Earth, the only known planet to support life, owes much of its habitability to water. Understanding when and how water arrived on Earth is crucial for piecing together the story of life’s origins. 



Scientists have long debated whether water was present from the planet’s formation or if it arrived later through external sources. 



A recent study led by a Rutgers-New Brunswick scientist challenges existing theories, suggesting that water arrived much later than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-cycles-through-plants-with-unexpected-speed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">previously believed</a>.



The findings indicate that Earth received water toward the final stages of its formation. This discovery could reshape scientific understanding of the conditions necessary for life.



By examining isotopes in Earth’s rocks and comparing them with meteorites, researchers have provided new insights into the timing and process of water’s arrival on our planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timing-of-life-s-origins">Timing of life’s origins</h2>



Scientists seek to pinpoint when key <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/comets-may-have-delivered-water-to-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ingredients for life</a> first appeared on Earth. Water, energy, and a mix of organic chemicals known as CHNOPS - carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur - are essential for life to emerge. 



Determining when these components arrived can offer clues about the timing of life’s formation.



Katherine Bermingham is an associate professor in the <a href="https://eps.rutgers.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences</a> at Rutgers and lead author of the study.



“When water was delivered to the planet is a major unanswered question in planetary science,” said Bermingham. “If we know the answer, we can better constrain when and how life developed.”



Her research suggests that water was not present during the early phases of Earth’s formation, as some theories propose. Instead, the planet acquired it much later through a process known as late accretion, when additional material from space continued to shape Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-examining-the-building-blocks-of-planets">Examining the building blocks of planets</h2>



Bermingham specializes in cosmogeochemistry, a field that examines the chemical composition of planetary materials to understand their origins. 



By analyzing Earth rocks and extraterrestrial materials such as meteorites, she investigates how rocky planets, including Earth, formed and evolved.



In this study, Bermingham’s team used thermal ionization mass spectrometry, a precise method for measuring isotopic compositions. 



They developed a new analytical approach to examine isotopes of molybdenum, an element found in both Earth’s crust and meteorites.



Isotopes are variations of an element with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons, which gives them slightly different atomic masses while maintaining identical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/distress-signals-earths-water-cycle-is-becoming-more-erratic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemical properties</a>.



“The molybdenum isotopic composition of Earth rocks provides us with a special window into events occurring around the time of Earth’s final core formation, when the last 10% to 20% of material was being assembled by the planet. This period is thought to coincide with the Moon’s formation,” explained Bermingham.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comparing-meteorites-and-earth-rocks">Comparing meteorites and Earth rocks</h2>



To track Earth’s early chemical history, the team examined meteorite samples from the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution. Scientists classify meteorites into two main groups based on their place of origin in the solar system.



The first group, known as “CC” meteorites, likely formed in the outer solar system, where conditions were wetter. The second group, “NC” meteorites, originated in the inner solar system, where conditions were much drier. 



This study focused on meteorites from the NC group to compare their chemical composition with Earth rocks.



The researchers analyzed molybdenum isotopes in rocks from Greenland, South Africa, Canada, the United States, and Japan. 



These rocks date back to the time of the Moon’s formation and are believed to contain elements added to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-other-planets-collected-first-water-from-unexpected-source-planetesimals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a> during this period.



By comparing the isotopic signatures of meteorites and Earth rocks, the team sought to determine whether the Moon-forming event delivered a significant amount of water to Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-s-water-may-have-arrived-late">Earth’s water may have arrived late</h2>



“Once we gathered the different samples and measured their isotopic compositions, we compared the meteorites’ signatures with the rock signatures to see if there was a similarity or a difference,” Bermingham said. “And from there, we drew inferences.”



The analysis revealed that the molybdenum composition of Earth rocks closely matched that of NC meteorites, which originated in the drier inner solar system. 



This finding suggests that Earth’s building blocks primarily came from a region of the solar system where water was scarce.



This contradicts a popular theory that a significant amount of Earth’s water arrived during the Moon-forming event. 



Instead, the study indicates that water was delivered in smaller amounts long after the Moon formed, during the later stages of planetary development.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-the-source-of-earth-s-water">Rethinking the source of Earth’s water</h2>



“We have to figure out from where in our solar system Earth's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stunning-discovery-earths-building-blocks-contained-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">building blocks</a> - the dust and the gas - came and around when that happened,” Bermingham said. “That’s the information needed to understand when the stage was set for life to begin.”



If most of Earth’s original material came from the drier inner solar system, then the Moon-forming event was likely not a major contributor of water. Instead, water must have arrived in smaller portions later. 



This conclusion challenges the idea that a single event provided Earth with the majority of its water. 



The study supports the view that water accumulated gradually over time, arriving through a combination of asteroid impacts and other processes occurring well after the planet had taken shape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-questions-about-life-s-early-conditions">Questions about life’s early conditions</h2>



“Our results suggest that the Moon-forming event was not a major supplier of water, unlike what has been thought previously,” Bermingham said. “These findings, however, permit a small amount of water to be added after final core formation, during what is called late accretion.”



This discovery raises new questions about how long it took for Earth to become habitable. If water arrived later than previously thought, then life may have taken longer to emerge. 



This could also have implications for understanding other planets, particularly those that scientists consider candidates for life.



By refining the timeline of Earth’s water history, this study contributes to a broader effort to understand planetary evolution. If water arrived late on Earth, then other planets might have followed a similar pattern. 



This could mean that life-supporting conditions take longer to develop than scientists once assumed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-in-the-search-for-earth-s-water">What’s next in the search for Earth’s water?</h2>



The study represents a step forward in unraveling Earth’s past, but it also highlights the many unanswered questions about the origins of water and life. 



Future research will likely focus on refining models of planetary accretion, analyzing additional meteorite samples, and exploring other isotopic markers that could provide further insights.



Other Rutgers contributors to the study include Linda Godfrey, an assistant research professor, and Hope Tornebene, a laboratory researcher in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. 



The research continues to push the boundaries of planetary science, bringing us closer to understanding how Earth became a world capable of supporting life.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016703724005751?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta</a>.



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Water arrived on Earth gradually over time, not in one big event

Earth, the only known planet to support life, owes much of its habitability to water. Understanding when and how water arrived on Earth is crucial for piecing together the story of life’s origins. Scientists have long debated whether water was present from the planet’s formation or if it arrived later through external sources. A recent study led by a Rutgers-New Brunswick scientist challenges existing theories, suggesting that water arrived much later than previously believed. The findings indicate that Earth received water toward the final stages of its...

Researchers have delved deep into the evolutionary mechanisms and genetic foundations that drive clownfish diversity. The study, recently published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/gbe/evad088">Genome Biology and Evolution</a>, shines a light on the clownfish's unique genomic structure that has enabled this vibrant creature to thrive in a range of ecological niches.



Clownfish are known for their stunning colors and their intriguing symbiotic relationship with sea anemones. Their interactions with sea anemones appear to have spurred a rapid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-secrets-of-the-evolution-of-prehistoric-reptiles/">evolution</a>, leading to the emergence of 28 distinct species. This phenomenon of adaptive radiation makes them a promising model organism for scientists.



Despite their popularity in the scientific community, little was known about the genetic mechanisms and evolutionary processes that facilitated this extraordinary radiation, until now. The research was led by Anna Marcionetti and Nicolas Salamin from the <a href="https://www.unil.ch/central/en/home.html">University of Lausanne</a>.



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



The researchers designed an innovative study that compared the genome sequences of ten species of clownfish. These were grouped into five pairs based on their phylogenetic relationship.&nbsp;



Each pair consisted of a generalist clownfish species, which can associate with several different sea anemone hosts, and a specialist species, which cohabit with only one species of anemone. This design provided a unique platform to investigate the roles of parallel and convergent evolution following the clownfish's radiation.



"Adaptive radiations have always interested me because they can help us understand the mechanisms behind the origin of species," said Salamin. "Being able to combine new genomic resources to study in detail the genetic mechanisms of the clownfish radiation is exciting because it can help us understand how this iconic group has evolved and how species have adapted to sea anemones, which is such an intriguing mutualistic interaction.”



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



The analysis revealed that hybridization between clownfish lineages significantly impacted their evolutionary pathways.&nbsp;The findings also indicated a genome-wide acceleration in evolution, with over five percent of all genes found to be under positive selection.&nbsp;



This includes several genes that may be linked to the unique size-based hierarchical social structure in clownfish societies. Genes under positive selection included somatostatin, NPFFR2, and the receptor for isotocin, all of which may regulate growth, food intake, appetite, and modulate social behavior respectively.



