Insects are the tiny engines of life: flying, crawling, pollinating, and recycling. They sustain plants, hold food webs together, and enrich the soil. But despite the fact that insects are everywhere, they are quietly disappearing.



The crisis is no longer just in farmlands and cities. A new study from Colorado’s mountains shows steep declines even in wild, remote areas. That makes the warning louder: no <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insect-populations-dramatically-declining-around-the-world-rising-temperatures/">ecosystem</a> is safe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insects-decline-in-mountains">Insects decline in mountains</h2>



Keith Sockman, a biologist at the <a href="https://www.unc.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina</a> at Chapel Hill, spent 20 years counting flying insects in a high Colorado meadow. 



The site sits above 3,000 meters, near wilderness, with little human disturbance. It has decades of weather records, which made it ideal for linking insect numbers with climate.



The results were stark. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/very-little-is-known-about-99-of-all-insects-on-earth/">Insect</a> numbers fell by an average of 6.6 percent every year. Over two decades, that meant a 72.4 percent drop. The main culprit was rising summer temperatures, especially warmer nights.



“Insects have a unique, if inauspicious position in the biodiversity crisis due to the ecological services, such as nutrient cycling and pollination, they provide and to their vulnerability to environmental change,” Sockman said. “Insects are necessary for terrestrial and fresh-water ecosystems to function.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-warmth-lingers-at-night">When warmth lingers at night</h2>



The study found a lagged effect. Hot summers hurt <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insects-are-still-disappearing-and-there-are-hundreds-of-reasons-why/">insect</a> numbers the following year. Warmer nights were the most damaging. 



Over the past 38 years, summer low temperatures in the region rose by about 0.8°C per decade. That left insects with less recovery time from daytime heat.



This matches what scientists have seen with mountain butterflies. Even slight rises in nightly lows can strain species already adapted to narrow temperature ranges.



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



Germany’s famous study showed over 80 percent declines in farmed landscapes over 27 years. Those findings were often blamed on pesticides and habitat loss. 



Sockman’s work shows something different. Insects are collapsing even in a meadow with little human pressure. Climate itself may be enough.



“Several recent studies report significant insect declines across a variety of human-altered <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/modern-farming-is-causing-many-insect-species-to-collapse/">ecosystems</a>, particularly in North America and Europe,” Sockman said. 



“Most such studies report on ecosystems that have been directly impacted by humans or are surrounded by impacted areas, raising questions about insect declines and their drivers in more natural areas.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-forces-at-play">Other forces at play</h2>



Climate change explains much, but not everything. Sockman points to other possibilities: shifts in vegetation as meadows change, rising carbon and nitrogen altering plant nutrition, or natural succession. 



The traps used in the study also captured mainly flying insects. That means the decline may not reflect every insect group, though the loss is still severe.



Seasonal timing shifts (when insects emerge earlier or later) could also play a role. But the data showed consistent drops that timing alone could not explain. Even if some insects shifted their activity to earlier in the season, the overall counts did not recover. 



Years with hotter summers still produced smaller populations the next year, which suggests the pressure is deeper than timing changes. It points toward long-term stress, not just seasonal mismatch, driving the collapse.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-mountain-insects-matter">Why mountain insects matter</h2>



Mountain ecosystems are fragile. Insects there need traits like cold tolerance, rapid development, and resilience to harsh winds. 



They pollinate alpine flowers, recycle nutrients in short growing seasons, and serve as prey for birds. If they vanish, the entire system weakens.



“Mountains are host to disproportionately high numbers of locally adapted endemic species, including insects. Thus, the status of mountains as biodiversity hotspots may be in jeopardy if the declines shown here reflect trends broadly,” Sockman said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-global-signal">A global signal</h2>



High mountains and high latitudes are warming faster than the rest of the planet. They act like islands, with no higher ground for species to escape to. What is happening in Colorado is likely happening elsewhere too. 



The losses here are not local - they are global warnings, signaling risks for ecosystems from the Andes to the Himalayas and across Arctic regions where insects support both wildlife and human livelihoods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-insects-in-mountains">Protecting insects in mountains</h2>



Insect monitoring must expand beyond farmland and suburban areas. Remote ecosystems also need attention. Long-term studies like Sockman’s are rare but essential for tracking change.



The message is urgent. Insects are not resilient enough to withstand unchecked warming. If they vanish, food webs will collapse, pollination will falter, and ecosystems will unravel. Their fate is tied to ours.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecy.70187" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology</a>.



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Remote mountain meadow confirms global insect crisis

Insects are the tiny engines of life: flying, crawling, pollinating, and recycling. They sustain plants, hold food webs together, and enrich the soil. But despite the fact that insects are everywhere, they are quietly disappearing. The crisis is no longer just in farmlands and cities. A new study from Colorado’s mountains shows steep declines even in wild, remote areas. That makes the warning louder: no ecosystem is safe. Insects decline in mountains Keith Sockman, a biologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, spent 20...

Scientists have studied the DNA of dogs living near a site once synonymous with an infamous nuclear accident. Their work reveals that a group of dogs close to the damaged reactor lacks any signs of unusual nuclear-related shifts in genetic material.



These findings point to a variety of environmental factors that may be influencing differences between dogs in the city and those around the reactor, yet radiation-driven genetic mutation does not appear to be among them. 



<a href="https://cvm.ncsu.edu/people/mbreen3/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Matthew Breen</a> from North Carolina State University and colleagues at <a href="https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Columbia University</a> Mailman School of Public Health helped to shape these observations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-living-in-chernobyl">Dogs living in Chernobyl </h2>



The <a href="https://www.iaea.org/topics/chornobyl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ionizing radiation</a> that followed the 1986 accident in Chernobyl spread radioactive particles and other toxins through the region. 



The cleanup efforts and industrial remnants introduced a wide range of contaminants, including lead powder and asbestos. 



Decades later, free-breeding dogs remain in the <a href="https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/focus/chernobyl/faqs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chernobyl Exclusion Zone</a>, forming two distinct groups: one around the power plant and the other in the city.



“We have been working with two dog populations that, while separated by just 16 kilometers, or about 10 miles, are genetically distinct," Breen noted.



"We are trying to determine if low-level exposure over many years to environmental toxins such as radiation, lead, etcetera, could explain some of those differences."



The unique situation in Chernobyl offers a chance to explore differences shaped by environmental exposures. Historical accounts suggest that many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chernobyl-dogs-are-rapidly-evolving-in-strange-ways-due-to-nuclear-radiation-exposure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals were left behind</a>, and their descendants adapted to life in a zone with heavier contamination near the reactor than in the city.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-untangling-genetic-clues">Untangling genetic clues</h2>



Researchers performed a detailed comparison of the genomes in both groups of dogs to see if exposure led to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chernobyl-wolves-have-evolved-resistance-to-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strange mutations</a>. 



They examined the possibility that repeated exposure to low-dose contaminants altered large parts of the genome. They also ran precise analyses of single-nucleotide variants to spot any signs of unusual changes.



“First, we contextualized the level of genetic differences between two dog populations, which indicated that the genetics of Chernobyl City dogs were very similar to dog populations in Russia, Poland and the surrounding areas," explained <a href="https://www.breenlab.org/personnel/megan-dillon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Megan Dillon, Ph.D.</a> candidate at NC State.



"That way, we were able to use the Chernobyl City dogs as a representative control population to compare with the NPP dogs.” 



Scientists systematically looked for irregularities in <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ionizing-radiation-and-health-effects" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ionizing radiation</a>, affected dogs at multiple scales. They checked for numerical errors in chromosomes and for unexpected shifts within smaller segments of the genome. 



No large-scale flaws turned up. There was also no sign of higher mutation rates in the power plant dogs, contrary to speculation that they might pass on unusual variants to offspring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovering-alternate-explanations">Discovering alternate explanations</h2>



Investigators believe that some of the differences between these dog groups could be traced to separate breeding pools or selective pressures unrelated to radiation. 



After all, dogs in each area are free-roaming animals that may come into contact with different resources and contaminants. They also appear to have minimal intermingling across the 10-mile divide.



It is possible that genetic traits, which once gave a survival boost right after the accident, remained in the power plant group. That would help explain why the dogs near the reactor look genetically distinct. 



Environmental factors beyond radiation, such as heavy metals, might also shape slight differences without causing any significant rise in inherited mutations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-chernobyl-dogs-matter">Why Chernobyl dogs matter</h2>



“Most people think of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chernobyl-dogs-carry-unexpected-genetic-characteristics/">Chernobyl</a> nuclear accident as a radiological disaster in an abandoned corner of Ukraine, but the potential adverse health implications are much wider," explained <a href="https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/profile/norman-kleiman-phd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norman Kleiman</a>, professor of environmental health sciences at the Columbia University School of Public Health.



"While no one lives at the NPP or in Pripyat anymore, up until the Russian invasion many thousands of people continued to work there every day on remediation and construction projects nearby.” 



These observations show how animal populations can serve as indicators of health risks. If harmful gene alterations had taken root, scientists might have found a clue pointing toward similar issues for humans who share that environment. 



Instead, no nuclear-related changes were detected, so the community can better focus on investigating other toxins and ecological dynamics.



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



Research teams have also studied <a href="https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ticks</a> found on these dogs and documented how pathogens vary across the two areas. 



This parallel project could reveal additional factors at play, since the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chernobyl-is-teeming-with-worms-resistant-to-radiation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reactor zone</a> might harbor distinct insects and microbes. 



By analyzing a broader range of features, scientists are gradually piecing together how dogs adapt to such an unusual setting.



Some investigators plan to learn whether selective forces shaped the power plant dog group early on, especially if certain dogs with beneficial traits survived and produced new generations. 



This approach goes beyond seeking obvious <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rapid-dna-repair-prevents-harmful-genetic-intrusion-in-plants/">nuclear mutation</a>. Instead, it highlights how a mix of environmental elements can nudge a group of animals onto its own genetic path.



“Our study confirms that no noticeable nuclear abnormalities are at work,” the research team concluded in their recent publication. Their next steps will examine other ways the dogs’ environment may influence their health and genetics.



The study is published in <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0315244" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS ONE</a>.



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Study compares DNA of Chernobyl dogs to canines living outside the radiation zone

Scientists have studied the DNA of dogs living near a...

Amphibians, the class of cold-blooded vertebrates that includes frogs, salamanders, and caecilians, are facing a troubling forecast in many habitats across the planet.



The <a href="https://iucn.org/our-union/commissions/group/iucn-ssc-amphibian-specialist-group" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN</a> (International Union for Conservation of Nature) estimates that more than 40% of amphibian species are in danger of extinction due to climate change.



Amphibians endure pressures from habitat destruction, pollution, and disease. These concerns are combining with thermal shifts and rainfall disruptions that threaten to shrink amphibian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-frog-day-2025-protecting-natures-tiny-guardians/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">populations</a> even further.



At the <a href="https://www.goethe-university-frankfurt.de/45907464/Institute_of_Ecology__Diversity_and_Evolution" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity</a>, Dr. Evan Twomey and his team have been examining the impact of rising temperatures on these creatures. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollution-habitat-loss-and-stress">Pollution, habitat loss and stress</h2>



The global investigation compared weather patterns of the last four decades with the vulnerability of more than 7,000 amphibian species.



