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 



-----



Like what you read?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>&nbsp;for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a>&nbsp;and Earth.com.



-----

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...

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>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

'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>.



-----



Like what you read?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>&nbsp;for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a>&nbsp;and Earth.com.



-----

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!



-----



Like what you read?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>&nbsp;for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a>&nbsp;and Earth.com.



-----

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.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

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>.



-----



Like what you read?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>&nbsp;for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a>&nbsp;and Earth.com.



-----

Cuttlefish form false memories of events similar to humans

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

A recent study led by researchers at the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a> reveals that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mindfulness-protects-against-work-stress-burnout/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mindfulness</a> training may induce altered states of consciousness, such as disembodiment and unity. 



The researchers emphasize the importance of awareness among mindfulness teachers and students about these potential side effects.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mindfulness-training-and-altered-states-nbsp">Mindfulness training and altered states&nbsp;</h2>



The study involved a randomized controlled trial conducted from September 2015 to January 2016, assessing the effectiveness of mindfulness training in managing examination <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/look-at-stress-as-a-challenge-rather-than-a-threat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a>. 



Participants who received mindfulness training were more likely to experience these altered states compared to those in the control group. The findings are detailed in a paper published in the journal PLoS ONE.



Mindfulness-based programs have surged in popularity, with 15% of UK adults having learned some form of mindfulness, often to manage stress, depression, or anxiety.&nbsp;



Anecdotal evidence suggests mindfulness can alter sensory perceptions, self, and body boundaries, similar to effects induced by psychotropic drugs.&nbsp;



The study's lead author, Dr. Julieta Galante, noted the challenge of discerning whether these experiences result from mindfulness practice or if individuals prone to such experiences are more likely to practice mindfulness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-experiencing-unity-and-disembodiment-nbsp">Experiencing unity and disembodiment&nbsp;</h2>



During the follow-up study, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire exploring 11 dimensions of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meditation-reveals-common-altered-states-of-consciousness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">altered states of consciousness</a>, including spiritual experiences, blissful states, disembodiment, and unity. 



Unity experiences involve a dissolution of borders, integrating perception of time and space, while disembodiment includes sensations of floating or dissolved body boundaries.&nbsp;



Of the 670 participants in the trial, about a third completed the questionnaire. The results showed that mindfulness-trained individuals were twice as likely to experience unity and disembodiment compared to the control group.&nbsp;



Additionally, the more hours spent on mindfulness practice, the higher the likelihood of experiencing unity, disembodiment, or blissful states.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-results-align-with-previous-research">Results align with previous research</h2>



“Although we can’t say definitively, our results at least suggest the possibility that mindfulness training causes these experiences of unity and disembodiment,” said Dr. Galante.



She noted that the research aligns with other studies showing that people who practice mindfulness training are more likely to describe experiencing a sense of relaxed self-boundaries and broadening their spatial awareness beyond the physical body.



“I’ve benefited a lot personally from meditation and mindfulness and I’ve also had many of these experiences,” said Dr. Galante.&nbsp;



“They were intense, and at first I found it difficult to share them with my meditation teacher. I didn’t know if they were normal or desirable or if they were a sign of problems with my <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-americans-have-lost-years-of-time-to-poor-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meditation-and-insightful-experiences-nbsp">Meditation and insightful experiences&nbsp;</h2>



The study found that 43% of participants who meditated in the six months prior reported unity experiences, 47% reported blissful states, 29% reported disembodiment experiences, and 25% reported insightful experiences.&nbsp;



While many altered states are pleasant, some can be startling or alarming. Dr. Galante highlighted the importance of informing individuals about the possibility of encountering these experiences during mindfulness practice.&nbsp;



If participants are aware, they are less likely to be disturbed and can discuss any concerns with their mindfulness teacher or doctor.



“There may be nothing wrong with their experience, but it may be useful for them to check in with their mindfulness teacher, and if the experience was negative, to also consider discussing it with their doctor,” noted Galante.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-effects-of-mindfulness-training-nbsp">Effects of mindfulness training&nbsp;</h2>



The study provides valuable insights into the effects of mindfulness training, emphasizing the need for awareness and open communication about potential altered states of consciousness.&nbsp;



It underscores the mental and physical health benefits of mindfulness while recognizing and managing its potential side effects.&nbsp;



The findings enhance the understanding of how mindfulness training can affect individuals, providing a foundation for future research and better-informed mindfulness practices.