Additionally, certain genes involved in adaptation to different ecological niches were identified. This includes rhodopsin, a gene that enables the visual system to adjust at different depths, and the duox gene, which regulates the formation of the white stripes that grant clownfish their distinct appearance. These findings propose that the accelerated evolutionary rates seen in clownfish might be linked to the emergence of their unique social and ecological adaptations.



An interesting revelation was that generalist species exhibited faster evolutionary rates than specialist species. This might be due to the more varied or dynamic environments that the generalists have to adapt to.&nbsp;



The researchers also discovered genes showing parallel patterns of either relaxation or intensification of purifying selection in specialist or generalist species. This suggests parallel evolution of generalists and specialists to similar ecological niches.



<h2 id="h-further-research-is-needed">Further research is needed</h2>



However, the authors acknowledged the challenges of linking these findings to clownfish phenotypes, and the necessity for future research to fully characterize clownfish ecology and functional traits.



"To obtain a full understanding of the radiation of clownfish, it will be essential to achieve a comprehensive characterization of their ecology and functional traits," said the researchers. "Nevertheless, this study suggests candidate genes and pathways that may be involved in the diversification of the group, providing valuable hints for future functional research.”



This study could also guide future marine conservation and management efforts related to clownfish populations. Understanding the genetic adaptations of clownfish, including their social structures and interactions with sea anemones, can help devise effective conservation strategies to mitigate the impacts of environmental stressors and support the long-term survival of clownfish populations.&nbsp;



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



Clownfish, also known as anemonefish, belong to the subfamily Amphiprioninae in the family Pomacentridae. There are approximately 30 recognized species, grouped into two genera: Amphiprion and Premnas.



The most famous species, largely due to the film "Finding Nemo," is Amphiprion ocellaris, the common clownfish or ocellaris clownfish, which is orange with white stripes. Here are some other examples of clownfish species:



<h3 id="h-amphiprion-percula">Amphiprion percula</h3>



Also known as the true clownfish, it is very similar in appearance to the common clownfish, but it typically has more vibrant colors and a black edge around its white stripes.



<h3 id="h-premnas-biaculeatus">Premnas biaculeatus</h3>



Known as the maroon clownfish or spine-cheeked clownfish, it is maroon to dark brown in color with wide white stripes. It is the only species in its genus.



<h3 id="h-amphiprion-polymnus">Amphiprion polymnus</h3>



Also known as the saddleback clownfish due to the unique pattern on its back, it is dark brown to black with a white "saddle" and a white head bar.



<h3 id="h-amphiprion-clarkii">Amphiprion clarkii</h3>



Known as the yellowtail clownfish, it can have a highly variable coloration depending on its location and age, from a yellow to a dark brown body with white bars.



<h3 id="h-amphiprion-akallopisos">Amphiprion akallopisos</h3>



Known as the skunk clownfish or nosestripe anemonefish, it is characterized by a slender orange body with a single white stripe running along the dorsal ridge from the snout to the caudal fin.



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Genetic mysteries: How clownfish evolved their vibrant diversity

Researchers have delved deep into the evolutionary mechanisms and genetic...

Since many puppies are separated from their mothers and siblings early in life, people often wonder how this separation will affect them emotionally. Fortunately, according to a study published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/0376-6357(94)90056-6">Behavioral Processes</a>, in the case of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-humans-close/">dogs</a> separated from their siblings at eight to 12 weeks of age, the memory of their siblings appears to wane in about two years, although that of their mothers is often much more persistent.



“It makes sense that dogs have a strong recognition of their mother, as they are an altricial species. This means that the young are underdeveloped at birth, but with the aid of their parents, they mature,” explained Britt Rosendahl, a dog behaviorist and training specialist at the <a href="https://woodgreen.org.uk/">Woodgreen Pets Charity</a>.



“Survival mainly depends on the mother, so recognition of the mother is crucial. Altricial animals are wired this way, which could be a reason why they are more likely to recognize their mother compared to their siblings.”



<h2 id="h-limited-memories">Limited memories</h2>



Dogs’ memories and emotions work quite differently from ours, allowing them to deal more efficiently with separation and quite easily bond with other conspecifics, as well as humans.&nbsp;



Although <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2016.09.057">studies</a> have shown that dogs have an episodic memory too, allowing them to remember specific events from their past, this capacity seems fairly limited, diminishing the extent of separation-induced traumas and emotional issues.



Nevertheless, veterinary doctors argue that puppies should not be separated from their relatives earlier than three months after their birth, in order to avoid behavioral and emotional problems later in life.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-early-development-is-critical">Early development is critical&nbsp;</h2>



During their first weeks of life, socialization with other dogs is crucial to develop motor skills, bite control, problem-solving abilities, and resilience to stress. Thus, separation and social isolation during this critical developmental period could lead to anxiety, possessiveness, and aggression during maturity.



As Rosendahl argues, although leaving the safety and familiarity of their mother and littermates and transitioning to a new home will likely cause dogs some stress or even be a daunting experience, this is not necessarily because they miss their siblings, but rather due to the fact that a novel environment will force them to get used to different smells, sights, sounds, routines, and people.&nbsp;



“Every puppy is different and will adjust to their new environment at their own pace. Some puppies may settle in quickly, while others may take a few weeks to adjust. During this transition period, let them decompress in their own time,”&nbsp;she said.



<h2 id="h-steps-to-make-your-dog-feel-safe">Steps to make your dog feel safe</h2>



In order for dogs to easily adapt to their new environments, owners should help them feel safe and secure and try to meet all of their physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs.&nbsp;



According to dog trainer and behavioral consultant Jennifer Malaway, steps to help dogs feel comfortable in a new setting include creating a dynamic, stimulating environment consisting of gates, crates, and pens that can be used for play and exploration. Malaway says to also provide a “zen zone” such as a cozy crate, where the dogs can rest quietly when they need a break.



Other steps suggested by Malaway to make a dog feel safe include: establishing healthy, predictable routines for walks, meals, and playtime; avoiding uncomfortable interactions with other dogs or humans; training with positive reinforcement rather than punishments; learning the basics of canine body language to better understand their cues; and setting aside some time for puppy socialization if the dogs are younger than 20 weeks of age.&nbsp;



Recognizing and supporting a puppy’s needs could help owners build deep, loving bonds with their pets that could last a lifetime.



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



Dogs have a type of memory known as "associative memory." This means that they can remember and associate specific actions with specific outcomes. For example, if a dog gets a treat every time it sits on command, it will remember that sitting when told results in getting a treat.



However, a dog's memory works differently than human memory. Humans have episodic memory, meaning we can remember specific events, places, people, and times. Dogs can't remember specific events in detail and can't anticipate future events based on past experiences in the same way humans can.



A study published in 2016 suggests that dogs may have a type of episodic-like memory, but this is different from the complex episodic memory that humans have. In the study, dogs were trained to imitate human actions even after a delay, which suggests they could remember what they had observed. But this isn't the same as remembering a sequence of events or anticipating the future based on those events.



Dogs do have a strong sense of routine and can remember and anticipate daily routines like meal times, walk times, and the time their owner usually comes home. This is more a form of associative memory than episodic memory.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Dogs have memories of their relatives, but you can help by making them feel safe

Since many puppies are separated from their mothers and siblings...

The overexploitation of a variety of animal and plant species is currently a significant threat to nature. International pledges to halt species extinctions and ensure the sustainable harvest, use, and trade in wild species – such as the <a href="https://cites.org/eng">Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora</a> (CITES) - have recently been developed.&nbsp;



However, according to a new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02115-8">Nature</a>, 904 (two-fifths) of species identified as likely threatened by the international wildlife trade are not covered by such global agreements, including 370 species that are listed as Endangered or Critically Endangered by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iucn.org/">International Union for Conservation of Nature</a>&nbsp;(IUCN).



