Scientists have long looked to oxygen when searching for signs of life beyond Earth. This gas sustains breathing and enables animals and plants to flourish. Now, researchers suggest that oxygen might also point to advanced technology. 



If an exoplanet’s atmosphere holds enough oxygen, it may not only support organisms but also help them spark fire, build structures, and craft machinery.



A study in Nature Astronomy presents this view, highlighting oxygen’s value as more than just a sign of biology. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxygen-civilization-and-technology">Oxygen, civilization, and technology</h2>



Leading this research are <a href="https://www.pas.rochester.edu/people/faculty/frank_adam/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Adam Frank</a>, the Helen F. and Fred H. Gowen Professor of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Rochester, and <a href="https://www-en.fisica.uniroma2.it/phone-directory/balbia_en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amedeo Balbi</a>, an associate professor of astronomy and astrophysics at the University of Roma Tor Vergata, Italy.



Together with their team, they set out to explore whether oxygen is a key factor in allowing extraterrestrial civilizations to emerge and thrive through the development of technology.



“We are ready to find signatures of life on alien worlds,” Frank says. “But how do the [oxygen] conditions on a planet tell us about the possibilities for intelligent, technology-producing life?” 



This question drives efforts to examine oxygen’s role beyond respiration and metabolism, especially in relation to large-scale industrial activities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-oxygen-matters-for-civilizations">Why oxygen matters for civilizations</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-cells-capable-of-photosynthesis-created-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Photosynthesis</a> on Earth accounts for the bulk of our oxygen on our planet, thanks to countless organisms that use sunlight to make food. 



Because this process produces so much oxygen, it has been considered a biosignature. A planet with significant oxygen levels hints that life may be present, but Frank and Balbi argue that oxygen also has a second function.



“<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-023-02112-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">In our paper</a>, we explore whether any atmospheric composition would be compatible with the presence of advanced technology,” Balbi says. “We found that the atmospheric requirements may be quite stringent.”



The link to technology comes from open-air combustion. Smelting metals, cooking food, and powering engines all rely on oxygen. 



Any alien civilization that forges metals would need a certain percentage of oxygen in its air to keep fires burning reliably. That percentage, according to Earth’s history, appears to be around 18 percent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fire-and-the-18-threshold">Fire and the 18% threshold</h2>



“You might be able to get biology -- you might even be able to get intelligent creatures -- in a world that doesn’t have oxygen,” Frank says, “but without a ready source of fire, you’re never going to develop higher technology because higher technology requires fuel and melting.” 



He calls attention to fire’s role in shaping tools, infrastructure, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-wellbeing-is-a-more-effective-focus-area-when-discussing-energy-solutions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">energy production</a>. Metalworking, for instance, depends on sustaining flames hot enough to melt ore and craft refined structures.



Frank and Balbi refer to this requirement as an “oxygen bottleneck.” A planet might host life forms of various kinds, yet remain stuck without the combustion needed to fuel industrial breakthroughs. 



“The presence of high degrees of oxygen in the atmosphere is like a bottleneck you have to get through in order to have a technological species,” Frank says. 



“You can have everything else work out, but if you don’t have <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/it-took-200-million-years-for-earth-to-get-its-oxygen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oxygen in the atmosphere</a>, you’re not going to have a technological species.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxygen-technology-create-technosignatures">Oxygen + technology create "technosignatures"</h2>



Frank thinks that exoplanets with oxygen levels at or above 18 percent should be at the top of our search list. 



“Targeting planets with high oxygen levels should be prioritized because the presence or absence of high oxygen levels in exoplanet atmospheres could be a major clue in finding potential technosignatures,” Frank says. 



Planets that exceed this level may have the capacity for factories, infrastructure, or communication networks.



Balbi notes that interpreting any possible signal of intelligent life will be challenging. 



“The implications of discovering intelligent, technological life on another planet would be huge,” adds Balbi. “Therefore, we need to be extremely cautious in interpreting possible detections. 



Their study suggests that astronomers should be skeptical of potential technosignatures from a planet with insufficient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-ancient-breath-study-links-atmospheric-oxygen-and-mantle-chemistry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric oxygen</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-technosphere-vs-biotechnosphere">Technosphere vs. biotechnosphere</h2>



Frank and Balbi’s perspective also covers the idea of a technosphere, which is the collective output of an advanced civilization. 



Factories, vehicles, and power grids all fit under this label. They rely on resources provided by the planet’s biosphere but stretch beyond purely natural processes. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bronze-age-technology-is-a-modern-solution-for-clean-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Burning fuels in open air</a> has been central to every major industrial leap, from forging steel to generating electricity.



When these technologies reach a global scale, they form a biotechnosphere. This term applies to the interplay of living systems and technology -- essentially, how organisms and machines coexist. 



On Earth, that includes everything from smartphones to farms, all running side by side. A well-established biotechnosphere might produce clear signals in the atmosphere: waste gases, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mapping-2024s-record-heat-unveiling-earths-climate-danger-zones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unusual heat patterns</a>, or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-found-in-tap-and-bottled-water-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemicals not normally found in nature</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-machines-and-ecosystems">Balancing machines and ecosystems</h2>



History shows that as technology expands, it can sometimes damage or alter environments. Factories might pump pollutants into the air, while deforestation removes habitats that produce oxygen. 



Yet there is an ongoing move toward cleaner energy and more efficient resource use. If any alien civilization follows a similar path, we might detect certain byproducts in the form of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2023-climate-change-report-record-high-temperatures-greenhouse-gases-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gases</a> or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/banning-forever-chemicals-may-threaten-us-national-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">engineered molecules</a>.



Though the focus is on oxygen, other factors matter too, such as temperature and access to metals or fuels. A planet may need stable conditions for life to progress to a point where industry becomes possible.



That said, Frank and Balbi’s findings highlight how oxygen stands out among these factors, because it directly enables combustion processes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fire-and-progress-in-earth-s-past">Fire and progress in Earth’s past</h2>



Earth’s own development through advances in technology offers insight into how vital oxygen has been for technical achievements.



Once our atmosphere had enough of it, humans learned to manipulate fire for cooking and for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-wooden-structure-completely-rewrites-early-human-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">making stronger materials</a>. 



From simple smithing to modern manufacturing, every stage of growth involved open-air combustion.



“You can have everything else work out, but if you don’t have oxygen in the atmosphere, you’re not going to have a technological species,” Frank says. 



This idea underlines how a single factor -- oxygen -- can open or close the door to industrial progress, altering a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/decarbonizing-worlds-industrial-emissions-possible-with-current-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet’s entire future path</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxygen-technology-and-next-steps">Oxygen, technology, and next steps</h2>



Observatories now in the works may soon gather data about exoplanet atmospheres in detail. Detecting a high oxygen content could mark a world that supports advanced living organisms. 



The next task is to look for proof of industry or technology, sometimes called technosignatures. These might appear as chemical emissions, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-space-radio-signal-reaches-earth-after-8-billion-years-frb-20220610a/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">radio signals</a>, or specific spectral lines.



If these two checks-- oxygen above 18 percent and evidence of artificial activity -- both yield results, we will have a strong indication that we share the universe with another technological civilization. 



That reality could reshape how we see ourselves and our place among the stars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter-0">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



Understanding the significance of atmospheric oxygen can also inspire reflection on our home planet. Human industries <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-from-fossil-fuels-kills-5-million-people-each-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rely heavily on combustion</a>, from running cars to powering factories. This has changed Earth’s ecosystems. 



As we learn more about how oxygen in an atmosphere enables or limits technology, we might gain new ideas on how to manage our own balance between growth and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/un-report-calls-for-global-change-to-stop-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental health</a>.



Ultimately, Frank and Balbi’s argument shows that oxygen may do far more than keep living cells alive. It might be the clearest signal of whether a planet can support the technologies that shape modern societies. 



By recognizing the 18 percent threshold, scientists can refine their search for advanced life and possibly move closer to answering the age-old question: Are we alone, or is someone else using fire to reshape their world?



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-023-02112-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Astronomy</a>.



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Oxygen levels on exoplanets reveal presence of alien technology

Scientists have long looked to oxygen when searching for signs of life beyond Earth. This gas sustains breathing and enables animals and plants to flourish. Now, researchers suggest that oxygen might also point to advanced technology. If an exoplanet’s atmosphere holds enough oxygen, it may not only support organisms but also help them spark fire, build structures, and craft machinery. A study in Nature Astronomy presents this view, highlighting oxygen’s value as more than just a sign of biology. Oxygen, civilization, and technology Leading this research are...

Evolution is a fascinating concept that explains how life changes over generations. 



Imagine looking at photographs of your great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents, side by side. You’d notice resemblances, but also distinct differences in features.



This is evolution in its simplest form: descent with modification. Over countless generations, these modifications accumulate, resulting in the incredible diversity of life we see today.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-misconceptions-on-evolution-of-life">Misconceptions on evolution of life</h2>



For a long time, people believed evolution was a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-mars-became-uninhabitable-after-being-life-supporting-ocean-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">process</a> that always moved forward, improving life and making organisms more advanced or perfect over time. 



