Reincarnation is often viewed as a mystical concept, but could it have a scientific basis? 



The universe operates on energy. Everything - from galaxies spiraling in space to thoughts forged in the human mind - involves energy.



Science tells us that energy can be neither created nor destroyed; it simply transfers from one form to another. Applying this principle to consciousness yields staggering possibilities.



Could our consciousness, as energy, be truly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aging-in-reverse-comb-jellies-can-transform-from-adult-to-juvenile/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">immortal</a>, merely transitioning from one existence to another? 



A controversial U.S. Army study, declassified in 2003, explores this captivating theory of reincarnation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unlocking-consciousness-and-reincarnation">Unlocking consciousness and reincarnation</h2>



In the early 1980s, Lieutenant Colonel Wayne M. McDonnell undertook a 29-page analysis named "The Gateway Process."



The goal was to unravel what Army personnel were encountering at a small institute in Charlottesville, Virginia.



This establishment was developing the "Gateway Experience," a unique training system designed to enhance personal strength, focus, and coherence in a way that would change the fabric of consciousness.



The Gateway's aim was to take <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/panpsychism-what-if-all-things-humans-plants-atoms-have-universal-consciousness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consciousness</a> beyond the physical constraints, even transcending the limitations of time and space. It seems that the purpose was to alter the mind in order to create a kind of psychic spycraft.



The analysis details some well-known techniques, such as hypnosis and transcendental meditation, but also ventures into some less well known methods of investigating consciousness.



But how does this relate to reincarnation?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cases-of-reincarnation">Cases of reincarnation </h2>



Researchers at the Monroe Institute, the center of these mind-stretching exercises, made discoveries that seemed to bolster the case for reincarnation.



"When consciousness returns to the Absolute (Monroe jargon for a realm outside spacetime), it brings with it all the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/memory-isnt-only-stored-in-our-brains-other-cells-can-remember-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memories</a> it has accumulated through experience in reality," McDonnell explained. 



In other words, memories pass from life to life, thereby supporting the idea of reincarnation.



Renewed interest in this study was sparked by Chicago-based comedian Sara Holcomb.



Holcomb summarized the intriguing findings in a social media post: "We're pretty sure reincarnation is real. Consciousness is energy and it exists outside of our understanding of reality. And energy … never dies."



Notably, the <a href="https://med.virginia.edu/perceptual-studies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Virginia Medical School's Division of Perceptual Studies</a> provided further evidence of over 2,500 professed cases of reincarnation. Remarkably, these cases involved children under five years old who claimed to remember living a previous life.



"Why the kids? It seems they're the ones that most easily remember their past lives," noted Holcomb.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-dual-purpose-of-the-gateway-study">The dual purpose of the Gateway study</h2>



However, the study was not limited to spiritual discourse on reincarnation and consciousness. It had a second, more strategic purpose.



At the time, Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) was investigating the potential use of paranormal abilities for military intelligence – a field known as psychic spycraft.



Under the leadership of Major General Albert Stubblebine III – a staunch advocate of psychic warfare – was Joe McMoneagle, identified as Remote Viewer No.1. 



McMoneagle's role was to use remote viewing to spy on Russian military bases and gather clandestine intelligence.



His efforts - despite a success rate of around 28 percent - proved crucial for dealing with “the hopeless cases” and in painting an overall intelligence picture.



McMoneagle, now retired, serves on the Board of Advisors and as a trainer for the Monroe Institute.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-psychic-spying-strategy">The psychic spying strategy </h2>



The "Gateway Experience" also became a subject of scrutiny for the U.S. Army INSCOM, as part of their exploration of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-near-death-experiences-validated-by-new-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"out of body" experiences</a> for espionage.



"There is a sound and rational basis in terms of physical science parameters for considering Gateway to be plausible in terms of its essential objectives. Intuitional insights of not only personal but of a practical and professional nature would seem to be within the bounds of reasonable expectations," concluded McDonnell.



He endorsed the "psychic spying" strategy as a practical approach, but he also cautioned about the difficulties in controlling or directing these experiences consistently.



However, the study concluded that more research was necessary for the U.S. intelligence to be able to utilize this process.



McDonnell provided <a href="https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/cia-rdp96-00788r001700210016-5.pdf">recommendations</a> for potential Gateway studies, though it's uncertain whether any more research was eventually conducted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-journey-continues">The journey continues </h2>



Interestingly, one section of McDonnell's report – the 25th page – is missing. This has piqued the curiosity of readers who have even started a Change.org petition for the CIA to release it. 



The CIA claims never to have had this page, further fueling theories of purposeful omission due to the possible powerful techniques described in the missing document.



The Gateway study opens up a thrilling discussion, not just on the realms of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/third-state-of-existence-beyond-life-and-death-confirmed-by-scientists/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life after life</a>, but on the applications of such phenomena in areas as demanding as military intelligence. 



As our understanding and exploration of reality continue to evolve, we might one day unravel these profound mysteries. Until then, the journey continues.



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U.S. Army Intelligence study suggests that reincarnation is real

Reincarnation is often viewed as a mystical concept, but could it have a scientific basis? The universe operates on energy. Everything - from galaxies spiraling in space to thoughts forged in the human mind - involves energy. Science tells us that energy can be neither created nor destroyed; it simply transfers from one form to another. Applying this principle to consciousness yields staggering possibilities. Could our consciousness, as energy, be truly immortal, merely transitioning from one existence to another? A controversial U.S. Army study, declassified in 2003,...

A team of scientists led by a researcher from the <a href="https://ucsd.edu/">University of California San Diego</a> (UCSD) has discovered that over the past three centuries, the Asian elephant’s natural habitat has shrunk by a staggering 3 million square kilometers.



To better understand this dramatic decline, the experts developed new insights from a unique data set that models land-use change over 13 centuries. They discovered that habitats suitable for Asian elephants have been cut by nearly two-thirds within the past 300 years.&nbsp;



At their peak, these elephants thrived in grasslands and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-are-overheating-in-warmer-rainforests/">rainforests</a> that spanned the breadth of Asia. However, the study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-30650-8">Scientific Reports</a>, estimates that more than 64 percent of historic suitable elephant habitat across Asia has been lost due to land-use practices, particularly during the colonial era. Timber extraction, farming, and agriculture reduced the average habitat patch size by over 80%, from 99,000 to 16,000 square kilometers.