According to the study authors, the results provide a novel suggestion of causal links between mindfulness practice and specific altered states of consciousness.&nbsp;



“To optimize their impact, practitioners and teachers need to anticipate and handle them appropriately,” said the researchers. “Future studies need to confirm findings and assess mechanisms and clinical implications.”



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Mindfulness can lead to altered states of consciousness

A recent study led by researchers at the University of...

A new study led by Sarah Kienle, a biologist at <a href="https://www.baylor.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Baylor University</a>, has analyzed the first paired observations of sexual behavior and vocalizations in wild <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-reveal-new-features-of-the-elusive-leopard-seal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leopard seals</a>. 



Published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-024-03275-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Polar Biology</a>, this research represents a significant advancement in understanding the behavior of one of the planet's most elusive apex predators. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-courtship-rituals-of-leopard-seals">Complex courtship rituals of leopard seals</h2>



Supported by a grant from the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Science Foundation</a>, Kienle and her team have now completed their third published study on leopard seals, shedding light on the complex courtship rituals of these solitary animals.



Kienle's team observed a two-hour <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/male-peacocks-courtship-display/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">courtship</a> interaction between a male and female leopard seal in Laguna San Rafael, Chile. They documented a variety of behaviors and vocalizations, which highlighted the intricate nature of leopard seal courtship. 



During this period, the male produced 65 underwater calls, mainly low- and high-double trills directed at the female, who in turn made seven in-air calls, including thump pulses, nose blasts, and growls.&nbsp;



These observations indicate a sophisticated courtship process involving both in-air and underwater communication.



The female remained primarily on the ice, producing in-air calls, while the male engaged in underwater vocalizations seemingly directed toward her.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reproductive-biology-of-leopard-seals">Reproductive biology of leopard seals</h2>



The findings offer new insights into the reproductive biology of leopard seals, previously understood mainly through sparse observations and studies of captive animals.



“This study marks a significant step forward in our understanding of leopard seal behavior in the wild,” said Kienle, who leads the Comparative Ecophysiology of Animals Lab (CEAL) at Baylor.



“The detailed observations of courtship behaviors and vocal interactions offer a unique glimpse into the reproductive strategies of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-solitary-animals-like-cats-live-in-groups/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solitary animals</a>,” 



Kienle's lab focuses on understanding how different animals function within their often-changing environments.



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



This groundbreaking research not only enhances our understanding of leopard seal biology but also emphasizes the importance of continued study and conservation efforts for these remarkable marine predators.&nbsp;



“Leopard seals are important Southern Ocean predators; understanding their reliance on sea ice and the drivers of reproductive success within and between populations is crucial for predicting how this species is - and will - respond to rapidly changing conditions across the southern hemisphere,” explained Kienle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leopard-seal-breeding-territory">Leopard seal breeding territory</h2>



According to the experts, leopard seals are breeding in South America, particularly in Laguna San Rafael.&nbsp;



“More broadly, these observations of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/male-pheromone-enhances-sexual-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sexual behavior</a> and leopard seal pups in South America correspond with a recent review of sightings of leopard seal births and pups, which showed most sightings of newborns and pups occurred outside Antarctica,” the researchers noted. 



“These data provide additional evidence that leopard seals can - and are - breeding outside of Antarctic pack ice.”



Future research aims to expand upon these findings by collecting paired in-air and underwater acoustic and video data of known sex individuals to better understand competition, territoriality, and female choice in leopard seal mating behavior.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-resilience-to-extreme-climate-disturbances">Resilience to extreme climate disturbances</h2>



Kienle and her colleagues published their first study on leopard seals in 2022 in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.976019/full?&amp;utm_source=Email_to_authors_&amp;utm_medium=Email&amp;utm_content=T1_11.5e1_author&amp;utm_campaign=Email_publication&amp;field=&amp;journalName=Frontiers_in_Marine_Science&amp;id=976019" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>. 



