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...

Autophagy is the body’s cellular recycling system. It is a natural process where cells destroy themselves in order to recycle old, damaged or abnormal parts. Autophagy plays a crucial role in protecting our cells from environmental damage. 



Every day, our cells are bombarded with DNA-damaging agents, such as ultraviolet rays, radiation, toxins, and chemicals. These factors can cause harm to our cells to the extent that they cease to function effectively.



In females, this unrelenting attack can be catastrophic as it disrupts the quality of egg cells and may lead to infertility, miscarriage, birth defects, and genetic diseases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-autophagy-and-reproductive-health">Autophagy and reproductive health</h2>



Identifying the significance of this protective mechanism, researchers at the <a href="https://missouri.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Missouri</a> investigated how autophagy influences reproductive health.



Ahmed Balboula is an assistant professor in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR).



Professor Balboula and his team sought to establish how autophagy - often referred to as the unsung hero of cellular biology - impacts <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-may-be-linked-to-female-fertility-issues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">female fertility</a> and the battle against DNA damage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-autophagy-the-cell-s-superhero">Autophagy: The cell's superhero</h2>



Autophagy is a lesser-known but important process that assists in the maintenance of cellular health. The process involves the elimination of damaged cell parts, and the recycling of useful components, which helps maintaining cellular balance and function.



Autophagy is essential for stress response, energy balance, and the prevention of cell damage - including the maintenance of reproductive cells.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-natural-defense-system">A natural defense system</h2>



One of the body's natural defense mechanisms, autophagy helps keep biological systems operational. However, its role in female egg health is what piqued Professor Balboula's interest.



The researchers found that, under circumstances of moderate to severe <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dna-damage-can-persist-for-years-increasing-cancer-risks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA damage</a> (more common in older women), autophagy activity decreases in female eggs.



"When autophagy activity decreases in DNA-damaged eggs or in maternally aged eggs, which have moderate DNA damage, there is an increased risk for aneuploidy," noted Balboula.



Aneuploidy refers to an abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell. This disorder leads to genetic causes of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/horse-miscarriages-offer-insights-into-human-pregnancy-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">miscarriage</a> and congenital birth defects, including Down syndrome.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-autophagy-to-the-rescue">Autophagy to the rescue</h2>



The researchers didn't just identify a problem; they also uncovered a potential solution.



They discovered that stimulating the process of autophagy in female eggs might improve not only the quality of these eggs but also reduce DNA damage and abnormal chromosome numbers. 



Professor Balboula hopes that the findings could spark new research directions for enhancing female egg quality and, consequently improving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reproductive-health-is-impacted-by-geographic-location/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reproductive health</a> for both humans and animals.



"The deactivation of autophagy that we found is likely just one of many underlying mechanisms contributing to aneuploidy," said Balboula. "Going forward, I will continue to explore other underlying mechanisms contributing to poor egg quality to ultimately further efforts to improve the quality of female eggs."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reproductive-biology-research">Reproductive biology research </h2>



Professor Balboula, who moved from the University of Cambridge to Mizzou in 2019, was drawn by the university's reputation as a powerhouse in reproductive biology research.



“I knew this was the place to enhance my career,” he said. “The collaborators, resources, and research infrastructure here at Mizzou, especially within CAFNR, the Division of Animal Sciences, and the NextGen Precision Health building, help us take our research to the next level, and we are just getting started.”



The research demonstrates how scientists are pushing the boundaries to improve our health, and offers a glimpse into what might be in store for the future of women's reproductive health.



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



While Balboula and his colleagues have revealed a vital connection between autophagy and egg quality, this research is only the tip of the iceberg. 



Understanding how cellular maintenance functions affect fertility might unlock new possibilities for novel treatments.



Can autophagy be used to boost reproductive health? Could this knowledge lead to age-related fertility loss-prevention breakthroughs?



With advancing technology, non-invasive treatments or dietary and lifestyle interventions to stimulate autophagy may soon become a reality.



In the meantime, Professor Balboula’s research is a promising leap toward enhancing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-fertility-rates-are-quickly-declining-and-little-is-being-done-about-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fertility</a> success, as well as our understanding of cellular resilience.



The full study was published in the journal Nature Communications.



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Cellular ‘cleanup' helps preserve eggs and female fertility

Autophagy is the body’s cellular recycling system. It is a...

Microscopic,View.,Brightly,Colored,,These,Microscopic,Algae,Can,Survive,In

For thousands of years, algae have lived on the surface of the ice, blooming as the snow recedes. These tiny organisms seem harmless, almost invisible, yet their presence plays a surprising role in shaping the fate of the Greenland Ice Sheet. 



As the world warms, these algae may colonize larger areas, speeding up ice loss and altering the delicate balance of the Arctic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-algae-in-ice-melt">Role of algae in ice melt</h2>



Algae on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-ice-sheet-jakobshavn-glacier-seen-melting-in-real-time-from-earth-orbit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland Ice Sheet</a> contain brown pigments. When sunlight strikes the surface, bright ice reflects much of it back into space, keeping the ice cold. 



But when the ice is dark due to algal growth, it absorbs more heat and melts at a faster rate.



This process has been recognized for some time, but researchers believed that the algae’s spread was limited by the lack of nutrients in the harsh, frozen environment. 



The ice desert was thought to be too barren to sustain widespread growth. That assumption has now been turned on its head.



New findings, published in Nature Communications, suggest that these algae require very few nutrients to survive. 



More significantly, they can store and conserve energy, which allows them to spread more extensively than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-ice-sheet-discovery-transforms-sea-level-predictions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">previous expectations</a>.



If this proves correct, ice darkening could happen on a much larger scale in future, thus accelerating the melting of Greenland’s ice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-ice-algae">Understanding ice algae</h2>



Laura Halbach, who recently earned her Ph.D. at <a href="https://international.au.dk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aarhus University</a>, has played a crucial role in uncovering this surprising phenomenon. 



Now a postdoctoral researcher at the <a href="https://www.mpg.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute</a> in Bremen, she continues her work studying Arctic ecosystems and their hidden complexities.



"My main goal with the trip to Greenland was to understand the mechanisms of the algae bloom formations," Halbach explained. 



"With new methods, I was able, as the first researcher ever, to measure the activity of single algae cells from the Greenland Ice Sheet. This led to the discovery of their ability to live off very few nutrients and to store up energy."



These findings reshape what scientists thought they knew about microbial life on ice. What was once considered a largely lifeless landscape now appears to host a thriving and resilient ecosystem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-powerful-world-of-ice-algae">Powerful world of ice algae</h2>



Ice algae are single-celled organisms with an elongated, oval shape. 



They appear brownish due to their pigments and can be found not just in Greenland but also in high-altitude and high-latitude ice regions worldwide. 



The Alps, the Himalayas, and Alaskan glaciers all host similar algal species.



Like plants, these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-microalgae-show-photosynthesis-is-possible-in-near-darkness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algae perform photosynthesis</a>, producing oxygen and organic molecules. They rely on sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide, along with small amounts of essential nutrients like phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon.



During spring and summer, they bloom, forming dark patches across the ice. The larger the bloom, the more heat the ice absorbs, creating a cycle where melting fuels even more algal growth. 



Understanding how they function is key to predicting their long-term impact on the Arctic.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-frozen-desert-full-of-life">A frozen desert full of life</h2>



That perception that ice sheets are devoid of life started to change in 2020 when researchers from Aarhus University and GFZ Helmholtz Center for Geosciences in Germany began their expeditions into the Arctic.



They found that the expanses of frozen water teemed with microscopic life, including algae, bacteria, fungi, and even viruses, all coexisting and forming a complex and active ecosystem.



