You probably know at least a little bit about ocean circulation around the world, also known as currents. In fact, you may have felt smaller currents yourself on a day at the beach.



But have you heard bout the "great global ocean conveyor belt," which is a vast network of currents that constantly moves water around the entire planet?



This massive system helps distribute heat around the world, influencing everything from temperatures to rainfall. Unfortunately, it's slowing down and on the verge of total collapse.



Scientists have been studying this phenomenon, and according to recent research published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01568-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>, it's a bigger deal than we thought. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-circulation-and-the-amoc">Ocean circulation and the AMOC?</h2>



The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC, is like a massive ocean conveyor belt that moves warm and cold water around the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-the-atlantic-ocean-may-ultimately-vanish/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atlantic Ocean</a>. 



It starts in the Gulf of Mexico, where warm, salty water flows northward along the eastern coast of the United States and across the Atlantic towards Europe. 



As this warm water reaches the North Atlantic, it cools down, becomes denser, and sinks deep into the ocean. 



This sinking process pulls more warm water north to replace it, creating a continuous loop that helps <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/collapse-of-major-ocean-system-would-cause-weather-chaos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regulate the climate</a> by distributing heat across the planet. 



Thanks to the AMOC, regions like Western Europe enjoy milder winters than they would otherwise.



Humans rely on the AMOC in several important ways. By regulating global temperatures, it helps maintain stable weather patterns, which are crucial for agriculture, ecosystems, and our daily lives. 



Researchers point out that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is now weaker than at any other time in the past 1,000 years.



The research team from several leading universities explains that global warming is behind this slowdown. 



Their new modeling suggests that meltwater from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenlands-melting-icebergs-may-not-be-threat-to-ocean-currents-amoc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland ice sheet</a> and Canadian glaciers could be the missing piece of the puzzle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-should-we-care-about-this">Why should we care about this?</h2>



"Our results show the Atlantic overturning circulation is likely to become a third weaker than it was 70 years ago at 2°C of global warming," says the research team. 



"This would bring big changes to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-arctic-is-melting-fast-but-a-slowing-ocean-current-could-help/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate and ecosystems</a>, including faster warming in the southern hemisphere, harsher winters in Europe, and weakening of the northern hemisphere's tropical monsoons."



Think about that for a second. A weaker ocean current could mean colder winters in Europe and shifts in rainfall patterns that affect millions of people. It's not just about the ocean; <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/disastrous-climate-changes-of-the-last-ice-age-could-happen-again/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">it's about our daily lives</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meltwater-and-ocean-circulation">Meltwater and ocean circulation</h2>



The Earth has already warmed 1.5ºC since the industrial revolution. And get this: the Arctic has been heating up nearly four times faster than the rest of the planet. 



All that heat is melting Arctic sea ice, glaciers, and the Greenland ice sheet.



"Since 2002, Greenland lost 5,900 billion tons (gigatons) of ice," notes the research team. "To put that into perspective, imagine if the entire state of Texas was covered in ice 26 feet thick."



All this fresh meltwater flowing into the subarctic ocean is lighter than salty seawater, so it doesn't sink as much. 



That messes with the southward flow of deep, cold waters from the Atlantic and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-impact-the-gulf-stream-more-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weakens the Gulf Stream</a> -- the same current that gives Britain its mild winters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ripple-effects-around-the-globe">Ripple effects around the globe</h2>



So, what's the big deal with the Gulf Stream slowing down? Well, for starters, Europe could face harsher winters. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-paradox-ocean-current-collapse-could-plunge-europe-into-cold/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Places like Britain</a> might start feeling more like their chilly counterparts at the same latitude, such as parts of Canada.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Atlantic-Meridional-Overturning-Circulation_AMOC_collapsing_Nature-Geoscience_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Atlantic-Meridional-Overturning-Circulation_AMOC_collapsing_Nature-Geoscience_1s.webp" alt="The addition of meltwater in the North Atlantic leads to localised cooling in the subpolar North Atlantic and warming in the South Atlantic. Credit: Nature Geoscience (2024)." class="wp-image-1951410" style="width:300px;height:auto"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The addition of meltwater in the North Atlantic leads to localised cooling in the subpolar North Atlantic and warming in the South Atlantic. Credit: Nature Geoscience (2024).</figcaption></figure>



"Our new research shows meltwater from the Greenland ice sheet and Arctic glaciers in Canada is the missing piece in the climate puzzle," the researchers explain. 



When they included this meltwater in their simulations, the slowing of the oceanic circulation made sense.



The study confirms that the Atlantic overturning circulation has been slowing down since the mid-20th century. It also gives us a sneak peek into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atlantic-and-arctic-mixing-is-crucial-for-earths-climate-stability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">what's coming next</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-northern-and-southern-oceans-connected">Northern and Southern oceans connected</h2>



"Our new research also shows the North and South Atlantic oceans are more connected than previously thought," the team states. 



