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...

A country like Australia, with its wildlife-rich forests, is a treasure trove of interesting species. Standing out among them is the superb lyrebird. This bird's distinct tail and mimicry skills have always fascinated scientists and nature enthusiasts.



However, recent research has uncovered a previously unseen aspect of the bird's behavior, shedding light on how it stands apart from other species. 



The lyrebird does more than just imitate sounds. It farms to keep a steady food supply which helps maintain the balance of its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-still-fighting-climate-change-against-all-odds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitat</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birds-that-optimize-their-food-supply">Birds that optimize their food supply</h2>



For years, scientists have studied the foraging habits of lyrebirds, but only recently did they realize the true extent of their influence on their habitat. Researchers from <a href="https://www.latrobe.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">La Trobe University</a> observed these birds arranging leaf litter and soil in ways that create microhabitats, perfect for the growth of their prey.



Instead of simply hunting for food, lyrebirds manipulate the forest floor to encourage worms, centipedes, and spiders to flourish. By creating the right conditions, they ensure that their prey grows larger and becomes more abundant, allowing them to return later for an easy meal.



This type of farming is rarely seen in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-rich-tree-diversity-adapt-better-changing-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nature</a>, making the lyrebird a unique case among birds. The research findings suggest that the bird does not just survive in its environment but actively modifies it to its advantage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lyrebird-s-impact-on-forest-ecosystems">Lyrebird’s impact on forest ecosystems</h2>



To better understand how these birds shape their surroundings, the researchers set up controlled experiments. They fenced off small areas in the forest to prevent lyrebirds from entering. Some of these areas were left untouched, while others were raked to simulate the bird’s natural foraging behavior.



The results were striking. In the raked areas, there was a noticeable increase in the variety and size of invertebrates compared to the untouched zones. This confirmed that the birds’ actions directly influenced the availability of food in their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-too-many-trees-could-spoil-the-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitat</a>.



Lead researcher Alex Maisey explained the significance of these findings. "Lyrebirds set up the perfect home for their prey, creating conditions with more food resources and effectively fattening them up before eating them."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-key-player-in-australia-s-forests">A key player in Australia’s forests</h2>



The superb lyrebird is primarily found in the moist eucalypt forests of south-eastern Australia. These birds do more than just modify the ground for their own benefit - they shape entire ecosystems.



By constantly disturbing the forest floor, lyrebirds influence which plants and animals can thrive in their habitat. Their foraging behavior creates a dynamic environment where nutrients are redistributed, allowing different species to grow in areas they might not otherwise survive.



This activity helps maintain biodiversity by preventing the forest floor from becoming too compacted or overgrown. The birds ensure that organic material continues to break down, enriching the soil and supporting a diverse range of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asian-forests-proving-resilient-both-climate-change-human-actions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life forms</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lyrebirds-help-control-bushfires">Lyrebirds help control bushfires</h2>



One of the most surprising benefits of the lyrebird’s digging behavior is its role in fire prevention. Bushfires are a natural part of Australia’s landscape, but their frequency and intensity have increased due to climate change. Lyrebirds may provide an unexpected solution to this growing problem.



By moving massive amounts of leaf litter and soil, these birds help bury potential fuel sources, reducing the risk of intense fires. The researchers found that lyrebirds can shift an average of 155 tonnes of material per hectare as they farm for invertebrates.



"Lyrebirds are widespread and active across millions of hectares of forest. Their farming actions play an important role in maintaining forest biodiversity," said Dr. Maisey.



This means that in addition to securing their own food, lyrebirds contribute to the overall health and safety of the forests they inhabit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lyrebirds-take-care-of-their-environment">Lyrebirds take care of their environment </h2>



For a long time, the superb lyrebird has amazed people with its ability to copy sounds. It can mimic anything from chainsaws to camera shutters, making it one of the best sound imitators in the animal world. This talent has made it famous worldwide.



But scientists have now discovered something even more impressive about these birds. Lyrebirds are not just great at mimicking - they also help take care of their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/single-degree-temperature-warming-boreal-forests-wreak-havoc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environment</a>.



By digging up the ground and moving leaves, they create better homes for the insects and worms they eat. This keeps nature in balance and helps different plants and animals survive.



Even more surprising, their digging helps stop dangerous wildfires. By burying dry leaves and branches, they reduce the fuel that fires need to spread. This means lyrebirds play a key role in protecting forests.



Scientists are still learning more about these birds, and future research might reveal even more ways they help the environment. One thing is certain: the superb lyrebird is more than just a great imitator - it’s a nature-made engineer that keeps forests healthy.



The study is published in the <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.70009" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Animal Ecology</a>. 



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Lyrebirds farm their own food - and shape entire forests

A country like Australia, with its wildlife-rich forests, is a...

The world has faced multiple pandemics, with COVID-19 being the most recent reminder of how quickly diseases can spread. Traditional methods of controlling outbreaks, such as lockdowns, mass testing, and travel restrictions, often come at a high cost to society. However, advances in technology like smartwatches may offer a better solution.



Already used for fitness tracking and health monitoring, smartwatches have shown remarkable accuracy in detecting infections before symptoms appear.



A new study from Aalto University, <a href="https://www.stanford.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford University</a>, and <a href="https://www.tamu.edu/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas A&amp;M</a> suggests that wearable technology could change how we <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/preparing-for-the-next-pandemic-lessons-about-viral-transmission/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">manage diseases</a>.



The research highlights how smartwatches can help reduce transmission by alerting individuals before they even feel sick. This smartwatch-based approach could provide a practical and cost-effective way to slow down or even stop pandemics before they escalate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smartwatches-detect-illness-early">Smartwatches detect illness early</h2>



Many infectious diseases, including COVID-19 and influenza, are most contagious before noticeable symptoms develop. 



Research has shown that 44 percent of COVID-19 infections were transmitted before the infected person realized they were sick. This makes early detection essential in preventing further spread.



Wearable devices monitor physiological changes such as heart rate, respiration, and skin temperature. These indicators can reveal an infection days before a person experiences symptoms. 



Everyday smartwatches have demonstrated 88 percent accuracy in detecting COVID-19 and 90 percent accuracy for the flu. The ability to identify infections at such an early stage offers a new way to curb <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/staying-home-is-the-new-going-out-after-the-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disease transmission</a>.



“Unlike during the pandemic, we now have concrete data on how pandemics develop, and how effective different measures are at curbing the spread,“ noted Märt Vesinurm from <a href="https://www.aalto.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aalto University</a>.



“Add to this that wearable technology is now extremely effective when it comes to detecting the very early physiological signs of infection, and we are much better prepared.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-warnings-reduce-disease-spread">Early warnings reduce disease spread</h2>



People naturally change their behavior once they realize they are sick. Studies show that individuals reduce social contact by 66 to 90 percent from the moment they become aware of their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/playful-people-handled-pandemic-stress-better-than-others/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">illness</a>. 



However, by the time symptoms appear, they may have already infected others. This is where smartwatches could play a crucial role.



“Even at the lower end of compliance, if people receive and act on an earlier warning by self-isolating, the impact is significant," explained Vesinurm.



“Even just a 66-75 percent reduction in social contacts soon after detection by smartwatches - keeping in mind that that’s on a par with what you’d normally do if you had cold symptoms - can lead to a 40-65 percent decrease in disease transmission compared to someone isolating from the onset of symptoms.”



