In the midst of our busy lives, those seemingly insignificant everyday experiences - like booking a flight home for Thanksgiving or writing a thank-you note - may feel less meaningful.



But according to Erin Westgate, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Florida, these experiences carry more value than we attribute them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-purpose-behind-the-research">Purpose behind the research</h2>



Alongside her team at the <a href="https://socialcognition.psych.ufl.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Social Cognition and Emotion Lab</a>, Westgate recently secured a grant from the National Science Foundation.



The researchers intended to examine why people underestimate the significance of future life <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/facial-expressions-arent-enough-to-understand-human-emotions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">experiences</a>. The spark for this exploration ignited during Westgate's school days.



“This started a long time ago when I was in grad school where I was talking to another student who asked me if we know how meaningful events will be in the future,” Westgate said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meaningful-experience-of-thanksgiving">Meaningful experience of Thanksgiving</h2>



The question prompted an interesting study involving <a href="https://www.virginia.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Virginia</a> undergraduates. The students were asked about their expectations of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday's meaningfulness and their thoughts afterward. 



“Surely people know how significant Thanksgiving will be, right? It’s the poster child for gratitude and meaning,” Westgate said.



Much to Westgate's surprise, the students extensively misjudged their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-likes-have-a-strong-emotional-effect-on-young-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feelings</a> about the holiday.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-missing-out-on-meaningful-experiences">Missing out on meaningful experiences </h2>



Fast forward to the pandemic-ridden 2020. Westgate revisited her initial findings, asking, “We found it once, but can we find it again?”



With a larger sample of University of Florida undergraduates, the results echoed the first study. People chronically underestimated the value of their Thanksgiving holiday.



“We want to live meaningful lives, we want to do meaningful things and so if we are not realizing that an experience is going to be meaningful, we may be less likely to do it and miss out on these potential sources of meaning in our own lives,” Westgate said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decision-factors-in-meaningful-experiences">Decision factors in meaningful experiences</h2>



The research indicated a key factor in decision-making - anticipated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-emotions-linked-to-unique-brain-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feelings</a>.



Whether it's a life-altering decision like a career choice or a family start, or a minor one like attending a holiday event, our decisions lean towards promoting a sense of purpose and fulfillment.



Over the course of a three-year study, Westgate aims to condense the reasons behind our underestimation of experiences - from our career choices to the seemingly mundane task of writing thank-you notes.



The research considers both positive and negative experiences, including the acceptance or rejection of medical school applications.



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



The study also explores personal growth experiences that entail discomfort, leading to avoiding certain decisions out of fear.



Still, these very decisions could play an instrumental role in developing resilience and yielding deep satisfaction.



“We don’t make sense of events until they actually happen. We don’t process events until we need to, when they actually happen and not before,” said Westgate. Jumping the gun might lead us to underestimate the potential meaning of certain events.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seeking-solutions-for-underestimation">Seeking solutions for underestimation</h2>



The research aims to go beyond merely identifying problems; it seeks actionable solutions. Many of us often overlook the true value of meaningful experiences. 



This oversight can lead to a less fulfilling life, as we fail to appreciate the depth and significance of our everyday moments. By delving into the reasons behind this underestimation, Westgate’s work strives to illuminate the cognitive biases and misconceptions that cloud our perception of meaning.



Understanding the root of these misconceptions is crucial. It involves exploring psychological patterns and societal influences that lead individuals to undervalue their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/emotional-intelligence-may-be-secret-to-academic-success/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">experiences</a>. 



By identifying these patterns, the research can offer strategies to shift our perspectives and encourage a deeper appreciation of our lives. This shift could not only enhance individual well-being but also promote a more profound connection with others and the world around us.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harnessing-meaningful-experiences-in-daily-life">Harnessing meaningful experiences in daily life</h2>



The findings suggest that by becoming more aware of our tendency to underestimate the meaningfulness of experiences, individuals can purposefully cultivate more fulfilling daily lives.



Simple changes, such as being more present in the moment, keeping a gratitude journal, or actively reflecting on past experiences, can enhance appreciation for life's ordinary events. 



These practices can help individuals recognize the intrinsic value in seemingly minor experiences, thereby enriching personal happiness and well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-psychological-interventions">Implications for psychological interventions</h2>



The research carries significant implications for psychological interventions aiming to promote mental well-being. Interventions could focus on enhancing awareness of meaningful experiences and encouraging individuals to engage in activities that nurture a sense of purpose.



By integrating these insights into therapy and counseling, mental health practitioners can better support clients in recognizing and capitalizing on the meaningful dimensions of their lives, potentially improving mental resilience and overall life satisfaction.