Changes in one part of the ocean can quickly affect distant regions. When the oceanic circulation is strong, it transfers a lot of heat to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-warming-triggers-rising-north-atlantic-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Atlantic</a>. 



But when it weakens, the surface of the ocean south of Greenland doesn't warm up as much, leading to what's called a "warming hole." Meanwhile, the South Atlantic ends up storing more heat and salt.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-is-not-on-our-side">Time is not on our side</h2>



"Our simulations show changes in the far North Atlantic are felt in the South Atlantic Ocean in less than two decades," the researchers reveal. This means the effects of the slowdown are spreading faster than we thought.



Climate projections have suggested the Atlantic overturning circulation will weaken by about 30% by 2060. But hold on -- that's without considering all that extra meltwater.



"The Greenland ice sheet will continue melting over the coming century, possibly raising global sea level by about 4 inches," the study notes. 



"If this additional meltwater is included in climate projections, the overturning circulation will weaken faster. It could be 30% weaker by 2040. That's 20 years earlier than initially projected."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-can-we-do">What can we do?</h2>



Such a rapid decrease in the overturning circulation will shake things up. 



Europe might see colder winters, the northern tropics could get drier, and places like the southern United States might experience warmer, wetter summers.



"Our climate has changed dramatically over the past 20 years," the researchers warn. "More rapid melting of the ice sheets will accelerate further disruption of the climate system."



So, what does this all mean for us? It means we have even less time to get our act together. Reducing emissions isn't just a good idea -- it's crucial.



Our planet's systems are interconnected in ways we're only beginning to understand. If we want to keep things from getting worse, we need to act now. Every little bit counts, and the clock is ticking.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01568-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a>.



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Collapse of Earth's main ocean water circulation system is already happening

You probably know at least a little bit about ocean circulation around the world, also known as currents. In fact, you may have felt smaller currents yourself on a day at the beach. But have you heard bout the "great global ocean conveyor belt," which is a vast network of currents that constantly moves water around the entire planet? This massive system helps distribute heat around the world, influencing everything from temperatures to rainfall. Unfortunately, it's slowing down and on the verge of total collapse. Scientists have...

Massive wildfires are the new normal. 

Whether they’re deliberately set – like the flames burning through the Amazon rainforest – or sparked by accident or natural events like lightning strikes, enormous wildfires have become a part of yearly life. 

In 2018, four wildfires in California burned more than 930,000 acres combined, destroyed more than 20,000 structures and killed 100 people. Most of that destruction was from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/camp-fire-is-the-most-destructive-in-californias-history/">Camp Fire</a> that ripped through Paradise and surrounding towns so quickly that residents had no chance to flee. California wasn’t alone; fires burned throughout the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfires-burning-two-million-acres/">western U.S.</a>

In British Columbia, more than 3.3 million acres burned. That beat the 3 million acres that burned in that province in 2017.

In 2017, 44 people were killed and more than 8,000 structures burned in California’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfires-california-wine-country/">North Bay fires</a>. A blaze in Montana spread to 1.2 million acres before early rain and snow in September contained it. Oregon saw <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Oregon_wildfires">more than 1,000 fires</a> in 2017.

Kansas saw the largest fire in its history in 2016 – the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/grass-fires-char-kansas-and-oklahoma/">Anderson Creek Fire</a>, which also burned in Oklahoma. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/enormous-wildfire-in-fort-mcmurray/">Fort McMurray Fire</a> in Canada was the costliest disaster in the country’s history, with nearly 100,000 people evacuated. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tennessee-wildfires-threaten-dollywood/">Great Smoky Mountains wildfires</a> in Tennessee killed 14 people, the deadliest wildfires in the eastern U.S. since 1947. 

North America isn’t the only region seeing an increase in massive wildfires. Fires are raging out of control in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amazon-fires-devastating-impacts/">Brazilian Amazon</a> and <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-indonesia-environment-wildfire/indonesian-police-investigate-palm-oil-companies-over-forest-fires-ministry-idUSKCN1VJ1BS">across Indonesia</a> – in both cases, believed to be deliberately set by growers seeking to clear land for farming – and across <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/nasa-images-show-africa-has-five-times-more-wildfires-burning-amazonheres-why-theyre-1456382">Africa</a> and in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Siberia_wildfires">Siberia</a>, <a href="https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2019/08/30/firefighters-make-progress-as-swan-lake-fire-grows-to-nearly-162000-acres/">Alaska</a> and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Canary_Islands_wildfires">Canary Islands</a>. <a href="https://thediplomat.com/2019/04/responders-quickly-extinguish-one-of-koreas-largest-wildfires/">South Korea</a> saw one of the most massive wildfires in its history in April, and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_United_Kingdom_wildfires">United Kingdom</a> saw a remarkably early series of fires this spring.

Fires killed more than 100 people in Portugal and Spain in 2017 – <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_2017_Portugal_wildfires">66 in June</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_2017_Iberian_wildfires">49 in October</a>. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Attica_wildfires">2018 Attica wildfires</a> killed 102 in Greece.

