Young aspen trees in Yellowstone are doing something they have not done in almost 100 years. Rather than sprouting and being eaten back to nubs by elk and bison, they're actually growing into tall, adult forest trees rising up towards the canopy.



This matters more than it might seem, because it shows what happens when a missing piece of an ecosystem returns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yellowstone-aspens-and-elk">Yellowstone, aspens, and elk</h2>



In the 1920s, people <a href="https://www.yellowstone.org/wolf-project/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eliminated wolves in Yellowstone</a>. At the time, with limited scientific knowledge, managers believed it was the right thing to do.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/from-wolves-to-dogs-did-domestication-begin-without-human-help/">Without wolves</a>, elk herds grew very large. Elk love to eat aspen shoots - the tender young growth is highly palatable to them.



For roughly 70 years, elk browsed aspen sprouts down to stub height, and the trees couldn't grow. 



If you had walked through Yellowstone in the 1980s, you would have seen many tiny aspen shoots covering the ground, but almost no young trees gaining height. 



The forest's regeneration was stalled. Old trees died, and no new ones replaced them.



In 1995 and 1996, park managers reintroduced wolves into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yellowstone-supervolcano-eruption-study-sparks-new-debate-on-where-and-when-it-will-erupt/">Yellowstone Park ecosystem</a>. Scientists hoped and wondered whether this would change anything for the trees.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-aspen-matter-to-yellowstone">Why aspen matter to Yellowstone</h2>



Aspen groves provide habitat for many species. Birds nest in them. Beavers eat the bark and use the wood for dams. Butterflies and moths lay eggs on the leaves. 



Their canopy admits enough light for wildflowers and shrubs to grow beneath. When it rains, aspen groves hold water in the soil better than some other forest types.



In short, when aspen return, dozens of other species benefit. More trees support more insects, which in turn support more birds, enriching the ecosystem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-checking-the-trees-three-decades-later">Checking the trees three decades later</h2>



<a href="https://fwcs.oregonstate.edu/users/luke-painter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luke Painter</a>, an ecologist at <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a>, sought clear answers. His team returned to 87 aspen stands across Yellowstone that scientists had previously surveyed. 



They measured thousands of young trees, looked for bite marks, and counted how many stems were tall enough that elk could no longer reach the tips.



About a third of these stands now have many tall young aspens pushing toward the canopy. 



"About 26 of the 87 aspen stands we examined had large numbers of tall saplings throughout, a remarkable change from the 1990s when surveys found none at all," Painter said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-wolves-matter-to-yellowstone-aspens">Why wolves matter to Yellowstone aspens</h2>



Breaking it all down, the conclusions of this study are pretty simple. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wolves-move-pups-across-mountains-to-adapt-to-climate-pressure/">Wolves hunt elk</a>. When wolves came back, two things happened. First, elk numbers declined from unusually high levels. Second, elk changed their behavior. They spent less time in the same areas feeding.



With fewer elk and shorter feeding bouts, more aspen shoots survived long enough to exceed the browsing zone - about six to seven feet high. 



Once a sapling reaches that height, elk cannot easily reach the growing tip. The tree continues to grow.



"The reintroduction of large carnivores has initiated a recovery process that had been shut down for decades," Painter explained.



Scientists call this a <a href="https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/trophic-cascades-across-diverse-plant-ecosystems-80060347/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trophic cascade</a> - when adding or removing one species causes changes that ripple through the whole system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-places-recover-others-don-t">Some places recover, others don't</h2>



Unfortunately, not every aspen stand has recovered yet. Some valleys still have many short, heavily browsed shoots, because it's not only elk eating them anymore. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yellowstones-iconic-bison-have-merged-into-a-single-herd/">Bison herds have grown</a>, and bison browse on aspen as well. They are strong enough to break young trees. 



"Increasing numbers of bison may be emerging as a new constraint to aspen in some areas," Painter confirmed.



Additionally, winter snow depth varies; droughts stress trees; bears and mountain lions also hunt elk; and hunting outside the park influences elk distribution. 



All of these factors interact, which is why some sites show strong recovery, others show moderate recovery, and a few have changed very little.



The key pattern is that places with many tall saplings experience little browsing, and aspen groves that remain popular eating grounds today stay short. 



This fact is the strongest indication that tree recovery is linked directly to wolf presence, not solely to weather or soil conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proof-in-the-measurements">Proof in the measurements</h2>



Painter's team did not rely on casual observation. They used the same methods as earlier researchers, measuring the same plots. 



They counted recruitment - when young trees surpass browsing height and begin progressing toward maturity. This measure is crucial. Sprouts are insufficient if they never grow; without recruitment, the forest cannot replace itself.



The results are robust. After being stalled for most of a century, Yellowstone's aspens are increasing in height. In recovering stands today, you will see saplings - six, eight, or ten feet tall - that were not present in the 1990s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-yellowstone-s-aspens">The future of Yellowstone's aspens</h2>



"This is a remarkable case of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-viruses-found-in-yellowstones-hot-springs-may-be-near-the-root-of-all-life-on-earth/">ecological restoration</a>," Painter concluded. "Wolf reintroduction is yielding long-term ecological changes contributing to increased biodiversity and habitat diversity."



Trees grow slowly, so even with wolves restored, it will take decades for these young aspens to form a full-grown forest. 



Some areas might never fully recover if bison numbers continue to rise or if the climate becomes too hot and dry.



Thanks to the work of Painter and his team, scientists are now certain that restoring the Yellowstone predator has restarted aspen forest regeneration. Not everywhere and not perfectly, but enough to be measured, creating hope for the future.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112725004499?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Forest Ecology and Management</a>.



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Yellowstone's aspen trees are growing again thanks to the reintroduction of wolves

Young aspen trees in Yellowstone are doing something they have not done in almost 100 years. Rather than sprouting and being eaten back to nubs by elk and bison, they're actually growing into tall, adult forest trees rising up towards the canopy. This matters more than it might seem, because it shows what happens when a missing piece of an ecosystem returns. Yellowstone, aspens, and elk In the 1920s, people eliminated wolves in Yellowstone. At the time, with limited scientific knowledge, managers believed it was the right...

Imagine spending hours on the couch, feeling good about the morning’s workout. You ran, you lifted, you stretched. You believe you've done enough to protect your health. But new research says that may not be true. 



Sitting for extended periods, regardless of exercise, can harm the brain. Even the most active older adults face the risk of faster brain shrinkage if they sit too much.



The study, led by researchers from <a href="https://www.vanderbilt.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vanderbilt University</a>’s Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, tracked older adults for seven years. They examined how long participants sat, how often they moved, and how much their brains shrank over time. 



The results were troubling. Exercise didn’t fully counteract the effects of prolonged <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sedentary-behavior-sitting-for-hours-health-risk-early-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sitting</a>. The more hours spent sitting, the greater the brain decline.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sitting-for-hours-shrinks-the-brain">Sitting for hours shrinks the brain</h2>



The study showed that even those who exercised for 150 minutes a week still experienced brain shrinkage if they sat for long hours. Memory declined, and the hippocampus lost volume.



Participants wore wrist monitors that tracked every move. On average, they sat for 13 hours a day. That’s a lot of time spent sitting - at the desk, on the couch, in the car. And it took a toll.



Those who sat more had thinner brains in areas linked to memory and Alzheimer’s disease. Reducing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sitting-too-much-can-cause-premature-aging-even-if-you-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sitting</a> time might help protect brain health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-risk-and-sitting">Genetic risk and sitting</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sitting-too-much-can-raise-blood-pressure-even-in-kids/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sitting</a> is bad enough. But for those carrying the APOE-ε4 gene, it’s worse. This gene already raises the risk of Alzheimer’s. The researchers found that it also amplifies the impact of sitting.



People who carry the APOE-ε4 gene lost more gray matter in specific parts of the brain. These areas include the frontal and parietal lobes, which are important for making decisions and remembering information.



Because these brain regions became smaller, APOE-ε4 carriers had more trouble with memory tasks. They couldn’t remember words as easily as others. They also found it harder to name objects quickly. The damage in these brain areas made simple memory tasks more difficult.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-sitting-hurts-the-brain">Why sitting hurts the brain</h2>



When you sit for a long time, blood flow to the brain slows down. This means the brain gets less oxygen and fewer nutrients, which are essential for keeping brain cells healthy. 



With less blood flow, the brain struggles to maintain strong connections between its cells. Over time, this can cause the hippocampus – the part of the brain that manages memory – to shrink.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walking-can-counteract-the-health-risks-of-sitting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sitting</a> can also lead to more inflammation in the body. Inflammation involves chemicals that can harm brain cells. For people with the APOE-ε4 gene, which is linked to Alzheimer’s, this inflammation could cause even more damage to the brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sitting-and-brain-decline">Sitting and brain decline</h2>



The study didn’t just look at brain volume once. It tracked changes over seven years. The findings were clear. More sitting meant faster brain shrinkage, especially in those with genetic risk.



Participants sat for an average of 13 hours a day. Even those who exercised regularly couldn’t escape the damage. They still lost brain volume in areas tied to memory, language, and processing speed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exercise-can-t-erase-the-damage">Exercise can’t erase the damage </h2>



You can’t undo hours of sitting with a morning run - the study made that clear. Exercise helps, but it doesn’t erase the damage from hours of inactivity. Movement throughout the day matters more.



Researchers suggest breaking up sitting time with frequent walks, stretches, or standing breaks. Stand during phone calls. Walk around while reading emails. The brain needs regular movement to stay healthy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sitting-brain-size-and-health">Sitting, brain size, and health</h2>



The researchers also used wrist monitors to measure real movement - not self-reported activity. Participants wore them for seven days, 24 hours a day. The data was precise.



