The solar system, billions of years old, holds many secrets about its formation. Among its fascinating residents is Chiron, a centaur orbiting between Jupiter and Neptune. 



New findings by scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) shed light on this hybrid of comet and asteroid, revealing unprecedented insights into its surface chemistry and activity.



The study was led by Dr. Noemí Pinilla-Alonso of the University of Oviedo and Dr. Charles Schambeau from the University of Central Florida (UCF). Their findings could reshape our understanding of centaurs and the solar system’s early history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-capsules-of-the-solar-system">Time capsules of the solar system </h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-space-objects-called-centaurs-29p-continue-to-perplex-nasa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Centaurs</a> are objects with dual characteristics, straddling the line between asteroids and comets. 



Chiron, discovered in 1977, is unique even among centaurs. It exhibits comet-like behavior, including a coma - a cloud of gas and dust - alongside distinct surface and interior features.



Dr. Pinilla-Alonso emphasizes that centaurs act as “time capsules,” preserving information about the solar system’s formation. "All small bodies in the solar system talk to us about how it was back in time,” she explained. 



Chiron’s activity, driven by solar heating, offers a rare opportunity to explore these preserved secrets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unprecedented-chemical-diversity-in-a-centaur">Unprecedented chemical diversity in a centaur</h2>



Using <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JWST</a>, the team discovered that Chiron's surface hosts carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide ice. Its coma contains methane and other gases, marking the first detection of such diversity in a centaur. 



“These results are like nothing we’ve seen before,” noted Dr. Schambeau from <a href="https://www.ucf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCF</a>.



JWST’s advanced capabilities allowed the researchers to study Chiron even at its farthest point from the Sun. This distance usually limits the activity of similar objects, such as trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs).



Unlike <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/comet-will-be-visible-for-the-first-time-in-50000-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">comets</a> closer to the Sun, Chiron’s thinner coma offers clearer insights into its surface chemistry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chiron-s-ice-and-gas-dynamics">Chiron's ice and gas dynamics</h2>



Dr. Pinilla-Alonso noted that Chiron’s dual nature makes it invaluable for studying processes in both comets and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/two-large-asteroids-will-pass-near-earth-this-week/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">asteroids</a>. 



"What is unique about Chiron is that we can observe both the surface and the coma,” she said.



This dual observation provides critical information about the ice layer's thickness, porosity, and chemical properties.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2060-Chiron_coma_asteroid-comet-hybrid_credit-USF_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2060-Chiron_coma_asteroid-comet-hybrid_credit-USF_1s.webp" alt="Artist's impression of 2060 Chiron, an active centaur, surrounded by a faint disc of debris. Bright icy deposits and active areas are visible on its surface. Credtis: William D. González Sierra of the Florida Space Institute, University of Central Florida." class="wp-image-1954508"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Artist's impression of 2060 Chiron, an active centaur, surrounded by a faint disc of debris. Bright icy deposits and active areas are visible on its surface. Credtis: William D. González Sierra of the Florida Space Institute, University of Central Florida.</figcaption></figure>



JWST’s observations revealed the coexistence of primordial ices, such as methane and water, and newer compounds formed through surface processes. 



“Every active centaur we observe shows some peculiarity,” said Dr. Pinilla-Alonso. Understanding these peculiarities may uncover patterns across these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/once-in-a-lifetime-comet-will-be-easily-visible-this-month/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enigmatic objects</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-oddball-among-centaurs">An oddball among centaurs</h2>



Chiron stands out due to its unusual behavior, including comet-like activity and potential rings of debris. 



Dr. Schambeau describes it as “an oddball” with a unique thermophysical process. He analyzed methane in Chiron’s coma, linking its outflow to sun-heated regions on its surface.



These findings deepen our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2060-chiron_debris-disk_asteroid-comet-hybrid_credit-USF_1big.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">centaurs’ evolution and behavior</a>. 



Chiron’s dynamic environment provides clues about how solar heating influences its surface and subsurface, offering a glimpse into processes shaping similar bodies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-origins-and-future-of-chiron">Origins and future of Chiron</h2>



Chiron likely originated in the TNO region before moving into its current orbit. Gravitational interactions with giant planets alter the paths of centaurs, exposing them to varied environments.



Dr. Pinilla-Alonso explained that centaurs typically remain in the giant planets’ region for about a million years before being ejected. “They may end their lives as Jupiter Family comets or return to the TNOs region."



Chiron’s journey across the solar system exposes it to solar radiation, driving surface changes and creating its unique chemical composition. 



Understanding this evolution provides valuable insights into the early solar system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-chiron-s-discovery">Broader implications of Chiron’s discovery</h2>



The study’s implications extend beyond Chiron. Identifying gases and ices on distant objects enhances our understanding of the solar system’s building blocks. 



These findings could also inform future research on centaurs and other icy bodies.



Dr. Pinilla-Alonso noted that JWST’s spectra revealed intricate details about Chiron’s ices and their interactions. "Based on our new JWST data, I’m not so sure we have a standard centaur."