Research confirms that environmental changes compromise amphibian habitats and set the stage for reduced breeding success and rising mortality rates, especially in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-amphibians-wildlife-tunnels-prevent-road-deaths/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> that rely on short-lived water bodies.



Small wetlands and <a href="https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/vernal-pools" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vernal pools</a> offer sites for egg-laying, but <a href="https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cobi.70074" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">minor shifts</a> in rainfall can leave these patches drained before tadpoles develop. This leaves fewer surviving offspring and upsets local amphibian populations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-hurts-amphibians-breeding">Climate hurts amphibians’ breeding</h2>



“Amphibians’ dependence on temporary wetlands for breeding makes them particularly vulnerable to droughts and temperature shifts that causes their breeding grounds to dry prematurely," explained Dr. Twomey.&nbsp;



"Our analyses show the direct connection between the increase in extreme weather events and the decline of amphibian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amphibians-are-being-pushed-beyond-their-heat-limits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">populations</a>."



Hotter days can affect the skin of frogs and the respiration patterns of amphibian larvae, potentially reducing survival rates. 



Severe cold spells in certain locales may push animals beyond their physiological limits and increase susceptibility to pathogens like <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11838218/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chytrid fungus</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threats-vary-by-region-and-species">Threats vary by region and species</h2>



Rising temperatures in tropical forests have coincided with alarming declines in frogs throughout South America. Increased drought in European habitats has made life difficult for true salamanders (the family Salamandridae), which are closely tied to specific wetlands for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-amphibians-survived-earths-deadliest-mass-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">breeding</a>.



 Professor Lisa Schulte is the head of the Department of Wildlife-Zoo-Animal-Biology and Systematics at <a href="https://www.uni-frankfurt.de/de" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goethe University in Frankfurt</a>. 



“Already half of the true salamanders native to Central Europe are exposed to increasing droughts today, and this will likely get worse in the future,” she said.



Madagascar, home to many frogs found nowhere else, is also recording stronger <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4009861/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat waves</a> that may leave less moisture in forest ecosystems. Some areas of the Southern Cone are seeing more cold spells that could pose an unexpected threat to local frog communities.&nbsp;



Whether it’s droughts, heat waves, or cooler conditions, researchers note that climate change in certain years may enable fungi to invade amphibian tissues, further hastening population drops.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-hits-amphibians">Climate change hits amphibians</h2>



Climate change rarely works alone. Amphibians already face threats from pollution, land development, invasive species, and disease. Now, extreme weather is amplifying those risks in places already under stress.



Species exposed to both heat waves and droughts were far more likely to experience a worsening conservation status. 



In some South American families like <a href="https://amphibiaweb.org/lists/Aromobatidae.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aromobatidae</a> and <a href="https://amphibiaweb.org/lists/Odontophrynidae.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Odontophrynidae</a>, over a third of the species face both threats. This double burden makes recovery harder, especially when conservation efforts focus on just one danger at a time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-can-help-survival">What can help survival</h2>



Small ponds and protected breeding spots can improve amphibians’ chances of producing stable new generations. 



Temporary shelters, such as PVC tubes or shady boards, may offer humidity and a barrier against scorching sun or extended drought.



Land managers in some regions have restored wetlands in ways that provide extra weeks of water retention. This small extension of wet conditions is often enough for tadpoles to grow and metamorphose, so these approaches may be one way to protect sensitive species.



Clear steps matter because amphibians help control insect numbers and serve as an indicator of environmental health. Without them, food webs lose a key piece, and ecosystems shift in unpredictable ways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-helping-amphibians-face-climate-change">Helping amphibians face climate change</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/skydiving-salamanders-can-fully-control-blood-flow-in-their-toes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Salamanders</a> play a quiet but crucial role in many ecosystems. They help control insect populations and serve as prey for larger animals, keeping food webs balanced.



Because they breathe partly through their skin, they're highly sensitive to environmental change.



This means that salamanders are reliable indicators of deeper ecological problems that may affect other species, including humans.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cobi.70074" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Conservation Biology</a>.



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Amphibians are vanishing as climate and drought worsen globally

Amphibians, the class of cold-blooded vertebrates that includes frogs, salamanders,...

New Guinea often feels like a continent squeezed into an island. Mountains rise straight out of steamy coastal forests, and clouds snag on ridges that tower more than 2 miles above the sea. In those chill upper reaches, plants and animals have carved out lives that exist nowhere else.



The world’s largest tropical island straddles the line between Asia and Australia, so its wildlife draws from both sides. Kangaroo cousins hop in the understory while <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/egg-laying-mammals-called-monotremes-unique-many-ways-stomachs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">echidnas</a> probe the soil for insects. Asian lineages slid in later, including two waves of rats. 



The older arrivals, members of the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982222013781" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hydromyini clan</a>, landed roughly 8.5 million years ago and fanned out across New Guinea and into Australia. They now range from stream-loving swimmers to desert burrowers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mallomys-istapantap-a-gentle-giant">Mallomys istapantap - A gentle giant</h2>



For decades, biologists suspected that one of the island’s high-elevation residents - a hulking, wool-coated rat - roamed under the radar. Locals spoke of it, museum drawers held a few weather-worn skulls, yet no one had managed to see it alive.



Among those pioneers sits the woolly rat genus Mallomys. These rodents traded sleek coats for shaggy insulation, a handy adaptation when nights dip below freezing near the island’s summits.



One member of the group, the subalpine "giant woolly rat" (Mallomys istapantap), holds several records. It tips the scales at about 4.4 pounds, stretches 33.5 inches from blunt snout to tail tip, and grips branches with 3-inch paws. 



High-crowned molars crunch through tough vegetation, while pale ears poke through fur the color of granite. Unlike many relatives that scamper along trunks, this species spends much of its time on the ground - an arrangement that reduces turf wars with arboreal cousins.



Despite its bulk, science overlooked the animal until April 10, 1989, when taxonomists finally described it from museum bones. 



No photographs existed, and field notes were scarce. Fewer than 50 specimens sat in collections, most gathered decades earlier from altitudes between 6,560 and 12,467 feet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-sighting-of-mallomys-istapantap">First sighting of Mallomys istapantap</h2>



Only after two opening paragraphs does a name enter the story. During a six-month trek that wrapped up on August 15, 2024, <a href="https://www.entu.cas.cz/en/staff/profile/23075/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">František Vejmělka</a> documented the rat in the flesh near 12,139 feet on Mount Wilhelm, Papua New Guinea’s tallest peak at 14,793 feet. 



“It’s astonishing that such a large and striking animal has remained so poorly studied. How much more is there to discover about the biodiversity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-co2-will-cause-rapid-climate-change-in-the-tropical-andes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tropical mountains</a>?” enthused Vejmělka, a young Czech doctoral candidate from the <a href="https://www.bc.cas.cz/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biology Centre</a> of the Czech Academy of Sciences and the <a href="https://www.jcu.cz/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of South Bohemia</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/giant-woolly-rat_Mallomys-istapantap_first-photo_credit-Frantisek-Vejmelka_1m.webp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/giant-woolly-rat_Mallomys-istapantap_first-photo_credit-Frantisek-Vejmelka_1s.webp" alt="Mallomys istapantap caught on a camera trap in its natural environment. Credit: František Vejmělka, originally published in: Vejmělka, F. (2025). First scientific observation of the largest Sahulian rodent, Mallomys istapantap, in the wild. Mammalia." class="wp-image-1972243"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mallomys istapantap caught on a camera trap in its natural environment. Credit: František Vejmělka, originally published in: Vejmělka, F. (2025). First scientific observation of the largest Sahulian rodent, Mallomys istapantap, in the wild. Credit: Mammalia. Click image to enlarge.</figcaption></figure>



His camera traps yielded the first photos and video of the species. He recorded male body measurements, diet samples, parasite loads, nightly activity, and travel routes - data that turn sketchy museum labels into a living profile.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-at-high-elevation">Life at high elevation</h2>



The footage paints a picture of a creature built for the cold. Thick guard hairs shed rain and mist, while a dense undercoat traps warmth. 



Daylight hours pass inside tree hollows or burrows carved beneath alpine tussocks. Night brings slow, deliberate foraging among mossy logs; seed pods and young shoots vanish behind those chisel-like incisors.



New Guinea’s highlands lack many placental competitors found on other continents. 



Over about 5 million years, woolly <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-rodent-borne-diseases-spill-over-into-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rats</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marsupials-are-key-to-healthy-ecosystems-in-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marsupials</a> have filled ecological vacancies normally occupied by squirrels, hares, or even small ungulates elsewhere. That freedom helped spur the evolution of giants like Mallomys istapantap.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-working-with-local-knowledge">Working with local knowledge</h2>



“If it weren’t for the indigenous hunters who accompanied me in the mountains and helped me locate the animals, I would never have been able to collect this data,” Vejmělka says. 



Their familiarity with subtle tracks and fruit remains led researchers to burrow entrances invisible to outsiders. 



In return, the project shared findings with villages that depend on the forest for food and medicine, encouraging discussions about mining threats encroaching on montane habitats.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/giant-woolly-rat_Mallomys-istapantap_dead-specimen_credit-Frantisek-Vejmelka_1big.webp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/giant-woolly-rat_Mallomys-istapantap_dead-specimen_credit-Frantisek-Vejmelka_1s.webp" alt="The proud discoverer František Vejmělka with the Giant Woolly Rat (Mallomys istapantap ) in its natural habitat at 3,700 meters above sea level. Credit: František Vejmělka" class="wp-image-1972241"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The proud discoverer František Vejmělka with the Giant Woolly Rat (Mallomys istapantap ) in its natural habitat at 3,700 meters above sea level. Click image to enlarge. Credit: František Vejmělka</figcaption></figure>



The partnership also broadened the mammal checklist for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Wilhelm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mount Wilhelm</a>. 



Vejmělka genetically confirmed <a href="https://australian.museum/blog/amri-news/new-guinean-flightless-mammals-overlooked-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">61 non-flying species</a> - rodents and marsupials alike - across the elevation gradient, highlighting how steep slopes stack ecosystems like floors in a skyscraper.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-work-to-be-done">More work to be done</h2>



Even with fresh images and DNA barcodes, mysteries linger. Museum comparisons hint that more woolly rat species await recognition; slight skull quirks and fur shades suggest hidden diversity tucked among ridges separated by deep river valleys. 



Future surveys armed with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/airborne-dna-can-track-wildlife-diseases-and-even-drugs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental DNA</a> and drone-mounted infrared cameras could reveal how many lineages share the alpine zone.



Conservationists worry that any undiscovered relatives may vanish before they earn names. Climate change is nudging temperature bands uphill, shrinking the cool habitat that subalpine specialists need. 



Meanwhile, mineral exploration licenses have crept toward unlogged forests once spared by remoteness. 



Field data like those gathered in 2024 strengthen the case for protecting refuges above 10,000 feet, where ancient lineages cling on.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-lies-ahead-for-mallomys-istapantap">What lies ahead for Mallomys istapantap</h2>



A giant rat may not fit the usual image of charismatic wildlife, yet Mallomys istapantap embodies New Guinea’s knack for rewriting the rulebook on evolution. 



Until last year, it lived only in rumor and bone fragments; now we can watch it shuffle through mist with frost on its whiskers. 



Each new frame of footage reminds us that the world’s largest tropical island still keeps secrets the size of house cats. Uncovering them depends on curiosity, persistence, and the know-how of people who call those mountains home.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://phys.org/news/2025-05-mysterious-giant-woolly-rat-largest.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mammalia</a>.



