An,Artist's,Illustration,Of,A,Black,Hole,In,Interstellar,Space

Astronomers recently discovered the biggest pair of black hole jets ever observed and named this system Porphyrion. Imagine something so massive that it lines up 140 Milky Way galaxies back to back. Then multiply that thought by two. It's almost too much for our minds to fathom, but that's exactly what they found.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-black-hole-jet-system-porphyrion">Meet black hole jet system Porphyrion</h2>



Martijn Oei is a <a href="https://www.caltech.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Caltech</a> postdoctoral scholar with a flair for digging into the mysteries of the universe. His recent work published in a new Nature paper has everyone talking.



Oei and his team discovered this enormous pair of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/awakening-of-a-black-hole-witnessed-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black hole</a> jets named Porphyrion. Derived from Greek mythology, Porphyrion is a fitting moniker for a structure with such colossal proportions.



This jet megastructure not only spans 23 million light-years in total length, but it also dates back to when our universe was just 6.3 billion years old. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/black-hole-jet_23-million-light-years_Porphyrion_credit-Caltech-Oei_Martijn_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/black-hole-jet_23-million-light-years_Porphyrion_credit-Caltech-Oei_Martijn_1s.webp" alt="An artist's illustration of the longest black hole jet system ever observed. Nicknamed Porphyrion after a mythological Greek giant, these jets span roughly 7 megaparsecs, or 23 million light-years. That is equivalent to lining up 140 Milky Way galaxies back-to-back. Porphyrion dates back to a time when our universe was less than half its present age. Credit: Caltech" class="wp-image-1945007"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">An artist's illustration of the longest black hole jet system ever observed. Nicknamed Porphyrion after a mythological Greek giant, these jets span roughly 7 megaparsecs, or 23 million light-years. That is equivalent to lining up 140 Milky Way galaxies back-to-back. Porphyrion dates back to a time when our universe was less than half its present age. Credit: Caltech</figcaption></figure>



That's less than half its present age of 13.8 billion years. To put that into perspective, it's like the universe was still in its adolescence.



These ferocious outflows of energy, with a total power output equivalent to trillions of suns, emanate from a supermassive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/directly-detecting-dark-matter-primordial-black-holes-simple-as-monitoring-mars-orbit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black hole</a> at the heart of a distant galaxy. 



Before Porphyrion, the record-holder for the largest jet system was Alcyoneus, another giant named after a figure in Greek mythology. 



Alcyoneus, discovered in 2022 by the same team, measures about the equivalent of 100 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newly-discovered-stars-milky-way-are-old-as-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Ways</a>. Comparatively, the Centaurus A jets, the closest major jet system to Earth, only spans 10 Milky Ways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shaking-up-the-neighborhood">Shaking up the neighborhood</h2>



What makes Porphyrion's discovery more groundbreaking is the implications it holds for our understanding of galaxy formation. 



Co-author George Djorgovski, professor of astronomy and data science at <a href="https://www.caltech.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Caltech</a>, provided some insights on this.



"Astronomers believe that galaxies and their central black holes co-evolve, and one key aspect of this is that jets can spread huge amounts of energy that affect the growth of their host galaxies and other galaxies near them,” he says. "This discovery shows that their effects can extend much farther out than we thought."



But Porphyrion's scale reveals that the effects of these jets may extend far beyond our previous understanding.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="D4GGVHtxYz-3864208-12187" type="single"]</div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scanning-the-cosmos-and-black-hole-jets">Scanning the cosmos and black hole jets</h2>



The discovery of Porphyrion is part of a larger sky survey, which unveiled a staggering number of similar structures -- over 10,000.



This massive population of gargantuan <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-holes-captured-redirecting-jets-beams-like-death-star-weapon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">jets</a> was found using Europe's <a href="https://www.astron.nl/telescopes/lofar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LOFAR</a> (LOw Frequency ARray) radio telescope.



"Giant jets were known before we started the campaign, but we had no idea that there would turn out to be so many," says Martin Hardcastle, second author of the study and a professor of astrophysics at the <a href="https://www.herts.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Hertfordshire</a> in England. 



"Usually when we get a new observational capability, such as LOFAR's combination of wide field of view and very high sensitivity to extended structures, we find something new, but it was still very exciting to see so many of these objects emerging."



The origins of Porphyrion took the team across continents and observatories. They used the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) in India and supplementary data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona. 



The observations pointed the team to a hefty galaxy, about 10 times more massive than our Milky Way, as the birthplace of Porphyrion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-black-hole-jet-system-porphyrion-s-size">Black hole jet system Porphyrion's size</h2>



Porphyrion resides a mind-boggling 7.5 billion light-years from Earth. Its far-off residency and its emergence from a radiative-mode black hole suggest that it may not be a lone titan, but the harbinger of countless colossal jets yet to be discovered. 



Oei suggests as much, saying, "We may be looking at the tip of the iceberg."



There are still many unanswered questions surrounding these giant black hole jet systems. How do they extend so far and get so big without destabilizing? 



"Martijn's work has shown us that there isn't anything particularly special about the environments of these giant sources that causes them to reach those large sizes," says Hardcastle, who is an expert in the physics of black hole jets. 



"My interpretation is that we need an unusually long-lived and stable accretion event around the central, supermassive black hole to allow it to be active for so long -- about a billion years -- and to ensure that the jets keep pointing in the same direction over all of that time. What we're learning from the large number of giants is that this must be a relatively common occurrence," Hardcastle concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surrounding-influence-and-magnetism">Surrounding influence and magnetism</h2>



How do they influence their surroundings? And perhaps most intriguingly, have these giant jets spread magnetism throughout the cosmos?



"We know magnetism pervades the cosmic web, then makes its way into galaxies and stars, and eventually to planets, but the question is: Where does it start?" Oei rightly says.



This research is the exciting beginning of a new chapter in our understanding of the universe. With the discovery of Porphyrion, we're reminded that we still have a lot to uncover about the mysteries of the cosmos. Even a sky full of stars is just the beginning.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07879-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



Video Credit: Caltech 



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Largest black hole jets ever seen are 23 million light years long

Astronomers recently discovered the biggest pair of black hole jets ever observed and named this system Porphyrion. Imagine something so massive that it lines up 140 Milky Way galaxies back to back. Then multiply that thought by two. It's almost too much for our minds to fathom, but that's exactly what they found. Meet black hole jet system Porphyrion Martijn Oei is a Caltech postdoctoral scholar with a flair for digging into the mysteries of the universe. His recent work published in a new Nature paper has...

This weekend, on the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, the full Buck Moon will light up the sky.&nbsp;



The moon will reach its peak illumination on the night of July 21st, but will also appear full on the 20th, the same day that humans first walked on the moon in 1969.



In fact, according to <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a>, the Buck Moon will appear full for about three days from Friday evening through Monday morning - making this a full moon weekend.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-buck-moon-illusion">Buck Moon illusion</h2>



July's full moon usually appears large and bright - often with a red or orange glow as it rises and sets low in the sky.



When the moon is lower over the horizon, its light travels a longer distance through the atmosphere. This atmospheric scattering of light is similar to what happens during sunrises and sunsets.&nbsp;



“As it travels a longer path, more of the shorter, bluer wavelengths of light are scattered away, leaving more of the longer, redder wavelengths,” explains NASA.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-names-for-the-buck-moon">Names for the Buck Moon</h2>



The name of the July full moon is associated with male deer, or bucks, who typically grow their new antlers during this month.&nbsp;



“Early summer is normally when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur,” notes NASA.