According to the research, the remaining elephant populations today may not have adequate habitat areas. In 1700, 100 percent of the area within 100 kilometers of the current elephant range was considered suitable habitat, but by 2015, this proportion had declined to less than 50 percent. This sets up a high potential for conflicts with people living in those areas as elephant populations alter their behavior and adjust to more human-dominated spaces.



De Silva, an assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences’ Department of Ecology, Behavior and Evolution, and founder of the nonprofit Trunks &amp; Leaves, highlights the dramatic transformation in land use during the 1600s and 1700s, which has consequences that persist even to this day. Researchers from across the globe, including Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Frankfurt Zoological Society, Vietnam National University of Forestry, Wild Earth Allies, Zoological Society of London, and Colby College, also contributed to the study.



Study co-author Professor Philip Nyhus of Colby College noted that the research has implications for understanding the history of elephant landscapes in Asia and their potential future. He also highlighted the collaborative and multi-institutional nature of the research.



While the study's immediate focus is on Asian elephants, the results can be used to assess land-use practices and develop conservation strategies for all of the area’s inhabitants. Professor De Silva explains that they are using elephants as indicators to examine the impact of land-use change on diverse ecosystems over a longer time scale.



Historical records of the impact of human actions and climate change on wildlife have been scarce, making long-term assessments difficult. The new study is based on information from the Land-Use Harmonization (LUH) data set, produced by researchers at the University of Maryland. This data set provides historical reconstructions of various types of land uses, including forests, crops, pastures, and others, reaching back to the ninth century.



The authors argue that much more work is needed to understand the possible changes facing these habitats in the future. They caution that attempts at habitat restoration need to be guided under a reckoning of social and environmental justice for historically marginalized communities.&nbsp;



“Exploring the relationship between past land management practices and the distributions of elephant ecosystems would be a useful direction for future studies from the perspectives of both ecological and social policy,” they note in the report.



<h2 id="h-more-about-asian-elephants">More about Asian elephants&nbsp;</h2>



Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) are one of the largest land mammals on the planet, second only to their African counterparts. They are a fascinating and intelligent species with a rich cultural history in many Asian countries. Their historic range once spanned the entire Asian continent, from the borders of Persia to the coastlines of China, and from the Himalayan foothills down to the southernmost tip of the Asian continent. However, due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-elephant conflict, their current range is much more restricted, primarily found in India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia.



Asian elephants have several distinctive features. They are smaller than African elephants, with males typically reaching a shoulder height of up to 3.5 meters, compared to the 4 meters of African elephant males. Asian elephants also have smaller, rounded ears and a more arched back. Another distinctive feature is their trunk or proboscis, a remarkable organ with over 40,000 muscles that serve as an arm-like appendage used for feeding, drinking, communication, and even as a sensory organ.



One of the most significant distinctions between Asian and African elephants is that only some male Asian elephants have tusks, while female Asian elephants do not. This is in contrast to African elephants where both males and females can have tusks. In Asian elephants, the tuskless males are known as 'makhnas'. The possession of tusks has unfortunately made Asian elephants a target for illegal ivory poaching.



Asian elephants are a keystone species, meaning they play a crucial role in maintaining the biodiversity of the ecosystems they inhabit. They are known as "ecosystem engineers" because of their ability to modify their habitat in ways that benefit other species. For example, by uprooting trees and trampling vegetation, they create clearings that enable new plant growth and provide smaller creatures with access to food and paths through dense vegetation.



These elephants are highly social animals, usually found in closely knit matriarchal groups consisting of related females and their offspring. Male elephants, on the other hand, typically lead solitary lives or form small bachelor groups, and only join female groups during the breeding season.



Sadly, Asian elephants are classified as 'Endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation, human-elephant conflict, and poaching for their ivory, meat, and hides.&nbsp;



Conservation efforts for Asian elephants include anti-poaching initiatives, maintaining and restoring their habitats, establishing wildlife corridors to connect fragmented habitats, and resolving human-elephant conflicts in a way that is sustainable for both elephants and people.



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For Asian elephants, shrinking habitats will increase conflicts

A team of scientists led by a researcher from the...

As their populations grow, animals usually tend to get smaller due to increased competition for food resources among conspecifics. For instance, in marine mammal species such as northern fur <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-flu-killed-hundreds-of-seals-in-new-england-last-year/">seals</a>, South American sea lions, and harbor seals, significant declines in body sizes have been observed as their population size increased.&nbsp;



Surprisingly, this has not happened in the case of California sea lions: as their populations increased over the past half a century, males have gotten bigger, while female body size has remained stable, according to a recent study led by the <a href="https://www.ucsc.edu/">University of California, Santa Cruz</a> (UCSC).



“It’s counterintuitive. You would expect that their body size would decrease as dietary resource competition intensified,” said study co-author Paul Koch, a professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at UCSC.



The experts examined the size and morphology of sea lion skulls collected between 1962 and 2008 in central California, and analyzed bone samples for clues about where and what these animals were eating.&nbsp;



“We found that male California sea lions have expanded their ecological niche, which means they are now foraging on a more diversified group of prey and expanding the places where they are foraging,” explained lead author Ana Valenzuela-Toro, who conducted the research during her graduate studies at UCSC. “Apparently they are now going farther north than they used to, which is consistent with observations reported by other researchers.”



According to the scientists, expanding the breadth of their diets could have helped male sea lions to get bigger even as their numbers increased. At the same time, larger sea lions could travel further, dive deeper, and handle larger prey, thus boosting even more their growth. Finally, as their breeding sites became more crowded, increased competition among males during the breeding season may have favored larger males over time.



The fact that female body size remained stable can be explained by the significant differences between male and female foraging behavior, which creates different selection pressures for the two sexes. While males leave on long foraging trips after the breeding season, females stay in the colony to give birth and raise their pups, so their foraging is restricted to nearby areas, lacking the diversity of resources males have access to.



Although prey was abundant during the period covered in this study, the situation may soon change due to global warming.&nbsp;



“This has been a good period for sea lions, but if warm conditions become more frequent, we could see lower availability of their preferred prey, such as sardines and anchovies. Then we might see their population size start to plateau or decrease, and we could even see body size start to decline,” Valenzuela-Toro concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.04.026">Current Biology</a>.