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



International <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-sunscreens-lose-effectiveness-and-become-harmful/">wildlife trade</a> protections set by CITES periodically decide on trade controls for thousands of animal and plant species. Yet, although over <a href="https://cites.org/eng/disc/species.php">40,000 species</a> are currently protected through this framework, in the absence of a reliable, repeatable methodology to inform the listing process, it is likely that many species threatened by international trade could be missing out on necessary global protections.&nbsp;



To identify such species and develop a robust methodology that could be employed by other scientists and conservationists in future studies, the researchers gathered data from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org/">IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species</a> – the world’s most authoritative database on at-risk animal and plant species – and compared it with CITES-listed species.&nbsp;



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



The analysis revealed that 904 species - including fish, flowering plants, birds, reptiles, and amphibians - are likely threatened by international trade, but are currently overlooked by CITES.



Among these species, 370 are listed by IUCN as Endangered or Critically Endangered, including 31 species of sharks and rays traded for their meat and fins, 23 species of palm intensively traded for horticulture, as well as other rare, notable species such as Owston’s Civer (used for wild meat and traditional medicine) and the Greater Green Leafbird (a major figure in the songbird trade).



Moreover, the scientists also identified 1,307 species which, although are currently CITES-listed, are still threatened by international trade, suggesting that they may require additional scrutiny to determine whether there are sustainability issues deserving tighter controls through CITES provisions.&nbsp;



Finally, this study’s findings are not limited to identifying species in need of greater trade regulation, but could also inform the relaxation of trade controls for species which have improved in status and can potentially be traded sustainably.



<h2 id="h-hundreds-of-unprotected-species">Hundreds of unprotected species</h2>



“CITES listings should respond to the best available information on a species’ status and be adopted where they will be likely to benefit the species. While our research shows CITES performs moderately well at identifying species in need of trade regulation, it also suggests that hundreds of species are overlooked,” said study lead author Daniel Challender, a conservation scientist at the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/">University of Oxford</a>.&nbsp;



“Cross-referencing data from the Red List with CITES listing information brings these potential protection gaps to light, and I hope that Parties to the Convention will use our methodology to inform their decisions in the run-up to and during the next CITES CoP, currently scheduled to take place in 2025.”



“To achieve the aims of both CITES and the new <a href="https://www.cbd.int/gbf/">Global Biodiversity Framework</a> on tackling nature loss, it is vital that the international trade in animal and plant species is both sustainable and does not threaten the survival of the species in the wild,” added co-author Kelly Malsch, the Head of Nature Conserved at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unep-wcmc.org/en">UN Environment Program World Conservation Monitoring Center</a>&nbsp;(UNEP-WCMC).



“Our work identifies hundreds of species – including 370 Critically Endangered and Endangered species – in need of protections, and we also know data gaps mean the true figure could be much higher. We hope that CITES Parties will be able to use our new methodology in future to ensure that CITES listings are based on the best available science.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-species-overlooked-by-cites">Species overlooked by CITES</h2>



The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement that aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. It includes a wide variety of species, but due to the sheer number of species worldwide, some are inevitably overlooked.



The list of overlooked animals will change over time due to ongoing research, conservation efforts, and fluctuations in populations and habitats, as well as new threats like climate change and habitat loss.&nbsp;



The following are examples of animal groups that may be overlooked by CITES:



<h3 id="h-invertebrates">Invertebrates</h3>



Many species of invertebrates are often overlooked, including various types of insects, mollusks, and arachnids. These creatures often have vital roles in their ecosystems, yet are not as often the focus of conservation efforts.



<h3 id="h-freshwater-fish">Freshwater fish</h3>



Many freshwater fish species are under threat from habitat destruction, overfishing, and pollution. Although some are included in CITES appendices, many are not.



<h3 id="h-amphibians">Amphibians</h3>



Amphibians are one of the most threatened groups of animals in the world, yet many species are not included in CITES appendices. Reasons include lack of data on their population status and the challenges of regulating trade in these animals.



<h3 id="h-reptiles">Reptiles</h3>



Despite the large number of reptile species that are traded internationally for the pet market, many species are not covered under CITES. Reptiles can be difficult to track due to their secretive nature and the large number of unreported or illegal transactions.



<h3 id="h-birds">Birds</h3>



While many birds are covered by CITES, certain species might be overlooked due to lack of data or due to the focus being on more charismatic species.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Over 900 threatened species are not protected by international trade agreements

The overexploitation of a variety of animal and plant species...

In recent years, electric vehicles (EVs) have been praised as a sustainable solution to the environmental issues posed by traditional gasoline-powered cars. However, new research shows that EVs may carry a hidden environmental cost: their tires.



Specialists have issued warnings that tires, often overlooked in discussions about pollution, release a significant amount of chemicals and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-inhale-the-equivalent-of-a-credit-card-in-microplastics-each-week/">microplastics</a> into the environment. Electric vehicle tires, in particular, have been found to produce up to 20% more pollution compared to those on gasoline vehicles.



<h2 id="h-electric-vehicles-are-heavier">Electric vehicles are heavier&nbsp;</h2>



One key factor contributing to the higher pollution levels is the overall weight of EVs. Typically, electric cars are heavier and accelerate faster than their gas-powered counterparts, leading to an increased shedding of tiny particles into the air as the tires wear down.



Research company <a href="https://www.emissionsanalytics.com/">Emissions Analytics</a> conducted road tests and found that under normal driving conditions, a gasoline car sheds around 73 milligrams per kilometer from four new tires. In contrast, a similar electric vehicle sheds an additional 15 milligrams per kilometer – a pollution increase of approximately 20 percent.



"The increased pollution is due to a combination of the vehicle's weight and the torque, which refers to how aggressively the car can accelerate," Nick Molden, founder and CEO of Emissions Analytics, explained to DailyMail.com. "Electric motors are known for their ability to accelerate very quickly. Combined with the heavy weight of the vehicle, this leads to more wear and tear on the tires."



Molden also pointed out that a typical electric car weighs about 1,000 pounds more than its gasoline counterpart.



<h2 id="h-pros-and-cons">Pros and cons</h2>



Comparative studies between popular electric and hybrid vehicles further underscore this concern. In March, Emissions Analytics released a study that compared the Tesla Model Y, the top-selling EV in the US, with the similarly-sized hybrid Kia Niro. The experts found that the Tesla produced 26 percent more tire emissions than the Kia.



"From a CO2 perspective, the Tesla is better, but not significantly so. You have to weigh the extra CO2 reduction against the increased tire emissions," said Molden.



According to a 2017 study, the average American produces approximately 10 pounds of tire emissions per year, while the global average is under two pounds. Notably, the <a href="https://www.iucn.org/">International Union for Conservation of Nature</a> has identified tires as the second leading source of microplastic pollution in oceans, with textiles taking the lead.



Molden suggested that instead of investing in larger, heavier vehicles, consumers should consider smaller, lighter, and more economical vehicles to genuinely address environmental concerns.



<h2 id="h-record-sales">Record sales</h2>



These revelations come amid a surge in the electric vehicle market, driven by record sales from companies like Tesla, co-founded by billionaire Elon Musk. The company recently reported a record-breaking second quarter, delivering 446,140 cars worldwide, surpassing its own prediction of 445,000.



This rise in electric vehicle adoption has been boosted by federal tax credits in the US. However, experts caution that the initial cost premium of an electric vehicle could take up to a decade to pay off, considering that the average electric car costs nearly $20,000 more upfront than a gas-powered one.



Yet, not all automakers are onboard with the electric vehicle push. Last week, leading automakers criticized President Joe Biden's plan, which aims for two-thirds of new vehicle sales to be electric by 2032, calling it "overly optimistic." The criticism focused on the inadequate charging infrastructure and the high cost of EVs to consumers.



Tire emissions are not the only environmental concern tied to electric vehicles. Critics also point to the eco-impact of lithium-ion batteries, which require rare metals and significant energy to manufacture.



<h2 id="h-hybrids-have-great-potential">Hybrids have great potential&nbsp;</h2>



Despite these challenges, Molden remains optimistic about the potential of hybrid vehicles, which he describes as a "no-brainer" in addressing environmental problems.&nbsp;



"Hybrids are hardly heavier than normal vehicles and they deliver a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. If we genuinely want to address the environmental problem, the intuitive way of doing it is to make smaller, lighter vehicles, rather than bigger and heavier ones."



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Hidden costs: Electric vehicle tires emit 20% more pollution

In recent years, electric vehicles (EVs) have been praised as...