This month's full moon is also referred to as the “Thunder Moon” due to the frequency of thunderstorms in July. Depending on where you're from, you might also know it as the “Hay Moon,” in reference to the hay harvest.&nbsp;



“For Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains, this is the Guru Full Moon (Guru Purnima), celebrated as a time for clearing the mind and honoring the guru or spiritual master,” notes NASA.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-bit-of-astronomical-magic">A bit of astronomical magic</h2>



A <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/this-weekends-strawberry-moon-is-the-sweetest-of-the-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">full moon</a> occurs when Earth is perfectly positioned between the sun and the moon. The result? Our satellite is fully lit up from Earth's viewpoint. The cycle of the full moon, also known as a synodic month, happens every 29.53 days.



As the Buck Moon rises in the east, it won’t be the only eye-catching sight of the night. Not only will Saturn be visible, but if you have a telescope handy, you might even catch a glimpse of its mesmerizing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturns-rings-will-vanish-from-sight-in-2025/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rings</a>.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prelude-to-four-supermoons">Prelude to four supermoons</h2>



The Buck Moon is the final “regular” full moon before an exciting line-up of four back-to-back “supermoons” that will appear much bigger and brighter than usual.&nbsp;



These mega-moons emerge when the full moon coincides with its nearest approach to Earth, known as perigee.&nbsp;



The next full moon is the Sturgeon Moon on August 19th, kicking off the first of the four consecutive supermoons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-full-moon-myths-and-legends">Full moon myths and legends</h2>



The full moon has captivated human imagination for centuries, inspiring many myths and legends across various cultures.&nbsp;



In ancient civilizations, the full moon was seen as a powerful celestial body influencing the natural world and human behavior.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-roman-mythology-nbsp">Roman mythology&nbsp;</h3>



For instance, in Roman mythology, Luna, the goddess of the moon, was believed to ride her chariot across the night sky, illuminating the Earth below.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transformation-and-magic">Transformation and magic</h3>



In folklore, the full moon is often associated with transformation and magic.&nbsp;



Perhaps the most famous legend is that of the werewolf, a creature that transforms from human to wolf under the light of the full <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grow-plants-on-moon-by-2026-nasa-artemis-iii-mission/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moon</a>. 



This myth is prevalent in European folklore and has been popularized in modern literature and film.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-buck-moon-madness">Buck Moon madness</h3>



In many cultures, the full moon is also linked to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/suicide-rate-increases-during-the-week-of-a-full-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">madness</a>, a concept known as "lunacy." The belief that the full moon can affect mental health and behavior persists to this day, with some claiming that emergency rooms and police stations see more activity during a full moon.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-agricultural-traditions-nbsp">Agricultural traditions&nbsp;</h3>



The full moon holds a special place in agricultural traditions as well. Many farming cultures, such as those in Europe and North America, historically used the phases of the moon to guide planting and harvesting. The Farmer's Almanac still provides moon phase information for this purpose.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hindu-mythology-nbsp">Hindu mythology&nbsp;</h3>



In Hindu mythology, the full <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-aims-to-build-a-train-on-the-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moon</a> is significant in various rituals and festivals. For instance, during the festival of Holi, the full moon marks the celebration of spring and the triumph of good over evil. 



In Buddhism, the full moon day of Vesak commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha.



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Full moon weekend is upon us as the "Buck Moon" arrives tonight

This weekend, on the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11...

Researchers at the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado Boulder</a> have made a significant discovery about endogenous retroviruses, ancient viral DNA embedded in the human genome, which can influence the development and survival of cancer.&nbsp;



These viral remnants, previously considered <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/junk-dna-may-set-humans-apart-from-chimpanzees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“junk” DNA</a>, can reactivate and play a crucial role in cancer biology.&nbsp;



The study, published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ado1218" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>, reveals that silencing these retroviruses can enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-retroviruses-can-act-as-genetic-switches-nbsp">Retroviruses can act as genetic switches&nbsp;</h2>



According to Edward Chuong, the study’s senior author and assistant professor at CU Boulder's BioFrontiers Institute, endogenous retroviruses make up about 8% of the human genome.&nbsp;



These retroviruses infiltrated the cells of our evolutionary ancestors, embedding their genetic material into sperm, eggs, and embryos, thereby integrating into the genome over generations.&nbsp;



Despite losing the ability to produce functional viruses, these sequences can act as genetic switches, influencing nearby genes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beneficial-and-harmful-roles-of-retroviruses-nbsp">Beneficial and harmful roles of retroviruses&nbsp;</h2>



Chuong’s research highlights both the beneficial and harmful roles of these retroviruses.&nbsp;



While some have been domesticated for evolutionary benefits, such as the development of the placenta and immune responses, others can be detrimental, particularly in the context of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-encourage-cancer-to-spread-around-the-body/">cancer</a>.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-activity-in-several-cancers">High activity in several cancers</h2>



To explore their impact on cancer, Chuong and first author Atma Ivancevic analyzed genomic data from 21 human cancer types.&nbsp;



The experts found that a lineage of endogenous retroviruses, specifically LTR10, showed high activity in several cancers, including lung and colon cancer. Further analysis revealed that LTR10 was active in about a third of colorectal cancer patients.



Using the CRISPR gene editing tool, the team silenced LTR10 sequences in cancer cells, resulting in the deactivation of critical genes that promote cancer development.&nbsp;



This finding was supported by experiments in mice, where removing the LTR10 switch from tumor cells improved the effectiveness of treatments aimed at shrinking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/holy-grail-molecule-can-kill-all-types-of-solid-cancer-tumors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tumors</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disrupting-a-critical-cellular-pathway-nbsp">Disrupting a critical cellular pathway&nbsp;</h2>



One key discovery was that LTR10 influences the MAP-kinase pathway, a critical cellular pathway involved in many cancers.&nbsp;



The study suggests that existing MAP-kinase inhibitors may work partly by disabling the LTR10 switch, which regulates around 70 cancer-associated genes in this pathway.



Chuong and his team propose that as people age, their genomic defenses weaken, allowing these ancient viruses to reawaken and contribute to various health problems.&nbsp;



“The origins of how diseases manifest themselves in the cell have always been a mystery,” Chuong said. “Endogenous retroviruses are not the whole story, but they could be a big part of it.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-retroviruses-and-cancer-biology-nbsp">Retroviruses and cancer biology&nbsp;</h2>



The research underscores the importance of understanding the role of endogenous retroviruses in modern diseases.&nbsp;



By shedding light on how these ancient viral sequences can be reactivated and influence cancer biology, the study opens up new avenues for improving cancer treatment and potentially addressing other health issues linked to these viral remnants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-part-human-part-virus">Part human, part virus</h2>



Studies show about 8% of the human genome is made up of endogenous retroviruses that slipped into the cells of our evolutionary ancestors, coaxing their hosts to copy and carry their genetic material.&nbsp;



Over time, they infiltrated sperm, eggs and embryos, baking their DNA like a fossil record into generations to come - and shaping evolution along the way.



“Part human, part virus” is a way to describe these sequences. Even though they can no longer produce functional viruses, Chuong’s own research has shown that endogenous retroviruses can act as “switches” that turn on nearby genes.&nbsp;



Some have contributed to the development of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-discovered-in-every-human-placenta-tested-after-birth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">placenta</a>, a critical milestone in human evolution, as well as our immune response to modern-day viruses like COVID.