—



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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California sea lions are getting bigger as their population increases

As their populations grow, animals usually tend to get smaller...

For many years, biologists argued that top predators such as lions, wolves, or cheetahs can benefit prey herds by targeting the weakest and slowest animals, and thus providing better opportunities for the healthy, strong animals to reproduce – an assumption formalized in 2003 as the “healthy herd hypothesis.”&nbsp;



While this hypothesis has been often used to suggest that manipulating predator numbers to protect prey could be a useful conservation strategy, hard evidence supporting it has been scarce, and recently, many of its assumptions and predictions have been questioned.&nbsp;



To test the healthy herd hypothesis, a team of researchers led by the <a href="https://umich.edu/">University of Michigan</a> (U-M) has conducted an experiment on a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-predator-prey-equilibria/">predator-prey</a>-parasite system consisting of predatory fly larvae that feed on the water flea Daphnia dentifera, which hosts a virulent fungal parasite (Metschnikowia bicuspidate).&nbsp;



According to the healthy herd hypothesis, increasing the density of the predator in this three-organism study would help eliminate the fungal pathogen and increase the overall health of the flea populations.&nbsp;



However, the experiment revealed that, although at the highest levels, predation managed to completely eliminate the fungal pathogen, it also dramatically reduced Daphnia population sizes – an outcome not supporting the healthy herd hypothesis.



“The appeal of the healthy herds hypothesis lies in the alignment of multiple conservation goals - simultaneous conservation of predators, reduction of parasitism, and protection of vulnerable populations - as well as the potential to reduce spillover risk to other populations, including humans,” said senior author Meghan Duffy, an aquatic and disease ecologist at U-M. “But even when predators reduce disease in their prey populations, that does not necessarily lead to increased prey population size, as our study shows.”



Other well-known historical examples of attempts to apply the healthy herd hypothesis that have gone wrong include the culling of badgers in the United Kingdom in order to reduce the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in livestock or the culling of bats to reduce the spread of rabies in domestic dogs or wildlife (badgers and bats being the wildlife reservoirs of bovine tuberculosis and rabies, respectively). In both cases, these strategies failed to succeed, and the diseases continued to spread in other animal populations.



“Unless we develop a more comprehensive understanding of when and how predators influence disease, management strategies that propose to reintroduce or augment predator populations could backfire,” explained study lead author Laura Lopez, a former postdoctoral researcher in Professor Duffy’s laboratory, who now works as a Research Vaccine Safety Officer at the <a href="https://www.ncirs.org.au/">National Center for Immunization Research and Surveillance</a> in Australia.



“If your primary concern is the overall population size of a vulnerable animal species, then adding high levels of predation that eliminate disease could be detrimental. Interestingly, intermediate predation levels reduced parasitism in our study without incurring a cost in terms of overall prey density. Any management decisions would need to weigh the potential costs and benefits associated with increasing predation,” Duffy concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ecy.4063">Ecology</a>.



—



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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Predators increase the health of prey populations, but reduce their size

For many years, biologists argued that top predators such as...

In a new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-05941-9">Nature</a>, researchers have analyzed data from hundreds of plots in Canada’s <a href="https://nfi.nfis.org/en/">National Forest Inventory</a> (NFI). The goal was to clarify the relationship between tree diversity and changes in carbon and nitrogen storage in soils from natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/northern-forests-are-being-transformed-by-global-warming/">forests</a>. The experts found that preserving the diversity of forests potentially increases the accumulation of these two substances in the soil, helping to sustain soil fertility and mitigate climate change.



Forest soils play a major role in sequestering carbon extracted from atmospheric CO2 during photosynthesis, storing at least three times more carbon as living plants do. At the same time, nitrogen is an essential nutrient driving carbon assimilation and plant growth in forests.&nbsp;



Although a variety of biodiversity-manipulation experiments have already suggested that higher tree diversity can lead to a larger accumulation of carbon and nitrogen in forest soils, this is the first study to provide evidence of a similar outcome in natural forests.



The researchers analyzed organic soil horizon samples from 361 plots and mineral soil horizon samples from 245 plots covering much of Canada’s landmass, and hosting a variety of fir, maple, pine, spruce, hemlock, cedar, and other tree species.&nbsp;



Then, by comparing data from two NFI sample-plot censuses – one from 2000-2006 and another from 2008-2017 – the experts calculated changes in soil carbon and nitrogen storage over time and assessed the relation between these changes and tree diversity, which was quantified as a combination of tree richness (the number of tree species in a sample plot), species evenness (a measure of the relative abundance of tree species), and functional diversity (the various functional traits of tree species within a community).



The analysis revealed that increasing species evenness from its minimum to its maximum value enhanced carbon storage in the organic soil layer by 30 percent and nitrogen storage by 42 percent, while increasing the functional diversity of trees to its maximum value enhanced carbon storage in the soil mineral layer by 32 percent and nitrogen storage by 50 percent.



“Our study, for the first time, shows the sustained benefits of tree diversity in storing soil carbon and nitrogen in natural forests,” said study lead author Xinli Chen, a postdoctoral fellow in Forest Ecology at the <a href="https://www.ualberta.ca/index.html">University of Alberta</a> in Canada.



“A greater diversity of species translates into a mixture of different types of trees with different ways of acquiring and storing biomass—both in live trunks, roots, branches and leaves and in newly dead and decaying plant detritus on and in the soil,” added co-author Peter Reich, the director of the <a href="https://seas.umich.edu/globalchangebiology">Institute for Global Change Biology</a> (IGCB) at the University of Michigan.



These findings suggest that promoting tree diversity not only increases productivity but can also help mitigating climate change and reducing soil degradation, thus highlighting the importance of biodiversity conservation in forests and guiding efforts to use forests for carbon and nitrogen sequestration.



—



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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Tree diversity increases carbon storage in forest soils

In a new study published in the journal Nature, researchers...

