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...

Many people believe that small skin injuries heal quickly. Recent findings suggest that compared to certain other primates, human skin heals at a much slower pace.



Researchers measured how quickly skin edges moved together after injuries in humans and discovered a rate about one-third of what they saw in non-human primates. 



Their work indicates that humans might have traded rapid recovery for other unique <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-tech-will-track-emotions-through-changes-in-our-skin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">characteristics</a>.



Dr. Akiko Matsumoto-Oda, an evolutionary scientist with the <a href="https://www.u-ryukyu.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of the Ryukyus</a>, conducted these investigations with collaborators from the Kyoto University <a href="https://www.wrc.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wildlife Research Center</a>. 



They studied volunteers undergoing medically required skin procedures, as well as various primates in structured environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-human-skin-heals-slower-than-primates">Why human skin heals slower than primates</h2>



Scientists have long recognized that different species rely on diverse strategies for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/teen-skin-bacteria-could-hold-the-secret-to-acne-prevention/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tissue</a> repair. Some rely on quick wound contraction, while others regenerate skin through careful layering of new cells.



Hair follicles play a big part in healing because each follicle can hold stem cells that jump into action once the skin is injured. 



Humans, however, lack the dense covering seen in many fur-bearing mammals, which can mean a smaller pool of helpful cells.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sweat-glands-impact-skin-healing-in-humans">Sweat glands impact skin healing in humans</h2>



Sweat glands help <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-bodies-begin-breaking-down-two-very-precise-ages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">people</a> stay cool in hot conditions, but they might not support tissue repair as efficiently as follicles. Researchers think that a shift toward more sweat glands and fewer follicles could have slowed healing.



Perspiration lets people remain active for longer in warm regions. This advantage may have outweighed the slower closure of skin wounds, giving humans better odds in harsh environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-structures-compensate-for-slow-healing">Social structures compensate for slow healing</h2>



Reduced healing speed might seem problematic. Yet humans have social systems that can compensate for a delayed rate of repair.



Community care, shelter, and shared resources ensure that a slow recovery does not always threaten survival. 



Archaeological <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199909023411006" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence</a> points to the fact that ancient groups cared for individuals with injuries, allowing them to live despite physical challenges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-skin-healing-differs-from-other-primates">Human skin healing differs from other primates</h2>



Chimpanzees showed a wound-closure pace similar to monkeys, suggesting they all share a roughly similar rate. Humans were the clear exception in this investigation.



Experts noted that a thicker epidermis and a more elaborate sweat duct system could be part of the reason. These <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.0914628107" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">traits</a> likely emerged as humans evolved larger brains and better heat management.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-drives-human-skin-s-structure">What drives human skin’s structure</h2>



Dermatologist teams often examine how genes shape the surface of our bodies. Emerging <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12822721/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> suggests that specific genetic switches influence sweat gland formation, hair density, and wound repair.



Variations in these pathways likely pushed ancient humans toward less body hair. Over time, the result was a distinctive type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/skin-may-play-a-hidden-role-in-ebola-infection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">skin</a> that protects us while sacrificing rapid recovery from damage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-slow-skin-healing-is-a-concern">Why slow skin healing is a concern</h2>



Slow wound repair remains a challenge in modern clinics. Specialists are searching for therapies that might encourage faster closure, especially in older adults and those with illnesses.



Looking to primates and other mammals could inspire new approaches. If scientists can figure out what helps non-human species regrow skin so effectively, they might adapt those tools for human medicine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-toward-future-solutions">Toward future solutions</h2>



Gene editing, advanced dressings, and novel cell-based treatments hold potential. Combining these discoveries with an understanding of natural healing in primates might shorten recovery times.



Some <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30890574/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">researchers</a> hope to replicate the healing strategy of smaller mammals that close cuts quickly. Although it is still experimental, progress in stem cell therapy could transform patient outcomes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-doctors-approach-slow-skin-healing">How doctors approach slow skin healing</h2>



Recognizing that human skin mends more slowly can alter how surgeons and doctors manage postoperative care. Extra monitoring of sutures and incisions might prevent complications.



People with chronic wounds could benefit from therapies tailored to overcome certain genetic hurdles. Targeted interventions might address the biology behind slower healing in humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-medicine-still-lags-behind-nature">Modern medicine still lags behind nature</h2>



Despite advances in medical care, human wound healing often relies on external help like stitches, antibiotics, and dressings to prevent infection and speed recovery. 



These interventions, while effective, highlight how dependent we’ve become on tools to make up for our slower natural response.



In contrast, non-human primates and rodents typically heal without assistance, suggesting that their bodies are still better wired for independent repair. 



This contrast points to an evolutionary gap between our biological abilities and the environments we've built to support them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-research-on-human-skin-healing">New research on human skin healing</h2>



Additional insights from comparative biology might identify subtle differences that set human skin apart. Continued experiments may reveal fresh angles on how hair follicles, sweat glands, and immune responses interplay.



Clues from ancient fossils hint that humans have coped with injuries for centuries. Groups likely shared information about wound treatments, shaping our medical traditions.



The study is published in <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2025.0233" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences</a>.



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Medical oddity: Human skin heals three times slower than our primate relatives

Many people believe that small skin injuries heal quickly. Recent...

The relentless expansion of coastal megacities is reshaping the planet’s shorelines, often with dire consequences for marine life. These urban behemoths, thriving on global commerce, depend heavily on maritime transportation. 



Yet, the incessant movement of vessels through these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/major-coastal-cities-around-the-world-could-disappear-under-rising-seas-by-2100/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">waters</a> threatens marine ecosystems that once thrived undisturbed.



In a recent study, researchers turned their focus to China’s Greater Bay Area, encompassing Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. This region, home to around 86 million people, is the largest coastal megacity by population and the second-largest by economic output. 



However, the same waters that drive its prosperity are now at risk, as vessel traffic surges, impacting sensitive marine habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vessel-traffic-and-marine-ecosystems">Vessel traffic and marine ecosystems</h2>



On any given day, the Greater Bay Area hosts nearly 6,000 vessels, criss-crossing its waters. The Environmental Sustainability and Resilience Joint Centre (<a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/global/cuhkpartnership/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ENSURE</a>) conducted an in-depth study to assess the extent of maritime traffic in this bustling region.



“We found that marine species are likely exposed to relentless presence of vessels,” noted Dr. Phil Doherty from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a>. 



The implications are severe. In shallow waters, propellers churn sediment, increasing turbidity and eroding shorelines. Noise pollution disrupts <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-seas-are-already-toppling-coastal-cities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine communication</a>, while collisions pose direct threats to wildlife. 



These waters, once a sanctuary for endangered species, have become corridors of constant disturbance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-zones-under-siege">Conservation zones under siege</h2>



Conservation zones, designed to safeguard <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coastal-cities-will-spend-over-3-trillion-dollars-damages-from-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine life</a>, are now under siege. The study revealed that certain hotspots in the Greater Bay Area experienced disturbances on 95% of days during the study period. Despite their protected status, these areas remain vulnerable to vessel traffic, which shows no signs of slowing.



“With Hong Kong and Shenzhen hosting the busiest port in the world, the relentless pace of economic growth and development is taking a toll on the marine ecosystem,” said Dr. Felix Leung from the <a href="https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/english/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese University of Hong Kong</a>.



This statement encapsulates the conflict - economic progress continues to rise, but at the expense of ecological stability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shallow-waters-face-severe-impact">Shallow waters face severe impact</h2>



Eighty percent of vessel traffic in the Greater Bay Area occurs in waters less than 20 meters deep. 



The density of vessels in these shallow zones amplifies their impact, exacerbating erosion and disrupting vulnerable habitats like seagrass beds, coral reefs, and coastal wetlands.



Fishing vessels concentrate their activity around the southwestern tip of Lantau Island, forming dense clusters that overlap with key conservation areas. Meanwhile, non-fishing vessels dominate the shipping lanes, linking Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Macau. 



