revealing a shift in predominant prey - from 12-ton elephants at the start of this period to 25 kg gazelles by the end.&nbsp;



Additionally, the data indicated that the average prey weight dropped from three tons a million years ago to just 50 kg 20,000 years ago, highlighting a consistent reduction in prey size.



“In the present study specifically, and in our broader unifying hypothesis in general, we propose for the first time an explanation for one of the most intriguing questions in prehistoric archaeology: Why did tools change? The usual explanation is that tools changed due to improvements in the cognitive abilities of humans. For instance, when humans were suddenly able to imagine the outcomes of a sophisticated process, they developed the Levallois technique," said Barkai.



"But one may well ask: Why did humans become smarter all of a sudden? What was the advantage of having a large brain that consumes so much energy? We demonstrate that these biological and cognitive changes correlate directly with the size of prey."



<h2 id="h-small-elusive-animals">Small elusive animals&nbsp;</h2>



“To hunt small elusive animals humans had to become smarter, faster, more focused, more observant, and more collaborative. They had to develop new weapons for hunting from afar and learn how to track their prey."&nbsp;



"And they had to choose their prey carefully, with preference for high fat content, to ensure a sufficient energetic return - because hunting a large number of agile gazelles requires a much higher investment of energy than hunting one giant elephant."



"This, we propose, is the evolutionary pressure that generated the improvement in human ability and tools – to ensure an adequate energy return on investment (EROI)."



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/quat6030046" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quaternary</a>.



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Large prey extinction drove evolutionary changes in early humans

A new study led by Tel Aviv University (TAU) has...

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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

[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.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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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

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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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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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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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



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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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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

[sendtonews key="3UUsNkFOuS-2487333-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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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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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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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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