The ocean’s so-called “twilight zone” is located between 200 and 1,000 meters deep, and although it gets very little light, is home to a diversity of organisms and billions of tons of organic matter.&nbsp;



A new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-37781-6">Nature Communications</a> has found that life in the twilight zone could decline dramatically due to climate change, which could lead to a 20-40 percent reduction in organisms inhabiting this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-ancient-ocean-floor-surrounds-the-earths-core/">ocean</a> region. Moreover, in a high-emissions scenario, life in this zone could be severely depleted within 150 years, and may not recover for millennia.&nbsp;&nbsp;



By using records from preserved microscopic shells in ocean sediments, the researchers examined how abundant life was in the twilight zone in past warm climates. “We still know relatively little about the ocean twilight zone, but using evidence from the past we can understand what may happen in the future,”&nbsp;said study lead author Katherine Crichton, a postdoctoral fellow in Earth System Modelling at the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a>.



“We looked at two warm periods in the Earth’s past, about 50 million years ago and 15 million years ago,” explained senior author Paul Pearson, a professor of Environmental Sciences at <a href="https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/">Cardiff University</a>. “We found that the twilight zone was not always a rich habitat full of life. In these warm periods, far fewer organisms lived in the twilight zone, because much less food arrived from surface waters.”



Animals in the twilight zone feed on particles on organic matter sinking from the ocean surface. Since in warmer waters, this matter is degraded much faster by bacteria, less food is available, thus contributing to significant population declines. The rich variety of life that we are witnessing today in this zone evolved over millions of years, when ocean waters had cooled enough to preserve the food for longer and allowing life to thrive. Unfortunately, due to current global warming, this situation may once more change dramatically.



“Unless we rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this could lead to the disappearance or extinction of much twilight zone life within 150 years, with effects spanning millennia thereafter,” Crichton explained.



“Even a low-emissions future may have a significant impact, but that would be far less severe than medium- and high-emissions scenarios. Our study is a first step to finding out how vulnerable this ocean habitat may be to climate warming.”



—



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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Life in the ocean's twilight zone is facing a dramatic decline

The ocean’s so-called “twilight zone” is located between 200 and...

A recent analysis conducted by researchers at <a href="https://www.purdue.edu/">Purdue University</a> has shed new light on the relationship between pet ownership, stress, and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0284101">PLOS ONE</a>, reveals that while pet owners grew closer to their pets during the pandemic, the links between pet ownership and mental health were more complex than previously thought.



The COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique opportunity to study the impacts of pet ownership on mental health, and the researchers wanted to explore this relationship in more depth. The study included a series of surveys that were conducted prior to the pandemic, during the lockdown period of April to June 2020, the reopening of September to December 2020, and a recovery period from January to December 2021.



The surveys captured the dynamics of dog and cat ownership in the United States and included questions related to participants’ closeness to the pet, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-salt-intake-elevates-stress-in-the-body/">stress</a> and loneliness levels, demographics, housing situation, personality, and other potentially relevant factors. The participants included 1,266 people with dogs and cats, 1,186 with only dogs, 1,128 with only cats, and 657 with no pets.



The results of the survey showed that both dog and cat owners grew closer to their pets during the study period. However, the links between pet ownership and mental health were more complex than expected.&nbsp;



While dog owners experienced a greater reduction in stress and loneliness during the reopening and recovery periods compared to cat owners and participants without pets, the researchers did not find statistically sound evidence that pet ownership eased participants’ stress and loneliness levels during the pandemic. Cat owners, in particular, reported higher levels of stress and loneliness.



However, further analysis showed that pet ownership may have had an impact on certain types of loneliness. Pet owners, in general, reported less loneliness related to romantic relationships compared to non-pet owners.



The researchers noted that the different results seen for dog versus cat owners could be explained by differences in the pet-owner relationship between these two groups.&nbsp;



“People felt closer toward their pets during the COVID-19 pandemic even though pet ownership did not mitigate stress and loneliness," wrote the study authors. "Dog ownership and cat ownership acted differently on mental health, but the difference between them could be partially explained away by the owner-pet relationship.”



The findings of this study add to the growing body of research on the impact of pet ownership on mental health and highlight the need for more research in this area. The researchers plan to continue collecting data through 2023 to capture any further changes in pet-owner relationships, stress, and loneliness.&nbsp;



While pet ownership may not necessarily alleviate stress and loneliness, the relationship between pet and owner may play a significant role in mental health outcomes during times of crisis.



<h2 id="h-more-about-pets-and-mental-health">More about pets and mental health</h2>



There is a growing body of research which suggests that pets can have a positive impact on mental health. Several studies have found that pet ownership is associated with reduced levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.&nbsp;



Pets can provide comfort and companionship, which can help to reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Pets can also encourage physical activity and provide a sense of purpose and responsibility, which can help to improve overall well-being.



One study conducted by researchers at the University of Missouri found that interacting with pets can help to increase levels of the hormone oxytocin, which is known to have a calming effect on the body. Another study found that pets can help to reduce levels of cortisol, a hormone associated with stress.



Pet therapy programs have also been shown to have positive effects on mental health. These programs involve trained therapy animals visiting hospitals, nursing homes, and other care facilities to provide comfort and companionship to patients. Studies have found that pet therapy can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).



However, it's important to note that pet ownership is not a panacea for mental health problems. Owning a pet can be a significant responsibility and requires time, effort, and resources. For some people, the demands of pet ownership may actually increase levels of stress and anxiety. Additionally, some people may have allergies or other health conditions that make pet ownership impractical.



Overall, while pets can provide many benefits to mental health, it's important to carefully consider the decision to bring a pet into your life and to ensure that you are able to provide the care and support that your pet needs.



<h2 id="h-can-pets-help-to-reduce-loneliness">Can pets help to reduce loneliness?</h2>



Some pets are known to be particularly social and affectionate, which can make them good companions for people who are feeling lonely. Here are a few examples:



<h3 id="h-dogs">Dogs</h3>



Dogs are known for their loyalty and affection towards their owners. They are social animals and enjoy spending time with their human companions. Dogs also require regular exercise and playtime, which can encourage their owners to stay active and engaged.



<h3 id="h-cats">Cats</h3>



Cats are independent animals that can provide comfort and companionship without requiring as much attention as dogs. They are also known for their soothing purring and relaxing presence, which can help to reduce stress and anxiety.



<h2 id="h-birds">Birds</h2>



Birds are social animals that can form strong bonds with their owners. They are known for their singing and chirping, which can be soothing and calming. Some birds, such as parrots, can also learn to mimic human speech, which can be entertaining and engaging.



<h3 id="h-guinea-pigs">Guinea pigs&nbsp;</h3>



Guinea pigs are social animals that enjoy being around other guinea pigs and humans. They are easy to care for and can be quite affectionate. Guinea pigs are also known for their vocalizations, which can be amusing and endearing.



