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...

For many people online gaming is a harmless escape – a chance to unwind with friends, trade tips on strategy, and watch favorite streamers test new releases.



Yet a new study suggests that the same vibrant, hyper-connected space has become fertile ground for extremist recruiters. They see voice chat, livestreams, and in-game banter as open doors to fresh audiences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gaming-platforms-fly-under-the-radar">Gaming platforms fly under the radar</h2>



Over the past decade, legislators have poured energy into policing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-pressure-is-straining-teen-friendships/">social media</a> platforms like Facebook, X, TikTok, and YouTube. 



By comparison, gaming-adjacent platforms such as Discord, Steam communities, or Twitch “have largely flown under the radar, while at the same time becoming digital playgrounds for extremists to exploit,” said lead author William Allchorn from Anglia Ruskin University’s <a href="https://www.aru.ac.uk/international-policing-and-public-protection-research-institute" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute</a>.



These services enable real-time chat, meme sharing, and private voice channels - making moderation especially difficult. The research team – Allchorn and senior fellow Elisa Orofino – spoke with content moderators, tech-industry specialists, and practitioners who work on preventing violent extremism.



Interviewees repeatedly described a funneling process: a user first encounters edgy jokes or borderline rhetoric on mainstream services, then an extremist invites them to a more lightly policed space tied to gaming culture.



“That’s where you have matchmaking. It’s where you can build quick rapport with people,” one participant said. “But that’s the stuff that very quickly moves to adjacent platforms, where there’s sort of less monitoring.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extremist-messages-flood-gaming-platforms">Extremist messages flood gaming platforms</h2>



According to the study, the most common <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-people-believe-they-are-right-even-when-theyre-wrong/">ideology</a> circulating in these spaces is far-right extremism – white-supremacist propaganda, neo-Nazi symbols, Holocaust denial, and an undercurrent of misogyny and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric.



Islamist material appears too, though less frequently, and moderators also reported “extremist-adjacent” content that glorifies school shootings or promotes conspiracy theories such as QAnon. 



All of it violates platform terms of service, yet often evades detection because the language is coded or hidden behind memes.



Hyper-masculine titles – first-person shooters or combat games that prize aggression, quick reflexes, and leaderboards – offer particularly welcoming environments.



Newcomers can slip into a team channel with strangers, bond over shared tactics, then encounter racist or antisemitic slurs delivered as “jokes.” If a young player laughs along, recruiters test deeper waters. They may share links to fringe forums or private Discord servers where rhetoric becomes more explicit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moderation-systems-overwhelmed">Moderation systems overwhelmed</h2>



Most gaming companies rely on a mix of automated filters and volunteer or lightly paid moderators. Interviewees told Allchorn and Orofino they feel overwhelmed.



In-game voice chat lacks moderation, while text channels flood with slang and sarcasm that overwhelm AI filters. 



A phrase like “I’m going to kill you” can be normal trash talk during a match but a genuine threat in a different context. Many users don’t know how to report extremist content, and those who do often feel their reports are ignored.



Moderators themselves expressed frustration at “inconsistent enforcement policies” and the heavy burden of deciding when to escalate a user to law enforcement.



Meanwhile, extremists exchange tips on how to dodge bans. These include using numbers or symbols in slurs and encoding messages with historical references or Nordic runes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-younger-gamers-in-the-crosshairs">Younger gamers in the crosshairs</h2>



A recurrent anxiety among professionals interviewed was the vulnerability of minors. Livestreamers who weave extremist talking points into entertaining gameplay accrue followers in the thousands; teenage viewers may tune in daily, forming parasocial bonds. 



Once the streamer invites them to a private server, those young fans are isolated from counter-speech.



Yet parents and teachers rarely recognize gaming platforms as potential vectors of radicalization. The authors argue that digital literacy campaigns must expand beyond traditional social media to cover the unique cultures of gaming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solutions-span-tech-and-parenting">Solutions span tech and parenting</h2>



Allchorn believes decisive action is possible. “Strengthening moderation systems, both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-taking-scientific-discovery-from-decades-to-minutes/">AI</a> and human, is essential,” he said, but technologies must be paired with clearer platform rules that target content that is harmful but technically lawful.



The paper urges companies to invest in symbol libraries that evolve as extremist language shifts, to give moderators rapid-response channels to local police, and to provide transparent feedback loops when users report violations.



Law enforcement agencies also need to learn how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/disaster-subculture-helps-people-cope-on-the-frontline-of-the-climate-crisis/">gaming subcultures</a> operate so they don’t dismiss genuine threats as mere smack talk. Educators and parents can play a role by discussing with children why hateful messages spread and by encouraging reporting mechanisms within games.



Ultimately, the study paints gaming platforms as a double-edged sword. They build global community, yet also allow fringe movements to thrive unnoticed.



“These gaming-adjacent platforms offer extremists direct access to large, often young and impressionable audiences,” Allchorn warned. 



Recognizing the phenomenon and naming its tactics is the first step toward keeping virtual playgrounds safe for play rather than propaganda.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1537460/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Psychology</a>.



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Extremists are using gaming platforms to recruit young followers

For many people online gaming is a harmless escape –...

The ocean has long seemed too vast to manage, too deep to control, and too distant to monitor. But this perception is changing fast. With satellites, machine learning, and global cooperation, the idea of protecting the marine life is no longer theoretical. It’s real, measurable, and effective.



That message is at the heart of Marine Protected Areas Day (MPA Day), celebrated every year on August 1st. Since its launch in 2021, MPA Day has grown from a national campaign in South Africa into a global movement.



The 2025 edition, themed “Ocean Protection Needs Human Connection,” brought together scientists, activists, educators, artists, and everyday <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-oceans-are-rapidly-changing-colors-matching-climate-predictions/">ocean</a> lovers across 12 countries and online platforms. From kayak tours to beach cleanups and global running challenges, people showed up for the sea.



This year’s celebration coincides with recent scientific evidence. A massive new global study shows that&nbsp;MPAs are working - not just in principle, but in practice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-marine-protected-areas-matter">Why marine protected areas matter</h2>



Marine Protected Areas are zones where human activities are regulated or banned to protect ecosystems. Some allow sustainable fishing or tourism. Others, the most effective ones,&nbsp;ban industrial fishing altogether. These stricter MPAs are known as “fully” or “highly protected” zones.



Their benefits are enormous. They preserve biodiversity, protect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-oceans-day-2025-sustaining-what-sustains-us/">coral</a> reefs, restore fish stocks, and create safe zones for breeding and migration. 



MPAs also support coastal communities through tourism and eco-friendly jobs. They absorb carbon, helping to fight climate change. Despite this, only 8% of the world’s oceans are protected. The goal, set by international agreements, is 30% by 2030.



For years, critics have questioned their effectiveness. Many believe these zones are just lines on a map - unenforced and ignored by illegal fishers. But thanks to new technology and a powerful new dataset, we now know the truth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-protected-areas-are-working">Marine protected areas are working</h2>



A large-scale global study recently examined 1,380 MPAs that strictly prohibit industrial fishing. 



The researchers used data from Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), which track ship signals, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), which detects vessels even when they try to hide. These technologies helped scientists monitor fishing activity with remarkable accuracy.



The team found that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-nature-conservation-day-2025-a-healthy-future-for-all/">fishing</a> vessels appeared, on average, only once per 20,000 square kilometers in protected areas. That’s nine times fewer than in surrounding unprotected zones. This means most MPAs are indeed doing their job.