Image credit: Czech Academy of Sciences



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A "Giant Woolly Rat" was just photographed for the first time ever, proving it's not a myth

New Guinea often feels like a continent squeezed into an...

Larger sauropodomorph dinosaurs from the Early Jurassic keep amazing scientists. A striking example is Xingxiulong yueorum, an animal believed to measure as much as 33 feet in length.



These long-necked creatures likely roamed southwestern China roughly 190 million years ago. They once inhabited the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-31874-9">lufeng formation</a>, a treasure trove of dinosaur fossils dating to the Early Jurassic.



Excavations in that area led to this exciting discovery. This discovery involved collaboration led by <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Chen-Xiangyuan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Xiang-Yuan Chen</a> from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (<a href="http://english.ivpp.cas.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IVPP</a>) and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-xingxiulong-an-early-branch">Xingxiulong: An early branch</h2>



Experts classify Xingxiulong yueorum as an early branch of massopoda, a group proposed in 2007. 



The animal shows distinct skeletal traits linked to its primitive <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-01120-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sauropodomorph</a> roots, pointing to features that would appear in larger species.



“Xingxiulong yueorum is distinguished from Xingxiulong chengi by possessing a pendant-shaped fourth trochanter with distal termination, an astragalus with almost straight dorsal margin of the posterior surface, and pedal digit V with two phalanges,” said Dr. Xiang-Yuan Chen. 



One of its defining features involves a pendant-shaped fourth <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513259/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trochanter</a>, which is a bony ridge on the femur. 



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



Sauropodomorphs were a diverse and successful group of long-necked, herbivorous dinosaurs that thrived during the Triassic and Jurassic periods. 



They represent the early ancestors and close relatives of the colossal sauropods like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-dinosaurs-benefited-from-changes-in-global-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diplodocus</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-learn-how-super-giant-sauropods-grew-to-be-so-massive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brachiosaurus</a>. 



Early sauropodomorphs, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-dinosaur-species-discovered-zimbabwe-named-musankwa-sanyatiensis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plateosaurus</a>, walked on two legs and had relatively lightweight frames, but they already displayed key traits - elongated necks, small heads, and leaf-shaped teeth - that foreshadowed the massive bulk and feeding strategies of their later descendants. 



Over time, some lineages grew to enormous sizes and shifted to a four-legged stance, enabling them to support their increasing weight and reach vegetation that no other animal could access.



These dinosaurs played a crucial role in reshaping terrestrial ecosystems. As some of the first large-bodied herbivores, they influenced the structure of plant communities and likely helped shape the evolutionary paths of both predators and flora. 



Fossil evidence suggests that sauropodomorphs spread across nearly every continent, adapting to varied climates and landscapes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bigger-cousin-in-xingxiulong-genus">Bigger cousin in Xingxiulong genus</h2>



This new species stands out as the second known member of the genus Xingxiulong, which until now had only one identified representative. 



Paleontologists discovered enough bones to confirm distinct traits and confirm it belongs to the same lineage.



The partial skeleton, unearthed near Lufeng City, shows robust limb bones and a fused set of sacral vertebrae. 



Those vertebrae echo a feature seen in later sauropods, signaling that this genus bridged anatomical gaps between older forms and heftier long-necked descendants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-evolving-family">An evolving family</h2>



Early sauropodomorphs paved the way for the iconic giants of the <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/the-jurassic-period.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jurassic</a> and <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/the-cretaceous-period.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cretaceous</a> periods. Their progress included changes in body structure and size that set the stage for the massive, four-legged herbivores we often see in museums.



“Both the two species of Xingxiulong have four sacral vertebrae, which are typically associated with the late-diverging sauropodiforms and sauropods, suggesting a complex early evolution within the sauropodomorphs,” said the researchers. 



That complexity illuminates how certain skeletal features emerged earlier than experts once believed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-refining-the-xingxiulong-timeline">Refining the Xingxiulong timeline</h2>



Fossil layers in Asia offer clues about dinosaur diversification around 190 million years ago [Hallam, 2021 (<a href="https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/712345" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Chicago Press</a>)]. 



These clues help place new species like Xingxiulong yueorum on a better-defined branch of the dinosaur timeline.



Continued excavations in Yunnan Province add more detail to this phase of dinosaur development. Evidence from multiple digs supports the view that early sauropodomorph varieties flourished in different habitats across the region.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-it-matters">Why it matters</h2>



Dinosaur fossils provide more than just museum attractions. They map out how life overcame challenges and adapted to shifting environments.



“The discovery of Xingxiulong yueorum adds to the diversity of the sauropodomorph dinosaurs from the Lufeng Formation,” said the paleontologists. 



This boost in variety clarifies how certain lineages survived shifting ecosystems as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/100-million-year-old-dinosaur-eggs-show-glimpses-of-life-in-jurassic-america/">Jurassic</a> period progressed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-glimpse-into-early-jurassic-china">A glimpse into early Jurassic China</h2>



Early Jurassic <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.1995.0125" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">landscapes</a> in China included lush plant life, rivers, and floodplains where dinosaurs thrived. Fossil finds from this region highlight how different dinosaur groups occupied varied niches, shaping a rich tapestry of species.



Tracks and skeletal remains reveal that some species favored broader feeding grounds, while others navigated denser vegetation. 



This range of dietary and habitat preferences likely influenced how sauropodomorph dinosaurs diversified.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-studies-on-xingxiulong">Further studies on Xingxiulong</h2>



Each new find sparks fresh questions about how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-dinosaurs-roamed-salmon-swarmed-in-arctic-rivers/">dinosaurs</a> adapted to new pressures. Researchers will continue examining skeletal details to see if similar structural changes occurred in other lines of early sauropods.



Better fossil samples could reveal a wider range of unexpected shapes and sizes within this group. Insights from future digs might reshape how we view the path that led from smaller bipedal animals to gigantic four-legged herbivores.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-closing-thoughts">Closing thoughts</h2>



The genus Xingxiulong no longer consists of just one species, and that shift deepens our view of early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-wollemi-pine-from-the-jurassic-period-is-the-most-protected-tree-on-earth/">Jurassic faunas</a>. 



Different skeletal traits, including a notable fourth trochanter, show that these dinosaurs had already started exploring new body plans.



New data from Yunnan Province reminds us that our picture of dinosaur evolution is still taking shape. More discoveries and comparisons will likely refine our knowledge of how these long-necked herbivores spread across ancient lands.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08912963.2025.2458130" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historical Biology</a>.



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Scientists discover a 33-foot Jurassic giant, twice as big as its cousin

Larger sauropodomorph dinosaurs from the Early Jurassic keep amazing scientists....

For the first time, scientists have created genetically modified fruit flies that can develop an addiction to cocaine.



Given the option, these flies will self-administer the drug. This new model may offer a faster way to develop therapies aimed at preventing and treating cocaine use disorder, a serious condition affecting about 1.5 million people in the United States.



Cocaine use disorder has a strong hereditary component. Many genes play a role in addiction risk, but finding the best targets for treatment has been challenging.



With this new fruit fly model, researchers believe they can study the biology of addiction in a simpler system and speed up the search for better therapies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-0d325108-be54-4853-a7d3-097a783fba6b">Studying flies and cocaine addiction </h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flies-respond-to-danger-like-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flies and humans</a> respond to cocaine in strikingly similar ways. "At low doses, they start running around, just like people," said Dr. Adrian Rothenfluh, associate professor of psychiatry at <a href="https://eccles.utah.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the University of Utah</a>. "At very high doses, they get incapacitated, which is also true in people."



When it comes to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rosemary-compound-offers-hope-in-combating-cocaine-addiction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">addiction</a>, humans and flies share more than just behavior. Flies carry about 75% of the human genes known to be involved in diseases. They have already helped scientists uncover the basic biology behind other forms of substance dependence.



Because fruit flies grow quickly and are easy to manipulate genetically, they could become a key tool for studying cocaine addiction. But there was a major problem standing in the way.



"Flies do not like cocaine one bit," noted Dr. Rothenfluh. When given a choice, flies always preferred sugar water without cocaine, even after prior cocaine exposure. This resistance needed to be overcome to build an effective addiction model.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-6fa727da-b3e9-4759-9756-dd109a568a5d">Bitter taste blocks cocaine</h2>



The breakthrough came when the research team, led by Dr. Travis Philyaw, looked more closely at the flies' sense of taste.



"Insects are evolutionarily primed to avoid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-how-pollinators-evade-plant-toxins/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant toxins</a>, and cocaine is a plant toxin," said Dr. Philyaw, who is now a research scientist at the University of Washington. 



"They have taste receptors on their ‘arms’ - their tarsal segments - so they can put their hand in something before it goes in their mouth and decide, 'I’m not going to touch that.'"



By studying the sensory nerves in the flies’ legs, the researchers found that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-cocaine-tricks-and-hijacks-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cocaine</a> strongly activates the bitter-sensing taste receptors. To see what would happen without this barrier, they muted the bitter-sensing nerves. 



Once the experts blocked the flies' ability to taste bitter substances, something remarkable occurred. 



The flies started choosing the cocaine-laced sugar water over the plain version. They would only do so at low cocaine concentrations, but they developed this preference quickly - within just 16 hours of first exposure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-a2a5de6d-69b4-4b24-a83d-ef589eaffb0c">Mechanisms of cocaine choice</h2>



Now that flies can model cocaine addiction, researchers have a powerful tool to study the genes involved. 



Fruit flies offer the advantage of speed. Scientists can test hundreds of genes in a fraction of the time it would take in more complex animals.



"We can scale research so quickly in flies," noted Dr. Philyaw. "We can identify risk genes that might be difficult to uncover in more complex organisms, and then we pass that information to researchers who work with mammalian models."



"Then, they’re able to uncover treatment targets that facilitate the jump from studying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-share-hidden-behavior-patterns-across-continents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal behavior</a> to developing human therapeutics."



Dr. Rothenfluh sees this model as an important step forward. "We can really start to understand the mechanisms of cocaine choice," he said. "The more you understand about the mechanism, the more you have a chance to find a therapeutic that might act on that mechanism."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="block-dd785a1a-3c14-4d0e-ab30-1593362bfb97">Flies sheds light on human minds</h2>



Beyond addiction studies, this research highlights the value of basic science. Understanding the fly brain, simple as it is, can lead to insights about the human mind.



"Just trying to understand the simple little fly brain can give us insights that you cannot anticipate," Rothenfluh said. "Basic science is important, and you never know what exciting things you might find that turn out to be impactful for understanding the human condition."



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.jneurosci.org/content/early/2025/05/23/JNEUROSCI.1040-24.2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JNeurosci</a>.



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Fruit flies can help us understand cocaine addiction

For the first time, scientists have created genetically modified fruit...

Concept,Nature,Reserve,Conserve,Wildlife,Reserve,Tiger,Deer,Global,Warming

Stand on any hillside on Earth and the view jumps from desert to forest to coast, with each bioregion hosting its own cast of creatures. For decades, naturalists asked why a South American rainforest hosts parrots and jaguars while an African one shelters hornbills and leopards. 



The explanation, many suspected, lies in the deep history of place, not just in climate or chance.



Fresh analysis of records for more than 30,000 species now points to a single thread that stitches those patches together. 



