Diamond rain and super-ionic water are among the more dramatic theories proposed to explain the mysterious interiors of Uranus and Neptune, the ice giants of our solar system.&nbsp;



However, a planetary scientist from the <a href="https://www.berkeley.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Berkeley</a>, has introduced a compelling alternative: the interiors of these planets are layered, with materials separating like oil and water.&nbsp;



This separation could explain the planets' unusual magnetic fields and challenges earlier theories about their interiors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-layered-model-for-the-ice-giants">A layered model for the ice giants</h2>



In a paper published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2403981121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>, Burkhard Militzer, a professor of earth and planetary science at UC Berkeley, suggests that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/decades-after-voyager-2-flew-by-uranus-we-finally-know-what-it-saw/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uranus</a> and Neptune have interiors composed of two distinct layers.&nbsp;



Beneath the planets’ thick hydrogen-and-helium atmospheres, a deep ocean of water-rich material lies above a highly compressed, hydrocarbon-rich fluid composed of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen.



Militzer's computer simulations show that under the extreme pressures and temperatures inside these planets, water (H₂O), methane (CH₄), and ammonia (NH₃) naturally separate. This separation occurs because hydrogen is squeezed out of methane and ammonia, leading to the formation of immiscible layers.



“We now have, I would say, a good theory why Uranus and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/three-new-moons-discovered-around-neptune-and-uranus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neptune</a> have really different fields, and it's very different from Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn,” Militzer explained. “It's like oil and water, except the hydrogen-rich layer goes on top, and the heavier material stays below.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-magnetic-fields-and-convection">Magnetic fields and convection</h2>



The theory provides a potential explanation for the irregular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-magnetic-field-is-shifting-and-putting-navigation-at-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnetic fields</a> of Uranus and Neptune, which were discovered by NASA's Voyager 2 mission in the 1980s.&nbsp;



Unlike Earth’s strong, dipolar magnetic field - which results from convection in the planet's liquid outer core - Uranus and Neptune have disorganized magnetic fields.



Convection, a process where hot material rises and cooler material sinks, generates magnetic fields in planetary interiors. For Uranus and Neptune, the lack of a large-scale, convecting layer in their interiors suggests that the materials within are layered and do not mix.



In Militzer's model, the upper water-rich layer likely convects, creating the observed disorganized magnetic field, while the deeper, hydrocarbon-rich layer remains stable and stratified, preventing global convection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-conditions-of-uranus-and-neptune">Extreme conditions of Uranus and Neptune </h2>



Militzer’s breakthrough came after a decade of research. Ten years ago, he used computer models with 100 atoms to simulate the behavior of elements in the planets’ interiors but could not replicate the formation of layers.



Last year, leveraging machine learning and more powerful computing tools, he increased the number of atoms in his model to 540.&nbsp;



This allowed him to simulate the behavior of materials under the extreme pressures and temperatures inside Uranus and Neptune - up to 3.4 million times Earth's atmospheric pressure and temperatures around 4,750 Kelvin (8,000°F).



“One day, I looked at the model, and the water had separated from the carbon and nitrogen,” Militzer said. “What I couldn't do 10 years ago was now happening.”



The model revealed that as pressure increases with depth, hydrogen is squeezed out, forming a stable layer of carbon-nitrogen-hydrogen material, almost like a plastic polymer. This hydrocarbon-rich layer lies beneath the convecting, water-rich layer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gravity-fields-measured-by-voyager-2-nbsp">Gravity fields measured by Voyager 2&nbsp;</h2>



When Militzer modeled the gravitational effects of a layered Uranus and Neptune, the results matched the gravity fields measured by Voyager 2 nearly 40 years ago.&nbsp;



His model predicts that below Uranus’ 3,000-mile-thick atmosphere lies a water-rich layer about 5,000 miles thick.&nbsp;



Beneath this layer is a hydrocarbon-rich layer of similar thickness, with a rocky core about the size of Mercury. Neptune, though more massive than Uranus, has a thinner atmosphere but similar water-rich and hydrocarbon-rich layers. Its rocky core is slightly larger, approximately the size of Mars.



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



If Militzer's theory is correct, it has implications beyond our solar system.&nbsp;



Planets similar in size to Uranus and Neptune, often referred to as sub-Neptune <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neptune-like-exoplanets-atmospheres-interesting-earth-size-neighbors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exoplanets</a>, are among the most common types of planets discovered around other stars. These exoplanets may also have layered interiors with distinct chemical compositions and magnetic fields.