“Sometimes we go into a project, and we know what we are going to find. This is one of those projects that surprised us,” concluded Westgate.



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We often undervalue the most meaningful experiences in life

In the midst of our busy lives, those seemingly insignificant everyday experiences - like booking a flight home for Thanksgiving or writing a thank-you note - may feel less meaningful. But according to Erin Westgate, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Florida, these experiences carry more value than we attribute them. Purpose behind the research Alongside her team at the Florida Social Cognition and Emotion Lab, Westgate recently secured a grant from the National Science Foundation. The researchers intended to examine why people underestimate the...

Air pollution elevates the risk of heart and lung disease over time, even at low levels, according to a study published by the <a href="https://www.heart.org/">American Heart Association</a>. The researchers found that for people aged 65 and older, long-term exposure to air pollution can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation, and pneumonia.

Study lead author Dr. Mahdieh Danesh-Yazdi is a postdoctoral researcher at the <a href="https://www.harvard.edu/">Harvard</a> T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

"People should be conscious of the air quality in the region where they live to avoid harmful exposure over long periods of time, if possible," said Dr. Danesh-Yazdi.

"Since our study found harmful effects at levels below current U.S. standards, air pollution should be considered as a risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory disease by clinicians, and policy makers should reconsider current standards for air pollutants."

The experts analyzed the addresses of 63 million older adults to evaluate the extent of their exposure to particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3). The team also analyzed the hospital records of the individuals from between 2000 and 2016.

In addition, the experts investigated the potential link between the average yearly levels of each of the three pollutants and hospitalization rates for non-fatal heart attacks, ischemic strokes, atrial fibrillation and flutter, and pneumonia.

By conducting statistical analyses, the experts determined that thousands of annual hospital admissions were tied to air pollution. In particular, the researchers found that the increased risk of heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation, and pneumonia were associated with long-term exposure to particulate matter.

"Long-term exposure to air pollution was associated with an increased risk of hospital admissions with cardiovascular and respiratory outcomes on an additive scale among the elderly population of the United States," wrote the researchers.

"Each unit increase in levels of particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone were associated with thousands of additional admissions each year."

"Air pollution should be considered as a risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory disease. The risk persists even at levels below current national and international guidelines."

In particular, nitrogen dioxide was associated with an increased risk of stroke and atrial fibrillation, while stroke rates were most strongly tied to annual levels of fine particulate matter

Pneumonia was the only health outcome examined that seemed to be impacted by long-term exposure to ozone.

"When we restricted our analyses to individuals who were only exposed to lower concentrations of air pollution, we still found increased risk of hospital admissions with all of the studied outcomes, even at concentration levels below current national standards," said Dr. Danesh-Yazdi. 

"More than half of the study population is exposed to low levels of these pollutants, according to U.S. benchmarks, therefore, the long-term health impact of these pollutants should be a serious concern for all, including policymakers, clinicians and patients."

The study is published in the American Heart Association journal <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/journal/circ">Circulation</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Low levels of air pollution increase the risk of heart and lung disease

Air pollution elevates the risk of heart and lung disease...

Two out of every five plant species are currently at risk of extinction, and scientists are urgently trying to understand why some plants are more vulnerable to climate stress than others. In a new study from <a href="https://www.idiv.de/en/index.html">iDIV</a>, researchers have found that climate drivers such as temperature and precipitation may have a stronger influence on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alpine-plants-are-threatened-by-glacier-retreat/">plants</a> outside of the growing season than what was previously expected. 

Previous studies that analyzed the relationship between climate and plant vital rates have reported only moderate effects. The results suggest that other threats, such as land use changes, are more of a threat to plant health than climate stress. These conclusions, however, may vary depending on the timing and duration of the research.

"Most researchers assume that plant populations respond to the climate within twelve months and only use this time window in their models to analyze plant responses," said study first author Sanne Evers.

For the current investigation, the researchers analyzed 76 studies performed on 104 plant species that link climate drivers with demographic responses. 

The experts found that 85 percent of all studies accounted for just one year of plant vitals, often focusing solely on the growing season.  

"There are many ways in which climate during the dormant season, or climate that occurred few years in the past, can influence the survivorship, growth, and reproduction of plants. For example, species can grow substantially during the cold season, at least where the cold season temperature does not fall below 5° Celsius," explained study senior author Aldo Compagnoni.

"In addition, it might take multiple years for plants to die after physiological damage from drought has occurred."

