Yellowstone’s bison are not just big animals grazing grass. They are busy engineers that shape how plants grow, how nutrients flow, and who else can thrive.



Fresh research shows that when these herds move freely, the park’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-may-trigger-rapid-release-of-soil-carbon/">grasslands</a> stay productive and become more nutritious, without losing soil health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bison-grazing-helps-grasslands">Bison grazing helps grasslands</h2>



A research team led by Chris Geremia, a wildlife biologist at the National Park Service, found that grazing bison stabilized plant production while speeding up nitrogen turnover across northern Yellowstone. The team also documented higher plant nitrogen, without a drop in soil carbon.



Between 2015 and 2021, researchers ran field experiments comparing grazed and ungrazed plots. They then scaled up their findings using satellite images and GPS collar tracks to map effects across the migration corridor. 



The experts used movable exclosures - simple fenced frames that keep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gene-edited-wheat-turns-soil-microbes-into-fertilizer/">herbivores</a> out - to measure how much plant matter bison consumed and how fast plants regrew.



Collectively, the results revealed a pattern that challenges old grazing rules. Productivity held steady, plant biodiversity rose along the route, and the nutritional quality of grasses improved - even where animals fed heavily.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bison-grazing-boosts-plant-protein">Bison grazing boosts plant protein</h2>



The work focuses on the nitrogen cycle - the movement of nitrogen between plants, animals, soil, and air. The experts report that regrowing plants in heavily grazed patches contain about 150 percent more crude protein than plants in areas without bison.



Soil microbe populations increase after a graze. They quickly recycle organic matter into plant-ready nitrogen, and plants pull that nitrogen back into new tissue. “Just the animals and plants doing their thing,” said Bill Hamilton from Washington and Lee University (<a href="https://www.wlu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WLU</a>).



By mid-summer, this feedback keeps some river valley meadows clipped, dense, and nitrogen rich. Other places remain taller and less grazed, which helps spread different plant types across the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organic-matter-helps-soil-hold-water-even-in-conditions-like-mars/">landscape</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-free-ranging-bison-in-yellowstone">Free-ranging bison in Yellowstone </h2>



Yellowstone is the only place in the lower 48 that has had a free-ranging bison population since prehistoric times. 



According to the Park's history, numbers had fallen to about two dozen individuals by 1902. In recent years, however, estimates have ranged roughly from 3,500 to nearly 6,000 animals within and near the park.



Herds gather in river valleys each spring and summer, then shift as seasons change. That movement matters because it spreads grazing pressure in pulses rather than as a constant, even bite.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-significance-of-bison">Cultural significance of bison</h2>



For many Indigenous nations, bison are more than just <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-is-losing-nitrogen-along-with-its-climate-fighting-power/">wildlife</a>. They hold spiritual, cultural, and economic significance that stretches back thousands of years. 



The return of herds carries meaning that goes far beyond ecology. These communities view the animal’s recovery as a restoration of identity as well as ecosystems.



Partnerships between Indigenous groups and conservationists have already brought bison back to several reservations and protected areas. These initiatives add to a growing collection of evidence that restoration can support both cultural renewal and ecological health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-keeping-ecosystems-balanced">Keeping ecosystems balanced</h2>



Earlier <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/yellowstones-migrating-bison-manipulate-springtime-green" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work</a> showed Yellowstone bison can alter the timing and intensity of spring greening, creating rich patches where new growth keeps coming. 



The new study builds on that insight by tying plant chemistry, soil microbes, and herd movement together at landscape scale.



Wet, nutrient rich habitats showed the strongest nutritional boost under heavy grazing, while drier areas saw lighter use and weaker effects. That uneven pattern, called <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-020-00986-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heterogeneity</a>, is a feature to keep, not a flaw to fix.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grazing-aids-climate-resilience">Grazing aids climate resilience</h2>



Ecologists note that large herbivores like bison may also help buffer grasslands against climate variability. 



By keeping plants shorter and nutrient rich, bison grazing could support faster regrowth after droughts or extreme weather events. This dynamic may become increasingly valuable as Yellowstone faces hotter summers and shifting precipitation patterns.



At the same time, warming climates could alter migration timing and plant growth cycles. Understanding how bison adapt to these shifts will be critical for long term conservation and for anticipating how ecosystems across the West will respond to environmental change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-lessons-from-yellowstone">Global lessons from Yellowstone</h2>



Similar grazing-driven nutrient cycles have been <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/289484248_The_Gnu's_World_Serengeti_Wildebeest_Ecology_and_Life_History" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">documented</a> in Africa’s Serengeti, where wildebeest herds recovered in the mid 20th century and reshaped entire food webs. Ecologists point to those parallels to show how large, migratory herbivores can restore balance far beyond the boundaries of one park.



Across North America, efforts to return bison to tribal lands and conservation areas are expanding. The Yellowstone study highlights that allowing animals space to move at scale may be just as critical as reintroducing them in the first place.



“With the current large herds of bison, Yellowstone grasslands are functioning better than in their absence,” said Hamilton.



Ultimately, the message is simple: restoring the natural movement and scale of bison allows these large grazers to enhance food quality for countless species without sacrificing carbon storage or overall productivity. 



For land managers, the lesson is to aim for flexible goals that respect the ecological limits of each habitat, ensuring both biodiversity and resilience can thrive.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adu0703" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Bison grazing boosts grass nutrition without harming soil

Yellowstone’s bison are not just big animals grazing grass. They are busy engineers that shape how plants grow, how nutrients flow, and who else can thrive. Fresh research shows that when these herds move freely, the park’s grasslands stay productive and become more nutritious, without losing soil health. Bison grazing helps grasslands A research team led by Chris Geremia, a wildlife biologist at the National Park Service, found that grazing bison stabilized plant production while speeding up nitrogen turnover across northern Yellowstone. The team also documented higher...

Even before birth, babies face threats they never see. One of them is PFAS, the “forever chemicals” found in many common items. A new study shows these chemicals pass through the placenta and into breast milk. Once inside, they change how a baby's immune cells grow.



Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center (<a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">URMC</a>) followed 200 local mother and baby pairs. They tested mothers’ blood for PFAS during pregnancy. Then they checked babies’ immune cells at birth, six months, and one year. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changes-in-baby-immune-cells">Changes in baby immune cells</h2>



By the first birthday, babies exposed to more PFAS had fewer T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. These cells help the body build strong, lasting antibodies.



At the same time, those babies had more Th1, Th2, and Treg cells. That mix is risky. Too much of these cells can lead to allergies, autoimmune issues, or weak immune defenses.



“This is the first study to identify changes in specific immune cells that are in the process of developing at the time of PFAS exposure,” said Dr. Kristin Scheible, associate professor at URMC. 



“Identification of these particular cells and pathways opens up the potential for early monitoring or mitigation <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-that-eat-forever-chemicals-discovered-in-contaminated-soil/">strategies</a> for the effects of PFAS exposure, in order to prevent lifelong diseases.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-immune-cells-are-affected">Critical immune cells are affected</h2>



Vaccines train the immune system to fight off infections. But if PFAS changes the balance of immune cells early in life, that training might not work as well.



That matches what other studies have shown. Children with higher PFAS <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-bacteria-offer-new-hope-against-forever-chemicals/">levels</a> often respond poorly to vaccines like tetanus and measles. Fewer Tfh cells might be the reason. These cells help the immune system remember threats. 



Meanwhile, more Th2 and Treg cells could make kids more allergy-prone or less responsive to infections. Extra Th1 cells might even raise the risk of future autoimmune conditions.



“The cells impacted by PFAS exposure play important roles in fighting infections and establishing long-term memory to vaccines,” said Dr. Darline Castro Meléndez, the study’s first author. “



"An imbalance at a time when the immune system is learning how and when to respond can lead to a higher risk of recurrent infections with more severe symptoms that could carry on through their lifetime.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pfas-is-in-everyday-items">PFAS is in everyday items</h2>



Rochester’s drinking water passed all safety checks. Still, every mother in the study had PFAS in her blood. These chemicals don’t come from factories alone. 



Forever chemicals are found throughout our homes, concealed in nonstick cookware, fast food packaging, waterproof clothing, stain-resistant upholstery, and even everyday cosmetics.



The study showed that even low levels of PFAS had a strong impact. Babies exposed in the womb showed clear changes in their immune cells. 



These weren’t families living near toxic waste. They were living normal lives, shopping at regular stores, using everyday products. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-exposure-to-forever-chemicals">Reducing exposure to forever chemicals</h2>



So what can people do to reduce their exposure? Swap scratched nonstick pans for stainless steel or cast iron. Use water filters certified to remove PFAS. 



Avoid microwave popcorn bags, stain-resistant fabrics, and water-repellent sprays. Store food in glass or ceramic containers instead of plastic. Cut back on products with ingredients that you cannot pronounce.



During pregnancy and infancy, even small changes can make a big difference. Reducing exposure today may help protect a child’s health for years to come.



“Small steps can help lower the cumulative burden of exposure,” said Scheible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lasting-effects-on-immune-cells">Lasting effects on immune cells </h2>



The research team plans to keep tracking these children as they grow. The big question is whether the early immune changes caused by PFAS exposure will lead to more frequent illnesses, chronic allergies, or autoimmune problems like juvenile arthritis or type 1 diabetes later in life.



The experts also want to measure PFAS in the babies themselves, not just through maternal blood. That way, they can better understand exactly how these chemicals reach the developing immune <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-threaten-arctic-wildlife-and-human-health/">system</a> and what they do once they’re there.



Ultimately, the researchers hope to uncover whether these immune shifts are temporary or lasting. Are the effects reversible? Do they change with age, diet, or new exposures? And could this research lead to early warning signs or treatments? 



There’s a lot to learn, but one thing is already clear - PFAS can shape a child’s immune health before they even take their first breath.



The study was published in&nbsp;<a href="https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP16726" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Health Perspectives</a>. It included scientists from URMC and <a href="https://www.rutgers.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rutgers University</a>, and received funding from several NIH agencies.



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Forever chemicals can alter an unborn baby’s immune system

Even before birth, babies face threats they never see. One...

Concrete is everywhere - holding up highways, homes, office towers, and schools. It’s tough, fire-resistant, and essential to modern infrastructure. 



But it’s also a major problem. Concrete production is responsible for about 8 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. On top of that, most modern concrete starts to crack and crumble after about 100 years.



Now imagine this: concrete that can trap CO₂, make itself stronger, and possibly last thousands of years.