The study revealed that leopard seals have flexible movement patterns and dive behaviors, potentially offering the resilience needed to survive extreme climate and environmental disturbances around Antarctica and beyond.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-physiology-of-leopard-seals">Stress physiology of leopard seals</h2>



In 2023, the team published a second study in <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1179236/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Marine Science</a>, focusing on the stress physiology of leopard seals. 



Led by Emily S. Sperou, a Baylor Ph.D. student in biology, this research examined how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cortisol-indicate-stressed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cortisol</a> - an important stress hormone - varies among leopard seals. They discovered that leopard seals have the highest cortisol concentrations of any pinniped, which includes seals, sea lions, and walruses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-leopard-seals-nbsp">Understanding leopard seals&nbsp;</h2>



This series of studies significantly advances our understanding of leopard seal behavior, physiology, and ecology.&nbsp;



The detailed observations and findings provide a foundation for future research and conservation efforts, highlighting the importance of studying these elusive marine predators in their natural habitats.&nbsp;



By continuing to investigate the behavior and biology of leopard seals, researchers hope to uncover more about their role in the Southern Ocean ecosystem and how they may adapt to a rapidly changing environment.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Fascinating mating behavior of leopard seals revealed

A new study led by Sarah Kienle, a biologist at...

A recent study suggests that pet <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cats-can-learn-the-names-of-their-companions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cats</a> could serve as excellent models for researching the origins and treatment of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/obesity-is-the-epidemic-crisis-of-our-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">obesity</a> in humans. This is due to similarities in gut microbiome changes related to diet observed in both species. 



The research involved analyzing fecal samples from obese cats as they underwent dietary changes, including strict calorie reduction.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-related-alterations-in-the-gut">Food-related alterations in the gut</h2>



The findings revealed that food-related alterations in the cats' gut microbiome were remarkably similar to those seen in humans.



“The gut microbiota comprises a dynamic community of microbes within the intestinal tract that influences their host in states of health and disease through production of microbial-derived metabolites,” wrote the study authors.



“In people, deviations from the normal microbiota and alteration of microbial-derived metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), are well-demonstrated in the context of obesity and are influenced by diet.”



The experts noted that recent research aims to pinpoint specific drivers of these interactions with meta-analysis revealing significantly greater amounts of the SCFAs acetate, butyrate, and propionate in feces from obese people compared to non-obese controls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-obesity-and-gut-microbiota-nbsp">Obesity and gut microbiota&nbsp;</h2>



According to the scientists, investigating the relationship between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-gut-microbiome-is-shaped-by-what-we-eat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gut microbiota</a> and obesity in cats could shed more light on how such interactions occur in humans. 



“Animals share our beds. They share our ice cream. There are all these things that people do with their pets that highlight they are a naturally occurring disease model with similar environmental exposures as humans,” said lead author Jenessa Winston, an assistant professor of veterinary clinical sciences at the <a href="https://www.osu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ohio State University</a>. 



This makes cats a promising model for studying microbiome-directed therapeutics for obesity in humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-obesity-in-cats-and-humans">Obesity in cats and humans</h2>



The study found that 60% of cats are obese or overweight in developed countries. Similarly, over 40% of adults in the United States are obese.&nbsp;



Winston's lab focuses on harnessing the therapeutic power of microbes to combat obesity. She oversees clinical trials exploring the potential for fecal transplants from lean to overweight pets.



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



The study involved feeding seven obese cats a four-phase diet over 16 weeks, with phases including free-feeding commercial cat food, a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weight-loss-low-carb-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weight-loss</a> diet, calorie-restricted feeding to achieve weekly weight reduction, and a return to the original diet. 



The researchers analyzed fecal samples to track changes in short-chain fatty acids, metabolites produced by gut bacteria during digestion.&nbsp;



These acids are significant because they mediate communication between gut microbes and other body tissues, influencing inflammation and insulin resistance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dietary-change-and-gut-bacteria">Dietary change and gut bacteria</h2>



A key finding was the increase in propionic acid, a short-chain fatty acid linked to appetite regulation, fat reduction, and protection against obesity and diabetes.&nbsp;



The rise in propionic acid during the calorie-restricted diet correlated with increased presence of the bacterium Prevotella 9 copri. This bacterium has also been associated with weight loss and better blood sugar control in humans.



