Do you recall those childhood days when you eagerly anticipated bedtime stories about Peter Rabbit, Toad or Ratty from The Wind in the Willows? Or the excitement that washed over you every time you opened a children's book teeming with playful, animated animals? 



Well, a new study is giving us a fresh perspective on the role of these furry, iconic characters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-children-s-books-animal-characters">Children's books animal characters</h2>



The research has shed light on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toddlers-learn-faster-after-witnessing-impossible-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">potential influence</a> of non-human characters in children's books.



The researchers aimed to gauge how these animal characters affected children's theory of mind skills - crucial abilities which include deciphering social changes in the environment based on voice tone, word choice, or facial expressions.



They worked with over 100 children aged five to 10, each of whom were tested on their theory of mind skills after hearing stories featuring animal characters, as well as those highlighting human characters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-vs-animal-characters-in-books">Human vs. animal characters in books</h2>



The study unveiled an interesting pattern. When exposed to stories centered around human characters, an age-related progression was observed. 



Older children were consistently outperforming their younger counterparts, with 3rd grade children surpassing the researchers' expectations in tests featuring human characters.



But the revelations didn't stop there. The tests that involved animal characters threw up another surprise. 



The younger participants were able to match the scores achieved by pupils in 3rd grade, who were two years their senior. That's quite a feat for our young champions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-insight-into-children-s-development">New insight into children's development</h2>



These findings, published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, highlight the importance of both human and non-human characters in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/outdoor-classes-improve-childrens-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">children's developmental stages</a>.



The research was led by Dr. Gray Atherton and Dr. Liam Cross from the University of Plymouth’s <a href="https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools/psychology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Psychology</a>.



"Animals play a huge part of children’s stories, whether that is in books and comics or through TV and film. We wanted to test if that is down to more than simply liking the characters, and whether there are actual benefits of children learning through by watching or reading about animals and if this changes over time," said Dr. Atherton.



"Our findings showed that both human and non-human characters are important in helping children interpret the world around them, and that they play differing roles at different stages in their development. Adapting activities and lessons in nurseries and the early school years to take that into account could be hugely effective in helping to support their development."



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



The insights gained from this study have substantial implications for educators and parents aiming to support children's cognitive and social development.



By incorporating both human and animal characters into books, educators can craft a more balanced learning environment that caters to the diverse needs of children across age groups. 



Parents, too, can enrich their children's home learning experiences by selecting a variety of stories that include both human and animal protagonists. 



This approach not only makes reading sessions more engaging but also aids in developing empathy and understanding of complex social scenarios.



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



While this study provides valuable insights, it also opens avenues for further exploration. 



Future research could go deeper into the types of animal characteristics that are most effective in nurturing children's theory of mind. For instance, exploring whether anthropomorphized animals or more realistic portrayals have differing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parents-who-use-humor-have-better-relationships-with-their-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impacts</a>. 



Similarly, cross-cultural studies could investigate whether the affinity towards animal characters holds true in diverse cultural contexts. These inquiries could refine understanding and application in educational strategies, enhancing the efficacy of storytelling as a developmental tool.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animal-characters-and-autism-treatment">Animal characters and autism treatment</h2>



In previous studies, Dr. Atherton and Dr. Cross examined the factors influencing the educational and social development of individuals with autism and learning difficulties.



The experts launched initiatives proving how board and online games can bolster confidence among people with autism. 



Borrowing insights from this research, the scholars now plan to dig deeper to explore if their findings could provide specific benefits to children with such conditions.



Dr. Cross envisions a significant impact of this study on individuals with autism or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kids-with-behavioral-issues-have-high-cortisol-levels-in-their-hair/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">other conditions</a> affecting their learning. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-way-of-looking-at-animal-characters">A new way of looking at animal characters</h2>



The researchers have observed how tasks involving animal characters can result in autistic individuals performing on par with non-autistic children. 



The plan is to replicate this study with autistic children in an effort to unveil more effective ways to support them at a critical stage in their development.



In a nutshell, this study has unraveled an entirely new dimension of how we view animals in children's books. 



Those delightful animal characters do more than simply entertain; they help shape our children's minds and understanding of the world around them in their formative years.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002209652400256X?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Experimental Child Psychology</a>. 



-----



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



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



-----

Animal characters boost social and emotional skills in children

Do you recall those childhood days when you eagerly anticipated bedtime stories about Peter Rabbit, Toad or Ratty from The Wind in the Willows? Or the excitement that washed over you every time you opened a children's book teeming with playful, animated animals? Well, a new study is giving us a fresh perspective on the role of these furry, iconic characters. Children's books animal characters The research has shed light on the potential influence of non-human characters in children's books. The researchers aimed to gauge how these...