Further studies may uncover shared traits among centaurs, offering a clearer picture of their origins and diversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-more-about-centaurs">Learning more about centaurs</h2>



The researchers from <a href="https://www.uniovi.es" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oviedo</a> and UCF plan to continue observing Chiron as it approaches the Sun.



Closer proximity will enable more detailed studies of its surface and coma, potentially uncovering new chemical and physical properties.



Future research may also explore seasonal variations and illumination effects on Chiron’s ice reservoir. Such studies could refine our understanding of how centaurs interact with their environments and evolve over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unveiling-the-mysteries-of-the-solar-system">Unveiling the mysteries of the solar system</h2>



The JWST, an international collaboration led by NASA, has revolutionized space science. 



Its ability to observe distant objects like Chiron is solving long-standing mysteries about the solar system and beyond. These discoveries highlight the telescope’s transformative impact on planetary science.



“JWST has made these detections accessible. These results enhance our understanding of Chiron’s interior composition and its unique behaviors,” concluded Dr. Schambeau.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-chapter-in-solar-system-exploration">New chapter in solar system exploration</h2>



Chiron’s unique chemistry and activity mark a significant milestone in understanding the solar system’s origins. 



The ongoing research, powered by JWST’s capabilities, promises to unravel more secrets about this enigmatic centaur and its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/its-official-earth-now-has-two-moons-captured-asteroid-2024-pt5/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">counterparts</a>.



Through Chiron, scientists are not just uncovering the past - they are laying the groundwork for future exploration of icy bodies across the solar system.



“The analysis of Chiron’s gases and ices opens new frontiers and opportunities for exciting research,” said Dr. Pinilla-Alonso.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2024/12/aa50124-24/aa50124-24.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Astronomy &amp; Astrophysics</a>.



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Rare asteroid-comet hybrid is unlike anything ever seen before

The solar system, billions of years old, holds many secrets about its formation. Among its fascinating residents is Chiron, a centaur orbiting between Jupiter and Neptune. New findings by scientists using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) shed light on this hybrid of comet and asteroid, revealing unprecedented insights into its surface chemistry and activity. The study was led by Dr. Noemí Pinilla-Alonso of the University of Oviedo and Dr. Charles Schambeau from the University of Central Florida (UCF). Their findings could reshape our understanding of centaurs...

Extreme climate events are occurring more and more frequently, and they are bound to overlap. Events happening simultaneously are causing disruptions in human systems such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loneliness-is-an-underestimated-threat-to-heart-health/">health</a>, security, and overall well-being.&nbsp;



Concurrent climate events can significantly affect world economics. An example of a concurrent event is a heatwave, which is a combination of heat and drought. This combination caused the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires, which led to a GDP loss of more than five percent.&nbsp;



Unfortunately, concurrent climate events are not usually addressed in planning. However, a team of scientists led by Laura Niggli at the <a href="https://www.uzh.ch/en.html">University of Zurich</a>, Switzerland, decided to study the impacts of recent heatwaves on socioeconomic systems.&nbsp;



The experts reviewed eight concurrent heat and drought events in Africa, Europe, and Australia over the past 20 years and investigated their impacts on human health, agriculture, food production, and transportation.&nbsp;



For example, rail transport can become disrupted when the tracks buckle due to intense heat. Not only can this affect human transportation, but it can also affect access to food and other goods.&nbsp;



"This study presents unprecedented quantitative information and qualitative understanding on the impacts of combined heat and drought events in major world regions over the past 20 years," said Niggli.



"It contributes new insights how these impacts cascade through critical systems (health, energy, food production, etc.) and emphasizes the importance to appropriately consider such impact cascades in adaptation efforts.”



The researchers found that agriculture, health, and energy suffer the greatest impacts of concurrent climate events. They believe future research should focus on building resilient systems and finding ways to mitigate these impacts.&nbsp;



"We identified an interconnected web of sectors that interact and cause additional losses and damages in several other sectors. This multilevel interconnectedness makes the risks of compound extreme events so complex and critical," said the study authors.&nbsp;



"More efforts should be concentrated on the analysis of such cascading risks and on strategies to interrupt such chains of impacts, rather than compartmentalizing risk assessment into single extreme events, impacts and sectors”.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/climate/article?id=10.1371/journal.pclm.0000057">PLOS Climate</a>.



---



By <a href="mailto:nire518@gmail.com">Erin Moody </a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

What are the risks of concurrent climate events?

Extreme climate events are occurring more and more frequently, and...

How did enormous dinosaurs like Brontosaurus carry so much weight on land? A new study led by the <a href="https://www.uq.edu.au/">University of Queensland</a> has finally solved this mystery. Using 3D modeling, the experts digitally reconstructed the foot bones of various <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-sauropods-walked-more-like-hippos-than-elephants/">sauropods</a> to test their function. 



Dr. Andréas Jannel conducted the research during his PhD studies at UQ’s Dinosaur Lab. He said the team discovered that the hind feet of sauropods had a soft tissue pad beneath the "heel" that added cushioning to absorb their immense weight.