This research suggests that if compliance levels were even higher, such as during a pandemic, smartwatches could effectively stop an outbreak.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-smartwatches-prevent-a-pandemic">Can smartwatches prevent a pandemic?</h2>



One of the biggest concerns in public health today is the potential emergence of new, highly contagious diseases. 



The spread of avian flu (H5N1) and other infectious diseases remains a serious risk. If smartwatches can detect infections early, could they help prevent the next <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-makes-a-virus-capable-of-causing-a-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global pandemic</a>? "I see no reason why not,“ said Vesinurm.



“As we gather more specific data about how different illnesses affect these measurements, there’s no reason we couldn’t distinguish between diseases, from bird flu and HIV to the common cold, especially when used in conjunction with advanced machine learning methods and other data from the user.”



Machine learning algorithms combined with smartwatch data could help identify different infections more precisely. 



Over time, researchers could fine-tune these models to differentiate between various illnesses based on physiological responses. This could lead to even more accurate and personalized health alerts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smarter-approach-to-public-health-policy">Smarter approach to public health policy</h2>



The team behind this research is the first to combine real-world data from multiple epidemiological, biological, and behavioral studies into a mathematical model. This model examines how infections spread and how smartwatches could alter the course of a pandemic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pandemic-puppy-owners-report-challenges-but-remain-committed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outbreak</a>.



Vesinurm envisions a future where wearable devices play a key role in pandemic response strategies. If smartwatches become widely adopted, they could reduce the need for large-scale lockdowns and mandatory testing. 



Instead, early warnings from wearable devices could encourage targeted actions, minimizing disruptions to daily life.



“People are used to wearable devices and they’re likely to trust them. While they’re not yet diagnostic, they could help make unpopular approaches like masks, lockdowns and invasive testing more targeted and less of a blunt instrument,” said Vesinum.



Receiving a smartwatch alert could prompt users to take simple steps like getting a PCR test, avoiding travel, or staying away from high-risk individuals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smartwatches-for-pandemic-management">Smartwatches for pandemic management </h2>



The idea of using smartwatches for pandemic management raises important ethical questions. If governments recognize their effectiveness, they may consider providing smartwatches to citizens during health crises. 



This could ensure that more people receive early warnings, but it also introduces concerns about data privacy and personal freedom.



“It could be that governments find it most cost effective in a pandemic situation to provide every person who wants one with a smartwatch - although of course, this comes with its own ethical considerations,” said Vesinurm.



Despite these concerns, the potential benefits of smartwatches in disease prevention are undeniable. Early detection at the individual level could lead to better public health outcomes and significantly reduce the impact of future pandemics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-wearable-health-monitoring">Future of wearable health monitoring</h2>



As technology continues to improve, smartwatches may become an even more powerful tool for disease detection. Researchers are working to refine algorithms, increase accuracy, and expand the range of illnesses that can be detected through wearable devices.



With such a simple approach to early detection, the way we manage disease outbreaks may soon change. Instead of relying on large-scale interventions, individuals could take proactive steps to protect themselves and their communities.



The findings from this study offer a glimpse into a future where a smartwatch helps us stay ahead of pandemics rather than reacting to them after they begin.



“Either way, with early detection literally at our fingertips, I see a lot of reason to hope,” concluded Vesinurm.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/4/3/pgaf044/8046445" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PNAS Nexus</a>.



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Smartwatches could help prevent the next pandemic

The world has faced multiple pandemics, with COVID-19 being the...

A new study warns that if global warming surpasses 1.5°C, vast regions could lose critical crop diversity, heightening the risk to worldwide food security.&nbsp;



Researchers predict that about one-third of global food production may be in jeopardy due to higher temperatures, underscoring how climate change is expected to reshape agriculture, especially in vulnerable low-latitude countries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-loss-of-crop-diversity">Loss of crop diversity </h2>



Scientists at <a href="https://www.aalto.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aalto University</a> conducted the research, published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43016-025-01135-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Food</a>, by analyzing how changes in temperature, rainfall patterns, and overall aridity will influence the growth of 30 key food <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/creating-resilient-crops-to-cope-with-the-climate-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crops</a> around the globe.&nbsp;



The results show that low-latitude areas - including large portions of the tropics - stand to suffer the most. As warming increases, these regions would see far more land becoming unsuitable for agriculture, as well as a sharp drop in the variety of crops that can be grown.



“The loss of diversity means that the range of food crops available for cultivation could decrease significantly in certain areas. That would reduce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-molecule-could-shape-the-future-of-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food security</a> and make it more difficult to get adequate calories and protein,” said Sara Heikonen, the doctoral researcher who led the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-and-food-crops">Climate change and food crops</h2>



Up to half of the world’s current food crop production may be impacted by these shifting conditions. Major staples - rice, maize, wheat, potato, and soybean - are likely to face severe reductions in suitable cropland, heightening challenges for societies that depend on them for daily nutrition.&nbsp;



According to Heikonen, many other crops, like “tropical root crops such as yam, which are key to food security in low-income regions, as well as cereals and pulses are particularly vulnerable. 



In sub-Saharan Africa, the region which would be impacted most, almost three quarters of current production is at risk if global warming exceeds 3°C.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warming-brings-winners-and-losers">Warming brings winners and losers</h2>



The study reveals a stark contrast between low-latitude and mid- to high-latitude regions. While countries nearer the equator face severe crop losses and falling diversity, those in cooler climates could retain their overall production levels. 



Scientists also project that mid- and high-latitude areas may be able to cultivate a broader range of crops in a warming world.



“For example, the cultivation of temperate fruits, such as pears, could become more common in more northerly regions,” Heikonen said.



Yet, the study’s senior author Matti Kummu notes that a favorable shift in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-predict-the-chaotic-response-of-crops-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> does not guarantee greater yields. 



“We showed that there’s climatic potential but, for example, warming might bring new pests and extreme weather events, which our model doesn’t include. So the situation isn’t really that black and white,” Kummu said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-in-low-latitude-regions">Challenges in low-latitude regions</h2>



Countries already vulnerable to food insecurity, especially in Africa, face mounting difficulties as rising temperatures coincide with other social and economic pressures. Still, Kummu argues there is room for adaptation.



“In many low latitude areas, especially in Africa, the yields are small compared to similar areas elsewhere in the world. They could get higher yields with access to fertilisers and irrigation as well as reducing food losses through the production and storage chain,” he said.&nbsp;



“However, ongoing global warming will add a lot of uncertainty to these estimates and probably even more actions are needed, such as crop selection and novel breeding. But I always say that the modelling and analysis is the easy part – understanding how to make the changes happen is the hardest part.”



Policy-makers in low-latitude countries, the report suggests, must look for ways to close gaps in agricultural infrastructure while simultaneously bracing for more hostile growing conditions.&nbsp;



Without such efforts, local communities already at risk for food shortages may struggle even more in the years ahead.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-securing-the-world-s-food-crops">Securing the world's food crops</h2>



For mid- and high-latitude regions, farmers and legislators will have to remain flexible. Even if warming opens the door to new crops, changes in global demand and market forces could further reshape what people choose to cultivate.&nbsp;



Building resilience likely involves experimenting with different crop varieties, adjusting planting seasons, and investing in infrastructure to cope with potential extreme weather and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urgent-need-to-protect-earths-forests-from-non-native-pests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pests</a>.