Some scientists are linking the massive wildfires to climate change – and they’re only going to get worse, they say.

"A new normal makes it sound like we've arrived in a new position and that's where we're going to be," Dr. Michael Mann of <a href="https://www.psu.edu/">Penn State University</a> told <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/are-devastating-wildfires-a-new-normal-its-actually-worse-than-that-climate-scientist-says/">CBS News</a> last year. "But if we continue to burn fossil fuels and put carbon pollution into the atmosphere, we are going to continue to warm the surface of the Earth. We're going to get worse and worse droughts and heat waves and superstorms and floods and wildfires."

Several scientists told <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/08/21/wildfires-july-hottest-month-ever-fires-rage-across-globe/2070418001/">USA Today</a> that they believed rising global temperatures – and the accompanying drought and other extreme weather – are linked to the current raging fires around the world. 

“In these conditions, it is easier for wildfires to grow and to be more long-lived,” Dr. Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at the <a href="https://www.ecmwf.int/">European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts</a>, told USA Today.

The number of wildfires in the Amazon has actually been down in recent years, but the current fires quickly raged out of control, he said.

Worldwide, the number of acres burned each year is actually <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/90493/researchers-detect-a-global-drop-in-fires">on the decline</a>, in part due to the development of previously wild lands removing opportunities for slash and burn agriculture. But fires are popping up at unusual times – like February in the UK – and in unusual places, like the Arctic. And when they do rage out of control, they are breaking records for size and destructiveness. 

“This year has been unprecedented for wildfires in the Arctic,” Dr. Carly Phillips of the <a href="https://whrc.org/">Woods Hole Research Centre</a> told the <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24332452-800-the-pyrocene-has-begun-how-to-tackle-a-world-of-raging-wildfires/">New Scientist</a>. 

A record amount of carbon dioxide has been released in the Arctic this year, especially in Russia, the <a href="https://atmosphere.copernicus.eu/">Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service</a> reports.

And that’s worrisome because the Arctic is essentially a giant, frozen tinderbox. The frozen part has been key in the past. Fires just didn’t take off there. But if the area melts and dries out a bit, it could go up in smoke. 

“The north is a big tinder box, but it’s been limited from burning by the climate,” Dr. Merritt Turetsky of the <a href="https://www.uoguelph.ca/">University of Guelph</a> told the New Scientist. “If you remove those climatic constraints, all those fuels are ready to go.”

The effects that all that smoke, soot and released carbon could have globally isn’t known yet. But scientists are hoping that world governments and their fire agencies will work together to protect not just people and property from massive wildfires, but areas with “old carbon” such as the Arctic. If they don’t, scientists say, the effects on the climate could be devastating.

“What happens in the Arctic doesn’t stay in the Arctic. Pollution can carry thousands of miles away,” Elizabeth Hoy at <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a> said.

—

By Kyla Cathey, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> staff writer

Massive wildfires are flaring up all over the world

Massive wildfires are the new normal.  Whether they’re deliberately set...

A team of engineers and psychologists at the <a href="https://ucsd.edu/">University of California San Diego</a> explored what factors affect how human touch perceives softness and designed materials that replicate different levels of this perceived feeling. 

In doing so, the team proved that it’s possible to design tactile materials and haptic interfaces to apply to technologies such as electronic skin, prosthetics, and <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/robotic-exosuit-walking-running/">medical robots</a>.

"We provide a formula to recreate a spectrum of softness,” said co-leader Charles Dhong, an assistant professor in biomedical engineering at the <a href="https://www.udel.edu/">University of Delaware</a> and former postdoctoral fellow at UC San Diego. “In doing so, we are helping close the gap in understanding what it takes to recreate some aspects of touch.”

To begin, Dhong and his colleagues first examined indentation depth (how deep a finger can press into a material) as well as the contact area between material and fingertip, as these are the first two parameters to change as a fingertip presses into an object. 

To test how these parameters work independently, the team engineered nine elastomeric slabs, each one of which had its own ratio of indentation depth to contact area, and differed in the amount of surface micropatterning (consisting of bunches of raised microscopic pillars that allow fingertips to press deeper without changing the contact area), thickness, and stiffness (measured by Young’s modulus). They then tested the slabs on human participants.

"By creating these micropatterned surface structures, we produce discontinuous regions of contact where the finger presses in that are much smaller than the shadow it would cast on the surface," said co-corresponding author Darren Lipomi, a professor of nanoengineering at UC San Diego.

The 15 human participants were instructed to identify the softer slab when presented with a pair of slabs. They were then asked to rank the nine slabs from softest to hardest. The slabs that were thicker, had barely any micropatterning, and had the lowest Young’s modulus were perceived as being softer than others.

Dhong, Lipomi, and colleagues were also able to create equations based on the results of their experiments. These equations can calculate how soft or hard a material will feel based on its thickness, Young’s modulus, and micropatterned areas.