“If other star systems have similar compositions to ours, ice giants around those stars could well have similar internal structures,” Militzer noted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-interiors-of-uranus-and-neptune">The interiors of Uranus and Neptune </h2>



Militzer hopes to collaborate with experimental physicists to recreate the extreme conditions of Uranus and Neptune’s interiors in laboratory settings.&nbsp;



By testing the behavior of fluids with elemental proportions found in the protosolar system, researchers could verify whether immiscible layers naturally form.



Future space missions may also provide definitive proof. A proposed NASA mission to Uranus could include a Doppler imager to measure planetary vibrations.&nbsp;



According to Militzer, a layered planet would vibrate at different frequencies than one with a fully convecting interior. His next project involves calculating these vibrations using his computational model.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-peculiarities-of-uranus-and-neptune">The peculiarities of Uranus and Neptune </h2>



Militzer's findings challenge popular theories about Uranus and Neptune, such as the idea of diamond rain in the planets’ interiors or the exotic properties of super-ionic water.



“If you ask my colleagues, 'What do you think explains the fields of Uranus and Neptune?' they may say, ‘Well, maybe it's this diamond rain, but maybe it's this water property which we call super-ionic,’” Militzer said.&nbsp;



“From my perspective, this is not plausible. But if we have this separation into two separate layers, that should explain it.”



Militzer's layered model offers a comprehensive explanation for the peculiarities of Uranus and Neptune, from their magnetic fields to their gravitational signatures.&nbsp;



By identifying the separation of water-rich and hydrocarbon-rich layers as the key factor, the study advances our understanding of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-ice-giant-uranus-in-stunning-detail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice giants</a> and opens new possibilities for exploring planetary interiors.



Future laboratory experiments and space missions could confirm these findings, not only shedding light on the mysteries of Uranus and Neptune but also providing insights into the structure of similar planets across the galaxy.



-----



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What lies beneath the surface of Uranus and Neptune?

Diamond rain and super-ionic water are among the more dramatic theories proposed to explain the mysterious interiors of Uranus and Neptune, the ice giants of our solar system.&nbsp; However, a planetary scientist from the University of California, Berkeley, has introduced a compelling alternative: the interiors of these planets are layered, with materials separating like oil and water.&nbsp; This separation could explain the planets' unusual magnetic fields and challenges earlier theories about their interiors. A layered model for the ice giants In a paper published in the Proceedings...

Wicker basket with red ripe apples in the garden.

Natural compounds found in apples can improve brain function, according to a new study from the <a href="https://www.isscr.org/">International Society for Stem Cell Research</a>. Using a mouse model, the experts demonstrated that apples and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fruit-eating-mammals-fertilize-the-soil-in-tropical-forests/">fruits</a> help stimulate the production of new brain cells, and may ultimately boost learning and memory. 

Phytonutrients are chemical substances in plants that are known to have positive effects on the body. For example, resveratrol is a phytonutrient that is found in the skin of red grapes that is associated with a reduced risk of age-related conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

"Apart from being a source of energy, food is known to influence an individual's overall fitness. A growing number of studies have demonstrated the health benefits of phytochemicals, the chemical substances found in plants. Active dietary compounds are also vital for maintaining cognitive function," wrote the study authors.

The researchers set out to investigate the neural effects of specific compounds in apples. They discovered that high concentrations of phytonutrients found in apples can stimulate the process of neurogenesis, during which new brain cells are formed.

The study was focused on lab-grown stem cells from adult mouse brains. The researchers added phytonutrients commonly found in apples, including quercetin or dihydroxybezoic acid (DHBA), to the cell cultures. As a result, the stem cells appeared to be protected from death and generated more brain cells. 

Further experiments showed that, in distinct brain structures associated with learning and memory, stem cells multiplied and produced more neurons when the mice were given high doses of quercetin or DHBA. 

According to the researchers, the effects on neurogenesis were comparable to beneficial effects that have been observed after physical exercise, which is a known stimulus for neurogenesis.

Further research is needed to determine if quercetin, DHBA, and other phytonutrients can enhance learning and cognitive function.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/stem-cell-reports/home">Stem Cell Reports</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Apples stimulate the production of new brain cells

Natural compounds found in apples can improve brain function, according...