<a href="http://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-malaria-colder-areas/">Malaria</a> research could save millions of dollars and several years worth of drug trials to wipe out COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

Researchers at <a href="https://www.rmit.edu.au/">RMIT University</a> are exploring the potential of repurposing treatments that are already available for malaria, cancer, and other conditions to fast-track better drugs that can save lives.

The findings suggest that targeting the human body, rather than a pathogen itself, may be the most effective route for treating infectious pathogens.

The team discovered that the parasites which cause malaria are heavily dependent on enzymes in red blood cells. Here, the parasites hide and multiply. Drugs known as protein kinases have been developed to inactivate the human enzymes. According to the researchers, this type of treatment is highly effective in killing the parasite and represents an alternative to drugs that target the parasite itself.

Study lead author Dr. Jack Adderley said the analysis pinpoints the host cell enzymes that are activated during infection, and exposes new points of reliance of the parasite on its human host.

"This approach has the potential to considerably reduce the cost and accelerate the deployment of new and urgently needed antimalarials," said Dr. Adderley.

"These host enzymes are in many instances the same as those activated in cancer cells, so we can now jump on the back of existing cancer drug discovery and look to repurpose a drug that is already available or close to completion of the drug development process."

Beyond these benefits of repurposing drugs, the approach could reduce the emergence of drug resistance.  

Study senior author Christian Doerig said the findings were exciting, as drug resistance is one of the biggest challenges in modern healthcare, not only in the case of malaria, but with most infectious agents, including a large number of highly pathogenic bacterial species.

"We are at risk of returning to the pre-antibiotic era if we don't solve this resistance problem, which constitutes a clear and present danger for global public health. We need innovative ways to address this issue," said Doerig.

"By targeting the host and not the pathogen itself, we remove the possibility for the pathogen to rapidly become resistant by mutating the target of the drug, as the target is made by the human host, not the pathogen."

The treatment approach shows so much promise that it has received government funding for its potential application in the fight against COVID-19. The researchers will now collaborate with the Doherty Institute to investigate potential treatments.

Professor Peter Revill is a senior medical scientist at the Doherty Institute and an expert in Hepatitis B research. He said the approach developed by the RMIT team is truly exciting.

"This has proven successful for other human pathogens including malaria and Hepatitis C virus, and there are now very real prospects to use it to discover novel drug targets for Hepatitis B and COVID-19," said Professor Revill.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/ncomms">Nature Communications</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Treatment for COVID-19 will target the body, not the virus

Malaria research could save millions of dollars and several years...

Decades after mathematical genius Alan Turing laid the groundwork for modern computing, his extraordinary vision continues to solve mysteries across many branches of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/americans-know-science/">science</a>. 

In a study from the <a href="https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/">University of Sheffield</a>, experts have unraveled seemingly bizarre behavior among long-tailed tits based on Turing's visionary concepts. 

Characterized by their long tails and tiny bodies, long-tailed tits have baffled scientists with some of their unusual strategies. The birds are known to segregate themselves into different parts of a landscape, even when there is enough food to support multiple flocks and no sign of territorial behavior.

The team tracked groups of long-tailed tits around Sheffield's Rivelin Valley, and a consistent behavioral pattern emerged. Mathematical modeling helped the team to understand this pattern.

The study revealed that long-tailed tits tend to avoid larger flocks, but are less likely to avoid places where they have interacted with relatives. Overall, the birds prefer the center of a wooded area.

The equations used to explain the segregation of long-tailed tits are similar to those developed by Alan Turing which described how some animals get their spots and stripes. 

Turing's work predicted whether patterns will appear as an animal grows in the womb, while the current study uses his mathematical principles to identify animal behaviors that lead to specific patterns across landscapes.

It is not unusual for territorial animals to live in segregated areas that they aggressively defend. In previous research, scientists used mathematical concepts similar to those used for the current investigation to explain the patterns made by territorial animals such as coyotes, meerkats, and even humans. 

However, the Sheffield study is the first to apply such mathematical models to non-territorial animals with no den limiting their movement.

"Mathematical models help us understand nature in an extraordinary amount of ways and our study is a fantastic example of this," said study lead author Natasha Ellison.

"Long-tailed tits are too small to be fitted with GPS trackers like larger animals, so researchers follow these tiny birds on foot, listening for bird calls and identifying birds with binoculars. The field work is extremely time consuming and without the help of these mathematical models these behaviors wouldn't have been discovered."