But this discovery came with challenges. When scientists collected ice samples, they found not just algae but entire microbial communities. 



Studying algae in isolation became nearly impossible. To understand their particular role in the ecosystem, researchers needed a new approach.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-way-to-study-algae">A new way to study algae</h2>



Laura Halbach wanted to pinpoint exactly how ice algae functioned in their environment. But isolating them from their microbial neighbors was difficult. 



Traditional methods involved scraping darkened ice and placing samples into petri dishes, where entire ecosystems would be present.



"If you melt a piece of the surface ice, you see these dark-pigmented algae. But there are many organisms in the sample, including snow-algae, other eukaryotic algae, bacteria, and fungi," she explained.



To solve this, Halbach and her team introduced marked nutrients into the ecosystem. These nutrients contained isotopic traces detectable with a powerful machine called a mass spectrometer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nutrient-flow-in-ice-algae">Nutrient Flow in ice algae</h2>



"You could say that we kind of labeled the food we gave them. This enabled us to see who ate what. Combined with a machine called SIMS, which is extremely precise, we were able to measure the nutrient uptake of single cells," says Halbach.



The results were striking. The algae efficiently absorbed the small amounts of nutrients available, proving far more resourceful than scientists had expected. 



"They are very efficient in taking up the limited nutrients on the ice. Furthermore, we discovered that they have the capability of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-nutrient-loss-due-to-heavy-rainfall-threatens-agriculture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storing phosphorus</a>, which is crucial for their metabolism."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-does-phosphorus-come-from">Where does phosphorus come from?</h2>



Phosphorus is rare on the ice sheet, which raises questions about where the algae acquire it.



Some researchers suggest that it originates from local rock formations that are rich in phosphorus-bearing minerals. 



As erosion grinds these rocks into dust, the wind scatters the nutrients across the ice, making them available to the algae.



Because the algae can store phosphorus, they are not entirely dependent on immediate nutrient availability. This could allow them to spread into new areas as more ice becomes exposed each year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-ice-algae-colonization">Expanding ice algae colonization</h2>



With climate change causing the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenlands-melting-icebergs-may-not-be-threat-to-ocean-currents-amoc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland Ice Sheet</a> to melt earlier each year, more ice is being exposed to the Sun. 



Areas that once remained buried under thick layers of snow are now vulnerable to colonization by algae.



"New ice is being exposed on Greenland every year because the snow melts earlier and earlier. There used to be a thick snow cover all year round, but now large new areas of ice are being exposed to the Sun," Halbach noted.



"This opens up these areas for the algae to colonize, and as they can live on very limited amounts of nutrients, it might happen sooner than later."



This shift could significantly alter how scientists predict ice loss in the Arctic. If algae spread to newly exposed ice, they will darken even more of the surface, accelerating the melting process beyond previous estimates.



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



Laura Halbach’s research offers crucial insights into the role of algae in ice loss. Currently, most climate models do not account for microbial life in their calculations. 



This gap means that predictions about Greenland’s ice loss - and its effects on global sea levels - may be underestimating the true impact.



If algae colonization continues to expand, its contribution to ice melt will need to be factored into climate projections. 



The work of Halbach and her team could help refine these models, leading to more accurate forecasts for the Arctic’s future.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-56664-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Algae that thrives on ice plays an unexpected role in glacier melting

For thousands of years, algae have lived on the surface...

Many people feel an automatic jolt of fear when they sense a sudden movement overhead. While this reaction can be a lifesaver in certain situations, it can also cause unnecessary distress.



Scientists have studied these swift responses to identify how the brain tells us to duck for cover. A recent study focused on mice reveals new clues about the links between primal fear <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brains-turn-intense-stress-into-constant-fear/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">circuits</a> and learned safety.



"Fast instinctive responses to environmental stimuli can be crucial for survival but are not always optimal," wrote the researchers.



"Animals can adapt their behavior and suppress instinctive reactions, but the neural pathways mediating such ethologically relevant forms of learning remain unclear."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-to-suppress-fear">Learning to suppress fear </h2>



Study co-author Sara Mederos is a neuroscientist at University College London's <a href="https://www.sainsburywellcome.org/web/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sainsbury Wellcome Center</a>.



“We were interested in trying to describe the mechanisms from behavior to the molecular level that could drive this learning to suppress fear,” said Mederos.



The researchers analyzed activity in the ventrolateral geniculate nucleus (vLGN), a structure deep in the brain that processes visual messages for rapid defensive behavior. 



The experts found that with repeated proof of safety, the mice began ignoring an overhead shadow that previously caused them to run for cover.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-the-script-of-fear">Changing the script of fear</h2>



The researchers used optogenetics, a method for activating or silencing precise sets of neurons with light, to see how the higher visual cortex and lower regions interact. 



Once the animals recognized the threat was a false alarm, the visual cortex relinquished control.



Scientists suggest that such top-down signaling reveals how the mind can block out reflexes once it learns a threat is harmless. This might open doors for understanding problems like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-microbes-have-an-unexpected-link-to-anxiety/">anxiety</a>, which affects over 40 million adults in the United States.



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



Early phases of learning hinged on activity in the higher visual areas that interpret what the eyes see. Mice unable to engage these cortical zones kept fleeing from the looming stimulus and missed the memo that it was safe.



Once the mice registered the new information, further reliance on the visual cortex dropped. This shift spotlighted the vLGN as the area responsible for holding on to the updated response, ensuring that learned calm stayed in place.



Connections in deeper brain structures can adapt swiftly and recalibrate how sensory input is interpreted. This study identified a role for endocannabinoid signals that appeared to tune neuron-to-neuron communication in the vLGN.



Adjusting the strength of those synapses helped the mice replace hardwired panic with a calmer take on the overhead movement. Once that rewiring took hold, fear responses dropped even if the usual triggers were present.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neural-circuits-and-fear-regulation">Neural circuits and fear regulation</h2>



The findings represent a significant advancement in understanding how the brain suppresses fear.&nbsp;



"This study provides valuable insights into the neural circuits involved in fear regulation," noted Felicity Nelson, a science journalist reporting on the research.



Nelson emphasized that while the research offers promising avenues for developing treatments for anxiety disorders, translating these findings from mice to humans will require further investigation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-solutions-for-human-anxiety">Practical solutions for human anxiety</h2>



Researchers believe that unlocking these subcortical changes in mice could inform interventions for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder. 



Estimates from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs suggest that about six percent of Americans will experience PTSD during their lifetimes.



Some forms of therapy already emphasize facing and reinterpreting triggers to reduce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spiders-heights-or-public-speaking-each-fear-has-a-unique-place-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fear responses</a>. Tapping into the specific circuits that drive these shifts might improve how well those interventions work and how fast patients see benefits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-fear-related-disorders">Addressing fear-related disorders </h2>



Scientists plan to refine methods such as focused ultrasound to stimulate or tone down specific brain cells without surgery. They want to see if humans can similarly learn to block out panic responses when they see no real danger.



“If we can get the same effects, then this could become an idea that can potentially lead to pre-clinical work,” said Mederos. 



Many hope this approach might open new avenues to address fear-related disorders in clinical settings.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adr2247" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Scientists discover a new way to suppress fear

Many people feel an automatic jolt of fear when they...

Aspartame is a sugar substitute that appears in diet sodas, sugar-free snacks, and countless low-calorie treats. Some people see it as a helpful way to reduce sugar intake and limit weight gain.



Researchers, however, have noticed signals that this sweetener might impact vascular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vitamin-helps-prevent-cataracts-and-maintain-eye-health/">health</a>. In a new investigation, scientists explored how aspartame might contribute to fatty plaque buildup in blood vessels through changes in insulin release.