According to the study, non-fishing vessels outnumber fishing vessels by a ratio of nearly ten to one, intensifying the strain on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-land-will-intensify-the-effects-of-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine</a> ecosystems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-endangered-marine-species-face-new-threats">Endangered marine species face new threats</h2>



The Greater Bay Area’s waters serve as a vital refuge for several endangered species, including the Chinese white dolphin and the finless porpoise. These species, already threatened by habitat loss, now face additional risks from vessel traffic. 



“Put simply, boats and ships are everywhere, all the time,” noted Dr. Phil Doherty.



Other vulnerable species, such as green turtles, Chinese horseshoe crabs, and mangrove horseshoe crabs, are also feeling the effects. Decades of land reclamation have altered these habitats, reducing safe havens for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-warnings-what-coastal-cities-must-prepare-for/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine</a> life. 



As vessel activity continues unabated, these species struggle to survive in increasingly fragmented environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-vessel-traffic-in-bay-area">Mapping vessel traffic in Bay Area</h2>



To grasp the extent of vessel traffic, researchers employed Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology. 



This satellite-based tracking system allowed the team to map vessel movements over six years, from 2013 to 2018. The data revealed patterns that were both troubling and persistent.



The study mapped over 5,981 vessels operating daily in the Greater Bay Area. Fishing vessels concentrated near Lantau Island, while non-fishing vessels followed structured shipping lanes. 



The findings also highlighted the overlapping footprints of these vessel classes, with many areas experiencing consistent traffic from both fishing and non-fishing vessels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seasonal-vessel-peaks-intensify-impact">Seasonal vessel peaks intensify impact</h2>



Seasonal changes in vessel traffic provided additional insights. Fishing vessels displayed biannual peaks, aligning with the Chinese New Year and the summer fishing moratorium. During these periods, fishing activity surged, disrupting habitats in concentrated bursts.



Non-fishing vessels, on the other hand, maintained more consistent patterns. Commercial lanes remained active year-round, with a slight uptick during major economic periods. 



This constant flow of vessels exacerbates the cumulative impact on marine ecosystems, which receive little reprieve from human activity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strategies-to-reduce-vessel-traffic-impact">Strategies to reduce vessel traffic impact</h2>



Addressing the ecological fallout of vessel traffic requires a strategic, multi-pronged approach. “The Greater Bay Area is an interesting test case for coastal cities as they grow,” emphasized Dr. Stephen Lang from the University of Exeter.



Proposed mitigation strategies include rerouting shipping lanes to avoid key habitats, reducing vessel speeds to minimize collisions, and adopting quieter, less polluting ships. 



The establishment of marine protected areas that effectively regulate vessel activity could also provide much-needed refuges for endangered species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-data-accessibility-and-broader-implications">Data accessibility and broader implications</h2>



The study’s findings serve as a critical resource for policymakers and conservationists. By making their processed datasets freely accessible, the researchers aim to facilitate further studies on the environmental impact of maritime traffic in other coastal megacities.



“To safeguard these ecologically sensitive areas, governments must adhere to the Global Biodiversity Framework, ensuring both protection and sustainable management for future generations,” noted Dr. Leung.



This call to action highlights the urgent need for policies that balance economic growth with environmental conservation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-safeguarding-coastal-ecosystems">Safeguarding coastal ecosystems</h2>



The relentless growth of coastal megacities underscores a pressing global dilemma: How can we protect marine ecosystems in regions that are vital economic hubs? 



The Greater Bay Area exemplifies this conflict. Once a sanctuary for marine species, it is now a region marked by ceaseless vessel traffic, with its waters teeming with ships and boats.



Despite the gravity of these findings, hope remains. The researchers’ recommendations offer a pathway forward - one that emphasizes sustainable maritime practices, effective conservation measures, and data-driven policymaking. 



By heeding these recommendations, policymakers can chart a course that protects vulnerable species while accommodating economic growth.



The future of coastal megacities like the Greater Bay Area depends on making informed, strategic decisions that prioritize both economic development and environmental health. 



The findings of this study provide a crucial foundation for such efforts, highlighting the urgent need for action before the tides of commerce irrevocably alter the fragile balance of marine ecosystems.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X2500154X?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Policy</a>.



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Marine life is exposed to 'relentless' ship traffic in coastal megacities

The relentless expansion of coastal megacities is reshaping the planet’s...

Large clusters of stars in the Milky Way often stay together for untold ages and can be easy to recognize due to remaining clustered for extended periods. However, gathering at a distance of about 650 light-years away is the star cluster Ophion which is defying these expectations.



This finding comes from scientist Dylan Huson of <a href="https://www.wwu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Western Washington University</a>, who analyzed data from the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission and uncovered a star cluster called Ophion that is racing apart at a surprising speed. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-star-cluster-ophion-stands-out">How the star cluster Ophion stands out</h2>



Researchers have long known that many stars form in <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev.astro.41.011802.094844" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clusters</a> and move in groups, a fact that is supported by observations of multiple star nurseries across our galaxy. Typically, these siblings either disperse slowly or remain together for much of their existence.



Ophion, however, shows little sign of the typical orderly motion that keeps similar star families intact over extended periods.&nbsp;Instead, it exhibits chaotic motion.



“Ophion is filled with stars that are set to rush out across the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-solar-systems-journey-through-the-milky-way-may-have-altered-earths-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxy</a> in a totally haphazard, uncoordinated way,” said Huson. "What’s more, this will happen in a fraction of the time it’d usually take for such a large <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/10-billion-white-dwarf-stars-in-milky-way-galaxy-might-have-habitable-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">family</a> to scatter."



Each star in Ophion is young, at under 20 million years old, yet they are destined to scatter faster than one would expect in a large family.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-cluster-orion-seen-by-gaia">Star cluster Orion: Seen by Gaia</h2>



Nobody is entirely sure what unleashed such chaos in these stars’ collective journey. Nearby <a href="https://research-repository.st-andrews.ac.uk/handle/10023/28438" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova</a> explosions might have swept away much of the gas, speeding up their motions and causing an unusually swift breakup.



The Ophion stars came to light through a model called <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/adc2fa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gaia Net</a>, that was created to explore fresh spectroscopic data and reveal the hidden traits of distant suns. This technique helps pinpoint stellar properties in ways that weren’t practical until now.



“It’s still pretty new to be able to reliably measure the parameters of lots of young stars at once,” said Johannes Sahlmann, ESA <a href="https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/gaia/gaia-science-team" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gaia</a> Project Scientist. 



Earlier <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/0804.0019" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methods</a> often struggled with large numbers of faint, recently formed stars, but the latest Gaia catalogs have made advanced analysis possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unknown-cause-of-ophion-s-scatter">Unknown cause of Ophion's scatter</h2>



Some astronomers suspect that intense events within neighboring <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cosmic-map-reveals-that-the-milky-ways-dust-has-very-unusual-properties/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star</a> clusters or massive outbursts may have jolted Ophion. The cluster also sits near other massive stellar groups, potentially linking their histories in ways that remain unclear.



Other experts wonder if internal dynamics caused a chain reaction that scattered these stars across a wide region in a relatively short time. 



“We don’t know exactly what happened to this star family to make it behave this way,” said co-author <a href="https://mkounkel.domains.unf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marina Kounkel</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ophion-helps-explain-our-galaxy-s-evolution">Ophion helps explain our galaxy's evolution</h2>



Studies of star groups like Ophion help us learn how the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronomers-found-something-strange-at-core-of-milky-way-galaxy-webb-meerkat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a> changes over time. Viewing massive families as they drift apart offers scientists a chance to see how star clusters sometimes meet a swift end and feed solitary stars into our galaxy’s spiral arms.



Older <a href="https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/full_html/2024/11/aa51427-24/aa51427-24.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">groupings</a> follow more predictable orbits, which is why most star families drift apart slowly. Ophion’s rapid, seemingly chaotic spread acts as a reminder that the galaxy still holds secrets, with pockets of young stars no longer moving in the usual patterns.