Portrait,Of,Primeval,Caveman,Wearing,Animal,Skin,Standing,In,His

In a new study on the evolution of the brain, researchers have discovered that a single <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/songbirds-rely-on-an-autism-gene-for-memorization/">gene</a> alteration may separate modern humans from our earlier ancestors. The team developed "mini brains" to gain a better understanding of what makes us so different from our relatives, the Neanderthals and Denisovans, 

Study senior author Dr. Alysson R. Muotri director of the <a href="https://ucsd.edu/">UC San Diego</a> Stem Cell Program and a professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. Her work is primarily focused on how the brain develops.

Evolutionary studies rely heavily on genetics and fossil analysis to explore how a species changes over time, but neither approach can reveal much about brain development and function because brains do not fossilize, explained Dr. Muotri.

The researchers took a different approach to brain reconstructions by using stem cells, precursors of other cell types that can be used to grow miniature brains in the lab. 

The team has now documented the differences between the genomes of diverse modern humans and the Neanderthals and Denisovans, who lived approximately 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago. By mimicking an alteration they found in one gene of Neanderthals, the researchers used stem cells to create brain organoids.

"It's fascinating to see that a single base-pair alteration in human DNA can change how the brain is wired," said Dr. Muotri. "We don't know exactly how and when in our evolutionary history that change occurred. But it seems to be significant, and could help explain some of our modern capabilities in social behavior, language, adaptation, creativity and use of technology."

The study initially identified 61 genes that differed between modern and extinct humans. One of these genes, NOVA1, stood out because it is a master gene regulator that influences many other genes during early brain development. 

Using CRISPR gene editing, the experts engineered modern human stem cells with the Neanderthal mutation in NOVA1, and the stem cells were then transformed into brain cells and ultimately mini brains. These organoids are little clusters of brain cells, but they are not exactly the same as a brain. For example, they lack connections to other organ systems like blood vessels. 

However, organoids are useful models for studying genetics, disease development, and responses to drug treatment. Dr. Muotri's team has even managed to develop mini brains with organized electrical oscillatory waves similar to those produced by the human brain.

According to the researchers, the Neanderthal organoids looked very different from modern human brain organoids, even to the naked eye. Beyond having a distinctly different shape, these organoids varied in the way their cells proliferated and in how their connections between neurons, or synapses, formed.

Furthermore, the experts report that the electrical impulses of mini brains with the NOVA1 mutation were more active at earlier stages, but did not synchronize in networks.

Dr. Muotri pointed out that the neural network changes observed in Neanderthal-ized brain organoids parallel the way newborn primates acquire new abilities more rapidly than human newborns.

"This study focused on only one gene that differed between modern humans and our extinct relatives. Next we want to take a look at the other 60 genes, and what happens when each, or a combination of two or more, are altered," said Dr. Muotri.

"We're looking forward to this new combination of stem cell biology, neuroscience and paleogenomics. The ability to apply the comparative approach of modern humans to other extinct hominins, such as Neanderthals and Denisovans, using brain organoids carrying ancestral genetic variants is an entirely new field of study."

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

Modern humans are separated from Neanderthals by one gene

In a new study on the evolution of the brain,...

In a new study published by <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/">Frontiers</a>, four pigs learned how to play video games by moving a joystick with their snouts. According to the experts, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/changing-ocean-soundscapes-impact-animals-worldwide/">animals</a> demonstrated that they understood the concept of the computer games despite having some physical limitations. 

The researchers said the fact that these far-sighted animals with no opposable thumbs could succeed at the task is "remarkable."

The study was focused on two Yorkshire pigs and two Panepinto micro pigs. All four animals were trained to manipulate a joystick with their snouts in front of a computer monitor. Next, they were taught how to play a video game where the goal was to move a cursor toward up to four target walls on the screen.

Each pig performed well above chance, which indicates that the animals were fully aware of the connection between the movement of the joystick and the cursor on the computer screen. 

"It is no small feat for an animal to grasp the concept that the behavior they are performing is having an effect elsewhere. That pigs can do this to any degree should give us pause as to what else they are capable of learning and how such learning may impact them," said study lead author Dr. Candace Croney.

Previous research has shown that pigs are capable of various types of learning ranging from basic obedience commands to more complex behaviors.

The current study revealed that pigs become more persistent as a result of social contact. Verbal encouragement motivated them to complete the most challenging tasks. 

"This sort of study is important because, as with any sentient beings, how we interact with pigs and what we do to them impacts and matters to them," said Dr. Croney. 

"We therefore have an ethical obligation to understand how pigs acquire information, and what they are capable of learning and remembering, because it ultimately has implications for how they perceive their interactions with us and their environments."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology">Frontiers in Psychology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Pigs can learn how to play video games

In a new study published by Frontiers, four pigs learned...