“There’s been a lot of work showing these endogenous retroviruses can be domesticated for our benefit, but not a lot showing how they might hurt us,” he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gene-expression-and-cancer-development-nbsp">Gene expression and cancer development&nbsp;</h2>



Chuong’s findings reveal that these sequences, when activated, can influence the expression of genes that promote cancer development. This discovery is crucial as it suggests that targeting these sequences could improve cancer treatment outcomes.&nbsp;



In particular, the research showed that silencing LTR10 sequences led to the deactivation of cancer-promoting genes, enhancing the effectiveness of existing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/holy-grail-molecule-can-kill-all-types-of-solid-cancer-tumors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer therapies</a>.



The research also highlights the role of the MAP-kinase pathway, a cellular pathway frequently altered in cancers.&nbsp;



The study suggests that existing MAP-kinase inhibitors may work by disabling the LTR10 switch, which regulates numerous cancer-associated genes within this pathway.



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



This research opens new avenues for understanding the role of endogenous retroviruses in modern diseases and improving cancer treatments by targeting these ancient viral sequences.&nbsp;



By illuminating how these viral remnants influence cancer biology, the study paves the way for more effective therapies and a better understanding of disease mechanisms.



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



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h--0">-----</h3>

Ancient viruses can reactivate and fuel cancer development 

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have made a...

Have you ever wondered about the first humans to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/timeline-early-humans-great-migration-reached-america-challenged-again/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">set foot on South American soils</a>? This question has been the subject of much debate among scholars and scientists alike. Recent evidence, however, suggests that humans were in South America over 20,000 years ago.



Mariano Del Papa, from the <a href="https://unlp.edu.ar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National University of La Plata</a>, Argentina, recently published his intriguing findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-occupation-in-south-america">Human occupation in South America</h2>



The whos, wheres, and whens of early human occupation of South America have been a long-standing topic of intense debate among researchers.&nbsp;



But, why is it important? It holds the key to understanding early human dispersal across the Americas and possibly even their role in the extinction of large mammals at the end of the Pleistocene Epoch.&nbsp;



The scarcity of direct archaeological evidence, however, keeps throwing a spanner in the works.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-findings-on-the-reconquista-river">New findings on the Reconquista river</h2>



Researchers have hit upon tell-tale signs of butchery on Pleistocene mammal fossils.&nbsp;The fossils, belonging to a giant relative of armadillos called Neosclerocalyptus, seem to have been the dinner of choice.&nbsp;



The cut marks found on the pelvis, tail, and body armor of this creature are consistent with those made by stone tools. Intriguingly, these cuts target areas known for their dense flesh.



Radiocarbon dating tags the fossils at around 21,000 years old, nearly 6,000 years older than other known archaeological evidence in southern South America. This suggests an early human presence in the Americas, contradicting earlier beliefs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-questioning-the-16-000-year-old-theory">Questioning the 16,000-year-old theory</h2>



"The study's evidence puts into question the time frame for the first human peopling of the Americas 16,000 years ago," noted Miguel Delgado, the corresponding author.



This timeline was based on limited evidence and the idea that humans moved from North America to South America through an ice-free path. But recent discoveries along the Reconquista River challenge this theory.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-migration-in-south-america">Human migration in South America</h2>



The implications of this discovery extend far beyond the boundaries of Argentina.&nbsp;If humans were present in South America as early as 21,000 years ago, traditional models of migration through the Bering Land Bridge and subsequent southward spread need to be re-evaluated.&nbsp;



This revelation could signify that early humans were more adaptable and resourceful than previously thought, capable of thriving in diverse environments and overcoming significant geographic barriers much earlier.&nbsp;



The findings call for a fresh examination of archaeological sites across both North and South America, aiming to uncover more evidence that could fill in the gaps of our current understanding.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-path-forward-ongoing-research-efforts">The path forward: Ongoing research efforts</h2>



Delgado and his team are far from done with their research. More excavation, more analysis of the cut marks, and more extensive radiocarbon dating of the fossils are all needed to support these findings.&nbsp;



With each fossil dug up, each cut mark analyzed, and each radioactivity level measured, we inch closer to the truth. It seems that we've merely scratched the surface of this historic tale, and the best chapters may still be waiting to be unearthed.



This discovery reiterates the fact that even in the realm of science, where facts hold sway, there's always room for a little surprise. It also underscores the significance of preserving fossils.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-technology-and-prehistoric-humans">Modern technology and prehistoric humans</h2>



Modern archaeological techniques have greatly improved our understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/persian-plateau-fills-20000-year-gap-early-human-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prehistoric humans</a>. Tools like ground-penetrating radar, advanced radiocarbon dating, and DNA analysis from bone fragments provide precise data. 



These tools help determine the age and context of findings and offer insights into ancient lifestyles, diets, and migrations. 



Researchers like Delgado are finding evidence that extends the timeline of human occupation in South America. Interdisciplinary collaboration among archaeologists, geneticists, and environmental scientists is crucial. 



These partnerships could reveal more about our early ancestors, offering a fuller picture of human history and evolution.



As we continue to unearth new evidence and foster cross-disciplinary efforts, we pave the way for groundbreaking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-cave-painting-discovered-in-indonesia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">discoveries</a>. These advances could potentially rewrite history books, giving us a deeper understanding of our ancestors' journey.



The study is published in the open-access journal&nbsp;<a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0304956" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS ONE</a>.



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Humans arrived in South America much earlier than we thought

Have you ever wondered about the first humans to set...

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-are-shifting-to-new-habitats-to-cope-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ants</a> are well-known for their complex social behaviors and mutualistic relationships with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-plants-partnership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a>, particularly in the tropics. These interactions often involve ants inhabiting hollow swellings in trees and defending them against predators in exchange for food. 



While these mutualisms have been observed for centuries, their origins remain a mystery. Recent research led by <a href="https://www.utah.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Utah</a> field biologist Rodolfo Probst has shed new light on this intriguing phenomenon, specifically focusing on the ant genus Myrmelachista.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yellow-ants-and-understory-trees-nbsp">Yellow ants and understory trees&nbsp;</h2>



Probst's study, published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.1214" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences</a>, has investigated Myrmelachista species that typically nest in dead or live stems of plants without specialized mutualistic associations. 



However, one group of these species in Central America nests exclusively in live stems of specific understory trees, forming a specialized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/symbiotic-relationships/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">symbiosis</a> similar to other ant-plant mutualisms. 



These tiny yellow ants hollow out the stems without harming the host plants, a behavior commonly observed throughout Central America.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-convergent-evolution-nbsp">Convergent evolution&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers noted that obligatory ant–plant symbioses often appear to be single evolutionary shifts within particular ant lineages; however, convergence can be revealed once natural history observations are complemented with molecular phylogenetics.&nbsp;



“Here, we describe a remarkable example of convergent evolution in an ant-plant symbiotic system,” the study authors wrote.



The research revealed that this symbiosis requires complex behaviors and morphological adaptations, thought to occur infrequently in the evolutionary history of life.&nbsp;



The nine species exhibiting these traits were initially believed to share a single common ancestor that evolved this mutualism over a long period of time. However, Probst discovered through DNA sequence data that these species formed two distinct clusters in different parts of the evolutionary tree.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-species-develop-similar-traits-nbsp">Different species develop similar traits&nbsp;</h2>



“Using ultraconserved element phylogenomics and ancestral state reconstructions, we show that shifts from opportunistic to obligately symbiotic evolved independently in South and Middle America,” the authors explained.&nbsp;



This suggests that the complex relationship evolved twice independently from non-specialist ancestors around three million years ago - a fascinating case of <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/are-there-cases-of-convergent-evolution-between-reptiles-and-amphibians/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">convergent evolution</a>.