Gaia’s instruments stopped gathering new data in March after more than ten years of mapping the sky, but the scientific rewards have only just begun. Each data release boosts our knowledge of star populations and builds a clearer picture of how regions like Ophion come together and then split apart.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ophion-observations-moving-forward">Ophion observations moving forward</h2>



The next few years promise deeper insights as the largest Gaia catalogs yet are set for publication. 



Researchers look forward to tying new measurements together with existing catalogs and verifying whether other young clusters share Ophion’s unpredictable motions.



While this disrupted star family poses no threat to Earth, it offers a chance to test leading theories of star <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fluffy-molecular-clouds-may-change-our-understanding-of-star-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">formation</a> and group evolution. 



Observations of the star cluster Ophion may give experts a case study in how entire stellar neighborhoods can unravel under extreme circumstances.



It also underlines the sheer variety of processes at work in our galactic neighborhood. Catching a young cluster in the act of dispersing chaotically, rather than doing so slowly at a much later stage, helps strengthen models describing how all stars, including our Sun, originally formed.



The study is published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/adc2fa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal</a>.



Image Credit: Credit: ESA/Hubble &amp; NASA, A. Sarajedini, F. Niederhofer



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Gaia discovers a new star family named Ophion that's like no other

Large clusters of stars in the Milky Way often stay...

Shoppers often walk right past the freezer aisle, worried that frozen foods lack nutrition and that packaged meals might taste stale. These hesitations can push them toward pricier fresh items and lead to misconceptions about convenient options.



Health skepticism has become a powerful force in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frozen-food-new-thawing-methods-will-improve-safety-and-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food</a> choices. Many consumers fear that the nutritional value of frozen meals is questionable and that the freshness they crave might be lost in cold storage.



Dr. Muhmmad Waqas, Senior Lecturer, Portsmouth Business School, <a href="https://www.port.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Portsmouth</a>, recently led a study that investigated these concerns. 



His research uncovered important links between health anxiety and the rejection of frozen products, revealing that negative word-of-mouth can arise when worries go unaddressed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-people-believe-frozen-foods-are-unhealthy">Why people believe frozen foods are unhealthy</h2>



Modern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-freezer-can-play-a-key-role-in-reducing-food-waste/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diets</a> come with plenty of labels, from organic to GMO-free. The term freshness signals that a product is in its purest state, so items in freezers sometimes feel like they fall short.



Many families focus on the idea that freezing ruins taste and texture. They might think nutrient content is drained by the freezing process, even though vegetables are often flash-frozen to <a href="https://affi.org/why-frozen-foods-should-be-included-in-dietary-guidelines-for-americans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preserve</a> vitamins.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-facts-help-restore-trust-in-frozen-meals">Facts help restore trust in frozen meals</h2>



A lack of information about how frozen <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-waste-has-a-surprising-impact-on-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">options</a> are handled can spark mistrust. Concerns become especially pronounced when health-conscious shoppers see conflicting messages.



“While frozen foods can be just as nutritious as fresh options, many consumers simply don't believe it,” said Dr. Waqas. His statement is backed by <a href="https://foodinsight.org/2020-food-and-health-survey" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> showing similar vitamin and mineral content between frozen and fresh produce.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-young-shoppers-choose-fresh-food-over-frozen">Young shoppers choose fresh food over frozen</h2>



There is a trend among younger shoppers to buy fresh ingredients more frequently. Some <a href="https://store.mintel.com/industries/food" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data</a> suggest that nearly half of 16–24-year-olds in the UK lean toward fresh foods over frozen.



Their buying habits are fueled by health concerns and the idea that fresh might be superior. In many cases, social media plays a role, highlighting farm-to-table ideals that overshadow legitimate benefits of frozen produce.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clear-information-changes-minds">Clear information changes minds</h2>



Once shoppers hear credible facts, their negativity about frozen foods often decreases. They see how convenience and affordability can work together to provide balanced meals.



“Frozen food has a crucial role to play in creating a more sustainable and affordable global food system,” said <a href="https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/yuksel-ekinci" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Professor Yuksel Ekinci</a>, Faculty of Business and Law, University of Portsmouth. 



His view fits with an evolving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vicious-cycle-food-systems-both-suffer-from-and-cause-emissions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">market</a> that points to wider acceptance when facts replace rumors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-global-food-sector-and-frozen-sales">The global food sector and frozen sales</h2>



The food industry reached a <a href="https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/food/worldwide" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">worth</a> of about $9.36 trillion in 2023. Yet a sizable share of consumers remains wary of commercial products, with only <a href="https://foodinsight.org/2020-food-and-health-survey" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">43 percent</a> stating confidence in their health benefits.



Frozen offerings make up a meaningful segment of that total. <a href="https://www.reportlinker.com/market-report/Frozen-Food/5387/Frozen-Food?iso=my" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Estimates</a> show frozen foods may generate $366.3 billion in economic activity by 2026.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-perceptions-through-conversation">Shifting perceptions through conversation</h2>



Research indicates that people who harbor doubts about frozen foods may discourage others from buying them. This negativity spreads across social media platforms where one bad story can travel fast.



Researchers note that providing clear, factual data about nutritional integrity can turn the conversation around. Positive information may also highlight cost-effectiveness and how freezing can help keep meals fresh for extended periods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-habits-make-people-avoid-frozen-foods">Health habits make people avoid frozen foods</h2>



Food choices often tie in with deeper beliefs about health and habit. Innovation resistance theory explains why certain concepts - like embracing frozen produce - can clash with ingrained views about healthy eating.



When worries about freshness morph into bigger health fears, rejection becomes more likely. Shoppers might decide to steer clear of the freezer section, missing out on quick, nutrient-rich options.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-affordability">The role of affordability</h2>



Affordability can influence attitudes toward frozen meals. Many households find value in stocking up on products that last longer, reducing grocery trips and potential waste.



If brands demonstrate that freezing technology helps preserve nutrition, they may reduce hesitation. People often feel better when they learn that quick-freeze methods maintain important vitamins and minerals without harmful additives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-choose-healthier-frozen-foods">How to choose healthier frozen foods</h2>



Shoppers who worry about additives can look for ingredient lists containing only the food itself. The notion that all frozen meals must be filled with preservatives is frequently incorrect.



Individuals can also compare nutritional labels. They may be surprised to see that certain frozen products align with dietary recommendations for essential nutrients.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-resolving-trust-issues">Resolving trust issues</h2>



When trust in food producers is already shaky, products that seem processed face extra skepticism. Frozen items sometimes get lumped into the same category as ready-to-eat meals with high sodium.



Counteracting these doubts may call for clear messaging that emphasizes beneficial qualities. This step can relieve the worry that accompanies packaging, labels, or confusing health claims.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-frozen-food-keeps-its-nutrition">How frozen food keeps its nutrition</h2>



Some brands have begun to showcase how they freeze items at peak freshness. Marketing campaigns are starting to focus on transparency, revealing exactly how produce goes from farm to freezer.



Consumers who educate themselves on the process are finding fewer reasons to distrust what’s cold. They discover that technology and safe handling practices can retain flavor and quality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-word-of-mouth-can-reshape-frozen-food-s-reputation">Word-of-mouth can reshape frozen food’s reputation</h2>



Shoppers often rely on friends and family for advice, which makes word-of-mouth crucial. When negative stories circulate, it reinforces longstanding doubts.



“This isn't just about frozen peas or pizzas. It's about changing the conversation around what we eat, what we trust, and how we can create a food system that works for people and the planet,” said Dr. Waqas. 



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/bfj-11-2024-1123/full/html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Food Journal</a>.



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Frozen foods face consumer skepticism despite offering nutrition

Shoppers often walk right past the freezer aisle, worried that frozen...

The RoboBee can already fly, dive, and hover like a real insect. But there’s been one thing it couldn’t do very well - land safely.



Now, a team of engineers has finally tackled this critical challenge, giving the tiny flying robot a way to touch down without damaging its delicate parts.



This upgraded version of the RoboBee comes from the Harvard Microrobotics Laboratory at the <a href="https://seas.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">John A. Paulson School</a> of Engineering and Applied Sciences.



Scientists there took a cue from one of nature’s most elegant landers: the crane fly. Inspired by this insect, the team gave the robot long, jointed legs that allow it to settle gently onto a surface. 