Domestic cats become much less of a threat to wildlife when they are fed a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-mediterranean-diet-reduces-fatty-liver-disease-by-half/">diet</a> that is rich in meat, according to new research from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a>. The experts also discovered that cats hunt for wildlife less when their owners play with them on a daily basis. 

The study revealed that introducing a premium commercial food, where proteins came from meat, reduced the number of prey animals cats brought home by 36 percent. In addition, five to ten minutes of daily play reduced hunting by 25 percent.

"Previous research in this area has focused on inhibiting cats' ability to hunt, either by keeping them indoors or fitting them with collars, devices and deterrents," explained study co-author Professor Robbie McDonald.

"While keeping cats indoors is the only sure-fire way to prevent hunting, some owners are worried about the welfare implications of restricting their cat's outdoor access."

"Our study shows that - using entirely non-invasive, non-restrictive methods - owners can change what the cats themselves want to do. By playing with cats and changing their diets, owners can reduce their impact on wildlife without restricting their freedom."

For the investigation, cat owners simulated hunting by moving a feather toy on a string so cats could stalk, chase, and pounce. As for the food, it is not yet clear which elements of the meat led to a reduction in hunting.

"Some cat foods contain protein from plant sources such as soy, and it is possible that despite forming a 'complete diet' these foods leave some cats deficient in one or more micronutrients -prompting them to hunt," said study lead author Martina Cecchetti.

"However, meat production raises clear climate and environmental issues, so one of our next steps is to find out whether specific micronutrients could be added to cat foods to reduce hunting."

"We also plan to investigate whether different kinds of play have different effects, and whether combining strategies can reduce hunting even further."

The study involved a 12-week trial of 355 cats in 219 households in southwest England. The researchers tested existing devices used to limit hunting by cats, such as collar covers and bells. Overall, these devices were found to be ineffective.

Lisa George has a three-year-old tabby cat named Minnie who took part in the trial.

"Minnie loves to hunt. More often than not, she will bring her prey home and let it go in the house. We've had birds in the bedroom, rats in the waste paper bin (which took us three days to catch), rabbits in the utility room," said George.

"On changing Minnie's food (previously supermarket own-brand), to Lily's Kitchen, I found she hardly hunted at all. This continued the whole time she was on this food. I can honestly say I couldn't believe the difference as regards her hunting behavior."

George Bradley of <a href="https://www.songbird-survival.org.uk/">SongBird Survival</a>, which sponsored the research, said the study is excellent news for birds.

"The data show that cat owners (like me) can make a few small and easy steps to really improve the health and happiness of our pets as well as make a really big difference for all our wildlife, especially our beloved songbirds."

According to Bradley, making these simple changes will be a win-win for birds, cats, and cat owners.

"We are really encouraged by the findings of this study," said Dr. Sarah Ellis of iCatCare. "While many cat owners are wildlife lovers and find the killing and injuring of wild animals by their cats upsetting, many owners also feel that keeping their cats indoors or restricting their outdoor access would impact negatively on their cats' quality of life."

"At iCatCare, we are particularly excited about the positive effects of play - this is an activity that owners can easily introduce at no or little cost, takes little time and is very cat-friendly.

"The mental and physical stimulation of predatory-like play are likely to help keep a cat in tip top condition and provide an appropriate behavioural outlet for its predatory behaviours."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/home">Current Biology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Cats will hunt less wildlife if you feed them meat

Domestic cats become much less of a threat to wildlife...

Researchers at <a href="https://liu.se/en">Linköping University</a> have developed biosensors that can monitor the health of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bee-conservation-relies-on-plant-diversity/">plants</a> in real time. The sensors make it possible to track sugar levels deep in the plant tissues.

As the global population grows larger, climate change is forcing the world to adjust to new conditions for crop cultivation. Data from the biosensors will provide insight to support these  agricultural adaptations.

Study lead author Eleni Stavrinidou is an associate professor in the Laboratory of Organic Electronics in Linköping's Department of Science and Technology.

"We will have to secure our food supply in the coming decades. And we must do this using the same, or even fewer, resources as today. This is why it is important to understand how plants react to changes in the environment and how they adapt," explained Professor Stavrinidou.

The biosensors are based on organic electrochemical transistors that can be implanted, and have the capacity to continuously monitor the sugar levels of trees for up to two days. 

The information from the sensors will reveal new clues about plant growth and other biological processes. Sugars are important signal substances that influence how plants respond to changes in their surrounding environment.