The research was led by Yihai Cao, a professor at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden who studies <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/about/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chronic diseases</a>.



“One of my students was sipping on this sugar-free drink, and I said, ‘Why don’t you look into that?’” recalled Professor Cao.



The team set out to test the effect of aspartame on inflammation linked to cardiovascular function.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-effects-of-aspartame">Health effects of aspartame </h2>



The scientists provided mice with a diet containing 0.15% aspartame for about 12 weeks. This is roughly equivalent to drinking three cans of diet soda daily for an adult in the United States.



The animals showed more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/omega-3-and-omega-6-fatty-acids-may-reduce-cancer-risk/">fatty deposits</a> in their arteries than mice that did not consume the sweetener. These plaques can narrow blood vessels and intensify the likelihood of heart attacks or strokes over time.



Aspartame is about 200 times sweeter than regular sugar, so it can trick sweet-sensing cells in the mouth and digestive system. This causes a boost in insulin secretion that may be higher than typical responses seen with sugar.



The researchers noticed that the aspartame-fed mice displayed a noticeable rise in insulin levels soon after they consumed the sweetener. This extra insulin surge seemed to kick off events that led to more plaque development and elevated artery inflammation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-buildup-of-immune-cells">Buildup of immune cells</h2>



Excess insulin can send signals that promote the buildup of cholesterol and immune cells in the blood vessel walls. Once these cells get stuck, they make arterial inflammation worse.



The researchers found a particular immune messenger called CX3CL1 that played a big part in trapping these immune cells. 



“Because blood flow through the artery is strong and robust, most chemicals would be quickly washed away as the heart pumps, surprisingly, not CX3CL1,” noted Professor Cao. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pinpointing-the-immune-interaction">Pinpointing the immune interaction</h2>



CX3CL1 remained attached to the vessel walls, where it acted like a magnet for circulating immune cells. When those cells got caught, they compounded the fatty plaques and contributed to harmful changes in the arterial lining.



Aspartame-stimulated insulin release appeared to turn on this sticky CX3CL1 response. 



By blocking the receptor for CX3CL1 in some of the mice, the team saw that plaque formation stayed under control.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blood-vessel-inflammation">Blood vessel inflammation </h2>



Some people assume that sugar-free items are automatically better for weight control or overall health. Yet this study hints that aspartame may influence blood vessel inflammation in ways worth noticing.



“Artificial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-sweetener-erythritol-sugar-substitute-linked-to-blood-clots-heart-disease/">sweeteners</a> have penetrated almost all kinds of food, so we have to know the long-term health impact,” said Professor Cao. 



His team plans to continue studying aspartame and other sweeteners to see if humans experience these effects and to uncover how these products fit into a balanced diet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-should-aspartame-be-avoided">Should aspartame be avoided?</h2>



Many questions remain about how different sweeteners might affect individuals with metabolic issues. 



More trials will be needed to see if there are safe thresholds for aspartame use or if certain at-risk groups should avoid the sweetener entirely.



The study also suggests that CX3CL1 could be a potential target for drugs aimed at reducing <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16753-atherosclerosis-arterial-disease" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atherosclerosis</a>. This immune messenger is linked to other conditions driven by inflammation, such as arthritis and diabetes.



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



Investigators may consider approaches that gauge aspartame’s impact on blood sugar levels across various populations, including those with prediabetes and insulin resistance. 



Since insulin regulation is complex, new findings could reveal nuances that differ from person to person.



While the current findings revolve around animal models, scientists aim to expand the research to see if the same issues apply in humans. 



Experts may examine real-life consumption patterns, genetic differences, and how other factors (like body weight or gut bacteria) might modify the effects of artificial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-sweeteners-linked-to-higher-risk-of-depression/">sweeteners</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-metabolic-impacts-of-sweeteners">Metabolic impacts of sweeteners </h2>



The research emphasizes the importance of studying the metabolic consequences of sugar substitutes beyond their low-calorie appeal. Small changes in insulin dynamics might have broader ripple effects on the cardiovascular system.



Many people lean on diet beverages as an alternative to sugary drinks, but this study highlights the need for a cautious approach. 



The study also provides researchers with a new approach to developing improved guidelines for sweetener use.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(25)00006-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell Metabolism</a>.



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Mice fed artificial sweetener exhibit alarming health issues

Aspartame is a sugar substitute that appears in diet sodas,...

Tiny plastic particles in coastal waters may be linked to higher rates of disabilities that affect thinking, movement, and self-care, according to a preliminary investigation.&nbsp;



This research examined regions with elevated levels of marine microplastics and observed a greater prevalence of functional limitations in local populations, though the study does not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-plastics-and-coastal-communities">Ocean plastics and coastal communities</h2>



The researchers focused on microscopic fragments of plastic less than 5 millimeters across - referred to as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-are-infiltrating-the-human-body-even-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microplastics</a> - which can form when plastic trash breaks apart or can originate in personal care products, food wrappers, and discarded fishing materials.&nbsp;



The experts assessed whether people living in coastal counties with higher levels of these particles in nearby waters also had a higher prevalence of impairments in memory, thinking, mobility, and day-to-day self-care tasks.



“The environment can play a crucial role in our health, and factors such as pollution may impact a person’s risk of developing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predicting-the-rate-of-cognitive-decline-in-alzheimers-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive decline</a> and other neurological disabilities,” said study co-author Dr. Sarju Ganatra of the <a href="https://www.lahey.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lahey Hospital and Medical Center</a>.



“Our study found that in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-protected-areas-improve-well-being-in-coastal-communities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastal communities</a> with higher levels of microplastics in the water, there were higher rates of disabilities that can affect a person’s life in many ways through thinking and memory, movement and their ability to take care of themselves and live independently.”



However, the authors caution that their findings only suggest an association, not necessarily causation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted">How the research was conducted</h2>



In total, 218 coastal counties across 22 U.S. states were included. The scientists gathered information on marine microplastic concentrations in ocean surface waters adjacent to these counties, sorting the locations into four main categories: low, medium, high, and very high.&nbsp;



The lower bound included zero to 0.005 pieces of plastic per cubic meter, and the higher tiers reached up to or beyond 10 pieces per cubic meter - sometimes more than a thousand pieces per cubic meter on average.



Next, the team examined data on disabilities among residents in four functional domains: memory/thinking, mobility, self-care, and independent living.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-plastics-and-disability-risks">Ocean plastics and disability risks </h2>



Self-care disabilities might mean difficulties bathing or dressing, while independent living disabilities could involve challenges such as shopping, managing money, or using transportation.



The researchers found that in counties with the highest levels of ocean plastics, the average prevalence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-interactions-have-a-surprising-influence-on-memory-in-great-apes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory</a> and thinking disabilities was 15.2%, compared to 13.9% in counties with the lowest levels. Similarly, mobility disabilities in high-level counties averaged 14.1%, whereas low-level counties came in at 12.3%. 



For self-care disabilities, the average was 4.2% in high-exposure counties compared to 3.6% at the low end. Independent living impairments stood at 8.5% in the highest category versus 7.7% in the lowest group.



After accounting for variables such as heart disease, stroke, depression, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/understanding-how-air-pollution-forms-may-help-us-prevent-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air pollution</a>, and differences in wealth, they calculated that areas with very high microplastic concentrations showed a 9% higher rate of memory and thinking disability, 6% higher mobility disability, 16% higher self-care disability, and 8% higher independent living disability compared to the lowest-exposure counties.