This idea gave rise to the theory of&nbsp;orthogenesis, which suggested that evolution followed a straight, predictable path toward more sophisticated or optimized forms.



However, traditional depictions of evolution, like Rudolph Zallinger’s famous "The Road to Homo Sapiens," suggest a stepwise journey toward increasingly complex forms.



Even though orthogenesis is no longer accepted scientifically, the idea still lingers. Many people unconsciously think of evolution as a progression, which oversimplifies its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-life-and-environment-co-evolved-over-500-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complexity and adaptability</a>.



But evolution lacks a predetermined endpoint. “Organisms evolve by natural selection acting at a specific geologic moment, or simply by drift, without strong selection in any direction,” explained Jacob Suissa, an assistant professor of Plant Evolutionary Biology at the <a href="https://www.utk.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tennessee</a>.



This means evolution is more akin to a tangled web than a one-way street.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-irreversible-evolution-of-life">Irreversible evolution of life</h2>



In 1893, Belgian paleontologist Louis Dollo introduced the idea that once an organism evolves a specific set of traits, it cannot reverse to its earlier form.



This concept, known as Dollo's Law of Irreversibility, suggests that evolution is a one-way process. For instance, if a species evolves a complex adaptation, it is unlikely to shed that adaptation and return to its simpler, ancestral state.



While this idea has faced criticism, it continues to shape our understanding of evolutionary specialization. 



Many biologists believe that once organisms develop highly complex traits, such as seeds in plants or wings in birds, reversing to a simpler, ancestral state becomes nearly impossible due to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-evolution-not-random-gene-families-pangenome-influence-called-revolutionary/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">layers of complexity</a> involved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-plant-reproduction">Evolution of plant reproduction </h2>



A clear example can be seen in the evolution of plant reproduction. Early vascular plants like Cooksonia had simple, stem-like structures called telomes, which performed dual functions - photosynthesis (making food) and reproduction (releasing spores).



Over millions of years, plants evolved specialized structures that separated these functions. They developed seeds, cones, and flowers to enhance reproduction efficiency. These advanced adaptations appear irreversible, as plants with such traits have not reverted to using simpler structures like telomes.



In essence, Dollo’s Law highlights the difficulty of "undoing" complexity in evolution, which is why such reversals are rare and surprising when they occur.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ferns-challenge-the-narrative">Ferns challenge the narrative</h2>



Unlike most plants, ferns defy the idea of irreversible evolution of life. They exhibit two main reproductive strategies:



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Monomorphism&nbsp;– Using the same leaf type for photosynthesis and spore production.</li>



<li>Dimorphism&nbsp;– Having separate leaf types for these functions.</li>
</ol>



In their study, Suissa and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/makaleh-smith-717638215/">Makaleh Smith</a>, a former undergraduate research intern at <a href="https://www.harvard.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard University</a> discovered that some ferns - particularly in the Blechnaceae family - had reverted from dimorphism to monomorphism.



This finding challenges the traditional view that reproductive specialization is a one-way <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolution-is-not-as-random-as-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary path</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-makes-ferns-so-flexible">What makes ferns so flexible? </h2>



The key to flexibility in ferns lies in their lack of seeds, flowers, and fruits. While seed plants rely on highly specialized reproductive structures, ferns retain the ability to modify their spore-producing strategies.



“Imagine taking a fertile fern leaf, shrinking it down and wrapping it up tightly into a tiny pellet. That’s basically what an unfertilized seed is,” explained Suissa.



Without the constraints of seeds, ferns can adapt their reproductive methods more freely, demonstrating a remarkable evolutionary plasticity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-the-evolution-of-life">Implications for the evolution of life</h2>



Understanding the flexibility of ferns provides valuable insights into how organisms respond to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammals-evolved-similar-inner-ears-despite-different-ancestry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental changes</a>. 



Species with rigid, "one-way" evolutionary paths may struggle to adapt to new pressures. In contrast, the ability of ferns to "evolve backward" highlights the importance of retaining adaptability in a rapidly changing world.



“Ultimately, our study underscores a fundamental lesson in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/primate-evolution-completing-the-timetree-of-life-for-all-of-our-closest-relatives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary biology</a>: there is no "correct" direction in evolution, no march toward an end goal,” concluded Suissa.



Evolution is a dynamic, non-linear process that is continually shaped by the environment and chance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-branching-tree-not-a-ladder">A branching tree, not a ladder</h2>



The study implies that the evolution of different life forms doesn’t work like climbing a ladder where each step is better or higher than the last. Instead, it’s like a tree with many branches, each representing a species or group adapting differently to its environment.



These adaptations lead to a wide variety of forms and functions, demonstrating that there is no single path or endpoint in evolution. 



Some traits evolve to suit specific conditions, while others may develop in entirely different directions in response to diverse challenges.



By understanding this complexity, we gain a deeper appreciation for the vast <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-evolution-was-shaped-by-environmental-crises-land-and-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diversity of life</a> on Earth. The research encourages us to move away from oversimplified ideas of evolutionary history and embrace the intricate, non-linear processes that shape life over time.



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Ferns evolving backward: A new look at the evolution of life

Evolution is a fascinating concept that explains how life changes...

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the world in many ways, from how we interact socially to how we approach public health. Among these changes, the pandemic’s lockdowns had a profound impact on human immune systems, according to a recent study from Radboud University Medical Center.



The research sheds light on how the pandemic’s restrictions influenced immune responses to microorganisms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-immune-responses-during-lockdown">Immune responses during lockdown</h2>



The study examined inflammation levels and immune reactions in both healthy individuals and people living with HIV during and after the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-lockdowns-caused-premature-aging-of-adolescent-brains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lockdown period</a>. 



The researchers found that while inflammation biomarkers in the blood were low during lockdown, immune cells reacted more intensely to viruses and bacteria afterward.



This stronger immune response persisted in both groups, highlighting the profound effects of lockdown measures on the body’s immune system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hygiene-hypothesis">The hygiene hypothesis</h2>



Professor Mihai Netea, a leading researcher in this study, attributes these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-19-lockdown-linked-to-dramatic-changes-on-the-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changes</a> to the hygiene hypothesis. 



This hypothesis suggests that regular exposure to microorganisms is essential for training the immune system. Without this constant interaction, the immune system may overreact when re-exposed to pathogens.



“In our daily lives, we are constantly exposed to various micro-organisms. This helps train our immune system, teaching it to recognize which microorganisms are dangerous and which are harmless,“ Netea explained.



“During the lockdown, we missed that interaction because everyone stayed home and avoided each other. As a result, during and immediately after the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/did-the-pandemic-change-our-transportation-habits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lockdown periods</a>, immune cells exposed to micro-organisms displayed a less well-regulated response, predisposing to hyperinflammation.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-immune-responses-before-vs-after-lockdown">Immune responses before vs after lockdown</h2>



This research stemmed from a large-scale study on individuals with HIV, conducted by Radboudumc and three other HIV treatment centers in the Netherlands. 



Recruitment spanned from October 2019 to October 2021, encompassing the pandemic’s onset and subsequent phases. A total of 1,895 participants with HIV were categorized into four distinct groups:



<ol start="1" class="wp-block-list">
<li>Pre-pandemic cohort:&nbsp;368 individuals enrolled before the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/we-can-prevent-future-pandemics-by-protecting-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pandemic</a>.</li>



<li>Post-lockdown, pre-vaccine/infection cohort:&nbsp;851 individuals.</li>



<li>COVID-19 infected cohort:&nbsp;175 individuals.</li>



<li>Vaccinated cohort:&nbsp;404 individuals.</li>
</ol>



The researchers measured inflammation levels in participants’ blood and examined the responses of isolated immune cells to viruses and bacteria. To validate these findings, they conducted similar tests on 30 healthy individuals during and after the lockdown.



“The results of this study primarily reflect people living with HIV, but we also examined a healthy control group. We saw similar results in this group, suggesting the effects may apply to the wider population. However, more research is needed for this group,” noted Professor Andre van der Ven.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lockdowns-vs-vaccines">Lockdowns vs. vaccines</h2>



While vaccines and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-makes-a-virus-capable-of-causing-a-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID-19 infections</a> did influence immune responses, these effects were relatively minor compared to the impact of lockdowns. 



The prolonged reduction in social interactions significantly altered immune behavior - a phenomenon that was observed regardless of HIV status.



“Lockdowns were necessary during the pandemic, especially at the beginning. However, it is important that we gain more insight into how social interactions affect and activate our immune system, so we can better manage the consequences," said Professor Netea.



"This way, we can apply such drastic social measures effectively and safely in a future pandemic." 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-and-future-directions">Implications and future directions</h2>



The findings highlight the delicate balance required when implementing public health measures. While lockdowns are crucial during pandemics to curb the spread of disease, they may have unintended consequences on immune system functioning.