“I wish I could just take a time machine and see it,” Probst said. “Maybe it was the ecology or plant availability that helped those friendships evolve in the first place.”&nbsp;



Probst describes this phenomenon as “evolutionary déjà vu,” where different species develop similar traits due to occupying similar ecological niches.&nbsp;



“The coolest part of our paper is that we’re showing that these types of ant-plant friendships evolve multiple times independently. It’s like if it happens, it might happen again if you’re given the appropriate ecological conditions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-relationships-of-ants-and-trees">Complex relationships of ants and trees</h2>



Probst's co-authors include Jack Longino, a renowned entomologist known as “The Astonishing Ant Man,” and former University of Utah School of Biological Sciences postdoctoral researcher Michael Branstetter, now with the <a href="https://www.ars.usda.gov/pacific-west-area/logan-ut/pollinating-insect-biology-management-systematics-research/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Department of Agriculture's Pollinating Insect Research Unit</a>. Longino highlights the significance of Probst's findings. 



“Rodolfo’s work revealed two independent evolutions of a complex relationship with plants. It suggests that the developmental building blocks for very distinctive or complex features are readily at hand, and can quickly evolve among different sets of species when the conditions arise.”



Probst, a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Biological Sciences and the university’s Science Research Initiative (SRI), has also involved undergraduates in his research, during fieldwork in Costa Rica funded by the University of Utah’s Wilkes Center for Climate Science &amp; Policy.&nbsp;



The group conducted research at the San Gerardo Station in the Bosque Eterno de los Niños (Children’s Eternal Rainforest) nature reserve.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-research-efforts">Ongoing research efforts</h2>



With ongoing assistance from SRI undergraduates, Probst currently aims to conduct whole genomic sequencing to identify the genes involved in ant-plant associations, delving deeper into a phenomenon that has fascinated naturalists for centuries.



This research not only enhances our understanding of ant-plant mutualisms but also underscores the role of convergent evolution in the development of complex ecological relationships.&nbsp;



By studying these intricate interactions between different species, scientists can gain new insights into the adaptive mechanisms that drive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-are-the-biggest-drivers-of-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> and the intricate web of life in tropical ecosystems. 



Probst's findings highlight the importance of continued research and conservation efforts to protect these remarkable mutualistic relationships and the complex ecosystems they support.



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



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h--0">-----</h3>

Evolutionary déjà vu: The symbiotic relationships of trees and ants

Ants are well-known for their complex social behaviors and mutualistic...

Is there more to the phrase "you are what you eat" than we might think? Perhaps we should also be considering - not just what - but when we eat. The timing of meals plays a significant role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-protein-with-intermittent-fasting-better-weight-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overall health and well-being</a>. Recent research has shed light upon the benefits of intermittent fasting.



Dr. Krista Varady, a leading scientist in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition at the <a href="https://www.uic.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Illinois Chicago</a>, specializes in intermittent fasting with over fifteen years of research in weight management and metabolic diseases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-intermittent-fasting">Impact of intermittent fasting </h2>



Intermittent fasting is a structured eating pattern. It involves cycles of eating and not eating. This method is designed to manage calorie intake that works within specific timeframes.



The technique has garnered significant attention in the scientific community. In short, the method involves alternating periods of eating and fasting, which can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fasting-triggers-remarkable-changes-throughout-the-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">help regulate metabolism</a> and support weight management.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-for-thought">Food for thought</h2>



This special issue of research features several studies. One notable study, led by Dr. Alaina P. Vidmar from the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Keck School of Medicine of USC, focuses on type 2 diabetes in adolescents.



This condition is increasing in many communities. The study explores an 8-hour eating window for obese teenagers with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.



The results? Late time-restricted eating proved to be both safe and effective, leading to meaningful weight loss and a decrease in liver enzymes. Also, there were no negatives concerning sleep, eating behaviors or physical activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-night-owls-versus-early-birds">Night owls versus early birds</h2>



On another enlightening note, research from Dr. Jess A. Gwin at the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine delves into our sleep patterns and our eating habits.



Conventional wisdom, and most parents, will tell you not to eat just before bed. This study supports that, pointing out that breakfast skipping and late-night snacking could mess with our sleep quality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intermittent-fasting-and-fitness">Intermittent fasting and fitness</h2>



One particularly intriguing aspect of intermittent fasting is its impact on exercise performance. Dr. Mark Mattson, a neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins University, played a crucial role in the study.



How does this work? During fasting, the body shifts from using glucose-based energy to ketones, which has been shown to enhance muscle efficiency and reduce recovery times.&nbsp;



Moreover, fasting seems to stimulate the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), aiding mental clarity and cognitive function. This additional benefit is a welcome bonus to any fitness regimen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-method">Significance of the method</h2>



"Many people stop adhering to standard diets that restrict calories because they become frustrated with having to regularly monitor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fasting-helps-the-body-fight-inflammation-and-chronic-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food intake</a> day in and day out. Intermittent fasting protocols can bypass this requirement by allowing participants to simply ‘watch the clock’ instead of monitoring calories, while still producing weight loss," said Dr. Varady.



Furthermore, she noted, intermittent fasting does not require the purchase of expensive food products and allows individuals to continue consuming familiar foods, making it a highly accessible diet, especially for lower resource patient groups. 



"Although fasting regimens are no more effective than other diet interventions for weight management, these protocols offer individuals an alternative, straightforward approach to addressing obesity by omitting the need for calorie counting." 



Dr. Varady pointed out that while weight loss is important, having a diet with a wide variety of nutrient dense foods such as fruits, vegetables and legumes is paramount in maintaining a replete nutritional status. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tips-to-get-started">Tips to get started</h2>



Starting intermittent fasting can be simple with these tips:



<ol>
<li>Pick a fasting schedule that works for you, like:</li>
</ol>



<ul>
<li>16/8 method: Fast for 16 hours and eat during an 8-hour window.</li>



<li>5:2 method: Eat normally for 5 days and cut calories for 2 days.</li>
</ul>



<ol start="2">
<li>Start slowly by gradually increasing your fasting time.</li>



<li>Stay hydrated with water and herbal teas.</li>



<li>Plan your meals to avoid impulsive eating and ensure they are balanced.</li>



<li>Listen to your body; if you feel dizzy or very tired, adjust your plan.</li>



<li>Consult a healthcare professional before starting, especially if you have health issues.</li>
</ol>



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.jandonline.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics</a>.



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Intermittent fasting could be the key to better health

Is there more to the phrase "you are what you...

Climate models are essential tools for scientists, providing a glimpse into how our climate might change due to human-induced global warming. 



As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-temperatures-increase-scientists-plan-slow-down-rising-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global temperatures</a> continue to rise, these models help us predict and prepare for the impacts of an imminent climate crisis. 



However, recent findings suggest that our trust in these models might be misplaced, as not all predictions are as accurate as we presume.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-ice-cold-miscalculation">An ice-cold miscalculation</h2>



Right at the center of the stage, in a recently published investigation, stands the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM). 



It is one of the common models employed by geoscientists, but recent research brings up substantial inaccuracies in its predictions. 



This research was led by scientists in the Department of Earth System Science at <a href="https://uci.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Irvine</a> and the University of Michigan Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering. 