That’s the idea behind a new AI-powered model created by scientists at the <a href="https://viterbischool.usc.edu/">USC Viterbi School of Engineering</a>. This tool simulates billions of atoms at once, offering a new way to design cleaner, longer-lasting materials - starting with concrete.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tackling-climate-challenges-with-precision">Tackling climate challenges with precision</h2>



The climate crisis isn’t slowing down. Droughts, heat waves, and wildfires continue to get worse. 



After the January <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/satellite-captures-devastating-fires-in-southern-california/">wildfires in Los Angeles</a>, a group of USC researchers started thinking differently about concrete and carbon. What if the very material used to rebuild fire-damaged buildings could also help pull carbon out of the air?



That’s when their 20-year collaboration turned into a new project: Allegro-FM.



“You can just put the CO₂ inside the concrete, and then that makes a carbon-neutral concrete,” said Aiichiro Nakano,&nbsp;a USC Viterbi professor of computer science, physics and astronomy, and quantitative and computational biology.



Their research focuses on “CO₂ sequestration,” the process of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/capturing-carbon-directly-from-the-air-is-now-much-more-efficient-thanks-to-new-material/">capturing carbon</a> dioxide and storing it - ideally within the concrete itself. This isn’t easy, but that’s where the AI model comes in.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supercomputer-tests-cleaner-concrete">Supercomputer tests cleaner concrete</h2>



Normally, testing new materials means expensive, time-consuming lab work. Allegro-FM changes that. It runs digital experiments with billions of atoms, all simulated in virtual environments. 



This allows researchers to test different chemical recipes for concrete - searching for mixes that don’t just reduce carbon emissions but absorb CO₂ during production.



Better yet, the model runs fast and big. On the Aurora supercomputer at Argonne National Laboratory, Allegro-FM simulated over four billion atoms at 97.5 percent efficiency. 



That’s about 1,000 times larger than older models could handle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-designing-concrete-for-climate-and-fire">Designing concrete for climate and fire</h2>



It’s also flexible. Allegro-FM covers 89 different chemical elements and can be used for everything from cement chemistry to long-term carbon storage.



“Concrete is also a very complex material. It consists of many elements and different phases and interfaces," said Ken-Ichi Nomura, a USC Viterbi professor of chemical engineering and materials science practice.



"Traditionally, we didn’t have a way to simulate phenomena involving concrete material. But now we can use this Allegro-FM to simulate mechanical properties [and] structural properties.”



In a fire-prone city like Los Angeles, where cutting emissions is just as urgent as fire resistance, that combination matters. Simulations show that Allegro-FM can model concrete that does both - stand up to extreme heat and offset its own carbon impact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smarter-longer-lasting-concrete">Smarter, longer-lasting concrete</h2>



Beyond the climate benefits, there’s another bonus to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/concrete-becoming-great-carbon-sink-capturing-storing-co2/">storing CO₂ in concrete</a> - it may actually make it stronger.



“If you put in the CO₂, the so-called ‘carbonate layer,’ it becomes more robust,” Nakano said. That means concrete could potentially last far longer than the current 100-year standard.



In fact, the team is thinking about concrete that could rival the durability of ancient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-ancient-romans-made-such-incredibly-durable-concrete-is-no-longer-a-mystery/">Roman structures</a>, some of which have stood for over 2,000 years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-is-changing-how-scientists-think">AI is changing how scientists think</h2>



Traditionally, simulating materials at the atomic level required heavy mathematics based on quantum mechanics. The process was slow and extremely technical. But machine learning is changing that.



“Now, because of this machine-learning <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-ai-designed-material-is-light-as-foam-tough-as-steel/">AI</a> breakthrough, instead of deriving all these quantum mechanics from scratch, researchers are taking [the] approach of generating a training set and then letting the machine learning model run,” Nomura said.



That shift lets the model handle more data and more complexity while using fewer resources. Allegro-FM can now predict how atoms interact with one another - a job that used to require countless hours of calculation.



The result? Faster simulations, broader material options, and huge efficiency gains. According to Nakano, the AI can achieve quantum mechanical accuracy with much, much smaller computing resources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps-in-the-concrete-revolution">Next steps in the concrete revolution</h2>



“We will certainly continue this concrete study research, making more complex geometries and surfaces,” Nomura said.



The big picture is this: AI isn’t just helping us understand the world at the atomic level - it’s helping us rethink the materials we rely on every day. 



And in this case, that could mean stronger buildings, cleaner air, and a future where concrete becomes part of the climate solution instead of the problem.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jpclett.5c00605">The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters</a>.



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AI just designed concrete that could reverse climate damage

Concrete is everywhere - holding up highways, homes, office towers,...

Every year, northern Australia counts on a strong summer monsoon to turn dry savannas into thriving wetlands. But a new 150,000-year sediment record from Girraween Lagoon near Darwin hints that the future could be a lot wetter - and wilder - than anything humans have seen before.



The <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277379125003245">analysis</a> looks at changes in tree pollen and hydrogen isotopes trapped in the mud. It shows rainfall swinging wildly - either ramping up or drying out - often in step with shifts in faraway ocean currents.



One of the lead researchers, Professor Michael Bird of <a href="https://www.jcu.edu.au/">James Cook University</a>, says the pattern gives policymakers an unusually long rearview mirror for today's climate decisions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-australia-s-ancient-rain-diary">Australia’s ancient rain diary</h2>



This is the longest terrestrial record ever produced at the southern end of the Indo Australian monsoon system. 



The team drilled a 64-foot core through lagoon sediments and counted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollen-alters-cloud-formation-and-changes-weather-patterns/">pollen</a> from dryland trees. They also measured the hydrogen inside leaf waxes - a ratio known as δ²H - to estimate past rainfall.



Together, those proxies capture both how much water fell and how green the catchment became.



During the wettest periods, tree pollen shot up from five to 95 percent. At the same time, δ²H values dropped, pointing to stronger, longer monsoon seasons.



Drier stretches showed the opposite pattern, with the lagoon shrinking into a sinkhole and organic matter nearly vanishing.



"The research also uncovered what we consider bursts of intense monsoon activity, some lasting less than 10,000 years," said Bird.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-levels-and-australia-s-monsoon">Ocean levels and Australia's monsoon</h2>



According to Professor Bird, the research shows that rainfall in northern Australia is closely tied to sea level changes. His team found that lower sea levels pushed the coast north, reducing rainfall by cutting off ocean moisture.



When the sea returned, the lagoon refilled and savanna trees flourished, showing how a rising ocean can amplify monsoon rains far inland. That matters today, with global sea levels now rising more than one-tenth of an inch each year.



East Asia reacted in the opposite way: when Australia was soaked, the East Asian <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-land-conditions-affect-the-asian-monsoon-climate/">summer monsoon</a> often weakened, a see-saw that scientists call interhemispheric coupling.



Speleothem records from Shihua Cave near Beijing reveal a steady decline in East Asian summer monsoon strength since the 1880s.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monsoon-bursts-tied-to-ice">Monsoon bursts tied to ice</h2>



Some of the sharpest wet spikes lined up with <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2003RG000128">Heinrich events</a> - the iceberg calving pulses that dumped freshwater into the North Atlantic and throttled its heat conveyor. 



Each pulse appears to have nudged the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-rains-will-shift-northward-in-the-coming-decades/">Intertropical Convergence Zone</a> southward, steering more moisture toward Australia.



One burst about 115,000 years ago pushed tree pollen above 95 percent even though the shoreline still sat more than 90 miles away. That scale of change, achieved in under 3,000 years, dwarfs anything in modern rain gauges.



"This isn't just ancient history. It is a window into the rainfall patterns that are emerging today," said study co-author Professor Corey Bradshaw of <a href="https://www.flinders.edu.au/">Flinders University</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-atlantic-current-drives-monsoon-changes">Atlantic current drives monsoon changes</h2>



The ancient alignments matter because the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01568-1">AMOC</a>), the same heat engine weakened during Heinrich events, has been losing strength since the mid-twentieth century. 



Models suggest the flow could slow another third under two degrees Celsius of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-is-accelerating-beyond-control-as-co2-levels-rise/">global warming</a>. Researchers have even sketched a physics based alarm bell that sounds when the current nears a tipping point.



If that threshold is crossed, simulations show rainfall rising across northern Australia while large parts of East Asia dry further.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signs-of-a-wetter-world">Signs of a wetter world</h2>



Such patterns are already appearing: northwestern Australia now receives up to eight inches more wet- season rain than it did in the 1950s.



Meanwhile, long term declines in East Asian summer rainfall are straining farms and reservoirs from the Yangtze to the Korean Peninsula.



For livestock herders near Darwin, a stronger monsoon in Australia promises lush pastures but also bigger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/floods-cause-long-lasting-health-issues-on-top-of-all-the-structural-damage/">floods</a> and harder to predict seasons.



City planners in Asia face the flip side, with longer dry spells broken by intense downpours when typhoons break through.



The lagoon record also reminds researchers that coastlines themselves influence inland climate. So, future rainfall projections need to account for sea level rise and shifting ocean currents - not just greenhouse gases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planning-for-rain-extremes">Planning for rain extremes</h2>



Local governments in Australia are already revising flood maps, raising bridge decks, and storing wet season grain to ride out bigger swings. 



Similar no regrets steps, better drainage, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toilet-to-tap-california-approves-wastewater-recycling-amid-drought-crisis/">water recycling</a>, and drought ready crops, could soften impacts across East Asia.



Scientists argue that tighter monitoring of the overturning circulation, using moored sensors and satellite gravity data, will sharpen monsoon forecasts years ahead. Those lead times help growers decide whether to swap sorghum for rice or invest in irrigation.



The ancient mud makes one lesson clear: monsoons respond quickly to oceanic jolts, so today's choices on emissions and land use will echo in rainfall patterns for centuries.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277379125003245?via%3Dihub">Quaternary Science Reviews</a>.



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Ancient mud reveals what may supercharge monsoons in Australia

Every year, northern Australia counts on a strong summer monsoon...

Lightning is shaping our forests more than anyone expected. Every year, about 320 million trees around the world are killed by lightning - not burned down in firestorms, but knocked out by direct strikes.&nbsp;



That’s a massive number, and it’s only counting trees that die from lightning itself - not the ones lost to fires that lightning later ignites.