“We’ve finally confirmed a long-suspected idea and we provide, for the first time, biomechanical evidence that a soft tissue pad – particularly in their back feet – would have played a crucial role in reducing locomotor pressures and bone stresses,” said Dr. Jannel. “It is mind-blowing to imagine that these giant creatures could have been able to support their own weight on land.”



It was once assumed that sauropods were semi-aquatic and that water buoyancy took literal tons of weight off their relatively small legs. This theory was contradicted in the mid-twentieth century when scientists analyzed sauropod tracks that were found in deposits on land.



Sauropods were also once believed to have feet similar to a modern-day elephant, noted study co-author Dr. Olga Panagiotopoulou of Monash University.



“Popular culture - think Jurassic Park or Walking with Dinosaurs - often depicts these behemoths with almost-cylindrical, thick, elephant-like feet,” said Dr. Panagiotopoulou. “But when it comes to their skeletal structure, elephants are actually ‘tip-toed’ on all four feet, whereas sauropods have different foot configurations in their front and back feet."



“Sauropod’s front feet are more columnar-like, while they present more ‘wedge high heels’ at the back supported by a large soft tissue pad.”



This was because sauropods and elephants had different evolutionary origins, explained study co-author Professor Steve Salisbury.&nbsp;



“Elephants belong to an ancient order of mammals called proboscideans, which first appeared in Africa roughly 60 million years ago as small, nondescript herbivores. In contrast, sauropods – whose ancestors first appeared 230 million years ago – are more closely related to birds," said Professor Salisbury.



“They were agile, two-legged herbivores and it was only later in their evolution that they walked on all fours. Crucially, the transition to becoming the largest land animals to walk the earth seems to have involved the adaptation of a heel pad.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/journal/sciadv">Science Advances</a>.



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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

Mystery solved: how massive dinosaurs carried their weight

How did enormous dinosaurs like Brontosaurus carry so much weight...

Understanding the formation and ongoing evolution of the Earth’s continents is crucial, considering that these enormous landmasses host the vast majority of our planet’s biomass, all humans, and nearly all of the major mineral deposits on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxygen-may-have-come-from-ancient-rocks-of-early-earth/">Earth</a>. 



Now, a research team led by <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/">Curtin University</a> in Australia has found the strongest evidence yet that the Earth’s continents were formed by giant meteorite impacts which were particularly prevalent during the first billion years of our planet’s four-and-a-half billion years history. Although this hypothesis had been around for decades in the scientific community, there was little solid evidence to support it until now.



“By examining tiny crystals of the mineral zircon in rocks from the Pilbara Craton in Western Australia, which represents Earth’s best-preserved remnant of ancient crust, we found evidence of these giant meteorite impacts,” said study lead author Tim Johnson, an associate professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Curtin University.



“Studying the composition of oxygen isotopes in these zircon crystals revealed a ‘top-down’ process starting with the melting of rocks near the surface and progressing deeper, consistent with the geological effect of giant meteorite impacts. Our research provides the first solid evidence that the processes that ultimately formed the continents began with giant meteorite impacts, similar to those responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs, but which occurred billions of years earlier.”



The deposits of critical metals such as lithium, tin, and nickel are all commodities that are essential to the emerging green technologies needed to mitigate climate change. Better understanding the formation and development of these deposits could help scientists devise innovative ways of extracting and using them to safeguard our planet. 



“These mineral deposits are the end result of a process known as crustal differentiation, which began with the formation of the earliest landmasses, of which the Pilbara Craton is just one of many,” explained Professor Johnson.



Since the researchers based their study on materials collected in Western Australia, further research is needed to see whether their model could be generalized for other regions. 



“Data related to other areas of ancient continental crust on Earth appears to show patterns similar to those recognized in Western Australia. We would like to test our findings on these ancient rocks to see if, as we suspect, our model is more widely applicable,” Professor Johnson concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-04956-y">Nature</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&nbsp;&nbsp;

Giant meteorite impacts formed the Earth’s continents

Understanding the formation and ongoing evolution of the Earth’s continents...

Many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaurs-self-regulated-their-body-temperature/">dinosaurs</a> replaced their teeth as they fell out - a trait that is shared with modern crocodilians and sharks. Tooth replacement is useful for predatory animals whose teeth are used to hold struggling prey animals and are often broken off.&nbsp;



Now, new research shows that spinosaurids (a group that includes spinosaurus) replaced their teeth even faster than many other dinosaurs. This helps explain why so many spinosaurid teeth have been found littering dinosaur digs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



A team of scientists led by the <a href="https://www.ehu.eus/en">University of the Basque Country</a> assessed a partial spinosaurid jaw from the Late Cretaceous found in La Rioja, Spain. The jaw contained eight alveoli or tooth sockets and tooth remains. Indeed, the researchers found up to three teeth in a single alveolus.&nbsp;



“We recognized up to three generations of teeth in the same alveolus: the functional tooth of the animal, another tooth being formed and which would replace the first, and the germ of the one that would end up replacing the second,” explained Pablo Navarro, co-author of the research published in the journal <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08912963.2022.2069019">Historical Biology</a>.



“This suggests very rapid tooth replacement and is probably one of the reasons why so many spinosaurid teeth can be&nbsp; found on the Iberian Peninsula during the Lower Cretaceous."