They also redesigned its control system so it can slow down as it approaches the ground, helping it to avoid harsh impact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-safe-landing-is-so-tricky">Why safe landing is so tricky</h2>



Despite being a major leap in microrobotics, RoboBee’s design has always come with challenges. 



It weighs in at a miniscule tenth of a gram (0.004 ounces), even though it has a 3-centimeter (1.2 inch) wingspan. 



That small size makes it vulnerable to instability near the ground - caused by swirling air from its own flapping wings. These turbulent forces, known as ground effect, can send the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robot-buddies-encourage-children-to-stay-physical-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robot</a> tumbling as it attempts to land.



“Previously, if we were to go in for a landing, we’d turn off the vehicle a little bit above the ground and just drop it, and pray that it will land upright and safely,” said Christian Chan, a graduate student who led the redesign of RoboBee’s mechanical structure.



Even with wings as small as RoboBee’s, the effects of moving air become intense during landing. That instability was a major threat to the robot’s flight muscles - called piezoelectric actuators - which are efficient but fragile.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-robobee-s-new-legs-do">What RoboBee's new legs do</h2>



To give RoboBee a better chance at landing safely, the engineers turned to nature. They studied <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/do-bugs-bug-humans-more-than-humans-bug-bugs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crane flies</a>, which are often mistaken for giant mosquitoes and known for their slow, floppy flight patterns. 



Crane flies also spend a lot of time taking off and landing, making them an ideal role model for the robotic equivalent.



“The size and scale of our platform’s wingspan and body size was fairly similar to crane flies,” Chan noted.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/robobee_landing_demonstration_Harvard_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/robobee_landing_demonstration_Harvard_1s.webp" alt="A composite image of the RoboBee landing on a leaf. Credit: Harvard Microrobotics Laboratory" class="wp-image-1968712"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A composite image of the RoboBee landing on a leaf. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Harvard Microrobotics Laboratory</figcaption></figure>



Crane flies have long, jointed legs that help soften the blow of landing. Using that as a guide, the researchers designed and built similar leg structures. 



They used previous manufacturing techniques from the Microrobotics Lab to control how stiff or flexible each joint would be, thus fine-tuning the legs to handle different types of terrain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-smarter-brain-for-better-control">A smarter brain for better control</h2>



Adding new legs was only part of the solution. The team also needed to train RoboBee’s brain to prepare for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/squirrel-inspired-robot-masters-the-art-of-precision-landing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">landing</a>. That’s where the updated controller came in.



“The successful landing of any flying vehicle relies on minimizing the velocity as it approaches the surface before impact and dissipating energy quickly after the impact,” explained Nak-seung Patrick Hyun, who led the landing control tests. 



“Even with the tiny <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amazing-fact-insect-wings-flap-faster-than-their-brain-speed-can-command/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wing flaps</a> of RoboBee, the ground effect is non-negligible when flying close to the surface, and things can get worse after the impact as it bounces and tumbles.”



Hyun’s efforts included testing the robot’s landing performance on both soft and hard surfaces - including leaves - to ensure the system could adjust to different conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blending-biology-and-robotics">Blending biology and robotics</h2>



Alyssa Hernandez, a postdoctoral researcher, added biological insight to the project. Her background in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insect-flight-is-powered-by-an-extraordinary-structure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insect movement</a> helped guide the robot’s leg design and landing behavior.



“RoboBee is an excellent platform to explore the interface of biology and robotics,” Hernandez said. “Seeking bioinspiration within the amazing diversity of insects offers us countless avenues to continue improving the robot. Reciprocally, we can use these robotic platforms as tools for biological research, producing studies that test biomechanical hypotheses.”



To support the work, the team also reviewed specimens from Harvard’s Museum of Comparative Zoology, where they compared leg structure and segmentation to refine their designs even further.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-robobee">What’s next for RoboBee?</h2>



Right now, the RoboBee still relies on a tether for power and control. The team is working toward a fully autonomous version that will carry its own sensors, onboard computing, and energy source.



“The longer-term goal is full autonomy, but in the interim we have been working through challenges for electrical and mechanical components using tethered devices,” explained project lead Robert Wood. 



“The safety tethers were, unsurprisingly, getting in the way of our experiments, and so safe landing is one critical step to removing those tethers.”



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://youtu.be/IIuBagiw17U" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/robobee_gets-an-upgrade_landing_video-thumb_1s.webp" alt="Click here to watch RoboBee in action. Credit: Harvard" class="wp-image-1968714"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Click here to watch RoboBee in action. Credit: Harvard</figcaption></figure>



Removing the tether would unlock RoboBee’s full potential. The robot’s tiny size and insect-like agility make it a strong candidate for real-world tasks - like monitoring environments, aiding in search-and-rescue efforts, or even helping pollinate crops.



Chan has high hopes for that last idea. One of his favorite potential uses is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robotic-insects-may-be-the-future-of-farming-and-plant-pollination/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial pollination</a>. “Picture swarms of RoboBees buzzing around vertical farms and gardens of the future,” he suggested.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.adq3059" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Robotics</a>.



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RoboBee: Mimicking nature with microrobots

The RoboBee can already fly, dive, and hover like a...

Rats scurry through alleyways, tunnels, and parks. While these creatures are a common sight in city life, their movements may carry far more danger than many realize. 



A newly published six-year study reveals how rat migrations within cities contribute to the spread of a serious bacterial infection called leptospirosis - a disease that can be fatal for both humans and animals.



In this study, scientists from <a href="https://www.tufts.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tufts University</a>, along with researchers from Northern Arizona University, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), worked together to track the spread of leptospirosis in Boston. 



The team also introduced a new way to test rat kidneys for this disease-causing bacteria, a method that may change how future infections are traced.



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



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rats-and-shrews-living-close-together-trade-gut-bacteria/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leptospirosis</a> is caused by a bacterium that often thrives in rats. It's spread primarily through rat urine, which contaminates soil, water, and other parts of the environment. From there, it can infect humans, dogs, and other animals. 



While common in tropical areas, this disease is now appearing more in colder regions, likely due to the warming effects of climate change.



In Boston, the disease has been found in the city’s rat populations, with various strains moving between neighborhoods as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shipping-superhighways-helped-brown-rats-conquer-north-america/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rats migrate</a>. 



The research team was able to genetically link a 2018 human case of leptospirosis in Boston to infected rats in the same area, confirming a strong connection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-a-hidden-bacteria-in-rats">Tracking a hidden bacteria in rats</h2>



From 2016 to 2022, researchers worked with Boston’s Inspectional Services Department to trap and test rats from 17 different sites. 



They collected and analyzed DNA from the kidneys of 328 rats. Out of those, 59 rats - covering 12 different sites - tested positive for the Leptospira bacteria. Culturing this bacterium is no easy task. 



Marike Rosenbaum is an assistant professor in the Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.



“The primary way to get a full genomic sequence of a virus or bacteria is to culture it, which was a challenge in this case because Leptospira is considered a fastidious organism. It has specific requirements for temperature, pH, and nutrients," said Rosenbaum.



"But our USDA collaborators cultured the bacteria from not only fresh but also frozen rodent kidneys, which has never been reported in the literature before, to get isolates."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-the-whole-genome">Using the whole genome</h2>



Experts at Northern Arizona University’s Pathogen &amp; Microbiome Institute used specialized DNA techniques to isolate and enhance the bacterial genetic material. This allowed researchers to gather a detailed view of how the bacteria spread and evolve.



“The new genetic and tools that we developed and used in this study are real game changers for leptospirosis research, as we can now use the power of the whole genome to look for relatedness among samples, something that just wasn’t possible before,” said Dr. Dave Wagner, executive director of the PMI at NAU.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mapping-the-movement-of-disease">Mapping the movement of disease</h2>



By combining genetic sequencing with information on rat migration, the team was able to see how leptospirosis travels through the city. 



“Because we were able to do the culturing and the sequencing, we were able to look more closely at how the different strains of leptospirosis are related, which helps us understand how the bacteria are getting transmitted between rats and rat populations in the city,” Rosenbaum said.