The study is published in the <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/13652656">Journal of Animal Ecology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

The late Alan Turing helps to solve a birdwatching mystery

Decades after mathematical genius Alan Turing laid the groundwork for...

<a href="http://www.earth.com/news/stress-and-inflammation-linked-to-drug-resistant-depression/">Stress</a> and anxiety related to COVID-19 is significantly lower among people who know more facts about the disease, according to a new study from <a href="https://www.ncsu.edu/">North Carolina State University</a>. The researchers also found that older adults benefit from proactively planning to reduce stress.

"COVID-19 is a new disease - it's not something that people worried about before," said study co-author Professor Shevaun Neupert. "So we wanted to see how people were responding to, and coping with, this new source of stress."

The researchers surveyed 515 adults across the United States between the ages of 20 and 79, with an average age of just under 40. The surveys were conducted from March 20 to April 19, 2020

One portion of the survey consisted of a test that was l designed to measure how much the study participants knew about COVID-19. When combined with other aspects of the survey, the test results reflected whether an educated understanding of COVID-19 made people feel more stress or less.

"We found that knowledge is power," said Professor Neupert. "The more factual information people knew about COVID-19, the less stress they had. That was true across age groups."

"Knowledge reduces uncertainty, and uncertainty can be very stressful. Although speculative, it is likely that knowledge about this new virus reduced uncertainty, which in turn reduced feelings of pandemic stress."

Considering that the disease is known to be particularly dangerous for seniors, the researchers expected to find that older adults experience more stress related to COVID-19. However, the analysis showed that stress levels were the same for all age groups.

"The strongest predictor of stress was concern about getting COVID-19, which isn't surprising," said Professor Neupert. "And the older people were, the more pronounced this effect was."

On the other hand, older adults had an advantage over younger individuals. Seniors were found to be the only age group to benefit from proactive coping - or making plans to reduce the likelihood of stress.

Proactive coping was found to reduce stress levels in adults over the age of 52, yet had no effect for younger adults.

"These results suggest that everyone can benefit from staying engaged with factual information that will increase knowledge about COVID-19," said Professor Neupert. "In addition, older adults who are able to use proactive coping, such as trying to prepare for adverse events, could decrease their pandemic stress."

The study is published in the <a href="https://academic.oup.com/psychsocgerontology">Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

COVID-19 stress can be reduced by learning the facts

Stress and anxiety related to COVID-19 is significantly lower among...

Given the proper land rights, indigenous tribes could save much of the <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/deforestation-amazon-beef-consumption/">Amazon</a> rainforest from devastation, according to a new study from <a href="https://ucsd.edu/">UC San Diego</a>. 

The researchers propose that granting indigenous communities full property rights to tribal lands will not only cut back on deforestation in the Amazon, but can also help to mitigate the climate crisis.

The researchers analyzed vegetation coverage in the Amazon rainforest between 1982 and 2016, and combined this data with Brazilian government records of indigenous property rights. 

The study revealed that territories which are fully or collectively owned by local tribes had remarkably lower rates of deforestation compared to territories that are not fully owned by indigenous tribes. Overall, there was a 66 percent lower rate of deforestation in territories managed by indigenous people.

Home to more than half of all the world's remaining tropical rainforest, the Amazon plays a major role in Earth's climate and water cycle. However, the region is losing trees at a shocking rate due to wildfires, land use changes, and illegal activities.

In some cases, private companies with no ownership rights will proceed with illegal mining or logging to demonstrate "productive use of land" so they can earn the title. Meanwhile, about two million hectares of indigenous land are still awaiting official designation as tribal territories.

Full property rights give indigenous groups official territorial recognition, explained the researchers, which allows them to demarcate their territories with the support of monitoring and enforcement agencies.

Study lead author Kathryn Baragwanath is a political science expert at UC San Diego.

"Our research shows that full property rights have significant implications for indigenous people's capacity to curb deforestation within their territories," said Baragwanath. "Not only do indigenous territories serve a human rights role, but they are a cost-effective way for governments to preserve their forested areas and attain climate goals." 

"This is important since many indigenous territories have yet to receive their full property rights and it points to where policymakers and NGOs concerned about the situation in Brazil should now focus their efforts."

The study is published in the <a href="https://www.pnas.org/">PNAS</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Indigenous tribes need land rights to protect the Amazon

Given the proper land rights, indigenous tribes could save much...

In a groundbreaking study led by <a href="https://www.monash.edu/">Monash University</a>, experts have developed technology that harnesses the power of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/atmospheric-methane-absorbs-sunlight/">sunlight</a> to desalinate and purify water. The team demonstrated that brackish water or seawater can be transformed into clean drinking water in less than 30 minutes.