The hygiene hypothesis offers a potential explanation, suggesting that a lack of exposure to everyday microorganisms can lead to an overactive immune response when such exposure resumes.



Future research is needed to further explore the long-term implications of reduced microbial exposure and its link to inflammatory diseases. 



Additionally, exploring how vaccines and other preventive measures can mitigate these effects will be crucial for planning responses to future pandemics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lockdowns-impacted-immunity">Lockdowns impacted immunity</h2>



The study conducted by <a href="https://www.radboudumc.nl/patientenzorg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Radboud University Medical Center</a> highlights an important but underappreciated effect of pandemic lockdowns: their significant influence on how our immune system functions.



Lockdowns reduced everyday exposure to microorganisms, which is essential for maintaining a well-balanced and properly trained immune system. This lack of exposure may have caused immune cells to overreact when reintroduced to viruses and bacteria after the lockdowns.



As the global community moves forward, it becomes crucial to understand how reduced social interactions and environmental exposure can affect immune health. This knowledge is key to improving strategies for managing public health crises in the future. 



By applying these insights, governments and health organizations can develop more balanced interventions that effectively control disease spread while minimizing unintended long-term impacts on immunity.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1459593/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers of Immunology</a>.



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COVID-19 lockdowns weakened our immune systems

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the world in many ways, from...

Sit back, raise a glass and maybe... just maybe, you're also raising your resistance against cardiovascular complications. At least that's what a new study on wine consumption suggests.



The study was focused on tartaric acid, a biomarker for wine intake, derived from grapes. 



The researchers evaluated 1,232 participants in the PREDIMED project, a prominent investigation into the Mediterranean diet’s effects on cardiovascular health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drinking-in-excess-is-always-harmful">Drinking in excess is always harmful</h2>



The researchers highlight the nuanced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alcohol-has-a-hidden-impact-on-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">effects of alcohol consumption</a>. 



“There is no doubt that excessive alcohol consumption has serious health consequences. However, the effects of moderate and responsible wine consumption are still the subject of debate in the scientific community,” noted the study authors. 



”The results of this study and others should help to place moderate wine consumption in its rightful place as an element of the Mediterranean diet, considered to be the healthiest in the world.”



The research was led by teams from the University of Barcelona (<a href="https://web.ub.edu/en/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UB</a>), the Hospital Clínic, the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), the Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBEROBN), and the University of Navarra (<a href="https://en.unav.edu/inicio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNAV</a>).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-controversy-surrounding-alcohol-and-wine">Controversy surrounding alcohol and wine</h2>



Debates continue about the health impacts of moderate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spike-in-alcohol-use-during-the-pandemic-continues-today/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alcohol consumption</a>, especially wine. 



“Part of this debate is due to conflicting results of studies that have pointed to a protective effect of wine, while others have found no such effect,” explained Professor Ramon Estruch.



He explained that past studies on wine's health effects often relied on participants self-reporting their wine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alcohol-related-deaths-have-doubled-over-the-past-two-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumption</a>. 



This method has limitations because people may forget details or report inaccurately due to societal pressures, like wanting to appear healthier or more socially acceptable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-wine-on-cardiovascular-health">Impact of wine on cardiovascular health</h2>



To address these inaccuracies, the researchers used a two-step approach. First, they collected data through detailed food intake frequency surveys, asking participants about their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-alcohol-in-moderation-does-not-prolong-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wine consumption habits</a>.



They validated these responses by measuring tartaric acid levels in urine samples. Tartaric acid is a compound primarily found in grapes and not commonly produced by other plants. This makes it a precise biomarker for confirming wine consumption, ensuring more reliable data.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cardiovascular-benefits-of-wine">Cardiovascular benefits of wine</h2>



Using this robust methodology, the study examined wine consumption and cardiovascular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drunk-animals-may-explain-humans-love-of-alcohol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outcomes</a> among PREDIMED participants. 



Of the 1,232 individuals analyzed, 685 experienced cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, or heart failure. The remaining 625 participants were randomly selected for comparison.



The data revealed significant findings:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Light wine consumption (one glass per week to less than half a glass daily) reduced cardiovascular risk by 38%.</li>



<li>Moderate wine consumption (half a glass to one glass daily) further reduced the risk to 50%.</li>



<li>Consuming more than one glass daily eliminated the protective effects.</li>
</ul>



"When we talk about moderate wine consumption, it is always with meals, never between meals," noted the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-directions">Future research directions</h2>



Despite these promising results, the experts acknowledged some limitations of the study. "The observational design of the study limits the ability to establish causality,” said lead author Inés Domínguez. 



More <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/even-moderate-drinking-severely-harms-health-despite-past-studies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> is essential to confirm these findings, and the team has proposed two potential avenues. 



First, participants could be randomly assigned to different wine consumption groups to assess impacts. “These studies are very expensive to conduct. One is underway now, but results will take four to five years,” noted the researchers.



In addition, experts could investigate how wine’s protective effects work, focusing on its polyphenols, like resveratrol. These compounds have anti-inflammatory properties that may benefit cardiovascular health. 



“Knowing the mechanisms gives a lot of plausibility to the results of epidemiological cohort studies,” explained the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drinking-wine-for-cardiovascular-health">Drinking wine for cardiovascular health</h2>



In summary, the study highlights that moderate wine consumption, particularly within the context of a Mediterranean diet, may offer cardiovascular benefits. 



However, the findings are observational, meaning they show a correlation but not a direct cause-and-effect relationship. To establish causality, further research, including controlled clinical trials, is necessary. 



Scientists also aim to explore how wine might exert its protective effects, such as through compounds like polyphenols, which may reduce inflammation.



Until more definitive evidence emerges, the key takeaway is moderation. Drinking wine in small amounts and as part of a balanced diet appears to complement a heart-healthy lifestyle. Overconsumption, however, eliminates these potential benefits and may pose health risks.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehae804/7920812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Heart Journal</a>.



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Moderate wine consumption reduces cardiovascular risks

Sit back, raise a glass and maybe... just maybe, you're...

Fitness trackers and smartwatches have become essential gadgets for many, but new research raises serious concerns about their safety. 



A recent study from the University of Notre Dame reveals that the bands of these popular wearable devices may expose users to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals."



These substances are linked to various health risks and persist in the environment for decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forever-chemicals-in-fitness-bands">Forever chemicals in fitness bands</h2>



The study tested 22 smartwatch and fitness tracker bands purchased in the U.S. across various brands and price ranges. 



Researchers found that nine of the bands contained elevated levels of perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), a specific type of PFAS. Interestingly, bands priced above $15 were more likely to have higher PFHxA levels.



Graham Peaslee is a co-author of the study and professor emeritus in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.



“The most remarkable thing we found in this study was the very <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-found-in-tap-and-bottled-water-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">high concentrations</a> of just one PFAS — there were some samples above 1,000 parts per billion of PFHxA, which is much higher than most PFAS we have seen in consumer products,” said Professor Peaslee.



This marks the first investigation into forever chemical contamination in wearable consumer products.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-do-fitness-bands-contain-chemicals">Why do fitness bands contain chemicals?</h2>



PFAS are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-can-now-trace-forever-chemicals-back-to-their-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemicals</a> commonly used in manufacturing because they make materials resistant to water, heat, and stains. In the case of smartwatch and fitness tracker bands, many are made from fluoroelastomers - a type of synthetic rubber.



This material is specifically designed to withstand sweat, skin oils, and lotions - making it ideal for wearable products. However, the use of PFAS comes with significant downsides.



These chemicals have an extremely stable and nearly indestructible structure, which prevents them from breaking down naturally. As a result, they remain in the environment for decades, contaminating soil and water. 



Additionally, PFAS can accumulate in living organisms, leading to potential health risks over time. This durability, while beneficial for products, poses serious challenges for both human health and environmental safety.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identifying-chemicals-in-different-fitness-bands">Identifying chemicals in different fitness bands</h2>



In Professor Peaslee’s lab, the researchers analyzed the bands using particle-induced gamma-ray emission ion beam analysis and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.



These methods helped determine the total fluorine content, a key indicator of PFAS presence, and identify specific <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-filtration-system-removes-forever-chemicals-from-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PFAS</a> types.



The study categorized bands into three price groups: inexpensive (less than $15), midrange ($15–$30), and expensive (more than $30). The findings were striking:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Expensive bands: All three contained significantly elevated fluorine levels.</li>



<li>Midrange bands: Twelve of the 14 tested had high fluorine concentrations.</li>



<li>Inexpensive bands: All five had negligible fluorine, with levels under 1%.</li>
</ul>



“Fifteen of the 22 bands we tested had a high percentage of total fluorine concentrations, and nine contained PFHxA,” said Alyssa Wicks, the study’s lead author. “The others used some other unidentified surfactant that wasn’t in our targeted analysis.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-concerns-linked-to-pfas">Health concerns linked to PFAS</h2>



PFAS exposure has been associated with numerous health issues, including:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Hormonal imbalances and immunosuppression</li>



<li>Developmental delays in children</li>



<li>High blood pressure during pregnancy</li>



<li>Low birth weight and accelerated puberty</li>



<li>Increased cancer risk, particularly for kidney and testicular cancers</li>
</ul>



The study also highlights gaps in our understanding of how PFAS migrate from products into the human body. The chemicals can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-are-easily-absorbed-through-skin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">transfer through skin contact</a>, dust, or air, making wearables a significant exposure source.