“If we want to secure our food system in the future, we need to both mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects,” Heikonen said. “Even if the biggest changes are in equatorial regions, we will all feel the effects through the globalized food system. We need to act together to address these problems.”



This interconnection means that climate-driven crop failures in one part of the world could ripple across supply chains, affecting food prices and availability everywhere.



 The study emphasizes that mitigating climate change is essential, but so too is planning for a hotter and more unpredictable planet.&nbsp;



By adjusting farming practices, investing in research, and coordinating policy efforts, countries can better prepare to feed a growing population in an era of environmental upheaval.



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Critical food crops are threatened by rising temperatures globally

A new study warns that if global warming surpasses 1.5°C,...

We show our emotions using our facial expressions as well as our body language. The way your body shakes with laughter during a comedy routine versus the restrained movements of a heartfelt reunion with a dear friend - both express joy, yet in profoundly different ways.



Understanding these subtly different layers of physical expression was the focus of a recent research project. 



The uniqueness of the study was not just its shift from facial expressions to body movements. The researchers also considered the cultural aspects of body language.



How do we account for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-find-cultural-differences-in-how-we-interpret-rhythm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cultural diversity</a> in body language? What does happiness look like for someone born and raised in Japan?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-charting-emotions-in-motion">Charting emotions in motion</h2>



Building on previous research that primarily focused on Western populations and simple, repetitive actions, this study takes a significant step forward. 



In a collaborative effort, scientists from the <a href="https://www.riec.tohoku.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Research Institute</a> of Electrical Communication at Tohoku University (Japan) and National Chung Cheng University (Taiwan) joined forces to address these challenges.



The researchers' quest led them to a motion capture lab where six professional performers expressed a range of emotions by simply moving their bodies.



Notably, the study focused on the emotional expression of Japanese people - a demographic largely overlooked in past studies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotions-conveyed-through-body-language">Emotions conveyed through body language </h2>



The researchers asked the performers to recall personal emotional experiences that made them feel everything from joy to anger, sadness, surprise, fear, disgust, and contempt. 



Their movements captured by high-tech motion capture technology were later transformed into simple, stick figure-like animations.



The team also explored imitation learning. This technique involves a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robots-can-now-learn-to-accomplish-any-task-by-watching-videos-or-observing-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robot learning</a> by mimicking the movements of a human who is performing a task. Despite its effectiveness in stable environments, imitation learning falters in new or unfamiliar situations.



Professor Mitsuhiro Hayashibe of the Graduate School of Engineering at Tohoku University provided a solution to this dilemma. 



The researchers merged imitation learning with another approach. Instead of applying deep learning to the Central Pattern Generators (CPGs), they applied it to a reflex neural network that supports the CPGs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoding-the-body-language">Decoding the body language </h2>



The study participants watched the animations and interpreted the expressed emotions. Surprisingly, their accuracy matched those found in earlier studies that used simpler action databases.



Of the various emotions displayed, the participants found <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/want-to-control-anger-write-your-feelings-down-and-destroy-them/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anger</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-a-new-way-to-suppress-fear/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fear</a> the easiest to decode, while contempt and disgust were considered challenging.



Dr. Miao Cheng, an assistant professor at Tohoku University, praised the study. He described it as a vital step forward in creating a diverse, Asian-centric dataset to bolster further research on emotional communication.



"We are extremely fortunate to have the support of a local musical company based in Sendai, SCS musical company, to fully support this endeavor from the moment performers were recruited and throughout their performances," noted Dr. Chia-huei Tseng, an associate professor at Tohoku University.



"Without the professional help provided by Mr. Jun Hirose and Mr. Kazumasa Fujita from SCS musical company, it would have been very difficult to bridge art and science properly in this study." 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-promise-of-future-research">The promise of future research</h2>



The researchers hope future studies will use this database to provide fresh insights into cultural variations in nonverbal communication. This kind of understanding could prove invaluable in developing tech communication tools that promote cross-cultural understanding. 



Industries employing motion capture techniques might also benefit from this research, including those in the fields of gaming, film, animation, and virtual reality.



Additionally, the research paves the way for advances in mental health diagnostics. The way individuals move when experiencing different emotions might offer subtle cues about their psychological state, potentially aiding in early detection of conditions such as anxiety or depression.



By incorporating motion-based emotional assessment into therapeutic practices, psychologists and neuroscientists could gain an additional layer of insight into a patient’s well-being.



Finally, the study highlights the importance of expanding the scope of psychological and neuroscientific research beyond Western perspectives. 



Much of the existing literature on body language and emotional expression is based on Western subjects, leading to potential biases in how we interpret emotions globally. 



By emphasizing culturally diverse datasets, the study contributes to a more comprehensive and inclusive understanding of human emotion, and paves the way for richer cross-cultural research.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/s13428-024-02558-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Behavior Research Methods</a>.



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Body language expresses emotions across cultures

We show our emotions using our facial expressions as well...

Nitrogen was important in the evolution of life on early Earth, but its availability has been heavily debated. Although earlier hypotheses proposed that biologically available nitrogen was limited, recent studies contradict this notion.



Researchers, including scientists at <a href="https://rptu.de/en/home-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RPTU</a> University Kaiserslautern-Landau in southwestern Germany, have been studying how nitrogen affected the development and dissemination of life billions of years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nitrogen-and-the-origins-of-life">Nitrogen and the origins of life</h2>



Nitrogen is an essential element in all life. It is required for the formation of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, and for other biological compounds.



Although the Earth's atmosphere is full of nitrogen gas, it is not readily available to most living organisms. 



Some types of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-laid-the-foundation-for-early-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbes</a> can convert atmospheric nitrogen into forms that are usable by other organisms - a process referred to as nitrogen fixation. But how did ancient microbes obtain nitrogen, and was it present in adequate amounts to facilitate the development of life?



This is where the research, led by RPTU researcher Michelle Gehringer, gives us some clues.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nitrogen-fixation-remained-stable-over-time">Nitrogen fixation remained stable over time</h2>



The scientists tracked nitrogen fixation stability under different environmental conditions. They used a method that detects nitrogen isotopes in two stable forms (15N and 14N) to track the process of nitrogen fixation by bacteria.



"Nitrogen gas is a mixture of the light atom 14N and the heavier atom, 15N. When modern microbes use nitrogen in their metabolism, they use these two isotopes in a certain ratio to each other. We measure this by burning nitrogen-containing biomass and collecting the nitrogen gas produced during combustion," explained Gehringer.



So&nbsp;far,&nbsp;everyone&nbsp;assumed&nbsp;that microbes&nbsp;maintained the same 15N:14N ratio in any environmental conditions, even in a carbon dioxide-dense, oxygen-free <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-ancient-breath-study-links-atmospheric-oxygen-and-mantle-chemistry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient atmosphere</a>. However, no one had ever tested this assumption.



Because metabolic rates depend on environmental conditions, the researchers theorized that nitrogen isotope ratios might be variable as well.



To test this, Gehringer and coworkers cultured cyanobacteria under conditions closely approximating those of the early Earth, with no oxygen present and lots of carbon dioxide.