<h2 id="h-fish">Fish</h2>



While fish may not provide the same level of interaction and companionship as other pets, they can still be calming and relaxing to watch. Fish tanks can also be visually appealing and provide a sense of tranquility and peace.



Ultimately, the best pet to cure loneliness will depend on the individual's personality, lifestyle, and preferences. It's important to carefully consider the demands of pet ownership and choose a pet that is a good fit for your lifestyle and circumstances.



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Pets and owners had complex relationships during the pandemic

A recent analysis conducted by researchers at Purdue University has...

Taking a siesta or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/midday-naps-lower-blood-pressure/">midday nap</a> is a common custom in some cultures. While previous studies have argued that sleeping in the middle of the day could potentially affect sleep quality, cognitive functioning, and metabolic processes, the relationship between different types of siestas and metabolic health is still poorly understood.



To clarify these issues, a team of researchers led by <a href="https://brighamandwomens.org/">Brigham and Women’s Hospital</a> has recently assesses the relationship of siestas and siesta duration with obesity and metabolic syndrome in a cohort of 3,275 adults from the Spanish region of Murcia. The experts measured baseline metabolic characteristics, and surveyed the participants on their siesta duration (no siesta, shorter than 30 minutes, longer than 30 minutes), along with other lifestyle factors.



“Not all siestas are the same. The length of time, position of sleep, and other specific factors can affect the health outcomes of a nap,” said senior author Marta Garaulet, a visiting professor in the Brigham’s <a href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/medicine/sleep-and-circadian-disorders/overview">Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders</a>.&nbsp;



“A previous study that we conducted in a large study population in the UK had found that siestas were associated with an increased risk of obesity. We wanted to determine whether this would hold true in a country where siestas are more culturally embedded, in this case Spain, as well as how the length of time for siestas is related to metabolic health.”



The analysis revealed that people who took afternoon naps longer than 30 minutes were more likely to have a higher body mass index, higher blood pressure, and a cluster of other conditions associated to heart disease and diabetes (metabolic syndrome) compared to those who took no siestas. Moreover, long siestas were linked to later nightly sleeping and food timing, as well as increased energy intake at lunch and cigarette smoking.&nbsp;



However, among individuals who took shorter siestas, or “power naps,” the increased risk of obesity and metabolic changes was not present. In addition, short siesta-takers seemed to be less likely to have elevated systolic blood pressure than those who took no siestas at all.&nbsp;



Further studies are needed to investigate the possible benefits of short siestas, particularly in individuals with habits such as having delayed meals and sleep schedules, or smoking.



“This study shows the importance of considering siesta length and raises the question whether short naps may offer unique benefits. Many institutions are realizing the benefits of short naps, mostly for work productivity, but also increasingly for general health,” said co-author Frank Scheer, a senior neuroscientist and professor of Medical Chronobiology at the Brigham’s Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders.



“If future studies further substantiate the advantages of shorter siestas, I think that that could be the driving force behind the uncovering of optimal nap durations, and a cultural shift in the recognition of the long-term health effects and productivity increases that can amount from this lifestyle behavior,” he concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.23765">Obesity</a>.



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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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How do afternoon naps impact our health?

Taking a siesta or midday nap is a common custom...

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Spores of coprophilous fungi pass through the guts of megafauna (animals weighing over 45 kilograms) as part of their life cycle. As a result,&nbsp; the presence of such spores in sediment samples can provide evidence that large animals lived in a specific time and place.&nbsp;



By analyzing samples from a peat bog in Pantano de Monquentiva – located about 60 kilometers from Bogota, Colombia in the Eastern Cordillera mountains – a team of researchers from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a> discovered that large animals became locally extinct at this location both around 23,000 years ago and 11,000 years ago, severely impacting the ecosystems in which they were embedded.&nbsp;



Considering our current biodiversity crisis, these findings suggest that the disappearance of large animals could once more transform ecosystems that sustain both wildlife and humans.



“We know that large animals such as elephants play a vital role in regulating ecosystems, for example by eating and trampling vegetation,” said&nbsp;study senior author Dunia H. Urrego, a senior lecturer in Physical Geography at Exeter.



“By analyzing samples of fungal spores, as well as pollen and charcoal, we were able to track the extinction of large animals, and the consequences of this extinction for plant abundance and fire activity. We found the Monquentiva ecosystem changed dramatically when large animals disappeared, with different plant species thriving and wildfires increasing.”



Although the analysis of fungal spores does not show which types of megafauna were present, species known to inhabit Columbia during these periods included the giant armadillo and the giant, six-meter-tall ground sloth.&nbsp;



According to the researchers, most of the plentiful megafauna that existed for thousands of years vanished 23,000 years ago. After about 5,000 years, large animals began once more to populate the Monquentiva, before another wave of extinction decimated them approximately 11,000 years ago. While the causes of these extinctions are not yet clear, scientists argue that climate change, hunting by humans, or even meteor strikes could be plausible explanations.&nbsp;



“After the megafauna vanished, plant species at Monquentiva transitioned, with more woody and palatable plants (those favored by grazing animals), and the loss of plants that depend on seed dispersal by animals,” said lead author&nbsp;Felix Pym, a&nbsp;graduate student in Physical Geography at Exeter.



“Wildfires became more common after the megafauna extinctions – presumably because flammable plants were no longer being eaten or trampled upon. Overall, our findings show that this habitat was highly sensitive to the decline of its megafaunal populations.”



The findings suggest that, in the context of our current biodiversity crisis, conservation efforts should take into account the effects of local herbivore declines on the dispersal of various plant species, wildfire activity, and the loss of ecosystem services.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/qua.2022.66">Quaternary Research</a>.



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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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Colombian megafauna experienced "waves" of extinctions

Spores of coprophilous fungi pass through the guts of megafauna...

A recent study has revealed that the mysterious comet-like tail of asteroid 3200 Phaethon, the source of the annual Geminid meteor shower, is not composed of dust as previously believed. Instead, the tail consists of sodium gas, challenging long-held scientific assumptions about this enigmatic celestial object.