Biosensors like glucometers are widely used for monitoring sugar levels in humans, but this is the first time the technology has been applied to plants.

"The sensors now are used for basic plant science research but in the future they can be used in agriculture to optimize the conditions for growth or to monitor the quality of the product, for example. In the long term, the sensors can also be used to guide the production of new types of plant that can grow in non-optimal conditions," said Professor Stavrinidou.

Scientists still have a lot to learn about the mechanisms that regulate plant metabolism, as well as how changes in sugar levels affect growth. While previous studies involved detaching parts of the plant, the new biosensor can deliver valuable information about metabolic processes without damaging the plant.

"We found a variation in sugar levels in the trees that had not been previously observed. Future studies will focus on understanding how plants sugar levels change when plants are under stress," said Professor Stavrinidou.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/home">iScience</a>.

 ---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Biosensors can monitor plant health in real time

Researchers at Linköping University have developed biosensors that can monitor...

The COVID-19 pandemic presented scientists with a unique opportunity to study traffic-related air pollution. Experts at the <a href="https://www.usf.edu/">University of South Florida</a> have found that dramaticdeclines in traffic during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urgent-wake-up-call-climate-change-linked-to-covid-19/">COVID-19</a> lockdowns improved air quality in some states, but was not enough to offset industrial sources of atmospheric pollution in others. 

The findings suggest that while decreasing the number of vehicles on the road is a good first step toward cleaner air, additional measures aimed at coal plants and factories must also be considered.

Study lead author Yasin Elshorbany is an assistant professor of Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate Change at USF's St. Petersburg campus. Professor Elshorbany is working with a multidisciplinary team of experts to examine the key environmental impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns. 

The goal of the research is to gain a better understanding of the health and socioeconomic consequences of changes in air quality.

For the current investigation, Professor Elshorbany analyzed the impact of the pandemic on air quality by using remote sensors that measured different elements in the air, such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, and aerosol particles. The study was study on states with high traffic volume, including New York, Illinois, Florida, California, and Texas.

According to the study, vehicle volumes dropped by 40 to 60 percent across the United States shortly after the pandemic was declared.

&nbsp;

The results showed a in air quality in regions

&nbsp;

There were significant air quality improvements in regions where traffic is the main pollution source, such as in New York City and the state of Florida. However, industrial emissions and other sources of pollution dominated other areas, including Chicago and Charleston, West Virginia, where air quality actually worsened during lockdowns. 

"This shows that in certain states, in addition to traffic regulations we need to focus on other big pollution problems, such as industrial emissions in Illinois, wildfires in California or oil refineries in Texas," said Professor Elshorbany.

The researchers were interested in evaluating the extent of air quality improvements during the lockdown, considering that recent environmental regulations related to tailpipe pollution were already leading to cleaner air in the United States.

"With the advancements in technology and the use of catalysts in cars over the past few decades, air quality has improved in the U.S.," said Professor Elshorbany. "This has resulted in traffic not serving as the main pollutant in most of the country."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/remotesensing">Remote Sensing</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Lockdowns improved air quality in some states, but not others

The COVID-19 pandemic presented scientists with a unique opportunity to...

Energy drinks may contribute to potentially serious <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coffee-and-caffeine-linked-to-lower-risk-of-heart-failure/">heart</a> conditions, according to a new study from <a href="https://www.tamu.edu/">Texas A&amp;M University</a>. The researchers have discovered that energy drinks can cause negative impacts to the muscle cells of the heart.

The researchers observed the responses of human heart cells grown in a laboratory, or cardiomyocytes, after they were exposed to 17 widely available over-the-counter brands of energy drinks. The cells showed an increased beat rate, as well as other factors that affect cardiac function.

When it comes to the human body, energy drinks have been linked to a disease of the heart muscle which makes it difficult for the heart to pump blood known as cardiomyopathy. These drinks are also associated with increased blood pressure, improper beating of the heart, and other potentially dangerous conditions.

With the global sales of energy drinks estimated at $53 billion in 2018 and rapidly growing, it is important to understand the unintended health consequences associated with these beverages, explained study lead author Dr. Ivan Rusyn.

"Because the consumption of these beverages is not regulated and they are widely accessible over the counter to all age groups, the potential for adverse health effects of these products is a subject of concern and needed research," said Dr. Rusyn. 

"Indeed, the consumption of energy drinks has been associated with a wide range of adverse health effects in humans, many of them are concerning the effects on the heart."

By using mathematical models, the experts were able to identify which specific ingredients contributed to the adverse effects observed on the treated cardiomyocytes. They noted the presence of theophylline, adenine, and azelate, which are substances that can have negative effects on the heart.