“When the cats are on the special diet formulated for weight loss, propionic acid goes up and stays high, and then goes back down when they’re put back on the maintenance diet. So it really is a dietary change,” Winston explained.&nbsp;



This indicates that calorie restriction in obese cats alters their microbial ecosystem, potentially correlating with metabolic outcomes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cats-as-models-to-study-obesity">Cats as models to study obesity</h2>



The study underscores the potential of using cats as models for understanding obesity in humans.&nbsp;



The parallels observed in microbiome changes between cats and humans highlight the promise of developing microbiome-based therapies for obesity.&nbsp;



While the precise role of the gut microbiome in obesity remains unclear, decades of evidence suggest these organisms and their metabolites are part of the complex disease mechanism.



These findings could pave the way for new treatments for obesity, benefiting both human and feline health.&nbsp;



The study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-62243-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Scientific Reports</a>, demonstrates the value of pet cats in obesity research, given their similar environmental exposures and the ability to observe significant microbial and metabolic changes in response to diet.



“In summary, caloric restriction-induced weight loss in cats alters the gut microbial community structure to a state that promotes the microbially-derived metabolite propionic acid,” said the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-the-gut-microbiome-in-weight-loss">The role of the gut microbiome in weight loss</h2>



The experts noted that the change in microbial community occurred as a direct result of diet as well as likely changes in host-related mechanisms that shift during weight loss and remain to be further identified and studied.&nbsp;



The bacterial species Prevotella 9 copri was found to significantly positively correlate with increased fecal propionic acid, a microbial metabolite characterized in other mammalian species within the context of obesity and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/intermittent-fasting-can-reverse-type-2-diabetes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">type 2 diabetes</a>, the researchers added. 



“This cross-species conservation of findings highlights the potential application of obese cats as a translational model to further investigate the role of the gut microbiome and microbial-derived metabolites in the context of obesity and type 2 diabetes aimed at improving feline and human health.”



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Fat cats on a diet shed light on human obesity

A recent study suggests that pet cats could serve as...

Supernova observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) just opened doors to an amazing spectacle of the universe. Experts at the <a href="https://www.seti.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SETI Institute</a> have revealed new details about the youngest known core-collapse supernova in the Milky Way, known as Cassiopeia A.



The team behind this study is reshaping our understanding of the intricate processes involved in the formation and destruction of molecules and dust within <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cassiopeia-a-resembles-a-shiny-christmas-ornament-in-this-webb-telescope-photo/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova remnants</a>. 



This remarkable discovery not only provides new insights into the life cycle of stars but also enhances our knowledge of the cosmic elements that contribute to the complexity and diversity of the universe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-probing-a-supernova-with-jwst">Probing a supernova with JWST</h2>



The most unexpected aspect of these observations is the vibrant carbon monoxide (CO) emission captured by JWST's near-infrared imaging and spectroscopy (<a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2023/12/Cas_A_MIRI_image" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">full image</a>). The study authors described the CO emission as "shockingly bright."



"It is remarkable to see how bright the carbon monoxide emission detected in JWST NIR imaging and spectroscopy, showing a few tens of sinusoidal patterns of CO fundamental rovibrational lines," said Dr. Jeohghee Rho, a research scientist at the SETI Institute who led the research. "The patterns look like they were artificially generated."



The findings from this research touch on three key areas of Cassiopeia A. The team explored the molecular formation, detailed spectroscopy, and temperature indications of the supernova remnant.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemistry-of-supernova-remnants">Chemistry of supernova remnants</h2>



The observations indicate an abundant presence of CO gas in the outer layers of the supernova, far exceeding the amount of argon gas detected.



This significant presence of CO molecules in the supernova's outermost regions is a remarkable discovery, hinting at previously unknown processes at play.



"To see such hot CO in a young supernova remnant is truly remarkable and indicates that CO formation is still happening thousands of years after the explosion," said Professor Chris Ashall of Virginia Tech.