“Few studies so far have been published regarding the dermal absorption of PFAS,” noted Wicks. “More studies are needed to better understand how PFAS travel through the skin.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fitness-bands-increase-chemical-exposure">Fitness bands increase chemical exposure</h2>



According to a 2019 Pew Research study, approximately 1 in 5 Americans wear smartwatch bands or fitness trackers daily. With this in mind, the potential exposure to forever chemicals warrants further investigation.



On average, wearers use these devices for 11 hours per day, increasing prolonged contact with the skin.



“The results suggest that a more comprehensive study is needed to test the levels of PFAS band wearers are exposed to,” said Professor Peaslee.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-research-is-needed">Further research is needed</h2>



The study serves as a wake-up call for manufacturers and regulators to reassess the materials used in consumer products. 



While fluoroelastomers enhance durability, they may introduce unintended health risks. More studies are needed to explore the extent of PFAS exposure from wearables and to find safer alternatives.



Heather Whitehead, a <a href="https://www.nd.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Notre Dame</a> graduate and co-author of the study, noted that the findings highlight the importance of addressing PFAS contamination in everyday products.



Consumers should remain informed about the chemicals in their fitness trackers and smartwatch bands. As research progresses, it’s crucial to balance functionality with safety. 



The study highlights the need for greater awareness and stricter regulations to minimize exposure to harmful substances like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dangerous-pfas-forever-chemicals-found-in-the-amazon-rainforest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PFAS</a>.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00907" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Science &amp; Technology Letters</a>.



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Forever chemicals found in fitness trackers and smartwatch bands

Fitness trackers and smartwatches have become essential gadgets for many,...

A new study provides compelling evidence that the Chicxulub meteorite impact, rather than massive volcanic activity, was the principal driver behind the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago.&nbsp;



Climate scientists from <a href="https://www.uu.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utrecht University</a> and the <a href="https://www.manchester.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Manchester</a> have found that the climatic disturbances caused by colossal volcanic eruptions in India had largely subsided thousands of years before the meteorite struck, leaving the asteroid impact as the ultimate reason for the dinosaurs’ demise.&nbsp;



The findings, published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ado5478">Science Advances</a>, help resolve a decades-long scientific debate.



“These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/violent-volcanic-eruptions-likely-caused-dinosaur-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volcanic eruptions</a> and associated CO₂ and sulphur release would have had drastic consequences for life on Earth,” said Lauren O’Connor, a researcher at Utrecht University. “But these events happened millennia before the meteorite impact and probably played only a small part in the extinction of dinosaurs.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-controversy-over-dinosaur-extinction-nbsp">Controversy over dinosaur extinction&nbsp;</h2>



For many years, researchers have debated whether the catastrophic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nadir-crater-second-massive-asteroid-impact-discovered-dinosaur-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">asteroid</a> impact near the present-day Gulf of Mexico or the extensive volcanic eruptions of the Deccan Traps in India led to the mass extinction that ended the Cretaceous Period.&nbsp;



Both events significantly impacted Earth’s climate and ecosystems. The asteroid impact unleashed a chain of disasters including massive wildfires, tsunamis, earthquakes, and a lingering “impact winter” that darkened the skies and devastated the global food chain.



Meanwhile, the Deccan Traps eruptions, occurring both before and after the asteroid strike, released huge volumes of CO₂, dust, and sulphur into the atmosphere.&nbsp;



These emissions could have induced substantial warming or cooling, depending on their composition and duration. Determining which event bore the greatest responsibility for the dinosaurs’ extinction has long proved challenging due to their overlapping timelines and complex climatic effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clues-in-ancient-peats">Clues in ancient peats</h2>



To break this impasse, the research team turned to an innovative method: examining ancient peats in the United States for molecular fossils that record past temperatures.&nbsp;



Certain bacteria produce characteristic membrane-spanning molecules that vary in structure with ambient temperature.&nbsp;



By analyzing these molecular traces in sediments from the time leading up to the dinosaur extinction, the researchers reconstructed detailed timelines of Earth’s climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temperature-timeline-leading-to-dinosaur-extinction-nbsp">Temperature timeline leading to dinosaur extinction&nbsp;</h2>



The analysis uncovered a distinct sequence of events. Approximately 30,000 years before the asteroid impact, a major phase of Deccan Traps volcanism triggered significant climate change, cooling the Earth’s surface by at least 5° Celsius.&nbsp;



This cooling was most likely caused by volcanic sulphur emissions, which blocked incoming sunlight.&nbsp;



However, the record shows that some 20,000 years before the asteroid struck, global temperatures had already rebounded, returning to levels similar to those before the volcanic eruptions.



“We were able to create a detailed ‘temperature timeline’ for the years leading up to the dinosaur extinction,” O’Connor explained. “By aligning these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaurs-may-have-become-warm-blooded-180-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate changes</a> with the fossil record, we can better understand the relative timing of these events.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-volcanic-effects-had-faded-before-the-impact">Volcanic effects had faded before the impact</h2>



The revelation that Earth’s climate had stabilized well in advance of the Chicxulub meteorite impact is crucial. Although the Deccan Traps eruptions undoubtedly stressed ecosystems and altered climates, their effects had dissipated long before the asteroid arrived.&nbsp;



With the volcanic disruptions out of the picture during the critical window, the data strongly point to the meteorite collision as the primary catalyst for the extinction event.



This finding helps distinguish between the gradual, prolonged influence of volcanism and the abrupt, globally catastrophic consequences of the asteroid strike.&nbsp;



The volcanoes may have prepared a stage of ecological vulnerability, but they did not deliver the final, fatal blow. By the time the asteroid hit, Earth’s systems had largely recovered from the volcanic perturbations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-asteroid-s-fatal-blow">The asteroid’s fatal blow</h2>



With volcanic influences waning thousands of years before the end of the Cretaceous, the Chicxulub meteorite impact emerges more clearly than ever as the decisive factor behind the dinosaurs’ extinction.&nbsp;



Unlike volcanic activity, which occurs over extended periods, the asteroid collision was sudden and brutally efficient, throwing a shroud of debris into the atmosphere, blocking sunlight, and triggering a cascade of environmental calamities.



“By comparison, the impact from the asteroid unleashed a chain of disasters, including wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, and an ‘<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nuclear-winter-dinosaurs-were-likely-killed-by-dust/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impact winter</a>’ that blocked sunlight and devastated ecosystems,” said Rhodri Jerrett of the University of Manchester. “We believe the asteroid ultimately delivered the fatal blow.”



This swift and worldwide onslaught overwhelmed ecosystems, knocking out plant life dependent on sunlight and collapsing food webs that supported large terrestrial animals like dinosaurs.&nbsp;



While some species survived - leading to the rise of mammals and, eventually, humans - the mighty dinosaurs could not endure this sudden catastrophe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-accurate-picture-of-earth-s-past">An accurate picture of Earth’s past</h2>



The methods employed in this study highlight the power of molecular paleoclimatology. By examining microscopic bacterial remains embedded in ancient sediments, scientists can now resolve the timing and intensity of climate changes from millions of years ago with remarkable precision.&nbsp;



These advances allow researchers to clarify the interplay between volcanic eruptions, asteroid impacts, and mass extinctions, painting a more accurate picture of Earth’s deep past.



The study’s conclusions provide a clearer understanding of why the dinosaurs disappeared. While volcanic activity did shape the Earth’s environment, it was not the immediate executioner. 



Instead, the researchers confirm that the Chicxulub impact, with its sudden and universal repercussions, was the ultimate cause of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaurs-evolved-feathers-for-much-more-than-just-flying/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaurs</a>’ end.



“These findings help us understand the relative timing of events and confirm that the asteroid was the ultimate driver of the extinction event,” O’Connor said.



Armed with these insights, scientists can continue to refine their understanding of ancient Earth crises, shedding light on how life responds to abrupt environmental shifts - lessons that may prove valuable as our planet faces its own ecological challenges today.



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Dinosaur extinction was not caused by global volcanic eruptions 

A new study provides compelling evidence that the Chicxulub meteorite...

The Anthropic Principle, first proposed by Brandon Carter in 1973, suggests that the universe is “fine-tuned” to support life. Since then, it has sparked heated debate among scientists and philosophers alike.&nbsp;



Some view it as an elegant observation, while others argue it lacks scientific utility. Now, for the first time, researchers have outlined a way to test this assumption experimentally.&nbsp;



In a new paper, physicists Nemanja Kaloper from the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Davis</a>, and Alexander Westphal from <a href="https://www.desy.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron</a> (DESY) present a method to scrutinize the principle through upcoming astronomical observations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-the-anthropic-principle">What Is the Anthropic Principle?</h2>



The Anthropic Principle (AP) comes in two main forms. The "Weak Anthropic Principle" states that we can only observe conditions in the universe that allow for our existence.&nbsp;



For example, the universe must have the specific properties that permit the formation of stars, planets, and ultimately life because - if it didn’t - we wouldn’t be here to contemplate it.