The work hints at clearer forecasts of how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-ecosystems-constantly-share-energy-to-achieve-balance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems will react</a> as the planet warms, dries, and becomes more crowded, and it offers practical clues for anyone trying to keep biodiversity intact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-nature-clusters">Why nature clusters</h2>



The project came from Rubén Bernardo-Madrid of <a href="https://www.umu.se/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Umeå University</a>, Joaquín Calatayud of <a href="https://en.urjc.es/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rey Juan Carlos University</a>, and partners in Sweden, Spain, and the United Kingdom. 



They sliced the globe into the well-known biogeographical regions and traced amphibians, birds, dragonflies, mammals, marine rays, reptiles, and trees across them. 



Order appeared where chaos was expected. In every territory, the team found a robust center that shelters the majority of resident species. 



“In every bioregion, there is always a core area where most species live. From that core, species expand into surrounding areas, but only a subset manages to persist," Bernardo-Madrid explains.



"It seems these cores provide optimal conditions for species survival and diversification, acting as a source from which <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodiversity-leaks-conservation-efforts-may-shift-harm-elsewhere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity radiates outward</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seven-zones-per-bioregion">Seven zones per bioregion</h2>



The team then mapped seven nested zones inside each bioregion, each with its own mix of widespread residents and highly local specialists. The central belt holds many species; the outer belts hold fewer but often unique ones.



The rule stayed intact whether the subject crawled, flew, swam, or rooted. Trees and marine rays may live worlds apart, yet their distributions echoed the same lattice from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gold-mining-causes-long-lasting-damage-in-the-amazon-rainforest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon Basin</a> to Hudson Bay.



Each bioregion is bounded by barriers that discourage wanderers - an ocean trench, a desert interior, a frosty ridge. Over thousands of generations, those barriers steer evolution down separate paths. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marsupials-are-key-to-healthy-ecosystems-in-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marsupials flourish in Australia</a> because the surrounding sea keeps placental mammals at bay. Likewise, venomous vipers fill Central America but fade near the Andean wall.



Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace drew the first <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-wallace-line-a-natural-border-that-no-species-crosses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">broad outlines of these divisions</a> in the 1800s, yet their maps were blunt instruments. 



Modern databases, satellite imagery, and museum collections now let researchers slice the globe with much finer resolution, revealing hidden borders such as Wallace’s Line between Borneo and Sulawesi, where Asian and Australasian fauna still collide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-bioregion-cores-stay-rich">How bioregion cores stay rich</h2>



Central zones usually enjoy milder temperatures, steadier rains, and larger habitat blocks - conditions that cushion populations against droughts, fires, or disease. Over time, those safe harbors spark new species, so the core doubles as nursery and archive.



Farther out, tougher climates and sharper competition thin the roster. The survivors often evolve in isolation, explaining why a corner of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mouse-lemurs-of-madagascar-are-threatened-with-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Madagascar</a> or a Panamanian ridge can host creatures found nowhere else.



Environmental filtering, long a core idea in ecology, emerged as the engine behind the seven-zone scheme. 



If an organism cannot cope with a site’s heat, salt, or altitude, it fails to gain a foothold. Global evidence for that rule had been patchy until now.



Calatayud notes, “The predictability of the pattern and its association with environmental filters can help us better understand how biodiversity may respond to global change.” 



In practice, that insight lets conservation planners model vulnerability without guessing region by region.



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



Budgets for conservation are finite, and field crews often face tough choices on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/beehive-fences-keep-elephants-from-raiding-farms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">where to place fences</a> or patrols. Knowing that a region’s biological bank lies in its core offers a clear target. 



Guarding that nucleus secures most species, while a few carefully placed reserves at the fringes hold the irreplaceable endemics that give every landscape its distinct feel.



The Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution paper highlights how a rainforest refuge the size of a county, or a string of barrier islands, can buoy entire landscapes. Protect those pockets from mining or ill-planned sprawl, and the wider biome stands a better chance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-humans-bioregions-and-the-future">Humans, bioregions, and the future</h2>



The new rule surfaces as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-environment-day-humans-are-warming-the-planet-faster-than-ever-before/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">humans alter habitats</a> faster than many species can adjust, while warming nudges climatic bands roughly 12 miles north each decade. 



With a consistent framework, researchers can forecast which cores may shrink or shift and where fresh refuges might form. 



Some centers may have to leap uphill or poleward to survive, dragging dependent species along a gauntlet of highways, farms, and cities.



More data will sharpen those forecasts, yet the message is already clear. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/effective-conservation-efforts-key-to-saving-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biodiversity is not random</a>; it follows a sturdy, planet-wide logic. 



By working with that logic, communities can steer scarce resources toward the spots that quietly keep life thriving - and in turn secure our own future.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02724-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Ecology and Evolution</a>.



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Scientists discover one simple rule that explains all life on Earth

Stand on any hillside on Earth and the view jumps...

Closeup,Of,A,Schistocera,Gregaria,Of,Desert,Locust,On,A

In many deserts, locusts are known for surprising adaptations in behavior and appearance. Their life in these dry areas pushes them to come up with unique ways to keep going.



Locust experts have discovered that when mother locusts lay eggs in low-moisture soil, the newly hatched young arrive with a small stash of food in their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/locusts-have-brains-built-for-complex-odor-processing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">systems</a>. 



This finding comes from research led by Dr. Koutaro Ould Maeno from the <a href="https://umr-cbgp.fr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Center for Biology for Population Management</a> in partnership with the <a href="https://www.preventionweb.net/organization/mauritanian-desert-locust-centre" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mauritanian National Desert Locust Center</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-desert-dryness-shapes-locust-survival">Desert dryness shapes locust survival</h2>



Deserts often see rainfall patterns that come and go without warning. This inconsistency creates a puzzle for insects like the <a href="https://www.fao.org/locusts/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">desert</a> locust, which belongs to the genus Schistocerca. 



The locusts live across many countries, covering stretches of the Sahara and beyond. Researchers have followed them for years to understand how they handle drought and unpredictable vegetation.



Scientists found that mothers producing eggs in crowded areas lay larger eggs with fewer total offspring. 



Eggs laid under solitary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/locust-swarms-threaten-food-security-for-millions-of-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conditions</a> end up smaller in size yet higher in number. But if the soil is drier than usual, those hatchlings emerge undersized and carry extra yolk in their guts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-hatchlings-survive-early-hunger">How hatchlings survive early hunger</h2>



“Small hatchlings lived 65% longer than normal-sized hatchlings in starvation conditions,” stated Dr. Maeno. 



The “lunchbox” strategy enables hatchlings to cope with limited food during the earliest part of life. Extended survival gives them extra time to find nutrition in landscapes where fresh vegetation is sparse.



Gregarious locust mothers, known for laying bigger eggs, were also found to produce offspring that lasted even longer in dry setups. 



“A separate set of hatchlings from these mothers survived 230% longer than counterparts from normally moist conditions,” according to Dr. Maeno.



If the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-weather-dramatically-increases-the-threat-of-desert-locusts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environment</a> turns worse, hatchlings with yolk reserves can hang on without immediate feeding.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mini-but-mighty">Mini but mighty</h2>



Scientists ran tests that removed yolk from certain eggs. Those tampered eggs produced smaller hatchlings but without the usual energy supply. 



They did not last as long when food was scarce, which supports the idea that yolk is crucial for immediate survival.



In normal conditions, larger hatchlings do better because they begin <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trillions-of-cicadas-set-to-emerge-in-historic-u-s-invasion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life</a> with bigger bodies. Yet in drier conditions, smaller hatchlings hold a secret edge. 



Their reduced size and stored yolk let them stretch their energy budget until they can locate plants for sustenance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-desert-locusts-lay-different-eggs-in-crowds">Desert locusts lay different eggs in crowds</h2>



Desert locusts switch between the solitary and gregarious <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8079285/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phases</a>. Solitary individuals spread out, focus on laying many small eggs, and are timed to rainy periods. 



But if the environment turns crowded, locusts shift to a swarming form. Mothers in this phase will often produce fewer, larger eggs that hold an extra dose of lipid for growth.



Both phases show that babies must handle unpredictable levels of soil moisture. When the sand dries too early, embryos shrink but keep more nutrients in reserve. 



If the hatchlings do not find food right away, they start using up these reserves. This helps them endure for several days longer than usual.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-desert-locusts-use-reserves">Desert locusts use reserves</h2>



Soil dryness is a strong signal of future challenges, since fewer plants can thrive in parched ground. Hatchlings must be able to trek to greener patches. 



This is where longer survival times truly help. Over the years, locust watchers have <a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1993RSPSB.252...43R/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">learned</a> that groups of juveniles may march for miles to find fresh grass, making full use of any stored energy.



By setting aside a fraction of resources for a post-hatching meal, these insects enhance their chance of success in semi-arid regions. 



This approach meets the unpredictable nature of deserts, where storms can appear fast and vanish just as quickly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stopping-desert-locust-swarms">Stopping desert locust swarms</h2>



There is growing interest in applying these findings to forecast locust booms. When large swarms arise, farms face extreme losses, so each clue about desert locust behavior matters to planners. 



Accurate knowledge of how eggs respond to dryness could make targeted controls more precise.



“The results illustrate the complex ways female locusts and embryos living in an unpredictable and harsh ecosystem allocate their reproductive resources,” explained Dr. Maeno.&nbsp;



Scientists studying locust physiology plan to keep tracking their reproductive resource choices. 



One goal is to learn if any genetic signals flip on when dryness sets in. Another is to test whether other insects in arid zones follow similar paths when water runs low. 



These findings highlight a strategy that gives young locusts a welcome head start. It is a small stash but enough to make all the difference in a harsh desert habitat.



The study is published in <a href="https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/4/5/pgaf132/8128209?login=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PNAS Nexus</a>.



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Desert locust mothers give babies survival 'lunchboxes' for drought

In many deserts, locusts are known for surprising adaptations in...

Birds don’t just sing - they send messages, defend territory, and attract mates through their songs. But have you ever wondered how their pitch and volume work together?



When people raise their voices, the pitch usually gets higher. And while deep sounds carry farther, our voices can’t be both low and loud at the same time. That’s just how our vocal cords work.



Do birds face the same physical limits, or have some species evolved a way around them?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-birds-do-what-we-can-t">Can birds do what we can’t?</h2>



For decades, scientists have debated whether birds face the same physical limits as humans when it comes to making <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spatial-hearing-how-humans-know-where-sounds-come-from/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sound</a>.



When a bird sings loudly, does the pitch automatically rise because of mechanical constraints? Or has evolution shaped some birds to sing low and loud, thereby helping their songs travel greater distances?



Biologists from the <a href="https://www.umass.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Massachusetts Amherst</a> decided to find out. They recently released the first large-scale, fine-grained study that compares the volume (or amplitude) of bird songs to their pitch (or frequency). 



Until now, there hasn’t been enough detailed data to tackle this question across a broad set of bird species.



So what about birds? Can they do what we can’t?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-outdoor-concerts-to-forest-songs">From outdoor concerts to forest songs</h2>



You can think of this study in terms of something familiar. At an outdoor concert, if you try to shout over the crowd, your voice tends to rise in pitch. 



At the same time, you might feel the rumble of the bass notes - those low tones travel farther than the sharp, high-pitched ones.