MRI scans provided another layer of insight. The experts measured cortical thickness in regions linked to Alzheimer’s. They tracked changes in brain volume over time, focusing on the hippocampus, frontal lobe, and parietal lobe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-memory-loss-and-language-decline">Memory loss and language decline</h2>



The findings weren’t just about brain volume. They were about memory too. Those who sat more performed worse on naming tasks. They couldn’t recall names or objects as quickly. They struggled to remember words.



For APOE-ε4 carriers, the decline was steeper. As discussed above, they lost brain volume faster and showed more severe memory loss. The researchers believe sitting speeds up age-related brain changes in those already at genetic risk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sitting-less-protects-the-brain">Sitting less protects the brain</h2>



Sitting for long hours can damage the brain, especially in older adults. Even if you exercise, the harm from sitting too much doesn’t go away. You need to keep moving throughout the day to protect your brain.



Most people sit for around nine hours a day. In the study, people sat for 13 hours daily. Cutting down on sitting time can help prevent brain damage. Every step you take could make a difference.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/alz.70157" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer’s &amp; Dementia</a>.



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Sitting for hours daily shrinks your brain, even if you exercise

Imagine spending hours on the couch, feeling good about the...

Around 3.7 billion years ago, early molecules on the young Earth learned to copy themselves. Over time, this simple act of replication - with help from chance and chemistry - blossomed into the plants and animals we see today.



Charles Darwin later explained how slow, steady change - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-intelligence-did-not-evolve-due-to-natural-selection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural selection</a> acting on isolated populations - could split one species into two.



Yet in the plant kingdom, an alternative route to diversity exists. It is called autopolyploidy, and a new theoretical study of a woodland herb known as beetleweed (Galax urceolata) shows just how powerful - and complicated - this mechanism can be.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-mistake-sparks-new-species">DNA mistake sparks new species</h2>



Most organisms, humans included, are diploid: they carry two complete sets of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-animals-balance-their-sex-chromosomes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chromosomes</a>, one from each parent.



In autopolyploidy, something unusual happens during the production of sperm or egg cells. Instead of halving the chromosome count, the cell leaves the full complement intact. When such a gamete meets another, the resulting embryo inherits double - or even triple - the usual DNA.



The newcomer may still manage to reproduce with its diploid relatives, but the hybrid offspring generally fare poorly. That mismatch in fertility often pushes the polyploid lineage to mate among its own kind, launching an instant reproductive barrier and, effectively, a new species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-three-types-one-plant">Three types, one plant</h2>



For decades botanists assumed these chromosome copycats were evolutionary curiosities - unlikely to survive, let alone thrive, alongside their diploid parents.



Field surveys later overturned that view: autopolyploids are widespread and resilient. 



The lingering mystery was whether several cytotypes - diploids, triploids, tetraploids - could share the same patch of ground without one eventually eliminating the others through sheer competition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mountain-herb-with-three-identities">Mountain herb with three identities</h2>



Beetleweed, a low evergreen that carpets portions of the Appalachian Mountains, provided the perfect natural experiment. Earlier surveys revealed that some stands contain plants with two, three, or four chromosome sets.



“Through my fieldwork, I discovered that a single population could have a mishmash of cytotypes, which fascinated me,” remarked Shelly Gaynor, lead author of the new study that she&nbsp;completed at the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Florida</a>.



“With this study, I set out to understand if these populations could persist over time. Would one cytotype eventually outcompete the others, or could all three cytotypes persist?”



Answering that required tools beyond the transect tape and microscope. Gaynor and colleagues designed a mathematical framework that treats population change as inherently noisy - subject to random swings in birth, death, climate, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-transforming-pollen-science-and-health-planning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollen</a> flow.



Their model tracks how diploids, triploids, and autotetraploids form, spread, and interact when gene flow keeps tossing new genetic combinations into the mix.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chromosomes-coexist-in-plants">Chromosomes coexist in plants</h2>



Two ingredients emerged as critical for long-term coexistence. First, self-fertilization rates matter. 



The more often a plant can pollinate itself, the easier it becomes for an odd-ploidy seedling to find a genetically compatible mate - sometimes its own flowers - without relying on scarce partners.



Second, partial reproductive isolation improves balance. If crosses between cytotypes rarely succeed, each form can maintain its numbers without being swamped by unfit hybrids.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-favors-the-strongest">Stress favors the strongest</h2>



Environmental hardship then tilts the playing field. Under harsh conditions and intense competition, the model predicts that autotetraploids gain an edge over their diploid ancestors.



Extra chromosome copies may buffer them against stress, confer broader ecological tolerance or fuel faster adaptation. Triploids, by contrast, often act as a genetic bridge, forming when diploids and tetraploids interbreed but typically suffer lower fertility.



Because Gaynor’s simulations embed both demographic randomness and shifting weather, they reveal outcomes conventional equations might miss.



Sometimes all three cytotypes coexist for centuries; other times one prevails after a long stalemate. The key lesson is that stochasticity - the roll of the “evolutionary dice” - cannot be ignored when forecasting which lineages persist.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-beyond-one-plant">Impacts beyond one plant</h2>



Although the work focuses on a single Appalachia endemic plant, its reach extends far. Crop breeders deliberately create autopolyploids to enlarge fruit, boost resilience, or break <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crop-disease-experts-discover-how-bacteria-hijack-plant-cells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disease</a> cycles.



Understanding how mixed-ploidy fields behave over time could help manage gene flow between improved varieties and their wild relatives.



Conservationists, meanwhile, wrestle with how best to protect rare plants that harbor multiple chromosome races within the same reserve; the new model offers a scaffold for predicting viability under climate stress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenging-evolutionary-assumptions">Challenging evolutionary assumptions</h2>



The research also nudges evolutionary theory. Instant speciation via autopolyploidy sits at one extreme of the continuum of reproductive isolation. 



By showing that such sudden splits can persist even when parents and offspring rub shoulders, the beetleweed study challenges the tidy notion that new species must always occupy distinct niches or territories to survive.



Gaynor’s findings do not close the book on polyploid dynamics; rather, they open new chapters. 



Field experiments that monitor marked plants through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-extreme-weather-events-are-escalating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">droughts</a>, fires, and pathogen outbreaks could test whether tetraploids really weather adversity better.



Genetic analyses might uncover which genes, duplicated in extra copies, underpin that resilience. And satellite imagery paired with ecological modelling may reveal whether mixed-cytotype populations correlate with particular microclimates across the Appalachian ridges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-evolutionary-pathways">New evolutionary pathways </h2>



For now, the humble beetleweed stands as living proof that life need not wait for continental drift or glacial cycles to carve new evolutionary pathways.



Sometimes a single cellular hiccup - one missed step in plant chromosome division - is enough to spin off an enduring lineage. 



In the grand narrative that began with rogue molecules self-assembling eons ago, autopolyploidy writes its own rapid-fire chapter, reminding us that the processes that generate biodiversity can be as swift as they are surprising.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/734411" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The American Naturalist</a>.



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Plant chromosome glitch fast-tracks evolution

Around 3.7 billion years ago, early molecules on the young...

Sudden shifts in South Africa’s ground level are causing surprise. Observers point out that water-stressed regions in the country have been moving upward more quickly than people thought possible.



These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/south-africa-is-literally-rising-out-of-the-ocean-scientists-think-they-know-why/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">developments</a> were initially linked to deep geologic changes. Yet emerging insights suggest that water loss may be the bigger factor behind the rise. This work comes from the efforts of scientist Johannes Seiler from the <a href="https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/university/university" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bonn</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-rise-in-land-linked-to-more-than-geology">New rise in land linked to more than geology</h2>



Experts have long watched this part of the continent. <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2021JB022355" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Some</a> looked deep below the surface for answers, proposing that magma-related processes or mantle flow might be at play.



Others turned their attention to climate patterns. The focus shifted toward rainfall shortages and the possible effects of water movements on Earth’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/activity-in-earths-mantle-created-a-land-bridge-that-animals-traversed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crust</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-loss-is-key-reason-for-ground-uplift">Water loss is key reason for ground uplift</h2>



A geodesist is someone who specializes in measuring Earth’s size, shape, and gravitational field. One such researcher pointed to lacking rainfall and lower moisture in the ground as contributors to changing land heights.



“This data showed an average rise of 6 millimeters between 2012 and 2020. We believe that it is also possible that a loss of groundwater and surface water is responsible for the land uplift,” explained <a href="https://www.igg.uni-bonn.de/apmg/de/team/staff/karegar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Makan Karegar</a>, a geodesist from the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformation, <a href="https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bonn</a>.



He and his team tracked local <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/restored-grasslands-bring-more-peace-to-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ground</a> motion with satellite tools, then compared it with water usage data.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drying-soils-and-water-loss-lead-to-land-rise">Drying soils and water loss lead to land rise</h2>



Reduced water reserves can make soil compact less. When large amounts of groundwater - water stored beneath the surface - drop, Earth’s crust can flex in response.



Communities in water-stressed areas have noticed shifts in wells and local water tables. Such hints of dryness are not always obvious, but their link to the uplifting land has gained momentum.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connections-to-changing-weather">Connections to changing weather</h2>



South Africa has experienced periods of diminished rainfall for decades. Researchers studying these trends recognize a blend of natural cycles and rising challenges linked to climate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/40-percent-of-earths-land-has-became-permanently-drier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shifts</a>.