SAR was especially useful in places like Southeast Asia. It detected ships in MPAs where AIS showed nothing. 



The radar confirmed no industrial fishing in 91 MPAs. In fact, 25% of all MPAs recorded zero vessels. In areas where activity was detected, it appeared on only 3% of the observed days. This is a monumental shift in our understanding. 



“The ocean is no longer too big to watch. With cutting-edge satellites and AI, we’re making illegal fishing visible and proving that strong marine protections work,” said Juan Mayorga, co-author and scientist at <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/our-programs/pristine-seas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pristine Seas</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-fishing-still-happens">Where fishing still happens</h2>



The study also examined where some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/darkening-oceans-are-shrinking-vital-marine-habitats/">fishing</a> continues despite protections. A few areas, like the Chagos Archipelago, recorded up to 2,700 hours of fishing per year. 



Others like the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands saw about 900 hours annually.



But these are outliers. Over&nbsp;1,000 MPAs&nbsp;had no detected activity. Around&nbsp;78.5%&nbsp;of them saw fishing on less than one day per year. The global average fishing effort in MPAs came out to just&nbsp;0.0004 hours per day per 100 square kilometers.



Some of the apparent “high-density” fishing zones turned out to be small MPAs, where even a few boats skewed the data. For example, Marado Island in Korea had the highest density, but it’s only 2 km² and had just 6 to 18 vessels.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-we-see-marine-protected-areas">How we see marine protected areas</h2>



Many believe MPAs are weak because of two reasons: weak legal rules and poor enforcement. Some MPAs only exist on paper or allow industrial fishing under loopholes. Others are hard to patrol due to their location or lack of resources.



This study challenges those doubts. It focused only on MPAs with clear bans and accounted for when the laws came into effect. This removed confusion caused by phase-out periods, like in&nbsp;Palau, where a five-year transition affected fishing data.



In fact,&nbsp;Palau&nbsp;serves as a strong example of success. After full protection, its fishing hours dropped from&nbsp;51,000&nbsp;to just&nbsp;215&nbsp;per year. That is not symbolic change - it is real impact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tech-helps-stop-illegal-fishing">Tech helps stop illegal fishing</h2>



The combination of AIS, SAR, and&nbsp;machine learning&nbsp;processed&nbsp;over five billion signals&nbsp;and thousands of radar images. This allowed scientists to detect hidden fishing vessels, even those trying to stay invisible.



In 163 MPAs, SAR found ships where AIS saw nothing. In many others, radar confirmed that no boats were present. 



“By using satellites to track fishing vessels, countries can predict the locations of illegal activities and target patrol efforts, saving both manpower and money,” said Jennifer Raynor, lead author from the <a href="https://www.wisc.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Wisconsin-Madison</a>.



MPAs are not perfect. Some small-scale legal fishing may go undetected, especially if boats are under 15 meters long. Some zones also allow certain activities under sunset clauses or temporary permits. But the broader message is clear:&nbsp;strong enforcement deters illegal fishing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-people-make-ocean-protection-work">People make ocean protection work</h2>



The 2025 MPA Day theme,&nbsp;“Making Connections,”&nbsp;goes beyond science and policy. It reminds us that protecting the ocean isn’t just about rules - it’s about relationships. Communities, scientists, artists, students, and citizens must come together. When people feel connected to the sea, they’re more likely to protect it.



Celebrations this year reflected that spirit. Events took place in South Africa, Sweden, Peru, Egypt, Brazil, and more. 



Artists shared ocean-themed work. Kids learned how MPAs help fish and dolphins thrive. Online, people ran for the sea, posted about marine biodiversity, and joined virtual sessions about ocean science.



The ocean is no longer too vast to protect. With global cooperation, cutting-edge technology, and strong local engagement, MPAs are showing real results. The world has the tools and the proof. Now it needs the will.



Marine Protected Areas Day 2025 reminded us of something powerful: oceans are not just ecosystems - they are lifelines. To protect them, we must stay connected, informed, and engaged.



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Marine Protected Areas Day: Ocean protection needs human connection

The ocean has long seemed too vast to manage, too...

Hibernating animals stretch the limits of biology, surviving for months without food or water. Their muscles stay strong, their body temperature drops to near freezing, and their brain and metabolism slow dramatically. 



Despite these changes, the animals emerge healthy. They recover from conditions that resemble human diseases like Alzheimer’s, stroke, or diabetes.



Now, researchers think we might carry this resilience too. Studies published in the journal Science suggest that the genes powering hibernation might exist in human DNA. These genetic traits, once thought unique to hibernators, may lie dormant within us. 



Understanding and unlocking these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hibernation-allows-lemurs-to-slow-down-their-aging/">genes</a> could lead to treatments for metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-hibernators-use-special-genes">How hibernators use special genes</h2>



Scientists focused on a gene cluster called the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) locus. Hibernating animals use it to control fat storage and energy during winter. 



“What’s striking about this region is that it is the strongest genetic risk factor for human obesity,” said Dr. Chris Gregg from the University of Utah (<a href="https://www.utah.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U of U</a>).



The team found nearby DNA regions that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-waking-bats-up-too-early-from-hibernation/">hibernators</a> use to switch the activity of genes on or off. These controls don’t change the genes themselves. Instead, they regulate gene behavior, like adjusting volume in an orchestra. 



These non-coding regions help hibernators gain weight before winter and burn fat efficiently while asleep.



Researchers inserted these DNA regions into mice. The results were clear. Some mice gained or lost weight depending on diet. Others had changes in body temperature recovery or overall metabolism. 



“When you knock out one of these elements - this one tiny, seemingly insignificant DNA region - the activity of hundreds of genes changes,” explained Susan Steinwand, a scientist at U of U Health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hibernation-genes-control-fat-and-energy">Hibernation genes control fat and energy</h2>



These DNA regulators don’t create new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-squirrels-survive-winter-without-food-or-water/">genes</a>. Instead, they remove blocks that limit flexibility in metabolism. Hibernators may have evolved to lose certain constraints. That allows them to shift between active and dormant states easily. 



“If we could regulate our genes a bit more like hibernators, maybe we could overcome type 2 diabetes the same way that a hibernator returns from hibernation back to a normal metabolic state,” said Elliott Ferris, MS.



The key difference between us and hibernators may be in how we regulate the same set of genes. This insight raises the possibility that humans could someday adjust their metabolism in similar ways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hibernation-changed-genes-over-time">Hibernation changed genes over time</h2>



To find these genetic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hedgehogs-have-flexible-hibernation-habits-that-help-them-survive/">clues</a>, researchers used several advanced methods. They first searched for DNA regions that remained stable across most mammals for over 100 million years but showed recent and dramatic changes in hibernating species. 



Such sudden shifts in long-conserved DNA strongly suggest adaptations specific to hibernation behavior.



Next, the researchers studied fasting mice. Fasting mirrors certain biological conditions seen in hibernation, including reduced energy intake and slowed metabolism. It triggers a complex cascade of gene activity. 



The team tracked which genes turned on or off during this period and identified “hub” genes that regulate broader gene networks.



Interestingly, many altered regions in hibernators were located near these hub genes. These overlaps imply that evolutionary changes may have modified gene control switches to support hibernation. 