Our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-our-brains-manage-speaking-and-breathing-at-the-same-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vocal cords</a> can’t manage both low and loud together. That’s why screams are shrill, not booming.



“The difference is between what you can do and what you want to do,” explained João C. T. Menezes, a graduate student in the Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Program and the lead author of the new study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-question-two-theories">One question, two theories</h2>



“There have been two main arguments over the decades,” said Jeffrey Podos, a professor of biology and senior author of the study. 



“One camp holds that if birds sing loudly, their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-people-have-a-hidden-musical-talent-for-singing-on-pitch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pitch</a> should increase because they are mechanically constrained.” That’s the standard prediction found in textbooks.



But there’s a second argument, based on evolution. “Since lower sounds carry farther and therefore should increase a singer’s chance of being heard, it would make sense that birds should be both loud and deep at the same time.”



The lack of solid data left the argument unresolved. Until recently, it was nearly impossible to measure a wild bird’s song volume in real-time, natural settings. 



“It’s only been in the last 10 years or so that devices capable of measuring amplitude precisely enough, in the millisecond bursts that birds sing and with the durability and portability to take out into the field, have been available,” said Podos.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hundreds-of-calls-dozens-of-species">Hundreds of calls, dozens of species</h2>



Now that the tools exist, Menezes and Podos gathered a large dataset. They recorded and analyzed the songs and calls of 53 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-than-100-bird-species-have-been-lost-for-over-a-decade/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird species</a> - from the familiar Canada goose to the black-and-gold cotinga of Brazil. The goal was to compare volume and pitch with these precise measurements.



What they found was a mixed picture. “There’s considerable variation across species,” said Menezes. 



Out of the 53 species studied, 27 had calls that got higher in pitch as they got louder. Twelve had the opposite - calls that got lower with increased volume. And fourteen species didn’t show a clear pattern at all.



This suggests that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all rule. Both physical limits and evolutionary pressures may be at play, depending on the species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-songbirds-show-a-talent-for-pitch">Songbirds show a talent for pitch</h2>



While other groups of birds followed no strict rule, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/songbirds-and-humans-use-similar-speech-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">songbirds</a> stood out. As they got louder, many songbirds narrowed the range of frequencies they used.



Some focused their loudest calls on higher pitches, others on lower ones - but nearly all honed in on a smaller set of frequencies as their volume increased.



“One of the specializations that songbirds have developed,” explained Podos, “is an ability to control the tension of their vocal apparatus as they ramp up and down in volume. Most birds don’t have this. It means that songbirds could, in theory, have more evolutionary freedom in evolving their songs.”



“This might be a hint that songbirds are like opera singers and can actively control their frequencies to the ones that are most amplified by their bodies for the best projection,” added Menezes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-birds-can-teach-us-about-sound">What birds can teach us about sound</h2>



So, the answer to the original question isn’t simple. Birds don’t all follow the same rules when it comes to pitch and volume. 



But thanks to new technology and a detailed study of many species, we now know much more about the mechanics behind their songs.



Next time you’re outside and hear birdsong, try to notice how pitch and volume shift. You might catch the sound of a songbird fine-tuning its notes - loud and clear.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2025.0781" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings B</a>.



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Some birds can sing loudly without raising the pitch, something humans can't do

Birds don’t just sing - they send messages, defend territory,...

Finding a fossil snake usually means sorting through a jumble of tiny backbones. A lone vertebra here, a rib fragment there, and plenty of guesswork about the rest of the animal. That is why an almost complete snake skeleton excites paleontologists. 



Last spring, field crews in western Wyoming uncovered not one but four snake fossils so intact that their skulls, ribs, and tails lay in near-perfect order.



The quartet comes from sediment laid down about 38 million years ago during the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-climate-shift-sheds-light-on-future-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early Oligocene</a>, a time when cooler climates were spreading across North America. 



The snakes were preserved together in a thin layer of fine mudstone, hinting that they died within hours of one another. 



Early lab work linked the fossils to two known genera, but subtler features soon pointed toward something new. Those hints would reshape a corner of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snake-evolution-legless-lizards-into-slithering-snakes-100-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">snake family tree</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oligocene-snake-fossil-quartet">Oligocene snake fossil quartet</h2>



Detailed comparisons showed that the Wyoming snakes differed in jaw shape, tooth arrangement, and vertebral keels from the species they first resembled, Ogmophis and Calamagras. 



The differences were consistent across all four individuals, leading researchers to name a new species, Hibernophis breithaupti. 



The animals were small burrowers, each only a few feet long, with the largest specimen twice the length of its companions. That size spread offers a rare side-by-side glimpse of juvenile and adult stages inside a single species.



Michael Caldwell of the Faculty of Science at the <a href="https://www.ualberta.ca/en/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Alberta</a> was struck by the condition of the fossils. 



“There are probably, in the world's museum collections, nearly a million disarticulated snake vertebrae. They are easy to find. But finding the whole snake? That's rare," Caldwell enthused.



The four skeletons give researchers a continuous map of more than 200 vertebrae - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snakes-use-invisible-colors-to-outsmart-predators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">living snakes</a> of similar size can carry 200 to 400 - plus ribs and delicate skull bones, allowing them to see how each part changes from head to tail, something isolated bones can never show.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-shows-family-ties">DNA shows family ties</h2>



The team combined the anatomical data with DNA sequences from living snakes to work out <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diverse-group-of-snakes-has-a-new-evolutionary-tree/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary relationships</a>. 



Their analysis placed Hibernophis close to today’s boas, a diverse family that includes tree-climbers, sand-swimmers, and massive constrictors. 



“We learn quite a bit more about Boidae evolution in the broad sense,” Caldwell noted. “It seems that they probably started out as relatively small-bodied snakes, which is interesting.”



The new genus sits outside the branches that hold modern boa species, suggesting that the boid family had already begun to split into multiple lineages by the early Oligocene.



Growth patterns offer another clue. The smallest Wyoming snake sports a skull barely half an inch long, while the largest shows thicker jaw bones and fused sutures. 



That observation supports the idea that ancestral boas were modest in size before some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dipsadine-snakes-have-skulls-that-evolve-to-fit-their-needs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lineages evolved</a> into the giants seen today. 



Because Hibernophis adds an articulated spine to the record, researchers can match particular vertebrae to specific life stages.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hibernating-in-their-winter-shelter">Hibernating in their winter shelter</h2>



The four snakes were curled together inside what appears to be a hibernaculum, a winter refuge shared by many individuals. 



Caldwell noted that the arrangement “represents social <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/primate-brains-have-evolved-to-rapidly-detect-snakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behavior in snakes</a>, which is something that we don't often see,” and added, “This is really unusual for reptiles. Of the almost 15,000 different kinds of reptile species alive today, none of them hibernate in the way that garter snakes do.” 



The fossil cluster shows that garter-like tactics already existed millions of years ago.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/snake_Hibernophis-breithaupti_fossil_wyoming_credit-Michael-Lee_Flinders_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/snake_Hibernophis-breithaupti_fossil_wyoming_credit-Michael-Lee_Flinders_1s.webp" alt="The fossilized skeleton of the newly discovered snake species Hibernophis breithaupti, which lived 38 million years ago in what is now western Wyoming, reveals insights into the evolution and social behavior of its modern descendants. Credit: Michael Lee, Flinders University/South Australian Museum" class="wp-image-1972413"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The fossilized skeleton of the newly discovered snake species Hibernophis breithaupti, which lived 38 million years ago in what is now western Wyoming, reveals insights into the evolution and social behavior of its modern descendants. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Michael Caldwell, Flinders University/South Australian Museum</figcaption></figure>



“They can't regulate their body temperature, so they need to conserve as much heat as possible during winter by forming large masses,” Caldwell explained. 



Modern garter snakes sometimes gather in groups hundreds strong. Opportunistic rattlesnakes have also been seen slipping into the throng for borrowed warmth. 



The Wyoming discovery hints that communal sheltering arose early and may have been widespread among ancient snakes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ash-clouds-make-good-snake-fossils">Ash clouds make good snake fossils</h2>



The bodies owe their pristine condition to nearby volcanoes that were belching out clouds of ash while the snakes sheltered underground. 



The fine particles settled across the floodplain, sealing burrows in an airtight blanket that slowed decay. “They were preserved in a very unusual circumstance, geologically speaking,” Caldwell said. 



Layers of ash alternated with pulses of mud washed in by seasonal rains, locking the skeletons into what geologists call the <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/publications/geologic-and-hydrogeologic-characteristics-white-river-formation-lance-formation-and" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">White River Formation</a>, a fossil-rich unit that spans several Great Plains states.



A small flood soon plugged the burrow with silt, keeping the snakes undisturbed until prospectors split the rock. “Fossilization is a rough process requiring precisely the right conditions for preservation.” 



With every bone still in place, the quartet shows how vertebrae shift along the spine - a reference that could lead museums to reconsider labels on their loose bones.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/article-abstract/203/3/zlae073/7696309?redirectedFrom=fulltext&amp;login=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society</a>.



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Scientists find 34-million-year-old snake that changes our understanding of evolution

Finding a fossil snake usually means sorting through a jumble...

Sharks are often seen as fierce hunters, especially those patrolling the open oceans. But when a rare opportunity presents itself, like a drifting carcass, they sometimes scavenge instead. Scientists captured such a moment near Hawaii's Big Island, revealing unexpected shark behavior.



Researchers described a scavenging event involving both tiger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/guitar-shaped-ray-species-discovered-for-the-first-time-lives-in-the-deep-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sharks</a> and oceanic whitetip sharks. Their findings, published in Frontiers in Fish Science, highlight a rare moment of harmony between species that usually do not cross paths.



“To our knowledge, this is the first study to document a feeding aggregation of tiger sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks scavenging concurrently, and peacefully, on a carcass,” said first author Dr. Molly Scott of the <a href="https://manoa.hawaii.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Hawaiʻi</a> at Mānoa.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shark-species-scavenge-together">Shark species scavenge together</h2>



Oceanic whitetips are solitary, wide-ranging predators. They grow to about two meters and prefer deep, open waters. 



Tiger sharks, that are larger and more coastal, live in Hawaiʻi year-round. These species rarely meet due to their different habitat requirements.



On April 9, 2024, tour operators spotted a 3-meter-long (about 10 foot) floating carcass 10.7 kilometers (6.6 miles) offshore. 



They captured 8.5 hours of underwater and drone footage. At least nine oceanic whitetips and five tiger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shark-skeletons-could-lead-to-technological-innovations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sharks</a> gathered at the site during this time.



Observers noted no signs of aggression. “Even though up to 12 individual sharks were feeding intermittently from a very small, highly degraded carcass we did not observe any agonistic inter- or intra-species aggression,” said Scott. “But it seems all individuals knew their place in the social hierarchy.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surface-feeds-and-social-rules">Surface feeds and social rules</h2>



<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/news/2025/05/29/sharks-rarely-together-sharing-meal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Video showed tiger sharks dominating the scavenge</a>, feeding directly on the carcass. Larger oceanic whitetip sharks also fed, while smaller sharks stayed below, waiting for scraps. 



Based on earlier sightings and features, the carcass was likely a rorqual whale.



Sharks showed four feeding styles. These included vertical lunges, rapid bites, saw-biting (twisting the head side-to-side), and rotary-biting (spinning to rip flesh). Oceanic whitetips used saw-biting faster than tiger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/offshore-wind-farms-are-now-habitats-for-sharks-and-rays/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sharks</a>.