Previous research showed that some species of spinosaurids were able to quickly replace their conical teeth, with an estimated time of 60 to 68 days. This research not only verifies the trait for the entire group, but also explains the mechanism of how this regeneration is possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Throughout their lives these animals grew new teeth that gradually replaced the original ones and caused them to fall out. This means that the same animal could generate multiple teeth,” said Navarro.



“These teeth, more or less conical in shape and a centimetre in size, were transported by rivers, accumulated in lake areas and, over time, became fossilised,” said the researcher. They are one of the most common vertebrate remains in Iberian sites of the Lower Cretaceous (between 145 and 113 million years ago)”.



Although scientists aren’t entirely sure why spinosaurid teeth were replaced so quickly, it’s likely this ability gave them an edge over other predators.&nbsp;



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2022.2069019">Historical Biology&nbsp;</a>



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By <a href="mailto:nire518@gmail.com">Erin Moody </a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Spinosaurids rapidly replaced their teeth

Many dinosaurs replaced their teeth as they fell out -...

Growth of the Amazon rainforest in our increasingly carbon-rich atmosphere could be significantly limited by a lack of phosphorus in the soil, according to a new study led by Brazil’s <a href="https://www.gov.br/inpa/pt-br">National Institute of Amazonian Research</a> (INPA) and the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a>.



Although higher concentrations of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-dioxide-has-a-minimal-impact-on-tropical-vegetation/">carbon dioxide</a> cause plants to grow faster to store more of this greenhouse gas – and thus help mitigating climate change – plants also need nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus to grow. As a consequence, reduced availability of such nutrients could limit the Amazon rainforest’s ability to increase its productivity, or growth rate, as CO2 rises, and make it less resilient to climate change.



“Our results question the potential for current high rates of carbon uptake in Amazonia to be maintained,” said study lead author Hellen Fernanda Viana Cunha, a doctoral student in Tropical Forest Science at INPA. “About 60 percent of the Amazon basin is on old soils with low phosphorus content, but the role of phosphorus in controlling productivity was unclear because most fertilization experiments in other parts of the world have been in more phosphorus-rich systems.”



To examine the effects of adding phosphorus, nitrogen, and other key nutrients in an old-growth, low-phosphorus area of the rainforest, the researchers conducted a longitudinal empirical study - the&nbsp;<a href="https://amazonfertilisationexperiment.wordpress.com/">Amazon Fertilisation Experiment</a>&nbsp;(AFEX) – and found that only phosphorus led to increased productivity in the first two years of the experiment. “Having such rapid and strong responses to phosphorus, both above and below ground, is an indication that the whole system was functioning under severe phosphorous limitation,” Cunha explained.



While other nutrients such as nitrogen can be absorbed from the atmosphere by micro-organisms associated with certain soils and plants, phosphorus is not available as an atmospheric gas. Thus, once it becomes depleted, there are little opportunities for phosphorus levels to increase.&nbsp;



The experiments revealed that two years with extra phosphorus led to a significant increase in fine root growth (29 percent) and canopy productivity (19 percent), but not in stem growth. According to Cunha, this may be because roots and leaves require more phosphorus than stem. However, since stem growth is also a much slower process, long-term monitoring is necessary to determine whether stem wood productivity will later on increase.



This study has major implications not only for the rainforest’s carbon storage capacity, but also for its resilience to climate change. “To cope with and recover from increased threats such as droughts, we need the forest to be growing better than it used to,” said&nbsp;Iain Hartley, a professor of Geography at Exeter.



“CO2 fertilization could increase the forest’s resilience, but our findings suggest phosphorus availability will limit that effect – and therefore the risks caused by climate change become increasingly important. In short, parts of the rainforest growing in low-fertility soils may be more vulnerable than is currently recognized,” he concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05085-2">Nature</a>.



---



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

Lack of phosphorus will limit growth of the Amazon rainforest

Growth of the Amazon rainforest in our increasingly carbon-rich atmosphere...

The East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) holds the record for being the driest, windiest and coldest place on Earth. It is also home to the thickest deposits of ice, measuring 4,800m (15,700ft) deep in places. Experts calculate that if the total volume of ice bound up in the Antarctic melted, this would release enough water to raise <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/modern-rates-of-sea-level-rise-first-emerged-in-1863/">sea levels</a> globally by around 50m. And that is without the contributions of the ice sheets covering Greenland and West Antarctica.



Climate has been warming noticeably over the past several decades, and glaciers all over the world have been thinning, retreating and melting. According to experts, this has already resulted in a 10 to 20mm rise in ocean levels globally. The EAIS has always been seen as a stable ice sheet because of its enormous size, and climatologists have not been overly concerned that it would melt and contribute to sea level rise. However, a new study published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/">Nature</a> has concluded that the EAIS is not as stable as previously thought and is likely to be vulnerable even to moderate levels of warming.