Some scientists highlight the need to handle water sources more carefully. They emphasize that measuring how much water remains in the ground can reveal how quickly land may change height over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-land-rise-may-quietly-impact-homes">Land rise may quietly impact homes</h2>



Any drop in water availability carries concerns. Farms, factories, and city dwellers all rely on stable supplies, and there is tension when wells sink too low.



Land motion might not be large enough to see. But it could still affect pipelines, infrastructure, and local planning if allowed to continue without proper monitoring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-south-africa-s-land-rise-signals-deeper-water-crisis">South Africa's land rise signals deeper water crisis</h2>



This isn’t just about dry soil or thirsty cities. The GPS data reveal that environmental stress is changing the ground beneath people’s feet in real time.



By connecting subtle land movements to water loss, scientists are uncovering a new way to track the health of an entire ecosystem. It offers a broader lens than rainfall totals or river levels alone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-land-warns-of-future-water-demand">Rising land warns of future water demand</h2>



Crowded regions may face rising demand for water in coming years. Observers say that fresh strategies are needed to guard water resources.



Policymakers and environmental agencies often rely on rainfall forecasts and dam levels to set policies. Tracking <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2017JB014555" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crustal movements</a> may soon join that toolkit, offering an extra line of defense.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-land-rises-help-track-growing-water-problems">Small land rises help track growing water problems</h2>



Communities can adapt if they know when water shortages loom. Although it sounds daunting, small changes in land height can help reveal hidden patterns of water decline.



Scientists stress the importance of forward-thinking methods. Reliable station networks and continuous monitoring will be key.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-awareness-and-action">Awareness and action</h2>



Some provinces show steeper changes than others. In these spots, dryness seems more acute, and the risk of water scarcity can intensify.



Decision-makers, farmers, and households might all need to pitch in. Cutting daily consumption and safeguarding wells are among common suggestions, though each community varies in approach.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-land-now-seen-as-early-sign-of-water-shortage">Moving land now seen as early sign of water shortage</h2>



In the past, dryness often went unnoticed until taps began to run dry. Now, land movement offers a silent alarm, reminding regions that every drop matters.



Precision data can confirm whether water shortages are creeping in. It also helps watchers target solutions before matters spiral.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-confirmed-link-between-land-rise-and-water-depletion">Confirmed link between land rise and water depletion</h2>



Findings reveal a strong link between dryness and terrain changes. While the entire story may not rest on water, ignoring that angle could be costly.



Better insight into water flows promises to fill a knowledge gap. Rising ground might be the nudge we need to handle water with more caution.



The study is published in the <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024JB030350" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth</a>.



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Climate change is lifting South Africa out of the ocean

Sudden shifts in South Africa’s ground level are causing surprise....

Before heading to one of the most intriguing moons in our solar system, NASA’s Europa Clipper took a quick detour - and a few snapshots - during its recent flyby of Mars.



The mission used the opportunity to test one of its most important tools: an infrared camera that will later scan Jupiter’s icy moon, Europa, for heat and hidden activity beneath its frozen shell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-europa-clipper-s-eyes-on-mars">Testing Europa Clipper’s eyes on Mars</h2>



The spacecraft passed just 550 miles (885 kilometers) above the Martian surface on March 1. This close approach wasn’t just for sightseeing. The team needed Mars's gravity to give Europa Clipper a boost on its long journey to Jupiter.



But it also allowed researchers to put the spacecraft's thermal imaging system to work, capturing over 1,000 grayscale images of the Red Planet. 



These images, later colorized to represent warmer and cooler regions, will help scientists verify the instrument’s accuracy.



“We wanted no surprises in these new images,” said <a href="https://www.asu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arizona State University</a>’s Phil Christensen, principal investigator of Europa Clipper’s infrared camera, called the Europa Thermal Imaging System (E-THEMIS). 



“The goal was to capture imagery of a planetary body we know extraordinarily well and make sure the dataset looks exactly the way it should, based on 20 years of instruments documenting Mars.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-thermal-imaging-for-europa-clipper">Thermal imaging for Europa Clipper</h2>



Europa Clipper’s real target is the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/europa-clipper-will-search-for-signs-of-life-on-jupiters-icy-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">icy moon of Jupiter</a> - a world that may hide a global ocean beneath its crust. Scientists believe this ocean could be one of the most promising places in the solar system to search for signs of life.



Thermal imaging will play a crucial role in that search. When the spacecraft begins a series of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/europa-clipper-mission-set-to-search-for-life-on-jupiters-ocean-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">49 flybys of Europa</a>, starting in 2030, its infrared camera will map the moon’s surface temperatures. 



These temperature maps can reveal where the ice is unusually warmer, which may indicate recent geological activity or spots where the ocean lies close beneath the surface.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/mars_thermal-image_Europa-Clipper_NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/mars_thermal-image_Europa-Clipper_NASA_1s.webp" alt="This picture of Mars is a colorized composite of several images captured by Europa Clipper’s thermal imager. Warm colors represent relatively warm temperatures; red areas are about 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius), and purple regions are about minus 190 F (minus 125 C). Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU" class="wp-image-1969748"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This picture of Mars is a colorized composite of several images captured by Europa Clipper’s thermal imager. Warm colors represent relatively warm temperatures; red areas are about 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius), and purple regions are about minus 190 F (minus 125 C). Click image to enlarge. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU</figcaption></figure>



“We want to measure the temperature of those features,” Christensen explained. “If Europa is a really active place, those fractures will be warmer than the surrounding ice where the ocean comes close to the surface. Or if water erupted onto the surface hundreds to thousands of years ago, then those surfaces could still be relatively warm.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-e-themis-with-mars-data">Testing E-THEMIS with Mars data</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/europa-clipper-gets-a-boost-from-mars-on-its-way-to-jupiter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a> made an ideal test subject. Its surface has been studied for decades, making it easy to compare new images from E-THEMIS with past thermal data from other missions.



To be thorough, NASA’s Mars Odyssey orbiter - which carries a sibling instrument called THEMIS - collected its own images of Mars before, during, and after the Europa Clipper flyby. Comparing these datasets helps the team confirm that E-THEMIS is functioning as intended.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-radar-and-gravity-tests-along-the-way">Radar and gravity tests along the way</h2>



Besides testing the thermal imaging system, the flyby gave the team a chance to check out the spacecraft’s radar components. 



This was the first time engineers operated all the radar parts together in space. These antennas, which use long wavelengths, are too large to test fully in ground-based clean rooms.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/mars_infrared_Europa-Clipper-photo_NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/mars_infrared_Europa-Clipper-photo_NASA_1s.webp" alt="This picture of Mars is a composite of several images captured by Europa Clipper’s thermal imager on March 1. Bright regions are relatively warm, with temperatures of about 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius). Darker areas are colder. The darkest region at the top is the northern polar cap and is about minus 190 F (minus 125 C). Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU" class="wp-image-1969746"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This picture of Mars is a composite of several images captured by Europa Clipper’s thermal imager on March 1. Bright regions are relatively warm, with temperatures of about 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius). Darker areas are colder. The darkest region at the top is the northern polar cap and is about minus 190 F (minus 125 C). Click image to enlarge. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU</figcaption></figure>



Preliminary telemetry data from the radar systems looks promising, though more analysis is still underway.



The flyby also allowed the team to run communication tests. By transmitting signals through Mars’s gravitational field, they simulated the kind of gravity science experiments they hope to conduct at Europa. The results suggest those future experiments will work just fine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-charting-the-course-to-jupiter">Charting the course to Jupiter</h2>



The spacecraft began its journey on October 14, 2024, launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. The 1.8 billion-mile (2.9 billion-kilometer) trip to Jupiter includes a few gravity assists - the Mars flyby being the first. The next assist will come from Earth in 2026.



Once it reaches the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-is-our-trip-to-jupiter-taking-so-long/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jupiter</a> system in 2030, Europa Clipper will orbit the planet and begin detailed observations of Europa.



The mission’s goals are to determine the thickness of Europa’s ice shell, examine how the surface interacts with the subsurface ocean, analyze the moon’s composition, and study its geology. By doing so, scientists hope to understand better whether <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alien-life-on-europa-co2-discovery-by-webb-increases-the-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Europa could support life</a>.



Europa Clipper is led by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. Arizona State University leads the development of the E-THEMIS instrument, which is essential for detecting thermal variations across Europa’s icy terrain.



Information for this article was obtained from a JPL <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/europa-clipper/nasas-europa-clipper-captures-mars-in-infrared/">press release</a>.



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Europa Clipper captured Mars in thermal and infrared photos on its way to Jupiter's moon

Before heading to one of the most intriguing moons in...

Paleontologists have identified a new finger-sized hunter from the Cambrian seas, whose fossils preserve eyes, nerves, gut, and even traces of blood.



The creature, named Mosura fentoni, prowled Canadian waters 506 million years ago and shows that early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/golden-fossil-450-million-year-old-arthropod-found-inside-a-block-of-fools-gold/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arthropods</a> were diversifying in unexpected ways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arthropod-fossil-found-in-rockies">Arthropod fossil found in Rockies</h2>



The research comes from an international team working with the <a href="https://manitobamuseum.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Manitoba Museum</a> and the <a href="https://www.rom.on.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Ontario Museum</a> (ROM).



Over nearly five decades, collectors retrieved sixty-one specimens from Yoho and Kootenay National Parks. 



Most were lifted from Raymond Quarry; others came from the Marble Canyon area, which has yielded a flurry of spectacular Burgess Shale fossils.