The "Strong Anthropic Principle" goes further, proposing that the universe’s laws and constants are fine-tuned in a way that life must emerge, implying a deeper or possibly intentional explanation for this apparent design.



The problem, as many scientists argue, is that the AP does not produce clear, testable predictions - something crucial for any scientific hypothesis.&nbsp;



However, Kaloper and Westphal’s new approach changes that. They propose specific conditions that could confirm or disprove the principle using current cosmological models and future observations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ingredients-for-testing-the-anthropic-principle">Ingredients for testing the Anthropic Principle</h2>



Kaloper and Westphal focus on three key areas of cosmology: cosmic inflation, dark matter, and axions.



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



In its earliest moments, the universe underwent a rapid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unknown-factors-are-accelerating-the-expansion-of-the-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expansion</a> known as cosmic inflation. In less than a trillionth of a second (10⁻³⁶ seconds), the universe grew from a minuscule size to something macroscopic.&nbsp;



Though we still lack direct evidence, cosmic inflation is a strong theory that explains how galaxies and other structures came to form.&nbsp;



Future experiments, like Japan’s LiteBIRD satellite (set to launch in 2032), aim to confirm this phase through observations of primordial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gravitational-waves-dark-matter-big-bang-breakthrough/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gravitational waves</a>.



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



Scientists know that about five-sixths of the universe’s matter is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/existence-of-dark-matter-confirmed-by-new-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dark matter</a> - an invisible substance we can’t directly observe.&nbsp;



While its nature remains mysterious, its existence is inferred from gravitational effects on galaxies and other large structures. Future searches could help identify what dark matter actually is.



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



One of the leading candidates for dark matter is the axion - a tiny, lightweight particle that interacts very weakly with ordinary matter. Axions were initially proposed to explain a quantum anomaly but later emerged as a dark matter candidate.&nbsp;



Some theories suggest they were produced in large numbers during cosmic inflation, and upcoming studies of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-hole-jet-crashes-into-an-unidentified-object/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black holes</a> may confirm their existence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-observations-could-reveal">What the observations could reveal</h2>



Kaloper and Westphal’s proposal combines these three elements into a testable framework. If their predictions align with observations, it could validate the Anthropic Principle - or potentially disprove it.



“It is possible that the LiteBIRD satellite discovers primordial gravity waves close to the current limits, which match high-scale inflation,” Kaloper explained. “Most cosmologists would feel this confirms high-scale inflation.”



At the same time, researchers are studying supermassive black holes to search for signs of ultralight axions. “The axions affect the spin-to-mass ratio of black holes, and this could be observed,” Kaloper added.



Crucially, Kaloper described a third outcome: direct searches for dark matter might reveal that dark matter is not made up of axions. “In which case, we’d think that the Anthropic Principle fails.”



On the flip side, if ultralight axions are confirmed as dark matter, it would strengthen the case for the Anthropic Principle. “I think we’d agree that the Anthropic Principle in fact passed this test; indeed, this might happen,” Kaloper said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-if-the-anthropic-principle-fails">What if the Anthropic Principle fails?</h2>



While Kaloper and Westphal’s work opens the door to testing the AP, it also raises the question: what happens if it fails?



“Without changing any of the other premises - universality of gravity, early inflation, and superradiant phenomena - the failure of our simple formulation of anthropics would suggest that different rules govern the initial conditions,” Kaloper explained.



He outlined a few possibilities:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>New dynamics might bias some initial conditions, making them more likely than others.</li>



<li>Some initial conditions might simply be impossible.</li>



<li>The real theory of cosmology might be far more complex than we currently understand.</li>
</ul>



“Alternatively, one could imagine more dramatic scenarios, but at least for now, to me those seem like flights of fancy,” said Kaloper.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-promising-future-for-cosmology">A promising future for cosmology</h2>



This study marks the first time the Anthropic Principle could be subject to rigorous testing. Over the next few years, data from gravitational wave studies, black hole surveys, and dark matter experiments may confirm - or challenge - its assumptions.



“I find it particularly interesting that both of these options might be experimentally tested in the not-too-distant future. Our specific example is the first case where the Anthropic Principle might actually fail the test, as opposed to simply declaring that it does not apply.”



The search for answers may take time, but with each new discovery, we move closer to unraveling the origins and laws of our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/missing-law-of-nature-explains-the-evolution-of-everything-that-exists-in-the-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universe</a> - and our place within it.



The research is published in the <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1475-7516/2024/12/017" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics</a>.



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Anthropic Principle: We live in a universe fine-tuned to support life

The Anthropic Principle, first proposed by Brandon Carter in 1973,...

The number of humans inhabiting the Earth has steadily increased since Homo sapiens began to assert their dominance over the planet. Now, however, the global population growth trend is on the verge of becoming unsustainable.



Historians report that, by the 10th century, the global headcount hovered around a few hundred million. 



Later, the Industrial Revolution and better living conditions pushed our numbers ever upward. We soared past 1 billion by 1900 and over 6 billion by 2000.



Not long ago, in late 2022, we crossed the 8 billion mark. Now, new studies suggest this steady climb may soon slow down and, eventually, our population might grow smaller, not bigger.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-population-trend">Global population trend</h2>



Some recent findings, published in <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)00550-6/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lancet</a>, and relying on data from the <a href="https://www.healthdata.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute for Health Metrics</a> and Evaluation at the University of Washington, point to a different future.



According to these projections, by 2050 about 155 out of 204 countries will not have enough births to ensure a stable global population count. And by 2100, almost all of them, around 198 out of 204, will be in the same boat.



This has led researchers to believe that deaths will soon outnumber births in many places, which will shift long-held patterns.



“This is our most comprehensive analysis to date,” said <a href="https://www.healthdata.org/about/people/stein-emil-vollset" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Stein Emil Vollset</a>, a professor at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the <a href="https://www.washington.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Washington</a>.



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



The idea that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/geologists-found-the-worlds-largest-iron-ore-deposit/">world</a> might become a less crowded place raises a few eyebrows, but also a few hopes. Some have argued that thinning numbers might help reduce the strain on certain resources.



There is talk of a demographic dividend, a scenario where fewer dependents and more working-age adults boost economies.



Yet, in many places the total fertility rate has dropped below replacement levels and stays there, without any predicted bounce back. The old assumption that decreasing fertility would fix itself has not been supported by recent data.



When fewer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/babies-are-born-with-the-ability-to-recognize-the-beat-in-music/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">babies are born</a>, the workforce thins out in a matter of decades. 



Economic systems depend on a steady stream of workers, consumers, and taxpayers. If countries produce fewer citizens, they may struggle to maintain productivity and keep growth on track.



Economists worry that, as population structures skew towards older groups, tax bases might shrink, and this could make it harder to pay for services that keep society running smoothly.



Some analyses of demographic shifts have shown that countries with aging populations feel strain on their labor supply, which may lead to shifts in markets and wage structures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caring-for-older-generations">Caring for older generations</h2>



A decreasing global population also means a rising proportion of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/public-perception-of-old-age-has-shifted-to-later-in-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">older people</a>.



While living longer can be a sign of progress, it also brings its own problems. More older adults need care for chronic conditions, assisted living, and medical services that handle age-related diseases.



Health care systems might need to reinvent themselves to deal with shortages in skilled medical staff and the growing demand for long-term support. 



Without enough younger workers, caregiving roles may be harder to fill, putting pressure on families and communities.



Studies have outlined the growing costs of eldercare as populations age, warning that countries must adapt soon or face long waiting times and inadequate care.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-population-and-the-environment">Global population and the environment</h2>



Fewer humans might sound like a perfect recipe for less stress on forests, oceans, farmland, and energy supplies. 



Reduced consumption could mean less pollution, fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and cleaner water in some areas.



But changing population distribution patterns could complicate resource management. If certain places empty out and others remain crowded, it might be tricky to balance who gets what.



Environmental changes also depend on how people live, not just how many there are. Some research suggests that even with fewer people, lifestyle choices still matter for keeping ecosystems healthy and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/effective-conservation-efforts-key-to-saving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">maintaining biodiversity</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rewriting-global-influence">Rewriting global influence</h2>



As nations experience shifts in their population counts, political and economic influence could get shuffled. 



Countries that once dominated trade, technology, or culture might find themselves overshadowed by others that manage to keep younger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-population-will-peak-at-10-3-billion-by-2085/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">populations engaged</a>.



Alliances that seemed stable might look different when a partner’s population contracts. This could ripple through security agreements, resource negotiations, and geopolitical strategies. 