"What's interesting about this is that we've found two new ways to tune the perceived softness of an object — micropatterning and changing the thickness," Dhong said. "Young's modulus is what scientists typically turn to in terms of what's soft or hard. It is a factor, but now we show that it's only one part of the equation."

After experimenting, the researchers concluded that the perception of softness is a basic sensation, not a mashup of several sensations.

"This means softness is a primary ingredient of the human sense of touch. It's like how we have RGB for color displays," Lipomi said. "If we can find the other 'pixels of touch,' can we combine them to make any tactile image we want? These are the fundamental things we would like to know going forward."

This study is published in <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/">Science Advances</a>.

--

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/fizkes

Engineers develop materials that replicate the feeling of softness

A team of engineers and psychologists at the University of...

Ancient rodent teeth help to map out Miocene mouse migration. Raquel López-Antoñanzas, from the <a href="http://www.isem.univ-montp2.fr/fr/">Institut des Sciences de l'Évolution</a> in Montpellier, France, and colleagues unearthed fossils of a new species of prehistoric murine — the mammalian group that includes mice, rats, and their kin — in Lebanon. 

These fossils are the first physical evidence that the first dispersal of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/young-mouse-blood-improved-memory-learning/">mice</a> from Asia to Africa took place via the Levant.

Archaeologists believe murinae, the largest subfamily of mammals, originated in southern Asia about 16 million years ago. However, the route and timing of the first murine dispersal has remained a mystery until now.

By analyzing the fossil’s teeth, which were excavated from the Lebanese site in 2013 and 2018, López-Antoñanzas and team were able to identify them as belonging to a previously unknown species. They named the new species, similar to the oldest populations of Progonomys known, which lived about 10.5 to 11 million years ago, Progonomys manolo (P. manolo).

P. manolo may be one of the earliest representatives of Progonomys, which was the first mouse to migrate out of southern Asia. In fact, researchers believe that P. manolo is most likely responsible for spreading Progonomys populations to Africa.

During the dental analysis of various Progonomys species, researchers saw how their teeth changed throughout the course of evolution with later species showing broader molars, suggesting a switch from an omnivorous diet to a herbivorous one during the shift from the moist middle Miocene era to the dry Late Miocene.

Finding the P. manolo fossil is a huge breakthrough for those studying the migration of the Progonomys, as it’s the first piece of evidence that the genus did, in fact, move through the Arabian Peninsula, therefore the “Levantine Corridor” is as important for mammal migration as researchers have believed it to be.

This new discovery is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-47894-y">Scientific Reports</a>.

--

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Rudmer Zwerver

Ancient rodent teeth help to map out Miocene mouse migration

Ancient rodent teeth help to map out Miocene mouse migration....

Study finds that genes influence sexuality, but there is no ‘gay gene’. There is no single gene that determines sexual orientation, but a new study has found several genetic variations that may influence sexual behaviors. 

The large scale genome-wide association study puts to bed once and for all the idea of a “gay gene,” but shows that same-sex behavior is a part of natural human diversity. 

“In fact, this study provides further evidence that diverse sexual behavior is a natural part of overall human variation,” the <a href="https://geneticsexbehavior.info/what-we-found/">researchers explain</a>. “Our research is intended to improve our understanding of the genetic basis of same-sex sexual behavior. It should not be misconstrued to disparage LGBTQ people.”

The study was conducted by an international group of researchers in collaboration with activists and advocacy groups to help answer the question of why people differ in sexual behaviors.

DNA data from the UK Biobank, the genetic testing company 23andMe, the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, Molecular Genetic Study of Sexual Orientation, and The Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden were reviewed and analyzed for the study. 

By combining several large-scale studies, the researchers focused on what role genetics might play in shaping certain <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/same-sex-marriage-anti-gay-bias/">same-sex behaviors</a>. 

Data from 477,522 individuals were included in the research, and participants provided DNA samples as well as answers to questions on sexual identity, number of same-sex encounters, and sexual attraction. 

The researchers identified five genetic variants associated with same-sex behavior. 

“By incorporating DNA and personal information from nearly half a million people, our study is the first to include enough people to be able to link specific genetic variants and same-sex sexual behavior with demonstrable statistical confidence,” the researchers wrote. 

This is the first time such genetic markers have been identified. However, it’s important to note that the human genome is made up of millions of genetic markers, each with its own small contribution to different behaviors. 

The researchers also made sure to emphasize that the genetic variants are linked only to same-sex behaviors and that the study is not focused on identity or orientation.

While these variants were linked to same-sex behaviors, none of them clearly predicted these behaviors and only accounted for eight to 25 percent of the genetic variation in same-sex behavior for men and women. 

There are several limitations to the study, including that much of the data relied on self-reported information and that there are other non-genetic environmental factors that must be considered.

“It just shows us that same-sex sexual behavior is much more complex than this idea of having just one gene influencing it all,” Eric Vilain, director of the <a href="https://childrensnational.org/research-and-education/center-for-genetic-medicine-research">Center for Genetic Medicine Research at Children’s National Health System</a>, told the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2019/08/29/theres-no-gay-gene-genetics-are-linked-same-sex-behavior-new-study-says/">Washington Post</a>. “It shows that there are genetic factors, which we had suspected long ago … but it also shows those genetic factors do not tell the whole story.”