The study revealed that the E3SM overestimates a critical component of our climate system – albedo, or the degree to which <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-slow-antarctica-ice-melt-with-sunlight-reflecting-particles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice reflects sunlight</a> back into space.



The researchers discovered that the E3SM incorrectly magnified the level of sunlight reflection from the ice, causing a miscalculation in predicting the planet's warming.



"We found that with old model versions, the ice is too reflective by about five percent," noted Chloe Clarke, the team's project scientist.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-ice-albedo-matter">Why does ice albedo matter?</h2>



The amount of sunlight received and reflected back by the Earth is paramount in determining the rate at which the planet will continue to heat up. 



The E3SM's overestimation of albedo stems from not considering what the team refers to as the "microphysical properties of ice." 



In simpler terms, these are factors such as algae and dust that can disrupt the ice's reflecting capabilities. Dark-colored algae and dust can decrease reflectivity, making ice less effective at reflecting sunlight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-ice-absorbs-more-sunlight">Dark ice absorbs more sunlight</h2>



"A large portion of melt from the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) comes from regions with dark bare ice, because dark ice absorbs more incoming sunlight than regions with bright snow," noted the study authors. 



The experts pointed out that Earth System Models, which simulate changes in the Earth's climate and the impacts of these changes, prescribe the reflectivity of these dark ice regions as a constant. 



"This work shows that treating bare ice as though it has a constant reflectivity is not a good approximation, because the dark ice regions change as the winter snowpack melts and impurities accumulate on the ice surface."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-estimates-of-sea-ice-melt">Estimates of sea ice melt</h2>



The team used satellite data to monitor the albedo of the Greenland Ice Sheet to demonstrate the inaccurate reflection rates in E3SM. 



"The model estimates less melt than what would be expected from the ice microphysical properties," stated Clarke. 



The discovery of a more accurate ice reflectivity measurement predicted that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-ice-sheet-is-approaching-a-critical-tipping-point/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland Ice Sheet</a> is melting at a rate of about six gigatons more than older model versions estimated.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ripple-effect-on-climate-modeling">The ripple effect on climate modeling</h2>



These seemingly small inaccuracies can have considerable implications. The team hopes their findings will bolster the efficiency of climate models, illuminating the significance of snow and ice-related climate feedbacks. 



The experts now plan to extend their research beyond Greenland. The goal is to get it functional globally and not just valid over Greenland, explained Clarke. This will include applying the findings to glaciers in other regions, such as the Andes and Alaska, to measure the accuracy of the new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-regions-are-rapidly-warming-with-global-consequences/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice albedo</a>.



Our understanding of the Earth's climate is intricate and ever-evolving. This important work allows us to inch closer to a more accurate prediction of our planet's future, unraveling the complexities of our changing climate one small step at a time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhancing-the-accuracy-of-climate-models">Enhancing the accuracy of climate models</h2>



As the science of climate modeling continues to advance, the focus on accuracy is more crucial than ever.



Enhancements in climate models, such as the improved understanding of ice albedo, provide more reliable data for predicting future climate scenarios. 



These enhancements allow policymakers and scientists to make more informed decisions about climate action. 



With continued research and collaboration, we can refine these models to reflect the complexities of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-play-an-overlooked-role-in-the-climate-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's climate system</a> more precisely, ensuring that our strategies to combat climate change are based on the best available science.



The study is published in the <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023JD040241" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres</a>.



Image Credit: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab



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Climate models underestimate sea ice melt and global warming

Climate models are essential tools for scientists, providing a glimpse...

Flavor seems to vanish when you're floating in space far above the world - maybe even on your way to Mars. As an astronaut, you open your meal packet, anticipating a tasty repast, only to find that your food tastes bland.



This isn't just your imagination; space travelers have long reported that flavor diminishes in zero gravity. But why does this happen?



A new study from <a href="https://www.rmit.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RMIT University</a> may have uncovered some answers to this cosmic culinary conundrum.



The researchers have delved into the complex relationship between our environment, our senses, and our perception of flavor, shedding new light on why <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/watermeal-may-become-an-essential-food-for-astronauts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space meals</a> might be missing that certain zing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-the-flavor-mystery-in-space">Unraveling the flavor mystery in space</h2>



The question of why astronauts report that their meals taste bland in space has been a hard nut to crack. With this latest study, we might just be a step closer to finding the answers. 



The research focused on common <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-microbes-may-shape-the-flavor-of-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food aromas</a> - essentially, the cues our brains use to anticipate how food will taste - and how their perception changes in isolated environments like space.



The research team conducted an experiment using vanilla and almond extracts and lemon essential oil. The participants experienced a simulated version of the International Space Station (ISS) environment, replete with virtual reality goggles. 



The results were intriguing: participants found the vanilla and almond aromas more intense in the simulated space environment, while the lemon scent remained steady.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changes-in-aroma-perception">Changes in aroma perception </h2>



According to Dr. Julia Low, the lead researcher from the School of Science, these changes in aroma perception could be traced back to a specific sweet chemical found in vanilla and almond aromas, called <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-strawberry-flavor-for-foods-from-a-fungus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">benzaldehyde</a>.



The experts found that a person’s sensitivity to this specific smell and their spatial perception significantly influenced their taste experience.



"A greater sense of loneliness and isolation may also play a role, and there are implications from this study around how isolated people smell and taste food," said Dr. Low.



Interestingly, this is the first study of its kind to include a large sampling size - 54 adults - to capture the variation in personal experiences with taste and aroma in isolated environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-personalized-diets-on-earth">Personalized diets on Earth</h2>



But the study's findings aren't limited to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-astronauts-exercise-stay-fit-healthy-space-missions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">astronauts</a> and future space tourists. There's a broader impact, as these findings can help craft personalized diets for people living in relative isolation on Earth, such as residents of nursing homes.



“One of the long-term aims of the research is to make better tailored foods for astronauts, as well as other people who are in isolated environments, to increase their nutritional intake closer to 100 percent," said Dr. Low.



The study also provides new insights into the issue of fluid shift. This is a phenomenon where weightlessness in space causes body fluids to shift from lower to upper parts of the body, causing facial swelling and nasal congestion that can affect smell and taste.



Understanding this phenomenon is important if we want to improve the dining experience of our space explorers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-gateway-to-future-space-nutrition">A gateway to future space nutrition</h2>



Professor Gail Iles from RMIT, a former astronaut instructor and co-researcher, believes this research is crucial for the future of space travel, especially for long-term missions.



“What we’re going to see in the future with the Artemis missions are much longer missions, years in length, particularly when we go to Mars, so we really need to understand the problems with diet and food and how crew interact with their food,” said Professor Iles.



“If astronauts are still not enjoying their food even after fluid shift effects have gone, suggesting that there’s something more to this,” noted Dr. Low.



The study could pave the way for more research into the way we perceive food - both on Earth and beyond.



By fully understanding how isolation and space travel affect our sense of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/taste-buds-are-the-first-line-of-defense-against-eating-too-much-and-too-fast/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">taste</a>, we can begin to create personalized diets that not only satisfy our astronauts but also help them meet their nutritional needs. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://ifst.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijfs.17306" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Journal of Food Science</a>.



Image Credit: NASA



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Why do astronauts’ meals lose flavor in space?

Flavor seems to vanish when you're floating in space far...