Despite close encounters, smaller sharks often moved aside for larger ones. “Some individuals, like the female tiger shark, may have been shier or less bold, likely again due to her size,” said Scott.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-returning-faces-in-the-crowd">Returning faces in the crowd</h2>



Scientists used photo identification to track which sharks joined the scavenge event. They examined each shark’s dorsal fin, which has unique patterns like a fingerprint. This allowed them to confirm nine different oceanic whitetip sharks and five tiger sharks.



Most of the oceanic whitetips were female. Two of them had been photographed before. One female shark was seen again after five years, which is the longest time gap between sightings recorded in the database.



These new records expand the <a href="https://www.sharktagger.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hawai'i Community Tagging Program</a>. This program collects photos of shark fins to identify and monitor individuals over time. It currently holds the world’s largest collection of dorsal fin images for oceanic whitetip sharks. 



The data helps scientists study shark populations, movements, and how often the same sharks return to the area.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-few-shark-species-joined-the-scavenge">Few shark species joined the scavenge</h2>



Curiously, no other common species like silky, Galapagos, or sandbar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/octopus-caught-riding-on-the-back-of-the-worlds-fastest-shark-in-the-open-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sharks</a> showed up. 



The depth, competition risk, or natural caution may have kept them away. Silky sharks, for instance, are considered less bold than oceanic whitetips and tiger sharks.



The event also showed how tiger sharks may open feeding opportunities. Some tiger sharks regurgitated after overeating, creating feeding chances for smaller sharks below.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sharks-in-a-new-light">Sharks in a new light</h2>



Popular media rarely show shark behavior as it is is nature. 



“There were between two and three humans in the water at all times filming more than 12 sharks feeding. None of the photographers reported any scary, aggressive, or harmful interactions with the sharks,” Scott said.



“I hope this provides a new perspective that sharks are not the human-eating predators they are made out to be.”



This study offers a brief but valuable look at how sharks behave while scavenging. It shows that sharks can coexist peacefully, even when food is limited. Even fierce-looking sharks can scavenge side by side without a fight.



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Click here to <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/news/2025/05/29/sharks-rarely-together-sharing-meal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">watch a video of this shark feeding frenzy...</a>



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/fish-science/articles/10.3389/frish.2025.1520995/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Fish Science</a>.



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Different shark species seen feeding together in rare event caught on video

Sharks are often seen as fierce hunters, especially those patrolling...

Dinosaurs continue to fascinate many people. While skeletons draw attention, ancient tissues may reveal cancer-related secrets that are valuable to modern science.



A recent study co-authored by Professor Justin Stebbing at <a href="https://www.aru.ac.uk/student-life/life-on-campus/cambridge-campus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anglia Ruskin University</a> has shed new light on how these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-complete-stegosaur-skull-ever-found-forces-rewrite-of-plated-dinosaur-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prehistoric</a> animals could guide future cancer research efforts. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dinosaur-fossil-shows-signs-of-disease">Dinosaur fossil shows signs of disease</h2>



The research team examined a rare fossil of <a href="https://thedinosaurs.org/dinosaurs/telmatosaurus" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Telmatosaurus transsylvanicus</a>, a plant-eating dinosaur found in the late Cretaceous layers near the <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Map-of-the-Hateg-Island-region-present-day-Transylvania-Romania-The-contemporaneous_fig1_299364804" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hateg Basin</a> in Romania. 



The experts noted a possible ameloblastoma in its jaw, sparking questions about how ancient species grappled with diseases that still affect us today.



The team also observed structures that resemble <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539702/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">erythrocytes</a>, hinting that soft tissues may survive fossilization more often than presumed. This surprising preservation invites further study into how ancient cells might reveal the origins and evolution of cancer in such <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/horned-dinosaur-species-lokiceratops-rangiformis-is-largest-most-ornate-ever-found/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dinosaurs-faced-trade-offs-with-cancer">Dinosaurs faced trade-offs with cancer</h2>



Life-history theory looks at how organisms balance survival, growth, and reproduction. These trade-offs shape how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammals-ground-dwellers-survived-the-asteroid-impact-that-killed-the-dinosaurs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> invest in things like immune function, tissue repair, and defenses against disease.



In large animals like dinosaurs, the cost of maintaining cancer resistance may have influenced how they grew or reproduced. 



Understanding those trade-offs can help scientists see cancer not just as a random malfunction, but as something shaped by evolutionary pressures over millions of years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-proteins-and-cancer-clues">Ancient proteins and cancer clues </h2>



Emerging techniques in <a href="https://www.nautilus.bio/blog/paleoproteomics-unleashing-the-proteome-of-the-ancient-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">paleoproteomics</a> focus on identifying and analyzing ancient proteins. 



Researchers use methods like scanning electron microscopy and mass spectrometry to pinpoint traces of molecules that usually degrade over time.



“Proteins, particularly those found in calcified tissues like <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23085295/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bone</a>, are more stable than DNA and are less susceptible to degradation and contamination," noted Professor Stebbing.



"This makes them ideal candidates for studying ancient diseases, including cancer, in paleontological specimens."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cancer-was-common-in-some-dinosaurs">Cancer was common in some dinosaurs</h2>



Cancer has surfaced in the fossil record more often than many assume, with <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26056359/">discoveries</a> of tumors in multiple dinosaur species. Some experts believe these findings highlight the possibility that ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-did-dinosaurs-come-from-missing-fossils-hold-the-secret/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">giants</a> evolved varied biological defenses against cancer.



“Dinosaurs, as long-lived, large-bodied organisms, present a compelling case for investigating how species managed cancer susceptibility and resistance over millions of years,” stated Professor Stebbing.



Observations of growth rates, tumor types, and unique skeletal structures might help researchers compare how large creatures from different eras adapted to internal threats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dinosaurs-in-cancer-research">Dinosaurs in cancer research</h2>



Studying dinosaurs gives researchers a rare look at how cancer developed in organisms that lived under very different conditions than today. These animals faced unique evolutionary pressures, including rapid growth, long lifespans, and fluctuating climates.



By comparing their biology to that of modern animals, scientists may uncover patterns that explain why certain species develop cancer more frequently, or why others appear to resist it altogether. 



This kind of long-range comparison could lead to better prevention or treatment strategies in humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-and-modern-cancer">Ancient and modern cancer </h2>



An especially intriguing angle is the focus on shared pathways that drive cancer in both extinct and extant vertebrates. 



Studies of the ameloblastoma in this Romanian dinosaur raise the question of whether certain molecular markers, such as <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26483612/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BRAF V600E</a>, followed a consistent pattern through prehistory.



“Unlike skeletal structures alone, soft tissues contain proteins that provide molecular information that can reveal the underlying biological mechanisms of disease,” said Professor Stebbing. 



Ancient dinosaur diseases, including cancer, might guide how we protect large animals facing ecosystem stress today.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-careful-storage-of-fossils">Careful storage of fossils</h2>



Soft tissue preservation depends heavily on how fossils are collected and stored. Exposure to air, moisture, or fluctuating temperatures can rapidly degrade proteins and other delicate biological materials.



That’s why researchers are calling for better coordination across institutions to ensure fossils are prepared and preserved in ways that maximize their long-term value. 



Storing fossils under stable, low-humidity conditions, for example, can improve the chances of detecting molecular information decades later.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossils-may-lead-to-cancer-breakthroughs">Fossils may lead to cancer breakthroughs</h2>



“Our research, using relatively underused methods, invites further exploration that could hold the key to future discoveries that could benefit humans," said Professor Stebbing.



"However, it is crucial that long-term fossil conservation efforts are co-ordinated to ensure that future researchers have access to specimens suitable for cutting-edge molecular investigations."



Collaborative approaches that unite dinosaur fossil conservation, cancer research, lab techniques, and interdisciplinary science could help future scientists uncover the roots of ancient diseases.



By preserving fossilized soft tissues alongside bones, experts may gain fresh perspectives on how diseases emerge, progress, and persist through shifting environments. These ancient remnants could advance modern cancer research in surprising ways.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/4/370">Biology</a>.



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Dinosaur fossils reveal cancer clues for modern medicine

Dinosaurs continue to fascinate many people. While skeletons draw attention,...

Scientists recently injected a fragment of 40,000-year-old genetic material from Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) into laboratory mice. They used the <a href="https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/CRISPR" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CRISPR</a> method to insert an archaic variant of the GLI3 gene, which is linked to skeletal development.



The rodents soon showed noticeably altered bone structures and other unexpected traits. 



The discovery was made possible by scientists at <a href="https://www.h.kpu-m.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine</a> who introduced this ancient DNA segment to assess its role in shaping skeletal anatomy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gli3-gene-and-skeletal-changes">GLI3 gene and skeletal changes</h2>



A few of the mice who were edited with the GLI3 gene displayed wider <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recreating-the-face-of-dragon-man-harbin-skull-denisovans-an-ancient-human-cousin/">craniums</a> than their unmodified counterparts. 



Some also presented a reduced number of vertebrae or unusual rib configurations that were consistent with the older genetic template. 



Researchers drew attention to the fact that these modifications were not random anomalies, but specific skeletal features pointing to structural changes once found in extinct hominins.



The <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nrg3068" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hedgehog pathway</a>, a key developmental system in mammals, did not show catastrophic disruption in these mice. 



Instead, the <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/gli3/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">archaic version</a> of the GLI3 gene quietly adjusted how early bone patterning genes behaved, sparing the animals from severe birth defects yet nudging their skeletons in unexpected directions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-background-influences">Genetic background influences</h2>



Scientists noted that these skeletal changes differed depending on each mouse’s broader genetic makeup. 



Some mice on one background strain showed extra rib formation at the 14th thoracic position, while others had scoliosis-like rib angles. A fraction exhibited quicker fusion of skull plates, prompting a larger skull shape over time.



Interestingly, none of these mice exhibited polydactyly, a trait often linked to major GLI3 gene disturbances. 



This finding suggests that the archaic variant managed to retain the gene’s essential functions while selectively modifying certain skeletal features, which likely mirrored developmental paths in archaic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-humans-start-talking-scientists-may-have-found-the-answer/">humans</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-traces-of-the-gli3-gene">Modern traces of the GLI3 gene</h2>



This particular GLI3 variant, known as <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature15393" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">R1537C</a>, still appears in some human populations outside Africa at rates between 3.7% and 7.7%, though it is much less common in other groups. 



It is possible that in ancient groups with smaller population sizes, these changes persisted through genetic drift rather than strict adaptation.



In small-scale tests involving cultured human cells, the archaic gene shifted expression of certain downstream targets tied to bone growth. 



These findings back the idea that a subtle but steady influence of archaic traits may endure in the broader human gene pool.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-views-on-ancient-dna">Views on ancient DNA</h2>



<a href="https://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-fossils/species/homo-neanderthalensis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neanderthals</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-denisovan-species-humans-lived-undisturbed-tibetan-plateau-160000-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Denisovans</a>, both prehistoric relatives of modern humans, occasionally contributed genes to our ancestors. The presence of archaic DNA in living humans has been linked to various traits, including some skeletal features. 