The desalination system, which uses metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and sunlight to purify water, has the potential to provide safe drinking water for millions of people. 

The study shows that each kilogram of MOF can remove harmful particles from 139.5 liters of water. In addition, the technology is more energy efficient than current desalination systems.

According to the <a href="https://www.who.int/">World Health Organization</a>, drinking water should have a total dissolved solid (TDS) of less than 600 parts per million (ppm). The researchers found that their system is capable of delivering water with a TDS of less than 500 ppm. Once the water is purified, the MOF is ready to be reused after four minutes of exposure to sunlight.

Study lead author Professor Huanting Wang said the research opened up a new direction for designing stimuli-responsive materials for energy-efficient and sustainable water purification.

"Desalination has been used to address escalating water shortages globally. Due to the availability of brackish water and seawater, and because desalination processes are reliable, treated water can be integrated within existing aquatic systems with minimal health risks," said Professor Wang.

"But, thermal desalination processes by evaporation are energy-intensive, and other technologies, such as reverse osmosis, has a number of drawbacks, including high energy consumption and chemical usage in membrane cleaning and dechlorination."

"Sunlight is the most abundant and renewable source of energy on Earth. Our development of a new adsorbent-based desalination process through the use of sunlight for regeneration provides an energy-efficient and environmentally-sustainable solution for desalination."

Metal-organic frameworks are a class of compounds that contain metal ions which form a crystalline material with the largest surface area of any known material. Incredibly, MOFs are so porous that they could fit the entire surface of a football field in a teaspoon.

The researchers created a metal-organic framework called PSP-MIL-53, which was able to yield a substantial amount of fresh water with very low energy consumption. The system was tested using water with a TDS of 2,233 ppm.

"This study has successfully demonstrated that the photoresponsive MOFs are a promising, energy-efficient, and sustainable adsorbent for desalination," said Professor Wang.

"Our work provides an exciting new route for the design of functional materials for using solar energy to reduce the energy demand and improve the sustainability of water desalination."

"These sunlight-responsive MOFs can potentially be further functionalised for low-energy and environmentally-friendly means of extracting minerals for sustainable mining and other related applications."

The research is published in the <a href="https://www.nature.com/natsustain">Nature Sustainability</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Breakthrough technology uses sunlight to purify water

In a groundbreaking study led by Monash University, experts have...

A new study from <a href="https://www.flinders.edu.au/">Flinders University</a> has revealed that marine microplastic pollution in the ocean surrounding the Maldives is among the highest recorded anywhere in the world. The contamination severely threatens marine life in shallow <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/sharks-have-vanished-from-20-percent-of-coral-reefs/">reefs</a>, as well as the livelihoods of local communities.

The Maldives is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean off the western coast of Sri Lanka. With white sandy beaches and some of the bluest water on the planet, the islands are a hotspot for tourism.

Microplastics measure less than 5 millimeters in length, which makes them basically invisible in the water. The researchers tested plastic pollution levels in 22 sites off the coast of Naifaru, the most populous island in Lhaviyani Atoll.

"Our findings show microplastics are ubiquitous in marine sediments around a remote coral island, at sizes ingestible by marine organisms, raising concerns about potential effects of microplastic ingestion by coral reef species," wrote the researchers.

Study lead author Toby Patti explained just how prevalent microplastics turned out to be.

"The concentration of microplastics found on Naifaru in the Maldives (55 -1127.5 microplastics/kg) was greater than those previously found on a highly populated site at Tamil Nadu, India (3 - 611 microplastics/kg), and was a similar concentration to that found on inhabited and uninhabited islands elsewhere in the Maldives (197 -822 particles/kg)."

"The majority of microplastics found in our study were less than 0.4mm in width, so our results raise concerns about the potential for microplastic ingestion by marine organisms in the shallow coral reef system. The accumulation of microplastics is a serious concern for the ecosystem and the local community living off of these marine resources, and can have a negative impact on human health."

The microplastics may have been transported by ocean currents from neighboring countries like India. The pollution also likely stems from poor sewerage and wastewater systems in the Maldives.

Professor Karen Burke Da Silva said that notorious "rubbish islands" used as landfill sites are also contributing to the high concentration of microplastic found in the region.

"Current waste management practices in the Maldives cannot keep up with population growth and the pace of development. The small island nation encounters several challenges regarding waste management systems and has seen a 58% increase of waste generated per capita on local islands in the last decade," says Professor Da Silva.