The researchers set out to determine which combination of climate drivers and temporal window may optimize the ability to predict climate stress on plants. The team zeroed in on four exceptionally long-term data sets: the montane plants Helianthella quinquenervis and Frasera speciosa, and the arid plants Cylindropuntia imbricata and Cryptantha flava. 

"For these plant species, 15 to 47 years of data was available. And even though they are all perennials, they come from very different habitats with clearly marked seasons," said Sanne Evers.

The study revealed that in many cases, it took several years for plants to respond to climate, and signs of the climate stress were not visible within the first couple of years. 

"Plant responses to climate drivers that are lagged and/or outside of the growing season are the rule rather than the exception," said study co-author Professor Tiffany Knight. "This could be explained by the physiological features of some plants: For instance, in alpine environments, it may take up to four years until leaves and flowers of plants such as F. speciosa reach maturity." 

As a result, the effects of an extreme climate event may only become visible in the number of leaves and flowers four years after that event influenced the formation of these structures.

The study reveals that plant responses to climate stress are more complex than what was previously thought, and the findings have important implications for understanding how plants will be affected by future climate change. 

"Our study suggests that considering climatic predictors that fall outside of the most recent growing season will improve our understanding of how climate affects population dynamics," wrote the researchers.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/13652486">Global Change Biology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Plants can hide the effects of climate stress for years

Two out of every five plant species are currently at...

In a breakthrough study from <a href="https://www.elte.hu/en/">Eötvös Loránd University</a>, experts have found that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-help-children-improve-their-confidence-and-social-skills/">dogs</a> show signs of self-awareness by demonstrating the ability to distinguish their body from its surrounding environment. 

According to the study authors, dogs have also exhibited other components of self-awareness, including the ability to recognize their own odor and to form personal memories of specific events.

In humans, self-awareness has evolved into an extremely complex form called self-consciousness. Some elements of this mental capacity may have emerged during the evolution of non-human animals, depending on their ecological needs. 

"Dogs are perfect subjects for the investigation of the self-representation related abilities as we share our anthropogenic physical and social environment with them," said study first author Rita Lenkei.

"Thus, it is reasonable to assume that at least some of its forms might appeared in them, too. From these, body-awareness might be one of the most basic ones."

In a problem-solving task, the dogs showed that they could recognize their body as an obstacle, indicating that they understand the relationship between their body and the environment.

Body awareness is one of the most basic illustrations of self-awareness. The researchers used a model that has previously been used to test for body awareness elephants and humans known as the "body as an obstacle" test.

During the original experiment, toddlers were instructed to hand over a mat they were sitting on. The idea was that they could only complete the task if they understood the connection between their own body and the mat. 

Furthermore, to complete the task, the toddlers first had to physically remove themselves from the mat. In other words, their bodies served as an obstacle to completing the task at hand. 

For the current study, the experts attached a ball to the mat so that dogs would easily understand the request of their owner to pass the object, which would also involve passing the mat.

"We developed a more complex method than the original one to make sure that dogs only leave the mat when it was truly necessary," explained study co-author Dr. Péter Pongrácz. "Based on our results even during their first attempt they left the mat significantly sooner and more likely when it was needed to solve the task, compared to when, for instance, the ball was anchored to the ground."

The results are especially interesting considering that this experiment is linked to the mirror mark test, which was also designed to determine whether an animal possesses the ability of visual self-recognition. While a few animal species consistently pass the mirror test, including elephants and chimpanzees, dogs consistently fail. 

"Based on our knowledge the dog is the first species that did not pass the mirror mark test but successfully passed the 'body as an obstacle' paradigm," said Lenkei. "Our results support the theory about self-representation as being an array of more or less connected cognitive skills, where the presence or lack of a particular building block may depend on the ecological needs and cognitive complexity of the given species."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/srep/">Scientific Reports</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Study reveals new evidence that dogs have self-awareness

In a breakthrough study from Eötvös Loránd University, experts have...

In urban areas, home gardens are by far the biggest source of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alcohol-humans-evolutionary-advantage/">food</a> for pollinating insects such as bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, flies, and beetles. Researchers at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/">University of Bristol</a> have determined that residential gardens account for 85 percent of the nectar produced in cities and towns. 

The study revealed that just three residential gardens can generate enough of the sugar-rich liquid Nature's ambrosia to fuel thousands of flying bees. By supporting more pollinators, the gardens support greater wildlife diversity.

"Although the quantity and diversity of nectar has been measured in the countryside, this wasn't the case in urban areas, so we decided to investigate," said study lead author and PhD student Nicholas Tew.

"We expected private gardens in towns and cities to be a plentiful source of nectar, but didn't anticipate the scale of production would be to such an overwhelming extent. Our findings highlight the pivotal role they play in supporting pollinators and promoting biodiversity in urban areas across the country."