Realigning priorities might become a necessity as demographic trends change who holds the cards on the world stage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-family-decisions">Rethinking family decisions</h2>



Falling fertility rates are often linked to changing social expectations, improved women’s rights, and better access to education. 



There is a growing concern that some leaders might try to push quick fixes that harm personal freedoms.



Policies that put pressure on women to have more children present significant risks, threatening reproductive and sexual rights. 



In some places, such measures could limit access to necessary services or reduce the freedom to choose whether and when to become parents.



Historical analyses warn that forcing fertility through policy often backfires, causing social tension and distrust.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-normal">A new normal</h2>



The notion of an emptier planet comes with no simple answers. A world with fewer new births may <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/anthropocene-when-did-humans-begin-changing-the-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reshape</a> how we build cities, form families, and secure our future.



It might ask us to be more careful in the ways we manage resources, structure <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-healthcare-needs-change-as-they-enter-old-age/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health care</a>, and plan our economies. Planners, policymakers, and communities may need to think ahead, beyond simply counting heads.



The end of nonstop population growth might signal the beginning of a new kind of progress, where success is measured not by the number of people, but by how well we care for one another.



The full study is published in <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)00550-6/fulltext">The Lancet</a>.



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Global population decline predicted -- what Earth will be like with less people

The number of humans inhabiting the Earth has steadily increased...

Ingenuity, NASA's pioneering Mars helicopter, marked an unprecedented milestone in aviation history when it became the first aircraft to take flight on another world.



Its journey came to an end on January 18, 2024, with a final flight that concluded an era of extraordinary achievements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-journey-into-the-unknown">Journey into the unknown</h2>



A team of engineers at <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> in Southern California, in partnership with AeroVironment, has given us an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look into the final voyage of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter.



Originally designed as a technology demonstration to carry out five experimental test flights over a 30-day period, the helicopter surpassed all expectations. 



The little explorer stayed operational for nearly three years, conducted 72 flights, and expanded its flight range 30 times beyond what was initially planned - tallying more than two hours in flight time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-final-ascent-ingenuity-rising-against-gravity">The final ascent: Ingenuity rising against gravity</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-ingenuity-the-first-helicopter-on-the-red-planet-ends-mission-after-3-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">72nd flight</a>, which we now know as the final one, was planned as a short, vertical hop to assess the flight systems and capture images of the surrounding area.



The data sent back from the flight paints a picture of Ingenuity as it ascended to a height of 40 feet (12 meters), hovered, and took photographs.



The descent was initiated at the 19-second mark, and by the 32nd second, the helicopter had touched down, halting communication. 



It would not be until the next day that contact was re-established with the mission, and images transmitted six days after the flight showed the damage sustained by Ingenuity's <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/16-ingenuitys-rotors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rotor</a> blades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-the-mystery-what-went-wrong">Unraveling the mystery: What went wrong?</h2>



Investigating an accident from a 100-million-mile distance is no easy feat. Without the convenience of the usual "black boxes" or eyewitnesses, the investigators had to rely solely on the data and images transmitted back.



“While multiple scenarios are viable with the available data, we have one we believe is most likely: lack of surface texture gave the navigation system too little information to work with,” explained Håvard Grip, Ingenuity’s first pilot. 



The helicopter's vision navigation system was designed to track visual features on a flat terrain. It worked with impressive accuracy for Ingenuity's first five flights, but flight 72 found the helicopter in an area of Jezero Crater that was filled with relatively featureless, steep sand ripples.



This terrain confused the navigation system, preventing it from providing the velocity estimates necessary for safe landing. 



The resulting navigation errors created high horizontal velocities at touchdown, which led the helicopter to pitch and roll. 



The strain of the rapid landing snapped off all four rotor blades at their weakest point. This resulted in excessive vibration which finally severed the communication.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-legacy-continues-ingenuity-s-contributions">The legacy continues: Ingenuity's contributions</h2>



Although permanently grounded, Ingenuity's contributions have not ended. It continues to transmit weather data and avionics test data to the Perseverance rover on a weekly basis. 



This information could prove invaluable for future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-missions-prepare-intense-solar-storms-coming-red-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Red Planet</a> explorations. In addition, lessons from the Ingenuity project have sparked research into future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-gravity-pulls-earth-closer-to-the-sun-warming-our-climate-scientists-say/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a> helicopters.



"Because Ingenuity was designed to be affordable while demanding huge amounts of computer power, we became the first mission to fly commercial, off-the-shelf cell phone processors in deep space," said Teddy Tzanetos, Ingenuity's project manager.



Tzanetos also noted that almost four years of continuous operation suggested that not everything on Mars needed to be bigger, heavier, and radiation-hardened in order to function.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-flight-on-mars">The future of flight on Mars</h2>



Inspired by Ingenuity, NASA engineers have been testing smaller, lighter avionics for vehicle designs, particularly for the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-samples-from-mars-could-reveal-fascinating-secrets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars Sample Return</a> campaign. 



The data from Ingenuity is also assisting engineers in developing the concept for a future Mars helicopter.



This new venture, currently named Chopper, is approximately 20 times heavier than Ingenuity, is designed to carry several pounds of scientific equipment, and is expected to explore remote Martian locations while traveling up to 2 miles (3 kilometers) in a day.



Ingenuity has broadened our horizons about the future of interplanetary flight. "Ingenuity has given us the confidence and data to envision the future of flight at Mars," concluded Tzanetos.



Information for this article was sourced from the <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-performs-first-aircraft-accident-investigation-on-another-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a>.



Image Credit: NASA/JPL



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NASA investigates an aviation accident on another planet

Ingenuity, NASA's pioneering Mars helicopter, marked an unprecedented milestone in...

The deepest parts of Earth's oceans have mostly remained a mystery, mainly because current technology on sea vessels cannot easily map every trough and chasm scattered around the planet.



Traditional methods tend to rely on slow and expensive ship-based surveys and, even after decades of effort, vast expanses of the ocean floor remain unknown. These blind spots have limited our understanding of underwater landscapes, the growth of tectonic structures, and the habitat ranges of strange marine creatures that lurk far below.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-satellites-to-map-the-ocean-floor">Using satellites to map the ocean floor</h2>



<a href="https://www.nist.gov/how-do-you-measure-it/our-world/how-do-you-measure-depth-ocean" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shipborne sonar</a>, while effective, is far too time-consuming when considering the scale of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/north-atlantic-ocean-has-a-memory-that-lasts-up-to-20-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth’s oceans</a>. Over a century would pass before the entire seabed could be charted this way. Sensors placed on satellites represent a much faster approach, relying on tiny variations in sea surface height to infer submarine features. 



For the past several decades, this <a href="https://topex.ucsd.edu/marine_grav/explore_grav.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">radar-altimeter</a>-based approach has allowed scientists to produce seafloor maps at moderate resolution. A collaboration between <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a> and <a href="https://swot.cnes.fr/en/SWOT/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNES</a> launched the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (<a href="https://swot.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SWOT</a>) mission, a new satellite tool capable of measuring ocean surface heights in unprecedented detail. One year later, the first robust results began to roll in, and were <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39666787/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analyzed</a> by <a href="https://yaoyu9404.github.io/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yao Yu</a> at the <a href="https://scripps.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scripps Institution of Oceanography</a>, University of California, San Diego (UCSD).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-previously-hidden-details">Previously hidden details</h2>



Improved data uncovered thousands of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-oceans-are-rapidly-changing-colors-matching-climate-predictions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">undersea</a> peaks that were previously unrecorded. Some are only a few miles across, but these features influence currents, nutrient flow, and the movements of certain aquatic populations. “So, one year of SWOT data beat the past 30 years of traditional radar-altimeter [data] in constructing marine gravity,” said Yao Yu, a Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellow at <a href="https://ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCSD</a>. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SWOT-satellite_seafloor_mapping_major-advance_credit-EOS_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SWOT-satellite_seafloor_mapping_major-advance_credit-EOS_1s.webp" alt="Using satellite altimetry data from SWOT, scientists have created a global map of marine gravity, uncovering thousands of new seamounts. (Eötvös is a unit that measures the ocean’s vertical gravity gradient.) Credit: Yao Yu, Yu et al., 2024" class="wp-image-1954024"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Using satellite altimetry data from SWOT, scientists have created a global map of marine gravity, uncovering thousands of new seamounts. (Eötvös is a unit that measures the ocean’s vertical gravity gradient.) Credit: Yao Yu, Yu et al., 2024</figcaption></figure>



The more finely tuned view reveals intricate ridges and valleys that traditional methods missed. These fresh insights help scientists understand how underwater landforms might affect tsunami speed and direction, and whether they attract clusters of unique organisms preferring specific conditions found around submerged peaks.



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



Each submarine hill, canyon, or volcanic mount has its own story. Researchers can piece together histories of plate movements and infer where tectonic changes might happen next. This sharper perspective matters for navigators who need safe passages, and marine planners who keep an eye on resource extraction. 