"We found that the 15N:14N ratios of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cyanobacteria-may-shed-new-light-on-the-history-of-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cyanobacteria</a> remain stable. Our results therefore support the assumption that this ratio was the same throughout the Earth's history," Gehringer explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-rocks-hold-more-clues">Ancient rocks hold more clues</h2>



Following this research, Gehringer worked with Dr. Ashley Martin from Northumbria University and Dr. Eva Stüeken from the University of St Andrews. The experts set out to study nitrogen cycles in ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stromatolites-algae-found-saudi-arabia-red-sea-new-clues-earliest-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stromatolites</a> - microbial-generated sedimentary rock formations.



These rocks, dated to be approximately 2.7 billion years old, contain records of early life and offer a glimpse into Earth's distant past.



"We gained access to pristine, unweathered rock, which we ground into a fine powder and analyzed for nitrogen isotopes," said Gehringer.



The results were surprising. Unlike living stromatolites, which depend completely on cyanobacterial nitrogen fixation, the ancient samples indicated a secondary source of nitrogen - dissolved ammonium.



"And the most plausible source for this is hydrothermal activity on the sea floor," stated Gehringer.



To test this hypothesis further, the researchers also analyzed sedimentary rocks in a volcanic basin that is also around 2.7 billion years old.



These findings supported the fact that hydrothermal vent-borne ammonium was a large contributor to the nitrogen cycle at the time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-this-means-for-life-beyond-earth">What this means for life beyond Earth</h2>



Scientists have long explored the factors that shaped the spread of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-early-life-may-be-a-model-of-alien-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early life on Earth</a>. However, this research challenges previous assumptions.



"Until now, it was assumed that life on the early Earth, before the atmosphere was enriched with oxygen, was limited by a lack of biologically available nitrogen," said Gehringer.



"With the help of hydrothermal vents, nitrogen did not limit the spread of life on early Earth. Rather, life was able to flourish in both deep and shallow-water marine environments."



This finding has broad implications - both for what it reveals about the history of our own planet and for whether life can or might exist elsewhere.



"Hydrothermal activity has been documented on Mars and probably also takes place on the icy moons in the outer solar system." 



If the same sources of nitrogen are present outside Earth, the conditions that nourished microbial life here may also exist elsewhere in the universe.



Ongoing research not only fills gaps in Earth's history but also expands our understanding of where life might exist beyond our planet.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-57091-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Nitrogen was plentiful for early life on Earth

Nitrogen was important in the evolution of life on early...

In 1982, the Syrian government laid siege to the city of Hama, an attack that resulted in horrific violence and the deaths of tens of thousands of people and left deep, genetic trauma scars on the lives of survivors. 



Decades later, as the country erupted into civil war, the memory of that massacre fueled the resistance against the ruling Assad family.



But beyond its political and social repercussions, the violence may have left a lasting impact in an unexpected place: the DNA of future generations.



Scientists from the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Florida</a> have found that the grandchildren of women who were pregnant during the Hama siege show genetic marks of that traumatic event - even though they never lived through it themselves.



Passed down through their mothers, these genetic imprints provide some of the first evidence that stress from violence in humans can leave biological signatures that persist across generations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-violence-and-genetic-trauma">Violence and genetic trauma</h2>



“The idea that trauma and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exposure-to-violence-may-rewire-teenage-brains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">violence</a> can have repercussions into future generations should help people be more empathetic, help policymakers pay more attention to the problem of violence,” said Connie Mulligan, Ph.D., professor of Anthropology at the University of Florida and senior author of the new study.



“It could even help explain some of the seemingly unbreakable intergenerational cycles of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/verbal-abuse-can-be-as-harmful-to-children-as-physical-abuse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">abuse</a> and poverty and trauma that we see around the world, including in the U.S.”



Scientists have long known that while life experiences don’t change our genetic code, they can influence how genes function. This process, known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/epigenetic-dna-clocks-predict-biological-age-more-accurately/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">epigenetics</a>, allows our cells to modify genes by adding small chemical markers. 



These changes can affect how genes are expressed, often as an adaptive response to stress or environmental factors. Until now, this phenomenon had only been observed in animals.



Mulligan and her team set out to explore whether the same thing could happen in humans. They focused on families who had lived through different waves of violence in Syria, and analyzed three generations of Syrian immigrants in Jordan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-trauma-across-generations">Tracing trauma across generations</h2>



To conduct the study, Mulligan collaborated with Rana Dajani, Ph.D., a molecular biologist at Hashemite University in Jordan, and anthropologist Catherine Panter-Brick, Ph.D., of Yale University. 



The team examined Syrian families with different experiences of violence. Some had survived the Hama massacre before fleeing to Jordan. 



Others had endured the more recent Syrian civil war. A third group had left Syria before 1980, providing a crucial control group that had not been exposed to war.



Dajani, who is the daughter of refugees herself, worked closely with the Syrian immigrant community to gain their trust. 



The team collected cheek swabs from 138 people across 48 families, spanning three generations. 



“The families want their story told. They want their experiences heard,” Mulligan shared. “I think we worked with every single family who was eligible to participate in the study.”



Back in Florida, Mulligan’s lab analyzed the DNA samples to look for epigenetic markers that might be associated with exposure to violence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-footprint-of-violence">Genetic footprint of violence</h2>



The researchers discovered that grandchildren of Hama survivors carried 14 specific genetic modifications that were not found in families who had not experienced the massacre. 



These changes suggest that exposure to extreme <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-eats-away-our-brains-cognitive-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a> can trigger biological responses that persist for generations.



The study also found 21 genetic modifications in people who had directly lived through violence in Syria. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/violence-war-exposure_epigenetics_generational-harm_credit-Mulligan_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/violence-war-exposure_epigenetics_generational-harm_credit-Mulligan_1s.webp" alt="The study design allowing comparison of violence exposure and epigenetic marks in genomes. Credit: Connie Mulligan" class="wp-image-1961441"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The study design allowing comparison of violence exposure and epigenetic marks in genomes. Credit: Connie Mulligan</figcaption></figure>



Another key finding was that individuals exposed to violence while still in their mothers’ wombs showed signs of accelerated epigenetic aging. This kind of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/random-dna-mutations-shape-biological-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biological aging</a> may increase susceptibility to age-related diseases.



Most of these epigenetic changes followed a similar pattern, reinforcing the idea that trauma leaves a genetic signature. 



“We think our work is relevant to many forms of violence, not just refugees. Domestic violence, sexual violence, gun violence: all the different kinds of violence we have in the U.S.,” Mulligan said. 



“We should study it. We should take it more seriously.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-this-means-for-the-future">What this means for the future</h2>



It’s still unclear what these epigenetic changes mean for the long-term health of the individuals carrying them. 



Some studies suggest that stress-induced genetic modifications may be linked to conditions like diabetes or obesity. 



One well-known study on Dutch famine survivors from World War II found that their children carried epigenetic changes associated with increased body weight.



Though more research is needed, these findings could help scientists understand how trauma shapes not just individuals but entire family lineages. 



It could also inform policies and interventions aimed at breaking cycles of violence and trauma.



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



While the research highlights the biological scars of war, it also reveals something just as powerful - the resilience of the families who lived through it.



Despite carrying these genetic imprints, they continue to build new lives, raise families, and preserve their culture.