In collaboration with the universities of Edinburgh and Reading and the Royal Horticultural Society, the researchers was conducted in four major UK towns and cities: Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, and Reading. 

The team examined nectar production in nearly 200 species of plants by extracting nectar from more than 3,000 individual flowers and measuring sugar concentrations.

"We found the nectar supply in urban landscapes is more diverse, in other words comes from more plant species, than in farmland and nature reserves, and this urban nectar supply is critically underpinned by private gardens," said Tew.

"Gardens are so important because they produce the most nectar per unit area of land and they cover the largest area of land in the cities we studied."

Residential gardens made up nearly one-third of the land in the urban areas studied. This is six times the area of parks and 40 times the area of allotments.

According to Tew, the research illustrates the huge role gardeners play in pollinator conservation, as without home gardens there would be far less food for pollinators in towns and cities. 

"It is vital that new housing developments include gardens and also important for gardeners to try to make sure their gardens are as good as possible for pollinators," said Tew. 

"Ways to do this include planting nectar-rich flowers, ensuring there is always something in flower from early spring to late autumn, mowing the lawn less often to let dandelions, clovers, daisies and other plant flowers flourish, avoiding spraying pesticides which can harm pollinators, and avoiding covering garden in paving, decking or artificial turf."

Dr. Stephanie Bird is an entomologist at the Royal Horticultural Society, which helped fund the research.

"This research highlights the importance of gardens in supporting our pollinating insects and how gardeners can have a positive impact through their planting decisions," said Dr. Bird. "Gardens should not be seen in isolation - instead they are a network of resources offering valuable habitats and provisions when maintained with pollinators in mind."

The study is published in the <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/13652745">Journal of Ecology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Residential gardens play a major role in supporting pollinators

In urban areas, home gardens are by far the biggest...

Mars,Planet,In,Space,Ship,Window,Porthole.,Elements,Of,This

Microbes from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reed-warblers-use-earths-magnetic-field-to-get-back-on-track/">Earth</a> could temporarily survive on the surface of Mars, according to new research by scientists at <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a> and the German Aerospace Center. The team tested how certain microorganisms would respond to Martian conditions by launching them into the Earth's stratosphere.

The study, which is published by <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/">Frontiers</a>, has laid the groundwork for understanding the potential threats of microbes during space travel, as well as the opportunities for resource independence from Earth.

"We successfully tested a new way of exposing bacteria and fungi to Mars-like conditions by using a scientific balloon to fly our experimental equipment up to Earth's stratosphere," said study co-first author Marta Filipa Cortesão. "Some microbes, in particular spores from the black mold fungus, were able to survive the trip, even when exposed to very high UV radiation."

It is critical to the success of future missions to measure the endurance of microbes under the conditions in space. For example, missions to find extraterrestrial life must be designed to eliminate the possibility that any microbes that are discovered have simply traveled from Earth. 

"With crewed long-term missions to Mars, we need to know how human-associated microorganisms would survive on the Red Planet, as some may pose a health risk to astronauts," said study co-first author Katharina Siems. "In addition, some microbes could be invaluable for space exploration. They could help us produce food and material supplies independently from Earth, which will be crucial when far away from home."

The conditions in Earth's middle stratosphere above the ozone layer are remarkably similar to key characteristics of the environment at the Martian surface.

"We launched the microbes into the stratosphere inside the MARSBOx (Microbes in Atmosphere for Radiation, Survival and Biological Outcomes experiment) payload, which was kept at Martian pressure and filled with artificial Martian atmosphere throughout the mission," said Cortesão. 

"The box carried two sample layers, with the bottom layer shielded from radiation. This allowed us to separate the effects of radiation from the other tested conditions: desiccation, atmosphere, and temperature fluctuation during the flight. The top layer samples were exposed to more than a thousand times more UV radiation than levels that can cause sunburn on our skin."

"While not all the microbes survived the trip, one previously detected on the International Space Station, the black mold Aspergillus niger, could be revived after it returned home," explained Siems. She noted that microorganisms are closely-connected to our body, our food, and our environment, which makes it impossible to rule them out of space travel. 

"Using good analogies for the Martian environment, such as the MARSBOx balloon mission to the stratosphere, is a really important way to help us explore all the implications of space travel on microbial life and how we can drive this knowledge towards amazing space discoveries."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology">Frontiers in Microbiology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Some microbes from Earth could survive the conditions on Mars

Microbes from Earth could temporarily survive on the surface of...

Noise from natural gas pipeline compressors does not deter birds from establishing nests nearby, but ultimately interferes with their reproductive success, according to experts at <a href="https://www.psu.edu/">Penn State</a>.