The abundance of carbon monoxide implies a fascinating form of molecular rebirth — the CO molecules are potentially forming anew after the reverse shock of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-explosions-could-damage-distant-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova explosion</a>.



This reverse shock, which occurs when the explosion's blast wave reflects back upon itself, creates conditions that may facilitate the reformation of these molecules. 



The idea that CO can reassemble in such a turbulent and high-energy environment challenges previous assumptions about the resilience and dynamics of molecular structures in supernova remnants.



Furthermore, these molecules might have played a crucial role in preserving the dust within the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/space-rocks-nasa-dart-asteroid-deflection-mission-may-impact-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ejecta</a>, contributing to our understanding of cooling and dust formation after a supernova blast.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-perspective-on-element-formation">A new perspective on element formation</h2>



The researchers also noted significant differences in the formation of elements within two distinct areas of Cassiopeia A. 



Both regions showed strong CO gas signals and various ionized elements like argon, silicon, calcium, and magnesium.



This variance offers a unique glimpse into the high velocity of the CO molecules and their fundamental rovibrational lines, which represent transitions involving changes in both vibrational and rotational states.



Based on CO gas emissions, the team was able to make an educated guess about the temperature of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-explosions-could-damage-distant-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova</a> - a figure close to 1,080 degrees Kelvin.



In addition, high rotational lines indicated the presence of a hotter component, suggesting that CO formation and reformation could be occurring simultaneously.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extremely-hot-gas-in-cassiopeia-a">Extremely hot gas in Cassiopeia A </h2>



Supernovae, like the one that formed Cassiopeia A, are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/t-coronae-borealis-blaze-star-explosion-visible-one-week/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">celestial explosions</a> that mark the end of a high mass star's life. This happens when the nuclear fuel that powered the star gets depleted, causing the star to collapse under its own gravity.



The aftermath is a cosmic spectacle - the star's outer shell is violently shot into space, outshining an entire galaxy.



Manifestations of extremely hot CO in a young supernova remnant are truly extraordinary, hinting at the continuous formation of CO long after the initial explosion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-the-jwst">The power of the JWST</h2>



This breakthrough was achieved by harnessing JWST's Near-Infrared Camera Instrument (NIRCam), the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), and detailed Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec)-Integral Field Units (IFU) spectroscopy. 



The collaborative effort between the SETI Institute and <a href="https://en.snu.ac.kr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seoul National University</a> enabled the team to chart out the complex structures of synchrotron radiation, argon-rich ejecta, and CO molecules within Cassiopeia A (Cas A). The research highlights the true potential of the James Webb Space Telescope.



The precise role of supernovae in dust formation in the early universe remains an open debate. Future observations and research, driven by the powerful capabilities of JWST, will continue to unveil the enigmas of cosmic dust and molecular formation.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/ad5186" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal Letters</a>.



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, D. Milisavljevic (Purdue University), T. Temim (Princeton University), I. De Looze (UGent), J. DePasquale (STScI)



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

'Shockingly bright' carbon monoxide detected in supernova remnant

Supernova observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) just...

A new study led by the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has shown how psilocybin, the psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms, affects the brain. 



“A single dose of psilocybin, a psychedelic that acutely causes distortions of space-time perception and ego dissolution, produces rapid and persistent therapeutic effects in human clinical trials,” wrote the study authors.



In animal models, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-learn-why-psilocybin-mushrooms-make-you-hallucinate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psilocybin</a> induces neuroplasticity in cortex and hippocampus. It remains unclear how human brain network changes relate to subjective and lasting effects of psychedelics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychedelics-dissolve-a-key-brain-network-nbsp">Psychedelics “dissolve” a key brain network&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers discovered that psilocybin temporarily disrupts the default mode network, a crucial brain area involved in introspective thinking, such as daydreaming and remembering.&nbsp;



This desynchronization leads to the characteristic psychedelic experience and could explain psilocybin's potential to treat mental illnesses like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/magic-mushrooms-depression-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">depression</a> and PTSD.



