Made from reclaimed cedar wood, these coasters are designed with a bicycle motif that is hand burnished into each coaster. Read more These upcycled cedar wood coasters are truly unique because they are made from hand-selected cedar planks reclaimed from mid-century Chinese dwellings. The uniqueness of each coaster is derived from the grain, lines and knots of the salvaged cedar wood, making each coaster one-of-a-kind. Cedar wood is extraordinarily lightweight. Use coasters to protect your table surfaces from hot mugs and capture the condensation from cold beverages. These coasters make a great addition to any coffee table and are perfect for gifts! Features &amp; Benefits: Set of 4 coasters with bicycle motif Made from reclaimed cedar wood Hand finished with natural food safe oil Smooth base protects surfaces Size: 3 3/4 inches

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This,Man-made,Vehicle,Reached,A,Record,Speed,Of,635,Thousand

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is set to achieve its most dangerous feat yet tomorrow, December 24, 2024. After a six-year journey of spiraling closer to the star at the heart of our solar system, the spacecraft is expected to come within 3.8 million miles of the Sun’s surface. 



This tiny distance in cosmic terms lets scientists capture a new type of information, revealing secrets about solar winds, extreme heat, and magnetic fields.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-probe-on-the-sun-s-doorstep">Solar probe on the Sun's doorstep</h2>



Engineers have spent years carefully adjusting <a href="https://blogs.nasa.gov/parkersolarprobe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parker’s flight path</a> using multiple Venus gravity assists. These flybys reshape the spacecraft’s orbit and tighten its looping path around the Sun. “This is one example of NASA’s bold missions, doing something that no one else has ever done before to answer longstanding questions about our universe,” explained <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/people/dr-arik-posner/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arik Posner</a>, Parker Solar Probe program scientist at NASA Headquarters, describing this mission’s significance.



Ever since the launch in 2018, Parker’s main goal has been to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona. Tomorrow’s approach, often called <a href="https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/glossary/perihelion.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">perihelion</a>, marks a new milestone in that quest. The probe moves at speeds around 430,000 miles per hour, faster than any other spacecraft. At such high velocity, it can swing around our star without getting swallowed. Even so, mission managers won’t receive immediate updates once Parker hits its closest point because signals cannot travel through the intense solar environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-heat-and-lasting-protection">Extreme heat and lasting protection</h2>



What sets Parker apart is its resilient heat shield. This 4.5-inch-thick carbon-composite barrier enables the spacecraft’s instruments to continue functioning in an environment where temperatures can reach roughly 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite the harsh surroundings, the precious science instruments remain near room temperature, thanks to expert engineering by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (<a href="https://parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">APL</a>).



During every close approach, Parker is pelted by gusts of solar wind and bathed in radiation. Still, it keeps sending back readings about magnetic fields, <a href="https://www.plasmacoalition.org/plasma_writeups/solar_plasmas.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plasma</a> behavior, and energetic <a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/solar-radiation-storm#:~:text=Solar%20radiation%20storms%20occur%20when,of%20the%20speed%20of%20light." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particles</a>. The probe’s data illuminates reasons behind the corona’s blazing heat, which can climb into the millions of degrees, significantly hotter than the visible surface of the Sun. Such puzzling behavior has fascinated scientists for decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chasing-the-solar-wind-s-origins">Chasing the solar wind’s origins</h2>



Solar wind, a stream of charged particles flowing away from the Sun at speeds topping one million miles per hour, plays a major role in <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/sun/what-is-the-solar-wind/">space weather</a>. 



By skimming through the corona, Parker records fresh evidence of how these particles speed up and scatter across the solar system. The answers may help experts forecast disturbances that affect satellites and astronaut safety. Surges of these charged particles can disable communication systems or even disrupt power grids on Earth.



For researchers, big questions remain. How does the <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/sun/what-is-the-solar-wind/">solar wind</a> pick up its pace so dramatically? Is there a specific region in the corona that triggers bursts of fast-moving particles? 



Parker’s measurements bring us closer to unraveling these mysteries. Officials at NASA say that by tomorrow’s approach, new layers of data will help them see patterns not possible to detect from a greater distance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-probe-and-the-sun-s-active-cycle">Solar probe and the Sun's active cycle</h2>



The Sun moves through an 11-year activity cycle. Right now, it is in an active phase, meaning increased sunspots, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secondary-peak-extreme-geomagnetic-solar-storm-expected-today/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar flares</a>, and <a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/coronal-mass-ejections" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coronal mass ejections</a>. 



Researchers are tracking not only Parker’s journey but also the Sun’s changing patterns. Sometimes these outbursts interact with Earth’s magnetosphere and spark colorful auroras, even in places unused to such displays. And although most solar weather events are harmless for life on Earth, severe storms can interfere with GPS systems or satellites.



This is why Parker’s findings are so relevant. Gaining a better understanding of how energetic solar events begin could lead to timelier warnings, giving operators on Earth a heads-up to power down sensitive instruments or adjust satellite orbits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paying-tribute-to-eugene-parker">Paying tribute to Eugene Parker</h2>



In 2017, NASA renamed the probe after <a href="https://news.uchicago.edu/story/eugene-parker-legendary-figure-solar-science-and-namesake-parker-solar-probe-1927-2022">Dr. Eugene N. Parker</a>, the first person to predict the solar wind in the 1950s. He introduced key ideas about how stars interact with their surroundings. The mission’s name honors his influential work. Dr. Parker passed away in 2022, but his legacy continues. 



The data this spacecraft is sending back not only expands knowledge of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tracing-solar-wind-directly-to-its-source-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar physics</a> but also shows how correct Dr. Parker’s early theories were.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-record-setting-solar-probe-flyby">Record-setting Solar Probe flyby</h2>



Mission operations expect Parker to reach perihelion at 6:53 a.m. EST on December 24. 



At that time, the spacecraft will run autonomously, and engineers at APL will wait until December 27 for a beacon tone confirming a safe passage around the Sun. “No human-made object has ever passed this close to a star, so Parker will truly be returning data from uncharted territory. We’re excited to hear back from the spacecraft when it swings back around the Sun,” explained <a href="https://parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu/News-Center/Show-Article.php?articleID=205" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nick Pinkine</a>, Parker Solar Probe mission operations manager. 



When that update arrives, scientists will study Parker’s recent measurements to identify potential clues about solar wind origins and coronal heating. Each orbit is another chance to witness the scorching conditions near our star. At the same time, the probe helps refine predictions about solar eruptions that might drive future storms toward Earth.



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



Beyond the scientific breakthroughs, Parker’s success can have practical benefits for technology we rely on every day. Our society depends on GPS signals and stable power systems, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/team-creates-video-showing-the-sun-in-gamma-rays-over-a-14-year-period/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">major solar events</a> can disrupt both. By learning how to anticipate strong solar winds or flares, experts might one day keep satellites out of harm’s way or shield power grids from unexpected surges.



Tomorrow’s close approach continues a streak of remarkable achievements for NASA. As Parker zips through the corona, it gathers observations that no other mission could obtain. The craft appears ready for another sizzling pass, thanks to the robust thermal design and careful planning. 



Whether it’s helping forecast solar tempers or refining our knowledge of basic astrophysical processes, Parker remains on track to change the way we see the Sun.



Learn more about <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/parker-solar-probe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA's Parker Solar Probe here...</a>



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Spacecraft flew through the Sun's atmosphere today for the first time ever

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is set to achieve its most...

If all the world's a stage, and all the species merely players, then their exits and entrances can be found in the rock record. This poetic perspective highlights the continuous evolution and unfolding of life’s history, a narrative that is etched into fossils and the layers of sediment in which they are found.



A recent Virginia Tech analysis has now extended this narrative back to nearly 2 billion years ago, offering a more complete picture of life's origin, diversification, and extinction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-the-chart-of-life">Expanding the chart of life</h2>



Fossil evidence has charted evolutionary milestones over the past half-billion years, but researchers have now pushed this timeline even further back.



The study, led by <a href="https://www.vt.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Virginia Tech</a> geobiologist Shuhai Xiao, expands our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-evolution-not-random-gene-families-pangenome-influence-called-revolutionary/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">understanding of ancient life</a> to the Proterozoic Eon, which spans 2,500 million to 539 million years ago. 



During this era, life forms were typically smaller and softer, such as sea sponges without mineral skeletons, which were less likely to leave fossil traces.



“This is the most comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of this period to date,” said Xiao. "And more importantly, we’ve used a graphic correlation program that allowed us to achieve greater temporal resolution.”



The team’s findings provide a high-resolution analysis of the global diversity and evolution of Proterozoic life. This chart now offers valuable insights into how life’s story played out during this vast period.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-proterozoic-life-the-basics">Understanding proterozoic life -- the basics</h2>



During the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rewrite-the-textbooks-life-on-earth-did-not-arise-due-to-increased-oxygen-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proterozoic eon</a>, which lasted from about 2.5 billion to 541 million years ago, life on Earth was mostly simple and microscopic. Imagine tiny single-celled organisms like bacteria and algae swimming in the oceans. 



These early life forms played a huge role in shaping our planet. For example, they produced oxygen through photosynthesis, which gradually filled the atmosphere and made it possible for more complex life to develop later on. 



Around the middle of the Proterozoic, more advanced cells called <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-oldest-organisms-ever-discovered-show-dazzling-diversity-and-complexity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eukaryotes</a> appeared. These cells are the building blocks of all plants and animals today, featuring a nucleus and other specialized structures inside them.



As the Proterozoic eon progressed, life started to get a bit more interesting. Towards the end of this time, some of these eukaryotic cells began to form simple multicellular organisms, laying the groundwork for the incredible diversity of life we see today. 



Fossils from this era show the first signs of tiny colonies of cells and simple sea creatures. Even though life was still mostly confined to the oceans, these early innovations set the stage for the explosion of life that would happen in the next eon, the Phanerozoic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-proterozoic-marine-eukaryotes">Evolution of proterozoic marine eukaryotes</h2>



Xiao and his team studied the evolution of ancient marine eukaryotes, which are organisms with cells that have a nucleus. 



These early eukaryotes were the ancestors of animals, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ferns-evolving-backward-a-new-look-at-the-evolution-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a>, and fungi, and thus they paved the way for complex life on Earth.



The researchers found that eukaryotes first appeared at least 1.8 billion years ago. For the next billion years, often called the "boring billion," not much changed.



Species evolved slowly, and diversity remained stable, with few new species emerging or old ones going extinct.



This calm period eventually ended as Earth experienced dramatic changes. Shifts in the environment and evolution then brought a surge in diversity and set the stage for the development of the complex ecosystems we know today.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-snowball-earth-s-impact-on-the-evolution-of-life">Snowball Earth's impact on the evolution of life</h2>



Between 720 million and 635 million years ago, the planet experienced at least two severe ice ages, known as Snowball Earth events. These global glaciations plunged Earth into an icy grip, and reshaped <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-life-and-environment-co-evolved-over-500-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life’s trajectory</a>.



“The ice ages were a major factor that reset the evolutionary path in terms of diversity and dynamics,” Xiao explained. “We see rapid turnover of eukaryotic species immediately after glaciation. That’s a major finding.”



When the ice melted, evolutionary activity surged, marking the end of the “boring billion” and ushering in a more dynamic era of biodiversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-questions-than-answers">More questions than answers</h2>



The study on eukaryotic evolution raises important questions about how environmental and evolutionary forces influenced the development of life on Earth. 



For instance, why did eukaryotic evolution remain so slow and stable during the "boring billion," a period marked by low species turnover?



What triggered the rapid evolutionary changes after the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snowball-earth-event-set-the-stage-for-complex-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Snowball Earth events</a>, when the planet thawed from extreme glaciation?



Key factors under consideration include whether changes in climate and rising atmospheric oxygen levels played a role in accelerating evolution. 



Additionally, scientists wonder whether competition and interactions among organisms created an "evolutionary arms race," that drove species to evolve faster. 



According to Xiao, the team's findings create a foundation for future research. By analyzing the patterns revealed in this study, scientists can delve deeper into the complex relationship between Earth's changing environments and the evolution of life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-perspective-on-the-evolution-of-life">New perspective on the evolution of life</h2>



The study of proterozoic life enhances our understanding of how early eukaryotes - the ancestors of modern animals, plants, and fungi - evolved.