The new estimate comes from a team of researchers who created the first global model to calculate lightning-caused <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tropical-tree-deaths-are-increasing-even-in-untouched-forests/">tree deaths</a>.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-silent-killer-in-the-woods">A silent killer in the woods</h2>



The research suggests that we’ve been underestimating the ecological punch that lightning packs. And if lightning strikes become more frequent as the climate warms -as many projections suggest - this overlooked threat could grow even bigger.



Most of us think of lightning as something dramatic with loud cracks of thunder and intense flashes of light. However, much of lightning's impact on forests has gone unnoticed.&nbsp;



When a tree gets hit, the damage can be internal - its tissue fried from the inside out. The tree might stay standing for a while, slowly dying without any outward sign of what happened. In dense forests, those deaths blend into the background.



Scientists had long known that lightning was killing trees, but they didn’t know how many. Field observations in individual forests offered glimpses, but there was no way to connect the dots globally.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-estimating-lightning-damage-in-forests">Estimating lightning damage in forests</h2>



A team of researchers from the <a href="https://www.tum.de/">Technical University of Munich</a> took a different approach. Instead of relying only on fieldwork, they used a global vegetation model and combined it with data on how lightning is distributed around the planet.&nbsp;



Next, the researchers looked at how trees respond to being hit, including how many survive, how many die, and how long it takes.



The team estimated where lightning does the most damage and how it affects <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/small-mammals-play-a-vital-role-in-maintaining-forest-health/">forest health</a> on a global scale.&nbsp;



“We’re now able not only to estimate how many trees die from lightning strikes annually, but also to identify the regions most affected and assess the implications for global carbon storage and forest structure,” said Andreas Krause, the study’s lead author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-carbon-cost-of-lightning-strikes">The carbon cost of lightning strikes</h2>



Beyond killing trees, lightning strikes are also shaking up the planet’s carbon balance. When trees die and decay, they release carbon dioxide.&nbsp;



According to the study, lightning-related tree deaths emit somewhere between 0.77 and 1.09 billion tons of CO₂ per year. That’s nearly as much as the 1.26 billion tons released annually by the burning of living plants in wildfires.



To put that in perspective, the total carbon emissions from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-seasons-are-now-overlapping-worldwide/">wildfires</a> each year - including deadwood and soil material - add up to about 5.85 billion tons.&nbsp;



Ultimately, lightning-related emissions are a significant piece of the climate puzzle - one that’s often left out of critically important discussions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lightning-in-tropical-forests-nbsp">Lightning in tropical forests&nbsp;</h2>



Right now, most of the tree loss is happening in tropical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forests-are-lagging-centuries-behind-in-climate-adaptation/">forests</a>. These areas have high lightning activity year-round, especially in places like the Congo Basin and the Amazon.&nbsp;



Tropical trees also tend to be taller and more likely to get struck, but the pattern could shift.&nbsp;



“Most climate models project an increase in lightning frequency in the coming decades, so it’s worth paying closer attention to this largely overlooked disturbance,” said Krause.&nbsp;



The increase won’t be spread evenly. Models predict that lightning will become more frequent in temperate and boreal regions too - places like Canada, Russia, and parts of the U.S. - where trees haven’t historically had to deal with much lightning.



Forests that are already stressed by drought, heat, and pests might soon be facing another problem. And since trees in colder regions tend to grow more slowly, their recovery from lightning-related losses could take decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lightning-damage-to-the-world-s-forests">Lightning damage to the world's forests</h2>



This isn’t just about counting dead trees. Forests are crucial carbon sinks, soaking up CO₂ and helping to cool the planet. If a few hundred million trees start dying every year from lightning alone, that’s going to chip away at their ability to store <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-may-stop-absorbing-carbon-if-temperatures-continue-to-rise/">carbon</a>.



And unlike wildfires, which are often visible from satellites and leave behind large scars, lightning deaths are subtle. They happen one by one, scattered across the forest floor. That makes them harder to monitor - and easier to ignore.



This study marks the first serious attempt to measure the damage, and it suggests we may need to rethink how we model forests, especially as the climate shifts.&nbsp;



Lightning might not be as showy as a wildfire, but its quiet impact could have lasting effects on the world’s forests - and the carbon cycle they support.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.70312">Global Change Biology</a>.



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An astonishing number of trees are killed by lightning every year

Lightning is shaping our forests more than anyone expected. Every...

For years, the deep ocean has been painted as Earth’s final frontier - a shadowy, silent place that is cut off from the rest of the world. But new research is showing that this picture isn’t quite right. 



Life in the deep sea may not be as cut off as we thought. In fact, it’s connected - really connected.



A sweeping new study reveals that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-brittle-star-tissue-could-transform-regenerative-medicine/">brittle stars</a> - those spiny, ancient relatives of starfish - have quietly been traversing entire oceans for millions of years. They’ve been linking ecosystems across the globe, from Iceland to Tasmania, all without anyone noticing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-the-unexpected-world-travelers">Meet the unexpected world travelers</h2>



Brittle stars are found on every ocean floor, from the sunlit shallows to the abyssal plains more than 11,500 feet down. They’re tough, old creatures, with some lineages dating back over 480 million years.



Brittle stars are also surprisingly mobile - in their own way. While they don’t swim, fly, or walk great distances, their larvae do the traveling. 



The larvae are packed with yolk, which keeps them alive for a long time as they drift slowly along deep-sea currents. This gives them a passport of sorts - one that lets them cross enormous distances and eventually settle in completely different parts of the world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-connected-in-the-deep-sea">Life connected in the deep sea</h2>



What makes this discovery so surprising is how different it is from what we know about life in shallow water.&nbsp;



In coastal and surface ecosystems, temperature acts like a boundary. It shapes where marine animals can live and where they can’t. Warm-water species stay in the tropics, while cold-water species stay near the poles.



But in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/only-001-percent-of-earths-deep-seafloor-has-ever-been-directly-observed/">deep sea</a>, the temperature doesn’t change much. It stays cold, quiet, and relatively stable. That stability makes it easier for deep-sea species to spread out over huge distances and still survive.



Study lead author Dr. Tim O’Hara is the senior curator of marine invertebrates at <a href="https://museumsvictoria.com.au/research-institute/">Museums Victoria Research Institute</a>.



“You might think of the deep sea as remote and isolated, but for many animals on the seafloor, it’s actually a connected superhighway,” said Dr. O'Hara.



“Over long timescales, deep-sea species have expanded their ranges by thousands of kilometers. This connectivity is a global phenomenon that’s gone unnoticed, until now.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-secrets-of-brittle-stars">Secrets of brittle stars</h2>



This was the most comprehensive look yet at brittle stars and how they’ve moved around the planet. The researchers analyzed DNA from 2,699 specimens stored in 48 natural history museums around the world.&nbsp;



The samples were collected during 332 research expeditions, some of them decades old.



The team discovered that many brittle star species in one part of the world are closely related to those in another. For example, species found off southern Australia are genetically similar to those living off the coast of the North Atlantic - half a world away.



“These animals don’t have fins or wings, but they’ve still managed to span entire oceans,” said Dr. O’Hara. “The secret lies in their biology - their larvae can survive for a long time in cold water, hitching a ride on slow-moving deep-sea currents.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-connected-deep-sea-is-vulnerable">The connected deep sea is vulnerable</h2>



Despite how connected the deep sea appears, it’s not all the same. Different regions still have <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-deep-sea-fish-survive-the-crushing-depths-of-the-ocean/">unique species</a>, shaped by extinction events, environmental changes, and geological features on the seafloor.&nbsp;



In some places, brittle star populations have been isolated for long periods. In others, they’ve migrated far and wide.



That’s where the concern starts to grow. The deep sea might be connected, but it’s also vulnerable.



“It’s a paradox. The deep sea is highly connected, but also incredibly fragile,” said Dr. O’Hara. “Understanding how life is distributed and moves through this vast environment is essential if we want to protect it, especially as threats from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-mining-has-deadly-consequences-for-marine-life/">deep-sea mining</a> and climate change increase.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-global-system-in-the-ocean">A global system in the ocean</h2>



Much of the genetic material used in this research came from museum collections - some stored for decades before being used in this study.&nbsp;



The study brought together more than 40 institutions, including natural history museums, universities, and marine science organizations. 



“This is science on a global scale,” said Lynley Crosswell, CEO and Director of Museums Victoria. “It demonstrates how museums, through international collaboration and the preservation of biodiversity specimens, can unlock new knowledge about our planet’s past and help shape its future.”



This discovery doesn’t just reshape how we think about brittle stars. It forces us to rethink how life works in one of the most mysterious parts of our planet.&nbsp;



The deep sea isn’t a quiet, disconnected wasteland. It’s a global system - one that’s more dynamic and more at risk than we ever knew.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09307-1">Nature</a>.&nbsp;



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Deep sea life is more connected than we ever realized

For years, the deep ocean has been painted as Earth’s...

The Arctic has always been a place where nature sets its own rules - harsh, quiet, and brutally cold. Winter there used to mean months of uninterrupted snow, frozen soil, and solid ice. But that baseline is now crumbling.&nbsp;



In February 2025, researchers working in Svalbard - an archipelago in the high <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-climate-will-permanently-change-by-2050-scientists-warn/">Arctic</a> - found themselves surrounded not by snowdrifts and biting winds, but by rain, meltwater, and patches of green.



This was supposed to be the season of ice. Instead, they witnessed a spring-like thaw in what should have been the dead of winter. The snowpack vanished in days as rain fell instead of snow.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-arctic-faster-than-expected">A new Arctic, faster than expected</h2>



Svalbard is warming six to seven times faster than the global average. But even against that backdrop, this winter stood out.&nbsp;



Temperatures climbed above freezing in the middle of February. Instead of navigating frozen terrain, researchers were standing ankle-deep in meltwater at the foot of a glacier, or walking on exposed tundra that was dotted with signs of life.



The scene wasn’t just a fluke. It marked a shift. Arctic winters - once considered the most stable and predictable part of the region’s climate - are becoming warm, wet, and unstable.&nbsp;



It’s a change that’s been warned about for years. But now, the pace and intensity of that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-meltdown-is-accelerating-global-warming-already-changing-earth-in-unimaginable-ways/">change</a> are catching even seasoned scientists off guard.



The fieldwork was led by Dr. James Bradley, a scientist at <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/">Queen Mary University of London</a>.



“Standing in pools of water at the snout of the glacier, or on bare, green tundra, was shocking and surreal,” said Dr. Bradley. “The thick snowpack covering the landscape vanished within days. The gear I packed felt like a relic from another climate.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arctic-winter-with-no-snow">Arctic winter with no snow</h2>



This wasn’t just a strange experience - it disrupted the fieldwork itself. The team had traveled to Svalbard with a simple mission to study snow. But over two weeks, snow fell only once, while everything else came down as rain. 