An,Asteroid,In,Open,Space.,Elements,Of,This,Image,Were

Scientists are making discoveries in the cosmic realm, probing deep into the universe's dense cloud cores and uncovering secrets of interstellar ice and "dangling OH" that were once unobservable.



And who's to thank for these revelations? None other than the James Webb Space Telescope (<a href="https://webb.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JWST</a>).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interstellar-ice-and-stars">Interstellar ice and stars</h2>



The team, comprising researchers from Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (<a href="https://www.mpe.mpg.de/main" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MPE</a>), conducted a pioneering study in the Chamaeleon I region.



Here, they harnessed the power of JWST's Near Infrared Camera (<a href="https://webb.nasa.gov/content/observatory/instruments/nircam.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NIRCam</a>) to measure spectroscopic lines toward hundreds of stars behind the cloud, a technique previously thwarted by high extinction within dense cloud cores.



The study, recently published, divulged a fascinating discovery -- detection of 'dangling OH' spectroscopic features for the first time.



These features indicate that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-molecules-discovered-on-an-asteroid-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water molecules</a> aren't fully bound in the ice. They could trace the porosity and evolution of icy grains from molecular clouds to protoplanetary disks, offering significant insights into ice grain structure and its vital role in planet formation.



Thanks to the unprecedented sensitivity of the JWST, we are able to probe ices deep within dense cloud cores, where extinction is so high that they eluded previous observatories.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-sense-of-the-spectroscopic-lines">Making sense of the spectroscopic lines</h2>



The probing of dense cloud cores in the Chamaeleon I region, a close section of the Milky Way, revealed starlight interacting with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-collided-with-an-interstellar-cloud-millions-of-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">icy grains</a> before being collected by JWST's large mirror.



Until now, scientists had only observed major, intense absorption features tied to significant species in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-korolev-crater-holds-a-50-mile-wide-sheet-of-solid-ice-that-is-one-mile-thick/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice</a>, including water, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methanol, and ammonia.



However, the new JWST era, armed with the telescope's large mirror, allows the measurement of much weaker features. 



Detailed examinations of these weak spectroscopic features provide insights into the physical conditions of the object.



One such breakthrough has been the first-ever detection of a particular set of very weak bands linked to a small fraction of the water molecules in the ice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoding-dangling-oh">Decoding 'dangling OH'</h2>



This 'dangling OH' feature, named by laboratory astrophysicists, corresponds to unbound water molecules within the ice. 



These features could trace surfaces and interfaces within the icy grains or denote the intimate mix of water with other molecular species in the interstellar ice.



Interestingly, these 'dangling OH' features had been actively searched for since the 1990s, but space observatories lacked the required spectral resolution and sensitivity. 



It was hoped that their detection could be used to trace the porosity of the ices. Their presence could signal fluffy grains with high porosity, while their absence could indicate compaction and aggregation.



"The detection of the water dangling bond feature in the ice mantles demonstrates the importance of laboratory astrophysics to interpret JWST data," says Barbara Michela Giuliano, one of the authors of the study.



Giuliano further emphasized the need for extensive lab support to disentangle the spectral properties observed within dense regions of the interstellar medium and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-stars-shape-planetary-systems-like-ours-with-ultraviolet-radiation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protoplanetary disks</a>.



"The high sensitivity of JWST, together with impressive advancements in laboratory astrophysics, is finally allowing us to study in detail the physical structure and chemical composition of interstellar ices," noted Paola Caselli, who also contributed to the paper. "It is exciting to be part of this endeavor."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interstellar-ice-dangling-oh-and-planets">Interstellar ice, dangling OH, and planets</h2>



The study confirmed the presence of potentially 'fluffy' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extraterrestrial-life-moons-planets-detected-single-grain-ice-floating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">icy grains</a> in the cloud, characterized by their porous and loosely bound structure, which significantly impacts the chemistry and degree of chemical complexity that can build up in these regions. 



This discovery not only alters our understanding of the microphysical properties of interstellar ice but also offers a fresh perspective on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-formation-new-insights-mechanics-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet formation</a>. 



By revealing the intricate processes that govern the spatial distribution and evolution of ices, researchers can now better comprehend how these ices transition from molecular clouds to protoplanetary disks and ultimately integrate into forming planets. 



This enhanced understanding is crucial for developing more accurate models of planetary system formation and the potential for habitability on newly formed planets.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-024-02307-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Astronomy</a>.



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'Dangling OH' discovered within interstellar ice in deep space

Scientists are making discoveries in the cosmic realm, probing deep...

Say you're sipping on your morning cup of coffee, or quenching your thirst with a glass of crisp, cool water. Hidden within this seemingly harmless act is a persistent threat. This threat comes in the form of ‘forever chemicals,' or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and scientists have discovered they are vulnerable to some bacteria.



But, before your sip becomes a gulp of fear, there is a promising solution – a team of tenacious bacteria that seem to have a knack for getting under these stubborn PFAS ‘forever chemicals’.



The heroes of our story are bacteria from the genus Acetobacterium. This research was led by Yujie Men, an associate professor at <a href="https://www.ucr.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Riverside</a>. How and why are bacteria important in the battle against PFAS?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breaking-the-unbreakable">Breaking the unbreakable</h2>



PFAS are dubbed ‘forever chemicals’ due to their extremely strong carbon-fluorine bonds, making them incredibly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wild-boar-found-with-alarming-levels-of-forever-chemicals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">persistent in the environment</a>. 



As you can guess, this persistence presents a significant challenge when it comes to treating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/epa-reveals-new-evidence-of-forever-chemicals-in-drinking-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polluted water sources</a>.



However, the Acetobacterium bacteria, commonly found in wastewater environments worldwide, have shown a unique ability to break these obstinate bonds. 



This ability was revealed in a study by the UCR research team published in the journal Science Advances.



"This is the first discovery of a bacterium that can do reductive defluorination of PFAS structures," stated Yujie Men, the study’s corresponding author. 



However, he did point out one limitation - these bacteria were effective only on unsaturated PFAS compounds, which contain double carbon-to-carbon bonds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enzymes-bacteria-and-pfas">Enzymes, bacteria, and PFAS</h2>



It's not just the bacteria that are the heroes here - their weapons have names too. These weapons, or enzymes, are the real game changers. Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts for biochemical reactions. 



After closely examining our microbial friends, the scientists were able to identify the specific enzymes responsible for cleaving carbon-fluorine bonds.



This finding is nothing short of exciting, as it could pave the way for creating more effective enzymes. 



"If we can understand the mechanism, maybe we can find similar enzymes based on the identified molecular traits and screen out more effective ones,” Men shared his optimism.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-removing-pfas-in-water-with-bacteria">Removing PFAS in water with bacteria</h2>



Using bacteria to treat groundwater is not only possible but cost-effective as well. 



This process involves injecting the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pfas-forever-chemicals-sent-to-land-ocean-waves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">polluted</a> groundwater with the preferred bacteria species along with nutrients to increase their population. 



This approach sees the microorganisms destroy pollutants before the water reaches our taps and wells.



The need for such solutions becomes even more critical with recent restrictions imposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA.) 



The EPA now limits the presence of certain PFAS compounds in tap water to only four parts per trillion. This new regulation has water providers scrambling for PFAS cleanup solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-dawn-for-pfas-cleanup">New dawn for PFAS cleanup</h2>



The success of bacteria and microbiological solutions in neutralizing PFAS has opened doors to exploring the potential of these resilient microbes against other persistent chemicals.



For instance, consider polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxins, two notorious environmental pollutants. 