This information could help shape better strategies for controlling rat populations and minimizing human exposure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threats-to-human-health">Threats to human health </h2>



The researchers also studied a single human case of leptospirosis in Boston, working with the CDC to analyze the bacterial strain. They compared it to those found in local rats. 



The result was striking: the strain in the human was nearly identical to those found in three rats from the same area, even though those rats were collected in different years. "It's very strong evidence that the source of that human case was a rat,” said Rosenbaum.



Not every case of leptospirosis is detected. Some people may have no symptoms at all. Others might feel slightly sick before recovering. However, a small number of infections lead to serious complications - including organ failure or even death.



“Human exposure to rats is not very common. But certain populations might be at higher risk, like unhoused people or people who engage in outdoor injection drug use, which are situations that lead to more direct contact with rats,” said Rosenbaum.



Diagnosing leptospirosis is tricky. Many doctors don’t think to test for it unless they suspect exposure. And even when they do, antibiotic treatment can eliminate the bacteria before it shows up on a test. 



Positive results also aren’t always reported to public health databases, making it harder to track.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-how-rats-travel">Understanding how rats travel</h2>



The research also uncovered how rats move throughout Boston. “Rats have a high degree of genetic structure, which means there are distinct <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rat-populations-are-increasing-in-cities-as-temperatures-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rat populations throughout the city</a> that are highly related to each other,” Rosenbaum explained.



These populations don’t mix often. But when rats do migrate - due to construction, habitat disruption, or environmental changes - they can carry bacteria with them. Each rat group tends to maintain its own unique strain of leptospirosis over time.



A rat in Boston typically needs to travel over 600 meters - more than a third of a mile - to encounter a genetically different group. Wide roads limit this movement, while green spaces and corridors make it easier for them to spread.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eradicating-rats-isn-t-the-answer">Eradicating rats isn’t the answer</h2>



The goal is not to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rat-eradication-is-beneficial-for-seabirds-and-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eradicate rats</a> entirely. That would be nearly impossible. Instead, scientists want to understand how different pest control methods affect rat migration and disease spread.



“Extermination is not realistic,” Rosenbaum said. “But I think better understanding of how the different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eco-friendly-pest-control-this-simple-cinnamon-trick-keeps-mice-away/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pest control</a> interventions are impacting rat migrations and transmission of pathogens amongst the rat population would be really helpful.”



By combining genetic science, city mapping, and public health, this study sheds new light on how a quiet pest in our cities can carry a very loud threat - one that deserves more attention.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0012966" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases</a>.



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Rats are spreading a deadly disease across cities

Rats scurry through alleyways, tunnels, and parks. While these creatures...

Many of us think we know our bodies inside out. Yet few suspect that our heart might be living by its own timeline. New research indicates that everyday habits could quietly add years to our cardiac clock. The usual culprits like stress, high-fat meals, and lack of exercise might be speeding up the aging <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-old-are-you-really-new-tool-measures-aging-from-the-inside-out/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">process</a>.



According to newly published findings in a peer-reviewed, observational study, these discoveries could reshape cardiac care. 



Dr. Pankaj Garg, a cardiologist at the <a href="https://www.uea.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of East Anglia</a>’s Norwich Medical School and the Norfolk and <a href="https://www.nnuh.nhs.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norwich University Hospital</a>, is one of the researchers behind this unique approach.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-aging-in-the-heart">Hidden aging in the heart</h2>



Doctors traditionally look at risk factors like cholesterol and blood pressure to gauge heart health. Now they can turn to MRI for a closer look at how old the heart appears on a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organ-aging-can-predict-diseases-decades-in-advance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">functional level</a>.



“Telling a 55-year-old that their heart looks 65 can be a powerful nudge to tighten blood-pressure control, lose weight, or exercise more,” said Dr. Garg. 



Researchers suggest that telling a person their “functional heart age” might trigger healthier choices.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-wake-up-call-for-younger-adults">A wake-up call for younger adults</h2>



Many people in their 30s and 40s assume heart disease is a problem for the elderly. But poor diet, stress, and sedentary habits can quietly age the heart long before gray hairs appear.



Doctors say that spotting early warning signs with cardiac MRI could be especially helpful for young adults with demanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/defying-time-three-ways-to-slow-biological-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lifestyles</a>. 



Knowing your heart is aging faster than expected might be the push needed to break bad habits and start taking cardiovascular health seriously.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-functional-heart-age">What is functional heart age?</h2>



Scientists <a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-tests" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">measure</a> heart function by checking how well the organ pumps blood and how its structure holds up under stress. If these measures line up with a younger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-bodies-begin-breaking-down-two-very-precise-ages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">profile</a>, it suggests the heart is in better shape than one might think.



However, if indicators skew toward an older profile, it may hint that the heart is struggling. That mismatch can point to hidden problems like <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol/atherosclerosis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atherosclerosis</a>, which involves plaque buildup in the arteries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detection-may-prevent-severe-issues">Detection may prevent severe issues</h2>



According to experts, early detection can give people a chance to address risk factors before severe <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-a-protein-that-reverses-cellular-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">symptoms</a> appear. Spotting subtle changes might prompt more aggressive steps to improve lifestyle or consider medication.



This focus on prevention is gaining traction among cardiologists. Catching issues at an early stage can spare patients from <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11263144/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">advanced procedures</a> down the line. 



Research teams in Europe and Asia have tested these MRI methods on people with and without common health issues. Their work hints at a new benchmark for cardiology that moves beyond age alone.



“This is a game-changer for keeping hearts healthier, longer,” said Dr. Garg. Some experts hope this shift in thinking will sharpen diagnostic options worldwide.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-clear-view-of-heart-age">A clear view of heart age</h2>



PhD student <a href="https://research-portal.uea.ac.uk/en/persons/hosamadin-s-assadi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hosamadin Assadi</a> calls this technique a major step for long-term wellness. “It’s thrilling to see how this MRI technique could change lives,” said Assadi.



As imaging tools advance, some doctors hope to integrate these scans into routine check-ups for at-risk individuals. Others see it as a pathway to personalized treatment, where each patient’s heart gets a custom plan.



Families with a history of coronary problems might benefit from these scans. A clearer view of heart age can encourage relatives to band together for healthier routines.



Small group efforts like cooking wholesome meals or planning weekend walks can make a difference. Those collective changes might keep everyone’s heart age closer to their actual years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-could-benefit-the-most">Who could benefit the most</h2>



People with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity may benefit most from knowing their heart’s functional age. These conditions silently put extra strain on the heart long before obvious symptoms show up.



Older adults and those with a family history of <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16765-atrial-fibrillation-afib" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atrial fibrillation</a> or heart attacks could also use this information to guide their treatment choices. 



Doctors might adjust medications, recommend more frequent checkups, or suggest lifestyle changes based on how the heart is holding up under pressure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-frontier-in-cardiology">A new frontier in cardiology</h2>



Though still evolving, this technique could add a fresh layer of precision to cardiac care. Researchers believe it will complement existing tools rather than replace them.



Doctors may soon have a better way to track trends in heart function over time. That could mean earlier interventions and more targeted therapies.



Researchers hope this approach will refine how hospitals assess heart function. By identifying discrepancies between chronological and functional age, doctors can intervene before life-threatening events occur.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://fortune.com/2025/05/01/heart-age-cardio-health-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Open European Heart Journal</a>.



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Unhealthy habits can make your heart age faster

Many of us think we know our bodies inside out....

Climate change is making wildfires more frequent and intense. A key factor behind this surge is the rise in "fire weather" - specific conditions that make it easier for fires to ignite and spread. Heat, dry air, low rainfall, and strong winds are all part of this volatile mix.



Recent research from the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research (UFZ) and the <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of New South Wales</a> shows that the timing of fire weather seasons is shifting. Eastern Australia and western North America are now experiencing more overlap in their fire seasons than ever before. 