“The goal of our fieldwork campaign was to study freshly fallen snow,” said Laura Molares Moncayo, a PhD student and co-author of the study.&nbsp;



Moncayo noted that the lack of snowfall in the middle of winter undermined the team's ability to establish a representative baseline for frozen-season processes. 



“The unexpected melt not only disrupted our sampling plan, but also made us question how safe or feasible winter fieldwork really is under such rapidly changing conditions.”



The researchers had to rethink how they access remote sites. Slushy snow made it hard to use snowmobiles, and the unpredictability raised safety concerns - including what to do if a polar bear showed up.&nbsp;



With the landscape melting and refreezing without warning, even basic rescue plans become complicated.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-shifts-with-consequences">Climate shifts with consequences</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/clouds-also-fuel-arctic-warming-not-just-carbon-emissions/">melting Arctic</a> isn’t just a problem for scientists. It sends ripple effects across ecosystems and even global climate systems.&nbsp;



During warm spells, temporary lakes form on top of frozen ground. Snow cover vanishes in huge patches, exposing the bare earth to sunlight. 



This exposure speeds up biological activity and triggers a dangerous climate feedback loop - warming leads to thawing, which leads to more greenhouse gas emissions, which leads to more warming.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-of-arctic-winter-warming">Impacts of Arctic winter warming</h2>



The winter warming events can also affect carbon cycling, freeze-thaw patterns, and the survival of wildlife.&nbsp;



Many animals and microbes have adapted to long, stable winters. But now that winters can flip above freezing even in February, those adaptations may no longer help them.



Permafrost, the frozen ground that holds vast stores of carbon, is also at risk. When temperatures creep above freezing more often in winter, the upper layers of permafrost can thaw. 



Thawing permafrost releases carbon dioxide and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-warming-fuels-dangerous-methane-feedback-loop/">methane</a> - two powerful greenhouse gases - into the atmosphere, adding fuel to the climate fire.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-policy-needs-to-catch-up">Policy needs to catch up</h2>



In a commentary published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-60926-8">Nature Communications</a>, the researchers say it’s time for climate policy to adjust.&nbsp;



“Climate policy must catch up to the reality that the Arctic is changing much faster than expected, and winter is at the heart of that shift,” said Dr. Bradley.



He and his colleagues are calling for major investment in winter monitoring systems across the Arctic.&nbsp;



Without better data and year-round observations, it's impossible to build accurate models or develop strategies that help vulnerable communities - including Indigenous Arctic populations - prepare for what’s ahead.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arctic-winters-are-difficult-to-study">Arctic winters are difficult to study</h2>



Despite the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shrinking-arctic-ice-changing-global-climate-warm-arctic-cold-eurasia/">urgency</a>, scientists say we still lack the data to fully understand what’s happening.&nbsp;



Winter has always been the hardest season to study in the Arctic. It’s dark, cold, and logistically challenging. But that’s exactly why more attention is needed now.



“We are still unaware of the consequences that these recurring events are bringing to Arctic ecosystems, especially during the winter period, where conditions are more complex and data is scarce,” said Donato Giovannelli, a geomicrobiologist and senior author on the commentary.&nbsp;



“We might have been too cautious with our messages. Irreversible changes to the Arctic climate are happening in front of our own eyes.”



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Arctic winters are no longer frozen - and that’s a problem

The Arctic has always been a place where nature sets...

Imagine you're standing on the deck of a ship in the middle of the ocean. The waves are rough, but it's the ocean, so you're used to that feeling. Suddenly, a monstrous wall of water, two or even three times taller than all the other waves, rises up and crashes down - that’s a rogue wave.



These surreal behemoths are so massive and unexpected that for centuries sailors told stories about them that people simply didn't believe. 



That was until 1995, when a freak wave with a height of 85 feet - now known as the Draupner wave - crashed into an oil-drilling platform off the coast of Norway.



This monster became the first scientific evidence that rogue waves were more than just fiction. Now scientists are now trying to understand exactly what makes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-waves-can-get-much-bigger-taller-than-we-ever-imagined/">ocean waves</a> get that big and how often we can expect them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-ucluelet-wave">Understanding the Ucluelet wave</h2>



The <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666818125000130" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Draupner wave</a> towered over its neighbors at a staggering 85 feet, as the surrounding waves were 39 feet tall.



In comparison, another enormous rogue wave recorded off the coast of Vancouver Island - known as the Ucluelet wave - was only 58 feet tall in comparison, but it grew to over three times the height of its surrounding waves.



"Proportionally, the Ucluelet wave is likely the most extreme rogue wave ever recorded," noted physicist Johannes Gemmrich from the <a href="https://www.uvic.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Victoria</a>. 



Such a remarkable size difference has researchers scratching their heads about how these rogue waves form.



The buoy that captured data from the Ucluelet wave was one of many deployed by <a href="https://marinelabs.io/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MarineLabs</a>. 



Their mission is to gather more information about the deep-sea hazards that can wreak havoc on marine operations, wind farms, oil rigs, and potentially even beachgoers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-perils-of-rogue-waves">Perils of rogue waves</h2>



While neither the Ucluelet nor Draupner waves caused any significant damage, the history books are full of tales of rogue waves causing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/collapse-of-main-atlantic-ocean-circulaton-current-amoc-is-already-happening/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">destruction</a>. 



It has even been speculated that several ships which vanished in the 1970s could have been taken down by rogue waves.



With a predicted increase in wave heights in the North Pacific due to climate change, the Ucluelet wave's record might not stand for long.



Rogue waves can cause serious damage, sinking ships and disrupting marine activities, which is why understanding and predicting them is a big focus in oceanography.



"Capturing this once-in-a-millennium wave, right in our backyard, is a thrilling indicator of the power of coastal intelligence to transform marine safety," stated <a href="https://marinelabs.io/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MarineLabs</a> CEO Scott Beatty.



The push for improved safety and decision-making in marine operations and coastal communities is an ongoing one.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rogue-waves-vs-shore-waves">Rogue waves vs. shore waves</h2>



Normal shore waves and rogue waves are like night and day when it comes to their behavior. Shore waves are those predictable, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/square-waves-the-deadly-chessboard-pattern-threatening-sailors/">rolling waves</a> you see at the beach.



They’re usually generated by winds blowing over the ocean’s surface and are shaped by the depth and contour of the seabed as they approach land. 



These waves arrive in regular intervals, and you can usually see them coming from a distance -- great for surfers and beachgoers who like to play it safe.



Rogue waves, on the other hand, are the wildcards of the ocean. As mentioned previously, they don’t follow the usual patterns and can appear suddenly, even in relatively calm seas. 



These giants aren’t tied to the shoreline -- they can pop up in the open ocean, towering over everything around them. 



While shore waves are influenced by steady, consistent factors like wind and tides, rogue waves are the result of chaotic conditions, like multiple waves combining their energy in just the right (or wrong) way.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antarctica-and-rogue-waves-mystery">Antarctica and rogue waves mystery</h2>



An expedition by scientists from the <a href="https://www.unimelb.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Melbourne</a> to the waters around Antarctica has uncovered more about the formation of rogue waves. 



Their research has found that wind plays a significant role in the formation of these oceanic giants.



The team, led by <a href="https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/771507-alessandro-toffoli" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Professor Alessandro Toffoli</a>, took to the Antarctic waters in 2017, armed with state-of-the-art technology.



With stereo cameras mounted on the South African icebreaker SA Agulhas II, they captured unprecedented insights into rogue waves. 



Their three-dimensional imaging of the ocean's surface provided unique insights into the dynamics of rogue waves.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-role-of-wind">Critical role of wind</h2>



The observations revealed that rogue waves arise during the "young" stage of waves when they are most receptive to the wind.



"The wind creates a chaotic situation where waves of different dimensions and directions coexist," explained Professor Toffoli.



Wind causes young waves to grow higher, longer and faster. During this self-amplification, a wave grows disproportionately at the expense of its neighbors." 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nonlinear-effects-drive-size">Nonlinear effects drive size</h2>



When waves get larger, they start to interact in more complicated ways. For example, the peak of a wave might get sharper and the trough (the dip between waves) might get shallower. 



These changes aren’t just from adding waves together - they’re from the waves physically changing each other. Scientists call these “nonlinear effects,” and they can make big waves even bigger.



At the second level of this kind of theory - called second-order theory - waves can get about five times more intense than the simple models predict. 



That means that rogue waves are much more likely than older models thought. But even that doesn’t fully explain the monsters like the Draupner wave.



To get closer to the truth, scientists turn to “fourth-order Stokes theory.” This includes even more complicated interactions between waves, especially when lots of energy builds up in the ocean during storms. 



This is where things get especially weird - waves can feed off each other, like bullies ganging up, making one wave grow huge by sucking energy from its neighbors. 



This process is called modulational instability, and it helps explain why rogue waves sometimes seem to come out of nowhere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predictive-tools-for-rogue-waves">Predictive tools for rogue waves</h2>



The research in the choppy seas of Antarctica has emphasized the need to integrate wind dynamics into predictive models for rogue wave forecasting.



How can we predict these events? That’s where something called <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-crest-trough-correlation-r-is-higher-in-groupy-lowbandwidth-sea-states-Shown_fig1_351790066" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crest-trough correlation</a> comes in. It sounds technical, but it’s actually a pretty intuitive idea: it measures how closely the highest parts (crests) of the waves are related to the lowest parts (troughs).



When this correlation is strong, the waves tend to form in tight groups - like a pack of waves with one or two giants in the middle. These “groupy” sea states are perfect for rogue waves.



The cool part? Crest-trough correlation can be calculated using existing weather and wave models. That means we might be able to add rogue wave risk forecasts to the same kinds of systems that predict weather or ocean currents.



Advancing our knowledge of rogue waves and their connection to wind dynamics opens up a world of possibilities for improving predictive tools in ocean safety. 



By incorporating wind data into forecasting models, we can enhance our ability to anticipate and prepare for these formidable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unprecedented-heat-is-popping-up-in-hotspots-across-the-globe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural phenomena</a>. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-05671-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Most extreme "rogue wave" ever recorded was so big it's difficult to comprehend

Imagine you're standing on the deck of a ship in...