“In the midst of all this violence we can still celebrate their extraordinary resilience. They are living fulfilling, productive lives, having kids, carrying on traditions. They have persevered,” Mulligan said. “That resilience and perseverance is quite possibly a uniquely human trait.”



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-89818-z">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Exposure to violence alters human genetics for future generations

In 1982, the Syrian government laid siege to the city...

Obesity is not just a health issue anymore; it's a crisis in waiting, with recent data showing that one in six children and adolescents worldwide could face obesity by 2050. 



A recent study published in The Lancet warns of a dramatic rise in childhood and adolescent obesity over the next 25 years.



The projections equate to 356 million children aged 5-14 years and 390 million aged 15-24 years living with obesity by mid-century.



The research, conducted by experts from the <a href="https://www.mcri.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Murdoch Children’s Research Institute</a> (MCRI), highlights the urgency of addressing this growing public health challenge before it spirals further out of control.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-childhood-obesity-rates">Rising childhood obesity rates</h2>



The situation has worsened over the last three decades. Global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childhood-obesity-rates-spiked-during-the-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">obesity rates</a> among children and adolescents aged 5-24 years have tripled since 1990.



Despite numerous attempts to curb this trend, there was a 244 percent rise in childhood obesity rates by 2021, reaching a staggering 174 million.



The harsh reality is that previous strategies to combat obesity may have failed an entire generation.



Jessica Kerr, a researcher from MCRI, expressed concern about the dire future awaiting our youth if no immediate action plans are devised.



"Children and adolescents remain a vulnerable population within the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/americas-tide-of-obesity-is-rising-with-75-already-impacted/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">obesity epidemic</a>,” said Kerr.



The situation becomes more critical when children cross into adolescence, as obesity is much harder to reverse beyond this age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-risks-and-economic-burdens">Health risks and economic burdens</h2>



The implications of rising obesity rates extend beyond health to massive economic consequences.



“This giant burden will not only cost the health system and the economy billions, but complications associated with a high body mass index (BMI) - including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-diabetes-rate-has-doubled-reaching-over-800-million/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diabetes</a>, cancer, heart problems, breathing issues, fertility problems and mental health challenge - will negatively impact our children and adolescents now and into the future," said Kerr.



She noted that the burden even holds the potential to impact our grandchildren’s risk of obesity and quality of life for decades to come.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-australia-s-alarming-obesity-trend">Australia’s alarming obesity trend</h2>



Australia has seen one of the fastest transitions to obesity among children and adolescents worldwide. Girls are already more likely to be obese than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/being-overweight-makes-it-harder-for-brain-to-resist-unhealthy-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overweight</a>.



By mid-century in Australia, an estimated 2.2 million people between 5 and 24 years old could be obese, while 1.6 million could be overweight.



Kerr warned that without a reform in policy, the transition to obesity will accelerate, particularly in regions like north Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean. These regions are already grappling with high population numbers and limited resources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prevention-of-childhood-obesity">Prevention of childhood obesity</h2>



The specific countries that will bear the brunt of the obesity crisis include the United Arab Emirates, Cook Islands, Nauru, Tonga, China, Egypt, India, and the United States.



Amidst this grim projection, there is a glimmer of hope. The research also indicates that there's a chance to avoid this outcome if action begins before the year 2030.



What is needed is a significant shift in focus. National surveys monitoring obesity in children and adolescents should become a priority in all countries.



Kerr noted that adolescent girls entering their reproductive years should be a key demographic for intervention to prevent intergenerational transmission of obesity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interventions-and-societal-changes">Interventions and societal changes</h2>



Professor Susan Sawyer of MCRI urges governments to invest in strategies that address various obesity drivers, including nutrition, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fitness-focused-medicine-physical-activity-reduces-chronic-disease-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">physical activity</a>, lifestyle, and the built environment.



It is crucial for governments to regulate interventions such as banning junk food ads that target young individuals, taxing sugary beverages, and funding healthy meals in schools. Urban planning also needs a revamp to promote more active lifestyles.



While individuals and families can strive to balance their physical activity, diet, and sleep, the environment around us often works against these efforts. 



“Given this huge global shift in children’s and adolescents’ weight, we can no longer keep blaming people for their choices," said Professor Sawyer. It is now up to governments to take action and promote an environment that supports healthier lifestyle choices.



The research, which was released on World Obesity Day, utilized data from the 2021 Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(25)00397-6/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lancet</a>.



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Global childhood obesity rate is expected to soar by 2050

Obesity is not just a health issue anymore; it's a...

The ocean is a vast and interconnected expanse that sustains life, regulates our climate, and provides refuge for diverse marine species. But beneath the surface, marine heatwaves are intensifying, signaling a growing crisis.



Marine heatwaves used to be rare and short-lived, but now they happen more often and last longer. 



Scientists from the <a href="https://www.mba.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Biological Association</a> of the United Kingdom and other top universities around the world are warning that this is a serious problem. Rising ocean temperatures are putting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-broke-records-for-450-straight-days/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine life</a> and entire ecosystems at risk.



The experts emphasize that rising ocean temperatures are dangerous for sea life, disrupt weather, and hurt coastal communities - and the problem is getting worse.



The question now is, are we equipped to alter the ocean's course before its too late?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-marine-heatwaves">Rising marine heatwaves</h2>



For years, warnings about steadily rising <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-broke-records-for-450-straight-days/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean temperatures</a> have been reported by researchers, environmentalist groups, and media outlets globally. 



Initially, this appeared to be an occasional rise in warmth, a localized anomaly. Now, however, the statistical evidence tells a different tale.



Between 2023 and 2024, the frequency of marine heatwaves escalated to 240% above previous records, an alarmingly steep increase. These prolonged heatwaves pose a substantial hurdle for ecosystems to bounce back.



Coral reefs bleach, kelp forests vanish, and food chains break down. This phenomenon is not just about current changes, but also about the irreversible damage that these events leave behind.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ripple-effects-from-ocean-to-land">Ripple effects: From ocean to land</h2>



Warmer oceans do not confine their effects to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astonishing-global-heat-in-january-2025-defied-climate-expectations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine environment</a>. The heat triggers storms of increasing intensity - as seen in Cyclone Gabrielle that hit New Zealand in 2023, claiming 11 lives. This example serves as a harsh reminder of how warmer waters fuel severe weather events.



Furthermore, beneath the surface, marine life grapples with their struggles. Several marine animals like whales and dolphins are forced to venture nearer to the shore in search of food, risking themselves to stranding. 



On the other hand, certain species like mussels held hostage in overheated waters, find themselves dying in millions, leading to the collapse of entire food webs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-struggle-of-the-coral-reefs">Struggle of the coral reefs</h2>



Coral reefs, the vibrant underwater cities, are among the ecosystems that bear the brunt of marine heatwaves. 



White, bleached corals aren't just aesthetically jarring, but also signal the death of corals. With the loss of corals, entire marine communities break down, causing biodiversity to take a nosedive.



Scientific observations have seen coral reefs' <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-draining-nutrients-from-the-oceans-surface/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">distress</a> before, but never at this scale. Once a reef collapses, its recovery can take decades - if rebounding is even possible. Each heatwave leaves behind a decimated reef, with little time for recovery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tackling-marine-heatwaves">Tackling marine heatwaves</h2>



Conservation groups are tirelessly working to protect endangered species, restore damaged reefs, and establish marine sanctuaries. 