The new study adds a fresh branch to the extinct radiodonts, a group that already includes the meter-long apex <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bastetodon-fearsome-predator-was-once-king-of-the-ancient-egyptian-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predator</a> Anomalocaris.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-mosura-fentoni-was-a-predator">Tiny Mosura fentoni was a predator</h2>



Mosura measured roughly the length of an index finger. Its head carried three eyes and a circular, toothed mouth. Jointed, spiny claws jutted forward to snatch prey, while broad swimming flaps rippled down each side of the body.



Collectors nicknamed it the “sea-moth” because the midsection flaps and narrow tail suggested the silhouette of a hovering <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-defense-against-the-invasive-spongy-moth-is-fading/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moth</a>, a nod later echoed in the formal genus name, which references the Japanese film monster Mothra.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unexpected-abdomen">An unexpected abdomen</h2>



Radiodonts normally finish with a short, paddle-like tail, but Mosura breaks this pattern. “Mosura has sixteen tightly packed segments lined with gills at the rear end of its body," said study leader Joe Moysiuk, Curator of Palaeontology and Geology at the Manitoba Museum.



"This is a neat example of evolutionary convergence with modern groups, like horseshoe crabs, woodlice, and insects, which share a batch of segments bearing respiratory organs at the rear of the body,” 



The extra segments may have boosted oxygen uptake, hinting at a lifestyle or habitat that demanded efficient respiration, though the exact advantage remains unknown.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nerves-preserved-in-mosura-fentoni">Nerves preserved in Mosura fentoni</h2>



Few places on Earth preserve soft anatomy as well as the Burgess Shale, and Mosura takes full advantage of that rarity.



“Very few fossil sites in the world offer this level of insight into soft internal anatomy," said co-author Jean-Bernard Caron, Curator of Invertebrate Palaeontology at ROM. 



"We can see traces representing bundles of nerves in the eyes that would have been involved in image processing - just like in living arthropods. The details are astounding.” 



The arthropod fossils also capture reflective patches that fill the trunk and extend into the flaps. These mark blood spaces, or lacunae, part of an ancient open circulatory system.



“The well-preserved lacunae of the circulatory system in Mosura help us to interpret similar but less clear features that we’ve seen before in other fossils. Their identity has been controversial,” added Moysiuk, who is also a research associate at ROM. 



“It turns out that preservation of these structures is widespread, confirming the ancient origin of this type of circulatory system.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-arthropods-surprised-scientists">First arthropods surprised scientists</h2>



Radiodonts occupy the deepest branch on the arthropod family tree - well before the lineages that lead to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-first-gene-edited-spiders-spin-red-silk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spiders</a>, insects, or crabs.



“Radiodonts were the first group of arthropods to branch out in the evolutionary tree, so they provide key insight into ancestral traits for the entire group,” Caron explained. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/mosura-fentoni_fossil_credit-Jean-Bernard-Caron_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/mosura-fentoni_fossil_credit-Jean-Bernard-Caron_1s.webp" alt="Fossil specimen of Mosura fentoni, ROMIP 67520 from the Marble Canyon area. The head is at the left and the dark, three-dimensional bulges represent minerals replacing the gills and circulatory lacunae. Credit: Jean-Bernard Caron ROM" class="wp-image-1969739"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Fossil specimen of Mosura fentoni, ROMIP 67520 from the Marble Canyon area. The head is at the left and the dark, three-dimensional bulges represent minerals replacing the gills and circulatory lacunae. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Jean-Bernard Caron ROM</figcaption></figure>



“The new species emphasizes that these early arthropods were already surprisingly diverse and were adapting in a comparable way to their distant modern relatives.”



The convergent abdomen of Mosura suggests that complex body regions bearing gills evolved more than once, long before <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worm-youti-yuanshi-lived-520-million-years-ago-explains-insect-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insects</a> or crustaceans refined the same solution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-fossil-treasure-trove">A fossil treasure trove</h2>



Of the sixty-one known specimens, all but one were collected by ROM teams between 1975 and 2022. The lone outlier was recovered a century earlier by Charles Walcott, discoverer of the Burgess Shale itself.



“Museum collections, old and new, are a bottomless treasure trove of information about the past. If you think you’ve seen it all before, you just need to open a museum drawer,” Moysiuk said.



Parks Canada manages the fossil sites and guides visitors on award-winning hikes. The Burgess Shale gained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1980 and now forms part of the broader Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks listing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mosura-fentoni-expands-early-life-story">Mosura fentoni expands early life story</h2>



Specimens of many radiodonts, including the new “sea-moth,” are on display in Toronto’s <a href="https://www.rom.on.ca/whats-on/galleries/willner-madge-gallery-dawn-life" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Willner Madge Gallery: Dawn of Life</a>, while Mosura will make its public debut in Winnipeg later this year.



As curators prepare those showcases, researchers continue sifting through Burgess Shale slabs for still-undiscovered species. Each one fills another gap in the early history of animals, clarifying how complex bodies, limbs, and organ systems evolved.



The finger-sized Mosura fentoni reminds us that even the smallest arthropod fossil can overturn assumptions about life half a billion years ago - and that the archives of museums still hold many secrets waiting to be discovered.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.242122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Society Open Science</a>.



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506-million-year-old predator used to swim the Cambrian seas

Paleontologists have identified a new finger-sized hunter from the Cambrian...

The U.S. population is getting older faster than ever, with a median age of 38.9. By 2050, the number of Americans over 65 is projected to rise from 58 million to 82 million. A new kind of robot named E-Bar may soon play a key role in how America supports its aging population.



As this shift continues, the need for practical, everyday eldercare becomes more urgent. But staffing shortages, rising healthcare costs, and changes in family structures have made traditional care more difficult to sustain.



To help meet these challenges, engineers from the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> (MIT) have turned to robotics. 



They’ve developed and tested a device called the Elderly Bodily Assistance Robot, or E-BAR. It’s a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-robots-can-help-you-find-objects-that-youve-lost-or-misplaced/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mobile robot</a> designed to support elderly users as they walk through their homes, assist them with mobility, and prevent falls.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-e-bar-the-robot-that-catches-you">E-BAR - the robot that catches you</h2>



Think of E-BAR as a robotic set of handlebars that trails behind an older adult. The person can either walk independently or lean on E-BAR for balance. 



If the person starts to fall, the robot’s side airbags rapidly inflate to cushion and catch them. E-BAR is strong enough to lift someone from a sitting to a standing position - and lower them back down - while following their natural motion.



Falls are a serious problem for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-the-temperature-inside-your-home-safe-for-seniors-a-new-study-has-details/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seniors</a>. They’re currently the leading cause of injury for people over the age of 65. The engineers wanted to create something that would offer both physical support and a sense of independence.



“Many older adults underestimate the risk of fall and refuse to use physical aids, which are cumbersome, while others overestimate the risk and may not do exercise, leading to declining mobility,” explained Harry Asada, the Ford Professor of Engineering at MIT.



“Our design concept is to provide older adults, having balance impairment, with robotic handlebars for stabilizing their body. The handlebars go anywhere and provide support anytime, whenever they need.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-built-for-everyday-living">Built for everyday living</h2>



Right now, E-BAR is controlled by a remote, but the team plans to automate future versions so the robot can follow a user on its own. They also aim to make it slimmer and more flexible for navigating tight spaces.



“I think eldercare is the next great challenge,” said Roberto Bolli, a graduate student in MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.



“All the demographic trends point to a shortage of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-glimpse-of-the-future-robots-in-nursing-homes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">caregivers</a>, a surplus of elderly persons, and a strong desire for elderly persons to age in place. We see it as an unexplored frontier in America, but also an intrinsically interesting challenge for robotics.”



Asada’s lab has previously explored many elder-support technologies - everything from wearable airbags to robotic walkers. 



But E-BAR is different. It’s meant to be used in the home or in care facilities without the need for a harness or other wearables. That makes it less intrusive and more comfortable.



“Elderly people overwhelmingly do not like to wear harnesses or assistive devices,” says Bolli. “The idea behind the E-BAR structure is, it provides body weight support, active assistance with gait, and fall catching while also being completely unobstructed in the front. You can just get out anytime.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-e-bar-is-built-for-the-job">E-BAR is built for the job</h2>



The team put a lot of thought into how E-BAR should look and function. It has to move through regular doorways, allow users to take full steps, and fully support a person’s weight during posture changes. 



At the base of the device is a sturdy, 220-pound (100 kilogram) platform. This weight keeps it stable as it helps lift and balance a person.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/e-bar-robot_elderly-care_MIT_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/e-bar-robot_elderly-care_MIT_1s.webp" alt="Six of multiple possible assistance scenarios with a prototype of a new robot being developed at MIT. Top row: getting into/out of a bathtub, bending down to reach objects, and catching a fall. Bottom row: powered sit-to-stand transition from a toilet, lifting a person from the floor, and walking assistance. Credit: MIT" class="wp-image-1969763"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Six of multiple possible assistance scenarios with a prototype of a new robot being developed at MIT. Top row: getting into/out of a bathtub, bending down to reach objects, and catching a fall. Bottom row: powered sit-to-stand transition from a toilet, lifting a person from the floor, and walking assistance. Click image to enlarge. Credit: MIT</figcaption></figure>



Underneath, special wheels allow the robot to move in any direction - no awkward turning required. The upper part of E-BAR includes 18 linked bars that adjust like a mechanical crane, helping the person to stand or sit. 



Two arms stretch out in a U-shape to offer additional support, and they contain soft airbags that inflate instantly to help catch a user if they begin to fall.