The switches appear crucial for the coordination of metabolic and neurological functions. Scientists now consider these regulatory elements key targets for future genetic and medical research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-this-could-help-humans">How this could help humans</h2>



Rather than inventing new traits, evolution in hibernators may have broken metabolic locks. Humans still have those locks in place. But our genes hold the same basic tools. 



“Humans already have the genetic framework,” said Steinwand. “We just need to identify the control switches for these hibernator traits.”



The findings hint at future medical possibilities. If we identify and harness these regulatory switches, we may help humans survive extreme metabolic stress, reverse age-related decline, or treat chronic disease.



“There’s potentially an opportunity - by understanding these hibernation-linked mechanisms in the genome - to find strategies to intervene and help with age-related diseases,” noted Dr. Gregg. 



“If that’s hidden in the genome that we’ve already got, we could learn from hibernators to improve our own health.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adp4701" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Humans carry hidden hibernation genes that could treat diseases

Hibernating animals stretch the limits of biology, surviving for months...

We hear a lot about how climate change affects animals - but what if the reverse is also true?



New research suggests that when animals disappear from forests, the forests lose one of their key tools for fighting climate change. That connection between animals and climate may be even stronger than we thought.



Scientists at the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> have found that tropical forests regrow much more effectively when they still have healthy populations of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-plants-wont-survive-the-loss-of-seed-dispersing-animals/">seed-dispersing animals</a>. 



In fact, they can absorb up to four times more carbon than similar forests where those animals are missing or declining.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-need-wildlife-to-function">Forests need wildlife to function</h2>



Tropical forests are the planet’s biggest land-based carbon sinks. That means they absorb and store more carbon than any other type of ecosystem. 



So, understanding what keeps those forests functioning isn’t just an ecological question - it’s a climate question.



Evan Fricke, a research scientist in the MIT Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is the lead author of the new study.



“The results underscore the importance of animals in maintaining healthy, carbon-rich tropical forests,” said Fricke. “When seed-dispersing animals decline, we risk weakening the climate-mitigating power of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-forests-are-struggling-to-keep-pace-with-climate-change/">tropical forests</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animals-are-nature-s-forest-planters">Animals are nature’s forest planters</h2>



If you’ve ever watched a monkey munch on fruit or a bird fly off with a berry, you’ve seen nature’s version of forest management in action.



When these animals eat fruit and later defecate the seeds elsewhere, they help forests regenerate. In tropical regions, over 75 percent of tree species depend on animals to disperse their seeds.



Without those animals, seeds don’t travel far, germinate less often, and forests grow back more slowly - if at all.



Fricke has spent nearly 15 years studying this process. He’s shown in past work that animal seed dispersal helps <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trees-have-unique-fungi-partnerships-that-help-them-survive/">trees survive</a> and adapt. Now, his team is thinking more broadly about what that means for the planet.



“We’re now thinking more about the roles that animals might play in affecting the climate through seed dispersal,” Fricke said. 



“We know that in tropical forests, where more than three-quarters of trees rely on animals for seed dispersal, the decline of seed dispersal could affect not just the biodiversity of forests, but how they bounce back from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-deforestation-crisis-how-can-we-stop-massive-forest-losses/">deforestation</a>. We also know that all around the world, animal populations are declining.”



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



To find out just how big an impact this has, the MIT researchers pulled together massive datasets - on biodiversity, animal movement, seed dispersal, and carbon storage. They studied 17,000 plots, tracking animals’ locations, movements, and the seeds they dispersed.



The team also factored in human pressures. In areas with heavy human activity, animals didn’t travel as far or scatter seeds as widely. The team built an index to measure how much <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insects-play-a-much-bigger-role-in-seed-dispersal-than-we-thought/">seed dispersal</a> had been disrupted and compared that to how much carbon forests in those areas could store.



“It was a big task to bring data from thousands of field studies together into a map of the disruption of seed dispersal,” Fricke said. “But it lets us go beyond just asking what animals are there to actually quantifying the ecological roles those animals are playing and understanding how human pressures affect them.”



What they found was striking. Forests lost 1.8 metric tons of carbon per hectare yearly where seed-dispersing animals had declined. That’s a 57 percent drop in regrowth potential.



The finding that disrupted seed dispersal leads to a fourfold drop in carbon absorption highlights seed dispersers as a key driver of tropical forest carbon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animals-make-climate-solutions-work">Animals make climate solutions work</h2>



Not all forests are equally positioned for regrowth. The team found that some landscapes are more promising than others - especially those near intact forests or with lots of tree cover. 



In these places, animal populations are more stable, which helps forests bounce back naturally.



“In the discussion around planting trees versus allowing trees to regrow naturally, regrowth is basically free, whereas planting trees costs money, and it also leads to less diverse forests,” said Professor César Terrer.



“With these results… we can understand where natural regrowth can happen effectively because there are animals planting the seeds for free.”



This research adds a new layer to climate modeling. If seed-dispersing animals are missing, regrowth estimates may be too optimistic. If animals are thriving, some areas may have more regrowth potential than previously thought.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-forests-means-saving-animals">Saving forests means saving animals</h2>



The researchers suggest several ways to support seed-dispersing animals. These include restoring habitats, building wildlife corridors, and limiting activities like wildlife trade. 



In some cases, reintroducing missing species or planting trees that attract them could help restore these lost relationships.



It’s also about getting the science right. Future studies may examine whether the decline in tropical forests’ carbon-absorbing power is linked more to extreme weather or to the loss of these animal-plant partnerships.



“Forests provide a huge climate subsidy by sequestering about a third of all <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-faces-hidden-mechanical-stress-from-carbon-emissions/">human carbon emissions</a>,” Terrer said. “Tropical forests are by far the most important carbon sink globally, but in the last few decades, their ability to sequester carbon has been declining."



The team will next investigate whether the decline is driven more by extreme droughts and fires or by reduced animal seed dispersal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-losing-wildlife-worsens-warming">Losing wildlife worsens warming</h2>



Ultimately, the findings point to a deeper truth. Climate and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diverse-forests-are-more-resilient-and-productive/">biodiversity</a> aren't separate problems - they're intertwined.



“It’s been clear that climate change threatens biodiversity, and now this study shows how biodiversity losses can exacerbate climate change,” said Fricke. “These are challenges we need to tackle in tandem."



“When we lose our animals, we’re losing the ecological infrastructure that keeps our tropical forests healthy and resilient."



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2500951122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Forests rely on animals to help fight climate change

We hear a lot about how climate change affects animals...

In a lab at ETH Zurich, muscle biologist Ori Bar-Nur is growing beef without the cow. His team cultivates meat from bovine cells using advanced tissue engineering techniques - but regulatory approval is still needed before anyone can take a bite. 



While Bar-Nur hasn’t sampled it himself, some of his colleagues have taken part in official tastings of lab-grown beef under approved conditions. They describe its taste and texture as similar to real meat. After all, it is beef. 



Instead of relying on entire animals, Bar-Nur’s team starts with a small biopsy from a living cow, isolating precursor cells called myoblasts. 



These cells, which naturally develop into muscle fibers, are cultured in the lab to grow tissue from familiar cuts like filet, sirloin, cheek, and flank.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turning-cells-into-steak">Turning cells into steak</h2>



Scientists had previously managed to generate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-fat-hidden-in-muscles-weakens-strength-and-healing/">muscle fibers</a> from bovine myoblasts in the lab, but these fibers were thin. The <a href="https://ethz.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ETH</a> team has now created three-dimensional muscle tissue with thick fibers from myoblasts.