Discovered in 1983, Phaethon is an asteroid that exhibits comet-like behavior, brightening and forming a tail when near the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aztecs-kept-accurate-time-using-the-sun-and-the-mountains/">Sun</a>. Most meteor showers are the result of comets, so when scientists found that Phaethon's orbit matched that of the Geminid meteors, they assumed the tail was formed by dust escaping from the asteroid's surface due to the Sun's heat. In 2009, NASA's Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) confirmed the existence of Phaethon's tail, supporting the dust theory.



However, in 2018, <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/parker-solar-probe">NASA's Parker Solar Probe</a> observed that the Geminid debris trail contained far more material than Phaethon could possibly shed during its close approaches to the Sun. This prompted Qicheng Zhang, a PhD student at the California Institute of Technology and lead author of the study published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/acc866">Planetary Science Journal</a>, to question the dust hypothesis.&nbsp;



"Comets often glow brilliantly by sodium emission when very near the Sun, so we suspected sodium could likewise serve a key role in Phaethon's brightening," explained Zhang.



To test this hypothesis, Zhang examined images from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), a joint mission between NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), which has color filters that can detect sodium and dust. Archival images from STEREO and SOHO were also examined, revealing the tail during 18 of Phaethon's close solar approaches between 1997 and 2022.



SOHO's observations showed the asteroid's tail to be bright in the filter that detects sodium but not in the filter that detects dust. The shape of the tail and the way it brightened as Phaethon passed the Sun also matched what scientists would expect if it were composed of sodium, but not if it were composed of dust. This evidence confirmed that Phaethon's tail is made of sodium, not dust.



Project team member Karl Battams of the Naval Research Laboratory highlighted the significance of the discovery. "Not only do we have a really cool result that kind of upends 14 years of thinking about a well-scrutinized object, but we also did this using data from two heliophysics spacecraft – SOHO and STEREO – that were not at all intended to study phenomena like this."



The researchers suspect that some of the comets discovered by SOHO and the citizen scientists involved in the Sungrazer Project may actually be rocky asteroids like Phaethon, heated up by the Sun. "A lot of those other sunskirting 'comets' may also not be 'comets' in the usual, icy body sense, but may instead be rocky asteroids like Phaethon heated up by the Sun," said Zhang.



A lingering question remains: If Phaethon doesn't shed much dust, how does it supply the material for the Geminid meteor shower observed each December? Zhang's team theorizes that a disruptive event a few thousand years ago, possibly involving a piece of the asteroid breaking apart under rotational stress, caused Phaethon to eject the estimated billion tons of material that make up the Geminid debris stream. The exact nature of this event is still unknown.



Further answers may be forthcoming from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)'s upcoming DESTINY+ mission, which plans to fly past Phaethon later this decade.



<h2 id="h-more-about-comets-and-asteroids">More about comets and asteroids</h2>



Comets and asteroids are celestial objects found within our solar system, often referred to as small Solar System bodies. While both are remnants of the early solar system, they differ in their composition, structure, and behavior.



Comets are made up of a mixture of ice, rock, and dust, and are sometimes referred to as "dirty snowballs." They are believed to originate from the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud, regions located in the outer reaches of the Solar System. When a comet gets close to the Sun, the ice in its nucleus vaporizes, creating a glowing coma (a bright, hazy atmosphere) and a tail that can stretch millions of kilometers. The tail always points away from the Sun due to the solar wind and radiation pressure. Comets typically have elongated, elliptical orbits, which cause them to periodically visit the inner Solar System.



Asteroids, on the other hand, are primarily composed of rock and metal and are the remnants of the early Solar System's building blocks. They are found mostly in the Asteroid Belt, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, although some can be found in other parts of the Solar System as well. Unlike comets, asteroids do not have a glowing coma or a tail, as they do not contain significant amounts of ice. Their orbits are generally more circular than those of comets, and they can range in size from a few meters to hundreds of kilometers in diameter.



While comets and asteroids are distinct celestial objects, some "crossover" bodies exhibit characteristics of both, such as asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which forms a comet-like tail when near the Sun. The study of these celestial objects helps scientists understand the formation and evolution of the Solar System and offers insights into the potential origins of life on Earth.



Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/IPAC



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Study sheds new light on mysterious asteroid Phaethon

A recent study has revealed that the mysterious comet-like tail...

The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth," plays a vital role in the global carbon cycle by absorbing and storing large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This critical ecosystem service helps regulate the Earth's climate and mitigate the impacts of climate change. However, the rainforest's ability to store <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kelp-forests-are-losing-their-capacity-to-trap-carbon/">carbon</a> is under threat due to various factors, including deforestation, climate change, and increasing incidents of drought.



A recent study involving 80 scientists from Europe and South America has shed light on how different regions within the Amazon rainforest are likely to respond to drier conditions brought about by climate change.&nbsp;



The study, led by Dr. Julia Tavares and Professor David Galbraith of the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/">University of Leeds</a>, reveals that trees in the western and southern Amazon face the greatest risk of dying due to drought. The death of these trees, and consequently the loss of their ability to store carbon, could have significant implications for the global carbon cycle and climate change mitigation efforts.



Historically, scientific investigations have focused on the central-eastern region of the forest, which is the least vulnerable to drought. This means that the potential impacts of drought on the entire Amazon rainforest may have been underestimated. The current study offers the first comprehensive assessment of how different regions of the Amazon might respond to an increasingly warm and dry climate.



Professor Galbraith highlighted the importance of understanding the stress limits that the Amazon forest can endure:&nbsp; “Our study provides new insights into the limits of forest resistance to one major stressor - drought.”



The Amazon is not a single, homogenous forest. It is composed of numerous forest regions that span various climate zones, ranging from extremely wet to very dry. Dr. Tavares explained that the research aimed to examine how these diverse forest ecosystems were coping with the stresses they faced.



Published in the scientific journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-05971-3">Nature</a>, the study's findings remove a "major knowledge bottleneck of how climate change will impact this critical ecosystem."&nbsp;



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



The research team, known as the "tree doctors," collected measurements and samples from 11 separate sites across the western, central-eastern, and southern Amazon – covering Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia – over the course of a year. This comprehensive data set allowed the scientists to evaluate the drought resistance of 540 individual trees across 129 species.



Despite the southern part of the Amazon Forest demonstrating the greatest degree of adaptation to cope with drought, the study revealed that trees in this region still faced the highest risk of dying due to drought. This increased vulnerability is likely a result of rapid climate change and disruption to rainfall patterns caused by deforestation, which have pushed trees to the limits of their adaptability.