The study, published in the journal Earth’s Future, reveals how this change could complicate international firefighting efforts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-catastrophic-fire-seasons">Catastrophic fire seasons</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-have-identified-the-key-driver-of-severe-wildfires-in-canada/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wildfires</a> have devastated coasts on both continents. In January 2025, Los Angeles saw one of its worst fire disasters, with 29 lives lost and over 10,000 buildings destroyed.



Between September 2019 and March 2020, eastern Australia faced a catastrophic bushfire season that burned more than 12 million hectares of forest and bushland.



In times of crisis, countries have leaned on each other. Firefighters from Canada, the United States, and Australia have flown across the globe to offer support. These collaborations have saved lives and resources. But the window for such cooperation is shrinking.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fire-seasons-are-rising-together">Fire seasons are rising together</h2>



To understand what’s changing, the researchers analyzed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-breaking-wildfire-years-are-just-getting-started/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global fire weather trends</a> using the Canadian Fire Weather Index (FWI). This tool considers rainfall, temperature, humidity, and wind speed to flag days when wildfires are more likely.



Since 1979, the number of fire weather days that occur simultaneously in eastern Australia and western North America has been rising. Most of the overlap happens between July and December. In fact, the number of these simultaneous fire-prone days has been increasing by about one day per year.



"This is because the fire season in eastern Australia is starting earlier in spring and overlapping with the end of the fire season on the west coast of North America," explained Dr. Andreia Ribeiro, a climate scientist at UFZ and lead author of the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preparing-for-the-future">Preparing for the future</h2>



The team didn’t stop at historical data. Using four climate models and multiple simulations, they explored what the future might look like. 



The result? A continued rise in overlapping fire weather days - by as much as 4 to 29 days per year by the middle of this century.



"The number of overlapping fire weather days in western North America and eastern Australia will continue to increase," said Dr. Ribeiro.



One key driver behind fire season timing is the El Niño Southern Oscillation. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/el-nino-event-may-push-earth-towards-its-hottest-year-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">El Niño</a> often leads to droughts and heatwaves in eastern Australia. Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/winter-of-extremes-how-will-la-nina-affect-weather-in-the-u-s/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Niña</a> tends to bring drier, hotter conditions to western North America.



"Despite these generally opposing patterns, we found that during strong fire weather overlap, El Niño conditions are especially pronounced in the Central Pacific," said Dr. Ribeiro. But even this climate system may not be enough to offset the bigger picture.



"Climate change is causing global temperature rises and increasing drought in some regions while the El Niño effect is expected to remain largely unchanged," noted study co-author Dr. Jakob Zscheischler.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overlapping-fire-seasons">Overlapping fire seasons</h2>



The traditional schedule once worked in favor of cooperation. Western North America usually battled fires between June and October. Eastern Australia faced them from October to March. This left a gap that made it possible for countries to send help, but the gap is closing fast.



"These increasingly overlapping fire weather seasons in the US and Australia are narrowing the window for international cooperation and making it harder to respond quickly to large-scale wildfires," said study lead author Dr. Doug Richardson from the ARC Center of Excellence for Climate Extremes at UNSW.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-firefighting-strategies">Rethinking firefighting strategies</h2>



The study suggests that current international agreements may no longer be enough. With shrinking timeframes for mutual aid, countries may need to rely more on their own fire services.



Australia and the United States will likely need to boost domestic resources - more personnel, more aircraft, and stronger infrastructure. The stakes are high.



As climate change continues to stretch fire seasons longer and push them closer together, the ability to act swiftly and independently could save thousands of lives and ecosystems.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024EF005030" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's Future</a>.



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Fire weather seasons are overlapping more than ever before

Climate change is making wildfires more frequent and intense. A...

Marijuana has intrigued people for decades, especially as more places allow it for medical or recreational use. Many see it as a natural product with relaxing properties, yet scientists have been eager to uncover how it might alter the body in subtle ways.



Researchers tracked the cannabis habits of more than 1,000 U.S. adults over roughly two decades. The team included epidemiologist Lifang Hou from <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northwestern University</a>, who analyzed blood samples at two points to search for signs that cannabis use may shift genetic markers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-marijuana-alters-dna">How marijuana alters DNA</h2>



The epigenome includes chemical modifications on DNA that can affect how genes work. These modifications, such as <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/npp2012112" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA methylation</a>, do not alter the underlying genetic code but can change how active certain sections of DNA are.



Studies have suggested that environmental factors like diet or toxins can impact these epigenetic markers. New findings now propose that cannabis use may leave an imprint, too.



“We observed associations between cumulative marijuana use and multiple epigenetic markers across time,” explained Hou. The markers appeared in people who reported using cannabis in the short term as well as across many years.



While these associations are intriguing, the study does not confirm that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-use-during-pregnancy-rewires-the-fetal-brain/">cannabis</a> is the direct cause. The researchers emphasize that other behaviors or factors could be partly responsible for the patterns seen in those genetic switches.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-response-to-cannabis-and-tobacco">Genetic response to cannabis and tobacco</h2>



One of the most striking findings was a consistent methylation marker that has already been linked to tobacco use. The same signal appeared in cannabis users, hinting that the body may respond to both substances in a similar way at the genetic level.



This overlap raises questions about whether cannabis and tobacco trigger the same biological pathways or if the presence of smoke itself is responsible for the epigenetic shift. 



More studies could help clarify whether these changes stem from the substances themselves or the act of inhalation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-could-these-markers-predict-health-risks">Could these markers predict health risks?</h2>



Some of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/common-plant-can-cause-severe-burns-and-dna-damage/">DNA</a> changes tied to cannabis use were previously linked to conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and substance use disorders. While this doesn’t prove a cause-and-effect relationship, it shows a pattern worth paying attention to.



If future research confirms these links, doctors might someday use these markers as early warning signs. They could help flag individuals who may be more vulnerable to certain mental health issues based on their cannabis use history.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marijuana-and-dna-methylation">Marijuana and DNA methylation</h2>



DNA methylation patterns have been linked to a variety of health conditions. Shifting these patterns might change how the body manages cell growth, hormones, and even how it responds to infections.



Scientists have hinted that these modifications could affect neurological processes, too. 



Cannabis has long been studied for its possible connections to mental health, so these DNA changes may be relevant to conditions that involve the brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cautious-interpretation">Cautious interpretation</h2>



“This research has provided novel insights into the association between marijuana use and epigenetic factors,” said epidemiologist Drew Nannini from Northwestern University. 



Future research may pinpoint which specific traits or disorders, if any, are most influenced by cannabis-linked epigenetic shifts.



Experts also note that the study relied on self-reported cannabis use. Some participants might have been reluctant to share full details, although confidentiality was maintained to encourage honest responses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marijuana-use-and-dna-changes">Marijuana use and DNA changes</h2>



A substantial segment of U.S. adults, <a href="https://library.samhsa.gov/product/results-2019-national-survey-drug-use-and-health-nsduh-key-substance-use-and-mental-health" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">around 49 percent</a>, try marijuana at least once. For frequent or daily users, scientists are interested in whether these epigenetic signs might grow more pronounced over time.



Observing blood samples taken years apart gave the team a way to compare recent users and those who had used cannabis longer. By tracking the same people, they could see how DNA methylation changed along with reported usage levels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-effects-over-time">Different effects over time</h2>



The number of methylation markers linked to cannabis changed between the two sample points. At year 15, the team found 53 associated markers, while at year 20, that number jumped to 148.



This suggests that some of the epigenetic effects may accumulate with continued use or become more detectable with age. It also opens the possibility that long-term cannabis exposure may affect the body differently than short-term use.



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



Some experts suggest that more research in different groups is needed to see if these associations appear consistently. 



Larger investigations could help determine whether these epigenetic changes are reversible if someone reduces or stops using marijuana.



Many scientists want to see if these markers correlate with specific outcomes, such as mental health shifts or immune function. It may take time to unravel whether the observed epigenetic changes translate into noticeable health effects.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-023-02106-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Molecular Psychiatry</a>.



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20-year study of 1,000 adults reveals how marijuana alters DNA

Marijuana has intrigued people for decades, especially as more places...