The newly edited mice offered a concrete glimpse of how small genetic differences might have forged physical contrasts among ancient populations.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/mice_neanderthal-dna_GLI3-gene_altered-morphology_credit-KPUM_1m.webp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/mice_neanderthal-dna_GLI3-gene_altered-morphology_credit-KPMU_1s.webp" alt="Altered skeletal morphology of the mice carrying a Neanderthal/Denisovan type GLI3 variant
(A) Structures of modern human or extinct hominins GLI3, wild type mouse Gli3 (Gli31540R), and mouse Gli3 with a Neanderthal/Denisovans variant (Gli31540C). (B) Single nucleotide substitution in mouse Gli3 by CRISPR-mediated genome editing. (C-E) The skull of heterozygous (1540R/1540C) and homozygous (1540C) mice on C57BL6 background. An arrowhead indicates an enlarged cranium in 1540C mouse. (D, F) Coronal sutures (arrowheads) of heterozygous (D) and homozygous (E) mice. (F) Quantification of skull height and length. (G) Comparison of rib cages. Arrowheads indicate abnormal rib torsion in 1540C mice. (H) Reduced number of lumber vertebrae in 1540C mouse. (I-L) Skeletal morphology of mice on CD-1 background. The 1540R mice exhibit a twist of the posterior angle of the rib (arrowheads in I and J), hypoplastic ossification in the 2nd cervical vertebrae (arrowheads in K), extra thoracic ribs (T14, arrowheads in L) and reduced number of lumber vertebrae (L). Scale bars: 1 mm. Credit: KPMU" class="wp-image-1972308"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Altered skeletal morphology of the mice carrying a Neanderthal/Denisovan type GLI3 variant. Scale bars: 1 mm. Click image to enlarge. Credit: KPMU</figcaption></figure>



Though the old mutation did not cripple the animals, it did reshape parts of their bodies. 



A partial line from the original publication stated that the protein change “contributes to species-specific anatomical variations,” wrote the study’s authors. That statement highlights how subtle gene tweaks can mold skeletal architecture.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-gli3-gene-matters">Why the GLI3 gene matters</h2>



The GLI3 protein sits at the crossroads of multiple developmental processes, but it is especially vital for shaping bones.



Studies on the GLI3 gene have revealed its involvement in conditions where limb or craniofacial structures form atypically. 



Many of those disorders arise when the gene is fully inactivated, a far cry from this single amino acid switch.



Past <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1225829" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">examinations</a> of other archaic DNA segments examined immunity and even pain responses. 



This updated research extends such work into the realm of skeletal differences, showing that one minor coding change can produce noticeable effects. 



It also underscores how ancient DNA, when tested in living models, provides a clear window on long-lost biology.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skeletal-insights-from-extinct-dna">Skeletal insights from extinct DNA</h2>



Scientists who work with extinct <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/115000-year-old-human-footprints-found-alathar-lake-arabian-peninsula/">human</a> DNA rely on fossils and advanced genomics to piece together the puzzle of our origins. 



Yet skeletal remains alone cannot show how each gene variant behaved during development. Rodent models like these can fill that gap, offering a living system to track gene function in real time.



This study highlights how archaic changes, buried in genetic code for tens of thousands of years, can still produce phenotypic impact. 



Even if many such variations fell out of circulation, remnants linger in some modern genomes, adding subtle diversity to our species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-next">What happens next?</h2>



Researchers emphasize that more investigation is needed to confirm whether this arcane variant ever delivered a clear advantage for extinct populations. 



Some evidence from biobank data suggests connections to spinal traits, but the small numbers make firm conclusions tricky.



Still, the success of this gene-editing work brings fresh awareness of our shared evolutionary links. 



As new findings emerge, scientists will be better positioned to understand how each archaic segment contributed to the ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/homo-juluensis-new-human-species-vanished-just-fifty-thousand-years-ago/">human</a> form, and what it might still mean for people today.



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Special thanks to <a href="https://loop.frontiersin.org/people/2333268/bio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Ako Agata</a> and <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tadashi-Nomura" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Tadashi Nomura</a> at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine who led this important and fascinating study.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.07.03.547394v1.full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology</a>.



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Scientists injected 40,000-year-old Neanderthal DNA into mice, resulting in very unexpected changes

Scientists recently injected a fragment of 40,000-year-old genetic material from...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE
</div></figure>



On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop and sunlight barely penetrates through the polar winter. It was here, however, that an international team of scientists found <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predatory-worms-were-terror-beasts-half-a-billion-years-ago/#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence of sea monsters</a> that would change our understanding of ocean life in the past.



This video captures the discovery of Timorebestia fossils that had been hidden for more than 500 million years in the Sirius Passet formation. The "terror beasts," as they are called, are a hidden chapter in the evolutionary history of <a href="https://www.earth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>, showing that sophisticated predator-prey interactions occurred much earlier than previously envisioned.



Dr. Jakob Vinther and his research team at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>, in collaboration with researchers at the <a href="https://eng.kopri.re.kr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Korean Polar Research Institute</a>, braved extreme weather conditions at 82.5 north latitude to locate these giant creatures. Using sophisticated electron microprobe analysis, they revealed the detailed anatomy of the animals, including their muscle and nerve tissues.



The find upsets the traditional timeline of sea predators. Although we've long appreciated that Cambrian oceans were at one time ruled by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWI3-UgA3_o&amp;list=PL1QLQMW9MWDwpkFOnvgAmu7wT6rZmYqdJ&amp;index=19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arthropods</a>, these discoveries indicate that relatives of arrow worms were first to dominate the seas. These worms were building sophisticated food webs several million years before other predator groups arose.



Each fossil is a story of ancient hunger, with fossil stomach contents revealing these meter-long beasts dined on heavily armored arthropods regularly, cementing their place as the ocean's first apex predators.



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">New York is the site of the world's oldest forest.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-385-million-year-old-trees-discovered">385-million-year-old trees discovered</h2>



Scientists have uncovered something extraordinary just two hours north of New York City. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-forest-discovered-close-to-new-york-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">world's oldest forest</a>, dating back 385 million years, offers a window into how Earth's first complex forests shaped our planet's atmosphere.



Located near <a href="https://townofcairo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cairo, New York</a>, in Greene County, these weren't merely primitive plants struggling to survive. These were sophisticated trees with root systems remarkably similar to modern forests. This ancient woodland predates dinosaurs by 140 million years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cairo-forest-discovery">The Cairo forest discovery</h2>



385 million years ago, upstate New York was a tropical paradise near the equator. Thanks to continental drift, this ancient forest has traveled thousands of miles to its current location.



The fossil forest sits in an abandoned quarry, roughly half the size of a football field. This represents just a slice of what was likely a massive forest system stretching from New York into Pennsylvania.



Charles Ver Straeten, curator of sedimentary rocks at the <a href="https://www.nysm.nysed.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York State Museum</a>, made the discovery in 2009. While scouting the former highway department property, his trained eye spotted wandering patterns in the stone that looked like marine features.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-age-and-preservation">Revolutionary age and preservation</h2>



The site contains 385-million-year-old rocks with fossilized woody roots forming horizontal patterns up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) wide. As Christopher Berry, a paleobotanist at Cardiff University, explains: "You are walking through the roots of ancient trees."



This discovery pushes back advanced tree evolution by millions of years. The research, published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a> in December 2019, fundamentally changes our understanding of when complex forests first emerged.



Researchers believe a massive flood buried the forest floor, creating perfect fossilization conditions. Over millions of years, sediment hardened into rock, preserving these root patterns like nature's time capsule.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-archaeopteris-the-first-modern-tree">Meet Archaeopteris: the first modern tree</h2>



The star of this ancient forest is Archaeopteris – not to be confused with the feathered dinosaur Archaeopteryx. This tree was far older and more revolutionary.



William Stein from <a href="https://www.binghamton.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Binghamton University</a> describes the roots as "strikingly modern, essentially what you'd see outside in my yard right now." These weren't simple root systems you'd expect from ancient plants.



Some fossilized roots are six inches (15 centimeters) in diameter, forming 36-foot-wide (11-meter) patterns. These giants grew up to 65 feet (20 meters) tall with five-foot-diameter (1.5-meter) trunks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-changing-impact">Climate-changing impact</h2>



These trees fundamentally changed Earth's environment. Kevin Boyce, a Stanford University geoscientist, explains how their deep roots triggered "weathering," chemical reactions that pulled carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.



This process dropped atmospheric CO2 levels from 10-15 times higher than today to roughly modern concentrations. These ancient trees helped create atmospheric conditions that made complex life possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-forest-ecosystem">Ancient forest ecosystem</h2>



The forest was remarkably diverse. Scientists identified Eospermatopteris, palm tree-like plants with short roots that reached 30 feet (9 meters) tall but lacked woody structure. The forest also housed cladoxylopsids and a mysterious third species still being studied.



All reproduced through spores rather than seeds – millions of years before seeds evolved. This tropical environment had no grass, flowers, or flying insects, just towering trees creating Earth's first complex forest canopy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientific-significance">Scientific significance</h2>



Before this finding, the Gilboa forest, located 25 miles (40 kilometers) away, held the "oldest forest" title. Cairo's trees are 2-3 million years older, showing that complex forest ecosystems developed much faster than scientists believed possible.



Patricia Gensel, a <a href="https://www.unc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina</a> paleobotanist, notes: "The size of those root systems is really changing the picture. Even 20 years ago, researchers assumed trees with such complex root systems didn't evolve so early."



The Cairo site presents three unique root systems, suggesting Devonian period forests were diverse ecosystems with different trees occupying different environmental niches, much like today's forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-preservation-efforts">Modern preservation efforts</h2>



In 2022, New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey secured a $170,000 grant for the town of Cairo to construct specialized fencing around the fossil forest site. The town plans to conduct a feasibility study exploring the possibility of creating an educational center and working lab on-site.



Joe Hasenkopf, chair of the Cairo Planning Board, hopes to partner with educational institutions to create a research facility serving scientists, students, and the public.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-today-s-climate">Lessons for today's climate</h2>



Why does a 385-million-year-old forest matter today? It shows how dramatically forests can change Earth's climate. These ancient woodlands created the atmospheric conditions supporting complex life.



Understanding how prehistoric forests transformed the planet helps us appreciate modern forests' critical role in addressing climate change. Forests remain Earth's most effective carbon capture systems.



These prehistoric trees changed Earth's atmosphere by pulling massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the air. As we face modern climate challenges, this ancient forest reminds us of trees' incredible power to transform our planet's environment.



The next time you walk through a forest, remember you're experiencing an ecosystem whose blueprint was established 385 million years ago in upstate New York. These ancient pioneers didn't just survive – they thrived and changed the world forever.



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ New York is the site of the world's oldest...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-don-t-we-ever-hear-about-acid-rain-anymore-the-environmental-crisis-that-was-solved">Why don't we ever hear about "acid rain" anymore? The environmental crisis that was solved</h2>



Remember the 1980s when acid rain dominated headlines? Dire warnings about rain eating buildings, killing fish, and destroying forests filled every news cycle. Then, almost like magic, acid rain vanished from public discourse. What happened? Did we actually solve one of the late 20th century's most pressing environmental challenges?



The answer might surprise you. Unlike many environmental issues that drag on indefinitely, acid rain represents one of modern history's most successful ecological recovery stories. It's a tale of science, politics, and technology working together to tackle what seemed impossible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What was acid rain?</h2>



Acid rain isn't regular rain having a bad day – it's precipitation that became significantly more acidic due to air pollution. When power plants, factories, and vehicles burn fossil fuels, they release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The science behind it</h2>



Think of acid rain as nature's chemistry experiment gone wrong. These compounds react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. When mixed with water vapor in clouds, they create precipitation with dangerously low pH levels.