The research also reveals how living organisms and Earth’s environment influenced each other in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-evolution-was-shaped-by-environmental-crises-land-and-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex and interconnected ways</a> over billions of years.



By extending the timeline of life’s history, this research gives scientists a detailed framework to explore unanswered questions about Earth’s ancient past. It helps us see how events from billions of years ago shaped the planet and life as we know it today.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adm9137" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Timeline of life’s evolution extended by nearly 1.5 billion years

If all the world's a stage, and all the species...

This,Is,A,3d,Illustration,Of,Cosmic,Microwave,Background,,Electromagnetic

Dark energy has long been seen as the invisible force behind our Universe’s accelerating expansion. This mysterious component was thought to make up nearly 70 percent of the cosmic energy budget. A new study, however, raises a different idea: maybe the Universe is expanding in a “lumpy” manner, which means dark energy might not be needed to explain those puzzling measurements of distant supernovae.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-energy-and-expansion">Dark energy and expansion</h2>



For almost a century, scientists have assumed that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-evidence-suggests-that-dark-energy-comes-from-black-holes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmos</a> spreads out uniformly in every direction, with dark energy speeding up that expansion. The notion was adopted after researchers saw exploding stars, known as supernovae, appearing farther away than expected. 



When calculations showed that galaxies seemed to be drifting apart too quickly, dark energy became an easy placeholder for the unknown physics.



Professor <a href="https://profiles.canterbury.ac.nz/David-Wiltshire" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David Wiltshire</a> from the <a href="https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Canterbury</a> in Christchurch, New Zealand has been examining this challenge in more detail. 



His research team’s <a href="https://academic.oup.com/mnrasl/article/537/1/L55/7926647" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analysis</a> of supernova light curves suggests the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mapping-the-universe-may-reveal-secrets-of-dark-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Universe</a> may be more uneven than we assumed.



Their approach leads to a fresh explanation for the changes in light we see, one that focuses on how time passes differently in various gravitational conditions rather than appealing to an unseen substance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-many-have-relied-on-dark-energy">Why many have relied on dark energy</h2>



Dark energy has been tied to the so-called Lambda Cold Dark Matter model, or <a href="https://lambda.gsfc.nasa.gov/education/graphic_history/univ_evol.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ΛCDM model</a>. 



This model has served as the bedrock of modern cosmology for decades. Scientists had no direct means to detect or measure dark energy, so they relied on the <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/aca5fa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">apparent acceleration</a> seen in distant supernovae. They also looked to patterns in the <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Cosmic_Microwave_Background_CMB_radiation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cosmic Microwave Background</a>, which is often described as the faint afterglow of the Big Bang. 



Over the years, more data have hinted that there could be tension between early and recent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-energy-could-explain-the-rapid-expansion-of-the-early-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expansion</a> rates, sparking serious questions about whether we are missing some major puzzle piece.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enter-the-timescape-model">Enter the timescape model</h2>



The new work supports something called the timescape model, which does not need dark energy to explain cosmic acceleration. Instead, it notes that local physics can vary depending on how mass is distributed. One clock drifting through a sparse region of the cosmos might tick faster than the same clock inside a galaxy packed with more gravitational pull. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/dark-energy_doesnt-exist_history-of-universe-graphic_credit-NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/dark-energy_doesnt-exist_history-of-universe-graphic_credit-NASA_1s.webp" alt="This graphic offers a glimpse of the history of the universe, as we currently understand it. The cosmos began expanding with the Big Bang but then around 10 billion years later it strangely began to accelerate thanks to a theoretical phenomenon termed dark energy. Credit: NASA" class="wp-image-1954661"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This graphic offers a glimpse of the history of the universe, as we currently understand it. The cosmos began expanding with the Big Bang but then around 10 billion years later it strangely began to accelerate thanks to a theoretical phenomenon termed dark energy. Credit: NASA</figcaption></figure>



The team’s findings were featured in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Letters.



“Our findings show that we do not need dark energy to explain why the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-dark-matter-does-not-exist-and-the-universe-is-27-billion-years-old/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Universe</a> appears to expand at an accelerating rate,” noted Professor David Wiltshire, who led the study. 



He sees this approach as an opportunity to rethink the way we average cosmic expansion. “The Universe’s biggest mystery could be settled by the end of the decade,” Professor Wiltshire claimed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hubble-tension-and-the-lumpy-universe">Hubble tension and the lumpy Universe</h2>



Part of the growing dispute involves something called the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unknown-factors-are-accelerating-the-expansion-of-the-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble tension</a>.



<a href="https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2020/09/aa33910-18/aa33910-18.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Measurements</a> of the early cosmos from the Cosmic Microwave Background suggest a certain rate of expansion, while observations of supernovae in the present day reveal a faster pace. This inconsistency has triggered re-examinations of old assumptions. Adding to that, the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (<a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/aca5fa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DESI</a>) has discovered that the standard ΛCDM model may not line up perfectly with some of its new high-precision data. Researchers are looking into models where dark energy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-energy-is-ripping-the-universe-apart-but-we-arent-sure-how/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">might change over time</a>, but the timescape idea takes a different path: it challenges the uniformity assumption at its core.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-dark-energy">Rethinking dark energy </h2>



If the Universe is lumpy, with matter clumping in some regions and emptier voids in others, then local gravitational effects might skew the calculations that gave dark energy its place in cosmic theory. <a href="https://www.astro.uvic.ca/~jwillis/teaching/astr405/astr405_lecture6.pdf?utm_blank" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Traditional equations</a> used to describe expansion were first introduced almost a hundred years ago, so some researchers argue that the Universe’s complex structures were overlooked. This new study insists that a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/universe-expansion-rate-dark-energy-measured-11-billion-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">uniform expansion</a> might not be the full story. When you allow for different gravitational influences, dark energy becomes optional.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead-to-fresh-data">Looking ahead to fresh data</h2>



Several upcoming projects are on the horizon. 



The European Space Agency’s <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Euclid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Euclid</a> satellite launched in July 2023, and future missions like the <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/roman-space-telescope/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope</a> promise more comprehensive observations of supernovae. The timescape team believes that at least 1,000 high-quality supernova measurements could be enough to show if their approach really works. 



If timescape ideas pass these tests, the so-called “biggest mystery” might get resolved sooner than people think.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-all-of-this-mean">What does all of this mean?</h2>



To sum it all up, the Universe is more intricate than any simple map might reveal. If the <a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2011MNRAS.413..367S/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">timescape model</a> holds up under further scrutiny, there could be wide-ranging effects on cosmic models, especially those that rely on dark energy as a key ingredient. Astronomers, physicists, and cosmologists will be watching closely as more data come in from cutting-edge surveys and instruments. 



These results might bring clarity to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-energy-could-explain-the-rapid-expansion-of-the-early-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble tension</a> or uncover new clues about the structure and history of everything around us.



Dark energy has been the leading explanation for cosmic acceleration for decades. Yet, if local gravitational differences and variable clock speeds can account for what we see, the door may be open to a more nuanced story of cosmic growth. There is no shortage of skepticism within the scientific community, but unexpected solutions to old puzzles are often how we expand our understanding of the Universe. 



If the timescape approach stands the test of fresh observations, future textbooks might look a little different.



The full study is published in the <a href="https://academic.oup.com/mnrasl/article/537/1/L55/7926647" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters</a>.



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Timescape: Dark energy doesn't exist, resulting in 'lumpy' universe expansion

Dark energy has long been seen as the invisible force...

The life and times of our ancient Scandinavian ancestors hold a captivating charm that invites us to explore the details of their daily lives.



What did these early farmers eat, and how did they prepare their meals? 



Recent discoveries from a 5,500-year-old Neolithic settlement has shed light on their surprising culinary practices.



Findings such as grindstones and charred grain kernels offer a glimpse into the resourcefulness and ingenuity of the Funnel Beaker Culture, revealing not just their diets but also their relationship with the land and its wild resources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-grindstones-the-basics">Understanding grindstones -- the basics</h2>



Imagine large, flat stones that people would use to grind grains like wheat and barley into flour. These grindstones were essential for making bread and other staple foods, which helped communities settle down and develop agriculture. 



They often had grooves or patterns carved into them to make the grinding process more efficient. People would place the grains on the grindstone and use a hand-held stone to crush them, turning raw seeds into something edible and nutritious.



Besides grinding grains, Neolithic grindstones also played a role in everyday life and social activities. They were often found in or near villages, showing how important food production was to these early communities. 



Some grindstones were even decorated with carvings or symbols, indicating that they might have had cultural or ceremonial significance too. 



By studying these ancient tools, archaeologists can learn a lot about the daily lives, diets, and technological advancements of our ancestors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grindestones-and-grain">Grindestones and grain</h2>



Historians have unearthed an intriguing narrative from a settlement called Frydenlund, on the shores of Strandby Mark, southeast of Haarby on Funen.



The artifacts indicate that people from the Funnel Beaker Culture inhabited this settlement, which is remarkable for the fourteen grindstones that were discovered there.



In addition to these, over 5,000 charred grain kernels, including naked <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/barley-was-bred-for-exceptional-qualities-back-in-the-19th-century/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">barley</a>, emmer wheat, and durum wheat, were also found.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scandinavian-grinding-stones">Scandinavian grinding stones</h2>



One might easily conclude that our ancestors ground these grains into flour for baking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-bread-wheat-gave-rise-to-civilization/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bread</a> -- a common presumption when one stumbles upon grindstones.



But, as it turns out, our ancestors had different culinary preferences!



As a research team from Denmark, Germany, and Spain discovered, cereals were not the being pulverized on these grindstones.



Upon analyzing mineral plant remains (phytoliths) and starch grains on the stones, the researchers found no evidence of cereals being ground. Instead, the starch grains identified came from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/billions-of-people-depend-on-wild-plant-and-animal-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wild plants</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-gruel-reality">The gruel reality</h2>



"We have not identified the plants the starch grains originate from. We have merely ruled out the most obvious candidates – namely the cereals found at the settlement, which were not ground, as well as various collected species, including hazelnuts," says archaeobotanist Dr. Welmoed Out from <a href="https://www.moesgaardmuseum.dk/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moesgaard Museum</a>.



So what were the grinding stones used for? 



While the exact interpretation still remains up for debate, scientists have ruled out the possibility that they were used for grinding grain. 



The stones lack clear marks from the pushing movements typically associated with this process.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-porridge-tale">A porridge tale</h2>



According to senior researcher Dr. Niels H. Andersen, also from Moesgaard Museum, the grindstones were struck with pestles made of stone, much like crushing in a mortar.



This technique emerged 500 years later and was more suited to preparing gruel or porridge from grains, rather than baking bread.



The research conducted by scientists from Moesgaard Museum and <a href="https://international.au.dk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aarhus University</a> in Denmark, in collaboration with scientists from <a href="https://www.uni-kiel.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kiel University</a> in Germany and the Spanish National Research Council (<a href="https://www.csic.es/en/csic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IMF-CSIC</a>) in Barcelona, supports a hypothesis proposed by other archaeologists.



The first farmers of Northern Europe likely survived on water and gruel, along with berries, nuts, roots, and meat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-thirst-for-historical-accuracy">A thirst for historical accuracy</h2>



"And yes, they likely drank water," adds Andersen. 



Despite popular belief, there are no definitive traces of beer brewing in Denmark before the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evidence-of-drug-use-found-during-bronze-age-ceremonies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bronze Age</a>. Yet, researchers caution against applying these findings universally. 



"This study only involves one settlement. While it supports other findings from the Funnel Beaker Culture, we cannot rule out the possibility of different results emerging when this method is applied to finds from other excavations," Andersen concluded.



As contemporary explorers of ancient worlds, we're left fascinated by these delicious glimpses into our past. 



The next time you enjoy a hearty bowl of gruel or porridge, remember the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stone-age-diet-deer-and-trout-were-on-the-menu-10000-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient Scandinavian</a> farmers who might have savored a similar meal, millennia ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scandinavian-farmers-and-their-connection-to-nature">Scandinavian farmers and their connection to nature</h2>



The findings from the Frydenlund settlement also highlight the deep connection between ancient Scandinavian farmers and their natural surroundings. 