The study involved reviewing evidence of the EAIS’s responses to periods of increased carbon dioxide concentration and global warming in the past. For example, during the mid-Pliocene, around three million years ago, the carbon dioxide concentrations exceeded the current value of 417 parts per million. Temperatures were 2–4°C higher than present but global mean sea level eventually reached 10–25 meters higher. Evidence from sea-floor sediments around East Antarctica indicates that part of this great ice sheet collapsed at that time and contributed several meters to sea level rise.



Even as recently as 400,000 years ago, not that long ago on geological timescales, there is evidence that a part of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet retreated 700 km inland in response to only 1–2°C of global warming. These past changes in climate occurred over much longer timescales than the rapid and extreme warming that have taken place over the past few decades, and are attributed to cyclical changes in the way the Earth orbits around the Sun. However, the responses of the EAIS indicate that this “sleeping giant” is not immune to the effects of a warming temperature.



“A key lesson from the past is that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet is highly sensitive to even relatively modest warming scenarios. It isn’t as stable and protected as we once thought," said study co-author Professor Nerilie Abram from the Australian National University.



The research team, including scientists from the UK, Australia, France and the USA, also examined satellite images of Antarctica taken over the past few decades, to see whether they could identify any recent changes. They found that, while most of the EAIS appears to be stable, there are places where the ice has become thinner and ice cover has shrunk.&nbsp;



"We used to think East Antarctica was much less vulnerable to climate change, compared to the ice sheets in West Antarctica or Greenland, but we now know there are some areas of East Antarctica that are already showing signs of ice loss," explained study lead author Professor Chris Stokes of <a href="https://www.durham.ac.uk/homepage/">Durham University</a>. "Satellite observations have revealed evidence of thinning and retreating, especially where glaciers draining the main ice sheet come into contact with warm ocean currents,"&nbsp;



Professor Stokes emphasized that even if these changes occur in only a few areas of the ice EAIS, they are still of huge concern because the ice sheet is so enormous that, if it melted, these areas alone would contribute 3–4m to sea level rise globally.&nbsp;



In the last part of the study, the research team used computer models to simulate the predicted effects of different temperature scenarios on the East Antarctic Ice Sheet by the years 2100, 2300 and 2500. Their results, published in the journal Nature, showed that, alarmingly, the EAIS is likely to be very sensitive to the levels of carbon dioxide and global warming in the future.&nbsp;



If the emission of greenhouse gases is reduced and only a small temperature rise results, the EAIS might be expected to contribute around two centimeters to sea level rise by 2100 – much less than the ice loss expected from Greenland and West Antarctica. However, if the world continues on a pathway of high greenhouse gas emissions, it is possible that the EAIS could contribute nearly half a meter to sea levels by 2100.



The models also predicted that, if emissions remain high beyond 2100 then the EAIS could contribute around 1–3 meters to global sea levels by 2300, and 2–5 meters by 2500. This, when added to the contributions from ice sheets in Greenland and West Antarctica, would threaten millions of people who live in coastal areas, worldwide.&nbsp;



“A key conclusion from our analysis is that the fate of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet remains very much in our hands," said Professor Stokes. "Restricting global temperature increases to below the 2°C limit set by the Paris Climate Agreement should mean that we avoid the worst-case scenarios, or perhaps even halt the melting of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, and therefore limit its impact on global sea level rise.”



According to the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, published last year, global mean temperatures have already increased by about 1.1°C since pre-industrial times. However, if the target of the Paris Agreement of 2015 is met, and global warming is kept to well below 2°C, significant ice loss from East Antarctica could be reduced or even prevented, with the EAIS’s contribution to sea-level rise remaining below half a meter by 2500.



“We now have a very small window of opportunity to rapidly lower our greenhouse gas emissions, limit the rise in global temperatures and preserve the East Antarctic Ice Sheet,” said Professor Abram.



“Taking such action would not only protect the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, but also slow the melting of other major ice sheets such as Greenland and West Antarctica, which are more vulnerable and at higher risk. Therefore, it’s vitally important that countries achieve and strengthen their commitments to the Paris Agreement.”



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By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Humans control the fate of the world's largest ice sheet

The East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) holds the record for...

A new study from <a href="https://www.ncsu.edu/">North Carolina State University</a> explores the connection between hearing loss and dementia in geriatric <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/playfulness-is-a-key-personality-trait-of-gifted-dogs/">dogs</a>. These findings could support treatment of aging dogs and advance our understanding of the relationship between sensory loss and cognitive function.



“In humans, we know that age-related hearing loss is estimated to affect one-third of people over age 65,” said study co-author Natasha Olby.&nbsp;



“We also know that the rate of cognitive decline is approximately 30-40% faster in people with age-related hearing loss and that hearing loss is a greater contributor to dementia risk than other factors such as hypertension or obesity. But we don’t understand whether the same holds true for dogs.”



The researchers evaluated 39 senior or geriatric dogs. Auditory and cognitive tests were performed and owners were asked to fill out questionnaires focused on cognitive ability and quality of life. Cognitive testing, questionnaire scores and age were compared between hearing groups.