Between 2014 and 2016, something very unsettling happened off the west coast of North America. For over two years, ocean waters from California to Alaska were unusually warm - 3.6°F to 10.8°F hotter than normal.&nbsp;



This wasn’t a one-off fluke or a seasonal shift. It was the longest and most intense <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-heat-of-2024-triggered-a-surge-in-sea-level-rise/">marine heatwave</a> ever recorded in the region.



The heat lingered, spreading across thousands of miles of ocean. This event reshaped life in the water in devastating ways. 



Kelp forests collapsed and entire food chains were thrown off balance. Animals appeared in places they had never been spotted before, and many of them died.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-ongoing-coastal-crisis">An ongoing coastal crisis</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-temperatures-are-rising-faster-than-expected-and-likely-to-accelerate/">warm water</a> pushed marine life out of their comfort zones - literally. According to newly published research, 240 species were found far beyond their usual ranges during the heatwave, many of them showing up more than 600 miles farther north than normal.



Northern right whale dolphins and small sea slugs like Placida cremoniana were spotted well outside their typical territory. For some species, the shift was temporary. For others, it hinted at a more permanent change.&nbsp;



As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-broke-records-for-450-straight-days/">ocean waters</a> heat up, many organisms are following the temperature they’re adapted to - heading toward cooler, northern waters in a bid to survive. But during the historic heatwave in the Pacific, some animals could not move fast enough.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pacific-heatwave-unraveled-ecosystems">Pacific heatwave unraveled ecosystems</h2>



Seagrass beds and kelp forests are critical habitats for fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals. When the kelp disappeared, so did the shelter and food it provided.&nbsp;



Sea stars, once common along rocky shores, were hit especially hard. A key predator, the sunflower sea star, nearly vanished. Scientists traced the problem to a disease that spread more aggressively in the warmer waters: sea star wasting disease.



Without these predators to keep other populations in check, a domino effect played out across the ecosystem.&nbsp;



Plankton communities shifted. Forage fish - small species that provide energy to bigger fish, birds, and mammals - declined in number and in nutritional quality. As a result, predators from seabirds to whales had a harder time finding enough to eat.



Many marine mammals experienced unusual mortality events, with entire groups dying off unexpectedly. It wasn’t always clear why - sometimes it was disease or a lack of food, and sometimes it was both.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-impacts-rippled-ashore">The impacts rippled ashore</h2>



The damage didn’t stop at the water’s edge. When the ocean food web was thrown off, it hit fisheries hard.



Fishers along the Pacific coast saw multiple closures as fish disappeared or disease spread. Entire harvests were lost.&nbsp;



The economic impact of these changes, including declines in crabbing, salmon, and shellfish industries, added up to hundreds of millions of dollars in losses.



What was once a thriving coastal economy built around marine resources suddenly faced deep uncertainty. Boats stayed docked, and communities that depended on the ocean felt the heat in more ways than one.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-window-into-future-oceans">A window into future oceans</h2>



The study that pulled all of this information together comes from a team of researchers who reviewed 331 published studies and government reports.&nbsp;



Study lead author Samuel Starko is a former postdoctoral fellow at the <a href="https://www.uvic.ca/">University of Victoria</a>.&nbsp;



“The marine heatwave resulted in unprecedented ecological disturbance across thousands of kilometers of North America's west coast,” said Starko.&nbsp;



“Our comprehensive synthesis of the ecological impacts of the heatwave helps us to better understand its overall impacts and how these fit into the broader context of other marine heatwaves.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pacific-heatwave-triggered-complex-changes">Pacific heatwave triggered complex changes</h2>



What stood out wasn’t just the number of species affected - it was the complexity of the change. Some impacts were direct. Warm water stressed or killed vulnerable species.&nbsp;



Other impacts were harder to untangle. One loss led to another, setting off chain reactions that rewrote entire <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-climate-fixes-could-worsen-the-oxygen-crisis/">ecosystems</a>.



“As heatwaves become more frequent and intense under climate change, the 2014-16 Northeast Pacific marine heatwave provides a critical example of how climate change is impacting ocean life, and how our future oceans may look,” said Julia Baum, marine ecologist and climate advisor at the University of Victoria.



The authors point to a need for smarter marine conservation efforts that take the whole ecosystem into account. This includes making space for species that are shifting ranges and preparing for the kinds of disease outbreaks that warmer oceans can bring.



The 2014-2016 marine heatwave was not just an anomaly - it was a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-ocean-warming-in-2024-is-a-warning-for-our-planet/">warning</a>. The results paint a clear picture of how climate-driven ocean warming is already reshaping marine ecosystems.



The study is <a href="https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-edit/10.1201/9781003589600-2/ecological-responses-extreme-climatic-events-systematic-review-2014%E2%80%932016-northeast-pacific-marine-heatwave-samuel-starko-graham-epstein-lia-chalifour-kevin-bruce-daisy-buzzoni-matthew-csordas-sean-dimoff-rebecca-hansen-dominique-maucieri-jennifer-mchenry-kristina-tietjen-brian-timmer-julia-baum">published</a> in the journal Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review.&nbsp;



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How a marine heatwave transformed life along the Pacific coast

Between 2014 and 2016, something very unsettling happened off the...

After flames tore across the Brazilian Pantanal in 2020, destroying over 11 million acres of forest and wetland, most would expect a drop in wildlife. But something strange happened in one remote stretch of this vast landscape - jaguars didn’t just survive. More showed up.



This patch of wetland, a 36,700-acre floodplain deep in the northern Pantanal, already held the highest concentration of jaguars ever recorded anywhere. Then came the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fast-wildfires-are-gaining-even-more-speed/">fires</a>.&nbsp;



As smoke settled and camera traps kept rolling, researchers were stunned to find not only that local jaguars stuck around, but their numbers actually grew. New jaguars had moved in.



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



There are no roads or towns here. To get to the site, the researchers traveled five hours by boat, swatting through clouds of biting insects just to check their equipment. But the isolation appears to be part of its strength.



This stretch of wetland has been studied since 2014 by a team that includes researchers from <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/">Oregon State University</a> and their partners in Brazil. The group has learned that jaguars here are different.&nbsp;



Jaguars in the Pantanal behave more like tolerant neighbors than rivals and have a surprising diet: they mainly hunt fish and caiman, the small alligator-like reptiles common in the area. This means less competition over land animals and fewer territorial disputes.



This behavior may help explain why the area could absorb so many newcomers without descending into chaos.



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



“Finding even more jaguars and other mammals in the study area following the 2020 wildfire and extreme drought suggests that it may serve as a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/life-oasis-provided-refuge-for-plants-during-earths-worst-extinction-event/">climate refuge</a>, buffering the effects of extreme climate events,” said Charlotte Eriksson, a post-doctoral scholar who has worked on the project for years.



To understand the full picture, the researchers examined footage from camera traps before, during, and after the fire. They also collected nearly 175 scat samples to analyze what the jaguars were eating. The results showed a striking pattern.



Jaguars that were living in the area before the fires continued to appear on camera afterward at about the same rate. They hadn’t fled or died out.&nbsp;



Instead, their numbers grew with the arrival of migrant jaguars - some possibly pushed out of their home territories by the fires or drought elsewhere. New cubs were also born in the area within a year of the disaster, further boosting the population.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-surprising-level-of-resilience-nbsp">A surprising level of resilience&nbsp;</h2>



The kind of resilience seen in the Pantanal is rare for big cats. Typically, large <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snow-leopards-the-carnivores-that-eat-plants/">carnivores</a> are solitary and territorial. Seeing them so concentrated, and so tolerant of one another, is highly unusual.&nbsp;



According to Eriksson, seeing a jaguar that often on camera would be similar to most frequently seeing a cougar or mountain lion on cameras in North America instead of deer.



Eriksson said that whenever she got off the boat, she would see jaguar tracks. One of her cameras recorded a jaguar just seven minutes after she set it up.



“I have never been to a place where the presence of a large carnivore is so obvious,” said Eriksson.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-jaguar-survival">Beyond jaguar survival </h2>



The study didn’t just focus on jaguar survival. The researchers were also curious about how other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammal-evolution-kicked-off-with-daring-experiments/">mammals</a> responded to the fire and prolonged drought.&nbsp;



The team found that the richness and abundance of mammals increased over time. But here’s the twist: this trend started in 2018 - two years before the fires. That suggests drought, not fire, may have been the main factor driving changes in wildlife numbers.&nbsp;



Species seemed to move in or flourish as water patterns shifted, not necessarily in direct response to the flames. There also wasn’t a clear difference between burned and unburned camera sites in terms of species richness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jaguar-survival-after-the-fires">Jaguar survival after the fires</h2>



Still, fire did have some short-term effects. Right after the blaze, jaguar activity dropped, likely due to disturbance and smoke. But it rebounded quickly. Over time, the population didn’t just recover - it grew.



And through all this, the jaguars stuck to their unusual diet. Despite more mammals being around, they kept hunting aquatic prey, especially fish and caiman.&nbsp;



The researchers noted that their preference for wetland prey likely eases pressure on land animals, allowing more species to coexist in this space.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-fragile-edge-of-the-world">A fragile edge of the world</h2>



The Pantanal is the world’s largest tropical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/restored-wetlands-cut-carbon-fast-without-the-methane-problem/">wetland</a>, but that doesn’t mean it’s invincible. Even in protected zones like this one, climate pressures are mounting.&nbsp;



Extreme drought, record heat, and increased human activity all helped fuel the 2020 fires. The devastating outbreak was responsible for the estimated loss of 17 million vertebrates.



The study highlights how some landscapes - especially those with water, rich habitat, and limited human interference - may serve as essential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-mammals-live-depends-more-on-climate-than-human-activities/">climate</a> refuges. These are places where animals can ride out the worst of a warming world.



But that doesn’t mean they’re safe. The researchers warned against assuming that what works here will work everywhere.&nbsp;



The Pantanal has unique protections and geography that make it special. Without careful planning and proactive fire management, even this rare refuge could be at risk.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.70344">Global Change Biology</a>.



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Jaguars offer a glimpse of survival in a changing world

After flames tore across the Brazilian Pantanal in 2020, destroying...

The Dead Sea is one of the most unique bodies of water on the planet. Sitting at the lowest point on Earth's land surface, it's known for its extreme salinity and incredible density. But there's more happening beneath its surface than meets the eye. 



Among the many unusual things scientists are learning about this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/great-salt-lake-agriculture-is-draining-a-natural-wonder/">hypersaline lake</a> is the ongoing formation of what they call “salt giants” - massive underground salt deposits.