This tissue more closely resembles natural bovine muscle tissue both molecularly and functionally. It contains the same active genes and proteins as natural muscle and contracts in the same way. 



Older methods failed to produce such qualities because the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blood-stem-cells-grown-in-the-lab-for-first-time-ever-leukemia-treatment/">lab-grown cells</a> lacked some key proteins. This advancement builds on a better understanding of myogenesis, the process by which muscle precursor cells differentiate into muscle fibers. 



In natural systems, satellite cells activate, become myoblasts, and fuse into myotubes, a process regulated by transcription factors such as MyoD and Myogenin.



Conventional methods often used high-serum growth conditions followed by serum reduction, which led to a loss of myogenic potential and heterogeneous cell populations. 



The ETH team improved on this by applying a refined medium and using molecules that support both progenitor maintenance and robust differentiation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lab-meat-is-spreading-worldwide">Lab meat is spreading worldwide</h2>



Bar-Nur’s research could influence a field poised to change global meat production. Dozens of start-ups worldwide are racing to make lab-grown meat affordable, reducing the need for cow sheds, livestock transport, and slaughterhouses. 



This production method also requires less land. Although its climate impact is still debated, many believe it could be more sustainable.



Singapore has already approved commercially available lab-grown chicken produced from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frankenfood-beef-grown-inside-rice-cells-that-is-tasty-healthy-and-affordable/">cultured animal cells</a>. Lab-grown beef, however, is still in development. The recent ETH advances could push progress forward in this area.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-recipe-for-lab-meat">New recipe for lab meat</h2>



To create thick, functional muscle fibers, ETH Zurich researchers added a combination of three molecules to the nutrient-rich cell culture medium. These molecules drive cell differentiation, enabling better muscle formation.



Bar-Nur developed this cocktail seven years ago during his postdoctoral work at Harvard University. The same combination - Forskolin, RepSox, and CHIR99021 - was shown in recent studies to encourage the formation of larger, more contractile muscle fibers while maintaining a pool of progenitor-like cells.



At the time, he was working primarily with mice to study muscle cells for treating hereditary muscle diseases. 



Research into muscular dystrophy remains a central focus for Bar-Nur at ETH Zurich. He later discovered that the same method works well for creating higher-quality bovine muscle cells.



Transcriptomic and proteomic studies further confirmed that these improved conditions increase the expression of muscle-specific genes and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sushi-of-the-future-the-first-ever-lab-grown-eel-is-a-success/">proteins</a> linked to contraction and metabolic maturity. They also promote fibre diversity, mimicking slow- and fast-twitch muscle types found in natural beef.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-lab-beef-ready-for-everyone">Making lab beef ready for everyone</h2>



The three molecules are necessary only in the early stages of muscle fiber development. They can be removed later, ensuring that any future commercial products will not contain them. Still, more work is needed before lab-grown beef reaches consumers.



“The cell culture medium requires further optimization to make it more affordable and safe for consumption," said Christine Trautmann, a doctoral student and a lead author of the study. "Additionally, we need to explore ways to produce these muscle fibers in larger quantities.” 



At present, the team has only produced a few grams of muscle and is now exploring scale-up strategies. Enhanced media and advanced 3D scaffold technologies could be critical in achieving this, as they allow tissue constructs to form with improved organization and nutritional relevance.



“These innovative new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-products-need-environmental-impact-labels/">food products</a> will have to undergo a prolonged and complex authorization procedure before they reach shop shelves and, ultimately, our plates,” said Adhideb Ghosh, the other lead author in Bar-Nur's group.



To advance this technology and bring it to market, Bar-Nur is considering launching a start-up. His goal is to make ethically sound burgers that are both safe and affordable.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202413998" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Advanced Science</a>.



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Burgers without the cow? Lab-grown beef is closer to reality

In a lab at ETH Zurich, muscle biologist Ori Bar-Nur...

Treehoppers are tiny insects with wildly diverse shapes. Some resemble thorns, while others look like spinning tops or spikes. Over 3,000 treehopper species exist, yet the purpose behind their extreme body forms remains unclear. 



A new study presents a surprising explanation. The body shapes of treehoppers might help them detect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mystery-of-static-electricity-has-finally-been-solved/">static electricity</a>.



This fresh idea comes from Dr. Sam England and Professor Daniel Robert at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>. The experts suggest that treehopper morphology evolved in part to sense electrical signals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insects-can-sense-electric-fields">Insects can sense electric fields</h2>



Electric fields in air were once thought irrelevant to land <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insects-are-still-disappearing-and-there-are-hundreds-of-reasons-why/">animals</a>. Water conducts electricity well. Air does not. But several recent discoveries changed this idea. 



Bees, caterpillars, hoverflies, and even spiders can detect electric fields without touching the source.



This ability comes from hair-like sensory structures that deflect when electric forces act on them. These structures are usually setae or antennae. Treehoppers have plenty of them, especially on their dramatic pronotum.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-treehoppers-detect-electric-signals">How treehoppers detect electric signals</h2>



The pronotum is the shield-like extension on a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-many-ants-live-on-earth-at-any-point-in-time-total-number-is-astounding/">treehopper</a>’s back. Researchers found that it is covered with tiny, articulated setae that are likely mechanosensory. 



These hairs could respond to electric fields, especially when placed at ridges and tips where the electric field is strongest.



The placement of the hair isn’t random. Shorter hairs (pit-type) sit near the base. Taller hairs (erect-type) appear at the outer tips. These positions make them well suited to catch electric signals from nearby insects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weird-shapes-make-sensing-easier">Weird shapes make sensing easier</h2>



Using 3D computer modeling, the team found that the strange shapes of treehoppers enhance electric field detection. Sharp edges and protrusions increase the field strength near the sensory hairs. 



Treehoppers with spiked or horned pronota experience electric fields up to 100 kV/m. This is far higher than those with flat shapes.



This increased exposure means they can detect other insects more effectively. Predators or mutualists approaching with a charge will create electrical signals that trigger responses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-treehoppers-react-to-electric-signals">Treehoppers react to electric signals</h2>



To test this theory, the researchers exposed treehoppers to artificial electric fields. They placed the insects on a pole and turned on a voltage source when the insect reached the top. Many treehoppers turned back, indicating they sensed something unusual.



Those that experienced an electric field were more likely to retreat than those in the control group. This behavior supports the idea that treehoppers use electroreception to detect threats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enemies-and-friends-have-different-charges">Enemies and friends have different charges</h2>



The study compared electrostatic charges of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/paleontologists-found-the-oldest-ant-species-on-earth-113-million-years-old-with-scythe-like-jaws/">predators</a> and allies. Predatory wasps often carried strong, negative charges. In contrast, stingless bees known to protect treehoppers carried weaker, mostly positive charges.



This difference might let treehoppers tell allies from enemies using charge polarity and strength. 



The erect-type and pit-type setae even respond differently. Pit-type hairs, for example, can detect charge polarity more reliably and from more angles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-body-shapes-for-electric-sensing">Body shapes for electric sensing</h2>



The researchers propose that these extreme morphologies may act as electrostatic lenses. Like antennas, they draw in electric signals and improve the insect's ability to sense its environment.



The shapes extend sensory range, increase receptor surface area, and direct electric signals more effectively to sensitive spots. This might explain why certain shapes appear more often in predator-rich environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-animals-may-do-this-too">Other animals may do this too</h2>



This idea may apply to other animals. Many species across insects and spiders have exaggerated shapes. If those structures also enhance electroreception, it could reshape our understanding of evolution.