Detailed underwater maps allow for better simulation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/collapse-of-main-atlantic-ocean-circulaton-current-amoc-is-already-happening/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a> circulation models, ensuring that climate forecasts gain subtle accuracy. “I am mostly impressed with the ability to [map] abyssal hills and seamounts so much [more clearly] than ever before,” said <a href="https://orbit.dtu.dk/en/persons/ole-baltazar-andersen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ole Baltazar Andersen</a>, senior research scientist at the Technical University of Denmark.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giant-leap-for-ocean-maps">Giant leap for ocean maps</h2>



Before satellites and sonar, sailors dropped <a href="https://seahistory.org/sea-history-for-kids/leadline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weighted lines</a> overboard and counted fathoms as the rope slipped through their hands. Today, radar and altimetry techniques provide scientists with more versatile options. Specialized altimeters aboard satellites, like SWOT, measure the time taken for radio pulses to bounce back from the surface.



This gives a rough sketch of the seafloor’s gravitational pull, revealing dips and bumps that mirror what lies beneath. In combination with ship-based measurements, <a href="https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/socd/lsa/AltBathy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">satellite altimetry</a> grants a global perspective. It is not as direct as a ship’s sonar, but it covers enormous swaths of ocean in a fraction of the time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-real-world-benefits-of-ocean-mapping">Real world benefits of ocean mapping</h2>



Fresh ocean floor maps do not only quench our scientific curiosity. Improved <a href="https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/socd/lsa/AltBathy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bathymetry</a> can aid climate research. 



Ocean circulation involves currents moving cold, deep water upward, influencing carbon storage and heat distribution. If certain underwater hills guide these flows, slight improvements in understanding those features can refine models that predict future climate trends. 



More precise knowledge of the seabed’s shape might also help researchers anticipate where essential fisheries could flourish or fail.



“Improved seafloor mapping at such level of details opens new frontiers,” said <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/people/nadya-vinogradova-shiffer-physical-oceanography-program/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nadya Vinogradova Shiffer</a>, Ocean Physics Program Director at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC.



At a time when climate adaptation plans often depend on robust environmental data, these clearer images contribute to more informed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/surprise-study-some-scientists-call-for-halting-ocean-plastic-cleanup-efforts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">decision-making</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-push-to-chart-everything">Global push to chart everything</h2>



A range of groups and organizations worldwide have pursued projects like <a href="https://seabed2030.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seabed 2030</a>, aiming to map Earth’s entire underwater landscape by the end of the decade. 



Crowdsourced data, philanthropic funding, and cutting-edge technology promise richer, more accessible marine charts. Some researchers rely on <a href="https://www.saildrone.com/news/seabed-2030-partnership-to-map-the-ocean" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">small autonomous vessels</a>, armed with multibeam sonar, to scan sections of the ocean that remain unexplored. Others use advanced machine learning tools to process existing data and enhance resolution. This collective pursuit is essential for narrowing knowledge gaps that still puzzle those trying to map the shifting ocean conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolving-strategies-new-capabilities">Evolving strategies, new capabilities</h2>



Modern technology continues to advance. Older satellites captured <a href="https://eos.org/articles/new-seafloor-map-only-25-done-with-6-years-to-go" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">less detail</a>, but updated radar altimeters are more sensitive. 



The slight gravitational field changes caused by undersea mountains produce minuscule tilts in the ocean’s surface, and newer instruments register those subtle differences. These improved measurements help scientists see features that previously blended into the noise of raw data. 



More precise measurements transform the way experts look at ocean floor contours, enabling them to find patterns connected to everything from energy resources to hidden ecological hotspots.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next?</h2>



Better ocean maps redefine what scientists consider ordinary. Areas once thought to be empty seascapes are now known to hold small peaks and ridges that matter to ocean life. With sharper detail, previously unknown zones might turn out to be critical habitats or hold clues to past geological events that affected climate and biodiversity. 



Each newly revealed feature expands what is known about oceanic processes.



The aim is not just to tally ridges or canyons. Clearer images allow more thorough interpretations that factor into navigation, resource management, environmental protection, and scientific exploration.



The next few years will likely bring even more refined altimetry missions, advanced sonar methods, and creative approaches that combine all types of datasets. 



Over time, these efforts will build towards an era when the planet’s underwater domain is no longer as cryptic.



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NASA maps Earth's ocean floors from space in stunning detail

The deepest parts of Earth's oceans have mostly remained a...

Shrubs are a key factor in the challenging task of restoring forests after catastrophic wildfires. Beyond planting new tree seedlings, it’s essential to determine when and where to plant for the best chance of success.



Recent research from the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Davis</a> highlights how shrubs can significantly influence the success of forest recovery, acting as both allies and competitors in the regrowth process.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shrubs-competing-with-trees">Shrubs competing with trees </h2>



"Generally, where there are more shrubs, the climate and soil are more hospitable for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-temperatures-alter-photosynthesis-and-plant-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant growth</a>," noted Derek Young, the lead author of the research paper. "But what that also means is there’s more competition for trees.”



In regions with higher shrub populations, it seems that planting seedlings within a year of a wildfire might yield the best results. These seedlings will then have a head start before the woody shrubs begin to repopulate the area.



Conversely, in areas where shrubs are scarce, the most effective time to plant is reportedly three years after a fire, which gives soil conditions time to stabilize and recover from the intense heat of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-breaking-wildfire-years-are-just-getting-started/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfire</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-dual-role-of-shrubs-in-forest-recovery">The dual role of shrubs in forest recovery</h2>



Shrubs often act as ecological engineers, modifying their environment in ways that can either benefit or hinder <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/initiatives-to-plant-billions-of-trees-threatened-by-seedling-undersupply/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree seedlings</a>. 



On one hand, their roots help stabilize soil and prevent erosion, which is especially vital after a wildfire. 



On the other hand, shrubs compete with tree seedlings for water, nutrients, and sunlight, creating challenging conditions for growth.



This dual role makes it critical to understand the specific ecosystem dynamics before implementing large-scale <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/half-of-plants-used-in-reforestation-projects-do-not-survive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reforestation</a> efforts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shrubs-shade-and-tree-growth">Shrubs, shade, and tree growth</h2>



Another interesting insight from the study is that in extremely harsh post-fire conditions, existing plant life might actually support the growth of new tree seedlings.



Shrubs, in particular, can provide shade, which reduces soil temperatures and protects fragile seedlings from excessive sun exposure.



“Some vegetation in those really harsh sites might actually facilitate tree establishment by providing shade,” said Young.



This finding challenges the common assumption that shrubs are always detrimental to tree growth, and suggests that they can play a protective role in certain environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-optimizing-forest-recovery-after-fires">Optimizing forest recovery after fires</h2>



In a rapidly warming world, understanding how to effectively promote forest recovery is of vital importance.



Wildfires are growing more intense and frequent, leaving vast areas of scorched land in need of restoration.



“We’re aiming to help optimize <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/could-tree-planting-warm-earth-science-behind-albedo-effect/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree planting</a> by targeting it to where it’s really needed. Doing this matters because we’re facing a reforestation backlog – limited capacity to replant and a lot of severely burned area,” explained study senior author Andrew Latimer.



This research provides a roadmap for making more strategic decisions about where, when, and how to plant trees in wildfire-affected areas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-from-the-past-to-guide-the-future">Learning from the past to guide the future</h2>



The team’s study involved an extensive survey of areas in California’s Sierra Nevada, representing a range of climates and management strategies. 



These regions were replanted with conifer tree seedlings one to three years after experiencing intense wildfires.



To gather data, the researchers created circular plots measuring 400 square meters, including both replanted and non-planted areas. 



By meticulously counting seedlings, measuring shrub cover, and analyzing environmental variables, the team was able to quantify how different factors influence forest composition and tree survival rates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-the-path-to-recovery">Mapping the path to recovery</h2>



One of the most fascinating outcomes of the study is the development of predictive models that allow researchers to map where trees are likely to thrive post-wildfire.



“Now we have quantified the effects of certain environmental variables that allow us to make those maps,” Young said.



Future experiments will explore the effects of removing shrubs two years after a fire to observe how it influences tree regeneration. 



The team also plans to use drones and aerial imagery to monitor wildfire sites and assess the long-term impact of various management strategies over the past four decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-the-future-of-forest-management">Balancing the future of forest management</h2>



As wildfires continue to reshape landscapes across the globe, balancing the role of shrubs in forest recovery becomes increasingly important. 



While shrubs may initially seem like obstacles, they can also serve as partners in reforestation, especially in areas with extreme environmental conditions.



This research provides valuable insights for land managers, conservationists, and policymakers working to restore forests in the era of climate change.



By understanding the complex interplay between shrubs and trees, we can create more resilient and sustainable ecosystems for the future.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378112724006583?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forest Ecology and Management</a>.



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Shrubs play a dual role in forest recovery following wildfires

Shrubs are a key factor in the challenging task of...

Sleep is essential for restoring the body and mind. It's a time when memories take root and the brain processes the day’s experiences.