Conversely, tree species in the wettest parts of the Amazon Forest exhibited the lowest levels of adaptation to drought, yet were considered the safest in terms of future climate change risks. This is because these areas have not yet been significantly impacted by changes in rainfall.



The researchers emphasize that their findings should be used to update and refine existing models on how the Amazon may be impacted by drier conditions, as previous studies may have underestimated the vulnerability of certain forest regions to climate change. With a more nuanced understanding of the Amazon rainforest's response to drought, scientists and policymakers can better assess the potential consequences of climate change and develop targeted strategies to preserve this vital ecosystem.



<h2 id="h-more-about-carbon-storage-in-the-amazon-rainforest">More about carbon storage in the Amazon rainforest&nbsp;</h2>



Carbon storage in the Amazon rainforest plays a significant role in regulating global climate. The vast expanse of the Amazon, covering approximately 6.7 million square kilometers, is home to an estimated 390 billion individual trees belonging to over 16,000 species. These trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and store it in their biomass through the process of photosynthesis.



The Amazon rainforest is responsible for storing an estimated 76 to 96 billion metric tons of carbon, making it one of the largest terrestrial carbon sinks on the planet. This carbon storage capacity helps offset human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, thereby mitigating the impacts of climate change. Furthermore, the vastness and diversity of the Amazon contribute to the stability of weather patterns, influencing precipitation and temperature.



However, this vital ecosystem service is under threat from various factors. Deforestation, often driven by logging, agriculture, and infrastructure development, directly results in the loss of trees and, consequently, their ability to store carbon. When trees are cut down or burned, the stored carbon is released back into the atmosphere, contributing to increased greenhouse gas concentrations and exacerbating climate change.



Climate change and drought also pose significant threats to the Amazon's carbon storage capacity. As temperatures rise and rainfall patterns change, some regions within the rainforest become drier, increasing the likelihood of tree mortality. The recent study led by Dr. Julia Tavares and Professor David Galbraith revealed that trees in the western and southern Amazon face the highest risk of dying due to drought. This could lead to a decrease in the forest's ability to absorb and store carbon, further accelerating climate change.



To preserve the Amazon's carbon storage capacity, it is crucial to implement targeted conservation strategies, such as sustainable forest management, reforestation efforts, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, enhancing our understanding of the Amazon rainforest's response to climate change and drought will help inform policies and actions to maintain its health and resilience.



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The Amazon rainforest and the looming threat of drought

The Amazon rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of...

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In a groundbreaking new study, researchers from the <a href="https://www.lji.org/">La Jolla Institute for Immunology</a> (LJI) have uncovered how certain human antibodies can continue to fight against the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pigs-are-highly-resistant-to-sars-cov-2-infection/">SARS-CoV-2</a> virus, despite its mutations. The researchers utilized samples from an anonymous San Diego resident, who has become a fascinating example of the human immune system's ability to adapt and combat the virus.&nbsp;



The research not only reveals the potential of the original Moderna SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in generating antibodies against later Omicron variants, but also offers detailed 3D structures of three promising neutralizing antibodies bound to the Spike protein.



"To blunt the next pandemic and protect people from seasonal re-emergence of this one, we need antibodies of the broadest possible capacity - ones that are not escaped. We found those in a vaccinated San Diegan," explained Dr. Erica Ollmann Saphire, CEO of LJI.



"Studying that person’s immune response in detail uncovered antibodies that are still effective against many Omicron variants," said co-author Dr. Kathryn Hastie. "We now have to figure out how to boost these antibodies that we want over others that are less effective."



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



The study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112421">Cell Reports</a>, focused on a volunteer who had received two doses of the Moderna SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, with samples collected before the emergence of the Omicron variant.&nbsp;



The researchers then tested these samples against various variants, discovering that the volunteer maintained moderate to high levels of antibodies effective against Beta, Delta, and Omicron lineages BA.1, BA.1.1, and BA.2. Among these, they identified five antibodies capable of decreasing the infectivity of BA.1 by more than 85 percent. The team used cryo-electron microscopy to map out the vulnerabilities on the Spike protein.&nbsp;



"This structural work lets us see exactly how the antibodies interact with the protein and how they can neutralize the virus," said study co-author Xiaoying Yu.



The research showed that two of the promising antibodies latch onto two parts of the protein, locking it in place to halt infection.



Results from a mouse model were also encouraging, with each of the three promising antibodies reducing the viral load in the lungs of mice infected with SARS-CoV-2 BA.1 and BA.2. The researchers plan to run more human antibodies through this same pipeline at LJI, which includes antibody isolation, screening, structural analysis, and animal model experiments.&nbsp;



"This research will help us combat the variants we have right now and give us targets for future vaccine development and therapeutics," said Yu.



<h2 id="h-key-variants-of-sars-cov-2">Key variants of SARS-CoV-2&nbsp;</h2>



Coronavirus variants are different forms of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that have undergone genetic changes or mutations. As viruses replicate, they can accumulate changes in their genetic code, leading to new variants.&nbsp;



Some of these changes may have little impact on the virus's behavior, while others can lead to significant differences in transmissibility, severity, or the effectiveness of vaccines and treatments.&nbsp;



The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) closely monitor SARS-CoV-2 variants to assess their potential impact on public health.



Key SARS-CoV-2 variants that have emerged throughout the pandemic include:



<h3 id="h-alpha-b-1-1-7">Alpha (B.1.1.7)</h3>



First identified in the United Kingdom in September 2020, the Alpha variant was found to be more transmissible than previous strains. This variant had a higher rate of infection and led to a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases worldwide.



<h3 id="h-beta-b-1-351">Beta (B.1.351)</h3>



First detected in South Africa in December 2020, the Beta variant also exhibited increased transmissibility. Additionally, it raised concerns due to its potential to evade immunity induced by previous infections or vaccinations to some extent.



<h3 id="h-gamma-p-1">Gamma (P.1)</h3>



First identified in Brazil in January 2021, the Gamma variant showed increased transmissibility and potential resistance to immunity from previous infections or vaccinations.