“We think our study provides a really exciting launch pad for investigating static electricity as a driver of organismal morphology more generally," said Dr. England.



"There’s plenty of other insects, spiders, and other animals and plants that also have really extreme shapes, which in many cases are currently without explanation."



"Our study provides the first evidence of the electrostatic sense potentially driving morphological evolution, but we can’t prove this just yet."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-treehoppers-may-adapt-to-electric-cues">Treehoppers may adapt to electric cues</h2>



The next step is linking specific treehopper shapes to local electric environments. Researchers want to know if certain structures evolved to detect predators from particular angles or distances.



“If we can link treehopper shapes to certain aspects of their electrical ecology, like specific predators which approach from certain angles with particular static charges, this would really begin to strongly support our ideas around static electricity as an evolutionary driver,” noted Dr. England.



This research opens new paths. It pushes scientists to rethink why evolution created strange shapes and what hidden senses they might serve.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2505253122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Treehoppers evolved weird bodies to sense electric predators

Treehoppers are tiny insects with wildly diverse shapes. Some resemble...

Farmers lose billions of dollars each year to diseases that clog a plant’s veins and leave entire fields limp. New work from UC, Davis shows that a carefully edited immune sensor can help crops recognize some of the bacteria behind those losses - a threat that's growing as the climate warms.



The <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-025-02049-y">discovery</a> builds on decades of study into how plants notice invaders and trigger internal alarms. It also highlights a fast moving molecular arms race, because microbes constantly tweak the proteins on their surface to slip past detection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rebuilding-crop-disease-defenses">Rebuilding crop disease defenses</h2>



A team led by Gitta Coaker, a plant disease expert at <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Davis</a>, found that natural versions of a plant sensor called FLS2 can detect one piece of a bacterial protein - but often miss similar ones.



By studying FLS2 genes from different plant species, they identified specific building blocks - or amino acids - that affect how well the sensor recognizes threats. 



When they changed just 13 of these in a crop-friendly version, the sensor regained its ability to detect bacteria it had previously overlooked.



“We were able to resurrect a defeated receptor - one where the pathogen has won - and enable the plant to have a chance to resist infection in a much more targeted and precise way,” said Coaker. 



She sees the strategy as a template for updating other sensors that guard against diverse pests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sensor-targets-bacterial-tail">Sensor targets bacterial tail</h2>



Many plants use FLS2 to detect a small piece of a bacterial tail protein called <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-bacteria-help-plants-balance-growth-and-immunity/">flagellin</a>. This 22-amino-acid piece, known as flg22, triggers the plant’s immune system.



When FLS2 recognizes flg22, it sets off a strong defense response, flooding plant cells with calcium and reactive oxygen to fight off the bacteria.



But if bacteria make small changes to the end of flg22, the sensor may not detect them. That allows the bacteria to spread through the plant’s water-carrying tissue. The result is bacterial wilt - a fast-moving disease that can wipe out tomato or potato plants almost overnight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-guides-plant-edits">AI guides plant edits</h2>



To predict which edits would matter most, the team turned to AlphaFold, an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-taking-scientific-discovery-from-decades-to-minutes/">AI model</a> that guesses protein shapes to near-atomic detail. The software flagged residues on FLS2’s concave surface that should touch the tricky flg22 variants.



Those predictions steered the lab work, trimming months of trial and error from the project. Matching computer output with greenhouse assays confirmed that the redesigned receptor could sense multiple strains at nanomolar peptide doses.



Importantly, the new sensor left normal growth untouched, a key point for breeders wary of yield penalties. The study shows that AI can make molecular tinkering far less of a guessing game.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reprogramming-crop-disease-defense">Reprogramming crop disease defense</h2>



Plants cannot produce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-after-vaccination-improves-antibody-levels/">antibodies</a> on demand, so boosting pattern recognition is their safest bet. Replacing a handful of residues acts like a firmware update, expanding what the cell sees without rewriting the entire gene.



In one test, tomato leaves expressing the edited receptor produced a reactive oxygen burst 20 times stronger than controls when exposed to Ralstonia peptides. Disease symptoms dropped sharply in subsequent challenge assays.



“This approach could be a path toward broad-spectrum resistance that doesn’t rely on chemical sprays,” said Coaker. She added that farmers need options that fit current management budgets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blocking-bacteria-at-the-root">Blocking bacteria at the root</h2>



Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the world’s most damaging crop diseases, capable of infecting over 200 plant species. It causes wilt and brown rot, leading to more than $1 billion in global losses each year.



Once inside, the bacteria clog water vessels, blocking sprays and antibiotics from reaching the infection. The best defense is early detection at the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-roots-could-be-key-to-fighting-climate-change/">root</a>, where the plant’s immune system can still recognize the invader.



To help crops do that, scientists are using CRISPR to make tiny edits - just a few genetic “spelling changes” - in immune receptor genes. These edits don’t add any foreign DNA and are treated like traditional breeding in countries such as the U.S.



By combining these enhanced receptors with other resistance genes, plant breeders may slow the rise of new, harder-to-stop bacterial strains. This could reduce the need for fungicides and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-antibiotics-detected-in-hundreds-of-rivers-worldwide/">antibiotics</a>, which would also help protect soil and water.



Small-scale farmers, especially in warm regions where tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants are dietary staples, could benefit the most. Healthier crops mean more reliable income and better food security for their communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-plant-immunity">Future of plant immunity</h2>



Coaker’s group is now training machine learning models to rank other receptors for editability. 



Early simulations suggest that tweaking as few as eight residues can widen perception for several unrelated microbial patterns.



If that holds up, crop scientists could one day scan whole pathogen genomes in silico and pre-test receptor updates before a disease outbreak ever starts.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-025-02049-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Plants</a>.



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Small DNA tweak protects plants from devastating crop disease

Farmers lose billions of dollars each year to diseases that...

The African coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae, earned its “living fossil” nickname because its skeleton seems almost identical to fossils over 65 million years old. Scientists have pored over this deep‑sea relic for decades, assuming its anatomy was already well documented.



A new study, however, shows that long‑standing descriptions of the fish’s head muscles were riddled with errors. 



The research suggests that correcting those mistakes reshapes how biologists think jawed vertebrates learned to bite, breathe, and swallow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-old-anatomy-mostly-mistaken">Old anatomy mostly mistaken</h2>



Re‑examining two rare museum specimens, researchers from the <a href="https://www5.usp.br/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of São Paulo</a> (USP) and the Smithsonian Institution discovered that just 13 percent of the previously identified evolutionary muscle novelties for the largest vertebrate lineages were correct.



What earlier anatomists called muscles in the buccopharyngeal cavity - tissue once thought to expand the mouth to suck in prey - turned out to be ligaments. Unlike muscles, ligaments are structures incapable of contraction.



Lead author Aléssio Datovo, a professor at USP’s Museum of Zoology, said the corrected map makes the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/living-fossils-could-inspire-advancements-in-human-health/">coelacanth</a> “even more similar to cartilaginous fish [sharks, rays, and chimaeras] and tetrapods [birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles] than previously thought.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-suction-feeding-evolved-later">Suction feeding evolved later</h2>



Bony fish split into two grand lineages roughly 420 million years ago: the ray‑fins (actinopterygians) and the lobe‑fins (sarcopterygians).