“These large deposits in Earth's crust can be many, many kilometers horizontally, and they can be more than a kilometer thick in the vertical direction,” noted Eckart Meiburg, a professor of mechanical engineering at UC Santa Barbara..



“How were they generated? The Dead Sea is really the only place in the world where we can study the mechanism of these things today.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salt-formation-in-the-dead-sea">Salt formation in the Dead Sea</h2>



While salt formations have been found under other seas - including the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-the-shores-of-the-red-sea-turn-pink-every-year/">Red Sea</a> and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-mediterranean-nearly-lost-all-of-its-water-6-million-years-ago/">Mediterranean</a> - only the Dead Sea lets scientists observe them forming right now. 



This gives researchers a rare chance to understand the actual physical processes behind these deposits, especially how their thickness changes across space and time.



A recent paper published by researchers at <a href="https://www.ucsb.edu/">UC Santa Barbara</a> and the Geological Survey of Israel explains how evaporation, water temperature, and salt saturation all combine to build these structures. 



Because the Dead Sea is a terminal lake - one with no outlet - water can only leave by evaporation. As that water vanishes, salt stays behind, accumulating layer by layer.



This process has been going on for millennia, shrinking the lake and increasing salinity. The damming of the Jordan River, the lake's main water source, has sped up this decline, with the lake now dropping by about one meter (three feet) per year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-layers-of-salt-and-shifting-temperatures">Layers of salt and shifting temperatures</h2>



Temperature also plays a crucial role. The Dead Sea used to be what scientists call "meromictic," with a stable layering of warm, less salty water on top and cooler, saltier water at the bottom.



“It used to be such that even in the winter when things cooled off, the top layer was still less dense than the bottom layer,” Meiburg explained. “And so as a result, there was a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lakes-are-struggling-to-maintain-oxygen-as-temperatures-rise/">stratification</a> in the salt.”



That changed in the early 1980s when water levels fell and surface salinity caught up to deeper levels. 



Mixing between the layers began, turning the lake from meromictic to holomictic - meaning it now undergoes full mixing in the water column each year. Today, the Dead Sea stays stratified only during the warmer eight months of the year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salt-snow-in-the-summer">Salt snow in the summer</h2>



In 2019, scientists made a surprising discovery: halite crystals - or "salt snow" - were forming in the lake during the summer, not just in winter as expected. 



Halite, or rock salt, forms when water can no longer dissolve salt due to high concentrations. Normally, this happens in the colder, deeper parts of the lake. But in summer, something unusual was happening. 



The top layer of the lake grew even saltier due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-can-vaporize-water-cause-evaporation-without-heat/">evaporation</a>. At the same time, its warm temperature allowed it to keep dissolving salt. This led to a special process known as "double diffusion." 



In this process, salty warm water from the top cools and sinks, while slightly less salty cool water below warms and rises. When the upper layer cools, the salt falls out, like underwater snowfall.



The constant shift in density and temperature, along with other factors like waves and currents, creates salt deposits in all kinds of shapes and sizes. 



Unlike other shallow salt lakes where this happens mostly in dry seasons, the Dead Sea sees the most salt formation in winter. This year-round activity helps explain the birth of the salt giants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-lesson-from-the-distant-past">A lesson from the distant past</h2>



The process happening in the Dead Sea today may also explain salt formations from long ago. Around 5.96 to 5.33 million years ago, the Mediterranean Sea dried up during what’s known as the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-flood-refilled-the-mediterranean-sea-millions-of-years-ago/">Messinian Salinity Crisis</a>.



“There was always some inflow from the North Atlantic into the Mediterranean through the Strait of Gibraltar,” Meiburg said. “But when tectonic motion closed off the Strait of Gibraltar, there couldn't be any water inflow from the North Atlantic.” 



The sea level dropped dramatically - up to 5 kilometers (about 3 miles) - due to evaporation, leaving behind thick salt crusts. These can still be found beneath parts of the Mediterranean. Later, the Strait of Gibraltar reopened, and the sea filled again.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salt-features-of-the-dead-sea">Salt features of the Dead Sea </h2>



The Dead Sea continues to be full of surprises. Springs on its floor and varying salt flows create even more formations - including salt domes and chimneys.



Beyond learning how these features form, the study of the Dead Sea could have broader implications. 



Watching how sediment moves on the newly exposed beaches may help scientists understand how coastlines in dry regions respond to sea level changes. It could also point to new ways to manage resources from such salty environments.



With its strange physics and active processes, the Dead Sea gives researchers a rare look at how massive salt deposits grow - one underwater snowflake at a time.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-fluid-031424-101119">Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics</a>.



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How the Dead Sea builds 'salt giants' beneath its waters

The Dead Sea is one of the most unique bodies...

The growing number of rocket launches may pose a threat to Earth’s ozone layer. While the expanding space industry holds great promise, researchers warn that its environmental impacts are being overlooked.



With thousands of satellites now cluttering low Earth orbit, emissions from launches and back-end debris are making alarm bells ring over atmospheric well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-space-boom-comes-with-a-cost">Space boom comes with a cost</h2>



A team of scientists from the <a href="https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/">University of Canterbury</a> and ETH Zurich investigated how pollution from rocket launches and falling space junk could slow the ozone layer’s recovery. 



The researchers used a chemistry-climate model developed at ETH Zurich and the Physical Meteorological Observatory in Davos (PMOD/WRC) to forecast rocket emission impacts through 2030.



Back in 2019, there were only 97 orbital launches. By 2024, that number had nearly tripled to 258 - and it's expected to rise to over 2,000 per year by the end of the decade. 



This increase is concerning because emissions in the upper atmosphere linger much longer than those released at ground level. 



Without natural washout processes like rain or clouds, these pollutants can circle the globe and remain in the air for years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ozone-layer-s-fragile-recovery">The ozone layer’s fragile recovery</h2>



The model predicts that, if current growth trends continue, the global ozone layer could thin by nearly 0.3 percent by 2030. Over Antarctica, seasonal losses could reach up to four percent.



These might seem like small numbers, but context matters. The ozone layer is still recovering from the damage caused by chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), banned in 1989 by the Montreal Protocol. 



Global ozone levels are still about two percent below pre-industrial levels and aren’t expected to fully recover until 2066. 



According to the researchers, unregulated rocket emissions could delay this timeline by several years - or even decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-the-ozone-layer-still-matters">Why the ozone layer still matters</h2>



The ozone layer may seem like a distant part of the atmosphere, but it plays a vital role in shielding life on Earth. It absorbs most of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and immune system damage in humans.



 It also affects ecosystems, particularly marine life, by influencing the health of phytoplankton - tiny organisms that form the base of the ocean’s food chain.



Even modest declines in ozone can boost the amount of UV radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface. That is to say, any quantifiable decrease is more than a number - it’s an alarm. 



Ongoing harm could bring about additional UV-related health threats, upset delicate ecosystems, and undermine the gains achieved since CFCs were banned. 



Simply put, every percentage point of recovery counts, and every delay threatens human and environmental well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fuel-type-matters-more-than-you-think">Fuel type matters more than you think</h2>



The problem lies mainly with emissions of chlorine gas and soot. Chlorine breaks apart ozone molecules, and soot particles heat the middle atmosphere, speeding up ozone-damaging reactions. 



Solid rocket motors are the main source of chlorine emissions, while most rocket types release soot.



Only rockets using cryogenic fuels - like liquid oxygen and hydrogen - are nearly ozone-neutral. But these fuels are tricky to handle, and only about 6 percent of current launches use them. 



That means the vast majority of launches still contribute to ozone depletion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-re-entry-the-hidden-threat">Re-entry: the hidden threat</h2>



The study focused on emissions during rocket ascent, but what about the return journey? Most satellites burn up when they re-enter the atmosphere, releasing nitrogen oxides and metal particles. 



Nitrogen oxides are already known to harm the ozone, while metals could form clouds or act as chemical surfaces that accelerate ozone loss.



Scientists still poorly understand these effects and often leave them out of climate models. But with satellite constellations growing rapidly, more and more debris will re-enter the atmosphere, making this an urgent area for further research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clean-fuels-offer-a-path">Clean fuels offer a path</h2>



“There is a risk that the rapid rise in global rocket launches could slow the recovery of the vital ozone layer,” said Sandro Vattioni. “The problem is being underestimated - yet it could be mitigated by forward-looking, coordinated action.”



The researchers believe there’s still time to act. Better monitoring of emissions, using cleaner fuels, and encouraging the switch to cryogenic systems could help protect the ozone layer. 



Setting international regulations would allow the space industry to grow sustainably.



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Rocket launches threaten Earth's ozone recovery

The growing number of rocket launches may pose a threat...

Humpback whales travel thousands of kilometers each year, migrating between Antarctic feeding grounds and tropical breeding areas. This journey demands energy, timing, and favorable environmental conditions.



New research from the <a href="https://www.uq.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Queensland</a> has revealed that these whales now head south significantly earlier than before, by about three weeks.



This shift in humpback whale migration is not just a quirk of nature. It may be a response to deeper changes in the Southern Ocean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whales-are-now-migrating-earlier">Whales are now migrating earlier</h2>



Between 2003 and 2024, the southern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baby-humpback-whales-are-born-in-places-we-didnt-expect/">migration</a> peak shifted from early October to mid-September. 



“Acoustic and visual surveys show the peak of the southern migration in 2003 was in early October but by 2024, we observed it was in the middle of September,” noted Professor Rebecca Dunlop, lead author of the study.



This change was found across different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-helps-humans-have-20-minute-conversation-with-humpback-whale-named-twain/">whale</a> groups: adult males, mothers with calves, and mixed adult groups. 



Singing males, tracked through acoustic surveys, also showed a 22-day shift. These consistent patterns point to a population-wide response, not just isolated variation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-less-ice-and-krill">Less ice and krill </h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whales-blow-bubble-smoke-rings-near-humans-to-communicate/">Whales</a> feed mostly on Antarctic krill, which depend on sea ice for food and shelter. Since 2016, sea ice in regions like the Ross Sea has declined sharply. By 2024, ice levels had dropped by over six million square kilometers.



Whales do not eat much during their migration. They rely on the fat reserves built up during the summer. 



“Fewer available krill prior to the migration could be forcing the whales back to the feeding grounds earlier,” said Dunlop.