<h3 id="h-delta-b-1-617-2">Delta (B.1.617.2)</h3>



First discovered in India in December 2020, the Delta variant rapidly became the dominant strain globally. It displayed much higher transmissibility than previous strains, leading to surges in cases and hospitalizations. Vaccines have generally proven to be effective against severe disease caused by the Delta variant, although breakthrough infections can still occur.



<h3 id="h-omicron-b-1-1-529">Omicron (B.1.1.529)</h3>



First reported in South Africa in November 2021, the Omicron variant has several mutations on the Spike protein, which raised concerns about increased transmissibility, potential immune evasion, and the effectiveness of vaccines. Early data suggest that while vaccines may be less effective in preventing Omicron infections, they still provide protection against severe disease and hospitalization.



Scientists continue to study these and other emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants to better understand their characteristics and devise appropriate public health strategies. Vaccination, along with other preventive measures such as masking, social distancing, and good hand hygiene, remains a crucial tool in combating the virus and its variants.



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Human antibodies are adapting to fight emerging Covid variants

In a groundbreaking new study, researchers from the La Jolla...

Across the tropical regions of the world, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/californias-forests-are-losing-their-ability-to-recover/">forests</a> face a myriad of challenges brought on by global change. One such challenge is the combined impact of increased lightning frequency and the prevalence of woody vines known as lianas.&nbsp;



In a new study supported by the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/">National Science Foundation</a>, researchers have investigated the potential impacts of this phenomenon. The experts found that the "one-two punch" of lightning and lianas is causing higher mortality rates among smaller trees. This could ultimately alter the composition of tropical forests and reduce their capacity to store carbon.



Matt Kane, a program director in NSF's Division of Environmental Biology, highlighted the importance of understanding the consequences of ecological disturbances driven by climate change. "Knowing the short- and long-term effects of lightning strikes is helping improve scientific understanding and sustainability of tropical forest ecosystems."



Tropical forests are subject to approximately 35-67 million lightning strikes each year, with a growing trend toward more frequent strikes. Lead author Evan Gora, a scientist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, noted that "lightning is a major cause of tree death and forest disturbance, yet it has been understudied as an agent of change."&nbsp;



Gora and his team set out to determine why certain lightning strikes cause more tree deaths than others, and found that lianas play a crucial role. Lianas are long-stemmed, woody vines that are prevalent in tropical forests. These plants compete for sunlight by climbing trees and extending into their canopies.&nbsp;



The researchers discovered a positive correlation between liana density and the number of trees killed or damaged by lightning. Their research suggests that this is because lianas are highly conductive and serve as a conduit for electrical current to flow from large trees to smaller ones.



"Large trees are more likely to be struck by lightning. When lianas are in the canopy, they amplify the effects of lightning strikes, resulting in more severe damage to neighboring trees," said Gora. He explained that "by physically connecting trees that would otherwise be separated, lianas act like jumper cables, delivering deadly electrical current to smaller understory trees that would otherwise survive a lightning strike."



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



The study was conducted in a lowland forest on Barro Colorado Island, Panama, which is the only tropical forest where lightning impacts have been systematically quantified. Researchers estimate that lightning is responsible for the death of more than 16 percent of tree biomass annually on the island, including 40-50 percent of the largest trees.



To investigate the role of lianas in lightning disturbance severity, the team used a novel lightning detection system. They conducted surveys on 78 lightning strikes in areas with mapped liana presence and monitored 1,921 trees that had sustained visible lightning damage. Tree conditions were assessed within four months of the lightning strike and up to four times within the following 23 months.&nbsp;



The findings of this study shed light on the complex relationships between lightning, lianas, and tropical forests, as well as the potential implications for forest ecosystems as a whole. The research is published in the journal <a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/14698137">New Phytologist</a>.



<h2 id="h-tropical-forests-face-multiple-threats">Tropical forests face multiple threats</h2>



Tropical forests, which are some of the most biodiverse and ecologically significant ecosystems on Earth, face a variety of challenges and threats. These issues not only jeopardize the health and stability of these forests but also have global implications for climate change and biodiversity conservation. Some of the key issues faced by tropical forests include:



<h3 id="h-deforestation">Deforestation</h3>



Large-scale clearing of tropical forests for agriculture, logging, infrastructure development, and mining is a major threat to these ecosystems. Deforestation results in habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation, which can lead to a decline in biodiversity and disrupted ecosystem functioning.



<h3 id="h-climate-change">Climate change</h3>



Rising temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, and more frequent and severe weather events due to climate change pose significant challenges for tropical forests. These changes can affect forest structure, composition, and function, as well as increase the risk of wildfires, pest outbreaks, and disease.



<h3 id="h-invasive-species">Invasive species</h3>



Non-native species can be introduced to tropical forests intentionally or accidentally, and they can have severe ecological impacts. Invasive species can outcompete native species for resources, disrupt ecosystem processes, and even lead to the extinction of native species.



<h3 id="h-over-exploitation">Over-exploitation&nbsp;</h3>



Over-harvesting of timber, fuelwood, and non-timber forest products can lead to forest degradation and a decline in biodiversity. Unsustainable hunting and poaching can also threaten wildlife populations and disrupt ecological balance.



<h3 id="h-pollution">Pollution</h3>



Air, water, and soil pollution from industrial and agricultural activities can have detrimental effects on tropical forests. Contaminants can harm plants and animals, disrupt nutrient cycling, and affect overall forest health.



<h3 id="h-disease-and-pests">Disease and pests</h3>



Pests and diseases can cause significant damage to tropical forests, especially when exacerbated by climate change and habitat disturbance. These threats can result in the decline of specific tree species, which in turn can affect the overall structure and function of the forest ecosystem.



<h3 id="h-land-use-change">Land-use change</h3>



Changing land-use patterns, such as urbanization and agricultural expansion, can lead to the conversion of tropical forests into other land uses. This process contributes to habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as increased human-wildlife conflict.



To address these challenges, it is vital to implement effective conservation strategies, promote sustainable land-use practices, and raise awareness about the importance of tropical forests. This will help protect these valuable ecosystems and the numerous species that depend on them, while also mitigating the impacts of climate change and preserving vital ecosystem services for future generations.



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Woody vines amplify the effects of lightning in tropical forests

Across the tropical regions of the world, forests face a...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

[sendtonews key="iuA5mpp3jv-1641775-12187" 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.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

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...

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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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

[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



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



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



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How the immune system responds to injury

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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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

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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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...