"Little is known about the ingredients that may contribute to the adverse effects of energy drinks on the heart," said Dr. Rusyn. "Specifically, the evidence for cardiovascular effects from studies in humans remains inconclusive, as the controlled clinical trials were largely limited in the number of participants. They were tested only a limited number of energy drink types, and are difficult to compare directly, because they employed different methods to evaluate the function of the cardiovascular system."

Further research is needed to analyze the ingredients identified to ensure the safety of their consumption, particularly among people with pre-existing health conditions.

"This study shows that some of the tested energy drinks may have effects on human cardiomyocytes, and these data corroborate other studies in humans," said Dr. Rusyn. "Therefore, we hope that the consumers will carefully weigh the performance-enhancing benefits of these beverages versus the emerging data that suggests that they may have real adverse effects.

"We also hope that the Food and Drug Administration takes a closer look at whether these beverages may need to be carefully reviewed with respect to possible labeling of their adverse health effects, and whether certain age groups and susceptible sub-populations should be advised against consumption of these beverages."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.journals.elsevier.com/food-and-chemical-toxicology">Food and Chemical Toxicology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Energy drinks can cause serious heart conditions

Energy drinks may contribute to potentially serious heart conditions, according...

The human health impacts of burning coal, oil and natural gas are much greater than what was previously realized. According to a new report, fossil fuel pollution is responsible for one out of every five premature deaths worldwide. 

The research, which was led by <a href="https://www.harvard.edu/">Harvard University</a>, represents the most detailed assessment of premature deaths linked to fossil fuel pollution to date. 

Study co-author Eloise Marais is an expert in atmospheric chemistry at <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/">University College London</a>.

"Our study certainly isn't in isolation in finding a large impact on health due to exposure to air pollution, but we were blown away by just how large the estimate was that we obtained," said Marais.

The investigation revealed that some of the most affected areas are in Southeast Asia, Europe, and the northeastern United States. 

In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) found that 4.2 million deaths occur every year as a result of exposure to all sources of outdoor air pollution. 

"The combined effects of ambient (outdoor) and household air pollution cause about seven million premature deaths every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections," the WHO reported. 

However, the new study shows that 8.7 million annual deaths can be attributed to fossil fuel pollution alone. The researchers noted that half of these deaths occur in China and India. 

To distinguish fossil fuel pollution from other sources of harmful particulates, the experts used a high-resolution model to clarify which kinds of pollutants people are breathing in each specific region.

Data from the industry, shipping, aviation, and power sectors was combined with NASA simulations of air circulation to estimate fossil fuel emissions.

The researchers determined that around one in eight premature deaths in the United States, as well as one in seven deaths in Europe, are caused by fossil fuel pollution every year. Meanwhile, almost one out of every three deaths in Southeast Asia are tied to fossil fuels. 

Sarah Hsu is the executive vice-chair of Medical Students for a Sustainable Future at Brown University.

"When we see that deaths from fossil fuel combustion exceed deaths from malaria by a factor of 20, we must recognize that this is a major global health crisis,' said Hsu.

"Thus it is critical that we start training current and future health professionals about the downstream effects of fossil fuels, including air pollution and climate change, and how they disproportionately impact the health of our children, elderly, pregnant patients, and communities of color."

"As healthcare workers, we have the obligation and opportunity to save millions of lives by advocating for clean energy, divesting from fossil fuels, and decarbonizing our healthcare facilities."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.journals.elsevier.com/environmental-research">Environmental Research</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

One in five premature deaths tied to fossil fuel pollution

The human health impacts of burning coal, oil and natural...

Tropical,Shell,On,A,Paradise,Beach,,Tahiti,Island

Nearly eight decades after it was discovered, a conch shell horn has been played for the first time in about 18,000 years. The shell was recovered in 1931 in Marsoulas Cave, the first decorated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-australian-mountains-found-deep-in-caves/">cave</a> to be found in the Pyrenees.

In a new study published by <a href="https://www.aaas.org/">AAAS</a>, experts report that the conch shell is the oldest wind instrument of its kind. 

When it was first found, there were no discernable modifications and the shell was thought to have been used as a ceremonial drinking cup. But now, a team led by archaeologist Carole Fritz of <a href="https://www.cnrs.fr/en/cnrs">CNRS</a> has used advanced imaging techniques to reexamine the artifact.