By prioritizing wild plants and natural resources, these early settlers demonstrated an intricate understanding of their environment. 



The absence of cereal residues on grindstones, despite the abundance of charred grains, suggests that wild plants may have played a central role in their diet.



This reliance on natural resources extended beyond sustenance. It shaped their tools, agricultural practices, and perhaps even cultural rituals. 



The use of grindstones for purposes other than grain grinding hints at a flexible and adaptive approach to food preparation, relying on what was seasonally and locally available.



These findings challenge the modern assumption that early farmers in Northern Europe followed a grain-heavy diet. 



Instead, their culinary practices reflected a harmonious balance between cultivation and foraging, bridging the gap between agricultural innovation and traditional hunter-gatherer methods.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00334-024-01020-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vegetation History and Archaeobotany</a>.



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Discovering the diet of farmers who lived 5,500 years ago

The life and times of our ancient Scandinavian ancestors hold...

Coastlines face growing threats as climate change accelerates. Research from the <a href="https://www.upei.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Prince Edward Island</a> warns that warming waters, ocean acidification, sea-level rise, and erratic rainfall are driving coastal ecosystems toward irreversible changes.



Critical habitats like mangroves, coral reefs, and wetlands, which protect against storms and support fisheries, are at risk of steep decline. 



Global data reveals that heatwaves, shifting storm patterns, and disrupted river flows are pushing these ecosystems to the brink, threatening their stability and identity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-temperatures-and-coastal-climate">Rising temperatures and coastal climate</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-temperatures-increase-scientists-plan-slow-down-rising-heat/">Higher temperatures</a> mean higher stress. As seas warm, natural balance falters. Species that once thrived in certain temperature ranges must adapt or vanish. 



Recent ocean heat records have shown that key habitats are changing in ways that scientists never expected.



This new study is not alone in raising concerns. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (<a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IPCC</a>) says there is “high confidence” that ocean warming and coastal habitat breakdown threaten marine biodiversity and human communities.



Short-term gains for warm-water species do not outweigh mass declines of sensitive ones. This reshuffling may lead to lower diversity and a loss of fisheries that many communities need.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-seas-submerged-shores">Rising seas, submerged shores</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-rise-will-cost-coastal-cities-over-1-trillion-in-damages/">As sea levels creep higher</a>, low-lying areas flood and coastal wetlands shrink. Some species can keep up by building new soil or shifting inland, but not all have room to move.



Once a marsh, reef, or mangrove forest loses its foothold, it may never return. This problem multiplies where development blocks inland migration. 



Scientists note that without major emission reductions, sea-level rise could accelerate even more, forcing expensive decisions about what to protect and what to abandon.



Over time, this could transform coastlines from productive wetlands and beaches to less diverse environments, putting people at risk from storms and erosion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-acidification-and-brittle-defenses">Ocean acidification and brittle defenses</h2>



Oceans absorb <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-based-carbon-dioxide-removal-may-not-be-effective/">carbon dioxide</a>, becoming more acidic and making it harder for shellfish, corals, and some plankton to grow. Weakening these creatures means less food for predators and fewer stable habitats.



Laboratory work and field studies show that corals already struggle with bleaching and diseases when seas heat. Acidified waters add another layer of stress by reducing their ability to build and maintain reef structures.



According to the <a href="https://www.pewtrusts.org/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pew Charitable Trusts</a>, “unless global climate change is curbed, some of the world’s most productive coastal habitats could be irreversibly transformed.” 



This spells trouble for communities relying on reefs for coastal protection, tourism, and sustenance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unpredictable-rain-and-freshwater-flows">Unpredictable rain and freshwater flows</h2>



As climate patterns shift, certain regions see intense rains and floods while others endure droughts. Changing water flows alter salinity and nutrient patterns that shape estuaries and wetlands.



Erratic flows harm sensitive species that depend on steady conditions to breed or feed. Shifts in river outputs can spark harmful algae blooms or flush away nursery grounds.



Reduced freshwater may transform once-thriving marshes into saltier, less hospitable places. Over time, this can weaken fisheries and water quality, leaving local communities grappling with higher costs and fewer natural resources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-shift-and-coastal-currents">Climate shift and coastal currents</h2>



With more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hurricanes-will-increase-in-frequency-on-the-gulf-coast/">intense hurricanes</a> and unexpected winds, coastal habitats must work harder to recover from pounding waves and scoured seabeds.



Extreme storms can break coral skeletons, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drowning-mangroves-climate-change-is-pushing-nature-past-its-limits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">uproot mangroves</a>, and bury seagrasses under sediment. 



<a href="https://www.noaa.gov/climate" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA</a> notes that “coastal ecosystems are on the frontline of climate change, with rising seas, warming waters, and coastal acidification already impacting fisheries, wetlands, and coral reefs.”



If protective habitats vanish, shorelines will feel the full brunt of storms. Altered ocean currents and changed upwelling patterns can also redirect nutrient flows, starve certain zones of essential ingredients, and shift fish stocks away from regions that depend on them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adding-local-fuel-to-the-fire">Adding local fuel to the fire</h2>



Coastal development, runoff, and unsustainable fishing make climate problems worse. By degrading water quality, removing natural buffers, and altering sediment flows, human actions reduce the resilience of coastal habitats.



<a href="https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/5dqysd8gh6_Living_Blue_Planet_Report_2015_Final_LR.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WWF’s Living Blue Planet report</a> states that “climate change is affecting coastal systems at all levels -- from coral reefs to Arctic ice-edge zones -- and urgent action is needed to preserve these essential ecosystems.”



When layered on top of warming, acidification, and sea-level rise, these local pressures lock ecosystems into downward spirals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-stronger-communities">Building stronger communities</h2>



These findings point to the need for bold, informed decisions. By understanding where and how climate stressors strike hardest, leaders can plan better coastal defenses and shape responsible policies.



Restoration efforts that maintain and reconnect habitats can buffer waves, store carbon, and supply food. Protecting key species that hold communities together means healthier fisheries, more stable economies, and cleaner coastlines.



Local managers can use this information to adjust fishing rules, safeguard migration corridors, and support projects that enhance water quality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-call-for-climate-coastal-action">A call for climate coastal action</h2>



Halting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenhouse-gas-emissions-reach-another-all-time-high/">greenhouse gas emissions</a> is a big step. Reducing local stress -- like runoff and destructive construction -- helps too. 



Many places already experiment with restoring marshes, planting mangroves, or opening fish passages in tidal zones. These steps buy time and boost resilience, but they are not a substitute for cutting emissions.



To keep vital resources intact, global and local efforts must move together. The sooner we make changes, the better our odds of passing on healthy coastal ecosystems to future generations.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2752-5295/ad9f90" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Research Climate</a>.



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New climate warning could reshape how we see our shores and coastal areas

Coastlines face growing threats as climate change accelerates. Research from...

An alarming new study has revealed that Earth’s major carbon sinks are nearing their limits, signaling that natural processes may soon be unable to compensate for rising greenhouse gas emissions.&nbsp;



According to research published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.34133/ehs.0278" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecosystem Health and Sustainability</a>, the world’s terrestrial carbon absorption capacity has diminished sharply, challenging the very foundation of current climate mitigation strategies.



The findings center on gross primary productivity (GPP), a vital indicator of how quickly plants can fix carbon dioxide (CO₂) through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-foundation-of-life-is-at-risk-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a>. By analyzing multiple datasets spanning 1982 to 2016, scientists discovered a marked decrease in GPP across more than two-thirds of Earth’s land surfaces.&nbsp;



This phenomenon underscores the fragility of the natural systems on which humanity relies to offset global warming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-functioning-of-natural-carbon-sinks">Functioning of natural carbon sinks </h2>



Gross primary productivity reflects the carbon intake capabilities of plants, making it central to the functioning of natural carbon sinks such as forests and soils. These sinks serve as buffers, capturing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/concrete-becoming-great-carbon-sink-capturing-storing-co2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">significant portions</a> of human-produced CO₂. 



However, if they lose effectiveness, atmospheric carbon levels will inevitably climb faster, intensifying climate change and diminishing plant growth.



Researchers divided their analysis into two periods - 1982–1999 and 2000–2016 - to investigate how GPP has evolved over time.&nbsp;



Although some stabilization was observed in the earlier time frame, the latter period displayed a marked decline in GPP.&nbsp;



Employing advanced statistical techniques, including the optimal-fingerprint approach often used in climate studies, the team identified key drivers behind these shifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-slowdown-of-the-co₂-fertilization-effect">Slowdown of the CO₂ fertilization effect</h2>



A central finding from the study highlights the decreasing impact of the CO₂ fertilization effect - the phenomenon where higher CO₂ concentrations stimulate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predicting-how-climate-change-will-alter-plant-growth-cycles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant growth</a>. Once seen as a potential counterbalance to emissions, this effect now appears less potent.



“The decline in the CO₂ fertilization effect is suggested to be the main driver accounting for the slowing-down of global GPP trends,” explained Songhan Wang, a researcher at <a href="https://english.njau.edu.cn/mainm.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nanjing Agricultural University</a> and the study’s lead author.&nbsp;



“Although it still has positive effects, the impact of rising CO₂ on GPP on a global scale fell by about one-half from 2000 onwards compared to its impact in 1982–1999.”



Scientists point to nutrient constraints in soils and leaves as a likely reason for this slowdown. Without sufficient nutrients, plants cannot fully capitalize on the surplus CO₂ in the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diminishing-capacity-of-carbon-sinks">Diminishing capacity of carbon sinks</h2>



This research suggests that natural ecosystems - forests, grasslands, and other vegetation - are approaching a saturation point. Once they reach it, these habitats will no longer be able to compensate for anthropogenic emissions, potentially triggering an acceleration in global warming.



It also raises concerns about the feasibility of existing climate strategies. Many proposals aiming to cap temperature increases at 2℃ (a key goal of the Paris Agreement) heavily rely on terrestrial carbon sinks to balance emission trajectories. If carbon sinks can no longer perform this role effectively, a crucial pillar of climate policy is at risk.



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



The study’s findings intensify calls for swift and comprehensive action to reduce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-carbon-dioxide-emissions-hit-a-record-high-in-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gas emissions</a>.&nbsp;



While protecting and restoring ecosystems remains indispensable, a reliance on nature’s carbon-storage capacity alone may be insufficient if that capacity continues to weaken.



To safeguard the planet’s resilience, scientists emphasize the need to shift toward low-carbon technologies, adopt sustainable land management practices, and investigate novel carbon-capture methods.&nbsp;



They also advocate for more robust long-term studies to clarify how local soil properties, water availability, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> influence plant growth rates and carbon absorption capabilities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-warning-for-policymakers">A warning for policymakers</h2>



The research underscores a critical turning point in the fight against climate change. With rising global temperatures already causing extreme weather events, melting ice sheets, and other serious impacts, a drop in GPP exacerbates these issues by reducing the natural systems’ ability to counteract emissions.&nbsp;



Governments, industries, and societies must now accelerate their decarbonization efforts to avoid deeper climate disruptions.



This work implies that relying on the world’s forests and soils to mop up our emissions is becoming less reliable. Mitigating climate change by reducing carbon outputs is more essential than ever if we hope to maintain a stable climate and meet the 2℃ target.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-irreversible-environmental-damage-nbsp">Irreversible environmental damage&nbsp;</h2>



By revealing that most of Earth’s surface is witnessing a decrease in plant productivity, this study confronts humanity with a stark reality: pushing Earth’s natural systems to their breaking points could lead to irreversible environmental damage.&nbsp;



The dismantling of the CO₂ fertilization effect underscores how intricately balanced and sensitive the global climate truly is.



Ultimately, safeguarding terrestrial carbon sinks demands a multi-pronged strategy - reducing emissions, protecting ecosystems from deforestation and degradation, and improving our scientific understanding of how nature’s complex feedbacks operate in a warming world.&nbsp;



As this newest research shows, halting climate change requires more than hopeful reliance on Earth’s greenery: it necessitates immediate, transformative change at every level of society.