Environmental records confirm the link. An earlier return south was strongly correlated with low sea ice and specific chlorophyll-a levels (a marker of ocean productivity) during summer feeding periods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whales-migrate-with-growing-pressure">Whales migrate with growing pressure</h2>



The eastern Australian humpback whale population has rebounded from near extinction. It grew from just 300 individuals in the 1960s to around 40,000 today.



But this success comes with consequences. More whales mean more competition for krill. At the same time, krill fishing for fishmeal and supplements has intensified.



Earlier shifts in whale migration were not seen during past periods of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/whales-transport-nutrients-across-entire-ocean-basins-in-their-urine/">population</a> growth. But now, under growing environmental pressure, the timing has started to change. This suggests that climate impacts, not crowding, may drive the shift.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whales-show-similar-trends-globally">Whales show similar trends globally</h2>



This pattern is not isolated to Australia. Populations along the western coast of Australia, California, and even South America have also shown changes in timing. Some arrive earlier at breeding grounds, others leave feeding grounds sooner.



“The later years of this study coincide with a pronounced decline in sea ice coverage beyond usual annual fluctuations,” said Dunlop.



These declines were especially sharp after 2021. That is exactly when the migration pattern began to shift.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-greater-energy-cost">A greater energy cost</h2>



Humpback whales are resilient. They have bounced back before. But the current situation is different. Environmental changes are now faster and broader. While whales still migrate and reproduce, the energy cost may be increasing.



“I am concerned at some point we may see a decline in birth rates because females won't have the energy to support migrating north, giving birth and getting their calf back to the feeding grounds,” warned Dunlop.



Researchers are now investigating if whales also leave the feeding grounds earlier. If both legs of the journey shift, it may point to long-term changes in life cycle and reproductive success.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-whale-migration-and-ocean-changes">Whale migration and ocean changes</h2>



Whales respond to changes in food, ice, and temperature. Their migration is tied to the pulse of the ocean. Shifts in their patterns signal broader disruptions in marine ecosystems, affecting balance and biodiversity.



Monitoring whale timing can help track how quickly the Southern Ocean changes. The data may also provide insight into the health of connected species. But more studies on whale health and krill populations are needed to understand the full impact.



For now, whales continue their incredible journey. But their timing tells a different story - one that's shaped by a changing planet.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-07010-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Humpback whales now migrate weeks early, signaling big ocean changes

Humpback whales travel thousands of kilometers each year, migrating between...

<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=DSM3EVeGHJU
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to implement the latest AI Agent building platform.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-agent-training-transforms-the-workplace-fear-factor-into-a-competitive-advantage">AI agent training transforms the workplace 'fear factor' into a competitive advantage</h2>



Organizations that offer comprehensive artificial intelligence training to their workers find remarkable value that extends well beyond basic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-wandering-might-be-more-productive-than-you-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">productivity improvements</a>. Emerging research demonstrates that carefully crafted AI training programs <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-does-not-replace-human-creativity-but-enhances-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enhance</a> corporate performance, lower operational costs, and dramatically improve employee psychological well-being by turning workplace uncertainty into professional empowerment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-widespread-ai-anxiety-crisis-among-us">Addressing the widespread 'AI anxiety' crisis among us</h2>



A staggering 53% of employees expressed concern that the use of AI tools to automate work tasks could make them appear disposable to their employers, according to <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft</a>'s 2024 workplace survey. Such pervasive worry about being substituted by machines has caused what researchers have termed "AI technostress" – a psychological state that can result in occupational burnout and poorer mental well-being.



Data published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a> showed that belief in AI learning ability was a moderator in the link between technology adoption and work pressure, and higher confidence significantly lowered negative psychological responses. Workers provided ample training to become competent with AI software have significantly lower stress.



Companies like <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a> have platforms for building what are known as "AI Agents". In essence, AI Agents are simply tools that employees can build for themselves or their teams quickly and inexpensively. MindStudio will even train entire companies, from the CEO on down, at no cost. By letting MindStudio empower employees, companies avoid hiring more IT staff, buying more software, and implementing solutions to problems that do not exist.



MindStudio even has partners locally for companies, like <a href="http://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dominnus</a> with offices in the Carolinas, California, and Denver, to help build AI Agents and support employees as they become resident AI experts for their organization. The training provided by MindStudio is applicable across other AI Agent building platforms as well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-productivity-through-focused-learning">Revolutionary productivity through focused learning</h2>



Organizations that implement large-scale AI training programs achieve dramatic outcomes. Employees performed tasks significantly better when they utilized AI support compared to when they didn't, according to <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nielsen Norman Group</a> research findings. Their study documented productivity increases of 66% for a variety of professional tasks.



Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis research finds workers record 33% higher productivity in time working with generative AI tools. The benefit is equivalent to 5.4% of work time savings for AI users – around 2.2 hours per week for full-time workers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychological-well-being-benefits-through-ai-competence">Psychological well-being benefits through AI competence</h2>



The emotional transformation when employees are provided with proper technology training is a fundamental transformation from fear to professional confidence. A survey of 600 employees across industries, carried out by ScienceDirect, proved that AI capabilities strengthen work environment commitment and improve job satisfaction.



A <a href="https://www.lut.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LUT University</a> study discovered that AI adoption has no direct effect on workers' well-being but does so indirectly through working conditions like task optimization and safety protocols. Strategically deployed AI that involves correct training can actually increase workplace mental well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-replacement-anxiety-to-partnership-confidence">From 'replacement anxiety' to 'partnership confidence'</h2>



Although 35% of those interviewed in recent McKinsey studies were concerned about workforce displacement, firms with large-scale training initiatives witness such fears dissipate quickly. The World Economic Forum found that two out of three respondents believe AI competencies will enhance their career prospects and job marketability.



This shift from fear to trust has measurable implications for job satisfaction. Applied Sciences research indicates AI can create tailored wellness programs based on individual employee requirements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-financial-benefits-of-increased-retention">Financial benefits of increased retention</h2>



The mental health advantages of AI learning have a direct impact on organizational bottom lines in the form of a positive feedback cycle with high retention of employees. Recent ROI research validates that artificial intelligence learning has a beneficial impact on employee turnover and satisfaction levels.



PriceWaterhouseCoopers' research documents 20% to 30% improvements in productivity, market speed, and revenue in organizations that attempt systematic AI adoption through comprehensive training.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-advantages-of-ai-enabled-teams">Environmental advantages of AI-enabled teams</h2>



AI training has unforeseen environmental benefits as it makes the work environment more efficient. According to a study in Scientific Reports, the carbon footprint in writing and illustrating work is significantly lower when AI performs it compared to humans. AI software produces 130 to 1,500 times less CO2 equivalent per page of text created than human authors.



In addition, AI-driven remote work functionality significantly reduces environmental impact. Research by Cornell University and Microsoft indicates that remote workers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 54% by not commuting daily to offices. Hybrid workers working remotely two to four days a week can reduce their carbon footprint by 11% to 29%.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cumulative-organizational-advantages">Cumulative organizational advantages</h2>



The compounding gains of better mental well-being, reduced turnover, increased productivity, and environmental benefits flow to enterprises from the pairing. McKinsey analysis estimates the long-term AI potential at $4.4 trillion in incremental productivity growth opportunity from business use cases.



As of now, 75% of knowledge workers globally utilize generative AI, mirroring widespread adoption patterns. Organizations that provide organized training and assistance see the most favorable results in productivity, worker satisfaction, and ecological sustainability.



The research overwhelmingly indicates that companies that invest in proper AI education, like that offered through <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a>, establish win-win scenarios where employees are both more empowered and less stressed, and companies enjoy the gains of increased productivity, reduced turnover, and improved mental health outcomes throughout their workforce.



For more on MindStudio's free AI training for companies, visit the website's of MindStudio and Dominnus from the links below.



The research was published across a variety of peer-reviewed journals, including <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a>, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence</a>, and <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci">Applied Sciences</a>.



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MindStudio.AI: <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.mindstudio.ai</a>



Dominnus: <a href="https://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.dominnus.com</a>

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to...

<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=0HDXqTGEmi4
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-natural-solution-to-disease-through-crop-modification">A natural solution to disease through crop modification.</h2>



The agricultural industry stands at a crossroads between productivity and environmental responsibility, and crop modification often carries a negative connotation. While chemical pesticides have long been the go-to solution for crop protection, their harmful effects on ecosystems and human health have prompted scientists to seek alternatives. The recent breakthrough by <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a> researchers offers a promising path forward through the precise manipulation of plant-associated microbial communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science-behind-microbial-partnerships">The science behind microbial partnerships</h2>



Plants naturally harbor diverse ecosystems of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that function as biological allies. These microscopic partners contribute to disease resistance, nutrient absorption, and stress tolerance. However, until now, scientists lacked the tools to deliberately reshape these communities to enhance crop protection.



The Southampton team's approach centered on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/engineered-plant-microbiomes-the-future-of-crop-protection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modifying lignin biosynthesis genes in rice plants</a>. This strategic intervention altered the plant's metabolic output, creating conditions that favored beneficial bacterial populations while suppressing harmful ones. The result was a living defense system embedded within the plant itself.



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



The successful demonstration against Xanthomonas oryzae, the pathogen responsible for bacterial blight in rice, represents more than a laboratory achievement. Rice feeds nearly half the world's population, and bacterial blight causes devastating crop losses annually. Traditional control methods rely heavily on pesticides that contaminate soil and water systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-disease-resistance">Looking Beyond Disease Resistance</h2>



While disease protection represents the immediate application, the research framework opens doors to broader agricultural improvements. Future developments could engineer microbiomes to enhance nutrient uptake, reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. This dual benefit addresses both crop productivity and environmental sustainability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-path-forward">The path forward</h2>



As this technology advances from laboratory to field applications, it promises to reshape sustainable agriculture. The ability to program plants with their own biological defense systems could herald a new era where crops protect themselves naturally, reducing chemical inputs while maintaining yields necessary for global food security.



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44335-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4 Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease A natural...

<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...

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a> reveals how scientists can modify common crops like soybean, rice, and wheat to protect them from heat stress.



“We need to double crop production by 2050 to feed a growing global population, and not only are we not on track to do that, but climate change is further complicating things,” said Amanda Cavanagh, a lecturer at the University of Essex. 



The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.



“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;



“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”



The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;



The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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Designing crops that can beat the heat

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes the first comprehensive estimate of carbon density in the Saharan, Sahel, and Sudanian zones of Africa. In an effort to measure the amount of carbon stored across these drylands, a team of scientists used high-resolution satellite images and artificial intelligence to map nearly 10 billion individual trees. 