The “average” dog can hear tones at 50 decibels (dBs) with no difficulty. Of the study cohort, 19 of the dogs could hear at 50 dBs, 12 at 70 dBs, and eight at 90 dBs (roughly equivalent to the noise made by a jet plane at takeoff).&nbsp;



When the hearing results were compared with quality of life questionnaire responses, scores related to vitality and companionship declined significantly as hearing deteriorated. The results from cognitive testing were similar - as hearing declined, so did the dog’s ability to perform tasks.



“Hearing loss is one of the biggest predictors of dementia in people,” said Olby. “Hearing loss also contributes to falls in elderly people, as sensory decline contributes to a loss in motor skills. So the connection between physical and neurological decline is clear for humans.”



These findings suggest that the same connection happens with aging dogs. Understanding these changes in elderly dogs enhances the ability to identify and treat these issues in pets, but also improves the understanding of the same issues among humans.



The study appears in the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jvim.16510">Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine</a>.&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:katherinebucko@gmail.com">Katherine Bucko</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Hearing loss linked to dementia in aging dogs

A new study from North Carolina State University explores the...

Bats are known to have relatively long lifespans, with some common species living an astonishing 30–40 years. Longevity in mammals is usually related to body size, with larger species living for longer, but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-bats-have-a-long-term-memory-of-sounds/">bats</a> as a group fall above the regression line for mammals as they live longer than other mammals of similar body size. House mice, which have a weight similar to that of some bats, live only two years in captivity.&nbsp;



Scientists have long wondered why there is this difference, and a new study led by <a href="https://www.umd.edu/">University of Maryland</a> researchers has identified one of the potential reasons; it has to do with genes involved in hibernation.&nbsp;



“Hibernation has allowed bats, and presumably other animals, to stay in northerly or very southerly regions where there’s no food in the winter,” said study senior author Professor Gerald Wilkinson. “Hibernators tend to live much longer than migrators. We knew that,&nbsp;but we didn’t&nbsp;know if we would detect changes in epigenetic age due to hibernation.”



The researchers worked on big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) kept in a research colony at McMaster University. These are the most common bats in the United States and they can live up to 19 years of age. The research colony contained individuals of between one and ten years old. Data was collected by taking a small sample of wing tissue from the 20 captive bats on two occasions. One sample was taken in summer when the bats were active, and the other in winter, when the bats were hibernating.&nbsp;



During the genetic analysis, the researchers investigated changes in DNA methylation between samples taken from the same animal during active and hibernating periods. Methylation is a process whereby methyl groups are added to a DNA molecule, thereby changing the activity of a gene. Their results, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Biological Sciences, showed that changes in DNA methylation occurred at certain sites in the bat’s genome, particularly sites involved in regulating metabolism during hibernation.&nbsp;



“It’s pretty clear that the sites that decrease methylation in the winter are the ones that appear to be having an active effect,” said Professor Wilkinson. “Many of the genes that are nearest to them are known to be involved in regulating metabolism, so they presumably keep metabolism down.”



Some of these genes are the same ones that Wilkinson and fellow researchers identified as “longevity genes” in a&nbsp;<a href="https://cmns.umd.edu/news-events/features/4745">previous study</a>. Wilkinson said that there is significant overlap between the hibernation genes and the longevity genes, further highlighting the link between hibernation and longer lifespans.&nbsp;



The earlier study also established the first epigenetic clock for bats, capable of accurately predicting the age of any bat in the wild. That clock was applied in this latest study, enabling the researchers to demonstrate that hibernation reduces a bat’s epigenetic age in comparison to a non-hibernating animal of the same age. In fact, the researchers found that by hibernating over just one winter, a big brown bat’s epigenetic clock – a biological marker of aging – extends by three-quarters of a year.&nbsp;



This, say the researchers, may be one of the secrets to the extraordinary longevity found in some species of bats.&nbsp;



“We still don’t have a very good understanding of why some bats can live a really long time and other ones don’t,” said Professor Wilkinson. “We’ve shown that the ones that live a really long time all share the ability to hibernate, or to go into torpor frequently. That seems to be a corollary, but it’s not sufficient because hibernating rodents don’t live 20 years.”



Wilkinson said he is planning a follow-up study to compare epigenetic aging in big brown bats in Canada, where they hibernate, with the same species in Florida, where they do not hibernate. In doing so, Wilkinson hopes to get an even clearer picture of the role that hibernation plays in prolonging lifespans.&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Hibernation may be key to extraordinary longevity in bats

Bats are known to have relatively long lifespans, with some...

Dry,Drought,Stricken,Farm,Corn,Field,Dirt

Scientists have identified an “exquisite” natural mechanism that helps plants limit their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/transforming-sunlight-and-water-into-renewable-energy/">water</a> loss with little effect on carbon dioxide (CO2) intake. The study, led by <a href="https://www.anu.edu.au/">Australian National University</a> (ANU), touches on an essential process for photosynthesis, plant growth and crop yield.&nbsp;



The discovery is expected to help agricultural scientists and plant breeders develop more water-efficient crops that are resilient to extreme weather events such as drought.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Plants continuously lose water through pores in the ‘skin’ of their leaves. These same pores allow CO2 to enter the leaves and are critical to their survival,” said study co-author Dr Marquez.&nbsp; “For every unit of CO2 gained, plants typically lose hundreds of units of water. This is why plants require a lot of water in order to grow and survive."