"Without a significant increase in waste reduction and rapid improvements in waste management, small island communities will continue to generate high levels of microplastic pollution in marine environments, with potential to negatively impact the health of the ecosystem, marine organisms, and local island communities."

The researchers are currently analyzing the stomach contents of coral reef fish in the Maldives to test for the presence of microplastics.

The study is published in the <a href="https://www.journals.elsevier.com/science-of-the-total-environment">Science of the Total Environment</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Shocking levels of microplastics found in a tropical paradise

A new study from Flinders University has revealed that marine...

Researchers at the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a> are describing how fish stocks will change as a result of rising <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/laser-technology-allows-scientists-to-peer-deep-into-the-ocean/">ocean</a> temperatures. The study projects major shifts in the availability of important fish species in the southwestern region of the UK.

Over the last 40 years, the Celtic Sea, English Channel and the southern North Sea have warmed significantly and water temperatures are still rising.

"Our results show that climate change will continue to affect fish stocks within this sea region into the future, presenting both potential risks but some opportunities that fishers will likely have to adapt to," explained study lead author Dr. Katherine Maltby. 

"Consumers can help fishers take advantage of these fishing opportunities by seeking out other fish species to eat and enjoy."

It is important to project future sea temperatures to help prepare fisheries management systems for the upcoming impacts.

In the current study, the researchers used computer models to investigate potential changes in the distribution of fish through 2090. By simulating the abundance of fish stocks under a range of future climate scenarios, the experts could gain a better understanding of how future trends may vary depending on how much temperatures rise.

The analysis showed that the numbers of cold-adapted species like Atlantic cod, monkfish, and megrim will decrease, while warm-adapted species like red mullet, Dover sole, and lemon sole will increase in abundance. These ecological shifts will challenge current fisheries management systems to prepare by adjusting their practices. For example, the allowable catch of declining species may need to be limited to reduce their vulnerability to global warming.

The researchers said that increasingly flexible and adaptive management approaches will be needed to reduce climate impacts on fish species while also facilitating industry adaptation.

The findings suggest that British consumers need to adapt their diets to eat species that will benefit from future warming, such as red mullet.

"We know from working with fishers that warmer water species are appearing in catches more," said study co-author Louise Rutterford. "Bringing together their 'on-the-ground' experiences with studies like ours will help inform future management decisions that enable sustainable exploitation while supporting fishers' adaptation."

The study is published in the <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/13652664">Journal of Applied Ecology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Major changes in fish stocks are expected as temperatures rise

Researchers at the University of Exeter are describing how fish...

A new study has revealed that New Guinea has the most <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/mountain-formation-led-to-an-explosion-in-plant-diversity/">plant</a> diversity of any island in the world. The discovery has been made by a team of experts including Professor Michael Sundue from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/">University of Vermont</a> (UVM).

The results of the study show that New Guinea has 19 percent more species than Madagascar and 22 percent more species than Borneo, making it the richest island in plant diversity. 

The researchers determined that 68 percent of New Guinea's plants are not found anywhere else.

The number of vascular plants in New Guinea has been so uncertain that estimates have stretched from 9,000 to 25,000. 

Professor Sundue and three other UVM plant scientists collaborated with an international team of researchers from 56 institutions to create the first-ever verified checklist of the vascular plants of New Guinea and its surrounding islands. 

The scientists analyzed digital records and plant collections stored around the world, ultimately documenting a total of 13,634 species ranging from tiny orchids to massive tree ferns. High in the mountains of New Guinea, there are thousands more rare species still waiting to be found. 

Professor Sundue is an expert on two types of ferns, but his goal is not to simply count and identify plants.

"The bigger question is where are biodiversity hotspots in the world - and why?" said Professor Sundue. "I've been trying to address that for ferns." He explained that New Guinea has been a "black hole" for many plants including ferns. 

"It's remote, dangerous, hard to get to with almost no roads. You can't just check an app or look at a museum collection - a lot of species have almost no records. So how are you supposed to interpret the evolution of plants on Earth - if you have missing pieces? You have to go there and collect."

In his office, Professor Sundue admires a dried plant from New Guinea that looks like a fern but is technically is a lycophyte.

"Oh that's sexy; that's a Selaginella. I'm not an expert on this. No one else studies this group of plants. There's no Selaginella expert on Earth - and there are 600 species worldwide."

The professor explained that Selaginella is one of the most ancient surviving lineages of plants in existence.

In the 1700s, Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus set out to catalog all the world's plants and animals. He proposed that their origin was a high mountain in Paradise - an island on the equator that was revealed when the primeval waters started to subside. 