This airbag feature sets E-BAR apart. It’s the first robot to catch a falling person without needing any wearable gear or harness system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-real-world-testing">Real-world testing</h2>



In the lab, the robot has already shown promise. A senior volunteer used it during daily activities, like bending to pick something off the floor, reaching overhead, and even stepping over the edge of a bathtub. 



These tasks are often tough for older adults to do safely without help. E-BAR proved it could lend reliable, steady support in each case.



Bolli sees the robot as a good match for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/3000-extra-steps-per-day-lowers-blood-pressure-in-older-adults/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">older adults</a> who still have some muscle strength but need help with everyday movements.



“Seeing the technology used in real-life scenarios is really exciting,” said Bolli.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-robot-assisted-care">The future of robot-assisted care</h2>



The current version of E-BAR doesn’t use fall prediction tools, but that may change. 



Another MIT project led by graduate student Emily Kamienski is developing machine learning algorithms that assess a person’s risk of falling in real time. Combining that technology with E-BAR’s airbags could lead to an even <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robosapiens-ai-project-making-industrial-robots-more-free-thinking-adaptable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">safer robot</a> in the future.



Asada believes a range of robotic tools could eventually offer different levels of support as a person’s needs change.



“Eldercare conditions can change every few weeks or months,” said Asada. “We’d like to provide continuous and seamless support as a person’s disability or mobility changes with age.”



<a href="https://youtu.be/DlT6vHx4Dz4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click here to watch a video of E-BAR in action...</a>



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Meet E-Bar, the robot designed to prevent the elderly from falling

The U.S. population is getting older faster than ever, with...

It began as a curious blip in radio data, something that looked a lot like a known pulsar yet behaved in ways that seemed counterintuitive. Researchers were intrigued by the odd timing of its signals, which suggested there might be more to this star than simple <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hess-observatory-detects-highest-energy-cosmic-rays-ever-observed-origin-unknown/">cosmic flashes</a>.



<a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/science/about/our-people/academic-staff/manisha-caleb.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Manisha Caleb</a> from the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sydney</a> soon uncovered an eye-opening detail. The signals repeated at intervals far longer than standard theory would anticipate, hinting at a discovery that could push scientists to rethink core ideas about how dense stellar remnants function.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shocking-detail-in-a-cosmic-search">Shocking detail in a cosmic search</h2>



A <a href="https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/supernova/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova</a> occurs when certain massive stars run out of nuclear fuel and collapse in on themselves, often blowing off their outer layers in a brilliant explosion. 



The leftover core is known as a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/neutron-stars">neutron star</a>, a compact object packed with matter so dense that a teaspoon of it would outweigh a mountain.



Some neutron stars emit strong radio signals. These blasts line up with Earth each time the star rotates, creating a pattern that scientists use to identify and study them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-askap-j1839-0756-is-the-source">ASKAP J1839-0756 is the source</h2>



The newly identified cosmic source, called <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-024-02452-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ASKAP J1839-0756</a>, was found to spin once every 6.45 hours. 



That is surprisingly slow for a neutron star that still sends out bright signals, since they usually stop shining in radio if their rotation lags too much.



An even bigger puzzle emerged after closer inspection of its signal pattern. Instead of just one radio flash per rotation, it showed evidence suggesting two distinct pulses that might come from opposite magnetic poles.



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



A <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0034-4885/78/11/116901/pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnetar</a> is a type of neutron star known for its extremely strong magnetic field. That powerful field can trigger bursts of energy in various forms, sometimes including radio signals.



Unlike standard pulsars, <a href="https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/asca/science/magnetar.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnetars</a> can keep generating energy even at lower spin rates. Scientists suspect ASKAP J1839-0756 could fall into this unusual category, though it still poses theoretical dilemmas.



The fact that ASKAP J1839-0756 emits two separate pulses during a single spin is no small detail. It suggests the pulsar axis and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-magnetic-field-has-a-dent-and-nasa-is-watching-closely/">magnetic axis</a> might be oriented in a way that points both magnetic poles toward our planet at different times.



The scenario is rarely observed. Standard pulsars typically show one dominant signal, so spotting two flashes is a treat for anyone studying these powerful objects.



“Here is the real surprise: according to what we know about neutron stars, ASKAP J1839-0756 shouldn’t even exist,” said Dr. Caleb, an astrophysicist leading the investigation. His short but direct comment captured the surprise of this finding.&nbsp;



Older, theories suggest that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neutron-stars-may-hold-the-key-to-understanding-dark-matter/">neutron stars</a> slow down with age, eventually crossing a threshold where they no longer radiate in radio frequencies. This object defies that logic, and has sparked lively debate about what drives its persistent energy output.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-makes-askap-j1839-0756-special">What makes ASKAP J1839-0756 special?</h2>



ASKAP J1839-0756 appears as a steady radio source during parts of its rotation and suddenly dims at other times. That pattern is reminiscent of a lighthouse beam, but the timing is on a scale astronomers rarely see.



Its energy also drops dramatically within minutes during some observations, pointing to a phenomenon that is not fully understood. 



Researchers are brainstorming new models that might clarify how certain stars can sustain such emissions.



Ideas about neutron star evolution may need tweaking to account for oddball behaviors. Some <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/docserver/fulltext/astro/55/1/annurev-astro-081915-023329.pdf?expires=1738180075&amp;id=id&amp;accname=guest&amp;checksum=EAD27D14FA3CD18371D5BA844344421B" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scientists</a> believe these strange signals could come from objects that began life as typical, fast-spinning stars but took a different path as they aged.



Others wonder whether there are more hidden sources that orbit in deep space, pulsing too slowly for our current methods to detect. 



This discovery may ignite more wide-field surveys to hunt for faint signals lurking between well-known radio pulses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-physics-behind-askap-j1839-0756">Physics behind ASKAP J1839-0756</h2>



Researchers are fascinated by the possibility that ASKAP J1839-0756 proves a new energy mechanism. Magnetic fields in neutron stars can twist and release energy in highly complex ways, but the details remain murky.



Even a small shift in field alignment can yield significant differences in how and when a star pulses. 



These mini-laboratories in space offer a chance to investigate physics under extremes that are impossible to recreate on Earth.



One alternate explanation involves a <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0004-637X/765/2/102" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">white dwarf,</a> which is a stellar remnant formed from less massive stars. White dwarfs have much lower density and generally do not produce intense radio pulses.



Yet some scientists propose that if a white dwarf had a peculiar magnetic structure, it might mimic this object’s behavior. 



However, no confirmed evidence supports that scenario so far, leaving the neutron star theory on more solid ground.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-any-other-j1839-0756s-out-there">Any other J1839-0756s out there?</h2>



Astronomers are keeping an eye on any other signals that might echo ASKAP J1839-0756. 



Sensitive instruments can scan the sky and compare subtle differences in the timing and strength of signals to spot emerging mysteries.



Technological advances will also help confirm whether more of these slow-burn sources are out there. If additional examples appear, experts will have fresh clues to refine their equations and rethink standard models.



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



This finding tests the limits of our knowledge about extreme <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hundreds-of-little-red-dots-found-in-the-early-universe-webb-telescope/">objects in the cosmos</a>. It also shows that bold assumptions about star lifecycles can be turned upside down by a single outlier.



New technologies and bigger telescopes may reveal more slow-spinning neutron stars that we never realized existed. The possibilities for discovery seem endless whenever data from large-scale surveys are analyzed with a fresh perspective.



Space surprises are often reminders that every theory has exceptions. When astronomers spot signals that disrupt established thinking, it sparks new approaches to understanding how the universe evolves.



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Zombie star baffles astronomers because it 'should not exist'

It began as a curious blip in radio data, something...

Young,Female,Tourist,In,Friendly,Contact,With,Cow,Met,In

City dwellers in the Netherlands have a curious way of clearing their heads. Rather than see a psychologist or seek therapy through other means, they hop on a train, ramble into the green lowlands, and hug a cow.



The practice, known as “koeknuffelen,” sounds quirky until you try it; within minutes most visitors feel their shoulders drop and their pulse slow.



Scientists have long suspected that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-some-cats-make-excellent-therapy-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal-assisted therapy</a> works in part because soft noses, steady heartbeats, and wordless company nudge our nervous system toward calm. 



Until now, almost every formal study has focused on dogs, cats, or the occasional rabbit. Cows, though, linger on the fringes - huge, sweet, and largely untested.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cuddling-cows-as-therapy">Cuddling cows as therapy</h2>



Two researchers - Dr. Katherine Compitus of <a href="https://www.nyu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York University</a> and Dr. Sonya Bierbower of the United States Military Academy at <a href="https://www.westpoint.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Point</a> - set out to change that. 



Their paper, “Cow Cuddling: Cognitive Considerations in Bovine-Assisted Therapy,” appears in the journal Human-Animal Interactions and may tip the field toward larger pasture-mates. 



Conducted at <a href="https://www.shsanctuary.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Surrey Hills Sanctuary</a> in New York State, the pilot project paired 11 volunteers, ages 13 to 79, with two mellow steers named Magnus and Callum.



The work used the 24-item <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312371308_HAIS_The_Human-Animal_Interaction_Scale_Manual" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human-Animal Interaction Scale</a>, a survey that captures how often people stroke, lean on, or otherwise connect with an animal and records the animal’s own moves in return. Each session lasted 45 minutes to prevent fatigue on either side of the fence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-cows-and-people-respond">How cows and people respond</h2>



Magnus and Callum greeted their guests with slow sniffs, accepted hay pellets from open palms, and even settled onto the grass for a shared lounge. 



When interested, they licked sleeves - a bovine version of social grooming - and, when finished, they simply rose and wandered off. Unfriendly gestures were scarce. 