“There’s a massive effect initially, and when it’s gone, a pinpoint effect remains,” said so-senior author Dr. Nico U. F. Dosenbach of <a href="https://medicine.wustl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WUSTL</a>. “That’s exactly what you’d want to see for a potential medicine.”



Dosenbach went on to explain that "you wouldn’t want people’s brain networks to be obliterated for days, but you also wouldn’t want everything to snap back to the way it was immediately. You want an effect that lasts long enough to make a difference."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychedelics-and-brain-activity">Psychedelics and brain activity</h2>



The experts utilized functional MRI scans to observe the brain activity of seven healthy adults before, during, and after consuming psilocybin or methylphenidate. The researchers aimed to correlate changes in brain networks with subjective experiences.



“These days, we know a lot about the psychological effects and the molecular/cellular effects of psilocybin,” said first author Dr. Joshua S. Siegel. “But we don’t know much about what happens at the level that connects the two - the level of functional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fear-and-anxiety-share-a-common-network-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain networks</a>.”



Psilocybin caused profound but temporary changes in the brain’s functional networks, particularly the default mode network. 



After the acute effects of the drug wore off, small differences from pre-psilocybin scans persisted for weeks.



“The idea is that you’re taking this system that’s fundamental to the brain’s ability to think about the self in relation to the world, and you’re totally desynchronizing it temporarily,” explained Dr. Siegel.&nbsp;



In the short term, this creates a psychedelic experience. The longer-term consequence is that it makes the brain more flexible and potentially more able to come into a healthier state.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changes-in-functional-networks-nbsp">Changes in functional networks&nbsp;</h2>



During the experience, participants rated their feelings of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychedelic-drug-induces-feelings-of-oceanic-boundlessness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">transcendence</a>, connectedness, and awe using the validated <a href="https://www.trippingly.net/lsd-studies/2018/5/22/the-mystical-experience-questionaire-30-questions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mystical Experience Questionnaire</a>. 



The changes in functional networks corresponded with the intensity of each participant’s subjective experience.



“We were able to get very precise data on the effects of the drug in each individual,” said co-senior author Dr. Ginger E. Nicol.&nbsp;



“This is a step toward precision clinical trials. In psychiatry, we often don’t know who should get a particular medicine and how much or how often. By using this approach in clinical trials, we can identify the factors that determine who benefits and who doesn’t, and make better use of the medicines we have.”



However, the researchers caution against self-medicating with psilocybin, which is not FDA-approved and carries risks if taken without professional supervision.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-effects-of-psilocybin-nbsp">Understanding the effects of psilocybin&nbsp;</h2>



"The dramatic departure from typical synchronized patterns of co-activity may be key to understanding the acute effects of psilocybin and also its persistent neurotrophic effects,” wrote the researchers.



Changes in resting activity are linked to shifts in glutamate-dependent signaling during psilocybin exposure. 



This phenomenon, shared by ketamine and psychedelics, engages homeostatic plasticity mechanisms, a neurobiological response to large deviations in typical network activity patterns.



Psychedelics rapidly induce synaptogenesis in the hippocampus and cortex, effects that seem to be necessary for rapid antidepressant-like effects in animal models. 



However, understanding the underpinnings of the behavioral effects of psychedelics requires human studies.



Advances in precision functional mapping and individual-level characterization enabled us to identify desynchronization of resting-state fMRI signals, connect these changes with subjective psychedelic effects and localize these changes to depression-relevant circuits (DMN, hippocampus).



These analyses rely on precise characterization of an individuals’ baseline brain organization (for example, individual definition of brain areas, networks and day-to-day variability) to understand how that organization is altered by an intervention.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07624-5?utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_source=commission_junction&amp;utm_campaign=CONR_PF018_ECOM_GL_PBOK_ALWYS_DEEPLINK&amp;utm_content=textlink&amp;utm_term=PID100052172&amp;CJEVENT=cd59fa7b445011ef804a007a0a82b838" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Psychedelics give the brain flexibility to enter a healthier state

A new study led by the Washington University School of...

New research suggests that taking three-minute resistance <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-significantly-lowers-heart-disease-risk-by-reducing-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exercise</a> breaks every 30 minutes over a four-hour period in the evening may improve sleep length. 