The researchers conducted an elaborate study that involved 80 new nest boxes occupied by Eastern bluebirds and tree swallows that were equipped with video cameras and recordings of compressor noise. 

"Importantly, the birds did not preferentially select quiet boxes over noisy boxes, suggesting they do not recognize the reduction in habitat quality resulting from the noise," said study co-author Professor Margaret Brittingham. 

"But both bluebirds and tree swallows nesting in noisy boxes spent less time incubating their eggs, had fewer eggs hatch and produced fewer young than their neighbors nesting in quiet boxes."

Natural gas production is rapidly expanding across the United States. Compressor stations that pressurize gas and push it through pipelines to consumers are often located in isolated areas of the forest used by breeding birds.

"The loud, low-frequency noise emitted by natural gas compressor stations travels hundreds of yards into undisturbed areas," said study co-author Professor Julian Avery. "Because shale gas development often occurs in relatively undisturbed natural areas that provide important habitat for breeding birds, it is imperative that we develop plans to manage and mitigate noise."

For their investigation, the researchers took precautions to make sure they were solely evaluating the responses of the birds to compressor noise, and not to other factors.

The experiment was conducted in the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs in central Pennsylvania. 

The team positioned the nest boxes to attract bluebirds and tree swallows to a site with no previous breeding population. Half of the boxes were exposed to natural gas compressor noise before birds returned to the region, while the other 40 boxes served as controls.

"We took a risk initiating the study - we weren't sure these birds would find and occupy our boxes," said Professor Avery. "We hoped that, 'if we build it, they will come.' Bluebirds likely had other nearby spots to nest, and the tree swallows were just returning from Central America. There was no guarantee they'd encounter our boxes."

Study lead author Danielle Williams monitored video feeds from within the boxes to document changes in breeding behavior. 

She found that there was no difference in the number of eggs laid between noisy boxes and quiet boxes or in feeding behavior by the adults. However, in both species, Williams observed a reduction in incubation time, hatching success, and fledging success in the noisy boxes.

The findings demonstrate that natural gas compressor noise causes behavioral changes that lead to reduced reproductive success for eastern bluebirds and tree swallows. 

According to the researchers, the results indicate that natural gas infrastructure can create an "equal-preference ecological trap," where birds do not distinguish between lower and higher quality territories despite reproductive costs.

"That suggests that noise did not increase rates of either depredation or abandonment but instead negatively impacted fitness through reduced hatching and fledging success," said Professor Brittingham. "We never would have known that if we had not done this research."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/condor">Ornithological Applications</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Noise from natural gas compressors disrupts songbird reproduction

Noise from natural gas pipeline compressors does not deter birds...

Nature has a powerful influence on our psychological health and coping skills, even during the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/second-wave-of-covid-19-pandemic-was-driven-by-the-weather/">pandemic</a>, according to a new study from the <a href="https://uconn.edu/">University of Connecticut</a>. 

Previous studies have confirmed a link between nature and a greater sense of well-being. The results of the current study also suggest that feeling connected with nature can protect against the detrimental mental health effects of traumatic events like the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Thinking about the natural world in an interconnected and harmonious way corresponds to improved psychological health, no matter where you are," said study lead author Professor Brian W. Haas.

The researchers conducted surveys in America and Japan to measure how much the pandemic impacted the participants' lives. The surveys were also designed to gauge the current psychological health and coping skills of the respondents, as well as how they viewed nature. 

More specifically, the experts set out to analyze whether the individuals were in tune or connected with the natural world or if they had a worldview of "mastery over nature" - the belief that people have the ability to control the natural world. 

The participants also reported on their stress levels and if the pandemic had affected them personally, including their employment or finances.

The analysis revealed that individuals who felt harmonious and connected with nature were coping better with the pandemic in both Japan and the United States.

"Clearly there's great need for study as relates to the pandemic, not just now during COVID, but also of previous pandemics and for possible future pandemics," said study co-author Professor Fumiko Hoeft.

"I feel like this is a really great lesson, and a moment for us to really appreciate that things like our relationship with nature do matter and make an impact on more tangible things, like our mental health, which we often forget."

When looking at individuals with a mastery-over-nature worldview, the researchers noticed cultural differences in coping skills.

"We found that the Americans who believed that humans are, and should be, the masters of the natural world did not tend to cope well during the pandemic, while this was not the case in Japan," said Professor Haas.

The experts propose the difference may be rooted in the concept of naïve dialecticism - the acceptance or tolerance of contradiction.