Dr. Rodrigo Camara-Leret, lead author of the current study, said that if Linneaus was alive today he would choose New Guinea as his symbol of a Paradise island teeming with life.

New Guinea supports a remarkable variety of landscapes, such as mangroves, rainforests, and savannahs, that are home to some of the most well-preserved ecosystems on the planet. As a result of his research in New Guinea, Professor Sundue said it is clear to see that ferns are most diverse in tropical mountains, where they adapt to a range of habitats and climates. 

Despite some recent advances in classifying New Guinea's plants, publications have remained scattered because botanists mainly worked independently from each other. 

"Great uncertainty remained as to how many plant species grew in New Guinea," said Dr. Camara-Leret. "Effectively, compared to other areas, like Amazonia which had plant checklists recently published, New Guinea remained the 'Last Unknown.'"

The team estimates that as many as 4,000 more plants have yet to be discovered and added to their checklist.

"The study also shows that we need to invest in training a large group of young and resident taxonomists in New Guinea," said Professor Sundue. 

"A checklist may not seem that interesting, but it's foundational...Biologists are trying to put together the history of life on Earth and that is done by examining all of the constituent organisms that live here, not just the ones that are easy to find."

Dr. Tim Utteridge of the Royal Botanic Gardens told <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/">BBC</a> that identifying and naming plants in New Guinea is the first step toward conserving and protecting them. 

"If we lose them, there's no way we can restore them from anywhere else, because they're just not found outside the island," said Dr. Utteridge."We have a real responsibility to conserve this unique plant life."

The study authors emphasized the urgency of their research. "Land-use change is an increasing threat so more botanical exploration is therefore urgently needed if unknown species are to be collected before they disappear," wrote the researchers.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/">Nature</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

New Guinea is the world's richest island for plants

A new study has revealed that New Guinea has the...

A new study has revealed that the parasitic <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/programmed-death-in-worms-benefits-the-colony/">worm</a> Polydora websteri has arrived in European waters. The research, led by the <a href="https://www.nioz.nl/en">Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research</a> (NIOZ), confirms what has been suspected since 2014: the oyster parasite is now present in the Dutch Wadden Sea.

After years of investigation, the team has found the shell-boring worms near the islands of Sylt and Texel. The researchers speculate that the destructive pests have spread much farther through the aquaculture trade.

The worm Polydora websteri bores through oyster shells, creating unsightly mud blisters that foul the meat and make the oysters unsellable. The worm also leaves the oysters more vulnerable to predators.

Also known as the mud blister worm, P. websteri was first recognized as a serious pest in Australia in the 1890s. Infestations have previously caused the collapse of oyster aquaculture industries in Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii.

"The worm maneuvers between the inner and outer world of the oyster. It isn't strictly speaking a parasite as it leaves the oyster's body in peace, but by attacking its shell, it drains the energy of the oyster that now needs to focus on its repair," explained study co-author David Thieltges.

Prior to the appearance of these  parasitic worms, wild populations of Pacific oysters that were introduced to the Wadden Sea in the 1970s have been largely safe from predators. 

As the oysters are weakened and their shells are softened by the mud blister worms, they become easier prey for crabs and birds. This could ultimately cause a major shift in the ecosystem.

The researchers believe that the aquaculture industry has served as the primary source of the spread of the worms. It is likely that they often hitch a ride to new regions with their favorite host, the Pacific oyster.

"A large part of the invasive species in the marine ecosystem arrive with the import of commercial species and the transfer of farmed specimens between aquaculture sites," said Thieltges. 

The researchers found the first Polydora websteri close to a farm that imports juvenile oysters from a nursery in southern Ireland. 

"This site of the first record was also the site with the highest infestation. We suspect that the arrival of the worm in the northern Wadden Sea may be related to the oyster imports," said the study authors.

Once the worms are introduced, they can continue to spread in various ways, including on ship hulls. This may explain how the worm was also found during sampling on Texel, an island that does not have oyster farms. According to Thieltges, it is unlikely that the worms found near Texel came from Sylt. "That they made their way from Sylt to Texel, along almost 500 kilometers of coastline, seems rather unlikely. We think there might be a different origin."

It is possible that larval stages of the worms found in the Wadden Sea came from Zeeland, a site of commercial oyster farming. The team plans to investigate whether the worm is already present in Zeeland.

"Sampling at other places in the Netherlands and in Europe together with genetic research is now needed to establish the origin and distribution of the worm," said Thieltges. "We don't know its exact origins yet, but we know that it's here and that it is very likely to keep extending its range."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.springer.com/journal/12526">Marine Biodiversity</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Oyster parasites have arrived in European waters

A new study has revealed that the parasitic worm Polydora...