The study, led by researchers who recruited 30 non-smokers aged 18 to 40, found that participants slept an average of 27 minutes longer after incorporating these activity breaks compared to prolonged sitting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-resistance-exercise-in-the-evening-nbsp">Resistance exercise in the evening&nbsp;</h2>



Current recommendations discourage intense exercise before bed due to its potential to increase body temperature and heart rate, which can result in poorer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/getting-high-quality-sleep-helps-prevent-depression-and-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep quality</a>. 



However, the study explored whether short, simple exercises could positively impact sleep without these adverse effects.



Participants wore activity trackers to record their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/any-type-of-physical-activity-can-help-protect-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">physical activity</a> and sleep patterns. They completed two sessions: one with continuous sitting and another with resistance exercise breaks, including chair squats, calf raises, and standing knee raises.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-disruptions-in-sleep-quality">No disruptions in sleep quality</h2>



The results indicated that after the exercise breaks, participants slept longer, averaging 7 hours and 12 minutes compared to 6 hours and 45 minutes after prolonged sitting. Wake times were also later, with participants waking at 8:06 am after exercise breaks versus 7:35 am after sitting.



No significant differences were found in sleep efficiency or the number of awakenings during the night, suggesting that these activity breaks did not disrupt sleep quality.&nbsp;



Additionally, there were no notable differences in activity patterns in the 24 hours following each intervention.



The researchers acknowledged several limitations, such as the small sample size and the controlled laboratory setting, and called for further studies involving larger numbers of people in their normal home environments.



“These results add to a growing body of evidence that indicates evening exercise does not disrupt sleep quality, despite current sleep recommendations to the contrary,” wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-influence-of-evening-exercise-nbsp">The influence of evening exercise&nbsp;</h2>



The experts highlighted that extending sleep duration, particularly for those who sleep less than the recommended nightly total, may potentially reduce metabolic and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crucial-discoveries-will-improve-cardiovascular-disease-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular disease</a> risk over the long term. 



The simple resistance exercises used in the study can be easily integrated into daily routines, even while streaming content, which may increase adherence to the routine.



“While existing research indicates that evening exercise may not adversely impact sleep, the mechanisms by which it influences sleep quality remain unclear,” they concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-resistance-exercise-nbsp">More about resistance exercise&nbsp;</h2>



Resistance exercise, also known as strength training or weight training, involves activities that cause your muscles to work against an external resistance. This could be weights, resistance bands, or even your body weight. The main goal is to increase muscle strength, size, and endurance.



When you do resistance exercise, you're essentially creating tiny tears in your muscle fibers. Your body repairs these tears, making the muscles stronger and bigger in the process. It's like giving your muscles a workout to build their resilience.



One of the great things about resistance exercise is that it’s versatile. You can lift weights at the gym, use resistance bands at home, or even do bodyweight exercises like push-ups and squats anywhere. It’s suitable for all fitness levels, from beginners to advanced athletes.



Resistance exercise offers numerous benefits beyond just building <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/molecule-in-coffee-trigonelline-keeps-muscles-young/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">muscle</a>. It can improve bone density, boost metabolism, enhance joint function, and even help with weight management. Regular resistance training can also improve your overall physical performance and reduce the risk of injuries.



It's important to start slowly and focus on proper form to prevent injuries. As you get stronger, you can gradually increase the resistance or the number of repetitions to continue challenging your muscles.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001774" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMJ Open Sport &amp; Exercise Medicine</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Resistance exercise in the evening can improve sleep

New research suggests that taking three-minute resistance exercise breaks every...

A new study led by the <a href="https://www.uga.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Georgia</a> (UGA) has revealed that one in five U.S. farmers binge drink when under high stress. The research highlights the link between farmers using <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-amounts-of-alcohol-have-big-impacts-on-brain-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alcohol</a> to manage stress, driven by the intense and risky nature of their work.&nbsp;



“Alcohol is the most acceptable way to deal with that stress versus actually going to talk to somebody about that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turn-stress-productive-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a>, or it’s a way to be able to talk about that stress with friends,” said lead author Christina Proctor, a clinical associate professor at UGA’s College of Public Health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alcohol-as-a-coping-mechanism-nbsp">Alcohol as a coping mechanism&nbsp;</h2>



Unique barriers to healthcare for farming communities include not just the usual rural issues like distance and lack of specialists, but also stigma and distrust of healthcare providers.&nbsp;



Farmers fear that seeking mental health care might be seen as an inability to manage their operations. This often leads to increased alcohol consumption as a coping mechanism.