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Earth’s carbon sinks are being pushed to their limits

An alarming new study has revealed that Earth’s major carbon...

In the vast, featureless expanse of the open ocean, sardines rely on their collective behavior to survive against predators such as the striped marlin.&nbsp;



A recent study, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-07267-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Biology</a>, has delved into the predator-prey interactions between sardine shoals (Sardinops sagax caerulea) and striped marlins (Kajikia audax).



The research uncovers how sardines use self-organized maneuvers to evade predators - and how predators exploit these strategies.



The study was conducted by a team of scientists from the <a href="https://www.scienceofintelligence.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cluster of Excellence “Science of Intelligence” (SCIoI)</a>, <a href="https://www.hu-berlin.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin</a>, the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), and the University of Cambridge.



The team utilized computational modeling and aerial video footage to analyze these behaviors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sardine-survival-strategy-the-fountain-effect-nbsp">Sardine survival strategy: The “fountain effect”&nbsp;</h2>



One of the most striking maneuvers observed during attacks is the “fountain effect.” This collective response emerges when a sardine shoal splits into two subgroups, creating an arched trajectory around the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-predator-found-in-one-of-the-deepest-parts-of-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predator</a> before rejoining behind it. 



This pattern is an effective defensive mechanism that helps sardines outmaneuver faster, less agile predators.



The fountain effect not only allows prey to evade attacks but also enables the separated subgroups to reunite, preserving the benefits of group cohesion.&nbsp;



According to the experts, the fountain effect helps slower-moving prey to outmaneuver the fast but less maneuverable predator. This also allows the separated subgroups to rejoin after the attack - retaining the benefits of belonging to a larger group - and to be fully prepared for the next attack.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sardines-maximizing-their-survival-chances">Sardines maximizing their survival chances</h2>



Despite its advantages, the fountain effect comes with trade-offs. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/japanese-sardines-may-be-signaling-major-shifts-in-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sardines</a> face a balance between distancing themselves from the predator and minimizing the time it takes to regroup. 



The researchers’ simulations revealed that the optimal “prey-fleeing angle” is 30 degrees, which maximizes survival chances but increases the time required for the shoal to recover its cohesion.



Lead researcher Palina Bartashevich is an expert in collective behavior at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.&nbsp;



“Using agent-based computer simulations, we discovered that there is an optimal ‘prey-fleeing angle’ of 30°, which not only produces a fountain-like pattern at the collective level but also maximizes individual survival chances independent of the attack direction,” explained Bartashevich.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“But we also showed that this comes at a cost: the group takes longer to recover after an attack.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marlins-work-around-the-sardines-strategy">Marlins work around the sardines’ strategy</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/striped-marlin-demonstrate-the-advantages-of-group-hunting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Striped marlins</a> capitalize on this delay by attacking from the sides, a strategy that disrupts the group’s cohesion and isolates individual prey. 



The study confirmed that side attacks were the most effective for marlins, as they increase the time it takes for the group to reassemble.



The researchers observed distinct differences in sardine behavior based on the direction of the marlins’ attacks. Side attacks often triggered the fountain effect, causing the shoal to split and regroup.&nbsp;



Conversely, back attacks led to more cohesive evasive movements, with the entire group fleeing in a single direction rather than splitting.



“With our predator-prey computer model, we were able to predict that if the prey in the group uses the mentioned optimal fleeing angle of 30°, predators are more effective in attacking from the side of the school,” Bartashevich explained.&nbsp;



“That’s because attacking from the sides represents the best compromise between getting close to the prey and increasing their splitting time, making it an efficient strategy for a predator balancing both objectives at the same time.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-constant-battle-between-predator-and-prey">Constant battle between predator and prey</h2>



The study highlights the dynamic and adaptive nature of predator-prey interactions. Sardines use collective behaviors to enhance their chances of survival, while marlins refine their hunting techniques to counter these defenses. This ongoing evolutionary arms race underscores the complexity of life in the ocean’s open waters.



By combining computational modeling with real-world observations, the researchers were able to provide new insights into the strategies used by both predators and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-predator-prey-feast-ever-seen-in-the-ocean-enormous-quickly-altered-food-chain/">prey</a>.&nbsp;



“Our simulations, as explained above, provide a plausible explanation as to why the prevalence of both side and back attack directions and the observed prey response can be the case, suggesting that there is an ongoing arm wrestle between predators and prey in the strategies they use to improve their own success at the expense of the other,” Bartashevich concluded.



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Dance of survival: How sardines outsmart striped marlins in the open ocean

In the vast, featureless expanse of the open ocean, sardines...

The energy world is always on the lookout for new ways to store and deliver electricity. Amid these efforts, one idea for a new energy source has gathered interest: converting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/technological-leap-turns-carbon-dioxide-co2-into-methanol-fuel/">methanol into power</a>.



Some think this approach may help balance out renewable sources, as methanol is liquid at everyday temperatures and simpler to handle than certain other fuels. 



Others see it as a detour, wondering why we should bother with a route that still lags behind proven renewables.



The latest <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652624039507?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> investigates these concerns with fresh eyes, and compares several methanol-to-power setups in terms of their efficiency, economic hits, and overall ecological footprints. 



There are some sobering numbers that come to light as a result of the researchers' analyses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-methanol-and-energy-efficiency">Methanol and energy efficiency</h2>



The marketplace already demands smart, stable power solutions that do not cost an arm and a leg. 



Renewables, like solar and wind, have dropped in price and offer steady competition. Against that backdrop, methanol conversion systems <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">struggle</a> to stack up.



Recent power-to-methanol <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382292385_Comparative_evaluation_of_the_power-to-methanol_process_configurations_and_assessment_of_process_flexibility" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> also notes that current production techniques are not cheap.



One <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212982024000933" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> that modeled a power-to-methanol approach using proton-conducting high temperature electrolyzers found that the final methanol price would soar more than four times above standard market levels.



Although new methods and better scaling might improve the math down the line, today’s numbers are not warm and fuzzy.



Some argue that cost hurdles could ease if methanol prices tumble. Models suggest that cutting methanol’s cost by a decent chunk could align the price of electricity from these routes more closely with other, established renewable options. But that is a big ask.



The complexity of producing renewable methanol and the capital needed for advanced equipment do not vanish overnight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-new-directions-and-routes">Exploring new directions and routes</h2>



Techno-economic assessments do not come down to just one scenario. Other research groups have tried weaving in carbon capture, shifting their focus to integrated units that pull <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-moisture-swing-carbon-capture-tech-sucks-co2-straight-from-the-air/">CO2 straight</a> in and turn it into methanol or alternative fuels.



One <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212982024002142" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">team</a> compared methanol production to synthetic natural gas (SNG), noting that while you can trim net emissions, the gains still hinge on careful heat integration and smart process design. 



Even in these advanced setups, the bottom line favors large-scale adoption only if significant tweaks slash production costs and tighten the supply chain.



Another angle involves making methanol from renewable hydrogen and captured CO2. This trick sounds promising because it ties in nicely with the green energy initiative. 



<a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2019/ee/c8ee01157e" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Studies</a> show that feeding in cleaner hydrogen from sources like high-temperature electrolyzers might help.



Some tests feature proton-conducting membranes to boost efficiency and produce dry hydrogen straight from water at about 650 °F (340°C). 



Although this can increase conversion rates and streamline downstream processes, scaling up remains a major sticking point.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-twists-and-turns">Environmental twists and turns</h2>



The climate angle cannot be ignored. Methanol production and use create carbon emissions unless linked to renewable feeds. 



If methanol comes from processes powered by clean electricity and captured CO2, its climate scorecard improves a lot.



In some integrated setups, the net greenhouse gas footprint shrinks, and fossil fuel depletion takes a hit too. Although certain routes <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306261920311211" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">promise</a> decent carbon cuts, achieving real decarbonization calls for cleaner upstream sources.



Without them, it is just shifting numbers around on a spreadsheet and not delivering a real decrease in emissions.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-market-realities-of-methanol-energy">Market realities of methanol energy</h2>



Markets evolve based on policies, subsidies, consumer choices, and unpredictable events. Methanol-to-power might find its footing in unique situations. 



Some users might want a flexible liquid that can power smaller installations, mobile units, or serve as backup energy.



Others might see value in integrating methanol production with local industries to tap into shared infrastructure. But broad, everyday use at competitive prices remains out of reach right now.



The <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959652624039507" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> concluded that although existing methanol-to-power pathways are currently not cost-competitive, their potential can be greatly enhanced through targeted cost reductions, advances in technology, and the incorporation of renewable methanol production.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead">Looking ahead</h2>



As the world chases solutions to meet emissions targets and stabilize <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-worlds-renewable-energy-capacity-will-take-a-record-leap-this-year/">energy supplies</a>, many ideas pop up, and methanol-to-power is one of them. But interest alone does not guarantee success.



This recent work, along with parallel studies, sends a strong message: methanol may hold potential in some corners, but plenty of stumbling blocks remain.



Until engineers and entrepreneurs can tame the costs, improve efficiencies, and secure cleaner inputs, methanol’s energy promise may remain an ambitious vision rather than a real game-changer.



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Is methanol the next green power player in the hunt for clean energy?

The energy world is always on the lookout for new...

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe touched the Sun's atmosphere, flying within 3.8 million miles (around 6.1 million kilometers) from the surface of the Sun on Tuesday, Dec. 24, at 6:53 a.m. EST. 



During its closest approach, also called perihelion, mission operations will be out of contact with the spacecraft. 



Parker will transmit another beacon tone on Friday, Dec. 27, to confirm its health following the close flyby.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-going-where-no-human-made-object-has-gone">Going where no human-made object has gone</h2>



This approach is unlike anything previously accomplished by a human-made spacecraft, marking a landmark in solar science that may rewrite much of what we know about our star.



Arik Posner, <a href="https://parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parker Solar Probe</a> program scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington, sees this effort as a new window into solar research. “This is one example of NASA’s bold missions, doing something that no one else has ever done before to answer longstanding questions about our universe,” said <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/people/dr-arik-posner/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arik</a>. The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (<a href="https://www.jhuapl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">APL</a>) in Laurel, Maryland, manages mission operations and is keeping a watchful eye on every step as Parker speeds by.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breathtaking-pace-of-the-parker-solar-probe">Breathtaking pace of the Parker solar probe</h2>



The spacecraft is moving at approximately <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/parker-solar-probe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">430,000 miles per hour</a>. At that velocity, Parker could zip from New York to Los Angeles in about 20 seconds. 



By <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parker-solar-probe-will-fly-through-suns-atmosphere-tomorrow-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">approaching the Sun</a> so closely, mission teams hope to retrieve data that no earlier craft could access. Particles in the corona -- where temperatures can exceed a few million degrees -- tend to behave in puzzling ways. 



Scientists aim to see how these intense conditions might shape <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/sun/what-is-the-solar-wind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar wind</a>, which jets out at more than one million miles per hour.



Engineers designed Parker’s trajectory with careful flybys of Venus to shrink its orbit gradually around the Sun. This path has taken years to perfect since launch in 2018. 



Each loop demanded detailed calculations to ensure the craft can survive the approach, collect the right measurements, and keep sending updates back to Earth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-probe-battling-extreme-heat">Solar probe battling extreme heat</h2>



Because the Sun’s heat is punishing at such a short distance, Parker Solar Probe relies on a <a href="https://parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu/Spacecraft/index.php#Extreme-Environments" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon-composite shield</a> 4.5 inches thick.



This protective layer keeps sensitive instruments near room temperature while the shield’s front side can face extreme temperatures above 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit.



Sophisticated cooling systems also channel heat away from the core of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meet-the-fastest-human-made-object-ever-nasas-parker-solar-probe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spacecraft</a>, helping to sustain the electronics that record measurements of plasma, magnetic fields, and solar wind particles.



Inside, the instruments are scanning for clues to explain the corona’s unusual temperatures, which skyrocket to levels far higher than the Sun’s visible surface. 