Music has always been a profound part of human life, shaping emotions, memories, and even physical movements. It transcends language and culture, creating connections that can be universally felt. But how does music exert such a powerful effect on our brains? 



According to a new study published in Nature Reviews Neuroscience, the answer may lie in a deeper, physical resonance between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-people-are-born-to-enjoy-music-more-than-others/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music</a> and neural oscillations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-music-resonates-with-the-brain">How music resonates with the brain </h2>



The study, co-authored by McGill psychologist Caroline Palmer, suggests that our brains and bodies do not merely understand music - they resonate with it. 



This resonance is not simply about hearing sounds; it involves our entire neurodynamic system. The findings draw upon insights from neuroscience, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-has-the-power-to-change-the-mood-of-our-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music</a>, and psychology - all converging to support the Neural Resonance Theory (NRT).



The theory maintains that musical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/live-music-connects-people-emotionally-and-physically/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">experiences</a> arise not from learned expectations or cognitive predictions but from the brain’s natural oscillatory rhythms. These rhythms align with external musical elements such as rhythm, melody, and harmony.



Rather than passively perceiving music, the brain physically embodies it, synchronizing with musical patterns to produce sensations of timing, musical pleasure, and even the impulse to move.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-brain-syncs-with-musical-rhythms">The brain syncs with musical rhythms</h2>



A considerable amount of research on the neuroscience of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-reveal-how-music-can-heal-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music</a> indicates that neural oscillations synchronize with musical stimuli.



This synchronization is more than a mere response to sound; it reflects a deeper resonance that connects the brain’s oscillatory patterns with external rhythmic structures. 



“This theory suggests that music is powerful not just because we hear it, but because our brains and bodies become it,” noted Palmer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-brain-feels-music">How the brain feels music</h2>



Traditional theories suggest that the brain predicts musical events based on prior experiences. 



However, NRT proposes a different view. It suggests that people anticipate musical events not through predictive neural models but because brain-body dynamics physically embody musical structures.



This perspective highlights resonance as a fundamental principle, allowing us to feel music in our bodies as well as hear it.



The resonance described by NRT is not limited to auditory processing. It extends throughout the body, from the ear to the spinal cord and even to limb movements. 



This comprehensive resonance process involves the entire nervous system, suggesting that music perception is not confined to the brain but is a full-body <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/live-music-evokes-stronger-emotions-than-streamed-music/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">experience</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neuroscience-of-harmony-and-pulse">Neuroscience of harmony and pulse</h2>



The study also explores how structures like pulse and harmony mirror stable resonant patterns within the brain. These patterns are shared across individuals, regardless of musical training or cultural background. 



By resonating with these musical elements, the brain creates predictable patterns of movement and timing, reinforcing the sensation of rhythm.



Beyond rhythm and timing, music also evokes powerful emotional responses. The study examines how resonance and stability influence the brain’s emotional circuits, linking specific musical structures to corresponding emotional states. 



By synchronizing with certain musical rhythms, the brain can evoke feelings of calm, excitement, or even nostalgia.



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



One of the most promising aspects of NRT is its potential for therapeutic applications. 



Researchers believe that by harnessing the resonance principles of music, therapists could design interventions for neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and depression. 



Targeted rhythmic and melodic stimuli could stimulate specific neural circuits, potentially aiding recovery and improving motor coordination.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-and-emotional-intelligence">AI and emotional intelligence</h2>



The implications of NRT extend beyond therapy and into the realm of artificial intelligence. 



The study suggests that emotionally intelligent AI systems could be developed to generate or respond to music in ways that resonate more naturally with human emotions.



By aligning AI-generated music with neural oscillatory patterns, researchers could create systems that respond more accurately to human emotional states.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhancing-learning-through-music">Enhancing learning through music</h2>



NRT could also revolutionize music education by leveraging the brain’s natural resonant patterns to enhance learning. 



By aligning educational tools with rhythmic and melodic structures, educators could improve auditory processing, motor coordination, and memory retention.



This approach could be particularly effective for children and individuals with learning difficulties.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-as-a-universal-language">Music as a universal language</h2>



Another significant aspect of NRT is its potential to explain why music resonates universally across cultures. 



The theory suggests that certain musical structures, such as specific rhythms and harmonies, correspond to stable states within complex neural systems.



These states evoke similar responses across diverse populations, enabling music to connect people from different cultural backgrounds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-rhythms-sync-with-music">Brain rhythms sync with music</h2>



The study delves into how fundamental dynamical principles such as resonance, stability, attunement, and strong anticipation shape musical perception. 



These principles not only govern how people respond to music but also explain why certain musical structures feel more stable and predictable. 



According to NRT, these principles stem from the brain’s inherent tendency to synchronize with rhythmic patterns.



Led by Edward Large from the University of Connecticut and co-authored by Caroline Palmer, the study represents the first comprehensive presentation of the Neural Resonance Theory in a single publication. 



The researchers emphasize the practical applications of their findings, from developing therapeutic tools to creating emotionally attuned AI systems and advancing music education.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-era-in-music-neuroscience">New era in music neuroscience</h2>



The concept of resonance reframes music as more than an auditory experience; it becomes a physical phenomenon that engages the entire body. 



This perspective not only deepens our understanding of how music affects the brain but also opens new avenues for exploring its potential as a therapeutic and educational tool.



The study highlights the profound impact of music on the human brain and body, highlighting its potential as a tool for therapy, education, and AI development. 



By framing music as a resonance phenomenon, scientists can explore how oscillatory patterns shape our sensory experiences, offering new insights into the universal power of music.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41583-025-00915-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Reviews Neuroscience</a>.



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Our brain doesn't just hear music - it becomes the rhythm

Music has always been a profound part of human life,...

In 1980, a single male grasshopper was collected on São Nicolau, Cape Verde. After that, silence. For decades, the Monte Gordo grasshopper (Eyprepocprifas insularis) was lost to science. 



Declared extinct in 1996, the grasshopper returned in 2023 - thanks to a pair of curious biologists and a night walk under torchlight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-extinct-grasshopper-re-emerges">An extinct grasshopper re-emerges</h2>



Rob Felix and Annelies Jacobs were on a casual field holiday in Cape Verde when they made the discovery. 



“During a night walk, on our first evening on São Nicolau, to a colony of a unique seabird <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insects-are-still-disappearing-and-there-are-hundreds-of-reasons-why/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>, the Fea, I stumbled upon a grasshopper sitting on the path," said Felix. 



"When I looked closer in the torch's light, I immediately recognized its unique appearance. I shouted out loud, 'It's Eyprepocprifas!' To my surprise, correct at once, because it's not the most easily pronounceable genus name."



In the days that followed, they found more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grasshopper-size-changes-in-response-to-shifting-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">specimens</a> - male, female, and nymphs - mainly on Monte Gordo’s steep slopes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-living-fossil-in-a-fragile-ecosystem">A living fossil in a fragile ecosystem</h2>



Eyprepocprifas insularis is unique. It is the only short-winged grasshopper species endemic to Cape Verde. 



The grasshopper has survived in isolation for likely millions of years, earning its title as a “living fossil.” Its lineage shows little evolutionary change and few living relatives.



“E. insularis must have been there for a very long time and has been able to withstand the severe ecological conditions,” noted the study authors.



Cape Verde’s rugged mountains and erratic climate likely shaped this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insect-populations-dramatically-declining-around-the-world-rising-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insect’s</a> unusual features. Its tough exoskeleton may help it withstand harsh droughts and limit water loss.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-threats-to-the-monte-gordo-grasshopper">Threats to the Monte Gordo grasshopper</h2>



Monte Gordo Natural Park is a protected area on São Nicolau Island in Cape Verde. It includes high mountain landscapes that provide the only known home for the Monte Gordo grasshopper.



The park's highlands have different types of plant life. Some areas are filled with native shrubs, especially a plant called Euphorbia tuckeyana, which only grows in Cape Verde. 



Other areas were replanted in the past with foreign trees like pine, eucalyptus, and cypress. These changes affect the local habitat, but some patches of natural vegetation remain.