The <a href="https://www.akc.org/">American Kennel Club</a> (AKC) recently revealed the top ten naughtiest dog breeds. The naughty list represents dogs that are the most likely to engage in mischievous behavior. The experts also shared insights into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/elephant-behavior-provides-new-insights-into-human-evolution/">behavior</a> patterns of our beloved pets.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-labrador-retriever-takes-the-crown">Labrador Retriever takes the crown</h2>



The Labrador Retriever earned the crown as the "naughtiest" breed. Traditionally, people know this popular dog for its friendly and outgoing nature. Yet, it seems that the breed's strength and energetic spirit could sometimes steer them into less desirable behaviors. 



Following closely on the heels of the Labrador, the Beagle, Welsh Pembroke Corgi, and Shiba Inu rounded out the top four naughtiest breeds. They demonstrate that small dogs also have their share of mischievous antics.



<h2 id="h-more-mischievous-dogs">More mischievous dogs</h2>



A blend of breeds made up the rest of the top ten list. These include the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Jack Russell Terrier, Dachshund, Border Collie, and Cocker Spaniel. 



To the surprise of many, the list concluded with the Golden Retriever. People typically know this breed for its loyal and gentle demeanor.



"Anyone with a dog knows they can have a mischievous streak which will often manifest itself in chewing furniture, excessively barking and becoming aggressive with other canines," said a representative for the American Kennel Club.&nbsp;



This statement rings true for many pet owners who have experienced the mischievous side of their dogs. However, this also highlights the idea that some breeds may naturally exhibit these behaviors.



<h2 id="h-even-naughty-dogs-can-he-trained">Even naughty dogs can he trained</h2>



Despite the seemingly inevitable naughtiness of these breeds, the experts reassure us that all is not lost. With the right approach, even the most mischievous dogs can be trained. The trick, it seems, lies in establishing household boundaries and rules from the moment the dog becomes part of your home.&nbsp;



As one expert explains, "The key is to manage the environment by setting limitations, which include restricting the rooms they have access to and removing anything that gets them unnecessarily excited."



<h2 id="h-treat-dogs-like-toddlers">Treat dogs like toddlers&nbsp;</h2>



To visualize this, it might be helpful to treat dogs, regardless of their age, as you would treat a toddler. This viewpoint can guide pet owners to manage their pet's environment similarly to how they would for a young child. You should keep cleaning supplies, cords, tools, and other potentially hazardous items out of reach.



Furthermore, it may not be the best idea to leave mischievous dogs unattended to wander the house. Instead, the experts recommend crate training.&nbsp;



Instead of viewing the crate as a punitive measure, make it as comfortable as possible. Be sure your dog's crate is complete with pillows, blankets, treats, and favorite toys. This can help the dog associate the crate with a safe, comfortable space, reducing anxiety and potentially destructive behaviors.



<h2 id="h-help-dogs-release-their-energy">Help dogs release their energy</h2>



Finally, pet owners need to understand that often, destructive behavior is a manifestation of pent-up energy. Dogs, particularly those of the "naughtier" breeds, need an outlet to release this surplus energy.



Regular physical activities such as walks or runs, playing catch, and swimming are recommended. Mental stimulation is also essential, with activities such as teaching new tricks, providing chew toys, setting up food puzzles, scatter feeding, and organizing doggy playdates.



—-



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Mischievous dogs: Experts reveal the top ten "naughtiest" breeds

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recently revealed the top ten...

In a stark revelation that highlights the polluted state of U.S. coastlines, a recent report by <a href="https://environmentamerica.org/">Environment America</a> states that over half of the country's beaches contained alarming levels of fecal contamination last year. This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-pollution-is-making-the-ocean-more-acidic/">pollution</a> could put millions of beachgoers at risk every year.



Environment America, a Colorado-based environmental advocacy organization, has released their annual "Safe for Swimming?" report. The experts found that, in 2022, an astonishing 55 percent of tested US beaches contained waters deemed unsafe for swimming on at least one day.&nbsp;



The unsettling statistic is comparable to the team's findings from previous years - 53 percent in 2020 and 56 percent in 2019. The results indicate that fecal contamination is a persistent problem that is not seeing significant improvement.



<h2 id="h-worst-offenders">Worst offenders</h2>



The Southern states, namely Florida, Texas, and Louisiana, proved to be the worst offenders. Up to 84 percent of their beaches experienced at least one day in 2022 where the water was contaminated with fecal matter.&nbsp;



On the West Coast, California, Oregon, and Washington had 70 percent of their beaches polluted at least once last year. Not far behind were beaches surrounding the Great Lakes, with 63 percent reporting fecal contamination at least once in 2022.



<h2 id="h-bold-action-is-needed">Bold action is needed</h2>



John Rumpler, clean water program director at Environment America and leader of the report, voiced concern over the situation.&nbsp;



"What we CAN say is that several factors all mean that this beach pollution is likely to continue and perhaps get worse unless bold action is taken to address it," said Rumpler.



"While the data do not allow us to say whether beach pollution is worse now than in some prior years, there are several troubling trends that increase the likelihood of beach pollution."



<h2 id="h-potential-health-issues">Potential health issues</h2>



With Americans making around 400 million visits to the beach each year, according to The United States Lifesaving Association, the issue could lead to an array of health problems. Individuals who swim in sewage-contaminated water are at risk of illness ranging from gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, to more serious infections.



The fecal matter that leads to this pollution generally enters the sea either through rainwater, causing drains and sewage systems to overflow, or via rivers that pick up manure from industrial farms.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-issue-remains-unaddressed">Issue remains unaddressed&nbsp;</h2>



Despite Congress allocating $11.7 billion for repairs to sewage systems and construction of new stormwater drainage systems in 2021, the issue remains as yet largely unaddressed. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that approximately $271 billion is required to adequately address the problem.



Alarmingly, the report also stated that Oregon had the most polluted beaches in the country, with half of its counties - three of six - having beaches that were too dirty for swimming for up to a year. The environmental advocacy groups place the blame squarely on the state's farming practices, which have been under the EPA's scrutiny for years.



By contrast, Alaska and Hawaii reported the least pollution, with only 24 percent of their beaches reporting unsafe levels of pollution at least once a year.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-crisis-mitigation">Crisis mitigation&nbsp;</h2>



To mitigate this looming crisis, Environment America suggests bolstering investment in systems designed to prevent or reduce urban runoff. This may involve introducing features like permeable pavements, adding more green spaces, and installing "green roofs" in neighborhoods.&nbsp;



Additionally, it is crucial to repair and modernize sewage systems to prevent them from overflowing and polluting waterways.&nbsp;



The report also highlighted the importance of safeguarding wetlands, which can help reduce contamination by absorbing flood waters and filtering out pollutants.



Overall, this report has shed light on an increasingly pressing issue, one that calls for immediate action to protect not only the environment but also public health. If left unaddressed, these troubling trends could pose increasingly severe challenges for the nation's beachgoers and aquatic wildlife.



<h2 id="h-more-about-beach-pollution">More about beach pollution</h2>



Beach pollution refers to the contamination or degradation of the coastal environment, including the water, sand, and air. This pollution can come from a variety of sources and can seriously affect both human health and the health of coastal and marine ecosystems. Here are some of the major types of beach pollution:



<h3 id="h-litter-and-marine-debris">Litter and marine debris</h3>



This includes items such as plastic bags, bottles, cans, balloons, straws, and fishing nets. These items can be harmful or even fatal to wildlife if they are ingested or if animals become entangled in them. They can also make the beach environment unpleasant for people. Over time, plastics break down into smaller pieces known as microplastics, which can be ingested by marine animals and can enter the food chain.



<h3 id="h-oil-spills">Oil spills</h3>



Oil spills can have devastating effects on the environment. They coat the feathers of birds and the fur of marine mammals, reducing their ability to maintain body temperature and often leading to death. Oil also smothers fish and shellfish and can contaminate their habitats and food sources.



<h3 id="h-sewage-and-wastewater-discharge">Sewage and wastewater discharge</h3>



If improperly treated sewage or runoff containing fertilizers and pesticides enters coastal waters, it can lead to harmful algal blooms and areas of low oxygen known as dead zones. This type of pollution can also make the water unsafe for swimming and other recreational activities.



<h3 id="h-chemical-pollution">Chemical pollution</h3>



This includes things like heavy metals, PCBs, and other toxic substances that can accumulate in the bodies of marine animals, with harmful effects.



<h3 id="h-erosion-and-sedimentation">Erosion and sedimentation</h3>



Construction, deforestation, and other land-use changes can lead to increased erosion and the deposition of sediment on beaches, which can harm marine habitats and alter beach profiles.