Those same instruments are also watching for charged particle bursts and fluctuations in magnetic fields that might help answer big questions about what accelerates the solar wind.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-timing-and-limited-contact">Crucial timing and limited contact</h2>



Today’s perihelion means Parker is currently skimming the outer atmosphere of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solar-orbiter-spacecraft-sees-the-sun-through-three-different-lenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sun</a> while in autonomous mode, out of immediate radio contact.



This window of silence is standard because powerful solar emissions prevent reliable communication. Mission operators anticipate a beacon tone on December 27, which should confirm Parker has survived.



Scientists believe that data from this flyby could provide <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parker-solar-probe-will-fly-through-suns-atmosphere-tomorrow-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unprecedented detail on solar activity</a>. Periods of heightened activity, known as solar maxima, produce more flares and coronal mass ejections. These events can spawn auroras at unexpected latitudes and threaten satellites with bursts of charged particles. 



By collecting data from close range, Parker might reveal new insights into how these explosive happenings form and evolve.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-visionary-behind-the-parker-solar-probe">Visionary behind the Parker solar probe</h2>



This trailblazer of solar research is named after <a href="https://news.uchicago.edu/story/eugene-parker-legendary-figure-solar-science-and-namesake-parker-solar-probe-1927-2022" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Eugene N. Parker</a>, the late astrophysicist from the University of Chicago who proposed the existence of the solar wind back in the 1950s.



He changed our understanding of how stars interact with their surroundings. In 2018, he became the first person to witness the launch of a spacecraft bearing his name. 



Though he passed away in 2022, his legacy lives on in every close pass the probe completes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-closer-look-at-solar-wind">A closer look at solar wind</h2>



One of the main motivations behind Parker Solar Probe mission is to figure out how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strong-solar-storm-warning-issued-as-two-cmes-will-hit-earth-tomorrow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar wind</a>, that stream of charged particles racing from the Sun, accelerates to incredible speeds. Scientists hope Parker will pinpoint where and how energy is transferred to these particles. Such information could refine space weather forecasts, which are critical for protecting satellites, power grids, and astronauts in orbit.



<a href="https://www.plasmacoalition.org/plasma_writeups/solar_plasmas.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plasma</a> behavior at these altitudes can also inform theories about stellar physics beyond the Sun. 



Many stars release similar particle streams, so unraveling the inner workings of the solar wind could offer a template for understanding events happening light-years away.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-stakes-data-for-space-weather-predictions">High-stakes data for space weather predictions</h2>



Operators know that space weather can have major effects here on Earth. Sudden geomagnetic storms have been known to disrupt radio signals, damage satellites, and even cause power outages. By studying the Sun’s activity from the inside, Parker could lead to more accurate warnings for regions of the world vulnerable to blackouts. 



Air traffic, GPS services, and communication infrastructure may all benefit from improved predictions of <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/heliophysics/space-weather/solar-flares/what-is-a-solar-flare/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar flares</a> and <a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/solar-radiation-storm#:~:text=Solar%20radiation%20storms%20occur%20when,of%20the%20speed%20of%20light." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particle storms</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-milestone-for-parker-solar-probe">A milestone for Parker Solar Probe</h2>



Now that the probe is at perihelion, mission managers will hold their breath for a few days.



“No human-made object has ever passed this close to a star, so Parker will truly be returning data from uncharted territory,” explained <a href="https://parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu/News-Center/Show-Article.php?articleID=205" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nick Pinkine</a>, Parker Solar Probe mission operations manager at <a href="https://www.jhuapl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">APL</a>. 



He added that the team is eager to see how Parker managed the flyby when the link reopens.



This moment is a milestone for solar science. If everything goes as planned, Parker will maintain its orbit for future close passes, each offering a renewed chance to investigate the corona’s strange properties.



Researchers anticipate more discoveries that will fill in knowledge gaps about the Sun’s extreme environment.



Far from being an isolated phenomenon, the Sun’s behavior plays a significant role in shaping conditions on Earth. 



Today’s brush with solar fury signals the continuing progress of human exploration -- and the promise of deeper insight into the star that illuminates our world.



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Mission accomplished? Solar Probe just touched the Sun, but we don't know if it survived

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe touched the Sun's atmosphere, flying within...

With the winter holidays upon us, 28% of Americans say they are experiencing more stress related to the holiday season than they did last year, according to new findings from the American Psychiatric Association (APA).&nbsp;



While the specific causes of this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-eats-away-our-brains-cognitive-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a> vary, three stood out in particular: 46% of respondents are anxious about affording holiday gifts, 47% mention grieving a loss or missing someone, and 35% highlight challenging <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parent-children-relationships-are-key-to-lifelong-well-being/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">family relationships</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-happy-and-hectic-time">A happy and hectic time</h2>



“The holiday season can be both a happy and stressful time of year in part due to expectations to spend time with family and friends, navigate family conflicts and uphold important traditions,” said Dr. Arthur C. Evans Jr,, APA’s chief executive officer.&nbsp;



“At this hectic time of year, it is important that people take care of their mental health, especially in communities whose members feel disproportionately burdened or excluded from what is traditionally considered the holiday season.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-caused-by-financial-worries-and-politics-nbsp">Stress caused by financial worries and politics&nbsp;</h2>



Financial worries appear especially pronounced among younger adults. More than half of those aged 18 to 34 (54%) reported being “very” or “somewhat” concerned about the cost of presents, compared to 38% of adults aged 65 and older.



Despite the fact that 2024 is an election year, only 23% of respondents expressed unease about talking politics or current events with family - mirroring the percentage from 2023.&nbsp;



Opinions split along party lines: 30% of Democrats voiced concern about political discussions at holiday gatherings, while 21% of Republicans and 17% of Independents felt the same. 



The APA <a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-public-opinion-polls" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Healthy Minds Monthly Poll</a> was conducted by <a href="https://morningconsult.com/?ref=brandata.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Morning Consult</a> on November 16–17, 2024, with 2,201 adults taking part.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-holiday-stress-is-normal">Holiday stress is normal</h2>



“Although there are several different holidays we celebrate in December, many of us share the same <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fear-and-anxiety-the-mental-health-impacts-of-wildfires/">anxiety</a> and excitement about preparing for them,” said APA President Ramaswamy Viswanathan.&nbsp;



“Holiday stress is normal, and as psychiatrists, we understand that the social determinants of mental health can and do influence the experience of the winter holidays.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mixed-bag-of-emotions">Mixed bag of emotions</h2>



The poll also reveals moments of positivity during the holidays. Specifically:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>41% of the participants said they anticipate seeing family and friends</li>



<li>24% look forward to enjoying good food</li>



<li>8% plan to take time off</li>



<li>8% are excited about giving and receiving gifts</li>
</ul>



This survey marks the APA’s fourth consecutive year examining holiday-related mental health. Over time, affording gifts and meals have consistently ranked among the top concerns.&nbsp;



Thirty-six percent of respondents reported feeling “very anxious” or “somewhat anxious” about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-19-lockdowns-weakened-our-immune-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID-19</a> this year - a 3% rise from 2023 - marking the second straight year of growing pandemic-related worries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-the-strain-of-holiday-expectations-nbsp">Reducing the strain of holiday expectations&nbsp;</h2>



Marketa M. Wills, APA CEO and Medical Director, highlights the importance of focusing on the deeper meaning of the holidays - spending quality time with loved ones.&nbsp;



“For many, the holidays bring about mixed feelings, from joy to worry to grief,” said Wills.



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-health-crisis-half-of-the-worlds-population-will-be-affected-by-age-75/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mental health</a> is often tested over the winter holidays and it’s important to remember that although finding the perfect gift or preparing the favorite feast is gratifying, we can find meaning in the season by spending time with the people who mean the most to us.”



Human connection provides a sense of belonging and emotional support, which can help alleviate the strain of holiday expectations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-true-meaning-of-the-holidays">The true meaning of the holidays</h2>



Dr. Evans noted that, even though the holidays may increase stress levels, they can also be an opportunity.&nbsp;



“Psychological science tells us that setting aside time to strengthen our relationships and engage in traditions can benefit our physical, mental and emotional well-being, which can prepare us to better manage stress year-round,” said Evans.



Whether through heartfelt conversations, shared traditions, or simply being present, nurturing these relationships reminds us that the true value of the holiday season lies in the bonds we share, not in the material aspects of celebration.



Ultimately, prioritizing meaningful connections over perfection in our holiday plans can lead to a more fulfilling experience.



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Holiday stress is higher this year compared to 2023

With the winter holidays upon us, 28% of Americans say...

A recent study from Colorado State University (CSU) provides compelling evidence that climate change can influence the frequency of earthquakes. The research adds to a growing body of work suggesting that shifts in climate can directly impact the seismic cycle.



The study focused on the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in southern Colorado, where an active fault runs along the western edge of the range. Researchers discovered that during the last ice age, the weight of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/over-half-of-the-worlds-glaciers-could-disappear-by-2100/">glaciers</a> suppressed fault activity.&nbsp;



However, as the ice melted, the fault experienced increased slip, indicating that earthquake activity along such faults could rise in response to glacial retreat.



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-earth-energy-imbalance-temperature-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Climate change</a> is happening at a rate that is orders of magnitude faster than we see in the geologic record,” said first author Cece Hurtado, who conducted the study as part of her master’s thesis at <a href="https://www.colostate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado State University</a>.&nbsp;



“We see this in the rapid mountain glacial retreats in Alaska, the Himalayas and the Alps. In many of these regions, there are also active tectonics, and this work demonstrates that as climate change alters ice and water loads, tectonically active areas might see more frequent fault movements and earthquakes due to rapidly changing stress conditions."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-linking-climate-and-earthquake-activity">Linking climate and earthquake activity</h2>



While it’s well established that tectonic changes influence climate - for example, through mountain uplift altering atmospheric circulation and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rainfall-is-increasingly-unpredictable-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainfall</a> - research linking climate shifts to tectonic activity is still rare.&nbsp;



The CSU study is among the few that show how climate change can directly impact seismic processes.



“We’ve been able to model these processes for a while, but it’s hard to find examples in nature,” said Sean Gallen, an associate professor of geosciences at CSU and the senior author of the study. “This is compelling evidence. It suggests that the atmosphere and the solid Earth have tight connections that we can measure in the field.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-closer-look-at-the-sangre-de-cristo-fault">A closer look at the Sangre de Cristo fault</h2>



The Sangre de Cristo Mountains, once blanketed by glaciers during the last ice age, provided an ideal setting for studying the relationship between glacial retreat and fault activity.&nbsp;



Using remote sensing and field data, researchers reconstructed the extent of ancient glaciers and calculated the weight these ice masses exerted on the fault. They then measured how much the fault had displaced over time.



The analysis revealed that fault slip rates have been five times faster since the glaciers melted compared to the period when the region was glaciated. This acceleration suggests that as the glaciers melted, the fault experienced a “rebound,” catching up to the background tectonic rate of movement.



“It’s basically like a small lever that’s tweaking the rate at which the fault moves, but that long-term rate is set by the background rate of the tectonic processes,” Gallen explained.



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



The findings have significant implications for understanding what drives earthquake activity and for assessing seismic risks in areas experiencing rapid glacial retreat or significant water loss.



“This work implies that the repeat time isn’t necessarily going to be periodic,” Gallen said. “You can have periods of time where you have a bunch of earthquakes in quick succession and a lot of time where you don’t have any <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earthquakes-have-long-lasting-impacts-on-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">earthquakes</a>.”



The study’s results may help refine models used to reconstruct prehistoric seismic records and estimate the recurrence intervals of active faults. By factoring in hydrologic processes, such as glacial retreat, over geologic time, seismologists can improve hazard assessments for tectonically active regions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glacial-retreat-and-earthquake-activity">Glacial retreat and earthquake activity </h2>



The research was grounded in a public database of high-resolution elevation data, which served as the foundation for understanding the fault’s displacement.&nbsp;



Hurtado and Gallen also conducted field surveys using high-precision GPS instruments to supplement the elevation data and measure fault displacement. The timing of fault movement was determined based on the age of sediment deposits near the fault.