"In other cultures outside of the United States, people tend to be more comfortable with contradiction; in other cultures, it is generally more accepted to possess conflicting ideas within your mind at the same time. But in the United States, it's not. We can apply this concept to nature and the current global pandemic," said Professor Haas.

"For instance, if I hold a view that I am the master of the natural world, and then a global pandemic happens, this is a clear natural disaster. If I believe that I am the master of the natural world, then surely I would never allow a natural disaster to happen. These concepts are inconsistent with one another, and a consequence of inconsistency is often negative mood."

The study authors said that, in an increasingly virtual and technology driven world, taking a moment to appreciate nature has clear benefits regardless of where you live.

"In Japanese, there's this word called 'forest-bathing,'" said Professor Hoeft. "It's basically when you go out into nature, and enjoy being surrounded by trees. It's usually for forests, but you go walking and it's supposed to refresh you."

"People often talk about how they went out 'forest bathing.' I love thinking about these kinds of old phrases - do they have some real impact or real scientific background in the end? And I think this is one of them where this really does have a connection. There is some scientific truth behind this."

"Think about taking a step away from Zoom for a moment and taking a walk and listening to the birds chirp," said Professor Haas. "I mean, just the benefit of that, and understanding that we have a role in this natural world, and we're part of it. I think that's really intuitive and it's obvious, but I think it's also really, really important. 

We're showing very convincingly with empirical data that, during a very difficult time like we are in now, that it's important to do these things to maintain your psychological health."

While the research was focused on just two cultures, Professor Haas believes other cultures would also demonstrate a similar association between nature and good mental health. He predicts that it's likely a universal phenomenon.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.journals.elsevier.com/personality-and-individual-differences">Personality and Individual Differences</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

People who are connected with nature have better coping skills

Nature has a powerful influence on our psychological health and...

In a new study from <a href="https://ok.ubc.ca/">UBC Okanagan</a>, experts have found that dogs can improve social skills and confidence in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-how-children-are-protected-from-severe-covid-19/">children</a> while helping them enjoy learning. The researchers observed children as they engaged in a social skill-training program with therapy dogs.

 "Dog lovers often have an assumption that canine-assisted interventions are going to be effective because other people are going to love dogs," said study lead author Nicole Harris. "While we do frequently see children improve in therapy dog programs, we didn't have data to support that they enjoyed the time as well."

Over six weeks, the children were accompanied by therapy dogs as they completed a series of sessions to help them build their social skills. The training sessions were focused on a new skill each week, such as how to give directions to others.

The children would first practice the skills with their therapy dog before running through the exercise with the rest of the group. 

"Therapy dogs are often able to reach children and facilitate their growth in surprising ways. We saw evidence of this in the social skills of children when they were paired with a therapy dog," said study co-author Dr. John-Tyler Binfet. 

"The dogs helped create a non-threatening climate while the children were learning these new skills. We saw the children practice and hone their social skills with and alongside the dogs."

As the children practiced and learned their new social skills, the research team documented their behavior and responses.

"Findings from our observations suggested that canine-assisted social and emotional learning initiatives can provide unique advantages," said Harris. "Our team saw that by interacting with the therapy dogs, the children's moods improved and their engagement in their lessons increased."

Overall, 87 percent of the team rated the children as being very engaged or extremely engaged during the sessions.

At the end of the training, Harris interviewed some of the children who regularly attended the sessions. Each child reported that the program was enjoyable and positive, and said the dogs were a meaningful part of the experience.

According to the researchers, the children behaved better at the sessions than at their regular after-school care program. They attributed this improvement in behavior to the fact that the children liked being around the dogs. Half of the children even mentioned ways the dogs had helped with their emotional well-being.

Harris, who is an elementary school teacher, noted that schools have become increasingly important in helping students develop social and emotional skills, and this research could contribute to the development of future school-based or after-school programs.

"Dogs have the ability to provide many stress-reducing and confidence-boosting benefits to children. It was really heartwarming to see the impact the program had on the kids."

The study is published in the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ujrc20">Journal of Research in Childhood Education</a>.

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Dogs help children improve their confidence and social skills

In a new study from UBC Okanagan, experts have found...

Wolves do not pose as much of a threat to grazing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/livestock-production-could-be-hit-hard-by-global-warming/">livestock</a> as previously thought, particularly when they have access to natural landscapes, according to a new study from the <a href="https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/1.html">University of Göttingen</a>. An investigation into the feeding behavior of Mongolian wolves revealed that they prefer to feed on wild animals, even when grazing livestock is widely available.