The researchers noted that the tip of the shell was purposefully broken to form an opening that is 3.5 centimeters in diameter. This is the hardest part of the shell, and the break is clearly not accidental, explained the study authors.

On the opposite end, the shell opening shows traces of cutting. A tomography scan revealed that one of the first coils is perforated. 

Furthermore, the shell was found to be decorated with a red pigment, which is characteristic of the Marsoulas Cave and indicates its status as a symbolic object.

To confirm the theory that the conch shell was used as an instrument, the scientists enlisted the help of a horn player. The musician was able to produce three sounds close to the notes C, C-sharp and D. 

The team noted that the large opening on the hardest part of the shell was irregular and covered with an organic coating, which indicates that a mouthpiece was attached.

"Around the world, conch shells have served as musical instruments, calling or signaling devices, and sacred or magic objects depending on the cultures," wrote the researchers. "To our knowledge, the Marsoulas shell is unique in the prehistoric context, however, not only in France but at the scale of Paleolithic Europe and perhaps the world."

The Marsoulas Cave contains remnants of the beginning of the Magdalenian culture, which emerged at the end of the Last Glacial Maximum. A carbon-14 analysis that was conducted on a fragment of bear bone from the same archaeological level as the shell dated the cave back 18,000 years. 

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/">Science Advances</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Conch shell horn played for the first time in 18,000 years

Nearly eight decades after it was discovered, a conch shell...

Closeup view of a bee surfing on violet calluna vulgaris flowers

In a new study from the <a href="https://www.sussex.ac.uk/">University of Sussex</a>, experts have uncovered new details about the relationship between plant and bee diversity. The researchers identified a link between flower morphology and energy efficiency that affects the foraging behavior of bumblebees and honey bees, allowing them to successfully co-exist.

It is not unusual to see both bumblebees and honey bees foraging on the same flower species, but it turns out that this competition is mediated by the bees' energy efficiency.

The energy that bees use to walk or fly among flowers is dictated by their weight. In other words, a bee that is twice as heavy will require twice the energy. In addition, the amount of energy that is collected by bees in the form of nectar depends on how quickly they move from flower to flower. 

The ratio of these two factors - body weight and the rate at which bees visit flowers - determines their overall energy efficiency.

"While they forage on the same flowers, frequently we find that bumble bees will outnumber honey bees on a particular flower species, while the reverse will be true on a different species growing nearby," explained Professor Francis Ratnieks.

"What was remarkable was that differences in foraging energy efficiency explained almost fully why bumble bees predominated on some flower species and honey bees on others."

"In essence, bumblebees have an advantage over honey bees in being faster at visiting flowers, so can gather more nectar (energy), but a disadvantage in being larger, and so using more of the nectar energy to power their foraging. On some flower species this gave an overall advantage to bumble bees, but on others to honey bees."

The investigation was focused on the behavior of more than 1,000 individual bees and 22 different flower species in southern England. The experts timed the bees to find out how many flowers they visited in one minute.

The researchers found that, on average, bumblebees are almost twice as heavy as the honey bees. The stopwatch results showed that bumblebees visit flowers at twice the rate of honey bees, which compensates for their extra weight. On some flowers like lavender, the bumblebees collected nectar at almost three times the rate of honey bees. 

The study also revealed that differences in flower morphology had a great impact on how energy efficient the bees were. For example, ling heather has a mass of small flowers that are better suited for the honey bee. By contrast, Erica heather has large bell-shaped flowers that are better suited for bumblebees.

"The energy efficiency of foraging is particularly important to bees. The research showed that the bees were walking (and flying) a challenging energy tightrope; half the energy they obtained from the nectar was expended in its collection," said study co-author Dr. Nick Balfour.

According to the researchers, the fact that honey bees and bumblebees do not compete head on for nectar is reassuring in terms of conservation and co-existence.

"Bumblebees have a foraging advantage on some plants, and predominate on them, while honey bees have an advantage on others and predominate on these," said Professor Ratnieks.

"Bee conservation therefore benefits from flower diversity, so that should certainly be a focus on bee conservation efforts. But fortunately, flowering plants are diverse."

Dr. Balfour said that whether you have a window box, allotment, or a garden, planting a variety of flowers or cutting your grass less often can really help pollinators during late summer.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/19399170">Ecology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Bee conservation relies on plant diversity

In a new study from the University of Sussex, experts...

The range of white sharks is shrinking and shifting as a result of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-to-blame-for-longer-allergy-seasons/">climate</a> change, according to a new study from the <a href="https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/">Monterey Bay Aquarium</a>. The experts report that there have been unprecedented sightings of juvenile white sharks at the northern end of Monterey Bay, which is a major shift in their range. 