<h2 id="h-what-is-fecal-contamination">What is fecal contamination?&nbsp;</h2>



Fecal contamination refers to the presence of microorganisms in the environment due to fecal matter from humans or animals. It is a major health concern because feces can contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause diseases.



For instance, E. coli and Salmonella, two common bacteria found in fecal matter, can cause serious gastrointestinal diseases if ingested.&nbsp;



Fecal contamination can occur in various settings, such as water bodies, soil, food, and surfaces that come in contact with fecal matter. Contaminated water and food are common sources of gastrointestinal diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, cholera, and hepatitis.



—-



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Half of America's beaches contain alarming levels of fecal contamination

In a stark revelation that highlights the polluted state of...

The mystifying world of rattlesnake behavior has come under the spotlight with a breakthrough finding by scientists at <a href="https://llu.edu/">Loma Linda University</a>. The study, marking a first in the field, demonstrates that the stress response in rattlesnakes can be subdued when in the company of another snake.



This surprising behavior, known as social buffering, is comparable to how humans find solace in each other during moments of heightened tension.&nbsp;



The discovery of this activity among solitary creatures hints at a depth of social behavior that has been previously unexplored in the world of reptiles.



<h2 id="h-social-buffering">Social buffering&nbsp;</h2>



Social buffering is a phenomenon wherein the presence of a companion leads to a decrease in an individual's stress levels. Even though this behavior has been studied extensively in highly sociable animals such as mammals and birds, its manifestation in rattlesnakes is a newfound revelation. 



The researchers found that disturbances led to a significant reduction in the change in heart rates of rattlesnakes when another snake was in the vicinity.



Stress triggers the production of hormones in animals, causing shifts in their nervous system, immune response, and behavior. Some animals have the capability to modulate this stress response when in the company of another member of their species, effectively buffering the stress.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-overcoming-stress-together">Overcoming stress together&nbsp;</h2>



The team from Loma Linda University was intrigued by the lack of studies on social buffering in reptiles and solitary animals. The experts set out to investigate the potential for such behavior among rattlesnakes in Southern California.



Chelsea Martin is a PhD student at Loma Linda University and the lead author of the study, which was published in Frontiers in Ethology.



"We showed that when two snakes were together and experienced a stressful situation, they could buffer each other's stress response, much like what happens to humans when they endure a stressful event together. This dampening of the stress response has not been reported previously in any reptile species," said Martin.&nbsp;



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



The researchers used 25 wild-caught southern Pacific rattlesnakes and created three scenarios for the experiment: when the snakes were alone, when a rope was present as an inanimate control object, and when a same-sex companion was nearby.&nbsp;



To gauge the snakes' stress levels and potential social buffering, the researchers used electrodes affixed near their hearts and connected to a heart rate monitor. The experimental setup was designed as a dark and enclosed space resembling a bucket.



Following a 20-minute period of adjustment, the snakes were intentionally disturbed. The team recorded the increase in heart rate, the time it took for the heart rate to return to normal, and the duration of rattling.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-results-of-the-study">Results of the study</h2>



The researchers were able to determine that social buffering likely occurs in nature and can persist in captivity. The study found no discrepancies in the phenomenon among snakes that overwintered individually and those that overwintered communally, nor any differences between male and female snakes.



The team also considered the differences between montane rattlesnakes, which tend to hibernate communally, and their lowland counterparts who usually overwinter alone.&nbsp;



Females were noted to gather during pregnancy and stay with their newborns. These factors were taken into account and the results revealed an equal propensity for stress buffering among different populations and sexes.



"Our results provide insights into social behavior patterns of snakes and might also improve rattlesnakes' image. In the public eye, they are often maligned. These findings could help to change that," said Martin.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-study-limitations">Study limitations</h2>



Despite these insights, the researchers acknowledge certain limitations. The confined space in which the snake pairs were kept did not allow for investigation of stress buffering response when snakes were close but not in physical contact.&nbsp;



The team hopes to address this in their future studies, and also plans to look at how familiarity between two snakes impacts their social buffering response.



Still yet, the research has unlocked new possibilities for understanding the complexities of snake behavior.&nbsp;



"Our understanding of the social dynamics in reptiles has been enriched by what we observed," said Martin. "This study challenges negative perceptions of rattlesnakes, potentially leading to a more balanced and informed perspective on these remarkable creatures."



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



Rattlesnakes are a group of venomous snakes that are native to the Americas. They are a part of the subfamily Crotalinae, also known as pit vipers. The name "rattlesnake" comes from the distinctive rattle at the end of their tails, which they use as a warning signal when they feel threatened.



There are several species of rattlesnakes, and they vary in size, color, and habitat. Some of the more well-known species include the Eastern Diamondback, Western Diamondback, Timber Rattlesnake, and Mojave Rattlesnake.



Rattlesnakes can be found in a wide range of habitats, including deserts, forests, grasslands, and swamps. They are ambush predators, meaning they typically lie in wait for their prey to come close, rather than actively hunting. They primarily feed on small mammals, but their diet can also include birds and reptiles.



When a rattlesnake bites, it injects venom into its victim. The venom contains a mix of toxins that can cause symptoms like pain, swelling, and sometimes more severe effects like tissue damage or even systemic effects on the circulatory system. It's important to seek immediate medical attention if you are bitten by a rattlesnake.



Rattlesnakes are ovoviviparous, meaning they give birth to live young rather than laying eggs.



Despite their fearsome reputation, rattlesnakes prefer to avoid confrontation with humans when possible. They only usually bite when cornered or threatened. Many states have laws protecting rattlesnakes due to their role in controlling rodent populations.



—-



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Social buffering: Rattlesnakes need company to relieve stress

The mystifying world of rattlesnake behavior has come under the...

Stargazing is an accessible activity for families and a perfect excuse to introduce children to astronomy. To begin, parents can teach their kids basic information about the cosmos, such as major constellations, planets, comets and the Moon.



This is a perfect time to <a href="https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/skywatching/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">explore the night sky</a>. With most businesses and stores closed in cities worldwide, the stars shine brighter, and it's easier to see them due to reduced light pollution. Here are some ideas to get started as a family:



<h2 id="h-observation-tools">Observation tools</h2>



All you need is a view of the sky and a pair of eyes, although binoculars and affordable telescopes can enhance the experience.



A pair of 7x50 binoculars, the most popular size, is ideal for observing stars. As for family telescopes, the two main types are refractors and reflectors that focus starlight using mirrors. The key features to look for in a telescope are high-quality lenses, a sturdy mount, and a set of three eyepieces that you can use to change the magnification.



Here we list the last comets that you will be able to see with your family from home, you will only have 4 opportunities this year.



<h2 id="h-bright-comets-you-can-see-in-the-night-sky-this-year">Bright comets you can see in the night sky this year</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/next_visible_commets-1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/next_visible_commets.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1919349" width="423" height="223"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Updated: 11-July-2023</figcaption></figure>



The following table displays the currently visible bright comets as well as the upcoming comets expected to exhibit brightness in the future (with a magnitude above 11.5 and one year in advance). It provides information about each comet's maximum visibility, brightness level, and the latitude range from which it can be observed during that peak.



Comets that have entered the outward phase (post-perihelion) are excluded from the table once their magnitude drops below 12th magnitude.



Additionally, an icon is provided next to the brightness values (magnitude) to suggest the minimum recommended instrument for observation. However, please note that this indication serves as a general guide and may vary depending on factors such as the comet's characteristics, observing conditions, and the specific instrument used.



<h2 id="h-c-2021-t4-lemmon">C/2021 T4 (Lemmon)</h2>



<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2021CBET.4992....1S/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Comet Lemmon</a>, also known as C/2021 A1 (Lemmon), is a comet that was discovered on January 3, 2021, by the Mount Lemmon Survey in Arizona, United States. It was named after the observatory where it was first observed.



This comet is classified as a long-period comet, indicating that it originates from the Oort Cloud, a distant region of the solar system filled with icy bodies. Comet Lemmon has an elongated orbit that takes it far beyond the orbit of Neptune and brings it closer to the Sun during its perihelion.



The perihelion, which is the point in the comet's orbit closest to the Sun, occurred on May 9, 2021, at a distance of about 0.73 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-explains-the-absence-of-super-earths-in-our-solar-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">astronomical units (AU)</a> from the Sun. After its perihelion passage, the comet began its journey back into the outer regions of the solar system.