PCBs, historically used in various industrial applications, are known to resist natural degradation, posing significant hazards to both human health and ecosystems.



Similarly, dioxins, byproducts of various industrial processes, are highly toxic and have been linked to severe health effects including cancer and reproductive issues.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-trains-to-treat-forever-chemicals">Other trains to treat forever chemicals</h2>



Just as Acetobacterium has shown promise against PFAS, research teams worldwide are investigating other microbial strains that might prove effective against PCBs and dioxins. 



By deciphering the enzymatic pathways and genetic traits that enable these microbes to attack such sturdy chemical structures, scientists are optimistic about developing innovative and sustainable methods for decontaminating polluted sites. 



The amalgamation of microbiology and environmental science thus heralds a promising future where natural organisms play a pivotal role in restoring and maintaining the purity of our water sources.



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



Men’s research doesn’t stop at identifying the bacteria and their enzymes. He has been proactive in his approach to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toxic-pfas-forever-chemicals-released-by-dupont-and-chemours-caused-significant-harm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tackling PFAS pollution</a>. 



Last year, Men had identified other microorganisms that cleave the carbon-chlorine bond in chlorinated PFAS compounds, leading to pollutant destruction. 



His recent discovery expands the range of PFAS compounds that can be biologically destroyed using certain kinds of bacteria.



In a world where chemicals underpin our lifestyle but also <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/creators-of-forever-chemicals-covered-up-the-toxic-dangers-for-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pose invisible threats</a>, it's vital that we keep pushing the boundaries of science for solutions. 



As we continue sipping our water and basking under the sun, let's appreciate the unseen heroes - like the Acetobacterium bacteria and researchers like Yujie Men - who are tirelessly working to ensure our water remains safe.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ado2957" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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Bacteria discovered that destroys PFAS 'forever chemicals'

Say you're sipping on your morning cup of coffee, or...

Have you ever wished you could slow down the ticking clock of aging? Science might have come a smidgen closer to granting your wish. Researchers have developed a new anti-aging drug that claims to significantly increase lifespan, adding up to 25% more healthy, vibrant years.



The brain behind this exciting development is none other than Professor Stuart Cook from the UK's Medical Research Council Laboratory of Medical Science (<a href="https://lms.mrc.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MRC LMS</a>).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fighting-age-with-interleukin-11">Fighting age with interleukin-11</h2>



Cook, along with a team of scientists, discovered that a protein we inherited from fish 450 million years ago called interleukin-11 might be the cause of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discrimination-speeds-up-aging-molecular-level/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">age-accelerating effects </a>in our body.



"These findings are very exciting. The treated mice had fewer cancers, and were free from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-tea-delays-biological-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">usual signs</a> of aging and frailty, but we also saw reduced muscle wasting and improvement in muscle strength," Professor Cook declared. 



The potential of this elaboration could eventually benefit humans as well!



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protein-of-interest-interleukin-11">Protein of interest: Interleukin-11</h2>



Interleukin-11 has been linked to a host of health woes, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fasting-helps-the-body-fight-inflammation-and-chronic-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chronic inflammation</a>, organ tissue scarring, metabolism disorders, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/resistance-exercise-in-the-evening-can-improve-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">muscle wasting</a>, and cardiac fibrosis.



By switching off this protein, scientists found that the lifespan of rats could be extended by 25%.



In the experiments conducted, the treated rats displayed not just longevity but also a lower risk of cancer, no gray hair, improved vision, and better muscle functionality. 



These rats, equivalent to a 55-year-old human, lived for an average of 155 weeks, compared to the 120 weeks for those not treated. Who wouldn't want an extra 35 weeks of life?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interleukin-11-impact-on-aging-and-lifespan">Interleukin-11 impact on aging and lifespan</h2>



While these findings are only confined to rats at the moment, Cook tantalizingly suggests that the results have the potential to be replicated in humans.



"Anti-IL-11 treatments are currently in human clinical trials for other conditions, potentially providing exciting opportunities to study its effects in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/harvard-scientists-fountain-of-youth-pill-sparks-controversy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging humans in the future</a>," Cook commented.



Cook's ambitious endeavors aim to make anti-IL-11 therapy widely available worldwide, ensuring healthier and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-aging-discovered-in-plant-leaves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prolonged lives</a> for people. 



However, he admits the road ahead is fraught with obstacles as raising funds for clinical trials in this area and getting approvals for drugs to treat aging is an uphill task.



Assistant Professor Anissa Widjaja from <a href="https://www.duke-nus.edu.sg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duke-NUS Medical School</a>, Singapore, also played a vital role in the project.



"This project started back in 2017 when a collaborator of ours sent us some tissue samples for another project," Widjaja recounts. 



Out of curiosity, she tested the samples for IL-11 levels and found that these levels increased with age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-road-to-human-trials">Road to human trials</h2>



Transitioning from promising results in rodents to successful human trials involves a meticulous process. 



Although anti-IL-11 treatments are being tested in humans for other ailments, applying this therapy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-blood-pressure-drug-called-rilmenidine-dramatically-slows-aging-in-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">specifically for aging</a> poses new challenges.



Researchers must navigate regulatory landscapes, ensure the safety and efficacy of treatments, and verify that the benefits observed in rats translate effectively to humans. 



Despite these hurdles, the scientific community remains optimistic that this breakthrough could eventually revolutionize how we approach aging.



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



This pioneering work opens up numerous avenues for further research. Scientists are eager to explore how IL-11 interacts with other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pregnancy-may-speed-up-aging-in-women/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proteins and pathways</a> associated with aging. 



Furthermore, the quest to develop drugs targeting IL-11 could pave the way for combination therapies, where multiple aspects of the aging process are addressed simultaneously. 



As research progresses, the goal is not just to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/anti-aging-molecule-extends-lifespan-by-improving-cellular-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extend lifespan</a> but to enhance the quality of life during those added years, bringing us closer to a future where aging can be managed with the same precision as many chronic diseases today.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-healthier-lives-not-just-longer-lives">Healthier lives, not just longer lives</h2>



Their research has provided an important leap toward a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/muscles-defy-aging-with-remarkable-resilience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">better understanding</a> of aging. The therapy could potentially extend not just longevity but also reduce frailty and physiological manifestations of aging. The future indeed looks promising.



In conclusion, while the road to unlocking the secret to youth may still be long and winding, recent advancements do provide a glimmer of hope. 



So, fingers crossed, who knows the day we <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/harvard-scientists-fountain-of-youth-pill-sparks-controversy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drink from the fountain of youth </a>may not be as far off as we think!



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New anti-aging drug boosts lifespan by 25% while preventing cancer and gray hair

Have you ever wished you could slow down the ticking...

Recent research from the <a href="https://www.unl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Nebraska–Lincoln</a> has provided significant insights into mammalian ecosystems and species diversity in North America by examining the fossil record from 66 million years ago. 



The study, led by Alex Shupinski and co-authored by Kate Lyons, was published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.0778" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B</a>. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mammalian-species-diversity-nbsp">Mammalian species diversity&nbsp;</h2>



The research delves into how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-geographic-isolation-shaped-global-species-habitat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mammalian species</a> diversity has evolved over the first 65 million years of the Cenozoic era, up until the arrival of humans, and investigates how climate and environmental changes have influenced animal life on the continent.