The study was published in the journal <a href="https://science.sciencemag.org/content/365/6456/eaat7693">Science. </a>

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Paid for by <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a>

Image Credit: Shutterstock/lazyllama

Study finds that genes influence sexuality, but there is no ‘gay gene’

Study finds that genes influence sexuality, but there is no...

Scientists at the <a href="https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/">University of Sheffield</a> have discovered the potential to make white sustainable paint using recycled plastic waste by mimicking the structure of the Cyphochilus beetle's scales, which contain one of the brightest whites found in nature. 

According to the researchers, the new paint would not only have a much lower carbon footprint, but could also help to tackle the challenge of recycling <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/un-report-calls-for-ban-on-single-use-plastics/">single-use plastics</a>.

The brilliant white shade of the Cyphochilus beetle is not created by pigments, but by the nanostructure of its tiny scales. The team has managed to reconstruct and refine this scale structure in the lab using inexpensive materials. The technique used to recreate the nanostructure could be used to produce a sustainable alternative to titanium dioxide in white paint.

"In the natural world, whiteness is usually created by a foamy, Swiss cheese-like structure made of a solid interconnected network and air. Until now, how these structures form and develop and how they have evolved light-scattering properties has remained a mystery," said study lead author Dr. Andrew Parnell.

"Having understood these structures we were able to take plastic and structure it in the same way. Ideally, we could recycle plastic waste that would normally be burnt or sent to landfill, structure it just like the beetle scale and then use it to make super white paint. This would make paint with a much lower carbon footprint and help tackle the challenge of recycling single-use plastics."

The study revealed that the foamy structure of the beetle scales had the ideal proportion of empty spaces to optimize the scattering of light. 

Currently, nanoparticles of titanium dioxide are used in white paint because they can strongly scatter visible light. However, titanium dioxide is harmful to the environment, contributing to nearly 75 percent of white paint's carbon footprint.

"This research answers long-standing questions about how the structure inside these scales actually form and we hope these lessons from nature will help inform the future of sustainable manufacturing for paint," said study co-author Dr. Stephanie Burg.

The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/commschem">Nature Communications Chemistry</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Wuttipon

The structure of beetle scales could help scientists create sustainable paint

Scientists at the University of Sheffield have discovered the potential...

Researchers from the <a href="https://ucsd.edu/">University of California, San Diego</a> have detected brain waves similar to those found in preterm babies in lab-grown, stem cell-crafted, miniature brains, which are about a million times smaller than developed <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/young-brains-impulsive-behavior/">human brains</a>. 

These findings are published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell-stem-cell/fulltext/S1934-5909(19)30337-6">Cell Stem Cell</a>.

"The level of neural activity we are seeing is unprecedented in vitro," said biologist Alysson Muotri, from UC San Diego. "We are one step closer to have a model that can actually generate these early stages of a sophisticated neural network."

These mini brains, called cerebral organoids, are grown from human pluripotent stem cells placed in a culture that mimics the ideal environment for brain development. The stem cells separate and organize themselves into 3D structures resembling that of a human brain. 

However, until now, none of the prior models developed functional neural networks similar to that of a human brain. These networks show up when neurons mature and interconnect, and are essential for most brain activities.

"You can use brain organoids for several things, including understand normal human neurodevelopment, disease modeling, brain evolution, drug screening, and even to inform artificial intelligence," Muotri said.

Muotri and team redesigned the procedure for growing stem cells in order to allow for neuron development. Their redesign resulted in more mature organoids that began to show bursts of brain waves at about two months old. The older they grew, the more regular the brain waves became.

[caption id="attachment_1877175" align="aligncenter" width="650"]<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/cross-section.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1877175" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/cross-section.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="650" /></a> Cross-section of a brain organoid, Image Credit: Muotri Lab/UCTV[/caption]

The team then trained a machine learning algorithm with recorded brain waves from several premature babies between six and nine-and-a-half months old in order to compare these brain waves to those of their organoids. 

The algorithm successfully predicted how many weeks the organoids had developed in culture, therefore suggesting that the organoids and human brain have a similar growth trajectory. But, it should be noted that these organoids are unlike human brains in that they do not have consciousness.

"The organoid is still a very rudimentary model — we don't have other brain parts and structures,” Muotri said. “So these brain waves might not have anything to do with activities in real brains. It might be that in the future, we will get something that is really close to the signals in the human brains that control behaviors, thoughts, or memory. But I don't think we have any evidence right now to say we have any of those."

The hope is that these organoids will be able to help scientists better understand neural network diseases and diagnoses like autism, epilepsy, and schizophrenia. But in order to get there, scientists may face roadblocks when it comes to the discussion of ethics.