“These findings provide insights into how marine microplastics might affect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-health-may-literally-be-a-state-of-mind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain health</a>,” Ganatra said. “More research is needed to explore this connection further and examine the overall public health implications of microplastic pollution.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-distribution-of-ocean-plastics">Complex distribution of ocean plastics</h2>



According to the investigators, ocean circulation patterns, local waste management practices, industrial activities, and population density all influence how plastic accumulates.&nbsp;



“The amount of plastic in different areas can vary due to ocean currents, which can carry and concentrate plastic in certain regions. Other factors, like population density, local waste management, and industrial activities, may also play a role,” Ganatra explained.



The reasons are complex and likely involve multiple environmental- and human-related factors working together, but this relationship needs further investigation to be fully understood.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microplastics-and-community-health">Microplastics and community health</h2>



The study offers a snapshot in time, highlighting that a key limitation was the lack of longitudinal tracking to see whether rising or falling marine microplastic levels coincide with changes in community health over extended periods.&nbsp;



Nonetheless, the results open a door to more exploration of how small-scale pollutants might have large-scale effects on population health, especially in regions most exposed to marine pollution.



While the link between microplastic levels and disabilities remains tentative, the findings point to a potential intersection of environmental science and neurological well-being.&nbsp;



Researchers hope that further work on both sides - studying how plastic behaves in coastal ecosystems, and how human health outcomes might shift - could offer clearer answers in the years ahead.



This preliminary study was released on February 25, 2025, and will be presented at the <a href="https://www.aan.com/events/annual-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Academy of Neurology’s 77th Annual Meeting</a>, set to take place April 5–9, 2025.&nbsp;



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Ocean plastics linked to disability risks for coastal residents 

Tiny plastic particles in coastal waters may be linked to...

A simple blood test that identifies how much each of our organs has aged could help detect the likelihood of developing conditions such as heart disease or lung cancer - decades in advance.&nbsp;



By revealing which organs are aging more rapidly than expected, this approach offers a possible route to preventing a wide range of illnesses before they take hold.



In a new study, researchers discovered that varying rates of organ aging correlate strongly with subsequent health outcomes.&nbsp;



The findings demonstrate how “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-cancer-rates-in-young-adults-linked-to-accelerated-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">accelerated aging</a>” in one organ can predict an increased risk not only of diseases specific to that organ but also a host of conditions elsewhere in the body.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-organs-age-at-different-rates">Organs age at different rates </h2>



The project was led by a team including scientists from <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University College London</a> (UCL), Stanford University, <a href="https://www.inserm.fr/en/home/">Inserm</a>, and the University of Helsinki. The researchers analyzed data from the <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/epidemiology-health-care/research/epidemiology-and-public-health/research/whitehall-ii#:~:text=Whitehall%20II%20%2D%20also%20known%20as,from%20the%20British%20Civil%20Service." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Whitehall II study</a>, a long-running cohort investigation overseen by Professor Mika Kivimaki.



“Our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-migrate-from-the-gut-to-other-organs/">organs</a> function as an integrated system, but they can age at different rates. Aging in particular organs can contribute to numerous aging-related diseases, so it’s important for us to take care of all aspects of our health,” said Kivimaki, the study’s lead author.&nbsp;



“We found that a quick and easy blood test can identify whether a specific organ is aging faster than expected. In years to come, blood tests like this could play a crucial role in preventing numerous diseases.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-gaps-in-organ-aging">Measuring gaps in organ aging</h2>



In the late 1990s, blood samples were collected from more than 6,200 individuals, all middle-aged adults at the time.&nbsp;



The scientists used these samples to calculate the biological age of nine different organs - namely the heart, blood vessels, liver, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-19-lockdowns-weakened-our-immune-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">immune system</a>, pancreas, kidneys, lungs, intestines, and the brain - as well as an overall measure for the entire body.&nbsp;



They compared each organ’s biological age to a person’s chronological age, uncovering significant disparities within the same individual. Some organs aged at a relatively slow pace, while others appeared far older than expected.



After measuring these age “gaps,” the researchers tracked each participant’s health status for two decades using national medical registries.&nbsp;



By the close of the follow-up period, participants were aged between 65 and 89, and many had experienced at least one of the age-related conditions considered in the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-disease-over-decades">Predicting disease over decades</h2>



The analysis revealed that individuals whose organs showed rapid aging were more susceptible to 30 different illnesses, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-19-lockdowns-weakened-our-immune-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular disease</a>, respiratory infections, and various cancers.&nbsp;



A heart that aged unusually fast predicted elevated odds of heart conditions, whereas accelerated aging in the lungs was linked to a higher risk of lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and respiratory infections.



Interestingly, participants with an immune system that aged more rapidly than normal proved to have the greatest likelihood of developing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/preventing-dementia-scientists-say-three-factors-matter-most/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dementia</a>, surpassing those with a more quickly aging brain.&nbsp;



The investigators connect this result to existing evidence linking susceptibility to severe infections with a higher dementia risk down the line, suggesting that inflammatory activity may drive or exacerbate neurodegenerative processes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-close-coordination-among-organs">Close coordination among organs</h2>



Another noteworthy finding highlighted the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronauts-kidneys-may-not-survive-a-roundtrip-to-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">kidneys</a>. People whose kidney age outpaced expectations tended to confront a heightened risk of vascular disease, liver disease, and type 2 diabetes.&nbsp;



At the same time, accelerated aging in nearly any organ predicted a greater chance of suffering kidney damage in the future.&nbsp;



According to the authors, these patterns demonstrate the tight coordination among our organs, wherein malfunction in one system can have wide-ranging effects on others.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-catching-the-onset-of-organ-aging-nbsp">Catching the onset of organ aging&nbsp;</h2>



For many years, testing blood biomarkers separately was too expensive to be practical for large-scale preventive strategies.&nbsp;



However, recent advances in proteomic technologies now allow scientists to examine thousands of proteins simultaneously from a single sample, supplying fresh insight into how quickly a specific organ might be aging.&nbsp;



Blood protein levels respond to factors such as environment, lifestyle, disease, and medications, making them valuable indicators of a person’s physiological state over time.



“I believe that in the future of healthcare, the prevention of age-related diseases could begin much earlier, prioritizing those who would benefit most and tailoring interventions to individual risk profiles,” Kivimaki explained.&nbsp;



By catching the onset of accelerated aging in a particular organ, healthcare providers can focus on preventing future problems.&nbsp;



Diet changes, exercise programs, or even targeted medical interventions could slow or reverse damage in the system that shows the most alarm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-approach-to-disease-prevention">A new approach to disease prevention</h2>



Because a rapidly aging organ often signals potential trouble elsewhere, the study endorses a more holistic viewpoint on disease prevention.&nbsp;



Rather than concentrating on isolated symptoms or risk factors, doctors could soon use blood test results to anticipate which organs warrant the most urgent attention.&nbsp;



This method could reshape how screenings and check-ups are conducted, allowing for highly targeted counseling and therapies before irreversible damage occurs. “We hope our findings could contribute to new ways of helping people stay healthy for longer as they age,” noted Kivimaki. 



“Blood tests may advise whether a person needs to take better care of a particular organ, and potentially provide an early-warning signal that they may be at risk of a particular disease.”



In effect, the ability to monitor organ-specific aging might be a stepping stone toward personalized healthcare, where prevention is carefully crafted to an individual’s physiology and medical history.



Moving forward, integrating proteomic data into clinical practice holds the promise of detecting risky aging trajectories earlier than ever before. By revealing how each organ ages on its own timetable, doctors and patients alike can more effectively manage health to preserve vitality well into older adulthood.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-7500(25)00006-8/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lancet Digital Health</a>.



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Organ aging can predict diseases decades in advance

A simple blood test that identifies how much each of...

The extraction of sand from the ocean floor for construction and other industries has surged. Despite its far-reaching impacts on aquatic ecosystems, this activity is largely overlooked and unregulated.