However, these efforts only address the symptoms, not the cause. The actual issue arises from the atmosphere, which traps heat due to the increasing greenhouse gas emissions.



The theoretical solution, to cut emissions and slow the warming allowing the ocean to recover, is simple. However, implementing it is a daunting task.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-severe-economic-consequences">Severe economic consequences </h2>



Surging sea temperatures have severe financial consequences aside from the ecological damage. Coastal communities, particularly those dependent on fishing and tourism, are experiencing the impact. 



Warmer waters disrupt fish populations, forcing commercial fisheries into a crisis. Additionally, coral reef tourism is dwindling as vibrant reefs turn into lifeless graveyards.



Stronger storms and frequent flooding are damaging buildings, roads, and other structures along coastlines. As a result, insurance costs are rising, and in some places, homes and businesses can no longer be insured. 



If we ignore marine heatwaves now, fixing the damage later will cost even more.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-our-oceans">The future of our oceans </h2>



Though government policies and corporate changes are primary drivers in reducing emissions, individual contributions are equally powerful. 



Consciously reducing energy usage, endorsing sustainable seafood, voicing out for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mapping-marine-heatwaves-to-understand-their-impacts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate action</a> collectively contribute towards making a difference.



The future of our oceans hangs in the balance. The choices we make today will decide whether marine ecosystems disintegrate or flourish.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-025-02269-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Climate Change</a>.&nbsp; 



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Scientists warn of an alarming rise in marine heatwaves

The ocean is a vast and interconnected expanse that sustains...

Water is a fundamental element of life as we know it. Its presence on Earth and other celestial bodies has long intrigued scientists. Until now, researchers believed water formed relatively late in the universe’s history. 



However, new findings suggest that water may have appeared far earlier than previously thought.



A study published in Nature Astronomy proposes that water may have first emerged 100–200 million years after the Big Bang. This discovery challenges long-held assumptions and opens new possibilities about the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-arrived-on-earth-gradually-not-in-one-big-event/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">origins of water</a> in space. 



If water existed at such an early stage, it could have played a crucial role in shaping the first galaxies and planets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-origins-of-water-s-components-in-universe">Origins of water’s components in universe</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-fueling-a-global-water-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Water</a> is made of two elements - hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen was one of the first elements to exist. Right after the&nbsp;Big Bang, hydrogen, along with helium and lithium, filled the universe. These light elements helped form the first stars and galaxies.



Oxygen, however,&nbsp;did not exist from the beginning. It was created&nbsp;much later&nbsp;inside massive stars. When these stars exploded in&nbsp;supernovae, they spread oxygen and other heavy elements into space. This process made it possible for new chemicals, including&nbsp;water, to form.



Scientists have long debated&nbsp;when water first appeared&nbsp;because its two ingredients - hydrogen and oxygen - came from different sources.&nbsp;Hydrogen was always available, but oxygen had to be made inside stars first.&nbsp;This made it unclear how early water could have formed in the universe.



A study conducted by Daniel Whalen and his team from <a href="https://www.port.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portsmouth University</a> sheds light on this mystery by simulating the conditions following supernova explosions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birth-of-water">Birth of water</h2>



Whalen and his colleagues used computer models to study two supernovae. The first simulation focused on a star 13 times the mass of the sun, while the second analyzed a much larger star, 200 times the sun’s mass. 



These models allowed researchers to observe how elements formed and mixed after these cataclysmic events.



The results showed that the smaller supernova produced 0.051 solar masses of oxygen, while the larger one generated 55 solar masses of oxygen. 



The findings suggest that even the earliest generations of stars could have created significant amounts of oxygen, making water formation possible much earlier than previously assumed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-water-formed-in-the-aftermath">How water Formed in the aftermath</h2>



The study revealed that the oxygen released after supernova explosions mixed with hydrogen that was already present in space.



As this mixture cooled down, water molecules started to form. The water collected in dense clouds of gas and dust, which later became the birthplaces of new stars and planets.



In the first simulation, a small amount of water formed within 30 to 90 million years after the explosion. This water was between one hundred millionth to one millionth of the sun’s mass.



In the second simulation, water formed much faster. Within just 3 million years, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-cycles-through-plants-with-unexpected-speed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amount of water</a> reached about 0.001 times the sun’s mass. The results suggest that water may have existed in space much earlier than scientists had previously thought.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-survival-of-water-in-the-young-universe">Survival of water in the young universe</h2>



One major question remains - did this early water persist, or was it destroyed in the process of galaxy formation? The formation of the first galaxies was likely a turbulent event, with extreme radiation and gravitational forces at play.



However, if water could withstand these conditions, it might have been incorporated into forming planets billions of years ago.



This raises the possibility that water has been present in planetary systems since the earliest stages of cosmic history. The implications are profound, suggesting that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wave-ripples-discovered-mars-surface-indicate-liquid-water-present-4-billion-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ingredients for life</a> may have existed long before Earth and other known planets took shape.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-perspective-on-water-in-space">New perspective on water in space</h2>



The research challenges the traditional timeline of water’s formation in the universe. Scientists now have evidence that water may have appeared much earlier than expected, changing the way we understand the chemical evolution of space.



If water was present before the first galaxies fully formed, it could mean that many ancient planetary systems had access to it. This opens up new questions about the conditions necessary for life beyond Earth and whether <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-water-day-a-focus-on-prosperity-and-peace/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">similar processes</a> occurred in other parts of the universe.



Studying water’s history in space helps us learn how life began. This research moves us closer to understanding the universe’s past and the chances of life beyond Earth.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-025-02479-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Astronomy</a>.



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Water may have existed in the universe far earlier than we thought

Water is a fundamental element of life as we know...

Slight changes in pitch, also called prosody, shape meaning in everyday conversation. New research suggests that even the smallest tonal variations, such as a speaker’s emphasis or intent, can significantly guide the listeners’ understanding of language.



In a multidisciplinary effort involving researchers from multiple institutions, scientists found that a specific part of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-speech-speed-can-signal-brain-health/">brain</a>, known as Heschl’s gyrus, is responsible not only for basic sound processing but also for interpreting these subtle pitch shifts as meaningful information.&nbsp;



The study reveals that this region doesn’t just process sounds, but rather transforms subtle changes in pitch - known as prosody - into meaningful linguistic information which structures how humans understand emphasis, intent, and focus in conversations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-assumptions-about-speech-processing">Assumptions about speech processing</h2>



For decades, it was generally believed that prosody was mainly handled by the superior temporal gyrus, a brain region long associated with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-human-speech-changes-when-we-talk-to-dogs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">speech</a> perception. 



According to co-principal investigator Bharath Chandrasekaran, a scientist at <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northwestern University</a>, these results “redefine our understanding of the architecture of speech perception.” 



“We’ve spent a few decades researching the nuances of how speech is abstracted in the brain, but this is the first study to investigate how subtle variations in pitch that also communicate meaning are processed in the brain,” Chandrasekaran said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-speech-processing-and-brain-activity">Speech processing and brain activity</h2>



At the heart of this discovery was a group of 11 adolescent patients undergoing neurosurgery for severe epilepsy, each with electrodes implanted deep in a crucial language-processing region of the cortex.&nbsp;



Taylor Abel is the chief of pediatric neurosurgery at the <a href="https://www.medschool.pitt.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine</a>. 