Modern ray-fins, from pet-store goldfish to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tuna-fishing-gear-is-harming-oceans-more-than-we-thought/">tuna</a>, use powerful mouth muscles to generate suction. This skill helped them diversify into half of all living vertebrate species. Coelacanths, lungfish, and most sharks rely on biting.



“In previous studies, it was assumed that this set of muscles that would give greater suction capacity was also present in coelacanths and, therefore, would have evolved in the common ancestor of bony vertebrates, which we now show isn’t true,” Datovo explained.



“This only appeared at least 30 million years later, in the common ancestor of living ray‑finned fish.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-securing-rare-deep-sea-fish">Securing rare deep-sea fish</h2>



Coelacanths lurk in submarine caves about 300 meters (about 984 feet) below the ocean surface. Since the first living specimen stunned scientists in 1938, fewer than a hundred have reached museum collections.



Datovo and Smithsonian co‑author G. David Johnson spent years persuading institutions to lend material. <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Field Museum in Chicago</a> and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science each entrusted them with a fish.



“Dissecting a specimen does not mean destroying it as long as it’s done properly,” Datovo noted. 



Over six painstaking months, he teased apart every muscle, bone, and nerve, preserving each element so future researchers can study it individually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fixing-70-years-of-errors">Fixing 70 years of errors</h2>



“There were many contradictions in the literature,” Datovo recalled. "We detected more errors than we’d imagined. For example, 11 structures described as muscles were actually ligaments or other types of connective tissue.”



Because muscles create motion and ligaments merely transmit it, mistaking one for the other had inflated the coelacanth’s supposed ability to expand its throat for suction. 



The team also identified nine completely new evolutionary transformations in cranial muscles tied to feeding and respiration across early vertebrates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rebuilding-ancient-muscle-maps">Rebuilding ancient muscle maps</h2>



With fresh data in place, the researchers turned to micro‑CT scans posted by other labs. The team used these 3D images to slide coelacanth muscle attachments onto the skulls of extinct fishes whose soft tissues are long gone.



By slotting the correct muscles into place, they traced how jaw and throat mechanics evolved in the first jawed vertebrates. 



Because coelacanths sit near the base of the lobe‑fin line that gave rise to all amphibians, reptiles, birds, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-mammals-have-evolved-over-66-million-years/">mammals</a>, the revisions ripple through the entire vertebrate family tree.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-honoring-a-fish-anatomist">Honoring a fish anatomist</h2>



The paper doubles as an homage to Johnson, described by Datovo as “probably the greatest fish anatomist of his time.”



Johnson was born in 1945 and secured the loan of the rare specimens. He died in November 2024 while the manuscript was under review.



His meticulous approach to comparative anatomy shaped the project and ensured that each corrected label carries lasting authority.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coelacanth-holds-modern-insights">Coelacanth holds modern insights</h2>



Coelacanths have diverged little since dinosaurs went extinct, partly because they face few predators in their deep‑reef refuges. That stability, confirmed by a 2013 genomic study, creates a living window onto ancient body plans.



Updating the blueprint clarifies which innovations fueled the explosive diversification of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tracking-endangered-rays-a-new-chapter-in-marine-conservation/">ray‑finned fish</a> and which traits lobe‑fins passed on to terrestrial tetrapods. 



Datovo’s team now plans to compare the revised coelacanth anatomy with muscles in amphibians and reptiles. They’re looking for shared features that might push the story closer to the water-to-land transition.



By peeling away decades of assumptions, the study reminds scientists that even icons of evolutionary stasis can still rewrite textbooks - provided someone is willing to pick up a scalpel and look again.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adt1576" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>.



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'Living fossil' reveals clues about how animals learned to breathe

The African coelacanth, Latimeria chalumnae, earned its “living fossil” nickname...

Clownfish, with their vivid stripes and playful movements, have captured attention far beyond coral reefs. From animated films to marine biology textbooks, they are often introduced as loyal companions of sea anemones. These relationships, once thought to be the key driver of clownfish diversity, have shaped decades of scientific thinking.



However, a new international study presents a surprising twist. Researchers from institutions across the globe discovered that the bond between clownfish and anemones does not entirely explain their evolutionary <a href="https://www.uliege.be/cms/c_8750816/en/uliege">path</a>. 



Through a blend of fieldwork, advanced laboratory experiments, and high-resolution modelling, the team uncovered new dimensions of clownfish survival. This research adds complexity to how we understand ecological roles, adaptation, and biodiversity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-than-just-anemone-partners">More than just anemone partners</h2>



Traditionally, scientists believed clownfish <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/clownfish-count-stripes-on-other-fish-to-defend-their-territory/">diversity</a> came from their relationships with specific sea anemones. These partnerships protect clownfish from predators using the anemones’ stinging tentacles.



Study lead author Manon Mercader is a postdoctoral marine conservation ecologist at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (<a href="https://www.oist.jp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OIST</a>, Japan).



"Until now, it was thought that the adaptive radiation (or ecological diversification) of these fish was mainly dictated by the fact that they live in association with certain species of anemones," explained Mercader. "But the study we conducted shows that the reality is more nuanced."



Mercader and her team studied 14 clownfish species. They discovered eco-morphotypes: distinct profiles combining body form and behavior. These morphotypes did not always match the fish’s choice of anemone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clownfish-evolution-shows-habit-changes">Clownfish evolution shows habit changes</h2>



Larger clownfish with stronger muscles swam efficiently and often ventured far from their anemones. Smaller fish with leaner builds and higher energy needs stayed close to their host. This behavior suggests more than just dependence on anemones.



"This result overturns the classic model that contrasts 'specialists,' clownfish that live in only one or two anemones, with 'generalists,' those that can associate with up to ten anemones," noted Bruno Frédérich, co-author of the study and researcher at the <a href="https://www.uliege.be/cms/c_8750816/en/uliege" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Liège</a>.



"Our analyses show that swimming ability and exploratory behavior are not related to the number of anemones a species can occupy. Diversification has also occurred along another axis: dependence on the microhabitat, i.e. on the anemone itself."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muscle-motion-and-evolution">Muscle, motion, and evolution</h2>



The team used a range of tools to gather their data. These included wild behavior observations, swimming tests, oxygen consumption measurements, and 3D muscle scans.



"Thanks to this integrative approach, two main morphotypes can be distinguished: the 'adventurous,' which are good swimmers capable of covering long distances at low energy cost; and the 'sedentary,' which need more energy to swim and stay confined to the anemone," explained Mercader.



"A third intermediate type, represented in particular by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/clownfish-use-a-trick-to-live-safely-among-stinging-anemones/">species</a> Amphiprion frenatus, may also exist."



By building an evolutionary tree, the team found these traits evolved multiple times. This independent evolution is called convergence. Similar traits appeared in unrelated lineages, shaped by similar environmental pressures.



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



Clownfish now join Darwin’s finches and African cichlids as models for adaptive radiation. They show how different ecological strategies can emerge without changing habitats or partners.



"This discovery also has ecological implications," said Frédérich. "The ability or inability to move away from the anemone could influence diet, social dynamics or interactions with the host." 



"It could also play a role in cohabitation between species, a common phenomenon among clownfish."



These findings matter for ecology and conservation. They also deepen our understanding of how species adapt in complex environments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-story-of-clownfish-evolution">The story of clownfish evolution </h2>



The study highlights how body shape, movement, and behavior influence evolution. It shows that clownfish adapted not just by choosing different hosts, but by living different lifestyles.