In collaboration with colleagues from the <a href="https://museumfrankfurt.senckenberg.de/en/">Senckenberg Museum</a>, study lead author Nina Tiralla analyzed 137 wolf droppings collected in Mongolia between 2008 and 2012. 

"We were able to show that 89 percent of the wolves' diet consisted of wild ungulates, predominantly Siberian roe deer," said Tiralla. "The remaining 11 percent consisted of small mammals such as hares or mice."

The experts even found traces of insects and berries in the droppings, but there was no trace of farmed animals. "This was surprising for us because previous studies had shown grazing animals to be the main food source for wolves."

Previous research has suggested that the diet of wolves in Central Asia consists mainly of grazing livestock. This could cause increasing conflict between nomadic livestock herders and wild predatory animals like wolves. 

There are more than 40 million grazing animals in Mongolia. These animals serve as a source of food, as well as the only source of income, for more than half of the population. Livestock cultivation is gradually transforming Mongolia's landscape, and one third of the country is now used for pastureland. As areas close to nature are being converted, conflict between livestock and wild animals like wolves is inevitable.

The new study indicates that the likelihood of conflict depends a lot on the landscape. Unlike the earlier studies on Mongolian wolves, the samples examined in this study come from near-natural regions with high species diversity. 

"Although there is also a supply of grazing animals here, the wolves seem to prefer wild animals such as the Siberian roe deer as prey, possibly because they are easier and less dangerous to hunt," explained the researchers. 

The experts concluded that when wolves live in a near-natural and species-rich landscape with sufficient prey, they pose only a very low threat to grazing livestock. This is most likely the case not only in Mongolia, but in other countries as well. 

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.springer.com/journal/42991">Mammalian Biology</a>.

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Wolves do not prefer to prey on livestock

Wolves do not pose as much of a threat to...

Nature plays a major role in sanitizing cities worldwide, according to a new study published by <a href="https://www.cell.com/">Cell Press</a>. A team of researchers in the UK and India investigated the role of ecosystems in sanitation, and found that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/observing-birds-in-nature-can-help-protect-them-in-captivity/">nature</a> provides at least 18 percent of these services in 48 major cities.

The experts estimate that more than two million cubic meters of human waste is processed each year without engineered infrastructure across the study sites. For example, pit latrine waste is gradually filtered and cleaned as it moves through the soil before it reaches groundwater.

Study co-author Alison Parker is a senior lecturer in International Water and Sanitation at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom. 

"Nature can, and does, take the role of sanitation infrastructure," said Parker. "While we are not marginalizing the vital role of engineered infrastructure, we believe a better understanding of how engineered and natural infrastructure interact may allow adaptive design and management, reducing costs, and improving effectiveness and sustainability, and safeguard the continued existence of these areas of land."

Wastewater treatment infrastructure serves as an important promoter of human health by converting human feces into harmless products. By 2017, however, more than 25 percent of the world's population did not have access to basic sanitation facilities, while 14 percent used toilets that disposed of waste onsite. 

Previous research has suggested that this potentially hazardous waste may be naturally treated by natural wetlands and mangroves. For example, the Navikubo wetland in Uganda processes untreated wastewater from more than 100,000 households, which protects the Murchison Bay and Lake Victoria from harmful contaminants. 

In the United States, coastal wetlands in the Gulf of Mexico remove nitrogen from the Mississippi River, noted the researchers.

"We realized that nature must be providing sanitation services, because so many people in the world do not have access to engineered infrastructure like sewers," said study co-author Simon Willcock. "But the role for nature was largely unrecognized."

The team used Excreta Flow Diagrams to quantify sanitation ecosystem services in 48 cities containing about 82 million people. The study was focused on all diagrams that were available on December 17th, 2018, specifically those coded as "fecal sludge contained not emptied." 

The researchers estimate that nature processes 2.2 million cubic meters of human waste per year within these 48 cities. Since more than 892 million people worldwide use similar onsite disposal toilet facilities, they further estimate that nature sanitizes about 41.7 million tons of human waste per year before the liquid enters the groundwater. These services are collectively valued at about $4.4 billion per year, but the study authors note that these estimates likely undervalue the true worth of sanitation ecosystem services.

The experts hope their findings will shed light on an important but often unrecognized contribution that nature makes to many people's everyday lives, which may inspire the protection of ecosystems such as wetlands that protect communities from wastewater pollutants downstream.

"We would like to promote a better collaboration between ecologists, sanitation practitioners and city planners to help nature and infrastructure work better in harmony, and to protect nature where it is providing sanitation services," said Parker.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.oneearth.org/">One Earth</a>.

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Nature sanitizes more than 40 million tons of human waste a year

Nature plays a major role in sanitizing cities worldwide, according...