Scientists have been urging governments, communities, and investors to acknowledge the value of the grains that rest beneath our seas. 



Highlighting the importance of sand has never been more critical, especially as it relates to balancing human progress with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-ocean-warming-in-2024-is-a-warning-for-our-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aquatic</a> preservation.



"Sand is a critical resource that shapes the built and natural worlds," said Jianguo “Jack” Liu of Michigan State University.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sand-extraction-harms-ecosystems">Sand extraction harms ecosystems</h2>



The growing practice of sediment dredging has sparked concerns about water cloudiness and smothered seagrasses. In 2017, researchers highlighted these risks in a paper published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aao0503" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



The report emphasized how nations tend to ignore the delicate balance between development and safeguarding marine biodiversity. Habitats are often disturbed by sand extraction, which can send local economies into a tailspin.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-environmental-policies">Broader environmental policies </h2>



Aurora Torres is a researcher at the University of Alicante in Spain and the study's lead author.



"Since sand extraction is closely linked to coastal erosion, climate adaptation, and biodiversity loss, integrating it into broader environmental policies - such as marine protected areas, blue carbon strategies, climate resilience plans, and strategic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-oceans-are-rapidly-changing-colors-matching-climate-predictions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural resource</a> management - is crucial to ensuring it is not treated as an isolated issue," said Torres.



Collaborative strategies that link communities, policymakers, and scientists are gaining momentum. Marine environments offer resources for everything from fishing to tourism, yet sand extraction lags behind in terms of regulations and oversight. 



Metacoupling methods, which examine social and ecological interactions across regions, could offer a path to identifying better solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-largely-overlooked-sand-extraction">Largely overlooked sand extraction</h2>



Many coastal regions see dredging as a localized activity, even though <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-microbes-can-tell-us-about-global-changes-in-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine</a> sand collection ranks among the most common human operations in nearshore areas after fishing. 



As a result of this neglect in public discourse, long-term damage is overlooked that may affect future generations.



Coastal erosion speeds up when sediment is stripped away, threatening shores that protect communities from storms. These areas often lose their natural defenses, leaving them vulnerable to rising seas and heavier wave action.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-on-ocean-life">Impacts on ocean life</h2>



Marine species rely on underwater dunes and sediment for spawning, nourishment, and shelter. 



Disrupting these zones can set off a chain reaction that leaves both small plankton and larger fish struggling to survive.



Clouded waters can hamper photosynthesis in seagrasses, while loosening sediment can carry invasive species to vulnerable areas. Scientists suggest that accountability in extraction is a key to halting further harm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-global-demand-for-ocean-sand">The global demand for ocean sand </h2>



Concrete, asphalt, and numerous modern products require sand, and this resource is generally easy to get. 



The <a href="https://www.unep.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Nations Environment Programme</a> notes that global sand usage likely tops tens of billions of tons each year, prompting calls for responsible management.



Some countries are putting measures in place to protect coasts from over-extraction. Others face pressure to supply rapidly expanding markets that need raw materials for infrastructure and technology.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustainable-solutions-to-reduce-damage">Sustainable solutions to reduce damage</h2>



Partnerships between environmental agencies and construction industries could incentivize more sustainable practices to protect sand. 



Restoration efforts and well-enforced <a href="https://marineprotectedareas.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine protected areas</a> may offer long-term benefits for local ecosystems and economies alike.



"Ultimately, the key to action is making sand extraction visible - through stronger data, improved governance, and direct links to pressing environmental and economic concerns," noted Torres. 



"The more evident and tangible its impacts become, the harder it will be to ignore the need for responsible management."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unchecked-resource-extraction">Unchecked resource extraction</h2>



Scientists are optimistic that global awareness can alter the course of unchecked resource use. Some regions are already testing innovative recycling techniques that reduce the demand for freshly mined sand.



Addressing these challenges will involve public engagement, political commitment, and corporate responsibility. 



Ecosystems that depend on healthy sediment cycles have a lot to gain from more transparent data and systematic assessments. The costs of ignoring these signals will extend beyond <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mining-the-arctic-seabed-threatens-fragile-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastlines</a> and ripple into human livelihoods.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590332225000284" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">One Earth</a>.



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Sand extraction is an overlooked threat to marine ecosystems

The extraction of sand from the ocean floor for construction...

Animal emotions can be difficult to decipher, but advances in technology may bring them into clearer focus. A new machine-learning model suggests it can distinguish between positive and negative emotional states in various animals.



These findings could change how we handle livestock and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-and-possibly-even-insects-have-emotions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a>. After meticulously analyzing distinct calls from cows, pigs, and other relatives, the team realized that certain acoustic signals indicate mood shifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-voice-patterns-and-animal-emotions">Voice patterns and animal emotions</h2>



A research team led by Professor Élodie F. Briefer at the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a> introduced artificial intelligence to a large library of farm-animal sounds, hoping to identify subtle clues that reveal emotional states.



Machine learning is a computational approach that learns from examples. In this project, the technology compared audio features like pitch and loudness across different calls.



Trained on thousands of recordings, the system recognized which sounds relate to pleasant or unpleasant experiences. The technology reached 89.49% accuracy in discerning the emotional expressions of seven ungulate species.



These animals produce vocal cues that sometimes share evolutionary roots. Researchers suggest that certain voice patterns have remained stable over time, shedding light on how communicative signals might develop across related creatures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-ai-distinguishes-animal-emotions">How AI distinguishes animal emotions</h2>



The researchers noticed that vocal changes often accompany shifting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chick-emotions-shed-new-light-on-animal-welfare/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotional conditions</a>. They found that duration, pitch range, and energy distribution were particularly telling.



For example, a short call might hint at excitement, while a slower call might reflect unease. This approach could help veterinarians and caretakers catch early warning signs of stress.



“This breakthrough provides solid evidence that AI can decode emotions across multiple species based on vocal patterns. It has the potential to revolutionise animal welfare, livestock management, and conservation, allowing us to monitor animals’ emotions in real time,” said Briefer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-of-identifying-animal-emotions">Benefits of identifying animal emotions</h2>



Farm operators face recurring health and behavioral problems in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-emotions-evoke-different-responses-in-dogs-and-pigs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">herds</a>. They may observe restlessness, poor feeding, or other signals that something is wrong.



“Understanding how animals express emotions can help us improve their well-being. If we can detect stress or discomfort early, we can intervene before it escalates,” said Briefer.



The new system could streamline daily observations. Advanced software might track changes automatically and alert staff when animals require a closer look.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-study">Broader implications of the study</h2>



Some studies link emotional sounds in other mammals to evolutionary communication patterns. Darwin once discussed how shared traits might hint at common expressions of fear or pleasure in various creatures.



Finding parallels across different calls could offer insights into the building blocks of human language. It might illustrate how emotional intonation became a key ingredient in social bonding.



Investigators view this data as a starting point for ongoing research on animal emotions. It could spark fresh perspectives on how animals form social bonds or defend territories.



“We want this to be a resource for other scientists. By making the data open access, we hope to accelerate research into how AI can help us better understand <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-animal-rights-day-2024-honoring-animals-with-justice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> and improve their welfare,” concluded Briefer.



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



These findings rely on carefully curated audio samples. Not every farm or field environment has perfect recording conditions.



Background noise, overlapping calls, and varying mic quality might hamper real-world performance. Researchers are working to refine the model for practical settings.



Experts also emphasize that decoding emotion is only part of the story. True well-being involves physical health and social needs.



Some farm scenarios involve high-density housing or specialized feeding routines. Technology that provides real-time feedback could help address issues before they become critical.