In 2018, the same research group explored clownfish color pattern evolution. Now, with this new study, Amphiprion clownfish gain importance as research models linking form, function, and environment. 



Their story reminds us that nature rarely works in simple categories. Instead, it moves in fascinating, dynamic patterns shaped by time, behavior, and ecological pressure.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(25)00801-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.



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Clownfish evolution mystery solved by surprising swimming behavior

Clownfish, with their vivid stripes and playful movements, have captured...

Animal communication has always fascinated scientists. From bird calls to whale songs, acoustic signals help species find mates, warn of danger, and mark territory. 



But while many animals use vocal cords, some rely on completely different mechanics. Crickets, for example, create their characteristic chirps using intricate wing vibrations.



Reconstructing these songs, especially for extinct <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-male-crickets-go-silent-how-females-adapt-and-respond/">species</a>, has long been a challenge. Vocal cords and soft tissues rarely fossilize, and scientists often have to piece together incomplete clues. 



Now, researchers at <a href="https://www.uwo.ca/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Western University</a> have developed a breakthrough method that can accurately recreate cricket songs using preserved specimens and advanced computer models.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-crickets-songs-were-recreated">How crickets’ songs were recreated</h2>



This approach combines detailed measurements of preserved cricket wings with finite element modelling (FEM). It focuses on the physical structure of the wings, predicting their vibration patterns and song frequencies with unprecedented accuracy.



The findings, published in Royal Society Open Science, came from the lab of Natasha Mhatre, a biology professor and Canada Research Chair in invertebrate neurobiology. She and her team aim to better understand insect and spider communication.



The modelling system can even predict the vibration patterns of wings it was not designed for. This leap forward changes how scientists study preserved specimens and opens the possibility of reviving sounds from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insects-are-still-disappearing-and-there-are-hundreds-of-reasons-why/">species</a> long extinct.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-crickets-make-sound">How crickets make sound</h2>



Crickets do not use vocal cords to produce sound. Instead, they create songs through vibrations in their forewings. These wings are tough, leathery structures that protect the cricket’s body and hold the specialized microstructures required for chirping.



The arrangement of veins in the forewings plays a critical role in song frequency.



“Each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-male-crickets-go-silent-how-females-adapt-and-respond/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cricket</a> wing has a pattern of veins running through it, which are structurally critical to making songs,” said Mhatre. 



“Some of these veins are used to generate the forces that make the wing vibrate and make sounds. Others stiffen local areas within the wing and develop the resonant structures that vibrate at specific frequencies.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-model-gives-better-results">New model gives better results</h2>



For years, scientists used FEM and measurements from preserved specimens to study cricket calls. 



However, both approaches relied on simplifying assumptions. Previous FEM models treated dense vein regions as fixed, which did not reflect reality.



The new study improved accuracy by clamping wings only at the base, as they naturally hinge. 



The researchers also modeled the stiffening effects of veins directly. This approach worked even for wing variations across cricket species and improved predictions about vibration patterns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-preserved-specimens">Using preserved specimens</h2>



The team also tested preserved cricket wings. Desiccated specimens vibrated similarly to live ones but at higher frequencies due to stiffened cuticles. 



Rehydrating the wings restored their resonance frequencies, making them more comparable to live crickets.



This discovery means preserved specimens can help predict the songs of extinct or rare <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parasitic-crickets-hide-in-ant-colonies-without-being-caught/">species</a>. 



Adjusting for stiffness, either physically through rehydration or computationally, makes these specimens a powerful tool for studying acoustic evolution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wing-veins-change-cricket-songs">Wing veins change cricket songs</h2>



Venation patterns in cricket wings are genetically driven and influence song frequency. Changes in these patterns can drive evolutionary shifts in communication signals.



By modelling venation and resonances without assumptions about immobile areas, scientists can trace how wing structures shaped cricket song evolution. 



This method can also analyze fossil specimens, even when only two-dimensional impressions are available.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bringing-back-lost-cricket-songs">Bringing back lost cricket songs</h2>



The refined methodology opens the possibility of reconstructing the songs of species that vanished long ago. Museum specimens and fossils can now be analyzed for their acoustic traits, offering a new window into insect communication through time.



“We’ve developed a more reliable way of dealing with reconstructing cricket acoustic function from morphology, using computational modelling and preserved specimens,” said Mhatre.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collaboration-and-future-directions">Collaboration and future directions</h2>



The study began during the COVID-19 pandemic and included Nathan Bailey from the <a href="https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of St. Andrews</a>. 



Three of Mhatre’s former undergraduate students, Sarah Duke, Ryan Weiner, and Gabriella Simonelli, also contributed as co-authors.



This breakthrough could inspire large-scale studies on cricket song diversity. Comparing wing mechanics across species may reveal how morphology drives communication and speciation in the insect world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.251005" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Royal Society Open Science</a>.



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Scientists finally learn how crickets sing and chirp

Animal communication has always fascinated scientists. From bird calls to...

Teen smoking has plummeted over the past 50 years. What once was a common habit has become socially discouraged and heavily regulated. But a new trend is putting that progress at risk.



A recent study shows that teens who regularly use e-cigarettes are just as likely to pick up cigarette smoking as teens were in the 1970s - despite smoking rates among youth being at record lows overall.



The research was conducted by scientists from the <a href="https://umich.edu/">University of Michigan</a>, in collaboration with Penn State University and Purdue University.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smoking-risk-rises-with-vaping">Smoking risk rises with vaping</h2>



The data paints a sharp contrast between teens who’ve never vaped and those who have. Teenagers with no history of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electronic-cigarettes-with-games-a-dangerous-innovation/">e-cigarette</a> use have less than a 1 in 50 chance of smoking cigarettes weekly. 



But that risk jumps dramatically for those who’ve used e-cigarettes - even once. If a teen has tried <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/does-vaping-help-people-quit-smoking-cigarettes-new-study-breaks-it-down/">vaping</a>, their chance of weekly cigarette use climbs to over 1 in 10. And for those who vape consistently, the odds approach 1 in 3.



“The use of e-cigarettes and the proliferation of e-cigarettes have really disrupted those awesome trends and improvements,” said Jessica Mongilio, a research fellow at the U-M School of Nursing. “For kids who have never used e-cigarettes, we do see those historic declines in risk." 



"But for kids who do use e-cigarettes, it's almost as if all of those policies and all of those perceptions have done nothing, and they've got a really high risk of smoking cigarettes.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-three-generations-one-troubling-pattern">Three generations, one troubling pattern</h2>



To understand how vaping is changing youth behavior, researchers analyzed data from three generations of British teens. The studies came from the Centre for Longitudinal Studies at University College London.



The Millennium Cohort Study followed kids born in 2000 and 2001 - many of whom grew up just as e-cigarettes were hitting the market. 



The British Cohort Study tracked people born in 1970, who were teenagers in the 1980s when smoking was still widespread. And the National Child Development Study looked at those born in 1958, who were children when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cigarette-smoking-among-teens-has-declined-dramatically/">cigarette</a> use was still largely unchallenged.



“We took data from different generations of people who live in the U.K., and looked at their probability of smoking cigarettes at least once a week, based on some well-known risk factors,” Mongilio said. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-teen-vaping-reverses-trends">Teen vaping reverses trends</h2>



Smoking was once seen as glamorous. Over time, that perception was dismantled through decades of public health campaigns, legislation, and shifting cultural attitudes. 