"The high spatial resolution (50 cm) combined with AI and field measurements used in this study is key to improving tree inventories in drylands," said Pierre Hiernaux, a French researcher working for NASA. "The ever-increasing availability of very high-resolution satellite imagery will make it possible to assess carbon pools and their dynamics at the individual tree level on a global scale."



"This study is exceptional because it is pioneering a type of approach that will revolutionize the monitoring of trees and forests on a global scale: in the short term, it will be possible to map the world's trees from the centre of the Amazon to our schoolyards," said <a href="https://www.inrae.fr/en">INRAE</a> researcher Jean-Pierre Wigneron.



"Many fields of application will become much more efficient and accurate, such as tracking carbon stocks, biodiversity, monitoring logging and protection against illegal forest degradation, in near real time.”



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.

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> features a visual dataset of.methane emissions from wetlands across the globe. Atmospheric methane levels have reached record highs in recent years, and wetlands are a major source of these emissions.&nbsp;



"Methane is an important greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming. On a molecule by molecule basis, methane is much more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, the main driver of warming," says NASA.



"Though human activities, including agriculture, oil and natural gas production and use, and waste disposal, collectively contribute the majority of methane to the atmosphere, about a third of total methane emissions comes from wetlands."&nbsp;



According to NASA, understanding methane emissions from wetlands and other natural sources is critically important for scientists and policymakers who are working to combat climate change by reducing emissions from human activities.



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

[sendtonews key="f8fukm28Vz-2491833-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes how record-breaking heat expressed itself around the world in 2022.



Scientists have determined that 2022 was the 5th warmest year since 1880. Furthermore, the last nine consecutive years have been the warmest on record.



From devastating floods and wildfires to natural disasters like Hurricane Ian, 2022 showed us yet again how a warming climate affects people across the globe.&nbsp;



"As we look back at 20:22 and years past, we see that each year we better understand the challenges we face and how important it is to meet them," says NASA.



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

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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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"] Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected...

Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/">University of Miami</a> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science explores how changes in water temperatures have affected tiger shark habitats and movements in the North Atlantic Ocean. The study reveals that rising temperatures have caused the sharks to shift toward the poles over the past 40 years.



“Tiger shark annual migrations have expanded poleward, paralleling rising water temperatures,” explained study lead author Neil Hammerschlag. “These results have consequences for tiger shark conservation, since shifts in their movements outside of marine protected areas may leave them more vulnerable to commercial fishing.”



The researchers analyzed nine years of tracking data from satellite-tagged tiger sharks, combined with four decades of conventional tag and recapture data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Shark Tagging Program.



The experts found that during the last decade of record heat, for every one-degree Celsius increase in water temperatures, tiger sharks migrated further poleward by over 400 kilometers. They also migrated two weeks earlier than usual to waters off the northeastern coast of the United States.



“Given their role as apex predators, these changes to tiger shark movements may alter predator-prey interactions, leading to ecological imbalances, and more frequent encounters with humans,” concluded Professor Hammerschlag.



Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science



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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.

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

Today’s Video of the Day from the University of Miami...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> is focused on the melt ponds that emerge during the spring and summer on the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the largest ice mass in the northern hemisphere.



"Melt ponds are vast pools of open water that form on both sea ice and ice sheets and are visible as turquoise-blue pools of water in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image," says ESA.



"When snow and ice melts atop glaciers, water flows in channels and streams and collects in depressions on the surface. These melt ponds can speed up the melting of the surrounding ice since they greatly reduce the ice’s ability to reflect sunlight."



"This can create a positive feedback where an increasing number of melt ponds absorb more heat which causes ice cover to melt even faster."



According to ESA, Greenland has been hit with a late-season heatwave that began in early September. This caused the type of melt event that usually occurs in the middle of summer.



"In a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change, scientists found that major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now ‘inevitable’ even if the burning of fossil fuels were to halt overnight," says ESA. "Using satellite observations of Greenland ice loss and ice cap from 2000 to 2019, the team found the losses will lead to a minimum rise of 27 cm regardless of climate change."



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.

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes how Earth is unique in our solar system for its ability to sustain liquid water on its surface. But now, the water cycle is shifting as the climate warms, and scientists must find ways to predict how these changes will affect water availability.



Overall, 96 percent of Earth's water is saltwater, and nearly all of freshwater is found in ice and groundwater. These sources of water are linked as it passes through solid, liquid and gas phases.



In a warmer climate, the water cycle will be transformed. It will be easier for water to evaporate and form clouds, and storms will become more frequent and intense. Some regions will get too much water, while others will be left without enough water. In addition, soil moisture will be lost - which threatens food security.



Scientists are using satellite data from over the last 40 years to track changes that are happening in the water cycle. This will ultimately help us prepare for extreme events and better manage our water resources, according to ESA.



Video 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.

Tracking changes in Earth's water cycle

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a> features images of Saturn from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. The photographs capture the start of the mysterious "spoke season" on Saturn - when unexplained features appear on its rings. 



According to NASA, both the cause of the spokes and their seasonal variability have yet to be fully explained by planetary scientists.



"Like Earth, Saturn is tilted on its axis and therefore has four seasons, though because of Saturn's much larger orbit, each season lasts approximately seven Earth years. Equinox occurs when the rings are tilted edge-on to the Sun," explains NASA.



"The spokes disappear when it is near summer or winter solstice on Saturn. (When the Sun appears to reach either its highest or lowest latitude in the northern or southern hemisphere of a planet.) As the autumnal equinox of Saturn's northern hemisphere on May 6, 2025, draws near, the spokes are expected to become increasingly prominent and observable."



Experts believe that the spokes may be a product of the planet's variable magnetic field. When magnetic fields interact with solar wind, an electrically charged environment is created. This phenomenon is visible on Earth as the northern lights.&nbsp;



"Scientists think that the smallest, dust-sized icy ring particles can become charged as well, which temporarily levitates those particles above the rest of the larger icy particles and boulders in the rings," says NASA.



The spokes were first observed in the early 1980s by NASA's Voyager mission. Depending on the angle of the rings, the spokes can appear dark or light.



"Thanks to Hubble's OPAL program, which is building an archive of data on the outer solar system planets, we will have longer dedicated time to study Saturn’s spokes this season than ever before," said NASA senior planetary scientist Amy Simon, head of the Hubble Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy (OPAL) program.



"Despite years of excellent observations by the Cassini mission, the precise beginning and duration of the spoke season is still unpredictable, rather like predicting the first storm during hurricane season."



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.

Mysterious "spoke season" captured on Saturn

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Closeup,Of,Fresh,Green,The,Napier,Bush,Grass,As,Animal

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="http://www.ntu.edu.sg/">NTU Singapore</a> reveals that some plants can remove toxic heavy metals from soil.&nbsp;



The researchers analyzed samples of various tropical plant species to test for levels of heavy metals and metalloids. The study showed that there are existing plants with high levels of these contaminants, which means that these species are great candidates for drawing pollutants out of the soil.&nbsp;



Among the plants examined in the study, 12 species had accumulated several types of heavy metals and metalloids. These plants are widely available, including species that are native to Singapore.



“In a small nation like Singapore, land may be repurposed to support new development plans, so it is important that we have a green and sustainable way to remediate land that is contaminated," said Professor Lam Yeng Ming.



"We set out to uncover how to better make use of tropical plants to do phytoremediation and through advanced characterization techniques, we showed how some of these tropical plant species can be an environmentally friendly and literally a 'green' way to remove contaminants in soil."&nbsp;



"Phytoremediation also has benefits of cost effectiveness, simplicity of management, aesthetic advantages, and long-term applicability and sustainability. The strategy prevents erosion and metal leaching by stabilizing or accumulating heavy metals, so that helps reduce the risk of contaminant spread.”



Video Credit: NTU Singapore



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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.

Plants help remove heavy metals from contaminated soil

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes why herbicides are not as effective in killing weeds anymore. In the 20th century, chemical companies developed thousands of herbicides. The most commonly used herbicide was glyphosate, which was introduced in 1974.



Over the past few decades, dozens of species of weeds have evolved resistance to glyphosate. Depending on the site of action, the part of the plant that an herbicide interacts with, weeds may even be resistant to herbicides that have not been developed yet.&nbsp;



With increasing resistance to glyphosate and other herbicides, weeds are - once again - becoming a major concern for farmers.&nbsp;



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.

Weeds are becoming increasingly resistant to herbicides

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/">NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> (JPL) describes a dust storm on Mars that was nearly twice the size of the United States. As the storm covered the southern hemisphere of the planet, some of NASA’s explorers had to delay their normal activities.



NASA’s Insight lander put itself in a "safe mode" for 11 days to conserve battery power because solar power was disrupted by the dust. The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter postponed flights until conditions improved.



"A fleet of NASA orbiters monitor Martian dust storms like this one and serve as lifelines to Earth by relaying data from the rovers and lander on the ground back to the team. This includes the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, MAVEN, and Odyssey," reports JPL.



"Dust storms like this recent one start close to the ground and are spread by wind as they rise – warming the cold Martian atmosphere."



The images in the video were captured by NASA’s Curiosity as the dust rolled in. A fleet of orbiters monitored the dust storm from above, relaying data from Mars’ explorers back to scientists on Earth.



Video &amp; Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/MSSS



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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.

NASA monitors giant dust storms on Mars

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="http://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. This strait provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.



Qeshm is separated from the Iranian coast by the Clarence Strait, also known as Khuran.&nbsp;The Hara Forest Protected Area is a network of shallow waterways and forest located between the island and the mainland. This protected region is home to sea turtles, snakes, and more than 150 species of migrating birds.



Qeshm is famous for its wide range of&nbsp;ecotourist&nbsp;attractions, such as the&nbsp;Hara marine forests. According to environmentalists, about 1.5 percent of the world birds and 25 percent of Iran's native <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/female-hummingbirds-avoid-sexual-harassment-by-looking-like-males/">birds</a> annually migrate to the forests, which are the first national geo park in Iran.



Tourists are also drawn to the island to see an age-old Portuguese&nbsp;fort, historic mosques, the&nbsp;Seyyed Mozaffar&nbsp;and&nbsp;Bibi Maryam&nbsp;shrines, and the "Valley of Stars."



The average temperature on the island is 81 degress and the region is often hot and humid. From June to August, the island is described as being oppressively hot. The ideal time to visit is during the winter season. 



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.

Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz

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