While clean rain has a pH of about 5.6, acid rain could drop as low as 4.2 to 4.4 – roughly as acidic as tomato juice or coffee. According to US Geological Survey documentation, Scottish chemist Angus Smith first coined "acid rain" in 1872, but it didn't become a household phrase until the 1960s and 1970s when Swedish scientist Svante Odén documented its devastating effects on Scandinavian lakes and European forests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The crisis at its peak</h2>



During the height of public concern, environmental damage was both widespread and visible. This wasn't some abstract future threat – people could see destruction happening in real-time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Environmental devastation</h2>



The most dramatic impacts were impossible to ignore. Research documented by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shows that in the Adirondack Mountains, more than 200 lakes became so acidic they couldn't support fish life. The Adirondack Council reports that 409 lakes once supported brook trout, but many lost their fish populations due to acid rain.



By 1976, when scientists cataloged all acidified lakes in the Adirondack Park, researchers found that half of the lakes over 2,000 feet above sea level had no fish, according to studies published in environmental journals. The acidification process worked like a slow-motion disaster. As acid rain fell into watersheds, it gradually lowered pH levels. Fish couldn't survive in acidic water, and their food sources died off too.



Trees at high elevations showed stress directly linked to acid rain. It weakened them by leaching nutrients and making them susceptible to disease. Historical records show Germany's Black Forest saw nearly half its trees damaged by the mid-1980s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Economic impact</h2>



Acid rain wasn't just environmental – it was expensive. Acidic precipitation corroded infrastructure, buildings, and monuments. Historic stone structures deteriorated at accelerated rates. Tourism suffered as lakes became fishless and forests declined. EPA economic analyses from the period documented repair costs mounting into billions annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The solution: government action and technology</h2>



Transformation from crisis to success required unprecedented cooperation between governments, industries, and environmental groups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Clean Air Act of 1990</h2>



The turning point came with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, signed by President George H.W. Bush. This represented a fundamentally new approach to environmental regulation, as documented in EPA historical records.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cap-and-trade success</h2>



Instead of mandating specific technologies, the 1990 amendments introduced something revolutionary: a cap-and-trade system for sulfur dioxide emissions. EPA program documentation shows this market-based approach set overall limits but allowed companies to trade emission allowances.



The genius was harnessing market forces to find cost-effective pollution reduction. Companies reducing emissions cheaply could sell excess allowances to those facing higher costs. Research published in environmental economics journals and EPA progress reports shows this resulted in dramatic SO2 reduction at a fraction of projected costs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Technology advances</h2>



Policy provided the framework, but technology made reductions possible. Studies in atmospheric science journals document the widespread adoption of flue gas desulfurization systems ("scrubbers") that removed sulfur dioxide before it reached the atmosphere. By the 2000s, new installations could remove over 95% of SO2 emissions, according to EPA technical reports.



The push coincided with cleaner energy development. Natural gas produces fewer sulfur compounds than coal. Wind and solar, emerging in the 1990s, captured growing market share, reducing reliance on high-sulfur coal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-we-don-t-hear-about-it-today">Why we don't hear about it today</h2>



Why did acid rain disappear from headlines? Simple: the problem was largely solved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Success doesn't make news</h2>



There's an old journalism saying: "If it bleeds, it leads." Environmental success stories don't generate urgency like crisis reporting. Media attention shifted to other challenges: climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss. There's only so much environmental anxiety the public can absorb, and newer concerns replaced acid rain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mission accomplished</h2>



The primary reason is beautifully simple: interventions worked. EPA monitoring data shows sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990. Academic research published in environmental science journals confirms pH levels in formerly affected areas returned closer to normal. This represents one of history's most dramatic environmental recoveries. Studies by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation show fishless lakes now support healthy populations. Forests recovered, and building damage slowed dramatically.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-it-really-gone">Is it really gone?</h2>



The crisis is largely resolved, but monitoring data shows the problem isn't completely eliminated – it's managed to acceptable levels. Some areas still experience occasional events during high pollution periods. International environmental research indicates that rapidly industrializing Asian countries face similar problems to what we experienced decades ago, though they're implementing successful strategies.



EPA research shows nitrogen oxide emissions proved more challenging than sulfur dioxide, coming from vehicles and mobile sources. Climate science studies suggest changing weather patterns add complexity to how acid rain forms and falls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What this teaches us</h2>



The acid rain experience proves that seemingly intractable environmental problems can be solved with scientific understanding, political will, and technological innovation. Environmental monitoring data shows recovery speed was remarkable – within a decade, measurable improvements appeared in air quality and ecosystem health.



Success came from bipartisan support across party lines. Policy analysis studies show the market-based approach appealed to those preferring economic incentives while achieving environmental goals. This support created lasting policy surviving political changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h2>



Acid rain's disappearance from public consciousness represents environmental science's greatest success stories. Through effective regulation, technological innovation, and international cooperation, we transformed an overwhelming crisis into a manageable challenge.



Today's silence isn't because we forgot – it's because we solved it. The 1990 Clean Air Act, combined with technology and energy market changes, reduced acid rain emissions over 90%, according to comprehensive EPA data analysis.



This success offers hope for current challenges. It proves complex problems can be solved when science, policy, and technology work together. As we face climate change and plastic pollution, acid rain reminds us that dramatic positive change is possible.



Next time someone asks whether environmental regulations work, remember acid rain. It's proof that sometimes, we get it right.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



Sources: This article draws from EPA official documentation and progress reports, peer-reviewed research published in environmental and atmospheric science journals, historical data from the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation records, US Geological Survey publications, policy analysis studies, and environmental monitoring data collected over three decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



1. Is acid rain completely gone? No, but EPA monitoring shows it's reduced to manageable levels. US sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990, making acid rain much less severe than the 1980s crisis.



2. How long did solving take? Environmental monitoring data shows significant improvements began within 5-10 years of 1990s emission controls. Full ecosystem recovery took longer – some areas need 20-30 years for complete recovery.



3. What made the solution successful? Clear scientific understanding, visible damage motivating action, bipartisan support, available technology, and innovative market-based policies like cap-and-trade.



4. Do other countries have acid rain problems? Yes, particularly rapidly industrializing Asian countries. However, international environmental research shows many implement similar successful control strategies.



5. Could acid rain return? Potentially, if regulations weaken or we return to high-sulfur coal without controls, though effects would take years to become severe according to environmental projections.



6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"? The United States Environmental Protection Agency produced a wonderful teacher's guide for ages 14 and under that you can find on the EPA website here: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf</a>



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The environmental problem we actually solved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk Acid rain and a crisis solved. Why don't we...

Fresh,Radish,Harvest,On,Soil,In,Garden.

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Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving fall garden, and this guide lays out the best vegetables and herbs to plant now for a fruitful autumn harvest. 



Fast-growing leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, kale, and arugula perform especially well in the waning summer heat, with harvests beginning as soon as 30 days. 



These cool-season crops relish the transition into fall, offering repeated yields with cut-and-come-again methods.



Root vegetables like radishes, carrots, and beets also excel during this period. Radishes deliver satisfaction in under a month, while carrots and beets mature in about two months. Employing succession planting ensures a continuous stream of produce deep into the cooler months. 



For a boost of fresh flavor, herbs like cilantro, basil, dill, and chervil are excellent picks. These heat-loving varieties flourish in July’s warmth and are harvest-ready in about 30 days, especially when sown continuously.



Gardeners in zones 6 through 9 can benefit from planting bush beans and snap peas, which don’t require trellising and are ideal for compact plots. 



Maturing in 50–60 days, they’re a smart choice for quick, protein-rich harvests. For those in hotter regions, heat-tolerant crops such as okra and southern peas provide reliable yields and thrive in scorching conditions.



This guide emphasizes more than crop selection—it highlights the importance of timing, soil preparation, and ongoing sowing techniques. 



With thoughtful planning and attention to regional climate needs, even late-summer gardeners can enjoy fresh salads, hearty stews, and the satisfaction of a robust, homegrown harvest well into fall.



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving...

Green,Ecoduct,Over,An,Empty,Highway,During,Sunset.

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A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that wildlife tunnels significantly reduce amphibian road mortality during seasonal migrations. 



Frogs and salamanders often cross roads to reach breeding ponds each spring, but many are killed by vehicles. 



Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a>, in collaboration with local citizens and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, installed two underpass tunnels in 2015. 



Over a 12-year monitoring period, they observed an 80.2% reduction in amphibian deaths, and up to 94% for non-climbing species like salamanders. 



The study used a before-after-control-impact design and documented more than 5,200 amphibians, highlighting the tunnels’ effectiveness even in nearby buffer zones.



Funded at $342,397 - far cheaper than wildlife crossings for large mammals - the project showcased the power of community-led conservation.



Local groups initiated the effort after observing mass amphibian deaths. Wildlife cameras later captured over 2,200 amphibians using a tunnel in just one spring, along with other species like raccoons and bobcats, indicating wider ecosystem benefits.



This marks the first peer-reviewed, long-term data set in the northeastern U.S. confirming amphibian-specific underpasses work. 



The study urges transportation departments to incorporate these designs into road planning and highlights how community action, thoughtful infrastructure, and persistence can make a real difference for biodiversity.



The full study was published in the <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1617138125000780" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal for Nature Conservation</a>.



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that...

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing it with probiotics and prebiotics, aiming to create a treat that satisfies cravings while supporting gut health. 



The challenge lies in maintaining chocolate's beloved texture and flavor while adding health benefits.



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Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



Prebiotics act as food for these microbes, helping them thrive. Together, they form "synbiotics," a powerful health combination.



Researchers Smriti Gaur and Shubhi Singh from India's Jaypee Institute of Information Technology took an innovative approach, using natural prebiotics like corn and honey instead of complex processing methods. 



They created five chocolate varieties: a control and four synbiotic versions containing different combinations of prebiotics, probiotics (Lactobacillus strains), and flavor enhancers (cinnamon or orange).



Laboratory simulations of human digestion showed the probiotics remained viable for over five hours, suggesting they could survive long enough to benefit gut health.



Taste tests were positive, with researchers particularly enjoying the orange-flavored variety, describing it as having "vibrant citrus notes" complementing the "rich cocoa" with a "luxurious" texture.



This research represents just the beginning. With further refinement of strains, textures, and flavors, chocolate could evolve beyond mere indulgence to become a functional food that nourishes while it delights.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c00741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Food Science &amp; Technology</a>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features northwest Lesotho in South Africa.



According to ESA, Lesotho is the only nation in the world that lies completely above 1,000 m in elevation. The country is famous for its tall mountains and narrow valleys, and is known as Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky."



Out of a population of around two million people, about 80 percent live in rural areas. More than 75 percent of these people are engaged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-have-a-global-impact-on-agriculture/">agriculture</a>, including rainfed cereal production and animal grazing.&nbsp;



ESA reports that the country’s agricultural system faces a growing number of issues, with climate-related vulnerabilities such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures occurring more frequently. 



Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable, and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: 'Muso oa Lesotho) is an enclaved country in southern Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population of around 2 million.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"] Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s...

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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