“Beginning 66 million years ago, we go from a completely sub-tropical environment across North America to grasslands to a frozen savanna, and finally, reaching the Ice Age,” said Shupinski.&nbsp;



“It's showing how species changed through time, through many ecological, environmental and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-climate-change-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climatic changes</a> and it allows us to compare across those events and at different spatial scales.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-functional-diversity-of-mammals-nbsp">Functional diversity of mammals&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers divided the fossil record into million-year increments and used three indices of functional diversity to examine mammalian communities on local and continental scales. Functional diversity quantifies changes in community structures using mammalian traits.&nbsp;



The study revealed that, for most of the Cenozoic era, local and continental measures of functional diversity differed. However, during the first 10 million years of the era, immediately following the extinction of non-avian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaurs-were-going-strong-when-the-deadly-asteroid-struck/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaurs</a>, all measures of functional diversity, both locally and across the continent, increased.



“That was fascinating to see, that for most of the Cenozoic, functional diversity was uncoupled across time and spatial scales, except this one time,” said Shupinski.&nbsp;



“For 10 million years, all the measures are changing in the same way. Then, around 56 million years ago, we get this massive immigration of mammals into North America from other continents, and at that point, we see a divergence of functional diversity.”



“Communities are changing at different times, at different rates and in different directions. We might see locally, the diversity of roles increasing, but continentally, they’re decreasing.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changes-among-mammalian-species">Changes among mammalian species</h2>



Lyons pointed out that some changes among mammalian species can be attributed to environmental changes, such as cooling and warming periods or the transition from forested areas to grasslands. However, these changes were not as disruptive as the mass extinction of dinosaurs.&nbsp;



“That is why this could potentially be a way to pinpoint areas of the globe or communities that are under particular stress.”



Lyons further noted that we may be entering a sixth mass extinction event, and if so, we might expect to see communities that are on the vanguard of that extinction respond in a similar way, based on the patterns we see after the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-for-mammal-conservation-nbsp">Insights for mammal conservation&nbsp;</h2>



The study offers a thorough analysis of the age of mammals, which is valuable for the field of conservation paleobiology.&nbsp;



Tracking past changes in ecosystems over long periods helps scientists and the public better understand the current <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-biodiversity-crisis-is-actually-worse-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity crisis</a>. 



“If we are looking at the modern (crises) and we see a similar response in the functional diversity of modern community structures, it may be a conservation tool as we can highlight some of these communities that are experiencing the most disturbance and that are at highest risk of change and disturbance in their ecological services and function,” Shupinski said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-resilience-of-mammalian-communities-nbsp">Resilience of mammalian communities&nbsp;</h2>



The research highlights the resilience and adaptability of mammalian communities in the face of environmental challenges and mass extinction events.&nbsp;



By examining the fossil record and understanding how species diversity has evolved, scientists can gain insights into how current and future biodiversity crises might unfold and develop strategies to mitigate their impacts.



The study's findings underscore the importance of understanding historical biodiversity patterns to better address present and future ecological challenges.&nbsp;



By investigating the fossil record and analyzing changes in species diversity, researchers can provide valuable information that informs conservation efforts today.&nbsp;



The work of Shupinski, Lyons, and their colleagues serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of ecosystems and the ongoing need to study and preserve the diversity of life on Earth.



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How mammals have evolved over 66 million years

Recent research from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has provided significant...

Ever found yourself certain of a memory that later turned out to be a tad off the mark? While we're known as species capable of 'distorted' recall, it turns out we're not alone in the animal kingdom. A surprising entrant in this league of "detours from accuracy" in memory is the humble cuttlefish.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-memory-of-cuttlefish">Memory of cuttlefish</h2>



We start by throwing the spotlight on the star of our story -- the cuttlefish. More specifically, the research by Dr. Christelle Jozet-Alves and her team from the <a href="https://www.unicaen.fr" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Caen in Normandy</a>, France. 



Their astounding discovery? Cuttlefish, like us, can form false memories.



“Forming false memories is different from making memory errors,” Jozet-Alves clarifies.&nbsp;



Indeed, their findings imply that cuttlefish do not record events like a reel of film, but rather reconstruct incidents in their minds, associating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-songbirds-are-masters-of-memory-and-adaptation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diverse elements</a> present at the time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-memory-masters">Unexpected memory masters</h2>



Cuttlefish were already recognized for having <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cuttlefish-camouflage-is-much-more-complex-and-mind-boggling-than-initially-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">episodic-like memory</a>, a trait only found in higher order animals. 



They can recall what happened to them in the past. But the fascinating part is how they recall these memories.



Is it a replay or a reconstruction? The answer would determine their susceptibility to memory distortions. With this question in mind, Jozet-Alves and her team embarked on their investigation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cuttlefish-memory-manipulation">Cuttlefish memory manipulation </h2>



The researchers designed a series of events that shared many common features to induce false memories in the cuttlefish. 



The plan was to convince these creatures they'd seen their favorite snack - shrimp - in a specific tube when they hadn't.



Here's how they went about it. They started off by showing the cuttlefish three different tubes - one with the coveted shrimp, one with a less-preferred crab, and an empty one. 



Each tube had a unique visual pattern. Next, they exposed the cuttlefish to a 'misleading event' where they made the contents of the shrimp and the empty tube invisible. The visual patterns and odors, however, overlapped.



Now the real test. Would the cuttlefish falsely remember the presence of shrimp in the otherwise empty tube due to its second appearance along with the shrimp tube?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revealing-results">Revealing results</h2>



The scientists then put this question to the test. They allowed the cuttlefish to choose between the crab tube and the supposedly-empty tube, both with their content hidden. 



The consensus? The cuttlefish often chose the empty tube over the crab-filled one.



 This choice indicated that the misleading information had indeed altered their memories, making them believe the empty tube contained shrimp.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cuttlefish-variation-in-memory">Cuttlefish variation in memory</h2>



“What was surprising was that the susceptibility to form false memories seems different between individuals,” Jozet-Alves said.&nbsp;



“Some appeared unaffected when exposed to a misleading event while other did form false memories. This phenomenon is commonly found in our own species in which this susceptibility varies among individuals and within <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forgetting-things-is-a-natural-part-of-the-memory-process/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">individuals</a>.”



While there is need for more research, the evidence suggests that cuttlefish can store fragments of memory and reconstruct them, potentially optimizing memory storage. 



However, some cuttlefish did not seem to form false memories, indicating a level of resistance. 



Further research will delve into why all individuals are not sensitive to the formation of false memory and whether it could change within an individual.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-human-memory-research">Implications for human memory research</h2>



The discovery of false memories in cuttlefish provides a valuable perspective on the study of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bigger-animals-do-not-always-have-bigger-brains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory in humans</a>. By understanding how these cephalopods process and potentially distort their memories, researchers can draw parallels and contrasts with human memory mechanisms. 



This could provide insights into why certain individuals are more susceptible to false memories and how such memories can be manipulated or controlled. 



The implications extend to various fields such as psychology, neurology, and even artificial intelligence, where understanding memory formation and retrieval is critical.



Furthermore, by studying memory errors in cuttlefish, new strategies could emerge to address memory-related disorders in humans, offering hope for enhanced cognitive therapies and interventions.



So, next time you're second-guessing a memory, pause for a moment and think of our new friends, the cuttlefish. It seems that a "recollective detour" isn't a flaw exclusive to us but a fascinating feature present in even our underwater counterparts.



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(24)01547-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>.



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Cuttlefish form false memories of events similar to humans

Ever found yourself certain of a memory that later turned...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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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



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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



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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?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" 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 Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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Santiago, Chile in South America

[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

[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



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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

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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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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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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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