A new study from <a href="https://www.usc.edu/">USC</a> shows that unreliable El Niño cycles make it difficult to predict droughts in the western United States. The researchers found that Earth's dynamic <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/earths-atmosphere-beyond-moon/">atmosphere</a> has a much larger influence on dry seasons than sea surface temperatures.

The study findings have implications for water management, agriculture, and urban planning. In recent decades, droughts have caused major crop losses and have claimed many lives. 

The western U.S. is expected to experience more frequent droughts as a result of climate change. At the same time, the region is expected to have rapid population growth, so forecasting dry spells is a big priority. 

"The main finding is not terribly hopeful for short-term drought prediction," said study lead author Julien Emile-Geay. "We found that, historically speaking, year-to-year droughts in the western United States were less predictable than previous studies have claimed."

The researchers set out to investigate how droughts develop based on the analysis of data from the last 1,000 years.

Megadroughts, which last longer than a decade, emerged prior to the Industrial Revolution, and even before human expansion on the continent. The most widely accepted explanation is that the El Niño-Southern Oscillation plays a key role in these prolonged droughts. 

El Niño conditions occur when sea temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean are warmer than usual and are associated with wet years in the American Southwest. By contrast, La Niña conditions occur when water is cooler than normal, and is believed to trigger dry years.

In the current study, however, the scientists found that this rule of thumb has not always been an accurate indication of dry seasons. While there has been a correlation between La Niña and drought, these ocean conditions were found to account for only about 13 percent of the variability.

"La Niña proved to not be the only game in town," said Emile-Geay. "La Niña is part of the game, but not the biggest part."

The scientists examined other factors that influence dry seasons, such as water temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and volcanic activity. They determined that these factors are not strong indicators of drought events.

Instead, the study shows that droughts originate in the atmosphere, which is extremely dynamic and influenced by more variables than the ocean alone.

"The atmosphere creates a lot of variations in moisture supply on its own, and it can cook up droughts all by itself, without being told what to do by the ocean," said Emile-Geay.

Carbon emissions will continue to trap heat and warm the surface, and the West will experience increasingly dry conditions as a result, explained the researchers.

"Our study suggests that the atmosphere will continue to add a strongly unpredictable element to moisture conditions in the southwestern United States, on top of drying induced by global warming," said Emile-Geay. 

"That is, the Southwest is headed for a drier future overall but with the atmosphere adding a wildcard that may, at times, make things better or worse for the people and ecosystems that depend on that water."

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

&nbsp;

Droughts are harder to predict than previously realized

A new study from USC shows that unreliable El Niño...

In a new study from <a href="https://www.rutgers.edu/">Rutgers University</a>, Neurology Professor Xue Ming describes how climate change is disrupting the delicate balance of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/killer-bees-are-aggressive-by-nurture-not-just-by-nature/">nature</a>, and what this means for human health. 

Professor Ming warns that environmental shifts associated with climate change are responsible for an increase in allergies, asthma, and autoimmune, neurological, and inflammatory diseases.

"Climate change has worsened respiratory allergic disease and has altered the immune system's tolerance in responding to toxins, which has led to an increase in the prevalence of immune diseases," said Professor Ming. 

"People with chronic respiratory allergic disease that affects the nose and eyes, such as asthma and allergies, are at particular risk due to increased exposure to pollen and the increased concentration and distribution of air pollutants."

As a result of climate change, pollen season not only lasts longer, but also has become more intense.

"Increases in carbon dioxide were shown to lead to an increase in plant reproduction and total pollen levels, especially those plants that thrive at high carbon dioxide concentrations."

"For example, ragweed pollen has been increasing in concentration, with models predicting that levels will increase by four times within the next 30 years."

Professor Ming pointed out that thunderstorms, which have become more frequent as temperatures rise, have been found to increase concentrations of pollen grains at ground level. "After absorbing water, these grains can rupture and release allergenic particles that can induce severe asthmatic symptoms in patients with asthma or hay fever."

Professor Ming said that climate change has also been linked to increased concentrations of air pollutants such as ozone and nitric oxide. "There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that these airborne environmental pollutants may be partially responsible for the substantial increase in allergic respiratory disease seen in industrialized countries over the past several decades."

Land use and ecosystem changes also have an affect on allergies and respiratory disorders.

"Deforestation and over-logging have led to a dramatic decrease in the diversity of plant species. As one species of plant becomes extinct, new species emerge to take their place." 

"For example, as oak trees have been excessively harvested for architectural purposes, new species of trees have emerged. With these new trees come new forms of tree pollen, which are inhaled and ingested by humans on a daily basis."