In a study from the <a href="https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/">University of Liverpool</a>, researchers sequenced the genome of a capuchin monkey for the first time. The genetic analysis has revealed new clues about the evolution of the exceptionally long lives and big <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-with-brains-that-learn-implicitly-have-stronger-religious-beliefs/">brains</a> of capuchin monkeys.

"Capuchins have the largest relative brain size of any monkey and can live past the age of 50, despite their small size, but their genetic underpinnings had remained unexplored until now," explained study co-author Professor Joao Pedro De Magalhaes.

The researchers used a comparative genomics approach to study the white-faced capuchin monkey against a wide variety of mammals. They identified genes associated with longevity and brain development that had been evolutionarily selected in capuchin monkeys.

Study senior author and Canada Research Chair Amanda Melin has studied capuchin monkey behavior and genetics for almost 20 years.

"We found signatures of positive selection on genes underlying both traits, which helps us to better understand how such traits evolve," said Melin. "In addition, we found evidence of genetic adaptation to drought and seasonal environments by looking at populations of capuchins from a rainforest and a seasonal dry forest."

The experts identified genes that are involved in DNA damage response, metabolism, cell cycle, and insulin signaling. DNA damage is thought to be a major contributor to aging. Previous studies by Professor de Magalhaes showed that genes involved in DNA damage responses exhibit selection patterns that are specific to longevity in mammals.

"Of course, because aging-related genes often play multiple roles it is impossible to be sure whether selection in these genes is related to aging or to other life-history traits, like growth rates and developmental times, that in turn correlate with longevity," said Professor De Magalhaes.

"Although we should be cautious about the biological significance of our findings, it is tempting to speculate that, like in other species, changes to specific aging-related genes or pathways, could contribute to the longevity of capuchins."

The research was made possible by the development of a new technique, FecalFACS, which allows experts to isolate DNA more efficiently from primate faeces.

"This is a major breakthrough because the typical way to extract DNA from faeces results in about 95-99% of the DNA coming from gut microbes and food items," said study lead author Dr. Joseph Orkin.

"A lot of money has been spent sequencing genomes from different organisms than the mammals we're actually trying to study. Because of this, when wildlife biologists have required entire genomes, they have had to rely on more pure sources of DNA, like blood, saliva, or tissue - but as you can imagine, those are very hard to come by when studying endangered animals."

"FecalFACS finally provides a way to sequence whole genomes from free-ranging mammals using readily available, non-invasive samples, which could really help future conservation efforts."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Age-rated genes help capuchin monkeys live longer

In a study from the University of Liverpool, researchers sequenced...

An international group of scientists is calling for global action to inform policymakers and the public about the widespread threat of chemical pollution. In a study from the <a href="https://greensciencepolicy.org/">Green Science Policy Institute</a>, the researchers explain how a lack of science-policy interactions on chemicals and waste has contributed to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-health-may-protect-you-from-severe-covid-19/">health</a> and environmental problems worldwide.

Even though chemical pollution is a global issue, international policymakers do not have a way to stay informed regarding important new scientific findings, which limits their ability to address the growing problem. 

"We need international cooperation to address issues that transcend borders, such as the harms of heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, and plastic wastes," said study lead author Dr. Zhanyun Wang. "This is critical for developed and developing countries where developing countries are the world's dumping grounds for toxics."

According to the researchers, over 100,000 chemicals are currently in use, including pesticides used in farming, metals that are disposed of in old digital devices, and the PFAS that make rain jackets waterproof. The experts report that exposure to just a small fraction of harmful chemicals contributed to over 1.3 million premature deaths in 2017. 

As the amount and variety of chemicals in use continue to increase, the threats will continue to grow. In 2017, global chemical sales were over US$5.6 trillion, and are projected to almost double by 2030. 

The trends projected for waste generation are even more alarming. For example, the amount of plastic waste entering the ocean in 2025 is expected to be 10 times higher than in 2010.

The study authors emphasize that a global intergovernmental science-policy body for chemicals and waste is urgently needed to monitor the chemicals that are in use throughout their life cycles. The panel would also identify policy-relevant research that could speed up action to protect the health of humans and the environment.

"A new science-policy body will provide a scientific basis for international and national action on chemicals and waste by conducting authoritative scientific assessments, identifying emerging concerns, and connecting policy makers and scientists," said Dr. Wang. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and we hope the governments around the world will take this critical step toward a pollution-free planet."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/">Science</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Chemical pollution is a global threat that needs to be monitored

An international group of scientists is calling for global action...

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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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

[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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



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



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

How the immune system responds to injury

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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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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...