The researchers noted that the Sangre de Cristo Mountains offered a unique opportunity to study the interplay between glacial retreat and tectonics. The range is part of the Rio Grande rift, which has a known background slip rate, providing a baseline for comparison.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-s-climate-and-tectonic-systems">Earth’s climate and tectonic systems</h2>



As glaciers continue to retreat rapidly in regions such as Alaska, the Himalayas, and the Alps, the CSU team’s findings serve as a preview of how other glacier-adjacent faults might respond to a warming climate.&nbsp;



The study highlights the interconnectedness of the Earth’s climate and tectonic systems, highlighting the potential for climate-driven changes to increase seismic activity in tectonically active areas.



By shedding light on this relationship, the researchers hope to deepen understanding of seismic hazards and encourage further study of how climate change shapes the Earth’s dynamic systems. “This is a crucial step in understanding how climate and tectonics interact,” Hurtado concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1130/G52661.1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geology</a>.



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Earthquake activity will increase due to glacial retreat

A recent study from Colorado State University (CSU) provides compelling...

NASA has released its final goals and objectives for low Earth orbit, laying out a long-term plan to expand microgravity science, technology, and exploration in a way that benefits everyone. 



This new framework, called NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Microgravity Strategy, was developed following extensive input from a broad range of industry, academic, international, and governmental stakeholders.



“As we near the retirement of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-international-space-station-celebrates-its-25th-anniversary/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Space Station</a> in 2030, these objectives are a pivotal next step in solidifying U.S. leadership in space,” said <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a> Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. 



“Our consultation with industry, academia, and international partners has helped refine a visionary roadmap for our future in low Earth orbit, which will be enabled by a continuous human presence.”



“Together, we are ensuring that the benefits of exploring space continue to grow - advancing science, innovation, and opportunities for all, while preparing for humanity’s next giant leap of exploring the moon, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-mars-became-uninhabitable-after-being-life-supporting-ocean-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a> and beyond.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-next-generation-of-nasa-space-infrastructure">The next generation of NASA space infrastructure</h2>



Early in 2024, NASA began formulating an initial set of goals and objectives specific to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microgravity-causes-big-problems-with-human-gene-expression/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microgravity</a> environment in low Earth orbit (LEO). The agency engaged its workforce, government partners, private industry, universities, global space agencies, and the public to gather feedback. 



After receiving and reviewing more than 1,800 comments - plus hosting two workshops - NASA made key adjustments to align its goals more closely with the needs of its collaborators.



The final plan, known as the Low Earth Orbit Microgravity Strategy, consists of 13 goals and 44 objectives spanning seven core areas.



These areas include commercial low Earth orbit infrastructure; operations; science; research and technology development for exploration; international cooperation; workforce development and STEM engagement; and public engagement.



These focal points highlight the aim of fostering broader economic opportunities, sustaining valuable partnerships, and guiding NASA toward a sustainable, next-generation presence in low Earth orbit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maintaining-human-presence-in-low-earth-orbit">Maintaining human presence in low Earth orbit</h2>



NASA’s initiatives in low Earth orbit directly support its broader ambitions for exploration beyond Earth. 



The unique microgravity conditions of LEO provide a cost-effective environment for testing new technologies and conducting research essential to future human missions deeper into the solar system.



Because so much of the journey to the moon and Mars will take place under microgravity, maintaining human presence in LEO allows for critical human research, essential system tests, and the retention of operational skills vital for exploration.



“These finalized objectives represent a clear path forward as NASA transitions from the International Space Station to a new era of commercial space stations,” said Robyn Gatens, director of the International Space Station and acting director of commercial spaceflight. 



“Low Earth orbit will remain a hub for scientific discovery, technological advancement, and international cooperation, while making strategic investments in a commercial space ecosystem that benefits not just NASA, but the entire space community.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustaining-a-workforce-proficient-in-microgravity">Sustaining a workforce proficient in microgravity</h2>



One key part of NASA’s strategy is to ensure an unbroken cadence of human spaceflight in low Earth orbit. 



The transition from the International Space Station to multiple commercial space stations will require uninterrupted crewed missions, enabling NASA to continue mitigating risks for planned human voyages to Mars.



Sustaining a skilled workforce proficient in microgravity operations is also a top priority, as is the ongoing collection of vital data on human health under extended microgravity conditions.



The final set of goals and objectives stresses the necessity of diverse service providers and regular flight opportunities, promoting a dynamic marketplace in LEO. 



This means NASA can rely on different commercial partners to deliver cost-effective solutions and robust competition, supporting both agency missions and the needs of a growing space economy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-successful-model-of-the-iss">The successful model of the ISS </h2>



The released plan emphasizes the continuing importance of working with international partners and consulting with private industry. This spirit of cooperation mirrors the successful model of the International Space Station, which has proven that robust partnerships drive innovation and lower costs. 



NASA’s new LEO strategy, therefore, aims to build on these cooperative foundations, expanding scientific and economic returns for a global audience of researchers and entrepreneurs.



“Collaboration and consultation remain a cornerstone of our low Earth orbit strategy,” said John Keefe, director of cross-agency strategy integration at NASA. 



“The objectives we’ve established will help NASA craft a work plan that ensures NASA is positioned to meet current and future needs and prioritizes the development of critical capabilities for low Earth orbit.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-next-giant-leaps-for-humanity">The next giant leaps for humanity</h2>



As NASA sets its sights on the moon, Mars, and beyond, the final goals and objectives for low Earth orbit promise to strengthen the agency’s role in an expanding and vibrant orbital ecosystem. 



By defining a comprehensive framework and partnering with industry, academia, and global space agencies, NASA aims to maintain continuous human presence in LEO, advance cutting-edge research in microgravity, and nurture the commercial opportunities that arise from new space station platforms.



By leveraging these partnerships and sustaining a well-coordinated approach to low Earth orbit microgravity research, NASA will move closer to achieving the breakthroughs required for humanity’s next giant leaps - both in Earth’s orbit and throughout the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/interstellar-tunnel-found-that-connects-our-solar-system-to-other-stars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar system</a>.



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How NASA plans to keep people in space after the ISS is gone

NASA has released its final goals and objectives for low...

Tiny plastic fragments have turned up inside human beings, and it has rattled more than a few nerves. Nobody expects to find plastic in their blood or buried in important tissues, but recent <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165993624005971?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> has done exactly that.



These miniscule particles, often smaller than a grain of sand, have appeared in places once thought safe from contamination.



This poses some uncomfortable questions about the implications for long-term health and whether anyone has been paying attention to this hidden hazard that has been present in the environment for decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-infiltration-of-plastic-into-human-tissues">The infiltration of plastic into human tissues</h2>



Scientists have identified <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412022001258" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">micro- and nanoplastics</a> (MNPs) in human lungs, gut, reproductive organs, and skin, where they can stick around for far longer than most people would imagine.



Their presence has now been detected in blood, too, making it clear that these tiny, synthetic particles move through our bodies in surprising ways. They do not simply pass through and exit without causing harm, as was once thought. 



Instead, they take up residence. They linger, and they may be associated with some serious health issues.



This <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165993624005971?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a>, led by <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=bVDTB_gAAAAJ&amp;hl=zh-CN" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Yating Luo</a> at the School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, and a team of specialists, has revealed an unsettling new source of environmental exposure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-links-to-diseases">Potential links to diseases</h2>



Other researchers have begun piecing together how MNPs might be <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165993624003182" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">involved in a range of health problems</a>.



Studies have linked them to heart and blood vessel conditions, like atherosclerosis and thrombosis, as well as to intestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease.



Some work even connects them to changes in reproductive systems and the risk of conditions like cervical cancer. Nobody wants to consider <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-carry-toxic-chemicals-that-are-easily-absorbed-by-skin/">plastic dust</a> as a potential player in such serious illnesses, but the evidence is mounting.



Dr. Luo, lead author of the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165993624005971?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a>, which was published in Environment International, highlighted that the research strongly indicates MNPs are more than environmental contaminants - they are entering human tissues and may pose significant health risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-these-particles-break-through-barriers">How these particles break through barriers</h2>



Laboratory tests have <a href="https://particleandfibretoxicology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12989-020-00358-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shown</a> that these particles can cross protective hurdles, including the body’s natural filters. For example, the blood-brain barrier has long been thought of as a sturdy shield, but these tiny plastic pieces may pass through it.



This could set the stage for neurological issues. Researchers suspect that if these minute fragments of plastic move along the gut-brain axis, they may influence how nerve cells work. Early evidence suggests they might play a role in some degenerative conditions that affect the brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wider-implications-for-public-health">Wider implications for public health</h2>



Plastic pollution is not something that stays outside in the ocean or piled up at landfills. Studies show that even remote corners of the planet have tiny <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/surging-plastic-levels-found-in-the-north-pacific-garbage-patch/">plastic fragments</a> floating in the air. People breathe them in, ingest them through food and water, and may even absorb them through the skin.



<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28812686/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Tamara Galloway</a>, a leading expert on microplastics from the University of Exeter, emphasized that this study further supports the increasing evidence of microplastics being widespread in human tissues.



It is not just a problem for one region or for certain groups. It is a global phenomenon that affects everyone, everywhere. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-people-should-pay-attention">Why people should pay attention</h2>



Plastics have found their way into everyday life in a multitude of forms - containers, packaging, clothing, personal care products. As these items break down, tiny plastic fibers and fragments spread through land, water, and air. They turn up in fish and shellfish, which then end up <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.9b01517" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">on dinner plates</a>.



Waste management <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34492918/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">practices</a> in some places, such as open burning, add more plastic particles to the environment and harm people who live nearby.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-plastic-use-and-environmental-regulations">Rethinking plastic use and environmental regulations</h2>



There is growing pressure on governments to enforce stricter rules around plastic manufacturing, recycling, and disposal. A shift to responsible materials and less reliance on single-use plastics could help slow the spread of these particles in future.



Public health agencies may need to update guidelines to consider tiny <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/major-plastic-pollution-lurks-beneath-the-surface-of-rivers/">plastic fragments as contaminants</a>. If MNPs are linked to certain diseases, official policies may need to reflect that. Health professionals might soon discuss plastic exposure as they do other known factors like poor air quality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-comes-next-in-the-search-for-answers">What comes next in the search for answers</h2>



Scientists need to measure the full extent of the problem. More long-term <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34492918/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> could show exactly how much plastic accumulates in human tissues and pinpoint how these particles alter cells and organs at a microscopic level.



Researchers are developing new technology to track these fragments and understand how they behave inside the body. Improved tools might help uncover the chemical reactions triggered by plastic fragments. With that information, they could figure out why certain tissues are more at risk than others.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-ways-to-reduce-the-danger">Finding ways to reduce the danger</h2>



None of this is a reason to give up the fight against plastic pollution. People can reduce their own exposure by avoiding products that shed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-are-able-to-travel-thousands-of-miles-because-of-their-shape/">plastic fibers</a>, pushing for cleaner water sources, and supporting brands that move away from plastic use.



Communities that suffer from poor waste management can advocate for better facilities, cleaner streets, and safer disposal methods.



Officials can encourage companies to design products with health and the environment in mind. Better filters and barriers could help keep these particles out of water supplies and the foods people rely on every day.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-reason-to-stay-informed">A reason to stay informed</h2>



Nobody likes to think about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-migrate-from-the-gut-to-other-organs/">foreign particles</a> building up in their body. For many, this may spark frustration or fear. The good news is that awareness can help drive action. If people know that these small bits of plastic may affect their health, they might push for meaningful changes.



More funding, better research, and stricter oversight may keep these hidden threats in check. As scientists learn more, the public can stay informed and join conversations that shape future policies.



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Tiny plastic bits are now found hiding deep inside the human body

Tiny plastic fragments have turned up inside human beings, and...

Looks,Like,Reversed,Infinity,Time,Spiral,,Digital,Generated,Image,With

It is widely known among scientists that light sometimes appears to exit a material before it has even entered. This odd "negative time" phenomenon was long seen as an illusion caused by the way waves become distorted by matter. 



Over time, many considered it a harmless quirk of physics, dismissed without much further investigation. Now, fresh experiments suggest that this behavior might carry deeper implications related to "negative time."