“The mechanism we have demonstrated is activated when the environment is dry, such as on a hot summer day, to allow the plant to reduce water loss with little effect on CO2 uptake."



The researchers believe this water preserving mechanism can be manipulated to breed more water-efficient crops.&nbsp;&nbsp;



According to study lead author Dr. Chin&nbsp; Wong, the ANU team’s findings are a “dream discovery” from a scientific and agricultural perspective. The agricultural industry has long waited for a way to deliver crops that use water efficiently.&nbsp;



Although the researchers have confirmed there is a system in place that is working to limit the amount of water being lost from the leaf, they still do not know what’s causing it.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Our main target now is to identify the structures inside the plant that allow this control. We think that water conduits, called aquaporins, located in the cell membranes are responsible,” said Dr. Marquez.&nbsp;



Once this can be confirmed, the team will continue to explore how these systems can become an asset for the agriculture industry.



Dr. Wong first alluded to this water preserving mechanism 14 years ago, but the research team has only now been able to officially confirm its existence thanks to years of experimentation and corroboration of their results.&nbsp;&nbsp;



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/nplants/">Nature Plants</a>.&nbsp;



---



By <a href="mailto:katherinebucko@gmail.com">Katherine Bucko</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

"Exquisite" mechanism will help plants survive drought

Scientists have identified an “exquisite” natural mechanism that helps plants...

Researchers from <a href="https://www.lsu.edu/">Louisiana State University</a> have discovered that oil spilled during the Deepwater Horizon tragedy was still present in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodiversity-loss-weakens-ecosystem-functioning/">ecosystem</a> ten years later, although the environment significantly altered it. The study, published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.928576/full">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>, details how the scientists tracked the various components of leaked crude oil.&nbsp;



Study first author Professor Edward Overton said that knowing how the chemicals interact with the environment can aid us when the next inevitable spill occurs.



“Our paper describes the most abundant chemicals that make up typical crude oil and their potential fates in the environment,” said Professor Overton.



“The better we understand the chemicals and their chemical reactive properties as well as their physical properties, the better we will be able to mitigate oil spills and understand and detect environmental damages from oil spills,”&nbsp;



The researchers analyzed the most concentrated and toxic chemical components released during the spill. From 2010 to 2020, they collected samples from the shoreline, water, and seafloor.



The study revealed that 30-40 percent of the spilled oil evaporated into the air and that water-soluble chemicals were dissolved and degraded by aquatic organisms. Moreover, these solar-dependent processes degraded a lot of the oil. However, there were still components left in the environment for at least ten years.&nbsp;



“The important point about oil spills is that the oil’s compounds are a type of material that can be degraded by sunlight and marine bacteria (biodegradation), in contrast to other types of pollutants such as the chlorinated pesticides like DDT,” explained Professor Overton. “Oil spills release lots of chemicals quickly and most damage from oil spills occurs fairly soon after the spill.”



However, the chemical processes that break down oil are not universal, and more research is necessary.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Environmental circumstances surrounding specific spills greatly affect how quickly the compounds can react, what they cover or coat and how much oxygen can be taken up in critical habitats,” said Overton.



“Therefore, broad generalization about oil spills requires understanding what was spilled and what are the environmental conditions of the spill. Hopefully this paper will help expand our understanding of the types of chemicals that are found in oil and their ability to cause environmental damages.”



---



By <a href="mailto:nire518@gmail.com">Erin Moody </a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Ghosts of Deepwater Horizon oil spill still haunt the ecosystem

Researchers from Louisiana State University have discovered that oil spilled...

Synthetic cannabinoids are “designer drugs” that mimic the effects of cannabis and are popularly used as an alternative to natural cannabis. Typically synthetic cannabinoids are sprayed onto plant leaves and then smoked; they are often marketed as “herbal smoking blends” and sold under such common names as K2, spice or synthetic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/legalization-of-marijuana-linked-to-rise-in-traffic-crashes/">marijuana</a>. In fact, they are not cannabis at all, but have been designed to bind to the same brain receptors that are responsible for the psychoactive effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis.



A new study, led by researchers from <a href="https://wsu.edu/">Washington State University</a>, has now investigated whether the use of synthetic cannabinoid drugs has changed in recent years and whether this is linked to the status of cannabis legalization in different U.S. states. They hypothesized that in states with more liberal cannabis policies which allow access to THC-containing products for recreational and other purposes, there would be a decrease in the use of synthetic cannabinoid drugs.&nbsp;



It is not easy to monitor the use of these drugs because they are often designed to be undetectable in urine. In addition, their chemical structure is constantly being changed by illicit manufacturers as new versions are developed, so standard drug tests commonly don’t identify them. Instead, the researchers used data from the National Poison Data System (NPDS), a data management system owned by the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC). Cases of poisoning in people who take synthetic cannabinoids and end up needing medical care, or who die, are reported to the NPDS by clinicians and the general public, via regional poison control centers.&nbsp;



This approach provided the researchers with comprehensive coverage of poisoning due to synthetic cannabinoids in the U.S., and they were then able to investigate any links between cases of poisoning and the type of legislation pertaining to cannabis use in each state.&nbsp;