Comet Lemmon has been visible primarily from the southern hemisphere, offering stargazers and astronomers in those regions an opportunity to observe its unique characteristics. It has exhibited a coma, a hazy cloud of gas and dust surrounding its nucleus, which is the solid core of the comet. 



The coma is formed as the heat from the Sun causes the icy nucleus to vaporize and release gases and dust into space.



<h2>How bright will it be?</h2>



Although predictions about a comet's brightness can be challenging, Comet Lemmon reached its peak magnitude of around 6 in late May 2021, making it visible to the naked eye under dark sky conditions. The comet will gradually fade and become more challenging to observe as it continues its journey away from the Sun.



Comets like Lemmon provide scientists with valuable insights into the composition and evolution of the early solar system. By studying their structure and composition, researchers can gather information about the formation of planets and the delivery of water and organic molecules to Earth.



Observing and studying comets like Lemmon serve as a reminder of the dynamic nature of our solar system and the beauty of celestial objects that grace our night sky.



<h2>More about comets</h2>



Comets are celestial objects that originate from the distant regions of our solar system. Characterized by glowing heads and elongated tails, comets comprise a core, or nucleus, made up of rock, dust, and frozen gases. When they approach the Sun, their icy cores heat up, causing a glowing envelope of gas and dust, known as a coma, and often a tail, to form.



<h3>Classification of Comets</h3>



Comets divide into two main categories based on their orbital periods: short-period and long-period comets.



Short-period comets, also known as periodic comets, have orbits that take less than 200 years to complete. They usually trace their paths in the region of the solar system known as the Kuiper Belt. The most famous of these is Halley's Comet, which reappears approximately every 76 years.



Long-period comets have more elongated orbits, taking more than 200 years to orbit the Sun, with some requiring thousands or even millions of years. 



They generally originate from the Oort Cloud, a hypothetical spherical cloud enveloping the solar system at a distance approximately 1,000 to 100,000 astronomical units from the Sun.



<h3>Anatomy of a comet</h3>



Comets comprise three main parts: the nucleus, the coma, and the tail.



<h4>The Nucleus</h4>



The nucleus, the solid core of the comet, contains a mix of rock, dust, water ice, and frozen gases such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, and ammonia. Its size can range from a few hundred meters to tens of kilometers in diameter.



<h4>The Coma</h4>



As a comet nears the Sun, solar heat evaporates the ices in its nucleus, leading to the formation of a large, glowing envelope of gas and dust called the coma. The Sun's radiation also ionizes the coma, which can result in a type of glow distinct from that caused by reflected sunlight.



<h4>The Tail</h4>



Cometary tails form as solar radiation and solar wind exert pressure on the coma, blowing gas and dust away from the Sun to form two distinct tails -- a dust tail and an ion tail. The dust tail, which reflects sunlight and often appears yellowish, follows a curved trajectory, while the ion tail, which glows due to fluorescence and usually appears bluish, points directly away from the Sun.



<h3>Observation and study of comets</h3>



Comets have been a subject of fascination for millennia, with records of their observations dating back to ancient civilizations. Astronomers observe comets to study the early solar system, as comets are ancient bodies that preserve the original materials from which the solar system formed.



Modern studies utilize a range of equipment from ground-based telescopes to space missions. Notable space missions to comets include NASA's Stardust mission, which collected dust samples from Comet Wild 2 and returned them to Earth, and the European Space Agency's Rosetta mission, which deployed the Philae lander onto the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, marking the first successful landing on a comet.



<h3>Comets and life on Earth</h3>



Comets may have played a crucial role in the emergence of life on Earth. Some theories suggest that comets could have delivered water and organic compounds -- the building blocks of life -- to the early Earth. The study of comets thus may provide vital clues about the origins and evolution of life.



<h3>Conclusion</h3>



Comets, these intriguing celestial travelers, have captivated human interest throughout history. They provide a crucial link to understanding the early solar system and potentially the origin of life on Earth. 



As our technological abilities evolve, the continued exploration and study of comets promise to reveal even more about these remarkable objects and their place in our cosmic neighborhood.

Last chances in 2023 to see comets from home without using a telescope

Stargazing is an accessible activity for families and a perfect...

The blistering heat wave sweeping across California has all eyes on the desolate expanse of Death Valley this weekend. With the National Weather Service (NWS) predicting the hottest temperature ever recorded, one that could <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/10-hottest-places-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shatter existing records</a>, there is an intense atmosphere of anticipation and concern.



Regardless of the exact temperature, Death Valley will experience deadly heat, with overnight lows that could exceed 100 degrees.&nbsp;



<h2 id="h-hottest-june-in-history">Hottest June in history</h2>



Scientists with the <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA) have already confirmed that last month,<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/june-2023-was-the-hottest-ever-with-more-heat-records-to-come/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> June 2023</a>, was the hottest June ever recorded.



If the current heat trends continue unabated, July is likely to follow suit. As a land notorious for its extreme heat, Death Valley is drawing particular attention.



<h2 id="h-hottest-temperature-ever-recorded">Hottest temperature ever recorded</h2>



Situated in the parched heart of Death Valley, Furnace Creek is the particular location that has meteorologists and climate scientists on edge. The NWS has forecasted temperatures here that could reach a staggering 129 degrees, and possibly peak at 131 degrees Fahrenheit this Sunday. If this becomes reality, it will set a new record for the hottest temperature ever officially recorded on Earth.



However, there is an ongoing debate regarding this potential record-breaking heat. The current official record held by Guinness World Records stands at 134 degrees Fahrenheit. 



This scorching benchmark was set in that very same spot of Furnace Creek back in 1913. Some argue that this past record still holds the title for the hottest day ever recorded.



<h2 id="h-alarming-implications-for-the-planet">Alarming implications for the planet</h2>



The implications of this heat wave are alarming. The heat in Death Valley this weekend is symbolic of a far larger issue that continues to shape our collective future.&nbsp;



The extreme weather is a stark reminder of our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-temperature-in-2023-expected-to-be-among-highest-on-record/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changing climate</a> and the urgency of global efforts to mitigate these changes. It is a wakeup call to the importance of addressing climate change head-on. This warning is not just for the survival of Death Valley, but for the entire planet.



<h2 id="h-extreme-heat-advisories">Extreme heat advisories</h2>



This week, more than a third of Americans are under extreme heat advisories, watches, and warnings. This heat wave has already seared through many states and it continues to spread, currently threatening California with daunting temperatures often venturing into triple digits.



A forecast from the National Weather Service (NWS) has cautioned residents in Central and Southern California that the hottest weather of the year is yet to come.&nbsp;



"Several days of extreme heat will result in a major concern for life-threatening heat illnesses for anyone outside for an extended period," said NWS. This statement underlines the dire consequences of exposure to these extreme temperatures.



<h2 id="h-more-about-death-valley">More about Death Valley</h2>



Death Valley is a desert valley located in Eastern California, within the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-mojave-desert-in-southern-nevada/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mojave Desert</a>. It is one of the hottest places in the world during the summer and is the driest, lowest, and hottest area in North America. 



Death Valley's Badwater Basin is the point of the lowest elevation in North America, at 282 feet below sea level. This point is 84.6 miles east-southeast of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/living-at-high-altitude-leads-to-longer-life-by-changing-metabolism/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mount Whitney</a>, the highest point in the contiguous United States, with an elevation of 14,505 feet.



The park covers an area of about 3,000 square miles. There are several attractions within the park such as salt flats, sand dunes, badlands, valleys, canyons, and mountains. The diverse geologic features and the extreme weather conditions make it a fascinating place for geologists and tourists.



Despite its inhospitable nature, a variety of plants and animals have adapted to live there. Human history in the area dates back over 9,000 years with Native American groups living in the region. It received its English name in 1849 during the California Gold Rush.



—-



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The hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth is expected to happen in Death Valley today

The blistering heat wave sweeping across California has all eyes...

In an exciting step forward for sustainable construction and biofabrication, a team of scientists has developed a new material called mycocrete. Their system uses a method to create environmentally friendly building materials using knitted molds and the intricate root network of <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/fungi-characteristics-and-function/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungi</a>.



This breakthrough, made by researchers at <a href="https://www.ncl.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newcastle University</a>, could significantly reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry. It will also introduce an entirely new aesthetic to architectural spaces.



Previously, scientists have attempted to exploit fungi's natural structure-forming ability but have faced challenges due to the shape and growth constraints of the organic material. The lack of versatility limited the applicability of these composites in diverse construction scenarios.