“Farming is a high-risk, physically challenging occupation. Considering farmers report high stress and barriers to seeking healthcare, it is important to understand factors influencing alcohol use to tailor interventions and healthcare resources for alcohol use in rural areas,” wrote the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farming-and-mental-health-nbsp">Farming and mental health&nbsp;</h2>



Proctor and her co-author, Noah Hopkins, surveyed 1,045 farmers and found that almost all farmers drink, with over one-third consuming multiple drinks per week. These drinking habits are concerning due to the stigma around mental health care and the associated risk of suicide.



“Knowing the stigma that exists within rural farming populations about seeking care and then looking at death by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/suicide-rate-increases-during-the-week-of-a-full-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">suicide</a> numbers, it really is a public health issue because there are drastic, traumatic outcomes associated with not being able to ask for that care, using alcohol to cope and then feeling hopeless,” Proctor said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-support-for-stressed-farmers">Support for stressed farmers</h2>



The study found that farmers who could rely on community support and peers were less likely to drink excessively. Proctor emphasizes the need for community-based support and training for various rural professionals to facilitate open conversations about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-health-crisis-half-of-the-worlds-population-will-be-affected-by-age-75/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a>.



“If the networks don’t exist, we’ve got to train our bankers. We’ve got to train, you know, farm bureau agents; we’ve got to train feed store managers. Everyone in rural areas has to be willing to have those open and honest conversations about mental health. It starts so basic, but it’s so big.”



The researchers noted that interventions to address stress and alcohol consumption should focus on promoting resilience, reducing stigma, and encouraging peer support to address cultural norms around mental health and alcohol use.&nbsp;



“Rural practitioners should develop cultural competence to better serve agricultural communities to prevent alcohol use disorders. To discuss ways to reduce stigma and encourage peer support to address alcohol and mental health disorders in rural farming populations.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-stress-of-farming">The stress of farming</h2>



Farming is an inherently demanding occupation, often subjecting farmers to significant stress due to a combination of environmental, economic, and personal factors.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-pressures-nbsp">Economic pressures&nbsp;</h3>



The unpredictability of weather and the impacts of climate change can drastically affect crop yields and livestock health, leading to financial instability.&nbsp;



Market fluctuations, trade policies, and changing consumer demands further compound the economic pressures farmers face, making it challenging to maintain a consistent income.



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



Additionally, farming is a labor-intensive job that requires long hours and physical exertion, which can lead to physical fatigue and health issues.&nbsp;



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



The isolation associated with rural living can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and mental strain, as farmers often work alone or with limited social interaction.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cumulative-pressures-nbsp">Cumulative pressures&nbsp;</h3>



The necessity to make quick decisions in response to unforeseen problems, such as pest infestations or equipment failures, adds another layer of stress.&nbsp;



These cumulative pressures can lead to mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-support-networks-nbsp">Support networks&nbsp;</h3>



Despite these challenges, many farmers find resilience and strength in their connection to the land, their community, and their passion for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farmers-adopt-regenerative-agriculture-better-soil-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agriculture</a>.&nbsp;



Support networks, including family, friends, and agricultural organizations, play a crucial role in helping farmers manage stress and maintain their well-being.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/1059924X.2024.2374737" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Agromedicine</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



-----

Stressed out farmers are turning to alcohol to cope

A new study led by the University of Georgia (UGA)...

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



---



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="iuA5mpp3jv-1641775-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

[sendtonews key="iuA5mpp3jv-1641775-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="f8fukm28Vz-2491833-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0dEcERCq61-2283382-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

How the immune system responds to injury

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="3UUsNkFOuS-2487333-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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.

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"]</div>



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)



---



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



---



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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