"As a scientist, I want to get closer and closer to the human brain," Muotri said. "I want to do that because I see the good in it. I can help people with neurological conditions by giving them better treatments and better quality of life. But it's up to us to decide where the limit is. It might be that the technology is not ready yet, or we don't know how to control the technology. This is the same kind of discussion around CRISPR in babies, and that's why we have ethics committees to represent all parts of the society."

--

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Main Image Credit: Muotri Lab/UCTV

Lab-grown miniature brains produce brain waves

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego have detected...

For the first time, researchers have identified a protein in the skin that detects cold temperatures. The study was focused on the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans. The team discovered that, without the receptor protein, the worms became completely insensitive to <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/colder-temperatures-emotion-driven-purchases/">cold temperatures</a>. 

Study senior author Professor Shawn Xu is an expert at the <a href="https://umich.edu/">University of Michigan</a> Life Sciences Institute. 

"Clearly, nerves in the skin can sense cold. But no one has been able to pinpoint exactly how they sense it," said Professor Xu. "Now, I think we have an answer."

Receptor proteins within the sensory nerves of the skin can detect when temperatures drop and signal information about this environmental change to the brain. The system works the same for humans as it does for the tiny, millimeter-long worm C. elegans.

"When you step outside and you sense it's too cold, you're going to take action to get back to a warmer environment as soon as you can," explained Professor Xu. "When the worms sense cold, they also engage in avoidance behavior - moving away from cold temperatures, just like humans."

Unlike complex organisms, however, C. elegans have a simple, extensively-studied genome and a short lifespan. This makes them the ideal model for investigating sensory responses.

According to Professor Xu, previous searches for a cold receptor have been unsuccessful because researchers were focusing on specific groups of genes that are related to sensation, which is a biased approach. The team in Professor Xu's lab took an unbiased approach by looking across thousands of random genetic variations to determine which affected the worms' responses to cold temperatures.

When temperatures dipped below 18 degrees Celsius, worms that were missing the glutamate receptor gene glr-3 no longer responded. This gene is responsible for making the GLR-3 receptor protein, which the researchers discovered is required for the worms to sense cold.

The study also revealed that the glr-3 gene is evolutionarily conserved across species, including humans. The researchers introduced the mammalian version of the gene to mutant worms lacking glr-3 and found that it rescued their cold sensitivity. 

The team also introduced the worm, zebrafish, mouse, and human versions of the genes to cold-insensitive mammalian cells. Every version of the gene caused the cells to become sensitive to cold temperatures.

"For all these years, attention has been focused on this gene's function in the brain. Now, we've found that it has a role in the peripheral sensory system, as well," said Professor Xu. "It's really exciting. This was one of the few remaining sensory receptors that had not yet been identified in nature."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/">Cell</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Rido

The very first cold-sensing protein has been identified in the skin

For the first time, researchers have identified a protein in...

According to a new study by researchers at the <a href="https://www.crick.ac.uk/">Francis Crick Institute</a>, healthy cells that are in the immediate vicinity of a tumor become more stem cell-like and promote the spread of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/sugary-drinks-cancer/">cancer</a>.

In the lab of Ilaria Malanchi, the experts used a state-of-the-art technique which they developed to study the tissue surrounding a tumor, which is called the tumor microenvironment. This region is known to have a strong influence on the growth of cancer, as well as its response to treatment.

"Our new technique allows us to study changes to cells in the tumor microenvironment with unprecedented precision," said Malanchi. "This helps us to understand how these changes relate to tumor growth and metastasis, allowing us to develop better strategies to treat the disease."

"We discovered that non-cancerous cells in the tumor microenvironment regress back into a stem-cell like state, and actually support cancer growth. By corrupting its neighbors, cancer transforms its local environment to support its own survival."

The method used by the team is based on the modification of cancer cells to release a cell-penetrating fluorescent protein that is absorbed by neighboring cells. These color-labeled cells can be identified and compared to other "unlabeled" cells that have not made contact with the tumor. 

In mice, the researchers used this approach to study the cells around breast cancer that had spread to the lungs. It was then confirmed by Alessandro Ori's lab at the Fritz Lipmann Institute that labeled cells had produced different proteins compared to unlabeled cells.

The experts discovered that labeled lung cells developed stem cell-like features that were not observed in lung cells outside of the tumor microenvironment. When the labeled cells were mixed with tumor cells in a 3D culture in the lab, they were found to boost tumor growth, which indicates that they help the cancer survive and spread.

To further investigate the behavior of the cells, the researchers collaborated with Joo-Hyeon Lee at the Wellcome Trust/MRC Stem Cell Institute, who used the cells to grow mini-lungs.

This experiment revealed that healthy lung cells formed mini-lungs that were mostly made up of alveolar epithelial cells, which allow for gas exchange. On the other hand, the labeled cells collected from the tumor microenvironment formed mini-lungs that contained a wider range of cell types.

"To our amazement, we found that cells receiving proteins from adjacent cancer cells obtained stem-cell-like features," explained Lee. "They could change their fate to become different cell types. It demonstrates the powerful influence that cancer exerts over its neighboring cells, making them liable to change easily."