However, the research team has now addressed these limitations by using knitted molds as a flexible framework. This approach led to the creation of mycocrete, which is a stronger, more adaptable composite.



<h2 id="h-mycocrete-can-be-molded-into-diverse-forms">Mycocrete can be molded into diverse forms</h2>



The flexibility of the molds allows mycocrete to take diverse forms. This makes it an attractive, lightweight, and eco-friendly option for construction materials.



"Our ambition is to transform the look, feel and wellbeing of architectural spaces using mycelium in combination with biobased materials such as wool, sawdust and cellulose," said Dr Jane Scott of Newcastle University, the corresponding author of the paper.



The Living Textiles Research Group carried out this innovative research. It is part of the <a href="http://bbe.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment</a> at Newcastle University.



<h2>How Mycocrete is made</h2>



In the process of creating mycocrete, the scientists mixed <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/a-beginners-guide-to-mycology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mycelium spores</a> - part of the root network of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-distribute-enormous-amounts-of-co2-to-mycorrhizal-fungi/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fungi</a> - with grains. The team uses the grains as a food source and a substrate for growth.



Researchers then pack this mixture into a mold and place it in a dark, humid, and warm environment to promote mycelium growth.



The mycelium binds the substrate together tightly. Once the composite reaches a specific density, researchers dry it out. This entire process is sustainable and could serve as a potential replacement for foam, timber, and plastic.



<h2>Using mycelium during biofabrication</h2>



One hurdle in using <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/do-fungi-have-cell-walls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mycelium</a> composites in construction is that <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/intro-to-the-fungi-life-cycle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mycelium requires oxygen for growth</a>. This requirement has traditionally limited the size and shape of rigid molds.



To tackle this, the team used knitted textiles as oxygen-permeable molds. These molds can transition from flexible to stiff as the mycelium grows, offering a unique solution.



"Knitting is an incredibly versatile 3D manufacturing system," explained Scott. "It is lightweight, flexible, and formable. The major advantage of knitting technology compared to other textile processes is the ability to knit 3D structures and forms with no seams and no waste."



<h2>How to use mycocrete to build structures</h2>



The team tested their innovation by creating samples of traditional mycelium composites and mycocrete.



These samples included additional ingredients like paper powder, paper fiber clumps, water, glycerin, and xanthan gum. To improve packing consistency, researchers delivered the latter into the knitted formwork using an injection gun.



Following this, the researchers knitted tubes from merino yarn for the test structure, sterilized them, and attached them to a rigid structure. The team then filled them with the mycocrete paste.



This method ensured that changes in the fabric's tension did not impact the performance of the mycocrete.



<h2>Building the future with fungi</h2>



Once dry, the researchers subjected these samples to various strength tests. Notably, mycocrete proved stronger than traditional mycelium composites. It even outperformed mycelium composites grown without the knitted formwork.



Also, the porous knitted fabric offered better oxygen availability and reduced shrinkage compared to most mycelium composite materials. This suggests more reliable manufacturing results.



In addition to these successes, the team constructed a larger, freestanding dome prototype known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/BioKnit-Mycocrete_vault_1big-scaled.jpg">BioKnit</a>. Thanks to the knitted formwork, the dome was made in a single piece without joints. This process helped them avoid potential weak points.



"The mechanical performance of the mycocrete used in combination with permanent knitted formwork is a significant result, and a step towards the use of mycelium and textile biohybrids within construction," said Scott.



She further highlighted that while the paper specifies particular yarns, substrates, and mycelium necessary for this goal, there is a vast opportunity to adapt this formulation for different applications.



The future of biofabricated architecture might require new machinery to bring textiles into the construction sector. But with this promising research, it seems we're well on our way to greener construction practices.



<h2>More about biofabricated architecture</h2>



Biofabricated architecture, sometimes also referred to as biodesign or bio-architecture, refers to a rapidly growing area of architecture and construction that incorporates biological systems into the design process. 



The goal is to create more sustainable, adaptive, and symbiotic built environments. This field of study exists at the intersection of biology, architecture, and engineering.



Biofabrication involves using biological substances as raw materials for construction. It leverages living organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, plants, or even animals, to produce or modify building materials. 



This approach to construction has significant potential for sustainability as it often utilizes waste products or renewable resources. In addition, the organisms involved often absorb carbon dioxide. This process contributes to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.



There are several key areas of focus within biofabricated architecture:



<h3>Mycelium materials</h3>



Mycelium, the root network of fungi, can be <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/how-to-start-mushroom-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">encouraged to grow</a> around a composite of organic waste, creating a lightweight, durable material that can be used as an insulating material, or even as a form of brick or board.



<h3>Bio-concrete or Bio-bricks</h3>



Some types of bacteria are used to create bio-concrete or bio-bricks, a process in which the bacteria precipitate calcium carbonate to bind sand or other aggregates together, forming a solid mass similar to concrete. This method can also be used to repair cracks in existing concrete, extending the life of the structure.



<h3>Algae and photosynthetic organisms</h3>



Algae and other photosynthetic organisms can be used in building facades to create a dynamic, living cladding system that can produce oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, and even potentially produce biofuels.



<h3>Bamboo and engineered wood</h3>



Although not a new building material, recent advances in manufacturing technologies have allowed for engineered wood and bamboo to be used in more structurally significant ways, creating a renewable alternative to steel and concrete.



<h3>Genetically modified organisms</h3>



As genetic modification technologies advance, there's potential for custom-designed organisms to be used in construction. This could mean bacteria that glow when a structural fault is developing, or plants engineered to grow into specific structural forms.



Challenges in biofabricated architecture include the control of living organisms, and longevity and durability issues. Also, some have voiced concerns over ethical considerations around the use of genetically modified organisms. 



The final hurdle is scaling production to a size useful for significant construction. However, research and experimentation in this field are active and ongoing.



Biofabricated architecture holds promise for a more sustainable future in construction. The concept of designing buildings and other structures that are in harmony with nature and have a positive impact on the environment is at the heart of this exciting field.

Mycocrete: New material made of fungi hopes to replace concrete in construction projects

In an exciting step forward for sustainable construction and biofabrication,...

In a world first, Japan managed to successfully extract cobalt crusts from deep-sea mountains in a pilot test. Their goal was to unearth cobalt, a mineral critical for manufacturing electric vehicle batteries. But researchers have discovered a disturbing side effect of this feat. They found that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-have-healthier-lives-when-owners-acknowledge-their-emotions/">animals</a> quickly vacated the areas surrounding deep-sea mining operations.



The study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.06.032">Current Biology</a>, reveals that marine animal populations appear to have plummeted in and around the mining area. 



The impacts were not limited to the direct mining zones but also emerged across broader regions. According to the researchers, the broader impacts were linked to sediment plumes stirred up by the mining activities.



<h2 id="h-deep-sea-mining-regulations">Deep-sea mining regulations&nbsp;</h2>



Regulations regarding deep-sea mining, which falls under the jurisdiction of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) outside a country's territorial waters, remain a work in progress.&nbsp;



Even so, starting July 9, the ISA must either finalize its exploitation regulations or consider mining operations under the umbrella of existing international laws. This looming deadline highlights the urgency for comprehensive research and informed decisions.



"These data are really important to get out," said study lead author Travis Washburn, a benthic ecologist working with the <a href="https://www.gsj.jp/en/">Geological Survey of Japan</a>. "A set of regulations is supposed to be finalized soon, so a lot of these decisions are happening now."



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



The research team embarked on a deep-sea investigation. They conducted surveys at the Takuyo-Daigo seamount site before, a month after, and a year following the initial mining test. Using data collected by a remotely operated vehicle, they scrutinized video footage captured from the ocean floor. There, they found worrying signs.&nbsp;



A year after the mining test, they observed a 43 percent decline in fish and shrimp density in areas directly hit by sediment pollution. Surprisingly, the areas surrounding the mining site also showed a significant 56 percent decrease in these marine species. While the team believes the contamination of food sources might be the culprit, they admit that more research is needed to validate this theory.



Less mobile marine species like corals and sponges seemed to be less affected by the short, two-hour mining test. However, the researchers cautioned against jumping to conclusions. They point out that longer-term mining activities might still inflict serious harm on these stationary organisms.



"I had assumed we wouldn't see any changes because the mining test was so small. They drove the machine for two hours, and the sediment plume only traveled a few hundred meters," said Washburn. "But it was actually enough to shift things."