They analyzed data on poisoning for the years 2016 to 2019 and looked only at states that had stable policies concerning cannabis use during those years. In this connection, they placed states in one of three categories: those that had permissive legislation, like Washington State, allowing both medical and recreational adult use of cannabis; those that allow medical use of cannabis only, like Hawaii; and those that had restrictive legislation, like Idaho, where nearly all cannabis use is prohibited.&nbsp;&nbsp;



The researchers found that.during the years 2016 to 1019, there were 7,600 calls that reported poisoning due to synthetic cannabinoid use - about 65 percent of which required medical attention. There were also 61 deaths. The results of the analysis, published in the journal <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15563650.2022.2099887">Clinical Toxicology</a>, showed that cases of synthetic-related poisoning decreased overall during this time period but, while there were 13 percent fewer cases in states where only medical use of cannabis was allowed, there was a much more significant decrease (37 percent) in permissive states, which allow recreational or “adult use” of cannabis. 



“This study shows some potential public health benefits to the legalization and regulation of adult use of cannabis,” said study lead author Tracy Klein, a WSU associate professor of nursing. “Based on both past research and this current study, it's evident that users who have a choice to use a less toxic product would potentially do so.”



People who use synthetic cannabinoids actually report a preference for natural cannabis products, due in part to their lower negative effect profile including less hangover effects, less paranoia and more ability to function. The synthetic substances bind up to 100 times more readily with the brain receptors and lack any mediating constituents of whole plant cannabis, such as cannabidiol (CB). As a result, synthetic cannabinoids have a high toxicity and can lead to severe impairment, and even death.



An earlier study&nbsp;found that poison control calls related to natural cannabis use also increased between 2017 and 2019 across the U.S. but were driven mainly by manufactured products, such as plant-based vaping materials and edibles, which can contain high levels of THC. In contrast, poison control calls for whole plant cannabis declined during the same time period.



More research is needed to understand the use of these drugs better and the differences between them, Klein said. She pointed out that the study’s data set does not contain the rising popularity of synthetically derived Delta-8, marketed as a less strong form of Delta-9, which is the psychoactive cannabinoid found in naturally produced plant products.



“We know that there are many cannabinoids being developed and on the market – and the regulators are struggling to catch up,” said Professor Klein, who is also the assistant director of WSU’s Center for Cannabis Policy, Research and Outreach.



The current study likely underestimates the use of these drugs, the authors note, because the drugs are difficult to detect.



“You can’t easily test for illicit cannabinoids. A lot of times, we only find out if a patient has been using them because they’re hospitalized or because they’re dead,” said Professor Klein.



---



By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Cannabis legalization reduces designer drug poisonings

Synthetic cannabinoids are “designer drugs” that mimic the effects of...

A tiny robot has helped researchers understand more about how ants learn from each other. Researchers at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/">University of Bristol</a> designed the robot to mimic the teaching <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/how-does-the-climate-affect-the-behavior-of-migratory-birds/">behavior</a> of rock ants.



"Teaching is so important in our own lives that we spend a great deal of time either instructing others or being taught ourselves. This should cause us to wonder whether teaching actually occurs among non-human animals. And, in fact, the first case in which teaching was demonstrated rigorously in any other animal was in an ant," explained Professor Nigel Franks of Bristol's <a href="http://www.bristol.ac.uk/biology/">School of Biological Sciences</a>.



The researchers explored a learning process called tandem running, in which a teacher ant leads a pupil to a new nest, the pupil ant finds their way back to the old nest, then becomes the teacher for a new pupil. The process continues throughout the colony.



The team created an arena with one low-quality nest and one high-quality nest. They built a robot teacher, which led an ant from a low-quality to a high-quality nest.&nbsp;



The experts applied a worker scent to the robot so ants could recognize the robot as a teacher. Sometimes the robot would take a direct path to the superior nest; other times, it would take a windy route.&nbsp;



"We waited for an ant to leave the old nest and put the robot pin, adorned with attractive pheromones, directly ahead of it. The pinhead was programmed to move towards the new nest either on a straight path or on a beautifully sinuous one. We had to allow for the robot to be interrupted in its journey, by us, so that we could wait for the following ant to catch up after it had looked around to learn landmarks," explained Professor Franks.



"When the follower ant had been led by the robot to the new nest, we allowed it to examine the new nest and then, in its own time, begin its homeward journey. We then used the gantry automatically to track the path of the returning ant."



"Crucially, we could compare the performance of the ants that the robot had taught with ones that we carried to the site of the new nest and that had not had an opportunity to learn the route. The taught ants found their way home much more quickly and successfully."



The study can be found in the <a href="https://journals.biologists.com/jeb/article-lookup/doi/10.1242/jeb.244106">Journal of Experimental Biology</a>.



---



By <a href="mailto:nire518@gmail.com">Erin Moody </a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Robot sheds light on how ants learn from each other

A tiny robot has helped researchers understand more about how...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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.

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

[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



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

How 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



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.

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



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



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

How the immune system responds to injury

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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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...