One teenager admitted she had expected headbutts but, instead, “fell in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grass-scarcity-alters-cow-feed-and-dairy-products/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">love with cows</a>” before the session ended.



The steers’ preferences turned out to be surprisingly specific. 



“We have discovered in the current study that bovine-assisted therapy may not only be an effective treatment model that benefits human participants but appears to be enriching to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-heat-makes-dairy-cows-produce-less-milk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cattle participants</a> as well, as shown by their proximity to and continuous interactions with humans,” Dr. Compitus said. 



The data also revealed a gender twist: the animals spent more time beside women than men, and the women, in turn, reported stronger feelings of attachment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-calm-signals-from-cow-therapy">Measuring calm signals from cow therapy</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-a-pill-stop-cows-from-burping-methane/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stress in cattle</a> shows up as loud calls, quick tail flicks, or rigid backs. None spiked during these cuddle sessions. Instead, the animals’ easy breathing and willingness to lie down suggested comfort. 



“Two of the gaps in the research we address in this study are the inclusion of cattle in AAT and an examination of the cognitive processes of animals involved in AAT,” Dr. Bierbower noted. 



For a field that often views animals as passive tools, tracking the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farmers-want-to-talk-to-their-cows-so-ai-is-helping-them-interpret-moos-and-burps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cow’s point of view</a> marks an important shift.



Therapists already use dogs to ease anxiety during dental visits and miniature horses to coax speech from children on the autism spectrum. Cattle bring a different scale. 



A mature steer may top 1,500 pounds, yet these gentle giants lower their heads for scratches much like a Labrador does. That contrast - immense size, peaceful manner - can amplify the sense of safety that therapy animals provide.



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



Touch triggers a release of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxytocin-holds-the-keys-to-both-your-heart-and-your-memory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oxytocin</a>, sometimes called the “bonding hormone,” in both humans and many mammals. The hormone slows heart rate, reduces cortisol, and boosts feelings of trust. 



While a purring cat can spark that reaction, leaning against a broad cow magnifies the tactile cue: more surface area, deeper vibrations, and a steadier baseline heart rhythm.



Researchers in earlier dog-based trials found that even brief petting lowers blood pressure. The current cattle study hints the same benefit may hold when the animal outweighs the participant by a ton. 



Because <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cattle-gallstones-insanely-valuable-are-the-new-must-have-item-in-global-smuggling-rings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cows live in herds</a> and often groom one another, they may already possess social wiring that lets them extend calm to another species.



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



Dr. Compitus reaffirmed that the therapy appeared enriching for the steers, citing their close proximity and continuous interactions with humans. 



Yet she also cautioned, “It is unclear without further testing whether the animals sought out the attention of women in general or if the women were more likely to initiate the actions when compared to the men participants.”



Future work will need larger herds, more diverse volunteers, and perhaps heart-rate monitors on both sides of the cuddle. It will also need to check whether cattle enjoy the work long-term or simply tolerate it for snacks. 



Ethical guidelines already require therapy dogs to rest between client visits; similar safeguards for bovine partners will be crucial.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-cow-cuddle-therapy">What's next for cow cuddle therapy?</h2>



Animal-assisted therapy grew from a fringe idea in the 1960s to a mainstream adjunct in hospitals and schools today. 



Adding cows may seem like a pastoral gimmick, yet the early numbers suggest genuine promise. Eleven participants is small, but every study starts somewhere, and Magnus and Callum appear to have opened the gate.



As Dr. Bierbower and Dr. Compitus refine their protocols, mental-health clinics might soon book time at local farms, giving stressed-out teens and weary adults a chance to swap city noise for the slow beat of a cud-chewing companion. 



If larger trials confirm the soothing power of a 1,500-pound hug, the phrase “therapy animal” could soon conjure more than wagging tails - it might also bring to mind a soft-eyed steer waiting beneath an open sky.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2024.0016" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human-Animal Interactions</a>.



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Cows who are 'cuddled' as therapy animals strongly prefer women over men

City dwellers in the Netherlands have a curious way of...

For years, scientists have known that North America experienced extended droughts thousands of years ago. These events caused massive forest die-offs and reshaped entire ecosystems. But until now, the exact reason behind the ancient dry spells remained unclear.



An international research team has found a strong link between megadroughts and a subtle but powerful force - changes in Earth’s orbit. 



The study was focused on a warm period in Earth's history called the Holocene, which began after the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/disastrous-climate-changes-of-the-last-ice-age-could-happen-again/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">last ice age</a> and continues today.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-ancient-megadroughts">Studying ancient megadroughts</h2>



The researchers used fossilized pollen grains, collected from sites across North America, to track how moisture levels changed over the past 11,000 years. 



A machine-learning algorithm helped them reconstruct regional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-age-climate-shifts-changed-early-human-migration-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate shifts</a> during this time.



What the team discovered was striking. Moisture conditions in many areas were lower than modern levels for thousands of years, and the timing of the droughts varied depending on location.



Study lead author J. Sakari Salonen is an Academy of Finland research fellow in the Department of Geosciences and Geography at the <a href="https://www.helsinki.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Helsinki</a>.



“The dry conditions first kick off in the northeastern U.S. and the nearby regions of Canada, which is today one of the wetter regions of North America. Here, we see peak drought already at 11,000 years ago,” explained Salonen.



“In the mid-continent, where we have modern prairie region, we see most severe drought at about 7,000 years ago, so thousands of years later than at the Atlantic coast."



By this time, said Salonen, the Atlantic coast was already getting wetter, and it’s like the entire climate anomaly causing the thousands-of-years long drought started migrating westward.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-linking-megadroughts-with-earth-s-orbit">Linking megadroughts with Earth's orbit</h2>



Jack Williams&nbsp;from the University of Wisconsin-Madison noted that there’s a common misperception that water is always available, particularly in the eastern United States.



"However, studies of the past show that these long droughts can trigger major shifts in fire regime and tree die-offs, even in the east. So it’s critical to understand the spatial patterns of these droughts and their causes,” said&nbsp;Williams. 



To test the cause of these ancient droughts, the scientists ran climate simulations using high-resolution models. These simulations matched the pollen-based reconstructions and helped explain what triggered the widespread dryness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-simulations-revealed">What the simulations revealed</h2>



According to the researchers, two main factors were at play. In the early <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/holocene-vs-anthropocene-debate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Holocene</a>, a high-pressure system over the remnants of the ice sheet pushed moisture away from large parts of the continent. This created dry conditions, especially in the east.



As the ice sheet melted, another factor came into play - rising temperatures. Warmer summers dried out the soil faster than rainfall could replenish it.



Frederik Schenk is an&nbsp;atmospheric physicist at Stockholm University and visiting scientist at the University of Helsinki.



“The simulations show that in the early Holocene, the high-pressure system at the ice sheet, remaining in the northern part of the continent, steered moisture transport, which explains the geographic shift in dry conditions,” said Schenk.



"Overall, a warmer climate will be wetter. But this doesn’t apply to all regions. As seen in our results, there are clear regional limits of how much rain can be delivered to balance the warming-driven evaporation. For the strong summer warming in the past, it just didn’t add up, giving way to millennia-long droughts."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greenhouse-gases-and-modern-droughts">Greenhouse gases and modern droughts</h2>



The researchers point out that while the causes of past and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/latest-climate-models-show-more-intense-droughts-ahead/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">future droughts</a> differ, the consequences may look familiar.



Back then, it was a gradual shift in Earth’s orbit that warmed summers and triggered megadroughts. Today, rapid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenhouse-gas-emissions-reach-another-all-time-high/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">greenhouse gas emissions</a> are driving a much faster version of the same trend.



“If the climate projections for this century hold true, we’re looking at a speed-run repeat of what happened, for natural causes, ten thousand years ago,” said Salonen.



Despite projected increases in precipitation, much of North America is expected to dry out by the end of the century. That’s because warmer air causes more evaporation, which can lead to dry soils even when rainfall increases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-s-orbit-and-megadroughts">Earth’s orbit and megadroughts</h2>



Earth’s orbit constantly changes over long timescales. These changes, called <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-lush-green-sahara-desert-helped-early-humans-migrate-out-of-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milankovic cycles</a>, affect the planet’s tilt and distance from the Sun. They occur over tens of thousands of years and have shaped Earth’s climate history.



About 20,000 years ago, Earth’s orbit limited sunlight in the Northern Hemisphere, helping massive ice sheets form. By 10,000 years ago, those ice sheets had mostly melted, ushering in the Holocene - a warm interglacial period. Between 10,000 and 4,000 years ago, Earth was warmer than it is today.



This recent study shows that the same orbital conditions that warmed Earth also set the stage for centuries-long droughts in North America. And while Earth has been slowly cooling since then, the sharp warming caused by human activity in the last century has thrown us off the natural cycle.



The scientists warn that understanding what happened in the past could be crucial for preparing for what comes next. 



Their work offers a stark reminder: even slow, natural changes in Earth’s orbit were enough to trigger enormous shifts in climate. With much faster changes underway, the effects could be just as severe - only now, they’re happening in real time.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58685-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Changes in Earth's orbit triggered ancient climate change and megadroughts

For years, scientists have known that North America experienced extended...

Seafood,On,Ice,At,The,Fish,Market

Alternative seafood is emerging as a vital solution in the fight to protect marine ecosystems. As pressure from overfishing, pollution, and climate change intensifies, scientists and policymakers are exploring new ways to reduce strain on the ocean. 