The grasshopper lives in the higher parts of this park - between 650 and 1,100 meters (2,130 to 3,610 feet) above sea level. It prefers the moist, cooler slopes that face northeast. These areas often have rocky ground and are covered in fog, which provides much-needed moisture in an otherwise dry climate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vulnerable-grasshopper-with-a-tiny-range">Vulnerable grasshopper with a tiny range</h2>



Even though scientists found several of these grasshoppers during the 2023 rediscovery, they were all located in the northern section of the park. 



This shows the insect lives in a very limited area. Its total occupied space is only about 12 square kilometers (4.6 square miles).



Because of its tiny range and the risk from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/technology-offers-new-hope-for-declining-insect-populations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental changes</a>, the grasshopper is listed as “Vulnerable” by the <a href="https://iucn.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IUCN</a>. This label means it could become extinct if its habitat is damaged further.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grasshoppers-with-jumping-power">Grasshoppers with jumping power</h2>



E. insularis has remarkable jumping power and may be active both day and night. Most adults were spotted sitting quietly on the ground or on rocks.



When disturbed, they leap far - using strong hind legs. Nymphs were observed on plants like Asteriscus smithii, suggesting host-plant interactions that are still unknown to science.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/grasshopper_Eyprepocprifas-insularis_thought-extinct_leaf_credit-Rob-Felix_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/grasshopper_Eyprepocprifas-insularis_thought-extinct_leaf_credit-Rob-Felix_1s.webp" alt="Eyprepocprifas insularis, male from Assomada Pass. Credit: Rob Felix" class="wp-image-1968604"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Eyprepocprifas insularis, male from Assomada Pass. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Rob Felix</figcaption></figure>



Mounting these grasshoppers for study was also difficult. The researchers needed great force to pierce their bodies with pins, indicating a very dense, water-conserving cuticle. This feature may be another adaptation to dry island conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-changed-their-habitat">What changed their habitat?</h2>



Before human settlement, São Nicolau’s highlands supported dense native woodlands. That changed drastically in the last 400 years. Introduced species replaced native flora. 



Grazing, deforestation, and fire damaged the landscape. Droughts and storms added further stress.



The insect’s ability to survive in degraded and partially reforested areas shows some flexibility. But that does not guarantee safety. The decline of key plants or food fungi could trigger a population crash.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-a-unique-grasshopper">Saving a unique grasshopper </h2>



“Now that it has been found again, we have the opportunity to take steps to protect this unique species and its habitat,” noted the researchers.



Conservation efforts already exist in Monte Gordo, including replanting native flora and controlling grazing. These efforts now gain urgency to save the grasshopper, once thought to be extinct, from vanishing forever. 



The researchers recommend prioritizing the moist, least drought-prone areas - particularly north-facing slopes - for habitat protection.



There is also potential for more discoveries. During their brief fieldwork, Rob and Annelies noted several insect species not previously recorded in Cape Verde. The archipelago may still hide more surprises.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-back-from-the-edge-of-extinction">Back from the edge of extinction </h2>



Eyprepocprifas insularis has returned from the edge of extinction. But its future depends on what comes next - science, policy, and our respect for its fragile mountain home.



The rediscovery also brought renewed attention to the earlier work of Michel Lecoq, who first described the grasshopper and later declared it extinct.



Lecoq is affiliated with <a href="https://www.cirad.fr/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CIRAD</a> (French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development) and the CBGP (Centre de Biologie pour la Gestion des Populations), <a href="https://www.umontpellier.fr/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Montpellier</a>, France.



The study is published in the <a href="https://jor.pensoft.net/article/144016/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Orthoptera Research</a>. 



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Grasshopper species presumed extinct for 43 years was recently rediscovered

In 1980, a single male grasshopper was collected on São...

Human,Cell,Division,Under,A,Microscope.,Cellular,Therapy.,3d,Illustration

For over a century, biology students have been taught a simple idea about cell division. Before splitting into two identical daughter cells, a parent cell becomes round - like a sphere - and then breaks apart evenly. But what if this isn’t how it usually happens in the body?



Recent research is shaking up this long-held belief, showing that cell division is more dynamic than we’ve been told. The traditional idea of a cell becoming round before dividing doesn’t always hold true, especially in real-life biological systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-all-divisions-are-equal">Not all divisions are equal</h2>



Scientists from <a href="https://www.manchester.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Manchester</a> have discovered that cells often skip the rounding step before division. Instead, they divide without becoming spherical - and this makes a big difference.



These non-round divisions result in daughter cells that are not equal in size or function. This process, known as asymmetric division, turns out to be much more common than previously thought.



Asymmetric cell division is a key way the body creates a variety of cell types needed for different tissues and organs. 



Until now, it was mostly linked with rare, specialized cells called <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blood-stem-cells-grown-in-the-lab-for-first-time-ever-leukemia-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stem cells</a>. But this study shows that regular cells can do it too - depending on their shape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shape-influences-cell-division">Shape influences cell division</h2>



The researchers found that a cell’s original shape can predict how it will divide. 



Cells that are short and wide tend to become round before splitting. These rounded cells produce two nearly identical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-in-your-mouth-multiply-in-a-very-unique-way/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">daughter cells</a>. But longer, thinner cells don’t round up. They divide directly into two unequal cells - each with different roles.



This simple difference in shape leads to major changes in what the daughter cells become. And this has big implications for how we understand development, disease, and even cancer.



“The phenomenon of mitosis - or cell division - is one of the fundamentals of life and a basic biological concept which is taught from school age," said Dr. Shane Herbert.



"Students learn that when a cell divides, it will generate a uniform spherical shape. Our study, however, shows that in real living organisms, it is not as simple as that."



“Our research suggests that the shape of the cell before it divides can fundamentally direct whether a cell rounds, and importantly, if its daughters are symmetric or asymmetric both in size and function.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-watching-cells-divide">Watching cells divide</h2>



To study this process, the scientists used live imaging on transparent 1-day-old <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-zebrafish-heart-regeneration-could-transform-human-cardiac-care/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">zebrafish</a> embryos. These embryos allowed the researchers to watch cells divide in real time.



They looked closely at growing blood vessels, which form from chains of moving cells. A fast-moving "tip" cell leads the way, with slower cells trailing behind. 



When that leading cell divided, it didn’t round up. This allowed it to create two new cells: one stayed in front to keep leading, and the other followed behind.



“Using transparent 1-day-old zebrafish embryos allows us to study a dynamic process like cell division inside a living organism," explained study co-author Dr. Holly Lovegrove.



"We are therefore able to make movies of this fundamental cell behavior, and in doing so, reveal exciting new aspects of how tissues grow."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shaping-cells-in-the-lab">Shaping cells in the lab</h2>



The team also explored how cell shape affects division using human cells and a technique called micropatterning. This allowed them to control the shape of cells before division.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
“Micropatterning allows us to generate specifically shaped microscopic patches of proteins that cells can stick to. The cells will then take the shape of the patch. This therefore allows us to change the shape of the cells and test how these shapes impact on the subsequent cell division,” said study co-author Dr. Georgia Hulmes.
</blockquote>



The experts used a system called PRIMO by Alvéole, which lets scientists etch tiny shapes on a surface using a UV laser. 



Cells placed on these shapes will spread into that exact form. This let the researchers control the shape of each cell with precision - down to less than a tenth the width of a human hair.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-medicine-s-next-building-block">Medicine’s next building block</h2>



This new understanding of cell shape and division could have powerful uses. In <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breakthrough-cancer-cells-have-a-molecular-switch-that-could-be-rewired-to-behave-normally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer</a>, for instance, asymmetric divisions might create cells with different behaviors - some that could promote tumor growth or spread. 



Knowing how this works could lead to new ways of slowing cancer progression. It could also help regenerative medicine. 



By changing the shape of a parent cell, scientists might be able to control what kinds of daughter cells are produced. This could one day help us grow tissues or organs in a more controlled way.



Ultimately, the study may change how biology is taught - and how medicine is practiced.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adu9628" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Cell division discovery challenges a century of textbook biology

For over a century, biology students have been taught a...

<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.



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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;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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