<h2 id="h-further-research-is-urgently-needed">Further research is urgently needed&nbsp;</h2>



With these startling discoveries, the researchers call for more in-depth, repeated studies. Scientists need to ascertain the real ecological impact of deep-sea mining. They emphasize the need for gathering data over several years before the actual mining tests. This will help account for natural fluctuations in marine animal communities.



"We're going to need more data regardless, but this study highlights one area that needs more focus," said Washburn. "We'll have to look at this issue on a wider scale, because these results suggest the impact of deep-sea mining could be even bigger than we think."



<h2 id="h-more-about-deep-sea-mining">More about deep-sea mining&nbsp;</h2>



Deep-sea mining is the process of extracting valuable minerals and metals from the ocean floor. This process is largely driven by the demand for these resources, many of which are used in high-technology applications.



There are three types of resources typically targeted by deep-sea mining:



<h3 id="h-polymetallic-nodules">Polymetallic nodules</h3>



These are rounded accretions of minerals, typically manganese, nickel, copper, and cobalt, found on the abyssal plains of the deep ocean.



<h3 id="h-polymetallic-sulphides">Polymetallic sulphides</h3>



These are formed by hydrothermal vents on the seafloor, where hot, mineral-rich water spews out from beneath the Earth's crust. These vents can create deposits rich in copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals like gold and silver.



<h3 id="h-cobalt-rich-crusts">Cobalt-rich crusts</h3>



These are found on the flanks of seamounts, and are a potential source of cobalt, manganese, and other trace metals.



<h3 id="h-environmental-concerns-of-deep-sea-mining">Environmental concerns of deep-sea mining</h3>



While deep-sea mining holds the promise of accessing valuable resources, it also presents significant environmental concerns.&nbsp;



The deep ocean is a poorly understood and fragile ecosystem, and mining activities could have a significant impact, including the destruction of habitats, loss of species, and disruption of ecosystem functions. Noise and light pollution, as well as the potential release of toxic substances, are also concerns.



Furthermore, the legal and regulatory aspects of deep-sea mining are complex. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) designates the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to regulate mining in international waters, but national laws apply within countries' exclusive economic zones.



Given the environmental risks associated with this practice, it's crucial that any advancement in deep-sea mining is matched with rigorous environmental protections and sustainable practices.



—-



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Underwater upheaval: The ecological impact of deep-sea mining

In a world first, Japan managed to successfully extract cobalt...

In the face of the global pandemic that has upended our lives, one of the unexpected heroes of our mental health may be found in the quiet night hours, tucked away under our blankets: quality sleep. 



Research led by the <a href="https://www.york.ac.uk/">University of York</a> suggests that quality sleep can reinforce our mental resilience against afflictions such as depression and anxiety, particularly in periods of chronic stress.



For many of us, stress is a consistent backdrop to our lives. It's a factor so familiar that we often underestimate its powerful and pervasive effects on our mental health



. But the team from York is eager to highlight that chronic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-salt-intake-elevates-stress-in-the-body/">stress</a> stands as a major player in the development of several mental health disorders, notably including depression and pathological anxiety.



However, the good news is that, just as we have the power to mitigate physical health risks with a good diet and exercise, we also have tools at our disposal to buffer the impact of stress on our mental health. 



Two of these tools, according to the York study, are high-quality sleep and the utilization of positive coping strategies. These include reframing a stressful situation to see its positive aspects.



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



To delve deeper into these relationships, the research team harnessed data from over 600 participants during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. This period served as a real-life model of an extended, stressful event. 



The researchers aimed to explore the theory that positive coping strategies, enhanced by good sleep, could foster positive mental health outcomes.



Emma Sullivan, a PhD student from the Department of Psychology at the University of York, explains, “As the COVID-19 pandemic has been a prolonged period of stress for people across the entire world, it offered us with a unique context with which to address our research questions."



"This is the first study to investigate the ways in which positive coping strategies and sleep quality influence depression and anxiety when experiencing a real-world chronic stressor. We found that better sleep quality was associated with fewer symptoms of both depression and anxiety during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic."



<h2 id="h-quality-sleep-matters">Quality sleep matters</h2>



The team's key message? Sleep matters. In Sullivan's words, "These findings highlight the importance of targeting both positive coping strategies and sleep quality when enduring periods of chronic stress.”



The researchers scrutinized data from the Boston College Daily Sleep and Well-being Survey. For this study, participants regularly reported their sleep quality and mental well-being during the pandemic. 



The participants also completed a baseline demographic survey that provided valuable insights into age, gender, and ethnicity. Beyond sleep and mental health, the surveys captured a vast array of additional information. This included participants' alcohol consumption, quarantine status, and physical activity levels.



<h2 id="h-chronic-stress-management">Chronic stress management&nbsp;</h2>



Reflecting on the findings was Dr Scott Cairney. He is a PhD supervisor on the project from the Department of Psychology at the University of York. Cairney notes, “We have known for a long time that high-quality sleep is associated with better health and well-being outcomes, but we wanted to know whether this would change if sleep and coping strategies were put under intense and prolonged periods of stress, as it was for so many during the pandemic.”



“We found that sleep plays a hugely important role in the management of chronic stress and can sustain well-being over a long period of time, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.”



These intriguing findings, tucked away in the folds of a pandemic, serve as a reminder of the power of sleep as a champion of our mental health. This is true even in the toughest of times. The prestigious journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/cortex">Cortex</a> published the study.



<h2 id="h-more-about-the-importance-of-sleep">More about the importance of sleep</h2>



Sleep is a fundamental biological process essential for the overall well-being and functioning of humans. It's not just about resting or feeling fresh; sleep has a deep-rooted connection with various aspects of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Here are some key points on why sleep is so crucial:



<h3 id="h-cognitive-function">Cognitive function&nbsp;</h3>



Sleep plays a key role in learning, memory, and cognitive functions. When we sleep, our brain works to consolidate the information we've learned during the day, making it easier to access later. 



It enhances our problem-solving skills and creativity. Lack of sleep can result in reduced cognitive functioning, leading to problems with focus, attention, reaction times, and decision-making abilities.



<h3 id="h-physical-health-and-quality-sleep">Physical health and quality sleep</h3>



Sleep is deeply connected to a range of health issues. Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to an increased risk of conditions like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even certain types of cancer. 



That's because during sleep, the body works on healing and repairing heart and blood vessels. It also helps maintain a healthy balance of the hormones that make us feel hungry (ghrelin) or full (leptin).



<h3 id="h-emotional-well-being">Emotional well-being</h3>



Lack of sleep can lead to mood changes, such as increased irritability, anxiety, and depression. People who don't get enough sleep have a harder time regulating their emotions and can struggle with mental health disorders. On the other hand, adequate sleep promotes a positive mood and emotional resilience.



<h3 id="h-immune-function">Immune function</h3>



While we sleep, our bodies produce proteins called cytokines which help promote sleep, fight infection, and reduce inflammation. Lack of sleep can alter the way our immune system responds to infection, making us more susceptible to illnesses.



<h3 id="h-growth-and-development-from-quality-sleep">Growth and development from quality sleep</h3>



Sleep is especially crucial for children and adolescents. During deep sleep, the body releases growth hormone, which contributes to growth and development, including the maturation of the brain and repair of cells and tissues in the body.



<h3 id="h-performance-and-safety">Performance and safety</h3>



Adequate sleep can lead to better productivity, concentration, and higher cognitive function, which are crucial for our performance in daily tasks. Moreover, sleep deprivation can lead to serious safety issues, like drowsy driving, which can be as dangerous as driving drunk.



While sleep requirements vary slightly from person to person, most healthy adults need between 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night to function at their best. Consistently getting less than this can lead to chronic sleep deprivation, which has both short and long-term impacts on health.



Despite the importance of sleep, it is often one of the first things we're willing to sacrifice in the hustle of modern life. But understanding the importance of sleep can inspire us to prioritize this fundamental biological need.



—-



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Getting high-quality sleep helps prevent depression and anxiety

In the face of the global pandemic that has upended...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" 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 the province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" 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.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> features a visual dataset of.methane emissions from wetlands across the globe. Atmospheric methane levels have reached record highs in recent years, and wetlands are a major source of these emissions.&nbsp;



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

[sendtonews key="f8fukm28Vz-2491833-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



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



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

How the immune system responds to injury

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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