While many marine mysteries remain, one issue is clear - traditional fishing practices are pushing the ocean toward ecological collapse.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-global-impact-of-overfishing">The global impact of overfishing</h2>



Researchers point out that nearly 90% of marine fisheries today are either fully exploited or already overfished. On top of that, pollution and habitat degradation are erasing biodiversity across oceans, rivers, and coasts. 



<a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/global-industrial-fishing-footprint-spd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A 2018 study</a> showed that commercial fishing operations now cover more than 55% of the ocean surface - four times more than the land used for agriculture.



This crisis impacts people as well as marine life. Around 3 billion rely on the ocean for food and jobs. With the population expected to hit 10 billion by 2050, seafood demand is rising twice as fast.



But wild fisheries can only do so much. Even under perfect management, there’s a ceiling on how many fish can be caught each year. 



The researchers note that reducing the burden of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-and-habitat-degradation-have-devastated-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overfishing</a> through better fishery management is possible, but it requires setting limits on how much can be caught, where and when, and with which methods. There’s another way forward - one that doesn’t get as much attention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alternative-seafood-as-a-sustainable-solution">Alternative seafood as a sustainable solution</h2>



Alternative seafood - like plant-based fish or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sushi-of-the-future-the-first-ever-lab-grown-eel-is-a-success/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lab-grown</a> (cultivated) tuna - is emerging as a powerful tool to meet demand without draining the ocean. 



These products can help shift consumer choices away from wild-caught fish and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farmed-seafood-supply-is-at-risk-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">farmed seafood</a> that contribute to environmental stress.



As the researchers explain, plant-based and cultivated fish hold enormous potential for feeding a growing population the fish they love while easing pressure on the conventional fishing industry and, in turn, reducing harm to our oceans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reshaping-the-seafood-industry">Reshaping the seafood industry</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fishing-communities-cooperate-to-survive-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fishing</a> isn’t just affected by climate change - it’s also a contributor. Fuel-intensive vessels and aquaculture feed production release greenhouse gases.



But climate change is striking back. Rising ocean temperatures are pushing fish populations toward the poles, leaving tropical waters increasingly empty. Some regions could see up to a 40% drop in seafood catch potential by 2050.



To make matters worse, warming waters are also making seafood riskier. Infections from Vibrio bacteria, which can be deadly, are increasing worldwide. Still, there’s hope. 



Research shows that <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2705-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant-based and cultivated seafood</a> - especially when produced using renewable energy - could offer a more climate-resilient alternative.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diversifying-the-seafood-supply">Diversifying the seafood supply </h2>



A recent whitepaper titled <a href="https://gfi.org/resource/climate-benefits-of-accelerating-global-production-of-alternative-seafood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Building climate policy momentum for alternative seafood</a> highlights the potential environmental benefits of diversifying the seafood supply.



“Renewable energy is critical to realizing the climate benefits of cultivated meat and seafood. Life-cycle assessments project that emissions from cultivated meat produced with renewable energy will be in the lower range of aquaculture emissions and less than the emissions of most wild-capture," noted the researchers.



"Further, cultivated seafood is expected to require even less energy than cultivated red meat and poultry, in large part because seafood can be cultivated at lower temperatures than terrestrial meats."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seafood-and-biodiversity-loss">Seafood and biodiversity loss</h2>



The ocean does more than provide seafood - it helps regulate the climate, generates oxygen, and supports global food systems. 



But marine biodiversity is rapidly declining. A 2019 report found that human activity has significantly altered two-thirds of marine areas, up from 40% just a decade earlier.



Pollution, overfishing, climate change, and ocean acidification are driving this loss, leading to ecosystem collapse, food insecurity, and rising disease risk. 



Even aquaculture, which now accounts for half of global seafood production, can harm coastal habitats and disrupt ecosystems when poorly managed.



While some fisheries and farms have adopted more sustainable practices, they haven’t kept pace with environmental pressures. Diversifying the seafood supply with alternative proteins is becoming increasingly important.



The New Blue Foods for Biodiversity <a href="https://gfi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/New-blue-foods-for-biodiversity.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whitepaper</a> outlines how plant-based and cultivated seafood can help ease the strain. By reducing overfishing and bycatch, these alternatives give wild stocks a chance to recover.



They also help prevent habitat damage and pollution, since they require less land and don’t disturb the ocean floor. And unlike many aquaculture systems, they minimize antibiotic use, supporting microbial diversity and slowing the spread of resistant pathogens.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-high-cost-of-tuna-popularity">The high cost of tuna popularity</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bluefin-tuna-a-sushi-delicacy-will-likely-be-extinct-within-50-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tuna</a> is a favorite across the globe, especially in the U.S. where canned tuna is second only to shrimp in popularity. 



Americans eat nearly one billion pounds a year. Worldwide, more than 7 million metric tons of tuna and similar species are harvested annually. That demand has consequences.



Seven out of 61 known tuna species were labeled as threatened in 2011. Tuna fishing also harms other marine animals, like turtles and sharks, that get caught in the same waters. 



Thankfully, innovation is catching up. Several companies are now creating tuna alternatives without fish.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alternative-seafood-companies">Alternative seafood companies</h2>



In Chicago, Aqua Cultured Foods raised $5.5 million to expand its production of fungi-based seafood. Using a special fermentation process, the company creates whole-muscle seafood cuts like scallops, shrimp, and tuna. 



Their products offer a sustainable and allergen-free option, and the new investment will help launch them in restaurants this year.



In Canada, Konscious Foods received a $5 million investment through the PacifiCan Business Scale-up and Productivity program. This support will help the company increase production, grow exports, and create over 40 new jobs in British Columbia. 



The company makes frozen sushi meals - including tuna avocado rolls - using Canadian-grown ingredients like quinoa, carrots, and tomatoes. They’re also working on new items, such as plant-based smoked salmon, crab cakes, and shrimp.



In Austria, Berlin-based BettaF!sh partnered with supermarket chain BILLA AG to launch the TU-NAH sandwich, now available across BILLA and BILLA PLUS stores. 



This collaboration reflects a shared focus on sustainability and aims to bring plant-based seafood to more consumers across Europe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alternative-seafood-as-a-global-opportunity">Alternative seafood as a global opportunity</h2>



A New York Times article once suggested that if you can't find anything good from the sea, it might be better to cook something else. Thanks to alternative seafood, that “something else” no longer means compromising on flavor or nutrition.



By scaling plant-based and cultivated seafood, it’s possible to feed a growing population without pushing marine ecosystems to the brink. As the researchers emphasize: “Building a better food system will require a diversity of solutions.”



“Alternative seafood is the future of sustainable seafood. To scale this industry, we need bold innovators and committed champions - across climate, biodiversity, public health, and food security - who are ready to make it a global priority. An ocean of opportunity awaits.”



Thanks to the <a href="https://gfi.org/">The Good Food Institute</a> for providing the background research for this article.



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There are not "plenty of fish" in Earth's oceans to feed 10 billion people, something must change

Alternative seafood is emerging as a vital solution in the...

Diseño sin título - 1

Scientists recently found a way to see quantum superposition effects in a system, a Schrödinger's cat state, that is not cooled to near-absolute zero. Their result challenges the long-held assumption that extreme cold is the only way to maintain fragile quantum states.



They achieved this feat under less rigid conditions, demonstrating that even warm surroundings can show these elusive behaviors. 



The lead scientist, <a href="https://iqoqi.at/en/people/staff/staff/gerhard-kirchmair" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Gerhard Kirchmair</a>, from the <a href="https://www.uibk.ac.at/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Innsbruck</a>, said this was a big step in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0953-8984/14/15/201" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exploring</a> quantum experiments beyond traditional cryogenic setups.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-schrodinger-s-cat-the-basics">Understanding Schrödinger's cat - the basics</h2>



Schrödinger's cat is one of the most famous thought experiments in physics. Erwin Schrödinger came up with it in 1935 to illustrate the strange nature of quantum mechanics. 



He imagined a cat locked in a sealed box with a radioactive atom, a Geiger counter, a vial of poison, and a hammer. 



If the atom decayed, the Geiger counter would detect it, trigger the hammer, and shatter the vial, killing the cat. If the atom didn’t decay, the cat would live. 



But quantum theory says the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-a-simple-way-to-grasp-this-impossible-concept-carl-kocher/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atom exists in a superposition</a> - both decayed and not - until someone observes it. So, in theory, the cat is both alive and dead at the same time until someone opens the box.



The idea sounds absurd, and that’s exactly the point. Schrödinger wasn’t trying to say cats can be undead zombies. He was highlighting the disconnect between how quantum physics behaves on the smallest scales and what we observe in everyday life. 



The experiment forces us to question how measurement and observation affect reality. It’s less about the cat and more about the weirdness at the heart of quantum mechanics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantum-states-at-higher-temperatures">Quantum states at higher temperatures</h2>



Many quantum <a href="https://journals.aps.org/pra/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevA.69.062320" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> rely on cooling systems to very low temperatures to keep external disturbances in check. Researchers often believed thermal energy would scramble any delicate state.



These new experiments highlight that quantum interference can survive at around 1.8 Kelvin, which is much warmer than the ultra-cold temperatures typically used in similar tests. This idea turns the usual cooling requirements upside down.



One way to see if a quantum state remains intact is by measuring the <a href="http://www.stat.physik.uni-potsdam.de/~pikovsky/teaching/stud_seminar/Wigner_function.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wigner function</a>, which helps visualize the unique properties of superposition. 



Detecting negative regions in this function is an indicator that a system truly behaves in a quantum manner.