The researchers have determined that the northward shift of young white sharks indicates that they are struggling to find suitable habitat as water temperatures rise beyond their desirable temperature range.

"Nature has many ways to tell us the status quo is being disrupted, but it's up to us to listen," said study co-author Dr. Kyle Van Houtan. "These sharks - by venturing into territory where they have not historically been found - are telling us how the ocean is being affected by climate change."

Two decades ago, as aquarium scientists were preparing to display young white sharks, they monitored juveniles in southern California to study their behavior.

After the North Pacific was impacted by an extreme marine heatwave between 2014 and 2016, the team noticed unusual sightings of juvenile white sharks off central California. This is outside of their typical grounds off southern California, and the farthest north that young white sharks have ever been spotted.

In an effort to identify their thermal preferences, the team analyzed 22 million electronic data records from 14 sharks and compared these records to 38 years of ocean temperatures.

Between 1982 and 2013, the northernmost edge of the juveniles' range was located near Santa Barbara. After the marine heatwave, this range shifted dramatically north to Bodega Bay, and currently hovers near Monterey.

"After studying juvenile white shark behavior and movements in southern California for the last 16 years, it is very interesting to see this northerly shift in nursery habitat use," said study co-author Dr. Chris Lowe. "I think this is what many biologists have expected to see as the result of climate change and rising ocean temperatures. Frankly, I'll be surprised if we don't see this northerly shift across more species."

"This study would not have been possible without contributions from our community scientists and treasured Aquarium volunteers," said Dr. Van Houtan. "Eric Mailander, a local firefighter, provided a decade of detailed logbook records of shark sightings, and volunteer Carol Galginaitis transcribed those hand-written data into an electronic database."

The researchers say their findings reinforce what scientists have been saying for years - animals and nature are revealing the impacts of climate change.

"White sharks, otters, kelp, lobsters, corals, redwoods, monarch butterflies - these are all showing us that climate change is happening right here in our backyard," said Dr. Van Houtan. 

"It's time for us to take notice and listen to this chorus from nature. We know that greenhouse gas emissions are rapidly disrupting our climate and this is taking hold in many ways. Our study showed one example of juvenile white sharks appearing in Monterey Bay. But let's be clear: The sharks are not the problem. Our emissions are the problem. We need to act on climate change and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels."

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

Young white sharks are moving north to find suitable habitat

The range of white sharks is shrinking and shifting as...

Researchers at <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/">Cornell University</a> have traced the success of non-native starlings to rapid evolution. The experts set out to investigate how the European starling has become one of the most abundant bird species in North America. 

After just 80 individuals were released in New York City's Central Park in 1890, the starling population exploded to an estimated 200 million breeding adults spread across the continent of North America.

"The amazing thing about the evolutionary changes among starling populations since they were introduced in North America is that the changes happened in a span of just 130 years in parallel with a huge expansion in the bird's range and population size," said study lead author Natalie Hofmeister. "For a long time we didn't think that was possible - that it took millions of years for genetic mutations to change a genome."

According to the researchers, the genetic differences found among North American starlings are very subtle. DNA sequencing showed that the genomes of birds from different regions of the United States were all remarkably similar. 

The experts identified specific genetic signatures representing changes in areas of the genome that control how starlings adapt to variations in temperature and rainfall. The study authors concluded the birds had undergone "rapid local adaptation" to quickly adjust to conditions not found in their native European range.

Movement played a major role in the evolution of starlings. They established new populations as they spread westward, and each population had to adapt to the new environmental conditions. These adaptations may not have required new mutations, but instead resulted from an existing genetic variations.

"A genetic variation that might not have been useful in one environment could turn out to be very beneficial in another," said Hofmeister. "So, a variation related to temperature and rainfall that enhanced survival became more common in a new environment." 

The massive size of the total starling population across North America meant these gene variants were passed down from the original birds across generations.

"What I think is really cool is that the starlings in North America appear to have adapted to different conditions across the range," said Hofmeister. "So, it wasn't just that they reproduced really quickly, and then just kept reproducing. It's that they specialized once they arrived in new areas."

Despite their success, the European starlings are currently in a state of decline. The population is now half the size it was 50 years ago throughout North America, and is also declining in Europe.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/1365294x">Molecular Ecology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Starlings are a prime example of rapid evolution

Researchers at Cornell University have traced the success of non-native...

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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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

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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

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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

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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

[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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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...