Future studies may explore if similar approaches apply to other groups, such as primates or marine mammals. Broader comparisons could test the limits of animal emotions and vocal expression similarities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-better-grasp-on-animal-emotions">A better grasp on animal emotions</h2>



Industry leaders show interest in solutions that simplify monitoring. Automation might give them more time for direct interaction with animals.



The technology could be adapted for sanctuaries, zoos, or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recognizing-emotions-in-horses-can-improve-their-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a> reserves. Each environment poses different hurdles in terms of space and animal grouping.



A better grasp of emotional signals might also shape ethical guidelines. Stakeholders can decide if certain practices are beneficial or harmful based on real-time metrics.



Artificial intelligence has come a long way in analyzing patterns. This venture into animal emotions might be another step that redefines how we see other beings.



The outcome might encourage more humane systems that appreciate the subtle ways that animals express themselves.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S258900422500094X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>.



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Animal emotions can be decoded through voice recognition

Animal emotions can be difficult to decipher, but advances in...

A rarely encountered “ultra-hot Neptune” has revealed startling atmospheric details, from near-2,000°C surface temperatures to unexpected reflective clouds.&nbsp;



The discovery is offering new insights into the extremes that can unfold on planets orbiting perilously close to their stars.&nbsp;



Scientists have uncovered how these scorching conditions coexist with patches cool enough for cloud formation, suggesting a delicate balance between intense radiation and dynamic atmospheric processes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-planet-with-relentless-stellar-heat-nbsp">A planet with relentless stellar heat&nbsp;</h2>



The exotic atmosphere of LTT 9779 b came into sharper focus thanks to observations with the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/firefly-sparkle-webb-telescope-weighs-a-galaxy-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Webb Space Telescope</a>. The research was led by Louis-Philippe Coulombe, a graduate student at <a href="https://exoplanetes.umontreal.ca/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Montreal’s Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets</a> (IREx). 



Orbiting its host star in less than one day, the planet endures relentless stellar heat while remaining tidally locked, such that one face constantly bakes in daylight and the other lies in endless darkness.&nbsp;



Despite these formidable conditions, the dayside’s western hemisphere appears cool enough to host reflective <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/martian-phenomenon-causes-spectacular-glowing-clouds-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clouds</a>, while the planet’s eastern side remains significantly hotter. 



“This planet provides a unique laboratory to understand how clouds and the transport of heat interact in the atmospheres of highly irradiated worlds,” Coulombe said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-atmosphere-of-an-ultra-hot-neptune-nbsp">Atmosphere of an ultra-hot Neptune&nbsp;</h2>



The analysis revealed that LTT 9779 b’s searing dayside is subject to powerful eastward winds that ferry energy around the planet. These winds seem to generate notable asymmetry on the daylight half, creating a bright, cloudier region on one side and a hotter, clearer domain on the other.&nbsp;



By measuring both the planet’s emitted heat and the star’s light reflected by the clouds, the researchers developed a detailed atmospheric model. They found that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oxygen-levels-on-exoplanets-reveal-presence-of-alien-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exoplanet</a>’s capacity to redistribute energy plays a key role in allowing clouds to persist in the face of such harsh conditions. 



In addition, the experts detected water vapor in the atmosphere, a discovery that illuminates the composition and chemical reactions within this extreme environment.&nbsp;



“By modeling LTT 9779 b’s atmosphere in detail, we’re starting to unlock the processes driving its alien weather patterns,” said Björn Benneke, an astronomy professor and co-author of the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viewing-exoplanets-in-unprecedented-detail-nbsp">Viewing exoplanets in unprecedented detail&nbsp;</h2>



To investigate further, the researchers observed the planet across its entire orbit, capturing it at various phases to see how brightness and temperature changed over time.&nbsp;



By combining visible-wavelength reflectivity with infrared heat signals, the experts could separate the portions of the planet lit by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/star-behavior-can-distort-our-view-of-distant-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star</a> from those cloaked in darkness. This method included viewing two secondary eclipses - when LTT 9779 b passed behind its star - and a primary transit, when the planet crossed in front. 



Such comprehensive coverage enabled the team to pinpoint distinct temperature gradients and better understand how mineral-rich cloud layers might form and disperse on the marginally cooler western dayside.



Studies like this one rely on the James Webb Space Telescope’s ability to examine exoplanets in unprecedented detail, mapping both brightness and spectra at different wavelengths.&nbsp;



“It’s remarkable that both types of analyses paint such a clear and consistent picture of the planet’s atmosphere,” said co-author Michael Radica, a postdoctoral researcher who had previously published a transit-focused analysis of LTT 9779 b.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-planet-that-defies-expectations">A planet that defies expectations</h2>



LTT 9779 b is notable for sitting in the so-called “hot Neptune desert,” a region unusually devoid of planets that are Neptune-sized but orbit their stars at extremely close distances.&nbsp;



“Finding a planet of this size so close to its host star is like finding a snowball that hasn’t melted in a fire,” Coulombe said. Because it defies the norms of planetary migration and survival, LTT 9779 b offers a chance to examine how planets evolve when exposed to intense stellar forces.&nbsp;



The presence of metallic clouds and the planet’s ability to maintain an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lifting-the-veil-on-alien-exoplanets-with-hazy-atmospheres/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmosphere</a> at such high temperatures raise questions about how these worlds form, what fraction of their mass is lost over time, and how they maintain any gaseous envelope in the face of unrelenting radiation.



“These findings give us a new lens for understanding atmospheric dynamics on smaller gas giants. This is just the beginning of what JWST will reveal about these fascinating worlds,” Coulombe noted.&nbsp;



The data highlight how matter can condense into reflective clouds under formidable heat, while ferocious winds shuttle thermal energy and influence cloud distribution.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-other-hot-neptunes">Exploring other hot Neptunes</h2>



As astronomers continue exploring other “hot Neptunes” and related planetary classes, knowledge from LTT 9779 b will guide theories about how these systems emerge, adapt, and survive.



By showcasing the intricate dance of warmth, wind, and condensates, the study brings attention to just how robust - and delicate - an atmosphere can be in a realm nearing 2,000°C.&nbsp;



Though extremely hostile by Earthly standards, LTT 9779 b stands as a testament to nature’s creativity in crafting astonishing cosmic wonders, reminding us that even conditions seemingly too severe might still allow clouds to glimmer and water vapor to persist against all odds.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-025-02488-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Astronomy</a>. 



Image Credit: Benoit Gougeon, Université de Montréal



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Fire and clouds: The ultra-hot Neptune that shouldn’t exist

A rarely encountered “ultra-hot Neptune” has revealed startling atmospheric details,...

Strange as it sounds, some scientists think the earliest life forms on Earth may have painted our planet in shades of purple rather than the green we see today. 



This idea, known as the Purple Earth hypothesis, suggests that single-celled organisms depended on a less complex molecule than chlorophyll to harness sunlight.



NASA-supported work points to retinal as that pivotal molecule, which lent these microbes a vivid violet color. 



The concept has been investigated by astrobiologist Dr. Edward Schwieterman of the <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Riverside</a>, and professor Shiladitya DasSarma of the <a href="https://umd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maryland</a>.



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



Chlorophyll is the green pigment that makes plants, algae, and some bacteria look so vibrant. More importantly, it’s the powerhouse behind <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/revealing-the-secrets-of-photosynthesis-through-pep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photosynthesis</a> - the process that lets plants turn sunlight into energy.



Without <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gardening-hack-called-green-gold-chlorophyll-works-like-magic-for-houseplants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chlorophyll</a>, life as we know it wouldn’t exist because it’s the first step in producing the oxygen we breathe and the food we eat.



This molecule absorbs light, mostly from the blue and red spectrum, while reflecting green, which is why leaves look green. 