“Typically, communication and linguistics research rely on non-invasive recordings from the surface of the skin, which makes it accessible but not very precise,” said Abel.&nbsp;



“A collaboration between neurosurgeon-scientists and neuroscientists, like ours, allowed us to collect high-quality recordings of brain activity that would not have been possible otherwise, and learn about the mechanisms of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-the-brain-process-experiences-over-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain processing</a> in a completely new way.”



These implanted electrodes offered a rare, direct look at neural responses to subtle pitch changes in speech. To explore how the brain interprets the “melody” of speech, participants listened to an audiobook recording of Alice in Wonderland.&nbsp;



During these sessions, scientists recorded brain activity from different regions in real time, providing detailed data on how auditory information was processed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-encoding-of-speech-melody">Early encoding of speech melody</h2>



Using this intracerebral monitoring, the researchers discovered that Heschl’s gyrus encoded changes in pitch - prosodic cues - as linguistic units, distinct from the raw acoustic signals that make up words.&nbsp;



Study co-first author G. Nike Gnanataja is a professor at <a href="https://csd.wisc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Wisconsin-Madison's Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders</a>. 



“Our study challenges the long-standing assumptions how and where the brain picks up on the natural melody in speech - those subtle pitch changes that help convey meaning and intent,” said Gnanataja.



“Even though these pitch patterns vary each time we speak, our brains create stable representations to understand them.”



By seeing how quickly these prosodic patterns registered in Heschl’s gyrus, the team realized that the process happens earlier than once assumed.&nbsp;



Rather than being filtered extensively in higher-level brain areas, the natural rise and fall of speech gets broken down into meaningful contours at an earlier stage in the auditory pathway.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-acoustic-signals-and-speech-processing">Acoustic signals and speech processing </h2>



A related line of research compared non-human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-early-primates-lived-in-pairs-and-were-not-solitary-creatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">primates</a>’ ability to process the same acoustic signals. 



While these animals could detect the sounds themselves, they did not seem to abstract any linguistic or meaning-laden information from those pitch changes. This contrast highlights a uniquely human capacity to transform tiny shifts in tone into communicative signals.



By revealing this hidden layer of speech, the experts discovered how the brain processes pitch accents, which has profound implications for various fields.&nbsp;



According to the researchers, this work could lead to novel rehabilitation methods for speech and language disorders. For instance, early detection and tailored interventions might help individuals with conditions such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-with-autism-benefit-from-learning-multiple-languages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">autism</a> or those recovering from strokes reestablish more effective communication strategies.



“Our findings could transform speech rehabilitation, AI-powered voice assistants, and our understanding of what makes human communication unique,” Chandrasekaran said.&nbsp;



Improved knowledge of prosody might enable voice-recognition systems to better interpret user intent and emotional tone, bringing us closer to natural language processing that mirrors how people actually speak.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-hallmark-of-human-language-nbsp">A hallmark of human language&nbsp;</h2>



The discovery also underlines the significant role played by linguistic experience. Because non-human primates cannot form abstract categories from pitch accents, scientists now have new evidence that our ability to interpret and manipulate prosodic cues represents a hallmark of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-generated-birdsongs-may-shed-new-light-on-human-language/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human language</a>.



As research continues to uncover how these vocal subtleties are perceived and encoded in the brain, fields ranging from neurolinguistics to artificial intelligence will likely reap the benefits.&nbsp;



By demonstrating that Heschl’s gyrus takes on advanced speech-interpretation tasks much earlier than once believed, this study encourages a reevaluation of the traditional hierarchy of speech processing - and highlights the complexity behind the timeless adage, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56779-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Speech processing in the brain goes beyond words

Slight changes in pitch, also called prosody, shape meaning in...

Dungeness crab, Pacific herring, and red abalone are among the coastal species that appear most vulnerable to climate risks such as rising ocean temperatures, acidification, and deoxygenation.&nbsp;



The susceptibility of these species to environmental stressors could have significant consequences for local economies and cultural traditions that rely on healthy fisheries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-species-vulnerability-to-climate-risks">Species vulnerability to climate risks</h2>



In a new paper titled “A Collaborative Climate Vulnerability Assessment of California Marine Fishery Species,” researchers have outlined which animals are most threatened by predicted changes in the state’s coastal waters.&nbsp;



The study was led by Timothy Frawley, an assistant project scientist at <a href="https://ims.ucsc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Santa Cruz’s Institute of Marine Sciences</a> and assistant professor at UC Davis’s Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology.



The research aims to assist the <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">California Department of Fish and Wildlife</a> (CDFW) in developing “climate-ready” management strategies for commercial and recreational fisheries.



By detailing how different species respond to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-fisheries-threatened-by-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental shifts</a>, the team hopes to lay a foundation for policies that can better adapt to and mitigate climate-related challenges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economically-important-fisheries">Economically important fisheries</h2>



“The results are striking,” said Frawley, who spent five years as a commercial fisherman before earning a PhD in marine biology. “Some of California’s most economically and culturally important fisheries are assessed as being among the most vulnerable to projected future environmental changes.”



For <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-protected-areas-improve-well-being-in-coastal-communities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastal communities</a>, the threat goes beyond ecology - it touches on livelihoods. The iconic Dungeness crab fishery, for instance, delivers more than 8,200 tons annually, yielding over $45 million for local economies in a typical season.&nbsp;



While this crab fishery remains robust, others have not fared as well. Red abalone, once generating an estimated $24 to $44 million in recreational value per year, has been off-limits since 2018.&nbsp;



Meanwhile, Pacific <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rapid-evolution-in-the-baltic-sea-how-herring-became-fish-eaters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">herring</a> in San Francisco Bay - once the basis of a thriving commercial fishery - have seen biomass drop by over 75%, forcing many fishers to abandon the trade entirely.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-species-in-a-warming-climate">Shifting species in a warming climate</h2>



“While overall across the Northeast Pacific, a species like Pacific Herring may do OK, try telling that to a herring fisherman based out of San Francisco Bay. If their resource moves hundreds of miles away, it’s a big deal to them,” Frawley explained.&nbsp;



“It’s important to do these assessments at a scale that provides results that will be practical at the local level. So in that respect, this represents a step forward.”



Such local-level nuance is crucial, since some species may simply relocate northward as waters warm. For example, market squid - currently a mainstay of the state’s fisheries - could shift offshore or to cooler regions off Oregon or Washington, undercutting California-based fleets.&nbsp;



By contrast, certain warm-water fish like Pacific bonito might expand their range into the California Current, potentially offering new fishing opportunities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-species-sensitivity-to-climate-risks">Species' sensitivity to climate risks</h2>



To determine which species face the greatest climate risks, the study evaluated 34 fish and invertebrates for their vulnerability over two periods: 2030-2060 and 2070-2100.&nbsp;



The researchers focused on both sensitivity (biological attributes such as reproductive rates, habitat preferences, and susceptibility to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-acidification-is-spreading-into-deeper-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">acidification</a>) and exposure (projected ocean conditions, including temperature, salinity, upwelling, subsurface oxygen levels, and sea-level rise).