The fact that the experiment worked at <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-realm-controlled-at-room-temperature-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperatures</a> 60 times higher than previous norms for the cavity shows a surprising robustness. It suggests that future devices may not need such intense cooling, which would reduce costs and engineering hurdles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-engineering-a-hot-schrodinger-s-cat">Engineering a "hot Schrödinger's cat"</h2>



Central to this demonstration was a transmon qubit coupled to a microwave resonator, y8ding fine control over the quantum state. 



By applying carefully designed pulses, the team produced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-photon-theory-casts-doubt-on-double-slit-experiment-quantum-light-interference-pattern/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interference patterns</a> associated with the Schrödinger’s cat concept.



They also used specially adapted protocols to counteract extra thermal noise. Despite starting from a thermally excited background, the interference stood out clearly in their measurements.



The result shows that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/schrodingers-cat-survives-in-quantum-superposition-for-a-record-shattering-23-minutes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum superposition</a> might persist under conditions once thought too hot for such effects. 



“If we can create the necessary interactions in a system, the temperature ultimately doesn’t matter,” said Dr. Kirchmair.



Practically speaking, making quantum states at higher temperatures <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/impossibility-paradox-calculating-incalculable-quantum-realm-particles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">could open doors</a> for more compact hardware. It might also lead to new methods of integrating quantum circuitry into everyday technologies without the hassle of bulky cooling machines.



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



The idea that quantum states can survive at higher temperatures, in less demanding thermal environments, could also reshape how students and smaller research groups approach quantum <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/negative-time-observed-measured-tangible-in-new-quantum-experiments/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">experiments</a>. 



Without the high cost and complexity of ultra-low-temperature systems, more institutions may be able to replicate and build on these findings.



This shift could decentralize access to quantum <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/schrodingers-cat-put-into-silicon-chip-may-be-holy-grail-for-error-proof-quantum-computing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a>, leading to faster innovation and a wider talent pool that contributes to the field. 



Affordable platforms that demonstrate real superposition effects could become the new standard in university labs worldwide.



One field that stands to gain from this discovery is the development of <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature10461" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nanomechanical oscillators</a>, where ground-state cooling can be especially tricky. 



If quantum states can remain intact without heavy refrigeration, manufacturing more accessible devices becomes a realistic goal.



Powerful sensors, ultra-secure communication channels, and advanced computing modules <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-quantum-revolution-will-impact-all-aspects-of-society/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">could all benefit from these findings</a>. Such applications would not have to rely solely on cryogenic labs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantum-state-temperature-and-the-future">Quantum state temperature and the future</h2>



By looking beyond the typical notion that heat kills quantum effects, researchers are rethinking strategies for stable quantum platforms. 



The outcome hints that temperature alone may not be the biggest obstacle, as long as the system’s interactions are well-designed.



Additional work is needed to understand how large these “hot” quantum states can get. Every success story in warmer conditions adds more confidence that a broader range of environments can still reveal weird quantum <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-form-of-quantum-entanglement-discovered-will-transform-next-gen-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phenomena</a>.



Although this experiment centered on a specific setup, the principle behind it could apply to other platforms. 



Many scientists hope to refine these protocols and expand them to more complex systems in both university and industrial labs.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adr4492" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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'Hot Schrödinger's cat' states created in the lab, proving that quantum effects don't require extreme cold

Scientists recently found a way to see quantum superposition effects...

Trees begin their day by opening tiny pores under their leaves called stomata. These pores allow them to absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air - a key ingredient for photosynthesis.



But there's a tradeoff. As they "breathe" in CO₂, trees also lose water. A single tree can lose several hundred liters of water per day this way.



To protect themselves, plants close these pores when water becomes scarce. This behavior isn't new to scientists. But what has remained a mystery - until now - is when exactly this happens and what drives the decision to shut down.



Researchers in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the <a href="https://www.unibas.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Basel</a> have discovered a surprising answer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-not-all-about-photosynthesis">It's not all about photosynthesis</h2>



At first glance, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-finally-decoded-the-process-of-photosynthesis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a> seems to be the priority. That’s long been the belief. After all, plants need sunlight and CO₂ to make food. But the team from the University of Basel, using data from their forest lab in Hölstein, found that trees don’t always follow this rule.



“When it comes to plants, researchers have traditionally focused on photosynthesis. So it was previously assumed that trees treated this process as a priority and therefore kept the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-breathe-drought-resistant-crops/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stomata</a> open for as long as possible to absorb CO2, only closing them when there was no other option,” explained study co-author Professor Ansgar Kahmen.



This thinking makes sense. The act of absorbing CO₂ is tied to water loss through the stomata. So it seemed reasonable that plants would risk losing water to keep photosynthesis going, only shutting down when things got extreme. But the new research says otherwise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trees-grow-at-night-but-only-with-water">Trees grow at night - but only with water</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/its-the-timing-of-water-that-matters-to-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Water</a> doesn't just help with photosynthesis - it keeps the tree alive and growing. During the day, trees lose water through evaporation. At night, they work to replenish what was lost. The stomata stay closed, and water flows upward from the roots to refill the cells.



This refill process creates pressure in the cells, known as turgor pressure. Without it, trees can't grow. That’s why most tree growth happens at night.



If the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-much-energy-do-plants-use-to-lift-water-from-the-soil/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">soil</a> is dry, though, trees can’t draw in enough water. Their cells stay under-filled. Without that pressure, they can’t expand or grow - even if they have all the sugars they need from photosynthesis.



And it gets worse. As drought intensifies, the water pathways inside the tree can break down. This collapse can create air bubbles - called embolisms - that block water movement.



“When this happens, irreparable damage occurs, the water transport system collapses and the plant eventually dies,” explained Kahmen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-water-refills-stop">When water refills stop</h2>



The big surprise from the team was that trees are much more cautious than expected. They don’t wait for a crisis to close their stomata. If they can’t get enough water during the night, they simply don’t open the stomata the next morning.



“For the first time, we were able to show that a tree does not even open its stomata in the morning if it cannot absorb enough water overnight,” said Kahmen.



In other words, they skip photosynthesis to protect their ability to grow. This may sound counterintuitive, but it’s a smart survival strategy. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-future-climate-conditions-will-transform-plant-growth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Growth</a> is what allows a tree to build new tissue, repair damage, and keep going. If it can’t grow, making more sugars doesn’t help.



“So the aim is not to optimize photosynthesis and maintain it for as long as possible, but to use the products of photosynthesis as efficiently as possible for growth,” said the plant physiologist.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-forest-carbon-capture">Predicting forest carbon capture </h2>



The new findings could have a major impact on how we predict <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-forests-are-unexpected-heroes-of-carbon-capture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">forest carbon capture</a>. Trees take in less carbon than expected during dry periods. That’s because their stomata close earlier and stay shut for longer than previously thought.



Study lead author Richard L. Peters is a former postdoc at the University of Basel and now professor at the Technical University of Munich.



“Climate models that assume a certain growth in carbon storage volume would therefore have to be adapted,” said Peters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tree-decisions-shape-their-growth">Tree decisions shape their growth</h2>



The findings are especially relevant as summers become hotter and drier in many places, including Switzerland. If trees shut down photosynthesis earlier, forests might store less carbon than climate models currently assume.



“What is remarkable is that our early stomatal closure observations apply to all tree species, whether deciduous or coniferous. How well a tree species will cope with drought, therefore, cannot be solely determined by the process of stomata closure,” noted Peters.



Trees might seem passive, but they’re making active decisions every day. And thanks to new research, we’re finally starting to understand how those decisions shape their growth - and our planet.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://zenodo.org/records/14852038" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Plants</a>.



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How trees decide between growing and breathing

Trees begin their day by opening tiny pores under their...

<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=2E0mn5mTvhQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that scientists never expected.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-waters-beneath-ancient-craters">Hidden waters beneath ancient craters</h2>



Scientists have made a startling discovery that challenges everything we thought we knew about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturn-moon-mimas-has-remarkably-young-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saturn's moon Mimas</a>. Beneath the heavily cratered surface that earned it the nickname "Death Star" lies a global ocean that formed just 5 to 15 million years ago—a remarkably young age by cosmic standards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cassini-data-reveals-orbital-secrets">Cassini data reveals orbital secrets</h2>



The discovery, led by Dr. Valéry Lainey of the <a href="https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Observatoire de Paris</a>, emerged from careful analysis of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>'s Cassini spacecraft data. By studying subtle irregularities in Mimas's orbit around Saturn, researchers detected the gravitational signature of liquid water hidden 20 to 30 kilometers beneath the moon's icy shell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unlikely-ocean-world">An unlikely ocean world</h2>



At only 400 kilometers in diameter, Mimas seemed like the least likely candidate to harbor a subsurface ocean. Unlike other ocean moons such as Europa and Enceladus, which show clear surface signs of internal activity, Mimas displays no obvious hints of the liquid water beneath its ancient, crater-scarred exterior.



"Mimas is a small moon, and its heavily cratered surface gave no hint of the hidden ocean beneath," explained Dr. Nick Cooper from <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University of London</a>, a study co-author.



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



The ocean's recent formation makes Mimas a prime target for studying how oceans develop and potentially support life. This discovery adds another member to the exclusive club of ocean worlds in our solar system, each offering unique insights into the conditions necessary for habitability.



The research, published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a> journal, demonstrates how advanced orbital analysis can reveal hidden features of celestial bodies, opening new possibilities for understanding ocean formation throughout the cosmos.



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Scientists discover unexpected young ocean on Saturn's cratered moon Mimas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ 'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that...

<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.



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter 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://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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;



---



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;



---



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

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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

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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