While the link between sleep and memory consolidation is well-documented, researchers at Northwestern Medicine have uncovered a surprising player in this intricate process: breathing.



Often dismissed as an automatic function, breathing actually orchestrates memory consolidation through its interaction with hippocampal brain waves, which are rhythmic electrical activities critical for memory storage.



This discovery reveals a fascinating connection between the timing of our breaths and the synchronization of these brain waves during sleep. According to the study authors, this connection is akin to a conductor directing a symphony orchestra.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breathing-the-conductor-of-brain-waves">Breathing: The conductor of brain waves</h2>



The novel study, conducted at <a href="https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine</a>, has identified a direct link between breathing rhythms and three key hippocampal brain waves: slow waves, spindles, and ripples.



These oscillations, previously thought to occur randomly, are now known to synchronize with specific points in the breathing cycle.



“To strengthen memories, three special neural oscillations emerge and synchronize in the hippocampus during sleep, but they were thought to come and go at random times,” explained study senior author Professor Christina Zelano. “We discovered that they are coordinated by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-breathing-impacts-memory-formation-during-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">breathing</a> rhythms.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-the-mystery-of-memory-consolidation">Unraveling the mystery of memory consolidation</h2>



Memory consolidation, the process by which the brain strengthens and organizes information from the day, has long fascinated scientists. 



Study co-author Andrew Sheriff, a postdoctoral student in Christina Zelano’s lab, noted that the study sheds light on a critical yet overlooked aspect of memory storage: the role of breathing.



“Memory consolidation relies on orchestration of brain waves during sleep, and we show that this process is closely timed by breathing,” Sheriff said.



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-reboots-the-brain-making-room-for-new-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hippocampus</a> is a crucial part of the brain responsible for memory and spatial navigation. It uses these oscillations to replay and organize the day’s experiences. Sheriff related this activity to his personal experience of becoming familiar with navigating a new city.



“The hippocampus plays a major role in forming a map of a new area. I would wake up and feel I had a better representation of the city around me. That was facilitated by the oscillations that occurred during my sleep, which we found are coordinated by breathing,” said Sheriff.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-implications-of-disordered-breathing">The implications of disordered breathing</h2>



The findings carry significant implications for individuals with sleep-disordered breathing, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/obstructive-sleep-apnea-speeds-up-aging-on-a-cellular-level/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep apnea</a>. 



Disruptions to the regular rhythm of breathing during sleep are associated with poor memory consolidation and can increase the risk of neurodegenerative conditions.



“When you don’t get sleep, your brain suffers, your cognition suffers, you get foggy,” Sheriff said. “We also know that sleep-disordered breathing is connected with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-americans-are-at-risk-of-a-stroke-from-intense-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stroke</a>, dementia, and neurodegenerative disorders.”



This research highlights the importance of seeking treatment for disrupted sleep breathing. 



“If you listen to someone breathing, you might be able to tell when they are asleep, because breathing is paced differently when you’re sleeping,” said Sheriff. “One reason for that may be that breathing is performing a careful task: coordinating brain waves that are related to memory.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-link-between-memory-and-sleep">The link between memory and sleep</h2>



The link between sleep and memory has fascinated scholars for centuries. Ancient Roman scholar Quintillion once observed: “The interval of a single night will greatly increase the strength of the memory.”



This phenomenon, now known as memory consolidation, is a carefully tuned process involving hippocampal oscillations that modern science has begun to unravel.



“When you’re sleeping, your brain is actively replaying experiences you had during the day,” Sheriff explained. 



This replay, which is orchestrated by breathing rhythms, strengthens neural connections and reinforces learning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prioritizing-sleep-health">Prioritizing sleep health</h2>



The study is a wake-up call for individuals experiencing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-who-watch-screens-in-bed-have-the-most-disrupted-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep disruptions</a>. Proper breathing during sleep is not just essential for physical health, but also for maintaining cognitive performance.



Disordered breathing, such as in sleep apnea, can disrupt the rhythm necessary for memory consolidation and increase the risk of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and stroke.



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



This research, titled “Breathing orchestrates synchronization of sleep oscillations in the human hippocampus,” represents a collaborative effort by scientists at Northwestern University. 



The team included Guangyu Zhou, Justin Morgenthaler, Christopher Cyr, Katherina K. Hauner, Mahmoud Omidbeigi, Joshua Rosenow, Stephan Schuele, and Gregory Lane. 



The findings mark a significant step in understanding the hidden mechanisms of memory consolidation.



As science continues to uncover the intricate interplay between sleep, breathing, and memory, this study serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact of seemingly simple physiological processes on our cognitive health.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2405395121">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Breathing coordinates brain waves for memory storage during sleep

Sleep is essential for restoring the body and mind. It's...

Ground squirrels are commonly associated with their diet of nuts, seeds, and grains, but a groundbreaking new study reveals an unexpected twist in their behavior.&nbsp;



Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Davis</a>, have discovered that California ground squirrels also hunt, kill, and eat voles.&nbsp;



This surprising finding, published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10164-024-00832-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Ethology</a>, marks the first documented evidence of widespread carnivorous behavior among squirrels.



The findings fundamentally challenge long-held assumptions about California ground squirrels as primarily granivorous. Instead, the study suggests that these animals are opportunistic omnivores, capable of adjusting their diet to include meat when the opportunity arises.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-shocking-discovery-of-carnivorous-squirrels">A shocking discovery of carnivorous squirrels</h2>



The surprising observations occurred in 2024 during the 12th year of the Long-term Behavioral Ecology of California Ground Squirrels Project at Briones Regional Park in Contra Costa County.&nbsp;



Study lead author Jennifer E. Smith is an associate professor of biology at UW-Eau Claire who co-leads the project with Sonja Wild of UC Davis.&nbsp;



Over the course of June and July, the researchers recorded 74 interactions between squirrels and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prairie-voles-can-form-bonds-without-oxytocin/">voles</a>, 42% of which involved active hunting by the squirrels.



“This was shocking,” said Professor Smith. “We had never seen this behavior before. Squirrels are one of the most familiar animals to people. We see them right outside our windows; we interact with them regularly.”&nbsp;



“Yet here’s this never-before-encountered in science behavior that sheds light on the fact that there’s so much more to learn about the natural history of the world around us.”



Even for Wild, a seasoned observer of ground <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-affects-ground-squirrels-in-unexpected-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">squirrels</a>, the behavior was initially hard to believe.&nbsp;



When undergraduate students first reported seeing squirrels hunting voles, Wild admitted skepticism. “No, I’m not sure what you’re referring to,” she said, until she watched the video evidence.



“I could barely believe my eyes,” Wild recounted. “From then, we saw that behavior almost every day. Once we started looking, we saw it everywhere.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-opportunists-in-a-changing-landscape">Opportunists in a changing landscape</h2>



The study documented squirrels of all ages and genders hunting and consuming voles, often competing over the prey. This behavior peaked in early July, coinciding with a sudden increase in vole populations reported by citizen scientists on <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iNaturalist</a>.&nbsp;



Interestingly, the researchers observed squirrels hunting only voles and no other mammals, suggesting that the behavior arose in response to the temporary abundance of this particular prey.



Wild emphasized the adaptability of California ground squirrels in the face of environmental changes.&nbsp;



“The fact that California ground squirrels are behaviorally flexible and can respond to changes in food availability might help them persist in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-learning-speed-keeping-pace-with-a-changing-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environments</a> rapidly changing due to the presence of humans.”



Smith echoed this sentiment, pointing to the broader trend of mammals adapting to human-altered landscapes.&nbsp;



“Many species, including the California ground squirrel, are incredible opportunists,” she said. “From raccoons and coyotes to spotted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/friendly-hyenas-more-likely-to-engage-in-mobbing-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hyenas</a> and humans, the flexibility these mammals apply to their hunting strategies helps them change and adapt with the human landscape.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-questions-for-future-research">Questions for future research</h2>



While the discovery sheds new light on ground squirrel behavior, it raises numerous questions about the ecological and evolutionary implications of their hunting habits. The researchers are particularly curious about how widespread this behavior is among other squirrel populations and whether it is learned or instinctual.



“Through this collaboration and the data coming in, we’re able to document this widespread behavior that we had no idea was going on,” Smith said. “Digital technology can inform the science, but there’s no replacement for going out there and witnessing the behavior because what animals are doing always surprises us.”



The team also plans to investigate whether vole hunting has any impact on squirrel reproduction, comparing data from this year to the previous decade.



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



This discovery of carnivorous behavior in California ground squirrels adds a fascinating layer to our understanding of a species we thought we knew well. It demonstrates not only the behavioral flexibility of these animals but also highlights the value of direct observation and collaboration in scientific research.



The findings suggest that even the most familiar animals can surprise us with behaviors that challenge established assumptions. As researchers prepare for next year’s field season, they remain eager to uncover what other secrets these seemingly ordinary squirrels might reveal.



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First evidence of carnivorous squirrels documented in California

Ground squirrels are commonly associated with their diet of nuts,...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



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



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

How the immune system responds to injury

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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