The researchers hope that their new technique will be utilized in future studies to gain further insight into the local changes triggered by cancer which help it to survive, spread, and develop resistance to treatments.

The study is published in the journal <a href="http://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

Image Credit: Shutterstock/fusebulb

Cancer cells have a transformative impact on neighboring cells

According to a new study by researchers at the Francis...

The jellyfish is one of the most delicate animals on Earth. Jellyfish are 95 percent water and the thin gelatinous layers that make jellyfish so mysterious and beautiful to watch as they float in the ocean also make them incredibly difficult to study. 

What little researchers have been able to glean from jellyfish has paved the way for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jellyfish-kill-toxin-genes/">several important discoveries</a>, including a protein that could help slow aging. 

The ability to study jellyfish safely without damaging or tearing their delicate dermis layer is important, but most underwater research tools that marine biologists can use are cumbersome and heavy. 

Researchers from <a href="https://www.harvard.edu/">Harvard University</a> and the <a href="https://www2.cuny.edu/">City University of New York</a> have developed a new kind of ‘gripper’ that can gently capture and release jellyfish, opening up new research opportunities to study jellyfish in their native habitats. 

The gripper has six thin hollow strips made of silicone which are meant to serve as fingers. 

The strips are attached to a small rectangular “palm,” and as the strips fill with water, they curl up, exerting just enough pressure to keep a jellyfish contained in its grasp but gentle enough to ensure the jellyfish is unharmed. 

“Our ultra-gentle gripper is a clear improvement over existing deep-sea sampling devices for jellies and other soft-bodied creatures that are otherwise nearly impossible to collect intact,” said Nina Sinatra, Ph.D., the first author of the study. “This technology can also be extended to improve underwater analysis techniques and allow extensive study of the ecological and genetic features of marine organisms without taking them out of the water.”

After testing the gripper at the New England Aquarium, the device was successful in capturing jellyfish and keeping them in place until released. 

More tests revealed that the gripper could open and close around 100 times before showing any signs of wear. 

The researchers are continuing to refine the technology, but so far the gripper has promising potential is solving a major problem for marine biologists hoping to unlock the mysteries of jellyfish. 

“Marine biologists have been waiting a long time for a tool that replicates the gentleness of human hands in interacting with delicate animals like jellyfish from inaccessible environments,” said David Gruber, Ph.D., a co-author of the study. “This gripper is part of an ever-growing soft robotic toolbox that promises to make underwater species collection easier and safer, which would greatly improve the pace and quality of research on animals that have been under-studied for hundreds of years, giving us a more complete picture of the complex ecosystems that make up our oceans.”

The team published their findings in the journal Science Robotics.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Shutterstock/HelloRF Zcool

New gripper device allows researchers to study jellyfish safely

The jellyfish is one of the most delicate animals on...

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Burial sites offer an inside look into the lives of our ancient ancestors and provide clues into how societies formed and evolved through the ages. 

From a tomb or burial site, researchers may be able to determine how a person died, what diseases and parasites they were susceptible to, their status in society, and many other clues into the lives and social structures of early communities. 

One elaborate burial site discovered in 2016 at the Late Pre-Pottery Neolithic B settlement of Ba’ja in Southern Jordan offers clues into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/families-buried-together-stone-age/">Neolithic social structures</a> and the development of hierarchies in early farming communities. 

More specifically, due to the seemingly important status of the individual buried at the site, the researchers suggest that burial sites can provide insight into early leadership and the different pathways to power for people. 

An international team of archeologists, anthropologists, and neuroscientists that are part of the Ba’ja Neolithic Project hosted at the <a href="https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/index.html">Free University of Berlin</a> conducted a thorough investigation of the gravesite and its construction. 

The burial site dates back to between 7,500 and 6,900 BC, making it around 9,000 years old. The construction was elaborate, and buried alongside the individual in the grave were exotic items which suggest that the individual was a person of status who was involved in trade.  

The close proximity of the grave to other less complicated and elaborate graves shows that even though this person was important, they were buried with people who were less prestigious.

Was this individual a leader who held power over the rest of the community or a person of excellence and prestige, set apart but still buried collectively with the rest of the community? 

With the formation of complex societies, there arose opportunities for leadership, but how exactly people rose to prominence within these early societies is not well known. 

In this case, the beads and exotic items associated with trade likely set the individual in the gravesite apart, giving him a place of status in society. 

Graves, like the one discovered at Ba’ja can help piece together the early evolution of leadership within the social contexts of a given society. 

“We suggest that leadership can be understood only by studying the social contexts and the pathways to power (not only the burials of extraordinary individuals),” the researchers said. “In fact, studying rich tombs to interpret social structures has been done before, but our new approach emphasizes the social environments of leadership.”

The researchers published their findings in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0221171">PLOS ONE</a>. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Ana al'ain

Burial site provides clues into the social structures of early human communities

Burial sites offer an inside look into the lives of...