It's packed into tiny structures inside plant cells called chloroplasts, where the magic of photosynthesis happens.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-color-from-a-different-molecule">Early color from a different molecule</h2>



While modern plants rely on chlorophyll, it may not have been <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-building-blocks-of-life-zinc-arrived-on-early-earth-planetesimals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>’s first choice for photosynthesis. Retinal is simpler and was likely present on Earth when atmospheric oxygen was scarce.



During that period, known for low oxygen and a hazy sky, scientists believe sunlight was still abundant enough to power these purple microbes. This scenario points to a very different Earth from the lush, leafy version we see now.



Many of these primeval organisms fell under the archaea umbrella, a group that thrives in environments hostile to most other life. 



One notable example is often called halobacterium, a bright purple microbe that survives in salty spots like the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-salt-lake-is-rapidly-shrinking-and-experts-have-identified-the-causes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great Salt Lake</a>.



Despite its name, halobacterium is not a bacterium but an archaeon that uses photosynthesis in a less common way. It absorbs green wavelengths through retinal and reflects red and blue, which produces its striking purple appearance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-purple-earth-turned-green-nbsp">How purple Earth turned green&nbsp;</h2>



Over time, other organisms evolved the more efficient pigment, chlorophyll, enabling them to harvest sunlight at stronger wavelengths.



This shift eventually overshadowed the retinal-based approach and helped fuel the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/it-took-200-million-years-for-earth-to-get-its-oxygen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Great Oxygenation Event</a>, when oxygen levels in our atmosphere rose dramatically.



Retinal-based life did not disappear, but it was no longer the dominant force shaping the planet’s surface color. Chlorophyll-using organisms thrived, turning <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-planets-formed-in-the-harsh-early-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>’s general look from purple to green.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-searching-for-colorful-life">Searching for colorful life</h2>



Astrobiologists suspect exoplanets might host creatures that still rely on retinal. 



“If the Purple Earth hypothesis was correct and there was a dominance of purple organisms in the early Earth, then we might be able to find another planet that’s at an earlier stage of evolution,” said DasSarma.



Color signals from these far-off worlds could reveal whether simple purple life is out there. Early retinal-based photosynthesis might offer a stepping stone before more advanced pigments evolve.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-purple-pockets-on-modern-earth">Purple pockets on modern Earth</h2>



Although Earth is now mostly green, places like the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/salt-is-building-up-in-the-bottom-of-the-dead-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dead Sea</a> still shine with violet hues thanks to halobacterium. These hardy microbes thrive in extreme salt concentrations that deter many other forms of life.



By studying these vibrant spots, researchers gain insights into how purple life could survive on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/super-earth-discovered-in-the-habitable-zone-of-its-star/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extraterrestrial terrains</a> with similarly tough conditions. 



Observing them also helps scientists refine the signals they might seek on exoplanets.



Today’s vegetation has a recognizable red edge, where leaves strongly absorb red light but reflect a specific infrared wavelength. 



Retinal, on the other hand, would likely create a different type of spectral fingerprint that peaks in the green region.



Scientists are calling for <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-78071-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">instruments</a> that can track a wider range of wavelengths to detect such signatures. This approach broadens our view of what life might look like on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-other-planets-collected-first-water-from-unexpected-source-planetesimals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planets</a> circling distant stars.



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



Advances in telescope technology will soon allow more detailed observations of exoplanet atmospheres and surfaces. 



Analysts hope to find color patterns that reflect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-laid-the-foundation-for-early-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biological processes</a>, whether they resemble chlorophyll or something entirely different. 



A confirmed Purple Earth <a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20170011333" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phase</a> would be a key reminder that life can take unexpected paths. 



“This is another reference point in a library of potential biosignatures that we can search for elsewhere,” said Schwieterman. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-earth-s-purple-past-matters">Why Earth’s purple past matters</h2>



The Purple Earth hypothesis remains unproven, yet it encourages new ways of thinking about our planet’s past and the search for life beyond. 



If <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/looking-to-earths-ancient-climate-to-predict-our-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>’s earliest successful photosynthesizers truly glowed purple, then that color might reappear wherever organisms adopt retinal as their main solar sponge.



This imaginative view highlights life’s capacity to adapt in surprising ways. It also urges us to look for signals we might otherwise miss if we focus only on what we see today.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/1705.05791" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Astrobiolo</a><a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/1705.05791" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gy</a>.



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"Purple Earth" hypothesis is gaining momentum among scientists

Strange as it sounds, some scientists think the earliest life...

Young salmon swimming through the San Joaquin River make vital adjustments in their route and timing to improve their odds of surviving a perilous journey. 



Recent research has uncovered how these young fish exploit different parts of the river at specific times of day to avoid predators and cut down on energy costs.



The study was led by Mike Gil, an assistant professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado Boulder</a>. The findings reveal the dynamics behind the adaptive behaviors of juvenile salmon.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-decline-in-salmon-numbers">A decline in salmon numbers</h2>



“The salmon fishery in the San Joaquin River delta area is on the verge of collapsing,” said Gil, the paper’s first author. 



“We know these juvenile salmon are getting wiped out on their migration to sea. We need to know why and how this is happening, and if there are opportunities to leverage conservation practices.”&nbsp;



Many of these salmon endure their first year in a portion of the river where they were born, and then <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-unpredictable-effects-on-salmon-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">migrate</a> hundreds of miles to reach the ocean’s richer feeding grounds.&nbsp;



Later, as adults, they retrace their path upstream to spawn, perpetuating a cycle that has long supported both the fish population and local fisheries.



According to the <a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">California Department of Fish and Wildlife</a>, the number of Chinook salmon migrating in the fall through the Sacramento and San Joaquin river systems has plummeted from 872,669 in 2002 to 79,985 in 2022, reflecting an alarming 90% decline in just twenty years.



While elevated water temperatures, poor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rivers-at-risk-climate-change-is-diminishing-global-water-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water quality</a>, and the presence of dams all pose significant risks, humans have also introduced non-native predators - namely striped and largemouth bass - that claim a large percentage of juvenile salmon.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-the-journey-of-young-salmon">Tracking the journey of young salmon</h2>



In an effort to discern how these fish respond to their numerous threats, Gil’s team placed tracking devices in 424 juvenile Chinook salmon, along with 23 striped bass and 17 largemouth bass.&nbsp;



They lined the riverbanks with detection gear to monitor the fish’s activities over two months, capturing a detailed view of predator attacks, salmon movement patterns, and how these two forces interact.



From this data, the researchers confirmed that salmon move farther at night than during daytime - a pattern that had previously been noted but not deeply explained.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-young-salmon-modify-their-routines">Young salmon modify their routines</h2>



The team’s tracking revealed the reason behind this nocturnal tendency. By day, the predatory bass prefer to patrol the middle of the river, which also happens to be where salmon can ride the strong current downstream and conserve the most energy.&nbsp;



Unfortunately, the fish also face greater danger there when the sun is up, as hungry bass congregate in that mid-river channel to intercept them.&nbsp;



Faced with that threat, young salmon have modified their routine: they cover greater distances mid-river only when it’s dark, taking advantage of lower predator activity.&nbsp;



During the day, these vulnerable fish swim closer to the riverbanks - even though the weaker currents in shallow water mean they expend more than twice as much energy to make progress.&nbsp;



“Intuitively, one would think these fish should just be taxiing right down the middle of the river all the time, so they can get out to the ocean and get away from all these terrifying predators as fast as possible. But that’s not what we saw,” said Gil.&nbsp;



“Our study suggests that bass activities are forcing these fish to adopt a different strategy.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-facing-predators-at-dawn-and-dusk-nbsp">Facing predators at dawn and dusk&nbsp;</h2>