These factors were combined to rank species into four categories - blue (lowest vulnerability), yellow, orange, and red (highest vulnerability).&nbsp;



Dungeness crab, red abalone, Pacific herring, pink shrimp, and Pismo clam were among those ultimately placed in the red zone over the longer term, with ocean acidification, sea-level rise, and other compounding challenges expected to intensify.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-red-abalone-and-a-changing-coast">Red abalone and a changing coast</h2>



Among the most concerning examples is red abalone, a bottom-dwelling mollusk highly susceptible to marine heatwaves. Because it has limited mobility and depends on stable kelp habitats for food, any extreme temperature swings or shifts in ocean chemistry can devastate its populations.&nbsp;



The fishery’s closure in 2018 was a stark indicator of how vulnerable benthic species can be, and the new study reinforces the urgency of monitoring and protective measures.



Market squid, contributing an estimated $43.9 million annually, and spiny lobster, worth around $10.7 million, also show cause for concern. Ensuring that these high-value fisheries can adapt may require both policy interventions and collaborative planning with industry stakeholders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supporting-coastal-communities">Supporting coastal communities</h2>



“My experience working as a fisherman has inspired me to focus my work as a marine scientist on supporting coastal communities by providing them with information required to better navigate risk and uncertainty,” Frawley said.&nbsp;



“My time at sea impressed upon me the links and feedbacks between environmental variability and change and marine-resource-dependent industries and communities, as well as an appreciation for fisheries as a team sport.”



Though the public often views fishing as fiercely independent, Frawley explained that it requires a complex network.&nbsp;



“To make the gears turn, it requires a team of individuals working together on deck, groups of boats sharing information; dock workers and truck drivers to unload and transport the product; buyers and processors to package and market it; and managers and scientists to set the harvest levels and ensure that operations are sustainable."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anticipating-changes-to-protect-fisheries">Anticipating changes to protect fisheries </h2>



In highlighting the most at-risk species, this study provides a vital roadmap for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife as it works to develop adaptive measures. 



Possible strategies include flexible harvest regulations, real-time monitoring of populations, and broad collaboration among scientists, fishers, and policymakers.



While shifts in ocean conditions are already underway, the ability to anticipate change is essential for managing fisheries so they remain viable in the decades to come.&nbsp;



With clear evidence that climate change is already reshaping marine environments, proactive planning could mean the difference between a future of thriving coastal economies or dwindling opportunities for fishermen and seafood lovers alike.



The research was conducted in close collaboration with fisheries scientists at the <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA), the <a href="https://www.nature.org/en-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Conservancy</a>, and the <a href="https://opc.ca.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">California Ocean Protection Council</a>.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/climate/article?id=10.1371/journal.pclm.0000574" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS Climate</a>.



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Economically important marine species face high climate risks

Dungeness crab, Pacific herring, and red abalone are among the...

Imagine the agility of a mountain goat as it effortlessly scales near-vertical terrains, the protective instinct of an armadillo as it rolls into a ball, or the adaptability of creatures that can traverse any environment thrown their way.



Now, envision these extraordinary traits fused into a single robotic system, designed to conquer the most challenging landscapes with ease.



A team of researchers, led by Josie Hughes at the CREATE Lab in <a href="https://sti.epfl.ch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EPFL’s School of Engineering</a>, has created a unique new robot that redefines mobility and adaptability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-birth-of-goat">The birth of GOAT</h2>



The experts set out to engineer a robotic device with the adaptability of creatures in the animal kingdom. They aimed to push the boundaries of robotic mobility by designing a machine that could transition seamlessly between different environments with minimal effort.



The goal was to develop a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/anymal-the-quadrupedal-robot-that-has-mastered-parkour/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">robot capable of navigating diverse terrains</a> by dynamically changing its form as needed, just like nature’s most versatile animals.



After much research and development, the researchers developed GOAT - Good Over All Terrains - a promising new development in robotic locomotion and control.



This robust machine is capable of morphing between a flat, "rover" shape and a sphere. This flexibility allows the robot to switch between modes of mobility such as driving, rolling, and even <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-invent-robot-that-can-swim-under-sand-like-sea-turtle-hatchlings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">swimming</a>. The new development combines clever design with a surprising amount of energy efficiency.



“While most robots compute the shortest path from A to B, GOAT considers the travel modality as well as the path to be taken," said Hughes.



"For example, instead of going around an obstacle like a stream, GOAT can swim straight through. If its path is hilly, it can passively roll downhill as a sphere to save both time and energy, and then actively drive as a rover when rolling is no longer beneficial.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-key-to-goat-s-success">The key to GOAT's success</h2>



The team at the CREATE Lab developed a design that thrives in unpredictable environments.



The researchers drew inspiration from some of nature’s most agile and resilient creatures - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-kangaroos-of-the-past-didnt-hop-they-walked-on-all-fours/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">kangaroos</a>, with their powerful leaps, spiders with their precise locomotion, octopuses with their fluid adaptability, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cockroaches-can-be-turned-into-cyborgs-for-life-saving-missions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cockroaches</a> with their near-indestructible resilience.



This bio-inspired compliance allows GOAT to adjust its structural properties seamlessly, shifting from a flexible and maneuverable "rover" mode to a robust, impact-resistant sphere when necessary.



Constructed of low-cost materials, GOAT's simple frame is made up of two intersecting, elastic, fiberglass rods, and four motorized, rimless wheels.



The robot's transformation is made possible by two winch-driven cables that shorten like tendons to draw it tightly into a ball. This protects the onboard computer, sensors, and battery in its core - much like a hedgehog protects its underbelly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-navigating-via-the-path-of-least-resistance">Navigating via the path of least resistance</h2>



Compliance is not just about physical adaptability; it’s also about navigation. Max Polzin, a PhD student at the CREATE Lab, noted that GOAT’s compliance allows it to navigate effectively with minimum sensing equipment.



Lacking cameras, the robot relies solely on a satellite navigation system and an inertial measurement unit to measure its orientation.



“Most robots that navigate extreme terrain have lots of sensors to determine the state of each motor but, thanks to its ability to leverage its own compliance, GOAT doesn’t need complex sensing," said Polzin. 



"It can leverage the environment, even with very limited knowledge of it, to find the best path: the path of least resistance."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-morphing-robots">The future of morphing robots</h2>



Future research will explore advanced algorithms to better exploit the unique capabilities of morphing, compliant robots like GOAT. The potential applications vary from environmental monitoring to disaster response and even extraterrestrial exploration.



“Robots like GOAT could be deployed quickly into uncharted terrain, with minimal perception and planning systems, allowing them to turn environmental challenges into computational assets," said Hughes. 



"By harnessing a combination of active reconfiguration and passive adaptation, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robots-with-space-to-think-will-become-more-useful/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">next generation of compliant robots</a> might even surpass nature’s versatility."



With continued advances in materials science, AI-driven decision-making, and energy-efficient actuation, these robots could become indispensable tools for navigating environments that are too hazardous or unpredictable for traditional machines.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.adp6419" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Robotics</a>.



Image Credit: © CREATE EPFL 



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GOAT: The shape-shifting robot that masters any terrain

Imagine the agility of a mountain goat as it effortlessly...

<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.

<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://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex
</div></figure>







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.

<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://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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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"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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