Mathematical modelling explains why some animals can see at night. Researchers from <a href="https://www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en">Hiroshima University</a> have used mathematical modelling to explain how the structure of chromatin in cells of some animals’ eyes shifts from diurnal to <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/nocturnal-birds-night/">nocturnal</a> after birth.

Associate Professor Sungrim Seirin-Lee, and Lecturer Hiroshi Ochiai, both from the Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life at HU, believed the chromatin caused the shape of the nuclei warp and change. 

"When we started this research, our hypothesis was based 100 percent on mathematics," Seirin-Lee said. "Because of our mathematical modeling, we found that nuclear deformation might be a key point in DNA's structure change."

Chromatin appears in different forms and exists in varying territories within the nucleus. For example, it appears as euchromatin, or largely active DNA, around the center of the nucleus. And it also takes the form of heterochromatin, a type of mostly-stagnant DNA that exists around the envelope or ceiling of the nucleus.

However, when it comes to differentiating nocturnal and diurnal animals, the differences in chromatin are largest around the retina. There, the DNA is the center of the nucleus in nocturnal animals, and, as Seirin-Lee and Ochiai found, heterochromatin can be moved from the envelope and ceiling via the nucleus changing shape.

To better understand this movement, Seirin-Lee and team used “phase-field” mathematical modelling, which is more commonly used in physics.

"It is not common in the biological sciences,” Seirin-Lee said. “In chromatin dynamics, it is the first trial in the world!" 

By using this model, the researchers could determine and define the inside and outside of the nucleus, as well as the euchromatin versus heterochromatin, in order to see the movement of of chromatin and nucleus.

When observing heterochromatin in a nocturnal mouse’s eye, they saw that conditional architecture spurred dynamic deformation, thus resulting in an inversion in the nuclear architecture in which two proteins are removed and heterochromatin is allowed to move.

The team then applied their phase-field model to neural stem cells, which mimic retinal cells. They first treated the cells with proteins that keep heterochromatin at the nuclear periphery, and noticed that the deformation stopped. Nuclear architecture could not invert. Whether or not this applies to other mammals is still unclear.

"At this stage, we think it is just mouse eyes," Seirin-Lee said, "but we don't know! Maybe humans could have such structures by dynamic nuclear deformation."

--

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Gregory Johnston

Mathematical modelling explains why some animals can see at night

Mathematical modelling explains why some animals can see at night....

Scientists from the<a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/"> University of Southampton</a>, the <a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/">British Antarctic Survey</a>, the <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk/">University of East Anglia</a>, and the <a href="https://www.awi.de/en.html">Alfred Wegener Institute</a>, have found that, contrary to prior understanding, the biological processes far off the coast of Antarctica in the <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/southern-ocean-acidification/">Southern Ocean</a> are the most important factors in determining how the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide.

"The Southern Ocean is a hugely important region for the drawdown of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, with major impacts on global climate,” said Michael Meredith from the British Antarctic Survey. “This study overturns a commonly-held belief relating to how this works, and emphasises the need for joined-up biological and physical studies in the open-ocean regions some distance offshore from the Antarctic continent. This will be a key priority going forward, in order to improve our ability to reliably predict future climates."

Carbon dioxide is initially absorbed in the surface ocean and is then transferred into the deep ocean where it is stored for hundreds to thousands of years. 

It was thought that the transformation of water from light to dense, caused when water is cooled at the ocean’s surface, was the main key in determining whether carbon is released into the atmosphere or stored in the deep ocean. Therefore, most research is conducted in the shallow waters on Antarctica’s coastline. 

However, after studying ocean circulation and carbon concentration of the Weddell Gyre region of the Antarctic Peninsula, as well as data collected by the ANDREX project (Antarctic Deep water Rates of Export), which measured the physical, biological, and chemical properties of the gyre’s waters between 2008 and 2010, the research team found that dense water formation is not the dominant factor driving the atmosphere-to-ocean carbon uptake. Instead, biological processes further out in the ocean are the main driving force.

The team discovered that as phytoplankton in the middle of the gyre grow and sink, they remove carbon from the surface ocean and move it into the deep ocean. This process is known as the “biological carbon pump.”

"The results carry implications for our understanding of how the high-latitude Southern Ocean, close to the Antarctic continent, influences atmospheric carbon and global climate on 100 to 1000-year timescales,” said study leader Graeme MacGilchrist, from the University of Southampton. “This is important both for our understanding of climate transitions in the past, such as the ice ages, as well as our projections of future climate change.”

“We also expect that it will help to shift the focus of future research towards the critical processes taking place in the Antarctic Gyres, rather than the historical focus on the shelf-sea regions,” MacGilchrist concluded.

This study is published in <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/">Science Advances</a>.

--

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Mike Meredith, British Antarctic Survey

Interactions in the Southern Ocean impact how carbon dioxide is absorbed

Scientists from the University of Southampton, the British Antarctic Survey,...

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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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

[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...