Researchers recently posted findings on the preprint server arXiv, drawing global interest and some reservations about what it all means.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-negative-time-is-no-longer-theoretical">"Negative time" is no longer theoretical</h2>



Aephraim Steinberg, a <a href="https://www.utoronto.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Toronto</a> professor in experimental quantum physics, has seen how people can misunderstand discussions about negative time.



"This is tough stuff, even for us to talk about with other physicists. We get misunderstood all the time," he said. His team contends that negative time is not just theoretical but may exist in a measurable way.



They remain cautious in describing their experiments, emphasizing that the results reflect a subtle effect in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-a-simple-way-to-grasp-this-impossible-concept-carl-kocher/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum mechanics</a>. 



"That time turned out to be negative," Steinberg explained. Their data points to strange interactions between light and matter that defy everyday assumptions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantum-quirks">Quantum quirks</h2>



Their basement lab brims with mirrors, wires, and delicate lasers that track how photons interact with atoms. 



The atoms sometimes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/precise-shape-of-single-photon-light-revealed-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">absorb photons</a> and later emit them, leaving the atoms in an excited state for a short period. Measuring this period was tricky, and to many, it sounded like it might flirt with impossibilities.



Steinberg and graduate student Daniela Angulo focused on the short time atoms remain excited. By collecting data on how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/super-photons-fascinating-behavior-in-quantum-realm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atoms emit absorbed light</a>, they uncovered intervals that appeared less than zero. 



"We don't want to say anything traveled backward in time," Steinberg said. "That's a misinterpretation."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-negative-time-doesn-t-violate-reality">"Negative time" doesn't violate reality</h2>



Investigations into quantum phenomena often spark worry about collisions with Einstein's theory of special relativity. 



Yet nothing in these experiments hints that any object can outrun light. Photons here do not convey information faster than physical laws permit, so there is no conflict with long-accepted principles.



Some have questioned whether labeling this interval as negative time might invite confusion. 



The team is aware that such language can sound surreal, but they believe it captures the unusual nature of quantum measurements that drift from usual expectations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-photons-and-probabilities">Photons and probabilities</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-dance-entangled-photons-wave-functions-captured-real-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Photons have a split personality</a>, sometimes acting like particles and other times behaving like waves. 



They follow probability rules that let them appear in multiple states at once, prompting a range of possible outcomes. This fuzziness underpins the notion that events do not always fit into a neat timeline.



In standard settings, photons pass through materials in ways consistent with well-established physics. 



But in the group’s experiments, certain measurements produce results that slip into territory most would never predict. 



These findings spark curiosity about how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/impossibility-paradox-calculating-incalculable-quantum-realm-particles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum mechanics</a> can present effects that appear at odds with common sense.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reactions-and-skepticism">Reactions and skepticism</h2>



The concept has captured the attention of many, including German theoretical physicist <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErLHm-1c6I4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sabine Hossenfelder</a>, who remains unimpressed. 



"The negative time in this experiment has nothing to do with the passage of time -- it's just a way to describe how photons travel through a medium and how their phases shift," she said in a YouTube video with more than 250,000 views.



Some observers suspect the term negative time is too dramatic and misrepresents the study’s scope. Others argue that a fresh approach could encourage deeper conversations about how quantum processes unfold. 



The researchers maintain they are not rewriting the rules of physics but aiming to highlight the weirdness at play in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-tunneling-allow-particles-break-light-speed-barrier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fundamental experiments</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps-for-negative-time-studies">Next steps for "negative time" studies</h2>



"We've made our choice about what we think is a fruitful way to describe the results," Steinberg said, adding that while practical applications remain elusive, the findings open new avenues for exploring <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-quantum-revolution-will-impact-all-aspects-of-society/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum phenomena</a>. 



He acknowledged that many remain skeptical, but he insists the numbers speak for themselves. No serious criticism has challenged their raw data.



"I'll be honest, I don't currently have a path from what we've been looking at toward applications," Steinberg admitted. "We're going to keep thinking about it, but I don't want to get people's hopes up."



Whether the idea of negative time transforms into something with everyday uses remains to be seen, yet the curiosity it sparks is hard to ignore.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-all-of-this-mean">What does all of this mean?</h2>



To sum it all up, quantum physics has always pushed boundaries, forcing researchers to adjust old assumptions. 



These experiments from the University of Toronto team serve as another reminder that the world behaves in ways that do not always match common intuition. Still, they stress that no claims of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astrophysicist-says-hes-cracked-the-equation-for-time-travel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">time travel</a> are on the table.



By presenting evidence that something can measure out to less than zero time, these researchers have challenged expectations about how light interacts with matter. 



For now, the puzzle remains a subject of debate. Unraveling the enigma might take further studies, but many agree that investigating such <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/google-record-shattering-quantum-ai-chip-accesses-parallel-universes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bizarre possibilities</a> is part of the ongoing effort to understand quantum reality.



The results highlight how experiments can produce outcomes that differ from conventional thinking. Negative intervals in absorption times remain an intriguing piece of a much broader puzzle.



Scientists continue to refine experiments and weigh alternative explanations. Despite lingering questions, the project stands as a reminder that quantum behavior can seem downright strange, to put it mildly.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2409.03680" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arXiv</a>.



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"Negative time" phenomenon observed in new quantum experiments

It is widely known among scientists that light sometimes appears...

Bright,,Red-dark,Quasar,In,Deep,Space.,Elements,Of,This,Image

Astronomers have identified a remarkable water reservoir hidden in a corner of the cosmos, circling a quasar more than 12 billion light-years away.



At that distance, the light we see today began its journey not too long after the universe itself formed. 



The water supply in this distant place is huge, containing the equivalent of about 140 trillion times all the water in Earth’s oceans combined.



This supply is sitting near a supermassive black hole that is about 20 billion times more massive than our sun. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oldest-black-hole-ever-discovered-dates-back-to-the-dawn-of-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The black hole</a> is surrounded by a quasar named APM 08279+5255, which pumps out as much energy as a thousand trillion suns. 



This quasar, according to astronomers, holds the farthest and largest known reservoir of water anywhere in the universe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quasar-apm-08279-5255-and-its-water">Quasar APM 08279+5255 and its water</h2>



Matt Bradford, a scientist at NASA’s <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> in Pasadena, Calif., leads one of the teams involved in the observations.



“The environment around this quasar is very unique in that it’s producing this huge mass of water,” said Matt Bradford. “It’s another demonstration that water is pervasive throughout the universe, even at the very earliest times.”



Both Bradford’s group and a separate team of astronomers studied APM 08279+5255 and its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-black-hole-is-seen-taking-a-nap-after-eating-too-much/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black hole</a>, which sits at the center and draws matter inward. 



As it does, it warms the surrounding gas and dust, forming an area filled with molecules that have never before been detected at such an immense distance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-quasars-the-basics">Understanding quasars -- the basics</h2>



Quasars were first noticed more than half a century ago when telescopes revealed puzzling sources of intense brightness in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hubble-took-the-closest-ever-image-of-a-quasar-and-captured-some-weird-things/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">distant areas of space</a>. 



These objects are unlike any ordinary star. They shine brightly from the center of distant galaxies, outshining all their galaxy’s stars combined.



At their heart sit supermassive black holes, millions or billions of times heavier than our sun. As gas and dust spiral in toward one of these black holes, the swirling material heats up and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-hole-jet-crashes-into-an-unidentified-object/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">releases energy</a>. 



This energy blasts out across all kinds of wavelengths, making quasars some of the brightest, most energetic phenomena ever seen.



Observing quasars helps astronomers understand what the universe looked like long ago, since the light we see now began its journey billions of years in the past. 



Quasars can show how galaxies formed, how matter spread out, and how the earliest structures in the cosmos came together.



They can even help map the distribution of matter between galaxies, shining light on the regions that would otherwise remain unseen. 



Some quasars also launch <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-hole-jets-are-like-million-light-year-long-jedi-lightsabers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">huge jets of high-speed particles</a> that stretch across enormous distances. These jets can affect how stars form, influencing entire neighborhoods of cosmic material.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strange-place-to-find-water">Strange place to find water</h2>



Astronomers observed that water vapor is present in this quasar’s environment. It occupies a region spanning hundreds of light-years, with one light-year at around six trillion miles. 



Although the gas is thin by Earth standards, it is surprisingly warm and dense compared to what is typical in places like our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-ways-black-hole-formed-through-a-merger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>.



The temperature hovers around minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit, and the gas is roughly 300 trillion times less dense than Earth’s atmosphere. 



Still, it is about five times hotter and tens to hundreds of times denser than the gas seen in normal galaxies. With its unusual conditions, this region stands out as an unexpected find.



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



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oceans-of-water-vapor-may-be-involved-in-planet-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Water vapor</a> is not just a molecule. Its presence here suggests that the quasar is bathing its environment in radiation that keeps the gas relatively warm. 



Astronomers also spotted other molecules, like carbon monoxide, hinting that there is an abundance of raw material that can feed the black hole as it continues to grow.



They estimate that there is enough gas for the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-map-of-supermassive-black-holes-unveiled/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black hole</a> to increase in size by about six times, although what actually happens next is not certain. 



Some of this gas may form new stars, while some might be thrown out into space instead. Either way, these measurements open a window into what conditions were like when the universe was still young.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quasars-water-and-life-s-building-blocks">Quasars, water, and life's building blocks</h2>



Detecting water vapor in such a distant quasar expands our knowledge of how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/did-the-building-blocks-of-life-replicate-on-their-own/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">building blocks</a> appear across vast stretches of time and space. 



Water is essential for life as we know it, and its presence billions of years ago suggests that the elements needed for life have been around for a very long time.



Beyond that, water plays a key role in shaping how stars and galaxies evolve. When gas clouds cool, water helps by allowing those clouds to collapse more easily, leading to star birth. 



By spotting it this far back, astronomers get new clues about how galaxies changed as the universe aged and matured.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-they-found-the-water-quasar">How they found the water quasar</h2>



Bradford’s team began collecting data in 2008 with an instrument called Z-Spec at the California Institute of Technology’s Submillimeter Observatory (<a href="https://www.cso.caltech.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CSO</a>). 



This 33-foot telescope sits near the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii. They later confirmed their findings using the Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-Wave Astronomy (<a href="https://www.mmarray.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CARMA</a>), a set of radio dishes located high in the Inyo Mountains of Southern California.



Meanwhile, another group led by Dariusz Lis, senior research associate in physics at Caltech and deputy director of the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory, used the Plateau de Bure Interferometer in the French Alps. 



In 2010, Lis’s team found hints of water in this quasar by detecting a single signature, while Bradford’s team uncovered multiple signals that revealed the massive amount of water present.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-do-we-go-from-here">Where do we go from here?</h2>



To sum it all up, this discovery shows that even at a time when the universe was young, water formed and gathered in places we never would have guessed. 



Instead of seeing just cold, empty darkness out there, astronomers have spotted a real treasure -- an enormous reservoir of water swirling around a quasar more than 12 billion light-years away. 



This water vapor, along with the intense radiation from the black hole at the quasar’s center, paints a picture of an environment that is far denser, warmer, and more active than ordinary parts of the cosmos.



By studying this distant quasar, scientists can learn how the earliest galaxies came together and evolved. They can see how matter spread out, how black holes grew, and how even tiny molecules like water played a role in shaping the universe. 



Every new detail uncovered by these long-ago signals traveling through time and space helps make sense of the vast cosmic story we are all a part of.



***



Other authors on the Bradford paper, "The water vapor spectrum of APM 08279+5255," include Hien Nguyen, Jamie Bock, Jonas Zmuidzinas and Bret Naylor of JPL; Alberto Bolatto of the University of Maryland, College Park; Phillip Maloney, Jason Glenn and Julia Kamenetzky of the University of Colorado, Boulder; James Aguirre, Roxana Lupu and Kimberly Scott of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; Hideo Matsuhara of the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science in Japan; and Eric Murphy of the Carnegie Institute of Science, Pasadena. Funding for Z-Spec was provided by the <a href="https://www.nsf.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Science Foundation</a>, <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>, the Research Corporation and the partner institutions.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2041-8205/738/1/L6/meta" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Astrophysical Journal Letters</a>.