By the late 1990s, smoking had become a behavior that was not just discouraged but actively regulated. Youth smoking hit all-time lows in the 2010s.



But now, vapes - especially those marketed with bright packaging and fruity flavors - are being seen as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. That perception is drawing teens back to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nicotine-pouches-are-a-new-dangerous-trend-among-teens/">nicotine</a>.



According to the researchers, vaping could erase decades of progress by drawing a new generation into nicotine use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-teens-into-adulthood">Tracking teens into adulthood</h2>



One important note: the study does not claim that vaping causes cigarette use directly. But the connection is strong.



Mongilio and her colleagues are continuing to monitor the Millennium Cohort to see how vaping in the teen years plays out over time. This group may reveal more about the long-term effects of early e-cigarette use on health and behavior.



The team is using their findings to advocate for tougher e-cigarette rules on marketing and sales.



“The more you can build evidence - the bigger the pile of support - the harder you can make it to ignore,” Mongilio said. “This will lead toward policy changes and toward increased regulations for e-cigarettes and for producers of e-cigarettes."



"I think we're in a place where change is possible and to have increased regulations and enforcement of those regulations for companies that are producing e-cigarettes.”



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/early/2025/07/23/tc-2024-059212">Tobacco Control</a>.



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Vaping may be fueling a teen tobacco comeback

Teen smoking has plummeted over the past 50 years. What...

Cancer sometimes creeps in slowly, other times it bursts onto the scene without much warning. Either way, the disease hijacks the instructions that tell our cells how to behave, turning helpful teammates into troublemakers. 



For decades, oncology has focused on destroying those unruly cells. A new line of work asks a different question: what if we could push them back to their earlier, well-behaved selves instead?



That shift in thinking matters because collateral damage from chemotherapy and radiation can leave patients exhausted, immunocompromised, or facing secondary health problems. 



Turning <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cancer-cells-create-power-waves-to-fuel-invasion/">malignant cells</a> into harmless ones - rather than wiping them out - could soften side effects and open doors for people too frail for aggressive regimens.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spotting-the-tipping-point">Spotting the tipping point</h2>



Long before a tumor shows up on a scan, genetic and epigenetic tweaks accumulate inside would-be cancer cells. Eventually the balance tips, launching a rapid change known as a critical transition. 



Physicists know a similar tipping point from the way water flashes into steam at 212 °F (100 °C). Biologists, though, have struggled to pin down that instant in living tissue because every cell moves at its own pace.



Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (<a href="https://www.kaist.ac.kr/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">KAIST</a>) recently reported a method that captures this fleeting window. 



The team at KAIST, led by Professor Kwang-Hyun Cho of the Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, calls its approach REVERT, short for REVERse Transition. 



The idea is to record each cell’s gene activity, reconstruct the internal circuitry, then simulate how the circuitry shifts as cancer sets in.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revert-kills-cancer-with-math">REVERT kills cancer with math</h2>



Many computational <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/computer-model-can-identify-tumor-fighting-immune-cells/">cancer models</a> rely on differential equations packed with hard-to-measure parameters. 



REVERT keeps the math lean by translating gene networks into <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/boolean-logic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boolean logic</a>: every gene is either on or off, yes or no. 



That stripped-down map is surprisingly powerful. It lets the software explore all the stable states - called attractors - that a cell might occupy and rate each one with a malignancy score.



A low score reflects orderly growth signals. A high score flags a pattern more typical of tumors, such as constant division or resistance to suicide signals. 



By nudging one switch at a time in the computer, the investigators can ask which combinations shove a high score back down.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pausing-a-rogue-gene-pair">Pausing a rogue gene pair</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/medicinal-plant-has-great-potential-to-fight-colorectal-cancer/">Colorectal cancer</a> gave REVERT its first real-world test. The researchers fed the program single-cell RNA-sequencing data from patient biopsies, watched the simulated cells cross the transition, and searched for breakpoints. 



One culprit popped up quickly: <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/4609" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MYC</a>, a gene famous for stepping on the gas in many cancers. Shutting off MYC alone, however, did not restore order. The malignancy score fell partway, then stalled.



A second gene, <a href="https://www.genecards.org/cgi-bin/carddisp.pl?gene=YY1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YY1</a>, changed the picture. Treating MYC and YY1 as a toggle switch produced two stable outcomes. Tip the balance one way and the cell speeds toward malignancy; tip it the other and normal behavior resurfaces. 



“We have discovered a molecular switch that can revert the fate of cancer cells back to a normal state by capturing the moment of critical transition right before normal cells are changed into an irreversible cancerous state,” said Cho.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-code-to-colon-organoids">From code to colon organoids</h2>



Finding candidate switches in silico is useful, but genuine tissues decide whether a therapy will fly. The researchers collaborated with <a href="https://en.snu.ac.kr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seoul National University</a>, which provided colon organoids grown from patient samples. 



When scientists reduced activity of USP7 - another REVERT-highlighted target - the organoids regained orderly architecture. 



Cells once eager to overgrow instead respected their neighbors’ space and lined up neatly. Those test-tube results hint that similar reversions could emerge in living patients.



“In particular, this study has revealed in detail, at the genetic network level, what changes occur within cells behind the process of cancer development, which has been considered a mystery until now,” Cho explained. 



He added that uncovering those hidden levers marks the first time anyone has shown that “an important clue that can revert the fate of tumorigenesis is hidden at this very critical moment of change.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-revert-on-different-cancer-types">Using REVERT on different cancer types</h2>



Colorectal tumors were the proving ground, yet the underlying logic of critical transitions spans many cancers. 



Lung and breast malignancies, for example, also pass through mixed-identity stages where healthy and diseased programs overlap. 



Because REVERT focuses on that limbo period rather than late-stage chaos, it may reveal intervention points earlier than traditional drug screens.



<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-cell_transcriptomics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Single-cell transcriptomics</a> keeps improving in depth and speed, so feeding richer datasets into the Boolean engine should sharpen its predictions. 



At the same time, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crispr-used-to-remove-extra-chromosomes-in-down-syndrome-and-restore-cell-function/">CRISPR-based</a> gene editing has grown precise enough to toggle multiple switches in living tissue. 



Pair those tools and oncologists could one day customize reversion cocktails for each patient, sparing healthy organs the collateral hits of broad-spectrum treatments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cancer-revert-and-regenerative-meds">Cancer, REVERT, and regenerative meds</h2>



The attractor landscape at the heart of REVERT does more than illuminate cancer. Stem-cell biologists routinely coax cells to choose fates during laboratory reprogramming. 



Errant transitions, however, can derail tissue-engineering projects. A map that catches switches before the wrong fork could refine protocols for growing heart muscle, insulin-producing pancreas cells, or even neurons for spinal-cord repair.



For now, the new framework remains a laboratory concept. Clinical trials that target paired switches must prove safe and durable. 



Tumors also mutate quickly, potentially rewiring the very circuits researchers aim to reset. 



Even so, a strategy that persuades misbehaving cells to stand down - rather than carpet-bombing them - offers a fresh playbook in the long fight against cancer.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202412503" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Advanced Science</a>.



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Scientists discover a molecular switch to turn cancer cells into normal cells

Cancer sometimes creeps in slowly, other times it bursts onto...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex
</div></figure>







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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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