Another noteworthy finding was that predator attacks peaked around dawn and dusk. “These fish seem to really pick up on changes in ambient lighting,” Gil said.&nbsp;



Because striped bass have relatively large eyes, they maintain a visual edge in dim conditions, while salmon, with smaller eyes, struggle to see well in twilight.&nbsp;



As a result, these early-morning and late-evening hours become particularly dangerous for juvenile salmon seeking to slip by their hunters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-for-salmon-conservation">Insights for salmon conservation</h2>



Protecting salmon in the San Joaquin River is paramount, especially given the historic collapse in salmon populations that is unfolding.&nbsp;



Understanding the fish’s nuanced responses to predator behavior can help direct conservation efforts.&nbsp;



Even small adjustments in human management strategies, such as limiting light pollution around the river corridor at night, could offer salmon a stronger advantage in moving under cover of darkness.&nbsp;



“We as humans are quite limited in our understanding of how animals in the wild behave. By better understanding this, we can make the most informed decisions about how to keep these species around,” Gil said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-picture-of-coping-strategies-nbsp">Complex picture of coping strategies&nbsp;</h2>



One avenue for improvement lies in examining whether minor changes in water flow or releases from dams can shift the timetable of salmon migration, potentially helping the fish slip through the delta under conditions that reduce bass predation.&nbsp;



Resource managers and conservationists can also investigate the impact of removing or reducing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cats-have-become-one-of-the-worlds-most-invasive-predators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">invasive predators</a> in targeted areas. Each approach, if carefully assessed, could raise survival rates enough to keep the population from collapsing further.



By unraveling the timings and tactics underlying salmon migration, this study paints a more complex picture of how an imperiled species copes with multiple stressors.&nbsp;



The fish must contend not only with environmental hurdles - such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-temperatures-increase-scientists-plan-slow-down-rising-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rising temperatures</a> - but also with an altered predator landscape shaped by human intervention.&nbsp;



Their strategy of traveling under the cover of night is a stark example of adaptation, but it also illuminates just how fragile the balance between predator and prey has become.&nbsp;



With salmon runs hanging in the balance, measures to synchronize conservation goals with the fish’s finely tuned behaviors may be the key to reversing the ongoing decline.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ele.70068" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology Letters</a>.



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Young salmon outsmart predators on their journey to the sea

Young salmon swimming through the San Joaquin River make vital...

Unhealthy,Products.,Food,Bad,For,Figure,,Skin,,Heart,And,Teeth.

Most dietary programs focus on weight loss or meeting U.S. nutrition guidelines. These guidelines do not mention ultra-processed foods (UPFs), even though they are linked to serious health risks. 



Chips, candy, and other mass-produced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-tool-lets-you-check-how-processed-your-food-is-grocerydb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">packaged foods</a> often replace natural ingredients with additives. Studies show eating UPFs increases the risk of diseases and early death.



Despite these risks, no major dietary programs focus on reducing UPF intake. 



To address this gap, researchers from <a href="https://drexel.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Drexel University</a> designed an intervention. The goal was to help people eat fewer ultra-processed foods using multiple strategies.



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



Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are the heavily modified, lab-created stuff you find in most grocery store aisles - think packaged snacks, sugary cereals, instant noodles, and even some protein bars. 



They go through multiple industrial processes, packed with additives like preservatives, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-sweetener-neotame-has-shocking-effects-on-gut-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial flavors</a>, emulsifiers, and loads of sugar or refined oils. 



These foods are designed to be super convenient, hyper-palatable, and have a long shelf life. 



But here’s the catch: they often lack real nutrition and can mess with your metabolism, gut health, and even brain chemistry.



Studies link them to everything from obesity and diabetes to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-sweetener-erythritol-sugar-substitute-linked-to-blood-clots-heart-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart disease</a> and even mental health issues.



The problem is, ultra-processed foods are everywhere, and they’re marketed as quick, tasty, and sometimes even "healthy" options. 



But because they’re engineered for taste and texture, they can be addictive, making it easy to overeat without feeling full. 



Most importantly, their ingredient lists often look more like a chemistry experiment than actual food.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-ultra-processed-food-intake">Reducing ultra-processed food intake</h2>



The Drexel University program went beyond education. It included mindfulness strategies to handle cravings, one-on-one meal planning, and household involvement.



The researchers also provided financial support to help participants buy healthier foods, which can be expensive.



The two-month intervention involved 14 adults with overweight or obesity who ate at least two UPF items daily. On average, participants cut their UPF intake by nearly half.



“Reducing UPF intake can be extremely difficult, because the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ultra-processed-foods-make-our-bodies-age-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food</a> industry wants us to be hooked on UPFs,” said lead author Dr. Charlotte Hagerman.



“The industry designs UPFs to be ultra-delicious, convenient, cheap, and constantly present in the U.S. - even if not directly in front of us, then on our TVs, phones, and roadside signs.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-promising-results-from-the-intervention">Promising results from the intervention</h2>



Despite the small sample size, the results of the trial were encouraging.



By the end of the program, participants had nearly halved their UPF <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-ultra-processed-foods-makes-your-muscles-weaker-and-more-fragile/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intake</a>, measured both in calories and total items consumed. They also reduced their daily calorie intake by more than 600 calories. 



Sugar consumption declined by 50 percent, while saturated fat intake dropped by 37 percent. Sodium intake also saw a significant decrease of 28 percent. On average, participants lost 7.7 pounds over the two-month period.



“Interestingly, participants did not have meaningful increases in their fruit and vegetable consumption, suggesting that if we want to improve dietary intake more holistically, we may need to more strongly encourage people to eat these foods,” said Hagerman.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-intervention-worked">How the intervention worked</h2>



Participants met weekly with health behavior coaches in both group and individual sessions. 



They learned how to identify UPFs, cope with cravings, and improve their home food environment. Each participant received a $100 grocery store gift card to support healthier purchases.



To track progress, the participants completed detailed food intake reports. They documented everything they ate on selected weekdays and weekends using a specialized assessment tool. 



The researchers classified foods as UPFs or non-UPFs, consulting experts when needed to avoid bias.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychological-benefits-of-cutting-upfs">Psychological benefits of cutting UPFs</h2>



Beyond physical health, the participants noticed mental and emotional benefits. Many reported feeling better overall, with improvements in mood and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ultra-processed-foods-are-harmful-to-nearly-every-part-of-the-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">energy</a>.



Since UPFs can trigger addiction-like behaviors, reducing intake may help regulate emotions and improve mental clarity. Cutting back on UPFs also seemed to help participants feel more in control of their eating habits, making it easier to maintain a healthier diet.



By addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of food choices, the program helped participants develop a healthier relationship with eating. This could be crucial for long-term success in maintaining dietary changes.



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



“The findings suggest that people can reduce their ultra-processed food intake, if given the proper tools, and that they will be enthusiastic about interventions designed for this purpose,” said Hagerman. 



“The results also suggest that reducing UPF intake will lead to meaningful health improvements – such as weight loss and better mood – in as short as eight weeks.”



The research team plans to expand the study. Future work will test the intervention on a larger sample and evaluate which strategies are most effective. The researchers also want to see if the program works across different populations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bigger-picture">The bigger picture</h2>



This study highlights the need for better public awareness and policies to reduce UPF consumption. Since UPFs dominate the food supply, long-term solutions should address accessibility and affordability of healthier alternatives. 



Education, financial incentives, and community-based programs could help more people reduce their UPF intake. As research continues, these findings may shape new approaches to improving public health through better nutrition.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/osp4.70029" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Obesity Science &amp; Practice</a>.



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What happens when you stop eating processed foods? Doctors found out

Most dietary programs focus on weight loss or meeting U.S....

<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.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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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

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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