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Enough water to fill trillions of Earth's oceans found in deep space circling a black hole

Astronomers have identified a remarkable water reservoir hidden in a...

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24-7 Reusable Bag

From bag to ball in seconds! The 24-7 bag is...

This energy efficient clear silicone caulking sealant remains permanently flexible, will not shrink or crack, is waterproof and can be applied in temperatures of -30 to 140 degrees. Read more Overview AM Conservation Group's weatherization sealant product is 100% silicone. This energy efficient sealant remains permanently flexible, will not shrink or crack, is waterproof and can be applied in temperatures of -30 to 140 degrees. Withstands temperatures of 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This weatherization product is ideal for windows, doors, sills, baseboards and other gaps and openings where a long lasting professional grade sealant is needed. Meets the performance requirements of specification MIL-A-46106, TT-S001543A (COM-NBS) Class A, TTS-00230C (Class A ASTMC920-79), Type S grade NS, Class 25, DOE, USDA and FDA requirements. Apply it using a caulking gun like the one we sell. Please note this caulking sealant is clear.

50 Year Weatherization Sealant

This energy efficient clear silicone caulking sealant remains permanently flexible,...

Abeego beeswax wrap keeps food fresh in a natural, plastic-free way. This extra large Abeego wrap is perfect for wrapping up loaves of bread or covering large casserole dishes, baking sheets and more. Read more Overview Created as a natural alternative to plastic for food storage. Use Abeego Wraps to wrap up fruit, vegetables, cheese, bread or to cover baking dishes and leftovers. Its fluid and air resistant beeswax coating keeps food fresh and is easy to rinse clean for reuse. Features & Benefits: Reusable beeswax wrap keeps food fresh Store food and leftovers in a natural plastic-free way Wrap up cheese, bread, fruit and vegetables Cover large dishes, baking and leftovers Giant wrap measures 20" x 13" Made from beeswax, tree resin, jojoba oil, hemp, organic cotton How To Use: Simply press and form firmly over dishes to cover leftovers. Wrap around loaves of bread, baguettes, large blocks of cheese and bundles of vegetables. Abeego is flexible and slightly adhesive at room temperature and stiffens when cool, holding the shape you created. Abeego material is insulating and breathable so it is a perfect cover for rising bread dough. It is also suitable for covering fermenting foods such as yogurt, kefir and butter milk. Abeego is durable and designed for daily use. Wash in cold water with eco-friendly dish soap. Lasts one year or longer.

Abeego Giant Wrap

Abeego beeswax wrap keeps food fresh in a natural, plastic-free...

This adjustable toilet flapper can save up to 2.5 gallons per flush when installed in an old 5 to 7 GPF toilet! Read more Overview Your toilet tank may have a slow leak, which is undetectable to the eye, but can slowly waste you hundreds of gallons each month. One way to check is to put some food coloring dye in your tank, and see in an hour if the water in the toilet bowl turns the same color. If you do have a leaky flapper, this is a great replacement part. It stops flapper leaks in almost every toilet, it's easy to install, and it's adjustable. You can decide how much water you need per flush for your toilet. You can make a big old toilet more efficient by limiting how much water is released for the flush ' you'll just have to experiment to find the ideal amount. EarthA(R) Premier 5-Year Adjustable Flapper Features & Benefits Fits 1.6, 3.5, 5 and 7-gallon toilets Simply lengthen or shorten the chain to adjust how much water is released for the flush. Can save up to 2.5 gallons per flush when installed in an old 5 to 7 GPF toilet! Stops existing leaks; prevents new leaks for 5 years Virgin PVC material Stainless steel ball chain, clasp & hook Installs by hand in seconds, no tools needed Chlorine- and chloramines-resistant Adjustable end cap for maximum flushing power 5-year warranty Made in North America For BULK orders, please email orders@eartheasy.com

Adjustable Toilet Flapper

This adjustable toilet flapper can save up to 2.5 gallons...

The "All-American" is the best among home pressure canners. With proper care it will last a lifetime. Made in the USA since 1930. Read more Overview Only All-American Pressure Cookers/Canner feature an exclusive, precision machined "metal-to-metal" sealing system. Positive action clamping locks align the cover to the base, forming a steam-tight seal. At the same time, this metal-to-metal seal automatically permits venting under unusual pressure conditions, providing an extra margin of safety over conventional rubber or composition gasket cookers. The All-American Pressure Cooker/Canner is, first and foremost, a canner. It is large and heavy-cast for processing larger quantities of food per load. The USDA recommends pressure canning as the only safe way to can meat, fish, poultry and vegetables. "Pressure cookers" are not recommended for canning because a fully loaded canner takes a longer time for heating and cooling. This time is taken into account when determining processing times in standard canning timetables. Features & Benefits: Crafted of the finest hand cast aluminum Stay-cool bakelite top handle Geared steam gauge Pressure regulator weight with settings of 5, 10 and 15 psi Smooth, easy to clean satin finish Exclusive metal-to-metal seal - no gaskets to crack, burn, replace or clean Double thickness edges for additional protection on points of heaviest wear Automatic overpressure release Includes canning rack, instructions & recipe book Available in 6 sizes Made in the USA since 1930 Specifications for Model 910: Capacity - 10.5 Quarts (Liquid), 4 Quart Jars, 7 Pint Jars* Inside diameter - 10 1/4 inches Inside Height - 7 3/4 inches Overall Height - 12 inches Weight - 11.5 pounds Includes 1 rack *Jar capacities based on standard Mason jar sizes All-American Pressure Cooker/Canners are intended for home use applications. Models 910, 915, 921 and 925 are suitable for use on newer glass/flat top ranges. We recommend verifying weight restrictions with your stove manufacturer. Larger models 930 and 941 are heavy and not suitable for glass top ranges. "We bought an All-American Pressure Canner (Model 921) over 30 years ago, and have used it exclusively for all our canning. It is still as good as new." Greg Seaman, Founder, Eartheasy.com

All-American Pressure Canner/Cooker - 10.5 quart

The "All-American" is the best among home pressure canners. With...

The "All-American" is the best among home food production pressure canners. With proper care it will last a lifetime. Made in the USA since 1930. Read more Overview Only All-American Pressure Cookers/Canner feature an exclusive, precision machined "metal-to-metal" sealing system. Positive action clamping locks align the cover to the base, forming a steam-tight seal. At the same time, this metal-to-metal seal automatically permits venting under unusual pressure conditions, providing an extra margin of safety over conventional rubber or composition gasket cookers. The All-American Pressure Cooker/Canner is, first and foremost, a canner. It is large and heavy-cast for processing larger quantities of food per load. The USDA recommends pressure canning as the only safe way to can meat, fish, poultry and vegetables. "Pressure cookers" are not recommended for canning because a fully loaded canner takes a longer time for heating and cooling. This time is taken into account when determining processing times in standard canning timetables. Features & Benefits: Crafted of the finest hand cast aluminum Stay-cool bakelite top handle Geared steam gauge Pressure regulator weight with settings of 5, 10 and 15 psi Smooth, easy to clean satin finish Exclusive metal-to-metal seal - no gaskets to crack, burn, replace or clean Double thickness edges for additional protection on points of heaviest wear Automatic overpressure release Includes canning rack and instructions Available in 6 sizes Made in the USA since 1930 Specifications for Model 915: Capacity - 15 1/2 Quarts (Liquid), 7 Quart Jars, 10 Pint Jars* Inside diameter - 12 5/8 inches Inside Height - 7 3/4 inches Overall Height - 12.5 inches Weight - 15 pounds Includes 1 rack *Jar capacities based on standard Mason jar sizes. All-American Pressure Cooker/Canners are intended for home use applications. Models 910, 915, 921 and 925 are suitable for use on newer glass/flat top ranges. We recommend verifying weight restrictions with your stove manufacturer. Larger models 930 and 941 are heavy and not suitable for glass top ranges. "We bought an All-American Pressure Canner (Model 921) over 30 years ago, and have used it exclusively for all our canning. It is still as good as new." Greg Seaman, Founder, Eartheasy.com

All-American Pressure Canner/Cooker - 15.5 quart

The "All-American" is the best among home food production pressure...

The "All-American" is the best among home food production pressure canners. With proper care it will last a lifetime, which is why we recommend getting the best. Made in the USA since 1930. Read more Overview Only All-American Pressure Cookers/Canner feature an exclusive, precision machined "metal-to-metal" sealing system. Positive action clamping locks align the cover to the base, forming a steam-tight seal. At the same time, this metal-to-metal seal automatically permits venting under unusual pressure conditions, providing an extra margin of safety over conventional rubber or composition gasket cookers. The All-American Pressure Cooker/Canner is, first and foremost, a canner. It is large and heavy-cast for processing larger quantities of food per load. The USDA recommends pressure canning as the only safe way to can meat, fish, poultry and vegetables. "Pressure cookers" are not recommended for canning because a fully loaded canner takes a longer time for heating and cooling. This time is taken into account when determining processing times in standard canning timetables. Features & Benefits: Crafted of the finest hand cast aluminum Stay-cool bakelite top handle Geared steam gauge Pressure regulator weight with settings of 5, 10 and 15 psi Smooth, easy to clean satin finish Exclusive metal-to-metal seal - no gaskets to crack, burn, replace or clean Double thickness edges for additional protection on points of heaviest wear Automatic overpressure release Includes canning racks and instructions Available in 6 sizes Made in the USA since 1930 Specifications for Model 921: Capacity - 21 1/2 Quarts (Liquid), 7 Quart Jars, 19 Pint Jars Inside diameter - 12 5/8 inches Inside Height - 10 1/2 inches Overall Height - 16 inches Weight - 17.75 pounds Includes 2 racks *Jar capacities based on standard Mason jar sizes. All-American Pressure Cooker/Canners are intended for home use applications. Models 910, 915, 921 and 925 are suitable for use on newer glass/flat top ranges. We recommend verifying weight restrictions with your stove manufacturer. Larger models 930 and 941 are heavy and not suitable for glass top ranges. "We bought an All-American Pressure Canner (Model 921) over 30 years ago, and have used it exclusively for all our canning. It is still as good as new." Greg Seaman, Founder, Eartheasy.com

All-American Pressure Canner/Cooker - 21.5 quart

The "All-American" is the best among home food production pressure canners. With proper care it will last a lifetime. Made in the USA since 1930. Read more Overview Only All-American Pressure Cookers/Canner feature an exclusive, precision machined "metal-to-metal" sealing system. Positive action clamping locks align the cover to the base, forming a steam-tight seal. At the same time, this metal-to-metal seal automatically permits venting under unusual pressure conditions, providing an extra margin of safety over conventional rubber or composition gasket cookers. The All-American Pressure Cooker/Canner is, first and foremost, a canner. It is large and heavy-cast for processing larger quantities of food per load. The USDA recommends pressure canning as the only safe way to can meat, fish, poultry and vegetables. "Pressure cookers" are not recommended for canning because a fully loaded canner takes a longer time for heating and cooling. This time is taken into account when determining processing times in standard canning timetables. Features & Benefits: Crafted of the finest hand cast aluminum Stay-cool bakelite top handle Geared steam gauge Pressure regulator weight with settings of 5, 10 and 15 psi Smooth, easy to clean satin finish Exclusive metal-to-metal seal - no gaskets to crack, burn, replace or clean Double thickness edges for additional protection on points of heaviest wear Automatic overpressure release Includes canning racks and instructions Available in 6 sizes Made in the USA since 1930 Specifications for Model 925: Capacity - 25 Quarts (Liquid), 7 Quart Jars, 19 Pint Jars Inside diameter - 12 5/8 inches Inside Height - 12 1/4 inches Overall Height - 16 3/4 inches Weight - 18.25 pounds Includes 2 racks *Jar capacities based on standard Mason jar sizes. All-American Pressure Cooker/Canners are intended for home use applications. Models 910, 915, 921 and 925 are suitable for use on newer glass/flat top ranges. We recommend verifying weight restrictions with your stove manufacturer. Larger models 930 and 941 are heavy and not suitable for glass top ranges. "We bought an All-American Pressure Canner (Model 921) over 30 years ago, and have used it exclusively for all our canning. It is still as good as new." Greg Seaman, Founder, Eartheasy.com