"Similarly, widespread pesticide use has altered the profile of insects, invertebrates and microorganisms with which we come into contact with through our soil and vegetation. As the environment is altered, our bodies are bombarded with novel organisms. The molecules which make up these organisms - known as antigens - are recognized as 'foreign' by our bodies and create an inflammatory response."

Nearly one million species are threatened with extinction due to climate change, and biodiversity losses can impact the human microbiome. Changes in the microbiome can potentially lead to inflammatory, neurological, and autoimmune diseases, explained Professor Ming.  

"Immunologic disorders, such as food allergies, are on the rise. For example, several studies have found that increases in carbon dioxide and temperature are correlated with changes in the composition of the peanut, making it more difficult for the body to adapt immunity."

Beneficial gut bacteria are needed for the development of innate immune cells, which serve as the body's first line of defense against infection. Professor Ming said that the disruption of gut bacteria has been linked to neurologic diseases such as multiple sclerosis, autism and Parkinson's disease. 

"In my own research, I found abnormal amino acid metabolism, increased imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, and altered gut microbiomes among some patients with autism spectrum disorder."

When asked what steps can be taken to minimize the health risks brought on by climate change, Professor Ming said that we must end the destruction of our natural environment, decrease emissions of greenhouse gases, and adopt more green behavior. 

"With research demonstrating links between the microbiome and autoimmune, inflammatory and neurologic diseases, it is critical that we minimize antimicrobial exposure. This may involve altering guidelines for the prescription of antibiotics by medical professionals." 

"In addition, given that the microbiome is directly impacted by our daily environment it is important to regularly immerse ourselves in nature and familiarize ourselves with biodiverse surroundings."

The study is published in the <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph">International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

Study reveals human health impacts of climate change

In a new study from Rutgers University, Neurology Professor Xue...

In a new study from the <a href="https://www.uzh.ch/en.html">University of Zurich</a>, researchers are describing a prehistoric <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/first-ever-fossil-egg-in-antarctica-was-laid-by-massive-reptile/">reptile</a> known as Tanystropheus that lived 242 million years ago. For decades, scientists have been baffled as to why this creature had a neck that was three times longer than its torso.

The current research sheds new light on the life of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-necked-reptiles-tanystropheus-were-easily-decapitated-by-dinosaur-predators/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tanystropheus</a>, revealing that the reptile lived in the water and used its unusually long neck to hunt for various types of food beneath the surface.

The scientists reconstructed a Tanystropheus skull in unprecedented detail using a powerful type of CT scanning called synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography. The technology enabled the team to reconstruct a nearly complete 3D skull from a severely crushed fossil. 

Analysis of the skull showed that it had clearly adapted for life in the water. The reptile had nostrils on the top of its snout much like crocodiles and alligators have today. In addition, Tanystropheus had long, curved teeth that were ideal for catching slippery prey like fish and squid.

The team noticed a lack of features in the limbs and tail that would have made the reptile an efficient swimmer. This is where a long neck came in very handy for Tanystropheus.

"It likely hunted by stealthily approaching its prey in murky water using its small head and very long neck to remain hidden," said lead author Stephan Spiekman.

Tanystropheus fossils have mostly been found on the border of Switzerland and Italy at Monte San Giorgio, which is regarded as the best site to find the remains of marine life from the Triassic Period. 

All of the Tanystropheus fossils that have been recovered were either large or small, and experts assumed that these were adults and juveniles of the same species. In the new study, however, the researchers studied growth rings on the smaller bones and determined that they did not belong to juveniles, but to a second species.

"The number and distribution of the growth rings tells us that these smaller types were not young animals, as previously considered, but mature ones," said study co-author Torsten Scheyer. "This means that the small fossils belonged to a separate, smaller species of Tanystropheus."

According to Spiekman, these two closely related species had evolved to hunt for different types of food in the same environment. 

"The small species likely fed on small shelled animals, like shrimp, in contrast to the large species which ate fish and squid," said Spiekman. "We expected the bizarre neck of Tanystropheus to be specialized for a single task, like the neck of a giraffe. But actually, it allowed for several lifestyles."

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

Prehistoric reptile had a long neck for hunting underwater

In a new study from the University of Zurich, researchers...

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



---



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



---



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



---



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



---



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



---



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



---



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



---



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



---



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



---



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



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

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



---



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



---



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



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

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



---



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



---



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



---



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



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

How the immune system responds to injury

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



---



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



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

2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

[sendtonews key="3UUsNkFOuS-2487333-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



---



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



---



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



---



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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